To qualify for a Military rate, at least one guest in the stateroom must be classified as one of the following:

1. Active personnel currently serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves or Canadian National Defense.

2. Retired from any of the divisions listed directly above.

3. Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of 2 years, or 6-months in an active war zone, in any of the United States service divisions listed above.

At least one guest per stateroom must be eligible to be considered in compliance with these rates.

Prices are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy. All itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Government taxes and fees are additional.

Contact your local travel advisor for additional information.

Source: Royal Caribbean

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SeaDream II luxury yacht.

The 56-stateroom SeaDream II will sail the Amazon River beginning February 10, 2013 departing from Barbados. Offered as a 20-day voyage; Barbados to Iquitos, Peru, or two 10-day voyages; Barbados to Manaus, Brazil or Manaus to Iquitos. New in 2013 are two 7-day Upper Amazon voyages sailing from Iquitos, Peru roundtrip. SeaDream is nimble enough to go upriver, deep into the Peruvian rainforest.

In total, SeaDream has eight Amazon voyage options in 2013. James Cabello, Manager of SeaDream’s Land Adventures said “our land packages have been tailor-made to include comfort and authenticity. I’ve scouted out the best experiences with highly qualified guides.”

Highlights of Pre and Post Voyage Adventures to Machu Picchu:
•Visit Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
•Get up close with llamas, fall in love with alpaca, and see ancient weaving techniques still in use.
•Enjoy a gastronomic feast at Wayra Ranch, hosted by Chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
•Watch stunning equestrian demonstrations of the Peruvian Paso horses set to Marinera music.
•Tour the fortress of Ollantaytambo.
•Take a spectacular 3 ½ hr. ride aboard the Orient Express luxury train, the Hiram Bingham (brunch served while the spectacular Andean scenery passes by).
•Relish the views while having afternoon tea at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Hotel.
•Watch the sunset with only a handful of others at Machu Picchu, where you’ll stay overnight.
•Wake up in Machu Picchu and experience sunrise from your elegant, peaceful hotel.
•Tour Cusco (“Archaeological Capital of the Americas”) and its Inca walls.
•Visit Cusco’s Pre-Columbian Art Museum by night, dining at the Museum’s restaurant featuring Novoandina cuisine.
•In Lima, savor an authentic Peruvian lunch followed by a panoramic tour of the “City of the Kings”.

Source/photo: SeaDream

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Liberty of the Seas. (photo: RCI)

Royal Caribbean International announced today that a total of nine ships will sail the European waters in 2013. Most recently announced was Legend of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.

So who’s going where?

• In May and August, Vision of the Seas will alternate seven-night Norwegian Fjords and Scandinavia & Russia itineraries from Copenhagen, Denmark. The ship also will offer seven-night Scandinavia & Russia sailings from Stockholm in July. Two Ultimate Scandinavia & Russia itineraries each feature two overnights in St. Petersburg, one sailing on June 19 from Copenhagen on an 11-night itinerary that concludes with an overnight at Stockholm, and the second on July 28 from Stockholm on a 10-night itinerary that concludes with an overnight at Copenhagen. Additionally from Copenhagen, vacationers can select a 10-night British Isles cruise departing on Aug. 7, or an 11-night sailing on June 8 that ventures up the Norwegian Coast and beyond Latitude 66 North into the Arctic Circle.
• Vision of the Seas complements Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas’ Europe 2013 sailings in the North Sea. Brilliance of the Seas also will sail the North and Baltic seas, but on longer 10- to 11-night itineraries from Harwich, England. Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas will homeport at Southampton, to offer a wide range of itineraries to the Baltics, British Isles, Mediterranean and Canary Islands.
• Legend of the Seas divides its Europe summer between the homeports of Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice. From May through August, the ship sails a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, calling at Genoa, Italy; Provence (Marseilles), France; and Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Valencia, Spain. A nine-night circumnavigation of the Italian peninsula, departing Aug. 31, brings Legend of the Seas to Venice, where the ship will offer vacationers a pair of 10-night Greek Isles and 11-night Greece & Turkey itineraries in Sept. and Oct.
• Legend of the Seas bolsters Navigator of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice, respectively. Navigator of the Seas offers seven-night Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises, while Splendour of the Seas offers seven-night Adriatic and Greek Isles sailings.
• And from Barcelona, Liberty of the Seas offers vacationers five- and seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises and Serenade of the Seas offer a selection of 12-night Mediterranean Greek Isles and Mediterranean Venice itineraries.

Most all of the cruise ships will undergo Royal Caribbean’s Royal Advantage program, giving the ships Oasis-like features and heavily refurbished.

Source: Royal Caribbean

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"Queen Mary 2" and "Deutschland" during the 823rd Hamburg Port Birthday. (photo copyright: S.Breitenbach)

The Port of Hamburg will be visited a total of 33 times by cruise ships in May. While the volume of passengers for the whole of 2008 stood at 89,000, passenger turnover in May 2012 alone is anticipated to hit the 94,000 mark. Eight cruise ships (‘AIDAblu’, AIDAluna’, ‘AIDAmar’, ‘AIDAsol’, ‘Deutschland’, ‘Le Boréal’, ‘MSC Lirica’ and ‘Queen Mary 2’), the ‘Star Flyer’ and the training vessel ‘Alexander von Humboldt 2’ all made an appearance on the port’s 823rd anniversary (May 11-13).

In addition, this month will also witness three maiden visits, five double visits, three triple visits, one quadruple and even one quintuple visit.

The crowning glory was surely the world’s biggest ship’s christening involving the “AIDAmar”. Accompanied by three sister ships, the latest ship in the AIDA Cruises fleet was named on Saturday evening in an elaborately staged event at the Port of Hamburg. Hundreds of thousands of spectators followed the exceptional naming ceremony.

Source: Port of Hamburg

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“Since 2006 when Costa Cruises started to market its cruise product in Asia, we have further strengthened and tailored our product to our local clients’ needs and wishes,” said Pier Luigi Foschi, chairman and CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A. “Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will bring a piece of ‘Italy at sea’ to Asia as Costa has successfully done in all other countries, throughout its 64 years of history. The successful results we have obtained until now are encouraging our company to further expand in the region.”

As the first international cruise company to enter the Chinese market, Costa has become one of the best-recognized and most popular tourism brands in Asia. Since the line began operations in Asia six years ago, Costa has carried more than 350,000 guests in the region.

Currently operating Costa Victoria replacing Costa Classica, which has been repositioned to the Mediterranean, Costa will add Costa Atlantica to the region.

Flickr photo by shapeshift

Chris Owen is a travel writer from Orlando Florida charged with sharing frank, inside information on cruise vacations with travelers. Certified a Master Cruise Counselor by the Cruise Lines International Association, Chris can be found via the popular travel blog, ChrisCruises.net and on the long-running cruise information website, YourCruiseDream.com

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These are not often called on ports that should further enhance Crystal’s position in being one of the top cruise lines for destination immersion, a rabidly popular feature luxury lines have fully embraced in recent years.

Let’s take a look at those new destinations, the wiki on each and the cruise line’s description:

• Klaipėda: “The third-largest city in “hot” Lithuania, this historic east-west-south crossroads offers metropolitan architecture, as well as the natural beauty of the Curonian Spit right outside.  Crystal Adventures: Birdwatch at the Ventė Cape ornithological station, learn about local fairytales at the Hill of Witches Sculpture Park, bike through Old Town, or step inside a former Soviet nuclear missile base.”
• Heimaey: “Virtually destroyed in a 1973 volcanic eruption, this rebuilt island of 4,500 people serves as home to 8 million puffins per year.  Crystal Adventures: Explore caves by RIB boat, motorboat past orcas and puffin colonies, or watch locals rope-swing over cliffs to collect bird eggs.”
• Saint-Jean-de-Luz: “This Basque coastal gem, with narrow cobblestoned lanes leading past the Church of St. Jean Baptist, is where Louis XIV married Spain’s Marie Thérèse in 1660.  Crystal Adventures: Glimpse Balenciaga’s haute couture, make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, sample Basque delicacies, or daytrip to San Sebastian, Biarritz, or Hemingway’s Pamplona.”
• Leknes: “The Lofoten archipelago’s colorful Arctic trading/shopping center is ground zero for Norway’s most stunning mountains and cliffs.  Crystal Adventures: Safari for sea eagles, appreciate frozen art at an ice bar/gallery, or learn Scandinavian history at Borg’s Viking Museum.”
• Bonifacio: “French chicness and Napoleonic history are all crammed into this one medieval Corsican town, perched precariously on the edges of stunningly steep, limestone cliffs.  Crystal Adventures: Canoe along the coast, ride a wheel train through the port, or trek cliffside hiking paths past wildlife and gorgeous views.”
• Palamós: “This 800-year-old Costa Brava fishing village is famous for giant-sized prawns, water sports, and some of the best people-watching in Europe.  Crystal Adventures: Segway around gothic Girona, taste Salvador Dalí via a visit to his home or a meal inspired by his favorite dishes, or daytrip to Barcelona for a behind-the-scenes tour of Barça Team’s Football Club Stadium.”
• Akureyri: ‘Iceland’s second-largest city offers a robust cultural scene surrounded by snowcapped peaks and gardens. Crystal Adventures: Visit the “Waterfall of the Gods,” flightsee over Eyjafjordur fjord to Grimsey Island, take a whale-watching expedition, soak in the Myvatn Nature Baths, or sample homemade ice cream, jam, and smoked lamb at local farms.”

Until June 30, all-inclusive Book Now fares for the luxury European cruises featuring maiden calls start at $3,165/person, with optional air add-ons and savings for groups of six or more, combining cruises, and Crystal Society member-sponsored, new-to-Crystal guests.

Chris Owen is a travel writer from Orlando Florida charged with sharing frank, inside information on cruise vacations with travelers. Certified a Master Cruise Counselor by the Cruise Lines International Association, Chris can be found via the popular travel blog, ChrisCruises.net and on the long-running cruise information website, YourCruiseDream.com

photo: CCL

Congrats to Carnival Corporation & plc for placing in this years “100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine.  Not only did Carnival place #52 on the list, up from #69 last year, but they’re the only cruise line to make the list.

CR Magazine ranks on seven different areas: environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance, and philanthropy.

Carnival Corporation & plc operates Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK & Australia) and popular tour companies in Alaska and Canadian Yukon.

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photo: Scenic Tours

Scenic Cruises has announced the commission of a seventh Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ (pictured right) for its European fleet.  To be christened Scenic Jewel, will undertake her inaugural voyage in 2013 along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest. 

“2011 was our most successful year to date for European river cruising and 2012 is shaping up to be even stronger,” states Scenic Tours Managing Director, Glen Moroney.

Renowned interior designer, Heather Buttrose, developed the interiors for both Scenic Jewel and Scenic Crystal.  Her special touches include spacious walk-in showers, larger wardrobes and marble bench tops.

Scenic Jewel will also showcase a number of innovative new technical upgrades including a ‘silent drive’ system, which significantly reduces noise and vibration, and the most sophisticated air conditioning system ever fitted to a river cruiser.

Source: Scenic Tours

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AmaWaterways Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, CLIA President and AmaCerto Godmother Christine Duffy and AmaWaterways President Rudi Schreiner attend the christening of AmaWaterways' newest ship.

CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) President and now godmother Christine Duffy christened the 164-passenger AmaCerto, today in the Danube town of Vilshofen, Germany.

The day’s festivities began with a rendition of the “Triumphal March from Aida” while “stelzengehers” or stilt walkers welcomed the crowd as the AmaCerto sailed into view. Vilshofen Mayor Georg Krenn greeted the enthusiastic crowd of local dignitaries, river cruise executives and passengers, followed by remarks from AmaWaterways President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner & Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst, as well as Godmother Christine Duffy.

AmaWaterways’ new AmaCerto is a deluxe 164-passenger vessel that incorporates the most advanced river cruise ship design including Twin Balconies in the majority of its spacious staterooms and suites, which range up to 350 sq. feet. Passengers will enjoy gourmet dining with local wine at the multiple fine dining venues available onboard.

The AmaCerto also features a heated sun deck swimming pool with a ‘swim-up’ bar; fitness center and spa; complimentary Internet and Infotainment system in all staterooms plus Wi-Fi. For passengers wanting to explore the serene paths along the rivers, the AmaCerto offers a fleet of bicycles onboard.

The AmaCerto will serve the Dutch and Belgium Waterways and the Danube and Rhine Rivers on nine unique itineraries.

Source/photo: AmaWaterways

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Gavin MacLeod and Gavin MacLeod meet on the bridge of Island Princess. (photo: Princess)

What’s in a name? Well, at Princess Cruises the name Gavin MacLeod naturally is associated with the famous TV captain of “The Love Boat.” But it turns out that the line coincidentally also has a real-life bridge officer with the same name. And the long-time Princess ambassador couldn’t wait to meet him.

When Island Princess Third Officer Gavin MacLeod, who hails from Inverness, Scotland, joined Princess in 2010, he never gave much thought to the fact that he shared a name with the actor who made the role of “Captain Stubing” an iconic part of television history.

But last week when Island Princess called at the port of Los Angeles, the two men met on the ship’s bridge and enjoyed lunch together at Sabatini’s restaurant. The pair also signed several navigational charts to be auctioned for charity.

Frequently filmed aboard Princess ships throughout its 1977-86 run, “The Love Boat” created a lasting legacy in the cruise industry. Actor Gavin MacLeod has continued his association with the cruise line ever since, serving as an ambassador who travels regularly aboard Princess ships and represents the company at a variety of events throughout the year.

Source: Princess Cruises

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