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LATEST TRAVEL NEWS
What to Expect on a River Cruise: Two Popular Companies Share Highlights:
1. AMAWaterways: Cruise/tour highlight: New, state-of-the art fleet of European river cruise vessels with every modern luxury of a top-rated hotel. Innovative ship design featuring French balconies. Elegant staterooms with marble-appointed bathrooms, luxurious amenities, flat-screen TVs and Infotainment system. Complimentary features include free-flowing local wines at dinner, onboard Wi-Fi and expert city tours at each destination. Fitness area, beauty salon, walking track and fleet of bicycles.
2. UNIWORLD: Cruise/tour highlight: Boutique hotel-style cruise ships with lavishly appointed river view staterooms. An over 98% guest satisfaction rating. All meals with complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner onboard. Al Fresco dining on the Sun deck is also offered on some ships.” Gourmet cuisine prepared fresh daily using local ingredients. Captivating shore excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides. Complimentary bicycles on select ships. State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions on company-owned ships. Exciting onboard entertainment and insightful lectures. Multigenerational Family-Friendly programs on select itineraries. Award winning Cruise Managers and attentive, all English-speaking staff.
The Galapagos — By Solar Tours
Approximately 600 miles off the coast from Guayaquil is the Columbus Archipelago (often referred to simply as The Galapagos Islands), home to Galapagos National Park. The Galapagos is one of the most popular sites in Ecuador and home to giant turtles, prehistoric iguanas and a variety of other unique species.
The area is heavily vegetated and is comprised of 13 large volcanic islands, 6 smaller islands and 107 rocks and islets. For many, it’s a true paradise with natural beauty such as gorgeous white-sand beaches, lava tunnels and animals that are unique to the area. The islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and have been nicknamed “The Enchanted Isles”.
U.S. said to be Planning an Ease in Rules for Travel to Cuba
The Obama administration is planning to expand opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba, the latest step aimed at encouraging more contact between people in both countries, while leaving intact the decades-old embargo against the island’s Communist government, according to Congressional and administration officials.
The officials, who asked not to be identified because they had not been authorized to discuss the policy before it was announced, said it was meant to loosen restrictions on academic, religious and cultural groups that were adopted under President George W. Bush, and return to the “people to people” policies followed under President Bill Clinton.
The Bahamas — By CLIA
The Bahamas is an English-speaking country consisting of 29 islands, 650 cays, and close to 2,500 islets and is located in the Atlantic, north of Cuba and Hispaniola. When you add up the land area, it is slightly larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island.
The Bahamas is one of the most prosperous nations in the Caribbean basin and relies on tourism to generate most of the economy.
There are four main areas of the Bahamas, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and the Out Islands. The rest are, relatively speaking, uninhabited.
New Orleans Becomes a Major Cruise Hub Again in 2011.
The city's once-booming cruise business making a come back after five years since Hurricane Katrina?
In the latest sign of a comeback for cruising out of the Big Easy, Royal Caribbean just announced in April it would be heading back to the city in 2011. Royal Caribbean is following Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line in returning to New Orleans.
Latest on Tipping
Tipping is fast becoming the expected norm. There seem to be only a few no-tipping zones for restaurants, porters, and taxis…those we found are Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand. Also, most of luxury cruise lines include tips in their fares. Don't be surprised to see this list shrink even more in the next few years.
Travel Pulse August 2010Consider a Bike Tour for Your next Journey
From adventure trips in the Rockies to leisurely rides through the French countryside, seeing the world by bicycle is an increasingly popular option for travelers -- even those who may not consider themselves athletes. As long as you're reasonably fit and familiar with your own limits, you're a good candidate for a cycling tour.
Travel Pulse July 2010Silversea Cruises Adds 30-day Journeys around Australia
This luxury cruise line plans to deploy the 382-passenger Silver Shadow to circle Australia during a 30-day voyage from Sydney…the first itinerary will be offer Jan. 19, 2011.
Travelgram July 2010Budapest Essentials
It's been called the "Pearl of the Danube" -- and no wonder. For elegance and feel, Budapest easily rivals any other major capital city in Europe. The artery that defines it is the Danube, one of the world's most celebrated waterways and also one of the most popular for European river cruising. Spend any time at all in this grand city, and it's easy to understand why the riverbanks of Budapest -- that's right, the riverbanks -- have been assigned UNESCO World Heritage status.
The first thing you need to know about Budapest: It, in effect, operates as two cities with distinctly different personalities. Buda, on the west bank of the Duna (as the Danube is called), is hilly and houses the restored Castle District, a cultural and arts center known for its famed Matthias Church, Royal Palace and Fishermen's Bastion, a rampart that offers the best views in town. The entire district is a real scene-stealer.
Pest, on the east bank, is the hub for dining, shopping, banking and nightlife. There you'll find the pedestrian shopping zone, Vaci Utca; Heroes' Square; the old Jewish quarter; the not-to-miss Andrassy, Budapest's grandest avenue; and the imposing neo-Gothic Parliament, modeled after the British version in London.
Snapshots from CLIA (Cruise Lines International)
Avalon Waterways Announces New Ship Avalon Waterways will introduce the Avalon Panorama, the river cruising industry's first "Suite Ship," The design features 17 Avalon Deluxe Staterooms.
Oceania Cruises Lays Keel for Riviera Oceania Cruises have launched the construction of their newest ship, the 1,258-guest Riviera, with a keel-laying celebration at the Fincantieri yards.
Seabourn Welcomes Sojourn The Yachts of Seabourn have taken delivery of Seabourn Sojourn, the company’s second 450-guest yacht. British supermodel and fashion icon Twiggy christened the vessel in London on June 4.
Carnival Names Next Ship Carnival Breeze will be the name of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 24th in the fleet, when it arrives in early 2012. Fincantieri shipyards which is currently building Carnival Magic for a May, 2011 debut, has won the contract for the Carnival Breeze.
Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam Christened in Venice on July 4
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands named Holland America Line’s new Signature-class ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, in a ceremony in Venice on July 4. The 2,106-guest ship, the fourth to carry that Nieuw Amsterdam name for the line, was built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. in Marghera, Italy. It is the 11th Holland America Line vessel christened by a member of the Dutch Royal Family.
Travel Pulse July 2010Norwegian Epic Christened in New York by Reba McIntyre
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic, hosted the Macy’s July 4 fireworks event in New York harbor following its christening by country music star Reba McEntire on July 2 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The christening ceremony was hosted by “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Jeff Garlin, highlighting the new ship’s emphasis on world-class entertainment, which includes the Blue Man Group and the Second City improvisational group, of which Garlin is an alumnus.
Travel Pulse July 2010Carnival will offer roundtrip cruises to Hawaii from California
The 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit. CAPTIONCourtesy Carnival Cruise LinesIndustry giant Carnival today announced it will sail roundtrip voyages from California to Hawaii in 2011 and 2012 -- a first for the line.
Travelgram July 2010Cruising is for the Family
Cruises make an enticing choice for a family vacation because they don't entail a lot of packing and unpacking. You essentially take your hotel room with you as the ship travels to various ports of call--a godsend to parents with children--allowing for a complete vacation without the constant sift in hotel rooms. Many cruise lines also have babysitting services and amenities specifically focused on children, which lets mom and dad to relax just as much as the children do.
Travelgram July 2010Cruise West Plans Itineraries on the Mississippi, Ohio rivers in 2011
Small ship line Cruise West announced it would launch its first sailings on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers starting in March 2011.
The Seattle-based line -- a major player in small ship cruising in Alaska -- says it plans two itineraries on Middle America rivers aboard the 102-passenger Spirit of America.
Princess Offering New Itineraries:
California Coastal Cruises! The 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess will sail a series of seven-night "California Coastal" sailings out of Los Angeles in late 2011 that include calls in San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco.
New World Cruise The 107-day voyage on the Pacific Princess, which will feature calls in 38 destinations in 28 countries, will kick off in Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 13, 2012 and include a near-full circumnavigation of the globe. It'll end in Venice.
Norwegian Cruise Lines Introduces the Norwegian Epic! Adds a new option for Single Travelers!
Norwegian Cruise Line is one step closer to launching its largest, trendiest and most innovative cruise ship after taking delivery of Norwegian Epic from STX Europe's shipyard in St. Nazaire, France -- a huge milestone after a two-plus-year construction process.
Norwegian Epic is handily the most anticipated new ship launch this year, ushering in revolutionary and exciting features such as: 128 solo cabins. These studio staterooms, measuring 100 square feet, are all priced for single occupancy and appointed with single travelers in mind. The cabins (all insides) share a Studios Lounge which features a bar, a concierge for booking dinner reservations and shore excursions, and comfy seating for meeting and mingling. .
Santorini: Cliffs, beaches and the sapphire sea
Santorinai is spread along the clifftop village of Oia's cobblestone walkways, drifting into storefronts or up the stairs to open-air restaurants, eddying to photograph scenes of white buildings with blue doors and blue-domed churches.
This "island of black rock" owes its unique, dramatic landscape to volcanic eruptions. A volcano, still active, stands at the center of a ring of islands, Santorini the longest. In between them is a vast, deep caldera, filled with water, surrounded by the islands' cliffs, volcanic rock, and black and red sand beaches. Geologists say an early blast created a tsunami that washed over Crete 60 miles away, wiped out Minoan civilization and reshaped this landscape.
Undiscovered Tuscany….Guide to Lucca
Surveying the Lucchese skyline from one of the handful of remaining medieval towers above the city, you’ll see a sea of low-lying ocher roofs, bounded by regiments of evergreens, bounded in turn by mountains forming phantom camels against the setting sun. Italian cities make for easy drama. It’s all here…in Lucca!
Travelgram June 2010Kangaroo Island, Australia
Kangaroo Island is billed as Australia's answer to the Galapagos Islands: koalas, seals, sea lions, wallabies and, of course, kangaroos, are abundant, while echidna, platypus, southern right whales and penguins can be spotted by those who are more patient. Evening "Kangas and Kanapes" drinks on the 600-acre estate of nearby Edward's Cottage, which teems with kangaroos, give a taste of what the place can offer, but to have any hope of scratching beneath the surface of an island the size of Sussex, you need an experienced guide.
Travelgram June 2010New Seven-night Cruises to the Southern Caribbean
The Crown Princess entering will begin weekly seven-night sailings to the region from Ft. Lauderdale in November 2011.
Until now, the line only has offered nine- and ten-night voyages to the Southern Caribbean from its Florida hub. Like other lines, Princess traditionally has operated its shorter, seven-night voyages to the Southern Caribbean out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is closer to the region.
Due to the long distance the Crown Princess will have to travel to reach the Southern Caribbean, the itinerary will include visits to just two islands in the region -- Aruba and Curacao. The ship also will spend a day at Princess' private island in the Bahamas, Princess Cays. Travelgram June 2010
Top 10 Reasons to take a Cruise
1.Choose to cruise for VALUE.
2.Choose to cruise for ROMANCE.
3.Choose to cruise for CUISINE.
4.Choose to cruise for VARIETY.
5.Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES.
6.Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY.
7.Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS.
8.Choose to cruise for FAMILY.
9.Choose to cruise for PAMPERING.
10.Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION.
Single Travel
People who have never traveled alone often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience. To take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes or preferences of a traveling companion can be heady stuff. Traveling alone gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully.
Of course, single travel has its perils too -- such as safety concerns, loneliness and the dreaded single supplement. But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and get you through the rough spots. .
Princess Cruises to offer Cruises to Tahiti from Los Angeles!
Sail on a 28-day roundtrip voyage to Tahiti from Los Angeles in late 2011. The sailing will include calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Pago Pago, Apia, Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti, as well as two crossings of the Equator.
Travelgram June 2010Cruising Through the Heart of Europe on a River Cruise One Traveler’s Insights
BY JAY CLARKE
Sometimes we sat on deck and watched the passing scenes as we rolled along the Danube past onion-steppled churches, medieval castles and monasteries, hills layered with vineyards, small villages, people of the country at work or at play.
Other times we settled in the cozy, windowed lounge, where we could sip coffee or cocktails and chat with fellow passengers as we sailed. Unlike big ocean-going ships, we were always close to shore -- no binoculars needed.
And when we docked at a river city, we could step off the ship and walk right into the center of things -- quick entry to Europe's main cities, which were built on rivers.
First for Norwegian Cruise Lines: Guitar Rentals
Would-be rock stars on the soon-to-debut, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic will be able to sign up for the "Check-In-Rock-Out" program, which offers the opportunity to borrow a Gibson guitar, companion pod and a private amplifier with headphones to take to one's cabins (the latter so as not to disturb other passengers).
Travelgram June 2010Passion and faith in Oberammergau, Germany
This summer in Oberammergau, about 50 miles southwest of Munich, 2,000 villagers stay up late to fulfill a vow their staunchly Roman Catholic ancestors made almost 400 years ago when the village was threatened by the plague. To stave it off, town elders promised to perform the Passion of Christ every 10 years. Since then the village has broken its pledge only twice: in 1770, when Passion plays were banned in Bavaria, and in 1940 during World War II.
Travelgram June 2010Please note: No updates in May…traveling in Europe
Upgrades at Port of Los Angeles
Four glass-enclosed, electric-powered hydraulic gangways at the World Cruise Center, a homeport for four major cruise lines, are the highlight of a $42 million upgrade at the Port of Los Angeles. Replacing older, open-air ramps, the new gangways expedite passenger embarkation and are able to reach any ship in any tide condition. Other improvements include solar paneling, wharf fenders, painting, lighting and audio/video upgrades. Alternative Maritime Power™ - shoreside electrical power - for cruise ships will also be unveiled soon. .
CLIA April 2010Holland America Line
As the winner of 17 consecutive "Best Overall Cruise Value" awards from the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, and consistently among the highest-rated premium cruise lines year after year in Conde Nast Traveler's "Readers' Choice Awards" and Travel + Leisure magazine's, "World's Best" awards, Holland America Line is known for gracious and attentive service. Its ships have one of the highest staff-members-to-guest ratios. Spacious staterooms average 25 percent larger and verandahs twice as large as those on other lines' ships. Dining choices include formal elegance, intimate specialty dining, casual fare and complimentary 24-hour room service.
CLIA April 2010Demand for Cruises All Over the World
If proof were needed that demand for cruises is growing in all parts of the world, industry officials at last month’s Cruise Shipping Miami provided it: A growing, globalizing cruise industry means new ships, new destinations and itineraries that will generate even more interest and excitement about cruising among North American vacationers who won’t want to miss out on a worldwide trend.
CLIA April 2010Costa Deliziosa
In a cruise industry first, Costa Deliziosa was christened in February, 2010 in Dubai, where she will be home-ported this winter before setting sail on a five-continent, 100-day world cruise, the first world cruise for Costa Cruises in more than a decade. This summer the 2,260-passenger ship will be based in the Mediterranean.
CLIA April 2010Exploring Poland: Gdansk
Poland's handsome Baltic port, at the centre of European history, possesses abundant architecture and atmosphere – plus beaches a short hop away.
This Baltic city is full of historic intrigue: a Hanseatic port, a free city, and the place where the Second World War began. In spring, Gdansk opens up, with the nearby beaches presenting an ideal complement to busy city streets.
Gdansk is the dominant part of an area known as the Tri-city: Gdansk itself, the coastal spa resort of Sopot five miles to the north, and the modern port of Gdynia another three miles beyond that.
Windstar Cruises, the Sailing Cruise Ships, Adding Holy Land Itineraries
Windstar Cruises is introducing new cruises to Egypt and Israel in 2011, on one of its three motorized sailing yachts.
The two Holy Land itineraries on the 148-passenger Wind Star include optional excursions to Cairo and pre- and post-cruise programs in Jerusalem.
The First Modern Olympics
The Games of the I Olympiad were held April 1896 in Athens, Greece, the first Olympic Games in modern times.. At a cost of approximately $500,000 USD, I Olympiad hosted a large roster of sports including cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting and swimming. Women were not allowed to compete. The second Olympics was held in Paris. The Olympics did not return to Athens until the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Travelgram April 2010Dubrovnik
Soul-inspiring architecture in a compact old town by the sea? Dubrovnik has not much to dislike…
And soul-inspiring architecture it is, too. Surrounded on three of its five sides by the glassy waters of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is a jigsaw of piazzas, palaces, cafes, monasteries, fountains and dinky southern Italian baroque shops. Inter-locked on a neat grid system of car-free streets and passageways, the buildings are harmonised in hue and texture by the local limestone and bound within one-and-a-quarter miles of ancient walls. As a model metropolis, the old town offers a gift parcel of European history, culture and cappuccinos.
Oceania Cruises Leads the Way in Luxury, Destination Cruising
Oceania Cruises is the world’s only upper-premium cruise line, offering gourmet cuisine, gracious service and award-winning itineraries at an exceptional value. The line’s hallmark is a country club casual elegance on mid-size ships; the overall feeling is one that is never stuffy and is void of pretension.
Guests enjoy complimentary and unlimited soft drinks and bottled water, and the flexibility of four open-seating restaurants, so they can dine when, where and with whom they choose.
Avalon Waterways Offers Superior Small-Ship Cruising
The most elegant ships on the water, Avalon Waterways offers a superior small-ship cruise.
River and small-ship cruising is booming in popularity, and the reasons for the growing interest are abundant. Since the price of a river cruise includes accommodations, local sightseeing, many meals and complimentary wine with dinner, costs (both on-shore and onboard) are greatly minimized.
The World's Fastest-Growing Cruise Destination is . . . the Persian Gulf?
Perpetually sunny and warm, the Persian Gulf is proving a popular winter getaway for cruise fans from Europe, in particular, as well as Middle Easterners and smaller numbers of Americans, despite its location near several troubled countries including Iraq and Yemen.
For a European cruiser, the Persian Gulf is closer than the Caribbean and offers an appealing mix of culture, history and modern conveniences, not to mention luxury.
How significant will cruising in the Persian Gulf become? Clearly, Dubai is betting big…unveiling of a new cruise terminal at Dubai's Port Rashid that can accommodate up to four cruise ships at a time.
Latest Cruise Ship News from the CLIA Fleet (Cruise Lines International Association)
• AMAWATERWAYS will build another ship for its successful "Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong" program, company officials said. The as-yet-unnamed new build, accommodating 124 passengers in 62 balcony cabins, is expected to debut in late spring 2011 and join the ms La Marguerite in offering seven-day Mekong river cruises between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
• Independence, American Cruise Lines’ newest member of the fleet, has passed its first underway trials and is now three months ahead of schedule. The company plans to operate the ship, carrying 102 passengers, on 7-14 night cruises along the coast of Maine beginning on June 23.
• Costa Cruises has announced that it’s brand new, 2,260-passenger Costa Deliziosa will make the company’s first world cruise since the mid 1990's - a 100-day, 37-port voyage visiting five continents departing December 28, 2011 from Savona.
• Cunard Line's 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth, a successor to the legendary QE2, was floated out in Italy last month. The ship’s maiden voyage will be a 13-day cruise that departs Oct. 12 from Southampton to Spain, Portugal, the Canary Island and Madeira.
• Seabourn Quest will be the name of Seabourn Cruises’ third Odyssey-class ship when it is launched in 2011. It will join the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey, introduced last summer, and Seabourn Sojourn, slated to debut in June of this year. Seabourn Quest will bring the company’s fleet total to six vessels.
• Welcoming its first new ship in nearly a decade, Silversea Cruises has christened the new Silver Spirit at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre D'Ovidio said of the vessel, "It's a piece of art."
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