SeaDream Yacht Club Ships & Review

Ultimate boutique cruise--much like a private club or your own yacht. Relaxed atmosphere with informal dress in the daytime and country club casual at night.

Ultra-luxury lifestyle with the highest level of service, comfort, quality, and amenities at an all-inclusive price. The relaxed, comfortable SeaDream "theme" is felt throughout the ships, from the SeaDream beds on deck to the luxurious linens in the cabins to the exceptional service from all the crew.

SeaDream Yacht Club Ships - and more . . .

SeaDream I - - SeaDream Yacht Club Small Luxury Cruise Ship Tour and Review

Countdown to the Last Paper Airline Ticket

Paper Tickets On Way to Museum - They're Out!

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has begun an important countdown - 100 days to 100% e-ticketing. 100% electronic ticketing eliminates lost tickets, makes itinerary changes easy and enables a wide array of self-service options.

"In 100 days the paper ticket gets put in a museum. On June 1, 2008 we will achieve 100% electronic ticketing," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.

For more information, visit www.iata.org/stbsupportportal

Carnival's "Funtennial" Incentives and Giveaways

Carnival Cruise Lines will roll out the first-ever "Funtennial" celebration offering a variety of special offers and giveaways throughout March, commemorating the anniversary of the cruise line's inaugural voyage in March 1972.

The month-long promotion will feature a different booking incentive each week during March, including free stateroom upgrades, shipboard credits, special savings and more.

Additionally, each week in March, a drawing will be held awarding a free cruise, along with a number of digital cameras, to those who book any "Fun Ship" voyage that week. The weekly cruise giveaway encompasses a four- or five-day Western Caribbean voyage in an owner's suite on the Carnival Imagination from Miami or Carnival Inspiration from Tampa.

Consumers who book a cruise during the promotional period are automatically registered to win one of 10 Fuji digital cameras to be given away each week.

Consumers may enter to win without purchase. Visit http://www.bookccl.com

Costa's Serena Godmother Wins Academy Award

The Costa Serena's godmother, French actress Marion Cotillard, won the Academy Award for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" on Sunday for her performance portraying Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose."

She christened the Costa Serena in May 2007. Cotillard was chosen as godmother when "La Vie en Rose" was released.

Costa inaugurated the ship in France, Cotillard's home country. Cotillard inaugurated the Costa Serena on May 19, 2007, in front of 1,500 guests in Marseille.

For more information, visit www.costacruises.com

Seabourn Yacht Promotion

The Yachts of Seabourn has expanded a promotion offering two-for-one international business-class airfares to include more nine- to 15-day Europe cruises.

The complimentary airfare, with a value of up to $5,800 per couple, may be combined with savings of up to 40% off the brochure fares.

The airfares are available roundtrip from 38 North American gateways to voyages embarking in Lisbon, Venice, London, Copenhagen, Rome, Istanbul, Athens, Nice and Barcelona for itineraries in the Adriatic, the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Western Europe, the Baltic and Norwegian fjords.

The cruises depart between March 30 and Nov. 8. With savings of up to 40%, cruise fares start at $3,597 per person, based on double occupancy of a 277-square foot ocean-view suite.

Seabourne Yachts

Mariner of the Seas Specials

Customer Favorite! Departs Port Canaveral aboard Royal Caribbean's – Mariner of the Seas

Sailing Date(s): May 2008, Jun 2008, Jul 2008, Aug 2008, Sep 2008, Oct 2008

Check out sale prices for September and October - Under "Caribbean & Mexico", click on Royal Caribbean 7 Night Eastern Caribbean for Mariner of the Seas Fall Specials.

Paper Tickets On The Way Out!

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has begun an important countdown - 100 days to 100% e-ticketing.

100% electronic ticketing eliminates lost tickets, makes itinerary changes easy and enables a wide array of self-service options.

"In 100 days the paper ticket gets put in a museum. On June 1, 2008 we will achieve 100% electronic ticketing," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.

The "Simplifying the Business" program drive by IATA began back in June 2004, with the goals of making travel more cost efficient, along with making travel and shipping more convenient. Back then only 18% of the tickets issued around the globe were e-tickets, but today the number has risen to 93% overall.

But there are still challenges to getting everyone around the globe onboard. E-ticketing in Africa is 83%, along with the Middle East having reached 84%.

But, the real concern is Russia, and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) that used to be part of Russia - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. They are all currently at just 54% e-ticketing because of recent government changed legislation.

For more information, visit www.iata.org/stbsupportportal

American Canadian Caribbean Savings on East Coast Sailings

American Canadian Caribbean Line Inc., a family-operated small-ship cruise line popular with active mature travelers, is offering a 15% discount on six cruises this spring and summer aboard the 100-passenger Grande Caribe - pictured here.

The discounted itineraries, which range from 5 to 14 nights, depart from various ports between April and August and cover the eastern U.S. seaboard from Maine to Florida.

The expedition-style Grande Caribe is designed to travel close to shore, exploring America's historically rich coastal regions via waterways that larger ships cannot navigate.

For spring, the following cruises are eligible for the 15% savings offer:
"American Liberty," 11 nights departing April 26 from Alexandria, Va.
"East Coast Discovery," 12 nights departing May 9 from Philadelphia
"Atlantic Coastal Waterways," 14 nights, departing May 23 from ACCL's homeport of Warren, R.I.

For summer, three New England cruises are eligible for the savings, as follows:
"Cape Cod and Islands," five nights, departing June 8 from Warren, R.I.
"Historic New England," five nights, departing July 6 from Warren
"Coast of Maine," seven nights, departing July 12 from Portland, Maine.

ACCL's discount can total up to $632 off per person, double occupancy, based on the cruise and cabin category.

For more information visit www.accl-smallships.com

Cunard Queens Have Rendezvous in Australia

Cunard's two ocean liners Queen Victoria and QE2 will both call at Sydney, Australia, this weekend.

The Royal Rendezvous follows just one year the meeting of QE2 and Queen Mary 2 in the city. Queen Victoria will make its first call at the city on Feb. 23, to be followed by QE2 the next day.

QE2, currently on her farewell World Cruise, will be making her 29th and final call at the port, exactly 30 years after its first call there on Feb. 24, 1978.
The highlight will occur at 6 p.m. local time on Feb. 24 when both ships will leave their berths and head for a historic sail past at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Each will pass on either side of Fort Denison and will greet each other with a whistle salute which will be heard over 10 miles away.

QE2 will then head for Circular Quay where it will remain until the final departure from Sydney on Feb. 25.

For more information, visit www.cunard.com

Cruise Deals - Lock in Your Price Now!

If a cruise is not in your schedule right now, take a look at cruise vacations this Fall - especially in the month of September.

You can book now to lock in some great prices. After the summer rush, and the kids have gone back to school, September can be the perfect time to get away for a great cruise vacation.

These cruises will sell out quickly at these rock bottom prices, so act quickly! Of course you may luck upon a cruise deal without waiting until the Fall season.

Featured Cruise Deals


Happy Cruise Deal Hunting,
Linda

Carnival PokerPro Challenge 2008

Carnival Cruise Lines is hosting the 2008 Carnival PokerPro Challenge, a series of No Limit Texas Hold'em poker tournaments to take place on its ships, and a tell-tale sign that the fervor for poker has spread to the sea.

The tournaments will occur on select cruises through June 30, with winners of the preliminary tournaments squaring off for $45,000 in the Grand Final Playoff during Carnival Fantasy's October 4 voyage.

First-place winners of the preliminary tournament will win $750, plus entry to the Grand Final Playoff. The entry fee for play is $150 per player.

Visit www.carnival.com

Cruise Passenger ID and New Pre Departure Requirements

New Cruise Passenger Pre-Departure Requirement - if you are planning or have made reservations for a cruise vacation, please be advised of this new pre-departure time requirement.

As of Feb 18, all cruise passengers departing from U.S. ports must be on board at least one hour prior to sailing, a new pre-departure requirement of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Cruise ships are required to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection a full passenger and crew manifest an hour before leaving port. So when flying into your port of departure, you should factor this new time frame into your airline flight schedule, as well as the time it will take you to get from the airport to the cruise port terminal.

As of January 31 ruling that all U.S. citizens 19 or older traveling by LAND OR SEA ports or borders, must prove their identity and citizenship with a valid U.S. passport, or provide TWO other documents that prove identity and citizenship - a valid driver's license or government issued ID AND an original or certified birth certificate. No copies of birth certificates are accepted.

As of January 31, oral declarations of citizenship, which were allowed are no longer accepted.

Having a valid U.S. passport proves both your identity and citizenship. Passport processing is back on schedule. If you apply for a U.S. passport, or need to renew your passport, the time frame to receive your passport is currently six weeks.

Bon voyage to bigger bellies?

Saw this article in the Seattle Times - and it's true that you don't have to go off your diet while cruising - some take advantage of the new lighter cuisine, while others opt for the traditional "over eating" at the midnight buffet's - Linda

Sailing away on a cruise ship with a midnight buffet no longer means waving goodbye to your diet.

Keeping with the times, cruise lines are promising spa-like cuisine alongside the buttery lobster and piles of crab legs. The hope is that lighter selections will lure health-conscious baby boomers and others who fear being trapped at sea with a 24-hour pizza bar.

Read full article by clicking here

American Safari Brings Luxury Yachts to Hawaii

American Safari Cruises is bringing its brand of luxury yacht cruising to Hawaii beginning December 2008.

The company is entering as NCL America is withdrawing two of its large U.S.flagged ships from the islands. All American Safari vessels are U.S. flagged, and therefore can operate inter-island cruises without stopping at a foreign port.

The company will operate the 36-passenger, 145-foot Safari Explorer in the islands. The yacht is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation in Seattle. The cruises will focus on traditional Hawaiian culture and will offer opportunities for guests to get to know local residents by visiting their land and their homes. The all American crew will include Hawaii residents, especially captains and naturalists who have personal knowledge of the area.

The yacht travels only during the day and will visit Molokai, Lanai, Lahaina on Maui, the Big Island and several snorkel/dive sites.

Guests will also have an included Volcanoes National Park helicopter tour and explore backcountry waterfalls and exotic terrain on foot.

American Safari's inaugural Hawaii cruise season is Dec. 19 to May 9, 2009; the Safari Explorer will return in November 2009 for a second season.

For more information, visit 888-862-8881 or www.amsafari.com

Cruise Line Fuel Surcharges Bring Class Action Suit

A class action suit has been filed against several cruise lines including Carnival Corp, Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line claiming the lines acted in cahoots to fix questionable fuel surcharges.

The suit comes only a week after the Florida attorney general's office said it was investigating Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean over improperly disclosed fuel surcharges.

The class action suit was filed last Tuesday on behalf of a New York resident who said he was negatively affected by the fuel surcharges. The suit seeks action on behalf of anyone who purchased cruise fares after January 1 from one of the cruise companies named in the complaint.

Carnival Corp was the first to announce fuel surcharges of $5 per day per passenger that would go into effect February 1. More cruise lines soon followed with fuel supplements of their own as high, in some cases, as $8.50 per person per day.

The suit claims that the domino effect of nearly identical fuel hikes is proof of collusion and price fixing.