Costa's First World Cruise In 17 Years A Deliziosa Success

Rounding off a successful 2011 for Costa Cruises, the Costa Deliziosa (above) has embarked on the first Around-The-World Costa cruise in 17 years.

 

With the 2011-2012 tour fully booked months in advance, the European cruise giant is now preparing to offer the itinerary again in 2013.

 

The 100-day historic cruise that departed Italy on December 28 will tally up 37 calls and 250 excursions to some of the world’s most fascinating locations across five continents, following the routes of the great navigators of the past.

 

The journey is split into three segments, named in tribute to great explorers – Christopher Columbus: Savona to France, Spain, Madera, Antilles, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Mexico and California; James Cook: California to Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore; and Marco Polo: Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, the Arab Emirates, Oman and the Red Sea.

 

Those interested in the progress of the Costa Deliziosa can connect live with two webcams installed on board the ship by visiting Costa’s website, www.costacruise.com.

 

Five theme-oriented celebrations will be held on the seas during the journey with a total of 2,300 passengers onboard to join in the festivities and special shows.

 

Costa also has two other epic cruises on offer for 2012 for travellers looking to explore the world from a unique viewpoint. The Great Cruise to Four Continents on Costa Victoria will set sail on March 7, and the Great Cruise to the Other Side of the World departs on September 19.

 

The 2013 Around-The-World tour will depart Savona, Italy, on January 6 and return on 16 April, once again aboard the Costa Deliziosa.

NCL's Big Changes For 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced its summer deployment for 2013/2014, with a four-ship deployment in Europe – continuing with two ships based in the region year-round.

New to the European fleet is Norwegian Star, which replaces the Sun in the Baltic, further increasing the capacity in this popular cruise destination. Further highlights include the addition of a third ship in Alaska, sailing seven-night ‘open jaw’ itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska.

In Europe, Norwegian Epic (above) returns for her third season, sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona from May 5, 2013, to October 13. A new itinerary features five ports of call in three countries - Spain, Italy and France - and a call to Palma in Majorca.

Norwegian Jade returns to Venice in May for the summer season and will offer alternating seven-night Greek Isles and seven-night Adriatic, Greece and Turkey itineraries. In the Autumn/Winter, Jade repositions to Rome (Civitavecchia) for a series of eight 10-night Eastern Med and nine 11-night Mediterranean & The Holy Land itineraries from October 26, 2013, to April 12, 2014.

In Alaska, beginning May 20, 2013, Norwegian Sun’s northbound itinerary to Whittier departs Vancouver on Mondays and will cruise the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and make stops in the Alaskan favourites of Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau.

Beginning May 18, 2013, Norwegian Jewel will sail a series of 18 seven-night Sawyer Glacier itineraries from Seattle every Saturday, with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Victoria (British Columbia).

Pride of America will continue as the only US-flagged vessel sailing among all four of Hawaii’s main islands, offering seven-night inter-island cruises that depart Honolulu every Saturday. Ports of call include: an overnight in Kahului (Maui); Hilo and Kona (on the Big Island); an overnight in Nãwiliwili, (Kauai); and an afternoon cruise along the breathtaking Nãpali Coast.

For a shorter cruise option, Norwegian Sky will continue sailing three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Miami through April 25, 2014.

For booking options, be sure to check out this link with the UK's leading cruise agent specialsts, the Cruise Line Ltd.

American Safari Cruises Celebrates Inaugural Hawaii Season

Adventure cruise tour operator American Safari Cruises celebrated its inaugural season in Hawaii on October 26 when the 36-guest Safari Explorer began its first inter-island voyage. The upscale yacht will sail 24 voyages between Maui/Lana’i and the Big Island through May 2012.

The active adventure-style cruising of American Safari is available on seven or 10-night voyages that explore Lana’i, Moloka’i, Maui, Molokini and the Big Island. Itineraries sail between Maui/Lana’i and the Big Island and reverse; a scenic ferry ride also connects guests between Maui and the yacht on Lana’i.

A Hawaiian blessing for the yacht and crew took place on October 25 on Moloka’i. Cultural advisors from Maui, Lana’i, Moloka’i and the Big Island were invited to attend. Traditional Hawaiian protocols are also being arranged at each island to ask permission for entry. Others may choose to walk through ancient taro terraces. Guests will have a chance to help restore the terraces and make poi, a paste made from the root of the taro plant.

After a visit to the Moloka’i Museum and Cultural Center, a Hawaiian pa’ina celebration feast features locally sourced cuisine, including fresh fish and poi, seaweed, Moloka’i sweet potatoes and pork from the imu (underground oven), all staples of the Hawaiian diet. Local musicians join in the celebration along with a kumu hula dancer. On Maui, an early morning tour to catch the sunrise at Haleakala National Park takes guests up 10,000ft for a spiritual sunrise ceremony and stunning views of land, sea and sky.

In the afternoon, guests enjoy drift snorkelling at the nearly submerged crater of Molokini. Off the coast of Hawaii, the Big Island, the yacht spends time searching for dolphins, whales and whale sharks before anchoring offshore for water sports activities. On the second day, a skiff excursion takes guests snorkelling near Kealakekua Bay before going ashore for a bit of history at the place where Captain Cook died. In the afternoon, a local guide escorts guests on a historical walking tour of Kailua and Holualoa, a village filled with art galleries.

Fares start at $4,995 for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night cruise, both per person, double occupancy. Itineraries feature exclusive excursions and include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents who have personal knowledge of the islands. Pre and post-cruise packages are available on Maui at Hotel Wailea and the Big Island at Mauna Lani.

For booking details in the UK, be sure to check with the adventure-cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd and their American Safari Cruises section on this link.

Hawaii & The Sea Of Cortes The American Safari Way

American Safari Cruises expands its warm-water itineraries this winter with new adventure cruises among the Hawaiian Islands, in addition to its voyages in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. The upscale yachts specialise in active, outdoor explorations with flexible itineraries and a full component of adventure gear.

In 2011, the 36-guest Safari Explorer begins sailing new inter-island Hawaiian adventure cruises between Maui and the Big Island (and reverse). From November through April, week-long Hawaiian Seascapes and 10-night Traditional Shores itineraries explore Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Molokini and the Big Island.

Meanwhile, the 22-guest Safari Quest sails week-long Aquarium of the World itineraries in the Sea of Cortés from November through April. Sailing round-trip from La Paz, Mexico, the flexible itinerary takes time to seek out the myriad marine life in this World Heritage biosphere reserve and explores Isla Partida, Isla San José, Bahia Agua Verde, Los Islotes, Isla Coyote, Isla San Francisco and Isla Espiritu.

In both destinations, the two yachts feature exciting and novel holiday travel – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day (with a special Hawaii Romance Package), Easter and special 'Kids in Nature' family departures during popular spring break weeks in March.

A relaxed itinerary of cruising from cove-to-cove among islands in Hawaii and the Sea of Cortés maximizes the yachts’ ability to act as a platform for water-based adventures such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming from the yacht’s swim step, snorkelling, braving the rope swing, sailing, skiff explorations and tubing. Guided excursions are led by expert onboard naturalists.

In both destinations, exclusive cultural explorations ashore are included and led by the yacht’s expedition leaders. Guests in the Sea of Cortés visit Isla Coyote, a small island inhabited by the Cuevas fishing family, where guests will tour the village and visit with the family. On Hawaii’s Moloka’i, guests meet a local family for guided walks through the valley focusing on history and archaeology, a chance to help restore ancient taro terraces and a traditional Hawaiian pa’ina—celebration and feast.

The inclusive cruises include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. All yachts feature a hot tub, Tempurpedic mattresses, heated tile floors in all bathrooms and upper category balconies. Some also feature saunas, a complimentary massage and Jacuzzi tubs. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom.

For more info, look up www.americansafaricruises.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

American Safari Cruises Ready For Hawaii Debut

Hawaii-bound holiday-makers have an extra incentive to book an inter-island yacht cruise aboard American Safari Cruises’ 36-guest Safari Explorer in the next month or so. To celebrate its inaugural season in the islands, the line is offering a $150/person travel credit for reservations made before July 29.

Sailing week-long or 10-night active, adventure itineraries between Maui and the Big Island from November 2011 through April 2012, the all-inclusive Explorer visits the islands of Moloka’i, Lana’i and Molokini.

The $150 travel credit is intended to help guests defray air costs to the Hawaiian Islands where they will embark on their adventure cruise.

Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands. The unstructured itinerary allows time for seeking wildlife such as Manta rays, dolphins and humpback whales. Outfitted for active adventures, the yacht’s well-stocked water sports equipment includes kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling gear, wet suits, sailboats and inflatable skiffs for up-close excursions. Guided snorkelling tours are a highlight throughout the trip. Two knowledgeable expedition leaders guide hiking and kayaking tours. Bicycles are also available for guest use on Moloka’i and Lana’i.

Fares start at $4,995 for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night voyage, both per person, double occupancy. Itineraries feature exclusive excursions and include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents who have personal knowledge of the islands.

For more info, visit www.americansafaraicruises.com or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time To Repeal The Jones Act

World of Cruising editor Simon Veness writes:

A story on loss of business at the port of Los Angeles today started me thinking - if this huge sea-going destination on the US West Coast is struggling to stay busy, isn't it time to look at the root cause why?

Because it seems increasingly clear that the archaic Jones Act of 1920 is now a serious millstone around the necks of the US cruise industry, and something urgently needs to be done about, for the sake of the cruise lines AND their passengers.

The Jones Act was originally designed to prevent unfair foreign-flagged competition for ships carrying the stars and stripes by insisting that only US-flagged vessels can operate solely in US waters (i.e. without having to visit a foreign port).

This was vital for the 1920s and 30s when American vessels were commonplace, and even has relevance today in the sections of the Act that relate to accident and disability benefits for America seamen.

But what it is also doing is squeezing business away from US ports; making it hard for cruise lines to put together some really meaningful itineraries; and making passengers pay more in various places. It is so anti-competitive to the cruise business it beggars belief.

And, at a time when the cruise liens are shying away from Mexican ports over safety concerns, it means places like Los Angeles will find themselves increasingly out in the cold.

Put simply, the Jones Act forbids foreign-flagged cruise lines (i.e. all of them these days!) from having itineraries that visit just US ports, hence it stops round-Hawaii cruises (requiring ships make a long haul to add Mexico or a South Pacific port to their route), West Coast voyaging, and trips that take in purely the eastern seaboard.

These are areas all rich in cruise possibility, yet they are denied to the cruise lines and their passengers by an Act that could never possibly foresee a situation where American lines (i.e. nearly all of them!) have foreign-flagged ships that are prevented from offering all-American cruises.

It is so patently daft in this day and age - and so dangerous for US interests and jobs, as evidenced by Los Angeles - that you have to wonder why something isn't being done about it. Does the industry not have an effective polotical lobby? Are there other interests working against them (hard to imagine, but possible)? Are people asleep at the wheel over the possibilities?

It is an issue that demands attention in the cruise world of today - and I'll be very keen to see if anyone picks up the cry on cruising's behalf. Because there are great possibilities going begging here.

I'd love to see a cruise that takes in purely the Carolinas and Florida; New England; California; or Hawaii (apart from the one exception of NCL's lone American-flagged ship).

And it's about time others did, too.

Crystal Extend Golf-Themed Cruises

In a real “hole-in-one” for golf fans, Crystal Cruises is adding a golf theme to its 14-night Hawaiian Islands sailing this December. The round-trip from Los Angeles on board Crystal Symphony joins two other golf-themed cruises already scheduled on Crystal Serenity this year: an 11-night British Isles voyage departing July 22 and an 11-night Iberian Adventure around Portugal and Spain departing November 27, with legendary pro golfer Billy Casper headlining all three voyages.

With 51 PGA tour wins, many consider Casper the best putter of his era. On each cruise, guests can absorb stories and tips during informal lectures by Casper and other athletic stars, such as Emmy-winning sportscaster Jim Huber. They can also mingle and play with the PGA pros at some of the most stunning championship courses in the world, including:

· Poipu Bay (Kauai) - top Hawaiian course surrounded by ancient places of worship

· Royal Portrush (Belfast) - designed by course-architect great, Harry Colt

· Carden Park (Liverpool) - Jack Nicklaus/Golden Bear “thinking golfer’s” fairway with spectacular views

· Royal Dublin (Dublin) - Ireland’s second-oldest links

· El Saler (Valencia) - one of Golf Magazine’s “100 Greatest Courses in the World”

· Golf Club Del Sur (Canary Islands) - home to several PGA European tour competitions, surrounded by 8,000 palm trees

· Palheiro (Funchal) - coastal ridge greens on a 200-year-old estate.

Crystal provides transportation, caddies, warm-up time, lunch, ‘19th hole’ get-togethers, TaylorMade club rentals or cleaning of clubs and shoes, team-pairing, parties, awards and private clinics with PGA instructors like John Clark and Bill Stutzer.

Crystal’s Feng Shui spa and gym, personal trainers, nutrition and exercise classes, exclusive workout equipment and dietary choices also offer guests extensive opportunities to enhance their health and fitness regimes on every sailing.

Prices for the 14-night Pacific Cost Holiday voyage around Hawaii (sailing Dec 21) start from £5,783 per person, including return flights, transfers, 14 nights in a deluxe stateroom with all meals and soft drinks, and port taxes, plus $500 per person onboard credit.

Prices for the 11-night Emerald Isles voyage start from £4,266 per person, and for the 11-night Iberian voyage from £3,174, both with $1,000 per person onboard credit.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

36-guest luxury yacht Safari Explorer cruises Hawaiian Islands Nov.-April

Hawaai bound travellers have an incentive to book an inter-island yacht cruise aboard American Safari Cruises’ 36-guest Safari Explorer. To celebrate its inaugural season in Hawaii, the line is offering guests a $150 per person travel credit for reservations made from June through July 29, 2011.

Sailing weeklong or 10-night active, adventure itineraries between Maui and the Big Island from November 2011 through April 2012, the all-inclusive, upscale 36-guest Safari Explorer visits Moloka’i, Lana’i and Molokini.

Guests who book between June and July 29, 2011 will receive a travel credit of $150 per person or $300 per couple. The credit is intended to help guests defray air costs to the Hawaiian Islands where they will embark on their adventure cruise.

“We are confident guests will be thrilled with the experience of seeing and experiencing Hawaii up close on an upscale yacht,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “This is a brand new vacation option in the Hawaiian Islands, and we hope the travel credit aids in the decision-making process to try an adventure un-cruise in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

Jacox says the un-cruise defines the active, up close and personal style of adventure travel that makes American Safari Cruises different from other cruise vacations. The Safari Explorer is the only small-group expedition yacht offering overnight cruises in the Hawaiian Islands.

Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands. The unstructured itinerary allows time for seeking wildlife such as Manta rays, dolphins and humpback whales. Outfitted for active adventures, the yacht’s well stocked water sports equipment includes kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, wet suits, sailboats and inflatable skiffs for up-close excursions. Guided snorkeling tours are a highlight throughout the trip. Two knowledgeable expedition leaders guide hiking and kayaking tours. Bicycles are also available for guest use on Moloka’i and Lana’i.

Exclusive cultural tours have been arranged for guests in Moloka’i including guided hikes, visiting and restoring a family’s ancient taro terraces, “talking story” with native Hawaiians and a private, authentic Hawaiian pa’ina (feast).

The Safari Explorer has an on-deck hot tub, sauna, exercise equipment, a wine library and two large-screen TVs in the main salon. Exceptional cuisine is prepared with fresh, local ingredients and the complimentary bar offers premium spirits, fine wines and microbrews. The active spa environment includes a complimentary massage and yoga classes. All staterooms offer Tempur-pedic mattresses, flat screen TV/DVD players and iPod docks. Upper category staterooms feature Jacuzzi tubs and suites have private step-out balconies.

Fares start at $4,995 for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night cruise, both per person, double occupancy. Itineraries feature exclusive excursions and include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents who have personal knowledge of the islands. To book a Hawaiian yachting adventure or to request additional information visit http://www.americansafaraicruises.com/ or The Cruise Line.

Crystal's Grand Autumn Cruise Sale

Crystal Cruises’ autumn voyages are now on sale with newly reduced fares from as little as £2,249 per person and new Penthouse and Balcony Stateroom savings up to £5,078 per couple. Starting with its August 26 Mediterranean cruise on Crystal Serenity and its September 13 Canada/New England voyage on Crystal Symphony, Crystal is offering new savings on every one of its 22 autumn cruises, including both Christmas and New Year departures.

In addition, guests will still receive up to $2,000 per couple “All Inclusive–As You Wish” onboard spending money as well as free air from London.

Crystal’s autumn cruise collection includes a fabulous array of destinations, including the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Canary Islands, Morocco, Holy Land, a swinging Big Band Transatlantic sailing, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean (above), New England and Canada, Pacific Coast and Christmas and New Year cruises to Hawaii and the Caribbean with Panama Canal highlights.

Prices start from £2,249 per person based on a seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary with departures on November 20 and 27. Price includes free return economy class flights from London, seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, port taxes and basic gratuities. In addition, as part of Crystal's "All Inclusive - As You Wish" promotion, guests will also receive onboard spending money of $500 per person, which can be spent on shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, purchases in the onboard boutiques, gratuities or Vintage Room experiences.

One signature example of the value inherent in the Crystal Experience is an abundance of all-inclusive fine dining options, now incorporating new, flexible Perfect Choice Dining, which allows guests to choose what time they would like to eat and where.

For more information, visit Crystal Cruises at http://www.crystalcruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line.

A Jewel For Alaska

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced it will position Norwegian Jewel in Alaska for the first time in 2012/13. Jewel will replace Norwegian Star, which will offer sailings to Bermuda from her new home port of New York.

Jewel will cruise from Seattle on a seven-day Sawyer Glacier itinerary. The weekly Sawyer Glacier cruises will depart from May 26-September 8, 2012, and will call at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Families onboard can enjoy Jewel’s Nickelodeon at Sea entertainment, offering live Nickelodeon-themed interactive shows, Nick Live! Poolside entertainment; character breakfasts and meet and greets and Nick-themed dance parties.

NCL will sail two ships to Bermuda weekly from April until October calling at King’s Wharf. Star will sail from New York on Sundays, staying for three full days, and Dawn will sail her Bermuda itinerary departing on Fridays from Boston, also with three days at the island.

Kevin Sheehan, NCL's chief executive officer, insists: “The 2012/2013 season is filled with new and exciting Freestyle Cruising choices. Whether it’s our ships cruising different destinations, disembarking from new homeports or sailing new itineraries, we offer the most freedom and flexibility when it comes to cruise travel. We are pleased to bring Norwegian Jewel to Alaska and Star to Bermuda, along with continuing our popular Hawaii inter-island cruises and short cruises to the Bahamas through early 2013.”

Additional itinerary announcements for 2012/13:

Norwegian Jewel will sail a seven-day Sawyer Glacier cruise from Vancouver to Seattle on May 19, 2012, and a seven-day Sawyer Glacier from Seattle to Vancouver on September 15.

Norwegian Pearl (above) will return to Seattle sailing her weekly seven-day Glacier Bay cruises departing on Sundays from May 13 to September 9, 2012, calling at, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria.

Norwegian Pearl will also sail a seven-day Glacier Bay cruise from Vancouver to Seattle on May 6, 2012, and a Seattle-to-Vancouver cruise on September 16.

Pride of America will continue as the only US-flagged vessel sailing among all four of Hawaii’s main islands. Her seven-day cruises from Honolulu are available now until April 7, 2013. Ports of call include: an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; an evening sail by the Kilauea Volcano (weather permitting); Kona, Hawaii; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kauai; and an afternoon cruise of the breathtaking Nãpali Coast.

Norwegian Sky will continue sailing three and four-day cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Miami until April 15, 2013. The three-day Bahamas cruise departs on Fridays and includes stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island in the Bahamas. On Mondays, the ship departs on a four-day cruise with stops in Grand Bahama Island, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau.

For more information, call 0845 201 8900 or visit http://www.ncl.co.uk/, or check out the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

The Adventure Cruise Collection

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Adventure cruising is the fastest growing section of the market, with more and more people of all ages wanting to 'get up close' to nature.

The Cruise Line have just launched their new Adventure Cruise Collection brochure, and I strongly advise you to get a copy if this is your style of cruising.

From watching bears fishing for salmon in Alaskan rivers to swimming with turtles in the Caribbean, getting up close to polar bears in the Arctic or lying on the snow to snap away at Emperor Penguins, this is a must for any adventure cruiser. Destinations include the Galapagos, Hawaii, New Zealand, Central America and a whole lot more. Find out more by logging on to the http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/ or call them on 0800 008 6677.