Loyal Princess passengers who book early to reserve their favorite destination and accommodations can now receive extra savings with the line’s new Princess Captain’s Circle Launch Savings benefit. This new discount offers Circle Members up to $300 off when they make their cruise reservations shortly after new cruise schedules are announced. The program offers one of the industry’s best past passenger values, as it can be combined with other promotional fares.
Debuting with summer 2009 itineraries, the savings vary by destination and apply to all cabin categories. The program is offered to Circle Members at all membership levels - Gold, Platinum and Elite. For 2009-2010 departures, Europe and Alaska cruises must be booked by September 30, 2008 and all other destinations must be booked by December 31, 2008.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Princess Cruises Posted by Michael on 05/06/08
NCL announced today that it will reflag and rename Pride of Aloha and launch the ship as Norwegian Sky, offering three and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami commencing this summer. The 2,002-passenger ship, built in 1999, will return to the NCL international fleet, and will be outfitted with NCL’s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements. It will be the youngest and highest quality ship sailing three and four-day cruises to the Bahamas from Miami beginning July 14, 2008. The new itineraries go on sale today with fares from $229 per person for an inside stateroom and from $329 per person for a balcony stateroom.
To welcome the ship to Miami, NCL is offering a “Kids Sail Free Summer Vacation” promotion for reservations on Norwegian Sky made from May 6, 2008 to May 31, 2008 for sailings taking place July 14, 2008 to September 26, 2008. Children ages six months to 17 are eligible to sail free (government taxes and fees and fuel supplement apply).
Norwegian Sky will depart Miami on Mondays sailing four-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship will sail a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings. These sailings are scheduled through April 17, 2009.
Norwegian Sky will enter a wet dock in Miami during which a casino will be added. In addition, the ship will receive the significant product and hardware upgrades that are part of the company’s major fleetwide initiative, Freestyle 2.0. These enhancements include: a major investment in the total dining experience such as all new menus and Lobster Galore; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for all guests; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony and suite guests.
Originally launched in 1999, Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children’s facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms. Norwegian Sky had been reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha in 2004 and sailed Hawai’i inter-island cruises until May 2008.
(2) have commentedFiled under: Norwegian Cruise Line Posted by Michael on 05/06/08
The following two policies have been put into immediate effect for all sailings on Azamara CruisesSM, Celebrity Cruises® and Royal Caribbean International®:
Infant Policy
Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, select South American cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old.
As of April 22, 2008, the list of cruises to which the 12 month minimum age requirement applies (in addition to all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Hawaii cruises) is as follows:
- Celebrity Infinity - January 31, 2010, February 14, 2010;
- Mariner of the Seas® - January 4, 2009, January 19, 2009, February 3, 2009;
- Splendour of the Seas® - March 30, 2009;
- Legend of the Seas® - October 23, 2009, November 4, 2009.
Any cruisetours associated with these cruises are also subject to the 12 month minimum age requirement. Denial of boarding for infants who do not satisfy these minimum age requirements may also result in the denial of boarding for one or more guests sailing with that infant. No refunds or other compensation shall be due from the cruise line to anyone as a result of the denial of boarding to an underage infant or other accompanying guests.
Pregnancy Policy
Azamara CruisesSM, Celebrity Cruises® and Royal Caribbean International® cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during, the cruise or cruisetour. A physician’s “Fit to Travel” note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) the guest’s pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that the guest is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International Posted by Michael on 05/04/08
As we close in on SeaSocks and get ready to go we thought that this was the perfect time to do a show about packing.
We;ve found some interesting tips that we share this show. Patricia’s been checking a site that advocates traveling with just one bag. While it’s probably not practical to do so as you get ready to cruise there are some great tips for packing more efficiently.
For those of you getting ready to head out in the next few days, make sure that you double check your baggage allowances. Several airlines have started charging fees if you want to check a second bag - be prepared for your trip.
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Filed under: Podcast Posted by Michael on 05/02/08
The upcoming makeovers of Star Princess and Caribbean Princess will include a transformation of the Deck 5 atrium into the inviting piazza-style street cafe currently found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess; plus will add the company’s signature adults-only Sanctuary and showplace Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, along with a more centrally located casino and seven new suites.
Star Princess will receive these new features during her September drydock in San Francisco and Caribbean Princess will follow in January 2009.
The ships’ updated atriums will not only feature the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis and tapas of the International Cafe, but will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will now include rare vintage wines, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle. In addition, passengers will be able to relax in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess’ signature adults-only retreat, featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. The ships will also replace their current steakhouse with the Crown Grill restaurant featuring an open show kitchen where passengers can enjoy watching as chefs prepare chops, steaks and seafood, including live lobsters. As part of the renovation, each vessel will also receive seven new suites with ocean-view picture windows, and the casino will be relocated one deck higher to deck 7, bringing it into the ship’s central entertainment area.
To make room for the new features, passengers may find that some of their favorite areas have been relocated. In addition to the casino, the sports court, Internet Cafe and wedding chapel are also among the spaces that will be moved in the renovation process.
Click “more” for the details of the new venues coming to the two ships.
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