BestCruiseSpot.com - Cruise News, Cruise Ship Reviews, Cruise Tips and Advices, Deals

Celebrity Millennium to Receive $10-Million "Refreshment"

2009-05-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Known for its exceptional style and design, Celebrity Cruises is rolling out a series of new design schemes on Celebrity Millennium during a $10-million refresh this year, beginning during its scheduled drydock period this week.

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Costa Presents a Guinness World Record Event on June 5 with Simultaneous Christening

2009-05-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

The countdown has begun to Friday, June 5 when Genoa will be hosting the big event with the joint christening of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, the two new members of the Costa Cruises fleet: this Guinness record breaking event will involve the whole city in a spectacle of light and music dedicated to Italian-made excellence.

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Port of Galveston Awarded $10 Million Grant

2009-05-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

The Port of Galveston announced today that it has received a grant of $10 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for port improvements and harbor redevelopment in the Pier 14 – 18 area of the Port. Parts of the Port’s east end were in disrepair and suffered additional damage from Hurricane Ike

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Celebrate Alaska's 50th Anniversary

2009-05-17T10:27:00.001-07:00

From the serene Inside Passage to colossal glaciers and magnificent mountain ranges, Alaska cruises provide a vacation filled with adventure, beauty, and excitement. This year, the Great Land is celebrating its golden anniversary of statehood, and cruise lines are offering a choice of more than 40 ships, as well as over 200 shore excursions ranging from active adventure to traditional sightseeing.

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New Ideas for Family Getaways

2009-05-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Years ago, the typical family vacation involved packing up the car and driving to a destination. While this type of getaway is still the vacation of choice for some families, other options-such as cruises, international travel, and all-inclusive resorts-are becoming increasingly popular.

Following are a few ideas for your next family getaway, all of which are designed to eliminate the dreaded question, "are we there yet?"

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Discover New Zealand by Land and by Sea

2009-05-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

From friendly, modern cities to vast natural panoramas, New Zealand provides all of the components for a memorable, fun-filled vacation. And because the country's many attractions lie close together, it's possible to tour the whole country in a limited time.

Seabourn Odyssey Prepares for Maiden Voyage

2009-05-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

It won’t be long now! Seabourn Odyssey launches this June, and she looks like she’s almost ready to get going. Many veteran cruisers specifically choose cruises that provide at least a few days at sea. Seabourn Odyssey will be a great choice for the sea-loving cruiser who craves that languorous feeling of lazy leisure. There will be loads of on board activities during those days, including a great game of bridge.

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Celebrity Solstice

2009-04-19T08:24:00.001-07:00

Solstice Class accommodations set a new standard in staterooms. To accomplish this, Celebrity brought five women on board to share their insight on what a stateroom should be. As a result, Celebrity has added details that have redefined the stateroom. Some of the innovations that have set the new standard in staterooms include pastel color schemes, modular closet space to accommodate varying lengths of clothing and added storage space for accessories and luggage. In Solstice class bathrooms, showers have glass doors and ledges for easy leg shaving.

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More Options Available for Destination Weddings

2009-04-19T08:23:00.001-07:00

Destination weddings, in exotic locales, have become increasingly popular in recent years. In addition to providing picture postcard settings, destination weddings are less stressful and usually less costly than traditional weddings. With many families spread out all over the country, wedding guests routinely fly in for the ceremony. So why not have them meet in a desirable, sunny locale to share the fun and excitement?

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Spotlight on Los Cabos

2009-04-19T08:22:00.002-07:00

With nearly 360 days of sunshine each year and unsurpassed natural beauty, Los Cabos is the perfect destination for a fun-filled winter getaway.

Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and The Tourist Corridor are all part of the municipality of Los Cabos. Each location provides a variety of activities and an ambiance conducive to rest and relaxation.

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Take Advantage of Off-season Bargains in Europe

2009-04-19T08:22:00.001-07:00

Envision experiencing life in Europe feeling much more like a local. Picture yourself strolling through charming European villages while breathing in the clear, crisp air of winter or early spring. Then imagine being able to vacation in Europe for up to 20% less than a comparable summer vacation. The recent gains the dollar has made against the euro and the pound have put Europe within reach of budget travelers for the first time in years. And if you opt for escorted tours or independent packages through well-known companies such as Trafalgar and Central Holidays, you’ll realize even more savings.

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What’s New in the World of Cruising

2009-04-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Remember when a cruise ship carrying 1200 guests was considered “big,” and portholes provided the views from you cabin? If it’s been awhile since you’ve been on a cruise, you’ll be amazed by the changes that have taken place over the past few years.

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Intro Spring 2009

2009-04-19T08:18:00.001-07:00

With spring nearly here and summer not far behind, now is the perfect time to plan your summer vacation and take advantage of the tremendous values available now. Yes, most of us have had to cut back on spending, but with all the great travel deals available, there's no need to give up your hard-earned vacation.

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Spotlight on Dominica

2009-04-19T08:17:00.002-07:00

Less developed than many of the Caribbean Islands, Dominica appeals to adventure seekers and those who appreciate the natural beauty of a tropical rainforest. From the lush mountain peaks rising to almost 5,000 feet to the numerous rivers and waterfalls, Dominica defies Caribbean stereotypes of white sand and swaying palms.

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Celebrate Alaska's 50th Anniversary

2009-04-19T08:17:00.001-07:00

New Ideas for Family Getaways

2009-04-19T08:16:00.001-07:00

Discover New Zealand by Land and by Sea

2009-04-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Best Cruise Spot Reinvents Online Cruise Travel Planning and Booking Experience

2008-02-27T16:55:00.001-08:00

BestCruiseSpot.Com™ creates the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating innovative Web 2.0 Technologies with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise travelers worldwide. The company has introduced a variety of new features and innovations to create a website that provides the right balance between technology and the human touch.

New features include:

1. CruiseAdvantage Club™ - A Cruise Rewards program available for free to all members. By joining the CruiseAdvantage Club, member will be able to earn FREE Rewards and redeem CruisePoints for Cruise Prizes, Gift Certificates, Cruise DVDs, Specialty Dining Onboard, Cruise Memorabilia and Souvenirs, and much more!

Members can earn CruisePoints by participating in discussion forums, sharing cruise vacation photos, submitting cruise reviews, and much more!

2. Cruise Ship Reviews – Members can now use the exclusive Cruise Ship Reviews rating system to rate their cruise experience onboard. Already filled with hundreds of ship reviews, cruise traveler planning to go on a cruise can research and read real-unbiased cruise reviews rated by other members on the site. Currently there are Cruise Ship Reviews from Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Silversea Cruises.

3. Cruise Gallery – Fills with thousands of members submitted cruise photos and videos. Members can now post and shares their memorable cruise vacation photos online. Integrated with the rating and comments system, members can rate the best cruise vacation photos and videos. A monthly contest is held and the best photos and videos of the months will earn Free Cruise Rewards.

4. Cruise Talk – Thousands of members sign up and participate in the cruise discussion forums daily. Fellow cruise travelers share their cruise experience and offers advices to other fellow members in the forums. Topics include first time cruisers anxious to their first cruise vacation, cruise travelers going on a specialty Alaska Cruisetour, and cruise veterans wanting to get the latest scoops about the cruise industry.

Visitors to BestCruiseSpot.Com™ now have access to thousands of cruise sailings worldwide, over 135 ships and close to 1000 port destinations offered by 24 cruise lines. Integrated with Revelex’s powerful booking engine, cruise travelers can get access to detailed ship information, cruise line destinations, itineraries, departure dates and provides current discount pricing promotions to consumers in real-time. Content is changed daily to reflect changes in pricing, inventory, and availability. Consumers can easily search for ships and itineraries based on brand, travel date, destinations, etc. and have ability to request for a quote or book online the cruise of their choice.

BestCruiseSpot.Com™ offers consumers expert advice about cruise lines, ships, itineraries, schedules, pricing and worldwide destinations. Whether a consumer seeks adventure, pampering or complete relaxation, BestCruiseSpot.Com™ offers over 24 cruise lines, over 135 ships and close to 1000 port destinations.

For more information or to book your cruise vacation visit BestCruiseSpot.Com™ on the web at www.bestcruisespot.com, or contact Eric Lam at eric@bestcruisespot.com or call (866) 277-8618.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Eric Lam
Best Cruise Spot
Email Best Cruise Spot
866-277-8618

How to Choose a Europe Cruise

2008-02-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

With the dollar at an all-time low against the Euro, there’s never been a better time to explore Europe on a cruise ship. A European cruise enables you to see the history, art, and natural beauty of Europe without having to navigate the roads and train stations or go through the hassle of packing and unpacking at each destination you visit. And because Europe is relatively compact, you can experience many cities during the course of your cruise. Most ships sail at night and arrive in the next port of call early in the morning, allowing you a full day to sightsee—either on your own or on a shore excursion offered by the cruise line.

Read more at: How to Choose a Europe Cruise

Silversea Expands Wi-Fi Coverage Fleetwide

2007-05-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Silversea Cruises has expanded wireless Internet access to 100 percent coverage throughout its four ships, enabling guests with Wi-Fi enabled laptops and PDAs to surf the Internet and check email from their suites, as well as from public areas. Through Silversea's global satellite system, guests have access to more than 270 daily newspapers for a nominal fee. Expanded wireless Internet access is the latest in a number of enhancements the line has introduced. In January, the Silver Shadow was outfitted with Sealy Posturepedic Plush EuroTop mattresses in all standard suites, and the Owner's, Grand, Royal and Rossellini Suites now feature Stearns & Foster Plush ultra-luxury beds, which provide 10 percent more sleep surface than conventional mattresses. The new bedding is being installed aboard Silver Whisper this month and will debut aboard Silver Cloud and Silver Wind later this year. New flat screen TVs are also planned for all suites and will be installed aboard the Silver Whisper in November, the Silver Shadow in January 2008 and the rest of the fleet in subsequent months. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival Splendor Opens Reservations Open for 2008

2007-05-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines has begun accepting reservations for its new, 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, whose inaugural 2008 season will include the line's first 12-day Northern Europe program, as well as a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing and week-long eastern Caribbean voyages. Representing a new class of vessel for the line, the 3,006-passenger SuperLiner will offer facilities such as a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center that will feature Carnival's first thalassotherapy pool and elaborate thermal suite. Surrounding the facility will be 68 spa staterooms and suites -- another first for the line. Other highlights include a 5,500-square-foot children's play area -- the largest in the Carnival fleet - along with expanded sports and recreation facilities, including a mid-ship pool covered by a retractable dome.

The Carnival Splendor's inaugural season will kick off with a series of 12-day Northern Europe cruises operating roundtrip from London (Dover) July 13 through Aug. 30, 2008. Ports of call include Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallin, Estonia; and Amsterdam, Netherlands. The ship will also operate on a special, one-time, 12-day western Mediterranean cruise departing London (Dover) Sept. 11, 2008, and calling at Le Havre (Paris); Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Malaga and Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. Following these voyages, the ship will operate a "Grand Mediterranean" cruise departing Sept. 23, 2008, and two "Mediterranean & Greek Isles" voyages roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia), departing Oct. 5 and 17, 2008. It will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Oct. 29 through Nov. 14, 2008, which will position the vessel for a series of 10 seven-day, four-port "exotic" eastern Caribbean voyages beginning Nov. 22, 2008. Featured ports include Casa de Campo/La Romana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Nassau, Bahamas. Call 800-327-9501 (individuals) or 800-327-5782 (groups) or visit www.bookccl.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival to Rebrand Eight Fantasy-Class Ships

2007-05-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines will rebrand its eight Fantasy-class ships by introducing an updated version of each ship's name on the vessel's hull, as well as in various marketing and collateral materials. The rebranding is in conjunction with the recently announced $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" ship refurbishment program. As each ship goes into drydock for refurbishment, the name "Carnival" and the company's logo will be combined with the vessel's name. "The names of the majority of Carnival's ships that entered service starting in the latter 1990s begin with ‘Carnival,' and those ships have become synonymous with expansive, high-quality amenities and features," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "As each of our Fantasy-class ships undergoes transformation to incorporate the wide-ranging enhancements under the Evolutions of Fun initiative, it is only fitting that those vessels be rebranded to better align them with our other ships."

All marketing materials going forward will feature the new ship names Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation. As each ship goes into drydock to receive the Evolutions of Fun upgrades, signage on the ships' bow, stern and upper deck areas will be modified. Among the planned Evolutions of Fun enhancements are expansive children's water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the Serenity adults-only deck area. Also being phased in and already in place on some ships are remodeled staterooms and suites, including new bathrooms, flat-screen televisions in staterooms and some public areas, atrium lobby bars, updated sound and lighting systems in various lounges and clubs, coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf courses, new art and photo galleries, New York-style delis in the Lido restaurants, and purpose-built conference facilities. By 2009, upgrades to the entire Fantasy class will be completed. For additional information on the Evolutions of Fun initiative, visit www.carnival.com/evolutions. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or www.bookccl.com.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

NCL America Debuts New Luau on Kauai

2007-05-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

NCL America, in partnership with Kilohana Plantation and NH Productions, last month opened its new luau and dinner show. Luau Kalamaku offers traditional Hawaiian games, arts and craft lessons, a hula show and a theatrical production. NCL passengers will have the opportunity to sample lomi lomi salmon, poi, taro bread and kalua pig catered by Gaylord's Restaurant. A ride on Kauai Plantation Railway or a vintage Clydesdale carriage is available as additional featured activities. NCL America renovated and upgraded the existing carriage house at Kilohana Plantation so it now includes a new pavilion structure and can accommodate 1,000 guests. The structure ensures the show will go on even during inclement weather. The shows for passengers will run Monday, Thursday and Saturday evenings when NCL America ships overnight in Kauai. said "Luau Kalamaku tells a tale about Hawaiian culture and values through a one-of-a-kind theatrical performance which weaves in ancient and modern dances from the Tahitian, Hawaiian and American traditions," said Robert Kritzman NCL America executive vice president and managing director of Hawaii operations. For more information, call 800-327-7030 or visit http://www.ncl.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Vancouver Port Expects Busy Taxi Days May 4 & 11

2007-05-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

The Port of Vancouver is advising locals and cruise passengers to have contingency transport plans on the mornings of May 4 and May 11 due to what is projected to be unusually high demand for taxis by cruise ship passengers. Port, cruise terminal and Tourism Vancouver officials have met with local taxi companies and other service providers to plan for the increased volumes on these two days. "While this is terrific news for the local economy, we want to do everything possible to minimize the disruption to the general public and cruise passengers," said Chris Badger, vice president-customer development and operations at the Vancouver Port Authority.The increased demand is expected due to the large number of independent travelers aboard cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Vancouver at the conclusion of repositioning cruises. Repositioning cruises occur primarily at the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season, when cruise lines relocate ships to Vancouver from their southern winter itineraries. "The Port of Vancouver remains an active proponent of an increase in the number of taxi licenses and improved regional coordination of taxi services," Badger said. "While there are positive steps being taken toward those goals, these particularly busy days highlight the need for action." As repositioning cruises tend to attract a larger number of independent travelers, who do not have pre-arranged transfers to and from the port, there is a corresponding increase in demand for taxi service. On May 4, the port projects that approximately 6,900 of the 8,800 travelers arriving at Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier will be independent. Passengers should make advance transportation arrangements or be prepared for potentially lengthy wait times. For more information, call 888-PORTVAN or visit http://www.portvancouver.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas Arrives in U.S.

2007-05-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International welcomed its 21st ship, the 160,000-ton Liberty of the Seas, to the U.S. on Thursday. Sharing the title of world's largest cruise ship with the Freedom of the Seas, Liberty will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to roll out enhanced onboard programming in wellness, weddings, and family and teen activities. The new programming includes the Vitality wellness program; Explorer Weddings, for couples looking to tie the knot in extreme style; and new family programming introducing Adventure Theater, DJ classes, Chefs on Deck, and the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program.

With a capacity of 3,634 guests double occupancy, Liberty features the FlowRider surf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the H2O Zone water park and the Royal Promenade entertainment boulevard. The Presidential Family Suite sleeps up to 14 people. The ship has more than 20 restaurants and lounges aboard Liberty. Godmother Donnalea Madeley, a travel agent, will officially name the ship on May 18, and Liberty will sail its maiden voyage May 19 from its homeport of Miami. Liberty will depart on Saturdays and alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Western Caribbean itinerary will call at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at San Juan, St. Maarten and Labadee. A third Freedom-class ship, the Independence of the Seas, is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2008. Sailing from the U.K., it will be the largest ship to be homeported in Europe. For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit http://www.cruisingpower.com/.

Discovery Offers Free Attraction Passes to Kids

2007-05-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Discovery Cruise Line is offering free attraction passes to attractions in the Bahamas and South Florida. To be eligible for the promotion, each child under 6 must be accompanied onboard Discovery and to the attraction by a full-fare paying adult. There will be a pass for one child per adult. The attractions participating in the promotion in Grand Bahama are Bahamian Getaway Island Tour, Glass Bottom Boat, Fantasia Snorkel Tour, and UNEXCO'S Dolphin Close Encounter. In South Florida, the attractions participating are Butterfly World, Lion Country Safari, Mai-Kai Restaurant, Miami Seaquarium, and Jungle Island. Tickets to the Grand Bahama attractions must be purchased onboard during the cruise. Tickets to the South Florida attractions will be provided to passengers during the cruise. Discovery sails daily from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island, departing at 7:45 a.m. and returning at 10 p.m. Discovery offers same-day roundtrips as well as cruise and stay vacation packages. For more information, call 888-213-8251 or visit http://www.discoverycruiseline.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

NCL's Norwegian Sun Receives Environment Award

2007-05-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced that the Norwegian Sun received the Port of San Francisco's Cruise Ship Environmental Award. The port's program annually recognizes cruise ships whose onboard environmental systems help decrease air and water pollution. The three categories evaluated are air emission reduction, wastewater treatment and recycling and disposal programs for solid waste. "With our clean fuel strategy using low-sulfur fuels while in port, along with reducing air emissions, advanced wastewater treatment and recycling and disposal of solid waste, we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining the highest level of environmental protection standards," said Bill Hamlin, NCL's executive vice president of fleet operations. "The Port of San Francisco commends NCL for its dedication to sustaining a clean environment," said Peter Dailey, maritime director for the Port of San Francisco. For more information, call 800) 327-7030 or visit http://www.ncl.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival Extends Discounts to Military Personnel

2007-05-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines, in honor of Memorial Day, is launching a promotion throughout May that allows active and retired military personnel to book up to three staterooms for themselves and their friends and family members at special discounted rates. Reservations must be made between May 1 and May 31, 2007, to qualify for this promotion, which is available in conjunction with a variety of three- to eight-day cruises departing May 1 through March 31, 2008, from six North American homeports. Rates start at $199 per person for three-day cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, and four-day cruises from Long Beach, Calif.; $249 for five-day cruises from Mobile, Ala., and Jacksonville, Fla.; $379 for six-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale; $399 for seven-day cruises from Miami; and $499 for eight-day cruises from Fort Lauderdale. The promotion is valid for individual bookings only, is capacity controlled and not applicable with any other discount offer. Fare code CPM1 must be requested during the reservations process. Military personnel must provide proof of service. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit http://www.bookccl.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Regent's Gauguin Celebrates 10 Years in Tahiti

2007-05-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 330-guest Paul Gauguin is celebrating 10 years of operating year-round in Tahiti and French Polynesia. The ship has carried more than 100,000 passengers to these islands. A selection of 43 voyages in 2008 includes itineraries from seven to 11 nights calling on the Society and Tuamotu Islands, as well as longer voyages to the Marquesas, Cook and Austral islands. In response to increased demand from guests, Regent Seven Seas' 2008 program features a greater number of shorter, seven-night cruises than in recent years. Guests aboard the Paul Gauguin can extend their vacation with seven pre- and post-cruise land programs in Tahiti in 2008.

In addition to the established programs offered on Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea, two new properties are offered: Le Taha'a Private Island and Spa; and the Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa. Special extensions are also offered to Australia and New Zealand in conjunction with select departures. Through an exclusive partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau and his conservation organization, Ocean Futures Society, young guests and their parents may participate in "Ambassadors of the Environment" Circles of Interest aboard 12 sailings in 2008.

Jean-Michel Cousteau will sail aboard the 14-night Cook, Austral, Tuamotu and Society islands voyage departing Sept. 27, 2008. Regent President Mark Conroy will sail on a 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands cruise departing from Papeete on Jan. 5, 2008. Paul Gauguin's 2008 voyages start at $2,195 for seven-night roundtrips from Papeete, Tahiti. Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily; and an in-suite bar setup in butler suites. Many sailings also offer a "third guest sails free" option, available in select staterooms. For more information, call 800-285-1835 or visit http://www.theregentexperience.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Princess Naming Set for June 14 in Portofino

2007-05-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises has rescheduled the christening of the Royal Princess for June 14 in Portofino, Italy. Originally scheduled for Santorini in a double naming ceremony with Emerald Princess on May 12, the event was changed out of respect for the sinking of a Greek cruise ship in that location. Royal Princess' relocated christening will take place during the ship's first port of call on a voyage that begins in Rome the previous day. Further details, including the announcement of the godmother, will be released shortly.

"Although we're saddened by the tragedy that prompted this change, we are pleased to name Royal Princess in a beautiful Mediterranean port that signifies the ship's visits to some of the most scenic ports in Europe," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess Cruises. "Portofino is a charming example of the type of the ‘explorer' destinations we're able to highlight with this smaller vessel, and we're delighted to be able to christen our new ship in such a beautiful location."

A sister ship to the line's Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess, the 30,200-ton, 710-passenger Royal Princess offers passengers a boutique version of Princess' onboard options, including a variety of dining and entertainment choices and a large number of cabins with private balconies. The christening voyage -- a new "Mediterranean Collection" itinerary -- features three of the four new ports debuting for Princess this season: Ravenna, Italy; Split Croatia; and Kotor, Montenegro. Royal Princess also offers sailings that visit the ruins of Troy with a call at the new port of Canakkale, Turkey, as well destinations such as the Crimean coast, Egypt and the Holy Land. For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit http://www.princess.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Caribbean Creates Teen Advisory Board

2007-05-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International is creating the cruise industry's first Teen Advisory Board. By involving teens in the programming development process, the cruise line wants to provide a more enjoyable vacation experience for teens. The Teen Advisory Board will be on hand to introduce recommendations already implemented aboard the line's new Liberty of the Seas when it debuts in New York on May 4. The enhancements will subsequently be rolled out fleetwide. New teen ice-breakers will include musical instruments onboard for jam sessions and two themed entertainment experiences. Dance Dance Revolution and competitive Nintendo Wii video gaming will be incorporated into the teen program. Teen-only dining will be available in the Windjammer Café. Also, a new 4,000-foot-long zipline will be added on Labadee, Haiti, where teens can soar 200 feet above the tropical landscape.

"Teens are more travel-savvy than their parents were at their age and they actively participate in the planning of the family vacation," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president-marketing for Royal Caribbean. The Teen Advisory Board grew out of a study commissioned by the line to analyze teens' vacation travel practices and preferences. Conducted in conjunction with Stone Mantel, a consultancy firm, the study revealed teens want to explore the world, experience cultures and try new activities. Based on the research and recommendations from the Teen Advisory Board, Royal Caribbean will continue to evolve the teen cruise experience and plans to unveil major enhancements in the following months. The research study began in September 2006 and involved observational studies and field surveys throughout major U.S. cities. This was followed by the formation of a series of targeted "friendship groups" comprised of 36 teens age 15 to 17. Finally, 10 teens -- determined to be "influencers" among their peers, including a practicing journalist and two whose parents are travel agents -- were selected to join the Royal Caribbean Teen Advisory Board. The board convened regularly onboard or through virtual meetings on online bulletin boards. For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit to http://www.cruisingpower.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Caribbean Profits Fall in First Quarter

2007-05-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) announced net income for the first quarter 2007 of $8.8 million, or 4 cents per share, compared to net income of $119.5 million, or 55 per share in the same period last year. The company blamed the fall in profits on its acquisition of Spanish company Pullmantour. It also said the first quarter 2006 results included a one-time net gain of $36 million from the partial settlement of a lawsuit. The company also reaffirmed its full year 2007 earnings per share guidance of $3.05 to $3.20. Revenues for the first quarter 2007 increased to $1.2 billion from revenues of $1.1 billion in the first quarter 2006.

RCCL said Pullmantur's business is highly seasonal, with strong summer months but weak winter months. In addition, the company is including Pullmantur results on a two-month lag. RCCL said these changes significantly diminished the company's reported earnings in the first quarter and are expected to do so in the second quarter. The company said it expects greater improvement in the third and fourth quarters. RCCL also said demand has been weaker than expected, especially in the Caribbean, but that cost controls have helped offset the revenue decline.

"After a strong fall performance, close-in bookings in the first quarter required more aggressive price promotions than we experienced throughout the last year," said Richard Fain, RCCL chairman and CEO. "On the other hand, cost performance was better than our prior guidance due to cost control initiatives."

The softer Caribbean pricing is expected to continue through the spring and is of a somewhat greater magnitude than forecasted back in February, the company reported. "However, the revenue picture for the balance of the year appears more encouraging. Although it is too early to provide specific predictions for the upcoming fall/winter season, load factors and pricing are both ahead of same time last year for the fourth quarter and into the first quarter of 2008," Fain said. "While we are disappointed that the revenue environment is more challenging than anticipated, I am very proud of the way our management team is mitigating the effect through improvements in efficiency."

Collectively, the company will have a 12.2 percent increase in capacity in 2007, driven by Pullmantur, the April delivery of Liberty of the Seas, and a full year of Freedom of the Seas. For the full year 2007, the company now forecasts that net yields will increase in the range around 2 percent compared to 2006. For the second quarter 2007, the company currently forecasts net yields to be flat, and on a comparable basis to decrease in a range around 1 percent. For more information, visit http://www.rclinvestor.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Cunard's QM2 Hosts Hollywood Art Collection

2007-05-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 on Monday in Brooklyn boarded a collection of portraits of Hollywood stars painted for the charity fundraiser "Stars for a Cause." The art and its creator, pop-artist Nicolosi, will begin a European tour with exhibits planned at the 60th Cannes Film Festival and then to London where they will be sold during a worldwide live and online auction in early June. Auction proceeds to benefit amFAR, Prince's Trust (U.K.) and The Hollywood Museum. Nicolosi created the portraits of celebrity award nominees and recipients who then began autographing them during interviews with "Entertainment Tonight." The TV show will continue to invite celebrities to sign their portrait during the Cannes Film Festival (May 16-27). For more information, call 800-728-6273 or visit http://www.cunard.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Cruise Passenger Group Pushes for Independent Security

2007-05-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

A group of families representing people unhappy with the way alleged crimes are handled by cruise lines issued a press release with recommendations for reporting and investigating onboard incidents. International Cruise Victims (ICV) calls its plan "Cruise line Law Adherence Monitoring Personnel" (CLAMP) and says it would require an independent security force onboard all cruise ships. ICV concludes that "current onboard cruise line security management appears to lack adequate passenger and crew safety training, especially in response to reports of incidents." The ICV release includes a quote by Congressman Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), who has called federal hearings on cruise ship safety. "I am working on a bipartisan legislative proposal to improve disclosure on crimes on cruise ships in order to increase the transparency of the industry," Shays said.

In response, the Cruise Lines International Association issued the following statement: "The cruise industry shares the commitment of providing a safe and secure environment for cruise passengers and aiding those who experience otherwise. The member lines of CLIA make safety and security their utmost priority and will continue to work with all interested parties to further strengthen safety measures and guest care. Cruising is one of the most popular vacation options in large part because of its excellent safety record and high levels of onboard service." For more information, visit http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/ or CLIA's site at http://www.cruising.org/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival Splendor to Launch Northern Europe Program

2007-05-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines' new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor -- representing a new class of vessel with innovations such as new spa staterooms -- will debut in July 2008 operating the line's first-ever Northern European cruise program. These 12-day Northern Europe voyages, which will operate July 13 through Aug. 30, 2008, will visit Denmark, Germany, Finland, Russia, Estonia and The Netherlands. Following the Northern European voyages, Carnival Splendor will feature a 12-day London-to-Rome cruise Sept. 11, 2008, and then sail a series of 12-day Mediterranean voyages Sept. 23 through Oct. 17, 2008.

Carnival Splendor will be the second Carnival ship deployed in Europe next year, joining the Carnival Freedom which will operate a program of 12-day Mediterranean cruises May-to-October 2008. Also included in Carnival Splendor's 2008 inaugural season will be a 16-day transatlantic voyage departing Rome Oct. 29, as well as a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale commencing Nov. 22, 2008. A one-time four-day eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale Nov. 17, 2008. The 12-night Northern Europe debuts July 13, 2008, departing from London (Dover). Other departure dates include July 25, Aug. 6, Aug. 18 and Aug. 30, 2008. Ports include Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (two-day call); Tallin, Estonia; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Following the Northern Europe cruises, Carnival Splendor will operate a one-time 12-day Western Mediterranean cruise departing London (Dover) Sept. 11, 2008, and calling at Le Havre (Paris), France; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Malaga and Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. Carnival Splendor will then operate one "Grand Mediterranean" and two "Mediterranean & Greek Isles" cruises round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) Sept. 23 to Oct. 17, 2008. The 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise will depart Sept. 23, 2008, and call at Naples and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. The two 12-day Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises will depart Oct. 5 and Oct. 17, 2008, calling at Naples, Italy; Marmaris, Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey, with scenic cruising of the Dardanelles; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy, as well as an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia). As the first in a new class of "Fun Ships," Carnival Splendor will offer a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center, which will feature Carnival's first elaborate thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome.

Surrounding the facility will be 68 spa staterooms, also a first for Carnival. Guests in spa staterooms will have exclusive entry access to the adjacent spa facilities and will receive a wide array of special offerings including priority spa appointments, unlimited use of the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool, complimentary fitness classes and other amenities. Carnival will begin accepting reservations for Carnival Splendor's European and Caribbean departures on May 10, 2007. Prices for the 12-day Northern Europe cruises begin at $1,299 per person, based on double occupancy; rates for the 12-day Mediterranean cruises start at $1,249; a 16-day transatlantic crossing starts at $849 per person and seven-day Caribbean cruises begin at $469 per person. The one-time cruise from Fort Lauderdale begins at $239 per person. For additional information, call 800-327-9501 or visit http://www.bookccl.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Costa Serena Gets Grand Prix Driving Simulator

2007-04-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

Costa has installed a Grand Prix race car driving simulator aboard the new Costa Serena, which will be officially inaugurated in Marseille on May 19 and sail from Venice to Greece, Turkey and Croatia in its first season. Installed on Deck 12 of the ship, nearly 100 feet above the sea, the simulator was produced from an original Grand Prix race car and is the result of advanced real-time vehicle modeling -- the same software and technology used by Grand Prix champion drivers themselves in training. This new addition follows the success of the driving simulator on the Costa Concordia, which entered service in June 2006. The simulator onboard the Costa Serena will go even faster than the one on the Costa Concordia, with virtual speeds of up to 217 mph.

In addition, the "Costa Serena Grand Prix" will blend the world's best racing circuits such as "Zandvoort" in Holland, "Suzuka" in Japan and "Interlagos" in Brazil. The course is almost a half-mile longer than the one on the Costa Concordia. As on the Costa Concordia, the Grand Prix race car driving simulator will have four levels of difficulty. The Grand Prix race car driving simulator will be inaugurated by Pierre Combot, a French Grand Prix driver. Combot will complete the first lap and set a record time for all the ship's guests to beat. The official delivery of the Costa Serena is scheduled for May 15 at Fincantieri's Genoa-Sestri Ponente shipyard. For more information, call 800-GO-COSTA or visit http://www.costacruises.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Costa Inaugurates Barcelona Cruise Terminal

2007-04-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

Costa officially opened its new Palacruceros cruise terminal on Tuesday with an inaugural ceremony in Barcelona. The ceremony was attended by national and local authorities including Jordi Valls, chairman of the Port of Barcelona; Pier Luigi Foschi, Costa Crociere chairman and CEO; Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Crociere; and Luis Grau, general manager of Costa Cruceros Spain. Inaugural festivities concluded with a concert by the singer Soraya and a special fireworks presentation. "Our objective with the new terminal is to confirm our leadership in the port and in Spain, guaranteeing excellent services for all our guests stopping off in Barcelona," Foschi said. "As in Savona, the philosophy guiding the Palacruceros concept is to offer maximum efficiency and comfort to our cruise ship guests -- we want them to feel as if they are on holiday from the moment they enter the new terminal."

The new Palacruceros terminal occupies a nearly 6,000-square-foot stretch of the Muelle Adosado quay. The Port of Barcelona granted a 25-year concession on the area to Costa, which is now equipped to accommodate cruise ships of all tonnage, length and capacity, including the largest currently in service (over 140,000 tons). The Italian company has invested approximately 12 million Euros in the new terminal for preferential use by Costa and other companies in the Carnival Corp. group. The new terminal was built on four levels, covering a total area of approximately 107,000 square feet. The architecture is characterized by light and glazed surfaces. Passenger safety and protection for the environment are just two of the factors that were given priority during the development of the project. Among the facilities in the terminal are a children's club, an Internet café, a shopping area, a VIP lounge and a cafeteria and terrace with views. Palacruceros will now be the site of Costa's office in Barcelona, which features 20 employees. In 2006, Costa featured around 80 calls in Barcelona, bringing a total of over 200,000 guests. The Italian company is expecting its local traffic to increase substantially during 2007, with 126 planned cruise operations and approximately 330,000 guests (65 percent more than in 2006).

The 2,720-passenger Costa Fortuna and 3,000-passenger Costa Concordia will offer weekly departures this summer from the terminal. In 2007, Carnival Corp. companies anticipate 251 cruise operations in Barcelona, which amount to over 500,000 passengers in total. According to the European Cruise Council, each passenger that visits a Spanish port generates an average expenditure of nearly 45 Euros per passenger visit. As such, in 2007, Costa's guests will generate a forecasted economic benefit for Barcelona of almost 15 million Euros. Barcelona has forecasted a total of 1.6 million cruisers in 2007, with more than 20 percent coming from Costa). For more information, call 800-GO-COSTA or visit http://www.costacruises.com/.

NCL to Convert to Electronic Cruise Documents

2007-04-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and NCL America on May 28 will convert to an electronic documentation process for all cruise bookings. For reservations that are paid in full and finalized, e-documents will be available up to 60 days prior to sailing. In addition, guests will have 24/7 access to their cruise documents online. "Our mission for our guests is to provide a great vacation experience from beginning to end," said Andy Stuart, NCL's executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services. "E-docs offer increased flexibility and choice for all of our guests further supporting the freedom and flexibility offered by our signature Freestyle Cruising, in addition to significantly enhancing reliability and earlier delivery of cruise documents."

Travel agents or guests with fully paid reservations after May 28 will begin receiving email messages from NCL that notify them that electronic documents are ready and can be accessed via an imbedded link in the email. As an added convenience for travel agents, the subject line of the emails will contain the guest name, reservation number, and ship and sail date, allowing travel partners to easily organize incoming email messages. In addition, travel documents can be accessed from any computer with Internet access by going to a designated section of NCL's website. Once the cruise documents are accessed, the travel partner or guest views HTML-based cruise documents that can be printed or forwarded on to clients or traveling companions. Guests can also complete their online advance guest registration form up to four days prior to sailing, giving them 10 days longer than the current system allows.

NCL's e-documents include a welcome-aboard letter, cruise ticket, passenger terms and conditions, airline e-ticket if air travel arrangements have been made through NCL's air/sea program, pre- or post-cruise hotel vouchers (if applicable), pre- or post-cruise transfer vouchers (if applicable) and electronic luggage tags that are printable online. In advance of the e-documents, travel agents or guests with paid reservations will receive a new pre-documentation Freestyle Cruising Kit in the mail approximately 75 to 21 days prior to their scheduled sailing. This kit includes a personalized welcome letter, NCL's welcome-aboard booklet that answers questions they may have prior to their cruise, a shore excursion order form and booklet, personalized luggage tags and travel protection plan details, if applicable.

To prepare for the shift to e-documents, agents are strongly encouraged to visit www.ncl.com/agencyupdate between April 26 and May 28 to update their agency profile. "We've built this system to meet the needs of our travel partners," said Crane Gladding, NCL's vice president of passenger services. "We've made it as flexible as possible, so that travel partners can indicate their preferences for the delivery of the Freestyle Cruising Kit, as well as the e-documents." For more information, call 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Ports of Stockholm to Build Cruise Terminal

2007-04-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Ports of Stockholm board of directors has approved plans to build a state-of-the-art cruise terminal for Stockholm, Sweden. The terminal is expected to be completed for the beginning of the 2008 cruise season. The terminal, located at Frihamnen, will be Stockholm's first purpose-built cruise facility. The Frihamnen pier is to undergo a complete interior and exterior renovation in a modern Swedish design style. The terminal will include a café, Internet access, shops, a departures hall, customs and luggage handling facilities.

"There is a great need for facilities for cruise ship tourists in a terminal that's modern and exciting, but also functional and environmentally sound," said Ulla Hamilton, chairman of the board of Ports of Stockholm and Stockholm's city commissioner for real estate. "The new terminal will be a great boost, and will make Stockholm even more attractive as a cruise destination."

Every year hundreds of international cruise liners call at Stockholm during the summer season. The number of calls is growing steadily, and more than 300,000 cruise ship passengers are expected in the 2007 season. "This represents an extremely important tourist segment for Stockholm's ever-growing tourism industry," said Martin Rosborg, managing director of Stockholm Visitors Board. "A good first impression ensures satisfied ambassadors for Stockholm as a destination.

"The initial steps in construction already are under way to ensure completion in time for the 2008 cruise season, which extends from May to October. The port is considering alternative potential uses for the terminal during the winter months. The Ports of Stockholm jointly make up the largest seaport complex in the Baltic Sea, with ports at Kapellskär, Stockholm and Nynäshamn. For more information, visit www.stockholmshamnar.se.

Royal Caribbean Sets 2008-2009 Caribbean Itineraries

2007-04-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International's 160,000-ton Independence of the Seas in November 2008 will become the world's largest cruise ship to make a transatlantic passenger voyage. Having completed its inaugural summer and fall seasons in Europe, Independence will head to the balmy waters of the Caribbean for the winter. Independence will be joined by three more Royal Caribbean ships offering 14 more six- to 13-night Caribbean itineraries starting in November 2008 that visit 24 ports.

"Independence of the Seas will make her U.S. debut at the end of 2008, bringing together all three Freedom-class ships in the Caribbean," said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president-sales for Royal Caribbean. "With four more ships in the wintertime to supplement seven ships already deployed year-round in the region, travelers will have the most options to sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise from a port close to them."

Independence of the Seas will sail from Southampton, U.K. on the 13-night transatlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale, calling at Vigo, Spain; Madeira (Funchal), Portugal; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Once sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Independence will alternate eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing on Saturdays and a six-night Western Caribbean departing on Sundays. Other seasonal Caribbean itineraries are offered by Jewel of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. Jewel will sail roundtrip from Miami on 10- and 11-night voyages to the Panama Canal. Voyager of the Seas returns to Galveston to offer two seven-night roundtrip itineraries through the Western Caribbean. On a Mexico-focused itinerary, ports of call include Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras. The second itinerary includes an additional day at sea and calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay. Serenade of the Seas will offer seven-night Southern Caribbean roundtrips to St. Thomas; St. Maarten; St. Johns, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados. For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit http://www.cruisingpower.com/.

Celebrity Opens Books on 2008 Caribbean Season

2007-04-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Cruises opened the books on its 2008-09 winter Caribbean season. Holiday sailings for Celebrity Century include a five-night Western Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Miami on Dec. 24, 2008, with stops in Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, and another five-night sailing on Dec. 29 from Miami that will call on Key West and Grand Cayman. The Century will sail alternating four-night and two different five-night Western Caribbean voyages roundtrip from Miami from December 2008 through April 2009. Celebrity Constellation will sail an 11-night Bermuda and Caribbean cruise on Oct. 30, 2008, from Cape Liberty, N.J., to Fort Lauderdale. The first stop is an overnight stay in Kings Wharf, Bermuda, before the ship continues on to St. Maarten, Aruba and Labadee, Haiti. Celebrity Constellation will sail a series of alternating 10- and 11-night "Ultimate Caribbean" itineraries roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale from November 2008 through March 2009. Celebrity Galaxy will sail 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip out of San Juan from December 2008 through April 2009. From December 2008 through April 2009, Celebrity Summit will sail seven-night Southern Caribbean voyages roundtrip from San Juan. For more information, call 800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

Princess Plans Five Gulf of Alaska Ships in 2008

2007-04-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises announced that its 2008 Gulf of Alaska program will feature five vessels. Sailing in Alaska for the first time, the 670-passenger Tahitian Princess will debut a new longer "Connoisseur" route that includes the chance to view the famous brown bears of Kodiak, explore "Alaska's Little Switzerland" at Valdez, and view wildlife from Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Princess ships will offer 73 Gulf of Alaska sailings and eight departures of the new Connoisseur voyages throughout the May-to-September season. Ships on the Gulf route include Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess, each returning for another season of the seven-night "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruises between Vancouver and Whittier. Tahitian Princess will operate 14-day roundtrips from Vancouver. The seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises can be combined with one of 34 different land tour options for a cruise-tour including the state's two most sought-after destinations on every departure -- Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park.All of the line's 2008 Gulf of Alaska cruises include calls in Glacier Bay. In addition, travelers headed to Denali arrive earlier with Princess' exclusive "Direct to the Wilderness" rail service to and from Whittier. The 2,670-passenger Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will be deployed on 37 voyages departing Saturdays from Vancouver or Whittier and featuring calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising of Glacier Bay and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord. In addition, the 1,970-passenger Coral Princess and Island Princess will offer 36 sailings on the same itinerary, departing on Mondays. The Tahitian Princess' Connoisseur voyages include new port calls at Kodiak, Seward, and Valdez in addition to visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Victoria, with daylight cruising of Glacier Bay. Tahitian Princess will sail on eight voyages departing on Thursdays from Vancouver. Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruise-tours for 2008 will be available for reservations starting May 14, with early-booking fares beginning at $649 for a seven-day voyage and $1,399 for cruise-tours. For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com.

Princess Cruises Sets 2008 Polynesia Program

2007-04-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises has announced its full 2008 cruise program in French Polynesia, which features a spring season from January through May and a fall schedule from October through December. Cruises will continue aboard the 670-passenger Tahitian Princess on the 10-day itinerary sailing roundtrip from Papeete, and visiting Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Moorea. "We've enjoyed good success with our Tahiti-based cruises, and our passengers have been enthusiastic about the islands and the warm welcome from the people of French Polynesia," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess Cruises. "So we're pleased to return not only for the spring of 2008, but to also announce we will be homeporting Tahitian Princess in Papeete in the fall of 2008 as well."

Princess began roundtrip cruising from Papeete through French Polynesia in 2002, when Tahitian Princess joined the fleet. Since that time, the line has brought over 135,000 passengers to this destination on this ship alone. Other Princess ships also call on French Polynesian ports during transit calls. "We are very pleased that Princess Cruises has fulfilled its five-year obligation to our country," said Maina Sage, French Polynesia's minister of tourism and the environment. "In addition, Princess Cruises has reinforced their commitment to our destination by announcing that our partnership will continue when they return to our waters in the coming years." Between the spring and fall of 2008, Tahitian Princess will reposition north to offer a new "Connoisseur" itinerary in Alaska. Following its first summer season in this destination, the ship will return to French Polynesia. For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit http://www.princess.com/.

Seattle Launches Record 2007 Cruise Season

2007-04-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

The Port of Seattle launched its 2007 cruise season on April 23 with the arrival of Holland America Line's Zaandam at Terminal 30 and the Celebrity Cruises' Mercury at Pier 66. The 2007 season brings new ships, new itineraries and new environmental initiatives. A new agreement between the port and the cruise lines means that all cruise ships homeported in Seattle will use shore power or low sulfur fuel while docked. The air emissions agreement follows a similar agreement among the cruise lines, the port and the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding wastewater discharges. It went into effect in 2004.

A total of 190 vessel calls will bring a record 754,605 passengers to Seattle this season. Nine ships will be homeported in Seattle. The port's cruise business has grown steadily from just six ships and 6,600 passengers in 1999. Among the vessels offering Alaska cruises from Seattle this year are three ships new to Seattle -- Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Pearl, Holland America Line's Noordam and Princess Cruises' Golden Princess. Returning vessels include Holland America's Oosterdam and Amsterdam, NCL's Norwegian Star, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas and Princess' Sun Princess. The Mercury will be back in Seattle at the end of the season with 13 three- and four-day cruises to British Columbia, extending the season into November for the first time.

Also making a debut in Seattle this season is a new service that allows passengers to check in for their return flight aboard the ship before they disembark. Luggage is sent directly from passenger cabins to the airport, giving cruisers a chance to enjoy the Seattle area before returning home. "Seattle's cruise industry demonstrates that economic growth and environmental protection are compatible, achievable goals," said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. "The cruise industry is responsible for nearly 2,000 jobs, more than $60 million in annual payroll and $6 million in state and local tax revenues. And the voluntary controls placed on air emissions and wastewater discharges help protect the beautiful environment cruise passengers come here to enjoy." For more information, visit http://www.portseattle.org/.

Holland America's Eurodam Revamps Guest Room Décor

2007-04-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

Holland America Line's first Signature-class ship, the Eurodam, will feature a new décor in staterooms and suites when it debuts in June 2008. The new calming, more mono-chromatic design, accented with bursts of color, will replace the floral schemes used in the past. The "elegantly simple" design is enhanced with rich wood tones and the use of burnished nickel fixtures. Passenger corridors leading to the guest staterooms also will be decorated in the same theme. Nancy Burfiend, principal designer and founder of NB Design Group, added the intent was to transform each stateroom and suite into a calming oasis where guests could relax and rejuvenate.

"There is so much taking place aboard a cruise ship-diverse activities, exciting dining, theater shows, and more-that we wanted the guest rooms to reflect a soothing environment," said Burfiend. "For example, the deluxe verandah suites will feature rich walnut furniture, charcoal gray seating, crisp white draperies and a patterned gray tip sheared carpet-accented with powder blue and citrus orange in strategic areas to add dimension and interest."

Burfiend said inside staterooms will have blond, maple-toned furniture to create a lighter environment, with the recessed area behind the beds painted sky-blue and covered by sheer curtains with a burn-out, wave pattern that allows hints of blue to show, "in effect, creating the sense of a window." The new décor will be in all staterooms on the 11-passenger deck Eurodam. For the first time on any Holland America ship, staterooms will be added to the top decks. Deck 11 just off the Crow's Nest will feature 10 verandah staterooms and, just below on Deck 10, 28 staterooms with verandahs and four, forward-facing "panorama" rooms will be located. With one more deck than Holland America's 10-deck Vista-class ships, the Signature-class Eurodam will feature three alternative dining venues, including a new pan-Asian restaurant on Deck 10.

Eurodam is scheduled to debut in June 2008 with European inaugural events and then cruise the Baltic region through the summer. The ship will then offer its first transatlantic cruise and sail Canada/New England in the fall, followed by Caribbean itineraries the remainder of 2008. For more information, call 877-SAIL-HAL or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.

Royal Caribbean Enhances Website "Locate a Travel Agent"

2007-04-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International is enhancing the "Locate a Travel Agent" section of its website, Lisa Bauer, the line's senior vice president, North American sales, said during the America's Vacation Center University Travel Executive Forum webinar yesterday. Site visitors will be able to search by a travel agent's name as well as by city, state or zip code. Agents will be able to go onto Cruising Power and fill out a form with details about themselves such as how long they've been in business, their specialties, industry certifications and similar information. Agents will be able to upload their logo or photos and describe the agency, essentially creating their own advertisement for themselves on the website. Agents who have graduated from Royal Caribbean's University of WOW will be listed as Royal Caribbean experts. Bauer said that 5,000 agents have enrolled in the University since it was announced three weeks ago and 2,800 are already Royal Caribbean experts. Royal Caribbean is also launching a youth recognition program for children who sail with their families with the cruise line. In May, agents will be able to book insurance for groups sailing on Royal Caribbean directly with RCI instead of with their insurance carrier. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival Website Highlights $250 Million Enhancement

2007-04-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines has created a website showcasing the highlights of its recently announced $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" product enhancement initiative. Located at www.carnival.com/evolutions, the new micro-site provides a comprehensive overview of the ship refurbishment program which is resulting in a dramatic transformation of the line's eight Fantasy-class ships. Fun Ships included in the Fantasy-class are the Fantasy, Ecstasy, Sensation, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Elation and Paradise.

Contained within the site are multiple images highlighting Evolutions of Fun features such as expansive facilities for children and teens, completely renovated health and fitness centers, atrium lobby bars, coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf courses, and new production revues and updated sound and lighting systems in the main show lounges. Also highlighted are stateroom upgrades, which include new flat-screen televisions, the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, and dozens of interconnecting cabins.

The site also provides a preview of upcoming upgrades including expansive children's water parks, the creation of the exclusive adults-only Serenity pool areas, and a new design style and feature for the ships' pool areas. Other upgrades, incorporated fleetwide, are cell phone service and Wi-Fi Internet access. Many aspects of the Evolutions of Fun enhancements have already been completed on the Fantasy, Ecstasy and Fascination and partially executed on the Sensation, Elation and Paradise. The Imagination and Inspiration are next in line to receive the Evolutions of Fun upgrades during month-long dry docks this fall, with all Fantasy-class ships expected to be completed by 2009. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.

Disney Cruise Finalizes Orders for Two Ships

2007-04-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

Disney Cruise Line announced Monday that it has finalized a contract to build two new 124,000-ton ships. Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin and Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft shipyard of Papenburg, Germany, signed the contract in front of several hundred cheering cast members at a Disney Cruise Line cast gathering. "This is an exciting time at Disney Cruise Line, and we are looking forward to working with Meyer Werft to build two new innovative ships that will take our immersive family-focused cruise experience to an entirely new level," McAlpin said.

Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line. The new ocean liners will be significantly larger than the existing 83,000-ton ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, with 1,250 staterooms each. Disney Cruise Line was formed in 1998. The first two ships were purpose built for families to reconnect and recharge. The ships feature theaters with live musicals as well as adult-only areas and nearly an entire deck dedicated to children's activities.

Similar to the original Disney Cruise Line ships, the new ships will be modern interpretations of classic ocean liners of the 1930s. Disney Imagineers drew their inspiration from the original transatlantic ships that featured a black hull with two funnels and porthole windows. The profile of the ships, with gentle curves at the stern combined with sleek angles at the bow, is reminiscent of the art deco designs of the era. To add whimsy to the classic design, the Disney ships feature the same exterior colors as Mickey Mouse, with a black, white, red and yellow palette. The new ships will feature detailed Disney scrollwork at the bow.

Disney, which traditionally offers three-, four- and seven-night Caribbean cruises, has enjoyed strong demand for new itineraries. Trips to the Mediterranean and to the West Coast have recently set booking records within the company. "Expanding our fleet will give us the flexibility to offer a variety of itineraries in the future," McAlpin said. For more information, call 888-325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Disney Cruise Finalizes Orders for Two Ships

2007-04-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

Regent Seven Seas Enhances Onboard Entertainment

2007-04-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced entirely new entertainment programming aboard three of its ships, the 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager, and 490-guest Seven Seas Navigator. The new program will debut aboard the Navigator's May 19 Mediterranean sailing and features a nine-piece orchestra, an emphasis on live musical performances and five new productions with "The Regent Singers and Dancers." "The Regent Signature Orchestra," the cruise line's new nine-piece band aboard each of the three ships, will be the largest aboard any luxury cruise line. In addition to lending concert-quality musical support to each of the production shows on board, the orchestra will be available for intimate performances as a smaller group at other times aboard the ships. For example, an evening of late-night cocktails or afternoon tea in one of the lounges may now be complemented by the soothing sounds of a live jazz quintet.

The Mariner, Voyager and Navigator will also feature a new late-night cabaret show and a line-up of five new productions, each featuring live music by the orchestra as well as a permanent cast of up to 10 singers and dancers plus a full-time ballroom dance couple. The entire cast is part of the cruise staff, meaning greater personal interaction with guests throughout each voyage. The five new shows being introduced aboard the Navigator are "Vintage Vegas," a spectacular that brings back the golden age of Las Vegas; "Motown Gold;" "They're Playing Our Song," a traditional book musical by Neil Simon with music and lyrics by Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager; "Jazz Legends;" and "Ballroom Bravo," a show that fuses ballroom with theatrical dance. In addition to the new shows, Regent will continue to offer a roster of headline entertainers throughout the year. Entertainment upgrades aboard the Voyager will debut aboard the Nov. 11 transatlantic crossing and aboard the Mariner's Dec. 21 Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale voyage. The new entertainment offerings are produced by Peter Grey Terhune Productions. For more information, call 866-284-4079 or visit www.TheRegentExperience.com.

Carnival's Ecstasy Earns Award for Service

2007-04-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,052-passenger Ecstasy, which underwent an extensive refurbishment last year under the first phase of the line's $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" initiative, has earned the company's Crystal Eagle award for superior guest service. The award is presented annually by Carnival to the shipboard team that receives the highest ratings from guest comment cards. To mark the occasion, a shipboard reception was held aboard the Ecstasy during which President Bob Dickinson presented Capt. Salvatore Messina with a custom-designed award that resembles an eagle. The criteria for Crystal Eagle award is best described by its acronym for "eagle" which is as follows: Exceeding Expectations; Anticipating Needs; Going the Extra Mile; Lasting Memories; Excellence in Every Aspect.

The Ecstasy's 35-day refurbishment included expansive new facilities for children and teens, a 1,200-square-foot conference center, an updated Lido restaurant and gift shop, a renovated Spa Carnival facility, new art and photo galleries, and a nine-hole miniature golf course. These amenities are all part of "Evolutions of Fun," a ship refurbishment and product enhancement initiative focusing on the line's eight Fantasy-class vessels. The Ecstasy's multimillion-dollar refurbishment also included the renovation of its 1,026 staterooms, which now feature flat-panel televisions, new wall coverings, and updated bathrooms. Future "Evolutions of Fun" initiatives include expansive new children's water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the "Serenity" adults-only deck area. The Ecstasy sails year-round from the Port of Galveston on four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. Four-day cruises depart Thursdays and call at Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Cozumel and Progreso/Yucatan. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

P&O Australia Opens to North America Bookings

2007-04-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises now is offering P&O Australia cruises for sale in North America. These voyages are offered primarily for sale in Australia and New Zealand. The voyages sail to South Pacific islands and exotic ports of call such as Pago Pago, Bora Bora, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tonga, as well as Australia. Onboard, P&O has a casual Aussie atmosphere and traditional dining. Voyages are available on three ships -- the Pacific Sun, Pacific Star and the new Pacific Dawn -- which will sail on P&O Australia's largest program ever in 2007-08, its 75th anniversary season. The schedule features 95 sailings to choose from on itineraries departing from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.

The 2,050-passenger Pacific Dawn -- the former Regal Princess -- debuts as Australia's first "superliner" in November. The ship's first season features 10 roundtrip Sydney itineraries, ranging from seven- to 28-day sailings. Highlights include regular cruises to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and a 28-day cruise to French Polynesia, calling many Pacific Islands, including Bora Bora, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The 1,900-passenger Pacific Sun sails on itineraries ranging from seven to 13 days in length. Sailing roundtrip from its new homeport of Brisbane as well as Sydney, the ship features voyages not only to the South Pacific Islands, but also a week-long Queensland sailing highlighting the best of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding areas. The 1,350-passenger Pacific Star sails from Brisbane and Auckland, New Zealand, offering South Pacific island voyages as well as cruises between Australia and New Zealand. Itineraries range from seven days up to a 21-day Australia odyssey. "Pricebreaker Discount" fares for begin at $963 per person, double occupancy, for a seven-day sailing. U.S. dollar rates apply to cruise fares only; onboard purchases will be priced in Australian dollars. For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com.

Air New Zealand Study Shows Effects of Vacationing

2007-04-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

Air New Zealand, in collaboration with a group of former NASA scientists from a research company called Alertness Solutions, completed the first phase of a two-part study of the effects of travel. When the second phase is completed, the study will compare American travelers' perceptions of what happens to them before, during and after a vacation with what really happens to them according to data measured by physiological monitoring equipment borrowed from NASA.

Air New Zealand is calling the difference between the perception and reality "The Vacation Gap." The results of the study will be used to help Air New Zealand and others figure out "how to accelerate, extend and maximize the vacation experience," according to Rebecca Nicol, Air New Zealand's director of marketing for the Americas. Gus Gilmore, vice president of Air New Zealand said the results will be used to "identify and explore new ways to accelerate the vacation mindset and extend it for travelers once they return."

The first part of the study was an online survey recording consumer perceptions of what happens on a vacation. The survey questions were carefully matched with the physiological monitoring process in order to create a basis for comparison between perception and reality. Respondents worked an average of nine to 10 hours and rated their stress levels as "moderate" to "extreme."

Among the results of the questionnaire, nearly 70 percent said they believed doctors should be able to write prescriptions for vacations. More than half said extended time off results in as much as a 25 percent increase in work productivity. Fifty-one percent said they would be willing accept reduced benefits, daily breaks, pay or holiday time if it meant they could have more annual vacation time. Fifty-nine percent said they felt like they were on vacation even before they arrived at the destination, but 51 percent said they begin to feel like they were never on vacation only two days after returning to their normal routines and stress levels. In the second part of the study, 10 travelers were wired with electronic monitoring devices before, during and after the 12-hour flight from the U.S. to New Zealand. While the results of the survey portion are complete, the data from the physiological monitoring will take several weeks to analyze, according to Nicol. For more information on Air New Zealand, visit www.airnewzealand.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Princess Departs on Inaugural Voyage

2007-04-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises' Royal Princess welcomed its first passengers Thursday, as it set sail on its maiden voyage from Barcelona under the command of the line's senior master, the recently appointed Commodore Michael Fatchen. The 710-passenger vessel, which takes the name of a former Princess ship, debuts with a series of "Elite Mediterranean" cruises that feature a variety of new itineraries and ports. Royal Princess' first "Mediterranean Interlude" voyage features calls in Marseille, Florence/Pisa, Elba, Palermo, and Mallorca. Upcoming voyages include a number of interesting new "explorer" destinations, including four ports appearing for the first time in Princess routes: Ravenna, Italy; Split, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; and Canakkale (for Troy), Turkey -- all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Royal Princess itineraries will also take travelers to the Crimean coast, Egypt and the Holy Land.

A former Renaissance Cruises vessel and sister ship to the Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess, the 30,200-ton Royal Princess offers passengers a boutique version of Princess' acclaimed onboard options, including dining and entertainment choices and a large number of cabins with private balconies. The Royal Princess will feature the line's new culinary enhancements, including the Chef's Table dinner experience, new dining room menus, enhanced buffet service, and a number of special treats such as an afternoon cookies and milk and in-cabin delivery of pizza. The ship also features Sabatini's Trattoria, Sterling Steakhouse, the Lotus Spa and 24-hour room service, including private balcony dining. Suites were renovated with new décor and furnishings. The ship also has an upgraded show lounge, new carpet and upholstery, and premium mattresses and bedding. For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival Conquest to Host Mind/Body Cruise

2007-04-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Carnival Cruise Lines, "Shape" magazine and "Men's Fitness" magazine have partnered to sponsor the fourth annual Mind/Body Cruise to be held Dec. 2-9 aboard the Carnival Conquest. The cruise will operate round-trip from Galveston, Texas, and call at Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. It will offer a variety of fitness, nutritional, and wellness classes and seminars. The fitness and relaxation classes include an aerobic workout to the sound of live drums and a daily sunset meditation session on the ship's Lido Deck. The Mind/Body Cruise also offers cooking demonstrations and nutritional workshops, all hosted by personal trainers, and nutrition and health experts. These experts will also be on hand for one-on-one consultations and Q&A sessions.

Participating experts include Jacqui Stafford, an executive director at "Shape" magazine; Teri Hanson, assistant fitness editor for Weider Publications; Jon Giswold, who teaches group exercise classes at Reebok/Sports Club New York and other locations; Jeffrey Scott, a Reebok University global master trainer and an international fitness presenter; Kent and Maria Burden, authors of the book, "Yin Yang Fitness: The Whole Package of Health;" Misty Tripoli, a Nike Elite Instructor; and Jim Stoppani, senior science editor for "Muscle & Fitness," "Muscle & Fitness Hers" and "Flex" magazines. Prices begin at $659 per person based on double occupancy and include all Mind/Body Cruise activities. Agents must reference fare code CSSH when making the reservation. For additional information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Princess Debuts 200 New Europe Adventures

2007-04-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises is offering nearly 200 new shore excursions to its European program. The new additions to the line's Adventures Ashore program offer options for food enthusiasts, wine and spirit lovers, historians, art aficionados, pilgrimage seekers, race car fans, movie lovers, families and explorers of all kinds. In total, Princess features more than 800 intriguing tour choices throughout Europe. In addition to the many new tours, this year Princess also debuts a new tool in its shore excursion booklets -- an "Excursions at a Glance" section. This feature categorizes each port's tours into one of four types-Explorer (full-day tours), Traveler (half-day excursions), Adventurer (for active travelers) and Elite & Overland (Elite Collection tours offer an intimate group setting, while Overland tours offer unique, multi-day experiences). This chart is found in the front of each Europe shore excursion booklet.

Among the many new tours debuting this season are a private tour that includes a visit to the Nobel Museum in Stockholm and lunch in the City Hall Cellar Restaurant, visits to the factory museums at Ferrari and Lamborghini, a visit to the Absolut Ice Bar and Old Town in Stockholm, and a tour in the steps of the movie "The Godfather" in Messina. For a more in-depth experience in select locations, Princess offers multi-day Grand Overland Adventures which includes at least two full days of travel, hotel accommodations and meals. Passengers disembark the ship in one port and rejoin it in another. Two new overland tours debut this season, including the Holy Land Experience between Ashdod and Haifa and the Grand Brussels Overland between Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

Princess also has added several new tours designed with families in mind. The Family Adventure with Boat Trip allows families to sail along the Bosporus in a private yacht and visit the Blue Mosque and the Underground Cistern, plus refreshments at a Turkish tea house and shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Another family outing from Kusadasi lets parents and kids explore the ruins of ancient Ephesus together, followed by an afternoon at a private beach club. Princess shore excursions can be reserved in advance through the Cruise Personalizer on www.princess.com or by phone. Princess' 2007 Europe season offers 81 departures on 31 itineraries, calling at 110 ports. Five ships sail in Europe this season, ranging from 710 to 3,070 passengers, to destinations as varied as Iceland and Egypt. Two vessels, Royal Princess and Emerald Princess, make their Princess debuts, as do five new boutique itineraries. The extended Europe season runs through Dec. 3. For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Liberty of the Seas

2007-04-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its newest Freedom-class ship, Liberty of the Seas, from Aker Yards during a ceremony Wednesday in Turku, Finland. The ship makes its U.S. debut on May 3. The Liberty will be the first in Royal Caribbean's fleet to showcase new wellness, family and wedding programming, which will be rolled out fleet-wide. Liberty shares the title of world's largest cruise ship with sister ship, Freedom of the Seas, which launched in May 2006. The revamped Vitality wellness program promotes healthy vacations through a variety of fitness, spa, shore excursion and culinary offerings, including Tai Chi, acupuncture, wellness seminars and even a soothing signature scent.

Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway, New York City's famed children's theater group, introduces kids and teens to the theatrical arts with folk tales, music, dance and cultural elements. Scratch DJ 101 classes allows teens to hone turntable skills in sessions hosted by professionals from New York City's Scratch DJ Academy. Also, the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program is the industry's first loyalty program designed for cruisers under age 18. Members will enjoy frequent cruiser rewards such as the Youth Ultimate Value Booklet, which includes puzzles, games, and special onboard offers to Ben & Jerry's, Challenger's Arcade, and Y-spa, the line's teen spa treatment menu. Also new are the Build & Grow with Lowe's program and Chefs on Deck by Fisher-Price. Explorer Weddings gives thrill-seekers the option of tying the knot on an Alaskan glacier, in a hot-air balloon or on Liberty's FlowRider surf simulator, to name a few.

At 160,000 tons with a capacity of 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Liberty of the Seas also boasts the FlowRider surf attraction, the H2O Zone water park, a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person family suite. Royal Caribbean's new Freedom-class ships will be joined by a third, the Independence of the Seas, in 2008. Liberty will depart on Saturdays and Freedom on Sundays from Miami and will alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Both itineraries include a call at Royal Caribbean's private destination Labadee, Haiti. Liberty's Western Caribbean itinerary calls in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls in San Juan and St. Maarten, allowing for a third day at sea. For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Carnival Destiny to Boost St. Kitts' Arrivals

2007-04-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority announced that its cruise arrivals will increase by over 70 percent in 2008. This increase is largely due to the addition of the Carnival Destiny to the island's cruise ship roster, which will be the first cruise ship to call at St. Kitts on a weekly year-round basis. The Carnival Destiny will bring 130,000 passengers next year to St. Kitts, beginning with its first call on Jan. 10, 2008. The ship will spend a full day in port, allowing passengers the maximum amount of time to explore St. Kitts. "We are approaching the 400,000 annual passenger milestone in the growth of St. Kitts' cruise tourism industry," said Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture. "However, increasing the number of passenger arrivals is not our biggest concern. We are more concerned about seasonality, sustainability and the quality of visitor experience and visitor expenditure."

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts' tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island's sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, wreck diving and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as water sports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, shopping downtown, gaming at St. Kitts' exclusive casino or simply relaxing on one of the island's sandy beaches. Call 800-582-6208 or visit http://www.stkitts-tourism.com/.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Discovery World Offers Free Air to Antarctica

2007-04-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Discovery World Cruises is featuring free round-trip economy-class air transportation from U.S. gateways on two select 2007-08 winter cruises that visit Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Typically, Discovery combines exotic itineraries with hotel stays to create cruise-tour vacations. The 20-night "Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia," trip, departing Nov. 26, includes three hotel nights in Buenos Aires before joining the ship in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town. Passengers will cruise to West Point and Port Stanley in the Falklands and on to South Georgia, home of King penguins. Three ports in South Georgia -- Grytviken, Elsehul and Gold Harbour -- will offer the opportunity to set foot on Antarctica and participate in small-boat sightseeing around the shoreline. Early booking fares start at $5,295 per person. The 15-night "Antarctica I," departing Dec. 12, 2007, includes three nights in Buenos Aires. Passengers will cruise past the grand icescapes of Antarctica and go ashore for an up-close encounter with the rare wildlife. Early booking fares start at $4,550 per person. Discovery World Cruises' free air promotion offers round-trip air from its 26 North American gateway cities. For more information, call 866-623-2689 or visit www.discoveryworldcruises.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Crystal Cruises Plans Tribute to Character Actors

2007-04-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Crystal Cruises will pay tribute to character actors: the villains, sidekicks and familiar faces that have made their mark on film and theatre history. Aboard the line's Aug. 31 Film & Theatre Festival voyage on Crystal Symphony, the tribute features noted actor Bruce McGill, along with theatre lecturers, producer Steven Rivellino and author and historian Robert Kimball. A departure from the typical crossing, the 14-day transatlantic cruise will call in Dublin, Ireland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Nuuk, Greenland; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bruce McGill's film resume includes pivotal roles in "Cinderella Man," "Collateral" and "The Insider," among dozens of others.

In addition to McGill's work, the ship will screen films of other great scene-stealers, complemented by pre- and post-movie commentary by an expert moderator. Film and theatre enthusiasts will also be treated to panel discussions, lectures, daily movie trivia contests and a social "name that movie tune" cocktail party. As vice president and general manager of Radio City Music Hall, producer Rivellino has produced The Grammy Awards, MTV Music Video Awards, and concerts starring Frank Sinatra and Madonna. Currently preparing "Rizoma" to open on Broadway next season, Rivellino will share insights on "The Business of Broadway Trends," "Tonys and Tickets" and "Radio City Music Hall, the Showplace of the Nation." Theater historian, author and Grammy Award nominee Kimball is artistic adviser to both the Gershwin Trusts and the Cole Porter Trusts, and a consultant on musical theatre to the Library of Congress. He will regale Crystal guests with talks on Berlin cabaret, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins in Hollywood, and the music of Frank Loesser. Fares begin at $4,745 per person, double occupancy. The cruise starts in London and concludes in New York. For more information, call 800-446-6620 or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

Carnival Corp. Boosts Dividend, Discusses Growth Plans

2007-04-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Carnival Corp. & plc held its annual shareholders meeting in Southampton, U.K., Monday and announced a 27 percent increase in its regular quarterly dividend from 27.5 cents per share to 35 cents. The announcement was made by Carnival Vice Chairman and COO Howard Frank, who noted that since the company's merger with P&O Princess Cruises in April 2003, Carnival Corp. has more than tripled its dividend with the latest increase.

"This dividend increase reflects our management's confidence in the future of our business," Frank said. "Carnival Corp. & plc is in the uniquely enviable position of being able to aggressively pursue our growth strategies-both through our $11 billion newbuilding program and developing new markets in Europe and Asia-while still generating the cash flow to return more added value to our shareholders in the form of increased quarterly dividends and our share buy-back program."

Since 2005, Carnival has repurchased $1.2 billion of its shares. "Carnival remains committed to its previously stated policy of returning excess cash to shareholders by increasing dividends as our earnings grow, as well as continuing our stock repurchase program opportunistically," Frank said. "We have approximately $770 million remaining under our previously authorized stock repurchase program."

Frank also discussed the company's growth plans which are focused on its newbuilding program but also include a number of initiatives aimed at growing existing markets and expanding internationally. Carnival's five core business regions -- U.S., UK, Germany, Italy and Spain -- "all offer tremendous growth potential because of their favorable demographics and low penetration levels," Frank said.

In 2006, North America accounted for 70 percent of Carnival Corp. & plc's passenger base with Europeans and the rest of the world accounting for the remaining 30 percent. Frank said that by 2010, this ratio is expected to shift to 60 percent North Americans and 40 percent Europeans and the rest of the world as the company continues to expand operations beyond North America. "In North America we plan to add eight ships from 2007 through 2010," he said. "While North America remains our largest market, we have intensified our efforts at growing our European business, both through strategic alliances with existing travel companies in the region, as well as an aggressive newbuilding program that will introduce 12 new ships for our European brands through 2010."

Other growth initiatives include a planned new cruise joint venture in Germany with TUI AG, the world's largest tour company, to develop, market and operate two cruise brands -- Carnival's existing AIDA Cruises and a new TUI Cruises brand -- both designed for the German-speaking holiday market. Carnival also has a planned joint venture in Spain with Orizonia Corporación, Spain's largest travel company which operates its own cruise fleet under its Iberojet division, to operate and expand the existing Iberojet Cruceros brand in Spain. The joint venture will grow that fleet over the next several years through the acquisition of existing tonnage from Carnival's current fleet.

Since the company's merger with P&O Princess Cruises in 2003, annual cash flow from operations has nearly doubled from $1.9 billion to $3.6 billion. Over the past four years, the company has funded $9 billion in new ship construction all through its own cash flow, according to Frank. Frank also recapped the line's 2006 performance during which Carnival Corp. & plc achieved record earnings of $2.3 billion on record revenues of $11.8 billion. The boards of directors approved a record date for the dividend of May 18, 2007, and a payment date of June 8, 2007. Holders of Carnival Corp. common stock and Carnival plc ADSs will receive the dividend payable in U.S. dollars. The dividend for Carnival plc ordinary shares will be payable in U.S. dollars or sterling. As a dual-listed company, traded on both the New York and London stock exchanges, Carnival alternates the site of its annual shareholder meeting each year between venues in the U.S. and U.K. For more information, visit www.carnivalcorp.com.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

NCL Unveils Plans for Largest European Deployment

2007-04-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

NCL Corp. announced that it will place three of its newest Jewel-class ships in Europe beginning in March 2008 in response to increased consumer demand for European cruises. Norwegian Jade will join sister ships Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel in Europe in 2008. Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel itineraries will go on sale April 17 and Norwegian Jade's itineraries will go on sale April 24. Norwegian Jade (formerly Pride of Hawaii) will be the first to arrive in Europe at the end of March 2008, staying through the end of November. The ship will sail a mix of 12-, 13- and 14-day Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruises, beginning with a number of 12-day cruises departing from Barcelona, Istanbul, and Athens (Piraeus) with a variety of ports including Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, and Venice, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ephesus, Turkey; Mykonos, Santorini, Iraklion, Crete, Corfu and Katakolon, Greece; and Alexandria, Egypt. Norwegian Jade will then reposition from its spring Mediterranean base to Southampton for a series of cruises to the Mediterranean, North Cape, Western Europe and British Isles.

In an NCL first, Norwegian Jade will offer several sailings out of the U.K. designed specifically for the local U.K. market, departing roundtrip from Southampton. These include a pair of two-day sampler cruises and four 14-day Western Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Southampton with stops in Malaga, Spain; an overnight in Barcelona; Nice, France; Florence/Pisa and Rome, Italy; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vigo, Spain. Norwegian Jade's 12-day North Cape itinerary roundtrip from Southampton will cruise the North Sea with several stops in Norway, cross the Arctic Circle and cruise by the Svartisen Glacier. The ship's 13-day Around the British Isles and Northern Europe itinerary roundtrip from Southampton will visit France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Two 13-day Western Europe itineraries will sail between Southampton and Barcelona and visit Nice, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples, Cagliari, Granada Gibraltar, Seville, Lisbon and Vigo.

Norwegian Gem arrives in Europe in early May after a winter season in New York and will sail seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Barcelona through Nov. 9, 2008. The Western Mediterranean itinerary includes stops in Valletta, Malta; Naples, Rome, and Florence/Pisa, Italy; and Nice. Returning for its third season in Europe in early May, Norwegian Jewel will replace Norwegian Dream, sailing a Baltic Capitals itinerary roundtrip from Dover through mid-September. The 12-day sailings will run from May 5 through Aug. 23 with stops in Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; two days in St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden. On Aug. 9, the ship will offer a two-day sampler cruise from Dover specifically designed for the U.K. market. A final 13-day sailing departing on Sept. 4 will include a stop in Oslo, Norway. Detailed information on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Gem's European itineraries will be available in the next few days on http://www.ncl.com/.

NCL Set to Rename, Reflag Pride of Hawaii

2007-04-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

NCL Corp. said it will rename and reflag the Pride of Hawaii before moving it into European deployment. The company will reflag the vessel from U.S. registry into the Bahamas registry and rename it Norwegian Jade after a short wet dock in Honolulu in February 2008. The ship will continue to operate seven-day roundtrip Honolulu cruises through the Jan. 28, 2008 cruise. The ship will enter wet dock on Feb. 6 when it will receive modifications including the addition of a casino and new hull artwork. The renamed ship will be showcased during inaugural events in both Los Angeles and Miami. After a series of repositioning cruises, the ship will arrive in Barcelona for its first 12-day cruise beginning on March 30, 2008. Detailed information on Norwegian Jade's European itineraries will be available next week at www.ncl.com.

Celebrity Cruises Opens 2008 Bookings

2007-04-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Cruises has opened 2008 bookings for its Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest and Panama Canal seasons as well as for some 2009 sailings. The Celebrity Infinity will bookend her Alaska season with "Ultimate Alaska" itineraries. The first is an 11-night itinerary northbound from San Francisco on April 28, 2008, arriving in Vancouver on May 9. The second is southbound out of Vancouver on Sept. 19, 2008, with a 14-night itinerary that arrives in San Francisco on Oct. 3. Both sailings feature ports of call in Alaska and British Columbia; the southbound trip includes stops in Washington and Oregon.

The Celebrity Millennium will kick off its 2008 Alaska season with a 14-night "Ultimate Alaska" itinerary, sailing roundtrip from San Francisco on May 5. On May 19, Celebrity Millennium will sail an 11-night West Coast and Alaska cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver. The Millennium offers another 14-night "Ultimate Alaska" sailing on Sept. 22 from Vancouver to San Diego. The Celebrity Mercury will sail a 14-night "Golden Gate to Alaska" cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver on April 27. Between May and September, Celebrity Infinity will sail seven-night Hubbard Glacier itineraries roundtrip from Seattle. Celebrity Millennium will alternate between seven-night northbound and southbound sailings between Seward and Vancouver. During the same months, Celebrity Mercury will sail seven-night Hubbard Glacier itineraries roundtrip from Vancouver before an eight-night trip from Vancouver to Seattle on Sept. 14. Before the Alaska season, Celebrity Mercury will sail three seven-night and one eight-night Pacific Coastal cruises roundtrip from San Francisco beginning March 29, 2008, with stops in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. The eight-night itinerary also visits Monterey, Calif.

At the end of the 2008 Alaska season, Celebrity Mercury will offer three- and four-night Pacific Northwest sailings roundtrip out of Seattle. On Oct. 13, Celebrity Mercury will sail a nine-night wine cruise from Vancouver to San Diego, featuring stops in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California, including an overnight stay in San Francisco. On Sept. 19, the Millennium will present a three-night British Columbia cruise roundtrip from Vancouver. On March 16, 2008, Celebrity Mercury will sail a 12-night Hawaii cruise from Honolulu to Ensenada, featuring overnight stays in both Honolulu and Kailua Kona, Hawaii. On Oct. 6, 2008, the Millennium will sail an 11-night Hawaii cruise from Ensenada to Honolulu, featuring overnight stays in Lahaina and Honolulu. On Oct. 22, Nov. 6, and Dec. 19, 2008, and on Feb. 28 and March 15, 2009, Celebrity Mercury will sail 15-night Hawaii itineraries roundtrip out of San Diego. The November sailing features an evening sail around Mount Kilauea, and the October and December sailings include an overnight in Lahaina, Maui. On April 13, 2008, Celebrity Infinity will sail a 15-night Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco, with stops in Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. On April 20, 2008, Celebrity Millennium will sail a 15-night Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco. Celebrity Infinity will sail a 16-night Panama Canal cruise from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 3, 2008. Celebrity Infinity will also sail two 14-night Panama Canal cruises from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego on Oct. 19, 2008, and March 29, 2009, and a 13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 2. Celebrity Mercury will sail a 14-night Panama Canal itinerary from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 21, 2008, and return west on another 14-night sailing between the same cities on Dec. 5. In 2009, Celebrity Mercury will sail transcanal sailings between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego on Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and March 30. For more information, call 800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

Royal Caribbean Announces 2008-2009 Itineraries

2007-04-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International this week opens bookings for 2008-09 for Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii cruises. Included in the lineup is a second year-round ship in Los Angeles. Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrips from Miami. Liberty will sail on Saturdays, and Freedom on Sundays. The Mariner of the Seas will alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, which will depart every Sunday from Port Canaveral. Prices for seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages begin at $599 per person, double occupancy. The Adventure of the Seas offers seven-night roundtrips from San Juan. Through April 2009, travelers can choose from two itineraries going as far south as Barbados. Prices for Southern Caribbean cruises begin at $649. From Fort Lauderdale, four- and five-night Western Caribbean are being offered on Enchantment of the Seas or the Voyager-class Navigator of the Seas. Three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries will be operated by the recently revitalized Majesty of the Seas, sailing roundtrip from Miami, and the Sovereign of the Seas, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Prices for three-, four- and five-night Caribbean cruises start at $279.

From Los Angeles, the Vision of the Seas will sail every Sunday on seven-night Mexican Riviera voyages. Monarch of the Seas will offer three- and four-night Baja cruises. Prices for Mexican Riviera cruises start at $239. In early and late summer 2008, Royal Caribbean offers five itineraries to Hawaii. Radiance of the Seas will operate one eastbound and one westbound 10-night cruise between Ensenada and Honolulu. In addition, Serenade of the Seas and Radiance together will offer three 15-night Hawaii itineraries roundtrip from San Diego. Hawaii cruises start at $1,399. Also in summer 2008, Royal Caribbean offers more than 55 voyages to Alaska. Radiance will take guests on seven-night north- and southbound itineraries between Vancouver and Seward. Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Seattle cruising on seven-night "Alaska Fjords & Glacier" voyages and Serenade of the Seas will sail a seven-night roundtrip itinerary from Vancouver visiting Hubbard Glacier. Both Radiance and Serenade will each offer a 14-night "Ultimate Alaska" voyage. Alaska cruises start at $749. The company also offers 20 pre- and post-cruise Alaska land packages. For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.

Boston to Start 2007 Cruise Season April 15

2007-04-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced that the 2007 cruise season officially begins on April 15 with the arrival of the Saga Ruby for an overnight call. This year's season runs through Dec. 17. So far, 103 ship calls with roughly 250,000 travelers are anticipated this year at Cruiseport Boston. Fifteen cruise lines offer an assortment of New England/Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean, and trans-Atlantic itineraries. New this year to the Port of Boston will be the inaugural visit by Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Gem. The 2,400-passenger, 93,000-ton ship is one of nine brand-new cruise ships entering the North American market.

Other new ships to Boston include the Norwegian Spirit, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, and Classic International Cruises' Athena. "This cruise season promises to be a busy one with a 20 percent increase over last year in leisure travelers through Cruiseport Boston," said Mike Leone, Massport's port director. "This is good news for Boston's local restaurants, shops, and attractions."

Last fall, Massport issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to developers and cruise lines for construction of a new cruise terminal in South Boston. A modern two terminal/berth facility would complement and enhance the emerging Seaport District, and accommodate the consistent growth of Boston's cruise industry since the first cruise ship called in the 1980s. Several cruise lines have expressed interest in calling at Boston year-round. The Saga Ruby will be berthed at Cruiseport Boston's Black Falcon Terminal beginning at 7 p.m. April 15, and will depart at 6 p.m. April 16. Viewing is prohibited from the pier; the best opportunity to view the ship is on the Summer Street Bridge over the Reserved Channel in South Boston. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) operates Boston Logan International Airport, the Port of Boston, Tobin Memorial Bridge, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. For more information, visit www.massport.com.

Take the Family on a European Cruise

2007-04-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Would you like to visit Europe with the kids and without the hassles associated with overseas travel? European cruises are the perfect answer for families who are looking for enriching cultural experiences they can share together. A cruise makes it easy to explore new places and then return to the comfort and convenience of a cruise ship—complete with child-friendly activities and familiar food. And you don’t have to worry about squeezing your family together in a tiny hotel room. Several cruise lines feature family suites. Royal Caribbean, for example, has suites that will comfortably accommodate up to eight people, depending on the ship. These spaces have a separate living area plus two bathrooms and a refrigerator, which makes traveling with toddlers a breeze. Carnival Cruise Lines’ new Carnival Freedom features interconnecting accommodations, along with special discounts for third and fourth guests staying in the same stateroom.

Another advantage to exploring Europe on a ship is you can see many cities and sites efficiently, and you only have to unpack once. Also, knowing the native language of the countries you visit is not as important when you are cruising as it is when traveling independently. In addition, because of the unfavorable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro or British pound, a European cruise is more economical for Americans visiting Europe.

One of the biggest challenges of traveling with kids is trying to keep everyone happy. On cruise ships, there really is something for every age and energy level. When you’re not exploring exciting ports of call, there’s plenty to do onboard. Both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines, for instance, offer kids’ programs, with activities for children of all ages. Carnival’s new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, which is offering two different European itineraries this year, boasts a 4,200-square-foot play area. The facility is divided into five areas; a movie room featuring kids’ films and cartoons; an arts-and-crafts center, a “soft play area” for toddlers, a gaming area with Play Station 2 consoles; and a library of children’s books. Teens ages15-17 have a place to call their own in the 1,800-square-foot Club 02. They can also take advantage of Carnival’s youth spa program, teen shore excursions, a 214-foot-long “twister waterslide,” and the Seaside Theatre with its 270-square-foot poolside movie screen.

We suggest you skip the traditional road trip this year and let us help you plan a memorable European cruise that all family members are sure to enjoy.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Royal Caribbean Unveils Explorer Weddings

2007-04-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean International is unveiling Explorer Weddings, a program that combines a cruise with an exotic destination or themed wedding. Explorer Weddings allow couples to exchange vows in distinctive settings, such as next to the onboard surf simulator, on top of an Alaskan glacier, in a hot-air balloon or in a medieval castle. As an extension of Royal Caribbean's Royal Romance program, Explorer Weddings was created in partnership with The Wedding Experience. It will debut with the launch of Liberty of the Seas, which will sail its maiden voyage on May 19. The Liberty shares the title of world's largest cruise ship with sister ship Freedom of the Seas.

"More than 15 percent of Americans are choosing a destination wedding instead of a traditional land-based ceremony," said Steve Shaiken, vice president-onboard revenue operations. Explorer Wedding coordinators work closely with the bride and groom to customize their wedding or vow renewal, including creating personalized vows, if needed. They arrange the transportation and priority check-in for the couple and their guests, and even meet the couple at the pier and escort them to their stateroom to address any last-minute questions.

Couples can choose to marry at onboard locations such as the ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall or ship's golf course, or shoreside settings, including the top of a volcano, in a rainforest, or in a vineyard, all of which would be decorated thematically for a private ceremony. As part of the basic Explorer Weddings package, the bride and groom will receive a bouquet, a boutonniere with matching bloom, traditional or customized music accompaniment, champagne and wedding cake, and a keepsake Explorer Weddings marriage certificate. The ceremony is performed by a non-denominational officiant, and a professional photographer will be on hand. Additional special requests can be accommodated. Call Royal Romance Wedding Consultants at 888-933-7225 or email royalromance@theweddingexperience.com. For more information on Royal Caribbean, call 800-327-2056 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.

TIA, American Express Study Details "Ideal" Vacation

2007-04-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

An in-depth survey by the Travel Industry Association and American Express examined what Americans want in an ideal vacation and where their current vacations are falling short. The report profiles what Americans actually do on vacation trips versus what they "want" to do. The results were unveiled at TIA's TravelCom/Res-Expo show in Las Vegas. The Ideal American Vacation Trip report is based on a representative sample of 2,500 vacation travelers conducted online in 2006 and highlights unique travel behaviors by market segments. Approximately 124 million Americans took a vacation in the past year, amounting to 55 percent of the adult population, with the typical traveler taking three trips per year.

On average, the typical household spends $1,500 on a vacation trip and travels 1,200 miles from home. Traveling by car continues to be the top form of transportation for a vacation trip; however, at least one trip per year is by plane. Generally, vacation travelers take at least two vacation trips that include hotel stays, but the most common accommodations are friends' or relatives' homes (24 percent) and moderately priced hotels or motels (19 percent). Americans most often take a vacation trip with their spouse or significant other (62 percent). The most popular trip destinations are cities and urban areas (39 percent), followed by small towns and rural areas (26 percent), and ocean beaches (23 percent). The most popular activities are sightseeing (51 percent) and shopping (51 percent). For more information, visit http://www.tia.org/.

Spotlight on Grand Cayman

2007-03-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

Cool breezes, sun-drenched beaches, and underwater wonders await visitors to Grand Cayman. Located just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman attracts vacationers from around the world who come to enjoy the island’s famous Seven Mile Beach and to experience world-class scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing.

In addition to water sports, Grand Cayman offers a variety of unique activities. Following is just a sample of the many options available:

Stingray City—As you enter crystal clear turquoise waters, you can touch and feed stingrays and snorkel among magnificent coral reefs and colorful tropical fish. This popular attraction is suitable for both children and adults.

Blowholes—Blowholes are created by water moving through natural tunnels cut in the rock by the coast. As the tunnels get closer to the coast, they turn upwards, creating a fountain. This can result in a spectacular show when the weather conditions are right.

Turtle Farm—See 16,000 sea turtles, ranging in size from 6 ounces to 600 pounds.

Pedro St. James Historic Site—This restored centerpiece of the national historic site offers a magnificent view of the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can stroll through the edifice built along the lines of the Caribbean plantation Great Houses that contain period furniture and interesting artifacts.

Hell—You can literally travel to Hell and back when you go to Grand Cayman. Located on the northwest portion of the island, Hell is an attractive township featuring iron shore formations estimated to be 1.5 million years old.

Birding—The Cayman Islands are home to 50 resident species of birds, and Grand Cayman has seven protected bird sanctuaries, including the QE ll Botanic Park, Colliers Pond, Salina Reserve, and Majestic Reserve.

The easiest and most economical way to book your Grand Cayman vacation is to combine your air, hotel, and any tours you would like to do into a seamless package. Travel Impressions, for example, offers air from major US gateways, plus a variety of accommodations in all price ranges. You can also add optional tours such as a full-day island tour or a kayak eco-adventure tour. So call today, and we’ll be happy to help you plan a relaxing, fun-filled island getaway.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Embark on an Exotic Expedition

2007-03-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

We invite you to discover parts of the world many will never see, in a cruise ship designed to bring you up close and personal to sights larger ships will never reach.

Celebrity Expeditions features smaller ships, fewer guests, and an emphasis on exploring the unfamiliar. While onboard, you’ll enjoy the best of what Celebrity Cruises is all about—including fine dining, superior service, relaxing spa treatments, and an engaging enrichment program. Each of the three Celebrity Expeditions ships has specialty restaurants, butler service, and concierge amenities in every stateroom and suite. You’ll also find Celebrity hallmarks like the Martini Bar, Sushi Café, a casino, and Michael’s Club jazz/piano bar.

After an exhilarating day of exploring fascinating ports and uncovering hidden gems, you’ll look forward to returning to the laid-back atmosphere of your ship, where you can relax, enjoy a gourmet meal, and perhaps treat yourself to a stone massage in the AquaSpa.

Choosing your itinerary is the first step in planning your Celebrity Expeditions cruise. Celebrity Journey will sail 7-night Bermuda cruises from May through October, followed by a winter season including Antarctica, Brazil, and the Chilean Fjords. On the South America itineraries, you will visit fascinating ports of call such as Rio de Janeiro, Punta Del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires, and Ushuaia (Argentina). Antarctica cruises will take you around Cape Horn and along the icy coast of the world’s forgotten continent.

Celebrity Quest will visit Caribbean islands like St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Turks & Caicos. And a series of 14-night eastbound and westbound Panama Canal itineraries feature some of the most exotic destinations in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.

For those who want to explore a rich collection of the world’s more intriguing plants and animals, Celebrity Xpedition will venture to the Galapagos Islands, where naturalist guides accompany every sailing to enlighten guests onboard and onshore. During your journey, you’ll voyage more than 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador to cruise through islands containing over 1,900 species of plants and animals.

For more information about these unique cruises, contact us today. We’d love to help you plan a getaway to wonders of the world you’ve always dreamed of seeing.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

How to Choose an Alaska Cruise

2007-03-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

From the serene Inside Passage to colossal glaciers and magnificent mountain ranges, Alaska cruises provide a vacation filled with adventure, beauty, and excitement. Because of the numerous cruise and cruisetour options available, it’s important to choose a cruise that best meets your needs. To help you decide which cruise is right for you, take a look at the information below. Then let one of our knowledgeable staff members guide you in the right direction.

Inside Passage Cruises
These classic seven-day roundtrip cruises typically sail from Vancouver or Seattle. You’ll stop at three or four port towns, such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C. You’ll also spend a day in a glacier area and two or three days cruising through the lush scenery of the Inside Passage. A few Inside Passage cruises are longer than seven days. Princess Cruises, for example, offers 10- and 11-day voyages roundtrip from San Francisco.

Gulf of Alaska Cruises
These week-long cruises travel between Anchorage (Seward or Whittier) and Vancouver, with either a northbound or southbound itinerary. So instead of turning around at the end of the Inside Passage and retracing the same route back, you’ll sail along a rugged coastline through the Gulf of Alaska. Highlights include attractions such as Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord in Prince William Sound, and interesting port towns like Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.

Alaska Cruisetours
If you have the time, include a land package in your Alaska vacation. You can see take part in activities such as whitewater rafting, viewing wildlife, touring a gold mine, and hiking through Denali National Park

Steps in Planning an Alaska Adventure

Decide how much time you want to spend on your Alaska Vacation. Most cruises are 7 days, and cruisetours can add three to six days on land, where you’ll explore Alaska’s heartland.
Choose where you want to go and what you would like to see on land.
Decide when you want to travel. May and September are value seasons, and rates are lower than in June, July, and August.
Choose a cruise line. Both Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are pioneers in Alaska cruising.
Contact us for expert advice and personalized service.

Take Advantage of Dining Options at Sea

2007-02-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

In the mood for a melt-in-your-mouth steak served with a velvety Béarnaise sauce? How about a cheeseburger and fries on the Lido deck or a pizza delivered to your stateroom? Whatever your food preferences, chances are you can find what you desire on today’s cruise ships.

The main dining rooms are generally reserved for the traditional cruise guest. Dinner is served in two seatings. Main seating is usually around 6 pm, and late seating is 8 or 8:30 pm. Guests dine at the same table, at the same time, with the same dining companions and wait staff. Menu selections change daily and are usually built around a theme such as Italian or Caribbean. During breakfast and lunch hours, main dining rooms have an “open seating” policy, which means guests can eat anytime during hours of operation at any available table.

For those who prefer a less structured dining experience, casual dining venues like lido buffets and specialty gourmet restaurants are popular options. Also, room service is available 24 hours a day on most ships, and some cruise lines offer a flexible dining program. Princess Cruises, for instance, has a program called Anytime Dining that enables guests to dine when they like, alone or with friends, anytime from 5:30 to 10 pm.

All cruise lines offer healthy alternative menus to accommodate diners who prefer options such as low-fat, low-salt, or vegetarian. Celebrity Cruises’ Lean and Light low-fat dining options, for example, are offered on lunch and dinner menus, and the line’s Aquaspa Cafés serve light and healthy cuisine from breakfast until evening. And if you have special dietary needs such as salt-free or Kosher, simply alert us, and we’ll notify the cruise line regarding your special food requests.

One of the latest innovations in cruise ship dining is elegant, “reservations only” gourmet bistros that are comparable in quality to the finest restaurants on land. (There is a small service fee for the exceptional food and service provided in these specialty restaurants.) On Princess ships, for example, you can choose from a selection of upscale offerings like Sabatini’s, featuring a multi-course Italian feast, or Sterling Steakhouse. In addition, you can enjoy a multi-course gourmet dinner served on your own balcony—complete with wait staff.

With so many dining options available, you’re sure to experience a delectable adventure in taste during your time onboard.

Spotlight on the Dominican Republic

2007-01-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

With its magnificent beaches and resorts, crystal clear waters, and white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, the Dominican Republic is a popular getaway for those seeking fun in the sun.

Along with its pristine beaches and azure waters, this beautiful island is steeped in history and culture. You’ll find abundant historical sites, museums, and colonial architecture as well as the first hospital, first sugar mill, and the first Catholic church this side of the world.

Those seeking adventure will find plenty of opportunities to explore the jungles, forests, and mountain areas in the Dominican Republic. Parasailing, windsurfing, and snorkeling are popular pastimes on the island. And horseback riding, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and whale watching add to the extensive mix of activities to enjoy here.

Following are brief descriptions of some of the most popular destinations in the Dominican Republic:

Puerto Plata is a historic city worth examining for its wealth of Victorian architecture and proximity to developed stations like the windsurfing capital Cabarete. Many visit the city to see the historic fort, Fuerte de San Felipe. The boardwalk is lined with typical Dominican restaurants, where you can walk and enjoy views of the port and the Atlantic Ocean. Popular attractions include the Amber Museum of Puerto Plata, the Brugal Rum Distillery, and Mount Isabel de Torres, where you can take a gondola/cable car from Puerto Plata to the top of the mountain.

Located on the eastern coat, Punta Cana boasts will-groomed beaches lined with palm trees. Here you will find large, all-inclusive resorts that feature amenities such as an assortment of swimming pools, watersports activities, golf courses, spas, and tropical gardens.

La Romana is known for Casa de Campo, a 7,000-acre property of rolling hills. The resort offers guests two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis centers, swimming pools, equestrian stables, polo grounds, and shooting stations. Just east of the resort is Altos de Chavon, which was built on a cliff overlooking the Rio Chavon and designed to look like a 16th century Mediterranean village.

To save time and money, we recommend booking all elements of your vacation together. Travel Impressions, for example, offers packages to the Dominican Republic that include air, accommodations, transfers, and optional tours. Contact us today, and we’ll help you explore options for a stress-free vacation to the Dominican Republic.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Experience the Mysteries and Magic of Asia

2007-01-22T13:48:00.000-08:00

From the bustle of Hong Kong to the serenity of a Japanese Garden, you can experience the exotic sights, sounds, and taste of Asia from the comfort and convenience of a modern cruise ship.

Cruising in Asia is a fun, easy way to explore exotic ports of call and sample the remarkable variety of languages, cultures, art treasures, cuisines, and landscapes found in this amazing part of the world. Cruising enables you to explore exotic ports of call without having to pack and unpack in every destination you visit. And at the end of a busy day, your ship provides a safe, welcome environment in which to relax and recharge.

Most Asia cruises operate October through April and range in length from ten to eighteen days. Royal Caribbean International, however, is offering shorter cruises beginning in December of 2007. Choose from a 2- or 3-night Malaysia Getaway, a 3-night Hong Kong/Sanya cruise, a 4-night Southeast Asia voyage, or a 5-night cruise departing from Singapore, Shanghai, or Hong Kong.

If you have more time, Princess Cruises has a 16-day voyage sailing between Beijing and Bangkok. En route, you’ll visit Shanghai in China, Nagasaki and Okinawa in Japan, plus Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. There’s also a 15- or 22-day Alaska & Far East sailing, as well as a 31-day Alaska, Far East, & China adventure. And to make your vacation a true escape, combine your cruise with one of Princess’ cruisetours, which includes an in-depth land tour to enjoy sights like China’s Terra Cotta Warriors or Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Holland America Line offers Asia sailings in March, April, May, and October. The line’s 14-day China, Japan, & Korea sailing departs from Hong Kong and ends in Osaka, with port calls in Taiwan, Shanghai, Beijing, Xingang, Dalian, Pusan (South Korea), and Nagasaki. (The reverse itinerary is also available.) In addition, Holland America offers an 18-day Japan, Eastern Russia, & Alaska voyage in May 2007 that begins in Osaka and ends in Vancouver. Then in October, a portion of the line’s 64-day Asia, Australia, & Polynesia cruise takes you to cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Yokohama.

For details about any of the cruises mentioned above, or for additional Asia cruise options, call us today, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Short Cruises Are Long on Fun

2007-01-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

Offering a combination of convenience and affordability, shorter, more frequent vacations are more popular than ever. And short cruises from three to five days are perfect for relaxing, recharging, and having fun.

In addition to meeting the needs of busy singles and couples, short cruises are popular with families as well as with first-time cruisers who want to experience what cruising has to offer before investing in longer voyages.

Because cruise lines want to entice people onboard and get them hooked on cruising, you can often find great bargains on 3-, 4-, and 5-night cruises. Short cruises generally have a higher energy level than you’ll find on a longer cruise, but there are always places to slip away and settle in with a good book or simply gaze at the passing scenery.

To capitalize on this growing trend, both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines are offering more short cruises than ever before in 2007. Carnival is deploying about half its fleet on short cruises, offering more voyages of five days or less in length than any other cruise operator. These cruises include visits to the Bahamas, western Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada.

Carnival’s 2007 sailing schedule features 32 different short cruise itinerary choices for 12 “close-to-home” departure points, including the first year-round cruise program from San Diego aboard the 2,052-passenger Elation beginning in June.

In addition, Carnival is offering three one-time only short cruises on ships that will normally sail longer itineraries in 2007. The Carnival Freedom sails a four-night western Caribbean voyage on November 12, the Carnival Triumph sails a five-night western Caribbean voyage on August 28, and the Carnival Miracle sails a two-night cruise to nowhere on October 18.

Royal Caribbean also has a variety of short cruises. Three- to 5-night voyages to the Bahamas and the Caribbean depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, and Tampa. Ports of call, depending on the length of the cruise, include Nassau, CocoCay in the Bahamas (Royal Caribbean’s private island), Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Belize City. For those on the West Coast, Royal Caribbean offers 3- and 4-night vacations sailing year-round out of Los Angeles, stopping in Ensenada, San Diego (4-night cruises), and Catalina Island.

So when you want it short and sweet—and often close to home—it’s hard to beat the numerous cruise options available today.

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About the author: Eric Lam is a Cruise Consultant of Best Cruise Spot LLC, www.bestcruisespot.com
For more information, please contact eric@bestcruisespot.com or (866) 277-8618.

Best Cruise Spot LLC was founded on the principles of creating the ultimate destination for cruise travel by integrating an innovative Web 2.0 technology with an online cruise shopping experience to deliver the most enjoyable and satisfying cruise vacation purchase experience available to online cruise shoppers worldwide. Combining with our first-class customer service and a guarantee of the lowest fares available to all of our customers, make us become one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations on the internet.

Intro-Winter 2007

2007-01-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

The upcoming months are a popular time for a getaway, and we have a variety of suggestions for a fun-filled holiday. From winter tour bargains in Europe that cost up to 30% less than comparable summer tours, to packages featuring tropical destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, we can help you plan a memorable vacation.

If you’re short on time but overdue for a getaway, a short cruise may be the perfect solution. With several “close to home” departure points, 3- to 6-night cruises are a good fit for travelers with limited time or a smaller vacation budget.

For those with more time and a desire to explore exotic outposts like Thailand and Vietnam, Asia cruises are an enjoyable and easy way to experience the mysteries of the Far East.

Finally, if you’re looking for fun in the sun, the Dominican Republic provides an inviting escape from the cold.

Wherever you’re headed, contact us today to ensure your vacation planning is as simple, fun, and hassle-free as possible.