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Norwegian offers savings on Alaska cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its Alaska Bonus Days with two great offers providing exceptional savings on board the youngest fleet sailing to Alaska. From now through Friday, August 22, 2014, guests who book a Norwegian cruise vacation to Alaska can receive up to $200 to spend on board. Guests booking a 2015 cruise now through Friday, August 29, 2014, can also take advantage of Norwegian's seven-day All-Inclusive Package*, valued at more than $2,400, for just $899 per person.

Thrill-seekers can pack up their sense of adventure and explore the captivating coastline; head deep into the frozen wilderness on an Alaska Cruisetour; feel the excitement of a 30-ton whale gliding under their catamaran and so much more while cruising through the majestic state of Alaska on board one of Norwegian's three modern ships: Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Jewel or Norwegian Pearl.

Norwegian Sun offers a series of seven-day cruises from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Whittier, Alaska, and explores breathtaking destinations including the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier, now through September 22, 2014. Fares from Vancouver, British Colombia start at $649 and fares from Whittier, Alaska start at $549.

Norwegian Jewel offers seven-day cruises from Seattle every Saturday and visits Alaska favorites including Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia, now through September 21, 2014, with fares starting at $579.

Norwegian Pearl also provides guests with an unparalleled Alaska cruise experience, sailing a series of seven-day cruises from Seattle that visit popular ports including Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia, every Sunday now through September 21, 2014, with fares starting at $629.

MSC Cruises offers 'Grand Voyage' and special wine theme cruises this fall

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 18 August 2014 18 August 2014

MSC Cruises is offering special fall cruise departures featuring a Grand Voyage that explores the capitals of Europe and South America and a series of themed “On The Wine Routes” cruises.

“As MSC Cruises generates greater awareness for the brand and its expansive fleet, North American travelers are also looking for more immersive MSC cruise experiences,” said Ken Muskat, executive vice president of Sales, PR & Guest Services.  “These special departures on the MSC Magnifica and MSC Splendida are an ideal way to mix and mingle with a more European base of passengers, while visiting some of Europe’s and South America’s more iconic cities and ports.”

Grand Voyage of MSC Magnifica

The 20-night Grand Voyage of MSC Magnifica departs Hamburg (Germany) November 8, 2014, and includes 12 relaxing days at sea with calls in eight diverse destinations.  Following calls at Le Havre (France), and Southampton (England), gateways to Paris and London, the ship will visit Lisbon (Portugal), before setting sail for Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

While MSC Magnifica is docked at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, guests are invited to take part in the first Tenerife Marathon on November 16, 2014.  Three scenic options of varying difficulty level are available, including an 8K through the city streets; a half marathon around the town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and along the coastal road; and, a full marathon that starts at the harbor of Santa Cruz, cuts through the city center and along the coastal road. (Application deadline is October 25, 2014.)

Following the Canary Islands is a five-night transatlantic crossing to Brazil, with visits to Recife, Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro; before reaching the final port of Buenos Aires (Argentina).  Departures for the Grand Voyage of MSC Magnifica start at $2359 per person for a balcony stateroom.

Wine Themed Cruises on MSC Splendida

Also beginning in November, the MSC Splendida will host three “On The Wine Routes” departures designed to provide immersive wine experiences in ports along the Mediterranean such as charming Provence, buzzing Barcelona or the historic Roman port of Civitavecchia.

The eight-day/seven-night cruises on MSC Splendida will depart from Genoa, Italy, on November 2 and 9, with calls in Naples and Messina (Italy); Tunis (Tunisia); Barcelona (Spain), and Marseille (France); and December 14, making stops in Civitavecchia, near Rome, and Palermo, Sicily (Italy) as well as Tunis; Barcelona,  and Marseille. On the Wine Routes sailing packages start at $583 per person.

Every On The Wine Routes cruise includes city tours, enlightening talks, tastings of a wide range of fine local wines and qualified insights by Masters of Wine, leading experts on the art, science and business of wine.

The cruise package includes one excursion to a wine producer or cellar in France, Spain or Italy, and a high quality beverage package, comprising superior wines served with onboard meals* and a bottle of fine sparkling wine on Gala Night.

Royal Caribbean announces unprecedented five-day WOW sale

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 15 August 2014 15 August 2014

Just because summer is drawing down doesn’t mean that vacationers should forget sunny days, blissful beaches, and surprising cultures. To help ease the transition into autumn, Royal Caribbean International today announced an unprecedented five-day WOW Sale – happening Aug. 16 through 20, 2014 – to help consumers plan for their next vacation and have an unforgettable experience to look forward to. During the WOW sale, vacationers can receive up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom when making a new booking on itineraries through spring 2016 aboard Royal Caribbean’s currently sailing fleet. For more information, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/WOWSale.

“Royal Caribbean’s WOW Sale is the best time for vacationers to plan their next adventure and enjoy great bonuses when they sail with us,” said Carol Schuster, senior vice president of Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. “Consumers can take their pick among our fleet of the industry’s 21 most innovative ships that calls at more than 230 exciting destinations in nearly 70 countries worldwide. Our world-renowned friendly and engaging staff and crew will deliver WOW after WOW, creating memories for a lifetime.”

For all new individual U.S. and Canadian bookings made from Aug. 16 through 20, 2014, vacationers will receive $50 onboard credit per stateroom for five-night or shorter itineraries; $100 onboard credit per stateroom for six- to nine-night itineraries; and $200 onboard credit per stateroom on 10-night and longer itineraries. As part of the WOW Sale, vacationers also can make a reservation with only a 50 percent reduced deposit, starting as low as $50 per guest, based on double occupancy. The offer is applicable to staterooms that are part of group space booked by U.S. and Canadian travel agents, provided those staterooms become named berths during the offer window, and excludes Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

Vacationers who make a new individual booking also can combine the upcoming WOW Sale offer with some existing Royal Caribbean promotions below, including up to $1000 savings per stateroom. For details about each offer, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/DealsAndMore.

– Bahamas Upgrade (valid Aug. 1 through 31, 2014): Vacationers can enjoy an oceanview stateroom at the price of an interior stateroom aboard Majesty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas’ three- and four-night Bahamas cruises, departing from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2014.

– Choose Your WOW (valid Aug. 1 through Sept. 15, 2014): Aboard any sailing departing on or after Oct. 15, 2014 (except sailings from Dec. 15 through 31, 2014), vacationers have a choice of Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50 percent off; third and fourth guests sail free; or receive up to $1,000 savings per stateroom when they book their flights with Royal Caribbean’s ChoiceAir flight booking system.

– Holiday Travel Our Way (valid Aug. 8 through Sept. 15, 2014): Buy one and get the second guest at 50 percent off on three- to eight-night Bahamas and Caribbean holiday itineraries. The offer is applicable for sailings departing Dec. 15 through 31, 2014.

All offers above are only applicable for new bookings during their applicable promotional window; exclude sailings aboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas; and have additional restrictions.

American Cruise Lines announces 2014 holiday cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Latest offers Latest offers

Published: 09 August 2014 09 August 2014

American Cruise Lines (www.americancruiselines.com), operator of the newest riverboats and small cruise ships in the United States, announced today the details and events of its 2014 holiday cruises. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve cruises will offer festive activities that showcase the beautiful regions cruised, as well as the spirit of the holidays.

Thanksgiving, Nov. 22 Sailings

Offered on the Mississippi River and Historic South & Golden Isles cruises which depart on November 22, American Cruise Lines has again partnered with Connecticut Food Bank to help feed the hungry by donating $50 per ticket sold on the designated Thanksgiving sailings. Last year, the line raised over $10,000 for Connecticut Food Bank through the program. The money raised will help put food on the tables of needy Connecticut residents and spread joy this holiday season. In addition to the rewarding feeling of knowing their bookings will help those in need this holiday season, guests will enjoy Thanksgiving in some of the most spectacular areas of the country. Onboard, a team of world class chefs will prepare a special feast with everything that could be expected at a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Guests will enjoy turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, apple pie and more. The day before, guests may even join the head chef to learn how he makes the cornucopia.

Christmas, Dec. 20 Sailings

Offered on Mississippi River and Historic South & Golden Isles cruises which depart on December 20, American Cruise Lines is offering two unique ways to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

New Orleans Roundtrip: This year’s special events include a tour of Oak Alley Plantation in its holiday splendor, along with a holiday concert in the music room of the beautifully preserved J.N. Stone House in the Historic Natchez.  Onboard, guests will join a traditional Reveillon-style feast with mouth-watering regional favorites prepared by expert chefs.  Gingerbread house and ornament making workshops will also be offered, as well as Christmas carol sing-alongs. This cruise also features a complimentary pre-night celebration on December 19, including dinner at Antoine's, one of New Orleans’ most historic and famous restaurants.  

Historic South & Golden Isles: Guests will explore the holiday traditions of the Historic South as they celebrate Christmas on the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the beautiful Independence. Holiday-themed events include a tour of the Amelia Island Gingerbread house, Charleston's Holiday Festival of Lights and a private dockside Oyster Roast on the gorgeous Sapelo Island. This cruise also features a complimentary pre-night celebration on December 19, including dinner at the elegant Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 28 Sailings  

Offered on Historic South & Golden Isles and Mississippi River cruises departing on December 28, American Cruise Lines offers one of the best and most memorable ways to ring in the New Year, including a fireworks display over Savannah (Historic South) or lights tours at Oak Alley and Houmas House Plantations (New Orleans roundtrip). Onboard, Guests will enjoy a specially-themed New Year’s Eve cocktail hour, dinner and evening entertainment, as well as a midnight countdown and champagne toast. A festive and sumptuous New Year’s Day brunch will also be featured. New Year’s Eve cruises also feature a complimentary pre-night celebration on December 27, which includes welcome festivities and exclusive dinners at the renowned McCradey’s Restaurant in Charleston (Historic South) and Antoine’s Restaurant in New Orleans (New Orleans Roundtrip).