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Royal Caribbean International launches WOW sale

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 21 March 2015 21 March 2015

Spring break is right around the corner and Royal Caribbean is making it irresistible for families to plan their next adventure now. Starting Saturday, March 21, 2015, U.S and Canadian vacationers can take advantage of Royal Caribbean International’s five-day WOW Sale, and receive up to $200 onboard credit and enjoy 50 percent off the cruise fare for the second guest in the same room with a full-fare guest on nearly all open sailings, departing on or after May 15, 2015. Vacationers also can save an additional 50 percent for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom if they make a new booking for a 2016-17 sailing. Furthermore, guests who make a new booking on a five-night or longer itinerary in an Oceanview or higher-category stateroom can receive 50 percent off a second Premium Beverage Package when they purchase one at full price by mentioning promo code ‘BOGOBEV’ at the time of booking. For more information about the WOW Sale, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/wowsale on March 21.

The WOW Sale combines an onboard credit offer with the current BOGO50 offer for nearly all new bookings made between March 21 and 25, 2015. Additional to the half off second, third, and fourth guests’ cruise-fare offer mentioned above, guests will receive $50 onboard credit per stateroom on five-night or shorter itineraries; $100 onboard credit per stateroom for six- to nine-night itineraries; and $200 onboard credit per stateroom for 10-night or longer cruises. Vacationers also can take advantage of the offer’s 50 percent reduced deposit and make a reservation for as low as $50 per person. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward a heart-pumping shore excursion, an intimate specialty dining experience to celebrate a special occasion, or a dazzling memento from Royal Caribbean’s fine onboard boutiques.

New bookings for sailings departing prior to May 15, 2015, and for all Anthem of the Seas, trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and China sailings will only receive the onboard credit and 50 percent reduced deposit. The WOW Sale does not include Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.

Outside of the WOW Sale period, BOGO50 is valid for new bookings, made between March 11 and April 30, 2015, in Oceanview and higher-category staterooms on five-night or longer itineraries, departing on or after May 15, 2015. The offer does not include bookings on Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, and China sailings.

MSC Cruises changes pricing structure for summer 2015 in UK

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 09 March 2015 09 March 2015

MSC Cruises, the world's fourth largest cruise shipping groups, said it is changing the structure of its pricing in the UK for the summer of 2015.

The Keep It Simple pricing structure will feature four pricing bands that depend on the month of departure. Usually, the company's prices are based on experience - the higher the fare, the more services are included in it.

" For the rest of the summer season MSC Cruises will have two sets of fly-cruise fares – one for its biggest ships operating in the Western Med from Genoa [MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina and MSC Fantasia], and another for its Eastern Med ships sailing from Venice [MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica]," it said in a statement.

Keep It Simple prices – which go live from March 13 2015 – will be divided into 4 booking price bands depending on departure month.

Western Med fly cruise sailings: (April, November) start at £569 per person, rising to £599 (May, October); £679 (June, September); and £939 (July, August)
Eastern Med fly cruise sailings: (April, November) start at £839 per person, rising to £889 (May, October); £939 (June, September); and £1,089 (July, August)

For even more clarity, guests can work out the cruise-only cost – should they wish to purchase their own flights - by simply deducting £150 from the cost of their chosen West Med itinerary or £250 off East Med sailings.

To underline MSC Cruises commitment to the trade, agents will receive full commission on the flight and cruise portions of all fly-cruise bookings. Passengers that have booked the Bella experience will be upgraded to Fantastica, the next level, free of charge, MSC Cruises said.

Norwegian Cruise Line rounds out Wave Season with new offer

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 27 February 2015 27 February 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line will close out Wave Season with Norwegian’s Freestyle Choice Spectacular, an outstanding limited-time opportunity for guests to receive their favorite onboard perks for free.  For a limited time, Norwegian’s Freestyle Choice Spectacular will give those who book a new three-day or longer cruise vacation from March 1 through April 6, 2015 the option to choose from up to four special offers†-- a free Ultimate Dining Package, a free Ultimate Beverage Package, up to $300 in onboard spending money or free gratuities, plus receive Friends & Family Sail Free on select sailings, where the third through eighth guest in each stateroom sails for free.

During Norwegian’s Freestyle Choice Spectacular, guests who sail in an inside stateroom will receive onboard credit, while guests who book any itinerary in an oceanview, balcony or mini-suite can choose one offer. Guests who book a new cruise vacation on any itinerary in a suite or The Haven will receive all four offers, valued at up to $3,700.

In addition, those who enjoy traveling in large groups can invite all of their loved ones on their cruise vacation during Norwegian’s Freestyle Choice Spectacular with Friends & Family Sail Free available on many sailings, where the third through eighth guest in each stateroom sails for free. Norwegian’s 13 purpose-built Freestyle ships allow guests the freedom and flexibility to do as much or as little as they’d like while cruising some of the most sought-after destinations around the globe.

Pride of America sails the majestic state of Hawaii year-round from Honolulu on seven-day inter-island cruises. The port-packed itinerary offers guests the freedom and flexibility to explore the islands in their own way. Recently voted Best Shore Excursions in the Large Ship Category by the readers of Cruise Critic, guests will have nearly 100 hours of port time to explore, as Pride of America visits Hawai’i’s four main islands, including an overnight in Kahului, Maui; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kauai; stops in Hilo, Hawai’i and Kona, Hawai’i; as well as an afternoon cruise by the spectacular Nãpali Coast. Fares start at $999**.

Norwegian Epic will arrive in her new homeport of Barcelona on April 30, 2015 and begin sailing a seven-day Western Mediterranean itinerary for the summer from May 3 through September 13. Guests can embark on a cultural quest with stops in history-rich ports like Rome and Florence, Italy; and marvel in picturesque ports like Cannes, France and Majorca, Spain. Fares start at $599**.

Guests can cruise 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. 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 $449**.

Blount Small Ship Adventures celebrates Presidents' Day with deals and historic cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 06 February 2015 06 February 2015

Blount Small Ship Adventures is offering patriotic discounts and historical itineraries in honor of Presidents’ Day. Guests looking to sail with President Nancy Blount on August’s President’s Cruise can save 15% when booking by Feb. 27, 2015. In addition to the President’s Cruise, guests can honor America’s leaders by booking the ‘Big Apple to the U.S. Capital’ or ‘D.C. to Boston’ itineraries, both of which visit cities that have shaped the nation’s history. History buffs save 40% when booking the ‘Big Apple to the U.S. Capital’ or ‘D.C. to Boston’ cruises, which offer sailings in May and June.

The President’s Cruise gives guests the chance to sail the ‘Two Nation Vacation: Maine & New Brunswick’ itinerary alongside Nancy Blount, President of Blount Small Ship Adventures. The Grande Caribe sets sail from Saint John, New Brunswick on August 2 and introduces passengers to the charming coastal towns of Maine and New Brunswick, including the Canadian ports of Digby, Nova Scotia, Grand Manan and St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, as well as Eastport, Bar Harbour, Rockland, Bath and Portland, Maine. A festive welcome dinner and celebration with local entertainment marks the start of the voyage, which sails for 10 days.

Guests can also pledge their allegiance on the ‘The Big Apple to the U.S. Capital: New York to D.C.’ and ‘D.C. to Boston’ itineraries. ‘The Big Apple to the U.S. Capital’ carries passengers from New York City to the D.C. area, with stops in the East Coast’s most historic and scenic cities. The eight-night cruise departs May 22, June 1 and 2, with alternating departures and arrivals between New York City and Alexandria, Va. Along the way, guests can partake in historical and cultural excursions, including a visit to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. When the cruise docks in Alexandria, passengers can venture to D.C. to soak in the nation’s history.

 ‘D.C. to Boston’ allows guests to explore Washington D.C., Baltimore, Md., Philadelphia, Pa., New York, N.Y., New London, Conn., Newport, R.I. and Boston, Mass. while aboard the Grande Mariner. The ship embarks in Alexandria, Va., the home of George Washington, on June 11th and spends 11 nights sailing 15 picturesque East Coast waterways, including the Cape Cod Canal. Highlights of the cruise include spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor and the historic steeples of Boston, Mass.

Blount Small Ship Adventures epitomizes the best of small ship cruising. Each ship holds only 88 passengers, featuring patented designs such as retractable pilothouses and shallow-draft bow landing ramps that enable them to dock at remote ports that larger ships simply can’t reach. Access to these lesser-known destinations gives passengers the chance to travel like explorers, immersing themselves in the local culture for a truly authentic travel experience.

All Blount cruises include three meals daily with menus that are fresh, creative and often reflect the local cuisine, refreshments and snacks 24-hours a day, plus guest lectures and workshops. Single-seating meals with an open seating policy allows for the freedom to meet many traveling companions. Blount cruises also feature a BYOB policy, with mixers and set-ups for cocktails available throughout the day, along with complimentary house wine and beer offered during lunch and dinner.

For more information, visit www.blountsmallshipadventures.com or call 1-888-618-4770. Follow Blount Small Ship Adventures on Facebook at Blount Small Ship Adventures, and Twitter at @BlountSmallShip.