Discover the True Essence of China with Uniworld's Value-Packed 2011 China River Cruises & Tours

A venerated 5,000-year-old historical and cultural legacy makes China one of the most intriguing destinations in the world. Marvel at its geographic diversity from Tibet to the mighty Yangtze River with its spectacular Three Gorges. Explore such legendary sites as China's ancient capital, Xi'an, and its current capital, Beijing. Soak up the energy of Shanghai and Hong Kong, vibrant cities that blend East and West, and old and new. Spend time in Suzhou, known for its heavenly gardens; Guilin, known for its spectacular mountains; and Tongli, the China of picture books.

Discover the true essence of China and the allure of the ancient Yangtze River in a style of unequaled personal attention and comfort on one of Uniworld's six fascinating, expertly planned itineraries ranging from 8 to 18 days. Uniworld's value-packed itineraries feature China's great highlights and hidden treasures and include: hotel accommodations at top deluxe hotels; 5-star river cruise ships with beautifully appointed staterooms featuring private balconies; most meals with special themed dinners and entertainment; fully escorted excursions with English-speaking local guides; all transfers, transportation, and domestic flights within China; and the services of a professionally trained Uniworld Tour Manager.

 

Royal Caribbean to open office in Mexico

ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO OPEN OFFICE IN MEXICO and enters PREFERRED DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS

MIAMI – September 7, 2010 – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced today it will establish a dedicated corporate office in Mexico City in response to the increasing interest in cruising in Mexico. The new office will open in December 2010 to support the Sales, Marketing and Commercial Operations for the company’s three cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

American Express will continue representing Royal Caribbean in Mexico until the end of 2010, to allow for a seamless transition. “American Express has successfully served as the international representative of Royal Caribbean’s business in Mexico for the past 15 years, and their excellent team has done an outstanding job building a solid foundation in this expanding market,” said Michael Bayley, executive vice president of international for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “In our new business model, American Express will continue to play an important role by becoming a preferred distribution partner for their own sales channels in Mexico. We look forward to continue building our business together,” Bayley added. “American Express is proud to be a part of the Royal Caribbean history in Mexico, “said Daniela Cerboni, vice president and general manager of American Express Membership Travel Services International.

“For many years we have worked together to grow the Royal Caribbean business and the cruise industry in the market. We look forward to the opportunity to work with Royal Caribbean in the future, and plan to continue to strengthen our long standing partnership, offering even more valuable cruise benefits to our American Express Cardmembers in the market,” Cerboni added. The opening of Royal Caribbean’s Mexico office is strategically timed. All three brands already enjoy very strong positions in various segments of the market and a dedicated office will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the market leading position. “Our research shows that our Mexican guests really enjoy our various brand, product and destination offerings,” said Bayley. “This coupled with the knowledge that Mexico already is a substantial source market for new cruise guests, and a great geographic location on the doorstep to several exciting and appealing destinations, illustrates the great potential for growth in Mexico.”

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and three under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaraclubcruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

 

Celebrity becomes first cruise line to present art tours on iPads

CONTEMPORARY ART AND ULTRA-CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGY CONVERGE ON THE HIGH SEAS WITH LATEST NOVEL CONCEPT FROM CELEBRITY CRUISES

MIAMI - August 11, 2010 – Playing off the series of hip, high-tech “firsts” it has introduced in recent months, premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises is debuting the industry’s first self-guided art tours on an iPad®. Earlier this year, Celebrity introduced the first “Celebrity iLounge” – a modern lounge equipped with MacBook® workstations, a retail space featuring Apple products and accessories, and an enrichment center where certified staff present a variety of courses and offer guests tips on Mac and iPod® usage. Celebrity Cruises is itself an iPad pioneer, having become the first cruise line to present a menu and wine list on an iPad when it introduced its engaging “Qsine” specialty restaurant earlier this year.

“The response to the Celebrity iLounge and to the iPad menus in Qsine was so positive, we knew our guests would relish yet another opportunity to capitalize on the latest technology in an entertaining, enriching way,” said Celebrity’s Senior VP of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “Celebrity’s ‘Designed for you’ platform is built on our commitment to listen to our guests and offer experiences inspired by them and their sophisticated travel desires.” A new addition to Celebrity’s extensive “Celebrity Life” series of onboard entertainment and enrichment activities, the iPads on each Solstice Class ship house floor plans of every deck on the ship, with select works of art flagged on every deck.

A guest simply touches the screen to select the work of art he or she would like to learn more about, and the screen transitions to full details about the piece, including the title of the work, artist’s name, medium used, description and image. In addition to the art tour application, the iPads also present guests with the opportunity to explore digital versions of each Solstice-Class vessel’s in-stateroom art catalogs. With more than 14,000 works of original, contemporary art on its three Solstice Class ships alone, Celebrity Cruises is the holder of one of the world’s largest corporate collections of contemporary art.

Throughout the ships, a vast range of mediums is represented, including glass, acrylics, oils, photography, digital prints, video, etchings, sculptures and collages. Approximately 15 percent of the art on each Solstice Class ship is site-specific or commissioned artwork, such as the signature living trees in enormous vases suspended within the Solstice Class ships’ sweeping, airy Grand Foyers. Celebrity’s new iPad art tours will be available on Celebrity Solstice beginning August 15, and on Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox beginning August 21. The tours currently are in English, and also will be offered in Spanish by the end of this year. Celebrity will add German and French versions in 2011.

 

Azamara Cruises opens 2011-12 cruisetour programm to exotic destinations

MIAMI, July 20, 2010 – From tango halls to souks, cathedrals to palaces, and pyramids to the Great Wall, Azamara Club Cruises today announced 13 land-tour itineraries, combinable with an Azamara cruise for cruisetour packages that offer more authentic cultural experiences for the up-market traveler. Ranging from two- to six-night escorted land adventures, guests can enjoy even more immersive experiences in eight of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Jordan and Israel, India, and China.

All cruisetour packages embody Azamara’s philosophy of visiting unique destinations; immersing in the destinations; delivering extraordinary service by every member of the staff and crew; savoring the regions’ cuisines and fine wines; and focusing on wellness and vigor, onboard and on land. All land-tour itineraries are escorted by a Tour Director or a local host, and feature accommodations in five-star hotels located in metropolitan centers. In addition to included immersive experiences, guests will enjoy plenty of time for personal exploration and shopping, with full breakfast in the hotels, additional select meals, all transportation and ground transfers included in the land-tour itinerary.

“The introduction of these new offerings will enable up-market travelers to enjoy an even more immersive adventure with Azamara,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “Guests have more opportunities to experience the cultures of exotic destinations by extending their Azamara voyage with a land-tour itinerary for an enthralling vacation. Throughout, every staff and crew will deliver Azamara Club Cruises’ extraordinary signature service to our guests.”

Travelers can select from among 13 individual pre- and post-voyage land-tour itineraries to extend their Azamara vacation in some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Azamara Club Cruises cruisetour itineraries are available for purchase ala carte, and travelers have the flexibility to opt for the land-tour extension at any point after they make their cruise booking for an enriching cruisetour vacation.

In summer 2011, guests of Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest can choose a two-night Athens or three-night Rome cruisetour package. In addition to the must-see sites in Athens, guests on this cruisetour will learn the traditional Greek dance of Syartaki and learn to make their own set of Greek Komboloi beads, believed for centuries to possess stress-relieving properties. The Rome cruisetour includes a visit to the Pope’s summer residence and Oastia Antica at the mouth of the Tiber River to see some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins and mosaics, as well as enjoy authentic Italian food and wine tastings and escorted tours of Vatican City’s museums and historic buildings.

In the 2011-12 Austral summer, Azamara Journey guests can choose a three-night Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls land-tour vacation extension to experience all the culture, flavors, and colors of this vibrant South American city. The cruisetour also takes guests for an overnight to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Guests of Azamara Quest also have a range of cruisetour packages choices for a more in-depth experience in the Near East. A two-night Istanbul cruisetour visits all the iconic sites of this ancient city, including a fortune-reading of guests’ Turkish coffee drippings, while they enjoy a panoramic view of the bustling city from atop Pierre Loti.

A four-night Jordan and Israel itinerary delves into the cradle of Western civilization, and a three-night Cairo itinerary features a visit to the wondrous pyramids of Giza on camelback and the labyrinthine Khan El Khalili Bazaar. In the Far East, guests can rediscover the inland metropolises of India, including Delhi, Agra for the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur on an amazing five-night itinerary. Additionally, a five- or six-night cruisetour itinerary unveils the cultural heritage of China in Beijing, Xian and Hong Kong. Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for upmarket travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them.

Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a boutique European hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vigor programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships can’t reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails in Northern and Western Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, South America and the Panama Canal, Transatlantic, and the less-traveled islands of the Caribbean, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region

Uniworld Launches the River Victoria along the Imperial Waterways of Russia in 2011

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will be reentering the Russian market in 2011 with the launch of the completely refurbished River Victoria, projected to be one of the most beautiful and comfortable ships to sail the Volga River. Uniworld has a long history of operating in Russia, but the company exited the Russian market in 2010 because the quality of the ship and the onboard services did not meet Uniworld's high internal standards.

"Pulling out of Russia in 2010 was a very difficult decision for the company. Uniworld was the first North American river cruise company to offer Russia river cruises catering to North American clientele and Russia has always been a very profitable venture for us," states Guy Young, President of Uniworld. "Our goal is to have the highest standard of service and product delivery in every region we operate and we were only prepared to reenter Russia when we could meet these criteria."

With that in mind, Uniworld will deliver in 2011 the River Victoria. This will be a totally refurbished ship that will incorporate the planning and design themes from Uniworld's sister company, the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. "I am delighted for us to be back in Russia. This is a very exciting destination, and we certainly expect to have a product that is at the top end for the Russian market," furthers Young.

The River Victoria's river view staterooms and suites offer individual climate-control thermostats, telephones, flat-screen televisions with satellite, and bathrooms stocked with high-quality bath and body products. Staterooms and suites on the Neva and Volga decks have full private balconies to view Russia's many gems along the Volga River. The River Victoria's common areas are being designed for their guests' comfort and enjoyment.

The Chagall Lounge offers a full-service bar and dance floor, the Katarina Bar features an outdoor patio, and the Pushkin Restaurant has stunning panoramic views. The ship also offers a sun deck patio with lounge chairs, a fitness room and massage room, a boutique, a library/reading room, a complimentary 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar, and wireless Internet access in public areas.

Guests can experience all the comfort and elegance of the River Victoria on Uniworld's exciting Imperial Waterways of Russia itinerary. This 13-day journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg uncovers some of the world's finest art and distinctive architecture, as well as tucked-away villages with Old World charm and warm, friendly people. From Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Hermitage Museum to the white stone churches of Uglich and Yaroslavl, this cruise brings guests up close to the rich traditions and royal history of Russia. Prices start from $3,299 per person, cruise only, and by booking and paying in full at the time of reservation by October 31, 2010, travelers can enjoy savings of $500 per person off their cruise.

Star Clippers adds 40 new ports in 2010

Monday, 27/04/2009--Star Clippers will make 40 maiden calls throughout the world on its three tall sailing ships during its 2010 season. Repositioning Star Flyer back to the Mediterranean for the summer months and then to Costa Rica for its inaugural sailing season in the region will introduce 33 maiden calls alone. In addition to Costa Rica, Star Clippers is maintaining its core itineraries in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Far East, with several maiden calls. The Star Flyer makes its way back to the Mediterranean from Tahiti with a 34-night voyage from Papeete, Tahiti, to Balboa, Panama. The ship will make maiden calls at Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands before heading east across the Pacific. The Cocos Islands, Costa Rica, and Pearl Islands, Panama, will welcome Star Clippers for the first time on the cruise.

The ship returns to the Mediterranean in May 2010 with new seven-night itineraries between Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Cannes, France, or roundtrip Monte Carlo. The cruises will call at a variety of ports throughout Italy and France, including two maiden calls: Sanary-sur-Mer, France, and Lerici, Italy. In July and August, the Star Flyer will move east, offering seven-night, roundtrip Rhodes, Greece, cruises. The new itineraries take the ship throughout Greece and venture into Turkey’s Blue Voyage region. Most of the ports are maiden calls, including Olympus, Antalya, Kemer, Kekova, Fethiye, Gocek and Marmaris, Turkey; and in Greece the ship calls at Kastellorizon and Simi for the first time. The 14-night cruises between Monaco and Rhodes in July and August also introduce the ports of Amorgos and Elafonisos, Greece.

In October the ship repositions from the Med back across the Atlantic. The 14-night Panama Canal sailing from Barbados to Balboa includes three maiden calls: Bonaire, and Palomar and Blanquilla in Venezuela. In November 2010, the ship will sail two seven-night, roundtrip itineraries from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. The itineraries mark the first time Star Clippers has deployed a vessel in this region, making every stop a maiden port. The first itinerary calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; and Santa Rosa Natural Park, Curu Nature Reserve, Samara, Puerto Carrillo and Islas Tortugas, Costa Rica. The second itinerary calls at Isla Coiba, Panama; and Golfito, Isla del Cano, Drake’s Bay, Quepos and Islas Tortugas, Costa Rica.

Royal Caribbean will operate 101 seasonal Caribbean sailings for the 2010-11 season.

Monday, 18/05/2009--Royal Caribbean International will operate 101 seasonal Caribbean sailings for the 2010-11 winter and spring season. Seven ships will offer 31 itineraries, ranging from seven to 14 nights and call at 28 unique ports. The ships are Adventure of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas. The cruises will depart from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J.; Baltimore, Md.; Fort Lauderdale; Galveston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Colon, Panama. Bookings are now open. With the year-round deployment of Enchantment of the Seas to Baltimore, Royal Caribbean will resume seasonal service in Colon with Grandeur of the Seas, alternating seven-night Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries between November 2010 and April 2011.

The season will begin with a six-night Western Caribbean repositioning sailing from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 1, 2010. Grandeur of the Seas will then alternate a new Western Caribbean itinerary –featuring calls at Cartagena, Colombia; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Honduras- with a Southern Caribbean itinerary visiting two ports in Colombia and the ABC Islands. Enchantment of the Seas will alternate two new itineraries from Baltimore –nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Southern Caribbean voyages. Departing on Oct. 30, 2010, Jewel of the Seas will reposition from Boston on a 13-night Caribbean itinerary to Port Everglades, its new homeport. It will then alternate 10- and 11-night “Ultimate Caribbean & Panama” itineraries, which are similar to those offered during the 2009-10 season. Adventure of the Seas will return to San Juan in December 2010, after its inaugural European season. The ship will alternate two seven-night Southern Caribbean roundtrips departing on Sundays that mirror the ship’s current year-round itineraries from San Juan. Two holiday sailings will feature maiden calls –Grenada and Tortola on the Dec. 19, 2010, sailing; and St. Kitts on the Dec. 26 itinerary.

Simultaneously, Serenade of the Seas will continue its year-round service from San Juan, alternating two seven-night Southern Caribbean itineraries, but will depart on Saturdays rather than its summer Sunday departures. Voyager of the Seas will return to Galveston on Nov. 21, 2010, and alternate two seven-night Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. For 2011 sailings, the ship will call at the new port of Falmouth instead of Montego Bay on itineraries that include Jamaica. Explorer of the Seas will continue to offer five- to 14-night sailings year-round from Cape Liberty. Beginning with the Dec. 19, 2010, sailing, the ship will debut a new 12-night Southern Caribbean itinerary and offer two 14-night Southern Caribbean itineraries, departing on Dec. 19, 2010, and Jan. 2, 2011.

Princess Increases Tahiti, Asia, Australia Sailings

20/05/2009 -- Princess Cruises in 2010-11 is offering “Exotic” voyages to all seven continents. In total, eight ships will sail to Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific, India and South America. Diamond Princess returns to Australia and Asia and features a new itinerary from Sydney to Beijing. The Ocean Princess also sails throughout Asia with some longer routes, including a holiday sailing from Singapore to Bangkok and voyages to India and Africa. Star Princess explores South America including a new holiday voyage to Antarctica from Rio de Janeiro, while the Pacific Princess explores the Amazon River. Royal Princess offers more Tahiti and Hawaii sailings while Golden Princess explores the Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles. Pacific Princess offers a new 107-day world cruise featuring Western Australia and Cape Town via West Africa. Dawn Princess and Sun Princess continue year-round Australia-based cruising throughout the region. Six new ports include Maputo, the capital of Mozambique; Toulon in the south of France; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Manila, the Philippines; and Xiamen, China. A variety of cruise-tour packages are available in Australia, Asia and South America to the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors, Angkor Wat, Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Kakadu National Park, Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu. Exotic cruises are available for booking on May 21.

Princess Cruises: 2011-2012 Asia Cruise season

Monday, 26/07/2010-For the fall 2011-spring 2012 Asia season, Princess Cruises will offer 14 itineraries that include more than 60 ports throughout Asia and beyond, plus cruise-tours to mainland China. Itineraries include Southeast Asia and China routes, roundtrips from Australia, and multi-continent adventures that include Alaska, Australia or Africa.

The cruises are offered by Diamond Princess, Ocean Princess and ships based in Australia. China cruise-tours spend extra time in Beijing to explore a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Forbidden City, The Great Wall, Xian and the Terra Cotta Warriors. On the Yangtze River cruise, passengers sail through the region’s gorges and visit the Three Gorges Dam site. The Southeast Asia and China sailings travel between Beijing and Singapore.

The 16-day voyage visits Busan, Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Bangkok, with the option to add an overland excursion to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Sailings depart throughout the season aboard Diamond Princess from October 2011 until April 2012.

The Diamond Princess offers sailings between Sydney and Singapore or Beijing. The “Australia & Asia” itinerary is a 19-day journey from Singapore to the Asian ports of Ko Samui, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bali, plus Australian calls at Darwin, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach for the Great Barrier Reef. The 23-day “Australia & China” route also sails around northern Australia and adds ports such as Taipei, Nagasaki, Busan, Shanghai and Dalian. Sailings depart Nov. 27, 2011, and Feb. 4, 2012.

Ocean Princess offers journeys between Australia and Asia, on the smaller Ocean Princess. The 20-day “Australia & Asia” voyages sail to northern Australia, including the Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef and Darwin, plus call in Bali, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand. Departures are Nov. 12, 2011, and March 17, 2012. Princess passengers can also explore the northern reaches of the Pacific with voyages between Alaska and Asia. Diamond Princess sails on 15- and 19-day itineraries between Beijing and either Anchorage or Vancouver. The ship takes passengers across the international dateline and calls at Sapporo (Muroran), Vladivostok, Busan, and Qingdao and Dailan in China. Sailings depart on Sept. 24, 2011, and May 1, 2012.

Ocean Princess also offers a 28-day voyage from Rome to Singapore aboard Ocean Princess. The ship will visit Sorrento, Athens and Kusadasi before transiting the Suez Canal and continuing on to Sharm El Sheik, Aqaba, Safaga, Dubai, Muscat, Mumbai, Cochin and Kuala Lumpur. The departure date is Oct. 15, 2011. The Ocean Princess also offers a 30-day journey from Singapore to Cape Town.

The cruise will visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Maldives, Mumbai, Muscat, Dubai, Mauritius, Reunion, Durban and East London, plus an overnight call in Cape Town. Travelers have the option to visit the Taj Mahal in India or take a safari to Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. The sailing departs on April 6, 2012.

Cunard Reports Record Sales for 2011 World Cruises

30/07/2009

Cunard achieved record bookings when its 2011 World Voyage program for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth went on sale July 1. Sales were up by more than 150 percent compared with the first day on sale of the 2010 World Voyage program last year. Queen Elizabeth, whose keel was laid in Trieste on July 2, will make its maiden World Voyage in 2011.

Cunard’s two ships will visit 57 destinations in 34 countries. Queen Mary 2 will again sail the east-west passage from New York to Southampton via the Caribbean, South America, South Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Southern Europe before completing the 103-day circumnavigation. Prices for a full World Voyage start at $19,995 per person.