Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Week-Long Happy Hours!

Week-long Happy Hours aren't anything new for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. After all, that's what Celebrity has done the past two weeks. What is unusual this week is that not only is Celebrity continuing their 50% off second passenger Happy Hours (new sailings for next week), but Royal Caribbean's week-long event features Holiday sailings, which are rarely put on Happy Hour, and almost never this early while you still have a chance to obtain semi-decent airfare.

The fares are for both Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's sailings, which are typically some of the most expensive time periods of the year. In addition to traditional 7-night sailings, there are also some shorter or longer offerings as well.

These are bound to prove quite popular, so let me know if you're interested in any of the offers! While this is a sign of economic fears, it's also your chance to give your family a holiday vacation you didn't anticipate. What a great gift!

Royal Caribbean Holiday Happy Hours/Sales Event for week of October 27-31

Celebrity Happy Hour/Xciting Deals for week of October 27-31

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity & Azamara Eliminate Fuel Supplements

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara have announced the elimination of fuel supplements for bookings made on or after November 10, 2008 for sailings January 1, 2010 or beyond. This is the easy part, and doesn't take a Wall Street magnate to understand.

For those currently booked for 2009 or 2010, they have created a formula for whether or not you will receive an onboard credit for your fuel supplements. The good news is it's thankfully less convoluted than Carnival's formula, the bad news is it's still up to the markets to determine your refund.

So here's your reading comprehension test for the day. If you understand the following paragraph, you deserve a vacation... on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Azamara, of course.

If you're currently booked on a 2009 or 2010 sailing, they will evaluate and potentially adjust the fuel supplement quarterly, calculated based on the price per barrel of West Texas Crude (good for them for using a US supply), at closing on the New York Mercantile Exchange two weeks prior to the beginning of each quarter. If the price is $65 or less per barrel, then an onboard credit will be given to all applicable bookings the following quarter.

So, for example, if you are traveling in the first quarter of 2009, your "fuel price determination date" will be December 18, 2008. Second quarter 2009's "fuel price determination date" is March 18, 2009. And so on. And if the price on that date is $65 or less, all applicable bookings the following quarter will receive an onboard credit.

Of course, they do reserve the right to reinstate fuel supplements at a future date if market conditions warrant.

Next up, we'll see what formula NCL comes up with to remove or lessen their fuel supplements... I'm much more optimistic in seeing that than I am in the US airlines removing theirs...

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Happy Hours for Week of October 20

Even as we are in the midst of a very busy World's Largest Cruise Night sale, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are looking forward to next week's promotions with their Happy Hours. Royal Caribbean has a typical Happy Hour once again, with the fares being applicable on Tuesday, October 21 only, while Celebrity continues their very popular 50% off second passenger promotion throughout the entire week. The details for the respective specials are at:

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour/Sales Event Special for October 21, 2008

Celebrity Happy Hour/Xciting Deals for week of October 20-24

It’s Happy Hour Time!

As sure as the tides, once again, it's Happy Hour time for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean:

Royal Caribbean's offerings are pretty typical, and for sale on Tuesday, October 14 only.

However, Celebrity has decided to extend and expand its 50% off second passenger sale for another week on applicable sailings for bookings made between Monday, October 3 through Friday, October 17. Fares starting as low as $499! Better yet, they've added in some Caribbean, Panama Canal, Australian, Hawaii and South America sailings, including some holiday sailings as well! Look below for the full list!

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour Specials for October 14, 2008

Celebrity Happy Hour Specials for Week of October 13, 2008:

• 11/21/08, Celebrity Century, 10 Nt W. Mediterranean from Barcelona, 1st Guest from $999, 2nd Guest from $499
• 12/1/08, Celebrity Century, 14 Nt Transatlantic from Barcelona, 1st Guest from $1,199, 2nd Guest from $599
• 10/30/08, Celebrity Constellation, 11 Nt Bermuda and Caribbean from Cape Liberty, 1st Guest from $1,499, 2nd Guest from $749
• 11/10/08, Celebrity Constellation, 11 Nt Ultimate Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, 1st Guest from $1,399, 2nd Guest from $699
• 12/1/08, Celebrity Constellation, 11 Nt Ultimate Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, 1st Guest from $800, 2nd Guest from $400
• 11/14/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 10 Nt E. Mediterranean from Rome, 1st Guest from $649, 2nd Guest from $324
• 11/24/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 11 Nt E. Mediterranean from Rome, 1st Guest from $649, 2nd Guest from $324
• 12/5/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 14 Nt Transatlantic from Rome, 1st Guest from $699, 2nd Guest from $349
• 12/19/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 10 Nt S. Caribbean from San Juan, 1st Guest from $1,399, 2nd Guest from $699
• 11/2/08, Celebrity Infinity, 13 Nt Eastbound Panama Canal from San Diego, 1st Guest from $1,199, 2nd Guest from $599
• 12/7/08, Celebrity Infinity, 14 Nt S. America and Canal from Ft. Lauderdale, 1st Guest from $599, 2nd Guest from $299
• 11/6/08, Celebrity Mercury, 15 Nt Hawaii from San Diego, 1st Guest from $2,199, 2nd Guest from $1,099
• 12/5/08, Celebrity Mercury, 14 Nt Westbound Panama Canal from San Diego, 1st Guest from $799, 2nd Guest from $399
• 11/2/08, Celebrity Millennium, 12 Nt Auckland to Sydney from Auckland, 1st Guest from $599, 2nd Guest from $299
• 11/23/08, Celebrity Millennium, 14 Nt Auckland to Sydney from Auckland, 1st Guest from $799, 2nd Guest from $399
• 12/21/08, Celebrity Millennium, 14 Nt Auckland to Sydney from Auckland, 1st Guest from $899, 2nd Guest from $449
• 11/1/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Classical Mediterranean from Barcelona, 1st Guest from $1,299, 2nd Guest from $649
• 11/15/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Mediterranean Legacies from Venice, 1st Guest from $799, 2nd Guest from $399
• 11/29/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Transatlantic from Barcelona, 1st Guest from $599, 2nd Guest from $299
• 12/13/08, Celebrity Summit, 7 Nt S. Caribbean from San Juan, 1st Guest from $499, 2nd Guest from $249

Some amazing values here! Don't hesitate - call or email now!

Celebrity Solstice Deals!

Since Celebrity's Solstice was ahead of schedule, they added 3 additional sailings before the originally-planned inaugural cruise. While these sailings have been open for sale for some time, they haven't yet sold out, and offer some remarkable values.

For example, insides start at just $699/person, oceanviews at $849/person, and balconies at $949/person. This is for a brand-new ship in an entirely new class. If you can get away this November/December, and are a Celebrity fan, I *highly* recommend checking out these offers! Best pricing can be found on the sailings between November 23 (which is the inaugural, by the way) and December 14.

Email or give me a call for more details or to book!

Once Again It’s Happy Hour Time… With a Twist

It's time to post next week's Happy Hours. Royal Caribbean's offerings are pretty typical, and for sale on Tuesday, October 7 only.

However, Celebrity has mixed things up a bit, offering second passenger at 50% off on the applicable sailings booked between Monday, October 6 through Friday, October 10. Fares starting as low as $599! If you can sneak away to Europe this fall, these are incredible offers.

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour Specials for October 7, 2008

Celebrity Happy Hour Specials for Week of October 6, 2008:

11/21/08, Celebrity Century, 10 Nt W. Mediterranean, 1st Guest from $999, 2nd Guest from $499
12/1/08, Celebrity Century, 14 Nt Transatlantic, 1st Guest from $1,199, 2nd Guest from $599
11/3/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 11 Nt E. Mediterranean, 1st Guest from $899, 2nd Guest from $449
11/14/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 10 Nt E. Mediterranean, 1st Guest from $649, 2nd Guest from $324
11/24/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 11 Nt E. Mediterranean, 1st Guest from $599, 2nd Guest from $299
12/5/08, Celebrity Galaxy, 14 Nt Transatlantic, 1st Guest from $699, 2nd Guest from $349
10/18/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Mediterranean Legacies, 1st Guest from $799, 2nd Guest from $399
11/1/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Classical Mediterranean, 1st Guest from $999, 2nd Guest from $499
11/15/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Mediterranean Legacies, 1st Guest from $799, 2nd Guest from $399
11/29/08, Celebrity Summit, 14 Nt Transatlantic, 1st Guest from $599, 2nd Guest from $299

Celebrity Mercury & Millennium - Out with Australia, in with Baltimore and Charleston in 2009/2010!

Celebrity Cruise is discontinuing its Australia and New Zealand cruises scheduled for late 2009 and 2010 on Celebrity Millennium, and adding new itineraries for the ship and Celebrity Mercury from Baltimore and Charleston!

The Celebrity Millennium will take over and enhance theend-of-seasion 2009 Alaska sailings previously scheduled for the Mercury, including a 12-night wine themed cruise from Vancouver and a 16-night Panama Canal cruise on October 10, 2009, from San Diego to San Juan, where Millennium will offer a series of 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip beginning October 26, 2009

Celebrity Mercury, from November 2009 to February 2010, will sail a series of 12-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore. After, it will offer 10- and 11-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Charleston through April 2010. The new Celebrity Mercury itineraries replace the Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan previously slated from November 2009 to April 2010.

This is absolutely fantastic news for those living near Baltimore and Charleston. While I regret the fact that Celebrity won't be in Australia/New Zealand in 2009/2010, this brings some terrific opportunities closer home. I'm also sure they will return at a later point in the future.

And if you were thinking of Australia/New Zealand for that season, consider moving that up and sailing this year - there are some remarkable values for the 2008/2009 season just about to get underway!

Good News and Update on Exclusive Solstice Charter!

Hello from somewhere between Victoria, BC and Seattle onboard the Celebrity Mercury!

Wanted to give you all an update on the exclusive Celebrity Solstice 2-night pre-inaugural charter on November 21, 2008. We do still have a very few cabins available, but not many.

However, was just given confirmation on big news! We have been able to successfully negotiate with Celebrity to be able to give you Captain’s Club credit for this sailing! That means that, while you will not receive any Captain’s Club benefits on the charter, the cruise will count toward your elite status!

So, if you’re getting close to that Select or Elite status, what a perfect way to experience a new ship AND get credit in just a 2-night sailing.

If you’re wanting to book, call me at 303-690-8937, or email at amber@cruiseresource.com. I’ll be traveling back to the office on Monday, but will be back in on Tuesday (or by email while I’m enroute).

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: I’ll definitely be onboard this sailing as well! Look forward to seeing you all on November 21!

September 16 Happy Hour Fares

If it is Thursday, it must be time for the Happy Hours for next week to come out!

Here are the specials from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, valid only on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. While I will be out of town, feel free to email or call me to reach my covering agent to book these deals while I'm gone. If you email me by Sunday, September 14, I'll be able to take care of booking these while onboard the Mercury on September 16.

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour Specials for September 16, 2008

Celebrity Cruises Happy Hour Specials for September 16, 2008

September 9 Happy Hour Fares

If it is Thursday, it must be time for the Happy Hours for next week to come out!

Here are the specials from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, valid only on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Call me for more information or to take advantage of these specials!

However, if you're looking at Royal Caribbean for the rest of the year, remember also that for bookings made between now and Sunday, September 7, all new bookings will give you two new Royal Caribbean robes!

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour Specials for September 9, 2008

Celebrity Cruises Happy Hour Specials for September 9, 2008