Crystal Cruises Offer Teens Sushi Making Sessions and Swedish Lessons.

April 13, 2010 – Teens can learn to make sushi like a professional Nobu-trained chef, take a golf lesson with PGA pro instructors, and language classes with Berlitz educators on Crystal Cruises’ award-winning ships this summer. Renowned for Six-Star enrichment for adults, the luxury line offers younger guests opportunities to enhance their travel experiences with onboard programming that is sophisticated, entertaining, and complimentary.

Citing a surge in family and multigenerational travel, Crystal reports that, as of March 2010, it has nearly five times more family groups booked through its Crystal Family Memories program for this year versus 2009.

To accommodate this growth, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity have expanded the hours and breadth of supervised activities for junior cruisers of all ages. Junior cruisers can enjoy enriching programs like their parents in sessions tailored specially for them. From a Swedish lesson en route to Stockholm, to Olympic-style competitions sailing from Athens, kids ages three to 17 can immerse themselves in destination-related activities, organized by Crystal’s Junior Activities Directors on summer cruises.

Teen options include:

* *NEW* Sushi making – From Junior Activities Directors, learn techniques practiced by Nobu-trained chefs in Silk Road and The Sushi Bar;
* Dance lessons – Group instruction with onboard championship dancers; and
* DJ-hosted dance parties.

“Like their parents, our younger guests are well-traveled and curious about the places they’re visiting,” says Bret Bullock, vice president, entertainment. “Younger travelers enjoy the camaraderie and friendships they cultivate with their peers from around the world.”

Crystal’s Family Memories program group perks include a complimentary berth, Private Adventure credit and family portraits. The purpose-built Fantasia and Waves children’s and teens’ facilities – rare in luxury cruising – feature crafts areas, toys and popular video games. Kids’ menus, complimentary ice cream bars and babysitting are available.

Crystal sails Northern Europe and the Mediterranean from May through October. In the Mediterranean, per person (double occupancy), two-for-one fares start at $3,680, with up to $1,000 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard credits and complimentary air transportation from many North American gateways – Business Class Air for Penthouse guests.
Junior activities are subject to change per cruise.

Crystal Cruises Offers Enrichment Cruises

October 7, 2009 –Crystal Cruises announces an inspired collection of 2010 Experiences of Discovery theme cruises designed to enrich more than two dozen Crystal cruises with a special-interest focus. Special classes, events and, in most cases, a destination program will augment voyages throughout the Middle East, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Panama Canal and beyond.

A new Science & Technology focus joins Crystal classic favorites including Crystal’s Wine & Food Festival (set for seven cruises, with two back-to-back options); Mind, Body & Spirit; Jazz; Golf; Film & Theater Festival; Big Band; Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute; and Holiday cruises. Additionally, Crystal’s annual President’s Cruise adds special programming and events in celebration of the line’s 20th anniversary of luxury cruising.
“The 2010 Experiences of Discovery offer guests more in-depth exploration of an array of topics that suit most any interest,” said Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing.

In focus for 2010 are:
*NEW* Science & Technology – Guest expert lecturers focus on the world’s latest scientific developments on a winter Caribbean itinerary.
* December 11, Caribbean

Emerging Artists – Tomorrow’s stars shine today through Crystal’s exclusive partnership with The Music Center Los Angeles, showcasing some of the brightest talent from the Center’s Spotlight Awards on two European cruises.
* June 21, Baltic/Northern Europe
* September 29, Mediterranean

Wine & Food Festival – World-renowned chefs and wine experts share their techniques and specialties on several Australia/New Zealand, the Mediterranean and Mexican Riviera voyages.
* March 30, Australia/New Zealand
* April 29, Mediterranean
* May 25, Mediterranean
* September 5, Mediterranean
* September 17, Mediterranean
* November 22, Canary Islands
* December 12, Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez

Mind, Body & Spirit – Wellness experts focus on yogthanksa, Tai Chi, Pilates and general fitness on itineraries through Asia/Indian Ocean, Mexican Riviera and an Atlantic Ocean crossing.
* April 26, Indian Ocean/Southeast Asia
* September 5, Transatlantic
* December 5, Crystal Symphony

Golf – PGA pros offer onboard and shoreside tips on improving guests’ games, and play at some of the world’s most exclusive courses in New England/Canada.
* October 22, Crystal Symphony


Fashion & Style – Personal style consultations with professional designers and stylists, fashion shows, films and lectures highlight European fashion.
* June 6, Mediterranean
* Sep 29, Mediterranean

Film & Theater Festival – Guest film experts salute film and theater with lectures and onboard entertainment on a Pacific Ocean crossing.
* February 28, Transpacific

Jazz – Live performances and discussions about musical legends jazz up South America and Mexican Riviera itineraries.
* January 8, South America
* November 28, Mexican Riviera

Big Band – Live daily Big Band performances, guest music lecturers, and additional Ambassador Hosts serve as dance partners on an Atlantic Ocean crossing.
* December 1, Transatlantic

Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute – Crystal’s Creative Learning Institute offers expanded music, language and arts curriculum throughout the 2010 World Cruise.
* January 10, (108-day Full World Cruise),

President’s Cruise – Crystal’s President Gregg Michel hosts Special Crystal 20th Anniversary receptions and events on board and ashore on a journey through the Red Sea.
* May 12, Red Sea

Holiday – Lavish feasts, events and décor create a festive atmosphere for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s in the Mexican Riviera, Canary and Hawaiian Islands and the Caribbean.
* November 21, Mexican Riviera
* November 22, Canary Islands (also Wine & Food)
* December 21, Caribbean
* December 22, Hawaiian Islands

Experiences of Discovery programs complement Crystal’s exclusive ongoing Creative Learning Institute, which presents language classes through Berlitz, keyboard instruction through Yamaha, and an array of stimulating guest lecturers offered through the Crystal Visions Lecture Program.

------------------------

NOTE: For Information on Cruises From New York Check out www.NYCruiseInfo.com.
For Information on Cruises From Baltimore, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Boston, Quebec, Montreal and the Great Lakes - Check out www.NortheastCruiseGuide.com.

Carnival Cruises Offers Behind the Scenes Look at Ship Operations

(July 23, 2009) – For those who want to get an insider’s look at the inner-workings of a Carnival “Fun Ship,” the line has created Behind the Fun, a guided tour that provides guests with a unique insight into the company’s shipboard operations.

Currently available on the Carnival Valor and Carnival Conquest, the program will be rolled out to all 12 of the line’s ships operating voyages of seven days or longer by the end of September.

The informative three-and-a-half-hour tour offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at a wide range of shipboard venues that are normally off limits to guests. During the tour, key shipboard personnel, including the captain, chief engineer, chef de cuisine and other department heads, share their vast knowledge in their particular area of expertise.

Behind the Fun begins with a stop backstage in the main show lounge where participants can see exactly what goes into creating Carnival’s award-winning revues. The tour then moves on to normally restricted areas such as the laundry room, crew galley and dining room, crew gym, and crew training center.

Next it’s on to the expansive main galley where talented culinary artists prepare upwards of 12,000 meals and snacks a day for Carnival’s guests. The tour also includes a visit to the ship’s bridge and engine control room and informative Q&A sessions with the captain and chief engineer, respectively.

“Cruising is a fascinating industry and our new Behind the Fun tour offers guests an opportunity to not only explore areas that others rarely get to see but also meet some of the people that make the ‘Fun Ship’ vacation experience so memorable,” said Roberta Jacoby, Carnival’s senior vice president of hotel operations.

In addition to a comprehensive overview of Carnival’s shipboard operations, Behind the Fun participants receive a number of commemorative gifts, including a custom-made Behind the Fun baseball cap and lanyard, a Team Carnival Picture Perfect book with stunning photographs of Carnival ships and
destinations taken by the line’s employees, and complimentary photos with the captain on the bridge.

Behind the Fun tours can be booked through the ships’ shore excursion desk. The cost is $95 per person and capacity is limited to 16 guests per tour. Guests must be 13 or older to participate.

A version of the Behind the Fun tour is planned for Carnival ships that operate itineraries of less than seven days in length.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line with 22 “Fun Ships” operating three- to 16-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, and Europe. The line currently has two new 130,000-ton ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.