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

Coastal Wilderness Cruises 3/8/03


     Cruise West’s seven-night, all-inclusive “Coastal Wilderness” cruises aboard the Spirit of Columbia will explore the coastline, fjords and islands of British Columbia this year for prices starting at $1,049 per person.

     Departing in March, April, September and October from Seattle, the Spirit of Columbia sails through Washington’s Deception Pass and San Juan Islands to Victoria, making its way through the Gulf Islands up the leeward coast of Vancouver Island to Nanaimo, then across the Strait of Georgia into the British Columbia Coast Range, returning down the mainland coast via Howe Sound, with stops in Vancouver, the Prince Louisa Inlet, Victoria, Nanaimo, Jervis Inlet, and La Conner.

     Guests can save $75 by booking three months in advance of their sailing date, $150 if six months ahead.

Heat up on the USVI 3/7/03


     Planning to be in the Virgin Islands during April? If so, you can catch this year’s Carnival.
"Music, Mas and Pageantry for Carnival 2003" is the theme for this year's Virgin Islands Carnival, scheduled for April 6 through May 4. Marked by displays of pageantry, music festivals, food fairs, parades and much more, the event will showcase each islands’ culture.

     "Carnival showcases the culture, traditions and vibrant people of the USVI," Commissioner of Tourism Pamela C. Richards said. "This year's event is sure to be another unforgettable celebration of our islands' heritage."

     Carnival isn't complete without an abundance of local delicacies! The 51st Annual Food Fair, "Lucia's Straw Market," will honor Lucia Thomas Crabbe Penn, who has been a mainstay food fair vendor for many years. Scheduled for April 30, the food fair will serve up Vienna cake, stuffed shellfish, sweet potato pudding, fresh tropical fruit juices, fried johnny cakes, benye (a yeast-based fried banana fritter) and golden brown saltfish cakes. Whether the preparation is French, English, Dutch, Danish, Spanish, Indian or African, the use of local ingredients and spices make the foods brim with homegrown flavors and West Indian flair.

     Music is also is key to Carnival. Calypso, quelbe and steel pan sounds are the most popular forms of toe-tapping rhythms heard during the month-long festival. Competitions and performances scheduled include Junior Calypso Monarch Competition (April 22); the King & Queen of the Band (April 23); Latin Night (April 24); Calypso Review I (April 25); Calypso Review II (April 26); Pan-O-Rama (April 27); the Senior Citizens' Quelbe Tramp (April 29); and the V.I. Calypso Monarch Competition (May 1).

     The Prince and Princess Show, held on April 6, and the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association Queen Show, held on April 7, will select the royal courts for 2003.
For a complete calendar of events and additional information about Carnival 2003, visit www.vicarnival.com or call (340) 776-3112.

Norway Anyone? 3/6/03


     Norwegian Coastal Voyage has revised its NCV Independent Vacations program, lengthening itineraries one to three days to add more time in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Helsinki. Daily departures are scheduled year-round on four 12- to 17-day, all-Norway packages and from April through October on three 15-day tours that add Iceland or Finland.

      An early-booking discount of $100 per person, which has been extended through March 31 on all 2003 departures of NCV Independent and Escorted Vacations, can be combined with an AARP year-round member discount of $100 to $150 per cabin and a senior savings of $95 to $220 per person for passengers age 67 and older.

      For the first time the packages include both the Oslo Pass and the Bergen Card, which provide free admission to many museums, attractions and unlimited public transportation. The choices include Oslo's Viking Ships Museum, Norwegian Resistance Museum and Holmenkollen Ski Jump; Bergen's Bryggens Museum, Mount Floyen funicular and Fantoft Stave Church; and art museums in both cities.

      The packages also include a six-day southbound, seven-day northbound or 12-day round-trip sailing between Bergen and Kirkenes, with airfare from New York. Tour prices range from the 12-day "Highlights of Norway" at $2,540 to $4,180 per person, double occupancy, for cabins and $3,065 to $5,765 for suites to the 17-day "Grand Norway" at $2,735 to $4,840 for cabins and $3,445 to $7,130 for suites. The fare is determined by the cabin category and dates selected.

Expansion on the Great Lakes 3/5/03

     Great Lakes Cruising will offer more itineraries this year than ever before. In addition to the Michigan-based company’s own three charters aboard the 90-guest Le Levant, it also will represent four other vessels this year, totaling 39 departures. American Canadian Caribbean Line’s Grande Mariner and Niagara Prince; Clipper Cruise Line’s Nantucket Clipper; and the Georgian Clipper will all sail under the Great Lakes Cruising flag this summer, with departures from June through September.

     “From casual to elegant accommodations, from cruises around Georgian Bay to journeys through all five Great Lakes, we are delighted to offer out clients such a broad range of cruise experiences,” said the line’s President Christopher Conlin.

     The company also has added a few new ports to its 2003 roster, with stops in Cleveland and Milwaukee. Eight-night sailings aboard Le Levant will depart on May 30, June 6, and August 29, with calls in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Port Huron, Mackinac Island, Whitefish Point, Traverse City, and Milwaukee.

Close to Home Cruises Get Tagged 3/04/03


     Clipper Cruise Line has trademarked the slogan "Close to Home Cruising" – a saying that’s been tossed around the industry for the past year and a half to define the wave of new American port departures.

     To Clipper, it represents the line’s domestic voyages and all-American crew aboard the 100-guest Nantucket Clipper and 138-passsenger Yorktown Clipper. In 2003, the vessels will cruise to 18 states on 14 different voyages.

     "Aboard the Nantucket Clipper and the Yorktown Clipper, travelers have the opportunity to rediscover the scenic shorelines and coastal waterways of the United States in an intimate and relaxing manner," said Clipper Cruise Line CEO David Drier. "By virtue of their U.S.-registry, our ships ay remain in the United States throughout the voyage.”

     The U.S.-flagged ships don’t have to abide by the Jone’s Act, which calls for foreign-flagged vessels to visit at least one port outside the U.S. during their cruises.

    Primarily sailing coastal waterways on voyages from Maine to Florida, the Nantucket Clipper also cruises inland along the St. Lawrence Seaway and into the Great Lakes as well as the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River, with stops in New York, Chicago, Boston, Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Washington, D.C. Itineraries also visit Belize, Guatemala and Honduras in the winter months.

     The Yorktown Clipper sails on itineraries in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, before sailing Central America and the Caribbean during the winter. The ship’s U.S. ports of call include San Francisco, Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan. Other Close to Home Cruising calls include Vancouver, the Sea of Cortez, the Panama Canal, and the secluded coves of the Virgin Islands.

Get Tech-Savvy on Crystal 3/2/03

     Crystal Cruises has enhanced its onboard Computer University@Sea program, adding new state-of-the-art computers, an increased number of computers, and 24-hour Internet access from every lab computer and from every stateroom.

     The line also has expanded its computer instruction with a complimentary 30-course curriculum – from basic computer skills on e-mail, Word, and Excel to understanding hand held organizers and learning advanced digital photo finishing and website design.

     "With e-mail and the Internet being an integral part of today's way of life, we have made a significant commitment to provide the most progressive and comprehensive communications program at sea, complete with leading technology and high-tech equipment," says Bret Bullock, Crystal's vice president, entertainment. "Our staff of professionally trained computer experts has created our most extensive curriculum to date, allowing guests to choose a course of study suited to their own personal and professional enrichment."

     Crystal's Computer University@Sea uses Windows XP Professional operating system with 30 different complimentary courses tailored for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. Through the various applications, guest can learn how to better create spreadsheets for a budget with credit, debit and balance columns with Excel; create greeting cards, invitations, business cards, flyers and postcards; make a family calendar; download and edit images, create animated images and special effects; and learn how to build web pages.

     In May, the program will introduce a new Internet Lecture Series with instruction on how to most effectively surf the web. Instructors will call up both good and bad sites, advise what guests need to know before submitting personal information and credit card information, and display web sites to research stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments.

     Those who prefer to bring aboard their own laptops can have them configured for in-stateroo

Deal With Segments 3/1/03
 

     Complimentary business class air and a $200 per suite shipboard credit are included with Radisson Seven Seas world cruise segments departing in March and April.
 

     The Seven Seas Mariner’s March 27, 21-night segment will sail from Singapore to Cape Town with calls at Penang, Cochin, the Seychelles Islands, Richard’s Bay, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Singapore, Richard’s Bay, Durban and Cape Town are all overnight stays.

     Celebrity guest Ted Koppel, famed anchor and managing editor of ABC News' "Nightline," will be onboard the cruise as well. A complimentary shoreside event, "Celebration of the Zulu Nation," is also included in the cruise and will take guests to visit to a Zulu village followed by a game drive to observe elephant, rhino and buffalo.

     The ship’s April 17 voyage from Cape Town to Ft. Lauderdale will have Larry Hagman, star of "Dallas" and "I Dream of Jeannie" onboard as a special guest. Seven Seas Mariner’s 22-night journey will visit Namibia, St. Helena, Fortaleza, Balem, Roseau, Ascension Island and San Juan. Cape Town and Walvis Bay are both overnight stays.

     In Walvis Bay the line will host a dinner under the stars. This voyage also has an optional $399 per person pre-cruise safari with one night in Johannesburg and two nights at Imbali Safari Lodge in the South Africa’s Kruger National Park. All meals, drinks, morning and evening game drives, flights and transfers are included.

     Per person prices for the March 27 and April 17 voyages from $10,075 and
$10,525 respectively, including airfare. Cruise-only guests receive a $4,000 per person air credit.

More of America’s Junction 2/28/03


     RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc. has added four “America’s Junction” trips along the Ohio and Upper Mississippi rivers to replace its summer Missouri River itineraries, due to challenges between the U.S. Army Corps (Corps) of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS).

      The decision to forego the Missouri River trips was made due to a 2002 ruling in which the USFWS, for the first time in history, opted not to allow the Corps to move bird nests of 41 endangered piping plovers and least terns. This curtailed navigation of the Missouri River from mid-July until late August. According to RiverBarge, the line will return to the Missouri River in 2004 for the celebration of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial if navigation issues are settled.

     The substitute eight-day trips aboard the River Explorer will sail on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers between St. Louis and Cincinnati.

     The new America’s Junction trips include:

Magic Carpet Ride for Kids 2/27/03

     Three- and four-year-old kids sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line’s ships are in for a new treat. The line has introduced an “Aladdin’s Fun Adventures” program to the kids’ activity menu.

     Based on Disney’s animated movie Aladdin, the new line-up will let kids “fly” magic carpets through the nights of Arabia like genies; go on a treasure hunt for “jewels” through the Cave of Wonders; sing with characters from the movie and play memory games about them.

     Let’s just hope the little genies don’t start granting wishes!

Bid For Less 2/26/03


     As if the Norwegian Dawn’s onboard artwork wasn’t impressive enough – a collection of original works by Matisse, Renoir and Van Gogh – Norwegian Cruise Line has contracted with Florida-based Fine Art Wholesalers to provide the ship’s onboard art auctions.

     The company will bring aboard an array of paintings and reproductions for guests to bid on.
“Through our auctions and competitive pricing structure, guests aboard the Norwegian Dawn will be able to purchase one-of-a-kind, high-end pieces by Picasso, Miro, Chagall, Erte among others at a fraction of the cost – up to seventy-five percent off gallery prices,” said Richard Scriven, Senior Vice President of Ships’ Operations for Fine Art Wholesalers.

     Fine Art Wholesalers also provides art framing for Princess Cruises and directs onboard auctions aboard Royal Olympia, Cunard and Orient Lines’ vessels.

     “We’ve seen Fine Art Wholesalers operate successfully aboard NCL’s sister company, Orient Lines, and we believe their program will be a perfect complement for the Norwegian Dawn, with her significant collection of rarely seen impressionist, post-impressionist and Pop-Art masterpieces,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL and Orient Lines.

     The art supplier also will provide the art auctions and unveil a new art program aboard Cunard’s highly anticipated Queen Mary 2.

     “On select sailings, the guests will have a unique opportunity to watch artists at work, such as Shana Dominguez and Cassie Winters, as they paint and lecture throughout the cruise,” said Scriven.

     Works by Picasso, Miro, and Chagall among others, can be purchased onboard the QM2; and suite guests will be privileged to separate viewings of the pieces.

     “The Fine Art Wholesalers program has been enjoyed by our guests on QE2, so it only seemed natural to continue this relationship as we introduce a new era of cruising with Queen Mary 2,” said Pamela Conover, president and COO of Cunard Line.

Sails for Sale 2/25/03


     Travelers who book select seven-day Windstar Cruises sailings by February 28 will receive savings of more than 50 percent and free airfare. Fares begin at $2,892 per person for the Wind Star’s Tahiti cruises departing round-trip from Papeete from March 7 through May 9, 2003. The ship calls at Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora and Moorea.

     Rates start at $1,995 on select Caribbean cruises aboard the Wind Surf between Barbados and St. Thomas. The ship will call at Isla Culebra, St. Martin, Iles des Saintes, Pigeon Island, St. Georges, Bequia, Mayreau, Dominica, St. Barthelemy and Virgin Gorda, depending on departure date. Sail dates include March 9, 16, 23, and 30; and April 6 and 13.

     Round-trip cruises from St. Thomas aboard the Wind Spirit will depart on March 15 and 22, with prices starting at $2,295. The ship will visit St. John, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda.

     All fares include airfare from select gateway cities.

     Call your travel agent or 1-800-258-7245 or visit www.windstarcruises.com.

Just a Taste 2/24/03
 
     Celebrity Cruises is vowing to offer its guests “a taste of luxury” through a variety of new onboard concepts.

     As reported in the November issue of CruiseReports, the line has been in the process of a brand transformation through which it’s emphasizing an onboard dedication to guests’ wants and needs.
“We want to become the ultimate premium cruise vacation,” Steve Hancock, the line’s senior vice president of marketing told CruiseReports.
Where will the line begin?

     It already has. The new concepts and many more were introduced on Millennium in September and then evaluated based on a combination of feedback from guests and shipboard management. According to Celebrity, the initiatives assessed as offering the highest degree of guest satisfaction are those being implemented fleetwide by July.

     New elements onboard include expanded options and hours in Celebrity's AquaSpa; a broader range of enrichment lectures; increased choices in cuisine, including a Sushi Café; sunset happy hours with live music and refreshments; increased options in dining hours, with something available to eat 24 hours a day; sunset yoga and Pilates classes; frosty towels and sorbet service poolside, and increased opportunities for guests to interact with the ship's officers.

     Celebrity also has created new onboard positions to implement the changes. The line’s new director of Brand Essence, Antony Papageorgiou, directs the implementation of all of Celebrity Cruises' brand essence initiatives, including core service standards, product and service development, management and leadership skill development, and processes designed to solidify the Celebrity culture of service and style.

     The new position of manager of Onboard Brand Transformation has been assumed by George Traganis, who supervised the day-to-day implementation of the new concepts on Millennium and now manages those being implemented throughout the Celebrity fleet.

Keeping it Clean 2/21/03


     Holland America Line has stepped up its efforts to keep the seven seas cleaner than ever. The line has formed a new Department of Environmental Compliance headed by Rich Softye, Captain United States Coast Guard (retired), as vice president of compliance programs, and will report directly to Chairman and CEO A. Kirk Lanterman.

     “Although we have been committed to environmental protection for many years and have had strong compliance programs, formation of this department dedicated solely to environmental concerns further strengthens that commitment,” Lanterman said. “We take great pride in meeting or exceeding all environmental regulations and we will continue to be an innovative leader in this arena.”

     Nico Corbijn, former master of the line’s ships, also is joining the new team on land as director of Environmental Compliance. Former environmental consultant Matthew Arms joins the department as the Environmental Compliance Program training officer and auditor. Rounding out the staff is Dan Grabb, who transferred from the fleet department to become the environmental compliance support coordinator.

Sea of Assurance 2/21/03


     Joining the wave of new cruise insurance policies is Oceania Cruises. The line has announced a “Sea of Assurance,” optional insurance upgrade allowing guests to postpone their cruise for absolutely any reason up until 24 hours prior to departure, and receive a 100% cruise credit valid for any sailing within 36 months.

     The upgrade is available for $149 in addition to the cost of the line’s standard Travel Protection Program (between $199-$499), and is available on all cruises aboard Regatta and Insignia, departing between July 5 and October 31, 2003.

     The future cruise credit may be applied towards a new sailing on a space available basis, 90 days prior to departure.
 

Penalty-Free Cancellations 2/20/03

     Two more cruise lines have announced new penalty-free cancellation policies. Royal Olympia Cruises has introduced a new “no-penalty” policy allowing guests sailing on summer European cruises to cancel without penalty up to 24 hours prior to sailing. The new policy applies to all of Royal Olympia’s itineraries in the Aegean and Baltic Seas, and the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean and Greek Isles.

     Guests who book and pay for a Summer 2003 cruise -departing March through November- may cancel their reservation up to 24 hours prior to sailing, and receive a full credit applied to a future Royal Olympia cruise taken within one year’s time. There is no additional charge for the option.

     “Royal Olympia is sensitive to our customers’ current concerns about early travel bookings,” stated Arne Egeland, Executive Director for North America. “By offering a liberal cancellation policy, we are encouraging our guests to go ahead and make their spring and summer cruise vacation plans, knowing they can be changed or modified without penalty.”

     Crystal Cruises has launched a somewhat similar policy. The "Cruise Protection Program-PLUS," an optional new insurance upgrade enables travelers to cancel their cruise for any reason up until three days before departure, and receive a 90 percent cruise credit of the cancellation fee valid for any sailing within 12 months.

     Cruise Protection Program-PLUS is available on all cruises aboard Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony, and the new Crystal Serenity, departing between May 15 and December 31, 2003. The new program is available as an upgrade to the line's standard Cruise Protection Program. The cost to upgrade to the Cruise Protection Program-PLUS from Crystal's standard insurance plan for cruise fares under $8,000 per person is an additional $200 per person, or 3 percent of the cruise fare for voyages over $8,000 per person.

Flamenco Heads to Spain 2/19/03

     Festival Cruises, parent company of First European Cruises, has entered an agreement with tour operator Travelplan S.A., to charter the 900-guest Flamenco for cruises geared towards the Spanish cruise market.

     The Flamenco will operate for Travelplan until January 2005 under the 20-month charter, which includes an option to renew for a longer period. The charter begins in April 2003.
Travelplan, a member of Spain's leading Globalia group of travel companies, is to offer a cruise product developed for the specific requirements of the Spanish cruising public.

      First European’s Mistral will position to Kiel and take over the Flamenco's 2003 itineraries in Northern Europe, the Baltic cities and the Norwegian fjords. From mid-May to mid-September, Mistral will sail on alternating seven-night voyages from either Kiel or Copenhagen.

     For Travelplan, Flamenco will be offering weekly cruises from Barcelona, departing each Monday for Nice, Civitavecchia, Naples, Malta and Tunis.

Princess is Getting Warmer 2/18/03


     Princess Cruises is moving more ships to warm waters. The line has plans to put two more ships in the Caribbean, including one that will sail year-round beginning in 2004.

      In April 2004 the line will debut a new "Love Boat" named Caribbean Princess, which will sail exclusively in the Caribbean. This new ship will be joined by Golden Princess.

     The ships will mark the line’s first two-ship summer of Caribbean cruising, with four different itineraries. The 116,000-ton Caribbean Princess, currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy is a sister ship to the line's Grand-class ships. The new vessel will sail alternating seven-day eastern and western Caribbean cruises, while Golden Princess will offer alternating seven-day southern Caribbean routes.

     "By naming our new ship Caribbean Princess and basing her year-round there, plus adding a second ship next summer, it's clear we're making an expanded commitment to our Caribbean program," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of customer service and sales. "Importantly, this new deployment brings affordable balconies to the Caribbean in the summer, along with a multitude of onboard choice, which is a hallmark of our new ships. Combining this with the fun and romance of the Caribbean will be a winning combination for summer vacations."

     The Caribbean Princess will debut "Dive-In Movies," for the line. The movies will be played on a giant screen built into the superstructure of the vessel at the mid ship pool – complete with movie snacks. The screen also will show sports events, and will be used for the Caribbean island night parties held during every cruise.

     Other features of the ship will be a new Caribbean-themed alternative restaurant, Princess' trademark Italian trattoria, the Lotus Spa, four pools, three separate show lounges, an Internet café, and nearly 900 cabins with balconies.

     "And of course a wedding chapel will be featured, because of the growing interest by couples in the unique opportunity to get married at sea by the captain, and then follow their sea-going nuptials with a romantic honeymoon cruise," said Brown.

     Caribbean Princess will begin her inaugural season on April 17, 2004 with a western Caribbean sailing to Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios (or Montego Bay), Cozumel and Princess Cays. Ports for the alternating eastern Caribbean itinerary are St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cays. Both itineraries sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

     Beginning May 2, 2004, Golden Princess will offer a seven-day itinerary roundtrip from San Juan with calls at Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Thomas; alternating with an itinerary calling at St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas and Aruba. Princess' 2004 summer Caribbean season will be available for booking beginning March 3, 2003, and rates will begin at $699.

     Princess Cruises also has announced a deployment change for Grand Princess that will keep the ship in the Caribbean this summer. The line made this change in response to an anticipated shift in demand from North American passengers toward Caribbean destinations this summer, with lower demand than originally expected for Mediterranean destinations. Grand Princess had been scheduled for 11 12-day Mediterranean cruises, and two trans-Atlantic crossings, for the period of May 4 to October 5. It will now sail 22 seven-day Caribbean cruises during this time. Grand Princess’ sister ship, Golden Princess, will continue with its summer Mediterranean program, sailing an identical itinerary to the one planned for Grand Princess.

     Passengers currently booked on Grand Princess' Mediterranean cruises will be automatically rebooked onto the equivalent sailing on Golden Princess. The affected Grand Princess cruises include the May 4 and September 23 trans-Atlantic crossings, and 11 Mediterranean cruises departing May 14 through September 11. Grand Princess' new summer Caribbean season will officially begin on May 4 with a western Caribbean sailing, which will alternate with an eastern itinerary.

Get Rich Quick 2/15/03


     Wanna make a quick mill?

     If you’re an avid golfer – then you have a shot, literally!

     Golfers who make a hole-in-one can win one million dollars as part of a "Million Dollar Golf Cruise" aboard the new 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest. The seven-day western Caribbean cruise, which features visits to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, will sail round-trip from New Orleans on November 2, 2003.

     The $1 million hole-in-one contest will serve as the finale to a day-long golf tournament at Montego Bay's par-72, 6,820-yard White Witch Golf Club, located at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and considered one of the finest golf courses in the Caribbean and boasts rolling hills, well-manicured greens and strategically placed bunkers.

     Four golfers will be selected for the "Million Dollar Shootout" based on a closest-to-the-pin contest held during the tournament. These golfers will then have one shot to make a hole-in-one at a designated par-3 hole at the end of the tournament. The $1 million prize will be paid out as a 40-year annuity. Shucks – you can’t get all the cash up front!

     Prices for the Million Dollar Shootout begin at $859 per person and include all meals, accommodations and entertainment, golf in Montego Bay, and round-trip transfers to and from the golf course. Golf in Cozumel and Grand Cayman is available at an additional cost.

     Non-golfers are also welcome to participate with prices beginning at $689 per person (golf not included).

Princess Smartens-Up Kids Onboard 2/14/03

     Princess Cruises is giving its young cruisers some marine biology lessons while onboard. The line has teamed-up with the Miami Seaquarium to expand the line's educational programs for kids.

     Junior cruisers participating in the onboard “Princess Kids” youth program during Caribbean sailings can now watch a specially produced series of videos designed to be fun and educational at the same time, and participate in a number of fun activities designed by the Seaquarium's education department. The four titles give kids insight into such topics as "Baby Animals," "Whales, Dolphins and Training," "Fun Fishy Facts," and "Aquatic Alert."

     "We are especially pleased that this exclusive partnership with the Miami Seaquarium -- South Florida's most popular tourist attraction and a champion for the appreciation of marine life -- enables us to offer an even greater range of activities for our junior passengers," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of customer service and sales. "This video series and companion activities give Princess Kids participants a unique way to learn about the sea life all around them on their vacation."

     The line’s youth counselors have completed a special training session at the Miami park, to help them design fun activities which tie in to the video series. Each of the four 20-minute videos was designed to teach children about sea life they may see as they travel through the Caribbean

     For example, the first tape in the series, "Baby Animals," introduces kids to the many youngsters they might find at the Miami Seaquarium – from newborn dolphins and sea lions to recently hatched sea turtles and young fawns. Other videos similarly use animals at the park to give kids a glimpse of the natural world around them.

To Alaska on The World 1/12/03

     In response to consumer demand, The World of ResidenSea has added a new 14-night Alaska leg to its summertime schedule departing from July 13, 2003.

      The ship will sail from Vancouver to Eureka, with visits to Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Petersburg, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Prince Ruppert, Victoria, Seattle, and Portland.
Fares for studio residences during this time start at $500 per night, double occupancy, including gratuities. Two-bedroom apartment residences begin at $1,900 per night, per unit (for up to four guests), including gratuities.

     Call your travel agent or 1-800-970-6601 or visit www.residensea.com

Faberge on Silversea 2/11/03


     Guests aboard Silversea Cruises’ "St. Petersburg Treasures" voyage aboard the Silver Whisper departing on July 7, 2003, will have the opportunity to meet Theo Fabergé of the House of Fabergé. The ship will sail from Stockholm to Copenhagen, with visits to Tallinn, Helsinki, and a three-night call in St. Petersburg.

     During the ship’s stop in St. Petersburg, Fabergé is scheduled to host an optional "Romanovs Remembered" package including guided tours of Yusupov Palace, Grand Duke Vladimir's Palace, Peterhof Grand Palace and Catherine the Great's Palace at Tsarkoe Selo, the summer residence of the Czars. Guests also will attend a ball hosted by Fabergé at the Peterhof Grand Palace.

     Philip Birkenstein, who will share his insights as CEO of The St. Petersburg Collection, which showcases contemporary Fabergé eggs – will also be onboard to host lecturs. As Silver Whisper departs St. Petersburg, guests will be invited to "Black Pearls and Ice", an exclusive shipboard caviar and vodka tasting.

     Silversea also has commissioned Fabergé to create the Silver Whisper Egg. The limited edition egg will be crafted from mouth-blown lead crystal, and hand-enameled in blue with a swirling design that evokes rolling ocean waves. The outer shell is topped with Theo Fabergé's signature Romanov crown in sterling silver accented by a cabochon sapphire. The egg also features a miniature surprise - a model of Silver Whisper crafted in sterling silver and 24-karat gold. Under the ship model and hand-cut into the crystal base is a miniature compass.

     Cruise-only fares for this voyage start at $5,795 per guest, double occupancy.

     The "Romanovs Remembered" program costs an additional $5,900 per person, double occupancy.
 

Alaska Made Easy 1/09/03

     Princess Cruises has perked up its web site (www.princess.com) a bit.
The line has debuted an industry first with the addition of a new "Destination:Alaska" section -- a comprehensive web tool that walks users through a specialized resource full of information about Alaska, as well as highlights of Princess' cruise and cruise-tour packages in the "Great Land."
The new section has interactive maps, virtual tours featuring more than 65 360-degree photos, and pages of informative facts and photos.

     "This new online tool presents users with background on the destination, our cruises and cruisetours, our very own wilderness lodges, plus an amazing number of photos -- including virtual tours of many of our shore excursions -- and links to everything you'd need to easily plan the perfect Alaska vacation," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of customer service and sales.

     The new web feature offers three main sections -- Alaskan Experience,
Alaska Cruisetours and Alaska Cruises. In the Alaskan Experience section, users will find information about Glaciers, National Parks, Wildlife and Ports of Call. Designed to give background on Alaska's popular attractions, this section also features virtual tours of six of the destinations -- Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Anchorage, Seward and College Fjord. Each of these sections presents interactive maps linked to a series of interactive 360-degree photos offering scenic views of available excursions in each area, and other local highlights.

     In the Alaska Cruisetours section, users will find details about all of Princess' 46 cruisetour options, complete with profiles of Princess' wilderness lodges, and the line's Midnight Sun Express Ultra Dome rail cars. Cruise-tour listings are divided into four categories -- Heart of Alaska, Alaska Wilderness/Kenai, Alaska Wilderness/Copper River, and Alaska Wilderness/Explorer. Within each category guests can determine which wilderness lodges are featured on each route and highlights of the areas visited.

     The Alaska Cruises section presents details about Princess' two types of cruise itineraries -- the "Voyage of the Glaciers" Gulf of Alaska route
and Inside Passage cruises from Seattle and San Francisco -- and port calls. The pages provide links to information about exact itineraries, ship amenities, shore excursions and the onboard experience.

     The new section can be directly accessed at
http://www.princess.com/destination/alaska/

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