Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Offers Suite Deals

Book a suite through February 28, 2010 for up to $300 in on-board credit

Norwegian Cruise Line offers incentives for guests to experience the suite life on bookings made in the following suite categories across the fleet: Penthouse, Romance Suite, Owner’s Suite, Deluxe Owner’s Suite, Courtyard Villa and Garden Villa now through February 28, 2010. In addition, the Courtyard Penthouse and Spa Suite unique to the company’s largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Epic, are included in this offer. The promotion is valid on new reservations booked at least nine months prior to sailing, with up to $300 in on-board spending credits per stateroom, based on cruise length. Guests may set sail to any of Norwegian’s amazing cruise destinations, including those to the Eastern and Western Caribbean on Norwegian Epic, launching next summer.

Guests who book sailings of up to four days in a Suite or Garden Villa will receive $150 per stateroom in spending credit, which can be used for anything from shore excursions to spa treatments. For sailings of five days and longer, guests sailing in a Suite or Garden Villa will receive $300 per stateroom in on-board spending credit.

Norwegian’s award-winning suites and villas offer the luxury of Freestyle Cruising with world-class accommodations. The 5,000-square-foot Garden Villas on Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Jewel feature three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, private garden with hot tub, outdoor dining area and terrace, and access to an exclusive private courtyard area with a pool, hot tub, sauna, gym and sun deck. Norwegian Epic will feature the largest suite complex at sea, The Villas, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship. Guests staying here will have exclusive access to The Villas complex featuring a pool, two whirlpools, gym, a sauna, sundeck, indoor/outdoor dining, bar/nightclub and concierge lounge.

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

Monday, November 9, 2009

CruiseWest World Cruise Discounts


October 19, 2009 - Cruise West, the world’s leading provider of small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on earth, is offering unprecedented savings for all 24 individual voyages (ranging from nine- to 19-nights) that combine to form the epic world adventure, Voyages of the Great Explorers. Book and pay in full by December 18, 2009, for maximum value-add savings.

Whether guests are eyeing a trip to Southeast Asia, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Greek isles, East Coast, Australia or the South Pacific, there is tremendous value offered in this landmark year. Guests will save up to $1,550 per person ($3,100 per cabin) and receive FREE round trip international airfare from five select U.S. Cities: San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Washington D.C. (IAD or DCA) and New York (JFK) or an air credit of $750 per person by booking and paying in full by December 18, 2009. The free air or air credit is valid for Voyages 1 through 18 of the 24-voyage segments of the Voyages of the Great Explorers.

Additional saving incentives for all 24 voyages (except where noted) include:

· Bring a friend (new booking) and each person receives $500 off the cruise fare

· 50% savings for all children 18 and younger

· Single supplement will be waived on Voyages 1 – 4 in all cabin categories

· Reduced single supplement for Voyages 5 – 24 in Superior, Majestic, Premium and Classic cabin categories

The best value afloat.

With most cruises, guests pay extra for every little thing (and big things) such as soft drinks, taxes and port charges, and shore excursions. But with Cruise West, the fare includes everything except alcohol. There are no surprise charges that can easily add up to double the fare or more.

Cruise West includes a shore excursion in every port, and in addition, each of the 24 voyages includes one ‘Ultimate Explorers Experience.’ A sampling includes tickets to Edinburgh’s world-famous Military Tattoo, the chance to participate in the special novitiate ceremony and feeding of the monks in Rangoon, or an overnight stay in Sydney Harbor during its magnificent New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks display. These are once-in-a-lifetime events that only a small number of travelers will ever see.

This is the world that most people have never seen.

Each of the 24 journeys of the Voyages of the Great Explorers takes guests to the “must see” sights—Pompeii, Petra, Florence, Luxor, the Hermitage, the Guggenheim. Board a Zodiac bound for an uninhabited island in the Maldives or a remote village in the Tuomotus. Travel the narrow Corinth Canal and Kiel Canal where big ships can’t go. Visit tiny islands in the South Pacific like Pitcairn Island of HMS Bounty fame, and Palmerston Island, where all 50 residents are descended from one Englishman. In fact, these voyages will visit 85 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Further, engaging presentations by Smithsonian Journeys guest lecturers and renowned experts on each region’s culture, history and current events will bring each itinerary to life.

All voyages take place on the intimate 120-guest, all-suite Spirit of Oceanus. Prices start at $4,995 per person before savings and include a pre-cruise hotel night.

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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.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Crystal Cruises Offer Wine and Food Cruises


October 19, 2009 – Michelin Star-awarded chefs Michael Mina and Heinz Beck, Master sommelier Robert Bath, and mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim are part of the distinguished roster of food, wine and spirit experts aboard Crystal Cruises’ 14th annual Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery cruises in 2010. Aboard seven Wine & Food itineraries, the special guests will draw inspiration from the destinations visited, as well as their own expertise in worldwide specialties to lead demos and lectures, tastings and pairings, and cocktail and pastry making classes.

“Crystal’s culinary options have long been a cornerstone of guests’ luxurious vacation experience,” says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food & beverage operations. “The breadth and caliber of talent on the Wine & Food itineraries is extraordinary, and further exemplifies our practice of delivering excellence.”

In addition to the designated Wine & Food themed cruises, the ultra-luxury line’s annual President’s Cruise will befittingly feature former White House Chef John Hanny. Aboard the May 3rd voyage from Piraeus to Dubai, hosted by Crystal President Gregg Michel, Hanny will present several presidential-themed dinners and White House favorites from several administrations.

Culinary experts for 2010 include:
Chefs and Foodies
* Michael Mina – Creator of restaurant group including one Michelin-starred restaurants;
* Heinz Beck – Executive chef of three Michelin-starred La Pergola, Rome;
* Tom Aikens – Michelin-starred chef and owner of London’s Tom Aikens Restaurant;
* André Soltner – Former executive chef/owner of New York’s legendary Lutèce;
* Serge Dansereau – Owner of Sydney, Australia’s The Bathers’ Pavilion;
* Aglaia Kremezi – Greek cuisine expert and acclaimed cookbook author;
* Paula Wolfert – James Beard Award winning Mediterranean cookbook author;
* Simon Johnson – Australia’s leading purveyor of quality foods, and
* Jon Ashton – Food correspondent for The Daily Buzz and Relish Magazine chef.

Sommeliers and Wine Experts
* Doug Frost – One of only three worldwide to achieve both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine;
* Robert Bath – One of only 79 Master Sommeliers in the U.S.;
* Gerhard Retter – Wine and cheese sommelier at Michelin-awarded restaurants throughout Europe;
* Mel Master – Leading Rhone Valley and Languedoc wine exporter and famed restaurateur;
* Victoria Ordonez – Member of Spain’s largest wine exporting family;
* Cameron Douglas – New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier, and
* Filippo DiBelardino – Italian wine expert and vice president of Banfi Vintners-Fine Wines.

Cocktail Concoctors
* Tony Abou-Ganim –National Ambassador of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild and creator of Crystal’s exclusive cocktail program;
* Julio Bermejo – considered the “U.S. Ambassador of Tequila;”
* Livio Lauro – National president of the United States Bartenders’ Guild;
* Francesco Lafranconi – Cofounder of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild Nevada chapter, and
* Audrey Saunders – Celebrated bartender of the Carlyle Hotel’s legendary Bemelmans Bar, owner of New York’s Pegu Club.

Crystal Wine & Food itineraries are scheduled for March 30, Auckland to Sydney; April 29, London to Rome; May 25, Venice to Barcelona; September 5, Istanbul to Barcelona; September 17, Barcelona to Venice; November 22, roundtrip Lisbon; and December 12, roundtrip Los Angeles, Mexican Rivera.

On every itinerary, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity boast numerous dining options, including specialty dining from Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio and Vintage Room experiences showcasing celebrated wines.

Always an incredible value, 2010 Crystal Cruises offer two-for-one cruise fares, free airfare, shipboard spending credits and a price guarantee.

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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.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Celebrity Solstice and Equinox Win Conde' Nast Awards


October 21, 2009 – Celebrity Cruises has once again won top honors in one of the most trusted surveys of consumer travel preferences in the world. The prestigious Conde' Nast Traveler magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Celebrity number one in the new Mega-Ship Cruise Lines category, recognizing the widely heralded Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox.

More than 25,000 experienced travelers made their voices heard in the prestigious annual poll ranking more than 10,000 cruise lines, hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines and car rental agencies. Celebrity Cruises was among the honorees featured in a segment airing Monday on NBC’s Today Show to highlight what led to the number-one ranking.

"Winning first-place in the new mega-ship category is an incredible tribute to the style, design and service that have led to the phenomenal response our new Solstice Class continues to generate, and further validates our fleet's longtime leadership position in the premium cruise category," said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "We’re honored that the informed readers of Conde' Nast Traveler so appreciate the Celebrity experience."

No stranger to netting top honors, the Celebrity Cruises fleet as a whole has, for the past seven consecutive years, dominated the large-ship category in Conde' Nast Traveler’s "Top Cruise Ships in the World" survey published each February.

Cruise lines were rated on a five-point scale – excellent, very good, good, fair or poor – in seven categories: activities, cabins, service, design, food/dining, itineraries, and shore excursions.

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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.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Hurtigruten Norwegian Fjords Voyages

October 2009 -- National Geographic Traveler magazine has placed the Norwegian fjords, a highlight of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage, at the top of its list of the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations - based on its survey undertaken in cooperation with the National Geographic Center for Sustainable destinations. This is the third time in the six-year history of the venerated magazine's "Places Rated" Destination Stewardship survey that the Norwegian fjords have topped the list. This honor follows the 2007 Lofoten Islands' designation as the world's third best island destination - another daily stop on the Coastal Voyage - and reinforces Lonely Planet's "Blue List" description of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage as the "world's most beautiful voyage."

"The integrity and world renown of National Geographic, as well as its global penetration makes this one of the most important awards in travel industry internationally," says Christian Bue Nordahl, Global Brand Manager at Hurtigruten ASA. "The fact that the Norwegian fjords have once again topped the list is an affirmation of the unique natural assets that we possess. We are delighted by the results and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Fjord Norway on its success.”

More than 100,000 foreign visitors cruised the fjords and the rest of Norway's spectacular 1,250-mile west coast in 2008, aboard one of Hurtigruten's 11 modern ships that sail these waters daily, year-round. Besides the fjords, Hurtigruten guests get to visit an eclectic array of ports (34 in all), including Trondheim, one of the country’s oldest cities and a thriving university town; Bergen, a charming Hanseatic port; the Lofoten archipelago, with peaked mountains and villages filled with rust-red fishermen’s cabins; and Alesund, destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style.

About the survey: 133 destinations were surveyed by 437 travel experts, and rated based on the following six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management and outlook for the future.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing daily along the Norwegian coast as well as to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen.

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

Thursday, November 5, 2009

SeaDream Passengers Take a Dip in the Atlantic.

What do guests aboard a SeaDream Yacht Club transatlantic crossing do on a beautiful, calm day at latitude 26 degrees, 28 minutes- longitude 39 degrees 40 minutes, 958 nautical miles from the Azores and 1541 nautical miles from their destination, San Juan Puerto Rico?

Why, take a swim in the Atlantic Ocean of course.

SeaDream II’s Captain Terje Willasen monitored Atlantic sea conditions each day after departing Seville, Spain on October 10. “Guests had been telling me they would like to take a swim in the Atlantic and at dawn on Thursday October 15, I knew that this was the day. The seas were as still as a pond.”

Under the close supervision of staffers, guests who wished to were invited to take a dip in the Atlantic from the SeaDream II’s stern Marina and bobbed about in the blue sea.

Later, in a special ceremony, the Captain awarded his Atlantic swim team a “Certificate of Accomplishment” to highlight the feat. “It’s just an example, of SeaDream Yacht Club going the extra mile---in this case the extra nautical mile in mid-Atlantic,” the Captain said.

Certainly SeaDream II’s transatlantic guests had other diversions during the 10-day voyages from Seville, Spain to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Among them award-winning gourmet dining, yoga, tai chi, spa treatments, long walks on open decks, the pleasure of good books and good conversation, a series of interesting lectures---and even, an occasional swim in the yacht’s onboard swimming pool.

The mega-yacht cruiser SeaDream II and her twin SeaDream I have only 56 accommodations for lucky guests and just about a one-to-one ratio of crew to passengers.

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

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Crystal Offers Unique Experiences on World Cruise

October 26, 2009 – Cage diving with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa, Sicilian-style cooking classes in Italy and paragliding over the Spanish countryside are among the 400 Crystal Adventures in store for guests on Crystal Cruises’ 2010 World Cruise. The excursions, nearly 100 of which are brand new, allow guests to experience destinations in one-of-a-kind ways. Whether atop an elephant in Africa, via race car on a Circuit track in the Middle East, or by private plane over Spain’s stunning Basque country, intrepid World Cruise guests will find pursuits for virtually any interest. The 108-day itinerary departs Miami for London January 10 aboard Crystal Serenity.

“Crystal World Cruise guests continually seek out-of-the-ordinary experiences that satisfy a quest for true adventure,” said John Stoll, director, land program. “These excursions are designed to provide them with memories unique to their travels.”

In addition to new African safaris and dozens of Crystal Overland Adventures, shore-side highlights include:
High Adventure

* *NEW* Race a Caterham in Bahrain;
* *NEW* Explore Iran’s ancient Persepolis;
* *NEW* See the highlights of Oman by 4 x 4;
* *NEW* Hike Sochi’s Mount Akhun, and
* Cage dive with great whites.

Aerial Adventures

* *NEW* Take in Abu Dhabi’s sites by Cessna;
* *NEW* Helicopter above Durban’s mountainous landscape;
* Soak in the Seychelles’ scenery via helicopter;
* Paraglide above Barcelona’s landscapes.

Regional Culinary Insights

* Prepare a meal at Lisbon’s Albatroz Palace hotel;
* Visit a villa in Catania for a Sicilian cooking lesson;
* Create Catalan cuisine at a Barcelona cooking school, and
* Learn culinary secrets at a Michelin-starred Sorrento restaurant.

Conservation

* Explore an African elephant sanctuary, and
* Visit an Abu Dhabi Falcon care and rehabilitation hospital.

Besides maiden calls to Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the World Cruise also visits South America, Africa, India and Europe, visiting 41 ports in 37 countries. It is also offered in 12- to 21-day segments. Travelers will enjoy Crystal’s new pricing, with two-for-one cruise fares, free airfare for two or more segments, price guarantee and shipboard spending credits.

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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

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

CruiseWest Announce Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and North Atlantic Cruises

October 27, 2009- Inspired by the intrepid journeys and legendary explorations of Leif Eriksson to the New World, three voyages mark the third chapter of small-ship exploration line Cruise West’s epic world adventure, Voyages of the Great Explorers. Starting from Honfleur, France and ending in St. John’s, Newfoundland, guests will visit the United Kingdom and Scandinavia -- with excursions to multiple UNESCO World heritage sites -- before charting a course across the North Atlantic.

Guests will save up to $1,550 per person ($3,100 per cabin) and receive FREE round trip international airfare from five select U.S. Cities: San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Washington D.C. (IAD) and New York (JFK) or an air credit of $750 per person by booking and paying in full by December 18, 2009.

In addition to an included excursion at every port, each of the three voyages will be enhanced by an extraordinary ‘Ultimate Explorers Experience’ (UEE), designed to bring guests into direct personal contact with fascinating peoples, cultures and natural wonders. Engaging presentations by notable experts on the region’s culture, history and current events will bring each region to life.

The Viking’s adventures come alive in three distinct voyages

Cruise West’s own “Modern Day Explorer” Captain Reidulf Maalen, will take the helm of the Spirit of Oceanus for all three voyages. He brings not only a lifetime of maritime experience, but also a warm level of hospitality that has made him one of the most sought out captains in the industry.

Voyage 11: Honfleur to Oslo, encompasses Ireland, Scotland, and Scandinavia. The County of Wicklow -“the Garden of Ireland” -- brings guests up close to domed granite mountains, deep glens and wooded valleys. Scotland’s Stornoway, with ancient standing stones, and the Orkney Islands, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and birders’ paradise, reflects Scotland’s wild beauty. Exploring Norway’s spectacular fjords and fishing villages includes another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Saltstraumen, just above the Arctic Circle. In addition, there are ample opportunities to observe the abundant wild life including large colonies of sea birds and pods of Orca whales. In Bergen, guests are treated to a private recital of composer Edvard Grieg’s music in the Troldsalen Concert Hall.

An excursion of Magerøy Island and The North Cape brings guests up close to life in the north (UEE). Guests will travel along the Skipsfjord to the fishing village of Kammøyvaer, populated by 100 hardy souls, before a trip to see some of the Sami people's 4,000-reindeer herd that roams freely here during the summer months. Then, it’s onto Skarsvåg, the northernmost fishing village in the world, to shop for knitwear, Christmas decorations and more at the North Cape Christmas and Winter House.

The 19-night voyage departs July 19, 2010; prices start at $15,195 per person before savings. Add-on: pre-cruise three-night tour of Paris.

Voyage 12: Oslo to London focuses on history, art and architecture of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Russia. Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Swedish walled city of Visby; the Estonian city of Tallinn -- one of the finest medieval old towns in all of Northern Europe -- and the opulence of St. Petersburg. Notable excursions include a tour of Denmark’s small villages -- including Gudhjem, a vividly scenic fishing village -- en route to majestic Hammershus Castle Ruin.

Excursion highlights include a visit to St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum (UEE). Founded by Catherine the Great in 1764, it's one of the largest and oldest museums in the world with collections comprising nearly three million works. Then a short bus ride to the Peter and Paul Fortress, built by Peter the Great in 1703 with a final stop at the Church on the Spilled Blood.

The 15-night voyage departs Aug. 6, 2010; prices start at $12,495 per person before savings. Add-on: three-night pre- or post-cruise The Best of England from London.

Professor Ron Wixman, a specialist in world cultural and political geography and well versed in the societies of Europe and the former USSR, joins both Voyages 11 and 12. His expertise on the peoples and cultures of Northern Europe is extensive, and his informative lectures will provide both a historical and contemporary context for Norway.

Guest lecturer David Perry, an authority on maritime history and an avid collector of maritime literature, artifacts and stories joins Capt. Maalen on Voyage 13: London to St. John’s. Perry’s expertise will prove invaluable on this transatlantic voyage that includes two continents and countless unforgettable stops along the routes that the Vikings charted more than a thousand years ago.

Guests explore the Royal London and Buckingham Palace, before heading for Scotland, Iceland and Greenland. Among the excursions: Iceland’s thermal and geological wonders, including Reykjavik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and a visit to the Greenland settlement founded by Erik the Red. The voyage culminates with arrival to L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland -- site of Leif Eriksson’s Vinland and the first European settlement in North America, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A highlight of the voyage is a private reception aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, hosted by Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard, KCVO, DL, the last serving Admiral, followed by a stirring performance of the annual Military Tattoo, one of Scotland's proudest cultural events (UEE). First staged in 1950, this dramatic spectacle in Edinburgh Castle combines the traditional sounds of the bagpipes and drums with military marching drills.

The 19-night voyage departs Aug. 20, 2010; prices start at $12,795 per person before savings. Add-on: three-night pre- or post-cruise The Best of England, from London.

Book by Voyage or Multiple Segments
The Voyages of the Great Explorers – a cruise industry first -- is a collection of 24 individual voyages (which can all be booked separately) that combine to form a 335-day circumnavigation of the world along the major routes inspired by history’s great ocean explorers. Beginning March 5, 2010, on board Cruise West’s flagship, the 120-guest, all-suite Spirit of Oceanus, the world voyage will sail ever westward, returning to Singapore on February 3, 2011.

Prices per voyage include a pre-cruise hotel night, all excursions and transfers and a tour of the embarkation city. Guests who book more than one voyage will save an additional five percent.

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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

Monday, November 2, 2009

Fred Olsen Wins Awards

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been honored with two awards in the 2009 Cruise Critic.co.uk Editors’ Picks Award listing.
In the first ever of this now to be annual award, Fred. Olsen earned distinction in the categoryes of both “Best for Seeing the World” and “Best Refurbished Ship – Fred. Olsen’s Braemar”.

Marketing Director Nigel Lingard reports, “We are absolutely delighted to be in the award line-up, and to get two awards is especially exciting. The Cruise Critic uk website is one of the most popular and influential consumer sites in the UK, and to have scooped the top slot in these categories means that the name of Fred. Olsen will be in front of our potential passengers in the most advantageous way possible.”

Fred. Olsen operates a fleet of four small-sized cruise ships: Braemar, Balmoral, Black Watch and Boudicca on worldwide itineraries from seven UK departure ports. Fred. Olsen is a proud member of the Niche Marketing Cruise Association.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers small ship cruising and a relaxed British atmosphere. Passengers are assured of high on-board standards of accommodation, varied menus composed of the freshest ingredients, friendly staff, top entertainment and itineraries to worldwide destinations. Fred. Olsen currently operates a fleet of four cruise ships, most of which are based in the UK.


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

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Royal Caribbean Takes Possesion of Oasis of the Seas

October 28, 2009 – After nearly six years in the making, Royal Caribbean International proudly took delivery today of its newest and most revolutionary cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, from STX Europe in Turku, Finland. Kicking off the 12-day countdown until her U.S. debut into Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be departing Turku on Friday, Oct. 30 with Captain William S. Wright at the helm. Her transatlantic crossing will be chronicled on OasisoftheSeas.com as new webisodes are posted daily and via Twitter by following @OasisandAllure. A new feature to OasisoftheSeas.com will allow visitors to view a Google Maps application and follow Oasis of the Seas journey. Richard Fain’s “Chairman’s Blog” on OasisoftheSeas.com and “Adam’s Blog” by President and CEO Adam Goldstein on NationofWhyNot.com also will provide personal updates.

The cruise line that revolutionized the industry with the FlowRider surf simulator, ice-skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools, rock climbing walls and the Royal Promenade, an entertainment boulevard stretching nearly the length of the ship, is poised to unveil a range of new attractions and engineering marvels onboard Oasis of the Seas. The ultimate expression of Royal Caribbean’s legacy of imagination and innovation, Oasis of the Seas introduces unique industry “firsts” including a neighborhood concept – seven themed areas providing guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood. Within these seven neighborhoods – Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone – are extraordinary elements such as the first park at sea, a thrilling zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium, an original handcrafted carousel, 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, an aquatic amphitheater – called the AquaTheater that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling ocean front theater by night; and an array of epicurean innovations that allow for new culinary experiences each day of a guest’s cruise vacation.

This November, just in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, Oasis of the Seas will be unveiled on ABC’s “Good Morning America” who will be there to welcome her into her home port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. as well as give viewers an exclusive first glimpse of the ship during a special live broadcast on Friday, Nov. 20.

The official naming ceremony for Oasis of the Seas will take place on November 30 during a one night inaugural celebration-fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Tickets for the once-in-a-lifetime event begin at $750 per person and guests who wish to continue their adventure onboard will receive an exclusive discount price, beginning at $650 per person, on a four-night cruise package sailing to the cruise line’s private beach destination, Labadee, departing the morning following the event on Dec. 1 (rates based on double-occupancy and stateroom package). Bookings are also available for Oasis of the Seas' inaugural sailing departing on December 5. The inaugural sailing will include exclusive entertainment and gifts for guests to commemorate the special occasion.

Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/.

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