After an almost two month absence WE’RE BACK!!!!!! Sadly we may also be a little rusty too – sorry…
Cunard announced that QM2 will spend almost a month in Australia next year…
A passenger is accused of doing something stupid on Carnival Paradise…
Celebrity Eclipse makes the River Ems transit…
Crystal offers Cosmonaut training…
Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean announce their 2011 European deployments, and Royal Caribbean announces that year round cruising will continue in 2011 from Baltimore and New York.
We also took a look at the idox Traveler iPod case. For some reason I kept calling this a dock – it’s not, it’s a case. Bottom line, we were impressed with it for what it is. To purchase one or for more information visit the idox website. Sorry Zune fans, this one is only available for iPods…
We also had a quick review of Brian David Bruns’ book Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline. Mr. Bruns was and may still be the only American to successfully complete a contract in the dining rooms of Carnival without quiting or transferring to a different department.
It was a relatively quiet week this week – plus Chuck is back and well we like you all… but Chuck’s been gone for a while and all…
Anyway in the luxury segment, Crystal is expanding it’s luxury hotel partnerships and Cunard will be showcasing Julliard School students during many trans-Atlantic sailings on QM2.
Disney is revamping their youth programs by adding some unique Disney twists, sadly they’re also bringing back fuel supplements for some too…
Finally, cruise ship Norovirus outbreaks were down significantly in 2009 even though more people were cruising in 2009 than in previous years…
The Pierre New York and the King George Palace in Athens are among the plush properties added to Crystal Cruises’ roster of 2010 “Classic” and “Classic Plus” Hotel Programs ashore. From Venice’s venerable Hotel Cipriani to the celebrated Dorchester in London, Crystal is inviting guests to extend their cruise vacations with pre- and post-cruise stays at the world’s most exclusive hotels and resorts. The Crystal Adventures Hotel Program features a collection of 33 renowned hotels and resorts in 21 cities around the world, including three new properties.
Other noted hotel partners for 2010 include the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte Carlo and Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, as well as several Four Seasons, Ritz-Carltons, and InterContinentals. In Athens, Barcelona, Dubai, London, Rome and Venice, Crystal offers a variety of shoreside options.
Each property in the Crystal Adventures Hotel Program is carefully selected for its location, level of service, ambience and attention to detail. Many are destinations unto themselves with rich histories, famed architecture, and storied pasts of noted guests and celebrities.
The Crystal “Classic” Hotel Program includes meet and assist arrangements at the airport; transfers from the airport to the hotel; all hotel tax and porterage; a Crystal hospitality desk at the hotel; and transfers from the hotel to the ship for special priority embarkation. The “Classic Plus” Hotel Program also offers upgraded accommodations, full breakfast daily, and private car transfers between the airport and hotel.
Crystal Adventures Hotel Program pricing begins at $225 per person, double occupancy, for the first night of stay, depending on city and property selected, with reduced rates available for second and third nights.
On our last show before the holidays we start off with an important travel tip…. and then we’re off with the news.
Last week was a mess along the Gulf Coast with fog causing delays all along the Gulf of Mexico.
Crystal announces who will be joining their 2010 Presidents Cruise and also is inviting kids to sail free on two European itineraries.
NCL will be celebrating 10 years of Freestyle Cruising next year and we have some details on Queen Victoria’s maiden call to San Francisco next month.
We also have more details about Oceania’s newest ship Marina.
Veendam apparently has some issues with Hamilton Bermuda…
Crystal Cruises invites kids 17 and under to cruise for free on two Crystal Symphony European voyages this summer. The new offer, valid for children sailing in a third berth with two full-fare adults, is available for Crystal Symphony’s seven-day British Isles and Baltic itineraries:
14, Roundtrip London – The “Ballads of Britain” cruise includes calls at London, England; Guernsey/St. Peter Port, Channel Islands; Waterford, Dublin and Belfast, Ireland; and Liverpool, England.
August 7, Copenhagen to Stockholm – The “Russian Inspiration” voyage visits Copenhagen, Denmark; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (two nights); and Stockholm, Sweden.
Junior Activities Directors will be on board to oversee dozens of organized activities from arts and crafts and story time for little ones to dance and pool parties for older kids and teenagers. As with all summer and holiday cruises, Crystal’s Northern European summer voyages also feature destination-related enrichment for junior cruisers, like “dress-up” photo sessions in traditional Russian costumes, or scavenger hunts promoting fun facts about Stockholm.
Crystal’s purpose-built Fantasia and Waves children’s and teens’ facilities – rare in luxury cruising – also feature events and top video games and toys.
Also ideal for families, Crystal’s Family Memories program offers two savings options: $500 credit toward a Crystal Private Adventure, kids under 17 sail free in third berth, plus other perks for six full-fare bookings; all of this, plus one complimentary berth for 10 full-fare bookings.
Two-for-one cruise fares start at $4,210 for the British Isles cruise, and $4,375 for the Baltic itinerary, per person, double occupancy, and include $1,000 per couple All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard credits, complimentary air transportation and business class air for Penthouse guests. The credits and air transportation apply only to full-fare bookings.
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