American Queen Arrives in Memphis for Christening

The Great American Steamboat Company’s American Queen arrived in its home port of Memphis after her first voyage up the Mississippi River since 2008.

Originally built in 1995 by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, the American Queen can accomodate 436-guests.

The U.S.-flagged steamboat was welcomed to the revitalized Beale Street Landing marking the return of overnight cruises on the rivers of America’s heartland and the continuation of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company legacy.

As the American Queen approached downtown Memphis, it was met by the city’s residents and family members of the crew. The Great American Steamboat Company hired over 300 employees from the area, including the steamboat crew, and an economic impact of $89 million is anticipated for the region.

After the christening, the American Queen will depart for her inaugural voyage up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River with stops in Henderson, Ky., Louisville, Ky., and Madison, Ind., before arriving in her disembarkation city of Cincinnati, Ohio.

On May 2 in Louisville, she  will take part in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race with the Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati.

A variety of voyage lengths, ranging from three nights to ten nights, and fares beginning at $995 per guest, are available with little or no flying required.

For more information, visit www.GreatAmericanSteamboatCompany.com

Crystal Features Billy Casper, Championship Golf Courses

Crystal Cruises has lined up 10 European championship golf courses for play this summer during two limited-access 

“Experiences of Discovery” golf-themed cruises. 

Hosted by 51-time PGA tour-winner Billy Casper, travelers can play in Spain, Portugal and Monaco during the July 13 Crystal Serenity voyage or throughout the British Isles on Crystal Symphony’s Aug. 25 sailing.

Courses Include: Gleneagles King’s and Queen’s Courses from Edinburgh/Rosyth, Real Club de Golf El Prat from Barcelona, the Monte Carlo Golf Club, El Saler Golf Course from Valencia, Royal Belfast Golf Club, Penha Longa Golf Course from Lisbon, and Kildare Hotel & Country Club from Dublin.





The Golf Excursions Include:

• Warm-up refreshments
• Games
• Lunch and “19th-hole” cocktails in private clubhouses

Crystal arranges roundtrip transportation, team-pairing, carts and caddies (where available), and club and shoe cleaning and storage.

Shoreside activities are complemented by onboard offerings, including parties, awards, golf clinics with PGA pro John Clark, TaylorMade clubs, putting green, and two driving ranges for practice at sea.

Casper will also play and mingle with guests, as well as provide tips and presentations.

Until April 30, “Book Now” fares start at $5,330 for 11 days circumnavigating the U.K., roundtrip from London/Dover and $5,410 for 12 days sailing from Monte Carlo.

Source: TravelPulse

Hurtigruten Northern Lights Cruises

Natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis is the most fascinating display of colors nature can offer 




Watch the video and visit the SPECIAL NORTHERN LIGHTS SECTION via Hurtigruten's Site. 


Find out how to make your next winter one never to be forgotten. Through video, stunning imagery and fascinating stories you'll see how a winter expedition along the coast of Norway is one of the most unique travel experiences the natural world has to offer.





Visit the site: http://www.hurtigruten.us/norway/NorthernLights/

Top 8 Theme Cruises of 2012

Theme cruises aren't widely advertised and in fact, not advertised by the cruise lines at all in many instances. 


Most theme cruises are organized by travel agents, so you're not likely to find information about most theme cruises on the cruise line's web site or in the cruise section of your favorite online travel agency - No matter how much digging you do. 


Top Theme Cruises for 2012:


Saw: The Horror Cruise on the Carnival Glory
KISS (and other) Music Cruises on the Norwegian Pearl
Fitness and Running Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas
Celeb Chef Cruises on various Holland America ships
National Review Cruise on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam
The New York Times Cruise on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam
Mark Twain Tribute Cruise on the Queen of the Mississippi
Vampires at Sea on Holland America's Zuiderdam


But not to worry – ABC News includes a link for booking each of the cruises selected as the top eight of 2012. Top 8 Theme Cruises of 2012 - ABC News

Holland American South American Fall 2012 Lineup

Holland America Line is offering exciting cruises to South America on ms Veendam, ms Maasdam and ms Prinsendam for the Fall Cruise Season of 2012.

Itineraries range from 13 - 68 days, plus cruisers can include a new 49-day extended, port-intensive Amazon and Carnival Voyage aboard Maasdam in early 2013.

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A 23-day Amazon Explorer Cruise in Nov. 2012 and a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in Jan. 2013 aboard Prinsendam are additional highlights of the line’s 2012-13 South America cruise schedule.

From Nov. 2012 to March 2013, the 1,350-guest Veendam will sail a series of six 13-day and one 17-day itinerary between Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sailings include multiple days cruising the fjords of Chile, calls at locations such as Ushuaia, sailing around Cape Horn and a visit to the Magellan Strait, gateway to Antarctica.

Cruise fares begin at $1,399 per person, double occupancy, for the 13-day sailings, and $1,699 for the 17-day voyages.

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In addition to Veendam’s series of cruises, two non-repeating itineraries also are available throughout the season:

14- or 18-day South America cruise departing Boston, Mass.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile, Oct. 20 and 24, 2012, respectively
18- or 21-day South America cruise departing Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale or Boston, April 13, 2013

These itineraries include a full transit of the Panama Canal in addition to extended port calls at Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama, and Callao (Lima), Peru.

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Veendam also sails a 21-day South America and Antarctica Explorer Holiday cruise departing Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso Dec. 20, 2012, and a 20-day South America and Antarctica Explorer cruise departing Valparaiso to Buenos Aires, Jan.10, 2013. A 21-day South America and Antarctica Explorer cruise returns from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso on Jan.30, 2013. All voyages include scenic cruising throughout the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula and an overnight call at Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires.

Cruise fares begin at $1,699 per person, double occupancy, for the 14- and 18-day sailings; $2,099 for the 18- and 21-day sailings departing Valparaiso; and $3,799 for the 20-day Antarctica sailing.

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Aboard Maasdam, guests will sail one unique 49-day Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 18, 2013.

Guests will spend 49 days exploring 25 ports throughout all three of the “ABC Islands” — Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — Barbados, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, crossing the equator twice during the voyage.  Extended calls at seven ports  — Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Buenos Aires, Callao (Lima), Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Manaus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil allow extra time ashore.

Shorter segments of Maasdam’s Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage are available for guests with less time. The 23-day segment departs Fort Lauderdale for Rio de Janeiro Jan. 18, 2013, and a 26-day segment departs Rio de Janeiro for Fort Lauderdale Feb. 10, 2013 that includes cruising down the Amazon River and crossing the equator. The 26-day itinerary also includes a two-night call at Rio de Janeiro where guests can experience exciting Carnival.

Cruise fares begin at $7,999 per person, double occupancy, for the full 49-day Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage; $2,999 per person for the 23-day Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage and $5,199 for the 26-day segment.

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Departing Jan. 5, 2013, Prinsendam sails south once again on a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. During the voyage, Prinsendam will circumnavigate the continent and spend seven full days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. Overnight calls include Callao, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. Shorter segments are available.

Cruise fares begin at $12,999 per person, double occupancy, for the 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage.

Selection of Featured Tours Include:

Iguazu Falls: Natural Wonder of the World
This tour enables guests to see the Iguazu Falls, located at the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Guests will ride a train to Devil's Throat (a cliff at Iguazu Falls) and take a guided walk to view the falls.

Cuzco & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure
Fascinating excursion includes a sightseeing drive through colonial Cuzco to see the main square and cathedral, followed by a Vistadome train ride along the Urubamba River and a coach ride to Machu Picchu — the Lost City of the Incas — at an elevation of 7,874 feet.

Patagonian Experience
Otway Sound & Penguin Reserve — During this adventure, guests will take a motor coach ride across unpaved roads and farms bordering Otway Bay for views of the Pinto Range. The tour also allows guests to get up close and personal with thousands of Magellan penguins near their caves and nesting areas.

Drive to Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego encompasses the city of Ushuaia, Cape Horn, the Magellan Strait and is a gateway to Antarctica. This national park was created to protect the southern portion of the sub-Antarctic forest. Today it provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy the Andes and the region’s forests, rivers, lakes and is home to a wide variety of birds. A short stop at Lapataia Bay, the southernmost place that can be reached by road, also is included in this tour.

For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com

Norwegian Getaway Makes Miami Home Port in 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise brand to sail from Miami, and beginning Spring 2014, Norwegian Getaway will officially make Miami, Fla., its home port.

Now under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Getaway will be 144,000 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in spring 2014.

Norwegian will announce the ship’s inaugural itineraries and on-sale dates later this year.
Norwegian Getaway’s sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from its year-round home port of New York City in May 2013.

Take a look at NCL's "Norwegian Breakaway"

More Miami Port Cruise News 

When the Norwegian Getaway arrives in two years, it will follow a long line of new and new-to-Miami ships. In late November and early December, three brand new ships - of the four launching in the U.S. - will start sailing from Port Miami: Celebrity Reflection, Oceania Riviera and Carnival Breeze.

The 3,030-passenger Celebrity Reflection and Oceania Riviera, with room for 1,250 passengers, will be based in Miami for the winter cruising season that begins in late 2012. Sailing year-round from Miami beginning in November will be Carnival Breeze, which at 3,690 passengers will be the largest Carnival Cruise Lines ship ever based here.

Several cruise lines will also be new to Miami, including Regent Seven Seas, which will bring two ships to the port in November and December 2012. Those ships previously sailed from Port Everglades, but Regent’s president said they would have a dedicated terminal in Miami, which would be more convenient for the line and passengers.

Disney Cruise Line will base a ship in Miami for the first time from December 2012 through May 2013, when Disney Wonder will sail four- and five-night itineraries.

And European line MSC Cruises, which currently sails to the Caribbean from Port Everglades, will sail from Miami in the 2013-14 winter season, though it has not yet said which ship it will deploy.

Read more here 

NCI Offers Free Kids Excursions

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering free shore excursions for children 12 and under when their families book a 2012 cruise through May 13.

Teen-agers 13 to 17 years old will receive half-off shore excursions when in the same stateroom with a paying adult on the same excursion.

The offer applies to all 2012 sailings fleet-wide for all ports of call. However, the offer excludes motorized flight tours, golf, Orlando theme parks and Atlantis in the Bahamas.

All shore excursions for adults and children related to this offer must be pre-booked online prior to sailing. The children and teen rates will automatically be deducted in the shopping cart upon checkout.

http://www2.ncl.com/

Crystal 2013 Experiences of Discovery Theme Cruises

Crystal Cruises next year will operate 14 “Experiences of Discovery” themes on 28 voyages, expanding the program with two new themes and more theme cruises overall. New themes include photography and a VIP Monte Carlo Grand Prix experience.

Returning themes include:

Big Band and Ballroom Dance, Film and Theater, Wine and Food, Golf, Jazz, world affairs panel discussion, Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute, Emerging Artists (young performers from L.A. Music Center’s Spotlight), President’s Cruise hosted by Crystal President Gregg Michel, Crystal Society for past Crystal cruisers, and Gardens and Floral Design.

The Mind, Body, and Spirit theme has been brought back by popular demand, with three voyage options for 2013.

Until June 30, Book Now fares for 2013 theme cruises start at $2,210 per person, double occupancy.

http://www.crystalcruises.com/home.aspx

Oceania Bon Appétit Wine & Food Festival

Oceania Cruises will welcome food and wine experts on two 10-day “Bon Appétit Wine & Food Festival” European cruises this October.

Chef Stephen Lewandowski of New York’s Tribeca Grill and Chef Ken Oringer of Clio in Boston will offer demonstrations, cooking classes and market tours in select ports along with wine tastings and dinners featuring recipes from Bon Appétit.

The voyage with Lewandowski departs Oct. 14 from Athens to Rome and visits Kusadasi (Ephesus), Monemvasia, Cephalonia (Argostoli), Taormina, Sorrento/Capri, an overnight in Livorno, Marseille (Provence) and Monte Carlo, on the line’s new Riviera, which launches in May.

The Oct. 22 cruise with Oringer sails from Athens to Istanbul onboard Marina and calls at Patmos, Ashdod (an overnight stay to visit Jerusalem), Haifa, Limassol, Rhodes and Kusadasi with an overnight in Istanbul prior to disembarkation.

The Bon Appétit Culinary Centers on board both ships feature 24 fully equipped work stations.

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/

60% Savings on Select Mediterranean Sea Dream Yachting Voyages

Only 112 Guests - 95 Award Winning Crew - 5 Star Cuisine Inclusive

SeaDream’s specially priced voyages offer a great opportunity to experience

SeaDream’s unique yachting cruises at significant savings. These voyages are updated often.

So if you have always dreamed of walking along the street in Santorini, enjoying the nightlife in St. Tropez, swimming in the bioluminescent waters of Mosquito Bay or sleeping under the stars on a Balinese Dream Bed, it is possible along with fabulous savings on Mediterranean Voyages.

http://www.seadreamyachtclub.com/voyages/special_offers

RCI Releases Explorer of the Seas' Summer/Autumn 2013 Schedule

Explorers of the Seas’ summer 2013 cruises are now open for booking.

Royal Caribbean International has announced Explorer of the Seas’ summer and autumn 2013 line-up, featuring 30 sailings to 17 ports of call on seven itineraries. Explorer of the Seas is sailing out of New York City to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada and New England from April through Oct. 2013.

Continuing to homeport year-round at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ, Explorer of the Seas features standard Royal Caribbean onboard amenities such as an ice-skating rink, nine-hole mini-golf course, a rock-climbing wall, full-size basketball court and the Royal Promenade, and a boulevard flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques that runs nearly the length of the ship.

From April through August 2012, Explorer of the Seas will alternate five-night Bermuda and nine-night Bermuda & Caribbean itineraries.

The five-night itinerary will feature an overnight at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, while the nine-night sailing calls at Kings Wharf; St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination on the north coast of Haiti. From September through October, vacationers can choose a seven-night Bermuda itinerary, which features three days and two nights at Kings Wharf.

Explorer of the Seas will also offer vacationers a Canada and New England sailing to catch the arrival of autumn and the changing of the leaves. Departing Aug. 31, guests will call at Boston, Mass.; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

For more information, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com

Source: TravelAgentCentral

NCL Extends "Norwegians Take it to the Next Level"

Norwegian Cruise Line is extending its “Norwegians Take it to the Next Level” sales event through Sunday, April 15, 2012, providing guests with an additional opportunity to take advantage of cruise savings.

All new cruise reservations on all ships booked through April 15, 2012, will receive a free upgrade within the same stateroom category, along with e-coupons providing on-board savings worth $400 (for sailings taking place before Dec. 31, 2012).

As a special bonus, the line is offering cruisers a mini-suite for the price of a balcony; balcony staterooms for the price of an oceanview, and oceanview staterooms for the price of inside staterooms on all ships and destinations. Cruise deposits during this time for sailings of three days or longer are reduced by 50%.

The offer is available on new reservations booked on any of the line’s Freestyle Cruising ships to destinations such as Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Bahamas/Florida, Caribbean, Canada/New England and the Panama Canal, along with transatlantic crossings.

For more information, visit www.ncl.com

Costa Kids Sail Free Offer

Costa Cruises is hoping to rebuild its business in North America this summer with a new promotion aimed at families.

Bookings at Costa plunged 80% to 90% in the four weeks after the Costa Concordia accident in January, but have been rebounding in recent months, executives have said.

The "Kids Sail Free" offer, available through Nov. 24, lets children ages 17 and under sail at no charge other than government taxes and fees when staying in a cabin with two paying adults.


The Italy-based line says the deal is available on most cruises on 11 ships in its fleet.

Source: USA Today Travel - Cruise Log