Cruise Line Smoking Policy Revision

Carnival Cruise Lines: As of last month, smoking in public areas is permitted only in dance clubs and designated areas of casinos and open decks on all its 23 ships.

It is also allowed in jazz clubs on 13 of its vessels. Starting Dec. 1, the line will ban smoking fleetwide in all staterooms, though smoking still will be permitted on private balconies except for spa staterooms, which will continue to remain entirely smoke-free.

Princess: Starting with all cruises departing on or after Jan. 15, Princess Cruises will no longer allow smoking in staterooms or on balconies. Passengers will still be able to smoke in designated areas, including Churchill’s Cigar Lounge and portions of the disco, casino and open decks.

Holland America: Smoking in staterooms will be prohibited on sailings on or after Jan. 15, but will be permitted on stateroom verandas. Smoking is also banned in designated indoor public areas, but allowed in certain other designated venues, including open decks.

Carnival Breeze Debuts June 2012

Carnival Cruises is giving cruisers and agents a sneak peek into its newest ship, the Carnival Breeze, which debuts in June 2012.

The line recently released photos of the ship’s Caribbean-inspired, contemporary staterooms and interiors.

Other ship amenities include:

• RedFrog Pub

• SportSquare recreation complex

• Cucina del Capitano, a family-style Italian restaurant

• Wraparound open-air promenade called The Lanai, with whirlpools that extend over the ship’s sides

• Expansive WaterWorks aqua park

• Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue.

The Carnival Breeze is scheduled to enter service June 3, 2012, with a special one-time voyage from Venice to Barcelona, positioning the vessel for a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean voyages through October 25, 2012. 

Following a 15-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Miami, Carnival Breeze will launch year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Miami on November 24, 2012.

Visit www.carnival.com/breeze

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Canada / New England from $61 / night

All You Can Drink Packages on RCI

Royal Caribbean has announced a new all you can drink package on three of its ships - Independence of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas.

RCI says this new policy responds to consumer demand by European customers - and they are rolling this out on three ships that cater to non-Americans.

The Beer & Wine Package will cost $29 per person/per day for beers and house wine - and you get a 25% discount on all other liquor and wine. 

Then there's the Classic Package - cost is $39 per person/per day and includes all beers, house wine, and liquor - except premium and speciality brands. And you get a discount of 25% on cocktails, and other premium wines and liquors.

And for big drinkers there's the Premium Package, at a cost of $49 per person/per day - and it includes everything in the Classic Package PLUS glasses of wine that sell for up to $10, cocktails, premium liquor brands and a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, glasses of wine over $10 and speciality liquors.

Norwegian Kids Sail Free Announcement

Norwegian Cruise Line is inviting children ages 17 and under to sail for free when their parents book them on a cruise by May 7, 2011 as third or fourth guests on select sailings fleet-wide. 

Destinations include the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Europe.

Ships included in this promotion are Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Pride of America, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl.

Family Friendly Features:

• Signature Nickelodeon activities and shows

• Waterslides

• Two-story Wii wall

• Supervised kids and teens programs

• Dedicated Kid’s Café

• Norwegian Epic features an Aqua Park, a two-deck sports complex and an interactive children’s area, Recess

Visit www.ncl.com

Last Minute MSC Fall Foliage Cruise

MSC Cruises is offering cruisers a discount rate on seven night Fall Foliage Cruises
 

Discount rates start at $999 through May 31, 2011.

The discount applies to the Captivating Colors of Canada cruise from New York to Quebec City, Montreal, Canada, and the Brilliant Colors of Fall cruise, sailing from Quebec City to New York.

Rates are available for residents of the U.S. and Canada and are based upon double occupancy, cruise only, and subject to availability.

Note: Rates also include one-way air between Montreal or Quebec airport and New York airport.

For more info visit  www.msccruisesusa.com

Carnival Magic Debuts in Europe May 1

Carnival Magic, Carnival Cruise Lines' newest ship, is set to debut May 1, following the completion of its sea trials in the Adriatic Sea.

Accommodating 3,690 passenger, the line's "Fun Ship" will debut in Europe with a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean cruises May 1-October 16, 2011, before launching seven-day Caribbean service from Galveston, Texas, November 14, 2011.

Featured additions include the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub; the Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano, highlighting the line's Italian heritage; and SportSquare, a top-deck recreation area with cruising’s first ropes course and outdoor fitness area.

For more information, visit www.carnivalmagic.com
 
Source: Travel Agent Central

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Disney Cruise Line - Receive $100 Onboard Credit

Azamara - Receive $300 Onboard Credit

Costa - Call-in Special - Kids Sail Free or for $199

Check it out!

Cruise Daily Twitter

Carnival Magic Build A Ship Contest

• Build a model Carnival ship from things around the house... create a floating symbol of fun! (Okay, it doesn't have to float.)
  
  
• Take a digital picture of your creation. Show it off as best you can. Make us want to take a cruise with YOU!
  
  
• You can win some amazing prizes. Grand prize? A Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Magic. (You know... the real one, of course!)
  
  
• Others win too! For every entry and vote, $1 will be donated to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^® end childhood cancer.
  
  Learn more by watching the contest video
  
  

Carnival Splendor Set's Sail Again

The Carnival Splendor successfully completed repairs, U.S. Coast Guard inspection, sea trials, and has set sail from Long Beach, California the home port.

The 3006 passenger cruise ship will continue its year round 7 day Mexico Riviera cruise schedule starting February 20, 2011.

On the initial voyage from Long Beach, Splendor will visit the Pacific coast with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Visit www.carnival.com

7 Major Cruise Trends for 2011

Cruise ships are sailing at full capacity with the expectation of 16-million passengers - an increase of 6% compared to last year.

With many new ships on the horizon for this year, CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) reports new cruise trends for 2011 . . . 

1. Cruise passengers are looking for more choices in their cruise dining experience. These choices include local food sources, guest celebrity/top chefs - and even more onboard speciality restaurants.

2. Private or exclusive shore excursions - and onboard experiences targeting families, children, sports, and active vacationers.

3. Shorter cruise durations. Many travelers are opting for several shorter cruises rather than the longer cruises - especially transatlantic

4. Top brand onboard spas, and unique spa treatments

5. Theme cruises focused on food/wine, culture, music and art

6. Passengers are booking cruises farther in advance - average 5- 6 months

7. Biggest growth expected from familes/multigenerational groups, baby boomers, first time cruisers, along with corporate groups and organizations

12 New Ships For 2011

CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) predicts the most popular destinations this year are Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific, South America, Asia - and also an interest in River Cruises.

Great ready cruise fans - 12 new ships will premier this year:

MAJOR CRUISE LINES

Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Magic - 3,652 passengers
Costa Cruises' Favalosa - 3,502 passengers
Celebrity Cruises' Silhouette - 2,850 passengers

Disney Dream - 2,500 passengers
Oceania Cruises' Marina (shown above) - 1,260 passengers

SMALLER CRUISE VESSELS
Seabourn Cruise Line's Quest - 450 - passengers
Pearl Seas Cruises' Pearl Mist (shown above) - 210 passengers

RIVER CRUISES:

Avalon Waterways' Panorama - 166 passengers
AMA Waterways' Amalotus - 124 passengers
Amaverde - 162 passengers
Amakaterina - 212 passengers
Uniworld Grand River Cruises' Douro Spirit - 128 passengers
SS Antoinette - 164 passengers
River Victoria - 206 passengers

Jamaica's Newest Cruise Port Welcomes RCI

Finally! Jamaica's Falmouth cruise port has welcomed it's first cruise ship - Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas.

The new cruise port city is located on the north coast of Jamaica - and is a prime gateway for popular tourist attractions Dunn's River Falls, and adventure rafting on Martha Brae River.
 
The new cruise port will eventurally offering more than 60 tours, which will be the most offered by any Caribbean cruise destination. And there are future plans for shops, restaurants and historic attractions.
 
Falmouth was constructed to handle RCI's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas - the world's largest cruise ships. Oasis of the Seas will actually launch the grand opening on March 22, 2011.
 
Meanwhile other RCI ships plan to visit Falmouth ahead of the grand launch. Freedom of the Seas sails into the port on Feb. 23  - and Navigator of the Seas arrives on Feb. 24.
 
Allure of the Seas - the world's other largest cruise ship - will arrive on March 30 - a week after sister ship arrives for the grand opening.
 
Jamaica's newest cruise port has the distinction of being the island's largest construction project to date. After many delays, Falmouth is off to a great start! 

Royal Caribbean's First Solo Traveler Cabins Coming by June

RCI can do A lot better than "windowless" inside rooms for solo travelers - Sue 

Royal Caribbean this year will unveil cabins designed for solo travelers - a first for the line.

A Royal Caribbean representative tells USA TODAY a late spring overhaul of one of its 22 ships, the Radiance of the Seas, will see the addition of three cabins for singles -- all windowless "inside" rooms.

The 2,112-passenger Radiance is scheduled to enter dry dock for the makeover in late May and emerge (with the new single cabins) in early June. The ship will spend the coming summer sailing in Alaska.

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