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.