Find Holiday ‘Magic’ and ‘Wonder’ at Sea on Disney Cruise Line Ships

Is that snow or pixie dust? Aboard Disney Cruise Line ships, the holiday celebrations start with Halloween and last through the final toast of the new year. From traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to "snowflake" sightings and caroling, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will sparkle with the joy of the holiday season.

Set to begin with the Oct 27th and 28th sailings, guests can participate in some Halloween fun with a trail of candy stations for kids that culminates in a dance party on the top deck and special costume parties in each of the youth activity areas. Adults aren't overlooked--bring your costume because there's a dance party and costume contest with prizes. We wonder if the Mickeys will outnumber the Minnies.

Disney characters decked out in their finest holiday attire will welcome passengers to the lavishly decorated private at Port Canaveral, FL cruise terminal beginning in late-Nov. Once aboard, you'll find special themed activities, decorations, and even a transformed winter wonderland on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. On Thanksgiving Day, you'll enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast complete with all the trimmings.

After Thanksgiving, guests will partake in holiday cheer, including:

• A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where "snow" flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs
  
• A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids
  
• International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruises)
  
• Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses
  
• Mrs. Claus will read "The Night Before Christmas"
  
• Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruises only)
  
• Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruises only)
  
• A ship-wide party to ring in 2008 and a New Year's Day tailgate party

The fun even extends to Disney's private hideaway on Castaway Cay. When Disney Magic and Disney Wonder arrive just after Thanksgiving, you'll find the island transformed into a "snowy" holiday paradise. "Snow" flurries will fall like magic and Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, in their finest tropical attire will greet you with a sleigh full of presents. Even the tram that transports you across the island will be transformed into a reindeer-drawn "sleigh," complete with antlers and tail.

To learn more about these and other fabulous Disney Cruise Line voyages, visit www.disneycruise.com and read the reviews on CruiseDiva.com.

Sweet SeaDreams

I have good news and bad news. First, the good stuff. SeaDream Yacht Club just might make you so comfy at night on their new Sweet Dreams Signature Beds that (here comes the bad news) you just might oversleep.

The new Sweet Dreams Signature Bedding Collection may be set up to your preference as either a queen-size or single bed. The snooze-inducing mattresses and pillow tops are fitted with silky Belgian linens, as well as your choice of woolen blankets or duvets and foam or down pillows. All SeaDream guests receive personally monogrammed blue and white, two-piece cotton pajamas to perfectly complement sweet dreams.

Interviewed for this announcement while reclining on one of the new beds--just before he nodded off--Larry Pimentel, SeaDream’s President & CEO, said “The addition of our new Sweet Dreams Signature Bedding collection is an example of how SeaDream’s attention to detail benefits our guests."

By the way, don't confuse the new in-stateroom beds with SeaDream’s Balinese SunBeds--the double beds up on deck where you can lounge by day in the sun or shade, and even spend the night sleeping under the stars if you wish. Don't forget your jammies!

For more info, take a photo tour and catch a video introduction to SeaDream Yacht Club. Or, read all about it in first-hand reviews of SeaDream cruises on CruiseDiva.com.

You'll have to excuse me, though. Zzzzz...

Take Something Home From Your Cruise That You DIDN'T Pay For

Some passengers gloat over winning big in the ship's casino. That’s only money.

I’d rather have something that cash can’t buy. You know, the cool logo stuff you see other passengers have, but it's not available in the gift shop.

Where did they get it, and--more importantly--HOW? It's likely to be what I call loot. You know, the prizes that are awarded for being clever at Quest or a member of the smartest team during Trivia. Or, possibly, it was awarded after one of the other games where you might feel like you're making a fool of yourself until you get the prize.

What kind of treasures can you look forward to winning? Take a peek at Cruise Diva's Stash. It's full of souvenirs that no amount of money can buy.

Norwegian Gem's Got "IT"

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a search for the ideal godmother of its new ship, Norwegian Gem. If you're a Latitudes member (the club for NCL past passengers), you're invited to reveal your “It” Girl attributes and submit a video at gemitgirl.com explaining why you should receive the honor of christening Norwegian Gem.

NCL suggests the Latitudes “It” Girl should embody the spirit of their hot, hip new ship, Norwegian Gem, as well as the free spirit of NCL’s Freestyle Cruising. The "It" Girl should be sophisticated, independent and confident, with an eagerness to explore new destinations and learn new things. She should be glamorous, stylish and cultured, and possess a youthful and adventurous spirit regardless of age. Entrants are invited to include their own unique talent (if they have one) that exemplifies the freestyle spirit of NCL cruising. Entries will be judged on creativity and originality. Cruise Diva has previewed the submissions to date and hasn't seen any unique talent on display, but at least no one has tried to do a Rosie O'Donnell impersonation.

In case you need a little help in bringing out your inner actress, NCL has enlisted the help of Second City, the famed improv group featured on NCL ships, to provide some tips. Several Second City cast members have created videos that are posted on gemitgirl.com showing what’s “it” and what isn’t “it.”

Video entries should be submitted by Nov 12, 2007. Five finalists will be revealed on Nov 15the and the Norwegian Gem's godmother will be introduced during ship's christening ceremony on Dec 18th in New York City. You've never sailed on NCL and aren't a Latitudes Member? Don't worry, you can still enter your video for a chance to become the Latitudes "It" Girl's BFF and win a 7-day cruise for two.

I'm already one of Norwegian Gem's BFFs. So, you go for it, girl!

Boston Bids Norwegian Majesty Adieu

A familiar summer sight since 1994, Norwegian Majesty has sailed into the sunset. The ship has departed on her final seasonal Bermuda cruise from Boston's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. After a drydock session, she leaves for her winter homeport in Charleston, SC (pictured here).

While Norwegian Majesty won't be returning to Boston, a larger Norwegian Cruise Line fleetmate will replace her. Norwegian Dream is taking over the traditional Boston to Bermuda sailings in 2008.

You can still sail on Norwegian Majesty to Bermuda, although you'll have to embark either in Charleston, Baltimore, or Philadelphia. For more information, see the Norwegian Cruise Line web site.

Cruise Ports: Shop 'Til You Drop

Tomorrow is Sunday, a day when many Americans flock to the malls to get in a little shopping. Some of us in southern states remember when that wasn't possible--when "blue laws" dictated that merchants not do business on Sunday.

According to the Cape Breton Post, many stores in Sydney, Nova Scotia adhere to a similar day-of-rest tradition and don't normally open their doors on Sunday. However, the allure of 2,600 passengers and 1,100 crewmembers arriving at 8am tomorrow is just too seductive. Cruise ship passengers have a penchant for shopping and business people in Sydney are willing to forego a day off to satisfy their craving to spend. When Grand Princess docks for a full Sunday in port, cruisers and crew alike will find a hearty welcome in the open downtown shops.

Grand Princess will make another Sydney call on Oct 22nd and Norwegian Dawn, the season's final cruise ship full of leaf peepers (and shoppers), is expected on Oct 24th. It will be business as usual on those dates--both are weekdays.

A Fond Farewell: Sovereign of the Seas

As if Americans needed another indication that they are no longer the prime passenger market for cruise travel, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced today that Royal Caribbean Intl's Sovereign of the Seas will be reassigned to the company's Pullmantur fleet. In changes scheduled to take place in October and November 2008, the Los Angeles-based Monarch of the Seas will assume Sovereign of the Seas' sailings out of Port Canaveral.

Sovereign of the Seas was once the largest cruise ship sailing from Miami. RCI's first really big ship, she introduced innovative wide-open, spacious atriums to ship interior design.

For complete details, particularly if your cruise is impacted by these changes, see Cruise Diva's Cruise News.

Crystal Cruises "Takes You Out To The Ball Game"

Well, not exactly, but you'll feel like it if you get on board when Hall of Fame baseball legend Hank Aaron kicks off Crystal Serenity's first cruise of 2008. On Crystal Cruises' January 4th Panama Canal cruise from Miami to Los Angeles, Mr. Aaron--one of Major League Baseball's greatest players--will share his inspiring achievements, professional milestones and life experiences. During the cruise, passengers will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with the homerun champion of 33 years, as well as receive an autographed photo taken with him.

"The legend of Hank Aaron extends beyond the baseball field," says Bret Bullock, Crystal's vice president, entertainment. "Mr. Aaron is a gentleman who continues to be a role model for athletes and non-athletes of all ages. Crystal Cruises is honored to feature such an important figure in U.S. history."

For more information about the sailing and the luxury cruise line's Crystal Visions® Enrichment Program, see Cruise Diva's Cruise News.

A New "Queen Elizabeth" on Tap

Although the venerable Queen Elizabeth 2 is leaving the Cunard fleet in just a little over a year, the line won't be without a "Queen Elizabeth" for long. Cunard Line announced today that it has ordered a new 92,000-ton liner, to be named "Queen Elizabeth," scheduled to enter service in the autumn of 2010.

"Cunard already owns and operates the two most famous ocean liners in the world, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2, and a third, Queen Victoria, is due to be named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, in December of this year," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "The decision to order another ship for Cunard Line has been taken as a result of the strong booking response to the new Queen Victoria, and we are extremely pleased that Cunard will once again become a three-ship fleet so soon after the departure of the much-celebrated Queen Elizabeth 2 in November next year. Furthermore, we are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given her blessing to our calling this new Cunarder 'Queen Elizabeth', after our first vessel of that name."

While it's a bit early to expect design details and itineraries, the new 2092-passenger ocean liner will be the second largest Cunarder the company has ever built. It is known that Queen Elizabeth will fly the Red Ensign with Southampton as her homeport.

In the meantime, interiors are beginning to take their final shape on Cunard Line's soon-to-launch Queen Victoria. Get a glimpse of the progress made in the magnificent two-story, wood paneled Library, Queen's Room, and Grand Lobby on CruiseDiva.com.

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises: Sinking in a Sea of Red Ink?

In the wake of recent cruise cancellations, the Miami Herald reports that Windjammer Barefoot Cruises is cancelling its cruises for the weeks of Oct 14 and Oct 21.

The financially strapped cruise line has issued a statement that it anticipates restarting cruise operations in the Caribbean and Costa Rica "shortly.'' According to the Miami newspaper's Business Section, Windjammer Operations Manager Danny Walsh said he and the entities that control the company are working with ''several investor groups on a viable plan to continue the Windjammer tradition.''

A recent deal to keep the sinking cruise line afloat fell through and the ships, with their hapless crew members aboard, have been stranded for weeks at various ports.

On a positive note, loyal 'Jammers should be heartened that the cruise line's web site has reappeared, albeit with one page... an open letter from the Miami office titled, "Windjammer’s Heart is Still Beating–Better Sailing Ahead."

Cruise Travel: Take the LUG out of Luggage

Two cruise lines recently unveiled enhancements to luggage handling service that eliminate some of the stresses associated with travel.

This fall, select guests on Disney Cruise Line sailings will find a more hassle-free vacation experience with the availability of Onboard Airline Check-In. This service allows qualified passengers to check in for post-cruise flights while still on board the Disney vessels. Boarding passes are delivered to their staterooms the day prior to debarkation and when their Disney ships return to Port Canaveral, participating passengers can proceed directly to Customs and then to Orlando Intl Airport where they breeze by check-in lines and go straight to airport security and on to departure gates. Meanwhile, their checked luggage is transported directly from the ship to their flights. In order to take advantage of this service, passengers need to meet certain requirements and be booked on a domestic flight on one of seven participating airlines.

Even more convenient, upscale Crystal Cruises has entered into an exclusive alliance with Luggage Concierge. For easy door-to-door baggage service between their homes and Crystal's world-wide ports of call, Luggage Concierge has established a dedicated phone line for Crystal guests, available 24/7. Arrangements for luggage shipment can be made by calling 877-231-6408 or registering at luggageconcierge.com/crystal. An added bonus for Crystal's repeat passengers (Crystal Society members) is a 20% discount on luggage shipments to and from their Crystal cruise, as well as a 10% discount on luggage shipments for other non-cruise related travel if they book directly through Luggage Concierge. Included in the round-trip service is automatic insurance coverage of $1,500 for all luggage shipments within the U.S., and $2,000 coverage for international luggage shipments. In addition, Crystal guests utilizing the new Luggage Concierge service receive personalized tracking and delivery notification of their baggage through their choice of phone, fax or e-mail.

If you've suffered the long waits in airport lines this past summer, you can appreciate the convenience of having someone else take care of the heavy lifting. More details are available in Cruise Diva's Cruise News.

Cruise Lines: Find One to Suit Your Lifestyle

A question I'm often asked is, “What is your favorite cruise line?” I've sailed on most of them and It's a question that I simply can't answer. You see, I like them all—for different reasons. Cruise lines, and even ships in the same fleet, have their plusses and minuses. What appeals to me might seem mildly quirky or even distasteful to you. That's why I've updated and revamped our Cruise Line Profiles on CruiseDiva.com.

No longer divided into the “classes” of old, modern cruise ships are more akin to sea-going democracies these days. Every passenger can expect the same amenities and choices. So, are all cruise lines alike? No, most certainly not. Some of the differences are subtle, but today’s cruise lines fall into three broad categories—Mainstream, Premium, and Luxury. Pick one to suit your Cruising Lifestyle.

When it comes time to decide on your next cruise, take a look at what the cruise lines have to offer and how their features vary. You may be surprised.

Windjammer Ships Becalmed

Set to cruise in a few days, disappointed Windjammer passengers forwarded Cruise Diva a copy of an email received today from the troubled cruise line.

Dear Shipmates,

We are contacting you about an important change to your upcoming cruise. We are sorry to inform you that S/V "Legacy" and S/V "Yankee Clipper" will not sail the week of October 6/7th, 2007 due to matters that cannot be ignored. Unfortunately we will be unable to correct the situation with enough time for the cruise to sail. We truly apologize for the extreme short notice and for the inconvenience.

We will gladly re-accommodate you on a future sail date if you choose to reschedule your cruise. Passengers who choose to be re-accommodated will be given a free 7-day Windjammer Barefoot Cruise to use within two years (Expiration date October 2009). The free cruise is valid for travel within the next two years in the same cabin type originally booked with immediate confirmation.

If you are unable to re-schedule your cruise for a later date and decide to request a refund, please know we will issue you a complete refund of your paid cruise fare. Regrettably, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises will not be able to cover any air costs incurred and associated with another sail date or ship. We are also unable to cover any air costs if you request a cruise refund.

Please contact our Reservations message line at 1 (800) 327-2600 to discuss options. Once again we are truly sorry for any inconvenience this matter has caused you. We hope you will be able to re-schedule your cruise.

Respectfully,
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises

Will the passengers receive a refund? Fortunately, it appears that their credit card company will dispute the fare charges for the couple who emailed Cruise Diva. What about the alternative of taking a future cruise credit... and the reality of whether Windjammer Barefoot Cruises could ever actually re-accommodate them in the future? We might mention that it would hardly be "free" since they've already paid for it.

No judgments being offered here. We report, you decide.

Cruise Lines: It's So EASY

easyCruise’s successful inaugural summer season in Greece has prompted the unorthodox cruise line to more than triple its capacity for summer 2008. The line’s new flagship, to be christened easyCruise Life after a multi-million dollar refit is scheduled to enter service in April 2008. With accommodattions for 540 passengers, and at 12,711 tons, easyCruise Life is three times the size of her yacht-sized, sister ship easyCruise One (4,011 tons).

Launched in 2005 by serial entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, easyCruise is noted for inexpensive cruises to chic resorts and islands off the beaten track. The ships sail for just a few hours each morning and arrive in port around lunchtime so guests can enjoy the rest of the day and evening (until the wee morning hours) ashore. easyCruise Life will offer a seven-night itinerary that includes Turkey, calling at Bodrum, one of the country’s most popular resorts with a nightlife known throughout the Aegean. New itineraries also showcase six different Greek Islands from laidback Syros and Samos to lively Kalymnos, Kos, Paros and Mykonos, the legendary jet-set mecca. Guests can choose to join the cruise in Piraeus (Athens) on Saturdays or in Bodrum on Mondays.

“Since easyCruise launched two years ago we have offered an affordable way to see intriguing places that are difficult to reach, except by sea,” said Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, chairman of easyCruise. “It is clear that staying in port until the early morning hours has broad appeal because many travelers also want to experience the local nightlife.”

Cruise fares, starting from as low as $143 per person (double occupancy) for seven nights aboard easyCruise Life, include port taxes. Cabins are equipped with ensuite bathrooms with shower. Fresh linens and towels are provided upon arrival, however, little else is included. Meals, drinks, spa treatments, sightseeing tours, and even housekeeping services are all reasonably priced extras that can be purchased in advance or on board. Facilities on the newly-acquired ship will include enhanced versions of the Aptiva Spa and fusionon6 combination restaurant/discotheque that are found on easyCruise One, plus broad teak sundecks, an outdoor swimming pool, and hot tub. Accommodations include 23 Panoramic Suites and 14 superior doubles, all with picture windows; 76 oceanview standard twin cabins, 45 oceanview standard quad cabins, and 112 interior standard twins.

This fall and next spring, the line’s easyCruise One will be deployed on a new seven-night itinerary that showcases Classical Greece, including Mycenae, Nemea, Olympia and Delphi. Timings have been planned so that guests can experience the Acropolis by night and witness a Sounion sunset. In summer 2008, the ship will again offer popular long-weekend cruises to Poros, Mykonos, Paros and Sifnos. A new 10-night itinerary will transit the Corinth Canal to the islands of the Ionian Sea, including Ithaki, Paxos, Corfu, Kefallonia, Zakynothos, Itea (for Delphi), Corinth, Preveza and Agioi Saranta, Albania, which serves as a gateway to Butrint, a UNEXCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately easyCruise One is not repeating its Caribbean cruises this winter.

To learn more about the new easyCruise Life, easyCruise One, and the line’s Greece and Turkey itineraries visit www.easycruise.com or contact a professional travel agent. If you don't mind making your own bed, easyCruise is an easy way to island-hop.

Carnival Cruise Lines: It Pays to be Loyal

Once known for their lack of regard for past passengers, Carnival Cruise Lines now embraces them. The "Concierge Club," which was created exclusively for "Platinum" cardholders who have sailed with Carnival 10 or more times, recognizes longtime guests for their loyalty and support by providing them with a variety of amenities and privileges.

Carnival has moved to the next phase of past passenger appreciation by expanding its "Concierge Club" program to provide shipboard credits when members achieve a "milestone" cruise with them. "Concierge Club" members who sail on their 25th, 50th and 75th "Fun Ship" cruise will receive a shipboard credit representing 25, 50 or 75 percent of their cruise fare, respectively, for that particular voyage. When they sail on their 100th "Fun Ship" cruise, they earn a complimentary Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, or Alaska voyage of up to eight days in length. Wow! This new milestone cruise benefit is in addition to the wide range of amenities and privileges that "Platinum" cardholders already receive.

"The 'Concierge Club' has been met with incredible response since being launched last year and this new shipboard credit benefit is just another way of Carnival recognizing and thanking our loyal and valued guests," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Prior to their "milestone" cruise, guests will receive a personalized letter from Cahill informing them of the shipboard credit or free cruise they will earn in conjunction with their next milestone cruise. Carnival has also established a special toll-free line, 1-877-CCL-VIPS (1-877-225-8477) that is staffed on a 24/7 basis and designated specifically for questions regarding the new shipboard credit/free cruise benefit for "Concierge Club" members.

All Platinum cardholders are entitled to numerous shipboard benefits and features that are detailed in Cruise Diva's Cruise News. Additionally, an exclusive concierge desk for Platinum cardholders has been established at the pursers information desk aboard every Carnival ship. A dedicated phone line is available fleetwide, as well.

NCL Cuts Steel for New Ships

NCL took delivery of its new “It” Girl, Norwegian Gem yesterday in Eemshaven, Netherlands, just one day before officials gathered in in Saint Nazaire, France to celebrate the steel cutting for the first of NCL’s third generation of new Freestyle Cruising ships, project name “F3.”

Norwegian Gem is the fourth and final ship in the company's Jewel-class series and solidifies NCL's status as the youngest, most modern fleet in the cruise industry. Cruise Diva is Norwegian Gem's latest BFF--check it out on Norwegian Gem’s “HerSpace” page at www.gemitgirl.com. I'm looking forward to our first face-2-face on Dec 12th when she makes her U.S. debut in Boston. Will we have tea together, or maybe bowl a few frames? Watch for it here!

But back to the latest... NCL has always been a forward-looking cruise line and the upcoming “F3” ships are the next phase in their unique Freestyle Cruising experience, which is characterized by no fixed dining times and no formal dress codes. Think of it as a less structured, more relaxed, more resort-style vacation-at-sea than traditional cruising. The 150,000-ton “F3” ships will each feature 4,200 passenger berths--the largest ships in NCL’s fleet. The ships’ cabin mix will be extra special, with 100 percent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies. Each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms!

NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships--the first is scheduled for delivery in January 2010, followed by the other two between 2010 and 2011.

Towel Animals: The Ultimate Bedtime Pals

You've never met a towel animal? Well, then you're in for a treat if you are planning your next cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines. While you may find a fanciful towel critter waiting in your cabin after dinner on other lines, only Carnival publishes books with step-by-step illustrated instructions for creating them at home.

Carnival's first instruction guidebook (Towel Creations) has a sequel--Carnival Towel Creations with Freddy, which features the line’s mascot “Fun Ship” Freddy. The new book offers easy-to-follow directions and diagrams for creating more than 80 different creatures, including new variations such as a snail, bat, cow, stingray and goat.

While towel animals are a relatively recent tradition, stewards have been surprising passengers with their creativity at turn-down for a long time. For a through-the-years peek at the evolution of Cabin Critters (including towel animals), read Ultimate Bedtime Pals at CruiseDiva.com.

There's no need to liberate towel animals from your ship in order to establish your own towel animal zoo at home. If you're not crafty enough to create your own, you can order miniature “towel pal” plush toys at Towel Pal.

Cruise Ship Rescue at Sea

On Sept 24, 2007, approximately 40 miles southwest of Key West, FL, Carnival Valor rescued ten Cuban refugees who had drifted at sea for five days aboard a homemade raft.

Video of the rescue is on You Tube.

Cruises: "Soda Card" Cheats--Just Don't Do It

When you embark on your next cruise, do you plan to purchase a "soda card"? That's actually a sticker placed on your onboard charge card that allows you an unlimited number of fountain soft drinks. Many passengers, especially those with children, find this beverage deal to be a money-saver.

However, it's possible to take saving money to an extreme. From messages posted on Internet forums, it seems some passengers feel that the purchase of a single soda card should entitle them not only to unlimited beverages for themselves, but also for their spouses and children.

C'mon, folks, that's CHEAP. Not only is such an action cheating the system, but it results in consequences for others in the long run. How so? Read on...

It hasn't been that many years ago that cruise lines didn't care if you brought a bottle of your favorite liquor on board as long as you consumed it in your cabin. People abused that policy and it's mostly history these days; the exception being a bottle or two of wine brought on at embarkation. More recently, some cruise lines made a somewhat futile attempt to limit the quantity of soft drinks brought aboard by passengers to a "reasonable" amount.

I have actually seen people at embarkation with cases and even coolers full of beverages. Now, isn't that going just a bit overboard?

Cruising... Don't Leave Home Without It

American Express has announced the introductions of Gold Card Destinations, a new collection of travel benefits available on all consumer American Express Gold Charge Cards, including Gold and Rewards Plus Gold Cards. According to American Express, "Gold Card Destinations enables Card members to enhance their vacation experiences with special amenities valued at $100 to $150 or more on virtually any trip from American Express Gold Card Destinations travel partners. In addition, through Gold Card Destinations, Card members have access to exclusive, unique travel and entertainment packages updated each month on the dedicated Gold Card Destinations web site: www.americanexpress.com/goldtravel."

When you click on the link above, to find cruise line perks select "Upgraded Experiences" from the column at the left and then "Cruises" in the navigation bar at the top. Participating cruise lines include: Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea, and Windstar.

What do you get? Here's a Holland America Line listing for a round-trip sailing this winter from San Diego:

American Express® Gold Card members receive an exclusive additional $150 amenity when they book any American Express Mariner Club cruise with Holland America Line. American Express Mariner Club benefits include a complimentary hosted cruise, private shore side excursion and exclusive onboard cocktail party,
double Membership Rewards points and Cardmember Annual Travel Benefit.

Holland America Line - Gold Card Destinations Benefit: Spa taster package, which includes Pinnacle Grill lunch for two, champagne & chocolate-covered strawberries in stateroom

Contact an American Express Travel Specialist for more details and pricing.