Disney Virtual Destinations Night

Please Join Me For A Very Special
Disney Hour!

Get the SCOOP on Disney!
Find Out About the Magical Moments and Exciting Adventures
Awaiting You and Your Family on Every
Disney Cruise and Fun-Filled Destination!

Where? Webinar
When? Thursday, March 11th, 9 PM Eastern
Why? Because we like you !

By Invitation Only - call or email me for invite

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You're Invited - Virtual Disney Cruise Night March 11th

Powerful Quake Hits Chile Tsunami Alert

Source: USGS, NEIC

Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake
Offshore Maule, Chile

Saturday, February 27, 2010
03:34:14 AM at epicenter

Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

A powerful Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake hit offshore Maule, Chile early Saturday morning damaging buildings, bridges, and vehicles while causing severe injury and death in its path. President-elect Sebastian Pinera said more than 120 people died, but that number was rising quickly.



A series of after shocks continues to strike the continent of South America. The quake shook buildings in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires, and was felt as far away as Sao Paulo in Brazil — 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) to the east.

Charities and governments of the world have mobilized to provide humanitarian aide to Chile. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people impacted by this tragedy.

(see below for impact on cruise ships)

THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO AREAS WITHIN AND BORDERING THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS...

This energy map provided courtesy of

West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

NOAA Interactive map (click here)

UPDATE: Sunday, February 28th
TSUNAMI WARNINGS LIFTED

As the tsunami waves, generated by the Chile earthquake, reached the shores of Japan and Russia there was a sigh of relief across the globe. The waves were smaller than expected causing minimal flooding in most cases.

A WIDESPREAD TSUNAMI WARNING

IS IN EFFECT FOR ...

CHILE / PERU / ECUADOR / COLOMBIA / ANTARCTICA / PANAMA /
COSTA RICA / NICARAGUA / PITCAIRN / HONDURAS / EL SALVADOR /
GUATEMALA / FR. POLYNESIA / MEXICO / COOK ISLANDS / KIRIBATI /
KERMADEC IS / NIUE / NEW ZEALAND / TONGA / AMERICAN SAMOA /
SAMOA / JARVIS IS. / WALLIS-FUTUNA / TOKELAU / FIJI /
AUSTRALIA / HAWAII / PALMYRA IS. / TUVALU / VANUATU /
HOWLAND-BAKER / NEW CALEDONIA / JOHNSTON IS. /
SOLOMON IS. /NAURU / MARSHALL IS. / MIDWAY IS. / KOSRAE /
PAPUA NEW GUINEA /POHNPEI / WAKE IS. / CHUUK / RUSSIA /
MARCUS IS. / INDONESIA /N. MARIANAS / GUAM / YAP / BELAU /
JAPAN / PHILIPPINES /CHINESE TAIPEI

RSS feeds have been added (right column) bringing you latest updates from the
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Hawaii Under Tsunami Warning

UPDATE: THE TSUNAMI WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 0138 PM HST. (more information)

A tsunami has been generated as a result of the quake in Chile. The tsunami could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii. Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.

THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII
OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS

1105 AM HST SAT 27 FEB 2010

Tsunami warning sirens awakened residents and tourists in Hawaii, Polynesia, and Tonga this morning. We received a report from friends in Maui that the first waves aren't expected until around 11 AM HST (4 PM EST), so they have plenty of time to head for higher ground. Stores were crowded early this morning as residents gathered emergency supplies.

Hilo airport to close; other airports remain open

Hawaii could face its largest waves since 1964 according to Charles McCreery, director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Officials evacuated people and boats near the water and closed shore-side Hilo International Airport at 6 A.M. today in conjunction with preparations for the arrival of a possible tsunami. Anyone with flights booked to Hilo are advised to contact their airline.

Other state airports remain open at this time and flight operations have not been impacted.

French Polynesia on tsunami alert after Chile quake

The first wave was expected to hit the French Polynesian Gambier islands at 1550 GMT, then Tahiti at 1750 GMT and Bora Bora at 1815 GMT, the French Polynesia High Commissioner said in a statement.

"Danger will persist for at least two hours after the first wave hits and magnitudes could be rising," the statement said.

Residents were asked to move away from the shores and seek high ground, it added.

North American Pacific Coast under Tsunami Warning

Estimated Times for Arrival for North American Pacific coast can be viewed by clicking here.

Link to Printable Message

What is a Tsunami?

A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5 to 15 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands. All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face. The trough of a tsunami wave may temporarily expose the seafloor but the area will quickly flood again. Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power. Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard. (More information here)

Australia Issues National Tsunami Warning

Issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) at 6:50 AM EDT on Sunday 28 February 2010. Maps showing the affected areas are on the Bureau web site.

We will provide continuing coverage of the tsunami danger to land and cruise ships in its path. This tsunami has the potential of threatening every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly a quarter of the globe.

Japan Issues Major Tsunami Warning

While Hawaii seems to have dodged the bullet, Japan is still predicting a major tsunami event. A major tsunami means waves will be in excess of 3 meters. (current advisories)

Important Links:

There is a lot of detailed information on each of the Tsunami Warning Center websites so be sure to check out the various links for up to the minute information for your area of interest.

U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre

Japan Meterology Agency

NOAA Tsunami Page ( Chile event Feb 27, 2010 )

Propagation animation

DART® real-time tsunami monitoring systems, developed by PMEL, are positioned at strategic locations throughout the ocean and play a critical role in tsunami forecasting.

DART® (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis)

IMPACT on CRUISE SHIPS

Live Cruise Ship and Ocean Liner Tracking:

Interactive tracking map See where ships are relative to tropical storms.

Holland America Ships Safe (issues following statement)

The four Holland America Line ships that are operating in the Pacific Ocean at this time were not impacted. The ms Veendam was in protected waters in Chile when the earthquake occurred while the ms Zaandam and ms Maasdam are in open ocean and will remain there until the risk of the tsunami wave has passed. ms Rotterdam is safely docked in Puerto Caldera. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and make adjustments to itineraries if needed.

At Holland America Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority.

Holland America Cruise Line Travel Advisory (Monitor this link for updates)


Princess Cruises Monitoring Chile Earthquake / Tsunami (issues following statement)

We are aware of various tsunami warnings as a result of the magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile this morning. Any potential impact to our fleet has been reviewed thoroughly. As a result, some changes to port calls today and tomorrow have been made to ensure the safety of our passengers and crew. Passengers are being kept updated onboard.

Earthquake in Chile and Tsunami Warnings (complete details of 2/27 advisory)

Update March 1st:

Star Princess departure from Valparaiso, Chile delayed due to flight problems at Santiago Airport. Passengers from both cruises being allowed onboard. Read complete details:

Update on Star Princess Turnaround in Valparaiso, Chile -- March 2

Princess Cruises News (monitor this link for any additional advisories)

The Port of Auckland was closed today and five ships were ordered to move into deep water until the threat of a tsunami passed.

Dawn Princess arrived earlier and many passengers had already gone ashore when it was ordered out to sea. Don't worry, it will be back to collect the passengers in time to continue to their next port of call.



Info for Norwegian Sun & Pride of America Guests

Pride of America Guests
Because of a tsunami warning, the Port of Honolulu has been closed. Pride of America which was scheduled to dock in Honolulu this morning will spend the day at sea until the port reopens. The safety of the ship's passengers and crew is of the utmost importance. While at sea, this situation does not in any way compromise the safety and security of our passengers and crew.

At this time, we anticipate that the port will re-open at 5 pm local time in Hawaii. Pride of America should be alongside shortly after that and we expect that the next cruise will depart later this evening. Guests traveling to Honolulu or already in Honolulu for the ship's next voyage should call Norwegian Cruise Line at 800-327-7030.

Norwegian Sun Guests
Norwegian Sun is in Montevideo, Uruguay today as scheduled. The ship will arrive in Buenos Aires, Brazil tomorrow as scheduled and embark guests on the February 28, 2010 cruise. We are closely monitoring the situation in Chile and will keep guests updated as to any changes to the current scheduled itinerary.

Norwegian Cruise Line Advisory (monitor this link for any changes)


Celebrity Cruises Monitoring Chile Earthquake / Tsunami

Celebrity Infinity - 14-Night South America, Buenos Aires to Valparaiso is scheduled to depart February 28, 2010. As of this writing it Celebrity has not modified the itinerary. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.



Here are some additional weather links which may be helpful.

NWS - Local Weather

NWS - Mexico
Cabo San Lucas (weather.com)
Acalpulco (weather.com)
Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Spanish)

My thanks to the various Tsunami Warning Centers (above) which were my source for diagrams used in this post. This information has been provided in the interest of public education and awareness of the impending danger. Please stay safe - stay away from the water when the tsunami approaches.

Carnival Announces Price Increases

Photo courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

Wave Season Ending Soon
Prices to Increase

Do you remember my post, Now is the Time, from last December? In that post, I told you that in a meeting that I had with cruise line executives, they foretold of increasing prices. Ladies and Gentlemen ... That Day Is HERE.

For those not familiar with the term "Wave Season", this is the most important time for the cruise line industry during the year. It runs from mid-January through early Spring and besides being the most important time, it is also the busiest time.

Carnival Cruise Line announced yesterday that they have seen record bookings for the current Wave Season and as a result of the strong reservation activity for 2010 departures, have announced a general price increase that will become effective March 22nd.

Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill said, "We're seeing significantly increased volume as consumers are taking advantage of the incredible value that a Carnival cruise provides. And while pricing hasn't fully recovered to 2008 levels, we are increasing prices and will implement an across-the-board increase effective March 22."

He said that the price increases will vary by departure date but will be up to 5 percent.

Cahill attributed the record booking activity to a wide range of factors, including strong travel agent partner support, targeted marketing initiatives, itinerary enhancements and the wide variety of close-to-home departure points.

Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 15 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England and Europe.

Carnival also has two new ships on order -- the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, which is scheduled for delivery in 2011, and a sister ship set to debut in 2012.

So, just as I predicted last December, this is only the first of many such announcements which I've been expecting. If you have plans to take a summer vacation with your family this year, I strongly encourage you to book now. We are here to help you. As Cruise Specialists, we are experts in finding the right cruise to meet your requirements. Even with price increases, a cruise is still the best travel value out there.

Currently we are featuring Up to a 2-Category Upgrade on Carnival. Find More Carnival Cruises Here.

Azamara Club Europe 2010

Azamara Reinvents Cruise Line
Offers Rewards to Europe

There is no better time to sail on Azamara Club Cruises to Europe. These special rewards are available on all 2010 Europe voyages for Club Oceanview Stateroom bookings and above.

2-for-1 offer: applies to voyages departing 25-Apr-10 through 30-Apr-11 made by 31-Dec-10. Quoted prices on Sailings for Azamara Club Cruises reflect 2-for-1 savings. Savings based on brochure pricing as found on azamaraclubcruises.com/rates. 2-for-1 savings is available on select categories and is subject to change.

Onboard Credit (OBC) offer is valid for new individual bookings made by 31-Mar-10 and excludes interior staterooms. OBC is in U.S. Dollars; per stateroom; has no cash value; is not redeemable for cash; is not transferable; cannot be combined with other onboard credits on the same reservation; and will expire at 10 pm on the last evening of the guests' voyage. Guests purchasing single occupancy rates will receive the full suite/stateroom rate. No consumer redemption form required. No action required by agent. OBC will be applied by Azamara Club Cruises to applicable bookings within 15 days of booking.

Free Veranda Upgrade offer: Offer is valid for bookings made through 31-Mar-10.

Additional Terms & Conditions apply - contact your Cruise Specialist for complete details.

$500 Onboard Credit

2-for-1 SAVINGS*
- AND -
CLUB VERANDA VIEWS
FOR THE PRICE OF A CLUB
OCEANVIEW STATEROOM*

Bookings made by February 28, 2010 March 31, 2010 will enjoy current rates. Beginning March 1, 2010 rates will increase depending on availability.

Sailings for Azamara Club Cruises

Johnny Rockets at Sea Special Offer

February Dining Offer

Book any category stateroom and receive a
Complimentary Johnny Rockets Experience for up to Four Guests
AND Dinner for Two in a Specialty Restaurant
AND One Passport to Savings Onboard Value Booklet!

You are in the middle of the ocean on a cruise ship and all of a sudden you get a craving for a juicy hamburger and a milk shake. What do you do? Hopefully you are on a Royal Caribbean ship that has a Johnny Rockets Hamburger restaurant onboard, such as on the Oasis of the Seas.


A burger, fries, and shake does sound really good, doesn't it. We thought it might, so for a limited time only we are offering a unique dining experience onboard select Royal Caribbean Cruises.

If you've not tried a specialty restaurant before, this is a great way to experience one.

Applicable Sailings:

ANY 7-Night or longer Royal Caribbean cruise

departing between March 15 – June 30, 2010

For ships that do not have specialty dining and/or Johnny Rockets, a bottle of wine will be substituted.

Booking Window:
February 24 – March 31, 2010

Limit one dining experience in Johnny Rockets, one specialty dining experience, and one booklet per booking. New reservations only, excluding group bookings. Additional restrictions apply. For complete Terms & conditions of this offer, call or email me.

Royal Treatment Free Spa Offer

EXCLUSIVE
ROYAL CARIBBEAN OFFER

Book an Oceanview or above by February 28, 2010 and get dollars off!
PLUS: Receive a FREE Spa Treatment on ANY 5-Night or longer cruise
departing between April 1 - December 31, 2010!

What's your favorite indulgence when on a cruise vacation? For me, it's one or more spa treatments on sea days. My favorite is actually hot stones, but there are other treatments that are just as fabulous.

For just a few more days, we are offering an exclusive offer which includes a FREE Spa Treatment* for one lucky passenger in each cabin sailing in Oceanview or above cabins on ANY 5-night or longer Royal Caribbean sailing.

*Click here for Terms & Conditions of Dollars Off and FREE Spa Treatment offer

Bookings applicable to receive spa offer will choose among one of three of the spa treatments: La Thérapie Hydrolift Facial; Swedish Massage; Reflexology including Massage.

Find More Royal Caribbean Cruises Here.

My first massage was on a ship about ten years ago. I've been having regular massages since that time. Massages are good for relaxation and health. Book by February 28th to take advantage of this limited-time offer.

Carnival Announces 2011 Holiday Sailings

Carnival Cruise Lines | FUN FOR ALL. ALL FOR FUN®

Holiday Sailings 2011

Over the next few months Carnival Cruise Lines will be opening sailings through the first quarter of 2012. The following are now open for sale:

Carnival Splendor from Long Beach

• Special Holiday Sailing (12/18/11) 6-day Mexican Riviera to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
• Special Holiday Sailing (12/24/11) 8-day Mexican Riviera to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

Carnival Victory from San Juan/Barbados

• Special Holiday Sailing (12/18/11) 8-day Southern Caribbean from San Juan to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.
• Special Holiday Sailing (12/26/11) 6-day Southern Caribbean from San Juan to Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and St. Thomas.
• Special Holiday Sailing (12/21/11) 7-day Southern Caribbean from Barbados to St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and San Juan.
• Special Holiday Sailing (12/28/11) 7-day Southern Caribbean from Barbados to St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, St. Thomas (again) and Dominica.
  

Holiday Sailings remain some of the most popular cruises of the entire year. Pricing and cabin availability are best when booked well in advance. Every year I have disappointed families that aren't able to find cabins of their choosing because they simply waited too long to make their reservations. Don't even think about getting a last minute "deal" - it just won't be there. With Carnival's Early Saver program, you can enjoy Price Protection (click below for details).

Mexican Riviera & Southern Caribbean
thru April, 2012

Carnival Splendor from Long Beach

• 7-day Mexican Riviera, 5/01/11-4/29/12.

Carnival Victory from San Juan/Barbados

• 7-day Southern Caribbean from San Juan, 5/01/11-4/29/12.
• 7-day Southern Caribbean from Barbados, 4/27/11-4/25/12.

Learn More about Early Saver

A la Carte Princess Alaska Cruisetours

More time at Denali, more flexibility and a great value!

Princess Cruises' new Alaska A la Carte cruisetours allow guests to customize their vacation any way they please. These 10- to 12-night options include at least three days at Denali which is definitely the highlight of any land tour in Alaska.

A la Carte land and sea vacations feature:

• At least three days at Denali at Princess wilderness lodges, offering two perspectives of the park
• Alaska's top two attractions — Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks
• A 7-day cruise, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway
• Two unforgettable glacier-viewing experiences
• Scenic rail travel through the heart of Alaska via Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service — a Princess exclusive
• No scheduled activities, so you can customize your vacation with a range of optional excursions

Standard cruisetours include some activities, while A la Carte tours offer more free time at Denali — at least one extra day.

Learn more:

Denali on Sale - Princess Cruisetours

The choice is yours - standard cruisetour or custom designed to fit your needs. For a limited time, Denali is on sale. I've had some disappointed guests already - they waited too long and their first choice was sold out. Contact me today to learn more about a Princess Alaska cruise vacation.

The Bon Voyage Experience

THE BON VOYAGE EXPERIENCESM

Princess Cruises revives a nostalgic cruising tradition with the new Bon Voyage Experience, allowing family and friends to come aboard and wish passengers a wonderful trip before they sail!

As a Princess Commodore, I've received advanced information about an exciting new program starting this spring aboard many of Princess Cruise Ships.

If you are a long-time cruiser, you may recall the bon voyage experience when family and friends joined you onbaord for a send-off on your cruise journey.

Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, the Bon Voyage Experience is an innovative new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to share the fun and excitement of sail-away day. The program allows booked passengers four hours to show off their stateroom and other signature Princess innovations.

For just $39 USD per person, participants will enjoy priority embarkation, a guided ship tour, a souvenir photo, and a delectable four-course lunch (wine included) in one of the ship’s beautiful main dining rooms. In addition, each participant will receive a $39 Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used on a Princess booking made within 3 months of the Bon Voyage Experience.

To ensure that guests are able to get the most of their visit onboard, program participants will be allowed priority embarkation. If participants are friends or family of booked passengers, this benefit will be extended to their sailing friends so they can enjoy the day’s festivities together.

Depending on the ship and itinerary, participants should be able to enjoy up to 4 hours onboard (until approximately 3:00 pm on most itineraries). When making a reservation, exact times for embarkation and disembarkation will be shared.

The Bon Voyage Experience will debut in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale and roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle. The schedule for the launch of the Bon Voyage Experience is:

• Sapphire Princess on March 6 in Los Angeles
• Crown Princess on March 6 in Fort Lauderdale
• Coral Princess on March 7 in Los Angeles
• Emerald Princess on March 7 in Fort Lauderdale
• Island Princess on March 10 in Los Angeles
• Ruby Princess on March 10 in Fort Lauderdale
• Golden Princess on March 14 in Los Angeles
• Royal Princess on March 27 in Fort Lauderdale
• Star Princess on April 10 in Fort Lauderdale
• Caribbean Princess on May 18 in New York
• Sea Princess on June 1 in San Francisco

During the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess will also offer the program from Seattle, beginning in May.

Have your family and friends come aboard

and wish you a wonderful trip before you sail!

I am happy to see the return of an old tradition. Cruising was meant to be a special vacation, originally afforded only to the "well to do". Thankfully it is now an experience that can be enjoyed by most people. The return of this old tradition allows an opportunity for friends and family to briefly experience life onboard a cruise ship, and perhaps take away some of the mystery about what it's like to take a cruise vacation.

For more information about Princess Cruises, Click HERE

Queen Victoria Pretty in Pink

Photo Courtesy Cunard Line

QUEEN VICTORIA in SYDNEY

Cunard Line's Queen Victoria, illuminated in pink while berthed at Sydney’s Circular Quay, made history today. Queen Victoria was bathed in vibrant pink light from dusk to support Australia’s National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), which officially launched its 2010 fundraising target of $17 million at an event onboard. Pink lights illuminated the entire ship, providing the ideal setting for the event.

Why Pink?

“Pink has become synonymous with the fight against breast cancer, so we are delighted to offer NBCF the opportunity to boost awareness of research and claim a world first by being the first to illuminate a liner in pink,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.

It is not surprising that Cunard Line was a part of this NBCF kickoff event. Parent company, Carnival Corporation, has been a long-time supporter of Breast Cancer fund-raising. Their On Deck for the Cure program benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Additional history making events are planned for Queen Victoria. Early next year she sails her first "Americas" season, traversing the Panama Canal on more than one voyage, making rare roundtrip sailings from Los Angeles to Hawaii, plus debuting her maiden Mexico Getaway voyage. For more information about Queen Victoria sailings, click here.

NCL Freestyle Bonus Hawaii Sailings

Offer Details (Click Here)

ANY SAILING. ANY DESTINATION.
HURRY - OFFER ENDS MARCH 14
(And the best staterooms go first.)

The Year of the Freestyle Vacation

Norwegian Cruise Line continues their Year of the Freestyle Vacation celebration with the next of the Special Bonus offers. The current offer highlights their Hawaii Cruises.

Free upgrades available on Hawaii sailings.

PLUS: Free Inside to Oceanview upgrades available on virtually all sailings. AND, 50% reduced deposit.*
Sailings starting from $115/Day. Find Your Cruise.


Hawaii The Aloha State

More than 2000 miles from the nearest major land mass, the Hawaiian Islands form the most isolated group of islands in the world. Palm-fringed beaches, tropical sunsets, Polynesian luau's, glowing volcanoes . . . there's something for everyone in Hawaii. .

Hawaiian cruises are the ultimate "island-hopping" adventures, affordably taking you from one tropical Hawaiian Island to another while experiencing the luxurious features of your cruise ship.

Enjoy 7 Nights in Paradise

The Pride of America is your transportation to Paradise. Begin and end your cruise in Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii. Most cruises overnight in Maui and Kauai with stops in Hilo and Kona. Plan to spend extra time if you can before or after your cruise so that you can visit the sites of Honolulu including the Arizona Memorial.

Select Hawaii or one of Norwegian Cruise Line's other destinations and do whatever you want whenever you want on a Freestyle Vacation.

*Offer valid through March 14, 2010. Two week bonus offer valid from 2/15/2010 to 2/28/2010. Minimum 2 category upgrade, maximum 6 category upgrade. One coupon booklet (value up to $400) per stateroom. Offer applies to 2010 sailings only. Restrictions apply. Contact your Cruise Consultant for complete details .NCL Itineraries

World's Eyes on Vancouver

VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA

As the 2010 Winter Olympics begins in Vancouver, all eyes are on this city in British Columbia, Canada. The athletes of the world descend upon this city bringing years of preparation, their skills, and a lot of determination to do the very best they can to represent their home countries. The city of Vancouver has also prepared to put on a spectacular display for the world.

Vancouver is nestled between the mountains and the ocean with plenty of attractions and activities to keep locals and visitors busy. During the Olympics, additional events are planned including many free events. Some of these events will continue after the Olympic torches are extinguished.

2010 is the perfect time to visit Vancouver even after the Olympics. Explore the top attractions including Stanley Park, Robson Street, Granville Island, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Why not spend some extra time in Vancouver in conjunction with an Alaska Cruise?

Alaska - Roundtrip Cruises, also known as "Inside Passage Cruises", begin and end in the same port. Almost all Alaska - Roundtrip cruises are 7-nights long and begin in either Seattle or Vancouver.

Since the cruise begins and ends in the same city, it makes it very easy to extend your stay either before or after your cruise. Just modify your flight arrangements, book a hotel room, and plan your Vancouver visit. For a one day itinerary, click here.

A typical Alaska - Roundtrip cruise spends the first day cruising the Inside Passage and then visits 3 or 4 of the following places, depending upon the ship and departure:

Juneau Glacier Bay Ketchikan

Hubbard Glacier Skagway/Haines Sitka

Useful Links:

Information about Coming to Vancouver

Tourism Vancouver

Visitor Centres

British Columbia, Canada

Planning an Alaska - Roundtrip Cruise

My advice is to extend your Alaska cruise vacation to include a land-based portion. Most cruisetours to Alaska are in conjunction with Northbound or Southbound cruises. Those cruisetours extend the Alaska portion of the vacation. British Columbia is another area that is worthy of extra time, so if your plans call for an Alaska - Rountrip cruise, this post should give you some ideas to start your planning. I'd be happy to help you with your plans if necessary.

February Celebrity Cruise Offer

February Cruise Offer

In past articles, we've talked about the various destinations that Celebrity Cruises sail to. These include Europe (featuring the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and Russia), Alaska, Canada & New England, Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. I think you'll agree that these are among the most sought-after cruise destinations.

You've also heard about the Solstice-class ships as well as the Millennium-class ships that bring innovation and comfort to you from the moment you walk onboard and are greeted by the friendly Celebrity staff. For those that like a little smaller ship, Mercury and Century would be among your choices in the Celebrity fleet.

For this month only, we have arranged additional savings onboard select Celebrity cruises to introduce you to the cruise line that is Designed for You SM.

Receive Up to $100 in Onboard Credit
7-10 Night Itineraries -$50 Onboard Credit
11+ Night Itineraries - $100 Onboard Credit
(Ocean View and higher staterooms/ per cabin)

Click the following link for complete details:
Up to $100 in Onboard Credit

Booking Window: February 1 – February 28, 2010

Best cabin selections are available to those that plan early, so I suggest that you review the itineraries that are featured in this month's sale and place your deposit to lock in this deal.

Weather Advisory Port of Baltimore

Photo Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

CARNIVAL PRIDE ®

Weather Forecast:

Baltimore - SNOWY
Bahamas - SUNNY

Note:  This Blog Post covered a particular event, however, links contained in this article may still be useful during later weather events.     Click (here) for Weather & Travel Links

As the Nation's Capital and surrounding areas endures another blast of winter weather, passengers scheduled to leave on Sunday's departure of Carnival Pride's 7-Night Caribbean, Baltimore R/T anxiously watch the weather and wonder if they will be able to get to the Port of Baltimore in time for their cruise. Forecasts show total accumulation of up to 2 feet of snow in some areas. Snow is expected to taper off in the evening which should allow time for snow removal.

SUNDAY CRUISE PASSENGERS REMINDED TO ALLOW EXTRA
TIME FOR REACHING PORT OF BALTIMORE

The Maryland Port Authority reminds passengers to allow extra time for travel from their homes due to the upcoming snow event. This is not the first snow storm MPA has faced, so they have a plan in place. (Press Release)

“We strongly encourage our cruise passengers to exercise good judgment and use common sense when coming to the Cruise Maryland terminal on Sunday,” said Maryland Port Administration (MPA) Executive Director James J. White. “Comparable to our December snowstorm, MPA personnel will work around the clock this weekend to make sure our parking lots, walkways and pier are cleared of snow and are safe for the public.”

The Port Administration successfully combated a similar storm last December. The snow operations plan that worked last time will once again be implemented for this storm. The plan included round-the-clock snow removal by crews working in 12-hour shifts using heavy-duty equipment to move snow.

IMPORTANT WEATHER LINKS

NWS - Local Weather

NWS - Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Sun Weather Page

IMPORTANT TRAVEL LINKS

Airport Delays

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Port of Baltimore 

Saturday, February 6 at 10:00 AM -- A significant winter weather event is impacting the Baltimore-Washington region on Saturday. Airlines have cancelled all flights, and indicate most Saturday service will be cancelled. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for information regarding flight delays or cancellations.

Sunday, February 7 at 11:30 AM --Snow removal operations continue at BWI Marshall Airport. Airline cancellations continue, and BWI Marshall expects limited, if any, commercial flight activity on Sunday. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for information on flight delays or cancellations. Passengers are encouraged to rebook travel by telephone or airline website, rather than coming to Airport.

Monday, February 8 at 6:00 PM --Both of BWI Marshall Airport's main runways are now open for flight operations. Airlines are gradually returning to near-normal schedules. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines to confirm flight status BEFORE heading to Airport. Passengers are encouraged to rebook travel by telephone or airline website, rather than coming to the Airport. Those customers travelling from BWI Marshall this week should consider parking under cover in one of the Airport's garages. Light rail information is available here.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Carnival Cruise Line has not altered the February 7, 2010, itinerary as of this posting. Should it be necessary for Carnival to alter the itinerary, an advisory would be posted to the following link: Carnival Travel Advisory

Winter storms like this are perfect examples of why to take Travel Protection Insurance. For example: Trip Delay / Missed Connection coverage would potentially cover any additional expenses necessary to join your cruise in progress if you aren't able to get to the departure point on time. There are several other unexpected situations that can occur after final payment. Protect your vacation investment and travel without worries.

No matter what policy you chose, make sure you understand the limitations and coverages so you are not surprised after the fact. It is for this reason that I advise my customers to utilize the insurance company's help desk to get your detailed questions answered.

Safe Travels to all Departing on Carnival Pride - Enjoy Your Cruise

NCL Freestyle Bonus Europe and Transatlantic

SPECIAL BONUS OFFER - FEBRUARY 1-14 ONLY

Offer Details (Click Here)

ANY SAILING. ANY DESTINATION.
HURRY - OFFER ENDS MARCH 14
(And the best staterooms go first.)

The Year of the Freestyle Vacation

Norwegian Cruise Line continues their Year of the Freestyle Vacation celebration with the next of the Special Bonus offers. Free upgrades available on all Europe and Transatlantic sailings.

PLUS: Free Inside to Oceanview or Oceanview to Balcony upgrades also available on select sailings. AND, 50% reduced deposit.* Sailings starting from $45/Day. Find Your Cruise.

The easiest way to see more of Europe

Since grade school days, when you studied history, you've wondered about the lands that are across the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps you thought that seeing these lands was outside the realm of reality. The only way you'd "see" Europe would be in books, magazines, and movies or television shows.

What if you could wake up in a historic European city each day during your vacation? You would arrive in your first port of call, unpack your bags in your room and not have to repack until it was time to leave for home. Would this interest you?

A European cruise vacation can turn your dreams into reality. Whether its castles, royal palaces, historic monuments, battlefields from the World Wars, or ships that were used by the Vikings that interest you, there is a cruise itinerary that will satisfy your desires.

Once onboard your Norwegian Cruise Line ship you won't have to worry about transportation to the next city, meals, or evening entertainment. On a Freestyle cruise vacation, you can chose when and where to eat and what you want to do every day. When you arrive in port you can explore on your own or take part in one of the organized shore excursions. Just bring your camera to capture memories because you definitely will want to relive your vacation well after you return home.

So you see, this really is the best way to see Europe. Whether you want 4 days or 21 days in Europe, there is a choice for you in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe or even on a Transatlantic voyage. Click on one of the links above to explore what NCL has to offer you in Europe.