GOING HOME WITH CHEF'S JAN D'ATRI AND MOMMA!!

Check out the details on this AMAZING opportunity!!

Join Chef's Jan D'Atri and Momma as they cruise the Eastern Mediterranean on the new Celebrity Solstice!

Click on the flyer below for more information on how you can be part of the fun! Call us today: 1-800-570-6407

Mexican Riviera Pictures

Back From Our Cruise

We're back from our NCL cruise and had a very nice time! We sailed out of Long Beach, and along with 3 enjoyable sea days, we visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta!

Cabo San Lucas is a great town with fun shopping and excursions. We actually swam with the dolphins at their new "Dolphin Center" located right next to the marina where the ship's tender brings you to port. We had a BLAST and would recommend the dolphin swim to anyone. If you haven't done it before... put it on your list! Amazing experience!

Next was the port of Mazatlan where we docked along the pier. My advise would be to definitely sign up for an excursion. You can take a taxi into the downtown area where they have an open-air market and butcher, and that is an experience... but after talking to other cruisers onboard that took an excursion... they had a much better time! We chose to walk around the town and really didn't get to see the beauty the Mazatlan has to offer. Still fun to see!

Puerto Vallarta was our last port on the cruise and such a great place! We jumped on the local bus for $1.00 (for both of us) and rode into downtown. The shopping and great, and the boardwalk along the beach is gorgeous! We also went into Old Town which is a definite must when visiting Puerto Vallarta! It is very charming indeed! We ended up finding the perfect ocean view table in an open air restaurant called "The Cheeky Monkey". Sat and enjoyed the ocean views while having some great Mexican dollar beers. Ahhhh... 'tis the life!

The Norwegian Star was a nice ship, one of their oldest BUT still only built in 2001. NCL definitely has the youngest fleet on the planet. It was interesting experiencing the "Freestyle Dining" option that they have onboard... and while it was enjoyable to not have to be at dinner at any particular time... I have to say that we still prefer traditional dining. There is really something to getting to know your waiters onboard and having them get to know you. It does make the dining experience more fun, personal and special!
We had a nice balcony stateroom. It wasn't the biggest and didn't seem to have as much storage as some of the other ship's we've sailed on but it was nice all the same... and of course Mark and I have a blast no matter what!!!
The nightlife on the Star was fun, and the entertainment was pretty fantastic! Some of the show they had were outstanding!
We probably don't need to cruise on NCL again in the near future, as we do prefer a little more elegance to our cruises... but all in all we really did have a fun time!

It was beautiful and 80 degrees in Mexico... and we came home to snow! What happened?? I'll get the pictures we took uploaded and on the blog soon!

Happy Cruising!

CRUISING ON NCL

Mark and I are getting excited for our next adventure... cruising the Mexican Riviera on Norwegian Cruise Lines!

We leave this weekend and can't wait to check out their product and report back our thoughts and some pictures. We have cruised many times on (almost) all the other cruise lines, but not NCL so this will be a great opportunity for us to experience Freestyle Cruising!

We will be sailing on the Norwegian Star and we're looking forward to seeing the highlights of this ship. Stay tuned for news upon our return!

Happy Cruising!!

Princess's New RUBY PRINCESS!

Princess Cruises has just taken delivery of their newest addition, Ruby Princess!

The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess' other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill Steak and Seafood restaurant, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary. Their new ship offers many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining, multiple entertainment venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen's center, a wedding chapel and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is so much to be thankful for! Here's wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving day tomorrow.

And remember... Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence! Go Seahawks!!

Royal Caribbean Revises Disembarkation Process

Royal Caribbean International introduced new procedures fleetwide to further ease the departure process on all ships! The company also added programming for guests who are staying onboard for multiple sailings. “We listened to our guests’ feedback regarding the opportunity to transform the departure experience and responded with the launch of a refreshed process fleetwide,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president-hotel operations at Royal Caribbean. “Early testing aboard Freedom of the Seas has yielded very positive guest feedback, with the enhanced communications cited as one of the most helpful tools for our guests on departure day. We also continue to see an increase in guests sailing with us for multiple cruises and our focus on special communications and programming for these guests will also greatly enhance their overall cruise experience.

”On departure day, guests will have extended access to their staterooms, as well as continued in-stateroom TV entertainment. Guests also will receive an “As You Depart” notice, which communicates the new enhancements and the location of departure lounges offering refreshments and light entertainment. Among the departure lounges will be a dedicated Family Zone, which will include refreshments, toys and games geared toward younger cruisers. Guests in suites will be treated to an exclusive continental breakfast hosted by guest services or the concierge. Additionally, there will be a minimal amount of ship-wide public announcements all morning to maintain a relaxing atmosphere, with nearly all departure updates limited to the departure lounges and through the in-stateroom TV programming. Guests may also elect to carry their own luggage as part of the Express Departure option. Express Departure allows guests to disembark the ship first and as soon as the gangway is opened and cleared by local authorities!

Guests sailing on multiple consecutive cruises will receive a special Compass, a variation of the daily Cruise Compass program schedule. The special Compass will offer an overview that includes the following sailing’s itinerary highlights -- such as entertainment and dining events throughout the guests’ stay -- as well as special events exclusively for guests on consecutive cruises. Consecutive cruises guests will receive special attention, activities and dining options, including personalized services, a letter from the hotel director, calls from Guest Services, and assistance to ensure main dining room seating requests are made in advance of the following cruise.

We're very excited about this change and look forward to seeing it for ourselves!

GREAT DEALS FOR THE DAY!

Here are some great deals that we've found:

Carnival 7-Night, Exotic Eastern Caribbean - Fort Lauderdale r/t
Ship Splendor - New ship
Sail date 12/20/08
Inside $599
Ocean $799
Balcony $1049

Offering our customers coupon booklets and free upgrades to the best available cabins in select categories on most 2009 sailings.
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Royal Caribbean 7-Night, Western Caribbean - Galveston r/t
Ship Voyager of the Sea
Sail Date 01/25/09
Inside $499
Outside $649
Balcony $1149

Discounts of $50 to $200 per cabin for military personnel on select sailings. As an added bonus, this discount may be extended to non-military family or friends traveling on the same departure (limited to a maximum of 2 additional cabins). Royal Caribbean is also offering onboard credits of $100 to $200 per cabin on select 2009 cruise tours in Alaska, Australia, Europe and South America. Past passengers of Royal Caribbean will receive additional discounts of $25 to $200 per cabin on select sailings. Finally, Royal Caribbean is offering additional discounts of $100 to $200 per cabin on select 2009 Alaska and Europe cruises.
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Cunard - 15 Nights Caribbean
Ship Queen Mary 2
Sail Date 12/19/08
Inside $1295
Outside $2095
Balcony $2295

Reduced deposits plus onboard credits of $50 to $600 per stateroom on select Europe and trans-Atlantic sailings. Cunard is also offering our customers free pre-paid gratuities plus shipboard credits of $650 to $1800 per stateroom on newly released 2010 World Cruises and certain World Cruise segments. Finally, Cunard is offering shipboard credits of $50 to $300 on most upcoming sailings.
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Celebrity 7-Night, Western Mediterranean - Barcelona r/t
Ship Century
Sail Date 10/31/09
Inside $699
Outside $999
Balcony $1399

Celebrity is offering additional discounts of $100 to $200 per stateroom on select cruises.
Celebrity is also offering shipboard credits of $200 to $300 per stateroom on select cruise tours. And, Celebrity is offering shipboard credits of $25 to $100 per stateroom on select sailings.
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Norwegian 7-night Mexican Riviera - Los Angeles r/t
Ship Spirit
Sail date 4/11/09
Inside $599
Outside $699
Balcony $949
Also shipboard credits of $50 to $100 per cabin on select Alaska and Bermuda cruises. Shipboard credits of $30 to $60 per cabin on select Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico cruises.
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Call to get your name on a stateroom with these prices today! These really are great rates and special descounts so take advantage.

More Pictures of the Celebrity Solstice!

Royal Caribbean and Nickelodeon Partner Again!

Royal Caribbean International and Nickelodeon announced plans to once again set sail together on two brand-new cruise adventures in summer 2009. Based on the success of the first-ever, sold-out "Nickelodeon Family Cruise With Royal Caribbean," the two companies are teaming up to offer families new cruises, one from each U.S. coast.

The first cruise departs July 26 from Los Angeles on the Mariner of the Seas, bound for the colorful Mexican Riviera (exact ports-of-call to be determined). Then on August 9 the Freedom of the Seas sets sail from Port Canaveral to call on the Eastern Caribbean ports of St. Thomas and St. Maarten, plus Royal Caribbean's private Bahamian island, CocoCay.

The "Nickelodeon Family Cruise With Royal Caribbean" brings families experiences that are unique to the cruise industry. Traveling to exotic destinations, the cruise vacation is designed for every member of the family - kids, parents, and grandparents. It brings together the entertainment expertise of Nickelodeon with the cruise expertise of Royal Caribbean. Onboard, Nickelodeon will provide families with such experiences as interactive game shows; meet-and-greets and performances by their favorite Nickelodeon stars; never-before-seen screenings and premieres of new, original Nick TV shows and movies; visits with favorite Nick characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Diego - and plenty of Nickelodeon's signature slime!

For more information, call us today!

Holland America's Personalized Shore Excursions

Holland America Line has launched a new shore-excursion e-brochure online systems for it's guests to view and print shore-excursion information for booked cruises. Now, you can receive up-to-the-minute, personalized information that is specific to your itinerary. This technological web enhancement allows you to access and update any shore excursions that apply to you cruise itinerary on a 24-hour/7-day basis.

Besides tailoring the shore excursion e-brochures to your ship and sail date, the online versions offer you the same useful information as the print versions but with two newly added and helpful features: tour pricing and excursion departure times.

By visiting the shore excursions page on Holland America's website, you simply need to input your booking number and last name, click on the "View Your Personalized Shore Excursion Brochure" link, and a personalized e-brochure will immediately download. The shore-excursion e-brochure will present all available shore excursions for your booked cruise. You have the option of continuing their shore-excursion viewing online, printing their personalized e-brochure for review at a later date, or booking their tours immediately. Additionally, you may review your personalized shore-excursion e-brochure from six months to a year before your cruise departure date.

Quote of the Day

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” - Samuel Johnson

FIRST VISIT TO CELEBRITY'S "SOLSTICE"!

As invited guests of Celebrity Cruises, Linda and Dorsey will be sailing on the inaugural cruise of the Celebrity Solstice!! They are VERY excited for their adventure coming up this week, and I know are looking forward to sharing their experience upon their return.

The new Celebrity Solstice has a half-acre lawn of real grass on the top deck, and is scheduled to cruise the Eastern Caribbean. The seven-night itinerary includes port calls in San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Kitts. The Solstice will continue with Caribbean itineraries through Spring 2009.

The lawn on the top deck isn't just for show! Guests will be able to play bocce and croquet, practice putting and picnic on the grass with wine and cheese. The ship also has two theaters, a casino, spa, shops, lounges, bars and clubs, five cafes and bistros, and four specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining room. A "Hot Glass Show" will feature master glassblowers from the Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York. For kids ages 3-12, there's a "Fun Factory". while teenagers get their own space, the X Club.

Check out the pictures below and more will be posted after the inaugural cruise!

Carnival's New "Dream" Reaches Construction Milestone

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 130,000-ton Carnival Dream achieved a significant construction milestone when it was floated out from its outfitting quay at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The 3,646-passenger ship is set to debut in September 2009.
The initial stages of a cruise ship’s construction take place in a dry-dock facility. Once exterior outfitting is completed, the dry-dock is filled with water and the ship is floated out and moved to a wet-dock facility where construction continues.

Carnival Dream will offer a new concept in dining and entertainment called the Piazza, elaborate children’s facilities including an aqua park, whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s beam, and a variety of new stateroom categories to appeal to families. Carnival Dream is scheduled to enter service Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia) followed by a 16-day transatlantic crossing from Civitavecchia to New York Oct. 27 to Nov. 12, 2009. The ship will then operate two eight-day voyages from New York before repositioning to Port Canaveral to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 5, 2009. For more information, contact us today.

Double-Duty Vacation Items

Some new uses for old things:

Address Labels -
ORIGINAL PURPOSE: Telling the post office where to return a letter.
AHA! USE: Tagging precious travel items, such as your iPod and digital camera. If you accidentally leave one in your cruise ship cabin, a Good Samaritan will know where to mail it.
REWARD: A homing device for your traveling companions!

Book Cover -
ORIGINAL PURPOSE: Protecting your biology textbook.
AHA! USE: Letting you blend in with the locals. A travel guide screams "I'm lost!" but cloaking it in pretty paper or the jacket of a book in the native language will give you a much lower profile.
REWARD: Being asked for directions instead of taken for a ride.

Water Bottle -
ORIGINAL PURPOSE: Providing hydration.
AHA! USE: Preventing souvenir maps, ticket stubs, postcards, and museum brochures from bending or tearing in your suitcase. Just roll them up and drop them into a dry, wide-mouthed bottle.
REWARD: Well-preserved mementos without a wrinkle in time.

Plastic Wrap -
ORIGINAL PURPOSE: Keeping leftovers fresh.
AHA! USE: Avoiding suitcase messes. When packing shampoo or lotion, unscrew the bottle's cap and cover the opening with plastic wrap, then screw the cap back on. Liquid is less likely to ooze from an accidentally opened spout.
REWARD: A whoops-free travel wardrobe.

Royal Caribbean Announces Dubai Itinerary

Royal Caribbean International has announced a seven-night, roundtrip itinerary for its inaugural season from the homeport of Dubai. You can choose among 13 sailings aboard Brilliance of the Seas to destinations in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. The Dubai cruises from January through April 2010 are now available for booking.

In addition to overnight stays in Dubai at the beginning and conclusion of the voyage, the itinerary includes a call at Muscat, the capital of Oman, and maiden ports of call at Mina Sulman in Bahrain as well as Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. There is also an itinerary that sails to Europe, where you spend 14-nights between Barcelona and Dubai via the Suez Canal. A January 4, 2010 sailing from Barcelona will call at Aqaba, Jordan and the Egyptian ports of Alexandria, Safaga, and Sharm El Sheikh. The April 19 return voyage will call at Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria and Muscat.

Royal Caribbean joins Costa as a cruise line that is homeporting ships in Dubai. Costa Classica and Costa Victoria operate out of Dubai from November through April and Costa's sister company, Aida Cruises, also operates cruises from Dubai.

Celebrity's 3-Day Post Election SALE-A-BRATION!

SAVE 50% OFF THE 2ND GUEST!

It's Celebrity's 3-Day Post-Election Sale-a-bration - and you're invited to enjoy substantial savings!

For three days only, November 5-7, you can take 50% off the regular fare for the 2nd guest in your stateroom on most sailings in January and February 2009.

Contact us for more details. 1-800-570-6407

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis to Feature New Youth Zone

Royal Caribbean International announced the final neighborhood on the Oasis of the Seas -- The Youth Zone, a haven for children and teens including themed play areas, a teen club and a nursery.

Due to launch in November 2009, the 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas will feature six other neighborhoods, including Central Park, Boardwalk with the AquaTheater, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, and Entertainment Place.
“The Youth Zone aboard Oasis of the Seas will continue to build on our award-winning Adventure Ocean youth and teen programs, and expand to include dedicated space and programming for our guests as young as six months,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

The latest neighborhood unveiling introduced kid- and teen-friendly adventures within the 28,700-square-foot Youth Zone. Among the features are Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas; the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers six months or older; and state-of-the-art teen areas.

The Royal Babies and Tots nursery, a first for Royal Caribbean, will serve as a fully-staffed nursery with trained professionals, as well as various playgroups created by Fisher-Price and Crayola. Open daily, the nursery will offer parents drop-off options in the daytime and evening, carefully maintaining an optimum staff-to-child ratio. Free-time play also will be offered daily.

Within the Youth Zone, Kids Avenue will serve as the main promenade for young cruisers. Arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, talent shows and other scheduled and guided age-specific activities will be offered to three age groups, each with its own space: Aquanauts, age 3 to 5; Explorers, age 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11. In addition, there will be new common play areas, including the Kid’s Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrapbooking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore through the Adventure Art by Crayola; an Adventure Science Lab; Play, a circular area for sports and games; and Adventure Ocean Theater, a children’s theater at sea complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and production equipment.

The teen-only spaces will be located one deck above and adjacent to the ship’s Sports Deck, where kids can try out the ship’s two FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games. The physical separation of the teen-only spaces from younger Adventure Ocean guests is an enhancement recommended by Royal Caribbean’s Teen Advisory Board. Longtime teen-only spaces, Fuel disco and The Living Room, will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, only larger and more state-of-the-art. The Living Room is a hangout for teens with a “mock-tail” bar, which serves non-alcoholic sodas and juice concoctions. It also is the place for Scratch DJ 101 classes and surfing the Internet via the bank of computer stations. An outdoor deck is adjacent.

In addition to these areas, attractions for children will be located throughout the ship’s other neighborhoods. Along the Boardwalk, kids and teens will be able to shop at retail stores tailored to their interests, and infants and toddlers can ride the Carousel with their parents or enjoy the play space modeled after a 50’s style gas station next to the Johnny Rockets restaurant. The Challengers Arcade will return with the latest video games. In the Vitality Spa and Fitness Zone, teens and tweens can enjoy a menu of spa options specially tailored for them.

Oasis of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world, spanning 16 decks with capacity for 5,400 guests at double occupancy. Its inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on Dec. 12, 2009, for a season of Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean Special Savings Sale

Valued at: $50, $100 or $200 off per stateroom!

Royal Caribbean is offering special savings for new Ocean View staterooms and above on select cruises, booked by 11/21/08.

Click HERE to see a list of applicable ships and sailing dates.

Contact us today to see which one works best for you!

Today In History

I thought I would throw out a few "Did You Knows" for the day...

1492 - Christopher Columbus & ship Santa Maria land in Dominican Republic

1881 - Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, is born in Malaga, Spain.

1962 - Author John Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature.

Royal Caribbean Announces End to Fuel Supplement

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that the company's fuel supplement will no longer apply to new Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, anywhere in the world, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010.
This decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices. The company has also established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to November 10, 2008, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold.
For 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before November 10, 2008, the company will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter. When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all guests on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter.

Cruisin' Through Kentucky

Good afternoon all! You may have noticed that a few days have gone by without much posting activity here on our blog. Mark and I spent a long weekend visiting some really good friends in... Louisville, Kentucky!
What a spectacular, fun and charming city with old architecture and lovely brick homes. The weather was sunny and beautiful everyday and the fall colors were just starting to change. It made for a very scenic drive through Kentucky's horse/farm countryside. We visited an incredible bourbon distillery, Woodford Reserve. We also toured the Louisville Slugger museum and factory and watched the bats being made for the upcoming World Series. We had a ball (no pun intended), there was definitely a lot to see!

Although Louisville isn't a port for large cruise ships to visit, they do offer River Cruises that cruise along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. A great way to see America's Heartland and the Old South! Always something new to discover with cruising!

Congratulations to Crystal Cruises!

Congratulations to Crystal Cruises for winning a great award!

For an unprecedented 15th year, the discerning readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine have voted Crystal the Best Large-Ship Cruise Line. No other cruise line, hotel or resort in history has ever received such acclaim.

Passport Reminder

A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly. ~Lemony Snicket

Just a reminder to all you cruisers out there... Starting before June 1, 2009, the U.S. Government will soon require everyone (including U.S. citizens) to be in possession of a valid passport when traveling on any cruise. To make sure you are prepared at your departure port, visit www.travel.state.gov for the latest and exact passport requirements.

SILVERSEA CRUISES... LUXURY ALL THE WAY!

Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line with personalized service that starts the moment you step aboard with a warm welcome... and follows throughout your voyage in unspoken anticipation of your every wish.
Owner’s, Grand and Royal Suite guests enjoy dedicated butler service for an elevated level of personalized pampering. From unpacking and packing, arranging a private car at the next port, drawing a bubble bath or orchestrating an elegant in-suite cocktail party, Silversea’s impeccable butlers are experts at providing unobtrusive, attentive service.

Their all-inclusive value includes:

• Complimentary beverages served throughout the ship, with an extensive collection of fine wines, champagne, spirits, bottled water and soft drinks - all yours to enjoy courtesy of Silversea.


• In-suite beverage cabinet stocked with your preferred assortment of complimentary beverages.


• All onboard gratuities are included - none are ever expected.


• All open-seating dining for those to don't want an assigned table. When, where and with whom you dine is completely up to you.


• Complementary "Silversea Experience"... a shoreside event exclusively for Silversea guests on select voyages. Recent outings have included dinner in the desert in Nambia and a concert at the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey!

It is Silversea's philosophy, an attitude — driven simply by their desire to please, to celebrate your personal tastes and embrace your unique preferences to your utmost satisfaction.

Join them on their special Wine Series voyage, enjoy enlightening guest lectures, tastings of vintage blends and optional guided excursions to renowned wineries and cellars. Experience the innovative Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux* — Saletta aboard Silver Cloud and Silver Wind and Le Champagne aboard Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper. Enhancing the exceptional wine offerings that are part of every Silversea itinerary, a Wine Series voyage creates an unforgettable and enriching experience at sea.

Wine Series voyage starts December 3, 2008... 9-night sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Bridgetown, Barbados - on the Silver Shadow!

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas - Heads to Dubai for 2010 Season

Here's some fun news for your day! Royal Caribbean International will deploy the Brilliance of the Seas to Dubai in 2010, offering it's first regular itineraries based out of the United Arab Emirates.

From January to April 2010, the company will offer seven-night Middle East sailings, but exact itineraries will be announced in the coming weeks. “Dubai is a dynamic and thriving city that shows great growth potential. Building on our reputation for introducing revolutionary cruise experiences, we are excited to provide a different cruise vacation than traditionally offered in this region,” said Michael Bayley, senior vice president-international for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The 90,090-ton, 2,500-passenger Brilliance of the Seas has a 10-deck-high Centrum, a rock-climbing wall, a nine-hole miniature golf course and five dining venues.

Exclusive Promotions

It's time for the exclusive promotions we have access to right now. Take a look and see which one works best for you!

• AMA Waterways - save up to $1000 per stateroom on the Danube River cruise. Great deal! Book by October 30th.
• American Cruise Lines - Complimentary shore tour... booking October 16th only!
• Azamara - Up to $600 onboard credit on select sailings, book now through October 31st.
• Carnival - Save $100 per stateroom, book by October 15th on select 3-5 day cruises. Perfect for that weekend getaway!!
• Carnival - Choose Alaska or Europe and get $200 savings per stateroom PLUS an oboard credit of up to $150 per stateroom.
• Celebrity - Up to $200 onboard credit on select sailings, book now through October 31st.
• Royal Caribbean - Up to $200 onboard credit on select sailings, book now through November 21st.

There are some great values here, don't hesitate. Contact us for more information!

Quote of the Day

"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." - Bernard Meltzer

Cruise the Romantic Danube River!!

AMA Waterways is offering a great rate on an All-Inclusive Deluxe River Cruise Program starting from $2,059 per person on the ms Amalyra - April 5-16, 2009!
7-night Budapest - Vilshofen cruise & 3 nights in Prague

If you have cruised Europe before and are now looking for a more intimate and relaxing way to enjoy the country sides, river cruising is a fantastic idea!
There are many ways to travel, but none compare to the luxury, comfort, and convenience of a river cruise. Imagine having your favorite hotel follow you around wherever you go. Wake up at your leisure, and stroll to the dining room for a made-to-order omelet while enjoying glorious views of the passing countryside. With so few guests, the attention and personal touch provided on a river cruise ship is truly impressive. There are no large crowds onboard; you feel a deep sense of connection with your fellow travelers, your crew and your surroundings.
You have access to inland areas of countries that big ships can’t get to. You sail along the serene waterways, rather than congested highways. You stop in villages, towns and vineyards along the way. There’s no waiting in a long line to get on or off the ship; no need to tender into ports. And there’s always something amazing to see, be it a mountain, a castle, or a wonder of the world, on either side of the ship.
River cruising without a doubt is the most sophisticated and stylish way to travel!

Included Features:

• 7-NIGHT DELUXE CRUISE ACCOMMODATION IN AN OUTSIDE STATEROOM- 82% OF THE STATEROOMS WITH LARGE FRENCH BALCONIES
• 3-NIGHT HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN PRAGUE INCLUDING DAILY BUFFET BREAKFAST
• TERRY BATHROBES & WHITE-ON-WHITE PLUSH BEDDING IN ALL STATEROOMS
• INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING TV AND INTERNET, IN EVERY STATEROOM
• GOURMET DINING WITH FREE-FLOWING WINE, BEER, AND SODA WITH EVERY DINNER; COMPLIMENTARY ESPRESSO AND CAPPUCCINO WITH EVERY MEAL
• BOTTLED WATER IN EVERY STATEROOM
• COCKTAIL RECEPTION &WELCOME DINNER
• DAILY EXCURSIONS AS DETAILED IN THE ITINERARY
• NIGHTLY ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT
• COMPLIMENTARY BICYCLES FOR EXPLORING
• SERVICES OF A PROFESSIONAL CRUISE DIRECTOR THROUGHOUT THE CRUISE
• ALL ENGLISH SPOKEN ONBOARD IN A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT (EXCEPT ON THE SUN DECK)
• ALL TRANSFERS INLCUDED WITH THE PURCHASE OF CRUISE, LAND & AIR
• ALL LOCAL TAXES

Quote of the Day

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augustine

Guide To Luxury Cruising

If you’ve ever glanced through a cruise brochure or watched cruise commercials on television, you have probably seen or heard the word "luxury" and "pampered." Every cruise line proudly states how it pampers its passengers in luxury, regardless of budget or expense.

Though these words are overused, cruising is now well established as one of the most service-intensive vacations in the world - with ever more incredible state-of-the-art vessels being built each year. For most cruisers, "pampered in luxury" accurately describes the cruise experience.

In the "Guide to Luxury Cruising," we have chosen to focus on "six-star" rated ships (on a scale of I to 6, 6 is the highest). This is an arbitrary distinction. For example, the 1,101 square-feet Penthouse Suite aboard Celebrity’s ship, Mercury, is the epitome of luxury with a price tag of about $6,495 USD per person for 7-days, not including airfare. Overall, however, the Mercury is a "five-star" ship and therefore not considered in this guide.

A flawless combination of service and amenities
When you step up to luxury cruising, you are in the rarified world of nearly telepathic service, where crew and staff are highly trained to anticipate your every need and respond quickly and courteously to every request. Luxury brochures describe it as "an uncompromising commitment to flawless service."

In addition, the staff to passenger ratio is exceptionally high on luxury cruise ships. Regent's ship, the Seven Seas Voyager, carries only 700 passengers but has 445 staff onboard.

Did you order decaf cappuccino on your first night out? It will be there without asking at your next meal. Would you like six pillows instead of three? No problem. Do you want to be met by limo in port? Done. lt’s what cruise industry insiders call "software."

"Hardware" is the term used to describe the cruise ship and its amenities. On a luxury cruise ship you find rare woods, fine fabrics and leathers, expensive art, Lomoges, Villeroy or Boch china, Christofle silverware, Frette linens, hand-cut Hadeland crystal, expansive wine cellars, down pillows and comforters, personalized stationery, fully stocked in-room bars (on some vessels), well-appointed public areas and larger than average accommodations or suites.

While it is commonplace to find excellent service (software) and exceptional facilities and amenities (hardware) aboard most cruise ships, what sets luxury cruising apart is an almost mystical fusion of the two. It's the difference between a Hyatt and a Ritz-Carlton. Recently, cruise guide books by Frommer, Berlitz and Fielding have awarded the top Luxury ships with "six-Star" ratings, where "5-Stars" had been the highest rating.

How much will it cost?
If the above sounds expensive, it's all relative. Per diems can be significantly higher on a luxury cruise, ranging from $300-$2,000 USD per person per day, depending on the ship, length of cruise, destination and type of accommodation. Obviously, luxury cruising is not for everyone!

Keep in mind that many luxury cruises are truly all-inclusive, meaning that roundtrip airfare (economy), gratuities, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, meals, entertainment and even some shore excursions are provided.

Expect the best of everything on a luxury cruise - the best caviar and scotch salmon, the finest champagnes, the best service, the most exotic and unusual destinations and itineraries, internationally recognized on-board lecturers and gourmet cuisine.

When you put all of the ingredients together, luxury cruising can be a real value, -especially compared to land based resorts. In fact, luxury cruising arguably offers far more than a land-based resort. For example, on a recent check, a deluxe suite at the Ritz-Carlton in Bali, Indonesia, was $1537 USD per person per day, with five "meal presentations," but no entertainment, gratuities, drinks or activities. At the Regent in Hong Kong, a deluxe suite was $862 USD per person per day with no meals, entertainment, gratuities, drinks or activities. Standard rooms at the Regent were $309 USD per person per day. Hotel rates quoted are double occupancy and include applicable taxes.

The good news is, there are ways to save money - even on a luxury cruise. This is our specialty, as our cruise consultants are highly trained to know where the best bargains are at any given time.

How to Choose the Right Luxury Cruise
The choices in luxury cruising are relatively small, with each and every ship providing an exceptional cruise experience. Still there are some questions to ask yourself, and some distinctions between the various lines.

Big ships or small?
Ultra-deluxe ships come in all sizes - from Seabourn Legend, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Pride at 10,000-tons, (each are 208-passenger vessels) to Cunard's Queen Mary 2 at 150,000 tons and 2620 passengers. Smaller ships are, of course, frequently more intimate, informal and service-intensive. Larger ships like Crystal Symphony, Crystal Harmony, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 offer more variety in dining, entertainment and onboard activities. Smaller ships like the Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, offer a more private, yacht-like experience.

Choices in accommodation also vary according to the size of the ship. The Crystal Harmony, for example, offers 10 cabin categories, ranging from inside stateroom to Crystal Penthouse with veranda. Silver Sea's most modern vessels Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow offer some of the most spacious accommodations afloat with a passenger space ratio of 73.

While even the smaller luxury cruise vessels have state-of-the-art design and stabilizers, if you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to consider a larger vessel. The Regent Diamond may be another good alternative. Although she carries only 350 passengers, her unique twin-hull design makes her particularly stable in rough seas.

Destination
Luxury cruise ships literally span the globe. Many go to ports that are not visited, or rarely visited by other cruise ships. Throughout the year, you’ll find extensive itineraries in the Far East, Southeast Asia, South Pacific, Africa (including African land safaris) and the Caribbean. The Mediterranean is a favorite destination during the summer months.

Price
Like mass-market and premium cruising, luxury cruise pricing is a function of ship, length of cruise, destination and accommodations. While price may not be an obstacle for some in this category of cruising, there are many options available in terms of rates and accommodations - and also many ways to save money. Of course, the longer the itinerary, the more distant the destinations, and the more extravagant the level of accommodation, the more expensive the cruise.

The ship as destination
Finally, many people today consider the ship itself to be the destination. Onboard facilities such as spas, pool and open deck areas, Jacuzzi, lounges, casino, shipboard activities, spacious accommodations and legendary service make the ship a great place to relax, retreat, rejuvenate and play. The Seabourn Pride, Legend and Spirit as well as several Regent Seven Seas ships have platforms that drop off the back to create a private watersports area when the vessels are at anchor.

Take A Cruise... and Call Me in the Morning!

It's official!! Vacations are good for your health! So say reports in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. You might respond, "I knew that already." Ah, but now there's research to back it up. So grab your bathing suit, fetch your passport and tell your boss you're heading out on a cruise - doctor's orders!

• An annual vacation can cut a person's risk of a heart attack by 50 percent.
• Blood pressure, heart rate and levels of epinephrine - a stress hormone - decline on holidays of only one or two days.
• Recuperation and improvement in exhaustion are facilitated by free time and warmer and sunnier vacation locations.
• Travelers experience a 25 percent increase in performance on vigilance tests after returning from vacation. Travelers 45 or older show a 50 percent increase in performance.
• Even the anticipation of vacation travel generates an increase in positive feelings about one's life as a whole, plus family, economic situation and health.

Rx: Begin your health improvement program immediately!! Time to book a cruise!!

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The four small to mid-size luxury cruise ships in Regent Seven Seas Cruises' six-star fleet include all-suite, all-balcony ships Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, the all-suite Seven Seas Navigator and the Paul Gauguin.

Fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; in-suite bar setup for suites with butler service; refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily, and much more.

Regent Seven Seas is currently offering free airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares and up to $200 shipboard credit on select sailings!

Family Reunions at Sea - A travel trend that's really making waves!

Why are more families choosing a vacation at sea for their reunion? The answer is really very simple. A cruise offers everything wrapped up neatly at one low, inclusive rate. Compared to a land-based resort, cruising is a much more affordable way to spend your vacation. Let's review the home reunion vs. the reunion at sea benefits for you and your family members:

You're the mom - The reunion is at your house... you spend weeks of cleaning and all the hours of wondering who is the vegetarian and who is lactose intolerant, the menus, the shopping and of course, hours in the kitchen preparing.
When the guests arrive the meal dilemmas begin, who eats breakfast, who sleeps late, who eats lunch, who snacks, what time is dinner... and you must serve all of these meals! And of course you know about all the dishes that follow meals that will number in the 100's! Next will be the allotment of beds, couches, sleeping bags and tents, etc. Not to mention upon their departure the mountains of laundry.

You're the dad - The reunion is at your house... you will spend weeks of preparing the yard, touching up the paint, finding and cleaning all the sporting equipment, fixing the toilet, fixing the shower, washing the windows and running numerous last minute errands.
To ensure that everyone knows when they can take full advantage of the events in your area, you must read the paper to find all the "happenings" during the period of the reunion. You must have something for all ages, from the toddler to the senior, to ensure everyone is going to enjoy your family reunion.

CRUISE BENEFITS:
The chef and his staff plan, prepare and serve all the meals and even do all the dishes. Every meal offers several options, complimentary room service, a buffet, healthy choice and the formal dining room. Your family is welcome to eat at anytime they wish and with whoever is ready to eat at the same time they are. Each area will be serving numerous selections from low carb to not so low carb!
The hotel staff will be in charge of the cabins, the beds, the daily fresh towels and even the chocolate on your pillow... and all the laundry.
You can relax and enjoy a meal sitting at the table with your family, not jumping up to get another glass of milk and there will be no dishes after the meal or laundry at the end of the week! MOM WINS!

CRUISE BENEFITS:
The maintenance staff works 24 hours a day painting and repairing any problems, keeping the ship sparkling for your family. The Cruise Director is going to provide games and activities poolside and elsewhere for all ages. Each cruise line offers a fantastic children and youth program. Your family also can take advantage of the casino, play bingo, enjoy exciting ports of call, relaxing spa treatments or workout with the state of the art exercise equipment onboard. In the evening, there will be a wide range of entertainment, several bands or a quiet area for reading and relaxation. DAD WINS!

Family members - Imagine the reunion being held at mom and dad's house. The kids start the grumbling, "... there aren't any kids my age... what are we going to do for 7 days... their computer is old... they listen to funny music... the food is weird... they watch old people TV shows."
They you have the next generation... Uncle Jack snores, Aunt Betty smokes, Uncle Harry sleeps on the couch during the day (everyone has to be quiet and there is no place else to sit), Aunt Velma doesn't like the breeze, Uncle Tom likes fresh air, young Ben plays the music late at night, Uncle Dan goes to bed too early and the differences continue as the list of family members grow and there are only two bathrooms!

CRUISE BENEFITS:
Each family has their own cabin, their own bathroom and can snore or smoke, sleep all day or night without annoying other members of the family. There is something for every age group to do from supervised games for the children, line dancing lessons, video games, swimming, crafts or a quiet deck chair and a good book. All guests unpack only once and in their own stateroom... no suitcase in the corner of the den. Your family members can join the rest of the family for meals, for games, for excursions, chatting... or not! The choice is up to them. FAMILY WINS!

The WORLD is waiting:
There are over 160 ports for you and your family to experience. Not to mention infinite options for adventure: glacier trekking, swimming with the dolphins or stingrays, flying over a volcano, scuba diving, visiting numerous museums and seeing first hand the famous works of art... it's all about the experience.
A cruise this year with your family is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your cruise will allow your family to enjoy great meals without the hassle of shopping, cooking and cleaning up. There are cruise and shipboard activities to fit all ages.
No matter the budget or dream, there is a cabin category for you. Everyone can enjoy the non-stop entertainment, shipboard facilities and fabulous dining without ever having to leave the ship. The best thing about planning a family reunion cruise, is that you actually get to enjoy it!

Family reunions can be an incredible opportunity to gather everyone together. With hectic work and school schedules, a cruise is the perfect vacation for families with diversified interests. What could be better? A great family reunion at sea and YOU... enjoying the time of your life!

How to Pack for a Cruise

How to Pack for a Cruise

Leave the kitchen sink at home and follow these basic guidelines for smoother sailing...

Black is timeless, black is elegant, and black is appropriate for formal or informal evenings. I bet it even works for smart casual” nights, if anybody ever figures out exactly what that means.

I wouldn’t be caught dead with a travel iron – probably something to do with the big triangular once left by one in a gorgeous blouse – but I certainly don’t want to look like a load of laundry. The solution? Tissue paper. Fold crease prone items around sheets of it before packing and your garments will emerge wrinkle-free.

Don’t take casual clothes that can’t be worn at least three times. And get over the fear of repeating a simple formal
dress on longer sailings.

It may be new and fabulous, but if it demands it’s very own pair of shoes, leave it at home.

If there is even a remote change of spillage, it should travel in a securely sealed plastic food storage bag.

Economy-sized hair sprays, shampoos and lotions don’t deserve a holiday. That’s why God, or at least Frederic Fekkai, invented handy hair care travel kits and individual-use packets of delicious shea butter body cream. Better yet, check your cruise line’s amenities – you might find the products in your cabin are superior to your own.

Check the weather at your destination before you go. If necessary, take that jacket or umbrella or you might end up with an expensive (and often ugly) desperation purchase.

Do you need the entire guidebook? Rip out the pages you’ll need or photocopy them and toss as you
go.

Head again to the copier with your passport. A copy – nestled somewhere separate from your passport – could be a
lifesaver.

Leave some room in your luggage for purchases or pack a folding carry-on to fill with the treasures you pick up. Large or cumbersome purchases should be shipped home.

Finally, if you really can’t live without it, bring it with you: Scuffed walking shoes, your favorite CDs, heated rollers, the bathrobe with the hole in it, or yes, even seven black dresses.