Crystal Cruises Epicurean Odyssey Savings
July 27, 2007
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| Book now and save up to $5,858 per couple on a 2008 Western Europe Voyage! |
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| Enjoy an Epicurean Odyssey rich in culture, beauty and sumptuous cuisine on our 2008 Athens to London cruise. From authentic Sicilian fare to incomparable French vintages, this 13-day Wine & Food Festival voyage presents a cornucopia of flavors. Book now and save an additional 20% in Categories A-E or an additional 10% in our Penthouse staterooms! Ensure the best value of a European vacation by buying a Crystal Cruise with U.S. dollars today.
In Taormina, explore the majestic slopes of Mt. Etna, or tour Spain’s scenic Costa de Sol, home to the intriguing Moorish castles of Málaga. For wine lovers, discover Oporto and its celebrated port wine production in the Douro Valley, or visit one of the many world-famous chateaux and vineyards in the lush valleys of Bordeaux. Enhance your culinary acumen on board with cooking demonstrations by a renowned guest chef and complimentary wine tastings led by a master sommelier. Plus, Crystal’s innovative enrichment programs provide many opportunities to enrich your mind and revitalize your spirit. Sail with the World’s Best, voted by the readers of Travel + Leisure for the 12th consecutive year, to the historic cities of Western Europe and discover why the difference is Crystal clear.
Terms & Conditions: Voted World’s Best by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines. |
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OCEANIA CRUISES SAILS TO AUSTRALIA
July 27, 2007
Cruise West renames ship for Alaska itineraries
July 17, 2007
Following the announcement that the Spirit of Nantucket will be repositioned to Alaska in 2008, the small-ship cruise line Cruise West has renamed it to befit its new home. Next year, the 102-guest ship will ply the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and, given this itinerary, the name will be officially changed to Spirit of Glacier Bay. A rechristening will occur in Seattle spring 2008 before the ship sails to Alaska. The ship is currently sailing East Coast itineraries through 2007.
“The name Spirit of Glacier Bay not only reflects the itinerary this ship will be sailing, but also celebrates the history of Cruise West and Glacier Bay. Cruise West was one of the pioneers to take guests by ship into this magnificent park,” said Dick West, chairman and managing director. “In 1990, we introduced the 52-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay that sailed a similar itinerary, and this ship was retired in 2001. It just makes sense to reintroduce this name and get back to our roots.”
For the 2008 Alaska season, the Spirit of Glacier Bay will sail three-and four-night Glacier Bay Highlights cruises that will feature two days in Glacier Bay, cruising roundtrip from Juneau. The 4-night cruise also makes a port call at Haines or Skagway. This cruise was previously offered on the 78-guest Spirit of Alaska that will sail the Alaska`s Whales & Wilderness cruise in 2008.
Holland America Line Features Latest Ship and New Itineraries for 2008 - 2009 Caribbean Cruises
July 17, 2007
In the next two years, Holland America Line plans its most diverse offering of Caribbean cruise options with new ports, back-to-back itineraries, and the introduction of its newest ship, ms Eurodam, in late 2008. Holland America Line has increased its presence in the region due primarily to the addition of the new 2,104-passenger Eurodam and has planned more 10-day and longer journeys along with some gateway changes to introduce in-depth itineraries.
Beginning in 2008, Holland America Line also will embark on a full season of a southern Caribbean itinerary that proved to be a popular change-of-pace to traditional eastern and western sailings. The seven-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale visits Aruba, Curacao and the premium line’s private island experience of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.
“Next year we are thrilled to introduce our new Signature-class Eurodam to the Caribbean and know our guests will enjoy sailing on her,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “With our greatest selection of cruises and our push to lead the industry with longer, in-depth itineraries, Holland America Line stands out in the region as offering something very unique for cruisers.
“Our on-board product, the amount of time we spend in port, and our private island experience that is regularly lauded as the quintessential Caribbean experience all add to the premium cruise experience our guests receive,” added Meadows.
Holland America Line will have ten ships sailing the Caribbean in 2008 and through April 2009, offering 189 sailings. In 2008, ships depart from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and New York; in 2009, gateways feature Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. The Noordam, which will sail out of New York in 2008, moves to Ft Lauderdale to offer the popular Seafarer/Wayfarer itineraries.
Caribbean ships include three Vista-class ships — ms Noordam, ms Zuiderdam and ms Westerdam — and the ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Statendam, and ms Eurodam.
Cruises will range from three-day Bahamas getaways to exotic 14-day adventures in the Southern Caribbean, some including the Panama Canal or South American ports. Many sailings are designed as combination cruises; for example, guests can combine a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise with a seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing to experience more of the region.
Most cruises also plan a day at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s acclaimed private island. With its horseback riding and swimming excursion, guided AquaTrax watercraft tour, stingray adventure, and fun-filled family aqua park, Half Moon Cay continues to be the line’s highest rated Caribbean port of call.
Cruise fares begin at $749 per person for a seven-day Eastern or Western Caribbean itinerary, $1,099 for a Sunfarer Caribbean/Panama Canal cruise, and $1,799 for a 14-day Southern Caribbean adventure. For More Information, contact HollandAmerica.net toll-free: 800-925-8572
Keel laid for new Seabourn Odyssey flagship
July 17, 2007
In a ceremony steeped in age old tradition, principles from The Yachts of Seabourn and T. Mariotti S.p.A., performed a keel-laying ceremony on July 11 for the line’s 32,000-ton Seabourn Odyssey, due to enter service in June 2009.
Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s president and CEO, placed an un-circulated 2007 U.S. Silver Eagle dollar coin in the keel as the first section of the hull was joined to it. Marco Bisagno, president of T. Mariotti S.p.A., contributed a newly minted Italian one Euro coin to complete the ceremony, which traditionally solicits good fortune for the vessel during its construction and throughout its seagoing life.
The U.S. coin is decorated with an allegorical image called “Walking Liberty,” depicted as a female form striding across the earth in flowing raiment. The Italian Euro coin depicts Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Vitruvian Man,” symbolically fitting an ideal human form into a well-ordered and geometric universe.
Conover noted that “Seabourn’s Odyssey Class vessels are being born of a time-honored Italian legacy, whereby innovative designers and skilled craftsmen team to create objects of beauty that inspire and bring delight to people over many years.”
According to Bisagno, “Mariotti is honored to build the first of two ultra-luxury yachts for Seabourn, which will no doubt set a new international standard for world-class cruise vessels.”
The sleek hull of Seabourn Odyssey is being constructed at CI.MAR, which is a new alliance between Mariotti and Cimolai Group, a premier firm specializing in sophisticated steel fabrication. Once completed, it will be transferred to Mariotti’s shipyard at Genoa, where they will fabricate the ship’s graceful superstructure. Mariotti is a leader in the construction of intimate cruising vessels and ultra-luxury mega yachts
Luxury Cruises - Debunking the Myths
July 16, 2007
By: Liz McDougall, Staff Writer, CruiseMatch.com
Recently I’ve talked with some people that think that the luxury cruise market is only for the uber-rich, or star-struck contest winners that wander around Titanic-like ships with first and third classes. They worry about dress codes, fork placement, the dreaded last-day invoice, and a whole host of possible faux-pas they could make while onboard, like stumbling into the Captain’s personal brandy stash, and being thrown overboard for “bad form”.
First, let me put your mind at ease. Luxury Cruises, while being, well, luxurious, are very approachable and very affordable. The staff onboard the ships are used to folks experiencing a higher level of service, food and ambiance for the first time, and they are very happy to help you discover all there is to offer.
Here are some suggestions:
Relax and Talk to Experts.
As you prepare for your cruise, be honest with your travel planner about your concerns. The more information they know about you and what you expect, the better they can match you to the right cruise line and right ship. There are some luxury cruise lines which cater to an older crowd and so the nightlife won’t be as expansive. There are some that have added educational seminars rather than Karaoke (both are fine, by the way…) - just be sure and communicate your likes and dislikes clearly so you’re not disappointed.
Sticker Shock Averted.
Your travel planner’s motto should be, “We can work with any budget, What’s yours?”. Don’t be offended by this question; they aren’t trying to wrangle more money out of you. It helps them (and you) to weed out options which clearly won’t work - but will allow them to perhaps get some extras included by way of their relationships with the cruise lines if they have a little wiggle room. Be sure you know exactly what’s included and what’s not in the cost of your cruise fare, and consider flexibility in terms of dates, departure ports and even length of your cruise. It could be the cruise of a lifetime even if it is only a four-day, rather than a sixty-eight-day sojourn.
Shopping & Gambling Onboard
I have a confession to make. I love to play blackjack, and I especially love to play on cruise ships. I can imagine myself in a 40’s spy film being watched by some tall, dark, handsome man who buys me a drink… and… I digress. Reality is, its usually my dapper tuxedoed husband desperately trying to keep me from losing our next month’s mortgage on one hand. The point is: have a budget in advance and stick to it. Things can add up quickly when you’re shopping and gambling onboard.
Do your Research, but Validate Them Professionally
I wouldn’t make a move without a travel professional these days. I simply can’t call the Internet, although I do love to surf for ideas and research and despite the fact that I can connect with people around the globe and get first-hand information, having someone that knows me, what I like, what I dislike and can tell me without fear of offense that I would be making a terrible mistake by doing such and such. That kind of unbiased “travel therapy” is crucial today, and I appreciate it.
Ready to go? Here are some excellent luxury cruise lines to get you started: Crystal Cruises, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruise Lines & Cunard Cruise Lines
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