Paul Gauguin 50% Off Plus Airfare Included From LA

Savings from Los Angeles on all 2013 and 2014 sailings of the m/s Paul Gauguin

Which itinerary do you want?

• Tahiti & the Society Islands
• Society Islands & Tuamotus
• Cook Islands & Society Islands
• Marquesas
• Tuamotus & Society Islands
• Australs & Society Islands
• Society Islands & Tuamotus Reunion Cruise
• Fiji to Australia
• Australia to Fiji
• Fiji

And more!

http://www.pgcruises.com/offers

Queen of the Mississippi New Itineraries

American Cruise Lines has added four-night cruises to the 2013 schedule of Queen of With no more than 150 passengers on board

American Cruise Lines ships offer a perspective larger ships cannot. This U.S. flagged ship provides comfort and convenience, and the utmost in safety, complying with all new safety regulations – which many older ships do not.

Discover up close places of natural beauty, cultural and historical interest. And, with all departure ports in the U.S., you leave your passport (and worries) at home.





http://www.americancruiselines.com/home

New Luxury River Cruises in Portugal & Spain

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways offers a fleet of 15 custom-designed vessels in Europe, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Africa

Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways brings you exciting new itineraries for 2013, exploring the Seine in France and the Douro in Portugal. 

Debuting in the spring of 2013, the new AmaPrima will join the brand-new AmaCerto as AmaWaterways' largest and most imaginative ships on the great waterways of Europe. 

Both ships are inspired by classic luxury yachts, the ships feature a "Twin Balcony" stateroom design; multiple dining venues; heated swimming pool; stunning glass elevator and more.

http://www.amawaterways.com

Disney Family Mediterranean Shore Excursions

Disney Cruise Line has created a lineup of family shore excursions for the upcoming Mediterranean season. 

The Disney Magic will sail 12 cruises in the region from Barcelona starting June 1. 

Designed to entertain children and adults, the excursions feature more scheduled breaks, complimentary snacks and beverages, and port activity sheets for kids.



New signature adventures in Venice include a private, after-hours tour of the Doge’s Palace, a walk over the Bridge of Sighs, and a reception with Disney princesses. 

Other options allow passengers to try piloting a gondola on the city’s lagoon or letting children create a traditional Venetian mask.

In Mykonos, parents can visit Delos for shopping and sightseeing while kids join youth counselors to make mosaics.

Disney Magic

Source: TravelPulse

Oceania Cruises - Your World, Your Way

Oceania Cruises is the world’s only upper premium cruise line

Cuisine, Comfort, Service and outstanding value are the pillars that define Oceania Cruises’ five-star product and have positioned the line as the cruise company of choice for travelers seeking a truly refined and casually elegant travel experience.

10 Memorable Journeys - 2013 Voyages

Treasures & Monuments - Istanbul to Rome 
12 days onboard Riviera - Sail Date: August 16, 2013
Destinations: Istanbul, Turkey overnight; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Aghios Nikolaos (Crete), Greece & more

Ultimate Panama Canal - San Francisco to New York 
21 days onboard Regatta - Sail Date: August 22, 2013
Destinations: San Francisco, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Chiapas, Mexico & more

Romance & Rivieras - Lisbon to Monte Carlo 
12 days onboard Riviera - Sail Date: September 29, 2013
Destinations: Lisbon, Portugal; Seville (Cádiz), Spain; Gibraltar, UK; Tangier, Morocco; Málaga, Spain; Cartagena, Spain & more

Paths of the Byzantines - Venice to Istanbul 
12 days onboard Riviera - Sail Date: October 25, 2013
Destinations: Venice, Italy overnight; Koper, Slovenia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Santorini, Greece & more

Glorious Shores - Venice to Barcelona 
12 days onboard Marina -  Sail Date: October 29, 2013
Destinations: Venice, Italy overnight; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Taormina (Sicily), Italy; Sorrento/Capri, Italy & more

Classic Mediterranean - Barcelona to Barcelona 
10 days onboard Nautica - Sail Date: November 4 2013
Destinations: Barcelona, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Palermo (Sicily), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy & more

Continental Quest - Istanbul to Barcelona 
12 days onboard Riviera -  Sail Date: November 6, 2013
Destinations: Istanbul, Turkey overnight; Mitilini (Lesbos), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Aghios Nikolaos (Crete), Greece & more

Treasures of the Ancients - Barcelona to Barcelona 
10 days onboard Marina | Sail Date: November 10, 2013
Destinations:Barcelona, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Trapani (Sicily), Italy; Palermo (Sicily), Italy & more

South American Holiday - Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso 
20 days onboard Marina - Sail Date: December 8, 2013
Destinations: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil overnight; São Paulo (Santos), Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina overnight; Montevideo, Uruguay & more

Pacific Paradise - Valparaiso to Papeete 
18 days onboard Marina - Sail Date: December 28, 2013
Destinations: Valparaiso, Chile; Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile; Hanga Roa, Easter Island overnight; Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands & more

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/

Celebrity Cruises “123 Go!” Special Promo

Celebrity Cruises announced the return of “123 Go!,” the brand’s biggest promotion,  allowing consumers to select what they value most in a Celebrity vacation. 

Guests can select from the same three options that made Celebrity’s original introduction of 123 Go! a success.

These include: 

1) Free “Classic Beverage Package” for two, allowing guests to pair Celebrity’s cuisine with their favorite beverages, representing a value of up to $1,200 for two guests, including beverage gratuities and based on a 12-night itinerary; 

2) Free Gratuities, allowing vacationers to know all tips for Celebrity’s staff are covered, representing a value of up to $360 per stateroom, based on a 12-night itinerary and including coverage of stateroom, waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter gratuities; 

3) Onboard Credit of up to $300 per stateroom, depending on the selected itinerary length, and available for guests to apply to shore excursions, specialty dining, wine tastings, spa treatments, boutique items, or any other onboard purchase.

Guest booking a cruise on one of the line’s five ships in Europe have the opportunity to select two of the three special options. 

Celebrity’s Captain’s Club loyalty members have the exclusive, additional benefit of an onboard credit of $500 if booking a suite during the period of the promotion, applicable to sailings from June through September 2013.

Celebrity’s “123 Go!” offers are valid on all ships (with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition) and all sailings from June 2013 through March 2014, providing the cruise is booked between by April 15, 2013.

Celebrity 123go! 

Source: TravelPulse

Cruise Bill of Rights Proposed by NY Senator

Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat from New York said he is asking the cruise industry to voluntarily sign on to a list of guidelines, including the right to backup power if generators fail, along with the right to disembark a docked ship “if basic provisions cannot adequately be provided on board.”

Schumer's bill of rights would also include:

• The right to a full refund for a trip that is abruptly canceled due to mechanical failures
• The right to full time, on board professional medical attention in the event of a major health crisis
• The right to real-time information updates as to any adjustments in the travel plan of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency
• The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures

He also called on the International Maritime Organization to investigate whether cruise lines are following existing guidelines, and whether existing standards are being enforced by countries where cruise ships that serve U.S. passengers are based.

“Cruise ships, in large part operating outside the bounds of United States enforcement, have become the wild west of the travel industry, and it’s time to rein them in before anyone else gets hurt,” Schumer said in a statement. “This bill of rights, based on work we’ve done with the airline industry, will ensure that passengers are not forced to live in third world conditions or put their lives at risk when they go on vacation.”

The senator's proposal is in response to the recent woes of Carnival Cruise Lines mechanical issues.

Latest response from Carnival Cruise Lines - Carnival Updates Status of Three Ships, Decries “Inaccurate” Media Reporting

Kid’s Sail Free Promo

NCL is offering a Kid’s Sail Free promotion for cruises booked by March 23. 

Kids age 17 and under sail free when sharing a state room with two adults on select departures. In addition to this offer, free balcony upgrades are being offered. 

Another new program for children six months to three years old has also been launched. 
The “Guppies” program lets parents play sensory-based activities with their children, including art, “Rhyme Time,” and a mini-workout.

The best cabins are going fast on this limited time offer - visit the site for additional info

http://www.ncl.com/promo/wave-kids

New Royal Princess Will Call Port Everglades Home

Port Everglades will be the home port for Princess Cruises newest ship 

Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world with more than 3.6 million passengers expected during 2013.

The new 141,000 -ton, 3,600-passenger Royal Princess will debut in June 2013, the first of two new-generation ships for Princess currently being built. 

The ship’s design will be an evolution of Princess’ classic style, while including some new features and expanded signature spaces. 

Among the new features found on board will be a 50% larger atrium which is the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; a dazzling water and light show; the new Princess Live! television studio; a dedicated pastry shop; more dining options including a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private space that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. 

Take a virtual tour

  

Royal Princess’ inaugural cruise will depart from Southampton on June 16, 2013, followed by seasons of cruising in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Caribbean. A sister ship, Regal Princess, will debut in 2014. 

First Look - NCL's Newest Ship Norwegian Getaway

On February 1, 2014, NCL's newest ship Norwegian Getaway will set sail from Miami

Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day cruises from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean with ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. 

Unparalleled magical entertainment experience called The Illusionarium will offer 12 performances per cruise, two shows per night

The Illusionarium is unlike any other entertainment experience at sea as it will transport guests in to fascinating world of magic and illusions by world-class magicians and feature supernatural special effects, with the centerpiece being a 30’ diameter video dome that will transport audiences to mystical places.

Fireworks Light Up the Night

Adding to the ship's excitement, Norwegian Getaway will also feature a dazzling display of fireworks on every cruise. 

As guests dance the night away under the stars in the open-air Spice H20 venue at the aft of the ship, a mesmerizing color-filled fireworks show will light up the night sky, right above the ship. The fully-produced show is a visual masterpiece that is set to music, creating an incredible finale to the cruise.

Aqua Park

The Aqua Park is one of Norwegian's biggest and features five multi-story water slides. 

Norwegian Getaway and her sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, are the first cruise ships to feature the Free Fall - two side-by-side slides where guests will stand up and have the floor drop from underneath, propelling them into a thrilling loop. 

Offering another first with a twist are two additional side-by-side twister slides called The Whip delivering an unforgettable adrenaline rush as you plunge on a spiral race to the finish line. For those who prefer a more relaxing ride, there is a family-friendly open-flume body slide. The Aqua Park also features two swimming pools, four hot tubs and a semi-open air eatery.

Sports Complex

The three-story sports complex will feature a multi-level elevated ropes course that will challenge guests to more than 40 different elements, including a zip track. 

For a thrill like no other, guests will confront The Plank, a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Those who choose to test their courage on The Plank will be rewarded by having their photo taken after conquering this heart-pounding, yet breathtaking, feat. 

Kids will be challenged as well with a special ropes course just for them. In another first for the line, the nine-hole ocean-themed miniature golf course is located beneath the ropes course, offering family fun with friendly competition. A rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage complete with a spiral slide, round out the activities.

In other NCL News . . . 

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named "Official Cruise Line Partner of the GRAMMY Awards®. The companies will partner on the first GRAMMY-themed cruise scheduled to set sail in the fall of 2014. More details regarding the GRAMMY Experience venue, performances and the GRAMMY theme cruise will be revealed in the coming months.

Building Getaway Blog - http://www.buildinggetaway.ncl.com/


Information on Norwegian Getaway's accommodations and itinerary can be found at www.getaway.ncl.com.

All Inclusive Sailing Vacation Promo

Book an all-inclusive sailing vacation by Friday, March 22 out of Greece or the British Virgin Islands for six guests, you will receive an additional all-inclusive stateroom for two on the same catamaran absolutely FREE.

Enjoy the islands up close and personal with your friends and family on your very own luxury catamaran with the captain and chef catering to your every need.

SAIL FOR FREE PACKAGE

• 7 nights sailing the British Virgin Islands or the Greek Isles
• Air-conditioned stateroom with private bath for each couple
• Experienced Captain and Hostess/Chef
• Onboard meals, desserts and beverages
• Standard open bar
• All onboard sporting equipment
• Fuel and water

Use Promotion Code: SFF


www.festivasailingvacations.com

Yet Another Carnival Ship Having Equipment Problems

Lately the world's largest cruise line is making headlines for "not sailing"  

Carnival is reporting The Legend is having equipment problems which is affecting the ships sailing speed.

While the ship made port calls in Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan, the last stop in Grand Cayman has been cancelled, and the ship is heading to the home port of Tampa.

Carnival reports the ship's safety systems and hotel services are all functioning normally.

Update to our last post . . . 
Received another text from our friends on the Carnival Dream. All is well in St Maarten - they enjoyed touring the island, hit the beach, and had an enjoyable dinner tonight. 

These equipment issues on older as well as Carnival's newer fleet are becoming rather suspect - and I am an avid cruiser. After hearing from our friends, I felt the media was hyping the situation with the Dream, but now all I can do is post the latest cruise news in regards to the cruise line.

Let's hope all goes well for the passengers on The Legend, and they arrive safely back in port.

Carnival Dream Still Docked in St Maarten

Rather than sailing out today, the Carnival Dream is still docked on the Dutch Caribbean island of St Maarten due to technical issues with its backup emergency generator. 

St Maarten was the last stop on the Caribbean cruise, and the ship was scheduled to leave port today, arriving back at Cape Canaveral, Florida on Saturday. 

I've read the media reports of over flowing toilets and unsanitary conditions on-board the ship, however I have friends on this cruise. I sent an e-mail, and here's the reply 

_______________________________________________________________________

What in the world?? This is the fourth e-mail with concerns about our cruise. Not sure what the media is reporting back home, but we are safe and sound! We have had a wonderful cruise, and when we arrived here in St Maarten they discovered a problem with the backup generator. 

We will be flying instead of sailing back to Port Canaveral. Not sure when our flight leaves. Carnival offered us a free island tour, so we are taking advantage of more time in the sun. I have not seen any unsanitary conditions anywhere onboard. No worries here, wish we could stay even longer in St Maarten!
_______________________________________________________________________

Carnival is reporting all systems were functioning today, however the company decided to make flight arrangements for the passengers to return home by air. That was probably a good PR move after the Carnival Triumph fire last month.  

The Dream's March 16 voyage from Port Canaveral has been canceled, and passengers are being refunded, along with being offered a 25% refund off a future cruise and be able to purchase tickets at the same current rate.

Singled Out for the Single Supplement

"Single Supplement" - These two words strike dread — not to mention resentment — in the heart of a solo traveler. 

Consider for a moment the cost of a superior ocean-view room on a Royal Caribbean International 7 night Alaska cruise. For two adults, it’s $1,539 each. For a single traveler, the cost is $2,843 - an additional $1,304.

Single supplement? Or single penalty?

Royal Caribbean is by no means alone. Supplements are a widespread industry practice in both the cruise and packaged tour industries. Travel companies say that these surcharges (which are generally anywhere from 10 to 100% or more of the standard rate) are justified because most accommodations, whether in a hotel or on a ship, are priced for double occupancy.

Continue Reading 

SeaDream - It's Yachting NOT Cruising

Only 112 guests pampered by an award-winning crew of 95

The level of attention and service paid to each guests makes yachting aboard either one of our mega-yachts SeaDream I or SeaDream II feel as if you are on your own private yacht. Be as active or as relaxed as you like and take in the ultimate in luxury, privacy and pampering.

SeaDream II will sail to Asia after completing the 2013 Mediterranean season

SeaDream Yacht Club has just released full details on its plans to sail a series of voyages in Asia and Northern Australia beginning in late 2013.

The “Passage to the Far East” will depart Athens, Greece in October 2013 and include a transit of the Suez Canal, excursions to Egypt’s fascinating archeological sites (accompanied by Egyptologist) and calls to several other intriguing destinations before arriving in Mumbai, India. 

From Mumbai, the yacht will sail to Singapore and the Far East, planning to offer 18 unique voyages in the region. Voyages are 7 to 15 days long, but most may be combined as a back-to-back voyage for a lengthier holiday.  

Scheduled to stay in Asia through April 2014, itineraries include numerous exotic ports in several different countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), East Timor, Northern Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong. 

http://www.seadream.com/

Caribbean Cruise Port Shopping

In the infographic survey below taken by Cruise Critic, liquor tops number one in the duty free items purchased by Caribbean cruisers. 

After more than a decade cruising, I opt for locally made items to purchase, and often pass up the liquor deals as we travel light these days. We normally book our own tours to avoid the crowd - and it's less cheaper. 

On-board money is spent on dining several nights at optional dining restaurants, Wi-Fi  access, and those colorful "drinks of the day" my hubby cannot pass up :)