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Cruise Blog
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Cruise Planners Offers Incentive to Vets
Fri Jul 11 2008, written by Dori Saltzman of Traveltrade
Cruise Planners has launched a “Corps Care” program to help entrepreneurial veterans transition to Home Based civilian careers. At the heart of the program is a series of discounts available to qualifying honorably discharged US military veterans toward establishing their own independent Cruise Planners franchises.
Corps Care discounts carry a full value of just over $2,600 as follows: 10% franchise fee discount (value: $1,000); free training program in Ft. Lauderdale for a second person (value: $995); co-op advertising fund (value: $500); and a free three-month trial enrollment in Cruise Planners’ Web program (value: $150).
According to a Cruise Planners spokesperson, the franchise company has had members who are veterans for years and wants to create opportunities for younger homecoming GIs, who, according to news sources, do not have many job opportunities. Interest among vets is high, the Cruise Planners spokesperson said.
However, Cruise Planner’s newest veteran member is not one of the younger generation, but instead a 54-year-old veteran discharged in 1975. Owning a Cruise Planners franchise is his second career, as previously he was in computer sales.
Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners, said of the new program, “Cruise Planners supports US troops 100% and counts a number of veterans among our strongest franchise owners. We’re proud to launch this program as an extension of our support, and we look forward to helping entrepreneurial veterans transition to a new and rewarding career.”
To celebrate the launch of the new program, Cruise Planners has also launched a Corps Care Sweepstakes with a grand prize of a free Cruise Planners franchise to be awarded to a US military veteran.
To enter, servicemen and women must describe in 500 words or less why they should be awarded the franchise.
Cruise Planners will waive all franchise fees (value: $10,000) for the winner. All normal requirements for Cruise Planner membership will apply to the winner, including the completion of all corporate training programs and achieving productivity quotas.
The deadline for entries into the Sweepstakes is Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The winner will be announced on Dec. 15. Entries should be submitted via email to cpcorpscare@cruiseplanners.com or by mail to Corps Care Sweepstakes, 3300 University Drive, Suite 602, Coral Springs, FL 33065.
The Cruise Planner - A sneak preview of the official magazine.
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Chuck Shinn
www.cruisesbychuck.com • 800-697-2301 / 619-291-2142 |
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More international than ever.
Royal Caribbean International is proud to be the featured cruise line in this edition of The Cruise Planner. For over 10 years, Royal Caribbean has recognized Cruise Planners as one of our leading vacation partners and we continue to value the professionalism and dedication to excellence that their specialists deliver everyday. In fact, Cruise Planners was recognized as Royal Caribbean International’s Home-based Partner of the Year in 2007 — a well-deserved distinction.
Find out more... plus special shipboard credit offer! |
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Dress like a native.
When you’re onboard a Princess cruise,you’ll find your days are filled quite easily. You can take a ScholarShip@Sea® class on cooking, ceramics, photography and more. For something physical, take an exercise class at the gym, practice your putt on the green, or get a massage at the Lotus Spa®. But once you reach your port of call things can change dramatically. You’re now on an exciting shore excursion with a day filled with adventure. Are you ready? Find out more... plus reduced deposit and onboard coupon book offer! |
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Hot glass. Cool grass.
Celebrity’s new Solstice Classbrings you The Lawn Club and The Hot Glass Show to both Celebrity SolsticeSM — debuting December 2008 and the Celebrity Equinox SM — debuting the summer of 2009.
Find out more... plus special shipboard credits! |
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Are you a foodie?
This tasty program, presented by Food & Wine magazine, was crafted for you to be part of a cooking show brought to life in their theatre-style demonstration kitchen. There are multiple large plasma video screens so you don’t miss a thing — even from your stateroom. Learn some new recipes from the pros or try the hands-on approach and participate in a demonstration.
Find out more... plus reduced deposit and onboard coupon book offer! |
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Evolutions of fun.
What could be better than an action packed vacation with the entire family with waterslides, video games, and plenty of activities from bow to stern to enjoy? Cruising already is proving to be one of the greatest vacation values but, Carnival Cruise Lines has taken it one step further to offer adults their own getaway during their family vacation. “Sometimes it’s just nice to sit in a deck chair and not worry about getting splashed,” says Suzie Jones who always travels with her three kids.
Find out more... plus special savings! |
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Like what you see?
Call me for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to the Winter/Spring 2009 issue!
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4/29/2008 1:50:29 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment Celebrity Cruises' biggest Europe season ever
Monday, March 24, 2008
Five ships, including two new vessels of Celebrity Cruises, will visit the region in a single European season for the first time in the line's history making it the largest European deployment slated for 2009 of the cruise operator. The line will visit 76 ports in 29 countries, five of which are brand-new to Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity's 2009 Europe season includes six homeports, overnight stays in eight different ports, and five unique cruisetour options. Celebrity also will offer nine transatlantic sailings in 2009. The cruises open for sale today.
"Our guests have told us repeatedly that Europe is where they want to be, and they want to be there in style," said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "This year, by offering more ships and itineraries in Europe than ever before -- some past favorites and some new stars, including Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox -- we're giving our guests a great deal of variety, and Europe really is theirs for the taking."
Five Celebrity Cruises ships will sail in Europe in 2009, including two ships currently under construction, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox. Joining them are Celebrity Century, which underwent a $55-million makeover in 2006, Celebrity Constellation, built in 2002, and Celebrity Summit, which launched in 2001.
With six different homeports in Europe for the season, including Amsterdam, Holland; Barcelona, Spain; Harwich and Southampton, England; and Rome and Venice, Italy, Celebrity's ships will sail much of the continent. Itineraries exploring Scandinavia and Russia, the Arctic Circle and North Cape, the Mediterranean, Israel and Egypt, and even transatlantic sailings, will offer guests a number of opportunities to get to know Europe. These include overnight, in-port stays that offer travel enthusiasts the opportunity to more thoroughly explore the culture of eight cities: Alexandria, Egypt; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey; Rome, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; and Venice, Italy.
Celebrity's 2009 Europe - New Stars
- Celebrity will call on five new ports:
- Antwerp, Belgium, located on the River Scheldt, 50 miles from the sea.
- Ashdod, Israel's largest port, offering access to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and must-see sites such as Mount Zion, the Tomb of David, the Tomb of Judges and the Dead Sea.
- Haifa, Israel's third-largest city, nestled in a broad natural bay between the Mediterranean Sea and Carmel Mountain.
- La Spezia, Italy, one of Italy's major harbors, located at the head of La Spezia Gulf between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, known for its numerous churches, museums, the Castle of San Giorgio, public gardens and Art Nouveau-style villas.
- Portofino, Italy, the famed town in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, considered to be among the most beautiful Mediterranean ports.
- Celebrity Century will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean sailings roundtrip out of Barcelona from September 19-November 21. Celebrity's European itineraries have traditionally lasted 10 nights or longer, and this shorter offering will give guests who may not have enough vacation time for a longer sailing, the opportunity to enjoy Celebrity's Europe in a shorter format.
- Celebrity Century will offer a 13-night "Best of Europe" sailing September 6, that begins with an overnight stay in Amsterdam and the line's first call on Antwerp, Belgium.
- From August 18 through October 23, Celebrity Equinox will sail 13- and 14-night "Ancient Empires" itineraries out of Rome, featuring calls on Ashdod and Haifa, Israel, an overnight stay in Alexandria, Egypt, and ports throughout Greece, Turkey, and Italy.
- Beginning May 4, Celebrity Solstice will sail 10- and 11-night Eastern Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip out of Rome, calling on ports throughout Greece, Turkey, and Italy. The 11-night sailings include overnight stays in Istanbul, Turkey.
Celebrity's 2009 Europe - Past Favorites
- Celebrity Century has increased the number of "Scandinavia and Russia" cruises roundtrip out of Amsterdam, with nine of these itineraries scheduled between May and August 2009 (in 2008, Celebrity Century will sail four Scandinavia and Russia itineraries). These voyages feature an overnight stay in St. Petersburg, Russia, and calls in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Denmark.
- Celebrity Century's 12-night "Arctic Circle and North Cape" itinerary, offered June 26 and July 8 roundtrip out of Amsterdam, features calls on seven Norwegian ports, including the breathtaking Geiranger, which the line hasn't visited since 2006, back by popular demand.
- Celebrity Constellation's 14-night transatlantic sailing from Harwich on September 5 will feature a stop in Reykjavik, Iceland, a country named by National Geographic magazine as one of the world's top destinations. This will be the first time Celebrity has called on an Icelandic port since 2004; the voyage, which ends in Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, also features stops in France, Ireland, Scotland, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick.
- Beginning May 10, Celebrity Summit will alternate 12- or 14-night "Classical Mediterranean" and "Mediterranean Legacies" sailings between Venice and Barcelona, calling on ports in France, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, collectively.
Celebrity's 2009 Europe - Cruisetours
In 2009, Celebrity offers options to guests who wish to make the most of their time in Europe through cruisetours, a combined cruise and pre-voyage multi-night land journey package. Cruisetours are available for guests sailing on the following ships:
- Celebrity Century and Celebrity Summit out of Barcelona (Mediterranean sailings)
- Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Solstice out of Rome (Mediterranean sailings)
- Celebrity Summit out of Venice (Mediterranean sailings)
- Celebrity Equinox out of Southampton (Mediterranean sailings)
- Celebrity Constellation out of Harwich (Northern Europe sailings)
For more information, call Chuck at 1-800-697-2301 | 4/24/2008 1:26:06 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
NCL Corp. unveiled its 2009 Alaska, Bermuda and Europe deployment and itineraries by nine Freestyle Cruising ships.
The 2009 cruises go on sale March 20. In summer 2009, the Norwegian Pearl will operate seven-day Glacier Bay cruises roundtrip from Seattle that visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. Norwegian Star offers a seven-day Sawyer Glacier itinerary, roundtrip from Seattle, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert, B.C.
Norwegian Sun will operate the seven-day Sawyer Glacier itinerary roundtrip from Vancouver, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Beginning March 30, NCL will deploy a ship year-round in Europe, a first in the company's 41-year history. The 2,400-passenger Norwegian Jade will remain in Europe through spring of 2010. Norwegian Jade offers nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco cruises roundtrip from Barcelona, 12-day Eastern Mediterranean roundtrips from Barcelona, and 21-day Eastern Mediterranean, Canaries and Morocco cruises roundtrip from Barcelona.
Norwegian Gem will operate a seven-day Western Mediterranean itinerary, roundtrip from Barcelona, that calls at Valletta, Malta; Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; and Cannes or Nice (Villefranche), France. Norwegian Jewel will sail 12-day Baltic Capitals voyages roundtrip from London (Dover) to Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden.
For more information, contact Chuck Shinn: 1-800-697-2301 | Caribbean Princess to Sail From NYC to Caribbean, New England Caribbean Princess
The Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship is the Grand Daddy of our Princess fleet, with the largest carrying capacity.
The Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship is a well - appointed vessel that takes Personal Choice Cruising to a new level with Caribbean Cuisines, the renowned Lotus Spa, and nearly 900 cabins w/ balconies - more than any other cruise ship sailing year round in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship has the latest onboard entertainment option, Movies Under the Stars, which boasts a giant poolside Time Square-style video screen to feature the latest movie, special sporting event, the premier Lotus Spa, numerous formal and casual eating options, including the open-kitchen-style Cafe Caribe.
Caribbean Princess Cruises aboard the Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship feature flexible dining schedules. All meals are included - breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, and dinner in a variety of times, restaurants, and options.
Caribbean Princess Cruise Ships even cater to those with special meal diets on request. You can enjoy the cuisine at any one of the cafes, bistros, or restaurants onboard. The dining style is formal at night and casual in the evening. And if you don't feel like dressing up or eating out, Caribbean Princess Cruises provides 24 hour room service.
Here are just a few of the dining venues on Caribbean Princess Cruise Ships:
* Sterling Steakhouse
* Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
* Themed Cafe Caribe
* Outdoor hamburger grill, pizzeria and ice cream bar
* Plus a wide variety of bars and lounges, including a wine and caviar bar
Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship Activities
Fill your days with activities and do nothing the next. Take a personal enrichment class, do yoga, go duty-free shopping, or just relax with a dip in one of the pools or spas.
When you are on a Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship, you will experience culture and pampering. First you can enjoy the onboard art gallery followed by the art auction. Then you can visit the Asian-themed Lotus spa with ocean-view gym.
Princess Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship Sailing Dates:
7-night Eastern Caribbean - Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale: January - May 2008
9-night Eastern Caribbean - Roundtrip New York: May - August 2008
7-night Southern Caribbean - Roundtrip San Juan: November - December 2008
7-night Eastern Caribbean - Roundtrip New York: October 26, 2008
| 4/1/2008 12:13:47 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
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 To be delivered in summer 2008, the new Eurodam marks Holland America Line's next class of vessels and at 2044 passengers the largest ever constructed for the premium line. With an estimated all-in cost of $450 million, the new 86,000-ton Panamax Eurodam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard.
The Eurodam will further the evolution of Holland America Line's sophisticated mid-sized ships. With 11 passenger decks, new innovations include a topside 144-seat Pan-Asian restaurant and 50-seat lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a new specialty restaurant adjacent to the Lido offering the finest in Italian food, elegant luxury jewelry boutiques, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating, and a new photographic and imaging center.
The Eurodam will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft.
On the technical side, the Eurodam will feature the latest state-of-the-art navigation and safety systems including dynamic positioning abilities to hold the ship in a precise position. The vessel will be powered by six diesel generators and propelled by the latest Azipod propulsion technology.
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Caribbean
Canada & New England
Northern Europe 
Free Quote: Call Chuck at Cruise Planners!
1-800-697-2301 |
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| With an additional deck, the Eurodam will have 63 new staterooms more than the latest Vista-class ship. Forty-seven will be verandah staterooms and ten will be a new style of stateroom with ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. In total, the Eurodam will carry 1,022 staterooms, with 86 percent outside staterooms, 67 percent with verandahs.
Staterooms will continue to provide all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities: plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets.
Sample Penthouse Verandah Suite
 Sample Deluxe Verandah Suite
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Call Chuck at Cruise Planners and make your reservations today!
1-800-697-2301
| Best Cruises For Weddings
Editor's Picks: Best Cruises for Weddings
Last Updated: 02/25/08 |
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In the last few years, cruise lines have begun to ramp up the services they offer couples who want to get married onboard. And the good news is that, as a result, planning your wedding can be as simple as planning your honeymoon.
Potentially, you need to make just one call (many lines have in-house wedding coordinators) and -- poof -- they arrange the ceremony, the menu, the cake, the flowers, the music. Everything, in fact, but the invitations. Some even help obtain wedding licenses. And it's easy to let them handle all the extras, from tuxedo rental to hair and spa appointments, too.
An onboard wedding can be a great value as well. Prices start at about $800 (the sky's the limit) on top of the cost of the cruise. Typically, onboard weddings are held in a ship's chapel (if it exists), a lounge, the library or a boardroom. While the wedding couple must be passengers on the cruise, most lines with full-service packages include an option for land-side guests to come onboard for a couple of hours.
An even bigger area of interest to cruise lines, not to mention romantic passengers, is in vow renewals --which is a perfect service to offer when you think about it, as so many folks travel to celebrate anniversaries.
Weddings and vow renewals at sea can indeed be the ultimate in romantic. But before you book your cabin, remember these tips:
 If you want to get married at sea by the captain, you're limited to only a handful cruise lines due to legal limitations based on ships' countries of registry. New to the "can officiate" list are Celebrity and Azamara -- Celebrity recently re-registered its ships in Malta, where new regulations permit legal marriages at sea; Azamara's two ships are registered in Malta as well. Princess' captains are also able to marry couples at sea; its ships are registered to Bermuda.
Note: Disney captains can lead wedding ceremonies onboard or at Castaway Cay. However, the actual "legal" marriage (and paperwork signing) must occur before the ship sets sail, in the cruise terminal -- not terribly romantic.
For the most part, it's the big-ship, mass-market cruise lines that have embraced full-service weddings. Some, such as luxury operators Crystal and Cunard, don't allow onboard weddings. Others -- and these fall mostly in the high-priced luxury category, such as Seabourn -- don't have a problem with your wedding or vow renewal plans but it's strictly a do-it-yourself deal.
Weddings have become so popular on some ships in their fleets that Carnival and Royal Caribbean both levy surcharges for certain times of the year.
A cruise ship wedding may not be for everyone. If you've always dreamed of picking out each flower yourself, or getting married in your hometown in front of 300 people, you may not be happy with this simple approach. And getting married legally while at sea is complicated, so plan to have yours on the ship while it is in port, or even in the port itself.
Weddings at ports of call can be fabulous but what happens if the ship has to cancel the call? Consider very carefully ports that require ships to tender; Grand Cayman, for instance, can be a highly unpredictable site as winds often hamper tender operations, causing cruise ships to skip stops at the island.
In that same vein, if you're planning a shoreside wedding at a Caribbean locale during hurricane season -- well, we hope you sail with a flexible spirit. Our advice: Try to cruise at another time.
Vow renewals are also popular -- in addition to the basic information included below, be sure to check out Trendwatch: Renewing Your Vows at Sea.
Check out our picks for the best cruise options for weddings.
Princess Cruises
Why? Princess is a prime choice because, of all the lines offering shipboard wedding options, it offers the best combination of features, services and facilities. Princess' Weddings at Sea packages are available on Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Sapphire Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess, all of which have dedicated wedding chapels.
Package Details: Princess offers three wedding packages. The "Diamond Package," for $2,400, is their most expensive option; you get a candlelit ceremony with flower arrangements and a string quartet, an orchid bouquet and boutonniere, a photographer (some prints are included), and a ceremony video. Before the wedding, the bride receives a facial and professional hair styling in the onboard salon; after the ceremony, the couple gets Champagne with toasting glasses, wedding cake, and a lithograph painting of the ship. The "Emerald" and "Pearl" packages are slightly less expensive and offer simpler flowers, less pricey Champagne and fewer amenities. Couples can also choose to throw a reception onboard for up to 80 people; prices begin at $70 per person.
Coolest Quirk: Not only can your ceremony be conducted at sea by the captain, but the line has also installed state-of-the-art technology that allows you to broadcast the ceremony live via Web cam to friends and family on land. Some Princess captains are pretty romantic; on a recent Regal Princess cruise over Valentine's Day, the captain casually announced he'd conduct vow renewals for anyone who wanted 'em -- about half a dozen couples showed up.
Vow Renewals: Princess' "Renewal of Vows" package costs $205 per couple and includes a group ceremony, an orchid bouquet and boutonniere, a commemorative certificate signed by the captain, a bottle of Champagne, two souvenir Champagne glasses, and a framed photo of the ceremony. The "Deluxe Renewal of Vows" package, at $485, adds a few extra amenities such as breakfast in bed and a 30-minute spa visit.
Celebrity Cruises/Azamara Cruises
Why? Until recently, the only North American line that was able to host at-sea weddings officiated by its captains was Princess, whose ships are registered to Bermuda. Celebrity created new options for engaged cruisers when it re-registered its ships in Malta, where new regulations permit legal marriages at sea. Azamara's two ships are registered in Malta as well.
Package Details: Celebrity and Azamara put brides and grooms in touch with "The Wedding Experience," a wedding planning organization that handles weddings onboard cruise ships (as well as destination weddings). Packages begin at $2,500 and include the captain-led ceremony, an event coordinator's services, a deck wedding (weather permitting), photography services (photographs are sold in a separate package), dinner for two in an onboard specialty restaurant, a bouquet and boutonniere, and one couples' massage.
Coolest Quirk: Couples also get some romantic extras, such as chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of Champagne, two Champagne flutes, a fresh floral arrangement in their stateroom -- and rose petals on their bed on their wedding night.
Caveat: Ceremonies are available onboard summer 2008 onward. Licensing and regulatory fees are not included, and the number of wedding ceremonies performed on each sailing is based on the captains' availability. Azamara and Celebrity recommend that couples book their wedding package in advance to allow time for the processing of marriage licenses and legal documents, though the cruise lines haven't finalized an exact recommendation.
Vow Renewals: Both Celebrity and Azamara offer vow renewal packages. The Aisle to Isle option at $475 includes the services of a pre-cruise event manager, an officiant, recorded music, Champagne and cake for two, a certificate, a rose and matching boutonniere, and one hour of photography services (photos sold separately). The $650 True Love Knot Renewal throws in some photos (including one signed by the captain), Champagne flutes, an upgrade to a full bouquet, and breakfast for two delivered to the stateroom.
Disney Cruise Line
Why? It's a fun and quirky choice -- particularly for second-wedding folks who have young kids -- and Disney offers a low-stress, low-hassle package.
Package Details: Disney's "Weddings at Sea" package is available for three-, four- and seven-night cruises. Packages start at $1,900 and include a Florida marriage license, bridal bouquet and boutonnière, the services of an officiant, a solo musician, Champagne toast, two-tier wedding cake for wedding couple and 8 guests (additional guests can be added at $10 each), $100 onboard credit for the wedding couple, and dinner for two at Palo, the alternative restaurant on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The assistance of a wedding coordinator in planning the wedding is also included.
Coolest Quirk: Dress steaming is included in the package price. We love it, too, that you can opt for a ceremony on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island (but remember our advice about hurricane season).
Caveat: Beyond the cake and Champagne, Disney's wedding package does not include a reception or other services for wedding guests, though these are available at an additional cost. The $1,000 cost of a vow renewal ceremony sounds pretty steep. Note that if the couple is married onboard, the captain presides over the ceremony -- but the legal marriage must take place beforehand in Florida. If the marriage occurs on Castaway Cay, it's performed by a Bahamian officiant.
Vow Renewals: A renewal of vows package is available for $1,000 per couple and includes all the amenities of the wedding package except the marriage license.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Why? NCL offers a vast array of options which can turn their basic packages into a full-blown extravaganza. And their newer, designed-for-Freestyle vessels such as Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade and Pride of America feature a wide range of restaurants with easily available romantic dining for two.
Package Details: NCL offers two basic packages: "Onboard Aisles" for shipboard weddings and "Destination Aisles" for those held on land. Both packages are available in a wide range of ports -- including but not limited to embarkation ports -- in the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. "Destination Aisles" is also available in the Mediterranean.
"Onboard Aisles" ranges in price from $1,100 per couple (for shipboard weddings held in most Southern U.S., West Coast and Canadian ports) to $1,450 (for Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, and Northeast U.S. ports). The package includes priority embarkation for the couple and their guests (if the wedding is on embarkation day), snacks and refreshments in the couple's stateroom upon embarkation, a ceremony conducted by a local civil officiant, pre-recorded music, a wedding coordinator, a basic bouquet, matching boutonniere with one bloom, professional photography service for one hour, one 8 x 10 photo, a private website to view and order photographs, gifts, and favors, a wedding cake, one bottle of private-label Champagne, and a keepsake certificate.
"Destination Aisles" ranges in price from $1,450 in a Colonial Chapel in New Orleans to $2,450 in various locations in Florence, Rome or Venice. It includes the same amenities as "Onboard Aisles" except for the priority boarding and in-cabin snacks, but adds private taxi transport for the Bride and Groom to the wedding location in port.
Marriage licenses are extra in all cases, and prices vary depending on the local authority.
In addition to the basic packages, there is a huge range of a la carte options including spa and beauty services (not available on embarkation day), flowers (including custom orders), live music, photography and videography, transportation to and from the ship or wedding location, tuxedo rentals, and a wide variety of wedding receptions ranging from cold hors d'oeuvres with open bar at $24 per adult to a full sit-down luncheon at $45.
Caveat: An extra wedding coordinator, at $150, is required for every 25 guests above the first 25.
Vow Renewals: Vow renewal packages are offered at the same prices as the wedding packages, and include the same amenities.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Why? Carnival Spirit, Pride, Legend and Miracle have onboard chapels, though you can buy Carnival's "Deluxe Romance" package on any of the ships in their fleet.
Package Details: The package price begins at $1,500, though it depends on what port the ceremony is performed in. It includes an official civil ceremony with a bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom. There's a decorated aisle, a photographer (prints are extra), and pre-recorded wedding music. The package also includes a 90-minute reception in a lounge for up to 20 people, including an ice carving centerpiece, a cocktail hour with open bar and hot-and-cold hors d'oeuvres, a Champagne toast with keepsake flutes, a traditional two-tiered wedding cake with a bell cake topper, and coffee service. Marriage license fees are additional and depend on the jurisdiction in which the ceremony is performed. Shore-side packages are also available in certain ports such as Key West, San Juan, Grand Cayman and Barbados.
Caveats: Plan ahead if possible; weddings are available only when in port (including embarkation ports) and there's a maximum of three per day. Additional surcharges apply for certain months -- May and June in particular -- as well as holidays.
Vow Renewals: Carnival offers vow renewals starting from $385 including a shipboard ceremony performed by the captain, a Champagne toast, flowers, wedding cake, photography services, and recorded music; up to eight guests are permitted. A deluxe package, starting at $785, adds a one-hour reception with open bar and hot and cold canapes, and allows up to 20 guests.
Royal Caribbean International
Why? Royal Caribbean's program rivals NCL's in terms of variety, with one extra plus: its coordinators will also arrange shore-side ceremonies at various ports of call. Royal Caribbean is also the first line to offer adventurous shipboard and destination weddings through its sub-program, Explorer Weddings. Best ships to aim for are Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class series of vessels, which include Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and, debuting in May 2008, Independence of the Seas.
Package Details: There are three levels of Royal Romance, which is available in selected ports of call in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe. The "Duet Package," starting at about $1,095 (we're using Florida ports as a guide) is the most basic and includes the ceremony, photography, a photo in silver frame, cake and Champagne. The "Harmony Package," from $1,295, allows for a few more extras, including additional photos and breakfast in bed. And the "Symphony Package," from $1,495 has yet a more frills, such as a limo ride to the ship. All prices vary depending on the port where the wedding is performed, and not all packages are available in all ports.
Receptions are not included in the price of the ceremony, but several options are available. They include a formal wedding lunch at $45 per person, a buffet for $25, or hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and bar service for $26. In most cases there's a 25-person minimum.
Booking an Explorer Wedding adds an adventure component by combining a cruise with an exotic destination or themed wedding or vow renewal. Swap nuptials, for example, on the FlowRider (on Freedom or Liberty of the Seas), the ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall or ship's golf course -- or on top of an Alaskan glacier, in a rainforest, mid-air in a hot-air balloon or in a medieval castle. Packages include a bouquet and boutonniere, traditional or customized music accompaniment, Champagne, a wedding cake, a keepsake Explorer Weddings marriage certificate and use of a photographer.
Coolest Quirk: The aforementioned shoreside ceremonies, which run the gamut from the simply scenic (a beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico) to the funky (a winery in Santorini, Greece) to the exotic (a ceremony atop a glacier in Juneau, Alaska).
Caveats: Watch out for a la carte charges that can add up. For instance, couples who want to plan a Royal Romance wedding less than 45 days from sailing pay an extra $250 late fee. You'll pay $150 for a wedding coordinator if you have an onboard reception, and wedding parties of more than 25 guests require an additional wedding coordinator -- and another $150. Weddings on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships (which have chapels) have become so popular that there is also a $100 surcharge for shipboard wedding ceremonies on those vessels (Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas) and Independence of the Seas. Beyond that an additional $100 surcharge applies to weddings and vow renewals scheduled in May, June, September or October. Holidays such as New Year's Day, Valentines Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve are subject to a $200 surcharge.
Vow Renewals: The Royal Encore Vow Renewal package, $400, includes a shipboard ceremony performed by the captain, two-tier wedding cake, Champagne, a photo in a silver-plated frame and flowers. Explorer Weddings packages are also offered to couples renewing their vows.
P&O Cruises
Why? P&O's ships that offer their Weddings at Sea package (Arcadia, Artemis, Oceana and Oriana) have different clientele (and knowing who you're sailing with definitely comes in handy when planning an event as important as your wedding!). Arcadia and Artemis are child-free (nobody under 16 is allowed onboard), while Oceana and Oriana do allow children.
Package Details: Beginning at £675, the Weddings at Sea package includes the ceremony venue (you can choose to be married indoors or outdoors), ceremony conducted by the ship's captain, floral arrangements for the ceremony, music, certificate, Champagne, a professional photographer to capture the big day, an onboard wedding coordinator, invitations and thank you notes. And brides and grooms will of course receive the VIP treatment, such as priority boarding (except Caribbean itineraries). Licensing fees will cost an additional £225. Other services, like the cake, wedding album, Champagne breakfast in bed, reception parties/dinner and spa treatments are not included and pricing is available upon request. (Video service is only available on Arcadia.)
Coolest Quirk: You can book a shore excursion in conjunction with your ceremony to personalize your day, like a gondola ride in Venice or snorkeling in the Caribbean (keep in mind, though, that the cruise line cannot guarantee your request).
Vow Renewals: The Vow Renewal package includes a ceremony conducted by the captain, an iced celebration cake, a bouquet for the "bride," a matching buttonhole for the "groom," Champagne and a professional photographer during the ceremony. Gifts given to the couple are two Champagne flutes, a silver-plated frame, a wedding portrait and a certificate signed by the captain.
--by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief; updated by Douglas Newman, Cruise Critic contributor, and Melissa Baldwin, Managing Editor
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For more information, contact Chuck Shinn at 1-800-697-2301.
| MSC Will Add Two Ships And Year-round Mediterranean Cruising in 2008
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News
from: MSC Cruises
www.msccruises.com
Source: Cheryl Fenske, DMOA
Published: May, 2007
ABOVE: An MSC "Musica"-class ship under construction.
MSC will add two ships and year-round Mediterranean cruising in 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – MSC Cruises will add two new ships to its fleet in 2008, including the newest in its “Musica” class of Panamax vessels and its largest ship ever.
Sister ship to MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia is slated for spring delivery. The ship is 89,600 gross registered tons, 961 feet long and 108 feet wide and can host 2,550 guests (double occupancy). Like its sister ships, MSC Poesia will have more than 236,800 square feet of public space and 80% of the outside staterooms will have balconies.
On April 12, 2008 MSC Poesia will begin sailing 7-night Eastern Mediterranean roundtrip itineraries from Venice, calling at Bari, Katakalon, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubrovnik.
The line’s largest ship ever, MSC Fantasia, is scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of 2008. She will sail alternating Canary Island and Egypt itineraries. MSC Fantasia is first of two post-Panamax ships on order by the cruise line. MSC Fantasia and sister ship MSC Serenata (scheduled to debut in 2009) will be the largest ships commissioned by a European ship owner to date. At 133,500 gross registered tons, 1,093 feet long, and 125 feet wide, each will have a passenger capacity of 3,900 and 1,313 staff members.
Also featured in the Italian-style cruise line’s exciting 2008 plan are the following:
Year-round Mediterranean sailings
All of the fleet’s 10 ships will be in the Mediterranean at some time in 2008. As a result of MSC Cruises’ extensive presence in the region, guests can depart on their MSC Cruises experience from almost any Mediterranean port the line visits.
Variety in Mediterranean itineraries
This includes cruises of varying lengths (from weekend cruises to 11-night itineraries) and port calls. In addition to the MSC Fantasia and MSC Poesia, the following will be available:
MSC Orchestra will sail 11-night Eastern/Western winter itineraries from Genoa and 7-night summer itineraries from Barcelona or Genoa, visiting Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma and Marseille.
MSC Musica – After completing the 2007-08 winter season with 11-night roundtrip sailings from Genoa, the ship will sail 7-night Eastern Mediterranean roundtrips from Venice beginning March 16, 2008, visiting the beautiful Greek islands of Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus and Corfu as well as Bari and Dubrovnik.
MSC Sinfonia will return to the Mediterranean from its winter in South America to sail 7-night Western Mediterranean roundtrip itineraries from Genoa or Rome beginning in March, calling at Monte Carlo, Spain, Malta, Tunisia.
MSC Melody will return from South African waters to sail 7-night roundtrip cruises from Barcelona or Rome, calling at Ibiza, Tunis, Messina, Livorno and Monte Carlo.
MSC Rhapsody, the line’s other classic vessel, will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean roundtrip itineraries from Genoa from March to October that features four Italian ports of Livorno, Salerno, Taormini and Sardinia along with Malta and Tunisia.
MSC Armonia will spend the fall of 2008 sailing 11-night Eastern Mediterranean itineraries from Genoa to Egypt or the Black Sea.
MSC Opera and MSC Lirica will be sailing 7-night itineraries in Mediterranean waters in the fall of 2008, with MSC Opera sailing the Greek islands and Dubrovnik from Trieste and MSC Lirica from Genoa and Rome, calling at France, Spain and Morocco.
Three ships in Northern Europe
MSC Cruises will continue to have three ships in Northern Europe, maintaining its popular variety of cruise lengths and itineraries.
MSC Lirica and MSC Opera will sail alternating 7-night Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Capitals itineraries.
MSC Armonia will offer 10- and 11-night cruises as well as four sailings to the exciting Cape North.
And there’s much more – including the classic MSC Melody sailing in South Africa and a variety of transatlantic and repositioning cruises.
For more information about MSC Cruises, visit msccruises.com or call Chuck Shinn at Cruise Planners at 1-800-697-2301.
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| Princess Cruises Announces Next 'Gem' of a Ship, Ruby Princess, Will Debut in Caribbean
 Sister Ship to Emerald Princess and Crown Princess Launches in November 2008
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Princess Cruises will add another 'gem' to its fleet in November 2008, with the debut of Ruby Princess. The line has unveiled the ship's name along with its inaugural deployment - a season of seven-day Western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale.
Ruby Princess is a sister to the enthusiastically received Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, and will make its maiden sailing on November 15, 2008. Its Caribbean program will feature calls at Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the line's private beach call at Princess Cays in the Bahamas. The ship's first season will run through April 2009.
"With the addition of Ruby Princess we're continuing to offer vacationers further opportunities for a fantastic vacation escape," said Jan Swartz, senior vice president of customer service and sales for Princess. "The feedback from our passengers is that these new ships are really destinations unto themselves because of their great onboard amenities and features. Ruby Princess will be the perfect backdrop for our guests to enjoy the sun and fun of the Caribbean."
The new vessel includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess' other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian trattoria and the Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary.
Ruby Princess will also offer the many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, multiple entertainment options, Personal Choice Dining featuring traditional or Anytime seating, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen's center, a wedding chapel and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies -- perfect for enjoying the scenic Caribbean islands.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through Cruise Planners, by calling 1-800-694-2301 or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.
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