May 04

Innovation + Imagination = New Magical Experiences Aboard the Disney Dream

When the Disney Dream enters service in 2011, it will offer amazing new experiences for our guests. Our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering are working on incredible and imaginative new features such as a restaurant that transports guests under the sea, artwork that magically comes to life, “virtual portholes” and a high-tech, interactive play floor for kids.Take a glimpse into the top secret labs of Walt Disney Imagineering to see a sneak peek of even more magic being created just for you on Disney Cruise Line:

via Innovation + Imagination = New Magical Experiences Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

May 01

Royal Caribbean Releases South America, Southern Caribbean Itineraries

 

 

Royal Caribbean International has released its 2011-12 Southern Caribbean deployment and Mariner of the Seas’ South America circumnavigation cruises. Serenade of the Seas will sail its eighth consecutive season in the Southern Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Adventure of the Seas also will return for winter 2011-12.

Vacationers can choose from two sailings in January 2011 aboard Mariner of the Seas, which circumnavigates the South American continent, or the Royal Caribbean Machu Picchu Adventure Cruisetour, which combines a sailing aboard Mariner of the Seas with a five-night escorted land tour itinerary. In total, the three ships will offer 73 sailings on 19 itineraries that include 25 ports of call.

With Royal Caribbean’s Machu Picchu Adventure Cruisetour, guests can choose the January 16 sailing aboard Mariner of the Seas followed with the five-night land tour itinerary from Valparaiso, Chile, to cultural centers and major Incan archeological sites of Chile and Peru. The highlight of the land tour features a full day to explore Machu Picchu. Vacationers also can choose the pre-cruise land tour itinerary, followed by a grand South America odyssey to Brazil aboard Mariner of the Seas, sailing February 1. All Royal Caribbean cruisetours are escorted by a Tour Director who specializes in the region and inc

via Royal Caribbean Releases South America, Southern Caribbean Itineraries.

Apr 29

Princess Announces 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Program

Santa Clarita, Calif. (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 29, 2010 — Princess Cruises 2011 Alaska program offers travelers a full range of cruise and cruisetour options whether they want to explore Denali in depth, plan independently, enjoy the attention of an expert guide, or venture off the beaten path. The season opens for sale May 13 with special rates that include adding three days at Denali to a cruise for just $299.

Our 2011 program retains all of the classic Princess signatures that make us the clear leader in Alaska, plus some new options.

The 2011 lineup will offer passengers the company’s hallmark Alaska experience, whether at sea on board amenity-filled ships or on land with Princess signature wilderness lodges and exclusive Direct to the Wilderness program, where guests step right from their ship onto luxury railcars that transport them directly to the Denali area.

The season includes a total of 104 Alaska departures aboard six ships sailing on three itinerary options during the May to September season. The lineup includes Diamond Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess traveling on the line’s popular “Voyage of the Glaciers” route through the scenic Gulf of Alaska; Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle, and Sea Princess cruising on 10-day journeys from San Francisco.

via Princess Announces 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Program.

Apr 29

Royal Caribbean Cruises posted better-than-expected earnings

Royal Caribbean Cruises posted better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter as it continues to recover from the brutal economic downturn, but the Miami-based cruise giant said prices remain well below pre-recession levels.

“The first quarter turned out better than we were expecting and the full year is looking better as well,'' Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean's chairman and chief executive, told Wall Street analysts in a conference call Wednesday.

Wave season — which starts at beginning of the year and stretches to spring, when passengers book the bulk of cruises — remained strong throughout the first quarter, the company said. Bookings and prices are up over last year, it added.

Royal Caribbean — the second-largest cruise operator behind Carnival — posted first-quarter net income of $87.4 million compared with a year-earlier net loss of $36.2 million, when the industry resorted to widespread discounts to persuade consumers to sail. That amounted to 40 cents a diluted share versus a loss of 17 cents a share last year.

via Cruises see brighter days – Business – MiamiHerald.com.

Apr 29

Disney Cruise Line’s First Mediterranean Sailing of 2010 « Disney Parks Blog

 

 

What do a camel and a Disney cruise ship have in common? Kind of a strange thought, right? Well, this was the sight this week when the Disney Magic called on the port of Tunis, Tunisia, for the first time as part of the first 11-night Mediterranean cruise of the season. The inaugural festivities included the traditional maritime plaque and key exchange where Captain Thord Haugen and the ship’s officers hosted port officials and communities leaders onboard the ship.

via Disney Cruise Line’s First Mediterranean Sailing of 2010 « Disney Parks Blog.

Apr 27

Can you get a refund on your cruise if there’s a natural disaster? | Travel | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle

Q: We were booked to sail on the Star Princess from Valparaiso, Chile, on March 2. On Feb. 27, an 8.8 earthquake struck Chile. Because of flight cancellations, the condition of the Santiago airport and the numerous aftershocks, many passengers didn't reach the ship, including us. We did not buy insurance. Princess has said it will not give us a credit because I could have bought insurance and didn't. We think Princess should provide some credit. Isn’t that the fair thing to do?

via Can you get a refund on your cruise if there’s a natural disaster? | Travel | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle.

Apr 27

Travel Scene: Private islands rank high on cruises

What ranks at the top — or near the top — of the many shore trips that are offered to Caribbean cruisers? The cruise lines private islands, thats what. And the cruise lines which have private islands are pouring considerable resources into maintaining and upgrading these so-called porting paradises.

via Postbulletin.com: Rochester, MN.

Apr 24

Princess Cruises Expands Canada & New England Program to Include Summer Sailings in 2011

Princess Cruises will launch its largest Canada & New England program ever in 2011, with a new itinerary and an expanded season, offering nearly a 30 percent increase in capacity over the previous season.

These summer cruises will sail between the line's Caribbean sailings from New York, offering a selection of summer destinations from the “Big Apple.”

The expanded Canada & New England season begins May 17 and introduces a new nine-day itinerary that adds calls in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) plus features many favorite ports in the region. Caribbean Princess will offer four sailings on this roundtrip New York route between departures on its nine-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean itinerary, giving passengers the choice of sailing north or south (or both) for their summer vacation.

In autumn, the Canada & New England program continues with 14 sailings on two different itineraries – weeklong roundtrips from New York on Caribbean Princess and the classic 10-day route between New York and Quebec City aboard Crown Princess. In addition, Crown Princess will offer a 12-day Canada and Colonial America sailing.

These sailings also feature opportunities to visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, unique places that represent the planet's cultural and natural heritage. In Canada, travelers can visit the town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (from Halifax), and Crown Princess passengers can explore the historic old city of Quebec. In Bermuda, the historic town of St. George is designated a UNESCO site.

via Focus on Travel News – Princess Cruises Expands Canada & New England Program to Include Summer Sailings in 2011.

Apr 24

New Orleans will welcome its largest cruise ship with Royal Caribbean’s Voyager | – NOLA.com

Back after three-year absence

Royal Caribbean returns to New Orleans after a three-year absence. The cruise line had a ship in New Orleans from 2002 until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. A Royal Caribbean liner called on New Orleans during the winter cruise season from December 2006 through April 2007, but the company decided to shift its resources elsewhere

via New Orleans will welcome its largest cruise ship with Royal Caribbean’s Voyager | – NOLA.com.

Apr 24

BBC News – Naming ceremony for Celebrity Eclipse

The Celebrity Eclipse returned from Spain on Friday carrying 2,200 tourists whose flights had been cancelled because of the Icelandic eruption.

The naming ceremony is taking place in Southampton.

The event is being led by ocean-racing yachtswoman Emma Pontin, who has been appointed the ship’s godmother.

via BBC News – Naming ceremony for rescue liner Celebrity Eclipse.