Cunard Line has announced a series of special ‘Farewell Voyages’ for the most famous ship in the world, QE2, prior to her completing service in November 2008. QE2 will begin a new life as a first-class hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah.
Two voyages already programmed for 2008 have been replaced by a British Isles voyage and two Transatlantic Crossings, while her final voyage to Dubai has also been added. These special voyages offer the perfect opportunity for guests to share in QE2′s farewell to her country, where she has long been regarded as the flagship, and also to experience a farewell tandem crossing of the Atlantic, where she will bid farewell to New York, her second home. These voyages also offer a final opportunity for those who have always wanted to experience a voyage on this iconic Grand Dame of the Seas.
“These voyages will signal the eminent completion of QE2′s service in the Cunard fleet and offer the opportunity to celebrate her widely heralded and illustrious career. She will make final calls to ports that are home to many of her most loyal fans, beginning with the British Isles, followed by two tandem Transatlantic Crossings,” said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line. “Guests who sail these voyages will take their place in history on the longest-serving, most famous Cunarder and will no doubt be greeted by groups of well-wishers who will salute her one last time,” added Marlow.
Details on the Farewell Voyages can be found by clicking on “more” below. Call us at 888-286-9827 to book your chance to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth 2.
Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises will feature two new itineraries to and from Istanbul this fall aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity. Offered as part of the line’s 2007 European season, the 12- and 11-day voyages end or begin in Istanbul, a city named as a European Capital of Culture by the EU. Istanbul was also the highest rated port of call on Crystal Cruises’ recently concluded 2007 World Cruise, which included 45 ports of call.Departing September 24 and October 6, both itineraries feature multiple overnight stays, allowing for in-depth cultural immersion into some of the world’s most fascinating destinations including Odessa, Ukraine; Alexandria, Egypt; Athens, Greece; and Istanbul itself.
The only Black Sea itinerary to be offered by Crystal in 2007 travels from Athens to Istanbul (overnight), September 24 – October 6, and includes calls at Santorini, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Constanta, Romania; Odessa (overnight) and Yalta, Ukraine; and a maiden visit to Sochi, Russia, a candidate to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Crystal Serenity then journeys from Istanbul (overnight) to Athens (overnight), October 6 – 17, calling at Kusadasi; Rhodes and Santorini, Greece; and Alexandria, Egypt (overnight).
Straddling the Bosphorus, Istanbul is the only city in the world to make its home on two continents. Influenced by both Europe and Asia, it is a city filled with wonders of architecture and monuments – the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica of St. Sophia, even the world’s largest bazaar – and Crystal offers nearly a dozen enriching Crystal Adventures ashore to explore every detail.
Guests wishing to extend their travels in Istanbul either pre- or post-cruise may choose to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, newly added to the line’s prestigious collection of world-class properties.
Depending on itinerary, fares begin at $4,345 and $4,640, respectively, for the 11- and 12-day cruises. Fares are based on per person, double occupancy accommodations. Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard.
We’re back after our unexpected break with a new show this week. We’re still playing catch up so there’s just the one show this week – but it’s another long one. Hey, when you take two weeks off a lot of news piles up!
Some of the highlights from this week’s show:
Princess is expanding their “Certified Romantic” program, enhancing casino offerings, laid the keel on the new Ruby Princess, sending 3 ships to South America in 2008/09, and 2 on world cruises in 2009.
Regent adds 2008 Antartica sailings, and Oceania finalizes the contract for their new builds.
We also have some additional details on the design of Carnival Splendor and Celebrity Solstice.
Speaking of Carnival Splendor, Carnival’s largest ever funship will be sailing Mexican Riviera itineraries in 2009. Carnival also has announced the seventh annual Rusty Wallace cruise.
Then there’s the one story that we are the most upset about… Cunard has announced the retirement and sale of the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 to a firm in Dubai where she will be converted into a hotel and museum.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ and NASCAR racing legend Rusty Wallace have teamed up again for another “Rusty Wallace Cruise†— this time with a seven-day voyage aboard the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph in December 2007. The weeklong cruise – the seventh installment of the popular “Rusty Wallace Cruise†series — will operate round-trip from Miami, Dec. 1-8, 2007. Featured ports include Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk.
Carnival’s “Rusty Wallace Cruises†began in 2001 and, over the years, more than 7,000 racing fans have enjoyed opportunities to meet and interact with the stock car racing legend.
“Carnival’s ‘Rusty Wallace Cruises’ are among the most popular sports themed voyages in cruising and we’re delighted that Rusty has again agreed to continue the series, this year aboard the Carnival Triumph,†said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.
Commented Rusty Wallace, “My affiliation with Carnival has been a huge success and also a lot of fun. I’m very excited to be on board with them again this year. One of the biggest benefits of our partnership is that it gives me the opportunity to interact with our fans. The upcoming cruise on the Carnival Triumph will allow me to give back some of the appreciation they have shown me throughout my career, as well as expose them to a lot of the new and exciting things I have going on right now.â€
Want to get in on the fun? Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard. You’ll find more details about the event when you click on “more” below.
Due to the enthusiastic response for Princess’ return to world cruising, the line will offer two global itineraries in 2009, giving twice as many passengers the opportunity to enjoy this unparalleled travel experience, as the ships take them to more than 40 destinations on six continents. For the first time, Princess will offer world cruising on two sister ships, with both voyages commencing at nearly the same time.
The 670-passenger Tahitian Princess and 710-passenger Royal Princess will offer similar 107-day itineraries that set sail from Ft. Lauderdale in January 2009. The Tahitian Princess sailing leaves on January 14, ending in Dover, while Royal Princess sails on January 20 and winds up in Rome. In addition, passengers can choose from two extension options for the Tahitian Princess voyage, giving world travelers the option of finishing this journey of a lifetime in Dover, Rome, Stockholm or New York. Both itineraries feature travel to South America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, India and Egypt, with differing European segments. Each voyage will call at a brand new port for Princess — Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, a picturesque stop in the Indian Ocean.
Click “more” below for additional details or call us at 888-286-9827 to book your world cruise.
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