Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer two Antarctica itineraries aboard the world’s top-rated expedition cruise ship, Minerva (formerly Explorer II) in 2009.Sailing the Falkland Islands, Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula, guests aboard Minerva will explore the White Continent in stylish comfort, accompanied by respected naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists. The journey will be highlighted by complimentary Zodiac tours and enlightening shore excursions featuring abundant glacier and wildlife viewing opportunities. Explorer II will be re-named Minerva (after the fabled Roman goddess of poetry and wisdom, and inventor of music), following a summer 2008 dry-dock, during which the ship will receive new furnishings, carpeting and additional amenities.
“Unlike Antarctica cruises aboard today’s large cruise ships, Minerva’s smaller size and special Zodiac tours ensure our guests an abundance of unforgettable moments,” said Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas. “Our guests will share enriching insight into the seldom-visited Antarctic frontier from our onboard naturalists, all under the knowledgeable guidance of our expert expedition team.”
Setting sail on January 14 to 25 and January 25 to February 8, 2009, both voyages begin with visits to the Falkland Islands’ wildlife-rich shores and the quaint village of Port Stanley. Minerva then cruises to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula (with opportunities for disembarkation and exploration as weather permits), followed by a transit of the Drake Passage. Before returning to Ushuaia, Argentina, Minerva will sail along Cape Horn, at the confluence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The 14-night cruise on January 25 adds a call at South Georgia Island, featuring large colonies of king penguins, fur and elephant seals.
Both itineraries include a one-night, pre-cruise stay in Santiago, Chile; roundtrip charter flights from Santiago to Ushuaia; a city tour and Patagonian lunch on embarkation day in Ushuaia; and a complimentary backpack and parka. All Zodiac excursions are also included.
Minerva offers a degree of comfort unmatched in Antarctic cruising. Rated among the world’s top small cruise ships by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, Minerva looks and feels like a small country hotel. But a strong steel foundation, including an ice-strengthened hull, ensures a safe navigation through these waters. Inside, Minerva offers all oceanview suites and staterooms, two open-seating restaurants, a full-service health club and a salon. Designed to carry up to 394 guests in Antarctica, Regent limits the ship’s capacity to just 198 guests for maximum comfort. Fewer guests mean more excursions each day and a higher crew-to-guest ratio (1 to 1.5).
Per person prices for Regent’s Antarctica programs start from $10,495 for the 11-night voyage and $12,895 for the 14-night voyage, based on double occupancy. Fares include free Economy Class air from select U.S./Canadian gateways or $1,200 off the cruise fare.
As with all Regent Seven Seas cruises, fares include all shipboard gratuities and complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Regent Seven Seas Cruises Posted by Michael on 02/28/08
Princess will offer its most extensive European season to date in 2009, featuring more sailings and new opportunities for cruisers to explore everything from the romantic waters of the Mediterranean and Greek Isles to cosmopolitan capitals and the stunning scenery of the continent’s northern reaches. Ruby Princess and Tahitian Princess make their European debuts on a season that features nine new itineraries and 11 new ports of call. Travelers not only can choose to explore the historic highlights of the Mediterranean and Greek Isles aboard Ruby Princess, but can choose from a variety of new sailing options aboard the intimate Tahitian Princess, including a series of 18-day mid-summer “Top of the World” itineraries between New York and London that feature Iceland and Greenland. The season also features 50 percent more departures to the historic Holy Land.
In total, Princess’ 2009 Europe program features a six-ship fleet sailing on 90 voyages of 36 different itineraries to 132 ports and destinations. Sailing choices range from seven to 31 days, during a season that runs from April 10 to November 30. Cruises open for sale on March 14, 2008.
Princess’ six-ship fleet not only offers a diverse choice of ships — ranging from 670- to 3,070-passenger options — but also a variety of destinations. In addition to the Ruby Princess and Tahitian Princess European debuts, Emerald Princess will take over the popular Scandinavia & Russia itineraries, Crown Princess will sail to Northern Europe, the British Isles and the Mediterranean. Grand Princess will cruise to the Mediterranean from London as well as the Greek Isles and Egypt, and Royal Princess will embark on journeys to the Holy Land, Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Eleven new ports debut, offering some intriguing new options for world explorers. They include Sochi, a Russian resort city on the eastern shores of the Black Sea which will be home to the 2014 Olympics; Murmansk (Russia), the largest city north of the Arctic Circle; Lule? (Sweden), the gateway to Lapland, located in the Gulf of Bothnia; Mariehamn (Finland), a charming destination on ?land Island, between Sweden and Finland; Klaipeda (Lithuania), Lithuania’s primary seaport; Barrow, for visits to England’s picturesque Lake District; Seydisfjordur (Iceland), noted for its picturesque community of well-preserved wooden buildings; Grundarfjordur (Iceland), known for dramatic natural beauty, particularly the impressive Sn?fellsjokull Glacier; Kristiansand, a historic Norwegian seaport; Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city in Morocco; and St. Pierre et Miquelon, a bit of France off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada.
Escape Fares for 10-day Europe sailings start at $1,640 per person, based on double occupancy. Princess’ Europe cruises will be the first to offer Captain’s Circle Launch Savings, a new discount for past passengers. This $100 per person discount is available to Captain’s Circle members who make their Europe bookings by September 30, 2008, and will remain combinable with subsequent promotions.
The highlights of Princess’ 2009 European season can be found by clicking on “more” below
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Princess Cruises Posted by Michael on 02/28/08
Oceania Cruises is pleased to announce the first design details of its new Oceania-Class ships that are scheduled for delivery in 2010 and 2011. The ships, to be constructed in Fincantieri’s Sestre Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy, have been designed by the world’s foremost architects of luxury ships, Y&S Architecture and Interior Design of Oslo, Norway. Y&S has been retained to design all of the public spaces, suites and staterooms, and Gunnar Aaserud, a Partner and Executive Architect at Y&S, who has done extensive work on the line’s Regatta-Class ships, is leading the design team for the Oceania-Class.The new Oceania-Class has been designed with all the signature elements that guests and travel agents cherish, and the décor will be imbued with the same warmth and charm that the Regatta-Class is renowned for. Signature public spaces will include Martinis, Horizons, The Patio, and a Grand Staircase that sweeps up both sides of the lobby. The color palette will feature a mixture of dulcet tones which will be accented and offset by earthen and jewel tones, while an eclectic assemblage of furnishings and accent pieces will create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that more closely resembles that of a fine home or manor.
The new ships will be awash in rich, dark woods, Italian marble, lustrous granite, fine wool carpets and sumptuous leather. No expense is being spared to create an array of spacious, yet intimate public spaces and luxurious staterooms and suites.
The new ships will accommodate 1,252 guests in 626 staterooms and suites who will be served by more than 780 staff members. 96% of all accommodations will feature private teak verandas and guests will dine in their choice of six open seating restaurants.
Deck by deck highlights can be found by clickig on “more” below.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Oceania Cruises Posted by Michael on 02/28/08
NCL announced that for the first time in the company’s 41-year history, it will deploy a ship year-round in Europe. The 2,400 passenger Norwegian Jade will sail a variety of itineraries in Europe year-round, extending its inaugural season in Europe that begins on March 30, 2008. The ship will now remain in Europe full time through to the spring of 2010 instead of the current seasonal deployment that was to end in November 2008. As part of this year-round deployment, NCL is introducing three new European itineraries - a series of 12-day Eastern Mediterranean sailings and nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco sailings, along with a 14-day Eastern Mediterranean holiday cruise, all roundtrip from Barcelona.
Norwegian Jade’s new European sailings from November 2008 through April 2009 go on sale March 3, 2008. The balance of the new deployment through to spring 2010 will be opened for sale shortly thereafter.
Norwegian Jade’s new 12-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise includes stops in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey; an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt; and Valletta, Malta. Highlights of the nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco itinerary include five ports of call: Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Granada (Málaga), Spain. In addition, Norwegian Jade will sail a special 14-night Eastern Mediterranean holiday sailing on December 21, 2008, that includes Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples, Italy; an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt; Rhodes, Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey, Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Valletta, Malta.
For guests booked on Norwegian Jade’s 12-day transatlantic sailing or seven-, 10- or 11-day sailings from New York from mid-December through April 2009, NCL is offering the opportunity to move their reservations to comparable sailings on Norwegian Gem. Guests who make the change will receive full price protection and a $100 on-board credit per person (maximum $200 per stateroom). Additionally, NCL will pay for air changes fees (up to $100 per person) or hotel cancellations fees (up to $50 per room) for guests who booked air or hotels on their own. Air and hotel booked through NCL will be protected at the original rate. Guests who choose to sail on a different NCL sailing (other than the one offered) will receive a $50 on-board credit per person (maximum $100 per stateroom) on another voyage. Guests who instead wish to cancel will receive a full refund.
Guests booked on the December 12, 2008 two-day weekend getaway will receive a full refund and a $25 per person future cruise credit certificate.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Norwegian Cruise Line Posted by Michael on 02/25/08
Things continue to be a bit slow on the news front but we did have a few stories to discuss this week.
Carnival is introducing a program geared just for ‘tweens, and Crystal is offering VIP access to the British Open and several golf courses.
Finally, a crewmember disappeared from Celebrity Constellation and Meyer Werft has announced that Celebrity will be ordering a fifth Solstice Class ship.
This week we talked about kids programs. The fact is kids are a driver of family vacation decisions, as a result almost every cruise line has special offerings just for kids. However depending on the age groups, some lines are better than others. We take a quick look at the best offerings in each age group.
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