Holland America Line Wins Nine 2011 Readers' Choice Awards from Porthole Cruise Magazine

Premium Cruise Line Earns Accolades for Top Itineraries, Best Private Island and ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America Line, a leader in premium cruising, has earned top honors with nine 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards from Porthole Cruise Magazine, one of the world’s leading cruise travel publications. The awards included Best Alaska Itineraries, Best Medium-Sized Ship for ms Nieuw Amsterdam and Best Private Island for Half Moon Cay, its exclusive island in the Bahamas. 

Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards are determined by thousands of the publication’s readers who vote on their favorite cruise lines in a variety of categories.

“The readers of Porthole are knowledgeable and well-traveled, having extensively experienced first-hand the voting categories,” said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine. “Our readers appreciate the quality cruise experience both on board and ashore that Holland America Line continues to deliver year after year.” 

Royal Caribbean's Offering The Best in Entertainment This Year

Last year Royal Caribbean aligned with DreamWorks, a major rival of Disney for animated movies. The line now also has 3-D movie theaters and “character experiences” with popular DreamWorks characters, such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Puss ‘n Boots. The line also created new stage shows featuring these characters. 

Holland America's Sail and Save Event

Holland America Line is offering special savings for consumers and special incentives and sales support for travel sellers during its Sail & Save sale that begins today with a variety of enticing specials.

Agents booking a Holland America Line cruise can offer their clients savings of up to 50 percent off select cruise fares, complimentary ocean-view and verandah stateroom upgrades, free or reduced third and fourth fares, reduced airfare for some gateways and sailings, and savings of up to $2,000 on Collectors’ Voyages.

THE MUPPETS DEBUT ON THE DISNEY FANTASY

Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and a cast of more than 20 Muppets make their debut on the Disney Fantasy in "The Case of the Stolen Show," an adventure game that takes guests on an interactive quest around the ship. The goal of the game is to help the Muppets find their missing props so they can take the stage for a big performance. Guided by a map and using a unique game card that is held up in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues that help find the missing props. (c) Disney

Splendour of the Seas debuts complementary iPad service

Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas is to become the first ship at sea to offer an iPad in every stateroom as part of a wider roll-out plan from the cruise line.

The ship, which emerged from dry dock on November 25, offers passengers use of Apple's hot-selling device in order to replace some of the services traditionally provided by phone, such as ordering room service and enquiring about menus.

Explore The Best of Alaska with Holland America Line’s Alaska/Yukon 2012 Cruisetours

Combine glacier cruising with inland wildlife viewing, natural wonders and gold rush history on 17 CruiseTours

 

From the breathtaking views of Glacier National Park to the wilderness of Denali National Park and the Yukon’s Klondike Gold Rush territory, Holland America Line’s 2012 Alaska CruiseTours feature 17 different itineraries that immerse guests in a rich Alaska nature and frontier experience. Departures provide “cruise first” or “tour first” selections to stunning landscapes and less-visited landmarks throughout The Last Frontier.

Ranging in total length from 10 to 20 days, all CruiseTours combine a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage cruise with in-depth overland tours. Offering two days at Denali National Park for wildlife viewing and spectacular scenery, CruiseTours are designed to highlight the best of Alaska’s wilderness, wildlife, native culture and history. Six tours also feature Canada’s Yukon Territory with its Klondike Gold Rush heritage and pristine national parks such as Kluane National Park and Tombstone Park. Departures range from May through September.

Carnival Abandons Bermuda

The surprise news has broken in Bermuda that after fifteen calls this year by Carnival Cruise Lines, the line has cut back its 2012 program from twelve calls to just one next April. The curious thing is that no one seems to have said why this is happening, except that Carnival have planned alternate itineraries elsewhere. In the UK, meanwhile, in another chase for revenue maximization, Royal Caribbean will abandon winter cruising from Southampton in favour of warm weather cruising from Fort Lauderdale for the foreseeable future. But P&O will have two ships running from Southampton instead. Ans back to Carnival again, after ten years of no increase, that line is hiking its recommended daily gratuities per person by 15%.

Carnival Abandons Bermuda

Opposition MPs blame Govt for loss of cruise ship visits | Bermuda Tourism

Opposition MPs blame Govt for loss of cruise ship visits | Bermuda Tourism

Allure Of The Seas To Host “Largest Gay Cruise In History”

Ship will sail on 7-night Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades

Los Angeles-based gay travel company Atlantis Events has chartered Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-guest Allure of the Seas ship for a 7-night Caribbean cruise departing Fort Lauderdale Jan. 29.
 

The special sailing, which is expected to attract gay and lesbian travelers from 32 countries, will be the largest gay cruise in history, according to Atlantis.

Honeymoons at Sea Part II

Last week we reported that the ocean cruise was a leading contender as a romantic, hassle-free choice for a couple on their honeymoon. But before you say “I do” to planning that perfect trip it's important to figure out what type of honeymoon is right for you. This week we continue our list of the perks, pros, and caveats cruise lines are offering their newly wed guests.

Cunard Drops British Flag to Catch Bouquet

Cunard Wedding Packages Go On Sale In December 2011

There was more outrage than mirth in the UK this week after Cunard announced its ships will no longer sail under the British flag.

After much speculation and debate, Cunard, the long reigning queen of the ocean liners announced its ships the company's three ships, with their iconic red funnels will now be registered in Bermuda so that weddings can be held on board, something which is not allowed under UK law.

Carry Her Across the Threshold of a Stateroom Honeymoons at Sea

The old adage about cruising, in which passengers tend to be “newly-wed or nearly-dead,” no longer applies, as cruise lines have embraced a far more contemporary vibe. Still, there's no question that a honeymoon cruise is a romantic, hassle-free vacation option. Cruise lines realize the marketing possibilities and many cruise lines continue to offer perks to attract the newly married, from those coveted tables for two to fresh flowers and Champagne (which unfortunately, on most lines, you'll have to pay).

Throughout all the planning for a wedding and the stress of the wedding day honeymooners really need some decompression and simplicity for their honeymoon. The question becomes, what's the best bet for your honeymoon? It depends. Before honing in on a cruise, it's important to figure out what type of honeymoon you want. Are you active, outdoorsy types? Do you prefer a low-key onboard ambience? Are you a luxury-seeker, or do you prefer more informal, cheaper digs? And age matters too. While most honeymooners have tied the knot at ages ranging from 20-something to 30-something, there are also plenty of choice options for more mature folks. Late-in-life nuptials deserve celebrations, too!

Keel Laying for Royal Princess Marks Construction Milestone

Shipyard Ceremony Begins Countdown to Spring 2013 Debut for Newest Princess Cruises Vessel


ROYAL PRINCESS keel, Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard in Italy.

(PRWEB) A significant construction milestone occurred today when the keel for the new Royal Princess was laid in the building dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. As the keel – the bottommost part of the ship – was ceremoniously lowered into position, Princess Cruises and shipyard officials marked the occasion with a celebration and countdown to the ship’s debut in spring 2013.

Royal Caribbean and Dreamworks Animation Host Red Carpet Premiere Of Puss In Boots Onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure Of The Seas



Allure of the Seas Premiere Featured Appearances
by Actors Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek

Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. hosted a one-of-a-kind red carpet premiere aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest and most innovative ship, Allure of the Seas. DreamWorks Animation’s newest upcoming film, Puss in Boots, made its U.S. screen debut aboard the ship on October 16. Puss in Boots distributed by Paramount Pictures opens nationwide October 28, 2011.

Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend…The Boots. Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks Animation Host Red Carpet Premier of Puss In Boots.

‘The World’s Largest Cruise Sale’ Highlights National Cruise Vacation Week October 17-23

INCENTIVES OFFERED BY CRUISE INDUSTRY AND OVER 5,000 TRAVEL AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO INCLUDE SAVINGS OF UP TO 50%, FREE AIRFARES, SHIPBOARD CREDITS, UPGRADES AND MORE

North American vacationers will have a one-time opportunity to buy cruises at incredible values during "The World's Largest Cruise Sale" October 17-23. That is when 25 cruise line members of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and over 5,000 travel agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada will team up for National Cruise Vacation Week (NCVW). CLIA member lines represent over 95 percent of the North American cruise industry and thousands of sailings in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Canada/New England, the Panama Canal, South America, Australia and the South Pacific, the Middle East and Asia will be on sale.

Holland America Line Receives Four 2011 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards

Travel Weekly Magazine has announced the recipients of its 2011 Magellan Awards, and Holland America Line has received four of the prestigious honors. The line won gold awards in the Entertainment Category for its popular male singing quartet Cantaré and in the Web Marketing/Advertising Category for its online advertising program. The silver awards were in the Cabin Design (Non-Suite) Category for its Lanai Staterooms and the Eco-Friendly “Green” Cruise Ship Award for ms Amsterdam.

Luxury lines deeply discount sailings

(Travel Weekly) Hedging their bets against a recurrence of the kinds of economic and geopolitical disruptions that forced widespread, last-minute discounting in recent years, several luxury cruise lines are rolling out aggressive early-booking deals on 2012 sailings.

For most, it’s a new strategy to build a more solid foundation of advance bookings, coupled with the hope that they won’t have to discount again later. The deals include incentives such as 50% or higher discounts off published fares, free airfare, thousands in bonus savings per stateroom and hefty onboard spending credits.

The deadlines vary by line; most require reservations by Oct. 31, Nov. 30 or Dec. 31.

Cunard Considers Leaving The UK

Cunard has said it may change the registration of its ships so it can perform weddings at sea.

Queen Mary 2

(BBC) Wedding services must be performed in a publicly accessibly place under English law, ruling out ceremonies at sea. But Cunard president Peter Shanks said the firm could instead register its ships in an overseas British territory making weddings on board legal. While the firm's fleet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria was likely to remain based in Southampton.

A number of other cruise firms have already moved registration of their ships to countries like Bermuda, which allows them to continue to carry the British red insignia. Mr Shanks told the Financial Times that weddings performed by captains at sea were "very big business" but it was "denied to us" under current English law.

He said Cunard could designate a "wedding ship" and change its registry alone or re-register all of its ships. But he stressed no decision had been made.



AmaWaterways Introduces new MS AmaLotus on the Mekong

 

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has launched its second new vessel on the Mekong River, the 124-passenger MS AmaLotus. The 7-night maiden voyage set sail this week after a traditional Vietnamese praying ceremony at the shipyard. The MS AmaLotus joins the MS La Marguerite (2009) in providing distinctive river cruises from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as part of the highly-popular “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” program.

“Vietnam and Cambodia offer an incredible array of interesting, historic and scenic destinations, especially along the Mekong River. We’re extremely proud to introduce a second ship there with the features and amenities of the MS AmaLotus,” said Rudi Schreiner, President, AmaWaterways.

Cunard May Set Sail From Liverpool

The president of ship company Cunard has said "it is quite possible" the firm would begin cruises from Liverpool if thecity built new facilities.

Liverpool has a cruise liner terminal but it does not have facilities for cruises to begin and end in the city.

The city is appealing against a restriction that stops it becoming a turnaround port. The proposals are opposed by Southampton, which could see its port business suffer if they are approved.

Cunard's flagship Queen Elizabeth, which was launched in October, is visiting the port for the start of the city's River Festival and will depart at 20:50 BST after a firework display.

QE2 Anchor Set As Landmark in Home Port of Southampton

(BBC) QE2 anchor set as landmark in home port of Southampton It is one of two steel anchors that were hung on each side of the ship.

A 13 tonne anchor from the QE2 has been set as a landmark in Southampton. The 4.3m (14ft) by 2.7m (9ft) steel anchor has been gifted to the city by the Dubai royal family and Cunard.

American Safari Cruises Acquires 86-guest Safari Endeavour

The Safari Endeavour enables more travelers to see the awe-inspiring sights in Alas

American Safari Cruises announces the addition of an 86-guest small ship to its fleet of three yachts offering inclusive adventure cruises. The Safari Endeavour, formerly the Spirit of Endeavour, will undergo major renovation to transform it into an upscale vessel ready to sail in Southeast Alaska in summer 2012.

Queen Mary Marks 75th Anniversary of Maiden Voyage

(BBC)Former crew members of ocean liner, the Queen Mary have revisited the transatlantic passenger ship 75 years after its maiden voyage from Southampton. The retired ocean liner which once held the title for the fastest Atlantic crossing, is now a floating hotel in California.

Former waiter Keith Lloyd said: "She's still got the feel of a ship, but her heart has been ripped out, if you take an engine out you've got nothing."

Crossing the Atlantic weekly between Southampton and New York for 31 years, the ship became one of the most famous and fastest ocean liners in the world.

Tivoli Gardens To Announce Tailor-Made Shows For Cruise Passengers In Copenhagen This Summer

Tivoli Gardens , the amusement park, the second oldest in the world, has a rich history and has worked with Disney Cruise Line, and inspired Walt Disney to design his first theme parks on its design. Unfortunately, Disney will not be back to the Baltic this summer and had worked with Tivoli, the second oldest amusement park in the world, in the past.

Though Disney may not be back in Copenhagen this summer, many cruise lines will: Aida Cruises; Azamara Cruise Club; Carnival Cruise Lines; Celebrity Cruises; Costa Cruises; Crystal Cruises; Cunard Line; Fred Olsen Cruises; Hapag Lloyd Cruise Line; Holland America Line; Norwegian Cruise Line; Oceana Cruises; P & O Cruises; Princess Cruises; Regent Seven Seas; Royal Caribbean International; Seabourn Cruise Line; Thomson Cruises; just to name a few.