2007

Back By Popular Demand...Disney Cruise Line Returns to the West Coast in 2008! Disney Cruise Line® is pleased to announce that the Disney Magic® cruise ship will return to the West Coast for the summer of 2008 to once again offer seven-night cruise vacations to the Mexican Riviera! Beginning May 25, 2008, the Disney Magic is scheduled to sail 12 consecutive seven-night cruise vacations from the Port of Los Angeles to Mexican Riviera ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. In addition to the 12 Mexican Riviera cruises, Disney Cruise Line will also offer two 15-night repositioning cruises through the Panama Canal. The Disney Magic will depart Port Canaveral and head west on May 10, 2008, with the return cruise to Florida scheduled for Aug. 17, 2008. This marks the second time the 2,700 passenger ship has sailed from the Port of Los Angeles, giving your Clients another opportunity to sail this popular itinerary and providing West Coast residents with a prime opportunity to experience a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Both special itineraries are available for booking starting Jan. 31, 2007

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering 37 cruises through the South Pacific in 2007 aboard its Paul Gauguin, which sails French Polynesia year-round. Through 37 seven- to 14-night sailings, the Paul Gauguin will explore the Society Islands' Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea; the Marquesas and the Tuamotus; and beyond to the Cook Islands and Fiji. In 2007, four newly added 14-night voyages offer the opportunity to sail beyond French Polynesia to Fiji, for maiden calls in Savusavu, Lautoka and Yasawa. During these four new voyages, guests may learn about ancient Polynesian culture in Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands; discover the exquisite reefs of Yasawa (Fiji); explore the terraced burial tombs of ancient Tongan kings in Nuku'alofa; and visit Regent's own private islet, Motu Mahana. A selection of other seven- to 14-night itineraries will sail throughout the Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Cook and Austral Islands, all roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti. Regent has carried more than 100,000 guests through the South Pacific on the Paul Gauguin, now in its 10th year of uninterrupted sailing in the region. The 330-guest, all-ocean view Paul Gauguin underwent a $6 million refurbishment in 2006, including the addition of a new piano bar, five additional staterooms with aft-facing private balconies, remodeled casino and new fabrics and carpeting throughout public areas. Amenities include three single, open seating dining venues, complimentary water sports from the vessel's own retractable marina with an optional PADI dive program, and the Carita of Paris Spa. In summer, the ship boasts a joint program with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, called "Ambassadors of the Environment" youngsters aged 9-15. The program is offered for $199 per child. For adults, six sailings will feature onboard lecture programs with naturalists from the Ocean Futures Society, while Jean-Michel Cousteau himself will sail aboard the Nov. 18 voyage. Per person prices start at $1,995 for the seven-night roundtrip cruise of the Society Islands from Papeete. For more information, call 800-913-7245. From ModernAgent.com

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MSC Cruises is offering a selection of Mediterranean cruises on which children under 18 years of age sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. The MSC Orchestra, which enters service in May, offers an Eastern Mediterranean itinerary that begins in Venice every Saturday from June 2 through Oct. 27. Ports of call are Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubrovnik.

"Best Room, Best Rate" rates begin at $995 per person, double; government fees and taxes are additional. The MSC Armonia offers "The Pearls of Greece and Croatia," departing Venice every Sunday from April 1 through Oct. 28, calling at Bari, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus, Corfu and Dubrovnik. Rates begin at $995. The MSC Musica departs Barcelona every Friday from March through Oct. 26, calling at Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma de Mallorca, Genoa and Marseilles. Rates begin at $995. The MSC Sinfonia departs every Monday from Genoa or every Sunday from Rome (Civitavecchia) from April 2 through Nov. 12, calling at Monte Carlo, Valencia, La Valletta and Tunis. Rates begin at $895. The MSC Melody departs Barcelona every Monday and Livorno every Saturday from April 9 through Oct. 27, also calling at Messina, Naples, St. Tropez, Ibiza and Tunis. Rates begin at $795.

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New technologies, interactive online tools and in-park experiences are making Walt Disney World vacations more personal and taking guest service to a new level during "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration. New attractions introduced last week as part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion include "The Seas with Nemo & Friends" attraction at Epcot. Guests can engage in live, unrehearsed dialogue with Crush, the turtle from the film "Finding Nemo." New technology enables other stars from the movie to appear to swim with the marine life in the 5.7-million-gallon aquarium.

Through immersive and interactive features, guests at "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club," opening this spring in Magic Kingdom, will be able to participate in the show by text messaging jokes from their cell phone for possible use in the show. This live, unscripted entertainment experience currently in development is the next generation of real-time animation that uses digital projection and voice-activated animation.

Unused space within the Magic Kingdom originally envisioned as in-park accommodations for the Disney family has been transformed into Cinderella Castle Suite -- a place where Walt Disney World guests can now spend a night amid surroundings that hark back to the 17th century fairytale and the French chateaus that inspired the design of Cinderella Castle. Eligible Walt Disney World guests will be selected randomly at one of the theme parks or Downtown Disney, as part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion, by early afternoon most days now through the end of 2007. The guest and up to five members of their party begin their evening at Cinderella's Royal Table, the restaurant located in Cinderella Castle before settling into their suite, located four stories above the surrounding Magic Kingdom. The suite includes a salon, bedchamber and bathroom off a private marble-floored foyer, all replete with rich details.

New concepts designed to help tailor guests' vacation experiences include: Disney's new PhotoPass albums with online scrapbooking tools and the ability to combine personal photos with professional photos taken by Disney's PhotoPass team as well as add different backgrounds and personalize text. Disney's online concierge at Disney's Contemporary Resort lets vacationers order room service, play games, make tee times and more right from their own hotel rooms. This interactive service is currently in pilot testing. Through advances in wireless communication, Pal Mickey, a huggable plush toy, acts as a tour guide at each of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. Offering timesaving tips, trivia, fun facts and more, Pal Mickey helps navigate the parks so guests get the most out of their time in the parks.

A new Walt Disney World after-hours event began in Magic Kingdom Jan. 22, 2007, with Disney's Pirate and Princess Party, a treasure hunt for items like chocolate doubloons and colorful beads. Guests can explore pirate coves and princess courts filled with themed entertainment, participate in character meet-and-greets and enjoy Magic Kingdom attractions open throughout the evening. Guests are invited to dress up in a favorite princess gown or pirate garb to add to the fun. Adding to the magic of the immersive event will be two new nighttime entertainment spectaculars, "Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade" and "Magic, Music and Mayhem," a fireworks display orchestrated to an original musical score. Other party highlights include a dance party, haunted riverboat, court musicians, jugglers and more. Day-of tickets are priced at $42.95 plus tax, for ages 10 and over, $35.95 plus tax, for ages three to nine. Advance tickets for all nights are $36.95 plus tax, for ages 10 and over and $29.95 plus tax, for ages three to nine. Party nights: Jan. 22, 26, 29, Feb. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 23, 26 and March 2, 5, 8 from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Also new at the Disney World is the "High School Musical Pep Rally," a new immersive show for the whole family now at Disney-MGM Studios as part of "The Year of a Million Dreams." Throughout the park, a multi-talented team of entertainers re-creates the world of East High. Theme park guests may find themselves shooting hoops or joining in as the whole street turns into a rockin' party while great songs fill the air, from "Breaking Free" and "Getcha Head in the Game" to "We're All in This Together.  Book today!  Call 800-913-7245 or visit www.planmycruise.com

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Crystal Cruises has posted most of the details of its 295 World Cruise Adventures online, about 15 months before the Jan. 19 departure of the 108-day 2008 World Cruise. The shore excursions, which can be viewed online at www.crystalcruises.com, include a hike through Oahu's Ko'olau Mountains, a culinary journey into New Zealand's Wairarapa region, and a river rafting adventure in Borneo's Ulu Temburong National Park. There are 82 new shore tours debuting during the Crystal's 13th annual World Cruise. The World Cruise excursions will be available for booking by Feb. 15.

Traveling from Los Angeles to Southampton, England, Jan. 19 to May 7, 2008, the World Cruise includes a complimentary tour on each of the voyage's eight segments and 24 overland adventures offering multiple-night in-depth experiences. The 2008 World Cruise is also available in the following segments: 13 days from Los Angeles to Papeete visiting Hawaii and South Pacific; 11 days from Papeete to Auckland visiting the South Pacific and New Zealand; 14 days from Auckland to Sydney visiting New Zealand and Australia; 17 days from Sydney to Hong Kong visiting Australia and China; 12 days from Hong Kong to Singapore visiting China, Vietnam and Thailand; 14 days from Singapore to Mumbai visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and India; 16 days from Mumbai to Rome visiting the Middle East and the Mediterranean; 11 days from Rome to London visiting the Mediterranean. World Value Fares for individual segments begin at $4,890 per person, double occupancy. Crystal also offers specially priced air fares to guests booking any World Cruise segment

From: Modern Agent

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Princess Cruises' ships will host a tailgate party at sea on Feb. 4 and show Super Bowl XLI on the 300-square-foot outdoor screen. Passengers aboard Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Sea Princess and Grand Princess will be able to follow the action between the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, broadcast by ESPN International, while enjoying chili, pigs-in-a-blanket, hamburgers, pizza, and other munchies. Most Princess ships without the jumbo outdoor screens will also show the game, depending on satellite availability, and host Super Bowl parties in one or more of the public lounges.

Source: Modern Agent

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SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 1, 2007) - Princess ships are the perfect place to celebrate love any time of year, but the romantically-inclined will find Valentine's Day celebrations aboard the "Love Boat" fleet particularly inspiring.  This is when the company's ships take on an even more amorous air with festive décor, couples renewing their wedding vows, and a variety of events to add an extra romantic touch.

One of the most memorable events held each year aboard each Princess ship is a group renewal of vows ceremony performed by the captain on February 14.  More than 5,000 couples fleetwide typically celebrate their love by participating in this Valentine's Day tradition.

Other heart-themed shipboard festivities include a festive Valentine's dinner capped off by one of the line's most popular desserts "The Princess Love Boat Dream," a Valentine's rendition of the "Newlywed and Not-So-Newlywed Game," a Valentine's Singles Party, Hearts card game lessons and tournament, a special honeymooners cocktail party, romance-themed films and plenty of other activities in keeping with the Valentine's spirit.

True romantics looking for special ways to celebrate can also take advantage of some of the extra offerings on board.  Princess' Champagne Breakfast is the perfect way for couples to start Valentine's Day with a deluxe morning meal in their stateroom.  Princess bars will be serving a Cupid's Champagne Cocktail - a romantic concoction of coconut rum, passion fruit, orange juice and sparkling wine that makes for a perfect Valentine's toast.  Onboard florists will have a variety of special blooms available for those who want to present a bouquet to their sweetheart.  And, for those who want to start their commitment to a life together on this memorable day, Princess' special "Engagement Under the Stars" packages enable suitors to create a dramatic video proposal shown on the "Movies Under the Stars" screen on Crown Princess, Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess or Sea Princess.  Couples will enjoy movie-star status, plus enjoy a special romantic dinner, and other amenities to remember the occasion long after they return home.

"Princess has long been synonymous with love and romance," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president.  "So Valentine's Day is a special day across our fleet and we're delighted to offer our passengers very special ways to express their affection for each other."

For the ultimate Valentine's Day, couples can actually "tie the knot" at sea, with the rare opportunity to celebrate a romantic wedding ceremony on the ocean waves, with the ship's captain officiating.  Princess is the only major North American cruise line that makes this dream a reality, offering a variety of customizable ceremony options, including, on larger vessels, an onboard wedding chapel decorated in flowers and candlelight for the special day.

Princess ships will be celebrating Valentine's Day in a variety of destinations around the world.  Couples may choose to sail among romantic islands, such as those of the Caribbean, Hawaii and Tahiti.  Or they may explore such exciting locals as South America, the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera, or Australia and New Zealand

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MSC Cruises is presenting an expanded mix of cruise lengths and itineraries in the Caribbean for the 2007- 2008 winter season. The season begins when MSC Lirica departs Genoa, Italy, on Nov. 17 on a 17-night transatlantic cruise that includes port calls at Barcelona, Casablanca, Tenerife, Bridgetown, St. George, Fort de France and San Juan and nine sea days before arriving in Fort Lauderdale. Rates begin at $1,249 per person, double occupancy. The new Caribbean program of roundtrip sailings from Fort Lauderdale includes two seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Dec. 14 and Dec. 28; one seven-night Eastern Caribbean holiday cruise departing Dec. 21; five 10-night Mexico/Panama cruises departing Jan. 19, Feb. 8, Feb. 28 and March 19; and four 10-night Deep Caribbean cruises departing Dec. 4, Jan. 9, Jan. 29, Feb. 18 and March 9. On each sailing, kids 17 and under sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. MSC Cruises' Caribbean season will end with a 17-night transatlantic cruise to Dover, departing Fort Lauderdale on March 29, 2008.

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Crystal Cruises booked political commentators James Carville and Mary Matalin as guest lecturers on the Crystal Serenity's 12-day July 26 cruise from Venice to Rome. The husband and wife are Democrat and Republican, respectively, and this cruise marks the couple's second voyage with Crystal in as many years. Carville and Matalin's lecture series is titled "A Walk Through the Races…Where They're Going…What to Make of This Historic Time." Carville is a well-known member of Hillary Clinton's inner circle, and Matalin is planning to announce her Republican candidate of choice by the time of this cruise. The dynamic duo will square off with political views -- from the Left and the Right -- during several debates. The July 26 cruise begins in Venice, with an overnight stay aboard ship. From there, the itinerary features calls in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Taormina and Sorrento, Italy; Cannes (overnight), France; Florence/Livorno and Portofino, Italy, ultimately arriving in Rome on Aug. 7. Fares begin at $5,495 per person, double occupancy.  Call 800-913-7245 to book your cabin today!

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Holland America Line "Glacier Bay & Great Land Grand Tours" now arrive and depart from Vancouver, B.C. The 19- and 20-day cruise-tours, which combine a seven-day cruise with a land tour, previously started in Vancouver and ended in Seattle or visa versa. "Flying in and out of Vancouver, B.C. has made these cruise-tours much more convenient for guests, which has increased their popularity. It greatly improves the ability to make excellent air arrangements," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.

The tours include two nights in Denali, Dawson City, Whitehorse and Anchorage and the 20-day cruise-tour. Guests may opt for small group exploration of Kluane National Park, home of five of the seven tallest peaks in North America; Tombstone Park near Dawson; and the heart of the Alaskan Interior, Denali National Park. Grand Tours also include one night in Tok, Fairbanks and Skagway. The "Glacier Bay & Great Land Grand Tours" start at $3,499 per person, double occupancy.

Source: Modern Agent

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