Royal Caribbean to launch four-day 'WOW' sale

Families can get into the swing of summer with a Royal Caribbean International vacation and taking advantage of the cruise line’s first WOW Sale of the year, starting June 1, 2014. Vacationers can enjoy up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom when they book now to make this a family summer to remember. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward an exhilarating shore excursion, dinner in an onboard specialty restaurant to celebrate a family milestone, or the perfect family portrait to commemorate the perfect vacation. The offer also features a 50 percent reduced deposit and applies to all new U.S. and Canadian individual bookings made from June 1 through 4, 2014. For more information, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/WOWSale.

“Summer is here and families can take full advantage of the WOW Sale right now to book an immediate vacation for an experience only found on Royal Caribbean,” said Carol Schuster, senior vice president of Global Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. “Only on Royal Caribbean can you enjoy the industry’s most innovative onboard amenities that appeals to every member of the family as you sail on exciting itineraries to some of the world’s most popular destinations on a vacation to remember for a long time. You can book today and start enjoying a Royal Caribbean vacation tomorrow.”

During the four-day sale, new individual bookings made with deposit will receive $50 onboard credit per stateroom on five-night or shorter itineraries; $100 per stateroom for six- to nine-night itineraries; and $200 per stateroom for 10-night itineraries or longer. The onboard credit and 50 percent reduced deposit offers are applicable to all Royal Caribbean International bookings made during the offer period, including cruisetours. All bookings must be made and the required deposit must be paid by June 4, 2014, by 11:59 p.m. local time to qualify for the promotion. The onboard credit is in U.S. dollars; has no cash value; is not redeemable for cash; is not transferable; and will expire if not used by 10:00 pm on the last evening of the cruise. The offer is not applicable for Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

Norwegian to launch 'Cruise Event Week' offer on June 1

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its popular “Cruise Event Week” offer on Sunday, June 1, 2014, giving guests the opportunity to receive a variety of on board amenities valued at up to $270, when they book a new five-day or longer cruise vacation to one of Norwegian’s spectacular destinations, including Europe, Alaska, Bermuda, Hawaii*, Bahamas & Florida, the Caribbean, Canada & New England, and more. Guests who take advantage of this limited time offer before Saturday, June 7, 2014, will receive exciting perks, based on the stateroom category booked and up to $1,000 in air credits. Military, Latitudes Rewards and AARP discounts apply to select sailings.

Solo travelers cruising in a studio stateroom on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway or Pride of America or guests vacationing in an inside or oceanview stateroom, will receive a bottle of wine and a plate of decadent chocolate-covered strawberries. Guests cruising in a balcony stateroom will also receive a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries, along with a complimentary dinner for two in Norwegian’s signature Italian restaurant. Mini-suite guests will enjoy all of the amenities received by those in a balcony stateroom, with an additional dinner for two at Cagney’s Steakhouse, a guest favorite specialty restaurant. Suite guests will receive all of the amenities entitled to guests sailing in a mini-suite, plus a $50 spa credit to use towards any treatment in the fleet’s state-of-the-art Mandara Spas.

Guests staying in Norwegian’s luxurious suite complex, The HavenTM by Norwegian – available on board Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, Epic, Gem, Pearl, Jewel or Jade – will enjoy all of the amenities received by suite guests, plus dinner for two in Norwegian’s signature French restaurant, Le Bistro, and an additional $75 dollar on-board credit to use towards a relaxing spa treatment, a thrilling shore excursion, a delightful dinner in another specialty restaurant or towards beverages in one of the many bars and lounges on board.

Norwegian's Caribbean Bonus Days

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its Caribbean Bonus Days, offering exceptional savings on select Bahamas and Caribbean sailings beginning this Fall through Winter 2015. Guests who book a Norwegian cruise vacation from Monday, May 26 through Saturday, May 31, 2014, can receive up to $100 per stateroom to spend on board. Air credits up to $1000, Military, AARP and Latitudes Rewards discounts, along with reduced rates for solo travelers, also apply to select sailings.

Guests can extend their summer aboard Miami’s Ultimate Ship, Norwegian Getaway as she sails seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from her year-round homeport of Miami, Florida. The line’s newest ship visits tropical ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. On board guests will be dazzled by the ship’s Miami flair, exceptional dining and entertainment as well as the excitement of 678 Ocean Place and The Waterfront, a variety of interconnected indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that creates a multiplex of dining, activities and more that enhance guests’ connection with the ocean. Fares start at $599*.

Also sailing from Miami, Norwegian Epic, the “Best Ship for Sea Days” by Cruise Critic and “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly two years in a row, cruises to sunny Western Caribbean destinations on seven-day sailings between November 9 and April 19, 2015. Cruisers will explore ports of call including Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico; with fares starting at $449*.

Beginning October 5, 2014 through April 19, 2015, cruisers can set sail from the Big Apple on seven-day Bahamas & FL cruises on board Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway’s sister-ship and the ship that brings the best of NYC to Sea. Fares start at $599*.

Sailing from Houston between October 11 and April 11, 2015, the newly-refurbished Norwegian Jewel cruises to tropical Western Caribbean destinations. Guests on board will visit Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Banana Coast, Honduras. Fares start at $409*.

Guests looking to vacation to beautiful Costa Maya, Mexico, can do so from Tampa aboard Norwegian Sun, starting October 26, 2014 through April 12, 2015. Additional ports of call include Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. Fares start at $419*.

MSC Cruises launches MSC Magnifica flash sale

What could be better than two days in beautiful Amsterdam this autumn? How about grabbing a bargain AND doing it in style courtesy of MSC Cruises latest flash sale promotion?

Luxurious MSC Magnifica is offering four seven-night Northern Europe sailings during September and October – each including a two-day stop in the picturesque Dutch city. And for just ten days, prices start at just £599 per person, including a free upgrade to a balcony cabin.

The MSC Cruises flash sale, valid on bookings made between May 30-June 9, applies to selected Northern Europe itineraries aboard MSC Magnifica (September 17, 24 and October 1, 8 departures).

As well as offering market-leading rates, MSC Cruises is offering complimentary car parking at Southampton worth an additional £63.

 

MSC Magnifica’s Northern Europe sailing departs Southampton and calls at Zeebrugge, Belgium; Amsterdam, The Netherlands (includes overnight stay); Hamburg, Germany; Le Havre, France; and Southampton. Flash Sale prices lead in at £599 per person for a balcony cabin (a discount of £150 per person) and free car parking, based on October 1departure.

As with all MSC cruises, kids sail free when sharing with two full-paying adults.

For more information see www.msccruises.co.uk or call 0844 561 1955.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2015 Baltic promotion

In 2015, for the first time, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests a chance to experience the Baltic region like never before. Taking full advantage of Braemar’s shallow draft Fred. Olsen is offering guests two new 14-night cruise holidays entitled ‘In the Heart of the Baltic’, departing from Dover on either 9thMay 2015 (M1513) or 9th August 2015 (M1523), which will take guests to the very ‘heart’ of some of this region’s most fascinating destinations.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“These two wonderful cruises will take our guests to the very centre of the quaint towns and vibrant cities of the Baltic. Due to Braemar’s smaller size, we are able to dock closer than any of the larger cruise ships to the very heart of the destination. This means guests will step off the ship and be within walking distance of the attractions they really want to see.

“In addition, our solo travellers, who choose to book on the 9th May 2015 departure, will benefit from no single supplement on selected outside twin-bedded cabins. All they need to do is book by the 30th June2014.”

Joining either of these spectacular journeys guests will experience six destinations as well a scenic cruise through the Kiel Canal Transit in daylight, which is restricted to ships of up to 235 metres in length and 40 metres in height.

The UNESCO-listed historic centre of Riga in Latvia is one of the lively cities guests will visit on this ultimate Baltic experience cruise. Braemar will dock just 500 metres from the very heart ofRiga, giving guests the chance to experience this capital city’s impressive Art-Nouveau architecture, historic old quarter and lush green parks.

Helsinki in Finland, where guests will find stunning neo-classical architecture, is a fantastic place to explore. Guests will step off the ship and be just 500 metres from the city’s marketplace, from which they can visit the Uspenski Cathedral, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum or the Olympic Stadium.

Cosmopolitan Copenhagen in Denmark is another fine city that guests aboard this cruise will be able to discover. Docking just 300 metres from the famous statue of the ‘Little Mermaid’ atLangelinje Pier, guests will find themselves amongst the city’s top attractions within moments of leaving the ship. Visit Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second oldest amusement park, where, those with an adventurous streak can have a go on the ‘wild rides’ or instead just enjoy the live music, daily entertainment or gourmet food. For those looking to admire some of the city’s architecture a visit to Kronborg Castle, probably the most famous Danish castle, is highly recommended. Known worldwide from Shakespeare's Hamlet, many say the spirit of the Shakespearean character is still roaming the hallways.

Guests will also visit Aalborg in Denmark on this unique cruise. Braemar will be just 150 metres from the heart of this historic city, which is renowned for its ‘Viking experiences’. With ancient monuments, mystic runestones, stunning longships, open-air life-size villages, burial mounds and fascinating museums, guests will gain an incredible insight into Viking life. The Kunsten Museumof modern Art in Aalborg, which houses a permanent collection of Danish and international art from around 1900 to the present day, is also a wonderful way for guests to spend an afternoon.

On board Braemar, for the May or August departure date, guests will enjoy an overnight stay in the ever-popular destination of St. Petersburg in Russia. Braemar will dock along the picturesqueNeva River, where guests can enjoy the stunning views, before leaving the ship to enjoy the many iconic sights that this city has to offer.  Guests can visit the opulent Hermitage, stunning gardens and fountains of the Peterhof and Catherine Palace. An evening at the spectacular ballet is also a wonderful way to spend an evening in this mesmerising city. 

Braemar will then stop in Travemünde in Germany. Docked just 150 metres walk from the pretty harbour front, this relaxing seaside resort is ideal for guests looking to indulge in some peaceful time on the pretty beach. Alternatively guests can take a trip to the UNESCO world heritage site ofLübeck. The water-enclosed Old Town, with its roughly 1,800 listed buildings, is a delightful maze of historical alleyways and criss-crossed lanes.

Prices for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘In the Heart of the Baltic’ cruise start from just £1,499 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, ‘Inside’ cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. 

Fred. Olsen is proud to be the only UK travel company to receive a coveted ‘Gold Award’ from leading consumer review website Feefo, having achieved a 95% service rating of 'Excellent' or 'Good' in over 5,600 genuine, independent guest reviews in 2013.

Fred. Olsen was also delighted to be voted ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ and runner-up ‘Best Cruise Line’ in the ‘Cruise International Awards 2013’, and ‘Best Value for Money’ in the Cruise Critic ‘Editors’ Picks UK Awards 2013’. Fred. Olsen’s Braemar was also recently announced as the top winner in Cruise Critic’s ‘Cruisers' Choice 2014 Awards’ ‘Best Small Ship for Embarkation’ category.