Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Cunard's Fuel Supplement

Hello all you Cunard cruisers out there!

Just a note to advise you about Cunard's new fuel supplement increase... it's not increasing by much but here is the scoop:

Due to the continued escalation of fuel prices, Cunard Line will increase their fuel supplement from $3.85 (USD) to $6.00 (USD) per person per day. This supplement will not exceed $200.00 per person, per voyage. The supplement applies to each paying guest travelling, including 3rd and 4th person fares and paid children's accommodations.

The new fuel supplement will apply to all new bookings made on or after 31 December 2010 for voyages departing on or after 14 April 2011.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

NCL's CEO to be on Undercover Boss

Don't forget to catch Undercover Boss on CBS to see NCL's CEO hard at work.  I don't know when this particular episode will be airing but it is coming up and should be a fun one to watch!  I think we all can appreciate how hard the crews works onboard, it will be great to see the CEO in action along side!

Allure Pictures!




Friday, December 3, 2010

Allure of the Seas - Our Adventure!

Wow, what an unbelievable ship!  Mark and I just returned from a 2-day pre-inaugural sailing on Royal Caribbean's brand new and biggest ship... the Allure of the Seas!  We checked out every area of the ship and really had a wonderful time. 

One of the many neat features on the Allure is the digital signage they have placed around the ship for the passengers use.  You get up-to-the-minute, real-time communication for departure information, restaurant availability, entertainment information and more.  You can also use the interactive screens to map your way to virtually anywhere on the ship!

Their state-of-the-art theater, the Amber Theater, featured some amazing shows!  On the first night we enjoyed "Blue Planet"... with powerful music, soaring vocals, energetic dance and aerial acrobatics it just left us breathless.  Next we saw "Chicago" and it was an incredible musical.  The Allure certainly has an extremely talented cast onboard for sure!

Of course the many restaurants, lounges, bars and dining venues are fun and the food is great!  We enjoyed some fantastic dinners onboard and well as other fun treats.  The Rising Tide bar is definitely one not to miss... it slowly moves up and down between deck 5 and 8, from Central Park above to the Royal Promenade below. 

And of course I can't forget to mention the great activities onboard the Allure as well!  Some of you may have tried a zip line before, perhaps on an excursion in port... but I have to say there is nothing like being suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk to give you a birds-eye view of the action below as you speeeed across the open-air atrium.  We went back and did it a couple times.  And don't forget the FlowRider.  There are two of these surf simulators onboard!  It's a little bit of a challenge to keep your balance if you've never surfed before but once you get the hang of it... it's a blast! 

We certainly did more than I mentioned here but just wanted to give you a taste of the highlights.  :) 
The Allure of the Seas is a must-see for your next cruise!  I'll try to get some pictures posted soon!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Carnival Splendor - Breaking News

At approximately 6 am Monday morning (U.S. Pacific Standard Time), a fire was detected in the aft engine room aboard the cruise ship Carnival Splendor. The fire was extinguished. There were no injuries to guests or crew.
The ship has been operating on auxiliary generators and engineers have been unable to restore additional power to the vessel. As a result, the current voyage is being terminated. Tugboats are currently en route to the ship which is located off the coast of Mexico, approximately 200 miles south of San Diego. The tugs are expected to reach the ship around midday local time today and will tow the vessel to Ensenada, Mexico in an effort to get the guests home as quickly as possible.

Currently several key hotel systems, including air conditioning, hot food service, and telephones are not available. Last night, the ship’s engineers were able to restore toilet service to all cabins and public bathrooms, as well as cold running water. The ship’s crew continues to actively work to restore other services.
Regular announcements apprising guests of the situation began at approximately 6.30 am yesterday. Guests were initially asked to move from their cabins to the ship’s upper open deck areas. At this time, guests have access to their cabins and are able to move about the ship. Bottled water and cold food items are being provided.

The vessel’s command is in contact with the U.S. Coast Guard which has deployed aircraft and cutters to the cruise ship’s location.

Guests on the current voyage will be receiving a full refund along with reimbursement for transportation costs. Additionally, they will receive a complimentary future cruise equal to the amount paid for this voyage.

“We know this has been an extremely trying situation for our guests and we sincerely thank them for their patience. Conditions on board the ship are very challenging and we sincerely apologize for the discomfort and inconvenience our guests are currently enduring. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority and we are working to get our guests home as quickly as possible,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Splendor was on the first leg of a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise that departed Sunday, Nov. 7, from Long Beach, Calif. Monday was a scheduled day at sea. The ship’s normal itinerary includes stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The ship, which measures 113,000 gross registered tons and first entered service in July 2008, is carrying 3,299 guests and 1167 crew.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Magnificent Panama Canal

Come rock the boat!

We are extending an invitation to our special clients, friends and loyal blog readers... a 17-night cruise through the Panama Canal on the Celebrity Infinity!  We will be sailing eastbound from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale on September 26, 2011.  That gives you plenty of time to plan and save for this amazing opportunity.

We look forward to an incredible experience with you and hope you can join us.  Exceptional rates and amenities included... call or email me for details!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

10 Reasons to Cruise Through the Holidays

As amazing as it is to say... the holidays are only a few months away!!  I wanted to share these "10 Reasons" as they are great ones for sure.  This came from NCL:

  1. Holiday shopping, without the holiday parking.
  2. There's no way you can ruin the turkey.
  3. Santa loves to cruise!
  4. There's no assembly or batteries required.
  5. It's hard to wreck the house when you're partying on a ship.
  6. It's a world away from your kitchen.
  7. Swimsuits are more fun than reindeer sweaters.
  8. Snow angels or sand angels - it's a no brainer.
  9. Your neighbors can't hear you caroling out here.
  10. Why hang lights when you can hang under stars?
I think that 7 and 8 are my favorites.  :)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Harry Potter Inspired Cruise

Are your kids, or YOU, into the Harry Potter stories? 

European Waterways will bring the "Harry Potter" world to life on their six-night Scottish Highlander luxury-barge cruises, which sails from Banavie to Dochgarroch and will take you to European landmarks featured in the popular film series.

Activities include a ride onboard the Hogwart's Express steam train and a visit to the Eilean Doonan castle, which was the setting for the film, "Highlander."

This family-themed cruise will be an unforgettable experience that brings you and your family together in ways that no amusement park ever could!  It allows your children the unique opportunity to enter the 'real world' of the famous Boy Wizard!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Cunard's NEW Queen Elizabeth

The new Queen Elizabeth, sister ship to the 2-year-old Queen Victoria, is taking shape at the shipyard in Italy!  It has been under construction since 2009 and is just a couple months shy of it's naming ceremony in Southampton, England.

The QE will have some twists that will make it a little more unique that the QV.  What gives it it's own personality is mostly in dining and entertainment, and also a couple of structural differences.  The QE will have a sports deck on Deck 10 that will offer croquet and lawn bowling.  It will also have 38 more cabins than the QV, giving the ship capacity for about 100 more passengers.  More room for us Cunard lovers!

There is an art deco theme throughout the QE, in tribute to its namesake predecessor (the previous QE was built in 1938).

The QE will sport a new specialty restaurant, the Verandah, with a French menu created by Jean-Marie Zimmermann, a longtime Cunard chef.  Another dining difference will be the return of the Britannia Club, the restaurant for passengers staying in the highest category of the ship's standard cabins.

Also new is that the QE's lido deck restaurant by night will transform into one of three restaurants with table service: Asado, modeled after an Argentinian steakhouse; Aztec, offering Mexican cuisine; and Jasmine, a pan-Asian eatery.  There will be a $10 surcharge for those themes.

Other small changes include the addition of a central staircase in the Britannia dining room which really re-creates the ocean liner experience!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

PASSPORT FEES INCREASE

An FYI for all you cruisers out there who haven't gotten your passports yet!

Charges for U.S. passports increased on July 13th.  The fee for a new passport jumps from $100 to $135 for adults and from $85 to $105 for those under age 16.  The fee for renewals goes from $75 to $110.  These rates include a $25 execution fee.  Details are online at www.travel.state.gov

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

What's Your Travel Personality?

More than 500 travelers weighed in...

When you get back from a cruise vacation you are...
89% - More relaxed
11% - More stressed

When it comes to stateroom robes, you're most likely to...
88% - Not be caught dead in it outside the spa!
12% - Stroll through the ship wearing it

On group cruises or family reunion cruises, you...
51% - Sneak in some room service
49% - Always eat with the group

When it comes to working out while cruising, you...
67% - Think, "nah, I'm on vacation"
33% - Hit the onboard gym

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Introducing the DreamWorks Experience

Royal Caribbean is proud to announce a strategic alliance with DreamWorks Animation! 
Bringing these two forces together is going to raise the bar and produce something amazing and wonderful for Royal Caribbean cruisers.
Make your next family vacation an absolutely unforgettable adventure! Set sail with Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation and discover once-upon-a-time moments filled with your favorite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and more.
From 3D movies to ice and aqua shows, enjoy the DreamWorks experience exclusively onboard Royal Caribbean.
Starting this December 5, 2010 on the Allure of the Seas.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

FUN FACTS!

53 -
Percentage of cruisers who normally buy a souvenir!

41 -
Percentage of cruisers who say they'd be willing to try cruising solo.

30.2 -
Percentage of cruisers who prefer sea days to port days.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

"Sea Princess" Stars on National Geographic

The immense job of dry-docking "Sea Princess" will be featured in the June 3rd episode of National Geographic Channel's show, World's Toughest Fixes.  You can go behind the scenes and follow the entire process from the time the ship enters the dry-dock to the final sea trials.

The episode will focus on the ENORMOUS task of completing a multitude of dry-dock projects in just.... 15 days!  With an emphasis on several technical "fixes" on the bottom of the ship that could only be accessed when the ship is out of the water.

This is a unique opportunity to really appreciate the amazing around-the-clock efforts needed to keep cruise ships in top shape to deliver the experience that passengers expect.

Don't forget to tune in... Thursday June 3rd at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel.  It will give you a glimpse into a very interesting experience!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

NCL Epic to Debut Advanced Ticketing

Great news for all you EPIC travelers out there!  NCL has debuts its advanced ticketing system for onboard entertainment!  You can log-in to the "My NCL" section of their website where you can select and reserve your desired performance for...

The Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams and Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City Comedy Troupe, etc.  The online bookings open 45 days prior to your cruise and you may make one reservation for each show per sailing.

Of course you can always wait and make your reservations once you get onboard, but this does give you all another option!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

10th Annual Great Girls Getaway - Confirmed!

Drum roll please........ :)

The next annual Great Girls Getaway will be April 10, 2011. 7 fun-filled nights on the Carnival Glory sailing the Eastern Caribbean! Bring your friends, sisters, mothers and join us as we just enjoy the fun. Warm Caribbean weather, shopping, nightlife... all with the fun women in your life.

Call us for details on the ports and pricing. It's an amazing rate!

Great Deals on Princess

There are some great deals on Princess Cruises Fall 2010 Caribbean sailings right now.
Book before June 30th and save!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

10th Annual Great Girl's Getaway!

STAY TUNED FOR NEWS ON OUR 10TH ANNUAL GREAT GIRLS GETAWAY... FOR SPRING 2011...
IT'S AN EXCITING SHIP AND FUN ITINERARY!

JUST ANNOUNCED! Carnival's New Ship Name

We are excited to announce that the Carnival Breeze has been selected as the name for their brand-new ship which will join the fleet in spring 2012!

The 3690-passenger cruise ship will be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the current builder of their Carnival Magic (debuting in Europe May 1, 2011).

As the third ship in the Dream-class, guests can expect all the amenities on the Carnival Breeze that you've come to love on the Carnival Dream. Features include expansive, modern facilities for children and teens, a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, and The Lanai, an outdoor promenade featuring cantilevered whirlpools that extend over the ship's sides.

Other features will include the popular WaterWorks aqua park with a 300-foot-long corkscrew water slide, and a stunning indoor/outdoor cafe and live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza. Of course, Carnival will offer a wide range of staterooms to match your tastes and budgets, including deluxe ocean views with two bathrooms and some family-friendly accommodations that feature five berths.

Carnival Breeze will be the 24th vessel in Carnival Cruise Lines' fleet, which operates three-15-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England and Europe.

Stay tuned for updates on the Carnival Breeze as it is being built!! If you have any questions about the new ship, contact us anytime!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

9th Annual Great Girls Getaway

We're back! And what a wonderful time we had together... laughing, dancing, and enjoying each others company. The "Zaandam" was beautiful with it's music theme, gorgeous theater and staterooms. We spent a lot of time in the piano bar playing "Name that Tune", and a small group of us gals did win on one night!
Catalina Island was our first stop on the Pacific Coastal itinerary. Always a fun place to be. We walked along the marina, stopped in all the shops, bought ice cream cones and lattes. After Catalina we spent two days at sea, and I will say the seas were a little on the rough side. But a sea-sick pill with lunch and dinner, and all was great! Astoria, Oregon was the next stop where we spent the afternoon at their annual Seafood and Wine Festival. We were SO lucky to be there on that weekend. We ate oysters (well, I didn't), amazing melty fresh crab sandwiches, tasted wine from all over Oregon and bought some fun things to bring home. The next day brought us to Victoria, BC and the always lovely Butchart Gardens. If you have not been there, it is an absolute MUST-SEE on your next visit into Victoria. Not only is the history of the gardens very interesting, but the many gardens are filled with gorgeous flowers and colors. We also enjoyed a wonderful high-tea! And of course you can always get your high-tea at the Empress hotel as well as the gardens!
The end of our journey brought us to Vancouver where we hopped on a motorcoach down to Seattle. For some of us, Seattle is home, and others onto other parts of the country.
I hope you join us next year for the 10th year in a row of the Great Girls Getaway. We are doing some preliminary planning but are focused on the Caribbean so pack your sun screen and join the fun!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Book an Oceanview... Get a Balcony!

A great deal to throw out there for all you last minute cruisers!!

Book on the Carnival Miracle sailings to the Caribbean through May and June, and get a balcony stateroom for an oceanview price. Not bad!

Give us a call to take advantage of this. Space is limited!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Voyages to Antiquity

If you have a passion for ancient Rome, classical Greece the Byzantine Empire or other past Mediterranean civilizations, check out the new premium line, Voyages to Antiquity.
Created for an in-depth exploration of the Mediterranean, this premium line should appeal to all you well-educated cruisers for whom ancient sites are the ultimate vacation draw.

Voyages to Antiquity's itineraries encompass the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic seas with port calls in Greece, Italy, Sicily, Albania and Croatia. Others focus on North Africa and the Holy Land. And new for 2011 - Black Sea itineraries!

Two weeks in length for 2010, the itineraries were designed by the cruise line's staff in conjunction with such renowned historians as author Lord John Julius Norwich. On one of their cruises, you might stroll through ancient Carthage in Tunisia, visit well-preserved Greek Temples or explore remote Roman ruins at Palmrya, Syria or Baalbek, Lebanon.

The ship capacity is 380 guests for a more intimate and small-ship experience. The new configuration onboard includes suites, junior suites and staterooms with and without balconies. The staterooms start at 130-215 sqft, and 275 sqft for balcony staterooms. Junior Suites are 300 sqft, while Owner's Suites have 500 sqft of space.

All dining venues have open seating. Offering Continental cuisine with regional food and wine on every itinerary, the Marco Polo restaurant serves lunch with dinner. It has full waiter service and casual, country-club elegance, although a jacket is suggested for gentlemen at dinner.

Terrace Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating and has a grill, buffet and a wine/aperitif bar. In the evening, Tapas on the Terrace replicates a Mediterranean bistro. Guests also enjoy afternoon tea and room service, as well as late-night snacks in two bars.

A robust onboard lecture program boasts renowned historians, archaeological experts and food and wine aficionados.

This ship has no formal night, disco or casino. For fun onboard, guests might peruse a well-stocked library, take a pool dip, email friends from the Internet Cafe, work out in the gym, listen to music, experience a top-deck yoga class or luxuriate in the spa!

While Aegean Odyssey is a mid-sized ship, it's small enough to easily navigate around the scenic islands of the Adriatic and Mediterranean and transit Greece's Corinth Canal. Most shore excursions are included in the fare as well.

This cruise experience will definitely be a life-enhancer for you, and allow you to get up close and personal with the ruins and villages where history was made.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

KIDS SAIL FREE ON DISNEY - SELECT DATES

On select Northern European cruises this summer, kids 17 and under can sail... FREE!

Take your kids to visit the lands where The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Snow White were imagined!

If you can depart as early as June, than this is the deal for you! I know not everyone can make cruise vacation plans with such short notice, but let us know if you can!!
The dates are June 12th and June 24th of 2010, for 12-nights.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Princess Honors Copenhagen - 2009 Port of the Year

The Scandinavian port of Copenhagen receives HIGHEST SATISFACTION marks from passengers onboard Princess Cruises.

Princess Cruises has named Copenhagen as it's "Port of the Year" for 2009 - a distinction awarded as the result of passenger satisfaction surveys. Copenhagen is the first port outside of North America to earn this honor.

The annual award is given to one of Princess' 33 worldwide turnaround ports that earn the highest scores for the year, as rated by passengers on each cruise. A turnaround port is where a cruise ends and the next one begins.

The honor recognizes that a port has provided the service, facilities and personnel that have enhanced the passenger experience while boarding or disembarking the ship. In total, the voting measured passenger satisfaction scores for 14 calls in Copenhagen during the summer 2009 season.

This is the fifth year for this award, and previous Port of the Year designations have gone to Los Angeles, Whittier, Vancouver and Brooklyn.

Copenhagen serves as home port for Princess Scandinavia & Russia itineraries. Star Princess will begin the 2010 cruise season on these popular itineraries on May 12.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

TOP 10 REASONS TO SAIL REGENT SEVEN SEAS IN 2010

  1. 2-for-1 Fares on most voyages PLUS additional bonus savings of up to $1,000 per person on select voyages.
  2. FREE air from 22 U.S. gateway cities on ALL voyages. FREE Business Class Air on European voyages for guests sailing in a category C and above.
  3. FREE unlimited shore excursions on ALL voyages.
  4. A true, ALL-INCLUSIVE luxury product. FREE beverages including fine wines, beer and premium spirits. All open-seating dining, at NO ADDITIONAL charge. All staff gratuities included.
  5. FREE in-suite mini-bar replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water.
  6. Butler service EXPANDED to include suite category C on all ships.
  7. NEWLY REFURBISHED fleet featuring the most talked about restaurant at sea, the iconic steakhouse “Prime 7”, at NO ADDITIONAL charge.
  8. ALL suites, minimum size 301 sq. ft., ALL with WALK-IN closets. Plus, the highest percentage of balconies of ANY cruise line — 97%.
  9. World-renowned Canyon Ranch SpaClub® with specially-designed menu selections available in Compass Rose, Room Service and the casual Pool Grill.
  10. Wireless Internet access throughout the ship.

2010 is Regent Seven Seas Cruises most inclusive year ever—the list above shows just how many valuable amenities are included on all their sailings. Combined with their award-winning product and stellar guest satisfaction levels, Regent truly has a winning combination of both quality and value.
It’s not all about price—it is also about the experience. With Regent Seven Seas Cruises, you are assured a wonderful and relaxing hassle-free luxury cruise vacation on medium-sized ships that carry just hundreds, not thousands of guests.
There has never been a better time to upgrade to a luxury cruise experience!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Completely New Concept for Solo Travelers!

I recently had the opportunity to meet with representatives and executives of Norwegian Cruise Line to learn more about their new ship, the EPIC! Here is a brand new concept, and wonderful idea for the solo travelers out there!

The Studios aboard Norwegian "Epic" make solo travel both comfortable and affordable, and include all the amenities you'd find in a traditional stateroom. A full size bed, clean lines and a contemporary decor help create a relaxing atmosphere. And, by separating the sink and shower, the unique bathroom layout provides more personal space. It's thoughtfully designed living space, all in just 100 sqft. Plus you'll also have private access to the exclusive Studio Lounge. It's the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee and plan your day, get together with new friends for a cocktail, or enjoy a nightcap before heading to bed.

AND, there's also plenty to see and to when you're ready to explore the ship. Enjoy 20 unique dining options. Live it up with 20 bars and lounges, including the only true ice bar at sea. Or hit the spa, the casino, or one of the two three-lane bowling alleys. Take in world-class entertainment from Cirque Dreams and Dinner, The Second City, Howl at the Moon and Legends in Concert. And for the first time at sea, Blue Man Group perform their exhilarating fusion of comedy, theatrics, percussion and paint... exclusively on Norwegian Epic. OH, and what about the water park on the back of the ship??? Are you ready to see see the Epic? Contact us today for more information.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Time to Try Holland America Line

If you haven't cruised on Holland America before, now is the time to try them out. Explore everything from the tropical wonders of the Caribbean to the awe-inspiring glaciers of Alaska with some fantastic prices! Call us to find the best cruise that fits your schedule and budget!

On Holland America Line, you'll find yourself surrounded by elegance wherever you turn. As you dine in one of many exquisite restaurants. As you stroll solid teak decks capped by hand-polished brass railings. As you retire to a spacious stateroom where every need has been anticipated. With one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry, service is always at hand but never intrusive.

It's everything you expect from a premium vacation, without the premium price!

AND, with itineraries from 7 to 21 days visiting popular resort towns (as well as out-of-the-way islands), the hardest part will be choosing which one!