Holland America's Cancellation Plan: Guests Can Cancel "For Any Reason"

Holland America Line guests who purchase the line’s Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) can cancel their cruise or CruiseTour for any reason and receive a refund of up to 90 percent of the cruise fare paid.

Holland America Line now also permits CPP coverage to be added any time after booking, as long as it is purchased before the date cancellation fees begin — or 75 days prior to the departure date for most sailings.

MSC Cruises' Family Plan for Four

The entire family can experience the beauty of the Caribbean during the holidays on 7-night cruises onboard MSC Poesia and save with MSC Cruises’ Family Plan offer for four guests on an affordable family vacation through December 31, 2010.

Guests who book a balcony stateroom during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve Caribbean cruises can save up to 50 percent off a connecting balcony stateroom for an affordable family vacation.

This special Family Plan offer applies for adjoining Category 9, 10 or 11 Balcony Superior staterooms (accommodating up to four guests) on 7-night, Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises departing from Ft. Lauderdale. These cruises sail November 21 (Thanksgiving), December 19 (Christmas), and December 26 (New Year’s).  Family Plan rates for four begin at $697 per person plus $81.35 per person government fees and taxes (GFTs).   

Holland America: Fall 2011 and 2012 Grand Voyages

In fall 2011 and early 2012, Holland America Line again will offer grand voyages that touch all seven continents. The ms Amsterdam and ms Prinsendam each sail two itineraries designed to discover and explore remarkable destinations — from famous landmarks to smaller, lesser-known ports.

Amsterdam sails a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage in fall 2011 and then returns to world cruising in January 2012 with a 112-day Grand World Voyage that visits the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the Mediterranean. Following its 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January, Prinsendam will depart in March to the Mediterranean and the Holy Lands for a 62-day Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage.

“Based on extensive research on our previous grand voyages and a survey of past guests, we created itineraries that feature the most coveted sights and experiences the world has to offer,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “From creative and varied menus that reflect ports of call, to tailored activities and unique amenities, Grand Voyages guests will experience Holland America Line at its finest.”

Without requiring international air travel, Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages make taking a dream vacation easy and more affordable. The voyages feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites, first-time calls at new destinations and extended time in port with late departures, overnights and overland tours.

Grand Voyages offer an enhanced onboard cruise experience with the opportunity to fully experience the pleasures of life at sea. Activities are enhanced with local cultural entertainment and special guest headliners and lecturers. Grand Voyage dining is distinguished by a different experience every day, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine and wines. The premium, mid-size ships selected for sailing Grand Voyages are large enough to offer the diverse amenities today’s discriminating travelers expect, yet small enough to preserve an ambiance of sophistication and an extra measure of personal space. And service levels are at their highest, with nearly one crew member for every two guests, with top staff hand-selected from across the Holland America Line fleet.

Grand Asia & Australia Voyage

In fall 2011, Amsterdam wraps up the year with a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage sailing from Seattle, Wash., to Los Angeles, Calif., departing Sept. 26. Following calls throughout Asia, the cruise continues to western Australia and then explores the South Pacific. Overnights include Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China; Tokyo and Kobe, Japan; Singapore, and Sydney and Perth, Australia.

Grand World Voyage

Amsterdam will sail its seventh circumnavigation with a Grand World Voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., departing Jan. 6. The 112-day adventure first calls in the Caribbean, then moves on to South America, sailing around Cape Horn for a scenic cruise through the Chilean Fjords and then south to Antarctica. Amsterdam then sails west to Tahiti, followed by calls in Australia, the Far East and Indian Ocean, before transiting the Suez Canal and sailing through the Mediterranean and back to South Florida.

Overnight calls include the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney, Hong Kong, Mumbai, India; Barcelona, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Singapore, and Piraeus (Athens), Greece.

The voyage also features a maiden call at Mangalore in Southern India. Hundreds of shore excursions, overland tours and the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites add color to this world cruise.

Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage

Prinsendam returns to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon in 2012 on a 68-day itinerary departing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale Jan. 4. The ship will transit the Panama Canal to South America’s Pacific coast then circumnavigate the continent.

Prinsendam will spend eight days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. The itinerary also features five maiden ports of call: Bocas del Toro, Panama; Matarani, Peru; Cabedelo, Brazil, and Ancud, Chile. Overnight calls include Manaus, Brazil, in the Amazon; Rio de Janeiro; Buenos Aires, and Callao (Lima), Peru.

Guests sailing on this voyage also will enjoy a scenic daylight cruise past the Romanche, Alemania, Francia and Italia glaciers in Chile.

Grand Mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage

Upon its return to Fort Lauderdale, Prinsendam embarks March 12 on a 62-day journey to the Mediterranean and Holy Lands roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

For the first time, Prinsendam will call at Durrës, Albania’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s oldest cities, Saint Raphaél in the beautiful Côte d'Azur region of France, and Castellón de la Plana, in the Costa del Azahar region of Spain.

Overnight calls at Seville, Spain; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens); Venice, Italy; Barcelona, and Lisbon, Portugal, allow time for exploration of some of the world’s most interesting destinations. This voyage can be combined with the Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage for a 130-day cruise.

Reservations can now be booked for 2011 and 2012 grand voyages

Reservations are being taken for all of Holland America Line’s 2011 and 2012 grand voyages, and early-booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests include prepaid hotel service charges, shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and a complimentary shore excursion or event for select stateroom categories. Amenities vary by cruise, stateroom category and booking date.

Rates start at $9,499 for Amsterdam’s 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage; $23,799 for Amsterdam’s 112-day Grand World Voyage; $14,399 for Prinsendam’s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage; and $12,999 for Prinsendam’s 62-day Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage. Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy. The four grand voyages are available to book for the full cruise or in segments ranging from 18- to 112-day sailings.

Dance With The Stars On An MSC Cruise

MSC Melody

Cruise leader MSC Cruises isn’t just renowned for spacious ships with sumptuous designer interiors, superb cuisine and friendly Italian service. It’s equally famous for its creative themed cruises. From Chess and Card Games to Arts and Crafts, Food and Wine, Dance, Wellbeing and Beauty, there’s a choice for everyone to combine their personal passion with a voyage of relaxation, entertainment and discovery.

Upping the tempo, the family-owned company with a personal touch has just announced its 2010-2011 dance cruises, setting feet tapping in anticipation with a spectacular choice of 18-day cruises across the Atlantic, and one week Baila Conmigo cruises along the coasts of Argentina and Brazil.

Each of these MSC specials offers daily dance lessons at beginners’ and intermediate level under the personal guidance of internationally-acclaimed professionals. The stars this year include Elaine Santana and Alex de Oliveira of the Axel Dance Company, and Petra and Norbert Backhausen of the Tanzschule Backhausen. With their expert tuition, even complete novices will be able to get their feet round the right moves in a sweeping array of dances, from the Tango to the Mambo, Salsa, Samba, Cha Cha and more, including Ballroom and Popular Dancing. Each lesson includes a fitness focus, beginning with a warm-up and ending with stretching, adopting fun exercises selected to provide the most appropriate support.

Adding depth, there will be workshops on the origins and special features of the different dances, bringing insight into their techniques and soul.

MSC’s passion for dance is sure to get you into the flow, with evening entertainment that includes beautiful dance shows to thrill and inspire, together with dance competitions for guests at all levels to display their progress and prowess - while of course having a ball. And for the sheer fun of it, there are costume evenings at which you can twist and twirl to the tunes of a Carnival Party, Super Sixties and Seventies Revival, Tropical Dance Night and even the occasional Tango Night. What’s more, if the captivating rhythms and soulful melodies of Cape Verdean music are your passion, an unforgettable experience awaits on MSC Orchestra, dancing your heart away to internationally-celebrated pianist and composer Chico Serra and his band.

Chico Serra and his band

So, if you’re passionate about dance for self-expression and for fitness, there could be no finer opportunity to immerse yourself in its pleasures than an unforgettable voyage with MSC Cruises, dancing Latin American in its lands of origin. You’ll be enjoying superb sports, leisure and entertainment facilities, accompanied by fantastic food and drink from around the world - all served with Italian taste and style. And you could be exploring the famous sights of Rome, Venice, Tunis, Lisbon, Madeira, Buenos Aires, Santos or Rio de Janeiro and more, depending on which route you select, cruising either way across the Atlantic or along the sunshine coast of South America.

Returning home with incomparable memories, guests will treasure a special souvenir, with each participant receiving a beautiful certificate upon completion of their cruise, testifying to the new skills they have acquired.

The first of these MSC Cruises dance spectaculars will be stepping out on MSC Armonia from 20th September to 8th October 2010, followed by MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica all the way through to April 2011. So that whenever you can get away, you can dance away with the stars.

Itchy and Scratchy: Are There Bed Bugs on Your Cruise Ship?

Bed bugs have long been the bane of hostels and motels, even luxury hotels. But after months of occupying a prominent place in headlines around the globe, we wondered: Are they on cruise ships as well?

The short answer: Yes, and they're equally content to feed on the blood of both the budget-minded and big spenders.

Cruise ship infestations are rare, but they do occur. Cruise travelers have complained about possible bed bugs on recent Carnival cruises, and an outbreak on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas caught media attention in early 2005. For those with morbid curiosities, Web site CruiseBruise.com keeps a list of cruise outbreaks.

New Kids on the Block Rock Carnival’s Destiny

NKOTB "Back in the Day"

Rock Out ‘80’s Style to the Bahamas

Liam P. Cusack

Editor

(3:48 p.m. EDT) -- The New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) are together again and will set sail for the Bahamas on Carnival Destiny.

The boy band that made teen girls scream and swoon in the '80's and early '90's has grown up -- and are quickly becoming the kings of the theme cruise world. Veteran cruisers the “Kids” sold out their first concert cruise in 2009, crashing the cruise lines reservation computer systems process. Their last cruise was sold out, as well.

Cunard’s Newest Royal Performance

Liam P. Cusack
New York, NY

When Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth enters service in October 2010 Cunard will be introducing an original concept in theatrical entertainment, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company – the first and only resident theatre company at sea. Guests will enjoy a brand new repertoire of shows premiered by the theatre company's 29 singers, dancers, actors and musicians.

New shows will include the hit "Slice of Saturday Night," a nostalgic pastiche of 1960s music. Adapted especially for the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company by its original writers, the Heather Brothers, "Slice of Saturday Night" features all of the Theatre Company members – the largest production show that Cunard has ever staged.

Tropical Storm Colin forces Bermuda Itinerary Changes

  Weather Alert!

 

(12:00 p.m. EDT) -- Tropical Storm Colin, the third named storm of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, has been slow and disorganized over the past 24 hours, but is expected to reach the island of Bermuda early Sunday morning.According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is currently located about 245

miles south-southwest of Bermuda and has been stationary for the past several hours. Maximum sustained winds have reached 40 miles per hour, and the NHC is predicting an increase in forward speed later today as Colin heads north-northeast.

Cruise Lines Change Itineraries: Greek Strikes to Blame

Liam P. Cusack

New York, NY

(ATHENS, GREECE) Greek workers staged the sixth general strike of the year taking their anger to the streets to protest the government’s austerity measures related to pay and pensions. The strikes halted public transport in Athens, including trains and ferries, and planes were grounded reported the Associated Press.

Two cruise ships were scheduled to make port calls to Athens today. Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, which was originally scheduled to remain overnight in Athens and depart today, sailed from Athens at Midnight in order to avoid the protests the ship will visit Navplion today instead. MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia did make a port call at Athens today as scheduled.

Cruise Industry vs. the Volcano

By: Liam P. Cusack,
Editor
New York, NY

The Icelandic volcano has caused merely a ripple in the ocean of the cruise industry. That could change this summer as many lines reposition their ships for the summer European tourist season As of the date of this posting, none of the major cruise lines have altered their schedules for summer Northern European; European; and Mediterranean cruises.

Cruise lines however are making sure passengers realize ahead of time that the line will not be held responsible for airline cancellations and are urging passengers to purchase trip cancellation insurance.