Saturday, December 31, 2016

Sail away to some exotic lands this year

Out to Sea column for Dec. 31/16

By Jim and Barb Fox

(Note: All photos in this feature were taken aboard Holland America ships)

Today’s cruise vacations are more than a trip to the beach.

Think “exotic” and “amazing” as there are nearly 1,000 cruise ports and destinations around the world and that number continues to grow.

A trip to the tropics might be the first destination that comes to mind but cruise lines are continuously expanding itineraries to reach more exotic corners of the world and hidden gems.

Cruise vacations let travelers explore scenic beaches in Hawaii. (Jim Fox photo)

“From sunny beaches in Australia to bustling villages in Asia, cruise travel offers more diverse and unique destinations than ever before,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The arch of Cabo San Lucas is a distinctive rock formation at the extreme southern end of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. (Jim Fox photo)

Princess Cruises launches new Celebrations packages

Simplified Online Gifting Capabilities Offer Convenience and Savings

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – One in four guests is celebrating a special occasion with Princess Cruises and now the cruise line is making it even easier to turn “Sailabrations” into lasting memories with new packages and convenient online ordering.

With savings of up to 25 percent off of retail prices, “Sailabration” packages are a great value and can be added by a guest through the online booking management tool, Cruise Personalizer. Now, Princess Cruises has made it easier than ever for friends and family to browse and order gifts for Princess guests via the new Princess online gifting webpage found at princess.com/gifts.

New packages such as “Pamper Me” with a day at the Lotus Spa, named the Best Spa on a Cruise Ship by Spa finder Wellness 365TM and “Breakfast Lovers” with a deluxe balcony breakfast are available for those looking to relax and recharge or celebrate the joy of mornings at sea.

MIAMI – For the second consecutive year, Carnival Cruise Line has been named Most Trusted Cruise Line in America by Reader’s Digest.

The award is based on a poll of more than 5,000 Americans nationwide who were asked to rate products they trust across 40 different categories in areas such as quality, value, and reliability. Carnival received more votes than any other cruise line. The awards are featured in the October issue of Reader’s Digest.

Carnival continues to enhance its onboard offerings, building upon its brand promise of providing fun, memorable vacations at a great value while keeping up with consumer trends and exceeding the expectations of its guests.

Guests will save up to $200 per person, plus enjoy up to four free perks while onboard one of

Celebrity’s luxurious ships

MIAMI – Just in time for the new year, Celebrity Cruises’ introduces its Sail Beyond Event inviting all those dreaming of travel in the year ahead to take to the ocean and explore the world.

Now through January 31, 2017, the modern luxury brand encourages travel aficionados to see the globe in style, taking advantage of the exceptional rates on most sailings. Those boldly intent on making resolutions reality need only to select a destination and a date from February 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018 and book to receive savings up to $200 per person, as well as enjoy complimentary perks – like free drinks and Wi-Fi – while onboard.

“We believe our world is better when we open ourselves up and explore through travel,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Our Sail Beyond Event delivers on this promise, celebrating our guests with savings that encourage them to experience the world, checking off travel resolutions.”

Norwegian Cruise Line's sailings to Cuba are now on sale


*Norwegian is offering four-day roundtrip cruises from Miami to Cuba in May 2017 on Norwegian Sky, the largest ship sailing to Cuba*

MIAMI – December 21, 2016 – Norwegian Cruise Line today opened for sale the line’s 2017 cruises to Cuba aboard Norwegian Sky, the largest vessel sailing to Cuba, which also offers an overnight stay in Havana.

Norwegian Sky will sail a series of five, four-day cruises from Miami to Cuba in May 2017 that will include an overnight in the capital of Havana.

Itinerary includes an overnight in Cuba’s capital of Havana and a day at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private Bahamian island

On Monday, May 1, Norwegian Sky will set sail for her first voyage to Havana, arriving on Tuesday morning and staying alongside until Wednesday evening, allowing guests the opportunity to go ashore and experience the island’s rich cultural traditions through people-to-people exchanges.

VALENCIA, Calif., December 21, 2016 -- Luxury British cruise line, Cunard, has today revealed its new brand film to support its 2017 booking campaign - Everything you wanted, nothing you expected.

Stylishly taking viewers through the possibilities and experiences available on its luxurious voyages, the film highlights three key themes; time, space and a life less ordinary, to elevate the experience of cruising with Cunard.

Shot over seven days by creative agency Alpha Century and launching online on December 21, the film transports viewers through a sensorial tour of the iconic Queen Mary 2.

Following the journey of 12 actual Cunard guests as they travel between Southampton and New York City as they cross the Atlantic on Cunard’s Transatlantic Crossing, it highlights the much-loved traditions and new pursuits available to Cunard cruisers and challenging common misconceptions with its vast array of experiences.

New Vista Class ship to join Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2019

MIAMI (Dec. 15, 2016) -- A new 133,500-ton cruise ship, which will be the third vessel in the company’s Vista class series, will join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in late 2019.

The ship, under contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, was originally designated for the P&O Cruises Australia brand. In conjunction with this change, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Splendor will be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in late 2019.

The ship will offer many of Carnival’s most popular guest features, a wide range of accommodation types and a number of new innovations unique to this vessel. The ship’s name, homeport and itinerary details will be announced at a later date.

“We are truly thrilled to have another Vista class ship joining our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Vista, which was named the best new ship of 2016 in the Cruise Critic Editors Picks awards, has proven to be the most innovative and popular ship we’ve ever introduced.

Seattle, WA, December 16, 2016 — Windstar Cruises tempts travelers to treat a loved one to a luxurious cruise on a sleek sailing yacht with tall sails or an elegant yacht with all-suite accommodations.

Cruisers will enjoy the best savings of the season during the “Nautical and Nice” Holiday Event through Dec. 23. Featuring more than 100 cruises sailing January through September 2017, each guest also receives a bonus gift of $100 shipboard credit to spend on a variety of indulgences, from spa treatments to a bottle of fine wine.

Cruise into Christmas: Windstar’s Nautical and Nice Holiday Event offers the

Best Savings of the Season in the Caribbean, Costa Rica & Panama Canal,

Europe, Transatlantic, and Tahiti

A number of voyages on the promotion feature a spectacular Destination Discovery Event, immersing guests in authentic cultural and culinary delights of the region. Created exclusively for Windstar guests, these complimentary events are crafted to give guests a taste of local life on each cruise.

Popular events include Kusadasi: Evening in Ephesus, a once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining under the stars at the Celsus Library on the Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise; and Bora Bora Celebration Festival, a traditional Tahitian feast complete with fire dancers when sailing the Dreams of Tahiti or the Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands itinerary.

Country music star Carrie Underwood to perform aboard Carnival Imagination in April 2017

CARNIVAL LIVE CONCERT SERIES

MIAMI (Dec. 15, 2016) – Carnival Cruise Line is continuing its popular Carnival LIVE concert series with a shipboard concert by seven-time Grammy Award-winning country music superstar Carrie Underwood aboard the Carnival Imagination in April 2017. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.carnival.com/carnivallive.

Carnival LIVE is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the best in live entertainment to the seas, providing guests an opportunity to enjoy captivating performances by top artists in a unique and memorable setting where there’s never a bad seat in the house. Performances are held in the ships’ main show lounges which range in capacity from 750 to 1,400 – giving shows a more intimate and personal feel.

One of the most popular and best-selling artists in country music, Underwood will perform in Carnival Imagination’s intimate Dynasty Lounge while the ship is docked in Catalina Island on April 4, 2017, during a four-day cruise that departs from Long Beach, Calif., April 2, 2017.

The concert follows Underwood’s invitation-only concert for military families aboard Carnival Vista last month to celebrate the ship’s U.S. arrival and commemorate the line’s year-long Honor.Family.Fun program supporting Operation Homefront, an organization dedicated to building strong, stable and secure military families.

Just released "Sea Tales 2017 Family Cruise Travel Planner" from CruiseCompete

(For Immediate Release)

New 2017 Edition Planner Helps Families Choose the Perfect Cruise Vacation

DETROIT (Dec. 8, 2016) – Determining the best cruise line for your family takes careful research, preparation and planning. Luckily, the travel experts at CruiseCompete have done much of the legwork and have updated their very popular vacation planning e-book.

The CruiseCompete “2017 Family-Friendly Cruise Travel Planner” is now available online and details every aspect of the family cruise vacation experience.

The “2017 Family-Friendly Cruise Travel Planner” is designed to help get your cruise vacation planning in motion and covers the entire gamut of options with information on mainstream lines like Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as unique alternatives like luxury, river and small ship excursion companies.

All information has been compiled in an easy-to-read format, with brief at-a-glance summaries to see if the cruise line fits your basic requirements, followed by more detailed information about the atmosphere on board, the destinations you can travel to and the specific programs available for children.

Guests Booking a Balcony, Mini-Suite or Suite Also Receive Free Specialty Dining

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2016) – The Princess Cruises Anniversary Sale running now through Feb. 28, 2017, offers up to $600 onboard spending money per stateroom on select cruises and cruisetours sailing to all destinations departing Summer 2017 through Spring 2018. Plus, those guests booking a balcony category stateroom or higher receive free specialty dining.

The Anniversary Sale gives guests booking an interior or oceanview stateroom up to $300 onboard spending money per stateroom. Guests booking a balcony, mini-suite or suite receive up to $600 onboard spending money per stateroom, plus free specialty dining including third and fourth guests per stateroom.

As the leader in celebrating at sea, Princess Cruises encourages guests to experience life’s special moments on board with friends and family. From birthdays and anniversaries, to moments “just because,” there is no better way to celebrate than while sailing to awe-inspiring destinations of the world.

Highlights include Norwegian Escape sailing to the Caribbean and Bermuda from New York; Norwegian Breakaway cruising to bucket list destinations in Scandinavia & Russia from Copenhagen; Norwegian Bliss sailing to Alaska from Seattle; plus new ships in several seasonal homeports sailing to the Caribbean

MIAMI – December 14, 2016 – Norwegian Cruise Line today announced its summer 2018 and fall/winter 2018/19 itineraries, featuring exciting new opportunities for guests to set sail to their dream destinations, while unpacking just once and enjoying the most free and flexible cruising experience at sea.

Norwegian’s 2018/2019 deployment spans across the globe, with sailings journeying to the warm waters of the Caribbean, the adventure-filled coasts of South America, the awe-inspiring glaciers of Alaska, Norway and beyond. The new itineraries are on sale now for all guests.

Alaska

In summer 2018, Norwegian will once again offer guests the opportunity to sail through the glacier-filled waters and gaze upon the snowy mountain-tops of Alaska on three unique ships, the youngest fleet sailing to the region. The brand-new Norwegian Bliss, arriving in June 2018, will lead Norwegian’s 2018 Alaska fleet with her inaugural season to the region, offering seven-day voyages departing each Saturday from Seattle.

Princess Cruises resumes summer Caribbean cruises in 2018

Departures from Ft. Lauderdale Open for Sale with Special Captain’s Circle Savings

CLARITA, Calif. – For the first time in four years, Princess Cruises will offer Summer Caribbean cruises including Panama Canal transits in 2018. The 3,192-guest Caribbean Princess returns to sail on a full summer season of voyages ranging from seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean to a 20-day Caribbean and Panama Canal Explorer. All Summer Caribbean cruises are now open for sale.

The 2018 April to October summer program features 47 departures, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, including eight unique itineraries visiting 23 destinations in 22 countries. In addition, four ports offer late night stays so guests have more time to explore the evening offerings these destinations have to offer.

New for 2018, 20-day Caribbean and Panama Explorer voyages combine a 10-day Panama cruise and a 10-day Southern Caribbean Medley or Eastern Caribbean Voyager cruise. Princess Cruises takes more guests through this engineering marvel than other cruise line.

“Summertime is the prime vacation season for most Americans and we’re happy to offer the Caribbean in 2018,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We have award-winning itineraries of various lengths so families, honeymooners, couples, friends and travelers alike can get away to explore new places, reconnect with one another and ultimately ‘come back new’ with Princess.”

(News Release)
$100,000 GRAND PRIZE SLOTS TOURNAMENT WINNER

Since January, More Than 20 Participating Casinos and All Carnival Ships Have Given Away Hundreds of Free Carnival Cruises in Shipboard Spin N Sail Promotion

MIAMI – The final cruise in the year-long Wheel of Fortune® slot machines 20^th anniversary sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line and IGT ended Nov. 16 with a grand prize winner named.

Kenneth Gass of Sturgis, Ky., an avid cruiser with Carnival for more than 18 years, won the $100,000 grand prize from the $200,000 prize pool slots tournament during the Carnival Magic cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla. This jackpot marks the cruise line’s largest prize pool of all time. The promotion commemorated a year-long celebration recognizing two decades of IGT’s Wheel of Fortune slot machines, which are featured in Carnival Cruise Line casinos fleetwide.

As part of the Spin N Sail promotion, more than 20 land-based casinos, DoubleDown Casino online social casino and all Carnival Cruise Line ships, gave away hundreds of cruises on Carnival Magic, with the top 40 winners receiving cash prizes. The 350-plus tournament players came from a mix of Carnival past guests, players from partner casinos and contest winners.

(News Release)

Twelve modern luxury ships sailing to seven continents in new, exciting 2018-2019 season

MIAMI – Celebrity Cruises continues to open up the world, offering sailings to some of the most dynamic ports of call from around the globe, highlighting new destinations and the hottest events by unveiling its ultimate 2018-2019 season.

The modern luxury brand is revealing many Celebrity firsts for guests to choose from, among 282 destinations in 77 countries across all seven continents that include new ports of call, 188 exciting overnights in 41 cities and 28 double overnight stays in seven different ports. This is the Celebrity Distinction.

Celebrity has revealed the first of its 2018-2019 itineraries, starting with new European and Alaskan itineraries, the first to open for sale. Valued Captain’s Club members have early priority access to begin planning their ultimate vacation, two days before the 2018-2019 sailings open to the public on Thursday, December 1, 2016. More destinations will be unveiled over the coming month.

Carnival Cruise Line signs agreement to expand terminal operations at the Port of Long Beach, California

Deal enables full use of Geodesic Dome facility to

enhance guest services at Long Beach Cruise Terminal

MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line has signed an agreement with landlord Urban Commons and the City of Long Beach, Calif., to expand the Long Beach Cruise Terminal facility to accommodate larger ships in the future and enhance its terminal operations. The deal will nearly triple the size of Carnival’s current terminal facility from approximately 66,000 square feet to 142,000 square feet.

Carnival has operated the Long Beach Cruise Terminal since 2003 using a partial area of the Geodesic Dome that was the former museum housing Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose” attraction. The agreement gives Carnival 100 percent use of the Dome, allowing for larger ships and providing additional space needed to accommodate two-way operations, enabling embarking guests to access the terminal prior to completion of disembarkation. Construction is slated to be completed in late 2017. During the construction period, measures will be taken to ensure a continued smooth operational flow and high standard of customer service for cruise guests.

“For years we have been working toward reaching an agreement to expand the Long Beach Cruise Terminal to accommodate larger ships on the West Coast, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to move forward with our plans to assume full usage of the Dome, making Long Beach one of our largest homeport facilities,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

CELEBRATION, Fla. – In 2017, Disney Cruise Line guests will unite and celebrate the epic adventures of the legendary Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe during a brand-new, day-long celebration: Marvel Day at Sea.

Marvel Day at Sea combines the thrills of the Marvel Universe with the excitement of a Disney Cruise to summon everyone’s inner Super Hero.

Occurring on one action-packed day, guests are transported to a new realm of possibilities when the Marvel Universe assembles on the ship.

The event features all-day entertainment including exclusive interactions with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes that oppose them.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (December 9, 2016) – Princess Cruises is offering fares from $349 on getaway cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and the West Coast during the Great Getaways Sale, based on double occupancy.

Guests will enjoy fantastic destinations, as well as signature onboard offerings such as the Lotus Spa & Fitness Center, top-notch live entertainment and world-class cuisine made fresh from scratch.

Getaway cruises from both coasts of six or fewer days offer a convenient way to get on board and enjoy a cruise vacation. Guests can choose to enjoy the top-rated beaches of the Caribbean, the festive culture of Mexico, or the charming coastal towns in California.

In addition to special cruise ship savings, guests can book with reduced deposits of only $50 per person. Third and fourth guests will also save with fares starting at $99 per person.

Great Getaways Sale cruise deals include:

VALENCIA, Calif., December 12, 2016 -- Luxury travel brand Cunard has partnered with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the world’s largest provider of wine and spirits qualifications, to launch the first ever WSET certified wine and spirit courses to be available on its flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2.

WSET works with Approved Programme Providers in over 70 countries to offer its qualifications to interested enthusiasts and industry professionals, ranging from Level 1 Awards in Wines, Spirits and Sake to the prestigious Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits. The partnership with Cunard is the first time WSET courses will be available to guests on a transatlantic or round-world cruise line.

WSET courses will initially be available on Queen Mary 2’s Westbound Transatlantic Crossings and World Voyage trips with plans to extend courses to Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth later in 2017. Classes led by WSET Certified Educator Andrés Solís Lira who, having been born at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in what is now the Cachapoal wine country, has worked in the wine world for the past decade joining Cunard in 2009 as a sommelier on Queen Mary 2 and rising to the position of educator for the Cunard Wine Academy.

Ms. David Brings Expertise in Marketing and a Fresh Perspective to the Board

MIAMI– December 12, 2016 – Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd., “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings,” “Norwegian” or the “Company”) today announced that Ms. Stella David will be appointed to its Board of Directors (the “Board”) as a new independent member, as of January 1, 2017.

“I am delighted to welcome Stella to our board of directors,” said Walter L. Revell, chairman of the Board. “Stella’s experience overseeing a remarkable collection of global spirit brands and with successful marketing and brand building gives her a unique perspective that’s an excellent complement to the diverse talents of our other Board members,” continued Revell.

As the former chief executive officer of William Grant & Sons Limited, Ms. David was responsible for the growth of the business from 2009 through 2016, with a focus on developing brand awareness, including that of Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s Gin, global expansion into new markets, as well as acquisitions and innovations.

Carnival Vista launches year-round service from PortMiami

Six- and Eight-Day Itineraries Visit Spectacular Destinations in the Caribbean

MIAMI -- PortMiami has welcomed Carnival Cruise Line’s newest, largest and most innovative ship, Carnival Vista, when it arrived to kick off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day cruises to the Caribbean.

To officially welcome Carnival Vista to its Miami homeport, Carnival Vista Captain
Stefano Battinelli and PortMiami Assistant Director Fred Wong participated in a traditional maritime plaque exchange prior to the ship’s inaugural departure from Miami.

As the line’s newest ship, Carnival Vista takes cruising to new heights, introducing groundbreaking features such as SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling experience; the world’s first IMAX^® Theatre on a ship; Kaleid-O-Slide, the line’s first water tube slide, part of the ship’s massive WaterWorks aqua park; and the RedFrog Pub & Brewery featuring the first brewery on a North American-based cruise ship.

“Miami has been our home since our company’s inception in 1972 and homeporting the new Carnival Vista here not only provides consumers with a convenient homeport with renovated facilities and numerous operational enhancements but speaks volumes about our confidence in growing this important market,” and said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.

Limitless Earning Potential for 85,000⁺ Travel Agents Eligible for Rewards

MIAMI – December 5, 2016 – Celebrity Cruises is once again showing its authentic appreciation to travel agents with the introduction of the first-ever trade loyalty program in North America for the cruising industry, aptly dubbed Celebrity Rewards.

Through the incentive program, the modern luxury brand invites more than 85,000⁺ eligible travel agents, in the U.S. and Canada, to receive rewards for every qualified booking resulting in limitless earning potential. This is the Celebrity Distinction.

Travel agents who enroll in the program and register their Celebrity bookings can earn points and redeem the points for a reloadable gift card. For every qualified booking made on or after January 1, 2017, agents will receive 500 points, when travel agents have 2,500 points, they can redeem them for $25 placed on the reloadable gift card. Those that enroll in Celebrity Rewards today will receive a kick-off bonus incentive of 500 points.

Windstar’s all-suite Star Legend yacht sails to new harbors in Japan, China,
Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Borneo, Egypt, India and more in 2017-18.

Seattle, WA — Boutique cruise line Windstar Cruises is sailing to Arabia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia in winter/spring 2017-18. The elegant, all-suite yacht Star Legend embarks just 212 guests on new itineraries with 12 sailing dates from 10 to 18 days in length departing Oct. to April and including dozens of maiden port calls, many off the tourist path. These small ship cruises are designed to immerse travelers into the heart of local cultures, indulging guests with the exclusive comforts and culinary delights of a private yacht.

Windstar’s Asia and Arabia cruises offer larger-than-life adventures and exceptional experiences only possible on a small ship. Star Legend will proudly sail into the hub of must-see Asian cities where larger ships typically dock on the outskirts. The agile yacht sails on routes less traveled, visiting out-of-the-way islands, and charming harbors that big ships skip. Itineraries are carefully crafted with scenic cruising and active exploration in mind.

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Monday, December 12, 2016

Thursday, December 8, 2016

MIAMI – December 5, 2016 – Celebrity Cruises is once again showing its authentic appreciation to travel agents with the introduction of the first-ever trade loyalty program in North America for the cruising industry, aptly dubbed Celebrity Rewards.

Through the incentive program, the modern luxury brand invites more than 85,000⁺ eligible travel agents, in the U.S. and Canada, to receive rewards for every qualified booking resulting in limitless earning potential. This is the Celebrity Distinction.

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