More Destinations Beyond Caribbean

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Cruising Life Cycle

In our previous post, Been on Caribbean Cruise What Next, we spoke about first-time cruisers who sailed to the Bahamas and Caribbean on short voyages.   We also took a look at several longer cruises of  7 night duration.   This article will discuss more alternatives, including longer voyages.

Seasonal Travel

While there are several options beyond the Caribbean, the time of year that you decide to travel may limit your choices.  For example, the Alaskan cruise season goes from May through late August / early September.   Our next destination, can only be enjoyed in the Summer and early Fall.

Canada / New England

From the picturesque towns and rocky coast of Maine to the breathtaking beauty of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, you will enjoy a picturesque cruise experience without having to travel far from home when you visit Canada / New England.  These cruises can be anywhere from 4 - 5 nights to more than a week.  VIEW ITINERARIES

Mexico

Mexico is not just sunny beaches and great water sports. Mexico's Spanish colonial roots fused with her turbulent Indian ancestry have engendered a rich cultural history.  VIEW OFFERS

For those on the west coast, a short Mexican cruise may be your first time adventure.  Ports like Cabo San Lucas offer beautiful scenery and water sports.   Calling on one or more Mexican ports is often part of longer cruises in the Pacific Ocean or Panama Canal crossings.

Asia / Exotics

Asia is just as much a land of superlatives in current times: the largest continent, the tallest mountains, the longest coastline, and three-fifth's the world's population. The riches of Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei still defy description... BEGIN SEARCH

When you think of Exotic destinations, what comes to mind?  For us there's nothing like the Galapagos, A Land Beyond Xpectations.

World Cruises

Of all the world's travel experiences, none can compare to a world cruise. You will discover legendary antiquities from the Acropolis in Athens to the Pyramids of Egypt. Trace the footsteps of biblical prophets in Israel from Jerusalem to Nazareth. Transit the historic Suez Canal, sail the Pacific to Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong. It is not only where you journey that determines your overall enjoyment, but how. A world cruise offers the ultimate travel adventure! You will see parts of the world you always dreamed about -- and all from the comfort of your luxurious cruise ship... BEGIN SEARCH

Cruising is About Choices

Hopefully we've convinced you that there's a lot more to see via cruise ship than the Caribbean.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with taking a cruise to The Bahamas or Caribbean, especially in the winter time when it is cold, windy, and snowy in your home town.   We'll continue with more choices in our next post.   Until then, check out the links we've provided to learn more about these destinations.  Happy Cruising !!

What Cruise Ports are on Your Bucket List

SO MANY PLACES - SO LITTLE TIME! Leave the Driving to the Ship's Captain The world's waterways are your highways and the next stop on your journey is up to you. When Christopher Columbus sailed the oceans blue in 1492, he wasn't sure where he would end up.  Thanks to brave sailors like Columbus, we now have charts and maps that clearly show fabulous destinations that await you. Just for fun, close your eyes and think about a destination on your bucket list.  Now open your eyes and tell me what you picked.

Let's Review Some Cruise Choices

Lose yourself in the pure perfection that is Alaska. There is only one destination that can fill your soul with tremendous warmth while simultaneously surrounding you with earth’s most arctic element.
The Bahamas are known for their white sand beaches, duty free shopping at the Straw Market, horse and carriage rides, and some of the most exciting casinos and nightlife in the tropics.
Bermuda is all about pink sand and iridescent waters, pastel-hued buildings, mornings of snorkeling and afternoons of sipping rum swizzles.It has always been considered a romantic destination for couples.
Canada and New England is rich in history, breath taking natural beauty and maritime culture.It is a very popular destination during fall when the leaves are changing colors.
Lose yourself in the tropical splendor of the islands on a Caribbean cruise. Few places in the world exemplify the pure bliss of being on vacation quite like the Caribbean.
Experience what cruising is really about as you encounter the vast, enchanting lands of Europe. Explore the fjords of Norway,  the waterways of Venice, or the ruins of the Mediterranean.
From palm-fringed beaches to tropical sunsets, Polynesian luaus and glowing volcanoes... there's something for everyone in Hawaii.
Venture South-of-the-Border to Mexico,  a land full of vibrant colors, ancient ruins, authentic foods.  It is a culturally rich country.
Asia is just as much a land of superlatives in current times: the largest continent, the tallest mountains, the longest coastline, and three-fifth's the world's population.
A world cruise offers the ultimate travel adventure! You will see parts of the world you always dreamed about -- and all from the comfort of your luxurious cruise ship.

Azamara Club Cruises to Visit 240 destinations in 66 countries in 2014[Tweet this]

Explore Your List of Destinations

Select From Amongst the Fascinating Destinations and Click on the Image above or click here to get started. Next, Read More about your Selected Destination and scroll through the list of suggested sailings. Finally, Select a Ship & Sailing date from the list provided or refine your search, by using the Cruise Finder application. Modify Your Search as Needed

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Course Deviation With Good Outcome

Seabourn Odyssey

Rescues 3 Fishermen

In the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster, there has been much press coverage about the course deviation which the captain made as he approached the island of Giglio.   

Course deviations occur all the time, for various reasons:   

Most often course deviations occur because of sea and weather conditions, in order to provide a safe and comfortable cruise experience for the passengers and crew.  Rarely, a more radical deviation might occur to avoid a port in the wake of a disaster, political unrest, or increase in crime.  Equally rare are deviations in response to a distress call.  Under maritime law, the captain of a vessel is required to provide assistance under those circumstances.

Rescue boat from Odyssey approaches fishing boat

Somewhere in the Pacific

On Sunday, February 19th, Seabourn Odyssey was sailing the Pacific Ocean some 150 miles southwest of Pago Pago, America Samoa during it's World Cruise journey.  Unbeknownst to the Captain and crew at that time, three men had set out to sea in a small fishing boat from Apia in Western Samoa three weeks earlier, with the goal of bringing back a chest full of fresh seafood.  Unfortunately, they ran out of fuel and drifted further and further away, surviving on their catch of fish and rain water.

Feared Lost at Sea

Families of the three fishermen had been preparing funeral services as earlier rescue efforts, led by the New Zealand Air Force and the United States Coast Guard, had been called off.  The men had no distress flares or means of radio communication, so they were literally on their own in the middle of the largest body of water on earth.

Captain Dexter Changes Course

The portside bridge watch alerted Captain Mark Dexter to something in the distance which appeared to be a boat.  Not finding any missing vessel reports, the captain still wondered why this boat would be so far from land. He deviated from his course to investigate further and spotted a small boat adrift some miles away from the ship. As they drew closer, they saw three men jumping and frantically waving their clothing, clearly trying to catch the attention of Seabourn Odyssey.


The Rescue

The ship deployed one of its rescue boats and, after determining that they were no threat, rescued the three fishermen who had been lost at sea for nearly three weeks!  The men were transferred from the rescue craft to the ship and immediately examined by the ship's doctor.  They were in surprisingly good health considering the amount of time they were exposed to the elements in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.   Upon examination, it was found that the men were dehydrated, hungry, and had a few skin sores from the sun.

Returning Home - Good Outcome

After getting examined, changing into fresh clothes, and eating, the fishermen told of their ordeal and provided contact information for their employer. When he was notified, he bust out into joyful tears.  The families changed their funeral plans to welcome home plans.

The Odyssey notified the U.S. Coast Guard who assisted in returning the men home when the ship docked in Pago Pago Monday morning.

The captain had kept the passengers informed throughout the rescue exercise.   The passengers were so moved by the whole experience that they collected funds to give to the fishermen.  When the men disembarked the ship, they each had $800 donated by the guests to help them purchase a new fishing boat.

Bravo Captain Dexter & Crew !! 

Thanks to the watchful eyes of Seabourn Odyssey’s bridge watch, and the curiosity of Captain Dexter, the three fishermen were saved and will live to tell their terrifying tale. This course deviation had a happy ending.

From Seabourn's account of the event:

 

This is the second rescue involving a Seabourn ship in less than a year. 

It is another example of the amazing skills of our seagoing staff and the timeless code of seamen to look out for each other, which does not change from generation to generation. As the Coast Guard captain put it: “the PV Seabourn Odyssey and its crew deserve a Bravo Zulu for securing these fishermen’s lives!”

Photos: Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line Ltd.

Source: Seabourn Odyssey Rescues Three Men Adrift in the World’s Largest Ocean

Cunard 2013 World Voyages

Two Queens Explore the World

Cunard announced the 2013 World Voyage program. Two queens, QUEEN MARY 2 and QUEEN VICTORIA, will depart from Southampton on 10 January 2013 and begin their epic world sailings with two distinct itineraries. These historic voyages will be available for reservations starting 14 July 2011 at 5:00 a.m. PDT (8:00 a.m. EDT).

Special Early Booking incentives for reservations made by 29 February 2012: Up to 10% off Early Booking Fares* Reduced deposit of 15%# On Board Credit of up to $3,000^ per stateroom for Full World and Liner Voyages!†

Full World Voyage† Benefits: Complimentary hotel and dining charges Gala World Voyage Dinner Special commemorative gifts Welcome Aboard Reception & Senior Officer Dinner World Voyage cocktail parties Services of a World Voyage Concierge

Queen Mary 2 World Cruise 2013

On 10 January 2013, the grandest ocean liner at sea will sail the world roundtrip from Southampton to exciting destinations that inspire the imagination. Highlights: • Overnight stays in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and a two-night stay in Cape Town • 6 Maiden calls including Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Langkawi, Malaysia, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa • Combine with Transatlantic Crossings to create voyage options out of and into New York

Queen Victoria World Cruise 2013

QUEEN VICTORIA makes a triumphant return to the World Voyage in 2013. Convenient departures from New York, Fort Lauderdale, and San Francisco bring this remarkable journey closer to home. Highlights: • 105-day circumnavigation of the globe • Overnight stays in Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai • 9 Maiden calls including Falmouth, Jamaica, Brisbane, Australia, Bali, Indonesia and Manila, Philippines

QUEEN ELIZABETH Travels to Exotic Destinations in 2013

In addition to these epic World Voyages, in 2013 QUEEN ELIZABETH will embark on a 36-day Pearls of the Pacific Voyage roundtrip from Los Angeles through the Hawaiian Islands and South Pacific. Guests may choose to extend their voyage with a 15-day Panama Canal experience at the beginning, end, or both!

Cunard 2012 World Cruises

QM2 & Queen Elizabeth in Sydney Harbor                Credit: Cunard Line

Cunard 2O12 World Voyages

Options ranging from 12 to 108 day

QM2 World Cruise 2012

QUEEN MARY 2 sets sail on a 108-day journey roundtrip from Southampton, England, bringing guests to renowned destinations around the globe in the grandest style imaginable.

• Southampton to Southampton – 108 days
• Southampton to Dubai – 92 days 
• Cape Town to Southampton – 93 days
• Begin your World voyage in New York with a Transatlantic crossing

If you’d like to be part of the Cunard World Voyage with Queen Mary 2 in 2012
without sailing the entire itinerary, we offer a selection of Liner and Segment Voyages —
shorter portions of the full voyage ranging from 15 to 77 days. These shorter voyages
are ideal for those with less time or an interest in a specific region. Choose to sail on a
Liner or Segment, and be a part of this awe-inspiring adventure.

• Explore exciting ports in South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe
• Overnight stays in Cape Town, Dubai, and Hong Kong
• Guests may embark or disembark in New York by adding a Transatlantic Crossing to the beginning or end of their voyage.

Queen Elizabeth World Cruise 2012

QUEEN ELIZABETH embarks on this classic 107-day World Cruise voyage roundtrip from Southampton.

• Southampton to Southampton – 107 days
• Southampton to Dubai – 85 days
• New York to Southampton – 99 days
• San Francisco to Southampton – 82 days

If there’s a particular part of the world that interests you most, consider sailing a portion of
Queen Elizabeth's Full World Voyage on one of her Liner or Segment Voyages. Liner Voyages
range from 34 to 77 days, allowing you to join the grand celebration along spectacular routes
such as San Francisco to Singapore or Sydney to Dubai. For a smaller taste of the World Voyage
experience, enjoy a Segment Voyage of 12 to 24 days with departures from around the globe.

• Chart a course to destinations in Central America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe
• Voyage features full transits of the Panama and Suez canals
• Overnight stays in New York, Sydney, and Hong Kong 
• Guests may disembark in New York by adding a Transatlantic Crossing to the
  end of voyages sailing to Southampton.

When you’re embarking on a journey this grand, you want to see the world from a perspective that does it justice. And on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2, you may find it is time on board you most look forward to. Whichever Queen you sail upon, you’ll delight in ample time to truly enjoy all a Cunard ocean liner offers you.

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

Cunard QM2 - Courtesy Cunard Line

Port of Nagasaki Closed

Queen Mary 2 Continues to China

At the time of the massive earthquake in Japan yesterday, Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 was en route from Osaka to Nagasaki, Japan.

QM2 arrived at Nagasaki this morning and the port authority advised that the port will remain closed while they ensure the port facilities are structurally sound.

QM2 remained outside the port area until 2pm local time when they embarked a small group of guests and immigration officials, who were on an overland tour. Cunard confirms that it has all guests and crew safely on board and are under sail to Beijing, China, where they will arrive on schedule.

Queen Mary 2 is currently on a 103-day journey round-trip from New York, bringing guests to renowned destinations around the globe in the grandest style imaginable. During the World Cruise, guests will explore exciting ports in South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Interactive tracking map (real-time ship tracking)                  QM2 Bridge Cam

This is the second major earthquake that QM2 has encountered during this World Cruise. QM2 was in Sydney, Australia for the Royal Rendezvous, when the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand occurred.

Cunard Line has successfully utilized social media, such as Facebook, to keep us all informed during this difficult time.   Due to Japanese laws, C band communications are not allowed in Japanese waters, this is why the bridge web cam had not been updated.

Cunard's Facebook message concludes with:
"Our thanks go to our agents in Nagasaki for their assistance today and our thoughts remain with the people of Japan."

Related Blog Posts: 

Cruise Lines Return to Japan  (six months later, some cruise lines have returned)

Strong Quakes Continue to Rattle Japan

Another Strong Quake Hits Japan

After the Tohoku Earthquake

Severe Tsunami Impacting Japan & Hawaii 

Azamara Quest Skips Osaka Call

QM2 Skips Nagasaki Sails to China

 

Cruise West Undergoing Restructuring

New Bookings Suspended

Spirit of Oceanus Cruise Terminated

Cruise West announced the continuation of restructuring of the company.  Passengers on the Spirit of Oceanus' Voyage of the Great Explorers terminated their world cruise in Newfoundland, Canada.

A recorded message indicates that the cruise line has not been sold and that the call center is temporarily closed as the company restructures.

According to the line's press release, "Additional assets may be sold and other steps are being pursued towards a restructure. As part of this process, Cruise West has suspended accepting any new bookings." 

The statement indicated that some cruises will continue:


"The Spirit of Endeavour will sail from Seattle on the British Columbia Cruise and the Spirit of '98 from Portland, or along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Cruise West will also complete cruises or land tours already underway in Alaska."

According to information on the Cruise West website, impacted guests who have not yet traveled on the Spirit of Oceanus world cruise should file a claim with their third-party insurance company, contact their credit card company, or if payment was made by check, contact info@cruisewest.com.

The statement indicated that executives would not take media calls at this time and will be releasing additional details in the future.   We will monitor this developing story and report any updates.

For more information, call the company's emergency number at 888-396-0280, email info@cruisewest.com or visit www.cruisewest.com.

Why 3rd-party Travel Insurance Important

This unfortunate situation, for passengers impacted by the terminated cruise, underscores the importance of purchasing third-party travel insurance at the time your cruise is booked.    Cruise line failures are rare, but when they occur, passengers can be stranded in remote parts of the world.  Fortunately, this cruise was terminated in one of the scheduled ports of call, perhaps minimizing the impact on the guests.  


About Cruise West

Cruise West offers small-ship experiences to guests.   We hope that they will be able to obtain the necessary funding to continue operations.  We wish them success in their restructuring efforts.    Stayed tuned for more information as it becomes available.

2012 World Cruise on Pacific Princess

Princess Cruises Brings the World to You

2012: 107-day World Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice. Experience the world’s treasured places on this magnificent sailing on Pacific Princess.® You’ll transit the Panama Canal, sail through the South Pacific, cruise New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Ahead lies even more, from ports like vibrant Hong Kong and dazzling Phuket to bustling Mumbai and thrilling Cairo, Egypt. You’ll visit some 40 destinations with maiden calls in Santa Marta (Colombia), Puerto Quepos (Costa Rica) and Manama (Bahrain) before your voyage ends in Venice. You can see even more with overland tours to such places as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, China’s Great Wall and Ayers Rock in Australia.

Highlights of this New Route

• Maiden calls highlight 2012 World Cruise. Santa Marta (Colombia), Puerto Quepos (Costa Rica) and Manama (Bahrain) are included among the 38 destinations on the 2012 World Cruise sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice.
• The 2-Day Experience. Overnight stays in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai give passengers ample time to explore these spectacular destinations.
• Segment voyages. Passengers can choose from segments ranging between 15 to 32 days for a taste of the world cruising experience.  Choose from Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego, San Diego to Sydney, Sydney to Singapore, or Singapore to Venice.

The first segment of the 2012 World Cruise begins in Ft. Lauderdale on January 13th.  There are special discounts and reduced deposits for past passengers of Princess Cruises.   For more information about Pacific Princess, click here.

Bookings are  being accepted starting June 17th 

And, don't forget, the 2011 World Cruise on Dawn Princess is already open for booking. The Aussie Experience awaits on this 104-day World Cruise, with 43 intriguing destinations, including Morocco, Singapore, Dubai and others.

Around the World with Regent

Regent Seven Seas Cruising Around the World

2010 World Cruise
Regent Seven Seas Cruises takes you on a 119-night adventure from exotic locales to lands that transcend time. Discover the rarely visited, including west African treasures Ghana, The Gambia and Cape Verde. Explore the great cities, from Sydney to Singapore and Hong Kong to Shanghai. Each step of this magnificent voyage unfolds new ways of seeing the world aboard Seven Seas Voyager.

San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, 119 nights (Full World Cruise) January 13, 2010

Your world voyage begins with a Gala evening and overnight on board January 13th featuring Jay Leno and The Beach Boys.

Special Offers:

• 2-FOR-1 Fares

• Save an additional $5,000 per guest when booked by September 30, 2009

• FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions

• Seven Seas Society savings available

• $2,000 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories MS-C) or

• $1,000 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories D-H)

Inclusions:

• Gala evening and overnight on board January 13th featuring Jay Leno and The Beach Boys

• Visas for U.S. and Canadian citizens residing in the U.S.

• Ground transfers

• Luggage delivery service between ship and shore

• Commemorative gift

Complimentary events: In addition to the complimentary events on the individual segments, full World Cruise guests also enjoy an Ethnic Fashion Show at Three on the Bund in Shanghai on March 6, a Sunset Cocktail Reception on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok on March 20, and a Vintage Fair at Blaauwklippen Estate in Cape Town on April 15.

2010 World Cruise Segments

San Diego to Sydney, 23 nights (Segment 1)
January 14, 2010

Sydney to Singapore, 19 nights (Segment 2) February 6, 2010

Singapore to Hong Kong, 14 nights (Segment 3) February 25, 2010

Hong Kong to Cape Town, 35 nights (Segment 4) March 11, 2010

Cape Town to Ft. Lauderdale, 27 nights (Segment 5) April 15, 2010

Special Offers on Segments:

• 2-FOR-1 Fares

• Save an additional $1,000 per guest when booked by September 30, 2009

• FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions

• Seven Seas Society savings available

• $200 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories MS-C) or

• $100 per suite Shipboard Credit (categories D-H)

Take advantage of the special offers by selecting your cabin for the Full World Cruise or One or More of the Segments before the offer expires on September 30th. This cruise will be an experience for you to remember for many years to come.

Call me for complete details of the 119 night World Cruise which ends in Fort Lauderdale, FL on May 12, 2010.

Construction of Queen Elizabeth Begins

Photo Courtesy Cunard Line

Queen Elizabeth's Keel Laid

A ceremony was held today, at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy, to mark the keel laying of Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth. The second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen Elizabeth’s keel is the third Cunard has lain in the space of seven years. When she enters service in October 2010, she will join Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as not only the most famous ocean liners in the world but also the youngest fleet in passenger travel.

The keel laying involves the placement in the dry dock of the first section of the ship’s hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 364 tons and is fitted with 104 tons of pipes, cables, insulation and other equipment. Fifty-three sections will be used in the construction of Queen Elizabeth and she will take to the water for the first time at her float out in December.

The new ship is named after the first Queen Elizabeth, one of Cunard’s greatest ships. The exterior design will be like her sister ships with the distinctive black and red design. The interior of the ship will consist of elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, gleaming chandeliers and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel.

Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage will be October 12, 2010. That voyage sold out in just over 29 minutes back in April this year. Her Maiden Season will run from October 2010 to January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Fares start from just $1,195 per person for the five-night 26 November 2010 Gallic Debut voyage with ports of call at Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre; while the 13-night Iberian Discovery voyage departing 1 December 2010 features fares from $2,395 per person, with ports of call at Vigo, Lisbon, Seville, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and Madeira.

The world’s newest ocean liner will depart Southampton on January 5, 2011, on her 103-night epic Maiden World Voyage, which has just been released for sale. This will see her make 35 maiden calls, including Cunard’s first call ever at Port Denarau (Fiji). In total, Queen Elizabeth will call at 38 ports in 24 countries as she makes her way west around the globe, with maiden transits of both the Panama and Suez Canals and calls at Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Lisbon.

Cunard 2011 World Voyages

SEE THE WORLD'S WONDERS ABOARD QUEEN MARY 2 IN 2011

2011 MAIDEN WORLD VOYAGE ABOARD QUEEN ELIZABETH

I am pleased to give you a sneak preview of Cunard's 2011 World Voyages. Both iconic QUEEN MARY 2 and the gracious new QUEEN ELIZABETH will sail around the globe on two distinct itineraries as part of the youngest luxury fleet at sea. These epic voyages will go on sale to the public on July 1, 2009, at 5:00 a.m. PDT (8:00 a.m. EDT).

QUEEN MARY 2 sets sail on a 103-day journey roundtrip from New York, bringing guests to renowned destinations around the globe in the grandest style imaginable.

• Explore exciting ports in South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe


• Voyage concludes with a classic Westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Cunard's home port of Southampton


• Overnight stays in Cape Town, Sydney and Hong Kong
  

QUEEN ELIZABETH will define a New Golden Age of Ocean Travel as she embarks on her maiden 103-day World Cruise voyage roundtrip from Southampton.

• Chart a western course to destinations in Central America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe


• Voyage features full transits of the Panama and Suez canals


• Experience the fanfare and excitement of maiden-calls in many ports


• Overnight stays in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai

TWO SHIPS, ONE FULL WORLD VOYAGE

You can discover two views of the world on a special 2-Ship World Voyage option sailing aboard QUEEN ELIZABETH from New York to Sydney, then joining QUEEN MARY 2 on the westbound return journey to New York. On both ships, you will encounter a wide range of inspiring regions and maiden ports.

Book early to take advantage of bonus fares. Early Booking Fares applies to reservations made before February 28, 2010. Contact me for full details and restrictions. It is also possible to book segments of the entire world voyage.

Request More Information on Cunard 2011 World Voyages via email

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Around the World in 80 Days... Or Not

Seabourn Odyssey Sets Sail Around the World

Have you ever dreamed about going Around the World in 80 Days? If you have, you might be disappointed to know that you'll need more time than that. It takes 108 days to sail Around the World on Seabourn's new ship, Odyssey.

You can't get away for 108 days you say. No Problem !!

For travelers who long to leave it all behind, these 16- to 33-day World Cruise segment voyages aboard Seabourn Odyssey accommodate beautifully. You'll enjoy an extra note of excitement in the air as each maiden journey is celebrated with special festivities on board and exciting events ashore.

Follow the setting sun through the Panama Canal. Venture to tantalizing edens in the South Pacific and the splendors of New Zealand. Or sail from the wonders down under to Bora Bora, Bali, Borneo and other magnificent islands in the Malay Archipelago. Or from Dubai, cruise though the Red Sea to the wonders of the ancients: Petra in Jordan, the great temples of Luxor and Karnak in Egypt, the Biblical treasures of Israel and the legends that sit atop the Acropolis in Athens.

As of this writing, Seabourn is offering the following special fares and onboard credits. As always, prices are inventory controlled and subject to availability, so if you are interested in these segments, I'd suggest you contact me soon so that I can help you plan your cruise.

JAN 5, 2010 • 16 days Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California
Special Fares from $6,999

JAN 21, 2010 • 33 days Los Angeles, California to Sydney, Australia
Special Fares from $17,114
Onboard credit of $500 per person

FEB 24, 2010 • 20 days Sydney, Australia to Hong Kong, China
Special Fares from $10,572
Onboard credit of $125 per person

MAR 16, 2010 • 23 days Hong Kong, China to Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Special Fares from $12,378
Onboard credit of $125 per person

APR 8, 2010 • 16 days Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Special Fares from $9,054
Onboard credit of $125 per person

Contact me for the most updated information regarding pricing including applicable restrictions and additional charges. All fares are in U.S. dollars, cruise-only, per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. Some suite categories may not be available. Seabourn reserves the right to manage World Cruise segment inventory and availability at its discretion. The above savings are not combinable with any other offer, may vary by sailing date, are capacity controlled, subject to change without notice. Seabourn reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement for all guests, without prior notice, if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70.00USD per barrel, and may collect such a supplement even if the cruise fare has been paid in full. Ships' registry: Bahamas © 2009 Seabourn.

Vacationing, from a Cruise Specialist’s Perspective

Tropical breezes are blowing, the surf is calling, but if you are like most Americans, you are feeling guilty about taking time off to relax with your family, even though you desperately need to. Did you know that most Americans, earn on average 14 days of vacation compared to Britain (24 days), Spain (30 days) and France (36 days). Also, a recent study discovered that most Americans don’t even use their vacation time. Another study discovered that women who took holidays were more satisfied with their marriages and less likely to become depressed, while a separate study showed that among men who were at high risk for coronary heart disease, those who took vacations had a lower death rate. So don’t feel guilty about taking a vacation; it’s healthy for you to do so.

So while that is sinking in, let’s pretend that you’ve decided to take the big plunge. You call me and say that you have a large bank of vacation time stored up, you’ve always wanted to go to Norway to see the Fjords, you and your family want to get away for a couple weeks. Checking the available itineraries, looking at various demographics, your budget and other factors, I recommend the 12 Night Arctic Circle / Norwegian Fjords cruise which departs from Amsterdam on Celebrity Century. I suggest arriving in Amsterdam two days early, so that you can recover from any jet lag and take full advantage of the long flight over the pond.

You sleep on the plane ride over the pond, you are already feeling relaxed even before you get off the plane in Amsterdam. Two marvelous days in Amsterdam visiting Anne Frank’s house, museums, and cruising around Amsterdam taking in the sights on the hop-on-hop-off canal boat tour and you are really starting to relax even further. You’ve already forgotten about your work problems, and you’ve not even gotten onto the ship yet. Now, you are really starting to get into the vacation spirit.

On cruise day you arrive at the pier, drop off your luggage, and checkin to get your cabin keys. You walk through the doorway, a room steward greets you with a glass of champagne and escorts you to your cabin. You are thinking, I could get used to this. After making your spa appointments, you have some lunch, and get ready for the only compulsary activity of the cruise, the mandatory lifeboat drill. The ship sails on time and you get ready for dinner and your first night at sea.

Let's fast forward to the morning of arrival in the first Norwegian port, Alesund. You open the door to your verandah and get your first glimpse of the Norwegian Fjords. In the still of the morning, the only sound is that of rushing water from a nearby waterfall flowing from one of the nearby mountain peaks. The sight exceeds your expectations. You pinch yourself to make sure you are awake. This is truly beautiful country. You are now extremely happy that you took your cruise vacation.

Clap! Clap! Wake up! Have you been dreaming? It's time to go to work, or you'll be late! You reluctantly come back to reality, but alas, you've decided that you DO really need to plan a cruise vacation. You've worked hard and you deserve some time away from work with your family. Don't wait too long, you might change your mind. Give me a call and tell me about your dream. Every day I help clients plan their dream getaway. No matter if it's a 3 night Bahamas cruise or a 108 night World Cruise that you are dreaming about, let me put my 25+ years of cruise experience to work for you to plan your well deserved vacation. Until then, sweet dreams.