“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

THE STATE OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY IN 2010: CONFIDENT AND OFFERING NEW SHIPS, INNOVATION AND EXCEPTIONAL VALUE

THE STATE OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY IN 2010: CONFIDENT AND OFFERING NEW SHIPS, INNOVATION AND EXCEPTIONAL VALUE br /br /br /Celebrating 35 Years of History, Cruise Lines International Association and its Members Forecast 2010 Growth and Continued Success br /Fort Lauderdale January 20, 2010 —br /br /Having weathered perhaps the most challenging 18 months in its history, the cruise industry as represented by Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) member lines, is looking ahead with optimism and a proud sense of accomplishment. CLIA, its member lines and travel agents, have adapted quickly and effectively to the global economic downturn in order to keep ships sailing at full capacity throughout 2009 and expect continued growth in 2010.br /CLIA was founded in 1975 to serve the needs of a small, new venture - the transformation of increasingly obsolete maritime transatlantic travel into trend-setting leisure vacationing. The industry's story is one of impressive growth - 118 new ships since 2000, and, since 1980, average annual growth in passengers of 7.4 percent, despite numerous economic downturns and other obstacles.br /In 2008/2009, the cruise industry was impacted by many of the same challenges facing all businesses. Fuel prices, H1N1, the stock market crash and continued fluctuations, the housing crisis, corporate restructuring, stimulus plans and bailouts, even the uncertainty of a presidential election and, certainly, declining and fragile consumer confidence. Unlike many other industries, cruising, with an impressive history of recession-resistance, had several advantages. These include vessel mobility and redeployment, ability to quickly adapt to change, effective expense management and, above all, a product with the highest perceived value for money spent. Combined with the excitement of new ships, a proactive travel agency sales network and promotional efforts to create incredible vacation values, CLIA member lines were able to drive consumer demand and operate at full capacity throughout the most challenging months.br /"CLIA's member lines and travel agents responded amazingly well to the economic crisis and have put themselves in a very strong position to succeed in 2010," said Terry L. Dale, CLIA's president and CEO. "In many important ways, if you have to have these challenges, cruising is the industry to be in. We have continued high cruise vacation interest and demand and an under-penetrated market of millions who have never cruised before; approximately 80% of Americans have yet to cruise and the opportunity is even greater in Europe and abroad where cruise vacation adoption is growing at an accelerated rate. Statistically, cruising exceeds traveler expectations and first-timers and past cruisers keep coming back. The industry's history of thriving through even the hardest of times gives our guests confidence that they are making a safe and rewarding purchase. And, most important, cruise vacations are perceived by virtually all consumers as very high value when those consumers are seeking value above all else."br /Industry Growth and Economic Impact br /br /Despite the economic turmoil of 2009, the cruise industry continued to grow. A total of 13.445 million guests are forecast to have sailed last year (totals through the third quarter, 2009 - 9,999,068 passengers - indicate that forecast is on track), U.S. and Canadian residents accounted for 76.5 percent of guests, with 23.5 percent sourced internationally. Volume of international guests has been growing consistently. In 2000, less than 10% of the guests sailing on CLIA member cruise lines were sourced to international markets. The CLIA fleet (collectively among all 25 member cruise lines) in 2009 sailed at an average occupancy of 104.4 percent, with an average length of cruise of 7.2 days. In short, passenger volume continues to keep pace with capacity.br /CLIA forecasts a total of 14.3 million passengers in 2010 - 10.7 million from North America and 3.6 million sourced internationally. This represents a total increase of passengers of 855,000 or 6.4 percent growth.br /The industry's growth is also reflected in its economic impact. In 2008, direct spending in goods and services by cruise lines and their passengers totaled $19.07 billion, a 2 percent increase over 2007. Factoring in indirect spending, the total economic impact of the industry on the U.S. economy was $40.2 billion, an increase of six percent. All 50 states were positively impacted. This included the generation of 357,710 jobs paying a total of $16.2 billion in wages and salaries nationwide.br /New Ships br /br /After introducing 14 new ships representing a total investment of $4.7 billion in 2009, the CLIA fleet will invest an additional $6.5 billion and welcome 12 new vessels this year. Significantly, the new ships continue to reflect the diversity of ships and cruise experiences available to the traveling public, ranging in capacity from 101 passengers to 5,400 passengers and built for everything from roaming the globe in sheer luxury to sailing the waters of Europe's most famous rivers and the coastlines of North America.br /The newest members of the CLIA fleet will include:br /Royal Caribbean International: Allure of the Seas (5,400 passengers )br /Norwegian Cruise Line: Epic (4,200 passengers)br /Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Eclipse (2,850 passengers)br /MSC: MSC Magnifica (2,550 passengers)br /Costa Cruises: Deliziosa (2,260 passengers)br /Holland America Line: Nieuw Amsterdam (2,100 passengers)br /Cunard Line: Queen Elizabeth (2,092 passengers)br /Seabourn Cruise Line: Seabourn Sojourn (450 passengers)br /Avalon Waterways: Felicity and Luminary (138 passengers)br /Pearl Seas Cruises: Pearl Mist (110 passengers)br /American Cruise Line: Independence (101 passengers)br /br /Looking forward, CLIA member lines have 26 new ships on order between 2010 and 2012 - 23 ocean-going vessels and three built for river/coastal cruising. This represents a net increase in capacity of 18 percent, or 53,971 beds.br /Industry Trends br /br /At the end of 2009, CLIA surveyed its member lines and member travel agents to get a better picture of their outlook and level of optimism for 2010 and to identify major industry trends. These are some of the findings:br /Travel agents are optimistic about the coming year, with 75.7 percent anticipating an increase in sales and another 11 percent expecting to hold even with 2009. Most agents surveyed looked forward to sales increases of approximately 15 percent.br /br /Although the cruise selling season spans the entire year, the traditional "Wave Season" (January-March) will continue to be important for cruise sales, according to agents, with 83 percent predicting an increase in booking volume of 10-20 percent.br /br /Consumers, according to agents, continue to express strong interest in all types of cruising. High interest in contemporary cruising was expressed by 73 percent of clients, followed by premium cruise lines (49.7 percent) and destination/niche cruise products (47 percent). One of the most dramatic findings was the high interest in river cruising by 34 percent of clients.br /br /Cruising continues to rank number one among consumers for perceived value, vacation interest and, for travel agents, ease in selling.br /br /The anticipated top cruise destinations for 2010, by volume of sales, according to agents, are: The Caribbean/Bahamas, including eastern Mexico, Alaska, Mediterranean and Greek Islands/Turkey, Europe, Hawaii, Panama Canal, West Coast of Mexico, Bermuda, European rivers and Canada/New England.br /br /The top "hot" destinations (consumers increased interest) include: The Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Alaska, European rivers, Europe, Hawaii, Panama Canal, West Coast of Mexico and the Bahamasbr /br /While remaining relatively short, the cruise booking window is lengthening. Agents report an average window of 5.04 months (compared to 4.6 months in 2009), with only 30 percent of clients booking less than four months out (compared to 39 percent in 2009).br /br /Couples dominate cruise demographics although agents report continued growth in families, extended families, and friends traveling together as well. Seniors also continue to be an important segment.br /br /Fifty-three percent of agents expect to book more new cruisers in 2010 while 37 percent expect their client mix of new and repeat customers to remain constant.br /br /CLIA travel agents continue to be very optimistic about travel in the next three years, particularly cruise travel - 71.1 percent describe themselves as "very or extremely optimistic."br /br /CLIA training remains extremely important for member agents. Eighty-eight percent have taken CLIA training; almost 70 percent are currently enrolled in some form of CLIA education, and 87.2 percent say training is important.br /br /CLIA member lines, meanwhile, identify a number of trends that will help define cruising in 2010:br /Strong interest in group and affinity travel (for some lines more than 40 percent of business)br /Popularity of theme cruises, notably music, food and wine cruisesbr /Some lines are increasing their line-up of onboard speakers for enhanced enrichment programsbr /Cruise lines expect baby boomers and repeat cruisers to be the biggest growth marketsbr /Historical and cultural shore excursions tend to be the most popularbr /Shipboard spas continue to attract cruisers, with some lines reporting use by 40-50 percent of passengersbr /br /New green, environment-friendly shipboard technologies being utilized, such as solar power, advanced water treatment systems, Alternative Maritime Power, fuel conservation, innovative hull treatments and othersbr /br /It is also worth noting that many CLIA member lines have plans in place to boost marketing efforts for 2010 to ensure continued demand, including taking full advantage of social media, including Facebook and Twitter.br /br /CLIA travel agents agree with member lines that consumers have much to look forward to in 2010. In addition to new ships of every size and description, these are some of the innovations that are guaranteed to generate strong interest among vacationers:br /br /New shipboard amenities and facilities such as themed "neighborhoods," full-sized waterparks, adults-only areas, comedy clubs, more and more dining choices and a greater choice of accommodationsbr /br /Expanded and diversified shore excursions, including private excursionsbr /Incentives to book in advance, such as gratuity packages and discountsbr /br /Approximately 30 domestic ports of embarkation mean that half the residents of the United States are now within driving distance of cruises sailing to all parts of the world, eliminating the cost and inconvenience of flyingbr /br /"Vacations are needed now more than ever; everyone needs the time and space to relax and revitalize. Nothing makes that easier than a cruise and we are confident that with new ships and itineraries, innovative shipboard experiences and incredible value, 2010 will be a great year for cruising," Dale said.br /br /###br /About CLIAbr /br /The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 25 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-2013943388152654846?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Cruise Traveler Magazine’s 7 Best Cruise Trends for 2010

span style="font-size: x-small;"7 Best Cruise Trends For 2010 br /Cruise Traveler Magazine's 7 Best Cruise Trends for 2010 /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"What's in store at sea and on shore..../spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"by Raye amp; Marty Trencher, Editors, Cruise Traveler Magazine/spanbr /br /div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C5EU8WrpACw/SzSqiRRMY_I/AAAAAAAAAA0/J06RTm0ptvI/s1600-h/Raye_and+_Marty_Trencher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C5EU8WrpACw/SzSqiRRMY_I/AAAAAAAAAA0/J06RTm0ptvI/s320/Raye_and+_Marty_Trencher.jpg" //abr //divspan style="font-size: x-small;"Our pick for the number one cruise trend for 2010 is "The Best Cruise Deals". Even as the economy starts to recover, cruise prices will first rise, then fall, and once again represent a great bargain. For some destinations cruise lines will offer some of the cheapest deals we have seen in years./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"But that's not all. With dozen's of new ships entering the market, the cruise lines have to fill those berths. And boy have they built them to attract not only the most price conscience traveler, but the most adventure bound as well. The new ships are bigger, better and offer more high energy activities, such as flowriders, water coasters, zip lines and pay-as-you-go amenities. These new ships are priced some 15 to 20% higher than their smaller cousins in the fleet. Someone has to pay for the near billion dollar cost for some of these ships./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"Our predication: Cruise lines will continue to face stiff competition in 2010, especially in an economy in recovery. While they are slowly raising prices, We think the cruise lines will continue to respond to the will of the marketplace, where many consumers will hold out until they see the prices they want and then offer special cruise deals, onboard spending credits, reduced or free airfare, (even Disney Cruise Line is offering a kids cruise free promotion), stateroom upgrades and last minute cruise discounts of 50-80% off the listed brochure fares in order to keep their ships cruising full. We will see Wave Season cruise deals ( bookings made from January to March ), offer low prices for Alaska and Mexico, as fourth quarter 2009 sales for these destinations was flat. More and more options to spend your money onboard represent additional per capita income for the cruise line and raise the actual price of cruising for the consumer. So, that $499 cruise for a week in the Caribbean, may actually cost over a $1000, when you add up all the sightseeing, dining upcharges and other costs not associated with the cruise fare itself. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"So, here we go.. the 7 Best Cruise Trends For 2010. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"strong1. The Best Cruise Deals/strong/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"A bad economy makes for some very good deals: Super cruise deals, lowest prices in years. But don't book them directly with the cruise line. You can get "bonus" savings from many travel agents. Not only a better price, but some agents throw in shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities and other incentives to get you to book. Shipboard 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. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Contact your credit card company. They may offer additional savings, shipboard credits or frequent flyer miles when you pay for your cruise in full with that credit card./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Sign up for e-mail deal alerts that let you know where the great deals are. Some services will e-mail you when cruise fares drop for the cruise you want. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Tip: After you've booked your cruise keep checking the prices. If the price drop, contact your travel agent, changes are they can you can save you more money./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise lines are offering deeper discounts earlier, with great deals rates for spring and some offer kids to sail for free. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"You can find deals priced at less than $45 per person per day including all your meals and most activities -- but watch out.. you will pay an "up charge" for specialty restaurants, bar drinks, spa treatments and shore excursions. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"And best of all. No more fuel surcharges. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br /nbsp;/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strong2. Bigger is Better?/strong/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"In 2009 Carnival Splendor, at 3006 guests was Carnival Cruise line's newest behemoth. The new Celebrity Solstice, welcomes 2,850 guests, and Royal Caribbean's new Independence of the Seas, with 3,634 guests are some of 2009's biggest cruise ships. Now comes 2010.../spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"The Carnival Dream at 3,646 guests includes 19,000 square feet of space dedicated to children and families, an expansive WaterWorks aqua park offering the longest water slide at sea, new entertainment choices such as a comedy club and outdoor laser shows set to high-energy rock music, a half-mile wrap around promenade and whirlpools that extend over the ship’s sides, and Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue. Other features include innovative accommodation options such as deluxe ocean view staterooms with two-bathrooms, some of which feature five berths and hold particular appeal for families, as well as the Fun Hub, a comprehensive intranet portal and the cruise industry’s first shipboard social network. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strongComing in 2010/strong/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Royal Caribbean introduces ( December 2009 ) the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas. Yes, over 5000 guests! Onboard features include the huge Central Park, the Boardwalk, a shopping and dining promenade, featuring an antique carousel; a zip line, and the Aqua Theater, a pool area and amphitheater at the ship's bow that will feature a high-diving spectacular and aqua-acrobatics. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/royal_caribbean_oasis_of_the_seas_cruise_review.htm"Oasis of the Seas Cruise Review/a. Read about all the stateroom, entertainment and dining options. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"The Disney Dream is the majestic third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Boasting 14 towering decks, a ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet, the 128,000-ton vessel includes 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to accommodate up to 4,000 guests./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Building on the classic style of the line's previous 2 ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream is a valiant vessel distinguished for its classic early 20th-century design—which harkens back to the golden age of cruising—and state-of-the-art technology. As can be expected from Disney, the cruise liner was specially designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts—like the splashtacular AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"Norwegian EPIC, NCL’s incredible new ship looks to reinvent cruising, by having guests experience an array of exciting, new entertainment options and nightlife, including the first true ice bar at sea./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Norwegian Epic will have some of the most innovative and flexible accommodations ever – from new studios with a hip urban feel and exclusive access to The Living Room and private Villas. Add 20 different dining options and you’ll see why we say this is going to be Freestyle Cruising on a truly grand scale./spanbr /br /More New Ships in 2010br /br /Celebrity: Celebrity Eclipse - Aprilbr /Cunard: Queen Elizabeth - Octoberbr /Holland America Line: Nieuw Amsterdam - Julybr /Royal Caribbean International: Allure of the Seas - Decemberspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"strong3. Better Food and Dining Options./strong /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"But at what cost? Are the cruise lines nickel-and-dining you?/spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"For 2010 you've got more dining choices. Specialty coffee cafe's, wine bars, gourmet pastries and upscale specialty French, Asian, Italian and Chop House restaurants -- all at additional cost. Up charges range from a low of $5.00 to as high as $30.00 or more. You can still dine in the main dining room for no extra charge, included choices from a healthy-calorie counting menu. Now there are even more./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise lines continue to offer flexible dining options -- dining when and where you want, rather than being assigned a specific table at a 6:30 or 8:30pm dining hour. Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America and Princess offer flexible evening dining options. In 2009 Royal Caribbean introduces "My Time Dining" a similar concept. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"With the basic price of your cruise at its lowest level in years, cruise lines will focus more on "per capita" spending onboard to make up any shortfall in cruise fare revenue. So, be sure to add up all the costs to get a true picture of what your cruise will cost./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strong4. Close to home cruising, best for your budget./strong/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"There will be fewer people cruising to exotic destinations like Australia, New Zealand, South America or Asia. Even Europe and the Mediterranean will see less passengers. The cost of airfare to get there is too expensive and can cost you more than the cruise these days. The cruise lines are scrambling to reposition their ships closer to home, so Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera are your best bets./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"And if time is short and you can't take seven-day off, consider a cruise from 3 to 5 days. In 2010 you will find dozens of short cruise options at starting prices under $299 per person./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"There are three, four- and five-night voyages that sail from Miami and offer both Eastern and Western Caribbean ports-of-call. On the West Coast, Royal Caribbean offers four- and five-night Mexican Riviera cruises. You can even take a five-night Bermuda cruise from New York. You can now sail from Baltimore on a year-round basis. So, save the cost of airfare and drive to where the ship departs. The high cost of air travel is a compelling reason to target cruise ships that sail within a day’s drive or less of your home. Cruising close to home has never been easier. /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"From the East Coast, you can sail from; Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, New York City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Tampa. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"From the West Coast; Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"From the Gulf Coast; Galveston, Houston, Mobile, New Orleans. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"All total, some 22 close-to-home departures in the United States and Canada. With so many ships in these close-in markets, in 2009 the competition for your cruise dollar will be fierce. And that means a great deal for you./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strong5. So what if you are well-off, and can afford it?/strong/spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Despite the economy, luxury cruising is not dead. There are new luxury ships on the horizon. In June of 2009 we welcomed the Seabourn Odyssey, with one of the biggest spas on a luxury ship, larger staterooms, in-cabin dining and more. In November, Silversea Cruises introduces Silver Spirit. Silver Spirit will feature a supper club and an Asian-themed restaurant. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"strong6. What's Old is New!/strong/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"nbsp;/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"Older cruise ships are no longer sent to the scrap yard. They are reborn. After weeks in dry dock, they emerge with new balconies, larger kids' facilities and luxury spas. Some get children's water parks, 300-foot waterslides and adults-only pools. Others get brand new shopping arcades and upgraded in-cabin bedding, furniture, carpeting and bathroom amenities. Many ships have redesigned lounges, public rooms and the addition of pizzerias, coffee and wine bars and ice-cream parlors./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"strong7. Last-Minute Deals Are Dirt Cheap!/strong/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Be patient. It pays./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"Are you holding out for the last minute so you can snag that great deal? You're not alone. More people are flexible as to when then can travel and want to take advantage of close-to-home cruising (saving the high cost of airfare)/spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Hint; Wait until 30-45 days or so before the cruise you want for the best deals. Cruise lines are cutting prices for that unsold inventory to all time lows. The cruise industry, reeling from the economic crisis and a sharp drop-off in passengers, is offering some incredible last minute cruise deals. We've even seen a 3 days cruise for $99! /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"strongPractical Advice On How To Save Money On Your Next Cruise/strong/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Plan ahead and save big. Get the best value for your money. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"nbsp;/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"1. Reserve Your Cruise Now/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"At least 3 - 6 months prior to sailing. You get the best choice of locations and stateroom availability and the sooner you book, the better the discount./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"2. If You Can, Pay For It In Advance/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Save as much as 15%. Some cruise lines give an extra discount if you pay in full at least six months in advance of your sailing date./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"3. Reserve Your Cruise At The Last Minute/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Depending upon when you want to go, last minute bookings can save you money! Especially if you are not particular about what cabin and where on the ship you are staying./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"4. Cruise In The Off Season/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruises are more expensive in high season, so if you can go some other time you will save even more. Alaska cruises are cheaper in May and September. Europe and Mediterranean cruises in September and October. Caribbean cruises in September, October and January./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"5. Do A Transatlantic, Transpacific Or Repositioning Cruise/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Want to sail from Europe or the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, or from Alaska to Hawaii, or Mexico? You will cruise for about half the cost of the same number of days of a single destination cruise. You'll get more lazy days at sea and fewer port stops./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"6. Cruise On The Ship's Very First Journey/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"If you take an inaugural cruise on a new ship, you may save money, but don't expect everything to be ship shape./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"7. Go With A Group/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Groups that travel together save more. Go with or put together your own group from your church, club, work, school or plan a once in a lifetime a family reunion. And if you can get 15 or more people to go, you could go for free!/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"8. Don't Care About The View... Why Not An Inside Stateroom?/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"If you think of a stateroom as only a place for sleeping and dressing, and a view isn't necessary, you can save money with an inside stateroom./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"9. If Four's Not A Crowd, Put The Family In One Stateroom/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Third or fourth guests go at a substantial discount, and kids sometimes go free. If you take 4 adults, everyone shares in the savings. However, it can be very crowded. And just one bathroom!/spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"10. Reserve Without A Stateroom Assignment/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Even if the stateroom category that you want is sold out, you can reserve your place on the ship. The cruise line guarantees to provide you a stateroom in the category you want or one higher at the time they assign you a stateroom. However, you don't have a choice where it will be. You may save money and get a free upgrade if at the time they assign you a stateroom there are no more, in the category you reserved./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"11. Join The Club/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise lines give a special discounts or free upgrades to past passengers. Carnival give you a break even you have sailed on Holland America, Windstar, Princess, Costa, or Cunard, as they own them all./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"12. Ask And You Shall Receive/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Keep a close eye on weekly newspaper ads and newsletters for promotional specials. You may qualify for a two-for-one offer, kids free, or 50 percent off promotion. And, if you already have put a deposit down or paid for your cruise, do hesitate to ask for the lower fare if it applies to the stateroom type and category you reserved./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"13. On A Honeymoon? Or Celebrating A Special Occasion?/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or a family reunion on the cruise. On some ships you may qualify for an extra discount./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"14. Look For Added Value/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Some sailings offer free hotel nights before or after your cruise, sightseeing tours, or the cruise line will offer shipboard credits you can use in the shops./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"15. Free Upgrades/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Some lines offer an upgrade in cabin category if you are a repeat passenger, on a honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or your friends or family reserved more staterooms./spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"16. If You Like It So Much, Stay Onboard Another Week./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"If you arrange to stay on the ship for a second cruise, you could sail the second week at a discounted rate./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"nbsp;/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"17. Age Has It's Advantages/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Over 55? Some cruise lines have discounts for you. And, if a senior is traveling with other people in the stateroom that are under 55, the discount may apply to both fares./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"18. Airfare Prices Vary/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Sometimes the airfare offered by the cruise line is cheaper; sometimes not. Plan as far ahead as possible to get the lowest priced airline tickets. Comparison shop the ship's offer and what the airlines are offering./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"19. Consider A Pre Or Post Cruise Hotel Package/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Hotel stays can be arranged at the same time you book your cruise. As with airfares, compare the ship's price with what the hotel would charge you direct./spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"20. Every Cruise Line And Cruise Ship Is Different/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"The most important thing you can do is research all the ships and cruises that go to your chosen destination. Compare itineraries, accommodations, shipboard activities, shore tours and fares. By comparing, you will find a cruise that offers what you want at a price that fits your budget.. Be sure when you compare fares that you know whether taxes and port charges are included or not. /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"More Things To Consider.../spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"A. Become Cyber Savvy/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Check online for the latest discounts and special offerings on ships and sailings. Visit the cruise line's own web sites and several travel agents online to get the best service and price. But remember, don't reserve a cruise just because of price./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"B. Choose The Cruise That Best Fits Your Needs And Desires/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"So many people have bought the cheapest thing around, only to be disappointed once onboard. As you know by then it's too late to change your mind./spandiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-4943212100349308079?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Cruise Direct Online Joins The Travelocity Partner Network, Adds New Online Cruise Booking Capability Offers Instant Savings and Availability. 12,000 Cruises Online Inventory And Guest’s Own Personal Trip Planning Features, Added to Service Concept

span style="font-size: x-small;"strongCruise Direct Online today announced it has enhanced it's web site, partnering with Travelocity to bring enhanced direct online cruise booking capability. Guests can choose to book online or have a Cruise Travel Advisor contact them about their choices. Plus Cruise Direct Online offers personalized trip planning features for their guest to help in vacation planning./strong/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"nbsp;/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strongCruise Direct Online's New Online Cruise Booking Capability Offers Instant Savings and Availability. /strong/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strong12,000 Cruises Online Inventory And Guest's Own Personal Trip Planning Features, Added To Service Concept./strong /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"December 18, 2009 -- Just in time for the industry's "Wave Season", the January to March 2010 period when travel agents do most of their yearly cruise bookings, Cruise Direct Online today announced it has enhanced it's a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/"Cruise Traveler's Ultimate Search Engine/a® branded web site with an updated state-of-art direct online cruise booking capability. Guests can choose to book online or have a Cruise Travel Advisor contact them about their choices. Plus, get personalized trip planning features to help in vacation planning. Cruise Direct Online has combined instant pricing, availability and personal service into one program they call "Sails and Service"(sm). /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"strongA SEA OF CHOICES/strong /spanbr /br /div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/cruise_marketplace/cruise1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"img border="0" ps="true" src="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/cruise_marketplace/cruise1.gif" //abr //divspan style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;""Travelers love cruises, and the more choices you can offer, the better", commented Marty Trencher, Managing Director of Cruise Direct Online. "Our guests can browse, select and book online cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, the British Isles, the Baltic, the fjords of Norway, South America, the Mediterranean, Polynesia, the Indian Ocean and even world cruises" he added./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise Direct Online's guests can now select from over 12,000 sailings for 2010-2011. Guests may choose from more than 80 ports of embarkation, including 24 close-to-home within driving distance of most residents of the US and Canada. Popular destinations include Alaska, Mexico, Europe, Bermuda, the Caribbean, The Far East, Africa, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Canada and South America. /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise Direct Online's offerings include cruises from 2 days to 105 days, on more than 96 cruise ships representing the top cruise line brands - Azamara Club Cruises, /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Uniworld Cruises, and Windstar. Luxury, themed and specialty cruises are also available. The a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/lastminutecruisesonline.htm"Last Minute Cruise Deals/a section offering great rates within 60 days of sailing, is also a popular new feature./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"And for those interested in a more intimate, up close and slower paced cruise experience, Cruise Direct Online has new a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/river_cruises/river_cruises_2010.htm"River Cruises/a offerings from AMA Waterways, Viking River Cruises, eWaterways, Uniworld River Cruises, and Avalon Waterways./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise Direct Online provides instant price quotes powered by the a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/travelocity_cruise_deals.htm"Travelocity Partner Network/a. Guests get a "real time" look at what's available directly from the cruise line's own reservation systems. They can check the latest discount pricing, availability, make a cabin selection, look up an itinerary, Guests can peruse an extensive library of customer and Cruise Critic cruise ship reviews. View photos, cruise line movies,and over 3,700 Virtual 360° ship tours. Plus, see itineraries, deck plans, ship details, and more. Now Cruise Direct Online's Travelocity branded best deals are available to guests on a moments notice....any time of the day or night. 24/7. Plus, a call center for reservations and customer service available 24/7./spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise Direct Online even takes it a step further. Guests get the personal services of a Cruise Travel Advisor and any further applicable discounts if available; upgrades, resident or regional promotions, senior rates, past passenger coupons, or other savings, possibly making their cruise price even lower. The option to contact a Cruise Travel Advisor is integrated into the system. /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise Direct Online's "a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.cruisedirectonline.com"Cruise Travelers Ultimate Search Engine/a®" Features:/spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Advanced Cruise Finder® search engine /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Instant online cruise booking /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Over 18 cruise lines featured /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Direct access to extensive inventory and low rates /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Virtual 360° ship tours, deck plans and cabin layout /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Personal cruise planner /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Seasonal specials and repositioning cruises /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Luxury, themed and lifestyle cruises /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Facts about destinations and ports of call /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Details on shore excursions /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"FAQ and in-depth cruise resources /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Up-to-date articles and tips on cruising /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"Driving directions and travel tips /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"24/7 call center for reservations and customer service /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"strongPersonalized Trip Planning/strong /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"In addition to booking, Cruise Direct Online's a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/mycruiseonline.htm"MyCruiseOnline/a(sm) special feature provides guests with their very own cruise booking information online at the cruise line's official web site to help prepare them for their vacation. By planning ahead, guests are ensured an organized, well-thought-out cruise vacation experience. Cruise Direct Online's MyCruiseOnline feature allows scheduled cruise passengers to review booking details, search for frequently asked questions, check out their ship information, learn about the destinations, view maps, access the Port Guide that provides information on their ports of call, and purchase shore excursions, cruise and destination products and services. Guests can pre-register their preferences, complete important immigration and fulfill Homeland Security documentation requirements, all online. Guests even have the ability to print their own boarding documents, luggage tags and view weather reports of their destinations. /spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;""We've now made it easier to search our site and find all the current up-to-the-moment cruise bargains with just a few quick clicks of the mouse. In one fell swoop, guests can find it all. We hope that with this new feature, guests will be able to find what they're looking for faster and easier on Cruise Direct Online." said Marty Trencher, Managing Director of Cruise Direct Online. "In this economy, low price and good old fashioned service are what consumers demand". We want to be there as consumers progressively embracing electronic bookings as a powerful and more efficient way of making cruise reservations. Now with real time, live access to the reservation systems of all the top cruise lines we have completed the service model we were looking for." /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"# # # /spanbr /br /span style="font-size: x-small;"Cruise Direct Online is a leading seller of discounted cruises online through its web site, a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/"http://www.cruisedirectonline.com//a nbsp;Celebrating it's tenth year on the Internet, Cruise Direct Online is owned by Travel Direct Corporation. Cruise Direct Online's web site has been certified by the Professional Internet Travel Alliance( PITA) Guest's can visit and/or register at their web site knowing that their personal information will be kept strictly confidential. Our company has adapted the PITA Rules of Conduct for Online Travel Sales and maintains the highest standards for ethical online business practices. /spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"/spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"strongAbout Travelocity/strong/spanbr /span style="font-size: x-small;"br //spanspan style="font-size: x-small;"a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.travelocity.com"Travelocity/a, a Sabre Holdings company, pioneered the online travel space and continues to be the most popular travel service on the Web, giving consumers access to hundreds of airlines, thousands of hotels and cruise, last-minute and vacations packages, and best-in-class car rental companies, all backed by 1,000 customer service representatives staffed to provide 24-hour assistance. With 44 million members, Travelocity is the sixth largest travel agency in the United States. It has been recognized worldwide for its leadership in the online travel space and it operates websites in several languages across four continents. The Cruise Booking Engine is owned and operated by World Choice Travel, a division of Travelocity, LP./spandiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-1097789028303071910?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Why Cruise Alaska?

Why Cruise Alaska?



For drama and beauty, few places anywhere in the world can match the splendor of Alaska. And few things can provide a richer, more comprehensive Alaskan experience than an Alaska cruise or cruisetour. At each port, you'll discover riches of another kind as we introduce you to the cultural and historical wonder that makes Alaska one of the most exciting destinations you'll ever encounter.


Standing at the edge of a rainbow field of wildflowers, you admire nature's quiet and epic majesty. Then, something stirs - a rustling in the brush as a huge moose rises from rest and wanders off. A moment like this could only happen in Alaska. Welcome to the Great Land.


You never forget them - the vivid impressions from your first visit to Alaska. A 10-story crystal-blue river of ice in Glacier Bay National Park, icebergs calving into the tidewater with a thunderous crack. The spectacular and untamed wildlife, from a nesting eagle high in a Sitka spruce to a family of brown bears foraging along a rocky beach. Your first glimpse of the soaring, silent magnificence of Mt. McKinley. It's everything you ever imagined - and all you traveled so far to see. This is one of life's greatest adventures. One you'll want to plan carefully so you don't miss a thing.


And the 2010 season offers some of the best opportunities ever for experiencing the Great Land, by land and sea. From thrilling voyages on large and small ships to cruisetours featuring exclusive glass domed traincars. Reasoning suggests that more glass means better viewing, so when  they designed these traincars they had one goal in mind: to make them the  most luxurious and spacious glass-domed traincars in Alaska. Guests enjoy wide leather reclining seats. And you won't miss a single view while  sampling Alaskan cuisine onboard. Enjoy the ride as you pass waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, lakes, wildlife and an abundance of fauna and foliage. You should head to the Observation Platform for some fresh Alaska
air. Perhaps to get a closer view of a moose in the wild. Visit the Certified Alaska Experts at www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com who offer you a wide variety of options to one of travel's greatest destinations.

Get the Most Out of Every Moment. Go Beyond the Sea.

A Cruisetour to Alaska is truly the best of both worlds.You'll enjoy the personal attention and lavish onboard amenities that make a cruise such a delightful way to experience the Alaskan coastline. On an escorted or hosted multi-night land journey, you'll travel onboard luxurious glass-domed traincars, discovering the interior at its most beautiful and its most authentic. There are over 98 Cruisetours to Alaska, offered by 4 cruise lines: Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, each of which allows you to stay in lodging that reflects Alaska's character and history, from deluxe hotels to old-time lodges. And on escorted tours
throughout your adventure you'll be accompanied by a Tour Director, who will serve as both guide and personal concierge.

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail for America’s Last Frontier: Disney Wonder Bound for Alaska in 2011

DISNEY CRUISE LINE ALASKA BOUND: On Sept. 11, 2009, Disney Cruise Line announced plans to sail to Alaska in 2011. This will be the first time Disney Cruise Line will sail to Alaska and the first time a Disney cruise ship will call the West Coast home for an entire year. During 2011, the ship will depart Vancouver, B.C. for Alaska and sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles.Disney Wonder Also to Sail Mexican Riviera; Disney Magic to Spend Summer in Europe

For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will offer Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder in summer 2011. Combining the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience provided by Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wonder will depart out of Vancouver, B.C., calling on popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

Before and after the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

"We're excited to offer this incredible choice of itineraries for 2011, with cruise vacation options for every family - whether that's outdoor adventure in Alaska, the beauty and culture of Europe, folklore and pageantry of Mexico or tropical fun in the Caribbean," said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. "The unique advantage of Disney Cruise Line is that we offer a customized ship experience that brings families together, while still catering to the personalized vacation needs of every guest who sails with us."

Disney Cruise Line also will offer a number of repositioning cruises and special sailings in 2011, including a 15-night Panama Canal crossing, two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a five- and six-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and Vancouver to Los Angeles, with first-ever stops in San Francisco and Victoria, B.C., and 10- and 11-night holiday sailings to the Mexican Riviera and the eastern Caribbean.

Guests will be able to book Disney Wonder and Disney Magic itineraries for the 2011 season beginning Sept. 28, 2009.

Disney Wonder 2011 Schedule
Departing out of Vancouver, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 18 seven-night cruises to Alaska for the 2011 summer season, calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

As part of the new Alaska itinerary, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to experience breathtaking natural vistas, an abundance of wildlife and the rich history and customs of Alaska's native culture. On their Alaskan adventure, guests may catch a glimpse of a brown bear, bald eagle or humpback whale, and explore magnificent glaciers and fjords in Juneau. In Ketchikan, guests can fish for some of the largest wild salmon in the world and learn about local culture through hand-carved totem poles. In Skagway, Disney Cruise Line guests can traverse panoramic landscapes by railway, or pan for gold like miners from the famous Klondike gold rush.

The first-ever Disney cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at $939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

To prepare for the Alaska sailings, a brand-new venue called Outlook Cafe will be added to the Disney Wonder during dry dock in October. Located high atop deck 10, the 2,500-square-foot Outlook Cafe is a stylish retreat for guests to relax and enjoy a beverage or cocktail as they peer out through floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows at breathtaking vistas. The design of Outlook Cafe is sophisticated with contemporary Art Deco inspiration. An elegant spiral staircase connects Outlook Cafe with the existing Cove Cafe one deck below. The 65-seat lounge has a granite-topped cocktail bar with comfortable seating throughout the space, all providing picture-perfect views of the surrounding landscapes.

Book-ending the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera. Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary start at $639 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Disney Wonder 2011 - Alaska and Mexican Riviera

Seven-Night Alaska
5/3 to 9/6
Itinerary:
Vancouver, At Sea ,Tracy Arm , Skagway , Juneau ,Ketchikan ,At Sea , Vancouver

Prior to repositioning to Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail a special 10-night Mexican Riviera voyage, including a stop at Manzanillo.

A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created especially for them.

All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government Taxes and Fees not included. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line, to book a vacation or for more detail on offer terms and conditions, guests can contact Cruise Direct Online at 800.365.1445

SOURCE Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail for America’s Last Frontier: Disney Wonder Bound for Alaska in 2011

DISNEY CRUISE LINE ALASKA BOUND: On Sept. 11, 2009, Disney Cruise Line announced plans to sail to Alaska in 2011. This will be the first time Disney Cruise Line will sail to Alaska and the first time a Disney cruise ship will call the West Coast home for an entire year. During 2011, the ship will depart Vancouver, B.C. for Alaska and sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles.Disney Wonder Also to Sail Mexican Riviera; Disney Magic to Spend Summer in Europe

For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will offer Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder in summer 2011. Combining the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience provided by Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wonder will depart out of Vancouver, B.C., calling on popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

Before and after the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

"We're excited to offer this incredible choice of itineraries for 2011, with cruise vacation options for every family - whether that's outdoor adventure in Alaska, the beauty and culture of Europe, folklore and pageantry of Mexico or tropical fun in the Caribbean," said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. "The unique advantage of Disney Cruise Line is that we offer a customized ship experience that brings families together, while still catering to the personalized vacation needs of every guest who sails with us."

Disney Cruise Line also will offer a number of repositioning cruises and special sailings in 2011, including a 15-night Panama Canal crossing, two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a five- and six-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and Vancouver to Los Angeles, with first-ever stops in San Francisco and Victoria, B.C., and 10- and 11-night holiday sailings to the Mexican Riviera and the eastern Caribbean.

Guests will be able to book Disney Wonder and Disney Magic itineraries for the 2011 season beginning Sept. 28, 2009.

Disney Wonder 2011 Schedule
Departing out of Vancouver, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 18 seven-night cruises to Alaska for the 2011 summer season, calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

As part of the new Alaska itinerary, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to experience breathtaking natural vistas, an abundance of wildlife and the rich history and customs of Alaska's native culture. On their Alaskan adventure, guests may catch a glimpse of a brown bear, bald eagle or humpback whale, and explore magnificent glaciers and fjords in Juneau. In Ketchikan, guests can fish for some of the largest wild salmon in the world and learn about local culture through hand-carved totem poles. In Skagway, Disney Cruise Line guests can traverse panoramic landscapes by railway, or pan for gold like miners from the famous Klondike gold rush.

The first-ever Disney cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at $939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

To prepare for the Alaska sailings, a brand-new venue called Outlook Cafe will be added to the Disney Wonder during dry dock in October. Located high atop deck 10, the 2,500-square-foot Outlook Cafe is a stylish retreat for guests to relax and enjoy a beverage or cocktail as they peer out through floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows at breathtaking vistas. The design of Outlook Cafe is sophisticated with contemporary Art Deco inspiration. An elegant spiral staircase connects Outlook Cafe with the existing Cove Cafe one deck below. The 65-seat lounge has a granite-topped cocktail bar with comfortable seating throughout the space, all providing picture-perfect views of the surrounding landscapes.

Book-ending the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera. Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary start at $639 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Disney Wonder 2011 - Alaska and Mexican Riviera

Seven-Night Alaska
5/3 to 9/6
Itinerary:
Vancouver, At Sea ,Tracy Arm , Skagway , Juneau ,Ketchikan ,At Sea , Vancouver

Prior to repositioning to Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail a special 10-night Mexican Riviera voyage, including a stop at Manzanillo.

A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created especially for them.

All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government Taxes and Fees not included. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line, to book a vacation or for more detail on offer terms and conditions, guests can contact Cruise Direct Online at 800.365.1445

SOURCE Disney Cruise Line

Cruise Ship Weddings Gain in Popularity. Couples Discover Romance, Pleasure and More.

Cruise Ship Weddings Gain in Popularity. Couples Discover Romance,
Pleasure and More.

Over 60 percent of travel agents report their cruise wedding business has increased in the last two years. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member lines report increases of as much as 60 percent in the last decade.

More and more cruise lines offer shipboard wedding packages, amenities and wedding planning services, including legal marriages performed by ships' captains virtually anywhere in the world.

Couples have gotten the message that a cruise can be the setting for an ideal
destination wedding -- an easily planned, fully-personalized marriage
ceremony, reception and honeymoon all rolled into one convenient package.

The options are boundless: a shipboard wedding on embarkation day followed by a honeymoon for two; a shoreside wedding on a tropical beach; or a sunset
marriage ceremony at sea with everyone in the wedding party enjoying the
entire cruise are among the many choices.

Whatever the plan -- a wedding close in the Caribbean or Bahamas on one of the newest and largest ships in the CLIA fleet or on an all-suite luxury vessel in
Europe or the South Seas -- couples and wedding planners will find outstanding value at every price level, often with costs significantly less than a similar
land-based wedding and reception. It is even possible to charter an intimate
luxury yacht or elegant river cruise ship and have total control over all the
details, even the itinerary. And, besides weddings, many CLIA lines offer
honeymoon and vow renewal packages, bachelor and bachelorette parties, even
programs for "popping the question" -- the ultimate engagement party at sea.

To gauge the significance of the cruise wedding market and its trends, CLIA
recently surveyed those who sell approximately 90 percent of all cruises. More
than three hundred travel agents provided their input on who they are booking
destination weddings at sea for and what their wedding clients are looking
for. Here are the highlights of the findings:

-- Almost 40 percent of travel agents have sold shipboard or destination
wedding cruises
-- Cruise weddings are getting more popular: Travel agents report booking
more day-of-embarkation wedding cruises (18.3 percent); more shipboard
weddings with guests going along for the cruise (22.1 percent) and more
in-port weddings during the cruise (18.3 percent)
-- Over 60 percent of agents report their cruise wedding business has
increased in the last two years
-- The best reasons to have a cruise wedding? Almost 35 percent of agents
say their clients want to combine a wedding with a honeymoon; over 23
percent said value offered by cruise lines was the top reason
-- For romance, nothing beats the Caribbean/Bahamas: Over 80 percent of
agents rank this destination as the overwhelming favorite among cruise
wedding clientele
-- The typical wedding cruise is a seven-day voyage in the Caribbean and/or
The Bahamas, on a large cruise ship with less than ten guests in the
group. However, almost 30 percent of agents report booking wedding
groups of 10 to 20 guests and over 10 percent book wedding parties of 20
to 30, and some cruise lines have reported wedding parties of as much as 200

-- The typical cruise wedding clientele are mid-priced travelers aged 44 or
younger who book eight to 10 months ahead

Here is a sampling of how cruise lines cater to bridal couples and other
romantic travelers:

AZAMARA CRUISES
Azamara offers legal, captain-led wedding ceremonies, vow renewals and in-port wedding programs. Partnering with The Wedding Experience, a variety of
packages feature everything from private receptions in the ship's specialty
restaurant to cake, Champagne and more. Guests should book in advance to
ensure processing of legal documents and licenses.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Some 2,300 couples will take advantage of Carnival's all-inclusive wedding
packages this year, a 50 percent increase from a decade ago. Carnival's
wedding programs include an official civil ceremony, reception and other
value-added features and can be tailored to the couple's wishes. Shipboard
ceremonies are available on embarkation day in Carnival's U.S. ports and many Caribbean destinations. Vow renewal packages are also available.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity's most popular wedding package is the "Nautical Nuptials" program
featuring a captain-led wedding ceremony at sea offered on all Celebrity ships
except Celebrity Xpedition. Other packages available include a "Bridesmaids'
Tea Party," a "Cigar and Cognac Party," a "Test the Waters" package and a
"Welcome Reception." Vow renewal celebrations are also offered.

COSTA CRUISES
Costa's cruise weddings take place while the ship is in port, either onboard
or on land, with the company's wedding planners taking care of all the
details. Couples may invite guests to join the full cruise or simply spend
wedding day with the bride and groom. Among the choices are a "Caribbean
Island Wedding" in a beach or garden location, or an "Italian Shipboard
Wedding" in keeping with Costa's romantic heritage.

CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal offers captain-led wedding vow renewal ceremonies and it is rare that
one of the company's ships sails without at least one honeymoon couple.
Focusing on helping guests plan and enjoy a completely customized honeymoon
rather than a pre-packaged program, Crystal offers such romantic options as a
candlelight dinner on a suite's verandah, onboard florists, a portrait studio
and private shore excursions.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Guests on Disney Cruise Line can exchange vows onboard the ship or step ashore for a romantic beach-side ceremony on the line's private island paradise, Castaway Cay. With a magical Fairy-Godmother functioning as wedding planner, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings handles all the details, including floral arrangements, elegant cakes and Champagne toasts. For many couples, Disney is also the ultimate honeymoon experience.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America offers a Wedding Package as part of its Group Advantage
Program (GAP). The wedding couple enjoys a free stateroom upgrade and a
commemorative wedding cake with at least eight staterooms booked and the
entire group enjoys numerous amenities, including a Pinnacle Grill lunch,
private wine tastings, and chocolate-covered strawberries and Chase Limogere
Brut in their staterooms.

MSC CRUISES
MSC offers a variety of amenity packages to enhance cruise honeymoons and
other romantic occasions. These range from a bottle of Asti Spumante and a
special fruit basket or a bottle of Ferrari Perle and cold canapes, to a
"Romantic Sunrise" -- Champagne in commemorative flutes, orange juice and
pastries -- to a "Romantic Sunset" -- Champagne in commemorative flutes and
chocolate-covered strawberries.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian offers two wedding packages -- "Onboard Aisles" and "On Shore
Aisles" -- available in ports in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean,
Mexico and Bermuda. Both include a ceremony conducted by a local official plus all the features of a wedding, from music to wedding cake and sparkling wine. Norwegian also offers vow renewal packages and an "Engagement Aisles" program for the ultimate proposal at sea.

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES
French Polynesia in the South Seas is the setting for "A Lifetime of Memories"
as the staff of Paul Gauguin create an unforgettably romantic event for
honeymooners or those celebrating an anniversary. Among the features are a
celebratory bottle of Champagne, a Polynesian blessing ceremony performed by Les Gauguines, an exclusive pillow gift and a photo portrait.

PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess pioneered weddings at sea more than a decade ago, and since then ship captains have married thousands of couples while sailing in locations around the globe. The unique "Tie the Knot at Sea" program offers ceremonies in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska and other exotic locales, which couples can customize with live music, flowers and reception options. In addition, a harborside option enables couples to be married in port, and ashore weddings are available in a variety of scenic ports.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Guests wishing to make customized wedding plans in conjunction with a Regent Seven Seas cruise may use the services of Royal Ocean Events, which can handle all the details and requests. A honeymooner package features a letter of congratulations from the captain, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and caviar, in-suite canapes every afternoon, a miniature wedding cake and Leonidas chocolates and more.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
In addition to a "Royal Romance" package featuring a one-hour wedding ceremony onboard ship or on shore on embarkation day, couples on Royal Caribbean can exchange vows while climbing the ships' rock walls or ice-skating or even catching the waves on the shipboard Flowrider. Shoreside wedding venues include the glaciers of Alaska, European castles, rainforests and an Italian vineyard.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
SeaDream offers two wedding vow renewal ceremonies -- one designed for couples only, the other for as many as 12 guests -- and both conducted by the yacht's captain. Iced Champagne and canapes, a cake and flowers add special touches to the elegance of an elegant luxury yacht experience. SeaDream points out four couples who have completed the legal process at home, the shipboard vow renewal ceremony can serve as a wedding.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
Offering an intimate and elegant atmosphere, Uniworld's boutique hotel-style
ships provide the ideal situation for couples to charter the vessel and create
the wedding of their dreams. Uniworld can accommodate 82 to 160 guests,
depending on the ship, and offers flexibility to customize itineraries and
inclusions. Short of this, Uniworld river cruise itineraries are perfectly
suited for honeymooners whether they want to explore Europe or even the
treasures of the Nile in Egypt.

WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar invites couples celebrating honeymoons, renewing wedding vows or
honoring a special anniversary to discover romance at sea. Chilled Champagne,
chocolate-dipped seasonal fruit, breakfast in bed, "Time for Two" massages and elegant dinners for two at sunset are among the amenities featured on the line
that has been named "Most Romantic Cruise Line" by Porthole Magazine.

Alaska Savings on Holland America

A number of factors have contributed to 2009 being the "Perfect Storm" for amazing prices in Alaska: lots of ships, lowered demand, high taxes and a market which has experienced a large number of new cruisers the past few years, making it a "mature" (rather than growing) destination. There have been many exceptional fares on all lines, and it's actually getting quite difficult to find inventory (especially balconies) for late summer sailings.

But cruises out of Vancouver are the exception. Most people sailing round-trip have been specifying Seattle to me, because of the lowered air costs. Because of this, it's very difficult to find inventory on Seattle round-trip sailings right now (though some does exist if you're not picky as to date or type of accommodation). But many sailings from Vancouver have much better availability, and fares to match.

The latest round of promotions comes from Holland America, for their Vancouver Round Trip sailings along with much less often discounted cruise tours! Up to 50% off selected sailings! Insides start at just $599, and balconies at $1,099, and cruisetours from $999 for a 14-night package!

Holland America Up to 50% off Alaska Cruises and Cruise Tours

Holland America, along with Princess, has been sailing in Alaska longer than any other of the large lines, and they do a great job at it. You'll find the average age on HAL ships in Alaska to be lower than it is in the Caribbean (surprise), mostly because of all the multi-generational families which come onboard. They have excellent naturalists, and good port times and itineraries. I highly recommend these sailings. I spent much of my youth growing up in Alaska, so am happy to help you navigate the options to find the right cruise for you.

Next year, there will be significantly fewer ships sailing the Alaska waters. I guarantee you will never see prices like this again with so many options. If you've been thinking about Alaska, STOP THINKING AND BOOK NOW!

What’s on your bucket list?

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL

15 can’t-miss adventures

“What’s on your bucket list?”. Here are some must-visit travel ideas.

Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson received critical acclaim for their stellar performances in “The Bucket List,” last fall’s hit movie about a dying man’s list of “things to do before you kick the bucket.”

Here is our spinoff on this idea: “bucket list travel.”

15 Bucket List travel ideas

1. Experience the Sistine Chapel (Rome, Italy) – Art lovers will claim (perhaps rightly so) that you can’t say you’ve truly lived until you’ve gazed upwards to see Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” coming to life on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Pre-book tickets to the Vatican Museum to see this and other masterpieces—and avoid the lines.

2. Tour the Elephanta Caves (Mumbai, India) – Carved out of solid basalt rock, the historic Elephanta Caves are located on a small island off the Arabian Sea, an hour away (via boat or ferry). These caves are a religious relic dating back to the 5th century and are intended to represent the heavenly mountain residence of Lord Shiva.

3. Shower under the Blue Lagoon waterfalls (Reykjavik, Iceland) – Take the “Iceland from Below” tour and conclude this underground adventure of Iceland’s lava tubes by frolicking about in the Blue Lagoon’s milky-blue green water and therapeutic waterfalls.

4. Catch the Cabaret at Moulin Rouge (Paris, France) – The oldest cabaret in Paris, made famous by the paintings of Toulouse Lautrec, will enchant you with can can dancers who show off their “joie de vivre” on a nightly basis. Arrive via private luxury car and enjoy the outstanding Belle Epoque cuisine before the show begins.

5. Hike through Oahu’s Valley of the Rainbows (Honolulu, Hawaii) – Explore lush rainforests deep within the beautiful Valley of the Rainbows on an exclusive, expertly-guided group tour. Nestled below towering trees and surrounded by seven waterfalls, this exotic paradise features the largest collection of palm tree varieties on earth.

6. Get acquainted with ancient history (Athens, Greece) – Take a three day tour of ancient Greece, with stops in Athens, Olympia, Corinth, Delphi and more. If you’re not a history buff, you’ll become one after seeing the site of the first Olympics, archaeological remains in Delphi and ancient Acropolis.

7. Escape to Hidden Valley (Manila, Philippines) – Hidden Valley’s bewitching rare orchids and other exotic flora flourish in a 110-acre crater 300 feet deep. Believed to have been formed by a violent volcanic upheaval thousands of years ago, Hidden Valley is located between two mountains. Take a dip in the naturally-heated volcanic waters.

8. Smile at Mona Lisa (Paris, France) – Take a guided tour of the top ten masterpieces hanging in the Louvre, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous enigmatic portrait, Michelangelo’s sculptures, Venus de Milo and more.

9. Fall in love with Niagra Falls (Ontario, Canada) – For thrills without spills, hop onboard the famous Maid of the Mist Steamboat. This sturdy vessel navigates waters at the base of the Falls, taking you as close as you can safely get into the deluge pouring from the cliffs above. The rush of water rings in your ears as the mist makes raingear (provided) a necessity.

10. Roam the Coorong sand dunes (Adelaide, Australia) – Discover the serenity and beauty of Australia’s famous Coorong wilderness. The sand dunes, wetlands and the mighty Southern Ocean are unforgettable in their natural state, but you’ll also be charmed by the quiet landscape of the small coastal towns you’ll see during a guided eco-cruise.

11. Sip tea & nibble on scones at Grosvenor House (London, England) – Enjoy tea and little cakes in the original home of the Duchess of Bedford, lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria, who was credited with inventing the very British tradition of “taking tea.”

12. Scuba dive through famous shipwrecks (Aruba, Caribbean) – Dive in and explore Aruba’s many famous shipwrecks, including the Antilla wreck, one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean. Take note of fascinating coral formations and get up close and personal with stingrays, moray eels, manta rays, barracudas and yellow tail.

13. Glide midair through the Canadian Rockies (Jasper, Alberta) – Hop on the famous Jasper Tramway, the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada, for unprecedented views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca river and the scenic mountain town of Jasper. The adventure begins at an elevation of 4279 feet and ascends to 7472 feet above sea level.

14. Watch a Lesedi tribal dance (Johannesburg, South Africa) – Enjoy a feast prepared by the natives of Lesedi, a multicultural tribe located an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. See the Zulus with their fighting sticks; the Xhosa with their perfectly-thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets; the rhythmic drums and whistles of the Pedi tribe; the conical straw hats of the Basotho; and the colorful homes of the Ndebele.

15. Get married in Vegas (Nevada, US) – Whether you want to tie the knot with as little fanfare as you might receive when ordering a cheeseburger or say your nuptials in the same building where Elvis and Priscilla exchanged theirs, Vegas is the place for quick and quirky weddings.


What's on your bucket list?