A New Nation is Declared

Now that we all know to "Get Out There" thanks to 9 years of advertising which changed many people's minds about cruising, Royal Caribbean has decided that it's time to declare a new nation - the Nation of Why Not?

Why not indulge yourself with a luxurious spa treatment? Why not ice skate on the equator? Why not climb a mountain in the middle of the ocean? Vacations are a time to step outside your normal routine and do things you might not at home - be they active or relaxing indulgences. Royal Caribbean, of course, is here to help with that.

In a new advertising campaign kicking off today with a series of emails to passengers, then moving to morning television on November 10 on ABC and NBC, then to Sunday print ads the week of November 16, Royal Caribbean expands again the popular conception of cruising, calling on us to join their new Nation, including a social networking site at www.nationofwhynot.com. The imagery that I've seen so far really draws you in and is something you want to watch a few times. I think it will be another enormously successful direction for Royal Caribbean.

This new campaign seem to perfectly suit the Royal Caribbean target market of people of all ages who are a bit more active and adventurous, though reminding other cruisers that they haven't forgotten the pampering and relaxing aspects of cruising as well. Why not take your multi-generational family on a cruise since there's something for everyone? Why not explore solo with others who like the same things you do? It's a particularly good fit for their new Oasis class ships debuting in December, 2009, as they evolve the image of cruising beyond where people have been before.

So Why Not? I'm a citizen! Are you?

Another Antarctic Expedition with No Single Supplements!

Last week, Lindblad Expeditions announced no single supplements on their "Cape to Cape" itinerary from South America to South Africa. This week brings us more offers for Antarctic expeditions!

Popular expedition line, Voyages of Discovery, sails their MV Discovery in South America during the Antarctic season from December through February. They've removed the single supplement from all their sailings, and for most, offer free air from certain gateway cities. In addition, they have included pre- or post-cruise land programs included in their pricing!

Select from 5 different sailings, from 17-22 nights, and from $5,250, single occupancy with air. For an expedition on a quality line, this is a notable value. These are true expeditionary sailings, including landings in Antarctica so you can get up close and personal with the "residents" - both human at the stations and also the flippered varieties.

Call or email me for itineraries, pricing or more information!

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Dollars Off!

As part of the 2nd Annual First Time Cruisers Month, Royal Caribbean is offering past passengers and members of their Crown and Anchor society dollars off selected cruises. Yes, there is logic here, as they're extending the offer to not just the Crown and Anchor member's cabin, but also to another one on the same cruise. Think of it as an enticement for you to cruise... and bring a new cruiser with you!

The offers range from $50-$200/cabin discount as follows:

• 3-5 Night Cruises - $50/cabin discount
• 6-9 Night Cruises - $100/cabin discount
• 9+ Night Cruises - $200/cabin discount

The applicable sailings and discounts can be found at First Time Cruisers Event Crown & Anchor Dollars Off Offer. The offer is good for bookings made November 10-30, 2008. So call or email me for your booking(s)!

TGIHH - Thank Goodness It’s Happy Hour!

Happy Hour announcements from Celebrity and Royal Caribbean came out a bit early this week, and we've got some doozies for next week!

As a reminder, Happy Hour specials (also called Xciting Deals and Sales Events) are limited-time specials put out by Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, usually for close-in sailings. While traditionally they are for reservations made on Tuesdays, that rule of thumb is often broken, such as next week with Celebrity.

Celebrity is continuing their 2nd Passenger 50% Off specials next week, with a huge offering of mostly exotic sailings. But exotic doesn't necessarily mean far-flung, as there are Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings in there. These are mostly longer sailings, but the fares are truly astounding. There are even Christmas and New Years sailings in there!

Solos, they didn't forget you. While the official name is 50% off Second Passenger, look closely - they are also offering reduced single supplements as low as 125% of the first passenger fare, and nothing on the sale is over 150%! Looks like they're getting the message, too!

Royal Caribbean's offers are a bit more traditional, for sale only on Tuesday, November 11. Typical offerings in there, mostly shorter sailings, but some 7-night and longer, including exotics. Even some holiday and some very nice reduced single supplements, too!

For the full line-up of specials, just click here:

Celebrity Happy Hour/Xciting Deals for Week of November 10-14, 2008

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour/Sales Event Deals for November 11, 2008

Hurtigruten Removes Single Supplements, Too!

It's been quite a week for solo cruisers. First Lindblad removed the single supplement from one of their Antarctic/South American sailings. Then earlier today Uniworld announced that they're removing the supplement for solos on many of their Spring, 2009 river cruise sailings. Now comes Hurtigruten, the specialty cruise line (formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyage), who is removing the supplement for a series of wintertime Norwegian coastal voyages in early and late 2009!

See a trend here? So do I. The smaller or specialty lines are definitely feeling the economic pinch, just like the larger lines, but they're responding by making themselves more attractive to solos (along with other offers to double occupancy cruising as well). Let's hope the larger ocean cruise lines follow suit!

I was just talking with a client a few days ago about these Norwegian coastal sailings during the wintertime. He'd been on one, and was saying how beautiful it was, talked about seeing the Northern Lights, and how much he enjoyed the experience.

While most Americans don't think about Norway in the winter, it is a popular time for Europeans, especially those from the Nordic countries, to sail. Crystal clear beautiful nights, and a very different cruise experience.

Here are the details: Book selected 12, 7 and 6-day Norwegian Coastal voyages departing in Jan 1-Apr 30 & Oct 1-Dec 31, 2009 and receive a free special upgrade on single staterooms at the per person double occupancy rates. Offer applies to selected cabin categories. Cruise Fuel surcharge is additional. Offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion, except early booking rates, is valid for selected categories and departures. Offer is valid for bookings made by December 31, 2008. Offer is valid for new bookings only.

Does this sound interesting to you? Call or email!

Uniworld Removes Single Supplement on Select Sailings!

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced they are removing the single supplement on selected sailings for Spring, 2009! While river cruises often have a few reduced single supplement cabins, this is the most sweeping elimination of single supplements I've seen for river cruises! While supply lasts, cruises must be booked and deposited by December 31.

River cruising is a wonderful way to see Europe. So much is included, such as wine with dinner, beer and soda with meals, bottled water in your cabins, most tours, even bicycles if you want to explore on your own. Uniworld is a true luxury line with terrific itineraries. I've sailed her twice, once for a Christmas Markets sailing, and a second time round-trip from Paris. Both times were exceptional, and I'm a big fan of river cruising.

For solos, river cruising is especially nice, as the ships are small, socializing is in groups and constant, and you're with others from the ship as you explore each destination. Dinner is open seating, and the conversation flows. If you've ever been intimidated about taking a traditional ocean cruise solo, because of fears of being one out of thousands, this is exactly the way to get into cruising.

Since river cruising often attracts extremely well-traveled passengers, the conversations onboard are fascinating. But don't be intimidated if you haven't traveled extensively yet; all are welcome with a sense of adventure. In fact, many who wouldn't consider an ocean cruise love river cruising for the value, quality, ease and ability to be a true traveler.

The itineraries are fabulous. You're right in the heart of your destinations, places ocean cruises can't get to without long bus rides. You see what's special about each location - and it's all included!

Did I mention that English is the language onboard and on the tours?

And with the Dollar gaining ground almost daily with the Euro right now, and at favorable rates not seen in several years, it's a perfect time to be exploring Europe again!

The sailings which have the no single supplement offer are:

• Tulips and Windmills - Amsterdam to Antwerp 11 days
• Enchanting Danube - Budapest to Passau 9 days
• Eastern Europe Explorer - Vienna to Bucharest 16 days
• Grand European Discovery - Basel to Vienna 16 days
• Rhine Discovery - Nuremberg to Basel 9 days
• Danube Discovery - Vienna to Nuremberg 9 days
• Paris & Normandy - Paris to Paris 9 days
• Burgundy & Provence - Arles to Chalon 9 days
• Grand France - Paris to Arles 16 days
• Portugal, Spain, & the Douro River Valley - Lisbon to Porto 11 Days
• Paris & European River Romance - Paris to Nuremberg 11 Days
• Paris & the Heart of Europe - Paris to Vienna 18 days
• Paris & Grand European Waterways - Paris to Bucharest 32 days

If you're interested in getting more information, and specific dates please call me immediately at 303-690-8937 or toll-free at 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123) or email me at amber@singlescruiseresource.com. This offer is capacity controlled, and I'm sure the applicable sailings will go quickly.

Royal Caribbean’s “You Pick the Offer” Special

As part of the 2nd Annual First Time Cruisers Month, and commemorating their 38th anniversary, Royal Caribbean is offering a 2-day "You Pick the Offer" special! Applicable for all new oceanview or higher bookings of a 3- or 4-night Caribbean cruise booked on Thursday, November 7 or Friday, November 8, you get to choose between a $75/cabin savings or a $75/cabin onboard credit!

Full details, including the usual restrictions, can be found at You Pick the Offer.

So, do you want to save up front, or do you want more spending cash onboard? You decide! All you have to do is call and book.

Royal Caribbean 2nd Annual First Time Cruisers’ Month

November is Royal Caribbean's First Time Cruisers' Month... but everyone gets the savings!

Throughout the month, I'll be posting hints and tips for first time cruisers, about cruising in general, Royal Caribbean, their ships, and specific itineraries. In addition, each week there will be a new savings offer posted.

I'll admit the "tips" are ads put out by Royal Caribbean, but much of the information is good for new cruisers in general. Even if you're not considering Royal Caribbean, they're good to read in broad terms, to start thinking about what type of line you'd like, give you information on cruising in general, and some good destination information. From there, you and I can work together to determine what cruise, itinerary and line are right for you.

Today, the first tip is the Top 10 Reasons to Choose Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Watch for a new special announced tomorrow, and the next tip and more specials coming next week!

Ooops! When is a Balcony Not a Balcony?

When is a balcony not a balcony? When a line discovers that some of the balconies on their brand-new ship are actually obstructed, when they'd previously been sold as unobstructed. Oops!

Celebrity has a bit of egg on its face today, and many customer service representatives are busy notifying agents and consumers that, once the ship arrived in Ft. Lauderdale, they discovered that many of the cabins on Decks 6 and 7 (Continental and Sunrise Decks) actually have obstructed views from their balconies. The obstruction comes from the life boats below.

Some of the cabins only have obstructed views when you try to look straight down to the water (which isn't uncommon on other ships), while a few of them mid-ship actually have horizon-level obstructions as well.

As a result, Celebrity has quickly recategorized many cabins, some going to an "Obstructed Balcony Category 07" designation, others being changed to a Category 2C which denotes some obstruction in the view of the waterline. Other cabins have been recategorized as a result, to better bring the cabins in line with their "desirability." Most of the changes have actually resulted in an upgraded designation, but there are 76 cabins which have been "downgraded" and officially designated as obstructed in some way.

The new deck plans are already posted on Celebrity.com, but I'll summarize for you here.

• The mid-ship cabins on Deck 6, between cabins 6179 and 6209 on the port
  side, and 6180 and 6210 on the starboard side are now categorized as Obstructed
  Balcony Category 07, with "obstructed view when looking down to the water, and
  have slightly obstructed 'horizon' view";
• Cabins 6155 through 6177 and 6243 through 6303 on the port side, and 6156
  through 6178 and 6242 through 6302 on the starboard are now all categorized as
  Category 2C cabins with "obstructed view when looking down to the water, but
  have a completely unobstructed 'horizon' view'";
• Cabins 6101 trough 6153 on the port and 6102 through 6154 on the starboard
  are now upgraded to Category 2B, which is unobstructed balcony;
• On Deck 7, cabins 7109 through 7157 on the port and 7110 through 7204 on
  the starboard are all now upgraded to Category 2B;
• Midship cabins 7221 through 7239 on the port and 7266 through 7284 on the
  starboard have been upgraded to Category 2A;
• Cabins 7249 through 7287 on the port and 7294 through 7336 on the starboard
  have all been upgraded to Category 2B;
• Cabin 7305 on the port and 7306 on the starboard are both now recategorized
  as a Category 2C obstructed view; and
• Cabins 8258 through 8277 on the port and 8232 through 8250 on the starboard
  midship on Deck 8 are now a Category 1B.

Those who have been "downgraded" will be refared at a lower rate, and in some cases offered an onboard credit on the following formula:

• Downgraded from 2C to 07, $250/cabin onboard credit;
• Downgraded from 1A to 07, $250/cabin onboard credit;
• Downgraded from 1A to 2C, $500/cabin onboard credit;
• Downgraded from 2B to 2C, $500/cabin onboard credit.

I've checked all my bookings, and while some of my clients are affected by the changes, none are booked in downgraded categories, though some booked in Category 2C cabins do have some waterline obstructions, and some client's cabins have been recategorized higher.

This is confusing, so if you have questions, about a current or future booking or potential booking, give me a call! I've updated my deck plans, so can advise you appropriately. Of course, when I am on the Solstice in 2 weeks, I'll be checking out these obstructions personally, so will be able to give first-hand information on the impacts.

No Single Supplement on Lindblad Expedition Itinerary!

Just announced! For all my solo occupancy clients, Lindblad Expeditions, the leader in expeditionary cruising and travel, is offering NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT for their February 11, 2009 Cape Horn to the Cape of Good Hope Voyage! This sailing explores South America, Antarctica and South Africa. In addition, this is an Aspen Institute sailing, offering further enrichment lectures onboard.

The itinerary is:

• Day 1-2 - U.S./Fly overnight to Santiago, Chile
• Day 3 - Santiago/Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark
• Day 4 - At Sea
• Day 5-9 - Antarctica
• Day 10 - South Orkney Island
• Day 11 -At Sea
• Day 12-15 - South Georgia
• Day 16-19 - Sail the Southern Atlantic
• Day 20-21 - Tristan da Cunha/Nightingale Island
• Day 22-25 - At Sea
• Day 26 - Cape Town, South Africa/Disembark/Overnight Hotel
• Day 27-28 - Cape Town/Home

This is a true expedition sailing, including the famous Lindblad landings in Antarctica.

Lindblad describes this sailing as:

Extraordinary and unusual, an expedition from Cape to Cape has been the challenge and dream of many sailors and explorers. Colorful milestones line our route on this epic voyage from Cape Horn, at the tip of South America, to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Explore the wildlife and icebergs of Antarctica and South Georgia, with its vast king penguins colonies. Visit the remote outpost of Tristan da Cunha — one of the least accessible, least visited and most dreamed-of places anywhere — before ending in lively Cape Town. You explore the Antarctic in prime season, mid-February, accompanied by the best Ice Team on earth. We always change course for wildlife sightings — and our Zodiacs, kayaks and an Undersea Specialist help us understand these remote lands.

ASPEN INSTITUTE SEMINAR. Lindblad has arranged for The Aspen Institute to conduct a customized on-board seminar to explore the ideas and issues that impact this region of the world. For almost 60 years, The Aspen Institute has brought together diverse groups of people to learn from each other and from the great thinkers of the world. In an environment conducive to reflecting and dialogue, guests may participate (if they wish) to wrestle with fundamental questions about the nature of life, society and the environment.

Book by November 30 to receive the no single supplement offer. Oh, did I mention that there's also free air (coach) included as well if you book by November 30? Interested? Then call or email me immediately! 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123) or amber@cruiseresource.com.