Some Picture(s) Courtesy of Their Respective Cruise Line or Company
 

Radisson Diamond

Call your travel agent or 1-800-285-1835 or visit the www.rssc.com.

NCL Takes Over Project America 10/22/02


     The defunct-American Classic Voyages’ “Project America” has turned into project newbuild for Norwegian Cruise Lines. The line has purchased the nearly completed hull of one of the two Project America ships as well as materials and equipment of both vessels from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, the company that owns Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi where the work performed to date on the ships under construction.

     The hull of the first vessel, and all of the associated equipment and materials, will be transported to Europe, where work will be completed in one of the major cruise ship building yards. NCL is in advanced discussions with European yards to determine which one will complete the ship.

     This means NCL will add another 2,000-guest ship purpose-built for Freestyle Cruising to its fleet, which is slated for a spring 2004 delivery.

     "The acquisition of the `Project America' assets was prompted by the success of Freestyle Cruising, the tremendous reception we have had to Norwegian Sun and Star, and the need to add ships as soon as possible after the delivery of Norwegian Dawn, our last scheduled new build, in December 2002," said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL.

     The new ship, which doesn’t have a name yet, will feature many of the NCL hallmarks, including open-seating main dining rooms, eight restaurants, an Internet Cafe, state-of-the-art entertainment venues, three pools, an expansive spa and health and fitness center, and extensive children's facilities. Eighty percent of the staterooms will have an ocean view, with 85 percent of those including private balconies - a total of five decks with private balconies.

     What about the second Project America ship?
Once the completion of the first vessel is under way, NCL will explore the feasibility of completing the second vessel based on the work in progress and materials that have been purchased.

In other NCL news. . .

     Some people need another credit card like they need a hole in their head -- but here’s one that may be worthwhile for travelers.

     The Norwegian Cruise Line Group has partnered with MBNA to offer consumers an NCL or Orient Lines credit card with exclusive features. Issued through MBNA America Bank, N.A., the Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines Platinum Plus MasterCard credit cards will have no annual fee and will give guests the opportunity to earn three points for every $100 they charge to their card on all retail purchases and one additional point, or a total of four, for every $100 in purchases of products or services of NCL, Orient Lines or Star Cruises.

     The points can be redeemed for stateroom upgrades and "good-as-cash" cruise certificate credits with all the brands in the Star Cruises Group - NCL, Orient Lines and Star Cruises.
Travel agents can benefit from this new card as well. The company will be giving agents a $25 commission for every credit card application they generate that is approved and activated.

Learn New Languages at Sea 8/20/02

     Wanna learn how to speak French or Spanish on your next cruise vacation?

     Well you can – for free – if you plan to sail on Crystal Cruises’ 104-day 2003 World Cruise. The line is introducing a progressive curriculum of complimentary language instruction on Crystal Symphony's voyage, which will depart from Ft. Lauderdale on January 19, 2003, and visit 37 ports of call in 15 countries along the way. That’s plenty of time to learn the basics!

     Beginning courses with emphasis on a working language knowledge for travelers will also be available on each of five shorter segments, ranging in length from 18 to 27 days.

     When you get home from your cruise, you’ll be chanting “Je parle un petit peu!” Translation: I speak a little bit of French! Or, if you take Spanish lessons, “Yo hablo un poco espanol!” I speak a little Spanish!

     Fares for the full 2003 World Cruise start at $41,455 per person, double occupancy, and include round-trip First or Business Class airfare; and fares for five shorter World Voyages begin at $7,610 per person, double occupancy, and include a complimentary pre-cruise, hotel package.

     Bon voyage!

Roaring Rapids 8/17/02

     The devastating floods caused by torrential downpours in Europe have taken the lives of more than 100 local residents along the Danube, Elbe and Vltava rivers, caused tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes, and have damaged historic buildings and museums. The rivers have hit record-breaking high levels and have completely flooded Dresden in Germany, Prague in the Czech Republic, and communities in Austria, Slovakia, Russia and Romania.

     So what’s going on with all of the European river cruises?

     The latest information from Europe indicates that conditions along the Danube River are continuing to improve, which is more than we can say for the Elbe – which is predicted to rise even more Saturday. No Uniworld cruises or tours have been cancelled at this time, but itineraries have been altered to say the least. The River Empress will depart Regensburg today and will host passengers originally scheduled to sail on Amadeus II (7-day Nuremberg to Budapest) beginning Saturday, August 17, under a slightly altered itinerary. River Empress is expected to resume Amadeus' regular itinerary on Tuesday, August 20.

     Amadeus II will remain in Vienna until Monday, August 19. Passengers originally scheduled to sail aboard River Empress (14-day Budapest to Amsterdam) will embark Amadeus II on Sunday, August 18. The ship will resume Empress' regular itinerary on Monday, August 19. It is expected that Amadeus II and River Empress will return to their own itineraries for their next departures on August 24 and 31, respectively.

     The weather conditions obviously have caused damage to docking areas along the Elbe River, forcing Viking River Cruises to cancel the August 22, 2002 embarkation of the Viking Schumann, according to the line. Passengers who were booked on this cruise will be offered to move to another 2002 departure.

     The August 18 embarkation of Viking Spirit (in Vienna) and the August 18 embarkation of Viking Pride (in Budapest) will be operating, but may have modified itineraries. Due to the high water levels some shore excursions may be altered as necessary and additional hotel night stays may be required.

     All other departing cruises will run as scheduled.

     Arnold Boris, editor of CruiseGourmet, and a CruiseReports correspondent just spent five days stranded on Viking River Cruises’ Viking Pride near the border of Germany and Austria, tied up in the middle of nowhere. He said he watched the Danube rise 15 feet! “The High water made all the bridges too low and debris has blocked locks all along the Danube. They had to keep raising the gangway with ladders, tabletops and spit,” he said. That’s scary!

     Thanks to Viking River Cruises though, he’s now high and dry in Vienna for the weekend.

     Both lines have accommodated passengers by providing hotel stays, meals, and tours to those who were affected by the altered cruises.

     Hopefully the rivers will recede completely shortly! We’ll keep you posted as we learn of anymore river cruise modifications.

Update 8/19/02

     KD River Cruises of Europe has resumed service on the Danube and has scheduled August 22 as the date to start up Elbe service again. They have refunded passengers who were unable to cruise at all. In some instances when the port is unavailable, they have used coaches to take the passengers to sightsee the area.

Sipping in the Sun 8/16/02


     Looking for a quaint wine cruise with less than 45 other passengers onboard? Arabella, a 160-foot sailing cruise yacht that offers sailing trips in southern New England, may be the ticket to your next glass of fine vintage.

     The ship will feature its first-ever wine tasting cruise from September 26 through October 1, departing from Newport. The ship will visit Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cuttyhunk, and will feature wines of the Northeast during daily wine tastings, seminars and tours of vineyards highlighting award-winning wines from Long Island, Rhode Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

      Rhode Island’s Sakonnet Vineyards, Chicama Vineyards on Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Vineyard on Nantucket Island are all on the vineyard checklist. Long Island wine expert Michael Cinque, owner of Amagansett Wines in the Hamptons, also will be on board to talk about the evolution of Long Island wineries, and host tastings of the area’s vintages.
Rates for the “Autumn Wine Tasting Cruise” start at $999 per person/double occupancy. Rates include all daytime meals, wine tastings/tours and hors d’oeuvres, an authentic New England Clambake on the island of Cuttyhunk, and transportation to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard wineries.

     In addition, when booking the cruise, you’ll have the option of reserving seats for a special prix fix Roederer Champagne tasting followed by dinner at Atria on Martha’s Vineyard. The editors of CruiseReports have been to Atria -- and take it from us – it’s absolutely worth going!

     Call your travel agent or 1-800-395-1343 or visit www.cruisearabella.com.

Pick Up and Go for Less 8/15/02


     Regal Cruises is offering lots of last-minute specials to those who book select cruises on the Regal Empress this month and next.

     Guests who book the ship’s six-night cruise to New England and Canada, departing New York on August 18, 2002, will pay $399; kids age 16 and under will pay $229. The rate guarantees no less than a category 12, inside cabin. The catch -- cabins are not assigned until the week prior to sailing. Passengers must mention fare code VYLM when making reservations. The ship will call at New Bedford, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Portland, and Newport.

     The line is offering a special invitation to New York’s fire fighter, policeman and port authority officers and their families to join the Regal Empress on a one-night “Sunspree Party” cruise, departing the Big Apple on August 24, 2002. The rate is $68 per person/double occupancy (it’s normally $167 to $237) and guarantees a category 10 inside stateroom. Participants must mention fare code LNBA and provide proof of association is required at time of booking.

     The last of Regal Cruises deals is a “companion sails free” special on the ship’s five- and seven-night cruises to New England and Canada, departing New York. The booking deadline is September 1. Fares range from $848 to $1,948 per person/double occupancy for the five nights and $1,478 to $2,718 for seven nights. Guests must mention fare code BYF2 when booking. Five-night sailings depart New York on August 25; September 2, 8, 15 and 29, stop at New Bedford, Bar Harbor, and Newport. The seven-night itinerary, departing September 22, replaces Newport with Portland, and adds New London.
 

New Ship, New Itineraries 8/14/02


     Baltic routes venturing far into the Arctic Circle, cruises to Central America, holiday trips to the Atlantic Isles and a 15-day British Isles trip discovering Scotland, Ireland and Guernsey are highlights of the itineraries that Swan Hellenic’s newest vessel will be sailing. The Minerva II, which is slated to debut next spring, will set sail for its maiden voyage on April 16 from Valetta, to Olympia, and Mistra, Athens, Delos, Heraklion, Rhodes, and Kusadasi.
 
     Following its maiden voyage, the Minerva II will offer a series of summer cruises round-trip from England including a 15-day cruise around the British Isles departing on August 16 and two four-day “taster” itineraries. The first short cruise will sail from Dover to Amsterdam and Antwerp on August 30, and the second will sail from Dover to Guernsey and St. Malo on September 3.

     The Minerva II will ring in the holidays from December 20, 2003 through January 4, 2004, with a Caribbean cruise from Barbados to St. George’s, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua, Jamaica, and New Orleans. Swan Hellenic’s first trip to Central America from January 3 through 18, 2004, departs from New Orleans and calls at Progresso, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Limon and Panama City, with a transit of the Panama Canal.

     The line is offering a savings of up to 30 percent on all Minerva II cruises booked before October 30, 2002. All-inclusive rates start at $755 per person/double occupancy before the discount.

Chefs Take Pride 8/13/02

       What do you get when you mix chefs from three hot Chicago restaurants with a seven-day Caribbean cruise? Carnival Cruise Lines’ second annual “Chicago Culinary” cruise aboard the Carnival Pride.

     Epicurean hosts from Salpicón! Don Juan on Halsted, and Bittersweet Pastryshop & Café will host cooking demonstrations, question-and-answer sessions, and mingle with guests aboard the ship’s round-trip sailing from Port Canaveral. The voyage, which is being organized in combination with Chicago-based Travel Duet, Inc., also will visit Key West, Belize City, Playa del Carmen and Progreso/Merida.

      Vincent Satkoff, Salpicón!'s wine director, who owns the upscale Mexican restaurant with his wife, Priscila, will host tastings of Benziger wines and Jose Cuervo tequila. Located in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago, Salpicón! features one of the "Windy City's" best wine lists and has earned the "Award Of Excellence" from Wine Spectator magazine.

     Chef Patrick Concannon of Don Juan on Halsted, located in Chicago's Lincoln Park section, will also be onboard to share his "Nuevo Mexican" cuisine secrets with guests.

     After passengers heat up their mouths with all the spicy Mexican food available, Pastry Chef Judy Contino of Bittersweet Pastryshop & Café will cool them down with some dessert. Contino's decadent creations reflect Mexico's great influence of chocolate, caramel and vanilla.

     Prices for the "Second Annual Chicago Culinary Cruise" begin at $799 per Person/double occupancy. Call your travel agent or Debra Provus at Travel Duet Inc. at 847-948-5300 to get a taste.

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Cruising Solidifies ICE 8/12/02

      The Phoenix-based International Cruise & Excursion (ICE) Gallery, the largest provider of cruise exchange programs in the Vacation Ownership industry, announced a 58 percent increase in income for the first six months of 2002-confirming that consumers are continuing to cruise despite dismal reports of some sectors in the travel industry.

     ICE Gallery, a cruise exchange company that allows owners to trade their resort weeks toward all-inclusive cruise vacations, has shown record growth in its five-year history. With more than 3 million U.S. households marked as timeshare owners according to the American Resort Development Association, ICE Gallery provides owners an additional vacation option – cruising – with their vacation ownership purchase.

     According to John Rowley, President and CEO, ICE Gallery's success can be attributed to an increase in cruise commissions and a 100 percent increase in bookings over 2001's January to June revenues.

     "Cruising delivers the highest satisfaction rating of any leisure vacation opportunity," says Rowley. "As the largest provider of cruise vacations in the vacation ownership industry, our program features all cruise lines, all cruise ships, itineraries and sailing dates. We guarantee the lowest rates available to vacation owners and provide expert information and superior service and values."

     We’ll agree with that!

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Princess in Tahiti – Really 8/9/02


     After months of denial on the subject, P&O Princess Cruises has finally announced that two former Renaissance Cruises vessels, R3 and R4, will soon be joining the Princess fleet. The ships will offer sailings in Tahiti and the wider Pacific Ocean region.
   
     The 688-passenger R3 will premiere as the “new” Pacific Princess – not to be confused with the original love boat, which will leave the Princess fleet this October – while the R4 will debut as Tahitian Princess. According to the line, both vessels, which originally entered service in 1999, are well suited to offer many of the Princess’ Personal Choice Cruising options including a wide variety of dining choices such as a 24-hour Lido and Italian and American steakhouse specialty restaurants. The ships have a total of 344 staterooms – 317 of which are outside and 232 with private balconies – as well as 10 suites, 52 mini-suites and three cabins that are wheelchair accessible. Other features include eight bars, a library, card room, casino, and spa and fitness facilities.

     Tahitian Princess will begin its year-round Tahiti and South Pacific cruises for the line on December 24, 2002, with a holiday sailing and will offer the only 10-day sailings in the region, according to Princess. The ship will operate three itineraries, with a total of 50 departures roundtrip from Papeete, with calls at Bora Bora, Moorea and Raiatea. Other itineraries include French Polynesia/Cook Islands sailings that explore ports of Huahine and Raratonga and feature overnight stays in both Papeete and Bora Bora; French Polynesia/Samoa cruises to Pago Pago and Apia; and French Polynesia/Marquesas voyages to Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. A full range of pre and post Tahiti packages also will be available.

     The Pacific Princess will operate on a split deployment, sailing half the year throughout French Polynesia and the wider Pacific region for Princess Cruises, and the other half for P&O Cruises’ Australia brand. The specific Princess itineraries for this ship are in the process of being finalized, and are expected to be available soon.

     Special promotional pricing for 10-day Tahitian Princess sailings begins at $799 per person, double occupancy.
Year-round competition for these newcomers includes Radisson Seven Seas Cruise’ Paul Gauguin, Winstar Cruises’ Wind Song, and Bora Bora Cruises Haumana and Tia and Tu Moana (December 2002).

In Short 8/9/02


     Holland America Line’s new sample cruises won’t last long. The line has revised its fall schedule to include a three-day Pacific Northwest cruise on the 1,380-passenger Amsterdam. Departing on September 28, 2002 the ship will sail round-trip from Seattle and stop in Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.

     Three additional sampler fall cruises are scheduled roundtrip from Vancouver, departing aboard the 1,440-passenger Zaandam on October 5 and aboard the 1,266-passenger Veendam on September 29. The Zaandam sails on a four-day cruise departing October 8.

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Book Cruise-Tour 8/8/02

     Wizard-in-training Harry Potter (from the best-selling novel and hit movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) has made his way into the cruise industry. Royal Celebrity Tours – Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises’ tour brand – is offering special tours of England in 2003 tracing Potter’s steps.

     The "Magical Tour of England" four-night post-cruise land package is offered in combination with a 12-night Northern Europe cruise onboard Grandeur of the Seas, and will take guests to the locations used to bring the popular book to life on the big screen. They’ll stroll through the London Zoo reptile house where Potter came face-to-face with a talking snake; explore Alnwick Castle in Northumberland where the broomstick lesson scenes were shot; and step aboard a steam train for a ride through North York Moors National Park, stopping at historic Goathland Station where Potter is seen in the movie arriving for school.

     Grandeur will sail 12-night voyages to the Baltic and Northern Europe round-trip from Harwich, England, from May 19 through August 23, 2003, with cruisetour prices starting at $3,669 per person, double occupancy.

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Viking Takes Charge 8/7/02


     Viking River Cruises has added another river vessel to its fleet, boosting its number of ships to 24. The 149-passenger Primadonna – chartered from Conti Flussschiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG MS “PRIMADONNA” – was built in 1998 as the first-ever catamaran style river cruise ship.

     Primadonna, which is set to sail Danube River itineraries beginning in 2003, boasts a glass-floored lobby for viewing the river below, a sprawling atrium that spans nearly the length of the ship, balconies in half of the passenger cabins and a stadium-style seating area along the glass-walled front of the ship for river sightseeing.

     “A beautiful and unique vessel, the Primadonna fits well into our fleet and provides the additional capacity we need on the Danube River,” comments Chairman Torstein Hagen, Viking River Cruises. “We are pleased to be associated with Conti, Germany’s preeminent financing company, and believe that this relationship will result in many mutually beneficial agreements.”

    For more on this story and other CruiseLogs logon to CruiseReports at www.cruise-reports.com

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Cruise Search Made Easy 8/6/02

     Cruise vacationers and travel agents alike will be happy to know that Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has completely redesigned its website, www.cruising.org, making it more user friendly.


     Visitors will find a wealth of useful information about the cruise industry, the 23 CLIA-member cruise lines and the nearly 17,000 travel agent affiliates, as well as links to key industry resources, including the International Council of Cruise Lines (www.iccl.org).

     Cruise line and ship information, destination specific highlights, industry facts and news, and a “cruise finder” feature that narrows down cruise choices all are new enhancements to the easy-to-navigate site. Visitors also can simply find a CLIA-affiliated travel agency in their area, particularly those with Accredited Cruise and Master Cruise Counselors, by entering their zip code on the site’s “cruise expert locater” page.

     "One of the site's most important roles is to direct consumers to the ultimate resource - a local CLIA-affiliated travel agency," says Bob Sharak, CLIA's director and vice president of marketing and business development. "Potential cruisers should use the site to collect data, narrow their choices and then find a local CLIA travel agency and certified cruise counselor - the expert who can answer their questions and help select the cruise that's best for them."

     Check it out today!

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More Online 8/6/02

     Other cruise companies have been busy online as well.

     Quasar Nautica Galapagos Expeditions has launched an online, unbranded brochure at www.yachtsgalapagos.com. Although the site has no pricing or contact information, it does provide details about the Galapagos Islands as a travel destination, as well as information on the Quasar Nautica fleet of yachts - including sample itineraries, photos, deck plans, and even virtual tours.

    Seabourn Cruise Line has opened an online "Signature Boutique," offering casually elegant designer travel clothing for men and women, embroidered with the company's logo: The Yachts of Seabourn. The clothing line is available by ordering from the secure site, which can be accessed at the address www.seabournboutique.com or through a link on the company's website at www.seabourn.com. (AOL Keyword: Seabourn.)

     Women's selections include a cloud-like Micro-Denier Fleece Quarter Zip Mock, a long-sleeve, combed cotton Scoop Neck Jersey, and a microfibre Anorak Field Jacket, while men's choices are a V-neck Links Microfibre Windshirt, an Interlock Knit Mock long-sleeved tee, a Vertical Stripe Interlock Knit Polo, and a zipper front microfibre.

     Prices range from $17.00 to $69.00

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Elegant Explorer Goes Globetrotting 8/4/02

     Holland America Line’s "Elegant Explorer," the 794-passenger Prinsendam, will be globe trotting quite a bit. The line has announced that the ship will sail on its 105-day Grand World Voyage in 2004.
  
     "We are very pleased to announce the deployment of the Prinsendam to operate our Grand World Voyage for 2004," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "This cruise will be a full-fledged around-the-world voyage from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale, preceded by a Panama Canal cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles.

     Giersdorf noted that the Prinsendam is ideally suited for this special journey. In her years sailing first as the Royal Viking Sun and then as the Seabourn Sun, the Prinsendam made several world circumnavigations, attracting a loyal following.

     The Prinsendam also will be sailing two new itineraries this fall with explorer cruises from Cape Town to Mombasa and Mombasa to Singapore. The 18-day East Africa & Indian Ocean cruises begin in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 25, where the ship remains through September 27, where tours to Victoria Falls and an
African Safari will both be offered to guests.

     After scenic cruising in the Cape of Good Hope and the Indian Ocean, the Prinsendam arrives in Durban, South Africa, on September 29. The ship also visits Richards Bay, South Africa, before sailing for La Possession, Reunion; Port Louis, Mauritius; Nosy-Be, Madagascar; Moroni, Comoros; Zanzibar, Tanzania; and Mombasa, Kenya.

     On October 13, the Prinsendam departs Mombasa for a 20-day East Africa &
Southeast Asia Journey visiting Victoria, La Digue and Pralin, Seychelles, before crossing the Indian Ocean to explore the Maldives and call at Thilawa, Myanmar. The vessel will spend three days in Thilawa with several tour options for guests to explore Myanmar, formerly called Burma. Highlights include exploration of Bagan, with 5,000 temples scattered across an ancient desert and Thilawa's venerable Schwedagon Pagoda, a diamond-studded golden shrine to Buddhism and the country's rich culture.

     Departing on October 26, the Prinsendam then sails to Port Blair, Andaman
Islands; Phuket, Thailand; and Langkawi, Penang, and Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia, before concluding the journey in Singapore.

     On November 2, the Prinsendam departs Singapore for an 18-day cruise to Sydney, Australia, with ports of call in Surabaya and Lombok, Indonesia, and Broome, Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane, Australia. After reaching Australia on November 20, the Prinsendam will embark on a series of 16-day cruises featuring ports of call in Australia and New Zealand. The voyages from Sydney to Auckland (and reverse) visit Melbourne,
Australia; Launceston, Tasmania; Port Chalmers, Christchurch and Picton, as well Nelson, Wellington, Napier and Tauranga, New Zealand.

     The 18-day return trip to Singapore leaves Sydney on February 24, 2003. The
Prinsendam will take guests to Broome, Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane, Australia, as well as Bali and Semarang, Indonesia, on this return trip to Asia.

     Leaving Singapore on March 14, the Prinsendam sets sail for two months of cruising in Southeast Asia. The first voyage is to Hong Kong, with ports of call in Muara, Brunei; Bangkok, Thailand; and Phu My and Da Nang, Vietnam. On March 28, the Prinsendam embarks for Osaka, Japan, with visits to Shanghai, Beijing and Dalian, all in China; Cheju City on Cheju Island in South Korea; and Nagasaki, Japan. The return trip to Hong Kong leaves Osaka on April 11 and the Prinsendam returns to Singapore after a 14-day cruise from Hong Kong leaving on April 25.

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Bermuda Bound from Philly

     You might not be able to get a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich in the lido restaurant onboard a cruise ship, but you might have the opportunity to get one before you embark on your next Bermuda cruise. In addition to sailing to the British island from New York next summer, a couple of cruise lines have announced sailings round-trip from Philadelphia in 2003.

     Celebrity Cruises, which currently offers Bermuda cruises from New York on the 1,354-passenger Horizon and 1,375-guest Zenith, will additionally offer a short series of seven-night sailings from Philadelphia next September. Following its four-month stint in the Big Apple, the Horizon will offer a series of four cruises from Philly to Bermuda beginning September 21. Identical to its itinerary from New York, the Horizon will spend one night and two days in St. George’s, and two days and two nights in Hamilton. Horizon will end the season with a seven-night cruise from Philly to San Juan, departing October 19. Zenith will continue offering the seven-night itinerary round-trip from New York to Bermuda from April 26 through October 18.

     Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will position the Norwegian Sea in New York and in Philadelphia next year for the first time in September, while Norwegian Majesty will continue to offer Boston to Bermuda cruises from May 4 through October 19. After spending the summer in New York, the 1,518-guest Norwegian Sea will kick off its Philly to Bermuda cruises with a six-day voyage to Hamilton and King’s Wharf before beginning three weekly calls in October. On October 26, the vessel will reposition to Miami from Philadelphia on a Fall Bermuda/Caribbean itinerary to King’s Wharf, Tortola, St. Thomas and Aruba.

     NCL will offer something new onboard and onshore in Bermuda as well. In addition to a full-time Bermuda concierge on each ship, guests will be able to take advantage of an expanded “Freestyle Dining” program. The line will provide guests with a $25 lunch voucher that can be used onshore in a variety of the island's top restaurants. But it’s not really free. A $5 per person charge will be added to each guest’s onboard account for the voucher, and an another $5 will be added if guests want to upgrade to a $50 dinner voucher. In Philly, you can get a cheesesteak for less.

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New Quest for Carnival

     Carnival Corporation doesn’t stop. The company has ordered a fourth Conquest-class vessel for Carnival Cruise Lines from the Italian shipyard Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A — where the other three 110,000-ton ships are under construction.

     The first of the 2,974-passenger vessels, Carnival Conquest, is expected to debut from New Orleans this November, and Carnival Glory will enter service on July 19, 2003. The new, unnamed ship is set to be delivered in late fall 2005, a little after a year of the arrival of the third Conquest-class ship, Carnival Valor.

     The new class of ships will feature 22 lounges, nightspots and bars, four swimming pools, an elaborate 15,000-square-foot health and fitness facility, a 3,300-square-foot children's area, a pair of two-level full-service restaurants, an expansive two-deck-high poolside eatery and much more.

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