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.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Princess Cruises Celebrates National Cruise Vacation Week with Escape Completely Sale

Princess Cruises has announced their entry into the celebration of the Cruise Lines International Association’s second annual National Cruise Vacation Week by offering an Escape Completely Sale of cruise deals throughout the week of Oct 22-29. More than 200 cruise departures are on sale, and passengers can enjoy a free balcony upgrade as well as 50 percent off their cruise deposit.

Featured destinations include Caribbean cruises as well as cruises to Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal. Cruise departures run from January to July, 2013.

Examples of cruise deal itineraries include:

• Caribbean, 7 days: $784 balcony (was $1,184); $584 interior (was $784)
• Alaska, 7 days: $1,344 balcony (was $1,544); $894 interior (was $944)
• Greek Isles, 12 days: $2,479 balcony (was $3,029); $1,779 interior (was $2,129)
• Hawaiian Islands, 14 days: $1,694 balcony (was $2,690); $1,094 interior (was $1,790)
• Panama Canal, 14 days: $1,896 balcony (was $2,996); $1,296 interior (was $2,246)

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy and now include government fees and taxes. The Escape Completely Sale runs from 12:01 a.m. PDT on Oct 22 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on Oct 29, 2012 and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

Additional information about the sale details and pricing can be found at Princess.com/sale. Mark your calendar!

Image Courtesy of Princess Cruises

New Orleans-Based Carnival Conquest Receiving Multi-Million-Dollar Refurbishment

As you can see from this photo of Carnival Conquest’s pool deck, big changes are taking place on board.

The rollout of the cruise line’s $500 million “Fun Ship 2.0” fleetwide enhancement program continues with New Orleans’ largest year-round cruise ship, Carnival Conquest, which has departed her homeport for a two-week dry dock in Freeport, The Bahamas. The ship, which left New Orleans last Sunday, will undergo a major multi-million-dollar refurbishment to receive upgrades in dining, bar, and entertainment features.

To celebrate, Carnival is hosting a sweepstakes via its Web site awarding one lucky winner a free Carnival Conquest cruise for two to the Caribbean. Entering the contest is easy: participants simply complete an on-line registration form at Carnival.com between Oct. 15-28, 2012, and they are automatically entered into a random drawing for the 7-day cruise. Consumers can also view a series of fun videos documenting Carnival Conquest’s refurbishment progress on the web site throughout the two-week period.

When Carnival Conquest returns to service at the Port of New Orleans Oct 28, 2012, the ship will feature a host of enhancements, including:

• RedFrog Rum Bar, an open-air Caribbean-themed watering hole offering refreshing rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s private label draft brew, ThirstyFrog Red, all enjoyed in a laid-back island-infused atmosphere.
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a friendly rival just across the deck from the RedFrog Rum Bar, this Mexican-themed poolside bar specializes in frozen cocktails and Mexican beers.
• Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” featuring interesting drink flavors, and ingredients, with expert mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different fun categories. Guests can also try their hand at creating their own custom cocktails.
• EA SPORTS Bar, the ultimate hangout for sports fanatics where patrons can view live sporting events on large-screen televisions, play popular EA SPORTS video games and keep up with the latest scores on a 24/7 sports ticker.
• Guy’s Burger Joint, created in partnership with Food Network personality and chef Guy Fieri, this complimentary poolside venue serves the best burgers at sea and hand-cut fries with innovative toppings and condiments.
• BlueIguana Cantina, a free-of-charge Mexican cantina offering a variety of fresh tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar.
• The Punchliner Comedy Club & The Punchliner Comedy Brunch presented by George Lopez brings even more laughs with a lineup of comedic talent, curated by the popular comedian and TV personality, along with a humorous twist on brunch.
• Cherry on Top celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun-and-fanciful gifts, just-because novelties, colorful custom apparel and more.

New entertainment offerings are also on tap. By early December, Carnival Conquest will also feature Hasbro, The Game Show and Playlist Productions. Hasbro, The Game Show makes guests the stars of the show through larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic board games, while Playlist Productions is a dramatic retooling of Carnival’s legendary revues that combines captivating live performances with high-tech LED staging and special effects that set a new standard in seagoing productions.

“The refurbishment of Carnival Conquest is the latest example of our continued investment in our New Orleans-based cruise program,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “Carnival is New Orleans’ largest cruise operator with two year-round ships carrying nearly 340,000 passengers a year.”

In addition to Carnival Conquest, which operates 7-day Caribbean cruises, Carnival Elation offers 4- and 5-day cruises from New Orleans to Mexico.

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Cruise News! Norwegian Cruise Line Orders New Cruise Ship with Option for Second

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it has reached an agreement with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Germany to build a new cruise vessel, for delivery in October 2015, with the option for a second ship for delivery in spring 2017. The new ship, at 163,000 gross tons and approximately 4,200 passenger berths, will be larger than the Company’s Breakaway class ships currently under construction at MEYER WERFT and incorporate many of those vessels’ unique design elements and innovations. With the project name “Breakaway Plus,” this new vessel will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet.

“Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have garnered significant attention in the marketplace with their innovative design, rich stateroom mix and world-class amenities. Building on that momentum, along with MEYER WERFT’s expertise and efficiency in the design and construction process, we are extending the excitement and anticipation with a new, larger edition Breakaway Plus class ship to further distinguish the Norwegian brand,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “This new order further solidifies our commitment to continued innovation in terms of the guest experience and will incorporate technical and environmental advances as well.”

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered the concept of Freestyle Cruising. which offers guests the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their cruise vacation on their own terms, including multiple dining venues, relaxed attire, a variety of accommodations, and world-class entertainment. Norwegian took Freestyle Cruising to the next level with the introduction of Norwegian Epic in June 2010 and is continuing to innovate with the launch of “New York’s Ship” Norwegian Breakaway in late April 2013. The company has revealed the ship’s groundbreaking design, including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean.

As we take a look at those design features, we can picture them on an even more expansive Breakaway Plus ship...

Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment will include three Broadway shows: five-time Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and CIRQUE DREAMS and DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY. The famed comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen will also perform on the vessel. Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

Norwegian Breakaway will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship in an exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional Suites located throughout the ship. The innovative Studios are designed and priced for solo travelers. Other accommodations include Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.

Norwegian Getaway, the second ship to launch in the Breakaway class and the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami, will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014. Sailings for both vessels are now available for booking.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Paul Gauguin Cruises Announces Two-Week Sale

It's sale time throughout the cruise industry and for two weeks only, Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, is offering incredible savings on select 2013 voyages in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific when booked between October 15 and 27, 2012.

Guests will benefit from exceptional savings of $800 to $4,300 per person off previously advertised rates while enjoying the highest standards of luxury, quality, and service in one of the most exquisite destinations in the world.

Sale: Book select sailings on the 7-night Tahiti and the Society Islands (March 2, 9, 2013 and May 4, 2013), the 11-night Cook Islands and Society Islands (January 12, 2013 and March 16, 2013), or the 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands (February 2, 2013) and save $800 to $4,300 per person in addition to 50% off standard cruise fare and included airfare from Los Angeles.

For information, visit PGCruises.com.

Princess Cruises Highlights Holiday Sailing Availability

If you’ve been to the mall, or even the grocery store lately, there’s no missing the fact that the holidays are fast approaching. With that in mind, Princess Cruises is getting ready for another festive season at sea, and is highlighting four tropical sailings where passengers still have an opportunity to experience Christmas cheer or ring in the New Year in the Caribbean or Panama Canal.

It’s not too late to book a holiday sailing, but with limited space available, you won’t want to wait too long to snap up a stateroom. These cruises offer a special opportunity to passengers who would like to spend their holidays in a warm tropical setting. Choices include two Christmas cruises–one through the marvel of the Panama Canal and the other to the Southern Caribbean.

Holidays aboard a Princess Cruises ship offer a festive atmosphere, complete with a daily snowfall–so you won’t even miss out on a white Christmas as snow magically falls in the ships’ multi-story atriums, transforming them into winter wonderlands. With the halls decked out in holiday décor–including a Christmas tree on the mast–and strolling carolers filling the air with the sounds of the season, Princess ships will offer a seasonal cruise experience from bow to stern.

Holiday cruises with availability include:

• Panama Canal with Two-Day Canal Experience – Dec 15
Coral Princess sails from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale for a full Panama Canal transit combined with a full day at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side of Panama. The 14-day itinerary includes calls at Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba in addition to the Two-Day Canal Experience. 

• Southern Caribbean Cruise – Dec 17
For Christmas in the Caribbean, passengers on Emerald Princess’ roundtrip sailing from Ft. Lauderdale will enjoy the festive season with 10 days in the Southern Caribbean. The cruise itinerary calls at Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas, and Princess Cays. 

• Panama Canal Cruises – Dec 29 and 30
Coral Princess (Dec 29) and Island Princess (Dec 30) each offer an opportunity to celebrate the New Year while enjoying this classic 10-day roundtrip itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale. Passengers will experience a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by an evening a call in Colón, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limón (Costa Rica), and Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios.

The 16-ship Princess Cruises fleet will cover the globe this holiday season, also sailing to destinations such as Australia/New Zealand, South America, Hawaii, and the South Pacific.

Additional information is available at the company's website, Princess.com.

Image Courtesy of Princess Cruises

On Deck For The Cure: Holland America Line Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. I thought of that the other day when I received an email from Holland America Line reminding me that my cruise departure is coming up soon. In addition to packing and heading to the embarkation port, I plan to set aside some funds in order to participate in the On Deck For The Cure event during my cruise. In partnership with the Susan G Komen for the Cure organization, Holland America makes it possible to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research.

Like me, you probably know women who've kicked this insidious disease. I'm fortunate that my friends were all diagnosed in time to be successfully treated and all are alive today.

You've also probably seen pink ribbons displayed this month around town and particularly at local medical facilities—they are the symbol of breast cancer awareness—and when I chose the color for the cast on my broken leg (pictured above) I selected what the physician's assistant called "breast cancer pink"—a special color available in October of the year I broke my leg.

As I was to discover, there was a life threatening disease hiding beneath that pink cast—Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Complications resulting from it kills more people annually than automobile accidents, AIDS, and breast cancer combined. Yet not enough people are aware of its symptoms. Why am I mentioning this now? To help spread the word. Nearly half of all DVT cases have no symptoms and nearly three-quarters of adults are unaware of DVT or its dangers. After my recovery, two of my friends had similar experiences. Neither of them suspected DVT either until they were as incapacitated as I was.

A First-Hand Look At Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pretty cast, right? Who knew the danger that lurked beneath its feminine pink surface? Certainly, not me. After breaking my leg and taking a flight home from Florida afterwards, I spent my days in a wheeled chair. Unknown and unnoticed until I experienced excruciating chest pains and could barely breathe, I had developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

In my case, DVT was nearly fatal. The blood clot in my leg threw off smaller clots that lodged in my lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism. After three days in Intensive Care and a series of painful heparin shots at home, I was on a regimen of anti-clotting medication (warfarin) for a year. For me, monthly trips to the clinic to monitor medication levels in my bloodstream finally ended, but I have a lifetime of concern ahead of me.

I was fortunate that a family friend, the late Dr. George Cue—who was on staff at the Medical College of Georgia—recognized my symptoms and Mel got me to the Trauma Center there in time. I had twenty minutes to live when my treatment began and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Cue and the Medical College staff for the care I received. Sadly, most cases of pulmonary embolism as severe as mine are diagnosed in the morgue. The entire story, including how to take preventative measures is at The Plane Truth About Your Veins, What You Should Know About Travel and Deep Vein Thrombosis.

To learn more, visit The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis

Image: CruiseDiva.com

Cruise Deal: Royal Caribbean Rolls Out the Final 3-Day WOW Sale of 2012

For bargain hunters and anyone who wants to get an early start to their holiday shopping, Royal Caribbean has announced that its final WOW Sale of the year will start on Monday and run for three days: Oct 15, 16, and 17, 2012. For all new individual bookings made for a 2013-14 Royal Caribbean sailing, you can receive $50 onboard credit per stateroom on 3- to 5-night itineraries; $100 per stateroom for 6- to 9-night itineraries; and $200 per stateroom for 10-night itineraries or longer. You can apply your onboard credit toward a shore excursion or spa session, or celebrate a special occasion during the cruise with a specialty dining experience. While the announcement doesn't specifically say so, we assume that the credit would apply to other onboard purchases as well. You can also enjoy 50 percent reduced deposits during the 3-day WOW Sale to lock in your 2013-14 Royal Caribbean cruise vacation anywhere around the world.

The WOW Sale onboard credit and 50 percent reduced deposit offers are applicable to all Royal Caribbean Intl cruises that sail on or after Jan 1, 2013 including cruisetours. Offer is available only in the U.S. and Canada and applies to new individual bookings with required deposit only and is not applicable to groups. Offer applies to all categories available. All bookings must be made and the required deposit must be paid by Oct 17, 2012, by 11:59 pm local time to qualify for the promotion. Onboard credit is in U.S. dollars, has no cash value, is not redeemable for cash, is not transferable and will expire if not used by 10:00 pm on the last evening of the cruise. For additional information, visit RoyalCaribbean.com.

Princess Cruises Announces Winners of 2011-12 Caribbean & Panama Canal Shore Excursion Awards

It’s possible to enjoy a Caribbean cruise without ever leaving the ship in port, but few passengers do that. To make your time ashore the best possible experience, it’s good to know which tours have been the most satisfying to others. With that in mind, as well as recognizing that the Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise season is about to kick off, Princess Cruises is celebrating last season’s favorite local tour operators with special shipboard ceremonies. The winners of the line’s 13th annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards have just been announced, honoring the best of the best shore excursion experiences and guides in ports on Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries, based largely on passenger feedback.

The awards recognize the most popular tours and individual guides in the destinations where Princess ships call. Chosen from the extensive line-up of Caribbean and Panama Canal shore excursions offered to Princess passengers, the awards highlight the important role local tour operators play in each destination as part of a passenger’s overall cruise experience. Winners are determined largely by tour scores and comments made on passenger surveys. A number of tours have topped the list for several years, and five of them have been passenger favorites for five or more years in a row. One excursion—Americas Cup 12-Metre Yacht Regatta tour in St. Maarten—has now been voted ‘Shore Excursion of the Season’ for the 13th year in a row. Cruise Diva can highly recommend it—pictured above is the poster we brought home after participating in (and winning!) the race twenty years ago.

The C.R.U.I.S.E. (Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing In Service Excellence) program is the longest running customer service program in the cruise industry. The Caribbean and Panama Canal awards began in 1999 and cap off a season-long effort to recognize the role that local Caribbean and Panama Canal tour partners play in passengers' cruise experiences. Tour Guide of the Season award winners receive $100, a letter of commendation, a plaque, a ship tour and lunch on board with their family. Operators of the Shore Excursion of the Season receive a plaque and a letter of commendation, a tour of the ship, and lunch on board for company officials.

The 2011-2012 winners are:

ANTIGUA
-- Rainforest Zipline Adventure, Rendezvous Co
-- Champagne and Lobster Lunch, Scenic Cruise and Swim, Tropical Adventures
ARUBA
-- Mi Dushi Sail, Snorkel, Antilla Shipwreck and Lunch, Windfeather Charters
-- Countryside Horseback Ride, DePalm Tours
BARADOS
-- Harrison's Cave and Scenic Drive, Goddards Shipping and Tours
-- Five Star Sail, Turtle Encounter and Lunch, Attractions of Barbados
BELIZE
-- Jungle Zipline Adventure, Cave Tubing and Lunch, Chukka Caribbean Adventures
BONAIRE
-- Klein Bonaire, Bonaire Marine Park and Snorkel, Bonaire Tours
-- Mangrove Eco-Cruise by Kayak and Lac Bay, Bonaire Tours
CARTAGENA
-- "Old City" and Folkloric Show, Compania Internacional de Excursiones Terrestres Seico Ltda
COZUMEL
-- “America’s Cup 12-Metre” Yacht Race, Sand Dollar Sports
-- Dolphin and Manatee Swim and Sea Lion Show, Caribbean Interactive Adventures
CURACAO
-- Cooking Demonstration/Participation and Dinner, Funbini B.V.
DOMINICA
-- Wacky Rollers 4WD Safari, Gardens and Titou Gorge, WRAVE Ltd.
-- Gorge Swim, Hot Springs and Scenic Drive, WRAVE Ltd.
FUERTE AMADOR
-- Monkey and Wildlife Nature Cruise on Gatun Lake, Aventuras 2000
-- Authentic Embera Indian Village, Elite Shore Excursions Foundation
GRAND CAYMAN
-- Dolphin Swim and Stingray Encounter, Dolphin Cove Cayman
-- Sea Trek Coral Canyon Helmet Dive, Sea Trek Cayman
GRAND TURK
-- Horseshoe Reef and Round Cay Snorkel Adventure, Oasis Divers
-- Horseback Beach Ride, Swim and Scenic Drive, Chukka Caribbean Adventures
GRENADA
-- Harbor Cruise, Grand Anse and Morne Rouge Beaches, Best of Grenada Ltd.
LIMON
-- Original Canopy Zipline Tour at Veragua Rainforest, OCT Enterprises
-- Hacienda Tour, Fruit Cultivation, Lunch and Shopping, Swiss Travel Service
OCHO RIOS
-- River Tubing Eco-Adventure, Chukka Caribbean Adventures
-- Dolphin Encounter and Dunn's River Falls, Dolphin Cove
PANAMA CANAL
-- Panama Canal Experience by Boat, Aventuras 2000
-- Authentic Embera Indian Village, Elite Shore Excursions Foundation
PUNTARENAS
-- Aerial Tram, Tarcoles River and Lunch, Elite Shore Excursions
-- River-Raft Float, Scenic Drive and Lunch, Rios Tropicales
ROATAN
-- Eco-Hike and Pirates Bay Tourist Village, Fun and Sun Tours
-- Dolphin Encounter and Museum, Anthony's Key Resort
SAN JUAN DEL SUR
-- Hacienda Experience, Lake Nicaragua and Lunch, Gray Line
ST. KITTS
-- Scenic Railway Ride and Circle Island Drive, St. Kitts Scenic Railway, Ltd.
-- Cruise to Nevis, Pinney's Beach, Snorkel and Lunch, Kantours
ST. LUCIA
-- Springs, the Pitons, Scenic Cruise and Lunch, Cox and Company Ltd.
-- Aerial Tram and Canopy Zipline Adventure, Elite Shore Excursions Foundation
ST. MAARTEN
-- "America’s Cup 12-Metre" Yacht Race, St. Maarten 12 Metre Enterprises N.V.
-- Segway Waterfront Boardwalk Adventure, Caribbean Segway Tours
ST. THOMAS
-- Turtle Cove Catamaran Sail and Snorkel, Fun Water Tours, Inc.
-- Coral World, Sea Lion Swim and Scenic Drive, Coral World

Tour Guides of the Season Winners:

ARUBA – Maria Geerman and Angelique Lacle of Atlantis Submarines
CARTAGENA – Willy Gutierrez of CTG Margarita, C.A
LIMON – Erick Aguilar and Jose Romero of Swiss Travel Service
PANAMA CANAL – Arthur Wagner of Elite Shore Excursions Foundation

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available on the company's website at Princess.com.

Image: CruiseDiva.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils 2013-2014 Winter Collection

It’s always a pleasure to look ahead and see what cruises are on the horizon, so we’re happy that Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced its new Winter Collection, featuring voyages from November 2013 through May 2014 to South America, Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska. All sailings include two-for-one cruise fares, free air, and bonus savings when booked by Dec 31, 2012.

As part of the introduction, the ultra-luxury line is offering a complimentary one-night, post-cruise luxury hotel package on all 2013-2014 Winter Collection itineraries booked by Dec 31, 2012. Additional collection highlights include three new ports, five Grand Voyages with exclusive amenities, and special offers on pre- and post-cruise land programs.

Recognized as The Most Inclusive Luxury Cruise Experience™, all Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailings also include all-suite accommodations, 97 percent with private balconies, gourmet cuisine, premium spirits and fine wines, free shore excursions, gratuities, and a pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, at no additional cost.

2012-2013 Winter Collection Highlights

From November 2013 through June 2014, the all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager visits the South Pacific and Asia with stops in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, China, Japan, and India offering guests a variety of itineraries ranging from 10- to 136-nights, including four Grand Voyages. Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers a specially priced 3-night pre-or post-cruise land program on select South Pacific and Asia itineraries. These include Angkor Wat, Beijing and the Great Wall of China, Hong Kong, Sydney, as well as Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, two new land programs.

Seven Seas Mariner returns to South America where guests can sail along the mighty Amazon, cruise around Cape Horn, explore the Panama Canal and visit the largest Magellanic Penguin colony in the world. Sailings range from 10- to 70-nights, including the coveted “Circle South America” Grand Voyage. In March, the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony ship heads back to the Mediterranean with a grand crossing from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona featuring maiden calls in Dakar, Senegal and Tangier, Morocco.

The newly refurbished, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator explores the tropics from November 2013 to April 2014 with 16 departures roundtrip from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean ranging from 7- to 24-nights including a maiden call in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The ship then departs Miami on April 21, 2014 for an 18-night voyage to San Francisco transiting the Panama Canal to begin its highly popular cruises through the natural beauty of Alaska.

“Our new winter collection offers travelers added opportunities to explore a specific region of the world in further depth with complimentary shore excursions in each port and enriching land programs,” said Mark Conroy, the line’s president. “It’s all included on Regent, from flights and a pre-cruise hotel stay to specialty restaurants, fine wine and even gratuities. Coupled with our hallmark personalized service and spacious all-suite accommodations, we provide an ultra-luxury cruise experience that is unmatched in the travel industry.”

All Grand Voyages offer an array of exclusive amenities such as free Business Class air, an upgraded pre-cruise hotel stay with ground transfers, visas, internet access, and more. To receive a brochure or for more information on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, visit RSSC.com.

Photo: Seven Seas Mariner © Linda Coffman, CruiseDiva.com

Celebrity Cruises Takes Delivery of Celebrity Reflection

The sleek new Celebrity Reflection officially became part of Celebrity Cruises’ modern luxury fleet yesterday. Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Michael Bayley and Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., joined Bernard Meyer of shipbuilder Meyer Werft in a celebratory handover ceremony onboard the ship.

Celebrity Reflection will host a 2-night promotional cruise for an invitation-only audience of European press and travel partners on October 10-12 that concludes in Amsterdam. The ship then sets sail on a series of Mediterranean sailings before crossing the Atlantic to begin the ship’s first Caribbean season. Celebrity Reflection will be named Dec 1st in Miami, with four Godmothers—all of them employees of the company whose lives have been touched by breast cancer—presiding over the ceremony. Cruise Diva will also be there, so bookmark this blog and stay tuned for more details.

Photo © Linda Coffman, CruiseDiva.com

Windstar Cruises Has A New Experience in Scotland & Ireland Just "Fore" Golfers

"Fore" those travelers who never leave home without their clubs, Windstar Cruises is now offering an exclusive golf and land tour add-on package, Legendary Links, where guests can play five world-famous courses across Scotland and Ireland on the new Gaelic Explorers voyage. Guests on board the August 24, 2013 cruise of Wind Surf, the largest of Windstar's three sailing yachts, will have the opportunity to live out their golf fantasy on a 10-day vacation that spans from Edinburgh to Dublin.

The optional Legendary Links package, which also includes a two-night hotel stay in Edinburgh as well as two shore excursions, start at $2,995 per person in addition to cruise fare. Pricey, but look what you get...

The Legendary Links package will tee-off with a Welcome Dinner and 2-night stay at the beautiful Fairmont St. Andrews in Edinburgh. Throughout the cruise, golfers will also have the expertise and advice of an onboard golf pro. For days in port without a golf course, exclusive shore excursions are included. Other highlights of the package include a Gala Farewell and Awards Dinner the last night of the cruise, green fees, and golf trolleys at the five courses and all transfers and porterage fees between the airport, hotel, and port.

A true golfer's pilgrimage, players will enjoy the following courses:

-- St. Andrews Jubilee: the first course played is at the legendary Home of Golf in Edinburgh, Scotland.
-- Cruden Bay: a historical golf course that has been open since 1791 in Peterhead, Scotland.
-- Struie at Royal Dornoch: the third course showcases the beauty of Scotland with a white, sandy beach and views of Dornoch Firth to Tain in Invergordan, Scotland.
-- Dunluce at Royal Portush: Dunluce is overlooked by Dunlunce Castle and is laid out among giant sand dune, along the tops of cliffs and through valleys in Portrush, Ireland.
-- Castletown: the last course to be played was laid out by golfing legend Mackenzie Rose in the late 20s and early 30s in Isle of Man, UK.

The 312-passenger Wind Surf will sail through Northern Europe giving guests the chance to sample the spirits and pubs of Dublin, view the sweeping beauty of Loch Ness and explore the ancient Castle and Royal Mile of Edinburgh. For guests looking to experience an intimate look at the culture surrounding the magical islands of Ireland and Scotland, the Gaelic Explorers Premiere Package is the perfect option. A 10-day land and cruise vacation, the add-on package includes exclusive shore excursions for every port, a 2-night stay at the Fairmont St. Andrews and a Gala Farwell. Prices start at $1,995 per person. To book the Gaelic Explorer voyage, Legendary Links package or Gaelic Explorers Premiere Package, contact a travel professional or call Windstar Cruises at 800-258-7245.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Cruise News: SeaDream Yacht Club Schedules Its Asia Debut For Late 2013

“It’s yachting, not cruising”

In a move prompted by demand from its very loyal Club members, SeaDream Yacht Club has released full details on its plans to sail a series of voyages in Asia and Northern Australia beginning in late 2013. The line reports that one of its twin mega-yachts, SeaDream II will sail to Asia after completing her 2013 Mediterranean season.

Sure to be a unique voyage, the “Passage to the Far East” will depart Athens, Greece in October 2013 and include a transit of the Suez Canal, excursions to Egypt’s fascinating archeological sites (accompanied by an Egyptologist) and calls to several other intriguing destinations before arriving in Mumbai, India. From Mumbai, the yacht will sail to Singapore and the Far East, planning to offer 18 unique voyages in the region. Voyages are 7 to 15 days long, but most may be combined as a back-to-back voyage for a lengthier holiday.

Scheduled to stay in Asia through April 2014, itineraries include numerous exotic ports in several different countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), East Timor, Northern Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong. “Whether you crave the peace and tranquility of undiscovered beaches and islands or the exhilarating energy and buzz of foreign cities, Asia offers something for everyone” said SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto. Adding, “Virtually every country in the region is accessible by water and SeaDream’s yachting itineraries include an incredible mix of commercial cities, pristine beaches and impressive historical sites. We’ve planned very unique calls, such as the little-visited islands of the Burmese Mergui Archipelago in the Andaman Sea and Sanya, on Hainan Island in China.”

Each voyage offers unique ports of call, with highlights to include:

· Overnight, 2-day stay in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), site of The Shwedagon Pagoda. Optional full day excursions by air to Mandalay and Bagan; a valley covered with 2,000 pagodas and temples.
· Yachting the beautiful Langkawi Archipelago of Malaysia.
· Visiting “the beach” (made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie “The Beach”) in the Phi Phi Islands of Thailand.
· Diving the vibrant underwater paradise of Thailand’s, Similan Islands National Park.
· Playing great golf in Malaysia, Phuket and at the Andaman Club, a five star golf resort & casino on Thahtay Kyun Island, Burma.
· Spending New Year’s Eve in Patong Bay, Phuket, Thailand. A night of fireworks and thousands of floating, candlelit paper “magic lanterns”.
· Exploring the world heritage site of Halong Bay, Vietnam; one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
· Seeing giant monitor lizards on Komodo Island.
· From Singapore, pre and post voyage overland packages to Cambodia including Angkor Wat and the many famous temples. Also from Singapore, overland packages to Borobudur (UNESCO site) and Yogyakarta, site of the Prambanan Temple.

SeaDream first shared the news with their devoted past guests and their travel professionals, allowing their Club members to be the first to reserve space, on what are expected to be highly sought after voyages. SeaDream has these new itineraries and voyage information on their website, Seadream.com.

Image Courtesy of SeaDream Yacht Club

"Grill" Dining, Setting The Record Straight

Black Rock Grill Dining on Silver Spirit

An email I received today reminded me of the Sesame Street song that goes, "One of these things is not like the others..."

Back up for a moment to earlier this week (on Tuesday, Oct 2nd) when Cruise Diva shared this information: Silversea's Silver Cloud Receives Extensive Make-Over. One item on the list of Silver Cloud's upgrades was the addition of a dinner option—The Grill, featuring Black Rock Grill cooking. Just as an FYI, Silver Cloud is the fifth of Silversea's luxury ships to be outfitted with this dining opportunity.

With that in mind, imagine my surprise when I received today's email from a reader with this quote copied from the Twitter post of a travel agent: "Lawn Club Grill so popular on #CelebrityCruises #Silhouette and new #Reflection @Silversea adding version on #SilverCloud." The email writer was confused and went on to ask if it were true? Was Silversea "copying" Celebrity? My response... "no, absolutely not." Silversea first introduced The Grill Dinner on Silver Spirit when it entered service in December 2009. On Silversea ships, the Black Rock Grill experience is enjoyed al fresco on the pool deck where guests grill their own entrées—at their own table—on super heated volcanic rock, choosing from a variety of steak cuts, pork, veal, fish, or prawns. It's fun, delicious, and requires reservations due to its popularity and limited seating. In addition, there is no extra charge for the meal and wine and alcoholic beverages are naturally included.

Celebrity Cruises' Lawn Club Grill Restaurant

On the other hand, Celebrity Cruises describes their Lawn Club Grill specialty restaurants on Celebrity Silhouette (launched in 2011) and Celebrity Reflection (launched in 2012) this way, "The highlight of dining at the Lawn Club Grill is the opportunity to serve as your party's 'Grill Master,' by being paired with a Celebrity chef to assist in preparing the menu for your table over custom-built, ventilated grills. Through one-on-one interaction with our chefs, you will experience a firsthand lesson in proper grilling techniques and other tricks of the grilling trade. Choose from a gourmet salad bar, à la carte "build your own" pizzas and more than 12 grilled specialties including USDA Choice Beef, poultry, seafood and vegetables. The Grill Master who wishes to demonstrate his grilling prowess—or learn a few tips—receives a complimentary apron as a memento." Reservations are required and there is a $40 per person charge. Wine and alcoholic beverages are not included.

The closest dining experience to Silversea's Black Rock Grill that you'll find at sea (albeit indoors) is the selection of Hot Rock (ishi-yaki) Plates on the menu in Izumi, an Asian specialty restaurant available on some Royal Caribbean ships. Menu items in Izuma are charged individually and depending on the choice of entrée, prices for the Hot Rock Plates range from $6.50 to $10.00. Reservations are required and a dining fee of $3 for lunch or $5 for dinner is also charged, which includes gratuities. Wine and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Maybe we should all keep that children's song in mind when regarding the veracity of what we read on Twitter, even if it was posted by a travel agent.

Black Rock Grill Photo © CruiseDiva.com;
Lawn Club Grill Image Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Cruise News: Celebrity Cruises Names Celebrity Reflection Godmothers

Yes, you read that headline correctly—it’s no typo—there will be Godmothers, plural, for the line’s newest Solstice Class ship. Celebrity Cruises is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a particularly unique and meaningful way by revealing plans to honor four employees—two who work aboard its ships, and two in its corporate offices—as Godmothers of Celebrity Reflection, the fifth in its five-ship Solstice Class series. Like the Godmothers of every prior Solstice Class ship—all with remarkable life achievements, including overcoming breast cancer—the cause is of great personal interest to the selected employees.

The Godmothers of Celebrity Reflection are:

• Jovanka Goronjic: Jovanka joined Celebrity Cruises’ AquaSpa staff in 2009, after previously working with Celebrity’s sister brand, Royal Caribbean Intl. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and endured several rounds of treatment. In tribute to her mother and the cause, Jovanka donated her hair for the creation of wigs for cancer patients. With support from Celebrity, she arranged time off to be with her mother at critical times during her treatment. Her mother has since defeated the illness, and Jovanka now is AquaSpa Manager on Celebrity Constellation.
• Megan Mathie: Megan is a glassblowing artist in the Hot Glass Show aboard Celebrity Solstice, and previously performed the same role aboard Celebrity Eclipse. Earlier this year, she was informed that both her sister and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer, and flew home to spend time with them. However, both convinced her to return to the ship to continue her work. Determined to support the cause, Megan and her team now host a “Hot Pink Glass Show” on every cruise. There, she shares her story with her audience and through her art, in honor of her sister and mother. At each cruise’s end, she auctions a one-of-a-kind pink glass creation to raise funds for Celebrity’s charitable partner, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
• Helen O’Connell: An eight-year employee of the company, Helen manages Community Relations, and has a clear and contagious passion for serving her community. She is widely lauded internally and externally for leading the corporation’s annual “G.I.V.E. (Get Involved, Volunteer Everywhere) Day,” and events leading to it in South Florida and in many of the company’s offices and ports of call around the world. Helen also serves as the corporation’s primary liaison with Make-A-Wish Foundation and supports Celebrity’s fundraising activities for BCRF. Before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, she traveled to New York every weekend for three months to help care for her father, who was battling bone cancer. Helen is known for always putting others’ needs ahead of her own, such as volunteering with numerous organizations in South Florida and caring for her sick aunt in Ireland, while also making her work a top priority.
• Rosey Rodriguez: A 17-year employee of RCCL, Rosey is manager of the company’s Special Events team and recognized at Celebrity for being a key contributor to planning and implementing the events surrounding every Solstice Class ship launch. She is a devoted single mother of two children, Joey, 21, and Alexis, 15. On June 8 of this year, she was diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer, and has since been resolute in her commitment to beat it. While many women would legitimately take short-term disability at this stage, Rosey instead takes her laptop to treatments to allow her to work remotely. Her colleagues say this is entirely in character, as she puts everyone and everything—including her work—ahead of her own desires. She is considered a dedicated leader of her team, admired employee of the company, loving mother and selfless individual.

“These impressive women personify the qualities we admire among our Solstice Class Godmothers: remarkable strength and courage, along with optimism, warmth and genuine care for others,” said Michael Bayley, Celebrity’s President and CEO. “They beautifully represent countless other women within our company and around the world who have battled the disease or supported the cause in honor of friends or family who have done so.”

Celebrity Cruises’ support of the cause began in 2008 with an event on Celebrity Solstice to raise funds for breast cancer screenings for low-income women. Next, the brand sponsored the first “Celebrity Sunwalk” in association with Walk the Walk, a breast cancer charity founded by the Godmother of Celebrity Equinox, Nina Barough. And last year, Celebrity became an official corporate partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), offering Celebrity’s guests the opportunity to make a difference while enjoying their vacation through a unique lineup of onboard experiences that help raise awareness and funds for BCRF.

Celebrity is showing its support of the cause even further this month through multiple initiatives, including an integration and cruise auction featured in Bloomingdale’s “Big Pink Book,” with a percentage of sales benefiting BCRF; a sweepstakes to win a cruise with a $1,000 donation to BCRF in the winner's name; a "pink" home page takeover of Celebrity’s web site, and relevant content on its Facebook page, throughout the month; a donation to BCRF of $2 for every “Excite the Senses” lifestyle book sold onboard and online; pink-hued emails to customers; “Starring Crew Week” honoring Celebrity’s crew across the fleet with special events to raise funds for BCRF, and events engaging and educating employees at Celebrity’s headquarters. All of this complements the continuation of the year-around activities supporting BCRF: “Celebrity Freedance” and the auction of works of art created by glassblowing artists from The Corning Museum of Glass at the Hot Glass Show on Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, and Celebrity Eclipse.

The four Godmothers of Celebrity Reflection will preside over the naming of the ship in Miami on Dec 1st, and consistent with Celebrity’s Solstice Class tradition, will be joined by the Godmothers of each of Celebrity Reflection’s sister ships. Cruise Diva will also be there, so bookmark this blog and stay tuned for more details.

Photo © Linda Coffman, CruiseDiva.com

Cruise News: Embarkation Just Got Easier For Passengers Flying To Miami

Cruise Diva always advises readers of this blog who are flying to their embarkation port to arrive there at least a day before sailing to lessen the chance of airline delays and cancellations and, if that isn’t possible, then you should book the earliest flight of the day. For those of you who can’t arrive a day early and are flying to Miami on embarkation day to cruise on a Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship, there is good news—your cruise check-in will go a bit smoother with the new check-in service the line now offers at Miami International Airport.

If you will be flying to Miami International Airport and sailing with Carnival Cruise Lines from either the Port of Miami or Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), you may now check-in for your cruise at the airport. Carnival will have two counters at Concourses ‘D’ and ‘H’ on the day of sailing to enable this check-in.

Here is how it works…

• After retrieving your luggage at baggage claim you will be directed to your corresponding check-in counter at Concourse ‘D’ or ‘H’—based on flight arrivals.
• You can check-in for the cruise, receive a Sail and Sign card and a boarding card that reads ‘Airport Express’ so you can be easily identified when you arrive at the cruise terminal. NOTE: if you wish to use cash for your Sail and Sign deposit you will be instructed to stop by one of the cruise terminal check-in counters or use an on board Sail and Sign kiosk.
• If you did not pre-purchase Carnival’s transportation service, you will be offered the option to purchase transfers to the pier during the check-in process.
• You must take your luggage with you whether using Carnival’s transportation service or other means.
• When you arrive at the pier, you will be directed to the ‘Airport Express’ security lane for a quick photo ID check and Sail and Sign check.
• The final step is embarkation pictures, A-pass and boarding.

Hours of operation for airport check-in: 8:00am-2:00pm

BON VOYAGE!

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Cruise News: Azamara Club Cruises Adds AzAmazing Experiences

As an up-market boutique cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises already offers destination-immersive voyages for travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them and pretty soon they will be adding amenities previously limited to passengers on luxury cruise lines. When it comes to adding compelling enhancements to the experience, Azamara Club Cruises has clearly listened to their passengers and, as a result, every voyage will soon include the new “AzAmazing Evening,” a complimentary destination event ashore.

In addition, hot on the heels of their recent announcement of a Fleetwide Renovation project, the cruise line will be introducing a selection of complimentary standard spirits, wines and international beers throughout the ship during the bars’ opening hours. Both offerings will begin with Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey’s next Europe season, March 27 and May 15 2013, respectively.

“Azamara Club Cruises’ guests have an unquenchable desire to immerse themselves in the history, culture and night life of the destinations we visit, which is why we offer them longer stays, more overnights and night touring,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “This new concept is an evolution of Azamara’s core differentiator that resonates with our guests, who love their time onboard, but have made it clear that the cruise experience extends to their time ashore. With these new amenities added to Azamara Club Cruises, guests are offered an unmatched vacation experience at a tremendous value.”

One-hundred percent of Azamara’s 2013 itineraries feature late-night departures and 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 Evening, destination affairs to remember.

During the events all interested guests will be transported via private motorcoaches to an unforgettable evening. Guests sailing a Baltic voyage, for example, could enjoy a private ballet performance in St. Petersburg, Russia, while walking the red carpet and sipping champagne. Or those on a Mediterranean voyage may find themselves sampling Jerez, Spain’s, famous sherry wine at Gonzalez Byass and later enjoying a private equestrian ballet at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.

The new AzAmazing Evening events will replace the current 50 percent savings off Land Discovery shore excursions program and provide guests with an even great value that further emphasizes the night touring concept and highlights a region’s culture and distinct personality with a customized event exclusively for Azamara guests. The complimentary evening ashore varies from voyage to voyage, offering guests sailing consecutive voyages a wide variety of experiences. Guests sailing and pre-booking Land Discoveries, before March 2, 2013 for Azamara Quest or April 17, 2013 for Azamara Journey can still save 50 percent on most Land Discoveries when booking online at least four days prior to their sailing date.

Also beginning with the 2013 Europe season is the expansion of Azamara’s complimentary beverage offerings. In addition to their existing selection of complimentary wines, served at lunch and dinner, guests will enjoy a wider complimentary selection that includes a selection of standard spirits, wines, and international beers throughout the day at any of the ships’ bars and lounges.

Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest already enjoy numerous 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. And now, guests will also enjoy the new AzAmazing Evening event on every voyage, and selected standard spirits, wines and beers throughout the voyage from bars and lounges.

Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America, lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, and in 2014 the West Coast of the United States. Travelers also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruisetours in four of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Asia, Buenos Aires, India, and Turkey. For more information, visit Azamara Club Cruises.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Cruise News: Norwegian Getaway To Arrive Early In Miami Homeport

It’s like the Sham-WOW guy says on television, “you know the Germans always make good stuff” and in the case of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway, they even do it faster than expected.

Norwegian has announced that Norwegian Getaway will be delivered in late January 2014, earlier than originally scheduled, and will sail a 7-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary from the Port of Miami year-round. With double occupancy of 4,000 passengers, Norwegian Getaway will be the largest ship to home port year-round in Miami and will embody a unique Miami vibe. We can hardly wait to see her!

“We are pleased that Meyer Werft will deliver this incredible vessel three months earlier than scheduled,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief executive officer. “Norwegian Getaway is going to offer a fantastic cruise opportunity sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.”

Following inaugural events in Europe, Norwegian Getaway will arrive in Miami in late January 2014 and begin her first Eastern Caribbean sailing on Saturday, Feb 1, 2014. Ports of call include: Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. In addition, the company announced the ship’s Transatlantic sailing, which will depart Rotterdam, The Netherlands on Jan 16, 2014 and include a stop in London (Southampton), England where guests can also embark, followed by nine days at sea before arriving in Miami on Jan 27, 2014.

To accommodate Norwegian Getaway’s early arrival in January, the company is modifying the itineraries of its existing ships in Miami during that time. Beginning Feb 2, 2014, Norwegian Epic will depart Miami on Sundays and sail a Western Caribbean itinerary. Ports of call include: Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Norwegian Sun will now depart Miami on her 10- and 11-day Southern Caribbean itineraries a day later than scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays. Norwegian Pearl, which had been scheduled to depart Miami on Sundays will be chartered from Jan 19 to March 21, 2014. In addition, four new 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries will be added on March 21, March 28, April 4 and April 11, 2014.

Currently being built at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Getaway will be 146,600 gross tons and offer a wide range of accommodations. The ship will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship in an exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; a wide range of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa. Norwegian Getaway’s sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from her year-round home port of New York City in May 2013. Reservations will open for Norwegian Getaway to the public on October 22, 2012.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Silversea's Silver Cloud Receives Extensive Make-Over

Silversea Cruises' first luxury ship (launched in 1994) is about to get an extreme make-over to brighten her sophisticated interiors and add dining options. Next month Silver Cloud will welcome guests to a stylishly renovated shipboard environment brimming with a host of new enhancements. A major stem-to-stern refurbishment will take place this month, with most of the work being completed during a three-week dry dock at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo, Italy. Overseeing the design and construction elements of the project is renowned Italian architect Giacomo Mortola.

The goal is to completely renovate Silver Cloud's interior decoration, including the suites, public spaces and dining venues, in order to introduce a fresh and contemporary classic atmosphere. Silversea is making a significant financial investment in this refurbishment to ensure its guests experience a renewed sense of luxury and comfort when sailing aboard Silver Cloud.

Highlights of Silver Cloud's makeover will include:

• Refreshed Public Spaces: As soon as guests step aboard Silver Cloud, they will notice a totally renewed lobby displaying a color palette of warm earth tones that will be carried throughout most areas of the ship with the installation of stylish new carpets, wall treatments and artwork in the corridors, staircases and public spaces. Providing contrast to the main color scheme of the ship will be The Bar, which will be decorated in cooler shades of teal mixed with neutral tones of brown and beige. All new furniture, carpet, curtains and reconditioned wood flooring will give the Panorama Lounge a refreshed contemporary look, while The Spa and Beauty Salon will also get a makeover.

• Dining Enhancements:

-- Le Champagne, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea, will be completely transformed with an upgraded entrance design, the addition of gleaming, backlit wine displays, a redesigned seating layout, and new wood flooring, fabrics and window treatments.
--La Terrazza's updated interior will include a remodeled buffet area and handsome new banquettes along the walls, offering greater seating flexibility, including more tables for two.
--The Restaurant will be refreshed with chairs dressed in bright new fabrics, new window treatments and reconditioned hardwood flooring.
--The Grill, with its unique interactive dining concept, will now be featured aboard Silver Cloud as the existing Pool Bar and Grill area is expanded with additional seating, a large overhead awning, and the removal of the central stair unit, which will be replaced with a curving corner staircase. At this new outdoor restaurant, guests will enjoy an innovative dining experience that lets them cook prime meats and fresh seafood on heated volcanic rocks at their table.

• Sophisticated New Decor for Suites: The sofas and chairs will be updated with new fabrics. All carpets, headboards, curtains and outside veranda furniture will be replaced. Each suite will have a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress will feature an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. The new beds will be outfitted with plush new Pratesi sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers. All bathrooms will be enhanced with new flooring, marble appointments and either a new bath-and-shower combination or a new walk-in, glass-enclosed rainforest shower with sitting area, offering a soothing, spa-like experience. (This will replace the existing bath-and-shower combination in nearly 90% of the Veranda and Vista Suites). The Owner's and Grand Suites will be outfitted with a modern wet room bath configuration featuring a new rainforest shower that will be separate from the bathtub.

• Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track will feature all-new synthetic turf and the pool area will be outfitted with new deck furniture.

In addition to enjoying a fresh reconditioning and polishing of teak decks and woodwork, the ship will undergo thorough maintenance on mechanical and propulsion systems.

Image Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Answer the Call Of The Sea

Whenever The Sea calls, we answer. Now that the Alaska cruising season has officially ended for 2012, we've been looking back at our call from The Sea and reminiscing about our cruise aboard Rhapsody of the Seas last May. All-in-all, it was a great trip featuring the highlights of The Great State.

Something we wish we'd seen before sailing is the video below that describes all the exciting new features we were about to experience aboard Rhapsody of the Seas.

Come to think of it, if we'd seen the video, it might have spoiled some of the surprises. If you're planning an Alaska cruise next year, join Cruise Diva for a first hand look at Rhapsody of the Seas after her complete makeover and the WOW on board.

If you want to know more, here are the links to reports we shared daily during our time there:

• Comfortably at Home Aboard Rhapsody of the Seas
• Aboard Rhapsody of the Seas, Fun Food in the New Park Café
• Rhapsody of the Seas: In Juneau, Alaska
• Rhapsody of the Seas: In Skagway, Alaska
• Rhapsody of the Seas: Glacier Sighting
• More On Board Rhapsody of the Seas For Families
• Rhapsody of the Seas: In Victoria, BC

Images (c) CruiseDiva.com/Video Courtesy Of Royal Caribbean Intl.