Romance is in the Air Aboard Princess Ships at Valentine's Day

Posted 02/01/07

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 1, 2007) - Princess ships are the perfect place to celebrate love any time of year, but the romantically-inclined will find Valentine's Day celebrations aboard the "Love Boat" fleet particularly inspiring.  This is when the company's ships take on an even more amorous air with festive décor, couples renewing their wedding vows, and a variety of events to add an extra romantic touch.

One of the most memorable events held each year aboard each Princess ship is a group renewal of vows ceremony performed by the captain on February 14.  More than 5,000 couples fleetwide typically celebrate their love by participating in this Valentine's Day tradition.

Other heart-themed shipboard festivities include a festive Valentine's dinner capped off by one of the line's most popular desserts "The Princess Love Boat Dream," a Valentine's rendition of the "Newlywed and Not-So-Newlywed Game," a Valentine's Singles Party, Hearts card game lessons and tournament, a special honeymooners cocktail party, romance-themed films and plenty of other activities in keeping with the Valentine's spirit.

True romantics looking for special ways to celebrate can also take advantage of some of the extra offerings on board.  Princess' Champagne Breakfast is the perfect way for couples to start Valentine's Day with a deluxe morning meal in their stateroom.  Princess bars will be serving a Cupid's Champagne Cocktail - a romantic concoction of coconut rum, passion fruit, orange juice and sparkling wine that makes for a perfect Valentine's toast.  Onboard florists will have a variety of special blooms available for those who want to present a bouquet to their sweetheart.  And, for those who want to start their commitment to a life together on this memorable day, Princess' special "Engagement Under the Stars" packages enable suitors to create a dramatic video proposal shown on the "Movies Under the Stars" screen on Crown Princess, Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess or Sea Princess.  Couples will enjoy movie-star status, plus enjoy a special romantic dinner, and other amenities to remember the occasion long after they return home.

"Princess has long been synonymous with love and romance," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president.  "So Valentine's Day is a special day across our fleet and we're delighted to offer our passengers very special ways to express their affection for each other."

For the ultimate Valentine's Day, couples can actually "tie the knot" at sea, with the rare opportunity to celebrate a romantic wedding ceremony on the ocean waves, with the ship's captain officiating.  Princess is the only major North American cruise line that makes this dream a reality, offering a variety of customizable ceremony options, including, on larger vessels, an onboard wedding chapel decorated in flowers and candlelight for the special day.

Princess ships will be celebrating Valentine's Day in a variety of destinations around the world.  Couples may choose to sail among romantic islands, such as those of the Caribbean, Hawaii and Tahiti.  Or they may explore such exciting locals as South America, the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera, or Australia and New Zealand

MS Presents Expanded Caribbean Sailings for 2007 - 2008

Posted 02/02/07

MSC Cruises is presenting an expanded mix of cruise lengths and itineraries in the Caribbean for the 2007- 2008 winter season. The season begins when MSC Lirica departs Genoa, Italy, on Nov. 17 on a 17-night transatlantic cruise that includes port calls at Barcelona, Casablanca, Tenerife, Bridgetown, St. George, Fort de France and San Juan and nine sea days before arriving in Fort Lauderdale. Rates begin at $1,249 per person, double occupancy. The new Caribbean program of roundtrip sailings from Fort Lauderdale includes two seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Dec. 14 and Dec. 28; one seven-night Eastern Caribbean holiday cruise departing Dec. 21; five 10-night Mexico/Panama cruises departing Jan. 19, Feb. 8, Feb. 28 and March 19; and four 10-night Deep Caribbean cruises departing Dec. 4, Jan. 9, Jan. 29, Feb. 18 and March 9. On each sailing, kids 17 and under sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. MSC Cruises' Caribbean season will end with a 17-night transatlantic cruise to Dover, departing Fort Lauderdale on March 29, 2008.

Crystal Books Speakers James Carville, Mary Matalin

Posted 02/02/07

Crystal Cruises booked political commentators James Carville and Mary Matalin as guest lecturers on the Crystal Serenity's 12-day July 26 cruise from Venice to Rome. The husband and wife are Democrat and Republican, respectively, and this cruise marks the couple's second voyage with Crystal in as many years. Carville and Matalin's lecture series is titled "A Walk Through the Races…Where They're Going…What to Make of This Historic Time." Carville is a well-known member of Hillary Clinton's inner circle, and Matalin is planning to announce her Republican candidate of choice by the time of this cruise. The dynamic duo will square off with political views -- from the Left and the Right -- during several debates. The July 26 cruise begins in Venice, with an overnight stay aboard ship. From there, the itinerary features calls in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Taormina and Sorrento, Italy; Cannes (overnight), France; Florence/Livorno and Portofino, Italy, ultimately arriving in Rome on Aug. 7. Fares begin at $5,495 per person, double occupancy.  Call 800-913-7245 to book your cabin today!

HAL Alaska Tours Now Are Roundtrip from Vancouver

Posted 02/07/07

Holland America Line "Glacier Bay & Great Land Grand Tours" now arrive and depart from Vancouver, B.C. The 19- and 20-day cruise-tours, which combine a seven-day cruise with a land tour, previously started in Vancouver and ended in Seattle or visa versa. "Flying in and out of Vancouver, B.C. has made these cruise-tours much more convenient for guests, which has increased their popularity. It greatly improves the ability to make excellent air arrangements," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.

The tours include two nights in Denali, Dawson City, Whitehorse and Anchorage and the 20-day cruise-tour. Guests may opt for small group exploration of Kluane National Park, home of five of the seven tallest peaks in North America; Tombstone Park near Dawson; and the heart of the Alaskan Interior, Denali National Park. Grand Tours also include one night in Tok, Fairbanks and Skagway. The "Glacier Bay & Great Land Grand Tours" start at $3,499 per person, double occupancy.

Source: Modern Agent

Crystal Cruises Offers 679 European Excursions

Posted 02/07/07

Crystal Cruises this summer will introduce more than 100 new Crystal Adventures in Europe. On Feb. 15, all 679 shore excursions will be posted online for preview and booking. From April 7 through Nov. 9, the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will offer 29 itineraries ranging from seven to 14 days. All shore tours can be researched, priced and pre-reserved online prior to departure.

New tour highlights include an overnight journey to Berlin by train from Hamburg, a visit to the new Porsche Factory Leipzig for a Cayenne test drive on the factory's race track from Warnemünde, a MiG fighter jet flight over Moscow extended to a two-night overland adventure from St. Petersburg, a speedboat adventure in the Baltic Sea from Helsinki, and bicycling excursions in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Funchal and the South of France. Crystal's European cruises depart from Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey; London, England; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Rome, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; Toulon, France; and Venice, Italy. Pre- and post-cruise hotel stays are available in all cities except Toulon. Depending on itinerary selected, per person, double occupancy fares begin at $2,780. Call 800-913-7245 to book today!

 

Source: Modern Agent

Princess Cruises Debuts Romance Department

Posted 02/09/07

Princess Cruises is creating a new "Department of Romance" that includes a team of romance experts and is launching a number of romantic pursuits on its ships and on its website. The creation of the department is in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the hit TV series "The Love Boat," famously set aboard a Princess ship.

Princess has tapped noted relationship experts to serve in its new Department of Romance. They include dating and romance guru Trish McDermott, therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, wedding planner Alba Carreras, and Gavin MacLeod, who portrayed Capt. Stubing on "The Love Boat."

The department has planned a variety of romantic pursuits scheduled to launch throughout the year. One new feature is the "Romance by Room Service" package, which includes champagne and chocolate, scattered fresh rose petals and flameless scented candles, all set to a background of romantic music. Couples can choose to add the line's "Ultimate Balcony Dinner." Princess will also introduce an entertaining new class for its ScholarShip@Sea learning program, offering instruction on becoming a "Certified Romantic." The course will offer tools on how couples can rediscover romance, as well as tips for sustaining romance long after passengers return home from their cruise. Also, in-stateroom Romance TV programming will feature classic movies such as "An Affair to Remember" and "Sleepless in Seattle." The daily Princess Patter program will also feature a romantic tip or quotation to inspire affection.

In addition, a new section of the Princess website will be devoted exclusively to the subject of romance, with tips, Q&As, resource information for romantic travelers, articles from the department experts and more. A semi-annual Princess Romance Report will debut on Feb. 14, in which the company's romance experts sound off on the "state of love" with facts, stats and forecasted trends. These programs, to be launched with the debut of Emerald Princess in April, will join Princess' lineup of amenities and services for travelers with romance on their minds. Among them are weddings at sea performed by the ship's captain and the "Engagement Under the Stars" program for passengers who want to pop the question with a surprise video-taped proposal on the ship's 300-square-foot LED Movies Under the Stars screen.  To plan your romance cruise on Princess, Call 800-913-7245.

Carnival's Imagination Offers New Caribbean Tour

Posted 02/12/07

The destinations of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau will be featured on a new three-port, five-day itinerary operated by Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,052-passenger Imagination. The new itinerary, which begins Aug. 13, 2007, is the latest enhancement to the ship's year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruise program from Miami. In addition to the new three-port five-day itinerary departing Mondays, the Imagination's four-day cruises departing Thursdays call at Key West, and Calica, Mexico; while five-day cruises departing Saturdays visit George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Catering to the growing family market, the Imagination also features "Camp Carnival" and "Club O2," supervised programs for children and teens, respectively, as well as a nine-hole miniature golf course, and the "Water Wars" water balloon attraction. Carnival will begin accepting reservations for the Imagination's new five-day itinerary today.

Deilmann Offers Seine, Rhône River Cruises

Posted 02/15/07

Seven-night cruises from Paris on the Seine on the five-star MV Cezanne and from Lyon on the Rhône and Saône rivers on the four-star MV Princesse de Provence to Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions and Provencal cities are among the European river sailings of Peter Deilmann Cruises that begin March 24 and continue through Nov. 10. The weekly Seine River cruises aboard the 50-cabin Cezanne sail to Les Andelys, the small town of Caudebec-en-Caux, the ancient city of Rouen with its cathedral and Musée des Beaux-Arts with paintings by Impressionists Monet, Sisley, Boudin and Pisarro and the charming town of Vernon to visit Giverney. The Cezanne cruises provide overnight stays on the ship in Paris, Caudebec-en-Caux and Rouen. Most of the cruises sail roundtrip; three will sail one way from Paris to Rouen and three from Rouen to Paris. These six will feature two nights on board ship in Paris.
Deilmann's optional package of Seine excursions -- a Paris city tour, the ruins of Château Gaillard at Les Andelys, the seaside village of Honfleur with its rich artistic and historic heritage, Rouen and the home and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet at Giverny -- cost just $205 when purchased in advance. Among the ports of call on the Saône and Rhône cruises sailing from Lyon on the Princesse de Provence are Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saône, Macon, Trévoux, Tournon, Avignon and Arles. Optional excursions take passengers along Burgundy and Beaujolais wine routes.

Passengers can tour the Burgundy wine region visiting medieval Beaune, center of the wine trade. At Mâcon, there is a choice of excursions to the remains of the 12th century abbey at Cluny or to the wine-growing region of the Maconnais and a wine tasting. From Trévoux, there is an opportunity to tour the Saône valley and the vineyards and villages of Beaujolais wines.

In Arles, passengers have a full day to explore the city's many Roman antiquities or visit the Camargue, the nature reserve that is home to herds of white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos. Within the walled city of Avignon are the 14th century papal palace, 12th century cathedral, late Gothic churches, museums, elegant town houses and cardinal's palaces.

Deilmann offers five different cruise tours on its French cruises, both independent and escorted. One of the most popular is the 16-day "Exploring France" cruise tour that combines the Seine and Rhône cruises into one itinerary. The 15-night program begins in Lyon, ends in Paris, provides a TGV train connection from Lyon to Paris and includes 11 shore excursions. There are seven departures between April 6 and Oct. 26 and prices start at $3,100 per person double. Among escorted cruise tours is a 12-day "Coast of Normandy" program that combines a Seine cruise with three nights in Deauville at the Hotel Normandie Barriere with daily breakfast, four sightseeing tours, five shore excursions and the services of an experienced tour manager. Departures begin May 9 and prices start at $4,199 per person, double occupancy. The cruise line's "Discovery Add-ons," also allow travelers to extend their stay at a choice of destinations.

Special interest theme cruises on the Cezanne and Princesse de Provence offer biking, hiking, gardens and golf. New hiking programs are part of five cruises on the Seine and Rhône with departures between May 19 and Sept. 22. Four Cezanne sailings between June 2 and Aug. 18 offer biking theme programs, two garden themes are scheduled in June and two golf theme cruises depart Sept. 15 and Oct. 6.

Cruise-only rates for seven-night sailings on the Cezanne range from $1,525 to $2,595 per person for a twin-bedded cabin. Princesse de Provence cruises are priced from $1,375 to $2,200 per person for a twin cabin. Deilmann arranges air transportation, meet and greet service and transfers between airports and ships. Details on all the river ships and cruises and the Great Rivers of Europe 2007 brochure are available from Cruise Planners 800-913-7245.

Queen Mary 2's 2007-2008 Caribbean Season Sets Sail from the Big Apple

Posted 02/15/07

VALENCIA, CA - February 15, 2007 - As Queen Mary 2 continues to significantly expand her presence in New York, Cunard Line announces an extended series of 12 ten-day voyages to the Caribbean from the Big Apple, as well as two 13-day sailings to Panama and the Caribbean and a 14-day Caribbean Celebration voyage featuring Christmas Day at sea and New Year's Eve in the port of St. Thomas.  Like Queen Mary 2's legendary Transatlantic crossings, these voyages resonate with the singular elegance and sophistication of a Cunard ocean liner experience.  In addition, the ship's faster speed allows her to sail farther south than other ships out of New York, affording more Southern Caribbean port stops, such as Barbados, on ten-day voyages.
     
Offering easier access than ever from her homeport of New York, the 2007 - 2008 itineraries showcase an array of less-traveled ports while delivering a more glamorous experience.  Cunard voyages are renowned for their luxurious surroundings, exceptional dining and signature White Star Service^SM.  These signature services, together with the opportunity to explore and discover alongside like-minded travelers, result in a thrilling experience for first-time and longtime cruisers.
 
"With our 2007-2008 New York-based Caribbean itineraries, we're offering seamless access for those residing in the Northeast to experience the already iconic Queen Mary 2 adventure plus coveted, leisurely sea days that are a hallmark of Cunard voyages," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line.
     
In 2007 and 2008, Cunard will offer more than a dozen Caribbean voyages sailing roundtrip from New York.  Ranging in length from ten to 14 days, these journeys include:
     
Connoisseur's Caribbean - A total of 12 departures (from Oct. 31, 2007 - April 6, 2008) featuring ten days with stops in the picturesque ports of Tortola, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Thomas.
     
Caribbean Celebration -  A 14-day voyage departing Dec. 20, coinciding with the Christmas and New Year's holidays, with stops in Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas.
     
Panama and the Caribbean - Two 13-day voyages departing Feb. 2 and March 24, 2008, with stops in Costa Rica, Panama, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Lucia and St. Thomas.
    
Whether their interests lie in marine life, history, architecture or cuisine, guests plying the crystal waters of the Caribbean will find numerous diversions ashore.  For nature enthusiasts, Bridgetown, Barbados is of tremendous appeal.  Popular attractions that showcase the island's abundant tropical flora include Flower Forest, Orchid World and Andromeda Gardens.  Historians enjoy a tour of Gun Hill, a former British lookout post, and Sunbury Plantation House, a 300-year-old sugar estate.  In the picturesque colonial city of Basseterre, St. Kitts, the 17th century Brimstone Hill Fortress affords magnificent views of the coast and neighboring Caribbean islands.  Other popular stops include Romney Gardens, and its well-known batik studio, and Mt. Liamuiga, the island's highest peak.  In Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, guests can explore this popular U.S. Virgin Islands port both above and below the sea.  Its close proximity to St. John (home to the Virgin Islands National Park) makes it ideal for hiking eco-tourists while sun-bathers enjoy unwinding on Magens Bay, considered one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches.  Blackbeard's Castle, shopping in Charlotte Amalie and Coral World are other popular shore excursions.
   
Fares for Queen Mary 2's 2007-2008 Caribbean voyages start from $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy.

Onboard Queen Mary 2, guests dance the night away in the Queens Room - the largest ballroom at sea - and enjoy Caribbean-themed balls during voyages to the region.  Guest also revel in extravagant musical productions in spacious theatres, enjoy the vast selection of 8,000 books in the largest library at sea, take a ride through the Cosmos in the only planetarium at sea, engage in stimulating activities and fascinating lectures, and savor superb gourmet dining prepared by world-class chefs.      
     
For more information about Queen Mary 2's 2007 Caribbean itineraries, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.

Cunard's QM2 Offers More NYC Departures

Posted 02/17/07

Cunard Line announced an extended series of 12 ten-day voyages by the Queen Mary 2 to the Caribbean from New York in the 2007-08 season. The company also announced two 13-day sailings to Panama and the Caribbean and a 14-day Caribbean voyage featuring Christmas Day at sea and New Year's Eve in the port of St. Thomas. The ship's speed allows it to sail farther south than other ships out of New York, affording more Southern Caribbean port stops, such as Barbados, on 10-day voyages. In 2007 and 2008, Cunard will offer more than a dozen Caribbean voyages roundtrip from New York. Ranging in length from 10 to 14 days, these journeys include 12 departures of the 10-day "Connoisseur's Caribbean" to Tortola, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Thomas; the 14-day "Caribbean Celebration" departing Dec. 20 and visiting Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas; and two 13-day "Panama and the Caribbean" voyages departing Feb. 2 and March 24, 2008, with stops in Costa Rica, Panama, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Lucia and St. Thomas. Fares for the QM2's 2007-08 Caribbean voyages start from $1,499 per person, double occupancy. For more information, call 800-913-7245.

Uniworld Offers New Seine River Cruises

Posted 02/20/07

Uniworld Grand River Cruises is offering new cruises from Paris through the countryside of Northern France to the beaches of Normandy and then back to Paris. The refurbished River Baroness will sail along the Seine River for eight days onboard. The vacation begins with a guided city tour of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees, and the Arc de Triomphe. The day concludes with the Captain's Welcome Dinner onboard. The ship departs Paris for the towns of Auvers sur Oise and Conflans Ste Honorine. The former -- a favorite locale for many of the Impressionist painters -- is where Vincent Van Gogh lived, died and immortalized the town in "Auberge Ravoux," the "Church of Auvers sur Oise" and the "Wheat fields."

The cruise also visits Rouen, Le Havre, Honfleur and Vernon for an excursion to Monet's Giverny. The last evening onboard includes the Captain's Farewell Dinner as the ship sails back to Paris. An optional three-night pre-cruise package includes accommodations at Le Meridian Montparnasse (or similar) with breakfast daily, a guided "Arts and the Artists" tours of Montmartre and the Louvre, and transfers from the airport to your hotel and from your hotel to the ship. The cruise is priced from $1,798 per person, cruise only. Sailings begin March 25, and those who book and deposit a trip by March 31 will save $200 per couple or $100 per person, excluding the April 29 and May 13 sail dates.

Princess Offers Alaska Cruise-Tour Sale

Posted 02/21/07

Princess launched a new "Alaska Wilderness Sale" offering savings on cruise-tours. Special rates on select cruise-tours feature discounts of up to $500 per couple off of Princess' early-booking discounts. Sale prices for an 11-day cruise-tour begin at $1,399 per person for a Gulf of Alaska cruise with a land journey into Alaska. The sale pricing is available through March 31, and covers select cruise-tour departures throughout the May to September season.

"We want to encourage passengers to take advantage of Princess' expanded Alaska capacity during this busy booking period," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president of customer service and sales. "This is a great time to finalize vacation plans as we're offering a wide range of sailing dates and stateroom categories on sale."

Princess will feature its largest ever Alaska fleet in 2007, with eight ships sailing through the scenic waters of "The Great Land." The vessels range in size from 670 passengers to 2,670 passengers, including five ships dedicated to the Gulf of Alaska route. For the first time, Princess will feature mid-week Gulf departures aboard the smaller Pacific Princess. The Gulf of Alaska cruises can be combined with one of 22 different land tour options for a cruise-tour that includes Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, plus the company's "Direct to the Wilderness" rail service to/from Whittier. Princess' 2007 Gulf of Alaska season features a record 78 calls in Glacier Bay, and Princess says its ships will carry more passengers to Glacier Bay than any other cruise line. To take advantage of these great offers call 800-913-7245.

Cruise Planners Now Selling P&O Cruises!

Posted 02/22/07

We are adding P&O Cruises as one of our preferred brands.  Cruise Planners and our clients will now have access to the modern european brand of P&O cruises.   Britain's largest and most modern fleet, is offering unique Mediterranean and Baltic Cruises this summer and fall. Cruises range in length from seven to25 nights and start at $1,045 per person for a seven-day cruise. P&O Cruises features five ships, including the 1,950-passenger Arcadia, the 1,168-passenger Artemis, the 1,870-passenger Aurora, the 2,016-passenger Oceana, and the 1,822-passenger Oriana. Accommodations range from luxury suites with butler service to interior cabins.  Cruise Planners is excited to bring another quality brand to our discerning clients.   And, of course, we will offer the same discounts and incentives on select P&O sailings that we offer on other brands.  Call us today for more info and pricing on P&O, as the data is not yet available in our online system. 800-913-7245

Disney Cruise Line Announces TWO new ships!

Posted 02/22/07

The Walt Disney Company plans to expand its successful cruise business by adding two new ocean liners, President and CEO Bob Iger announced today. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line® to meet the sustained demand for Disney's family cruise vacations.

The new 122,000-ton cruise liners will be two decks taller than the existing 83,000-ton ships, the Disney Magic® and the Disney Wonder®. Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms. Specific design plans and itineraries for the yet-unnamed ships are still in development and will be unveiled at a later date.

Holland America Debuts Full-Transit Cruises

Posted 02/23/07

Holland America Line is offering 30 canal sailings in 2008, including new full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal, exotic 13- to 26-day "Inca Discovery" sailings, and new spring and fall departures from Tampa. The premium cruise line features 13 transcanal voyages on seven ships in 2008, plus 17 "Sunfarer" sailings that combine Panama Canal and Caribbean cruising. These 30 cruises ranging from 10 to 36 days and explore four regions: the Mexican Riviera, Central America, South America and Caribbean. The Statendam features new "Inca Discovery" cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale and featuring a three-day extended stay in Callao (Lima), Peru, to visit Machu Picchu. Guests can also opt for a 13-day Ft. Lauderdale-to-Callao or Callao-to-Fort Lauderdale itinerary with the option of pre- or post-cruise tours to Machu Picchu. The 26-day itinerary offers two full transits of the Panama Canal, the Machu Picchu excursion, and calls at Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk; Santa Marta and San Andres, Colombia; San Blas Islands and Amador, Panama; Manta and Guayaquil, Ecuador; Salaverry and Callao, Peru; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Grand Cayman; and Key West.

Seven ships will sail full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal in 2008; they are the Maasdam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, Westerdam, Prinsendam and Amsterdam. Departures are from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver and Callao. The Maasdam offers two full-transit sailings in the winter, departing Jan. 25 and Feb. 9, while the Statendam features a new fall sailing Oct. 25. The Maasdam sails a 15-day itinerary from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego departing Jan. 25 and a return 15-day voyage on Feb. 9. The Veendam will depart Tampa on a new, 19-day canal cruise on April 13. The Statendam offers a 16-day cruise departing Oct. 25 from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. The Veendam offers a 32- to 36-day "Panama Canal & Amazon Explorer" in the fall, with the choice of departing from Vancouver Sept. 26 or from San Diego Sept. 30. The Volendam will sail a total of 10 10-day "Sunfarer" cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in early 2008, offering departures Jan. 2 to April 1. In the fall, with the introduction of a Vista-class ship, the Zuiderdam picks up the itinerary with departures Nov 9, Nov. 19, Nov. 29, Dec. 9, Dec. 19 and Dec. 29. The Amsterdam also sails a 14-day Caribbean and Sunfarer cruise on Dec. 23. A Panama Canal historian travels on every sailing, providing insight and answering questions about one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Panama Canal cruise fares start at $1,199 per person, double occupancy.

Crystal Cruise Ship to Host NPR Program

Posted 02/26/07

Crystal Cruises in March will welcome National Public Radio's "Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story" program of performance narratives aboard Crystal Serenity. Series director and radio personality Isaiah Sheffer will host actors including stage and screen personalities Keir Dullea ("2001: A Space Odyssey" and "The Good Shepherd"), Mia Dillion ("Gods and Generals"), and Stephen Lang ("Gods and Generals"), as they perform works of classic and contemporary fiction and participate in interview sessions.

The entertainment program debuts on Crystal Serenity's March 20 cruise from Dubai to Istanbul, the fifth segment of Crystal Cruises' 2007 World Cruise. Recorded live at Manhattan's Symphony Space and heard each week in 155 cities nationwide, Selected Shorts features stars of theater, film and television bringing short stories to life. Guests aboard Crystal Serenity will be treated to theatrical readings of stories about wine and cuisine, love with a twist, and the short stories radio listeners found the funniest, including selections from Anton Chekhov, Kate Chopin, John Cheever, M.F.K. Fisher, Garrison Keillor, Thomas Meehan and more. The March 20 cruise begins in Dubai with an overnight stay aboard ship.

From there, the itinerary includes Salalah, Oman; Luxor and Karnak/Safaga, Egypt; Aqaba, Jordan; Ashdod, Israel; Alexandria/Cairo, Egypt; Athens; and Istanbul, Turkey. Fares begin at $9,680 per person, double occupancy. The March 20 voyage also features other speakers, including Sports Illustrated writer and NPR sports commentator Frank Deford; former FBI profiler Clint van Zandt; dramatist and book reviewer Barbara Rinella; sleep researcher and author of the best-seller "Power Sleep" Jim Maas; and veteran journalist Joe Kita.  To book, call Cruise Planners Today! 800-913-7245

Royal Caribbean to Deploy Megaship in Europe

Posted 02/27/07

Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 160,000-ton Independence of the Seas in Southampton, England, when it debuts in May 2008. Sharing the title of the largest cruise ship with sister ships Freedom of the Seas and the soon-to-be-launched Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas will be the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe.
"This significant step is part of the company's strategy of international business development and expansion into emerging and high-growth cruise markets," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

"We have already seen tremendous growth of the cruise industry in Europe. This year, 21 percent of the capacity of our three brands combined -- Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Pullmantur -- will be in this market."
Currently under construction in Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, Independence of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in May 2008 and will feature the line's signature innovations including the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall and a boxing ring. The 3,634-guest cruise ship will sail the 2008 summer season from Southampton, U.K. Following a series of preview sailings in Oslo, Norway; Hamburg, Germany; and Southampton, U.K., Independence will embark on its maiden voyage in mid-May 2008, alternating 14-night "Mediterranean Treasures" and "Italian Mediterranean" itineraries.

Ports of call for the "Mediterranean Treasures" itinerary include Gibraltar, U.K.; Barcelona, Spain; Nice, France; Florence/Pisa, Italy; Sardinia, Italy; Lisbon, Portugal; and Malaga and Vigo, Spain. The "Italian Mediterranean" cruises visit Gibraltar; Cannes/Monte Carlo, France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Sardinia in Italy; Seville and Vigo, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. The ship also offers two four-night cruises from Southampton to Cork, Ireland, and St. Peter Port in the Channel Islands. Three 11-night Canary Islands itineraries, also roundtrip from Southampton, will round out the fall season, calling in Madeira, Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria; Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Vigo. The Independence then heads to the U.S. for winter operating alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Bookings for the European itineraries will open on March 14. Call to book your cabin today! 800-913-7245>

Crystal Schedules 41 New Excursions in the Mediterranean

Posted 02/28/07

Crystal Cruises is offering 41 new shore excursions as part of its 350 Crystal Adventures in the Mediterranean this summer. The adventures, available with the 22 cruises from April through November, are now available for online viewing and booking at www.crystalcruises.com. Highlights include biking in Funchal, an exclusive dinner at a private Venetian palace, scaling the wall of Dubrovnik, an evening of ballet at the Odessa Ukrainian Drama Theatre, or a dinner and wine tasting at a Tuscan wine cellar. Passengers may choose from as many as 70 different Crystal Adventures on a single voyage. From April through November, the Crystal Serenity will operate voyages from seven to 12 days. Cruises depart from Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; London, England; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Rome, Italy; Toulon, France; and Venice, Italy. Pre- and/or post-cruise hotel stays available in all cities except Toulon. Per person, double occupancy fares begin at $2,780. For more information, call 800-913-7245 or visit www.crystalcruises.com.