In an industry first, in July 2008, Crystal Cruises is debuting revolutionary Kinesis™ fitness equipment aboard its ultra-luxury ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The equipment capitalizes on the use of cable resistance in all planes of movement, and simultaneously incorporates several areas of fitness: strength, flexibility and balance. According to The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, cable-based equipment can produce twice the fitness results as single plane exercises.
Kinesis™ equipment comprises a series of panels, grips, weight stacks and cables that enable 360-degree movement, allowing for more than 250 possible exercises, with benefits that include:
- Enhanced strength, balance and flexibility;
- Easy to use, customizable workouts to meet various physical fitness levels;
- Full body involvement, enabling the user to engage several muscles groups simultaneously;
- No impact exercises, utilizing fluid natural movements
Designed for individual use with a personal trainer, the one-hour Kinesis™ personal training sessions are $100, or $254 for three sessions. Crystal’s fitness directors report a 77% increase in personal training on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity from 2006 to 2007.
Princess has lowered the cabin deposit requirements for new bookings on summer 2009 voyages and beyond.
Effective immediately, all bookings* will require a deposit of just 20% of the cruise or cruisetour fare, reduced from the previously announced 30% requirement.
The World Cruise deposit will remain at 10% for the initial deposit.
After the much-anticipated Wii Fit system debuted across the country last month, Princess unveils this fitness innovation at sea this week after shipboard staff completed special onboard trainings with Nintendo team members. Princess is the first cruise line to offer passengers the chance to get their hearts pumping with the headline-grabbing new release on Wii.
All Princess ships, which have long featured Nintendo’s popular Wii systems onboard, add the revolutionary Wii Fit balance games, challenging passengers of all ages to put their athletic skills to the test with active video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop or heading soccer balls. Exciting family competitions will be held onboard — including on the dramatic Movies Under the Stars poolside screens. Youth and teen centers will also offer younger cruisers the opportunity to participate in Wii Fit activities throughout their vacation.
Peter Deilmann Cruises has announced that it is now accepting bookings for its 2009 schedule of European river cruises. Price increases in 2009 were held to 5% on all cruise-only departures. A fuel surcharge of $10 per night per passenger will be collected in 2009; 2008 sailings do not have a fuel surcharge.
Peter Deilmann Cruises, known for its eight luxury river ships – four- and five-star vessels that are small floating hotels with exceptional passenger-to-crew ratios of 2.5 to 1, is offering 255 deluxe European river sailings between March 22 and November 8, 2009 — sailing the classic rivers of Europe on 7- to 14-night cruises with the vast majority running seven nights. The cruises intimately explore the main arteries and byways of these rivers and provide memorable visits to countryside villages and sophisticated cities.
The Danube River is the focus of weekly cruises of two five-star Deilmann ships — the Mozart and Casanova — that sail round-trip from Passau in southeastern Germany, just two hours from Munich. One-week cruises of these two vessels call at Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and picturesque wine villages and small towns in Austria and Hungary, including Melk, Esztergom and Dürnstein. 10- and 11-night cruises between Passau and Romania’s Tulcea are offered in June and July. One-week cruises are $1,610 to $5,120 per person, double.
The Elbe, Havel and Moldau Rivers as well as the historic cities of Berlin, Dresden, Prague and Potsdam are on the cruise itineraries of the five-star Katharina von Bora and the Frederic Chopin on weekly sailings between Potsdam, just outside of Berlin, and Prague, while the five-star Dresden makes it way along the Elbe River between Dresden and Hamburg. All three deluxe ships take in the smaller towns of Wittenberg, Meissen and Bad Schandau, offering a full spectrum of sightseeing opportunities — Fortress Königstein, the birthplace of Martin Luther’s Reformation, Meissen’s world famous porcelain and Saechische Schwiez National Park are examples. Seven-night cruises are $1,625 to $3,895.
The five-star Cézanne and four-star Princesse de Provence, both popular with Americans, sail along France’s most appealing rivers: the Seine, roundtrip from Paris and between Paris and Rouen, and the Rhône and Saône, roundtrip from Lyon and between Lyon and Arles. The 148-passenger Princesse de Provence sails the Rhône and Saône, putting in at Arles, full of exceptionally well preserved Roman ruins; Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy; Vienne, whose Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is home to many beautiful 11th- and 12th-century murals; and Mâcon, birthplace of the romance poet Alphonse de Lamartine. Fares range from $1,545 to $2,430.
The 100-passenger Cézanne, completely renovated in 2006, travels the romantic Seine. Highlights include Giverny, best known for Monet’s house and gardens; Les Andelys, set beneath Château Gaillard, the most famous castle on the Seine; Rouen, the half-timbered city where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake; and picturesque Honfleur. Prices are $1,700 to $3,500.
Among the 110-passenger Heidelberg’s itineraries are seven-night cruises roundtrip from the capital city of Amsterdam to large and small Dutch cities – Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Middleberg and the historic Flemish cities of Ghent, Antwerp and Volendam in Belgium. Amsterdam to Mainz (Frankfurt) sailings combine the Rhine and Moselle Rivers calling at the modern port city of Rotterdam, historic and art-filled Cologne with its grand cathedral, Koblenz at the confluence of the two rivers, and the Rhine wine town of Rüdesheim. Seven-night classic Rhine itineraries, between Amsterdam and the centuries-old Swiss city of Basel, offer ports in four countries — Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. Other offerings aboard the Heidelberg include four-night sailings between Düsseldorf and Basel, a six-night cruise from Düsseldorf to Amsterdam and seven-night itineraries between Amsterdam and Trier, Trier and Basel, Basel and Cologne, and Cologne and Trier. Fares range from $1,615 to $2,965.
The Deilmann ships provide relaxing travel through the heart of Europe on a deluxe European floating hotel without the bother of packing and unpacking. The river cruises are designed for both the first-time and frequent vacationer who likes traveling in comfort with attentive service and fine dining. Dining on board is single seating on all the vessels and the cuisine is continental. Mid-afternoon tea and coffee is served every day both on deck and in the lounge and there is a late evening buffet. The friendly, multi-lingual staffs are there to cater to passengers’ every wish. A non-smoking policy applies to the interiors of all Peter Deilmann River vessels.
Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new class of private touring that offers more choices and convenience for guests wishing to explore ports of call however they want, whenever they want. From a private horseback riding lesson through the Tuscan countryside to chartering a catamaran to sail through the glacier-carved fjords of Alaska, these ultimate VIP tours provide options for small groups from two to 18 people. Ultimate Touring is available at all of NCL’s ports of call and can be booked pre-cruise or on board at each ship’s Shore Excursion Desk.
NCL estimates that than 60 percent of cruisers look for personalized shore excursion options* during their sailing, so this unique tour concept allows guests to discover Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Hawai’i, Mexico and South American ports at their own pace. These once-in-a-lifetime tours include:
- Helsinki, Finland – Archipelago Speed Boat Adventure: Guests jump on board a high speed boat and enjoy the sites on the way toward the narrow straight “Kustaanmiekka,” and then go full throttle. After getting a taste of the speed on water, guests will land ashore amidst the archipelago. Here, they will be treated to a Finish-style culinary experience and sample a taste of Finnish beer.
- Stockholm, Sweden – Rooftop Walk: During a guided walk conducted along the roofs of this historic city, guests will be stunned by the fantastic views and fascinating stories of a local guide. Tour locations include the Old Parliament Building, the Gamla Stan quarter and the Royal Palace.
- Livorno, Italy – 4×4 Rally Experience: From Lamborghinis to Ferraris, Italians have a passion for cars, and now NCL guests can too at the famous Rally Club of Barga. The experience begins at the pier where a 4×4 car and driver take guests for a ride of approximately one and a half hours through the Tuscan landscape. Once at the club, a professional driver gives tips on navigating the full mountain course where guests are able to drive through the obstacles.
- Valletta, Malta – Aerial View of Maltese Islands: Taking off from the spectacular Grand Harbor on a float plane, this 60-minute tour gives guests the chance to enjoy the beautiful archipelago from 1,500 feet in the air.
- Ketchikan, Alaska – NCL’s Freestyle Private Touring: An Alaskan’s Chef Table: A six-course tasting menu is planned to highlight Alaska’s sustainable, wild bounty. A personal chef serves a succulent meal while sharing secret methods of brining, roasting, smoking and grilling.
NCL also offers exclusive four- and nine-hour tours in a private vehicle-a car (up to two guests) or minivan (up to seven guests)-which allows complete freedom for guests to maximize their time by exploring only the places that interest them.
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