Sunday, January 31, 2010

More EPIC Itineraries Unveiled

Norwegian EPIC - Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

Introducing the new
Norwegian Epic Itineraries
for 2011-2012


Norwegian Epic to Set Sail in Europe

Imagine sailing aboard the largest, most advanced Freestyle ship ever built to
the Western Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain. You could be there, aboard Norwegian Epic, taking in her state-of-the-art design, world-class restaurants, new wave accommodations and the most happening and sophisticated nightlife at sea. You could also be there as Norwegian EPIC crosses the Atlantic Ocean on her way to or from Europe.

    Norwegian Epic’s European itineraries

  • Seven-day Western Mediterranean voyages will sail from Barcelona, Spain
  • First sailings will begin May 2011 and continue through October 2011
  • Exciting nightlife options, including the first ever ice bar at sea
  • 17 dining options, sparkling pools, full-action casino, first-class spa and more
Following her inaugural season, Norwegian Epic will continue sailing her alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, Florida through April 30, 2011. See previous article for details about Caribbean voyages:

Norwegian EPIC Itineraries Unveiled


Western Mediterranean Map

7-DAY WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN FROM BARCELONA

Ports of call include: Florence/Pisa (Livorno); Rome (Civitavecchia); Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain, along with two full days at sea

On May 7, 2011, the ship will depart Miami on an 11-day transatlantic crossing to Barcelona, Spain with one stop in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Upon her arrival in Barcelona on May 18, 2011, the ship will sail a four-day Western Mediterranean sailing with stops in Marseille, France and Palma, Majorca, Spain before beginning a series of 22 seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona through October 16, 2011.

She will then sail a 13-day transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Miami, Florida is scheduled for October 23, 2011 with stops in Ponta Delgada, Azores and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Once back in Miami, Norwegian Epic will sail a series of 23 seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from November 5, 2011 through April 7, 2012.



Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary include: Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas, along with two full days at sea.

Learn More about Norwegian EPIC
(click here)


Saturday, January 30, 2010

Princess Cruises Balcony Bonanza

Now Balcony Bonanza includes
Summer and Fall options!

Savings on 2010 Summer Caribbean, Europe and Alaska —
plus Fall Canada & New England cruises and cruisetours*

Whether you’re seeking the warm, tropical breezes of the Caribbean, Alaska’s natural beauty, the rich history of Canada & New England or the unforgettable scenery of Europe, you’ll enjoy the signature cuisine, welcoming service and exclusive amenities for which Princess is renowned.

7-day Balconies starting as low as $849*

Reserve your own balcony view
on a spectacular Princess Cruises®
vacation in 2010!

Canada & New England cruises and cruisetours have been added to Princess Cruises Balcony Bonanza promotion, giving you more chances to book that vacation you've always dreamed of. You can select between 2010 Europe, Canada & New England, Summer Caribbean and Alaska cruises and cruisetours.

Current Offers:


*click one of the links above for complete details
including terms & conditions


Hurry! Offers end Feb. 28th

There are several different categories of balcony staterooms on Princess cruise ships. The Oceanview Double With Balcony has Twin beds that make up into a queen-size bed. Sitting area with desk. Balcony. Refrigerator and TV. Spacious closet. Bathroom with shower. Approximately 217-248 square feet including balcony (cabin size may vary based on ship).

As the ship pulls into port, step onto your private balcony and get a first glimpse of your surroundings. Enjoy a cup of coffee or breakfast on your balcony as you wait for the ship to be cleared. Return from a day in port and relax on your balcony before dinner, or even have a romantic dinner on the balcony as you sail to the next port of call.

What's Your Balcony View ?

Related blog post:

Denali on Sale - Princess Cruisetours

Vote on my Current Poll



Thursday, January 28, 2010

Denali on Sale - Princess Cruisetours

Now up to 50% off Alaska vacations!
Savings on select 2010 Alaska cruisetours

If you could only go on one cruise in your lifetime, where would you go?

For many people, the answer to that question would be Alaska. They would also want to spend as much time there as possible, so they'd tell you they actually wanted to do a cruisetour so that they could explore the interior of Alaska.

Why Alaska?

The Last Frontier:
Alaska, admitted as the 49th state to the union is thought of as "America's Last Frontier" because of its distance from the lower 48 states and because of its rugged landscape and climate. Only 33% of the state has been organized into political units called boroughs.

Land of the Midnight Sun: During the summer, the sun never completely dips below the horizon in Alaska's northern locations. The sun is visible at midnight. Parts of Alaska are bathed in 24 hours of daylight.

Wild and Free: Have you ever seen a bald eagle in flight or perched high above in a tree watching for its next meal to swim by? Have you seen a whale wave its tail fin as it dives deep into the sea? What about a mama bear and her new born cub coming down the mountain side?

Alaska has five Regions: An Alaskan cruisetour will typically take you to at least two of these regions, the Inside Passage and the Interior. During your visit to the Inside Passage you'll see cities like Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka and you'll most likely visit one of the popular glacier attractions such as Glacier Bay or Hubbard Bay. In the Interior you'll see North America's largest peak, 20,320-foot Denali (Mount McKinley) during your stay within Denali National Park. Read more about Alaska Regions.

Princess Cruises Announced Cruisetour Savings

For a limited time, select cruisetours during the months of May and June, 2010, are on sale at up to 50% savings. Princess cruisetours range from 10- to 15-nights, including roundtrip options from Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle. You’ll spend four to eight days exploring the Alaskan wilderness, seven days sailing its pristine waterways, and every itinerary includes Alaska’s top two attractions – Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks. So you get to see the best of Alaska in one vacation! Fares start as low as $999 for a 10-night vacation!

Hurry - Offer Ends February 28th - Contact Me for Complete Details

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Viewing Galapagos Penguins by Zodiac


During our Celebrity Xpedition cruise to Galapagos, we boarded the zodiacs and headed for Bartolome Island. Here we observed Galapagos Penguins on the shore. I was in heaven since I'd never seen penguins in the wild before.

I hope you enjoy this video. Be sure to check out my other videos on YouTube as well as my Blog posts on our trip.

There are also some pictures posted on our  Shutterfly Share Site as well as on Facebook Fan Page.



Saturday, January 23, 2010

NCL Freestyle Bonus Alaska & Panama Canal

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 Alaskan and Panama Canal Cruises. Find Your Cruise

Alaska The Last American Frontier

Alaska is America's last great true frontier, an unspoiled wilderness of glimmering glaciers, abundant forests, towering mountains, exotic wildlife, and waterfront communities. Alaska is a destination full of Native American culture and Russian influence -- a step back in time to the days of gold rush saloons and oil booms. Alaska, simply put, is a once in a lifetime, dream vacation.

Have you ever seen America's national symbol, the Bald Eagle, up close? Or would you like to see a mother bear with her newborn cub? These are just a couple of the possibilities on an Alaska Cruise.

Panama Canal Engineering Marvel

In 1903, the United States began construction of the Panama Canal, one of the world's most amazing feats of modern engineering. It took 10 years, $387 million dollars, and tens of thousands of lives to build the 50 mile "ditch" connecting two continents!

Because they sail from the East Coast to the West Coast (or visa versa) a Panama Canal Cruise gives you the opportunity to see many of the same ports you may see on cruise to the Mexican Riviera, the Western Caribbean, or Southern Caribbean. It is almost like 4 cruises in one.

Select Alaska or Panama Canal 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 1/18/2010 to 1/31/2010. 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

Friday, January 22, 2010

Royal Caribbean Free Upgrade

Royal Caribbean Offer (click for details)

Book an Oceanview for the Inside Price
or Book a Balcony for the Oceanview Price!

Recipe for a Great Cruise Vacation

Select 1 Ship from following list:

Grandeur of the Seas®, Serenade of the Seas®, Jewel of the Seas®, Enchantment of the Seas®, Mariner of the Seas®, Freedom of the Seas®, Voyager of the Seas®, Liberty of the Seas®, Adventure of the Seas®, Explorer of the Seas®, Radiance of the Seas®, Navigator of the Seas®

add 1 Destination from the following:

Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Ultimate Caribbean & Panama, Bermuda, New England & Canada, Mexican Riviera, Bahamas

Stir in Family & Friends

And Enjoy Free upgrades for a limited time! The Nation of Why Not awaits you.

Royal Caribbean Humanitarian Relief - Haiti


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Celebrity Cruises 10th Anniversary Alaska Cruisetours

Photos courtesy Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises
Alaska Cruisetours


“A Rare Glimpse into the Wild Interior”

Travel in luxury onboard Celebrity’s Millennium®, for a 7-night Northbound/ Southbound voyage along Alaska’s Inside Passage and beyond. Venture into the heart of Alaska onboard the Wilderness Express® custom, glass-domed train cars, and lodge at deluxe hotels in prime locations.

Alaska Cruisetour Map


By land and by sea, a Celebrity Cruisetour offers a truly unique Alaska Vacation – cruise, rail, and superb accommodations – so that your Alaska Experience is a true departure from the ordinary.

Why Select Celebrity Cruisetours?

Throughout the land portion, one of the dedicated Tour Directors will serve as a guide along the way for guests, acting as a direct point of contact throughout the program.

They travel on the motorcoaches, the Wilderness Express train cars and even overnight in the same hotels as the guests.

As an expert Guide and Historian, they provide narrative of Alaska’s history and culture. As Concierge, they facilitate all baggage requirements, hotel check-ins, recommend restaurants and arrange optional land excursions. Many of Celebrity's Tour Directors are Alaskans and have their own personal stories to tell.

Unlike competitors who charge up to $400 per person for an escorted cruisetour, Celebrity Tour Directors are already included with every Cruisetour. Be sure to consider this when comparing prices with other operators as guests are already getting a better value by booking their Alaska cruisetour with Celebrity.


Celebrity Millennium® 7-Night Northbound/Southbound Alaska

Ports of call include: Seward, Alaska · Vancouver, British Columbia · Hubbard Glacier (cruising) · Juneau, Alaska Skagway, Alaska · Icy Strait Point, Alaska · Ketchikan, Alaska · Inside Passage (cruising)

Onboard Credit $200 USD
Per Stateroom

Valid on select 3 to 7-Night Alaska Cruisetours
Fairbanks · Denali · Talkeetna · Anchorage · Alyeska
When you book between January 1 and March 31, 2010

As always, offers are subject to availability and may be capacity controlled and subject to other Cruise Line restrictions. When planning an Alaska cruise vacation, it is best to plan early. Keep in mind that the cruising season goes from May through September, so there are limited opportunities to visit the last frontier on a cruisetour.