Luxury Cruise Vacations
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Last Minute Cruise DealsSave up to 75%! Ask about limited-time bonus offers! Trust us, we know the feeling. The alarm clock’s buzzing every morning. Keyboards clicking and phones ringing. The same old weekend plans. One thing after another, after another that makes you just need to get away! Escape with one of these unbeatable last minute cruise deals, and make your worries disappear. Choose from the world’s best fleets and experience the most popular cruise vacation destinations – you’ll pay just one low price for all your meals, accommodations, and most activities. You deserve a break, and cruise vacations are the absolute best value for your travel dollar. So set your sights on fun and leave the searching to us – check out the hottest last minute cruise deals , and get ready to sail within 45 days! Pristine beaches, aquamarine waters, a famously laid-back attitude, and a vibrant culture – no wonder the Caribbean is the cruise vacations capital of the world. Quite simply, the Caribbean is perfect for whatever you have in mind – romantic retreats, family-friendly getaways, or sanity-saving escapes. Innovative and beautiful ships serve as all-inclusive floating resorts and include everything from thrilling theater productions and live music to rock-climbing and onboard water parks. With more cruise vacation choices than anywhere else in the world, the Eastern Caribbean proves to be a popular choice for everyone, from first-time cruisers to more seasoned guests. Highly developed ports and a diversity of well-organized activities, from snorkeling and fishing excursions to shopping trips and history-filled sightseeing tours make cruising the Eastern Caribbean extraordinarily fun. Conveniently close to the U.S., the ports of the Western Caribbean include idyllic stops in Mexico, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, Belize, and Jamaica. The Western Caribbean has earned worldwide praise from cruisers who choose adventurous activities like zipping through the jungles of Mexico on an ATV tour, swimming with dolphins, trekking Mayan ruins, and much more. Just north of South America, the ports of the Southern Caribbean are comprised of the gorgeous "ABC" islands – Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. These destinations are far enough away from home to feel exotic, yet easy to get to. And if you enjoy sugary soft sands, clear warm waters, and amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities, the Southern Caribbean is for you. Carnival, the largest cruise line in the world, offers passengers a spectacular choice of itineraries, ship sizes, gourmet cuisine, activities, and entertainment. Plus, Carnival is perfect for families of all ages, and provides superb kids and teen programs. Adults can check out the Adult Retreat Area, relax in Spa Carnival, or test their luck in world-class casinos. The Carnival "Fun Ships" sail to over 60 destinations and pamper their guests with the finest service and amenities, lavish settings, and some of the most spacious cabins at sea. So book your Carnival Fun Ship cruise vacation – you'll get a great value for your money, and you're sure to have yourself some, well ... fun! Get the celebrity treatment onboard all of Celebrity's 10 beautiful cruise ships. Enjoy spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, grand style, and exemplary service and amenities. Celebrity is consistently rated one of the world's finest cruise lines, and offers its passengers cruise luxury at a reasonable price. Celebrity ships feature food prepared by world-renowned chefs, world-class AquaSpa treatments, enrichment classes, golf lessons, Vegas-style productions, and more. Kids will love the X-Club Youth Program and the Fun Factory, while parents relax poolside or in a cozy lounge. From romantic escapes to family-friendly sailings, Celebrity aims to provide passengers with a cruise vacation experience that exceeds expectations. So don't hesitate, and book your Celebrity cruise vacation today. Holland America's tradition of excellence is evident onboard each of its 13 ships. From uniformed stewards circulating the common areas to 5-star dining, you'll be pampered with award-winning service throughout your cruise vacation. It's no wonder Holland America has one of the highest rates of repeat customers in the industry. Cruise package itineraries range from 2-108 days, span seven continents, and even include an around-the-world sailing. With nearly 500 unique sailings offered, we'd be glad to help you find one that fits your needs. Whether you're on a weekend getaway or month-long voyage, you will appreciate the quiet elegance of Holland America ships, and you will love the recent "Signature of Excellence" upgrades, which include new enrichment programs, improved amenities, cooking demonstrations, and plush-top mattresses in every stateroom. Holland America is a premium cruise line committed to providing both an extraordinary experience and a tremendous value for your dollar. So go ahead and book a Holland America cruise vacation today! | |
The new 2,394-passenger Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) Gem ship has 4,390-square-foot staterooms called Garden Villas that takes the idea of cabins to a whole new level of cruise industry one-upmanship.
Each villa has three bedrooms and bathrooms, living and dining room, whirlpool, wet bar and steam room. The shared courtyard and pool is surrounded by luxurious patio furniture and lush, potted plants.
The villas satisfy the increasing popularity for multi-generation family travel, reunions, or simply a dozen friends who want to cruise together and share their own private space.
But if a Garden Villa is too much cabin for you, there are 1,195 other cabins on board ranging from 143 to 928 square feet with and without balconies. Many are also interconnecting.
The villa and private courtyard idea isn't the only new wave of cruise thinking on the Gem. NCL's new Freestyle 2.0 program (which will expand to their other ships) allows you to dine in any of the 10 restaurants whenever you want.
Book dinner reservations or just show up. TV screens throughout the ship tell you where tables are available, using a fuel-gauge type image ranging from empty to full.
The main dining rooms seat 304 to 558 guests.
Choose from a table for two to 10 depending on how sociable you're feeling.
Or dine at one of the specialty restaurants (for an extra $15 to $20 per person) for upscale cuisine from French to Japanese.
Specialty restaurants seat 34 to 160 guests.
If you don't have a reservation and a table isn't available immediately, you'll be given a pager so that you can have a cocktail at one of the 10 bars and lounges while you wait.
For activities, Type A cruise passengers will find about 175 things to do (listed in the daily newsletter) and Type Bs will find 900 deck chairs by the pools.
When you're thirsty, order five beers and you'll get one free, brought to you in a bucket of ice that looks like a football helmet. Waiters also hand out cold, wet face towels and carry around spray bottles to spritz you when it's hot.
If you're feeling adventurous, try rock climbing on the nine-metre wall, or play basketball, volleyball and hit golf balls in special netted areas.
There's also a four-lane, 10-pin bowling alley in the Bliss Lounge. All gutter balls are blamed on the ocean's waves.
Swimmers and soakers will love the two pools – one is for adults only and has a waterfall.
The kids' pool has an enclosed spiral slide. There are four hot tubs; two are adults only.
Children have daily programs of games and activities designed specially for their age. The Tree Top Kids' Club has a rain forest theme and climbing gym.
The Leopard Lounge and video arcade are the hip, hot spots for teens and stocked with the latest electronics.
For those passengers who want to still fit in their jeans by the end of their cruise, the gym is fully equipped.
The nearby spa features 18 treatment rooms, some designed for couples, as well as its own hot tub, mini-pool and lounge.
Evening activities include entertainment such as the hilarious Second City comedy troupe, as well as NCL's own Broadway-style dancers, singers and musicians who perform in the 1,042-seat show lounge. Other bars and lounges showcase the talent of performers ranging from musicians to magicians.
Silversea's New Expedition Ship Dedicated In Monaco
In the heart of Monte Carlo's harbor last Tuesday, the expedition ship Prince Albert II officially joined the Silversea fleet during a naming ceremony in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
As in the time-honored tradition, the dedication included a blessing of the ship by H.E. Monsignor Fabrice Gallo, Prelate of the Pope of Rome. Guests listened attentively to heartfelt speeches and then raised their glasses in a toast when the red and white ribbon (representing the heraldic colors of the Grimaldi family) was cut by HSH Prince Albert II, marking the launch of a new era in expedition cruising -- one that will offer authentic and respectful adventures from a base of easy-going luxury.
"This is a very exciting and proud day for Silversea," said Manfredi Lefebvre, chairman of Silversea. "We are extremely honored that His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, has personally dedicated the ship that will bear his name. May her many journeys of discovery always honor His Serene Highness through a commitment to responsible travel." Added Silversea President and CEO, Amerigo Perasso, "It is indeed a great privilege that His Serene Highness is here with us today and is the namesake of our new ship. In keeping with his legacy of exploration and environmental conservation, it is our hope that by educating and connecting people with distant cultures and wildlife, the Prince Albert II can open eyes and foster respect and greater care for our planet and its inhabitants."
Fresh from a multimillion dollar renovation, the Prince Albert II boasts the largest average size accommodations of any expedition ship. An unmatched selection of 20 premium suites has been created especially for the discriminating traveler with 350 to 675 square feet of luxurious living space. Select suites have double private French balconies or large private verandas, and additional elite amenities including butler service. All 66 ocean-view accommodations are tastefully appointed and have private marble bathrooms with bathtubs.
The Prince Albert II welcomes her first guests on June 12 as she sets sail from London on an Inaugural Season of voyages of 10 to 22 days focusing on polar adventures. Sailing first to the Arctic Circle, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland for the summer, the ship will then reposition to South America and Antarctica for autumn and winter voyages. Silversea is a provisional member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), dedicated to managing respectable, environmentally friendly and safe expedition cruising in the Arctic. The company has also joined the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). This important organization promotes and practices safe and environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica. In addition, Silversea plans to voluntarily adopt and apply similar operating procedures in all other destinations where the Prince Albert II will operate.
Carnival Cruise Lines to Introduce Baltimore's First Year-Round Cruise Program
Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator, will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009.
The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port. Baltimore's first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.
It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports - the most of any cruise operator. "We're thrilled to introduce the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore aboard the Carnival Pride, a truly magnificent 'Fun Ship' that will visit a wide range of tropical destinations from one of America's most historic cities," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival's president and CEO. "Today's consumers are more value-conscious than ever and considering that Baltimore is within a day's drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option," he added.
"This is tremendous news for the Port of Baltimore and our State," said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. "Year-round cruising will allow the 40 million people that live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore to look beyond the traditional cruising seasons and sail throughout the year. Carnival Cruise Lines is internationally recognized as one of the finest cruise ship operators in the industry and we are happy to welcome their 'Fun Ship' to Maryland." Carnival Pride's year-round seven-day cruises from Baltimore will visit popular destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.
Carnival Pride's Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore feature Grand Turk, a 10.5-square-mile island paradise which, in addition to a rich history, offers crystal-clear waters that attract snorkelers and divers the world over. Ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, a modern facility offering an 800-foot-long private beach, a Margaritaville-themed restaurant and a variety of retail shops. Also featured is Half Moon Cay, a crescent-shaped private island offering beautiful beaches and a diversity of watersports opportunities, along with a children's aqua park and beachside cabanas. The third destination on this itinerary, Freeport, The Bahamas, is the island chain's second largest city with excellent shopping at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, along with stunning beaches and exciting golf opportunities. Seven-day Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral, located on Florida's Space Coast and in close proximity to Orlando-area theme parks and attractions, as well as the world famous Kennedy Space Center. Visitors also enjoy the area's gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other ports include Nassau, the historic Bahamian capital known for its outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. During their visit in Nassau, guests can tour a variety of historical sites, including centuries-old forts. A daylong visit to Freeport rounds out this itinerary. Prior to the start-up of year-round seven-day cruises, Carnival Pride will operate a special one-time six-day departure round-trip from Baltimore September 7-13, 2009. Featured ports on this voyage include Freeport and Port Canaveral.
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