Princess Cruises announces their entire 2012-13 cruise and cruisetour season

Many of my readers are very meticulous when it comes to planning their vacations. A lot of them like to plan years in advance, and sometimes that is difficult when dealing with a cruise vacation. However, Princess Cruises has made that planning a little more tolerable by announcing their 2012-13 cruise and Cruisetour season in its entirety.

This is a very exciting time for Princess, as it is the first time in its history that it has simultaneously launched its full slate of cruises, which includes its largest Europe deployment, an expanded Alaska schedule, new sailings from Galveston, more South American options with two ships sailing around Cape Horn, and more West Coast sailings to Hawai'i, Mexico and along the California coast than ever before.

Among their offerings during that season, Princess will begin sailing to the Hawaiian Islands from San Francisco, will offer longer 14-day Australia & New Zealand itineraries, and will once again sail the Western Caribbean from Galveston, Texas. More ships will sail in South America and Alaska, and several ships will make regional debuts, including Grand Princess' first-ever sailings on the West Coast and Caribbean Princess' maiden European deployment.

As for Princess' Cruisetours offerings, these combine a cruise and land experience that will enable passengers to more fully explore Alaska, Europe, Canada and New England, Asia, Australia and South America.

For a full rundown and overview of all of Princess' offerings for the 2012-13 season, please CLICK HERE.

To book one of these amazing cruises, please call 1.800.PRINCESS (774.6237) or call your travel agent. If you do not have a travel agent, there is one listed at the bottom of this post.

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 1.704.887.3968. Email: tcooke@vivavoyage.com. Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/.

Norwegian Cruise Line sets its Freestyle Dash promotion in motion

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 15, 2011, Norwegian Cruise Line will launch its "Freestyle Dash", which is a limited time offer offering savings on its cruises to Alaska; Bahamas & Florida; Bermuda; Caribbean; Europe; and Hawai'i. If you book by March 18, 2011, you will receive up to $250 to spend on board for things like shore excursions; spa treatments; or dinners in any of NCL's Freestyle Dining restaurants. You may also receive, depending on the cruise and length of cruise, reduced deposit opportunities as well as free upgrades.

This Freestyle Dash limited offer is also combinable with NCL's popular "Free Upgrades for All" Wave Season promotion (click here for details), which has been extended to March 31, 2011. With this, you can be provided with a four-category upgrade and e-coupons for savings onboard worth more than $400. Contact your travel agent today to get more information about these great savings or call NCL directly at 866.NCL.CRUISE (625.2784). If you don't have a travel agent, one is provided at the end of this post.

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC 28134. Telephone: 1.704.887.3968. Email: tcooke@vivavoyage.com. Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/.

Gavin MacLeod turns 80 onboard the Golden Princess

Yesterday, legendary actor Gavin MacLeod celebrated his 80th birthday aboard Princess Cruises' Golden Princess. Not only is he known as Captain Merrill Stubing from TV's The Love Boat, but he is also the long-time ambassador of the cruise line. The celebration was held onboard the ship in Los Angeles. Crew members, along with his family and friends sang "Happy Birthday" and presented him with a large cake - a 5-foot long, 3D replica of the original "Love Boat" - the Pacific Princess.

Also in Princess' press release about the celebration:

"MacLeod is perhaps best known for his role as “Captain Merrill Stubing” in the popular television series, The Love Boat.  One of the longest running television shows in history, The Love Boat cruised through ten seasons from 1977 to 1986 and is still in syndication in 92 countries worldwide. This year also marks MacLeod’s 25^th anniversary serving as Princess Cruises’ spokesperson.

MacLeod’s impressive career spans television, theater and film.  He spent seven years on the award-winning television series The Mary Tyler Moore Show as “Murray Slaughter,” the acid-tongued newswriter.  His other well-known television roles include “Happy” on McHale’s Navy and “Big Chicken” on Hawaii Five-O, and he has also appeared in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Hogan’s Heroes, The Big Valley, Ironside, To Catch a Thief, Run For Your Life, Hotel and Murder She Wrote.

MacLeod’s film debut was in 1958 with Susan Hayward in the Oscar-winning film I Want to Live.  His subsequent 35 film credits include Compulsion with Orson Welles, Operation Petticoat with Cary Grant, High Time with Bing Crosby, The Party with Peter Sellers, The Sand Pebbles with Steve McQueen and Kelly’s Heroes with Clint Eastwood."

I want to also wish Captain Stubing a very Happy Birthday from all of his cruising fans! Bon Voyage!

Princess Cruises to return to Galveston

Princess Cruises has announced that it will re-enter the Galveston market by repositioning its Crown Princess there and offering Western Caribbean sailings out of the Texas port. The ship will offer 19 departures from Galveston between December 22, 2012 and April 27, 2013. The seven-day roundtrip sailings feature calls on Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

I have personally sailed on Crown Princess and it is a wonderful ship. Not only that, cruisers that have never been to Roatan will be in for a treat. The cruise port is amazing.

The Crown Princess, weighing in at 113,000 tons, will be the largest Princess ship to sail out of Galveston. The decision to reposition the Crown Princess was impacted by feedback from cruisers who wished to sail out of Texas again.

For more information or to book a Princess cruise, please call your travel agent (if you don't have one, you may use the one at the bottom of the post), or call Princess at 1-800-PRINCESS (774-6237).

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC 28134. Phone: 1.704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com. Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/.

Holland America Launches 'Stateroom Direct Service' on all sailings

Holland America Line (HAL) has begun to listen to all of its guests griping about potentially long embarkation waits, and then having to compound it with the wait for their staterooms to be ready.

HAL is introducing Stateroom Direct Service on all of its sailings, which allows passengers immediate access to their staterooms upon embarkation. Under this initiative, staterooms will be ready as early as 11:30 am, and cruisers will no longer have to check their carry-on bags and wait around for the rooms to open. Guests will also have their luggage delivered earlier, allowing them the time to settle into their vacation without the rush of eating, getting unpacked and safety drills.

This service has now been set into place on all of HAL's 15 ships. It is part of Holland America's ongoing Signature of Excellence enhancement program. The Stateroom Direct Service adds to an already long list of enhancements designed to allow guests maximum cruising experience by enjoying onboard activities, facilities and amenities as soon as they board the ships.

Call 1-877-SAIL-HAL for more information or consult with your professional travel agent. If you do not have a travel agent, one can be found at the bottom of this post.

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email: tcooke@vivavoyage.com. Parent website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/.

Norwegian Pearl to debut its sailings from New York

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that for the first time in its history, the Norwegian Pearl will sail out of New York for its Fall-Winter 2012-2013 deployment. The Norwegian Pearl will begin sailing out of New York in October 2012, and also, the Norwegian Gem will begin sailing out of that port beginning in September 2012.

This will be a great catch for the New York/New England area, as they will have unique itineraries and larger ships from which to choose. The 2,394-passenger Norwegian Pearl will sail from New York, offering a series of 21 seven-day Bahamas and Florida cruises, along with three 12-day Southern Caribbean cruises.

According to Norwegian:

"Norwegian Cruise Line today announced its Northeast deployment schedule for the 2012/2013 fall and winter season which features two, large Freestyle Cruising ships sailing from New York offering a variety of itineraries.  For the first time, the 2,394-passenger Norwegian Pearl will sail from New York beginning in October 2012, offering a series of 21 seven-day Bahamas and Florida cruises, along with three 12-day Southern Caribbean voyages.  Norwegian Gem, also accommodating 2,394 passengers, will continue to homeport in New York where she will offer a series of 24 nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages and four 10-day cruises to Eastern Canada and Quebec. Rounding out the fall season from the Northeast, Norwegian Dawn will sail seven day cruises to Canada and New England from both Boston and Quebec for five weeks starting September 21, 2012.

“With the arrival of Norwegian Pearl in New York, we will have two of our newer and larger Freestyle Cruising ships sailing from this very popular homeport,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer.  “New Yorkers love Freestyle Cruising because it suits their needs. With two of our Jewel-class ships in New York, we are giving guests more choice and the opportunity to sail longer cruises to the Caribbean.” 

Norwegian Pearl will make her New York debut on October 14, 2012, sailing a seven-day itinerary that calls on Orlando & the Beaches (Port Canaveral); Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian’s private island) and Nassau, Bahamas. The three 12-day Southern Caribbean cruises, on January 6, January 20 and February 3, 2013, include stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados and St. John’s, Antigua; as well as five relaxing days at sea.  Norwegian Pearl will also offer three opportunities to experience Freestyle Cruising on a two-day getaway sailing from New York on January 18, February 1 and February 15, 2013.  

Continuing to homeport in New York, the 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem will sail two newly extended itineraries to Eastern Canada and Quebec and the Eastern Caribbean.  Norwegian Gem will begin her four 10-day sailings to Canada and Quebec on September 8, 2012; calling on Halifax, Nova Scotia; an overnight in Quebec City, Quebec; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia. From October 20, 2012 to April 18, 2013, Norwegian Gem’s nine-day itinerary to the Eastern Caribbean will stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Samana, Dominican Republic.

Beginning on September 21, 2012, the 2,224-passenger Norwegian Dawn will spend the fall season in Canada and New England. The ship will offer three seven-day sailings from Boston visiting Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Gaspésie, Quebec; Saguenay (La Baie), Quebec and ending in Quebec City, Quebec. Norwegian Dawn will also offer two seven-day sailings from Quebec calling Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Sydney, Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick; Bar Harbor, Maine. Guests can combine these itineraries into a 14-day cruise, with an option to embark from either Boston or Quebec. This will be the first time Norwegian Cruise Line will visit Gaspésie in Quebec."

You may call NCL directly at 1-866-234-7350 to make a booking or inquire more about these sailings. Or you can call your travel agent to help you. If you don't have a travel agent, one can be found at the end of this post.

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Tel: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com. Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/.

Holland America's MS Nieuw Amsterdam named 2011 Ship of the Year

I have written a lot about Holland America Line's MS Nieuw Amsterdam on my Examiner page. Please click here to read more about the ship on there. However, the exciting news of the day for this fantastic ship is that it was named 2011 Ship of the Year by World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, a prestigious award.

Based on the press release by Holland:

"The award was announced in the February issue of Ocean & Cruise News, a 16-page monthly publication. 'In order for a ship to become our 'Ship of the Year,' it takes an exceptional consistency of high marks in each of the grading categories,' wrote Thomas Cassidy, editor of Ocean and Cruise News. 'Our congratulations go to Holland America and the crew of the Nieuw Amsterdam on delivering the highest degree of passenger satisfaction to our members.'

'Nieuw Amsterdam quickly has become a guest favorite since it debuted, and knowing that our ship stood out and was recognized by the most experienced and dedicated cruisers is a true honor,' said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. 'With each new ship we introduce more innovative features, amenities and partnerships that enable us continually to add value to our product and brand, and our guests truly appreciate that.'

One hundred fifty-one ships from all major cruise lines were rated in the survey, which is based on passenger satisfaction in categories ranging from culinary and service to itineraries and shipboard activities and entertainment. From 1982, when Ship of the Year surveys began, Holland America Line ships have received top honors ten times - more than any other cruise company's ships.

The World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society was founded in 1980 and is considered to be the oldest and largest cruise organization of its kind. WOCLS is composed of more than 7,500 experienced cruisers who take, on average, two cruises each year.'

With honors like that, it's easy to see why Holland America Line is a premium cruise brand.

Bon Voyage!

Cunard to hold another Royal Rendezvous in Long Beach Harbor on March 3

Cunard Line announced that they will hold another History Royal Rendezvous on March 3, 2011 when the Queen Victoria, who will be on her way to Fort Lauderdale via the Panama Canal, comes into Long Beach Harbor to meet with the Queen Mary. The two legendary ships will be visible together for approximately 30 minutes beginning at about 6:00 pm.

According to Cunard's press release:

"This rendezvous marks only the second time in Cunard’s venerable history that a modern Queen has visited her docked sister ship; the very first-ever rendezvous was in February 2006 when, on the occasion of her maiden call to Los Angeles, flagship Queen Mary 2 met her namesake, garnering international attention.

This historic event also signals the celebration of a significant milestone:  the upcoming 75^th anniversary of Queen Mary’s maiden voyage from Southampton, England (27 May 1936).

“After the spectacular Cunard Royal Rendezvous in New York with our three modern Queens back in January, it is quite fitting that we continue the grand celebration on the West Coast,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “Queen Mary is an important part of our history and legacy and what better way to salute her than with a visit from Queen Victoria to celebrate the completion of her debut Americas season.”

The best viewing location is on the Promenade deck of Queen Mary, at the aft (back) of the ship. Queen Mary will offer free admission for guests to board the ship to experience her attractions, including:

• Dining at the Promenade Café, Sir Winston’s and the Chelsea Chowder House
• Tours, including Behind-the-Scenes, WWII, Haunted Encounters, Twilight Historical and the Ghosts & Legends show, among others (All tours sold separately.)
• Shopping at more than a dozen shops, including Stacks, Queen Mary’s signature souvenir boutique
• Experience vast views of the Harbor from the Observation Bar, the ship’s original first class cocktail lounge, and enjoy live entertainment until 7:00 p.m.

Earlier that day, Queen Victoria makes the last of four visits to the Port of Los Angeles as part of her debut Americas Season, which continues through late March and features several transits through the Panama Canal, two roundtrip voyages to Hawaii, and one Getaway voyage to Mexico.  Queen Victoria returns to the West Coast again in early 2012.

Debuting in December 2007, Queen Victoria is the third largest Cunarder ever built, weighing in at 90,000 tons. The 2,000 passenger liner is infused with a sense of luxury and tradition, from the Royal Court Theatre, which includes the first private viewing boxes at sea, to the signature two-storey library featuring a spiral staircase and nearly 6,000 volumes.

During Cunard’s legendary 171-year history, the iconic Queen Mary epitomized the golden age of ocean travel and served as a Cunard liner for more than 30 years.  Additionally, she served as a troopship during World War II and a Royal Mail Ship, under contract with the British Royal Mail service. Queen Mary’s influence lives on today serving as interior design inspiration for the modern Cunard fleet, the youngest at sea, and continues to be a popular destination for maritime enthusiasts.  She retired from service in 1967 and remains in Long Beach, Calif. as a hotel, museum and tourist attraction. For more information about Queen Mary, visit http://www.queenmary.com/."

This will certainly be a sight to see, so if you are in the area on March 3, 2011 at 6pm, head down to Long Beach Harbor to get a glimpse of two Queens together! Bon Voyage!

Norwegian wins first Design Award from Travel + Leisure

Norwegian Cruise Line has the distinction of being the first line ever in the cruise industry to be awarded the distinguished Design Award from Travel + Leisure magazine. It was tabbed for this honor by the publication with the largest audience for travel because of the innovative design of its Studio staterooms on the new Norwegian Epic. The recipients of the seventh annual award represent the best new examples of design in a range of categories from hotels and transportation to luggage and travel fashion.

Norwegian Epic was awarded "Best Transportation" for its Studio staterooms, a private key-card access complex on two decks, which consist of 128 staterooms and the Studio Lounge. The concept was designed by Priestmangoode as an alternative for solo travelers who didn't want to pay the industry's single supplement cruise price.

Each Studio stateroom is approximately 100 square feet of living space, and features a contemporary design with a full-size bed and separate areas for the bathroom, sink and shower. In addition, guests have access to the private Studio Lounge, where they can get coffee in the morning, meet other guests to plan their day, or just relax with a drink in the evening with their own private bar. A great feature to these staterooms is that many of them are connecting, so friends can travel together, yet have the private space that they may need as opposed to being "roommates".

The Norwegian Epic is currently featured on http://www.travelandleisure.com/ and is highlighted in the March magazine issue, slated to hit newsstands on February 21, 2011. This is a ship worth looking into, and the magazine will do a great job portraying it.

Bon Voyage!

Still not convinced that a travel agent is your best option?

I have booked travel all different kinds of ways, and I have to say, that the level of service that you get from a travel agent is far superior to the service you get from online agencies such as Orbitz and the like. Sure, it's nice to have some discounts here and there, and I do have recommendations for certain things, such as Hotwire and the like, but when you are looking for a full-on vacation, there is nothing better than a travel agent.

Look, I know there are pros and cons, but the article below from WCNC.com in Charlotte, NC should give you some insight into the travel industry. The title of the article is called "When you spend thousands on a dud vacation, and you can't get your money back". That should say it all, right? This is yet another failure story on why you should not use online agencies to book your vacations. A travel agent is always your best option. Come on folks, wake up! Travel agents' services are free and they can take care of problems like these, whereby online agencies give you little to no customer support. The only thing that they can typically give you for free is the "middle finger".

Please read this article and video below by clicking on it and I look forward to your feedback!

Avoiding Costly Vacation Nightmares

Bon Voyage!

Princess Cruises to broadcast the Royal Wedding

Are you, by chance, going on a Princess cruise and worried that you won't get your fill of the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton? No reason to fear! Passengers onboard will be able to get their fill on April 29, 2011 when BBC World will cover the entire event and broadcast it on Princess ships.

According to Princess' news release:

"Not only can passengers follow along as the future princess walks down the aisle, but they'll enjoy viewing parties on board as they watch the most extensive coverage of this royal event. BBC is the official wedding broadcaster and has exclusive access inside Westminster Abbey during the ceremony.

The onboard viewing parties will add a celebratory flair to the event with British-style refreshments and special royal-themed cocktails. Passengers can also test their knowledge with royal wedding trivia competitions and participate in a William and Kate look-alike contest.

...Royal Wedding broadcasts are planned for all ships in the Princess fleet, subject to satellite availability. In some time zones, the broadcast may be delayed for viewing at a convenient hour.

The Royal Wedding is one of several special events shown on the Movies Under the Stars screens, including the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards. The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size with a 69,000-watt sound system and have sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed - offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater."

For those who have not booked a Princess cruise for this time period but would like to do so, see the bottom of the article for more information.

Bon Voyage!

You may call Princess direct at 1-800-PRINCESS (774-6297) or you may contact Theresa Cooke, at CruiseMasters in Pineville, NC at 704.887.3968 or email her at tcooke@vivavoyage.com.

Celebrity 'upgrades' its offer for Caribbean sailings

From time to time, I like to fill people in on specials that the cruise lines are offering. I get these emails regularly, and if I find something of interest, then I will let you know about them. Here is my latest on The CruiseHonk:

This week, Celebrity Cruises is offering upgrades on its Caribbean cruises. You can upgrade from an Ocean View Stateroom to a Veranda Stateroom for FREE. You can also upgrade from an Inside Stateroom to an Ocean View Stateroom for just $49 per person.

Go to CelebrityCruises.com to get more details on which sailings are available. They do have some limitations and conditions, like most cruise lines, so it pays to read all of them before booking to make sure you have everything covered. Here are a few of those regulations to spare you some time, courtesy of Celebrity:

"Upgrade from Ocean View to Veranda for Free Offer is applicable to select Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Eclipse 7-night Caribbean sailings. Upgrade from Inside to Ocean View for $49 Offer is applicable to select Celebrity Summit 7-night Caribbean sailings, Celebrity Century 4- & 5-night Caribbean sailings and Celebrity Millennium 4- & 5-night Caribbean sailings. Offers limited to new individual bookings only made February 1-28, 2011, in USD, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, not combinable with any other offer, and may be withdrawn at any time. Other terms and conditions apply."

Remember, it does pay to use a travel agent when booking travel, even if it isn't a cruise. They don't cost anything additional (they are actually paid by the vendors, not by YOU) and they provide service in times of trouble that websites and low-cost booking engines do not. Also, the referring agency has excellent relationships with the cruise lines that most do not have and can price-match in most cases, or in some cases, beat legitimate prices outright! That being said, if you ever need a great travel agent, look no further than below. I will continue to provide this information on most entries, so do not think that you are seeing things after a lot of entries! Please look below for that information. Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com . Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/ .

Princess' Alaska reservation system is easier than before

Princess Cruises has made it simpler to book your Alaskan cruise vacation along with tour reservations. If you are looking to be a Cruisetour traveler, and I would assume you would be, then you can pre-reserve your land tours, which are a big hit on cruises to Alaska. This will also ensure that you get what you want, as popular tours are booked up quickly.

The land excursions from its wilderness lodges this summer can be reserved with a system that is similar to that used to reserve shipboard shore excursions. There are also more options available for this summer, from both the lodges and cruise ships, which include active adventures and special family and connoisseur tours. This system, which will be through Princess' Cruise Personalizer, will accommodate you in this process. This allows you to book all of your excursions in one place, where in the past; you would need to book them from the lodge itself.

The new excursions available include: glacier hiking, panning for gold, meeting sled dogs, or even an extreme event: experiencing life at 40 degrees below zero! New family tours from the lodges include:

• Worthington Glacier Hike - Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
• Explore Cooper Landing & Gold Panning Adventure - Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
• Black Diamond Treasure Hunt - Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

Shore excursions from the ships include:

• Potlatch Totem Park, Hatchery, Bird Show & Meal - Ketchikan (Connoisseur)
• Gold Panning, Sled Dogs & 40 Degrees Below Zero Experience - Skagway (Family)

For more information on these excursions and all of Princess' offerings, please consult your travel agent, or if you do not have one, please see below for the listing of one that can help you. Remember, it pays to use an agent, and you do not pay extra for that personalized service!

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, Cruise Masters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com. Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/

Norwegian Cruise Line breaks booking record

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced today that it broke its single-day booking record on Monday January 24, 2011. The fleet's new Norwegian Epic, along with great Wave Season specials have contributed to this record.

This Monday, January 31, 2011, NCL will continue offering incentives to perhaps break this past Monday's result. The promotion, called "Free Upgrades for All" is offering balcony upgrades on its Alaska cruises. New reservations booked through March 27, 2011 receive up to a four-category upgrade, along with e-coupons in on-board savings of up to $400.  In addition, bi-weekly special offers on select ships and destinations will continue featuring Hawai’i, Bermuda, Bahamas and Florida, as well as another Epic offer.

Guests can make reservations on any of NCL's 11 Freestyle Cruising ships by calling NCL directly at 1.866.625.2784 (1.866.NCL.CRUISE). I would recommend the better service that a travel agent offers which is at no additional cost to you. If you do not have a travel agent, one is listed below for your convenience that is very well versed in NCL's specials.

Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com . Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/

Norwegian Sun re-enters the cruising world after being refurbished

The Norwegian Sun, which has been dry-docked for 12 days, has re-entered service after some much needed renovations. The renovations are sure to enhance her offerings, which included updates to her public areas, suites and restaurants. One key improvement has been the addition of the Brazilian steakhouse, the Moderno Churrascaria. This restaurant has been very popular aboard the Norwegian Epic, NCL's newest and largest ship.

Two additional ships will enter dry-dock this year for their renovations as well: the Norwegian Dawn in May, and the Norwegian Spirit in September. There will also be several that take place in 2012, according to NCL's CEO Kevin Sheehan.

According to the official press release from Norwegian Cruise Lines:

"Norwegian Sun’s refurbishment to guest areas includes:

·         Updated décor in all 33 of the ship’s suites;

·         Improvements to the Kids Crew area which offers complimentary children’s programs;

·         The addition of Moderno Churrascaria, the line’s new and popular Brazilian steakhouse (in the space previously occupied by Pacific Heights);

·         Overall replacement of carpets and wall coverings in public areas.

In addition, back-of-house enhancements include:

·      An energy conservation project focused on the ship’s HVAC system to save an estimated six million kilowatts per year (when complete in May 2011);

·    Replacement of all potable water piping (continuing over the next 12-18 months);

·      Propeller and rudder modifications to decrease power consumption by six percent;

·      Removal and replacement of all lifeboat davit hooks with new state-of-the-art hooks to further ensure guest safety.

Norwegian Sun sails alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, departing every Saturday through April 7, 2011. The ship’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise stops in Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. On the seven-day Western Caribbean cruise, the ship will call in Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize and Key West, Florida.  The two itineraries can be easily combined to create a port-rich 14-day Caribbean tour for guests looking for a longer cruise escape.  

Beginning May 8 2011, Norwegian Sun will spend her summer in Europe sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, for the first time in the company’s history, embarking on 15 nine-day Baltic Capitals cruises.  Ports of call include: Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm (Nynashamn), Sweden. 

Norwegian Sun has a variety of stateroom options, a choice of 14 dining venues, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, a luxurious spa and salon, state-of-the-art fitness center, a complimentary kid’s club and teen lounge, a sports deck and several spacious public rooms."

The improvements for the other ships are sure to be just as amazing! Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com . Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/ .

Celebrity announces its final Deal of the Week

From time to time, I like to fill people in on specials that the cruise lines are offering. I get these emails regularly, and if I find something of interest, then I will let you know about them. Here is my latest on The CruiseHonk:

This week, Celebrity Cruises is offering incentives on its Alaska sailings. If you book your cruise from January 24-30, 2011, you can receive up to $150 per stateroom in onboard credit to use however you wish. You can use it on shore excursions, at the spa, at the premium restaurants, and at just about anywhere that accepts your card attached to your onboard account.

Go to CelebrityCruises.com to get more details on which sailings are available. They do have some limitations and conditions, like most cruise lines, so it pays to read all of them before booking to make sure you have everything covered. Here are a few of those regulations to spare you some time, courtesy of Celebrity:

"Prices are per person, cruise only on Alaska sailings from May 2011 to Sept 2011, based on double occupancy, in USD, subject to availability and subject to change without notice. Onboard credit Offer is applicable on Alaska sailings from May 2011 to Sept 2011, booked between January 24, 2011 to January 30, 2011. Onboard credit amounts are: 6 Nights plus: $50 per stateroom–inside & ocean view; $100 per stateroom–standard veranda; and $150 per stateroom–CC, Aqua and suites. Onboard credit amount is per stateroom and applied to published full fare rate by Celebrity Cruises within two week after Offer expiration. Onboard credit is not redeemable for cash and any unused amounts will expire at 10pm on the last night of the cruise. Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Onboard credit will be applied by Celebrity Cruises prior to the departure date. Double occupancy or higher required. Singles paying 200% qualify for full Savings amount. One Offer per stateroom , new individual bookings only, subject to availability. Government taxes and fees additional. Certain restrictions apply."

Remember, it does pay to use a travel agent when booking travel, even if it isn't a cruise. They don't cost anything additional (they are actually paid by the vendors, not by YOU) and they provide service in times of trouble that websites and low-cost booking engines do not. Also, the referring agency has excellent relationships with the cruise lines that most do not have and can price-match in most cases, or in some cases, beat legitimate prices outright! That being said, if you ever need a great travel agent, look no further than below. I will continue to provide this information on most entries, so do not think that you are seeing things after a lot of entries! Please look below for that information. Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com . Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/ .

Cunard "Royal Rendezvous" Caught on YouTube

For only the second time in history in New York, three of Cunard's "Queens" met within the harbor at the same time. This event, called the "Royal Rendezvous" highlighted activities involving Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the new Queen Elizabeth.
The Queen Elizabeth had her Maiden Call to Manhattan during this span of activities, which was an exciting first for the line. Other activities included the ringing of the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, the lighting of the Empire State Building in Cunard "red", as well as a tremendous fireworks display by Grucci over the youngest fleet at sea in New York Harbor.

If you would like to see all of these festivities on video, please click here.

Bon Voyage!

Princess launches a contest for best Bucket List story

This is one of the best contests that I have seen from a travel provider. Princess Cruises is providing a contest through Facebook and the winner will be able to choose their ultimate dream cruise destination. The vacation will be between 10 and 16 days in length and you will spend your time in a balcony cabin for the ultimate in luxury. The trip will also include round trip airfare for two people. I have already begun working on my story, so I suggest you do the same. The copy of the press release from Princess is below:

"Princess Cruises is today launching a Facebook contest inviting its fans to share their most essential travel experience for a chance to check another place off their travel bucket list. The contest winner, to be determined by popular vote, will receive their choice of eight remarkable cruise destinations -- Europe, Asia, Tahiti, Australia/New Zealand, the Holy Land, Panama Canal, Alaska or South America.

The cruise vacation choices range from 10 to 16 days in length in a balcony stateroom, and include roundtrip airfare for two people.

Travelers can submit their compelling tales through the special contest tab on the line's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PrincessCruises) either as a written story or video. The public will then have the opportunity to vote on the experience that inspires them the most, and the eligible entrant with the highest number of votes will win their dream cruise vacation.

There are two ways to enter the Princess Cruises Travel Bucket List Contest - with a written story up to 300 words and up to five photos, or with a video up to two minutes in length. Entries can be submitted any time until February 7, 2011. Fans can vote for the story that inspires them most between February 11-25, 2011 and the winner will be announced on or around March 11, 2011.

The contest is inspired by Princess' popular blog, 50 Essential Experiences, which chronicles bucket list travel experiences from the company's most-traveled employees. The blog, which has attracted over half a million page views since it launched in October, has motivated many travelers to think about their own travel bucket lists and plan essential travel experiences.

The eligible top vote-getter will receive his or her choice of one of the following eight cruise itineraries:
13-day New Zealand
Sydney, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch (Lyttelton), Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Fiordland National Park Scenic Cruising, Sydney12-day Holy Land
Rome (Civitavecchia), Sorrento (for Capri & Pompeii), Patmos, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Galilee/Nazareth (Haifa), Jerusalem (Ashdod), Port Said (for Giza/Cairo), Alexandria, Santorini, Athens (Piraeus)16-day Southeast Asia & China
Beijing (Tianjin), Busan, Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Singapore12-day Grand Mediterranean
Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples (for Capri & Pompeii), Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Athens (Piraeus), Venice (Overnight)14-day Panama Canal
Ft. Lauderdale, Aruba, Cartagena, Full transit of the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Los Angeles12-night Alaska Connoisseur Deluxe Escorted Cruisetour
Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Whittier/Denali, Denali, Denali/Mt. McKinley, Mt. McKinley, Anchorage/Mt. McKinley, Anchorage10-day Tahiti & Polynesia
Tahiti (Papeete), Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora (Overnight), Moorea, Tahiti (Papeete)14-day Cape Horn Route to Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Falkland Islands (Stanley), Cape Horn scenic cruising, Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), Punta Arenas (Strait of Magellan), Chilean Fjords scenic cruising, Santiago (Valparaiso) The Princess Travel Bucket List contest is open to all residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada (excluding Quebec), the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, aged 21 years or older. Official rules can be found at http://tinyurl.com/4ap4mdz."

I look forward to reading about some of your Bucket Lists. Bon Voyage!

Carnival's warm chocolate melting cake recipe revealed

If you have taken a Carnival Cruise Lines cruise, then you will know what I am talking about. If you haven't, then you should take one immediately to experience one of the great culinary secrets on the face of the earth. Carnival's cruises offer a dessert every night at dinner called the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. I kid you not when I tell you that I slam at least 10 of these in a 7-day cruise easily. The combination of the melting lava-like cake along with the delicious ice cream make this a treat to savor. Or perhaps have more than one of after dinner. On top, there is a thin chocolate that is shaped like the famed Carnival whale tale. There is nothing better.

Now, I am giving you the power to make it on your own. It's easy to make. Occasionally you may have some difficulty getting it perfect, but continue to try and master it. You can and you will! Of course it will never be as perfect as those on a cruise, since cruising makes everything better. But, it will be just good enough, and if it makes the experience more enjoyable, then put on some Calypso music in the background!

You can find the recipe here: http://exm.nr/9TO9SO. Enjoy your dessert and Bon Voyage!

Carnival, other lines to pull the last of its ships from California

Carnival Cruise Lines announced that it will be pulling the rest of its California cruise ships from San Diego because of the poor economy. The economy played a part in the decision as did the fear of tourists over traveling to Mexico. The last ship of Carnival's will be the Carnival Spirit, which will begin sailing out of Australia in 2012. Carnival cites great opportunity for the withdrawal, going to a potentially booming port instead of one (San Diego) that has gone bust for the cruise line.

According to published reports, the Port of San Diego stands to lose approximately $54 million a year in tourist spending because of the withdrawal. That translates into 60,000-plus passengers visiting the Mexican Riviera from the port.

In Los Angeles, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has announced its plans to take its Mariner of the Seas out of California. Its last departure from the Port of Los Angeles will be on Sunday. The 3,100-passengers cruise ship will now call Galveston, Texas its home after a tour of South America. Norwegian Cruise Line has also said that its Norwegian Star, a 2,300-plus passenger cruise ship, will leave Los Angeles to call Tampa its home port in May.

Although the economy has been to blame for sagging revenues for the cruise lines, other factors have come into play. Drug-related violence in Mexico has been a deterrent to travelers wishing to explore the area.

Hopefully for California, these factors can be alleviated and the cruise industry can re-enter in the near future. Bon Voyage!

Carnival Magic European Promotions

The Carnival Magic begins sailing in May 2011. Like the Carnival Dream, its sister ship, it is one of the largest in the Carnival fleet, and her sailings are among the most anticipated in cruise line history. To help celebrate the inaugural sailings, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering some incentives that will pay you back if you sail the Carnival Magic in Europe. Not only will past guests benefit from booking this ship, but the general public will as well.

The Carnival Magic will be showcasing her "first of her kind" amenities and present popular port side highlights including Naples, Rome, Monaco and much more.

If you are a past guest of Carnival you have a lot to look forward to with the Carnival Magic. You are entitled to additional savings than the general public. Your 7-day Barcelona - Mediterranean cruises start at $849 for an Inside cabin, $1,049 for an Oceanview cabin, and $1,199 for a Balcony cabin. This is for the July 3, July 10, and July 17, 2011 sailings. The 9-day Barcelona and Venice - Mediterranean cruises start at $899 for an Inside cabin, $1,199 for an Oceanview cabin, and $1,429 for a Balcony cabin. Sailings on this itinerary depart on May 1, 2011, and also on June 3, June 24, August 5, August 26, September 16, and October 7, 2011. And on top of that, there is a 12-day Barcelona - Mediterranean cruise that starts at $1,199 for an Inside cabin, $1,499 for an Oceanview cabin and $1,749 for a Balcony cabin. These sailings are May 10, May 22, June 12, July 24, August 14, September 4, September 25, and October 16, 2011. These prices are per person, and based on double occupancy. Port charges, government taxes, gratuities and potential fuel surcharges are not included. Regardless, these are some amazing deals. These prices are very hard to beat for Europe, especially considering that Carnival also offers airfare.

If you book from January 10-30, 2011, as past guests of Carnival, you get these exclusive past guest rates, plus up to $200 in onboard credit per stateroom, and not only that, *drumroll please*, you get free best available upgrades. These are only available if you book with a travel agent, so find one if you don't already have one!

Now, folks who aren't past guests, never fear. There are specials for you as well. You may not have the pricing that past guests have; however, Carnival has upped the ante by providing you with up to $300 in onboard credit per stateroom, which is $100 higher than with past guests! Your 7-day Barcelona - Mediterranean cruises start at $919 for an Inside cabin, $1,119 for an Oceanview cabin, and $1,269 for a Balcony cabin. This is for the July 3, July 10, and July 17, 2011 sailings. The 9-day Barcelona and Venice - Mediterranean cruises start at $979 for an Inside cabin, $1,279 for an Oceanview cabin, and $1,509 for a Balcony cabin. Sailings on this itinerary depart on May 1, 2011, and also on June 3, June 24, August 5, August 26, September 16, and October 7, 2011. And on top of that, there is a 12-day Barcelona - Mediterranean cruise that starts at $1,299 for an Inside cabin, $1,649 for an Oceanview cabin and $1,899 for a Balcony cabin. These sailings are May 10, May 22, June 12, July 24, August 14, September 4, September 25, and October 16, 2011. These prices are per person, and based on double occupancy. As mentioned above, port charges, government taxes, gratuities and potential fuel surcharges are not included.

Please check with your travel agent to lock in these fares. Nobody does it better than Europe! Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com . Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/.

Princess Cruises Reveals Essential Experience #13

Princess Cruises has a great blog called the 50 Essential Experiences. It tells you of the greatest travel experiences on the planet, as told by travel writers and experts. It is something you should really look over in order to generate more ideas about your dream vacation. Installment 13 was revealed today and Princess talks about it here:

"Princess Cruises today revealed Essential Experience #13 on its blog, "50 Essential Experiences: The Travel Bucket List." This week Senior Vice President of Commercial Affairs Tony Kaufman relives the excitement and emotion of his family tour of Israel, including visits to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.

He writes: "Israel provided two very different types of experiences that, for me and my family, blended into a seamless appreciation of a complex country. The somewhat serious religious and historical aspects of Israel revealed themselves in numerous ways and places throughout our visit. In addition, Israel has another side to it that makes it an exciting and fun place to be." read more


The blog's "Reader Essential Experience of the Week" describes the delights of Shanghai, China.
These and other stories can be found online at www.50EssentialExperiences.com, where a new experience is unveiled weekly. Each is authored by a Princess destination expert -- "a long-serving and well-traveled shipboard or shoreside employee."

Bon Voyage!

Celebrity Cruises announces its Deal of the Week

From time to time, I like to fill people in on specials that the cruise lines are offering. I get these emails regularly, and if I find something of interest, then I will let you know about them. Here is my latest on The CruiseHonk:

This week, Celebrity Cruise Lines is offering incentives on its Caribbean sailings. If you book your cruise from January 10-16, 2011, you can receive up to $150 per stateroom in onboard credit to use however you wish. You can use it on shore excursions, at the spa, at the premium restaurants, and at just about anywhere that accepts your card attached to your onboard account.

Go to CelebrityCruises.com to get more details on which sailings are available. They do have some limitations and conditions, like most cruise lines, so it pays to read all of them before booking to make sure you have everything covered. Here are a few of those regulations to spare you some time, courtesy of Celebrity:

"Prices are per person, cruise only on Caribbean sailings from March 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, based on double occupancy, in USD, subject to availability and subject to change without notice. Onboard credit Offer is applicable on all Caribbean sailings from March 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 booked between January 10, 2011 to January 16, 2011. Onboard credit amounts are: 4/5 Nights $25 per stateroom–inside & ocean view; $50 per stateroom–standard veranda; and $75 per stateroom–CC, Aqua and suites. 6 Nights plus: $50 per stateroom–inside & ocean view; $100 per stateroom–standard veranda; and $150 per stateroom–CC, Aqua and suites. Onboard credit amount is per stateroom and applied to published full fare rate by Celebrity Cruises within two weeks after Offer expiration. Onboard credit is not redeemable for cash and any unused amounts will expire at 10pm on the last night of the cruise. Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Onboard credit will be applied by Celebrity Cruises prior to the departure date. Double occupancy or higher required. Singles paying 200% qualify for full Savings amounts. One Offer per stateroom , new individual bookings only, subject to availability. Government taxes and fees additional. Certain restrictions apply."

Remember, it does pay to use a travel agent when booking travel, even if it isn't a cruise. They don't cost anything additional (they are actually paid by the vendors, not by YOU) and they provide service in times of trouble that websites and low-cost booking engines do not. Also, the referring agency has excellent relationships with the cruise lines that most do not have and can price-match in most cases, or in some cases, beat legitimate prices outright! That being said, if you ever need a great travel agent, look no further than below. I will continue to provide this information on most entries, so do not think that you are seeing things after a lot of entries! Please look below for that information. Bon Voyage!

Travel agent information: Theresa Cooke, CruiseMasters, Pineville, NC. Phone: 704.887.3968. Email address: tcooke@vivavoyage.com . Parent company website: http://www.vivavoyage.com/ .

Norwegian Epic to Debut Three New "Legends in Concert"

Norwegian Cruise Lines, whose biggest ship afloat is the Norwegian Epic, has announced that it will debut three more "Legends in Concert" aboard its ships. These "Legends in Concert" shows, which are also found in concert venues in Myrtle Beach, Branson, Las Vegas, Seattle, Atlantic City, Foxwoods Casino and Coushatta Casino, have become quite a hit on the Norwegian Epic.

The three new performers will be tributes to Janet Jackson, Neil Diamond and Aretha Franklin. Karin Lawson, from Denver, will portray Janet Jackson; William Paul, from Australia, will perform during the show as Neil Diamond; and DeNita Asberry, who hails from Detroit, will impersonate Aretha Franklin.

Legends is Concert is a musical tribute to the greatest musicians, which feature the world's greatest celebrity tribute artists. Aboard the cruise, they feature three celebrity tribute performers for six 45-minute shows over three days during a seven-day cruise. In addition, a Legends "unplugged" show will be performed in the Manhattan Room, the cruise ship's New York-inspired supper club. The entertainers are changed every four months to keep "fresh" shows aboard. The previous group of performers impersonated Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, and Michael Jackson.

With all of this great entertainment, you are guaranteed a good time on the Epic. Bon Voyage!