Just a reminder, the relaxed passport regulations that went in to effect in June expire on September 30.
Starting on October 1, ALL travelers entering the US by plane are required to have a valid passport INCLUDING US CITIZENS!
For US citizens, a government issued ID and Official State Department proof of application for a passport will no longer be sufficient for use as proof of citizenship to travel to the US.
Both airlines and cruise lines consider it the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that they have proper documentation to travel. They will deny boarding if you are unable to supply them with the required documentation for your trip. It is almost unheard of for cruise lines or airlines to compensate passengers when boarding is denied due to inproper documentation, and this situation is typically not covered by travel insurance. Proper travel documents are required for EVERY member of your party, regardless of age.
While a passport is currently not required for US citizens returning to the US via ship, we continue to strongly recommend that you obtain a passport if you are preparing for any international travel regardless of your mode of transport. We are hearing that the backlog of passport applications has eased significantly compared to what it was earlier in the year, and that passports are being delivered much quicker than they had been.
Remember, the US State Department’s foreign travel website travel.state.gov is your best resource for passport and other international travel information.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Travel Advisories Posted by Michael on 09/28/07
From the happy haunts of Halloween through the revelry of the new year, guests will discover an extra dose of pixie dust aboard Disney Cruise Line this holiday season. From traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to “snowflake” sightings and seasonal caroling, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will sparkle with the joy of the holiday season. The festivities begin on the Oct. 27 and 28 sailings, where guests can take part in some Halloween fun. Children will enjoy a trail of candy stations that culminates in a dance party on the top deck and special costume parties in each of the youth activity areas. For adults, there’s a dance party and costume contest with prizes for costume categories such as best group, most original and most Disney. With Halloween decorations throughout the ship and scary — as well as not-so-scary — movies playing in various venues, children of all ages will enjoy a uniquely Disney twist on this autumn tradition.
The fun continues through Thanksgiving - click on “more” for the details
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Disney Cruise Line Posted by Michael on 09/28/07
Silversea Cruises’ parent company, Silversea Cruises Group Ltd., announced that it has purchased the expedition ship World Discoverer. The company took delivery of the vessel in Singapore on September 17. The ship will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before it begins service in spring 2008.
After the planned refurbishment, World Discoverer will accommodate around 140 guests (reduced from current 175) in ocean-view staterooms, including Owner’s Suites, Grand Suites, and 12 yet-unnamed suites that will be similar to the line’s popular Silver Suites — offering an intimate club-like ambiance that will deliver an expedition cruise experience consistent with Silversea’s award-winning luxury standards.
Guests will also enjoy many amenities found on larger ships, such as an elegant single-seating main dining room, a specialty restaurant, library (with desktop computers and Internet access), boutique, beauty salon, fitness center, sauna and whirlpools. The ship will also feature several lounges for enjoying drinks, music and entertainment, including a cigar lounge like the Humidor on the line’s other ships.
World Discoverer will be equipped with state-of-the-art satellite communication systems, providing bow-to-stern wireless Internet access, enabling guests with Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and PDAs to surf the Internet and check e-mails from the comfort of their suites as well as public areas. Cellular phone service will also allow guests to stay in touch using their own cell phones even when the ship is miles away from land. The vessel will also feature flat screen TVs in all suites and staterooms. In the ship’s lounges, the latest audio-visual equipment, complete with high-definition video screens, will display live lectures hosted by visiting destination experts.
The ship will maintain the line’s reputation for intimate yet spacious ships. And the vessel’s crew complement of 106 will continue to ensure the highest level of service with a crew-to-guest ratio that will equal or exceed that of Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, thus being among the highest in this niche market.
The 6,072-ton vessel also boasts a strengthened hull with the highest Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation (1A), appropriate for navigating waters, without an escort, in some of the world’s most remote regions, including Antarctica.
Earlier this year the company finalized plans to purchase one 36,000-GRT, 540-guest, ultra-luxury vessel from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009. The line has also signed an option for a sister ship with the same shipbuilder.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Silversea Cruises Posted by Michael on 09/28/07
When Princess ships start their fall season sailing throughout the Caribbean this month they will introduce 126 new shore excursion options for passengers. Whether travelers want meet the area’s friendliest crocodile, take a mud bath in a “volcano,” explore underwater through an unmanned ROV, or try some of the Caribbean’s most unusual experiences such as dog sledding or camel riding, Princess offers the perfect opportunity for passengers to enrich their vacation time ashore. Among the new choices are Princess’ first excursions offered at the line’s private island, Princess Cays. These new tours are part of the line’s approximately 800 Adventures Ashore? in 41 ports during the 2007-08 Caribbean and Panama Canal season. In addition to these new experiences, the excursions program offers passengers a wide array of opportunities to experience Caribbean ports including choices ranging from scenic sightseeing and visits to historic attractions to highly active adventures such as zip lines, golfing, scuba diving and other water sports.
“These new excursions offer passengers so many choices for enjoying their time in the Caribbean — from visiting the playgrounds of the rich and famous to exploring rain forests,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service. “We work very closely with local tour operators in each destination to ensure that passengers have a rich selection of quality experiences in each port.”
Some highlights of the new Caribbean excursion can be found when you click on “more” below. Call us at 888-286-9827 for more information about Princess Caribbean cruises or to book onboard.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Princess Cruises Posted by Michael on 09/24/07
The welcoming spirit of Hawai’i will be more apparent than ever aboard Princess ships this month, as the line introduces an extensive new onboard program highlighting the traditions and culture of the islands. Offered in partnership with a variety of local Hawaiian organizations, this multi-faceted cultural program includes demonstrations by local artisans, a hula show from students of one the islands’ most respected schools, and guest lecturers who highlight natural history and Hawaiian customs. The new programs are available on all Princess Hawaiian Islands and Hawai’i/Tahiti sailings aboard Diamond Princess and Pacific Princess.
The new Hawaiian cultural program features local artisans demonstrating traditional crafts such as bone carving or the fine art of creating a shell lei from the private island of Ni’ihau; performing arts such as a hula show from the talented keiki (children) of the Halau Hula Olana; and onboard presentations from experts on topics from marine biology to the ancient art of Hawaiian storytelling. Passengers will also enjoy a feast of local dining tastes; while ashore they’ll enjoy cultural tour options throughout the islands.
For the 2007-08 season, Princess will showcase the Hawaiian Islands on 26 sailings. Diamond Princess offers the popular round-trip Hawai’i cruises from Los Angeles with a popular 15-day voyage that includes Hilo, Kilauea Volcano Scenic Cruising, Kona, Honolulu, Kaua’i (Nawiliwili), and Maui. The ship sails on 15 cruises between September 19, 2007 and April 16, 2008.
Meanwhile, the intimate Pacific Princess will also cruise the tropics with a series of Hawai’i/Tahiti sailings. The 670-passenger vessel will offer six of these 11-day sailings between Honolulu and Papeete, calling at Kaua’i, Maui, Hilo, Christmas Island, Bora Bora, and Moorea, departing between September 21 and December 4, 200
Find out more, click below or call us at 888-286-9827 to book a Princess Hawai’i sailing.
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