We had Chinese this evening. My fortune cookie said - I kid you not - "ships and water are in your future."
Smart cookie.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Discover the Arctic - The German Way
Illustration courtesy Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Many North Americans may not be aware of Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and that's a shame. Their five-star vessels have been taking hundreds of happy European passengers on exotic, interesting voyages for years now. Their ships are the only vessels in the world to consistently be awarded five stars or better in the annual Berlitz Guide to Cruise Ships.
While Hapag-Lloyd caters mainly to German passengers, they also offer a wide list of bilingual cruises geared towards English-speaking travelers as well. One of those voyages is so unique that Hapag -Lloyd is the only cruise line in the world to offer it.
Departing August 16, 2010 from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, the MS Hanseatic spends the next 26 days traversing the fabled Northwest Passage, ending in Nome, Alaska.
While Hapag-Lloyd caters mainly to German passengers, they also offer a wide list of bilingual cruises geared towards English-speaking travelers as well. One of those voyages is so unique that Hapag -Lloyd is the only cruise line in the world to offer it.
Departing August 16, 2010 from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, the MS Hanseatic spends the next 26 days traversing the fabled Northwest Passage, ending in Nome, Alaska.
In 1845, Sir John Franklin attempted the very same thing, with disastrous consequences. Beset by pack ice and poisoned on a daily basis by putrid and improperly canned foods, much of the crew - minus Franklin himself, who succumbed in June 1847 - managed to survive until the spring of 1848, when they deserted their ships Erebus and Terror and set off for Back River, where they had hoped to raft down until they could reach civilization. None would make it.
In 2010, however, the 183 lucky guests of the MS Hanseatic will experience a far different, more luxurious journey. Purpose-built for icebound journeys, the MS Hanseatic offers all the conveniences of a luxury cruise ship, including exceptional service, excellent cuisine and extensive enrichment programs.
Even 165 years after the Franklin expedition set out, the journey will be somewhat similar - the itinerary is heavily subject to change due to the unpredictable nature of ice in the Arctic, and ultimate port decisions rest with the Captain. One port of interest to history buffs, though, will surely be Beechy Island, were three Franklin expedition crew members were buried in the winter of 1845-46. Their grave markers still stand on the gravelly shore to this day.
Pricing for this incredibly unique voyage starts at 16,990 Euros per person. For more information, including full itinerary and pricing as well as MS Hanseatic deck plans, visit Hapag-Lloyd's website.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Through the Looking Glass
The EOSEAS concept cruise ship.
Photo-illustration courtesy STX Europe
A few days ago, we told you about the soon-to-be largest ship in the world, Oasis of the Seas. But STX Europe, the shipyard that built her, has some equally fascinating plans of their own.
Not simply content to build amazing ships for other clients, the team at STX Europe Saint Nazaire spent years researching and developing an eco-friendly concept cruise ship of the future. Her name? EOSEAS.
Designed to leave the smallest possible eco-footprint, EOSEAS harnesses both new - and not so new - technologies. Propulsion is provided by generators and engines that utilize natural gas instead of traditional marine bunker fuel - a type of unrefined sludge that is left over from the gasoline refinement process. In addition to this, EOSEAS boasts five masts with sails that can harness the wind with their available 12,440 square meters of surface area.
Solar panels assist in providing electrical power for the ship, and also act as a kind of double skin, helping to keep cool air in the ship and hot air outside. Waste treatment and water recycling programs, already standard on many modern cruise ships, are used to great effect in the EOSEAS prototype.
Perhaps the most innovative aspect, aside from the re-introduction of sail power after almost a 100-year gap in commercial use, is the hull of the ship itself: EOSEAS is designed around a catamaran-like hull that not only offers greater stability and efficiency, but opens the doors for entirely new passenger experiences - a lounge literally suspended over the sea, for instance.
If built, the EOSEAS would be 1000 feet long, with a width of 196 feet. This would make her not the longest, but most definitely the widest, cruise ship afloat. She would carry 3,311 passengers and 1,089 crew for a total compliment of 4,400 souls on board.
Will EOSEAS see the light of day? Given the current economic situation and the threat of ever-increasing fuel costs, not to mention increased environmental regulations in destinations like Alaska, it's no stretch to imagine that many aspects of EOSEAS will be implemented in newbuilds in years to come.
For more information, visit the EOSEAS page on STX Europe's site.
Not simply content to build amazing ships for other clients, the team at STX Europe Saint Nazaire spent years researching and developing an eco-friendly concept cruise ship of the future. Her name? EOSEAS.
Designed to leave the smallest possible eco-footprint, EOSEAS harnesses both new - and not so new - technologies. Propulsion is provided by generators and engines that utilize natural gas instead of traditional marine bunker fuel - a type of unrefined sludge that is left over from the gasoline refinement process. In addition to this, EOSEAS boasts five masts with sails that can harness the wind with their available 12,440 square meters of surface area.
Solar panels assist in providing electrical power for the ship, and also act as a kind of double skin, helping to keep cool air in the ship and hot air outside. Waste treatment and water recycling programs, already standard on many modern cruise ships, are used to great effect in the EOSEAS prototype.
Perhaps the most innovative aspect, aside from the re-introduction of sail power after almost a 100-year gap in commercial use, is the hull of the ship itself: EOSEAS is designed around a catamaran-like hull that not only offers greater stability and efficiency, but opens the doors for entirely new passenger experiences - a lounge literally suspended over the sea, for instance.
If built, the EOSEAS would be 1000 feet long, with a width of 196 feet. This would make her not the longest, but most definitely the widest, cruise ship afloat. She would carry 3,311 passengers and 1,089 crew for a total compliment of 4,400 souls on board.
Will EOSEAS see the light of day? Given the current economic situation and the threat of ever-increasing fuel costs, not to mention increased environmental regulations in destinations like Alaska, it's no stretch to imagine that many aspects of EOSEAS will be implemented in newbuilds in years to come.
For more information, visit the EOSEAS page on STX Europe's site.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Unique Itinerary of the Week - 9/27
Illustration courtesy MSC Cruises
It's fall, and that means the Caribbean cruise season is about to get into full swing as ships reposition from Alaska and Europe to call instead in the land of warm, sandy beaches. Returning once again to the Caribbean from Europe is MSC Cruises, which this year is basing their MSC Poesia out of Fort Lauderdale for a series of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
MSC, a major player in the Mediterranean cruise market, has had a bit of a bumpy ride in their past forays into the winter Caribbean market. Predominantly American passengers have been turned off by some of MSC's cultural differences - having to pay for a bottle of water after dinner, for instance - and MSC has responded by trying to 'Americanize', as best they can, their North American itineraries. They're listening. And they're fine-tuning. And each year is better than the last.
If you want to experience a unique, European cruise line with truly stunning ships, a close-to-home MSC cruise just might be what the doctor ordered. Make no mistake about it - this is not the "Olive Garden" - these are real Italian cruise ships. If you've been to Italy, you're probably already on your way to MSC's website. If not, prepare yourself for a cruise experience that is different - but just as enjoyable - as the North American lines you are used to.
In keeping with MSC's uniqueness, they offer a truly unique Western Caribbean itinerary - Island Treasures and Ancient Temples.
Departing January 16, 2010, the MSC Poesia sails from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West; Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; At Sea; and Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Ft. Lauderdale.
What's unique about this itinerary? For starters, the ship bypasses the overrun destination of Cozumel, Mexico altogether - opting instead to anchor off Playa Del Carmen, just across the strait. Passengers interested in seeing Mayan ruins like Tulum would have to cross via ferry from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen anyway, so MSC's decision to anchor their ship right there saves those passengers about three total hours of travel time. Playa Del Carmen is also closer to Cancun, which many tourists flock to for a day of shopping and sandy beaches.
Also unique? Key West. Popular on many four-and-five day cruises, Key West is noticeably absent from most seven-night cruises - which is too bad, because the city is absolutely beautiful, and of course, the Key Lime pie is not to be missed.
The final unique feature? Nassau. Most seven-day Western Caribbean cruises seldom go farther east than Jamaica. If you've been to Nassau before, this may or may not be a draw for you, but for those who haven't, this unique itinerary allows you to see a remarkable amount of the Caribbean in only a week.
For more information and pricing, visit the MSC Cruises website.
MSC, a major player in the Mediterranean cruise market, has had a bit of a bumpy ride in their past forays into the winter Caribbean market. Predominantly American passengers have been turned off by some of MSC's cultural differences - having to pay for a bottle of water after dinner, for instance - and MSC has responded by trying to 'Americanize', as best they can, their North American itineraries. They're listening. And they're fine-tuning. And each year is better than the last.
If you want to experience a unique, European cruise line with truly stunning ships, a close-to-home MSC cruise just might be what the doctor ordered. Make no mistake about it - this is not the "Olive Garden" - these are real Italian cruise ships. If you've been to Italy, you're probably already on your way to MSC's website. If not, prepare yourself for a cruise experience that is different - but just as enjoyable - as the North American lines you are used to.
In keeping with MSC's uniqueness, they offer a truly unique Western Caribbean itinerary - Island Treasures and Ancient Temples.
Departing January 16, 2010, the MSC Poesia sails from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West; Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; At Sea; and Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Ft. Lauderdale.
What's unique about this itinerary? For starters, the ship bypasses the overrun destination of Cozumel, Mexico altogether - opting instead to anchor off Playa Del Carmen, just across the strait. Passengers interested in seeing Mayan ruins like Tulum would have to cross via ferry from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen anyway, so MSC's decision to anchor their ship right there saves those passengers about three total hours of travel time. Playa Del Carmen is also closer to Cancun, which many tourists flock to for a day of shopping and sandy beaches.
Also unique? Key West. Popular on many four-and-five day cruises, Key West is noticeably absent from most seven-night cruises - which is too bad, because the city is absolutely beautiful, and of course, the Key Lime pie is not to be missed.
The final unique feature? Nassau. Most seven-day Western Caribbean cruises seldom go farther east than Jamaica. If you've been to Nassau before, this may or may not be a draw for you, but for those who haven't, this unique itinerary allows you to see a remarkable amount of the Caribbean in only a week.
For more information and pricing, visit the MSC Cruises website.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Largest Ship In The World
Oasis of the Seas on her sea trials.
Photo courtesy Royal Caribbean
In 45 days, the largest cruise ship ever built will sail into its new homeport of Ft. Lauderdale for the first time, and whether a ship that size is your cup of tea or not, Royal Caribbean undeniably has a major industry event on their hands.
Oasis of the Seas is the latest incarnation of a long history of innovation for Royal Caribbean. Sovereign of the Seas made waves (no pun intended) in January 1988 as the largest cruise ship ever built at 73,192 GRT - a title that was later claimed by Voyager of the Seas in 1999, Explorer of the Seas in 2000, Navigator of the Seas in 2002, Freedom of the Seas in 2006, and Independence of the Seas in 2008.
Oasis of the Seas plans to claim that title by a large margin. The specs are impressive:
Tonnage: 225,000 GRT
Length: 1,181 feet
Beam: 154 feet
Height: 213 feet (above water line)
Draft: 30 feet
Decks: 18 Passenger
Speed: 20.2 knots cruising / 23.8 knots max.
Propulsion: 3 azimuthing electric propulsion pods
Capacity: 5,400 Pax (double occupancy); 7,300 pax (all berths)
To put this in perspective: the ship is longer and wider than the RMS Queen Mary 2, but not taller. At 148,528 GRT, the QM2 has a deeper draft (33 feet) and greater speed (29.62 knots), and is propelled by 4 azipods. The ship only hold 2,620 passengers and 1,253 officers and crew.
The major jaw-dropper with Oasis of the Seas is undeniably her capacity: with all third and fourth berths full, the ship holds a whopping 7,300 passengers. To put that in perspective, that's the entire passenger compliment of the QM2 almost three times over. And that doesn't include officers or crew. Remember The Love Boat? The original Pacific Princess could fit her entire passenger compliment inside Oasis of the Seas eleven and a half times over!
Don't let that get you down though - this is, after all, Royal Caribbean. They didn't just wake up one morning and say "let's build us a superliner!" Oasis represents a twenty-year evolution in building bigger and better ships that are executed beautifully. Careful thought has been given to passenger movement and flow, and activities and public rooms are spread out over a greater number of decks in an effort to reduce crowding.
Speaking of activities and public rooms, picture this: a zip line. A carousel. A poolside theatre. A bar that is also an elevator. Tying it all together? An outdoor promenade 'neighborhood.' Other notable features include four pools and ten whirlpools, dual 'flowriders' that allow you to surf while onboard, two rock climbing walls, a min-golf course, and an adults-ony solarium.
Staterooms range from standard interior staterooms to dual-level suites, and represent all budgets and tastes.
Built at a whopping cost of $1.2 billion USD, the Oasis of the Seas represents a number of firsts for the cruise industry and indeed in terms of ship design itself. Her future sister, Allure of the Seas, is already under construction at the STX shipyards in Turku, Finland.
There are plenty of exciting newbuilds coming in the next yea, but arguably none will be watched closer by passengers and industry insiders alike than the launch of Oasis of the Seas this December. Royal Caribbean is on-stage for what could be the greatest magic show in cruising history - now they just have to get the rabbit out of the hat.
Oasis of the Seas will begin a variety of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises starting this December. For more information about the ship, her itineraries and innovations, visit the official Oasis of the Seas Website.
Oasis of the Seas is the latest incarnation of a long history of innovation for Royal Caribbean. Sovereign of the Seas made waves (no pun intended) in January 1988 as the largest cruise ship ever built at 73,192 GRT - a title that was later claimed by Voyager of the Seas in 1999, Explorer of the Seas in 2000, Navigator of the Seas in 2002, Freedom of the Seas in 2006, and Independence of the Seas in 2008.
Oasis of the Seas plans to claim that title by a large margin. The specs are impressive:
Tonnage: 225,000 GRT
Length: 1,181 feet
Beam: 154 feet
Height: 213 feet (above water line)
Draft: 30 feet
Decks: 18 Passenger
Speed: 20.2 knots cruising / 23.8 knots max.
Propulsion: 3 azimuthing electric propulsion pods
Capacity: 5,400 Pax (double occupancy); 7,300 pax (all berths)
To put this in perspective: the ship is longer and wider than the RMS Queen Mary 2, but not taller. At 148,528 GRT, the QM2 has a deeper draft (33 feet) and greater speed (29.62 knots), and is propelled by 4 azipods. The ship only hold 2,620 passengers and 1,253 officers and crew.
The major jaw-dropper with Oasis of the Seas is undeniably her capacity: with all third and fourth berths full, the ship holds a whopping 7,300 passengers. To put that in perspective, that's the entire passenger compliment of the QM2 almost three times over. And that doesn't include officers or crew. Remember The Love Boat? The original Pacific Princess could fit her entire passenger compliment inside Oasis of the Seas eleven and a half times over!
Don't let that get you down though - this is, after all, Royal Caribbean. They didn't just wake up one morning and say "let's build us a superliner!" Oasis represents a twenty-year evolution in building bigger and better ships that are executed beautifully. Careful thought has been given to passenger movement and flow, and activities and public rooms are spread out over a greater number of decks in an effort to reduce crowding.
Speaking of activities and public rooms, picture this: a zip line. A carousel. A poolside theatre. A bar that is also an elevator. Tying it all together? An outdoor promenade 'neighborhood.' Other notable features include four pools and ten whirlpools, dual 'flowriders' that allow you to surf while onboard, two rock climbing walls, a min-golf course, and an adults-ony solarium.
Staterooms range from standard interior staterooms to dual-level suites, and represent all budgets and tastes.
Built at a whopping cost of $1.2 billion USD, the Oasis of the Seas represents a number of firsts for the cruise industry and indeed in terms of ship design itself. Her future sister, Allure of the Seas, is already under construction at the STX shipyards in Turku, Finland.
There are plenty of exciting newbuilds coming in the next yea, but arguably none will be watched closer by passengers and industry insiders alike than the launch of Oasis of the Seas this December. Royal Caribbean is on-stage for what could be the greatest magic show in cruising history - now they just have to get the rabbit out of the hat.
Oasis of the Seas will begin a variety of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises starting this December. For more information about the ship, her itineraries and innovations, visit the official Oasis of the Seas Website.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Oceania Difference
Photo Courtesy Oceania Cruises
Once upon a time, there was Renaissance Cruises. With a fleet of eight identical sister ships all built between 1998 and 2001 operating popular European and South Pacific itineraries, things looked rosy for Renaissance and its CEO, Frank Del Rio.
Then 9/11 happened. Demand for travel, particularly international travel, bottomed out. Renaissance, which had built its business model on selling cruises directly to the customer with no travel agent involvement, suffered heavily. It ceased operations on September 25, 2001 and its beautiful fleet of ships sold at auction.
But Frank Del Rio was undeterred. Together with industry vet Joe Watters, they immediately set out to launch a new cruise line and began by chartering back the former Renaissance R Two from Cruiseinvest, renaming her Insignia. Oceania Cruises was officially born.
Since then, Oceania has re-acquired a total of three of the former R-class vessels, naming them Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica. In 2007, the line was acquired by New York based Apollo Management, which has since also bought Regent Seven Seas cruises, and gained controlling interest in NCL.
Shortly after, Oceania announced ambitious plans for a new class of ship to be built at Fincantieri Shipyards near Venice, Italy. Carrying 1,260 passengers apiece, the twin 66,000 GRT ships are due to launch in September 2010 and July 2011. The first vessel will be known as Marina.
Marketed as an upper-premium cruise line, Oceania specializes in providing travelers with a refined and casually elegant travel experience. The onboard experience revolves around outstanding service, first-class culinary delights, and onboard enrichment programs. In fact, as much emphasis is placed on the unique destinations Oceania sails to as the ships themselves.
For more information on Oceania, including itineraries and virtual ship tours, visit the Oceania Cruises website.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The World Is Cunard's Oyster
Photo courtesy Cunard Line
Cunard has quietly added itineraries for their 2011 World Cruises on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth to their website. Itineraries for Queen Victoria through March 2011 have been online on Cunard's site for some time now. Recently released voyages include:
QM2:
Jan 3, 2011 - 10 Night Caribbean Calypso - roundtrip New York
Jan 13, 2011 - 103 Night World Voyage - New York to New York
Queen Elizabeth:
Jan 5, 2011 - 103 Night World Voyage - Southampton to Southampton
It should be noted with excitement that Queen Elizabeth will be performing a tandem transatlantic crossing with sister ship Queen Victoria, both departing Southampton on January 5, 2011 and arriving in New York together. This will be the first time in decades that two near-identical sister ships have crossed the Atlantic at the same time for Cunard. This will make these rare winter crossings a truly special experience for all who sail onboard both vessels.
Ports are too numerous on the World Voyages to list in detail here. For more information, including pricing and booking information, visit the Cunard webpage.
QM2:
Jan 3, 2011 - 10 Night Caribbean Calypso - roundtrip New York
Jan 13, 2011 - 103 Night World Voyage - New York to New York
Queen Elizabeth:
Jan 5, 2011 - 103 Night World Voyage - Southampton to Southampton
It should be noted with excitement that Queen Elizabeth will be performing a tandem transatlantic crossing with sister ship Queen Victoria, both departing Southampton on January 5, 2011 and arriving in New York together. This will be the first time in decades that two near-identical sister ships have crossed the Atlantic at the same time for Cunard. This will make these rare winter crossings a truly special experience for all who sail onboard both vessels.
Ports are too numerous on the World Voyages to list in detail here. For more information, including pricing and booking information, visit the Cunard webpage.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Cruise Lines vs. Alaska
The 2009 cruise ship season in Vancouver is almost at a close. The Star Princess, Coral Princess, and Norwegian Pearl are all here today. All are headed south to the sunshine, sandy beaches, and waving palm trees.
Some are not to return.
Disney announced to great fanfare two weeks ago they would be homeporting Disney Wonder in Vancouver for a series of roundtrip Alaska cruises in the summer of 2011. But for 2010, the Port of Vancouver faces its bleakest cruise season in years.
Bleak is, of course, a relative term. Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity are all returning. Even five-star, ultra-luxe lines Silversea and Regent Seven Seas will be back.
The list of who will not be returning, however, is growing. NCL, pulling all ships out for the first time since they entered the Alaska market nearly two decades ago. Norwegian Sun has been sent to the Baltics, and Norwegian Pearl and Star will continue to operate out of Seattle.
Carnival is also pulling out of Vancouver for the first time since the line started Alaska cruises. The 85,920-ton Carnival Spirit will reposition to Seattle for 2010, offering roundtrip Alaska cruises instead of the North/Southbound runs they've focused on for the last few years.
Royal Caribbean is almost out - Serenade of the Seas, which until now operated 7-Day roundtrips from Vancouver, will be sent full-time to the aqua waters of the Caribbean. Radiance of the Seas will continue her North/Southbound runs, and Rhapsody will reprise her roundtrip sailings from Vancouver.
Blame for the withdrawal is being placed squarely on the Alaska State Head Tax, a $50 per-passenger surcharge approved by the State of Alaska in 2006. The issue has become such a hot-button item that he Alaska Cruise Association, representing Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean launched a lawsuite against the State of Alaska, calling the tax "unconstitutional." The tax collected so far has been used for a variety of infrastructure projects - none of them related, in any way, to improving dock or passenger facilities in Alaskan ports.
Caught in the middle: Vancouver. The higher cost for American tourists who fly into YVR has been hotly debated on sites like CruiseCritic for years now. The highly-publicized taxi cab shortage at Canada Place in the past hasn't helped either.
Couple this with the worst recession in decades, and it becomes more clear why lines are pulling out. The American tourists want somewhere they can fly to cheaply, and the cruise lines listened. They are, after all, a highly mobile industry; why stay if it doesn't make financial sense?
The Disney announcement served as a bit of a silver lining - a glimmer of hope that 2011 might not see the losses that 2010 has.
That ultimately rests with the success or failure of the Alaska Passenger Tax. We'll keep you posted.
Some are not to return.
Disney announced to great fanfare two weeks ago they would be homeporting Disney Wonder in Vancouver for a series of roundtrip Alaska cruises in the summer of 2011. But for 2010, the Port of Vancouver faces its bleakest cruise season in years.
Bleak is, of course, a relative term. Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity are all returning. Even five-star, ultra-luxe lines Silversea and Regent Seven Seas will be back.
The list of who will not be returning, however, is growing. NCL, pulling all ships out for the first time since they entered the Alaska market nearly two decades ago. Norwegian Sun has been sent to the Baltics, and Norwegian Pearl and Star will continue to operate out of Seattle.
Carnival is also pulling out of Vancouver for the first time since the line started Alaska cruises. The 85,920-ton Carnival Spirit will reposition to Seattle for 2010, offering roundtrip Alaska cruises instead of the North/Southbound runs they've focused on for the last few years.
Royal Caribbean is almost out - Serenade of the Seas, which until now operated 7-Day roundtrips from Vancouver, will be sent full-time to the aqua waters of the Caribbean. Radiance of the Seas will continue her North/Southbound runs, and Rhapsody will reprise her roundtrip sailings from Vancouver.
Blame for the withdrawal is being placed squarely on the Alaska State Head Tax, a $50 per-passenger surcharge approved by the State of Alaska in 2006. The issue has become such a hot-button item that he Alaska Cruise Association, representing Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean launched a lawsuite against the State of Alaska, calling the tax "unconstitutional." The tax collected so far has been used for a variety of infrastructure projects - none of them related, in any way, to improving dock or passenger facilities in Alaskan ports.
Caught in the middle: Vancouver. The higher cost for American tourists who fly into YVR has been hotly debated on sites like CruiseCritic for years now. The highly-publicized taxi cab shortage at Canada Place in the past hasn't helped either.
Couple this with the worst recession in decades, and it becomes more clear why lines are pulling out. The American tourists want somewhere they can fly to cheaply, and the cruise lines listened. They are, after all, a highly mobile industry; why stay if it doesn't make financial sense?
The Disney announcement served as a bit of a silver lining - a glimmer of hope that 2011 might not see the losses that 2010 has.
That ultimately rests with the success or failure of the Alaska Passenger Tax. We'll keep you posted.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Unique Itinerary of the Week - 9/19
So you've done the Caribbean. And the Mexican Riviera. You could go back to the Med, but you've been warned they'll make you an official tour guide if you set foot on Santorini again. What's a sun-worshipper to do? Royal Caribbean might have the answer.
Departing on various dates in January and February of 2010 and 2011, Brilliance of the Seas whisks cruisers to a part of the world still relatively unknown to most North Americans: the United Arab Emirates.
Departing from, and overnighting in Dubai, Brilliance of the Seas calls at the ports of Muscat, Oman; Fujairah; Abu Dhabi; and Mina Sulman, Bahrain before overnighting once more in Dubai. This 7-day cruise is also very reasonably priced.
So what is the United Arab Emirates, exactly? Well, the UAE is made up of seven emirates situated on the Persian Gulf and bordered by Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is one of the richest countries in the world by GDP, and is quickly becoming one of the worlds hottest tourist destinations, particularly in the case of Dubai. Indeed, Dubai boasts an incredible transportation infrastructure that would make most North American cities blush. In addition to the sprawling Dubai International Airport (DXB), major investments have been made in hotels, metro lines, and ports. It is a destination like no other.
So if another winter cruise to the Caribbean docked in Cozumel with eighteen other ships doesn't sound like a party to you, hop on over to Royal Caribbean's site and check out their Dubai cruises. You won't be sorry you did.
For flights, interested cruisers shouldn't hesitate to have a look at Emirates website. The UAE's main airline, Emirates is consistently ranked as one of the top airlines in the world, and also one that flies the mammoth Airbus A380.
Departing on various dates in January and February of 2010 and 2011, Brilliance of the Seas whisks cruisers to a part of the world still relatively unknown to most North Americans: the United Arab Emirates.
Illustration courtesy Royal Caribbean
Departing from, and overnighting in Dubai, Brilliance of the Seas calls at the ports of Muscat, Oman; Fujairah; Abu Dhabi; and Mina Sulman, Bahrain before overnighting once more in Dubai. This 7-day cruise is also very reasonably priced.
So what is the United Arab Emirates, exactly? Well, the UAE is made up of seven emirates situated on the Persian Gulf and bordered by Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is one of the richest countries in the world by GDP, and is quickly becoming one of the worlds hottest tourist destinations, particularly in the case of Dubai. Indeed, Dubai boasts an incredible transportation infrastructure that would make most North American cities blush. In addition to the sprawling Dubai International Airport (DXB), major investments have been made in hotels, metro lines, and ports. It is a destination like no other.
So if another winter cruise to the Caribbean docked in Cozumel with eighteen other ships doesn't sound like a party to you, hop on over to Royal Caribbean's site and check out their Dubai cruises. You won't be sorry you did.
For flights, interested cruisers shouldn't hesitate to have a look at Emirates website. The UAE's main airline, Emirates is consistently ranked as one of the top airlines in the world, and also one that flies the mammoth Airbus A380.
Weekend News Update
Bart de Boer has updated his fantastic ShipParade website with a brand-new photo tour of the equally brand-new MSC Splendida. Be sure to check it out to discover why MSC is quickly becoming a major player in both Europe and in North America.
Friday, September 18, 2009
An Epic Crossing
Photo-illustration Courtesy NCL
NCL officially began accepting bookings yesterday for Norwegian Epic's first revenue cruise: a 7-day voyage from Southampton to New York, departing June 24, 2010. In addition, NCL also announced a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise set to depart Miami on July 10, 2010 - one week earlier than originally scheduled.
The 4,200 passenger ship - the largest newbuild for NCL to date - represents the latest iteration of the company's wildly successful Freestyle Cruising program. The ship will offer passengers more of everything: up to 20 dining venues and 20 bars, a 33-foot high rock climbing wall, performances by the Blue Man Group, and a 265-seat, "big top" style theatre.
One of the most talked-about features on the Epic are the staterooms: the modern New Wave staterooms feature curved walls and accents, and the new "Studio" category inside staterooms feature their own private lounge called the Living Room.
More details about the Norwegian Epic can be found on the Norwegian Epic site.
The 4,200 passenger ship - the largest newbuild for NCL to date - represents the latest iteration of the company's wildly successful Freestyle Cruising program. The ship will offer passengers more of everything: up to 20 dining venues and 20 bars, a 33-foot high rock climbing wall, performances by the Blue Man Group, and a 265-seat, "big top" style theatre.
One of the most talked-about features on the Epic are the staterooms: the modern New Wave staterooms feature curved walls and accents, and the new "Studio" category inside staterooms feature their own private lounge called the Living Room.
More details about the Norwegian Epic can be found on the Norwegian Epic site.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Peek Inside the Sea
Photo Courtesy Princess Cruises
First they did it with the Golden Princess. Then, they turned their attention to the Dawn Princess. Now, Princess returns with a blog detailing the current drydock refurbishment of Sea Princess in San Francisco, California.
Updated daily, the blog provides an inside look at the work that goes on during these refits - designed to retrofit all Princess ships with the Sanctuary and Movies Under the Stars, in addition to scheduled maintenance.
Their first blog, detailing the extensive refit of Golden Princess in Victoria, BC this past April was a surprise hit for Princess and proved so successful that they offered their guests and readers a look at the refit of Dawn Princess little more than a month later in Australia.
We hope to see more of these fascinating blogs from Princess!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Just a Pretty Picture
Today's update is a reminder just why cruising is one of the most spectacular vacation choices you can take.
What land vacation lets you wake up and see this?
What land vacation lets you wake up and see this?
Photo Courtesy Princess Cruises
Taken as the Coral Princess cruised the College Fjord in Alaska. In a few short weeks, the 2009 Alaska cruise season will come to a close.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mariner Rewards 2.0
Photo Courtesy Holland America Line
Holland America Line announced today a revamp of its Mariner Society Rewards Program for past guests.
Starting September 18th for guests sailing on the MS Zaandam, and finishing with the MS Prinsendam on October 18th, the new Mariner Society Rewards Program is still based on number of days sailed, but with new 'tiers' similar to those found in programs offered by Cunard and Princess.
For all tiers, one cruise credit is given for each day sailed, and passengers staying in suites will receive double credits (ie - 14 credits for a weeklong voyage). In addition, for every $300 passengers spend on their onboard account, they will receive one additional credit.
Past passengers will receive appropriate credits for days sailed, but will only earn credits for suites and onboard spending for voyages departing on or after September 18, 2009.
The tiers are:
Star Mariner - First Cruise to 29 days.
2-Star Mariner - 30 days to 74 days.
3-Star Mariner - 75 days to 199 days.
4-Star Mariner - 200 days and over.
While the requirements for 4-Star Mariner status may seem unattainable to most cruisers, this is Holland America - the line has an enormous following of loyal passengers who have been with the line for years - many of whom are already at least 3-Star Mariners under the new program.
For additional details about the specific perks of each tier, plus a full fleet rollout schedule, visit Holland America's Mariner Society Page. For past HAL guests, have a look at the FAQ section to see what tier you are covered under in this new program, and for any additional queries.
Canada & New England...In April?
Have you wanted to see the beauty of Canada & New England, but couldn't get time off during September and October when most cruises operate? Costa might have just what you're looking for.
Beginning in April and continuing through May 2010, Costa will operate a series of Canada/New England cruises onboard Costa Atlantica to bookend that ships Caribbean season.
• On April 10, 2010, Costa Atlantica will sail a 14 night voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to Quebec City, calling at Port Canaveral, Charleston, Baltimore, Norfolk, overnight in New York, Boston, Sydney NS, Charlottetown PEI, and overnighting in Quebec City.
• On April 24, 2010, the ship operates an 11-night voyage between Quebec City and New York, calling at Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney NS, Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport, and overnight in New York.
• Finally, on May 5, 2010, Costa Atlantica sails from New York to Copenhagen for 17 nights. On this voyage, the ship overnights in New York for three days, followed by calls at Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney NS, Le Havre, Dover, and Bremerhaven.
Details about all three voyages can be found on Costa's Website.
Beginning in April and continuing through May 2010, Costa will operate a series of Canada/New England cruises onboard Costa Atlantica to bookend that ships Caribbean season.
• On April 10, 2010, Costa Atlantica will sail a 14 night voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to Quebec City, calling at Port Canaveral, Charleston, Baltimore, Norfolk, overnight in New York, Boston, Sydney NS, Charlottetown PEI, and overnighting in Quebec City.
• On April 24, 2010, the ship operates an 11-night voyage between Quebec City and New York, calling at Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney NS, Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport, and overnight in New York.
• Finally, on May 5, 2010, Costa Atlantica sails from New York to Copenhagen for 17 nights. On this voyage, the ship overnights in New York for three days, followed by calls at Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney NS, Le Havre, Dover, and Bremerhaven.
Details about all three voyages can be found on Costa's Website.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Blogging the Norwegian Way
Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten is perhaps best known for its unique itineraries around Norway, Greenland, and Antarctica. Their fleet of fourteen passenger ships routinely take cruisers to some of the most remote - and interesting - parts of the world.
To get a sense of what a voyage with Hurtigruten is like, they have created a fantastic blog - the MV Fram Expedition Blog . Chocked with daily updates and fantastic photographs, the Expedition Blog is the closest thing you can get to actually experiencing one of Hutrigruten's expedition cruises without actually being onboard.
The MV Fram is currently sailing in and around Greenland. For more information on Hurtigruten's many unique expedition voyages, visit their homepage.
For a look at the interiors of the MV Fram, check out the MV Fram page on the ShipParade Ship Alphabet.
To get a sense of what a voyage with Hurtigruten is like, they have created a fantastic blog - the MV Fram Expedition Blog . Chocked with daily updates and fantastic photographs, the Expedition Blog is the closest thing you can get to actually experiencing one of Hutrigruten's expedition cruises without actually being onboard.
The MV Fram is currently sailing in and around Greenland. For more information on Hurtigruten's many unique expedition voyages, visit their homepage.
For a look at the interiors of the MV Fram, check out the MV Fram page on the ShipParade Ship Alphabet.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Unique Itinerary of the Week
Some of the most interesting voyages are the ones that visit places few people have been to. That being the case, Fred.Olsen clearly has one of the most unique itineraries available for next summer.
Departing Saturday, August 7, 2010 from Southampton, England, Black Watch sails first to Qaqortoq, Greenland, then on to Narsarsuaq and Nanortalik, Greenland. She then spends one day cruising Cape Farewell before setting sail for Isafjordur, Iceland and Reykjavik Iceland. The cruise wraps up in Southampton on 22 August 2010.
Prices start at £1,649 per person. North American cruisers should note that, as a UK cruise line, all prices onboard Fred.Olsen ships are charged in Pounds Sterling (£) and not US dollars .
For more details, visit the itinerary page on Fred.Olsen's website.
Photo Courtesy Fred.Olsen
Departing Saturday, August 7, 2010 from Southampton, England, Black Watch sails first to Qaqortoq, Greenland, then on to Narsarsuaq and Nanortalik, Greenland. She then spends one day cruising Cape Farewell before setting sail for Isafjordur, Iceland and Reykjavik Iceland. The cruise wraps up in Southampton on 22 August 2010.
Prices start at £1,649 per person. North American cruisers should note that, as a UK cruise line, all prices onboard Fred.Olsen ships are charged in Pounds Sterling (£) and not US dollars .
For more details, visit the itinerary page on Fred.Olsen's website.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Adding Some Wonder to Alaska
Photo Courtesy Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line today confirmed what has long been rumored: they will indeed be sending Disney Wonder to Alaska in 2011.
Beginning May 3, 2011 and ending September 6, 2011, Disney Wonder will offer seven night Alaska cruises departing roundtrip from Vancouver and sailing to Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, and Tracy Arm.
There will also be a 6-night Los Angeles to Vancouver Pacific Coastal repositioning cruise departing in April 2010.
Bookings for the new Alaska voyages will open on September 28, 2009. Prices were not immediately available.
Also available at that time will be Disney Wonder's 2011 Mexican Riviera sailings that will book-end the Alaska season. Cruises depart roundtrip from Los Angeles (San Pedro) and call at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatan, and Cabo San Lucas.
Information on Disney's Alaska 2011 Voyages can be found on their website. Be patient with it if it doesn't immediately work - it has been going offline on and off throughout the day due to the numbers of people trying to access the site.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Some Rain With Your Sun
Passengers booked on the September 2010 Transatlantic on the Norwegian Sun are having a bit of a cloudy day today, as NCL has informed them that the ship will be going into drydock instead, with their transatlantic crossing pushed back to October 4, 2010.
For many passengers, this will be the second bump they've had in their transatlantic road: earlier this year, NCL made the decision to replace the Norwegian Jewel in the Baltics with the slightly smaller Norwegian Sun. This change necessitated re-acomodating passengers already booked onto a ship with a completely different deck plan and a lower overall number of cabins in certain categories, most noticeably suites.
Also problematic is the new itinerary: the Sun will now depart Dover on October 4, 2010 before calling at Lisbon and Ponta Delgada, followed by seven days at sea. The Sun will arrive in Port Canaveral (Orlando) on Sat, October 23, 2010. Gone are the ports of Guernsey, Waterford, La Coruna, and Vigo.
While disruptive, NCL is probably taking advantage of the fact that the Sun is over in Europe, where shipyards are more plentiful and available than in other parts of the world, and plans to do routine maintenance before the ship returns to the Caribbean in late October 2010.
The new itinerary can be found here.
A CruiseCritic thread on the matter is located here.
For many passengers, this will be the second bump they've had in their transatlantic road: earlier this year, NCL made the decision to replace the Norwegian Jewel in the Baltics with the slightly smaller Norwegian Sun. This change necessitated re-acomodating passengers already booked onto a ship with a completely different deck plan and a lower overall number of cabins in certain categories, most noticeably suites.
Also problematic is the new itinerary: the Sun will now depart Dover on October 4, 2010 before calling at Lisbon and Ponta Delgada, followed by seven days at sea. The Sun will arrive in Port Canaveral (Orlando) on Sat, October 23, 2010. Gone are the ports of Guernsey, Waterford, La Coruna, and Vigo.
While disruptive, NCL is probably taking advantage of the fact that the Sun is over in Europe, where shipyards are more plentiful and available than in other parts of the world, and plans to do routine maintenance before the ship returns to the Caribbean in late October 2010.
The new itinerary can be found here.
A CruiseCritic thread on the matter is located here.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Silver Blog
Photo Courtesy Silversea
So why is this a big deal? The launch of any new major ship is usually a highly-anticipated event, and for Silversea, the Silver Spirit represents not only their first newbuild since 2001, but also their largest ship to-date.
When you're Silversea, larger doesn't mean a sacrifice in quality. For 540 lucky guests, larger means six alternate dining venues, four hot tubs, an 8,300 square foot spa, and 95% of suites featuring their own private balcony, and butler service to boot.
Designed to further enhance the brand loyal Silversea guests have come to appreciate, the as-yet unfinished ship is already winning accolades from cruise industry professionals and observers who were present as the ship completed her sea trials.
To learn more about this exciting new ship, complete with photos and shipyard reports, check out the Silver Spirit Blog. Silver Spirit sets sail this December.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Affordable Luxury
You've probably heard the phrase "Champagne taste on a beer budget" before. But for those not accustomed to having a peek at the five-star lines webpages - we're talking Crystal, Regent and Silversea, here - you might want to.
Regent, for example, is running a promotion for 2010 bookings made up to and including September 30th that not only offers the usual reductions in cruise fare, but also includes up free roundtrip airfare and free shore excursions. When you put that together with the fact that Regent also includes all gratuities, soft drinks, bottled water, wine, spirits, coffee and tea in its cruise fares, the deal starts sounding better and better.
In fact, a 2010 Europe voyage with Regent - on one of their intimate, all suite ships, may actually end up costing you less than a comparable voyage with a mainstream line. Obviously, the total up-front cost with Regent will be more - but, when you consider the cost of round-trip airfare from North America to most European destinations, coupled with the average amount of money spent in gratuities and beverages, not to mention shore excursions - it could actually ending up being one of the best deals this season.
If this piques your interest (as it has mine!), have a look at Regent's 2010 Early Booking Program here.
Photo Courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent, for example, is running a promotion for 2010 bookings made up to and including September 30th that not only offers the usual reductions in cruise fare, but also includes up free roundtrip airfare and free shore excursions. When you put that together with the fact that Regent also includes all gratuities, soft drinks, bottled water, wine, spirits, coffee and tea in its cruise fares, the deal starts sounding better and better.
In fact, a 2010 Europe voyage with Regent - on one of their intimate, all suite ships, may actually end up costing you less than a comparable voyage with a mainstream line. Obviously, the total up-front cost with Regent will be more - but, when you consider the cost of round-trip airfare from North America to most European destinations, coupled with the average amount of money spent in gratuities and beverages, not to mention shore excursions - it could actually ending up being one of the best deals this season.
If this piques your interest (as it has mine!), have a look at Regent's 2010 Early Booking Program here.
Monday, September 7, 2009
This Price is Always Right
Royal Caribbean recently instituted a program that will be of interest to those who watch the price of their cruise religiously after they've booked.
Called their "Price Guarantee", if a lower fare is advertised by Royal Caribbean, they will either credit you the difference in cost provided you are outside the final payment period, or, if the booking is inside the final payment period, provide the difference as an onboard credit or via upgrade options.
There's some fine print, but nothing out of the ordinary: the price guarantee is only available to United States and Canadian citizens; is only valid up to 72 hours prior to departure, and credit can only be used for the same ship, sailing date, and number of guests.
While the idea of requesting a price reduction before final payment isn't particularly new, the ability to request an onboard credit or category upgrade after final payment is, and we applaud Royal Caribbean for thinking outside the box.
More details about the program are available here.
Called their "Price Guarantee", if a lower fare is advertised by Royal Caribbean, they will either credit you the difference in cost provided you are outside the final payment period, or, if the booking is inside the final payment period, provide the difference as an onboard credit or via upgrade options.
There's some fine print, but nothing out of the ordinary: the price guarantee is only available to United States and Canadian citizens; is only valid up to 72 hours prior to departure, and credit can only be used for the same ship, sailing date, and number of guests.
While the idea of requesting a price reduction before final payment isn't particularly new, the ability to request an onboard credit or category upgrade after final payment is, and we applaud Royal Caribbean for thinking outside the box.
More details about the program are available here.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Two Wrongs...are Still Wrong
When I started this blog, I never intended to do an 'opinion' piece. But I saw something on Friday that's been turning over in my head since, so here goes.
On the train in to work on Friday, a lady was sat across from me, chatting with a husband and wife. This lady revealed herself to be a travel agent (and a good one by her own admission). The couple revealed they liked to travel, and most of the conversation went back and forth in this manner, with the couple stating what they had done, and the travel agent chiming in with her own experiences.
When we passed Celebrity Millennium tied up at Ballantyne Pier, the couple were obviously taken in by this large, white, glistening floating palace that lay so tantalizingly near. I was admiring it too (frankly, it's hard not to), when the travel agent piped up, saying that the Millennium was Celebrity's newest ship, and had just sailed from Southampton. As I was digesting that, the couple said they'd cruised on Princess, to which the agent said: "Princess owns Celebrity, so you can get a past passenger discount."
The couple was very excited. The agent gave them her card, and the couple said they'd call.
I didn't say anything to correct the agent, but I thought about this all weekend: this lady gave the couple completely wrong information about the ship, and the cruise line. In fact, the only thing she got right was the ship's name, and heck, she could physically see that. For a layperson, that's fine - but this is supposed to be this woman's business.
Let's assume that couple books with this travel agent. The first problem they're going to run into is on the discount front - Princess has never owned Celebrity. Royal Caribbean (which owns Celebrity) came very close to purchasing what was P&O Princess in 2003, but the line was subsequently snapped up in a last-minute counter offer from Carnival Corp.
So no discount. OK. Let's say our couple is still not discouraged, and is simply excited about sailing on Celebrity's newest ship, and they book anyway. At some point - and it will happen - they will find out that they're not sailing on the newest ship at all, but on a vessel built almost ten years ago. It's still a nice ship, but it's not what they were expecting.
Will they get mad at the agent? Possibly. But if some of the recent CruiseCritic posts I've read are any indication, they'll find the CC boards and blame the cruise line as quickly as possible, stating "We'll never sail with them AGAIN!"
So why is this one incident a big deal? Because it's indicative of a larger issue. The average consumer really doesn't do their homework, trusting instead that the agent will steer them in the right direction. Most do. But a surprising amount of people who sell cruises have never actually cruised themselves. This isn't a problem if they're well-informed, because they can still provide you with all the necessary information. The problem occurs if you get someone who is misinformed.
In the end: it pays to do your homework. You might think you're booking on the Celebrity Equinox when you're really about to embark on the SS Wasn't-What-I-Thought-It-Was.
On the train in to work on Friday, a lady was sat across from me, chatting with a husband and wife. This lady revealed herself to be a travel agent (and a good one by her own admission). The couple revealed they liked to travel, and most of the conversation went back and forth in this manner, with the couple stating what they had done, and the travel agent chiming in with her own experiences.
When we passed Celebrity Millennium tied up at Ballantyne Pier, the couple were obviously taken in by this large, white, glistening floating palace that lay so tantalizingly near. I was admiring it too (frankly, it's hard not to), when the travel agent piped up, saying that the Millennium was Celebrity's newest ship, and had just sailed from Southampton. As I was digesting that, the couple said they'd cruised on Princess, to which the agent said: "Princess owns Celebrity, so you can get a past passenger discount."
The couple was very excited. The agent gave them her card, and the couple said they'd call.
I didn't say anything to correct the agent, but I thought about this all weekend: this lady gave the couple completely wrong information about the ship, and the cruise line. In fact, the only thing she got right was the ship's name, and heck, she could physically see that. For a layperson, that's fine - but this is supposed to be this woman's business.
Let's assume that couple books with this travel agent. The first problem they're going to run into is on the discount front - Princess has never owned Celebrity. Royal Caribbean (which owns Celebrity) came very close to purchasing what was P&O Princess in 2003, but the line was subsequently snapped up in a last-minute counter offer from Carnival Corp.
So no discount. OK. Let's say our couple is still not discouraged, and is simply excited about sailing on Celebrity's newest ship, and they book anyway. At some point - and it will happen - they will find out that they're not sailing on the newest ship at all, but on a vessel built almost ten years ago. It's still a nice ship, but it's not what they were expecting.
Will they get mad at the agent? Possibly. But if some of the recent CruiseCritic posts I've read are any indication, they'll find the CC boards and blame the cruise line as quickly as possible, stating "We'll never sail with them AGAIN!"
So why is this one incident a big deal? Because it's indicative of a larger issue. The average consumer really doesn't do their homework, trusting instead that the agent will steer them in the right direction. Most do. But a surprising amount of people who sell cruises have never actually cruised themselves. This isn't a problem if they're well-informed, because they can still provide you with all the necessary information. The problem occurs if you get someone who is misinformed.
In the end: it pays to do your homework. You might think you're booking on the Celebrity Equinox when you're really about to embark on the SS Wasn't-What-I-Thought-It-Was.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
To Hawaii With Style
Have you always wanted to sail on the Queen Victoria, but were put off by the transatlantic flight to London? Have you always wanted to cruise to Hawaii? If so, Cunard may just have what you're looking for.
Beginning in January, 2011, the Queen Victoria will make two, 14-day sailings to Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles. Bookended by four days at sea in each direction, the QV calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Nawillwili, and La Haina, before making the mandatory half-day call in Ensenada, Mexico on the return to Los Angeles.
Beginning in January, 2011, the Queen Victoria will make two, 14-day sailings to Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles. Bookended by four days at sea in each direction, the QV calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Nawillwili, and La Haina, before making the mandatory half-day call in Ensenada, Mexico on the return to Los Angeles.
Map courtesy of Cunard Line
Don't have two weeks to spare, but still want to try out the Queen Victoria while she's on the West Coast? No problem: On Feb 13, 2011, Cunard is offering a quick 4-day Mexico Getaway cruise, sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles and calling on Ensenada, Mexico.
Visit Cunard's website for more details.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tour Me - Virtually
Without a lot of fanfare, Princess Cruises recently added a feature to its website that has gone largely unnoticed: Virtual Tours of its ships.
Nestled on each individual ship's profile page, in the Amenities & Public Rooms page, are links to fantastic VR tours of the major public rooms of each vessel. Most lines have had this sort of set up for several years now; a quick visit to Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean will let you view panoramic images of each of the public rooms and staterooms onboard.
It's nice to see Princess is following suit, though not all ships have tours at this point; the Grand Princess is notably lacking any VR tours.
Princess Cruises Fleet Page
Caribbean Princess Virtual Tours Page
Also on the technological move this week is Norwegian Cruise Line, which also recently added VR tours to some ships. Again, like Princess, it appears as if this is a work in progress: Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Spirit, and Pride of America are lacking VR tours at the moment, but the rest are all up.
Don't expect to see VR tours for Norwegian Majesty anytime soon; following her October 24, 2009 voyage to Bermuda from Philadelphia, the Majesty - currently the oldest ship in the NCL fleet - will be transfered over to Louis Cruise Lines to become the Louis Majesty, where she will operate cruises from Italy starting in December.
Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet Page
Louis Majesty page at Louis Cruises
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Azamara's Icelandic Journey
Iceland's economy may not be doing so well, but the islands status as a tourist destination - and more importantly, a cruise port - has never been greater. Cruise lines have long offered up Icelandic ports on northern Transatlantic repositioning voyages, but more and more are beginning to call there on regular, summer voyages to Northern Europe.
Azamara is offering a unique itinerary in July 2010 onboard Azamara Journey. Departing Monday, July 12, 2010 from Copenhagen, the Journey calls at Geiranger, Norway; Lerwick, Scotland; Akureyri, Isafjordur, and Reykjavik, Iceland. She then swings by Torshavn, Faroe Islands; and Kirkwall, Scotland before ending back in Copenhagen.
The itinerary seems to be selling well for Azamara; prices for balcony and suite categories have increased steadily for this unique, one-off itinerary.
For more information about Azamara's 12-night Iceland & Fjords Cruise, visit their itinerary page.
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