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.

Azamara Cruises: 2012 destination guide

Azamara Club Cruises today announced the unveiling of the cruise lines 2012 Destination Guide.. The brochure highlights the cruise line’s two ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, their worldwide itineraries carrying guests to ports throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Northern & Western Europe, South America, Asia, India and the West Indies, and a variety of culturally-immersive Land Discoveries (shore excursions) and cruisetours.

The comprehensive destination guide highlights the cruise line’s 2012 deployments, which total 64 sailings, calling at 181 ports in 57 countries. It outlines both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest’s itineraries, notes arrival and departure times and conveniently denotes late-night and overnight stays throughout.

Friendly color-coding allows for easy planning, with new features such as individual voyage maps, highlights for each voyage, as well as area average temperatures, and easily referenced “from” pricing listed next to the respective itinerary listing. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest sails the globe in 2012 immersing guest with the cultures and colors of the world’s most exciting and exotic destinations. Azamara Quest will begin the New Year with two days in Bali, Indonesia, while Azamara Journey will offer guests an incomparable view of the fireworks over Brazil’s famous Copacabana Beach.

Azamara 2012 voyages feature itineraries that coincide with unique cultural celebrations or travel to unique destination around the world including Antarctica, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Chelsea Flower Show in England and Floriade in the Netherlands, Jazz in the Norwegian Fjords and the Monaco Grand Prix. Azamara Club Cruises has a continued commitment to support talented young photographers and to bring their unique view of the world to its guests.

 

 

Carnival to Finance $65 Million Cruise Facility near Puerto Plata

By Theresa Norton Masek

Carnival Corp. is financing a $65 million docking facility at Maimon Bay, just west of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Carnival signed a memorandum of understanding with a Dominican joint venture partner, the Rannik family, to build the cruise facility that will accommodate two post-Panamax size cruise ships.

The project will also include an adjacent retail, dining and recreation complex and transportation hub. Pending finalization of all necessary plans and permits, the facility is expected to be completed by fall 2013. Carnival said additional details will be released at a later time. Dominican Tourism Minister Javier Garcia said the project will generate about $30 million in its first year, the Dominican Today newspaper reported. The story said construction is expected to start in October, creating 800 local jobs.

Uniworld expands river cruises and tours in Asia in 2012

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises introduces a new ship, River Saigon, and expands their Asia river cruises and tours in 2012, so travelers can experience this destination in world-class style and comfort for which Uniworld is known. With over 100 departures on 8 itineraries ranging from 10 to 24 days in China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, travelers can unlock the richness and vast diversity of this region. From the Great Wall of China to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, from Spiritual Tibet to bucolic Vietnam, and from the mighty Yangtze to the languid Mekong, Uniworld offers something for everyone.

Travelers can select from one of Uniworld’s two new itineraries including a 15-day “Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong” River Cruise and Tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi; or a 24-day “Grand Asia & the Mekong” River Cruise and Tour from Beijing to Hanoi. Or opt to travel from Beijing to Shanghai for Uniworld’s re-imagined 10-day land-based tour of “Classic China,” or a 12-day “Splendors of China & the Yangtze” River Cruise and Tour.

For those traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia, Uniworld will launch in January 2012, a new beautiful ship, River Saigon, sailing the Mekong River with a maximum capacity of up to 60 guests

First-ever Asia season for Celebrity Cruises

CELEBRITY CRUISES ADDING EXOTIC ESCAPES TO PREMIUM VACATION LINE-UP WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW ASIA ITINERARIES

MIAMI– April 6,2011 –From the Great Wall to the river markets of Vietnam, Asian culture has long intrigued vacationers who seek exotic lands and exquisite cultural experiences. Premium cruise brand Celebrity Cruises will give vacationers a way to enjoy Asia in style when it introduces its first-ever season in the region, during the winter of 2012-13, on Celebrity Millennium, which Celebrity plans to “Solsticize” in April 2012.

“Visiting the Far East for the first time is the result of constantly listening to consumers, who have told us they're eager to vacation in the region with Celebrity,” said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “We know that vacationers’ time is precious, and by delivering a destination as culturally rich and compelling as Asia, with a luxurious shipboard environment that offers truly extraordinary accommodations, service, cuisine and activities,we are offering them the opportunity to experience a deeply rewarding, memorable holiday.”

More luxury, new verandas Celebrity Cruises coined the word “Solsticize” last year, referring to the addition of some of the most popular venues on the line’s widely heralded Solstice Class ships, to its Millennium Class ships. In keeping with those plans, when Celebrity Millenniumbecomes the first Celebrity Cruises ship to sail an Asia season, she will do so with a new slate of AquaClass staterooms. In a drydock scheduled for April 2012, 70 of the ship’s existing Concierge Class staterooms will be converted to Celebrity's signature, industry-first, spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms, and an additional 37 will be built.

Guests who book sumptuous “Celebrity Suites” in which to enjoy Celebrity’s Asia cruises will also enjoy more time outdoors on a new veranda, as Celebrity plans to add these to Celebrity Millennium’seight existing suites in this category. Celebrity also plans to add six inside staterooms and 17 oceanview staterooms, increasing the total number of available staterooms to 1,079. New countries, exotic cultures During the 2012/13 winter season, Celebrity Millenniumwill visit nine countries new to the brand, including Vietnam, Thailand and China, among others. Celebrity’s inaugural Asia seasonwill consist of a series of 14-night open-jaw cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Overnight stays in ports like Singapore; Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Halong Bay, Vietnam and Hong Kong, China offer more opportunities for travelers to immerse themselves in Asian culture. The season also will include two 14-night sailings roundtrip from Singapore with overnight stays in Bali, Indonesia, in January 2013. Bookending Celebrity Millennium’score Asia season will be two transpacific voyages offering unique experiences. The westbound cruise will coincide with the total solar eclipse in November 2012. Guests will be able to view the eclipse while at sea, when sailing from Fiji to New Zealand.

In April 2013, Celebrity Millenniumwill reposition from Hong Kong to Shanghai on a cruise featuring overnight calls in Hong Kong and Beijing (Tianjin), China. The ship will then continue eastbound across the North Pacific to Alaska and will call at various ports in China, Japan, and Russia. Guests who wish to deepentheir experience in Asia can take advantage of one of Celebrity’s cruisetours, which combine a cruise with a five-night pre- or post-cruise escorted land package out of Hong Kong. The cruisetours will feature trips to Xian and Beijing to view the famed Terra Cotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China.

All of these packages are escorted by a local tour director and include hotel accommodations, transportation, select activities, breakfasts and some additional meals. While sailing, a variety of shore excursions are available to travelers who wish to immerse themselves in the region. A number of overnight stays in port during the Asia cruises will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy two- or three-day excursions. Examples of these include a two-night/three-day overland experience from Bangkok to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

The tour focuses on the temples of Angkor to see the best examples of stone carvings recovered from temples across Cambodia. During cruises that include an overnight stay in port at Halong Bay (Hanoi), Vietnam, an overnight shore excursion includes a visit to the Old Quarter of Hanoi; an opportunity to witness unique Vietnamese performing arts at the Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre; enjoy dinner at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant; and an overnight stay in a leading hotel in Hanoi. Guests also will experience the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Museum, as well as a gentle ride on a traditional street cyclo, and lunch at Vietnamese restaurant.

Celebrity also recently announced additional expansion in the Eastern Hemisphere – the award-winning, 2,850-guest Celebrity Solstice, will be the newest Celebrity ship to sail a full winter season in Australia/New Zealand in 2012-13.

Royal Caribbean goes to China

SHANGHAI, June 8, 2011 – At a press conference today at the Shanghai International Conference Center in China, executives from Royal Caribbean International told an audience of 300 travel agents and media partners that it will introduce Voyager of the Seas to the China market in 2012.

Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, revealed that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai, China in June 2012.Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four nights to 10 nights, the move is designed to offer exciting new cruise experiences to Chinese vacationers, as well as attract cruise guests from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia.

Voyager of the Seas will be double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region – weighing in at nearly 150,000 gross registered tons and more than double the size of Legend of the Seas. Spanning 11 guest decks and with 1,556 staterooms, the ship will come to Shanghai from Europe and offer a variety of sailings to ports in Japan and Korea until August, including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea. Voyager of the Seas will depart for Sydney, Australia in October.

 

Royal Caribbean to Base Record 12 Ships in Europe in 2012

Royal Caribbean International unveiled its 2012 Europe cruise and cruise-tour season, upping the ante from its 2011 lineup of 11 ships to 12 for 2012, which will again include two 154,000-ton Freedom-class ships. Also noteworthy is the introduction of eight “interports,” which allow passengers to board in places other than the 12 official homeports. Amsterdam will debut as a homeport, bringing the total to 12, with ships calling at 101 ports in 34 countries on itineraries ranging from three to 16 nights.

Serenade of the Seas will make its European debut from Barcelona. Brilliance of the Seas will operate a new series of Northern Europe itineraries out of Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Mariner of the Seas will add new Holy Land vacations and seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Rome. Vision the Seas also will sail to the Holy Land sailings as well as some Northern Europe itineraries.

Liberty of the Seas will offer new five-night Western Mediterranean itineraries. Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas will sail on a range of Mediterranean cruises.

Voyager of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas will operate Greek Isles and Turkey cruises. Jewel of the Seas will focus on Scandinavia and Russia vacations. Itineraries are open for booking now on Adventure of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. In addition to the 12 homeports, Royal Caribbean is also offering eight “interports” -- where guests can board itineraries en route -- creating 20 options for embarkation and disembarkation. The interports are Toulon, Marseille and LeHavre, France; Genoa, Messina (Sicily) and Bari, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Kusadasi, Turkey. Maiden calls will be made at Arhus, Denmark; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and Kenes (Lofoten), Norway.

Serenade of the Seas will make its European debut on 12-night alternating cruises in the spring, summer and fall roundtrip from Barcelona, with one itinerary featuring an overnight in Venice and the other offering port calls in Greece and Turkey. Brilliance of the Seas’ new sailings, roundtrip from Amsterdam and Copenhagen, include a mix of Norwegian fjord and Arctic Circle sailings of 12 nights through mid-July. Its other offerings feature seven-night “Scandinavia & Russia” sailings roundtrip from Copenhagen from late July through early September.

Mariner of the Seas will return to Europe with a new 12-night Holy Land itinerary roundtrip from Rome, available in May, September and October, which includes overnights in Jerusalem, Israel, and Alexandria, Egypt. Its new seven-night itinerary roundtrip from Rome is available from June through mid-September.

Liberty of the Seas’ new five-night spring sailings from Barcelona will call at Cannes/Monte Carlo, Rome and Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The ship will also operate a seven-night itinerary from June through September. For the third consecutive year, Independence of the Seas will be positioned year-round in Southampton, primarily operating on an alternating series of 14-night sailings, “Mediterranean Treasures” and “Italian Mediterranean” programs. Three 10- and 11-night Canary Islands itineraries will be available in October and November. The ship will also offer one three-night sailing, overnighting in Paris (LeHavre) in May, and a four-night cruise spending the night in Cork, Ireland.

Vision of the Seas will add two new six-night Norwegian fjord cruises from Oslo. The ship will sail Northern European waters from April 29 to Sept. 7, offering 14 itinerary options. Itineraries of four to 12 nights long will explore ports in Scandinavia, Russia, the Norwegian Fjords and British Isles. A 12-night Arctic Circle sailing on Aug. 9, roundtrip from Copenhagen, will cruise the Arctic Circle.

From May through September, Adventure of the Seas will continue on its pattern of seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Malaga, Spain. At the end of the season the ship will operate five seven-night Canary Islands sailings, also from Malaga.

Sister ship Navigator of the Seas begins its European season with an eight-night itinerary on April 14 from Barcelona to Spain, where, through Nov. 18, it will offer seven-night Mediterranean sailings. Grandeur of the Seas’ schedule will include seven-night Western Mediterranean sailings that will operate from June 2 to Oct. 10, roundtrip from Palma de Mallorca.

Voyager of the Seas, meanwhile, will spend the bulk of its Europe season sailing out of Venice, but will shift from seven- to 10- and 11-night cruises, with itineraries including overnights in Istanbul and Kusadasi. Splendour of the Seas will return to its schedule of seven-night Greek Isles and Turkey and Greek Isles sailings for the bulk of its season, sailing roundtrip from Venice from late April through early November.

Jewel of the Seas will continue to operate 12-night “Scandinavia & Russia” cruises from May 15 to Aug. 19 roundtrip from Harwich, England. It will also feature one new cruise on June 20, a “Fjords & Iceland” itinerary, roundtrip from Harwich. Royal Caribbean is offering six cruise-tours, which combines sailings with escorted land tours in conjunction with six ships.

Options include four nights in Madrid and Barcelona, available on Serenade of the Seas; five nights in Venice, Florence and Rome, available on Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas; three nights in Lake Como and Venice, available on Voyager of the Seas; four nights in Paris and London, available on Jewel of the Seas; and four nights in Turkey’s Istanbul and Cappadocia, available on Vision of the Seas.

New Princess ship to be called Royal Princess

Princess Cruises said its new ship, slated to launch in May 2013, will be named Royal Princess. The 3,600-passenger ship will feature several new public areas, including a glass-enclosed Seawalk 128 feet above the water. Its glass-paneled floor will enable guests to view the ocean under the walkway. The ship details were announced at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention by Princess CEO Alan Buckelew. A sister ship to Royal Princess will debut in 2014. Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will construct both ships.

New river cruise ships for 2011: AmaWaterways' AmaVerde and AmaLotus

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

AmaVerde

Maiden voyage: March, 27, 2011* Location: Danube river. Length: 443 feet. Passengers: 161

The buzz: Like its one-year-old sister ship, AmaBella, the AmaVerde offers the line's new "twin balcony" cabins that include both a full step-out balcony and a French balcony. The ship also offers multiple dining venues; room service for passengers sailing in larger Junior Suites; a library with (faux) fireplace; an observation lounge; a 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station; a heated swimming pool on the vessel's top deck; and free wireless Internet access throughout the vessel. Cabins and suites range from 170 to 325 square feet and feature the line's signature infotainment system that includes free Internet and first-run Hollywood movies. Itineraries: 16-day voyages starting $4,799 per person, based on double occupancy

AmaLotus

Maiden voyage: Sept. 5, 2011. Location: Mekong river. Length: 302 feet. Passengers: 124

The buzz: Like AmaWaterways' 92-passenger La Marguirite, which debuted in 2009, the line's second vessel on the Mekong features all-outside accommodations and deluxe, 226-square-foot cabins with all the amenities of a fine hotel. Nine of out 10 cabins also feature balconies, and 10 "Junior Suites" provide an even more spacious 290 square feet of space that includes a King-size bed, balcony, sitting area and luxurious bathroom equipped with both a shower and tub.

Even larger suites measure 624 square feet and boast a private balcony with two lounge chairs and a table. The ship also features a restaurant serving Asian and Western specialties; an authentic Vietnamese "Lau" (Hot Pot) dining facility; a lounge; an outdoor pool and Sun Deck bar; a spa, fitness room and sauna.

Itineraries: 8-day voyages starting at $1,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

Information: 800-626-0126; AmaWaterways.com

Call your travel agent “Best World Travel” (847) 291-6500

New river cruise ships for 2011: Viking River Cruises' Emerald and Prestige

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Viking Emerald

Maiden voyage: March 16, 2011. Location: Yangtze river. Length: 361 feet. Passengers: 256

The buzz: Billed as the most elegant river ship ever designed for China's Yangtze river, the Viking Emerald boasts a balcony with sliding glass doors with every cabin and some of the largest suites ever on a river ship. Among them: The Presidential suites, which are an industry-leading 840 square feet and have separate sleeping and sitting quarters, two flat panel TVs, a bathroom with a bathtub/shower, panoramic windows and a private wrap-around balcony. Public areas on the ship include a sun deck with a shaded sitting area and bar; restaurant with panoramic windows; observation lounge and bar; onboard boutique and tailor; library; Internet café; coffee bar; gym; sauna and laundry.

Itineraries: 12- to 17-day voyages on the Yangtze River that start at $2,642 per person, based on double occupancy

Viking Prestige 

Maiden voyage: July 2, 2011. Location: Danube river. Length: 443 feet. Passengers: 188

The buzz: A sister to the Viking Legend, which debuted in 2009, the Viking Prestige will offer cabins with floor-to-ceiling French balconies and sliding glass doors (on its top two decks) as well as some suites that measure up to 310 square feet. New, hybrid engines will provide a quieter-than-normal ride, the line says, and public areas include a sun deck with shaded sitting area and bar; restaurant with panoramic windows; observation lounge and bar; library; onboard boutique coffee bar; and free shipwide wireless Internet. The Viking Prestige is the first ship to be built as part of a massive, $250 million expansion announced by the line in May 2010.

Itineraries: 8-day Romantic Danube sailings starting at $1,656 per person, based on double occupancy

Information: 877-668-4546; vikingrivercruises.com.

Call your travel agent: "Best World Travel" -  (847) 291-6500

Royal Caribbean announces 2012-13 Caribbean cruises

Cruise Line’s 13 Ships Offer Convenient Vacationer Options from Nine Local Homeports MIAMI, April 27, 2011 – Royal Caribbean International today announced the cruise line’s 2012-13 Caribbean cruises, offering vacationers more choices for an exciting vacation aboard some of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships.

Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the largest and most revolutionary cruise ships at sea, as well as Freedom of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will continue sailing a range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries year-round from five convenient drive-market ports.

Six additional ships, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, will offer even greater flexibility with four- to 12-night Caribbean itineraries, departing from four more convenient domestic U.S. ports in winter 2012-13.

Royal Caribbean’s 2012-13 Caribbean cruises aboard Adventure of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas are open for booking immediately, while 2012-13 sailings aboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas will open throughout next week.

In 2012, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Every weekend, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., while Freedom of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral along the Space Coast.

The recently launched Oasis-class ships introduced many ‘firsts’ to the industry and offer guests the widest array of innovative onboard amenities, accommodations, dining and entertainment options. Aboard all three ships – and Liberty of the Seas – guests enjoy the exclusive DreamWorks Experience, which feature programs and interactive sessions with DreamWorks Animation’s characters from “Shrek,” “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”

Throughout winter 2012-13, Brilliance of the Seas will take over for Serenade of the Seas and join Adventure of the Seas to offer vacationers two ships to embark on a round-trip, seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas continue their year-round departures from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ, and Baltimore, respectively, to the Caribbean.

Explorer of the Seas offers New York-metropolitan vacationers seven-night Bahamas and nine- to 11-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries. In mid-April 2013, vacationers also can choose a five- or six-night Bermuda or a nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itinerary.

Enchantment of the Seas, on the other hand, will sail seven-night Bahamas, nine-night Eastern Caribbean and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries throughout the season. Gulf Coast vacationers will again have three convenient regional ports to embark on a Caribbean cruise in winter 2012-13. Sailing seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries, Navigator of the Seas will replace Voyager of the Seas as a new seasonal product from New Orleans, while Mariner of the Seas will sail round-trip from Galveston again.

Jewel of the Seas will continue four- and five-night from Tampa, where the new five-night itinerary will alternate calls at Cozumel and Grand Cayman or Cozumel and Key West. Liberty of the Seas also will offer four- and five-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades. Additionally, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas continue to sail three- and four-night Bahamas getaways from Port Canaveral and Miami, respectively.