Develop Your Personal Fashion Style On A Crystal Cruise

If you've ever felt frustrated when packing your maybe-not-so-chic wardrobe for a cruise, help is on the way. To channel your inner fashionista, veteran wardrobe stylists and designers will host a complimentary "Style Desk" aboard Crystal Cruises' new "Sun, Sea and Euro-Style" sailing this fall. Setting the stage for Crystal's new Fashion & Style cruise is Crystal Serenity's 12-day Mediterranean itinerary from Venice to Barcelona on October 20.

Crystal's Experiences of Discovery program promises an experience to remember as fashion experts offer one-on-one consultations, answer fashion dilemmas, and help travelers enhance their own personal sense of style. Stylist/costume designer Anna Wycoff, a Los Angeles-based costume designer and personal wardrobe stylist who has styled runway shows on both coasts, and designer Gayle Davis, the co-owner of the M Stevens dancewear company who also custom designs and styles under her own label, will also provide an insider's look at the fashion world, with a strong emphasis on European style. The team will present a colorful look at the evolution of European fashion and cinema costuming, culminating in a fanciful afternoon tea themed with a 1950's vintage fashion show.

Fashionable highlights of the voyage include:
-- Fashion & Style Desk: Stylists offer personal consultations to perfect your look.
-- Personal Style: Embracing Authenticity as a Virtue, From Bardot to Bogart—A discussion of signature styles.
-- European Cinema Costuming: Learn how costumes enhance a film's story, and examine iconic characters from films like La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday set in the ship's destinations.
-- A European Fashion Evolution: Explore the 1950's to 60's, when a radical ready-to-wear European revolution replaced manicured couture.
-- Fashion Show Tea : "Riviera Rendezvous," a vintage fashion show created exclusively for Crystal guests.

"The Mediterranean provides a chic backdrop to an insightful look at memorable European fashion," says Christopher Escamilla, Crystal's entertainment coordinator. "Always open and accessible, with infectious enthusiasm, Anna and Gayle are fashion cheerleaders for men and women."

The 12-day Crystal Serenity cruise visits Venice, Dubrovnik, Catania, Civitavecchia/Rome, Livorno/Florence, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. For more information, visit the line's website at CrystalCruises.com.

Cruise Vacation Shopping

It's your duty to shop, but it won't be free!

Before you board your ship, get Cruise Diva's strategies for smart Shopping on Your Cruise Vacation.

Also learn how to snag some No-Cost Souvenirs during your cruise.

About these grass-soled flip flops... you'll have to sail on Celebrity Cruises' Solstice to sink your toes into them.

Oceania Cruises & Canyon Ranch Spa Join Forces at Sea

Cruise Diva predicts that spa connoisseurs will soon be lining up to go to sea on an Oceania Cruises vessel. The world famous Canyon Ranch®, leading operator of destination health resorts, will design and operate the spa, beauty salon, wellness and fitness facilities on board Marina, which is set to debut in late 2010. In Addition, Canyon Ranch SpaClub will debut fleet-wide on Marina's sister ships Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica by Sept 1st of this year. "We wanted to bring this world-renowned experience to the guests on our existing ships as soon as possible as it presented us with the perfect opportunity to enhance our acclaimed product and further the evolution of our brand," announced Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises. Binder added that the facility will be a Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, from the Canyon Ranch at Sea division.

Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard Marina will feature a visually stunning state-of-the-art spa, wellness and fitness facility, plus a luxurious full-service beauty salon. SpaClub will offer the most desirable spa amenities available: there will be 16 massage, body and skin-care treatment rooms, a gym and weight room with more than 50 pieces of cardio and weight training equipment, a juice bar, men's and women's locker rooms, and two whirlpools. Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard Marina will also incorporate unique water features throughout, emphasizing the healing and therapeutic benefits of water and heat. A thalassotherapy pool will feature airbed recliner lounges, neck fountains, deluge waterfall, air tub and body massage jet benches. The pool area also will have a whirlpool. Adjacent to the pool will be an extensive co-ed Thermal Suite featuring an herbal sauna, Finnish sauna, reflexology basins and an aromatic steam room. Also on board will be the exotic Rasul Ceremony, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub signature treatment. This medicinal mud and steam treatment, which takes place in an ornately tiled steam chamber, is derived from an ancient cleansing ritual.

Canyon Ranch certified fitness instructors will conduct daily group and private fitness, yoga and tai chi classes for guests. In addition, on select voyages Canyon Ranch healthy living experts will offer on-board presentations and workshops addressing lifestyle change, healthy living, stress management and a variety of other topics. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub beauty salon will offer complete beauty services for women and men. The extensive Salon menu will feature hair design and nail care treatments, including luxurious spa manicures and pedicures, makeup consultations and makeovers. SpaClub's array of rejuvenating spa treatments also will include massages and therapeutic bodywork, mud, aromatherapy, ayuvedic and seaweed treatments, facials and masks, conditioning body scrubs and therapeutic body cocoons.

In addition, Oceania Cruises will feature a full range of culinary offerings from Canyon Ranch's incomparable Spa Cuisine which is both nutritious and created with the highest gourmet standards. This array of healthy cuisine will be available at breakfast, lunch and dinner in both the Grand Dining Room and Terrace Café. Canyon Ranch Spa Cuisine will debut aboard Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica in April and May, 2010 and aboard Marina in late 2010. "Canyon Ranch shares our passion for fine cuisine and our Executive Chefs will be working with their culinary team to create a unique and diverse array of healthy, gourmet meals," Binder said.

Cruise Diva has experienced a Canyon Ranch SpaClub first-hand and can vouch for their facilities and the quality of their services. This is big news indeed for those of us who enjoy spa-going without pressure.

How Popular Are Carnival’s West Coast Shorter Cruises?

They are very popular with Isaac Levy, who certainly knows a good thing when he sees it.

If you think you’ve accumulated an impressive past passenger record with Carnival Cruise Lines, think again. Isaac Levy, a 90-year-old resident of Redondo Beach, California, has been sailing on Carnival Cruise Lines’ 4-day Baja Mexico itinerary once a month for the past 14 years, dating back to when the cruise ship Holiday first began the program from Southern California in 1995.

Aside from taking an annual break from Carnival cruising during the summer, Levy has sailed on nearly one hundred 4-day “Fun Ship” Baja cruises, most recently on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise which currently operates the program.

Levy (third from left) is pictured here with several members of the Carnival Paradise’s management team. Obviously they don't need to see his Platinum Sign and Sail card to know who he is! Carnival Paradise sails year-round from Long Beach, CA, offering 4-day cruises departing Mondays to Ensenada and Catalina Island and 3-day cruises departing Fridays to Ensenada.

Just in case you’d like to challenge Mr. Levy’s Carnival record, the cruise line is currently offering some exceptionally attractive rates on its shorter itineraries departing from Long Beach and San Diego. Carnival’s West Coast shorter cruise options, which start at an eye-popping low fare of $43 a day, include:

• 3- and 4-day Baja cruises aboard the Carnival Paradise year-round from Long Beach. 3-day cruises departing Fridays call at Ensenada, while 4-day voyages departing Mondays visit Ensenada and Catalina Island. Early Saver rates start at $219 per person for 3-day cruises and $169 per person for 4-day cruises.
• 3-, 4-, and 5-day Baja or Cabo sailings on the Carnival Elation year-round from San Diego. The 4-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada. 4-day cruises departing Mondays call at Ensenada and Catalina Island, while 4-day weekend cruises depart Thursdays and feature Cabo San Lucas. 5-day cruises departing Saturdays offer two full days in Cabo San Lucas, while 5-day cruises departing Mondays stop at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Early Saver rates start at $169 per person for 4-day and 4-day mid-week cruises; $259 per person for 4-day weekend cruises; and $299 per person for 5-day cruises.

Rates are based on double occupancy, reflect category 4 (interior) accommodations for select fall sailings, and are subject to change without notice. If you live in southern California, can you really afford to stay home?

Silversea's "Silver Shore Concierge" Service Customizes Shore Experiences

Part of the allure of a cruise vacation is the ability to travel effortlessly from destination to destination and luxury line Silversea is making it even easier when you arrive. Guests may now design their own unique experiences ashore with the introduction of its new "Silver Shore Concierge" service. With the launch of this innovative program, guests or their travel agent need only to call the dedicated toll-free phone line, 1-800-968-9518, or email concierge@silversea.com, to request assistance in making personalized, private onshore arrangements. The Silver Shore Concierge desk can be reached from 8:00am to 6:00pm (East Coast time, U.S.), Monday through Friday.

"The new Silver Shore Concierge desk has been created to provide our guests with one-to-one consultations and creative assistance," said Darius Mehta, Silversea's director of land programs. "Our team of destination experts are happy to set up arrangements to meet a guest's specific requirements, tailored to their personal interests, or help guests design their own one-of-a-kind onshore experience."

The Silver Shore Concierge arrangements could include not only sightseeing but also sporting activities and securing behind-the-scenes or after-hours access to exclusive designer shops, museums, cathedrals, and more. Other possibilities might include a champagne picnic and hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, access to a designer's atelier in Venice, or a journey through Juneau's glacier-carved fjords by private catamaran. Additionally, guests can call upon the Silver Shore Concierge to plan pre- and post-cruise land adventures that include accommodations at some of the world's best hotels, flights, ground transportation, and guided tours of historical sites and other attractions.

To take advantage of the new service, Silversea guests will need to have a deposited or fully-paid booking. Payment for confirmed arrangements is made in advance of sailing and includes a service fee. The Silver Shore Concierge is also offered aboard ship, where the shore concierge manager and team, together with the destination specialist, are available to assist guests with suggestions, planning and coordination of all their independent touring needs. The Concierge service is the centerpiece of an array of new Silver Shore tour and hotel offerings designed to make the destination experience more personal and authentic.

All Silver Shore tours are available for guests to pre-book online as early as 120 days prior to sailing. Silver Shore Land Adventures and hotel options can be booked as add-ons to the cruise vacation through Silversea reservations. Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and—launching in Dec 2009, Silver Spirit—all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents. For more information on Silversea Cruises and Silver Shore tour details, visit Silversea.com.

Photo above: Silver Wind in Cape Town, South Africa

Seabourn Odyssey Makes A Debut

The Yachts of Seabourn has embarked upon an expansive future as Seabourn Odyssey was launched yesterday from Venice as the first ultra-luxe vessel to debut in six years. The 32,000-ton vessel accommodates 450 guests in 225 luxury suites (ninety percent with verandas), offering one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the industry with highly personalized service. Odyssey features the largest spa on any luxury yacht, four restaurants, and a host of top drawer amenities. Guests aboard for the maiden voyage have also shared the unprecedented honor of acting as godparents. Odyssey is the first of three new vessels Seabourn is building, a 216% increase in capacity for the line, with Seabourn Sojourn launching in June 2010 and a third new-build in 2011.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome Seabourn Odyssey to our distinguished fleet of yachts," said Pamela Conover, President and CEO of The Yachts of Seabourn. "The launch of Odyssey allows us to serve more travelers but still offer the intimate and exclusive experience which has made us a leader in the luxury cruising market."

Enticements are everywhere aboard Odyssey. The Spa at Seabourn is the largest spa on any luxury vessel at 11,400 square feet and is the only cruise vessel to offer SkinCeuticals, the award-winning skincare line, products and treatments at sea. Passengers can enjoy a hydropool, Kinesis wall, two herbal steam rooms, as well as two Spa Villas complete with a whirlpool big enough for two, a private balcony for sunbathing, a double daybed, and a full living room. All guests on Odyssey receive exceptional personalized service with nearly one staff member per guest and top-of-the-line suite amenities, which include the new Molton Brown Therapies skincare line, available for the first time at sea.

Passengers on Odyssey will savor dining in four restaurants from the fine-dining Restaurant with menus crafted by Charlie Palmer to the casual, open-air Patio Grill, or choose course-by-course dining from the comfort of their suite. With an intimate yacht-like atmosphere, passengers can choose from other highlights including 11 decks featuring two outdoor swimming pools, six outdoor whirlpools, water sports from the unique marina, and a private diamond showroom. The Retreat features a contoured nine-hole mini golf course, a giant chess board, shuffleboard, and stargazing in the evening. Additional amenities include Seabourn-branded netbooks and iPods for loan as well as complimentary pool-side massages and signature 'Caviar in the Surf' service.

A new feature of Odyssey, Seabourn Square, is an innovative "concierge lounge" with a library, upscale shops, outdoor terrace and coffee bar, as well as concierges in a relaxed, club-like atmosphere. Odyssey will spend her maiden year exploring the Mediterranean throughout the summer and early fall, then sailing the Caribbean before embarking on Seabourn's first world cruise, a 108-day voyage departing Jan 5, 2010, visiting 42 ports in 26 countries on six continents from Ft. Lauderdale to Athens. For more information, visit Seabourn.com.

Enjoy the Seabourn Odyssey Christening in Venice:

Around The World With Cunard's Queens

Cunard Line has proudly announced the latest chapter in its storied history: the 2011 World Voyages. In January 2011, the youngest luxury fleet at sea will see two of its regal ocean liners embark on global odysseys that together will visit 57 ports of call across 34 countries including a maiden World Voyage for the new Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary 2 traveling the globe via the intriguing east-west route of passage. Each itinerary will offer a unique adventure—featuring overnights in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai on Queen Elizabeth, and Cape Town, Sydney and Hong Kong on Queen Mary 2—combined with the line’s hallmarks of gourmet fine dining, impeccable White Star Service™ and a wide variety of elegant stateroom accommodation including the renowned and award-winning Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites.

Queen Elizabeth Maiden World Voyage: For her maiden World Voyage, Queen Elizabeth will offer a complete circumnavigation of the globe from her home port of Southampton, crossing the Atlantic en route to New York. Especially compelling for US and Canadian guests is the option of embarking on their World Voyage experience from New York, Fort Lauderdale, or—after the ship transits the Panama Canal—Los Angeles. From the west coast, Queen Elizabeth will continue her westward journey to the city of Sydney (where she will stay overnight) via the South Pacific and New Zealand before heading to the exotic ports of Asia including Singapore, Bali, Vietnam and Thailand as well as another overnight stay in Hong Kong. Then the ship sails on to Malaysia and India before calling on Dubai (also an overnight stay), followed by a visit to Oman before transiting the Suez Canal and taking in some of the sites of Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Portugal en-route back to Southampton where North American guests can rendezvous with the Queen Mary 2 and take in a legendary Transatlantic crossing to complete their 103-day circumnavigation of the globe.

Segment voyages capture the essence of the World Voyage and aboard Queen Elizabeth range from 12 to 25-days, including New York to Los Angeles (16 days), Los Angeles to Sydney (23 days), Sydney to Singapore (25 days), Singapore to Dubai (12 days) and Dubai to Southampton (19 days). Guests can enjoy great value by combining two or more consecutive segments to create adventurous Liner Voyages.

Queen Mary 2 World Voyage: Queen Mary 2 will begin her fourth World Voyage in New York and her second passage sailing on an east-west route around the globe. After a call in Fort Lauderdale, the ship will head to the Caribbean and South America, calling on Barbados, Brazil, and Uruguay before arriving for an overnight stay in Cape Town in South Africa, the ship’s second visit to this metropolis. From there she will sail to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean before an exploration of Australia that culminates with an overnight stay in Sydney. The ship continues on to New Zealand and Guam before sampling some highlights of China and Japan en-route to an overnight stay in Hong Kong, followed by visits to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and India en-route to Dubai. From here, Queen Mary 2 will call in Egypt before making a transit of the Suez Canal that will take her to European calls in Italy, Monaco, Spain and the United Kingdom, her last call before ending her 103-day odyssey in New York.

Segment voyages aboard Queen Mary 2 range from 15 to 25-days and include New York to Cape Town (23 days), Cape Town to Sydney (17 days), Sydney to Hong Kong (25 days), Hong Kong to Dubai (15 days) and Dubai to New York (23 days). Consecutive segments can be combined to experience adventurous Liner Voyages.

Cunard is also pleased to offer guests the chance to enjoy the World Voyage experience using a combination of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. Embarking in New York, guests will be able to complete the first half of their World Voyage on Queen Elizabeth before transferring ships in Sydney and sailing back to New York on Queen Mary 2.

“Cunard’s World Voyages have been a highlight of our programs since we introduced this travel adventure in 1922 and our two global journeys offer surprising value that is truly beyond expectation,” said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line.

Cunard Royal Rendenzvous: Exactly three years to the day after Cunard welcomed its trio of Queens in New York, this rare event is poised to take place again on Jan 13, 2011 when Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth call on New York for another spectacular Cunard Royal Rendezvous. Be among the few to experience this history-making day as you depart New York Harbor on one of the most famous ocean liners in the world.

An invitation will be extended to all Full World Voyage guests to join Carol Marlow ashore at one of the ports of call during their time on board for the traditional World Voyage Dinner, an evening of world-class dining and entertainment. For more information and to book a 2011 Cunard World Voyage aboard Queen Mary 2 or Queen Elizabeth, consult your travel professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to Cunard.com.

Celebrity Equinox Navigates Narrow River Ems En Route to Official Launch

With less than 20 feet “breathing room” on either side, the 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox—the eagerly anticipated sister ship to the widely heralded Celebrity Solstice—left shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, June 20, to make the over-26-mile transit—an event known as the “conveyance”—down the River Ems … backwards. At its tightest point along the course, there are as few as 13 feet between each side ofthe 1,040-ft-long, 121-ft-wide ship and the riverbank.

During Celebrity Equinox’s transit from Papenburg to Eemshaven, Netherlands, the ship navigated the passing of a railway bridge in Weener, a highway bridge in Leer, and a narrow passage in Gandersum. The journey takes between 12 and 15 hours to complete, and is likely the most complicated ride the ship will encounter in its life. Due to the size and scale of the ship, the transit can take place only during absolutely ideal weather conditions: when the river is at high tide, when winds are extremely calm, and when tidal barriers are closed, in order to ensure there is enough water to accommodate the draft of the ship. Tens of thousands of spectators are estimated to have lined the banks of the River Ems to watch Celebrity Equinox make its challenging and historic transit. Together with sister ship Celebrity Solstice, the two are the largest ships ever to have sailed on the River Ems.

“The conveyance is an interesting challenge for any Captain,” said Celebrity Equinox’s Captain Apostolos Bouzakis. “The limited space available for navigation, the nature of sailing in reverse, and the number of narrow passages and bridges to traverse are all factors that cruise ship captains normally do not have to contend with. But, a real benefit of this event is the opportunity to test the maneuverability of the ship at reduced speeds. With an average channel breadth of 364 feet, it is a bit like taking a brand-new sportscar down winding country lanes: It’s exhilarating, but not without its share of trepidation.”

After provisioning and loading activities in Eemshaven, followed by sea trials, Celebrity Equinox will be officially delivered from Meyer Werft to Celebrity Cruises July 16. The ship then will sail to Southampton, England and complete a series of inspections, followed by eight days of launch celebrations, including the maritime tradition of a naming ceremony over which the ship’s Godmother will preside. Cruise Diva will be on board for the festivities, so watch here for blogs from the ship!

The 122,000-gross-registered-tons Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to enter service July 31 from Southampton, England, on an 8-night cruise through the majestic Norwegian Fjords, followed by a series of romantic Mediterranean sailings from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, beginning August 8. Celebrity’s fleet, including the new Celebrity Solstice, is joined by Celebrity Equinox this year, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information, visit Celebrity.com.

Cruise Review: Diary Of Days In The Arctic Aboard Prince Albert II

Few regions of the world have the richness of legend and lore as the Arctic—from stories about its spectacular fauna like National Geographic’s film and book, Arctic Tale, to work by poets like Emily Dickinson who once wrote about an Arctic flower, to beloved fantasies about Santa Claus, his elves, and flying reindeer.

In Diary Of Days In The Arctic, Georgina Cruz shares the wonders of a 16-day expedition to the Arctic aboard Silversea Cruises’ Prince Albert II with CruiseDiva.com readers.

Seabourn Completes An Odyssey

After successful sea trials (pictured here), The Yachts of Seabourn has taken delivery of the cruise industry’s first ultra-luxury vessel to launch in six years. Built at T.Mariotti shipyard in Genoa and with a gross tonnage of 32,000, Seabourn Odyssey is set for her launch and naming ceremony in Venice this coming Wednesday, June 24, before embarking on her maiden voyage.

“This moment marks a milestone occasion in Seabourn’s history; Seabourn Odyssey is the first of three new sisters to be introduced over the next two years and sets a new standard for the ultra-luxury cruise industry. We hope our guests will be as delighted as we are and we look forward to welcoming them aboard to enjoy a new era in Seabourn’s yachting life,” said Pamela Conover, president and CEO of Seabourn.

The $250 million Seabourn Odyssey will be launched in an intimate ceremony with the unmistakable skyline of Venice as the backdrop. In a twist from traditional naming ceremonies, all guests sailing on the Maiden Voyage will be named ‘godparents’ with the breaking of a bottle of Italian Prosecco to mark the occasion. An ingenious bottle breaking mechanism has been designed especially for the event. Following the on-deck event, all ‘godparents’ will receive a commemorative certificate and their names will be affixed to a plaque displayed on board. Follow the events in Venice on the Seabourn Odyssey Blog.

Norwegian Majesty Returns to Philadelphia for Final CruisePhilly Season

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will return to the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal for the seventh straight year with Norwegian Majesty. While the ship will be leaving the fleet later this year, CruisePhilly is turning the cruising season upside down in 2009, offering expanded cruises to Canada throughout September and closing with fall trips to Bermuda.

NCL will make eight sailings from the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal in 2009. The season will kick off on Aug 29th when the Norwegian Majesty makes a 5-day sail to Canada and New England. That trip will be followed by three consecutive 10-day sailings to Canada and New England, the longest Canadian cruises from Philadelphia to date. These 10-day cruises will call on Bay of Fundy/St. John, Sydney, Charlotte, Halifax and Portland, Maine. Beginning Oct 3, the Norwegian Majesty makes four consecutive 7-day sailings to the sunny pink beaches of St. George's, Bermuda. Norwegian Majesty's final sail to Bermuda, ending CruisePhilly's 2009 season, leaves Philadelphia on Oct 24th.

"CruisePhilly had a very successful 2008 season thanks in large part to the Norwegian Majesty calling Philadelphia its home for the first time," said John J. Matheussen, CEO of the DRPA, the parent agency of the Port of Philadelphia and Camden. "We are very pleased that the Majesty has returned once again to be a part of our convenient cruise offerings out of the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at the Navy Yard." (That's the view overlooking the stately Navy Yard pictured above.)

NCL's Norwegian Majesty accommodates 1,462 passengers and offers a broad array of amenities, including NCL's popular Freestyle dining program and a multitude of entertainment, spa, and fitness options. The Majesty also offers great nightlife from The Palace Theatre and Frame 52 Disco to the Monte Carlo Casino.

For information on cruising from Philadelphia or special pre- and post-cruise package, visit CruisePhilly.com or call 856-968-2052.

Royal Princess Fire Update

Royal Princess Update (latest 12:00 pm PDT)

Following the engine room fire that occurred yesterday, June 18, we have spent the day thoroughly reviewing the condition of the engines and assessing the damage. Unfortunately, the impact is more extensive than originally thought and the ship must be moved to a shipyard to complete the necessary repairs.

We regret that the remainder of the current cruise, and the following cruise departing June 25, must be cancelled. We understand that this is a disappointing development, and we sincerely apologize to our passengers for the disruption to their vacation.

We will be providing the affected passengers on both voyages a full refund of their fare, plus a future cruise credit equal to 25% of the cruise fare paid for these sailings. We are currently securing flights home for all passengers currently on board Royal Princess, and they will be returning home over the weekend. Passengers' homeward flights, transfers, and associated hotel accommodations will be at Princess' expense.

We deeply appreciate our passengers' patience and understanding during what is an unfortunate development.

Royal Princess Fire Status Updated

In order to fully assess the impact of the engine fire that occurred yesterday, we plan to bring Royal Princess back into Port Said, Egypt today. The assessment process includes flying various technical experts and regulatory authorities to the ship for a complete inspection, and they should be arriving onboard by this evening. So while our own assessment will occur throughout the day today, we expect the full assessment to be complete on Saturday. This means Royal Princess will be spending Friday and Saturday in Port Said.

Our ship's crew, local representatives ashore and the Princess Care Team, who are currently en route to the ship, will be doing their best to make passengers comfortable during this time, and it is also our intention to make tours available for passengers.

Once the assessment is complete we will have an understanding of how the remainder of the cruise, or any future sailing, will be affected, and also what compensation we will be offering to passengers. We understand this is a disappointing development, and we apologize for the disruption to our passengers' cruise. We will be keeping our passengers fully informed throughout this process and we deeply appreciate their patience and understanding.

Princess Cruises will continue to provide regular updates.

Royal Princess Engine Room Fire

June 18: At approximately 8:10 pm local time, an engine room fire broke out aboard Royal Princess, as the ship was departing Port Said, Egypt. The fire is now extinguished, and the ship is currently anchored approximately five miles off the coast of Port Said. Royal Princess is carrying 733 passengers and 393 crew. The ship is on the fifth day of a 12-day Holy Land sailing between Civitavecchia and Athens.

All passengers and crew have been accounted for, and passengers remain at their emergency stations as a precautionary measure until further notice. The ship is operating on emergency power and lighting. Assessments of any damage will be made over the next several hours, at which time we will be able to provide further information about how the remainder of the cruise may be impacted.

Princess will continue to provide updates on a regular basis. Phone numbers have been established for inquiries from family of passengers and crew (only please) currently onboard Royal Princess:

For inquiries about family: 800-693-7222
For inquiries about crew members: 661-753-2804

Final Building Block Crowns Norwegian Epic

There comes a time during the building of every ship when she really begins to take shape. It's that time for Norwegian Epic as her true profile is finally formed. Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the last block, number 0898, in the construction of Norwegian Epic was lowered onto the vessel on Friday, June 5 at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France. The block, which weighed 563 tons, equivalent to the weight of approximately 64 elephants, and measured 133 feet wide, 113 feet long and 63 feet high, was placed above the bridge and took one hour to move onto the ship.

Above: Norwegian Epic’s last block, number 0898, is lowered into place above the bridge on Friday, June 5 at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France

One of largest on the vessel, this block will house portions of The Villas, a private enclave of 60 exclusive suites located on Decks 16, 17, and 18. The radar mast will be added next which will complete Norwegian Epic's structure before her float out and transfer to the outfitting dock on July 11, 2009.

Above: With the final block in place, Norwegian Epic is ready for her July 11 float out.

The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of May 2010. For more information and renderings, visit epic.ncl.com.

Photos courtesy of B. Biger / STX France Cruise SA

Cruise Travel: Shore Excursions

When you book a shore excursions, what are you getting? Or, more importantly, what are you getting yourself into?

For example, some of the most frail appearing Senior Citizens can run circles around me, so when I see they are part of a tour group I generally think nothing of it. Except on a tour of Valletta and Mdina, Malta... a walking tour. When the bus delivered us to the city gates of Valletta, a spry little woman informed the guide that her husband couldn't possibly walk the distance to the Palace of the Grand Masters. At that point it was apparent he'd never be able to handle the cobblestone streets of Mdina either. Unfortunately, the couple had either misinterpreted the tour description—clearly indicated as a walking tour—or overestimated their abilities. They also hadn't researched the port either, or they would have realized the streets are too narrow to accommodate a "city tour" on a bus.

Before going ashore, learn How to Read an Excursion Description.

Carnival Tags You... You're IT!

If you're unfamiliar with laser tag, don't feel left out. Cruise Diva hasn't played it either, but it sounds like a lot of fun and it's coming to your favorite Carnival Cruise Lines ship. Following the tremendous success of a laser tag pilot program aboard Carnival Valor earlier this year, the line has expanded the attraction to two additional ships—Carnival Elation, which sails from San Diego, and Carnival Conquest, departing from Galveston. Another laser tag installation is scheduled for next week on Carnival Victory, which operates year-round from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

While it may sound like kid stuff, teens and adults enjoy the high tech challenge of "tag-you're-it" as well. The inflatable laser tag arena, which operates at various times throughout the day and evening in the ship’s main lounge, has been met with outstanding response from guests sailing on the Carnival Valor. Each session allows four players at time—either individually or in teams of two—to battle it out against each other in a fog-filled dome for an exciting five minute session. The cost is $5 per person.

Watch for laser tag fun to appear on other Carnival ships in the future.

Man Overboard: Carnival Inspiration

Tampa, FL area news sources are reporting an incident in which a man who fell from Carnival Inspiration in the early hours of Monday morning has been rescued. He was lucky enough to be found clinging to a buoy almost three hours after he went overboard.

According to reports, Larry Miller, 46, fell overboard from the cruise ship as it was returning to the Port of Tampa at 4 a.m. this morning. Fortunately for Miller, the crew of a pilot boat spotted him in the shipping channel near the Sunshine Skyway shortly before 7 a.m. Miller was delivered to an emergency vehicle at the Fort DeSoto boat ramp and taken to Bayfront Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries.

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines told Bay News 9 that, "Miller fell overboard when he climbed on a railing to get a better view of a boat as it passed by. He slipped, then fell overboard."

The Coast Guard is investigating.

Royal Caribbean's "Destination Joy" Helps Make Wishes Come True

While we don't often hear about their efforts, cruise lines have historically supported local charities in their corporate homeports and ships’ ports of call. In addition, they commit their time and funds to a number of charitable organizations nationwide here in the United States. Royal Caribbean Intl, a national sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2000, will be participating in Destination Joy®—the Foundation’s annual summer program—and raising money during various events scheduled throughout the fleet during the month of June.

“We are proud to take part in Destination Joy to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation make every child’s wish come true,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Our company is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, and this includes the amazing work the Make-A-Wish Foundation does for children facing life-threatening medical conditions to give them hope, strength and joy.”

Throughout June, Make-A-Wish® donation cards will be available on all of Royal Caribbean Intl’s 20 ships. Guests will be able to donate any amount they choose, and their donation will appear as an onboard charge. Along with the donation cards, guests will be able to participate in auctions where they can bid on unique onboard experiences, such as an opportunity to be on a ship’s bridge and blow the whistle while it departs a port, a behind-the-scenes galley tour and lunch with the ship’s executive chef, and many other priceless experiences. In addition, guests can also participate in the line’s Walk for Wishes® program, where guests make a donation, get an “I walked for Wishes” t-shirt and walk a mile with the ship’s staff and officers to raise funds. In 2008, Royal Caribbean raised more than $450,000 through the generosity of guests and crew.

Royal Caribbean’s Wishes at Sea program has helped make cruise wishes possible for more than 1,300 children. Royal Caribbean works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to create the perfect wish for each child whose desire is to have an unforgettable, dream-come-true vacation with his or her family.

Stay Safe and Prevent Mishaps on Your Summer Cruise Vacation

Everyone has an image of the perfect vacation and, for many of us, that is a cruise. However, perfection is difficult to achieve. CSA Travel Protection, a company dedicated to providing travel insurance and emergency assistance services, offers important travel safety reminders to ensure smooth sailing—or driving, flying, hiking, or scuba diving, for that matter—when taking the "Great American" summer vacation.

According to a recent survey by the U.S. Travel Association, more than half (54%) of American households plan to take at least one leisure trip this summer. While many experienced travelers know the ins and outs of safe travel, CSA offers the following tips for everyone to help keep them safe and protected from mishaps on their next trip.

1. Create a meeting schedule, and a Plan B. When traveling with family members or in a group, make sure everyone agrees on a meeting place at a designated time before and after outings. If, in the event, someone becomes separated, agree to always meet at a "base camp."
2. Your camera is your friend. In many ways. Your camera isn't just a tool for creating memories of your trip. It is also the perfect device for helping you if lost and to document conditions around you. Take a picture of your ship's landmarks to help you later if you run astray.
3. Back up everything, and make it accessible from anywhere. Copy, scan or take pictures of important documents—such as your driver's license, passport, credit cards, travel insurance policy and other travel documents—and email the images to your web-based email account. This way you can access them from anywhere in case of loss or theft.
4. How's the weather out there? Besides having to worry about what kind of clothes to pack, review the weather forecast for your destination often. Also, understand that area's propensity for hurricanes, wildfires, flooding or other natural disaster so you are prepared before leaving.
5. Use your travel insurance provider's assistance hotline, and keep the number with you at all times. Nearly all travel insurance plans include 24-hour, worldwide emergency assistance services. If something happens, you're not alone. These experts can help with just about any situation, from finding a dentist in Venice in the middle of the night, to helping replace a lost passport, to assisting with travel arrangements if you miss your flight or ship.
6. Avoid carrying excessive amounts of money and multiple credit cards. Also keep a back-up credit card in case you are a victim of theft or lose your card.
7. Put a vacation hold through the U.S. Postal Service. Your mail can be held at your local post office until you can pick it up or are home to receive it. Not only will you help thwart potential burglars, but you may also protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.
8. Don't let your guard down when you are in your pre-cruise hotel or aboard your cruise ship. Take advantage of in-room or front-desk safes by locking up passports, credit cards, and other important documents.
9. Read your cruise ship's inspection report before booking. The Vessel Sanitation Program at the Centers for Disease Control and others regularly inspect ships for cleanliness, repair, food preparation and storage, water quality, hygiene, and pest management, for example. Read your ship's report ahead of time to make sure it has a healthy track record.
10. It's Hurricane Season; be prepared. Check with your pre-cruise hotel or cruise line before booking to determine what their policy is in the event of a storm. Also check the National Hurricane Center for the latest on approaching storms.

Travel insurance provides an added layer of protection against unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, natural disasters and theft. It also safeguards against trip cancellations such as job loss and health-related incidents of non-traveling family members. Even the best-planned vacations can be turned upside down by unforeseen circumstances. Vacationers ready to take that trip this summer can find out more about the benefits of travel insurance from their travel agent. You'll also find details about CSA Travel Protection at Insure My Trip.