Malt Shop Memories Cruise, Activities

Naturally we’re enjoying performances by all the top name rock ’n roll stars on board The Malt Shop Memories Cruise, but there’s a lot more going on in addition to the headline shows in the Mainstage Show Lounge.

Some of the other activities that are keeping us busy include Celebrity Bingo with Sheri Winkleman as Marilyn Monroe, afternoon cocktails hosted by a variety of the artists, trivia competitions, a renewal of vows ceremony, a Connie Francis tribute show in the Queen’s Lounge, the Buddy Holly Show with George Trullinger in the Crow’s Nest, dancing to the hits with DJ Joel in the Northern Lights Nightclub, and Elvis karaoke—with a special opportunity for the ladies to sing as the King. Movies of the malt shop era are screened in Eurodam’s movie theater and of course there is the Elvis Tribute Artists contest as well as Elvis performances in “The Jungle Room” where a highlight was Gino Monopoli recreating Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special.

One of the most popular events has been “Remembering Dick Clark.” Moderated by his friend and radio personality Jerry Blavat, the discussion panel included Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Dion, and Darlene Love (pictured above), all who appeared on Clark’s iconic television shows. Their stories and remembrances ranged from hilarious to touching. It was a real inside look into how those stars’ lives were touched by Dick Clark—and even his wife, who gave Chubby Checker his name!

Image © CruiseDiva.com

Malt Shop Memories Cruise, The Difference

There are music-themed cruises and then there is Entertainment Cruise Productions, which hosts only full-ship charter cruises. Everyone on board has full access to all shows and events that follow the theme. In the case of The Malt Shop Memories Cruise, that means the music and fun we all enjoyed in the 1950s and 60s. From poodle skirts at the sock hop to formals for Prom Night, the majority of our fellow passengers are displaying great creativity in their choice of attire and accessories.

We may be “seniors,” but we remember the fun we had in our teen years and this is the place to relive those good times—on board Holland America Line’s Eurodam, one of the most elegant ships at sea.

Not only does Entertainment Cruise Productions provide the artists to entertain us and a great floating playground, they also give us pillow gifts. Every night is like our birthday when we return to our staterooms after dinner and an exceptional show. In addition to the tee-shirts that were included in our pre-cruise package, once on board we received a great souvenir book that includes our daily schedule and pages for notes and autographs. Plus, lanyards were provided to carry our key cards with the cards thoughtfully pre-punched for easy use. Since then we’ve been surprised with caps, backpacks, mugs, and more.

However, the finest gift of all is the opportunity to experience live performances by the artists and musicians who enriched our younger years and hear their stories—all in one place. And this is the only place on land or at sea where that happens.

A personal favorite aspect of The Malt Shop Memories Cruise is the camaraderie on board. It’s always cool to travel with a group and this is the ultimate group—one that shares our interests in music, as well as life in general.

Image © CruiseDiva.com

Malt Shop Memories Cruise, Elvis Tribute

To celebrate the music of the 50s and 60s—the Malt Shop Era—and the King of Rock ‘n Roll, one of the most highly competitive groups of Elvis Tribute Artists is aboard the Malt Shop Memories cruise. Some were invited to participate to compete in the richest Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in the World, with a $5,000 grand prize, but the contest is open to any passenger on board who wishes to enter.

To get into the mood, we’ve enjoyed Gino Monopoli’s show in the Jungle Room (pictured here). Dwight Icenhower, winner of the 2011 Malt Shop Memories Elvis Tribute Artist Contest has also taken the stage. So far, we’ve also seen a number of Elvis artists mingling on board. Yes, they are easy to spot and they are generous with their time, posing for photos and chatting. Just like the real King would be if he were on board.

The contest has started and is taking place all week long, with panel of judges making eliminations after each round. Each night’s competition features a theme, so the Tribute Artists must be well-rounded musically and creative in their presentation. Vocal quality and likeness are highly scored.

On the final night of the cruise, the King of Elvis Tribute Artists will be chosen right here aboard Eurodam. As Elvis himself would say, “thank you…thank you very much.”

Here’s how the contest works:

The contest is for the “Best in Show” Elvis Tribute Artist. All phases of Elvis Tribute themes will compete together with the finalists being deemed the very best in their respective categories. The finalists may all come from one category or they may reflect several categories. The winner will be the person who is the very best in show regardless of category.

Elvis Tribute Artists are all judged using the same scoring sheet. Each of the judging criteria is scored on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. Vocals count for 40% of the score. Appearance, stage presence, and overall performance each count as 20%.

The judging criteria are as follows:

• Vocals - Overall singing ability
• Appearance - Ability to create a look and style that well represents Elvis
• Stage Presence - Ability to re-create the charisma Elvis created when performing on stage
• Overall Performance - Quality of the overall performance as a whole

There are three rounds of competition. Round 1 features each contestant performing two songs. Those who are selected for the semi-finals will also be required to perform another two songs for the semi final round. For the finals each remaining contestant will perform three songs. No contestant may repeat a song during the competition. It is within the judge’s purview to determine the number of contestants who qualify for the semi-finals and the finals.

The contest will provide the audio equipment and will present the music, but the actual music to be played must be provided by the contestant.

Image © CruiseDiva.com

Malt Shop Memories Cruise, At Sea

While we were scheduled to call at Grand Turk Monday, our late departure from Jacksonville and the increased distance from north Florida nixed our port day. Instead the Malt Shop Memories Cruise aboard Eurodam bypassed Grand Turk and spent another day at sea in order to make our visit to San Juan today.

We hated missing Grand Turk, but we used the time to put up our door decorations. When the creative gene was being distributed, my mom must have been asleep and I didn’t get one. I gave it a try with a “Beach Music” theme, but fellow Malt Shop Memories cruisers have really shown me up. One of them will win a much-deserved prize for the most inventive door decorations.

Because we arrived in Jacksonville so late for our departure Saturday night, the mainstage show featuring The Chiffons and The Platters was canceled. Both groups made an appearance at Sunday night’s Sock Hop poolside and since we had an extra sea day, they performed matinee shows on the big stage in the afternoon.

Our show for the night headlines The Drifters and Dion. We plan to take an afternoon nap so we’ll be able to stay up late for the comedy show with David Brenner and Round 1 of the Elvis Tribute Artist contest.

Images (c) CruiseDiva.com

Malt Shop Memories Cruise, The Hurricane Edition

Let’s back up a bit to Saturday when we were scheduled to board Holland America Line’s Eurodam in Fort Lauderdale. At the pre-cruise party on Friday night we learned our ship was diverted to Jacksonville due to Hurricane Sandy. As a result, instead of boarding Eurodam at Port Everglades, we boarded coaches to Jacksonville where we finally embarked hours later than planned. No problem… For those of us on board early enough, a full evening of musical events were on tap, including the opening of the “Jungle Room” and the introduction of Elvis Tribute Artists hosted by Gino Monopoli (one of my personal favorite “Elvi”) and Dwight Icenhower. As a courtesy for the inconvenience, Holland America hosted open bars and all drinks were on them for the night.

Luggage arrived during the night and we were able to get settled in before our delayed boat drill at 9am on Sunday morning. In our pre-cruise package for the Malt Shop Memories Cruise we received official tee-shirts to wear at the Malt Shop Memories Cruise T-shirt party where the music was provided by DJ Jerry Blavat and complimentary drinks were served poolside. Afterwards, Chubby Checker was on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Twist. Gosh, we don’t feel that old.

Everyone has color coded key cards (either red or blue), which determine show times and dinner seatings. Our shows are at 6pm and our first showtime featured The Tymes and Darlene Love (He’s A Rebel”). To wrap up the night, the Sock Hop Dance Party was held poolside with The Chiffons and The Platters.

By and large the hurricane is behind us and the ocean has settled down, but we are on board the most rockin’ ship at sea.

Image (c) CruiseDiva.com

At Home on Holland America Line's Eurodam for the Malt Shop Memories Cruise

To board a Holland America ship is to enter a floating bit of maritime history with a modern twist. For over 135 years, the line has remained true to its mission, “Through excellence, we create once-in-a-lifetime experiences every time.” Quite simply, Holland America offers premium cruising at its classic best.Embarking upon Eurodam is like coming home and, in this case, it’s going to be even more fun than usual. We're on board for the Malt Shop Memories Cruise 2012, hosted by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

Once on board we quickly settled in and made ourselves comfortable in our deluxe oceanview stateroom with verandah. Although there aren’t many drawers for storing folded garments, each closet features drop-down shelves and we found plenty of room to stow everything, including in the deep drawers at the foot of the bed.

The décor is soothing in tones of grey and cream with jewel toned accents. One of my favorite features is the vanity/desk with its lighted magnifying mirror. It’s perfect for those of us who crave lighting and need a bit of magnification to apply mascara.

A home at sea, our Verandah Outside stateroom is similar in design to outside standards, including most bathrooms with tubs, but the verandahs add real usable space. Furnished with two wicker-style chairs and a table, there is still plenty of room to move about; standard staterooms, either inside or outside are functional and comfortable. For budget accommodations with a bit more room, book an inside on Main Deck.

All categories are outfitted with "Signature of Excellence" amenities that include the plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Bed, deluxe waffle weave/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel televisions, DVD players, lighted make-up mirrors, hand held hairdryers, massaging shower heads, personal safes, refrigerators, and closets configured for hanging and/or drop down shelves. This is Holland America Line and a full ship music theme charter at its best..

Our 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise includes port calls at San Juan, St. Thomas, and one of our favorite destinations—Holland American’s private island, Half Moon Cay. Oh yes, and we’ll have days at sea to simply relax and enjoy the shows and camaraderie of our Malt Shop peers. We hope you’ll follow along here in the Cruise Diva Blog.

Princess Cruises “The Campaign to Escape Completely” Update: Cruise Vacation Side Effects

Some passengers apparently have trouble adjusting to life on land after a cruise vacation, as was hilariously illustrated by Princess Cruises in their first “Side Effects of Cruising” video, which focused on The Sanctuary.

The video proved so successful that Princess Cruises has released a follow up highlighting the Movies Under the Stars onboard experience as part of The Campaign to Escape Completely. In mockumentary style, this new video further explores the withdrawal symptoms Princess Cruises passengers may face when returning from vacation. Shown is a husband attempting, without much success, to recreate the popular Movies Under the Stars experience, which includes comfortable chaise lounges, complimentary popcorn, and cozy blankets in the evening.

The Campaign to Escape Completely, which will continue through Nov 6, 2012, gives consumers a chance to win free cruises and gifts by finding a Princess Cruise Golden Ticket in their emails and by playing the “Ballot Box Trivia Challenges.” The latest challenge launched on Friday, Oct 19 at 3pm PST.

Carnival Corporation Orders New Ships for Its Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines Brands

Carnival Corporation announced today it has reached an agreement for the construction of two new cruise ships - a 99,000-ton ship for its Holland America Line brand and a 135,000-ton vessel for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand.

A memorandum of agreement has been signed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of a 2,660-passenger ship for Holland America Line scheduled for delivery in fall 2015 and a 4,000-passenger ship for Carnival Cruise Lines scheduled for delivery in winter 2016. The total cost for the two vessels combined, which includes the U.S. dollar denominated contract price and all owner's costs, will be approximately $195,000 per lower berth. The memorandum of agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including execution of shipbuilding contracts and financing.

The Holland America ship, which will be a new class of vessel for the line, will enter service five years after the last Holland America ship, the ms Nieuw Amsterdam, delivered in 2010. The Carnival Cruise Lines vessel, also a new class of ship, will be launched four years after the introduction of Carnival Breeze, which debuted in spring 2012. The timing of capacity additions for these brands is similar to the five year span between upcoming new ship introductions for both Princess Cruises and P-and-O Cruises (UK), as previously announced.

"Today's order continues the company's strategy of introducing two to three ships per year across the corporation's 10 brands. We have strategically timed the introduction of these new ships to allow ample time for those brands to further grow their passenger base and absorb the new capacity while minimizing revenue yield dilution in the remainder of their existing fleets," said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Including the newbuilds announced today, Carnival Corporation currently has nine new ships scheduled for delivery - two for 2013, two for 2014, three for 2015 and two for 2016. Arison also noted that the addition of new tonnage is expected, to some extent, to replace existing capacity reductions from possible sales of older ships.

Silversea's Second Expedition Ship Will Set Sail As Silver Galapagos

Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea has announced Silver Galapagos as the name for its second small-sized expedition ship, which is currently sailing as the Galapagos Explorer II. The new name signals the company's intent to maintain a consistent level of elegance throughout its fleet, and will take effect after the all-suite, 100-guest vessel undergoes a major refurbishment in September 2013. In a related move, the hull of the Galapagos Explorer II has already been painted the same dark blue as Silver Explorer, the company's other expedition ship.

Silver Galapagos will be the only luxury expedition ship offering socially and environmentally responsible ecotourism to the Galápagos archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This important distinction enables Silversea to broaden its portfolio of expedition cruises tailored to tap into the rising interest in green tourism.

Silversea has also revealed that it will start selling its 2013 Galápagos program in mid-November of this year, offering two exciting new 7-day itineraries that will begin operating in late September 2013 as follows:

-- Sailing Saturday to Saturday roundtrip from Baltra Island, Silver Galapagos will trace a path across the western, southern and eastern islands, including Santiago, Bartolomé, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, San Cristóbal, and Santa Cruz.
-- Sailing Saturday to Saturday roundtrip from Baltra Island, this itinerary encompasses the northeast, central and southeast islands of Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Seymour Norte, San Cristóbal, Española, and Plazas Sur.

The 2013 Galápagos schedule offers adventurous travelers the life-enriching chance to discover a wild, pristine paradise that has long been regarded as a natural laboratory of evolution. On complimentary expeditions ashore guided by an experienced expedition team (certified by the Galápagos National Park Service), Silversea's guests may experience up-close encounters with an abundance of wildlife that includes sun-basking land iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, colorful marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins and Darwin's famous finches. Above itineraries are subject to change.

The program also offers opportunities to swim and snorkel in tranquil clear waters, witness unique highland ecosystems, hike through lush mangrove forests and across volcanic fields, explore natural lava tunnels, watch for wild flamingos (in season), read cave inscriptions from the 1800s, and learn about conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

In true Silversea Expeditions style, the guests of Silver Galapagos will enjoy full-scale exploring from an enclave of luxury at sea that includes spacious, ocean-view accommodations, sumptuous gourmet cuisine, the personalized service of a butler, and a generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, and all gratuities. For more information on Silversea Cruises, visit Silversea.com.

Get Your Halloween Cruise “Fun” Here

Halloween is just around the corner and to celebrate, Carnival Cruise Lines has created a massive, 70-foot-long “Fun Ship”-shaped display comprised of more than 500 carved jack-o-lanterns at Boo at the Zoo, which is taking place this month in New Orleans. If you are in the area, you can still take part on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27.

The creative display is part of the line’s sponsorship of the annual “spooktacular” event, which attracts thousands of families who will enjoy trick-or-treat houses, a Ghost Train, haunted houses, fun games with prizes and entertainment, children’s decoration stations, and more.

Carnival’s sponsorship of the event underscores the line’s commitment to the New Orleans community and the company’s role as the city’s number one cruise operator. Carnival carries 340,000 passengers annually on its two ships based year-round in New Orleans. Carnival Elation offers 4- and 5-day Mexico cruises, and Carnival Conquest operates 7-day Caribbean voyages. Carnival Conquest is currently undergoing a two-week dry dock in The Bahamas that will add a variety of dining, bar and entertainment innovations as part of the “Fun Ship 2.0” product enhancement initiative.

Many of the pumpkins included within the Boo at the Zoo display feature designs showcasing various elements of “Fun Ship 2.0” with depictions of the RedFrog Rum Bar, the EA SPORTS Bar, and Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, as well as the iconic winged funnel that adorns all Carnival ships. Interested in carving your own “Fun Ship 2.0” jack-o-lanterns? Get your templates here!

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean Continues to Monitor Hurricane Sandy

Royal Caribbean has issued the following statement at 6:00pm eastern time:

Royal Caribbean International is closely monitoring the path and progress of Hurricane Sandy to ensure guests enjoy safe and comfortable cruises, and to make certain our ships steer clear of the storm. The safety of our guests and crew is always our foremost concern.

At this time, given Hurricane Sandy's current location and projected path, Royal Caribbean has not altered the itineraries of any ship that departs this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. However, we encourage guests sailing on Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas to monitor this website for any additional updates.

If you have not done so already, we strongly suggest guests complete their online check-in as soon as possible, including the section on your preferred method of contact while traveling. Royal Caribbean will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will update this information again tomorrow.

Tropical Storm Sandy Alters More Cruise Ship Itineraries

The National Hurricane Center warns that Tropical Storm Sandy is likely to strengthen into a hurricane today and hurricane warnings have been issued for Jamaica and portions of Cuba. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Haiti and islands in the central and northwestern Bahamas chain.

In addition to the Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines ships with itinerary alterations reported on earlier, Norwegian Cruise Line has issued these itinerary changes:

Norwegian Pearl called at Cozumel today and will visit Costa Maya tomorrow. Scheduled port calls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman are cancelled. 

Norwegian Jewel is in Freeport, Bahamas today instead of at Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, which is a tender port, and will visit Charleston, SC instead of Nassau, Bahamas on Friday. 

Norwegian Sky will remain at sea on Friday, bypassing its scheduled call at Great Stirrup Cay.

Tropical Storm Sandy Alters Cruise Ship Itineraries

As Cruise Diva packs in anticipation of boarding Holland America Line's Eurodam on Saturday for the Malt Shop Memories Cruise, we note that Tropical Storm Sandy is picking up strength in the Caribbean as it moves south of Jamaica. Also taking note, cruise lines are altering Caribbean itineraries to avoid the wind and rain. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says this late season storm is expected to become a hurricane as it nears Jamaica today.

Thus far, Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Lines'Carnival Valor, Carnival Pride and Carnival Glory are making these itinerary changes:

Allure of the Seas is canceling its call at Falmouth, Jamaica today and will instead spend a day at sea. 

Carnival Valor will not visit Montego Bay, Jamaica and Grand Cayman as planned. Instead, the ship will call at Costa Maya, Mexico today and head to Cozumel, Mexico on Thursday. 

Carnival Pride will not stop at Half Moon Cay and Freeport in the Bahamas today and tomorrow, but will make a port call at Port Canaveral, Florida on Friday. 

Carnival Glory will not stop in in Freeport, but will offer a short call in Nassau, Bahamas tomorrow and head to Port Canaveral, Florida on Friday.

MSC’s ‘Fall into Winter Wonderland’ Rates Extended

The deals just keep coming during this, the last week of National Cruise Vacation Month. Are you ready for an unforgettable winter getaway? MSC Cruises is making the Mediterranean sizzle this winter with special savings on select fall and winter sailings on two of its newest ships. “Fall into Winter Wonderland” rates are available through November 15th for residents of the U.S. and Canada, beginning at $399 for 7-night cruises and $599 for 11-night cruises on select sailings of MSC Splendida and MSC Divina. Inaugurated in May by screen legend and diva Sophia Loren, MSC Divina will soon be sailing Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami during the 2013-14 winter season.

On each sailing, guests can experience the timeless beauty and ancient treasures of the region while enjoying the elegance, white-gloved service and Mediterranean heritage that are hallmarks of all MSC Cruises’ sailings.

“Fall into Winter Wonderland” is available for the following ships and itineraries:

-- MSC Splendida: select 7-night sailings through March 2013, calling at Genoa, Palermo and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; and La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia. Roundtrip Departures are available from Rome, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Palermo. Rates begin at $399.
-- MSC Divina: 11-night itineraries in January through March 3, 2013 calling at Genoa and Rome, Italy; Barcelona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Malaga, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; and Funchal, Portugal. Roundtrip departures are available from Rome and Barcelona; departures are also available from Genoa and Malaga on the January and February sailings. Rates begin at $599.

“Fall into Winter Wonderland” is also offered on select October-November 2012 sailings of MSC Orchestra, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Musica and MSC Lirica with rates beginning at $379 for 7-night sailings and $699 for 11-night itineraries.

Guests who wish to to indulge can choose from an array of experiences, whether relishing in a Balinese massage in the MSC Aurea Spa, savoring international cuisine from a variety of restaurants, sunbathing poolside, gambling in the casino, simulating Formula 1 race car driving or enjoying one of our highly acclaimed shows offered throughout our lounges and Pantheon Theater. Miniature golf, swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and several children and teen areas are just some of the other options available to satisfy guests.

“Fall into Winter Wonderland” rates are per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional for all guests. Rates are not applicable to suites or MSC Yacht Club accommodations. Space is limited. For more information, visit MSCCruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655 or contact your local travel advisor and ask for this special offer.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Cruise Insurance Myth Busters

Despite a chilling start—Costa Concordia and norovirus outbreaks come to mind—cruise vacations in 2012 are climbing the popularity charts with travelers of all ages. From river cruises to cuisine cruises to the more familiar Caribbean cruise, there's no shortage of floating vacations to choose from. But whether you opt for spirited adventure on the high seas or restful and tranquil sailing, remember to protect your trip from things that go bump in the night with travel insurance.

"Statistically, cruises are considered one of the safest forms of travel, but oftentimes things can and do go wrong," says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip. "For protection against the unexpected, travel insurance is truly a traveler's best friend." Just like cruises and friends however, there are different kinds of insurance and choosing which one is right for you can be daunting. To clear up some of the mystery, InsureMyTrip investigated the top five travel insurance myths and compiled a list of best practices for protecting all your nautical vacations:

1. I Don't Need It, Nothing Will Go Wrong: Though we hope never to use or need it, travel insurance can provide a tremendous amount of security and peace of mind for a small fraction of the cost of your trip. Travel insurance provides coverage for a wide-range of travel risks including:

— Trip cancellation (if you have to cancel)
— Trip interruption (if your travels are brought to an unexpected end while on your trip)
— Medical coverage (if you need emergency medical coverage or an augmentation of your current health benefits)
— Medical evacuation protection (air ambulance service)

2. All Insurance Plans Are the Same: There are hundreds of insurance policies to choose from and just like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. The key is to compare, compare, compare. Shop around to get the best plan for your needs at the right price. InsureMyTrip.com offers side-by-side comparisons of policies and prices to help you make smart purchasing decisions quickly and easily.

3. There's No Best Time to Buy Insurance: The early bird isn't the only one rewarded for his timely action.To receive the most benefit from your travel insurance policy and be eligible for optional benefits like Cancel For Any Reason and Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, purchase your policy within 10 to 30 days of your First Trip Payment.

4. I Get All the Protection I Need with Insurance from the Cruise Line: Insurance from a third-party source is easy to buy but more importantly, it offers 1) greater choice of plans, 2) enhanced protection coverage, including Financial Default protection and Missed Connection benefits and 3) better reimbursement benefits that provide financial reimbursement for canceled trips rather than a cruise voucher or credit.

5. All of My Medical Needs Can Be Managed Onboard: It's true that all cruise ships have fully equipped medical facilities and staff onboard to handle most emergencies, still, medical evacuations—transporting a passenger from the ship to a hospital on shore—occurs more often than we realize. The cost of a typical evacuation to the nearest, but not necessarily quality-care hospital, can quickly exceed the limited coverage offered by most cruise lines and leave you with a hefty balance to pay. Medical evacuation policies offering up to $2 million coverage can be purchased from InsureMyTrip as a stand alone policy or a benefit included in comprehensive travel policies. It provides evacuation to the nearest appropriate care facility or, in some cases, to your hospital of choice depending on the company and plan.

To learn more about the travel insurance protection plans that best suit your cruise travel needs, visit Insure My Trip online or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip's Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Windstar Cruises Celebrates National Cruise Vacation Week with Special Offers

In celebration of the World’s Largest Cruise Sale, going on now until October 27th, as part of CLIA’s National Cruise Vacation Week, Windstar Cruises is offering two-for-one cruise fares on select voyages in both Europe and the Caribbean. As part of the offer, guests who want to explore Europe will also receive two free hotel nights at the beginning or the end of the cruise. For those looking to sail the Caribbean waters, up to $800 of bonus savings will be added to the reservation. In addition, all bookings made from Oct 21–27, 2012, during the World’s Largest Cruise Sale, will receive $100 per stateroom of shipboard credit.

To take advantage of the World’s Largest Cruise Sale, contact a travel professional, call Windstar Cruises at 800-258-7245, or visit their website at WindstarCruises.com.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Cruise With Norwegian’s Limited Time Offer

Norwegian Cruise Line celebrates the last week of National Cruise Vacation Month by launching a last chance “Let’s Cruise” limited time offer on all sailings fleet-wide, starting today. Guests who book any Norwegian cruise vacation by Wednesday, October 31, 2012, can receive up to $250 per stateroom to spend on board (based on cruise length and stateroom category), towards a pampering treatment in one of Norwegian’s award-winning spas; dinner in one of the line’s many delicious specialty restaurants or towards exciting shore excursions in amazing ports of call. Additional savings include reduced deposits on all of Norwegian’s sailings of three days or longer and an e-coupon booklet worth up to $300 in on board savings. Vacationers can save on any of Norwegian’s cruise vacations to popular destinations around the world.

This fall, explore the warm tropical waters of the Caribbean on board Norwegian Epic or Norwegian Pearl roundtrip from Miami, Florida. Norwegian Epic sets sail on a series of 7-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Nov 3, 2012, with cruise fares from $499*. Norwegian Pearl returns to Miami from a summer season in Alaska and beginning Nov 4, 2012, will sail weekly to the Western Caribbean to ports of call including Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico.

For the ultimate in Europe cruising, beginning Nov 6, 2012, Norwegian Spirit will sail 9-day Canary Islands cruises, departing from Barcelona, to exotic European ports including Funchal, Madeira; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Granada (Malaga), Spain, with rates starting at $429*.

For a history-filled expedition, Norwegian Jade offers 10-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Olympia (Katakolon) and Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey and an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt, with rates starting at $349*.

Families cruising from New York City can set sail to the Bahamas and Florida on board Norwegian Jewel with activities to suit the whole family including Nickelodeon programming for the kids. The 7-day escape includes the following ports of call: Orlando & Beaches (Port Canaveral); Great Stirrup Cay, and Nassau, Bahamas, with cruise fares starting at $329.

Guests in need of a quick weekend getaway can escape to the Bahamas on board Norwegian Sky on a three or four-day cruise with fares starting at $129*.

To take advantage of the Let’s Cruise limited time offer, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit NCL.com.

* All cruise fares are per person, based on double occupancy.

Cunard Line On Sale Starting Today

If the Norwegian Fjords or the ancient ruins of Seville call to your sense of adventure, then The Cunard Sale may offer the perfect opportunity to book your luxury cruise vacation.

With Cruise Lines International Association’s “World’s Largest Cruise Sale” starting today, Cunard Line’s week-long sale will offer a Reduced Deposit, On Board Credit of up to $300 per stateroom, and Complimentary Balcony Upgrades on 30 select voyages, including Cunard’s signature Transatlantic Crossings aboard flagship Queen Mary 2.

The Cunard Sale voyages aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth include:

• Iberian Highlights, April 19, 2013: 12 days aboard Queen Elizabeth; Balcony fares from $2,599
• St. Petersburg and Baltic Explorer, May 1, 2013: 14 days aboard Queen Elizabeth; Balcony fares from $3,599
• Transatlantic Crossing (Westbound), April 26, 2013: 7 days aboard Queen Mary 2; Balcony fares from $1,345
• Fjords and Waterfalls, May 19, 2013: 7 days aboard Queen Elizabeth; Balcony fares from $1,799
• Mediterranean Delights, July 7, 2013: 13 days aboard Queen Victoria; Balcony fares from $3,499

Guests sailing a luxury cruise vacation aboard Cunard Line enjoy the experience of the voyage itself, not just the destination. By day, guests enjoy voluminous libraries, world class spas, white-gloved afternoon tea service and engaging award-winning Cunard Insights guest enrichment programs; and by night are entertained by Royal Nights themed balls, West End-style productions, and Veuve Clicquot champagne cocktails.

All fares and promotions are per person, based on double occupancy. The Cunard Sale runs through Oct 29th. For additional information, visit Cunard.com.

Royal Caribbean Announces National Cruise Vacation Week Offer

In conjunction with the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) National Cruise Vacation Week, Royal Caribbean is offering up to $100 onboard credit to vacationers who choose a Europe cruise or or trans-Atlantic crossing with the line. Vacationers have incomparable choices among nine of the world’s most innovative ships, many of which have recently been revitalized to offer some of the successful and signature onboard amenities from the world-acclaimed Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

For all new individual U.S. and Canadian bookings, made with deposit from Oct 21 through Oct 28, 2012, for a 7-night or longer 2013 Europe cruise or trans-Atlantic sailing, guests will receive an onboard credit of $50 per inside or oceanview stateroom, and $100 per stateroom with balconies and suites.

Vacationers can choose among nine of the world’s largest and most innovative ships sailing European waters in 2013 from convenient homeports. Liberty of the Seas will continue to be the only ship in Europe to exclusively offer a West End musical, Saturday Night Fever, and the DreamWorks Experience. Every member of the family aboard Liberty of the Seas can delight in 3-D movies, parades, breakfasts, photo opportunities and activities starring the beloved characters of DreamWorks Animation SKG, including Shrek and Fiona; Kung Fu Panda Po; and Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo and the Penguins from Madagascar.

From Barcelona, Liberty of the Seas will sail the Western Mediterranean on 7-night itineraries, while Serenade of the Seas will offer a more comprehensive Mediterranean experience on longer, 12-night cruises. Serenade of the Seas will soon be revitalized in December 2012 to offer guests more delectable dining options; new onboard amenities such as the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; and enhanced technology such as an oversized video screen overlooking the pool deck and bow-to-stern WiFi service.

Navigator of the Seas will sail a 7-night Eastern Mediterranean itinerary from Rome (Civitavecchia), while Splendour of the Seas sails 7-night Greek Isles and Turkey itineraries from Venice. Meanwhile, Legend of the Seas will return to Europe after two years in the Far East, to sail 7-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Rome in summer and then 9- to 11-night Greece, Turkey and Mediterranean itineraries from Venice in the autumn months.

Vacationers also can choose a range of 7- to 14-night itineraries to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, North and Baltic seas aboard Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas, departing from Southampton, U.K. Alternatively from Harwich, Brilliance of the Seas will sail 12-night North and Baltic Seas cruises while Vision of the Seas takes guests on 7- to 11-night Northern Europe itineraries from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden.

Additional information from Royal Caribbean is available online.

Azamara Offers Onboard Credits for 2013 Europe Voyages During National Cruise Vacation Week

Tomorrow is the first day of the “World’s Largest Cruise Sale” during the Cruise Lines International Association’s second annual National Cruise Vacation Week and Azamara Club Cruises is celebrating by offering up-market travelers up to $500 onboard credit when they book a 2013 Europe voyage between Oct. 21 and 27, 2012. Travelers taking advantage of the National Cruise Vacation Week offer also will enjoy up to $2,000 ChoiceAir credit, when making an Azamara ship the destination of choice for a Europe voyage. The cruise line’s twin boutique ships, Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey, will sail European waters beginning March 27 and May 15, 2013, respectively, transporting travelers, aboard newly refreshed ships, to unique and culturally-rich destinations on voyages featuring late-night departures and overnight port stays. Savvy travelers can apply their onboard credit toward Land Discovery shore excursions or rejuvenate in the onboard spa after a long day exploring a newfound, favorite European port.

Azamara’s National Cruise Vacation Week offer is applicable for new individual bookings made with deposit from Oct. 21 through 27, 2012, in the U.S. and Canada. Travelers can enjoy $500 onboard credit per stateroom when booking a suite; $400 for a veranda stateroom; and $300 for an oceanview stateroom. More information on Azamara's National Cruise Vacation Week offer can be found at Azamara Club Cruises.

Travelers eager to start exploring sooner can take advantage of Azamara’s current offers, such as the Holiday Voyages airfare savings of up to $2,000 per stateroom, when guests choose between either Azamara Journey’s roundtrip 14-night voyage from Singapore departing Dec. 23, or Azamara Quest’s 9-night voyage, departing Dec. 18, from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires.

Additionally, the cruise line recently announced that the guest experience will soon include the new AzAmazing Evening, an immersive complimentary destination event ashore featured on every voyage. The cruise line is also introducing a selection of complimentary standard spirits, wines and international beers in onboard bars and lounges during opening hours. Both offerings will begin with Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey’s 2013 Europe season. One-hundred percent of Azamara’s 2013 itineraries feature late-night departures or overnight port stays, some as long as two or three days. This concept of slowing the ships down to offer guests the opportunity to experience a city’s night life, is an almost unique concept in the cruise industry that will now be further showcased through AzAmazing Evenings, destination affairs to remember.

Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees, teas, and complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner, complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available.

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