Cruise
Crystal adds new Mediterranean ports
For its 2013 Mediterranean cruise season, Crystal Cruises is making first-time-ever visits to Çanakkale, Turkey; La Spezia, Italy; and Castellón de la Plana, Spain. The maiden calls offer new exploration of historic and off-the-beaten path areas from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the west, including the Dardanelles/Adriatic, Italian Riviera, and Costa del Azahar. The seven- to 13-day itineraries surrounding the new destinations also offer cultural capital overnights and extra port intensiveness. Highlights of, and cruises featuring, the inaugural ports include: !!!...
Princess adds new opportunities in Asia
Princess Cruises has announced two special new Asia cruise opportunities, offering unique itineraries that explore some of the most alluring ports in the region. Departing in October and November 2013 aboard Diamond Princess, these 10- and 11-day Asia cruises sail roundtrip from Singapore, taking in some of the best of Southeast Asia's ports of call, including Bangkok, Bali, Nha Trang and Phuket, as well as two ports not usually visited on Diamond Princess itineraries - Penang, Malaysia and Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The new cruises are: !!! Southeast Asia - 11 days (departing Oct. 24, 2013)....
TradeWinds unveils 2013 rates, commissions
TradeWinds, the luxury all-inclusive cruise operator, has announced its rates for 2013, as well as a special incentive for travel agents, who can now receive a 15% commission throughout the year (high, low and mid-seasons). Rates start from US$2,925 for a cabin rental in a shared cabin during the low season in the cruising class. All rates are for a seven-night period, and include a fully equipped and provisioned yacht, fuel, yacht insurance, professional crew of a captain and chef, all meals (except for two evening meals when docked) and beverages, open bar, water sports, customs clearance...
Demand pushes cruise fares up
The American Queen Steamboat Company reports that it will raise fares beginning Jan. 1, 2013, as a result of unprecedented demand for the upcoming second season of the American Queen. According to the operator of the 436-passenger riverboat, many of next year's sailings are selling out, particularly voyages between the paddlewheeler's homeport of Memphis and New Orleans. Overall bookings are up 300% compared to 2012 and the fare increase will be an average of $200 per guest per voyage. American Queen Steamboat Company CEO Jeffrey D. Krida said that "Since her return to the rivers this past...
A sale with a view
Sunquest is offering a balcony stateroom sale on select transatlantic and Mediterranean MSC cruises. Valid on all new bookings made by Nov. 28 for departures between January and April, "your client can enjoy beautiful sea views for less from MSC Divina's Divine Mediterranean Odysseys and MSC Poesia's transatlantic crossings,"Sunquest says. "Take advantage of the unique, longer transatlantic cruise holidays on the MSC Poesia with either an 18- or 27-day cruise, or experience the beauty of the Mediterranean on the Divine Mediterranean Odysseys with a 17- or 18-day cruise holiday."Balcony...
Cruise industry booming in New Orleans
The two newest additions to the New Orleans-based cruise ship lineup helped set a new passenger record for the port. In a two-day span, 24,705 passengers either boarded or disembarked four cruise ships and two sternwheelers. On Nov. 10, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's "Navigator of the Seas"replaced the Voyager of the Seas. The ship has a capacity of 3,114-passengers and is the largest cruise ship ever to call at the port. On Nov. 11, Norwegian Cruise Line's 2,348-passenger "Norwegian Star"replaced the 2,018-passenger Norwegian Spirit as the cruise line's New Orleans-ported ship. Port officials...
Encore invites families to ‘sea’ the world
Encore Cruises is promoting family travel through a special "family friendly"offer - book a 2013 sailing with any of Encore's 14 cruise line partners and receive a complimentary Zoobie Pets plush toy, a kid's ideal travelling companion. Applicable on all new individual bookings made from today (Nov. 21) onwards, customers will receive one complimentary Zoobie Pet per booking when at least two adults with one child book a minimum seven-night cruise in an oceanview category or higher, to any destination, for any 2013 sailing with any of Encore's cruise line partners. Part plush toy, part soft...
Princess unveils Royal Princess Sanctuary
When Princess Cruises' new Royal Princess debuts next June, passengers will find that two of the line's signature features have been enhanced to provide passengers with the ultimate in relaxation. Both The Sanctuary and the line's popular adults-only pool also will offer private cabanas for the first time. Located near the forward end of the top deck, these two areas together provide a peaceful haven for passengers looking to recharge. With a new look and feel, the larger Sanctuary will feature fresh décor plus two new private cabana options along with its plush loungers and Serenity...