Dancing at Sea with Crystal

Premium and Luxury lines, such as Cunard, Holland America, MSC and Crystal, often do Big Band or other dance-oriented sailings during their Transatlantic crossings, and Crystal has just announced a particularly interesting one for one of their spring repositioning cruises in April, 2009.

Crystal Cruises has booked the Glenn Miller Orchestra for concerts and dancing during the May 23 10-day Trans-Atlantic Big Band cruise from Miami to Lisbon. The cruise will include daily live performances and evening dancing, as well musically themed lectures, swing dance lessons, trivia contests, and classic Big Band-themed films. Extra Ambassador Hosts will be available for those who need a dance partner. Led by jazz trombonist Larry O’Brien, the 19-piece band will perform hits made famous in the 1930s and 40s, including “Moonlight Serenade,” “Tuxedo Junction” and “In the Mood.”

The 10-day cruise departs Miami and visits Hamilton, Bermuda and Ponta Delgada, Portugal, before arriving in Lisbon. West Coast guests can precede their trans-Atlantic cruise with a Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles. The cruise can also be extended in Europe, with a Mediterranean cruise that continues on to Venice. Value Collection cruise fares begin at $3,540 per person, double occupancy. Crystal is also offering bonus savings up to $1,500 per couple, depending on accommodations selected. Other special savings include a Crystal Family Memories package and an additional 5 percent savings for combining two or more voyages.

One of the nice things about a sailing such as this is that it's great for solo ladies who love to dance, but don't have a partner, but equally so for a couple where the husband doesn't particularly like dancing, as the dance hosts are happy to fill in on the dance floor.

Having sailed a Holland America Big Band cruise, I can tell you these are a lot of fun, for dancers and music lovers alike, and active quite late into the night. I was almost literally danced under the table by many close to twice my age. I can't wait until I can book another Big Band cruise!

If this sounds interesting to you, even if not on Crystal or a transatlantic sailing, contact me for information on other options to you as well.

Carnival Brands Eliminate Fuel Supplement!

In the best news yet in the ongoing saga of fuel supplements, Carnival Corporation announced today that they will be suspending (eliminating) fuel supplements for all of their North American brands (Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Seabourn) starting with sailings departing on or after December 17, 2008. No complicated formula of watching the West Texas Intermediate Crude for 20 consecutive days beginning 25 days prior to sailing, not even the quarterly formula of the other major brands. It's just gone, vamoosed, outta here!

For those who have already paid their final payment and are sailing on or after December 17, the fuel supplement will be refunded in the form of onboard credit on your cruise (do be sure to check your account to verify it shows up). For those who have not yet paid final payment, the amount will be removed from your booking.

From the Carnival press release:

“As the price of oil has dropped to $46 per barrel, it has now reached a level where we are able to suspend the fuel supplement,” said Bill Harber, director of marketing for Carnival Corporation & plc. Harber cautioned that the fuel supplement could be re-instated if oil prices increase
significantly.

The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9
per person per day (except Seabourn, which would be up to $15 per person per day) should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel.

“It is our hope that fuel prices have stabilized and will remain at a more rational level. The complete suspension of the fuel supplement makes the inherent value of a cruise even greater and that is increasingly important in the selection of a vacation in the current economic climate,” Harber added.

The next logical question is if other brands will follow suit Of course, Disney has already suspended their fuel supplements, which may have precipitated this announcement by Carnival. I think it's possible other brands will make similar announcements, though their quarterly assessment of fuel prices is a much more sensible formula than what the Carnival brands had set up, and I'm not sure that the Royal Caribbean International brands, at least, will do so.

At least we have this for now, and it's great news!

Carnival Reveals Fuel Supplement Reduction/Removal Plan

Carnival has revealed their plans for removing and/or incorporating fuel supplements in the future, setting out specific guidelines for refunding of existing supplements, and incorporating future supplements into fares. Because the plan is pretty complicated, I'm going to put the release to the industry here in its entirety for your reading pleasure:

Over the past few months as fuel prices have declined, we have had many questions about our fuel supplement. While fuel prices today remain very volatile, we have given this careful consideration and I am pleased to update you on some new and important information regarding the fuel supplement for Carnival Corporation & plc brands.

Six of our brands, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn have announced that effective October 31, 2008, the existing fuel supplement will be eliminated for all new bookings on 2010 departures. At the same time, a price increase on 2010 sailings will become effective.

Additionally, the company has established specific guidelines under which the current fuel supplement may be reimbursed to consumers for 2008 and 2009 voyages. For 2008 and 2009 departures, if the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) is $70 per barrel or less at the 2:30 p.m. close of business as reported by Reuters on each of the 25 consecutive trading days ending five trading days prior to the guest’s
cruise departure date, the fuel supplement will be refunded in the form of a shipboard credit.
Guests who book a 2010 cruise prior to Oct. 31, 2008, will still be charged the current fuel supplement but will also be eligible for a refund of the fuel supplement in accordance with the same fuel price conditions that are being implemented for current 2008 and 2009 departures.

We are implementing these initiatives due to recent trends in declining fuel prices in an effort to migrate away from charging a separate fuel supplement. If fuel prices stabilize below $70 a barrel, we will be able to effectively eliminate the fuel supplement. However, there is still a risk that fuel prices could move higher which would require us to maintain or reinstate a fuel supplement but we are hopeful that the goal of eliminating the fuel supplement can be achieved.

What does this really mean? Don't even think of looking for a rebate on cruises already booked unless, just before your sailing, crude pricing is below $70/barrel for the month prior to your cruise. And if that happens, be pro-active on your cruise to ensure you get the promised onboard credit. So if fuel drops to $70 a barrel or less for 25 days in December, 2008, but your cruise isn't until May, 2009, your fuel supplement will remain on your booking. However, if the fuel supplement is $70 or less for 25 consecutive days in April, start paying close attention for your May sailing - you may be eligible for an onboard credit refund.

Second, for new 2010 bookings starting October 31, fuel supplements will be incorporated into the price of your booking not a separate line item. This means likely they will not be taken out, even if fuel price is reduced in the future.

Thinking about booking one of the Carnival brands for a 2010 sailing? Do it prior to October 31! Otherwise, no chance of getting any type of fuel supplement refund, and you will see a price increase across the board on November 1.

Finally, watch for other lines to come out with plans of their own to incorporate fuel supplements into their pricing and/or how they would remove or refund them in the future.

Confusing? You bet. If you have questions, let me know. I'll be keeping on top of these to be sure

It’s World Cruise Announcement Season

Just as most of us begin to seriously consider our 2009 winter vacations, the lines which offer world cruises begin to roll out their 2010 world cruises to entice us. Like many of you, I dream of being able to take a world cruise. If I could figure out the internet connection issue to be able to work full time from sea, I'd be on a ship for the first 2-3 months of the year. I expect as connectivity options improve, and speeds onboard increase, and other options allow, someday I will treat myself with a world cruise (or two!), but in the meantime, I dream, and help my clients plan their own dream sailings. Booking world cruises is among the most fun, as the excitement from my clients is infectious, and my knowledge of the world is challenged and expanded every year, as the ports offered continue to grow and change as cruisers become ever more sophisticated.

Cunard, the classic line most associated with world cruises, has just announced their two offerings aboard the Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 for 2010.

Queen Mary 2’s Royal Route of Exploration will chart a completely new, Eastbound-Westbound route on a unique itinerary of 101 days featuring 19 maiden calls, three overnight stays (in Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town) and her inaugural visit to South Africa. Queen Victoria’s 99-day Voyage of Discovery circumnavigation includes 11 maiden ports of call, three overnights (in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai) and three convenient U.S. embarkation gateways: New York, Ft. Lauderdale and San Francisco. Guests who book by Feb. 28, 2009 receive an additional 10% off Early Booking Fares.

“On this pair of epic voyages, Cunard continues a storied tradition that began nearly 90 years ago,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “In 2010, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will visit a combined 31 countries, 57 ports and 30 maiden calls, continuing our legacy of impeccable White Star Service™, fine dining and unrivaled accommodations.”

In addition to full World Cruises, the ships offer a wide range of Liner and Segment voyages, which are now open for booking. These shorter voyages are ideal for travelers who wish to explore a specific part of the world or those whose busy schedules preclude an around-the-world journey.

Queen Mary 2

The world’s grandest liner will sail a completely new itinerary departing New York on January 4 on a voyage spanning 101 days. This fascinating itinerary takes Queen Mary 2 east through the Mediterranean to India, the Far East and Australia and New Zealand before returning to New York westbound via South Africa, South America and North America. Queen Mary 2 will visit 35 ports, more than ever before on a single voyage, including Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Yokohama), Auckland, Sydney and Perth (Fremantle). In addition, she will make 19 maiden calls, including her inaugural visit to South Africa (calling at Durban and Cape Town), and first-ever calls at Phuket (Thailand), Vung Tau (Vietnam), Guam, Rabaul, the Whitsundays Islands and Mauritius. The ship will make three overnights in the celebrated ports of Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town. Fares start at $21,666 per person for the 101-day full World Cruise.

In addition, Queen Mary 2 will offer 12 Liner Voyages, ranging in length from 35 to 80 days, including the 63-day New York to Sydney voyage, priced from $13,716 and the 57-day Dubai to Cape Town voyage, priced from $12,379. Five shorter Segment Voyages of 17 to 23 days include the 23-day New York to Dubai voyage (which includes three maiden calls: Port Said, Safaga and Muscat), priced from $5,276 and 17-day Dubai to Hong Kong voyage (including four maiden calls: Mumbai, Phuket, Penang and Ho Chi Minh City), priced from $4,000 per person.

Queen Victoria

Cunard’s newest Queen, the regal Queen Victoria, will begin her third full year in service with a traditional 99-day westbound circumnavigation of the globe from New York to Southampton featuring three convenient U.S. embarkation points. The ship sails from New York on January 12, embarking guests in Ft. Lauderdale on January 15 and San Francisco on January 27. Highlights of Queen Victoria’s third World Cruise include three overnight calls in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai, as well as 11 maiden calls. The ship will traverse the Panama and Suez Canals, visiting 41ports including Acapulco, Melbourne, Shanghai, San Francisco, Cartagena, Phuket and Sharm El Sheikh. Guests have the option of adding a seven-day Transatlantic extension from Southampton to New York aboard Queen Mary 2, for a full 106-day circumnavigation. Fares start at $21,276 per person for the 99-day full World Cruise.

In addition, the ship will offer 11 Liner Voyages, ranging in length from 32 to 82 days, including the 52-day San Francisco to Bangkok voyage, priced from $11,026 and the 67-day New York to Bangkok voyage, priced from $14,250. Five shorter Segment Voyages of 15 to 29 days include the 23-day San Francisco to Sydney voyage, priced from $5,192. Segment Voyage fares start as low as $3,451 per person.

As is usual for Cunard, there are early booking discounts and World Cruise benefits offered. Cunard’s Early Booking Fares for the full World Cruise, Liner and Segment voyages represent a per-person savings of up to 10% when booked by Feb. 28, 2009. In addition, on-board credits of up to $2,000 per stateroom are available when booked by this date. Full World Cruise guests who book by Feb. 28 enjoy a wide range of special benefits including complimentary hotel and dining charges, special commemorative gifts, welcome aboard reception, senior officer dinner and three World Cruise cocktail parties. All guests who book the Full World Cruise will enjoy a gala World Cruise dinner. Grill accommodation guests also enjoy up to five exclusive, complimentary events ashore. Both ships feature three enchanting Overland Tours, which allow guests to leave the ship in one port for a multi-day tour (including all transfers and accommodations) and rejoin the voyage later. Aboard Queen Mary 2, Overland Tours explore Egypt, India and Africa, while Queen Victoria’s Overland Tours highlight Indochina, China and Australia.

Cunard to Open 2010 World Cruise Bookings September 4

First to announce their 2010 World Cruise itineraries is Cunard, which will open bookings on September 4. Both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria will be operating world cruises.

For the Queen Mary 2, she will be featuring a new East-West route featuring a tour of the Middle East and South Asia, stops in Australia and New Zealand and her maiden visit to Africa! Highlights include:

• 19 maiden ports of call, including Mumbai, India; Shanghai, China; Nagasaki, Japan; Cape Town, South Africa, as well as inaugural visits to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), Guam and Papua, New Guinea
• Overnight stays in the sophisticated cities of Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town
• Four Full World Cruise options from either New York or Southampton from 91–101 days
• 12 Liner Voyages ranging in length from 35 to 80 days with departures from New York, Dubai, Hong Kong and Sydney
• Five Segment Voyages from 17 to 23 days with departures from Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney and introducing Cape Town, South Africa

The Queen Victoria will be sailing an exotic global tour including the tranquil South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia before an extensive Asia adventure and a journey through the Middle East and Mediterranean:

• 12 maiden ports of call, including Halong Bay, Vietnam; Muscat, Oman and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, as well as four new stops in Australia, and inaugural visits to the Cayman Islands and Colombia
• Overnight stays in the thriving metropolises of Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai
• Six Full World Cruise options with a flexible range of dates from 84 to 106 days and new convenient departures from San Francisco, in addition to New York and Fort Lauderdale.
• 11 Liner Voyages ranging in length from 32 to 82 days with departures from New York, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Sydney and Bangkok.
• Five Segment Voyages from 15 to 29 days with departures from New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Bangkok and Dubai.

If this is your year for a world cruise, and you'd like the classic elegance and historic qualities of a Cunard cruise, then give me a call or email me at amber@cruiseresource.com for more information on pricing and specific itineraries!