Thousands of colorful fireworks filled the nighttime sky over Barcelona this evening as, for the first time, the Disney Magic cruise ship approached the Spanish port city nestled along the Mediterranean coast, signaling Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever foray into the European cruise market.In grand Spanish style, the 2,700-passenger ship was greeted by a fireworks spectacular totaling nearly 2,200-shells upon arrival to the Port of Barcelona. The Port of Barcelona will serve as homeport for the Disney Magic this summer as it embarks on brand new 10- and 11-night itineraries in the Mediterranean. These cruises provide families with a unique and hassle-free way to explore world-famous cities such as Rome, Florence, Naples, Cannes and Barcelona.
While there’s very little available on this year’s Med sailings, all of Disney’s sailings are fantastic. Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard and of Disney’s sailings.
When 95-year-old Nola Ochs graduated from the Fort Hays State University in Kansas earlier this month, she broke the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest college graduate. Her next goal? “To be a storyteller on a cruise ship.” In June, she’ll get her wish as she will regale passengers aboard Crown Princess with tales from her many years of Kansas farm life, and how she was inspired to pursue her goal of earning a college degree.
Ochs will cruise aboard Crown Princess’ June 17 sailing, traveling with her granddaughter Alexandra, who graduated in the same class as her grandmother. Appearing as part of Princess’ acclaimed Scholarship@Sea program, Ochs will participate in a question and answer session with the cruise director and take audience questions. She’ll share her many life experiences and memories of the many changes she’s seen in a life that spans nearly a century – from her beginnings in a house with no running water or electricity when horse-and-buggy travel was common, to the modern-day world of computers and air travel.
A history major, Ochs has garnered a great deal of attention for her record-breaking feat, appearing on many network news broadcasts and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” She took her first teacher’s college course in 1930, but it wasn’t until 1972 that she began taking occasional community college courses after the death of her husband. But the thirst for learning grew until last year when she moved 100 miles away from home to finish her bachelor’s degree at Fort Hayes.
Ochs will traveling even farther from her Kansas home when she sails on Crown Princess’ roundtrip Eastern Caribbean cruise, departing from New York’s Brooklyn terminal and calling on Bermuda, San Juan, St. Thomas and Grand Turk.
Princess’ innovative ScholarShip@Sea program offers a variety of enriching “edu-tainment” courses in which guest lecturers and shipboard experts present courses on a variety of topics, including cooking, visual arts, computer skills, photography and pottery. Passengers can choose from approximately 20 courses per voyage in subjects such as scrapbooking, Italian cooking, ceramics or pottery, digital travel photography, web page design, or watercolor techniques. In addition, guest speakers may present courses on additional topics, such as destinations, history, arts and world affairs.
Solidifying its position as the leader in destination cruising, Oceania Cruises recently made its maiden call in Sarande, Albania. Regatta was the first major North American cruise ship to call in Sarande, affording guests a unique cultural opportunity. Albania, which is located at the southwestern end of the Adriatic Sea, has just recently become accessible to western tourists.
“Our guests are experienced travelers who appreciate Albania’s fascinating history and diverse cultures. We originally anticipated that our guests’ primary interest would be the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint, but many chose excursions that provided them with a glimpse into Albanian culture and offered opportunities to immerse themselves in the local color, “stated Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises.
Oceania Cruises plans two more calls in Sarande during 2007; guests sailing on Insignia’s September 3 and October 17 departures of the Path of the Phoenicians will have the opportunity to explore the region, including excursions to the ruins of Butrint, its Amphitheatre, Basilica, and the five-centuries-old settlement which has been excavated over the past fifty years. In 2008, Oceania Cruises plans eight calls in Sarande: Nautica’s voyages departing on May 20, July 19, Sept 5 and 17, Oct 13 and 25, and Insignia’s August 20th voyage.
Guests on these voyages will also have the opportunity to visit Lekuresi Castle and Blue Eye, a natural deep-water lake with unusual coloring; the ancient city of Foenike, the church of Mesopotami, and the medieval village of Gjirokastra. Also, because of its proximity to Italy, shopping bargains abound on items such as Murano glass, marbled paper and Venetian masks.
“We look forward to our continuing relationship with Sarande, and the warm and endearing people of Albania who provided our guests with such tremendous hospitality,†added Binder.
Crystal Cruises invites children 11 and under to cruise for free on two Panama Canal cruises this Thanksgiving when sharing a stateroom with two adults. Part classroom, part adventure, children of all ages will marvel at the science of transiting the Canal and the drama of experiencing nature from the wilds of Costa Rica to the tranquility of the Caribbean. With the new promotion and special savings fares, travelers can save up to 60% off brochure fares.
Both of Crystal’s award-winning ships will offer Canal transits on Thanksgiving cruises in 2007:
- Crystal Symphony travels from Caldera, Costa Rica to Miami, Florida on a 10-day cruise, November 14-24, with calls in Curaçao/Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles; St. Barts/Gustavia, French West Indies; and Tortola/Road Town, British Virgin Islands.
- Crystal Serenity journeys from Miami to Caldera on an 11-day cruise, November 19-30, with calls in Turks & Caicos/Grand Turk, UK; St. Barts/Gustavia, French West Indies; St. Maarten/Phillipsburg, Netherland Antilles; and Aruba/Oranjestad, Dutch West Indies.
The “kids sail free” promotion is capacity controlled and limited to triple-berth staterooms. Per adult, double occupancy fares start at $2,195 and $3,380 for the 10- and 11-day cruises, respectively.
With its dedicated children’s facilities Crystal is the luxury operator best suited for the family market. Fantasia is outfitted with games, and craft materials, while Waves features Sony Playstation® and personal computers with entertainment and education software. Xbox 360® video consoles are available for open play and onboard video game tournaments. On these cruises, both ships will feature a fully supervised Junior Activities program for kids ages 17 and under.
Depending on the children’s ages, families will also have the opportunity to extend their adventures ashore with such experiences as a ride in a yellow submarine in St. Barts, swimming with stingrays in Turks & Caicos, an elevated canopy walk among the rainforests of Costa Rica or a helmet dive for a walk along the ocean floor in the Caribbean.
Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard today!
Travelers now have a new way to reach some of the farthest corners of the world in luxury, comfort and style. Today, Azamara Cruises, the high-end, destination-driven cruise line operated by Celebrity Cruises, opened bookings for 2008-2009 Asia itineraries on Azamara Quest. The line also announced 2008-2009 itineraries for its sister ship, Azamara Journey, in Europe and South America. With the addition of these itineraries, Azamara Cruises will visit 175 ports in over 60 countries around the world.
Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard, click “more” for additional information about Azamara Cruises’ 2008 itineraries
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