Cruise Bargains - Repositioning Cruises

During the Fall and Spring, cruise lines move fleets to warmer climate ports so ships will be ready to sail for the next cruise season.

In the Fall, cruise lines move their fleets from Europe to the U.S., Caribbean and South America and from Alaska and Vancouver to California. In the Spring, they move them in reverse.

You will pay far less per day when booking repositioning cruises, and have more days at sea – along with fewer ports of call – but you’ll still have the same access to cruise-ship amenities, including ample food, swimming pools and on-board entertainment.

Here’s an example of a few repositioning cruise prices:

Norwegian Cruise Line has a 14-night cruise from Venice, Italy, to New York, departing Oct. 30, with rates starting at $45 per day. The ship stops in Granada and Cadiz, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Rates start at $629 for an inside cabin, $949 for an ocean view, $1,289 for a balcony and $1,499 for a suite.

Carnival is offering a 16-night cruise from Barcelona to Galveston, departing Oct. 28, with rates starting at $50 per day. The ship stops in Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas and Grand Turk. Rates start at $799 for an inside cabin, $1,099 for an ocean view, $1,289 for a balcony and $2,439 for a suite.

Celebrity’s 17-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Baltimore start at $65 per day. The ship departs Oct. 1 and makes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Rates start at $1,099 for an inside cabin, $1,399 for an ocean view, $2,499 for a balcony and $2,699 for a suite.

Star Clippers Offering 50% Sale

Royal Clipper and Star Clippers explore the waters of the Caribbean, and guests can save 50% off the brochure rate on select fall sailings.

The four diverse, seven night itineraries boast ports of call with golden beaches, sun kissed skies and palm fringed landscapes.

Royal Clipper sails rount trip Barbados to an array of island jewels, including St Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, St Kitts and Grenada.

Star Clippers sails round trip St Maarten, and calls include Guadeloupe, St Barts, Tortola and Iles de Saintes.

In November, Star Flyer deputs in Costa Rica, and Star Clippers is offering a savings of 50% off brochure rates on the seven night, round trip Puerto Caldera inineraries.

Costa Rica welcomes travelers with lush jungle canopies teaming with wildlife, powdery beaches and an underwater world ready for exploring.

Arthur Frommer: Cruises highlight Top 20 weekly bargains - thestar.com

Arthur Frommer: Cruises highlight Top 20 weekly bargains - thestar.com

Norwegian Cruise Line Exclusive Offers

Every bed, in every stateroom, on every ship has upgraded linens, pillows, mattresses and memory foam mattress or toppers to give you the lushest, plushest, most comfortable bed you've ever slept in. So sleep in, order breakfast in bed and relax - you are on vacation.




Take Advantage of Exclusive Offers on Your Next Vacation
Every bed, in every stateroom, on every ship has upgraded linens, pillows, mattresses and memory foam mattress or toppers to give you the lushest, plushest, most comfortable bed you've ever slept in. So sleep in, order breakfast in bed and relax - you are on vacation.

Norwegian has the perfect cruise vacation waiting for you. Thanks to Freestyle Cruising® you'll find something for everyone on board.
    * Wake up somewhere new every day while sailing to exotic destinations
    * Enjoy first-at-sea entertainment like Blue Man Group
    * Satisfy your appetite with up to 21 onboard dining options
    * Kids will have a blast with Nickelodeon™ at Sea, exclusively on Norwegian Cruise Line
    * Select from hundreds of Shore Excursions to enjoy your time in port


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Win a Sailing Vacation in the British Virgin Islands

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Experience the Caribbean as it was meant to be... up close and personal on an all-inclusive luxury catamaran sailing vacation with Festiva Sailing Vacations. 

Discover secluded beaches, snorkel among beautiful reefs, and relax in style as our captain and chef take care of your every need. 

You'll enjoy a stateroom for two and spend 7 days island hopping in some of the Caribbean's most spectacular destinations!

Prize includes:

• 7 nights exploring the British Virgin Islands
• Air-conditioned cabin for two with private bathroom on a Lagoon 440 sailing catamaran
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• All onboard meals (2 dinners ashore on your own)
• Open bar with local beers, standard liquors and wines
• Sea Kayak, snorkeling gear and swim floats
• Cruising permits and taxes

ENTER HERE AT CARIBBEAN TRAVEL & LIFE

Carnival Fleet Comedy Clubs

By the end of the year, all of Carnival Cruise Line's 22 ships will have a Punchliner Comedy Club. 

Stemming from the success of the line's first comedy club on Carnival Dream last fall, each club will feature five types of shows on multiple nights of the voyage.

In the aft lounge of the ship, passengers can take advantage of five 35-minutes shows, featuring at least two comedians each night.

Two early-evening shows are catered to family audiences, while later performances are aimed at more adult audiences.

Approximately ten shows per voyage will be performed on short cruise itineraries, and 20 shows per cruise on longer cruises itineraries.

Carnival ships with a current comedy club include Carnival Glory, Carnival Pride and Carnival Sensation, with the rest of the ships scheduled for update over the next several months, including Carnival Magic, debuting in May 2001 and Carnival Breeze, set for spring 2012.

Carnival's aft lounges will be transformed into comedy clubs with a new stage, and the Punchliner Comedy Club logo will be printed on items in the club, including branded glassware, menus and employee uniforms.

Performer lineups and schedules will be made available to passengers in the ship's Fun Times newsletter.

Celebrity Cruises Says Bye to Baltimore

Celebrity Cruises is scuttling Baltimore for the more lucrative waters of Australia and New Zealand.

Word is the cruise line will pull Celebrity Century  from Baltimore effective next year. The ship was scheduled to operate a series of 12-night voyages out of the city in late 2011 and early 2012; instead it will redeploy to Australia and New Zealand for the winter season.

As reported by USA TODAY - Celebrity says customers with individual and group bookings that are named and deposited on Baltimore sailings departing between November 1, 2011 and March 21, 2012, have the option to cancel their booking, or move to the same category of accommodations on a choice of the following:

• Comparable trans-Panama Canal voyage on Celebrity Infinity on either October 28, 2011 or March 27, 2012

•  Celebrity Century's Hawaii sailings October 2 or 17, 2011, or April 2 or 20, 2012; 

• 10- or 11-night Caribbean cruises on Celebrity Equinox in 2011

• Or entirely new 12-night Caribbean sailings from Cape Liberty, NJ, on Celebrity Silhouette, the line's fourth Solstice Class ship, entering service in 2011."

 The line also says holiday sailings are open only to passengers currently booked on Celebrity Century's double-holiday voyage of December 23, 2011.

Passengers with applicable bookings who opt to shift to one of the eligible sailings will receive a $200 per cabin or $400 per suite onboard credit.

Passengers with reservations on the previously announced sailings on Celebrity Century  from Baltimore in 2011-12 will be contacted by Celebrity Cruises. Passengers with questions specific to those bookings also can call 888-281-9343.

Note: The announced cancellations do not affect the series of Celebrity sailings out of Baltimore planned for this coming winter on the Celebrity Mercury.

Visit www.celebritycruises.com

Source: Travel Agent Central

Windstar Voted Top 5 in Small-Ship Cruise Lines

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations, is recognized as one of the "Top 5 Small-Ship Cruise Lines" in the 15th annual "World's Best Awards" voted by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

The "World's Best Awards" acknowledges the top hotels, destinations, airlines, cruise lines, outfitters, and transportation companies in the world. 

Windstar recently released its 2011 and Winter 2012 season featuring new itineraries in the Baltic, Holy Land, Europe, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean  along with its captivating Signature Collection Host Series line-up of distinguished hosts who will lecture on winemaking, culinary arts, photography, gardening and wealth management.

Windstar is currently implementing its next phase of its Degrees of Difference initiative adding amenities and enhancements to the fleet in the areas of dining, accommodations, entertainment, spa, fitness and shore excursions which will be completed during the summer of 2010.

A list of winners in every category can be found on the magazine's website www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest

Winners will also be featured in the August issue of Travel + Leisure which hit newsstands July 23, 2010.

http://www.windstarcruises.com/

Norwegian Cruise Line Balcony Upgrade

Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering guests who book an oceanview stateroom a complimentary balcony upgrade now through August 1 on select sailings fleet-wide.

This promotion also applies to varies categories including upgrades from an inside to oceanview and balcony to deluxe balcony staterooms.

In addition, as a special launch offer to celebrate Norwegian Epic's christening and inaugural season, guests will receive half-off standard cruise deposits and up to $150 in onboard credit per stateroom, based on cruise length and category, for new Norwegian Epic reservations.

The "Hello Balcony!" promotion is combinable with Norwegian Epic's Fly, Sail and Save offer for $99 flights, plus air and port transfers, from 16 gateway cities.

Deal Dates: July 07, 2010 - August 01, 2010

Carnival Cruise Line Newest Promotion

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest promotion incorporates its cash back options, best available upgrades and “Fun Select” rates on three- to eight-day cruises departing from August 2010 through February 2011.
 
Including voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii, passengers can take advantage of the promotion running July 12-30.

Upon boarding, guests will be automatically receive a shipboard credit that can be applied to purchases on the ship.

On three- to five-day cruises, guests will get up to $80 per state room; on six- or longer-day trips up to $160 per state room. Any unused credit will be received at the end of the cruise in the form of a check.

Best available upgrades can be used on new individual books for categories 4A and higher and are available within specific room accommodation types (for example, interior to interior, ocean view to ocean view, balcony to balcony).

"Fun Select" rates give guests their state room based on deck, location and accommodation category.

Passport Fees Have Increased

Tuesday fees for passport books and passport cards were increased by the U.S. State Department.

The fee for a new passport book has been increased from $100 to $135 for adults and from $85 to $105 for minors.

The fee to renew a passport book has also been increased. Renewals for adult passport books have jumped from $75 to $110; renewing a minor's passport book will now cost $105.

The fee for adult passport cards has been increased to $55.  A passport card for a minor will now cost $40.

Passport cards allow its holder to enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda either a cruise ship port, or at a land border crossing. They're typically used by frequent cruise ship travelers or people who live near the border and travel over it to work.

New Cruise Ship Bill to Become Law

A new U.S. bill aimed at increasing safety on cruise ships is set to become law.
The Cruise Vessel Safety & Security Act will require cruise lines to install peepholes on cabin doors, ensure rails are no lower than 42 inches and provide passengers with information on how to report crimes.

The law means business: non-compliance can result in denial of entry into U.S. ports, civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and criminal penalties up to $250,000 and/or one year’s imprisonment.

The bill, introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), requires safety measures for Americans at sea and provides protections for those sexually assaulted on board.

All cruise ships will be required to install the 42-inch guard rails and peepholes in every passenger and crew member’s door, in addition to security latch door and smart keys, on-deck video surveillance and an emergency sound system on the ship.

Passengers and crew must also be provided with a list of all U.S. embassies and consulates in the countries they visit.

For treating and examining persons alleging sexual assault, the act requies cruise ships to have on board medications to prevent sexually transmitted diseases; equipment and materials for performing post-assault examinations; and doctors and/or registered nurses with appropriate experience/certification in emergency medicine.

In additon, cruise ship companies must provide transparency in reporting by establishing a structure between the cruise industry, the FBI, and the Coast Guard, including requirements that each ship maintain a log book, which would record all deaths, missing individuals, alleged crimes, and passenger/crewmember complaints regarding theft, sexual harassment and assault.

In addition, there will be a need to establish a program designed by the Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the FBI to train appropriate crew members in crime prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment.

The bill was presented to President Obama for signage on July 19.

Source: Travel Agent Central

Bermuda 7 Day Cruises

Following its 2010 return to Bermuda out of New York after 25 years, Holland America Line  will have 24 seven-day cruises to Bermuda out of New York on ms Veendam in 2011.

From May 1 through October 9, the 1,350-guest ship will depart New York, spend the day at St. George's Island and two nights in the capital city of Hamilton.

Guests can take advantage of the cities' history and location, including St. George's display of weapons, artifacts and a replica of the British Crown Jewels Fort in St. Catherine in addition to Hamilton's pink-sand beaches and restaurant and nightclub scene.

Situated in the northeast, St. George's, Bermuda's original capital, was founded in 1609. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the Americas.

It is surrounded by more than a dozen 17th century forts that populate the hills, including St. Peter's Church, the oldest continually used Anglican Church in North America, and St. George's Globe Hotel, formerly a center for Confederate blockade runners during the American Civil War and now a museum.

In Hamilton, from Veendam, passengers can walk to Front Street, lined by shops and restaurants, and visit its 19th-century, neo-Gothic Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity and the Georgian-style Sessions House, built in 1815.

Forty shore excursions include Atlantic Reef fishing, scuba diving and dolphin encounters in Hamilton as well as horse and carriage tours and a glass-bottomed kayak eco-tour in St. George's.

Visit www.hollandamerica.com

Source: Travel Agent Central

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas Sailings

New Ship! from $849
The newest and largest Royal Caribbean Ship! 

Many dining options from old favorites Chops Grille and Windjammer Café to new venues.

The first ship with 7 different neighborhoods, including the Boardwalk, Royal Promenade and Central Park. Past guests of Royal Caribbean love the innovative ships with new features such as zip lines, AquaTheater and MORE!

Click here for Available Cruises

Royal Caribbean's Epicurean Discovery

When you think of Royal Caribbean, fun may be the first thing that comes to mind—not food.

But the cruise line is set to change that with 12 specialty voyages onboard Freedom of the Seas that are part of the cruise line’s “Epicurean Discovery” series.

Designed for culinary enthusiasts, the package features a variety of special events throughout the week devoted to cuisine and fine dining.


Each each sailing is also hosted by a different renowned celebrity chef, such as “Iron Chef” contender Johnny Vinczencz; 2010 James Beard winner for “Best Chef in the South” Michael Schwartz; and “Top Chef” Chicago contender Spike Mandelsohn.

Available exclusively to guests booking suite accommodations or higher, the seven-night “Epicurean Discovery” includes private dinners, a wine tasting, experiential lecture and private tour, as well as a tapas sampling reception, signed photo and cookbook. Price begins at $1,874 per person, based on double occupancy.

The seven-night itinerary sails from Port Canaveral in Florida to the Eastern Caribbean, calling on Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, Bahamas; and to the Western Caribbean, calling on Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean’s private destination Labadee, Haiti. 

A complete list of chefs and respective sail dates is available at www.royalcaribbean.com/epicurean
Source: Travel Agent Central