Disney Cruise Line Offers Reduced Rate “Bounceback” Cruise

Disney Cruise Line is offering clients sailing on a four- or seven-night cruise this winter the opportunity to sail on a three-night Bahamian cruise for $99 per person, double occupancy, later in 2009. Agents must book clients on a four- or seven-night cruise with sail dates of Jan. 31 through March 8, 2009, and March 21 to 28, 2009. Clients can then select a “bounceback” cruise at the $99 rate on most sailings between Aug. 13 and Dec. 17, 2009. To take advantage of this offer, the first cruise must be booked by Dec. 15, 2008. Call me today to take advantage of this limited time offer. (706) 579-5005 / (877) CRUISE1

Family Cruises Are Popular for Many Reasons

CLIA has just released the results of an online survey on family cruises.

We surveyed over 1,100 households and this is what we found: Families take cruises and they cruise often because the price is right, the value for money spent is outstanding and the cruise experience offers unique advantages over comparably priced land-based vacations.

* Almost half (46%) of respondents have taken two to four cruises with children under the age of 18; 15.2% have taken five to seven cruises, and 4.8% have taken more than 10.

* Over 83% of families said cruise vacations are very good or extremely good value.

* Over 73% said that their last cruise was the same price or less than a resort vacation, with almost 50% saying that the cruise was slightly or much less costly.

* Family cruisers listed many key advantages to taking a cruise over a family resort stay, including: the opportunity to visit multiple destinations (62.8%); the all-inclusive nature of a cruise vacation - accommodations, meals, entertainment and shipboard activities included in one price - (57.7%); onboard kids programs and facilities (30.2%); the variety of onboard amenities (28%); and onboard entertainment (20.3%).

* Over 36% of families said that the destination or itinerary was the primary deciding factor in choosing a family cruise. Almost 30% were most motivated by price.

* Almost 70% of respondents said that planning a cruise was easier than planning a resort vacation.

* The survey found that 44.3% of families spend about half their time together on a cruise, while 42.7% said they spend all or most of their cruise vacation together as a family.

* Over 30% of respondents said quality shared family time was the best thing about a cruise, while over 20% cited the hassle-free "don't need to plan anything" quality of a cruise as the most enjoyable feature of a vacation at sea.

The message we at CLIA get from these findings is that families love cruises, and cruises offer outstanding value.

What does this say to me..."book your cruise "Today"!

RCCL's "Oasis of the Seas" Ultimate Wonderland for Young Adventurers - "Oh, to be a kid again"

The final neighborhood to be added into the deck plans of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas was announced last night. The Youth Zone, a haven for children and teens, joins the ranks of six other previously-announced, diverse neighborhoods that will be aboard the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship due to launch in November 2009. Oasis of the Seas features a unique concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven neighborhoods, including Central Park, Boardwalk with the AquaTheater, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone.

Oasis of the Seas will offer more of everything for every member of the family, including more for our younger guests. The Youth Zone aboard Oasis of the Seas will continue to build on our award-winning Adventure Ocean youth and teen programs, and expand to include dedicated space and programming for our guests as young as six months.

The latest neighborhood unveiling introduced a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures that lie within the Youth Zone - covering a total expansive area of more than 28,700 sq. ft. (2,669 sq. meters) - including, Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting children with dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas; the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older); and state-of-the-art teen areas. A video preview of these areas, including interviews with Royal Caribbean executives, is now available online at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/

In recent years, we've seen family travel increase and evolve, particularly in the area of multi-generational travel. This has prompted us to provide dedicated family travel specialists, as well as offer family vacation options that come with great value and memorable experiences for all. As such, Oasis of the Seas is a welcomed and wonderful addition to our cruise offerings.

The Adventure Ocean youth program aboard Oasis of the Seas will feature the cruise line’s award-winning curriculum currently offered to young guests fleetwide, but with an exciting new and enhanced approach, including impressive spaces created and equipped specifically for designated activities allowing for a more robust program. All Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean and teen programs are led by exceptional, energetic and college-educated counselors, whose goal is to create memorable experiences for the cruise line’s younger guests.

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated advancements is the addition of the Royal Babies and Tots nursery, a first for Royal Caribbean. This colorful space will serve as a fully-staffed nursery where children can be left in the care of Royal Caribbean’s trained professionals, as well as host various playgroups created by Fisher-Price and Crayola for babies and tots.

Open daily, the nursery will offer parents childcare drop-off options in the daytime and evening, carefully maintaining an optimum staff to child ratio. Free-time play also will be offered daily, creating an interactive environment where parents and children can bond while playing with a variety of Fisher Price developmental toys in specially-designed programs offered exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Crayola Beginnings line of toddler art tools will be featured in unique developmentally-appropriate art activities designed for parents and children to enjoy precious creative moments together.

Within the Youth Zone, Kids Avenue will serve as the main promenade for young cruisers to access the various Adventure Ocean areas. Crayola Arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, talent shows and other scheduled and guided age-specific activities will be offered to three Adventure Ocean program age groups, each with its own space: Aquanauts, ages 3 to 5; Explorers, ages 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11.

In addition, Oasis of the Seas will introduce exciting new common play areas, including the Kid’s Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrapbooking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore the world of color and imagination through Adventure Art by Crayola; a fully-equipped lab for Adventure Science Lab, where Einsteins-in-the-making can expand their knowledge; Play, a circular area where children can rollick and participate in a variety of sports and games; and Adventure Ocean Theater, the first-ever children’s theater at sea - complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and state-of-the-art production equipment - where children of all ages can learn about theatrical productions, take part in talent shows, or sign up for hip hop dance classes.

The teen-only spaces will be located one deck above the Adventure Ocean areas and adjacent to the ship’s Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ship’s two FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games. The physical separation of the teen-only spaces from younger Adventure Ocean guests will be one of the many striking enhancements implemented as a recommendation of Royal Caribbean’s Teen Advisory Board — a group of teens recruited last year to identify what youths between the ages of 12- and 17-years would want to see aboard future Royal Caribbean ships.

Longtime favorite Royal Caribbean teen-only spaces, Fuel disco and The Living Room, will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, only larger and more state-of-the-art. The Living Room will be the ultimate go-to hangout for teens to kick back and socialize at the “mock-tail” bar, which serves non-alcoholic sodas and juice concoctions; learn to spin and mix music in Scratch DJ 101 classes, a part of Royal Caribbean’s Scratch DJ Academy; or surf the Internet and keep in touch with friends via the bank of computer stations dedicated to the space. Teens also will be able to kick it up a notch at Fuel, a disco which will feature a hip environment, where they can hang out with friends, and a dance floor, where they can show off their moves. A spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues will give teens more opportunities to make new friends while on their cruise vacation.

In addition to the areas within the Youth Zone and teen-only spots aboard Oasis of the Seas, special attractions for children of all ages also will be located throughout the ship’ other neighborhoods. Along the Boardwalk, kids and teens will be able to shop at retail stores tailored to their interests, and infants and toddlers can ride the Carousel with their parents or enjoy the climbing and play space modeled after a 50’s-style gas station next to the popular Johnny Rockets restaurant. The lively Challengers Arcade also will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, and will be decked out with the latest video games sure to entertain kids and teens. In the Vitality Spa and Fitness Zone, teens and tweens can enjoy a menu of spa options specially tailored for them in a dedicated space at the Vitality at Sea Spa.

A diverse selection of activities for families and guests of all ages will be found in all of the neighborhoods throughout Oasis of the Seas. Family-friendly innovations range from the industry’s first amphitheater, the AquaTheater, featuring theatrical diving performances and spectacular water and light shows; the first zip line at sea stretching 82 feet in length and suspended nine decks above the exciting Boardwalk area; and in the Pool & Sports Zone, the H2O Zone aquapark with its toddler pool and the first beach pool at sea, featuring a true-to-form sloped entry and colorful beach chairs and umbrellas to give guests the ultimate beach experience.

When she launches in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess - A Whole Lota' New

When Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess launches on Nov. 8, the ship will introduce a host of new shipboard services and special features. Among the new options is a pub lunch, an exclusive breakfast for suite passengers, enrichment programs from astronomy to mixology, two new stage shows, and expanded wireless Internet and cell phone connectivity. The 3,070-passenger vessel will also feature the favorites aboard sister ships Crown Princess and Emerald Princess.

Among the new features being introduced on Ruby Princess is a pub lunch in the Wheelhouse Bar. On sea days, the Wheelhouse Bar will serve traditional British pub fare, including bangers and mash, fish and chips, ploughman’s lunch and cottage pie. Traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness will be served. The pub lunch meal service is free and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Suite passengers will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini’s, the line’s trademark Italian eatery. Beginning with a “Good Morning Mimosa,” the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple-and-cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato and vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles. Suite passengers can enjoy this from approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Vines, the wine bar in the atrium, will now feature a selection of domestic and imported artisan cheeses, in addition to more than 30 wines by the glass and seafood appetizers. Twelve varieties -- including unique choices such as boschetto al tartufo bianchetto, reblochon and cambozola -- will be featured each day for a nominal fee. Vines will also host a series of events where passengers can meet members of the ship’s staff, and will continue to offer wine flights and parings. A number of new ScholarShip@Sea enrichment programs will debut aboard Ruby Princess, including party-planning tips from lifestyle expert Susie Coelho via a multimedia presentation hosted by the cruise director. Navigation@Sea focuses on the history of navigation as well as the complexities of plotting the route of a modern cruise ship, with a presentation by the ship’s navigator. Mixology@Sea is a hands-on course taught by the ship’s bar manager. For star gazers, the new Astronomy@Sea program allows passengers to explore the night sky through a telescope on the top deck, with the guidance of a ship’s bridge officer.

Ruby Princess will present two new Princess-produced shows in the ship’s theater. “Broadway Ballroom” presents the music of the Great White Way with a ballroom flair, pairing the songs of hit musicals with dance numbers ranging from foxtrot to rumba. The show also features the talents of a costume designer and choreographer from the TV hit “Dancing with the Stars.” Meanwhile, “Once Upon a Dream” uses multidimensional cinematic projection to follow a dreamscape. The audience will accompany a young woman’s journey as she dreams of everything from a tea party in an English garden to singing camels in the desert, and even a trip through a waterfall and brief nightmare before waking to a new day. A variety of new audience-participation events will also debut on the ship. Karaoke fans can go a bit farther with “Love Boat Legends,” where they are actually transformed into a famous artist of the past. “So You Wanna Be A Rock Star?” moves beyond pre-recorded karaoke tunes to give audience members the opportunity to rock with a live band on stage. “Oceans of Talent” puts passenger talent center stage, whether they play a musical instrument or try out their comedic timing. “The Wake Up Show” takes Princess’ morning show with the cruise director to a new level with an irreverent talk show format, live band, special guests and an opportunity for passengers to join the studio audience, as the show is taped in the evening before its broadcast the next morning.

A number of new service touches will be introduced. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations will offer cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet will also begin serving complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, passengers will find a selection of canapés in several of the ship’s public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore will be greeted with chilled face cloths, and, by the pool, misting stewards will offer a quick spritz with Evian. Young passengers can enjoy a new Wizards Academy, an exclusive presentation from the California Science Center. This program lets children explore the connection between science and magic in a fun and participative environment. Kids will also enjoy activities and projects from arts and crafts company Klutz, or participate in Yoga for Kids, a course designed specifically for children.

Expanding on Princess’ Internet and phone connectivity, Ruby Princess will offer laptop users additional wireless hotspots around the vessel, including staterooms. The ship will also be equipped so that passengers can use their personal cellular phones, if they have international roaming plans, while onboard. A new opportunity to experience an array of back-of-house areas, the Ultimate Ship Tour takes passengers beyond the public areas with visits to the engine control room, medical center, print shop, laundry, photo lab, funnel, bridge and other spaces. Participants will receive themed mementos at many of the stops along the route. The Ruby Princess will feature an inaugural season of Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, followed by a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009.

All in all, there are bountiful of new options coming to Princess. Now may be the time to take a look at this great ship. Call me for special rates and pricing. (877) CRUISE1 / (706) 579-5005

World's Largest Cruise Night - Oct. 16, 2008

October 16, 2008 will be billed as the "World's Largest Cruise Night" by CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association). There are some terrific deals to be had by most of all the major cruise lines. Please click the link below to see these deals:

"World's Largest Cruise Night"

Call me to book or to inquire about these deals - Mike Ziegenbalg, 877-CRUISE1

Don't miss our "Exclusive Savings".

Carnival reopens Puerta Maya and Grand Turk Cruise Center

Carnival Corp.’s pier at Puerta Maya in Cozumel, Mexico -- closed since being damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 -- will officially reopen when the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fantasy visit on Oct. 16. Representing an investment of more than $50 million, the new two-berth pier has been constructed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and can accommodate any ship among Carnival Corp.’s cruise brands. In addition to the newly rebuilt pier, Puerta Maya’s nine-acre cruise center, which features a wide variety of shops and restaurants, will also reopen, along with a four-acre transportation hub capable of accommodating dozens of taxis and tour buses. Four rental car facilities will be available as well.

The Oct. 16 calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Ecstasy will be the first of 550 cruise ship visits at Puerta Maya over the next year. In addition to calling at Puerta Maya, vessels from Carnival Corp. brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel. Collectively, these ships will bring annually to Cozumel an estimated 1.5 million visitors, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year. Puerta Maya’s cruise center houses 42 outlets offering apparel, fine jewelry, artwork and other merchandise from such recognizable retailers as Goodmark Jewelers, Del Sol, Piranha Joe’s, Dufry and Diamonds International. The facility also features 15 stand-alone carts where local merchants market handmade crafts, costume jewelry and souvenirs. On-site dining options within the Puerta Maya complex include the Tres Amigos Bar, a new theme restaurant inspired by the 1986 hit movie starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short. The waterfront eatery -- the first of its kind in the Caribbean -- offers traditional Mexican fare, along with an extensive beverage menu.

Also featured is Pancho’s Backyard, a new franchise from the downtown Cozumel eatery featuring ocean views, as well as Fat Tuesday, a waterfront bar offering frozen drinks and light snacks, along with a DJ and dance floor. Other retail outlets at Puerta Maya include a pharmacy, convenience store and international pay phones. There is also a newly constructed shore excursion pier, separate from the main pier, which allows for quick and convenient access to water-bound excursions, as well as water-based transportation to and from the facility. The Puerta Maya pier and cruise center is located on the southwestern part of Cozumel, approximately five miles south of San Miguel, the island’s largest city.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center on Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, closed since Hurricane Ike slammed the island on Sept. 6, reopened Oct. 8 with the arrival of the 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny.

Cruise passengers swam in the center's massive pool, sunbathed on the 800-foot-long private beach and dined at the on-site Margaritaville restaurant and lounge.

Shops at the 13-acre site reopened as well.
Shore excursions were available, including a tour of Gibbs Cay, an offshore snorkeling sot; dune buggy rentals; swimming with horses; and fishing and snorkeling expeditions.

The island's former hop on/hop off bus tour currently is operating as a post-hurricane island tour. Guests are charged a nominal fee for the tour and are given a pledge card if they wish to donate to the United Way's Grand Turk hurricane relief fund.

The $60 million Grand Turk Cruise Center, operated by Carnival Corp., opened in 2006 and is the largest private employer on the island. Cruise center staff, along with shore excursion operators, comprise approximately 80% of non-government jobs on Grand Turk.

Disney Cruise Lines to Europe for 2010

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) said it will reposition one of its ships, Disney Magic, to Europe for a five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises in 2010. For the first time, DCL will offer a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, where guests can experience fjords, city centers and Viking lore in such Scandinavian ports as Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. The ship will also sail to Warnemunde, Germany, gateway to Berlin, and to St. Petersburg, Russia. Disney Magic will overnight in St. Petersburg, allowing guests time to experience the city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to book a shore excursion to Moscow.

“The Northern European Capitals itinerary provides our guests with an amazing collection of destinations to explore,” said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. “We’re excited to bring the rich history, culture and folklore these ports offer to life for our guests in a family-friendly way only Disney Cruise Line can deliver.”

Departing out of Dover, England, Disney Magic will sail a total of four 12-night cruises to the Northern European capitals in June and July 2010. Book-ending the summer season in Northern Europe, Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports of call not offered when DCL last sailed the Mediterranean. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, the island that was the birthplace of Napoleon.

Departing out of Barcelona, Spain, the Disney Magic will sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in April, May, August and September. DCL will also offer four repositioning cruises including two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, England, and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.

While Disney Magic cruises Europe in 2010, Disney Wonder will shift to four- and five-night cruises sailing to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The shift is designed to accommodate guests looking for slightly longer cruises with DCL while children are enjoying their summer break. Guests will be able to book all DCL itineraries for the 2010 season beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Carnival Cruise Lines to add New Balcony Staterooms to Three Ships

Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to a number of cabins on three ships during upcoming drydocks over the next few months.
Staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty that currently feature floor-to-ceiling windows will be retrofitted with private balconies, creating a total of 48 additional 230-square-foot veranda staterooms.
Also, two new 750-square-foot "deluxe penthouse suites" -- nearly double the size of the largest staterooms in the fleet -- will be added to the Carnival Liberty. The new deluxe penthouse suites will be the largest in the "Fun Ship" fleet and feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, living area and two full bathrooms, including one with a bathtub.
Located on the ship's forward section on Deck 9, the deluxe penthouse suites can accommodate up to five guests and include two twin beds that convert to a king, a sofa bed and two pull-down upper beds.
"Balcony staterooms continue to be in great demand -- in fact, they're often the first cabin category to sell out," said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival's executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.
As an added amenity, Carnival balcony accommodations feature terrycloth robes for guest use during their cruise.
The new balcony staterooms on the three vessels are now available for sale.

MSC Cruises Offers Discounts to Baby Boomers and Seniors

MSC Cruises is offering discounts to baby boomers and seniors on its Caribbean cruises.
Boomers and seniors can save at least 50% and take the kids/grandkids along for free with the line's "Kids Sail Free" policy.
Saver prices for boomers/seniors on all 2009-10 Caribbean sailings of MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra begin at just $449 per person, double occupancy (cruise only, not including government fees and taxes and fuel surcharge) on 7-night itineraries and $749 on 10-night itineraries. At least one guest in the stateroom must be 50 years of age on the departure date and bookings must be made by May 1, 2009.
For more information about MSC Cruises and special Boomer/Senior Saver rates, visit http://www.cruisesbymike.com/ or call me at (706) 579-5005 / (877) CRUISE1

-Also from MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises’ Balcony Blowout promotion offers discounts of more than 60 percent on select Saturday departures of MSC Orchestra this winter when booked by Oct. 13. Cruise-only balcony rates on select seven-night Caribbean sailings begin at $749 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes and fuel surcharge are additional). The limited-time rates are available on an Eastern Caribbean cruise departing March 28, and Western Caribbean voyages departing Jan. 10, Jan. 24, March 7 and March 21. As with all MSC Cruises’ sailings, kids under the age of 17 sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults (government fees and taxes are additional). This offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Restrictions apply and the offer is capacity controlled.

Norwegian Cruise Line News

An agreement for Star Cruises to sell the Norwegian Dream to Louis Group lapsed on Sept. 29. Star Cruises announced in Hong Kong that it called off the $218 million sale and is seeking legal recourse, Reuters reported on Sept. 30. Louis announced it cancelled the sale “due to technical issues relating to the vessel.” Louis did conclude the purchase of the Norwegian Majesty, which was chartered back to Star until Dec. 1, 2009. Louis will continue implementing its fleet renewal program, with the pursuit of alternative solutions. Star shares 50-50 ownership of NCL Corp. with Apollo Management.

In other related NCL news...

Norwegian Cruise Line was featured on Tuesday night’s new ABC primetime game show, “Opportunity Knocks.” The company offered a California family of five the chance to win a seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera aboard the Norwegian Star. NCL will be featured on future episodes of the nationally-aired family game show.