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Cruise News for the Corporate Travel Professional |
Tuesday July 14, 2009 |
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Cruising in Europe: New Ships And Super Savings |
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From the Arctic Circle to North Africa, the Baltic to
the Black Sea, Iberia to Istanbul, the member companies of Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA) have the entire length and
breadth of Europe covered. With cruises offered in every length of
voyage and in all price categories, there is no easier, more
comfortable way to discover the pleasures of Provence, the treasures
of St. Petersburg or Venice, the Greek islands, Scandinavian fjords,
the Blue Danube, the Adriatic coast and much more.
Beginning this summer and continuing through the year and into 2010,
cruisers in Europe will also have the choice of some of the newest
ships and, most important, can take advantage of super savings.
On top of the already incredible value on offer throughout the
industry, cruise lines are making Europe irresistible with
phenomenal savings including two-for-one pricing, free airfare from
North America, kids sail free plans and other incentives. Add in the
opportunity to sail on some of the very newest ships and the choices
for European cruising become truly exciting, whether it’s a
luxurious trip on legendary rivers, exploring the antiquities of
Rome, Greece and Turkey, and discovering the wonders of the Baltic.
Here is a sampling of what cruise lines are offering in Europe:
AMAWATERWAYS
With Europe as its core product, AMAWATERWAYS is offering discounts
of $500 per person on new bookings for several river cruises
including their Legendary Danube, Blue Danube Discovery, Europe’s
Heartland, Black Sea, Russian Waterways, Provence and Spain and
Portugal and Spain itineraries. There is a $1,000 discount on longer
voyages, including the Magnificent Europe, Ultimate River Cruise and
Grand Danube itineraries. The savings apply to select sailings
throughout 2009.
AZAMARA CRUISES
With both its 694-guest, deluxe ships in Europe this summer and
next, Azamara Cruises is poised to offer travelers unique,
off-the-beaten-path vacations. With Azamara butler service in every
stateroom, complimentary specialty dining, concierge-style
in-stateroom amenities, no formal nights, open seating in the main
restaurant and incredibly warm and personalized service, guests who
vacation with Azamara in Europe will cruise in rich yet relaxed
style through the Greek Isles, Black Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Coast,
Icelandic Fjords, Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia, British Isles and
other regions. Azamara's Europe cruises mainly range from 12 to 18
nights in length; many of these feature at least one in-port
overnight stay. In 2010, the line will visit 93 European ports
throughout 39 sailings in the region. Azamara also offers
cruisetours - a pre- or post-cruise, fully escorted, land-based tour
combined with a cruise - in Europe.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
The new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the largest "Fun Ship" ever
constructed, will debut in Europe on September 21, with a series of
three 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia)
featuring seven ports: Naples, Livorno and Venice, Dubrovnik,
Messina, Monaco and Barcelona. The ship will then make a 16-day
transatlantic crossing from Rome with stops in Barcelona, Palma de
Mallorca, Malaga, the Canary Islands and Bermuda. The ship will
feature Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor cafe and entertainment venue,
and numerous other innovations.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
With Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Equinox, set to debut
later this summer in Southampton, England, the line will offer two
of its highly-buzzed-about Solstice-class vessels in Europe for much
of its 2009 season there. Celebrity Solstice, the 2,850-guest ship
that Celebrity launched in late 2008, offers 10- and 11-night
Eastern Mediterranean voyages this summer, roundtrip out of Rome.
When Celebrity Equinox sets sail on July 31, she will offer two
one-time voyages before presenting a remainder-of-season series of
13- and 14-night "Ancient Empires" cruises roundtrip out of Rome.
The stylish new class of ships offers brand-defining, industry-first
features, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass;
a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of
Glass; 10 unrivalled dining venues; widely varied entertainment,
including shows with breathtaking aerial acts; and a new,
spa-inspired "AquaClass" category of staterooms.
COSTA CRUISES
Known for its European character and spirit, Costa Cruises
inaugurated two new ships this year, the 2,260-guest Costa Luminosa
and the 3,000-passenger Costa Pacifica. The company is offering
several incentives to cruise in the Mediterranean this summer.
Seven-night Mediterranean sailings begin at just $549 per person and
discounted air offers of up to $300 off per person are also
available. Additionally, Costa features “Kids Sail Free” specials.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal offers Europe-bound cruisers several ways to save this
summer. An “All Inclusive-As You Wish” program provides up to $1,000
per person in spending credit to be used for everything from shore
excursions to cocktails while “Celebrations Savings” features
savings of up to $1,500 per person on most 2009 European
itineraries. In addition, there are Business Class air add-on fares
for Baltic, northern Europe and Mediterranean sailings starting at
just $799. And, cruisers who sail in 2009 can save 20 percent on
2010 Crystal cruises.
CUNARD LINE
Guests booking either of two upcoming European cruises on Queen
Victoria can save at least $600 per stateroom, based on double
occupancy. The November 7, 2009 "Wonders of the Mediterranean" is a
16-day roundtrip voyage from Southampton, visiting Malaga, Palermo,
Dubrovnik, Venice, Split, Corfu and Gibraltar. The 10-day "Winter
Wonderland" roundtrip voyage departs Southampton on December 9, 2009
and will call on Hamburg, Stavanger, Oslo, Copenhagen and Zeebrugge.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Responding to customer demand, Disney will return to Europe in 2010.
Disney Magic will offer a five-month season of Northern European and
Mediterranean cruises, including a 12-day “Northern European
Capitals” voyage from Dover, England featuring an overnight in St.
Petersburg and Scandinavia. An 11-night Mediterranean itinerary will
feature Barcelona, Malta, Tunis, Naples, Rome, La Spezia, Corsica
and Villefranche. A 10-night Mediterranean cruise also will be
available.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Six Holland America vessels, including the newest, the
Signature-class ms Eurodam, will cruise to 166 ports on 75
itineraries in Europe this year ranging from the Arctic Circle to
the shores of North Africa and the Black Sea. From six to 47 days,
the voyages will include 16 new ports for Holland America guests. As
well as other features, guests may take advantage of free or reduced
cruise fares for a third or fourth person in a stateroom, upgrade
savings and 25 percent discounts on most pre-and post-cruise hotel
packages.
HURTIGRUTEN
Depending on the cruise, Hurtigruten offers numerous ways to save in
Europe this summer and shoulder season. First, the "Norwegian
Coastal Value Package" featuring air, hotel, cruise and transfers
for one-stop shopping. Not only that, 2 can sail for the price of 1
on select Coastal voyages from Sept - Dec. from as little as $680
per person. In addition there's the special Greenland to New York
expedition aboard the luxurious MS Fram departing Sept. 22 for only
$4,249. The kicker - pay off your cruise with the Layaway Getaway, a
hassle-free, no interest monthly payment plan.
MSC CRUISES
MSC’s newest ship, the 3,274-passenger MSC Splendida, debuts this
summer in Europe, making seven-night “Splendid Mediterranean”
cruises featuring Barcelona, La Goulette, Tunisia, Malta, Messina,
Rome, Genoa and Marseille. Special savings include MSC’s Kids Sail
Free program and a Boomer/Senior Saver in Europe. On select 2009
Mediterranean and northern Europe itineraries on nine ships, boomers
and seniors can save at least 60 percent. One traveler must be at
least 50 years of age.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
This summer, Norwegian sails three of its newest Freestyle Cruising
ships in Europe. Norwegian Gem sails a seven-day Western
Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona; Norwegian Jade, which homeports
in Europe year-round, sails a series of 12 and 14-day Mediterranean
cruises; and Norwegian Jewel sails a 12-day Baltic Capitals
itinerary from London (Dover), England. In 2010-2011, Norwegian will
continue its largest ever deployment with three ships positioned
there, but for the first time ever, NCL will homeport Norwegian Gem
in Venice, sailing two different seven-day Adriatic, Greek Isles and
Turkey cruises. Norwegian Jade will homeport in Barcelona sailing
seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises and Norwegian Sun will sail
a 12-day Baltic Capitals itinerary round-trip from London (Dover),
England.
OCEANIA CRUISES
Oceania Cruises has announced its 2010 European Collection of
cruises with free airfare from 20 North American gateway cities and
$2,000 price reductions off of two-for-one cruise fares. Oceania
will offer 34 different itineraries next year, three quarters of
them brand new for the line. They include off-the-beaten path
destinations in Russia, Greece, Syria, Iceland, Turkey and some of
the most chic yacht harbors in France, Italy and Spain. In all, the
European Collection will feature 137 ports of call stretching from
the ancient sands of Egypt and Israel to the great white lands of
Iceland and the Polar Ice Barrier.
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises will offer its most extensive European season ever
this year. In total, the program will feature a six-ship fleet
sailing on 90 voyages of 36 different itineraries to 132 ports and
destinations. Sailing choices range from seven to 31days during a
season that runs through November 30 and encompasses the entire
Mediterranean and Adriatic, and western and northern Europe. Among
the eleven new ports of call are Sochi, on the Black Sea; Murmansk,
the largest city north of the Arctic Circle; Klaipeda in Lithuania;
Barrow, for visits to England’s Lake District; Ceuta, in Morocco and
others.
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent Seven Seas is making the Baltic a bargain this July and
August. On select sailings of the Seven Seas Voyager, guests can
take advantage of free shore excursions; free roundtrip airfare in
business or economy class; 35 percent Extended Early Booking savings
for voyages departing July 17 and July 24; and two-for-one pricing
on cruises departing July 31, August 7, August 14 and August 21.
Seven Seas Voyager offers all-suite, all-balcony accommodations for
700 guests, single seating dining in four venues, complimentary
beverages, including wine and spirits and more. Pricing includes all
onboard gratuities.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean has announced that what is currently the world’s
largest ship, the Independence of the Seas, will be based year-round
in Europe in 2010, sailing from a home port of Southampton, England.
Independence of the Seas will lose its title to RCI’s even larger
ship, Oasis of the Seas arriving later this year, but will remain
the largest ship sailing in Europe. It will be one of eight Royal
Caribbean ships in Europe next year. Itineraries will range from
four to 14 nights, with three- to five-night cruisetour vacation
extensions.
SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
The Yachts of Seabourn now includes the first new ultra-luxury
cruise ship to enter the market in over six years. Seabourn Odyssey
has been hailed as “a game-changer for the luxury segment.” The new
450-passenger vessel sails in the eastern Mediterranean and Black
Sea for the rest of the summer and autumn on itineraries of seven to
more than 30 days in length departing from several ports. The ship
features ocean-view suites with private verandas, fine dining, the
Spa at Seabourn and all the inclusive amenities and services
travelers have come to expect. Seabourn Odyssey cruises are
currently offered at savings of up to 65 percent off brochure fares.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
In Europe through October, the 50-couple SeaDream I and SeaDream II
will sail seven- to ten-day itineraries in the Mediterranean, the
Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, even down to Tunisia. Embarkation
ports include Barcelona, Seville, Tenerife, Lisbon, Nice, Monte
Carlo, Rome, Venice, Athens and Dubrovnik. Specializing in visiting
some of Europe’s most elegant yacht harbors, SeaDream has added
numerous new ports of call in France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia,
Croatia, Greece and the Azores to the 2009 schedule. Travelers can
currently take advantage of all-inclusive fares representing as much
as 58 percent savings.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Silversea Cruises has added 37 voyages that qualify for its $1,000
per suite “Onboard Spending Credit” promotion. Valid without
limitation for spending onboard the ship or for shore excursions,
the credit may also be combined with other discount programs
including the Early Booking Incentive, an Advance Payment Bonus,
Silver Sailing cruises, and free air programs. Silversea’s European
schedule includes a new offering: a seven-day cruise on Silver
Whisper departing September 12 from Istanbul to Athens. Silver
Sailing fares feature a savings of 50 percent, plus free or reduced
roundtrip economy air transportation from select North American
cities.
UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
Offering river cruises throughout Europe and in Africa and Asia,
Uniworld introduces two new ships in 2009 - the River Beatrice
arrived in March and sails the Danube River and the River Tosca will
debut in late September to make voyages along the historic Nile in
Egypt. The company has added several new European itineraries, many
combining Paris with river travel to Germany, Austria, even Romania.
Uniworld is currently offering exceptional savings on many of their
2009 cruises, including 2 for 1 specials, single supplement waived,
and special end of the season savings. Uniworld has also introduced
a generous Pay-In-Full Savings program with up to $2000 per
stateroom savings on their 2010 Europe river cruises.
WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar Cruises is offering inclusive air from New York on select
2009 Europe sailings booked by July 31 and is also offering a $500
per couple shipboard credit for guests who book a 2010 cruise by
September 30, 2009. Sailing April through October and into early
November, the seven-day voyages on three ships - Wind Surf, Wind
Star and Wind Spirit - depart from several ports including Venice,
Rome, Barcelona, Athens, or Istanbul and encompass most of the
Mediterranean. Windstar offers a luxurious sailing experience
carrying no more than 312 guests, making it easy to visit some of
Europe's most intimate harbors |
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Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc.
150 S. University Dr. Ste E,
Plantation, FL 33324 - USA
Tel: +1 954 452 8800 Fax: +1 954
252 3945
EMail:
sales@cruiseco.com |
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