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The Latest News
Here's the latest travel news. Find out about new itineraries, special rates and theme cruises. Check back here often for the late-breaking news.
FINAL Passport Rule Issued for Land and Sea Borders (March 27, 2008
The Departments of Homeland Security and of State issued the final rulemaking concerning the requirements of passports for land and sea border crossings under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After years of development following 9/11, this ruling is the end of the process and can be considered FINAL when helping you ensure that you have the proper identification when traveling.
Effective June 1, 2009, the following rules take effect for cruise passengers:
U.S. citizens on cruise voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port (closed-loop itineraries) must show proof of citizenship* and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). A passport will not be required for passengers that fall into this category.
*Documents include: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; Naturalization papers; Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State
All other passengers and/or itineraries (such as cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port or any cruise that begins or ends in a foreign port) will require a passport or other recognized document. For a list of accepted documents, see www.travel.state.gov.
The good news for a majority of cruise passengers – American citizens that leave and return on their cruise from the same U.S. port – is that the travel document requirements will remain largely unchanged from how the industry is operating today.
We continue to encourage travelers to obtain passports to allow the broadest travel opportunities. Visit www.travel.state.gov to obtain information on how to apply at more than 9,000 passport acceptance facilities in the United States.
Climate change is already having an impact on habitats critical to the survival of wildlife in places around the globe. It is estimated that by the year 2020, there will be no glaciers left on Mount Kilimanjaro. An icon that has come to symbolize Africa's beauty could soon be a thing of the past.
As part of the Climate Change Challenge, Abercrombie & Kent is organizing a mission trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. Richard Wiese, the youngest president in Explorers Club history, will lead the Kilimanjaro climb (October 11 - 20, 2007) to document the effects of climate change. Join this mission and make a direct contribution to the fight against global warming, supplying weather researchers on Kilimanjaro with vital equipment and helping their efforts to monitor climate change.
Space is limited to 12 participants. Make your reservation-and donate a minimum of $1,000 to Friends of Conservation to support the Climate Change Challenge-for your chance to join this historic mission.
Converse privately with scientists and climate researchers on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Toast your success at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with champagne.
Join an optional post-climb Masai Mara extension.
Your $1,000 donation to support the Climate Change Challenge is 100% tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers.
This program travels the scenic Machame Route, with some wildlife viewing and bird watching opportunities along the first days' paths. Then it's up across the Shira Plateau through the Grand Baranco Canyon and on to the top. You are expected to reach Stella Point at dawn, with a chance to continue around Kibo's rim to the summit, Uhuru Peak.
Fit to trek. The Machame Route is a strenuous but not technical climb, and no mountain-climbing experience is necessary. But there's no avoiding the steep ascents and high altitudes that make robust physical fitness (and a minimum age of 16 years) a prerequisite for this trip. You'll want to consult your physician before undertaking this unforgettable adventure. Our Kilimanjaro excursions have a summit rate of 95%, but weather and other factors occasionally impact the success of an expedition.
Safety. A&K carries oxygen bottles, portable altitude chambers (Gamov bag), first aid kits and multiple communications equipment on every single climb.
Guides. All of A&K's guides are trained in wilderness first aid, mountain craft, natural history and ecological awareness.
Equipment. Our climbs are equipped with the finest climbing and camping apparatus, safety equipment and communications network on Mount Kilimanjaro. Comfortable and private igloo-shaped tents allow our travellers to bypass the very rustic mountain huts where most trekkers spend their nights.
Acclimatization. While most trekkers spend a total of five days on the mountain, we schedule seven days (six nights) to allow more time for altitude acclimatization, giving A&K a successful summit rate of 95 percent.
Inclusions: All Kilimanjaro national park and rescue fees, All guides (NOLS qualified) and porters, Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport and to/from Kilimanjaro National Park trailheads, All food on the mountain with services of dedicated A&K cook, Meals to be specially prepared for CCC participants, Bottled water on the mountain, Champagne on the summit, All safety equipment (including portable altitude chamber), All camping equipment, All communication techniques (radio, satellite phones, cell phones), Handling of two bags per person, Two nights (full board) and day rooms at Mountain Village Lodge, Richard Wiese and a journalist from Robb Report, Membership to the Flying Doctors, Africa's only aeromedical emergency service
Exclusions: International air fares, Items of a personal nature, Gratuities to the guides and porters, Travel insurance, Excess baggage fees, Departure taxes and any other applicable airport taxes, Game drives, meals or sightseeing not included in the itinerary, Any optional activities, Visa for Tanzania, Personal health insurance
The A&K Advantage
Peace of mind with A&K-owned and operated mountain-climbing office in Arusha providing 24/7 support
Abercrombie & Kent, the only international tour operator with its own dedicated Mount Kilimanjaro climbing operation, strictly following international climbing standards
Small group size of only 12 fellow travellers to ensure personalized service
Acclimatization hike in Arusha National Park before attempting to conquer Africa's highest mountain
Best-equipped camps with oxygen bottles and portable altitude chambers available to provide maximum safety
Your guide, Explorer Richard Wiese
In early 2002, Richard Wiese became the youngest president in the 100-year history of the Explorer's Club, a multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and scientific exploration. Richard Wiese is also an Explorer in residence for the American Museum of Natural History.
During the past four years he has worked in the Yucatan jungle of Mexico putting satellite collars on jaguars; climbed and sampled the most geologically unique volcano in the world, Tanzania's Oldonyo Lengai; and joined two expeditions to Antarctica to core glaciers for the purpose of climatology studies. He was a member of the 2004 Yeronisos Island Expedition, an archaeological dig in Cyprus and in 2005 led an expedition to bio-prospect for extremophiles (organisms that live under extreme environmental conditions) and new life forms in Mount Kilimanjaro's crater, resulting in the discovery of 29 new life forms. Recently he trekked down the deepest canyon in the world, Cotahuasi in Peru, and was involved in the first microbial survey of Central Park in New York City.
Climate Change Challenge Mt. Kilimanjaro Mission (October 11 - 20, 2007)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces Art Circles of Interest Aboard 2007 Sailings
We are proud to announce Circles of Interest programs on three Mediterranean voyages this summer on Seven Seas Navigator. Diane Camber, Chief Curator of the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach, is hosting these unique programs. Circles of Interest are unique enrichment experiences that focus on a specific theme, offering the thrill of discovery both on board and ashore. With the insights of an expert guest host, explore the destination through your own personal lens and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow guests who share your passion.
On each of the July 19 and August 11 voyages, Diane Camber offers two Circles of Interest. Les Artiste de la Cote d'Azur focuses on the famous works of art in Nice. From Monte Carlo, transfer to Nice to visit the Musée Matisse and the Musée National Marc Chagall. The second program, Power, Passion & Glory, Diane Camber's Florence, shares in the passions that molded Florence into a veritable melting pot of huge talent and egos. Ashore, spend a full day exploring the wonderous arts and museums of the city. For both programs, on board Camber discusses Modernity: Gaudí, Miró and Picasso.
The August 18 voyage brings two more Circles of Interest. Passione per l'arte -- A Personal View with Diane Camber gives exclusive access to two unforgettable venues in Venice: the Palazzo Grassi, which holds the world's largest private contemporary art collection owned by Francois Pinault, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection at her personal villa. The second program, Stabbiano di Castelammare -- Dig for History, Art and Local Flavor, provides the unique experience of being part of an excavation in progress of the Roman Villas of ancient Stabiae. For both programs, Camber talks of the culture, art and architecture of the Adriatic as well as discusses Caravaggio -- the man, his art, his significance as an innovator, and iconoclast.
Don't miss your chance to take part in these exclusive, unique programs. These Circles of Interest must be pre-purchased
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces New Food and Wine Circles of Interest Aboard 2007 Sailings
Guests sailing aboard select Regent Seven Seas Cruises® in 2007 may select from eight new Food and Wine Circles of Interest. Developed to emphasize the culinary delights of Regent's itineraries and expand the palette of a small group of guests from ship to shore, the 2007 Food and Wine Circles of Interest offer guests an epicurean discovery of Italy, Scandinavia and France, with private tastings of local delicacies, hands-on cooking workshops and private tours with special guest hosts. Also new for 2007, many of the ever-popular Le Cordon Bleu® culinary workshops have been expanded to become Circles of Interest.
The 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner® and Seven Seas Voyager® will offer the following Food and Wine Circles of Interest on select voyages in the Mediterranean, Western Europe and Asia beginning May 26 and continuing through December 3, 2007. Each Circle includes several exclusive components, both on board and on shore; highlights of each are detailed below.
Italian Culinary Adventure
Guests aboard the May 26 Mediterranean sailing of Seven Seas Voyager are invited to experience "An Italian Culinary Adventure with Alan Tardi" as he explores the multi-faced cooking of Liguria and Italy's finest wines. Alan Tardi, writer, restaurant consultant and previous owner of top New York City restaurant Follonico, leads this Circle with the utmost passion for Italian cuisine and wine. On board, guests will enjoy a dinner and wine tasting co-hosted by Mr. Tardi and Italian winemaker Nicola Biscardo, demonstrating the combination of climate, soil and care that makes this area's cuisine and wines unique. On shore, guests will travel to the small town of Recco for an exclusive visit to the area's most acclaimed restaurant, Da O Vittorio, and a lesson in preparing trofie pasta led by the restaurant chefs. ($275 per guest)
Norwegian Epicurean Delights
The beautiful cities of Scandinavia offer some of the world's greatest delicacies and are a fitting backdrop for "Norwegian Epicurean Delights," offered aboard the June 23 Baltic sailing of Seven Seas Voyager. Guests are invited to join host Chef Fredrik Hald, one of the most prominent chefs in Scandinavia, for a visit to his hometown of Bergen, Norway, and Lucullus restaurant, where he is owner and chef de cuisine. The afternoon will be spent enjoying a specially-prepared lunch while co-host and James Beard award-winning wine expert Lyn Farmer shares three wines to showcase Chef Hald's exemplary cuisine. On board, guests will enjoy a private tasting of specialties from Norway's fjords including the delicately flavored "fjord trout" and a toast with a well-aged bottle of Norwegian aquavit. ($250 per guest)
Exploring Bordeaux
A tasting of four classic Bordeaux grape varieties and the experience of creating a unique blend are all highlights of the "Adventures for Wine Lovers" program aboard Seven Seas Voyager's June 2 sailing. This Circle is hosted by Clay Mauritson, a seventh-generation grape grower and expert winemaker, and Max McCalman, the United States' first Maître Fromager and a living legend for his expertise and passion for fine cheeses. Mr. Mauritson and Mr. McCalman will share their expertise in wine blends, even allowing guests to try their hand at developing a blend. On board, a private dinner will include wines from Spain, France and California, including the limited production Mauritson Bordeaux Blend red wine and an array of artisanal cheeses. On shore, the hosts will lead Circle guests to the extraordinary Château Beychevelle for a private, exclusive visit where they will have the opportunity to taste several Grand Cru Classe vintage wines from 1955 to 1999 in the company of the château's general manager. The wines are paired with an elegant lunch in the château's dining room and a tour of the estate. Later, Circle guests will stop at the beautifully restored Château Pichon-Longueville for a sampling of other famous vintages before returning to the ship. ($380 per guest)
Expanded Le Cordon Bleu Programs
Many of Regent's Le Cordon Bleu culinary workshops have been expanded for 2007 to include on shore components in Asia, Alaska and Europe. Through an exclusive partnership with the venerable Parisian cooking school, Le Cordon Bleu Circles of Interest offer a dynamic, hands-on introduction to the art of French cooking and bring the culinary aspects of select ports of call alive for a small group of Regent guests. Limited to just 16 guests, the programs include three intensive two-hour workshops and a chef-led local market visit in a specific port of call. In Papeete, Cairns, Hakodate or Cadiz (depending upon the voyage), guests will learn how the chef chooses the best local delicacies and uses them to prepare a delicious meal. Upon completion, guests will enjoy a celebratory dinner at Signatures restaurant with their chef instructor and receive their own chef's apron and hat, a tea towel, a special Le Cordon Bleu cookbook and a certificate of participation.
Le Cordon Bleu Circles of Interest are available on the following sailings: Nice to Dover aboard Seven Seas Voyager (June 2, 2007); Seward, Alaska to Osaka aboard Seven Seas Mariner (September 12, 2007); Dover to Monte Carlo aboard Seven Seas Voyager (September 12, 2007); Singapore to Sydney aboard Seven Seas Mariner (November 4, 2007); and Auckland to Los Angeles aboard Seven Seas Mariner (December 3, 2007). ($395 per guest)
Popular and Emerging Cruise Destinations
CRYSTAL CRUISES
The lineup of maiden calls aboard Crystal Cruises’ ships includes Mexico’s Puerto Maya, gateway to ancient cities boasting impressive temples and fascinating archeological sites; and Chile’s Coquimbo, which serves as a launching point for trips to the resort town of La Serena and the Elqui Valley, a spot famous for clear atmospheric conditions and Tololo Observatory.
CUNARD LINE
Cunard Line's Queen Victoria, set to be unveiled in December of 2007, sails a maiden "Christmas Markets" voyage on December 11 that includes a Christmas market in each port. Calls include Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Hamburg and Zeebrugge. On December 21, Queen Victoria sails on a "Canary Islands Festive Celebration" to the Canary Islands, Portugal's Madeira and ports along the Iberian Peninsula.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
A rich palate of 22 diverse itineraries distinguishes Holland America Line’s Caribbean season, with several sailings featuring Grand Turk, where swimming, snorkeling and a large swimming pool and lounge are close to the terminal. Nearly half the line’s Caribbean cruises are 10 days or longer, providing more time to experience the culture and natural beauty of destinations.
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Collectively, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ four ships call on 21 new ports on four continents. The roster includes the medieval town of Kotor in Montenegro, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Chile’s Paso Quesahuen, where catamaran excursions to Laguna San Rafael are available for a bird’s-eye-view of stunning icebergs calving from the massive San Valentin Glacier.
SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
For 2007, Seabourn Cruise Line’s yachts visit Monopoli, the gateway to the southern Italian region of Puglia, where a tenth of the wine consumed in Europe is produced. Also on tap are maiden calls to the isles and medieval towns along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and the French island of Belle Ile en Mer off Brittany’s coast.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
SeaDream Yacht Club’s 2007 schedule features more beaches, overnights and late-evening stays in such Caribbean ports as Anegada, Barbuda, Vieques and Culebrita; the Greek islands of Paxoi, Paros, Molyvos, Syros, Kos and Ithaki; and Port Camargue, France. New winter South America itineraries visit hidden coves in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, as well their energetic and cosmopolitan cities.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Shadow makes an inaugural call at Easter Island on its first-ever World Cruise. The island, 2,000 miles west of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, is renowned for the large, enigmatic maoi statues that soar above its landscape. Carved from hardened volcanic ash, the statues have amazed and puzzled explorers and archaeologists for centuries.
WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf breaks new ground in 2007 with maiden calls along the coast of Spain. Among many other destinations, the ship sails to Valencia, whose beaches lie in the heart of the city; Almeria, where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed; and Palamos, located at the foot of coastal mountains in the heart of the Costa Brava.
Facts About Cruise Ship Safety and Security
The highest priority of the cruise industry is the safety and security of its passengers and crew. With more than 12 million vacationers cruising each year, the cruise lines take every appropriate measure to ensure that their guests have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
While people are far safer on board a cruise ship than in virtually any community in the United States, on rare occasions, incidents may happen. On March 27, CLIA will testify before Congress on the outstanding safety and security record of the cruise industry. With heightened media coverage on cruise ship safety and security, we wanted to provide you with information so that if you do hear concerns regarding safety and security from your customers, you can answer them confidently.
Cruising remains one of the safest vacations available, with an outstanding record of safety and security. In fact, when compared with the FBI's land-based crime statistics in the United States, cruise passengers are much safer on board a cruise ship than ashore.
While instances of crime on board cruise ships are rare, it is important that whenever traveling to be observant of one's possessions and surroundings at all times. Cruise passengers are reminded of this, as they are in any hotel, by safety information, daily bulletins, port visit briefings and the provision of a room safe or safety deposit box. In the event of an incident, the cruise industry takes all allegations and incidents very seriously, reports them to the proper authorities and fully cooperates in any investigation. In many instances, cruise lines do not publicly disclose detailed information to comply with directions from law enforcement and out of respect for privacy.
- Cruise ships are comparable to secure buildings with 24-hour security. Every person on board a cruise ship, from the captain to the cleaning staff and all guests, are placed on official manifests. When sailing to or from U.S. ports, these manifests are provided to U.S. federal law enforcement officials prior to the ship's departure.
- Guests should be very comfortable with the security measures they see during their cruise vacation. These include the screening of 100 percent of all luggage, carry-on's and provisions coming onto our ships. Screening is done with X-ray machines, metal detectors and human and detector dog searches.
- Passengers and crew may embark or disembark only after passing through security. Once a ship is underway, access is strictly limited to documented employees and fare-paying passengers.
- Each passenger is issued an identification card which contains their digital photo and personal identification information on a magnetic strip that he or she must present when entering or leaving the ship. This technology allows the ship to know which guests and crew members are on board and which are not.
- Each cruise ship has a dedicated security officer and staff whose sole function is the security of its passengers and crew. Typically, security staff personnel have former law enforcement or military background and are trained according to international security regulations.
- Foreign crew members on CLIA ships are required to obtain a visa issued by the U.S. State Department for entry into the United States. This visa requires the completion of a background check. In addition, cruise ship employees are pre-screened by recruiting agencies.
- Cruise lines operate within a legal framework under which international, federal and state authorities investigate crimes on board cruise ships. Unlike most instances of shore side crime, the FBI has the authority to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes in international waters involving Americans.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has jurisdiction for inspection and enforcement of international safety and security standards for all ships calling at U.S. ports. In a 1995 study, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that cruising was one of the safest modes of transportation available.
Cruising is among the most popular vacation options in large part because of its excellent safety record and the high level of quality service cruise ships provide. The industry will continue to do its part to maintain a safe, secure and healthy shipboard environment.
Cruise lines continue to chart new waters in 2007, transporting travelers to an ever-increasing array of destinations that ensure itineraries are perpetually reborn. The lineup of new destinations offered by members of CLIA yet again spans the globe, with new ports being added in perennial cruising grounds like the Caribbean, in addition to Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the South Pacific.
“CLIA cruise lines are absolutely committed to discovering emerging destinations each year to ensure that itineraries quench the wanderlust of travelers,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the leading marketing organization for 21 leading cruise lines and 16,500 North American travel agencies. “They also ensure that their ships continually exceed expectations of first-time cruisers and those dedicated travelers returning year after year.”
In 2007, many CLIA cruise lines are adding ports in one of the Mediterranean’s hottest new summer resort destinations, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Travelers will find many itineraries that include Split, Kotor, Zadar, Korcula and Rovinj. In Italy, cruisers can explore new ports in the southern Italian region of Puglia, plus exciting new destinations in Turkey, Greece and Spain.
CLIA member lines are also delving deeper into the Southern Caribbean, enabling guests to explore such lesser-known island gems as St. Kitts, Virgin Gorda, Bequia, St. Barts and Tobago. And in Mexico, increasing numbers of cruise lines are visiting Puerto Maya, an alluring new port, where travelers can delve into the mysteries of ancient Maya culture.
South America’s Pacific Coast is also flourishing with cruise lines breaking new ground for 2007. Itineraries venture to Chile’s Puerto Chacabuco, defined by sculptured icebergs and soaring Andean peaks, and Valdivia, whose fascinating history is equally influenced by the Mapuche culture and German colonization.
Elsewhere around the world, CLIA lines will visit the United Arab Emirates’ ultra-modern Dubai, with its superb shopping, fine dining, flawless beaches and ancient Bedouin culture; Yasawa, Fiji, where the movie Blue Lagoon was filmed; Morocco’s Casablanca, memorialized by the film of the same name; and Easter Island, located between French Polynesia and Tahiti, and considered the world’s most remote inhabited island.
Here are some highlights of emerging and exotic ports visited by CLIA-member cruise lines:
SEADREAM’S CARIBBEAN : Intimate, Elegant Casual, Active, Extraordinary
SeaDream Yacht Club is introducing its own unique Caribbean, an intriguing series of five, seven and nine night sailings from November 2007 through April 2008 that includes 22 small, intimate yachting ports---a confident expansion of its previous presence in the region.
For the Caribbean’s winter season, the mega-yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II will sail more than 30 itineraries in the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, the French West Indies, Netherlands Antilles and in the Windward and Leeward Islands.
In commenting on SeaDream Yacht Club’s Caribbean, Larry Pimentel, the company’s President and CEO, said “I feel it is important for me to point out that SeaDream is a tiny yacht operator in a big pond. We are small but we have a big presence in the Caribbean. Our Caribbean is not the Caribbean of the major cruise operators, many of which have tenders that hold more passengers than SeaDream I and II. Our Caribbean is intimate, elegant, casual and active. There is a difference."
The 55-stateroom SeaDream I and II will use San Juan, St. Thomas and Barbados as embarkation-debarkation ports. Ports of call include: , Dewey, Culebrita Island, Puerto Rico; Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico; Anegada, British Virgin Islands; Saba, Netherlands Antilles; Gustavia,St, Barts, French West Indies; Charlestown, Nevis, Leeward Islands; Marigot, St. Martin, French West Indies; Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Peter Island, British Virgin Islands; White Bay, Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands; Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; Sandy Ground, Anguilla, British West Indies; Spanish Town and North Sound, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Little Bay, Montserrat; Iles Des Saintes, Guadaloupe, Windward Islands; Port Elizabeth, Bequia, Grenadines; Grand Bay, Canouan, Grenadines; Hillsborough, Carriacou, Grenadines; Tobago Cays, Grenadines, Mayreau, Genadines; Soufriere, St. Lucia, Windward Islands; Trois Ilets, Martinique, French West Indies.
SeaDream Yacht Club:
SeaDream Yacht Club is the yachting venture by Norwegian entrepreneur Atle Brynestad, who founded Seabourn Cruise Line, and Larry Pimentel who was President of Seabourn under Brynestad and later President and CEO of the merged Cunard and Seabourn. Pimentel is President and CEO of the Miami, Florida-headquartered SeaDream Yacht Club and a co-owner. Brynestad is Chairman.
The company, founded in the fall of 2001, operates SeaDream I and SeaDream II, twin, ultra-luxury mega yacht cruisers that operate on mostly seven-day sailings in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands, the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia and into the Black Sea.
The yachts are not only ideal for discerning travelers seeking an unstructured experience but also for small meetings and incentive groups or individual private family gatherings. They are available for full charter. Recent honors, awards and accolades include:
SeaDream I and II shared the top Five Star Club award in the authoritative Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships 2007 guidebook. Berlitz guide author Douglas Ward created a special category “Utterly Exclusive” for only three vessels he said were above luxury. Of the three, two were SeaDream I and II. Conde Nast Traveler Magazine named SeaDream Yacht Club the “World’s Best Small Passenger Shipping Line” for 2006. Additionally, SeaDream scored higher than any other cruise line---large or small---in this Readers’ Poll--- and was the only cruise line rated in the top 100 “World’s Best Travel Experiences.” Further, Cruise Magazine, leading UK travel publication, named SeaDream I “World’s Best Small Cruise Vessel for 2006.
SILVERSEA ANNOUNCES CULINARY AND WINE CRUISES FOR 2007
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is spicing up its 2007 schedule with an enticing collection of 6 Culinary Arts and 5 Wine Series voyages. The popular enrichment cruises will showcase the artistry of award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including Relais & Châteaux – Relais Gourmands, the distinguished international association of boutique hotels and restaurants, while wine experts from an array of prestigious estates and wineries will be on hand to host the Wine Series voyages.
CULINARY ARTS VOYAGES
On 6 culinary sailings, guest chefs will display their exceptional talents during informative and entertaining cooking demonstrations. Guests can taste and learn firsthand the secrets of enticing signature dishes created by award-winning chefs like Anne Desjardins, the CAA/AAA Four Diamond chef/owner of L'Eau à La Bouche in Ste-Adèle, Québec; Cal Stamenov, executive chef of Marinus, the Mobil Four-Star restaurant at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, California; and Gale Gand, host of Food Network's Sweet Dreams cooking show and executive pastry chef and partner of Chicago’s Tru, a Mobil Four Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant. The Culinary Arts enrichment voyages also feature escorted trips to international markets, food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes, and a five-course grand gourmet dinner. Throughout these special voyages, the featured guest chef and Silversea’s executive chef are on hand to share their culinary expertise and answer any questions.
WINE SERIES
Discerning travelers with a passion for fine wines will enjoy sampling some of the world’s finest vintages and visiting world-famous wineries, cellars and vineyards aboard 5 wine-themed cruises. Top experts like David Elswood, international head of the wine department at Christie's, the world's oldest auctioneer of fine wines, and Eduardo Pulenta, Jr. of the award-winning Pulenta Estate, one of Argentina's hottest new winemakers, will be on board to provide enriching lectures, conduct special tastings of vintage blends and guide Silversea’s guests on excursions to celebrated wineries and vineyards in select ports of call.
Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. For the ninth year, Silversea was named "Number One" small-ship line in the 2005 "Readers' Choice" survey conducted by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. For the sixth time, Silversea was selected "World's Best" small-ship line in the 2004 Travel + Leisure readers' poll.
SEABOURN to sail from OLDE ENGLAND to NEW ENGLAND
Guests Save 50% and Enjoy Two Nights at Mandarin Oriental in London
Seabourn Cruise Line is offering a complimentary two-night pre-cruise stay at London’s sumptuous Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel and 50 percent savings on Seabourn Pride’s 11-day transatlantic voyage departing on September 18, 2007.
The Seabourn-style crossing begins with two nights’ accommodation at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, one of London’s finest luxury hotels. Once a distinguished Victorian gentlemen’s club, the impressive building has been resurrected as a fashionable and thoroughly modern hostelry that commands one of London’s most advantageous addresses, in the heart of the upscale Knightsbridge shopping district. Guests can enjoy theater, museums, gardens and galleries and all the history, pageantry and charm that London has to offer, during the two-night pre-cruise stay.
Sailing from Dover’s celebrated white cliffs, guests will enjoy visits to the friendly ports of St. John’s, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor, Maine. The voyage ends in the picturesque fishing town of Gloucester, Massachussetts, just a short coastal drive from Boston. With special 50% savings, fares for this exceptional experience start from $3,898 per person, based on double occupancy, of a 277-square foot ocean-view suite.
Aboard the ultra luxury, all-suite Seabourn Pride guests can indulge in as much, or as little as they like. Days are filled with options and devoid of obligations. Nights begin with glorious sunsets and continue to sparkle until the guests decide it’s time. Seabourn’s award-winning staff perennially pampers guests with service and cuisine that Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List says is the finest on the seas.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveils new Art, Design & Culture Cicles of Interest aboard Mediterranean & Baltic voyages this summer
Regent Seven Seas Cruises® unveiled five new Art, Design and Cultures Circles of Interest for Mediterranean and Baltic cruises this summer aboard the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager® and 490-guest all-suite (90% with private balconies) Seven Seas Navigator®. Circles of Interest offer guests the opportunity to discover a destination through a lens of particular interest, with the insights of an expert guest host and the camaraderie of a smaller community of guests who share similar interests.
Masterpieces of the Mediterranean
As part of the recently launched Regent Art Experience and Endowment Program, a partnership with the Bass Museum of Art on Miami Beach brings executive director and chief curator Diane Camber to Regent, leading guests on four Circles of Interest aboard three Mediterranean sailings this summer. Each of the four Circle of Interest programs includes a private welcome cocktail party, dinner, onboard lecture, and an exclusive shore experience with unique and private access. Participation is limited to only 30 guests. In addition to planned onboard and on shore activities, Ms. Camber will help facilitate smaller community events where possible.
The July 19 and August 11 Mediterranean sailings aboard Seven Seas Navigator both feature two Circle of Interest programs. During the first Circle, "Power, Passion & Glory - Diane Camber's Florence," Circle of Interest guests will join Ms. Camber for visits to the Museum of San Marco; the Medici Chapels and six tombs of the Medici Grand Dukes, adorned with some of Michelangelo's most famous sculptures; the Piazza del Duomo, Baptistery and Cathedral; Brancacci Chapel and a drive through the Piazzale Michelangelo. Guests will also explore the role of the Medici in religion and enjoy a lunch of local flavor. ($315 per guest)
The second Circle of Interest on those sailings is "Les Artistes de la Côte d'Azur," where Ms. Camber will use her curator's eye and personal connections at the Musée Matisse and Musée Nationale Marc Chagall to share her knowledge of the works and provide insights into the lives and times of these two modern French masters. Guests will also witness first-hand the artistic beauty of the French Riviera through a private drive. ($175 per guest)
On board ship, the July 19 voyage's Circle of Interest programs will include a private discussion on Napoleon and art -- depictions of him as well as how his conquests enriched what is now considered French artistic patrimony. The August 11 voyage includes a private discussion on Modernity: Gaudí, Miró and Picasso.
The August 18 sailing of Seven Seas Navigator also features two Circles of Interest. The first, "Passione per l'arte - A Personal View with Diane Camber," includes a shore experience where guests will travel by private water taxi to the Palazzo Grassi in Venice, which holds the largest private contemporary art collection and is owned by Francois Pinault, one of the world's richest men. Later, a short ride brings guests to another bastion of contemporary art: the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, housed in her personal villa. ($255 per guest)
The second Circle of Interest on that sailing is "Stabbiano di Castelammare - Dig for History, Art and Local Flavor." A private coach will drive along the Bay of Naples to offer guests a unique look at the lives of the ancient rich and famous, including an opportunity to witness an excavation of the Roman villas of ancient Stabiae. These sea-side homes comprise the largest group of villas built by the rich and powerful Romans in the first centuries BC and AD - a building boom halted by the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. En route back to Sorrento, guests will stop at a typical farm house to learn how mozzarella is made and enjoy a light lunch of local specialties. ($175 per guest)
On board the August 18 voyage, the Circle of Interest programs will include an exclusive talk on the culture, art and architecture of the Adriatic. Camber will also discuss Caravaggio -- the man, his art, and his significance as an innovator and iconoclast.
St. Petersburg's Jewel, The Hermitage Museum
Born and raised in the City of Light, special host and expert on Russian art and literature, Vadim Palchun will lead guests on a discovery of Russia's famed Hermitage Museum, "From Restoration Rooms to Gallery Walls - The Hermitage from a Personal Perspective." On board Seven Seas Voyager, guests will participate in a welcome cocktail party, an informative talk on the history of The Hermitage art collection, and a private dinner with other Circle of Interest guests. On shore, guests will enjoy exclusive access to one of the museum's Restorations Rooms. These rooms consist of the following: painting workshop; workshop of monumental paintings and sculptures; fabric workshops; and workshops of applied art and porcelain. The day will then continue with a tour of the collection and a visit to Palchun's personal highlights contained in this vast museum. In addition to planned onboard and on shore activities, Mr. Palchun will help facilitate smaller community events where possible.
This program will be offered aboard the following Seven Seas Voyager sailings this summer, each seven nights in length and featuring calls in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki, Visby (Sweden) and overnights in St. Petersburg: July 14, July 21, July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18, and Aug. 25. Participation is limited to only 30 guests. ($255 per guest)
Fares and Special Savings: Per person prices for European voyages featuring Art, Design and Cultures Circles of Interest start from $4,796. Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits, soft drinks, bottled water and hot beverages served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water; and an in-suite bar setup in Butler suites. Select sailings feature a choice of roundtrip economy class air from 86 North American gateways, $499 business class upgrade when an economy class air add-on is purchased, or $1,000 savings off the cruise fare.
Silversea Sets Details of America's Cup Voyage
Silversea announced details of the itinerary and special activities planned for the six-star rated Silver Whisper's presence at the 32nd America's Cup regatta. The prestigious yachting tournament is scheduled to be held this summer in Valencia, Spain, marking the first time Europe will host the race for the oldest trophy in sport. Switzerland's Team Alinghi, the defenders of the title, swept the last competition in 5 straight wins, & Silversea guests will have the best seats in the house from June 23 to 29.
Silver Whisper's guests will board the ship in Barcelona on June 22 and sail south to Valencia. On June 23 and 24, the all-suite ship will be positioned in Valencia Bay directly alongside the race course, giving guests a front-row seat to experience all the drama and excitement of this most celebrated global event. June 25, a rest day for cup competitors, provides the chance for Silver Whisper's 382 guests to take in new sights and go exploring as the ship journeys to Algiers, North Africa. Optional escorted shore excursions will reveal the culture and history of this destination before guests return to Valencia to enjoy the next race days of the America's Cup competition (June 26 and 27).
On June 28, the second scheduled rest day for race competitors, guests will have time to explore Valencia, one of the most historic cities in Spain. The city, with its centuries-old Moorish flair, famous cuisine and exciting nightlife, offers the perfect opportunity for an enriching cultural experience. Silver Whisper guests will celebrate the fifth scheduled race day on June 29 with a poolside barbecue to commemorate Team Alinghi's five-race sweep in 2003 and offer a toast to this year's winner. Silver Whisper then sets sail for Barcelona and guests will disembark in the Catalan capital on June 30.
Throughout this eight-day voyage there will be top sailing officials and experts on board Silver Whisper providing guests with background knowledge on the America's Cup history and rules, professional insights on the teams taking part, and full commentary on every race as it happens live in front of the ship. Noted guest speakers Gary Jobson, the Emmy-winning ESPN sailing commentator who won the 1977 America's Cup as tactician for Ted Turner, and John Rousmaniere, a lifelong sailor, writer and America's Cup historian, will share personal anecdotes and give guests an insight into the mindset and activities of the crew of the racing yachts as the races unfold. There will also be "surprise" competitors and officials from the 2007 race coming on board to meet with guests and join them for dinner in the evenings.
All-inclusive, cruise-only fares start from $6,915 per person, including all port charges, government fees, taxes and special event fees, and a 10 percent Early Booking Incentive discount.
Department of Homeland Security Outlines NEW Document Requirements for Travel
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State announced on November 22 the official requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere (including the Caribbean and Central and South America) beginning January 23, 2007. This is a revision from the previously announced date of January 8, 2007.
Here are the current rules regarding the need to have a Passport for travel within the Western Hemisphere:
AIR
January 23, 2007 – Passport required for all air travel within the Western Hemisphere and abroad.
U.S. Citizens departing and returning to the United States by air after January 23, 2007, will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport. The Passport office is already busy and this will likely contribute to a backlog that could result in lengthy issuance delays as these rules take effect.
SEA and LAND
As soon as January 1, 2008 – Passport or other accepted documents* required for land border crossings and sea travel within the Western Hemisphere.
Although the requirement to possess a valid Passport or PASScard for sea travel and land border crossings could be extended to as late as June 1, 2009, the government can accelerate this date based on meeting certain standards and is recommending that travelers be prepared for the passport requirement as early as January 1, 2008.
The Bottom Line: Don’t delay – get a Passport today!
Remember, without a Passport or PASScard, you will not be able to travel outside of the United States. In addition, after the implementation date, U.S. citizens who arrive at the Port of Embarkation for cruises without a valid U.S. Passport will not be permitted to board the ship. Information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. Passport can be found on the State Department's Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport
*Sea and land travelers will also be eligible for the PASScard, a less expensive alternative document.
Norovirus Alert
According to the most recent information, the facts are as follows:
What is norovirus? Norovirus sounds exotic, but it’s well known as the “24-hour stomach bug” and is the second most prevalent illness in the U.S., after the common cold. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps that typically last one to two days.
There are numerous incidents of norovirus across the country, but the reason you hear about it with regard to cruise ships is because they are the only ones required to report gastrointestinal illness to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hotels don’t have to report it – neither do airlines, universities or hospitals!
On cruise ships, the illness is typically spread through person-to-person contact by touching surfaces that someone with the virus previously had contact with, not from the food or water. So, clients should heed their mother’s advice and wash their hands! The best way to prevent illness is to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water.
What are the chances of getting norovirus? The CDC estimates that 23 million people in the U.S. – or eight percent of the population – contract norovirus each year; that’s 1 in 12 people. In contrast, far less than one percent of all U.S. cruise guests are affected by norovirus annually; that’s 1 in 3,600 people. The few cruise guests who experience symptoms should follow the guidance of the ship’s medical staff to prevent the spread of the illness to fellow passengers.
In addition to taking individual precautions, reassure your client that cruise lines are vigilant in keeping a clean ship. Rigorous cleaning procedures are in place to disinfect and sanitize public areas including all door handles, railings, elevator buttons and slot machine levers, to name just a few. In fact, according to the CDC, cruise lines have the highest sanitation standards in the world!
The safety and well-being of cruise guests is the cruise industry’s highest priority. Should you seek additional information, including more information on norovirus, tips for staying healthy on a cruise and proper hand-washing techniques, please visit the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program Web site at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp or www.cdc.gov.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Sets 115-Day World Cruise
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will operate its longest voyage in its history with a 115-night 2008 World Cruise. The 700-guest Seven Seas Voyager will visit 51 ports in 26 countries throughout the South Pacific, Orient, Arabia, Mediterranean and Bermuda. The voyage starts will depart from San Francisco on Jan. 6, 2008. There are seven segments, each offering Concierge Collection land adventures, as well as special onboard lecture programs and activities. Segments include San Francisco to New Zealand, Jan. 6-30; New Zealand to Sydney, Jan. 30-Feb. 9; Sydney to Shanghai, Feb. 9-29; Shanghai to Singapore, Feb. 29-March 13; Singapore to Mumbai, March 13-27; Mumbai to Piraeus, March 27-April 13; and Athens to Fort Lauderdale, April 13-30. Per person prices range from $59,995 to $209,995 for the 115-night World Cruise, and from $6,597 for an individual segment. Regent's 2007 World Cruise guests can pre-book this journey beginning Dec. 4, while general bookings will be accepted beginning Dec. 18. Individual segments will be open for bookings beginning Jan. 15.
Windstar Cruises Expands Scuba Diving Program
Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf has expanded its scuba diving program in the Caribbean with new double-tank dive sites in Dominica, Grenada and St. Martin. The 312-guest Wind Surf now offers two dives in the Scottshead Marine Reserve from the port call in Roseau, Dominica. The first dive at L'Abym takes divers to a vertical wall dropping to more than 800 feet in some places and teems with schooling reef fish. The second dive site, called Champagne, is located in a freshwater hot spring. In Grenada, two dives are offered in Flamingo Bay, where divers may see sergeant majors, yellow stripe grunts, goatfish, lobster, eels and small octopus. In St. Martin, divers will transfer to the Dutch side of the island where a local dive operator will choose two dive sites to possibly see reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, stingrays and dolphins. Scuba diving enthusiasts can take advantage of Windstar's "Dive the Five" package offered at $350 for five one-tank dives. A Discover Scuba Diving program, as well as a PADI Advanced Open Water Course and Adventures in Diving program are also offered. The Wind Surf's southbound itinerary roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados, visits Bequia; Roseau; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Mayreau, Grenadines; Grenada; and Tobago. The northbound itinerary roundtrip from Barbados visits Charlestown, Nevis; St. Martin; St. Barthélemy; Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe; Îles des Saintes; and Pigeon Island. The two itineraries can be combined into a two-week cruise. Windstar's scuba diving program is also offered on the Wind Star in Costa Rica and the Wind Spirit sailing out of St. Thomas in the Caribbean.
Tauck Drops Single Occupancy Charge on Select Excursions
Tauck World Discovery is offering various cruises and tours in 2007 in which solo travelers will not pay he single occupancy surcharge. The special rates will apply to some 47 departures on 16 different cruise and tour itineraries in the U.S., Europe and Canada. Tauck President and CEO Robin Tauck said the savings being offered to solo travelers are substantial. "Tauck guests can save as much as $3,000 off of our standard single pricing, and the average savings is more than $1,200," she said. Besides offering excellent value, the special singles-friendly departures also alleviate solo travelers' concerns that they'll be the only single on a trip. "Our single guests tell us that having other solo travelers along makes their trip far more enjoyable," said Tauck. "The special pricing virtually guarantees that other single travelers will be on these departures." The specially priced trips include six Mediterranean cruises, eight of Tauck's popular "A Week In…" itineraries in Europe, and two journeys each in the United States and Canada
Windstar Introduces Luggage Delivery Service
Windstar Cruises now offers Monogram Luggage Service, which allows passengers to travel luggage-free to the ship. "Our guests today are busy people who want to relax and enjoy their cruise vacation," said Diane Moore, Windstar's vice president of marketing and sales. "Our new luggage service is one more way we can help make their entire trip enjoyable. It's a better use of the guests' time, and there's no need to stand in long lines to check luggage." Guests may opt to have their bags picked up at their door and delivered to their stateroom on the ship, wherever it may be. Luggage is picked up at home-no boxing or extra packaging is required -- and shipped via an air valet service. At the end of the cruise, luggage may be shipped back home. Windstar has chosen the luggage express service offered by Universal Express, a courier company based in Boca Raton, Fla. Charges are assessed by weight, destination, and type of service. For example, it will cost $257 to ship a 45-pound suitcase from Florida to Barbados. All bags are insured up to $1,000 at no extra cost with options to insure up to $10,000.
Silversea to Test More Casual, Personalized Cruising
Silversea Cruises plans to test a new personalized, ultra-inclusive and more casual vacation experience early next year. Called "Privileged Passage," this new concept is set to debut on a select test voyage in 2007. The company -- which has open dining, an all-inclusive shipboard policy and a Personalized Voyages program -- is planning to take things to the next level by offering guests the chance to customize their cruise to suit their personal lifestyle, while incorporating an expanded array of complimentary amenities and benefits. Privileged Passage is designed to showcase an active-lifestyle luxury cruise as a non-traditional vacation experience. "In order to attract more first-time and non-traditional cruisers, we want to completely break the mold of the conventional cruise vacation and change travelers' perceptions about the rigidity and formality often associated with cruising," said Albert Peter, Silversea's chief executive officer. "If this pilot cruise is as well-received as we expect, we plan to offer more voyages of this type." The Privileged Passage program will do away with formal nights and receptions. Guests will not have to worry about packing a tuxedo or evening dress; instead, they'll be able to wear casual resort attire throughout the voyage. Hours will be extended for the fitness center and spa so offer more flexibility. Guests can also request early and late disembarkation at no additional cost. Silversea will also make it easier for guests to personalize their experiences ashore by offering a selection of complimentary tours. Other enhancements will include more casual-style entertainment featuring contemporary bands, jazz ensembles and lively mix shows by disc jockeys from around the world. The Privileged Passage program is set to debut on a test basis aboard Silver Whisper's "Classic Reflections" voyage departing April 9. This 10-day cruise will sail from Alexandria to Athens with calls in Rhodes, Patmos, and Mykonos, Greece; Antalya and Kusadasi, Turkey; Tartous, Syria; and Cyprus. Early-booking fares start at $5,605 per person
TIA Encourages Americans to Obtain Passports
The Travel Industry Association (TIA), along with its strategic partner, the Travel Business Roundtable, is encouraging everyone anticipating a trip to or from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean to get a passport as soon as possible. Recent congressional action extended the deadline requiring a passport for land and sea travelers; however, air travelers will need a passport starting in January 2007. "Canadians, Mexicans and others in the Western Hemisphere, including U.S. citizens, will need a passport at airports beginning in January, so it makes sense to be prepared as soon as possible," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of TIA. "People taking cruises and entering the U.S. by walking or motor vehicle don't immediately need a passport, but why wait if you anticipate taking trips?" All Americans flying to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean will need a passport, beginning Jan. 8, 2007, in order to re-enter the country. The same rule applies to all international travelers flying into the U.S. from those same countries. Airlines have been enforcing this rule for the past year; the industry is not expecting a major impact, according to TIA. The new deadline requiring American and international travelers to carry a passport or other secure travel document while cruising in the Western Hemisphere will go into effect no later than June 1, 2009. Consensus is that this rule will probably be enforced sometime in 2008, identical to the land border travel date for implementation. Like the sea deadline, the new land border travel deadline for Americans re-entering and international travelers entering the U.S. in motor vehicles will be enforced at some point prior to June 1, 2009, but no exact date is set. Cruise and land travelers will also have the option of utilizing the PASS (People Access Security Service) card currently under development by the U.S. State Department. This is a less expensive passport alternative, with a proposed price of $20 for adults, $10 for children. The process for obtaining a PASS card will be the same as for a passport. Information for Americans wanting to obtain a passport can be found at www.travel.state.gov. The new passport rules apply to all travelers, regardless of age. Adult passports last for 10 years and child passports last for five. The State Department indicates that a passport is usually obtained within six to eight weeks. However, because of rising demand, applying as early as possible is recommended. In addition, if travelers have an imminent trip, passports can be expedited for an additional fee. For more information, visit www.tia.org.
Conde Nast Traveler Unveils Readers' Choice Awards
The November 2006 issue of Conde Nast Traveler celebrates the 19th annual Readers' Choice Awards. The results are derived from the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences, the Readers' Choice Survey. With over 21,000 travelers voting this year, the lists show an even greater global variety and depth. This year many perennial favorites hold on to their top spots: Singapore Airlines is again the #1 International Route Airline. San Francisco, the #1 U.S. City, has also been #1 for 18 of the past 19 years (in 1992 Santa Fe won the honor).
But Conde Nast Traveler cited some surprises this year, including the Maldives, which is the first island since the inception of the Islands category 13 years ago to beat Maui for the #1 Island ranking. Buckland Manor in the Cotswolds, England, gained the distinction this year for being the highest-scoring hotel in Readers' Choice history by receiving perfect scores for Rooms, Service, Food, and Location. Another property to receive 100s in Rooms, Service, Location, and Design in the Hotels category was Budapest's Four Seasons Gresham Palace. Also of note is Regent Seven Seas (formerly Radisson Seven Seas), the #1 Large Ship Cruise Line that edges ahead of the nine-time winner and close contender Crystal Cruises. Many Asian properties scored well into the 90s in the Resorts category, led by the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan with a near-perfect 99.6, placing the resort as #1 on the overall Top 100 list this year.
Below are results for the top three winners in each category. The complete results of the awards can be found in the November issue, on newsstands Oct. 24.
Top Cities-United States: San Francisco, Calif.; Santa Fe, N.M., New York, N.Y. Top Cities-Asia: Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Top Cities-Europe: Florence, Italy; Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy. Top Cities-Africa/Middle East: Cape Town, South Africa; Marrakech, Morocco. Top Cities-Pacific Rim: Sydney, Australia; Melbourne, Australia; Queenstown, New Zealand. Top Cities-The Americas: Vancouver, British Columbia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Top Islands-Europe: Mykonos & the Cyclades, Greece; Madeira, Portugal; Capri, Italy. Top Islands-Pacific Rim: Maui, Hawaii; Kauai, Hawaii; Moorea, French Polynesia. Top Islands-Caribbean/Atlantic: Bermuda; St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; British Virgin Islands. Top Islands-North America: Vancouver Island, Canada; Kiawah, South Carolina; Nantucket, Massachusetts. Top Islands-Asia: Maldives; Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand. Top International Route Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific. Top Domestic Route Airlines: JetBlue, Midwest, Hawaiian. Top Car Rental Agencies: Hertz, Renault Eurodrive, Avis. Top Large Ship Cruise Lines: Regent Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises, Disney. Top Small Ship Cruise Lines: SeaDream Yacht Club, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas. Top Resorts-Africa: Singita-Ebony & Boulders Lodges, Chief's Camp, Botswana; Chobe Chilwero, Botswana. Top Resorts-Canada: Pan Pacific Mountainside, Whistler; Four Seasons, Whistler; Westin Resort, Whistler. Top Resorts-Atlantic: One&Only Ocean Club, Bahamas; The Reefs, Bermuda; Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos. Top Resorts-Central/South America: Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayol; Explora en Patagonia, Chile; Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Argentina. Top Resorts-Asia: Four Seasons Bali at Sayan; Four Seasons, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand. Top Resorts-Mexico: La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo; Royal Hideaway Playacar, Riviera Maya; JW Marriott, Cancun. Top Resorts-Pacific Rim: Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, Lanai; Four Seasons Hualalai, Big Island; Voyages Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Top Resorts-Europe: Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland; Westin Turnberry Resort, Scotland; Mount Juliet Conrad, Co. Kilkenny. Top Resorts-Caribbean: Malliouhana Hotel, Anguilla; Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; Sandy Lane, Barbados. Top Resorts-United States: Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Ariz.; Inn at Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina; Inn at Spanish Bay, Calif. Top Hotels-Asia: Fullerton Hotel, Singapore; Amandari, Bali; The Peninsula, Bangkok. Top Hotels-Caribbean/Atlantic: Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France; Ladera, St. Lucia; Waterloo House, Bermuda. Top Hotels-Pacific Rim: Rialto Hotel on Collins, Melbourne; Park Hyatt, Sydney; Lilianfels Blue Mountains, Australia; Top Hotels-Africa: Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza; Cape Grace, Cape Town; Sofitel Palais Jamai, Fez. Top Hotels-Europe: Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest; Chateau Les Crayeres, Reims; Four Seasons George V, Paris. Top Hotels-South America: Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco, Peru; Four Seasons, Buenos Aires; Swissotel, Quito, Ecuador. Top Hotels-United States: The Peninsula, Chicago; Watermark Hotel, San Antonio, Texas; St. Regis, New York. Top Hotels-Canada: Auberge du Vieux-Port, Montreal; Hotel Dominion 1912, Quebec City; Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City. Top Hotels-British Isles: Buckland Manor, The Cotswolds; Gidleigh Park, Devon; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Top Hotels-Central America/Mexico: JW Marriott, Mexico City; Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas; Casa Santo Domingo, Guatemala. Top Hotels-Middle East: Grand Hyatt, Amman; King David, Jerusalem; David Citadel, Jerusalem.
Crystal Sets World Cruise Artists and Speakers
Crystal Cruises has set a roster of award-winning entertainers to join the line's 12th annual World Cruise, beginning Jan. 12, 2007, on the Crystal Serenity. Departing for the first time from Miami and concluding in Southampton, England, the cruise will feature Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Neil Sedaka, Olympic gold medalists Dorothy Hamill and Mitch Gaylord, the winningest coach in NFL history Don Shula, Emmy Award-winning actress Doris Roberts, sports commentator Frank Deford, and James Beard Award-winning chef Guillermo Pernot. Also scheduled are best-selling authors, including business consultant Ken Blanchard, former presidential press secretary Marlin Fitzwater, medical expert Dr. Art Ulene, biographer Chris Ogden, psychologist Fred Chernow and NBC Military Analyst General Bernard Trainor. Explorers, geographers, historians, political experts, and scholars will be aboard to share their insights on South America, Antarctica, South Africa and the Middle East as Crystal Serenity travels to these and other destinations around the world. Complementing the well-known figures are less familiar adventurers, such as writer/photographer Hallam Murray, who will tell tale of his 17,000-mile bicycle journey from Los Angeles to Tierra del Fuego and living amongst Chile's Mapuche Indians. Overall, more than 200 artists and experts will travel on the Serenity's 109-day odyssey exploring 44 ports of call in 27 countries. Fares for the full World Cruise start at $47,290 per person, double occupancy. The World Cruise is also available in seven segments with fares starting at $5,185.
Tauck World Discovery expands River Cruises in Europe
Tauck World Discovery, which has grown its European river cruise business by more than 600 percent in two years, is offering a new 24-day itinerary and exclusive use of the just-launched Swiss Emerald next year. Each Tauck river cruise has a maximum of just 118 guests who are served by an onboard Tauck Cruise Director, in addition to the ship's staff. Tauck river cruises include all shore excursions, wine with dinner, admission to attractions, port charges, and gratuities to ship's staff, local guides, drivers, and all Tauck personnel. Also included are a number of exclusive experiences, such as private dinners and special performances in historic palaces and chateaux. The new "Grand European Cruise" travels from Amsterdam to the Black Sea along the Rhine, the Main-Danube Canal, the Main, and the Danube through nine countries. Also included are two nights at the Athenee Palace Hilton in Bucharest and 67 meals both on and off the Swiss Emerald. Fares start at $7,530, double, plus air. The new trip pairs the "Amsterdam to Budapest" and the "Budapest to the Black Sea" voyages. By combining the two voyages, a couple will save at least $1,000. Tauck's other river itineraries include the 13-day "Blue Danube" (from $3,790) and "Holland & Belgium in Spring" (10 days, from $3,190). Tauck's 2007 river cruises feature the Swiss Diamond and the Swiss Emerald. Launched earlier this year, the 361-foot Swiss Emerald is decorated in teak, marble, brass, wrought iron and glass. The 332-foot Swiss Diamond was partially renovated in 2006, and offers a whirlpool, sauna, solarium, and library, along with nightly entertainment including piano music, lectures, and traditional folkloric performances.
The Best of Both Worlds on Windstar Cruises
Costa Rica
This winter, travelers can get "down and dirty" with eco-adventures by day and stay in pristine upscale accommodations by night as Windstar Cruises re-launches its Costa Rica itinerary on board the 148-guest yacht, Wind Star.
“Costa Rica was so popular this past season, many people were disappointed in not being able to book,” says Diane Moore, v.p. of sales and marketing, Windstar Cruises. “We wanted to get the word out on this product this year so people would know about it. We are one of the only cruise lines that offers an entire week exploring the country's spectacular coastline, and we can visit more small bays and harbors due to the intimate size of the ship."
According to Moore, the itinerary appeals mostly to couples, but not to a specific age group. "It is really for people wanting a ‘soft adventure’ vacation," she explains, "those that want to explore nature on a ship, and not many ships can call at this destination the way Wind Star can. And with the soft landings on the zodiacs, it is a real experience.”
The 7-night itinerary sails roundtrip out of Puerto Caldera. The ship first sails north to its only stop outside of Costa Rica—San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, a tranquil fishing village with white sand beaches, where shore excursions visit the important colonial city of Granada, the Masaya Volcano, and an Indian craft market. Then, passengers visit the horseshoe-shaped bay of Playas del Coco, popular for scuba diving, fishing and sailing. Here, guests can float down the Corobici River or soar through the treetops on a zipline tour through the rainforest. In Quepos, eco-adventure is everywhere: on nature walks, swimming in the Manuel Antonio National Park, horseback riding in the rainforest, deep-sea fishing, a private cooking class at a ranch and more. Next, the cruise visits Marenco, located on Drake Bay, where guests have plenty of time to explore the 1,235 acres of mountains, cloud forests, pristine beaches and rushing rivers via hikes, beach horseback riding, and snorkeling. Before heading back to Puerto Caldera, guests visit the Curu Reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula for a tour with an expert naturalist and Tortuga Island for a beach picnic and complimentary watersports, including sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, waterskiing, ski tubing and wind surfing.
The Wind Star sails in Costa Rica from December through March. Rates start at $1,749 pp double occupancy
Quark Expeditions Announce new Itineraries in celebration of the International Polar Year
GREENLAND ODYSSEY
March 2007 marks the beginning of the 24-month International Polar Year. Researchers from around the world will cooperate to further our understanding of the polar regions. To celebrate the occasion we are mounting "Greenland Odyssey", an expedition to the northernmost point of land on Earth. Explorer Ken Zerbst will be our special guest on board. Our destination is the northernmost tip of Greenland, which Ken has explored on two other occasions. The voyage begins with an overnight stay in Ottawa. Clients will then flight on a chartered aircraft to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland where they board the ship. The adventure ends in Reykjavik, Iceland.
ARCTIC ADVENTURE: CANADA AND GREENLAND
We've made such substantial changes to the old High Arctic itinerary that we decided to rename the voyage. Travelers still embark the ship in Resolute. However, after visiting the visit remote eastern shores of Ellesmere island, the voyage continues all along the western shore of Greenland, ending in Kangerlussuaq. One night pre- and post-expeditions accommodation is provided in Ottawa as are roundtrip charter flights Ottawa-Resolute and Kangerlussuaq-Ottawa,
Don't forget our Back-to-Back Disocunt: travelers can save 6% on Greenland Odyssey if the combine it with Arctic Adventure: Canada and Greenland.
EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
Travelers can save $500 per person on three of our Arctic 2007 expeditions if they book and deposit before October 31, 2006. Voyages that qualify are: Greenland Odyssey, Tanquary Fjord and Arctic Adventure: Canada and Greenland.
WE ARE OFFERING 3 NORTH POLE EXPEDITIONS FOR 2007
The first departure begins June 25th, 2007 - just 4 days after the summer solstice. So if you are a sun lover - that's the one for you!24 hours of sunlight for days on end! Our North Pole departures are June 25- to July 10; July 8 to 23 and July 21 to August 4, 2007.
Regent Seven Seas Offers Photography Series
Guests sailing the Mediterranean and Greek Isles aboard Regent Seven Seas Voyager this fall will have an opportunity to participate in photography expeditions led by noted travel photographer Jesse Kalisher, as part of the line's "Circles of Interest" series. Kalisher will be a featured "Circle" host aboard the Voyager on sailings departing Sept. 16 through Oct. 21, teaching small groups of guests how to nurture their own "photographer's eye." Each sailing will include two small group excursions with Kalisher. Depending on individual cruise itineraries, guests may capture photograph landscape photography in Santorini, Greece; Greco-Roman ruins in Taormina, Italy; or natural beauty in Portofino, Italy, or St. Tropez, France. Guests participating in the "Circle of Interest" program also will receive a personal photo critique and an invitation to a private reception and dinner for participants hosted by Kalisher. The package also includes a group photo, priority dispatch on shore excursions, and film processing or digital rendering to a CD of photos taken. Kalisher's wife, graphic designer Helen Kalisher, will also be onboard the Voyager, leading workshops on Adobe Photoshop Elements and demonstrating the art of at-home retouching and photography publishing. The photography-themed "Circle of Interest" program featuring Jesse Kalisher will be available on Voyager sailings departing Sept. 16, 23 and 30 and Oct. 7, 14 and 21 at a cost of $395 per person in addition to the cruise fare. Cruise fares start at $4,946 per person, double, including shipboard gratuities, wine with dinner, an in-suite bar set-up and "What a Fare Deal" options: a choice of roundtrip, economy-class air from any of 86 North American gateways, a $499 business-class upgrade when an economy class air add-on is purchased, or $1,000 savings off the cruise fare. Select sailings, with limited availability, feature a two-for-one cruise fare.
General Tours Launches "Make A Difference" Program
General Tours launched a program that offers Americans the opportunity to volunteer for a week in one of five countries: Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru and Russia. "Our Make a Difference program allows volunteers to delight in cultures from the inside and to understand and contribute in a unique way to the lives of others in the world," said Bob Drumm, president of General Tours. Developed in partnership with Cross-Cultural Solutions, a leader in the field of international volunteering, General Tours' Make a Difference volunteers support sustainable solutions designed by the communities themselves. Each placement is based upon the needs of the community, the interests of the traveler and the goal of accomplishing the project in just one week. "In fact, international travelers can now contribute in a hands-on way to the life of communities around the world by giving of themselves for just a week -- kind of a Peace Corps light," said Drumm. General Tours volunteers might work in orphanages, childcare centers, schools, health clinics and hospitals, homes for the elderly, centers for people with disabilities and other community organizations. "This is a new opportunity for travel agents to provide an entirely new travel experience to their clients," Drumm said. Volunteers live in comfortable houses in safe and conveniently located neighborhoods where all the necessities of life are provided: linens, full baths, telephone, bottled water and delicious, authentic and healthy homemade meals. These home bases are the center of life for a week where close friendships arise from sharing the day's events with fellow volunteers and Cross-Cultural Solutions staff. All volunteering, organized activities and the operation of the home base are managed by Cross-Cultural Solutions' In-Country Directors. General Tours has developed a wide variety of excursions so that travelers can see more of their host country after a week as a volunteer. Prices begin at $1,899 including airfare, all meals, transportation and on-site medical insurance. And because Cross-Cultural Solutions is a not-for-profit organization, up to 100 percent of the costs to participate -- depending upon a traveler's personal financial structure -- can be tax-deductible.
Regent Schedules 59-Night South America Voyage
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' all-balcony suite Seven Seas Mariner will operate a 59-night "Circle South America" cruise that will call at 26 ports in 15 countries next January.
Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 9, 2007, the two-month voyage features six onboard overnights and seven exclusive complimentary shoreside events. The 700-passenger ship will feature famed ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, who will sail the Amazon along with associates from his Ocean Futures Society. He will share his broad knowledge of the continent through enrichment programs and shore excursions.
The Mariner's South America voyage is also available in four 11- to 19-night segments calling in the Bahamas, St. Barth's, Dominica, Barbados and French Guiana before wending up the Amazon River 1,000 miles to Manaus for an onboard overnight and around the coast of Brazil to Rio de Janeiro for another onboard overnight. The ship will cross into the Tropic of Capricorn to reach Uruguay and Argentina, with two onboard overnights in Buenos Aires. After a hop to the Falkland Islands, the vessel cruises Cape Horn and through the Strait of Magellan. After an onboard overnight in Punta Arenas, Chile-from where passengers can choose a day flight to Antarctica-the Seven Seas Mariner sails through the Chilean fjords and along the Peruvian shoreline to Callao (Lima) for an onboard overnight, then crosses the Equator. The ship then transits the Panama Canal to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Belize before returning to Fort Lauderdale on March 9. Three complimentary shoreside events include "Brazilian Jazz at the Manaus Opera House," "Sunset Over Copacabana," and "Rainforest Encounter" in Puerto Limón. Four events open to all cruise guests are "Boi-Bumba Folkloric Show" in Parintins, "Brazilian Celebration in Dance" in Fortaleza, "Birthplace of Icebergs" in Laguna San Rafael, and "Gatún Experience" at the Gatún Yacht Club.
Passengers onboard for the entire voyage will receive complimentary first class roundtrip airfare from 86 North American gateways, up to $1,000-per-suite in shipboard credits, and a pre-cruise gala dinner and overnight stay at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Per-person prices start at $25,986, including early-booking savings.
SEADREAM Yacht Club offers Ferrari Program
Guests aboard SeaDream II can get behind the Wheel of a dream car
La Dolce Vita...Ah, life can be sweet.
Here’s your chance to live out one of your Walter Mitty fantasies (or Wanda Mitty for that matter) just like New Yorker author-humorist James Thurber’s famed short story.
Consider this: Sail aboard ultra-luxury mega yacht SeaDream II for seven days and drive an Italian dream car---a latest model Ferrari.
SeaDream Yacht Club voyages in the Mediterranean, beginning or ending in Rome this summer from July1 to September 3, will offer Mitty-like dreamers a pre- or post-sailing, four-day, three-night Ferrari adventure from Rome to Florence. Drive a Ferrari F430 Spider F1, an F360 Spider FI, or perhaps a 575M Maranello F1. If you wish, try all three on those panoramic Tuscan roads. Sound good?
Well, there’s more. Add the following and stir and enjoy: One night at the 17th Century Villa La Posta that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea,
Two nights at the posh, 17th century Tuscan resort, Fonteverde Spa and Hotel, several glorious Italian meals,
The chance to shop ‘til you drop in Rome and Florence,
A local expert who not only accompanies you throughout but washes and fuels your Ferrari.
Also included are some baggage handling, gratuities, sightseeing and transfers.
The Tuscany by Ferrari experience is strictly limited to six fantasists sailing with SeaDream II
SEADREAM Yacht Club to attract Golfers for South America Voyages
Outstanding Golf Courses Available to SeaDream Guests
SeaDream Yacht Club’s South America voyages this winter (2006-2007) will offer golfers the opportunity to play some of the southern continent’s finest courses. Weather conditions in the region for the months of December through February range from a high of 84F to a low of 61F. Prior reservations must be made independently in advance by the golfing SeaDream guest or by a travel agent.
Golfing opportunities are available on SeaDream’s two, nine-night, day-day voyages that commence and end in Buenos Aires, Argentina. These voyages are a Christmas holiday sailing commencing December 20, 2006 and one on February 3, 2007. Both include a visit to famed Iguacu Falls by chartered aircraft that is included in the voyage price.
Courses at or near ports-of-call that golfers on these voyages may wish to try:
• Buenos Aires, Argentina---Buenos Aires Golf Club, Jockey Club, Olivos Golf Club and Martindale Country Club.
• Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay---Four Seasons Hotel, Carmelo
• Montevideo, Uruguay---Uruguay Golf Club.
• Piriapolis, Uruguay--- Club del Lago Golf, La Barra Golf Club, Cantegril Country Club.
• Punta del Este, Uruguay---Same courses as from Piriapolis.
SeaDream is offering a series of ten South America voyages this winter. Four commence in Rio de Janeiro and end in Buenos Aires. Four itineraries are to be operated in the reverse ad two, are the above-mentioned Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires sailings.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB Sets extended voyages from 14 TO 42 days from Europe to Brazil
What would you like to get away from for awhile---traffic jams, in-laws, hay fever, nightly news, cell phones, email, the kids? All of the above? But we’re not talking here about getting away for just a day or two or even a week.
We’re talking about two, three, four, five or six weeks of ---lolling about, reading a good book, napping in the shade, dining out every day, having a massage and immersing yourself in unique and exciting cultures up close and personal. That should set you straight. Here’s how to do it and maybe it’s for you.
Ambitious Itineraries for Those Who Want Adventure in Style - no ports repeated and no more than three consecutive days at sea. These voyages are aboard SeaDream I, one of the luxury operator’s twin, 55-couple, mega yachts.
Voyages are:
October 21---Piraeus to Rio or Piraeus to Buenos Aires
November 2---Malaga to Rio or Malaga to Buenos Aires
November 9---Tenerife to Rio or Tenerife to Buenos Aires The voyages include all meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar, use of water sports “toys” and gratuities.
SeaDream has also announced a series of lecturers on the November 9 extended voyage from Tenerife to Rio. They are:
Dr. Judith Ewell, whose onboard talks will deal with Latin America history and culture Keith Appleton, a Concorde an aircraft flight engineer for British Airways who will speak on the history of that airplane Pat Bender, behavior analyst whose subject will be behavioral styles and values and how they affect individuals and corporations.
Crystal to Operate Fall Cruises from New York
For its 2006 New England and Canada season, Crystal Cruises is offering more fall foliage cruises roundtrip from New York. In September and October, the Crystal Symphony will operate five itineraries in that region, including a new 11-day and two new seven-day roundtrips from New York, as well as two 11-day itineraries between New York and Montreal. The season begins with two new week-long itineraries departing from New York on Sept. 14 and Sept. 21. Included are visits to Newport, R.I.; Boston (an overnight); Bar Harbor, Maine; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The new 11-day cruise departs New York on Oct. 20 and features a call at Québec City and scenic cruising of the Saguenay River. New England Chef Christian Thornton of Atria in Martha's Vineyard will be onboard as part of Crystal's Wine & Food Festival at Sea. Also offered are two 11-day cruises into the heart of French Québec, each showcasing a maiden port of call for Crystal. From New York on Sept. 28, the Crystal Symphony will make a maiden call at the Canadian port of La Baie des Ha! Ha!, as well as visit Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport, Québec City and Montréal (an overnight). The Oct. 9 departure from Montréal features the same itinerary with a maiden call at St. John, New Brunswick, in place of Le Baie des Ha! Ha! Cruise fares for the New England and Canada cruises begin at $2,140 per person, double occupancy
Radisson Seven Seas: More than Changing a Name, Regent Seven Seas Cruises builds on Acclaim...
New York, NY, March 7, 2006 - In shedding its old name for its new brand identity, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises is not just becoming Regent Seven Seas Cruises, "Our acclaimed cruise line is evolving to a new higher level," said Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Carlson Cruises Worldwide. For the new Regent Seven Seas Cruises, he stressed, "some things will not change." Building on the finest accommodations at sea, with the world's only all-balcony suite vessels, intimately small and mid-sized ships, award-winning cuisine, celebrated itineraries to over 300 ports worldwide and an elegant ambience with gracious service guests rave about, "the line is evolving naturally to its next logical step," Witzel noted.
Since its inception in 1992, Radisson Seven Seas has won acclaim in the luxury category as one of the "World's Best Cruise Lines." Having raised the bar on luxury through its ownership of the all-balcony suite concept, and partnerships with famed Le Cordon Bleu® and Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, the re-branding from Radisson to Regent Seven Seas Cruises "keeps pace with valuable insights gained from guests, prospective affluent travelers and our extensive proprietary research," said Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The Regent ExperienceSM
Built around the customer, the Regent Seven Seas brand is focused on imparting personalized experiences. Its new Regent Travel Concierge program will give guests the tools to customize their travel programs based on their personal interests and preferences. Through new partnerships with Travel + Leisure magazine and Fodor's, Regent Seven Seas will offer guests exclusive access to "insider tips" and the latest editorial insights about the worldwide destinations visited by the luxury fleet. Special "à la carte" tour and hotel arrangements can be pre-booked through a dedicated toll-free number, or guests may select from a wide array of exclusive Concierge Collection land adventures - ranging from multi-night overland journeys to ultra-deluxe pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions.
Giving them new flexibility in planning their cruise experiences in advance, guests may also pre-register for a wide range of shore excursions or pre-book dinner reservations in the line's specialty restaurants via its website. Guests confirmed in suites with butler service can email any of their special requests ahead of time.
Another way Regent Seven Seas is empowering its guests - by giving them the ability to select their own customized cruise experiences - is through an expanded Circles of InterestSM enrichment program, featuring ten exclusive "Circles" on select sailings, with ship and shore activities linked by theme. Guests may enhance itineraries with a tailored program of onboard lectures and workshops combined with specially crafted excursions and events led by guest experts. This enables them to adjust and fine-tune their experiences from place to place while immersing themselves in local cultures and building camaraderie with like-minded guests.
In 2006, they can step into the "Circle" that interests them most through ten "passion points" or lenses: food and wine; performing arts; photography; history, archaeology and literature; the environment and marine life; antiques, jewelry and shopping; active exploration and wellness; art design and museums; families and friends, and romance. Stepping into their own Circle of Interest enables them to shift the personal lens through which they can discover the worlds revealed on every cruise.
Redesigned Suite Life
Over the next eighteen months, Regent Seven Seas will make a multi-million dollar investment to upgrade the fleet's soft furnishings in all private guest accommodations and public areas. The look of all staterooms and suites will be re-designed and upgraded. Exquisite down comforters and pure Egyptian cotton percale Anichini brand linens with satin-stitch embroidery will hug new mattresses. Plush bedding will match, with fine cashmere throws, perfect for lounging en suite or on private balconies throughout the fleet. Soft bathrobes and towels will await guests in their bathrooms, which will also feature new Regent luxury bathroom amenities. State of the art technology will upgrade every stateroom and suite, from the installation of flat screen TVs, DVD players and new clocks, to iPod® music systems with Bose® speakers in upper category suites pre-set with music content. High-speed wireless Internet access and cell phone service will also be available on all ships.
Physical changes on board the ships will commence with the Seven Seas Mariner on April 18 in San Francisco. A celebration of Regent Inaugural Season sailings on the Seven Seas Voyager will start July 1st in Scandinavia and Russia and run through the final Mediterranean cruise in October, and will feature unique programming and offers.
Regent Seven Seas Sets Pre/Post-Cruise Da Vinci Program
Guests of the Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator can explore Paris, the city that had Robert Langdon on the run, with The Da Vinci Code pre- and post-cruise land program. Seventeen 2006 European sailings from Nice and Monte Carlo offer the optional two-night luxury hotel stay, including a tour of the Louvre, pointing out real life highlights of the best-selling novel and soon to be released movie. Surrounded by famous landmarks in each direction -- the Opéra House Garnier, Louvre Museum, Comedie Francaise and Palais Royal -- the cultural and historical pulse of Paris beats all around the Hôtel du Louvre. In addition to two nights in a junior suite at the hotel, the pre- or post-cruise program also features a guided half-day tour of the world-renowned Louvre, with a decided Da Vinci Code twist plus a complimentary copy of Fodor's Guide to The Da Vinci Code: On the Trail of the Bestselling Novel. Guests can search for the Medallion embedded in the museum courtyard -- one of 135 Prime Meridian markers stretching across Paris; seek out the inverted pyramid "chalice"; and where Saunière re-created The Vitruvian Man. The Da Vinci Code pre- and post-cruise land program is $1,895 per person based on a double occupancy ($2,825 single occupancy). Included in the package is two nights in a junior suite at the Hôtel du Louvre, a half-day tour at the Louvre Museum, Fodor's Guide to The Da Vinci Code, breakfast daily, one-way flight Paris/Nice (pre-cruise) or Nice/Paris (post-cruise), and transfers where applicable
Regent Seven Seas Offers Free Air on Alaska Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering complimentary air from 86 North American gateways on five Alaska voyages by the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner. The seven-night itineraries -- which depart June 7, Aug. 2 and Sept. 6 -- ply the Pacific Northwest coastline between Whittier (Anchorage) and Vancouver. Through Radisson Seven Seas' "Travel Concierge" program, guests can choose from a wide variety of optional land, sea and air shore excursions, including flight seeing, dog-sledding, glacier hiking, whale and bear watching, fly-fishing and kayaking. They may also opt to personalize their adventures through the "Concierge à La Carte" service, which can tailor-make or customize programs per individual requests. The Sept. 6 cruise is a "Spotlight on Yoga and Well Being" voyage that will feature daily instruction by the Sarah Rockler Yoga Team as well as workshops in Pilates, tai chi, Chi Gung and meditation. Per-person fares start at $3,497 including 30 percent savings and free economy air. Guests who forego the free air can instead take $500 off the cruise fare.
Silversea Tees Off 2006 Golf Program
For 2006, Silversea Cruises is again offering its Silver Links 365 Golf Program. On every day of every voyage, passengers on the Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper have the opportunity to improve their game with the help of the line's onboard PGA-classed golf professionals. Throughout each itinerary, Silver Links 365 offers golfing excursions, arranged and escorted by the ships' golf pros, to golf courses all over the world. The program includes all transfers to and from the golf courses, and pull or power-drive carts and/or caddies where available. Should guests choose to leave their clubs at home, Nike clubs, shoes and golf essentials are available for rental or purchase on board Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper. During days at sea, the golf pros provide private instruction in the ships' 22-by-10-foot golf cages. Daily events may include complimentary clinics, demonstrations and putting contests suitable for all ranges, levels and abilities. Golfers also can use V1 video-teaching technology, the same digital system utilized by Tiger Woods. The Silver Links 365 golf program affords guests the opportunity to compare their swings to some of golf's greatest legends and the hottest names on tour.
Regent Seven Seas Offers Free Air, Savings on Baltic Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' new "What a Fare Deal" promotion offers a choice of deals on Baltic voyages this June through August. Passengers can choose free roundtrip economy air from 86 North American gateways, a $499 business class air upgrade (with purchase of economy air add-on), or $1,000 off the cruise fare. The luxury line will operate a series of 12 seven-night sailings between Stockholm and Copenhagen on the 700-passenger, all-balcony-suite Seven Seas Voyager and the 490-guest, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator. Departure dates for the Voyager are July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, Aug. 5, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19. The Navigator cruises will depart on July 1, July 8, July 15, and July 22. The cruises feature two onboard overnights in St. Petersburg, allowing guests the option to participate in a day flight to Moscow, with tours of the Kremlin, Cathedral Square, Red Square and Lenin's Mausoleum. Other port calls on these convenient weekly Saturday-departure voyages are Tallinn, Estonia; Visby, Gotland, and Helsinki, Finland. Voyages sailing from Copenhagen to Stockholm include an onboard overnight in the Swedish capital city. Additional "What a Fare Deal" Baltic cruise options include the Voyager's 12-night cruise from Dover (London) to Copenhagen departing June 19; and an Aug. 26, 11-night Copenhagen to Greenwich itinerary calling in Scotland, Ireland and England. The Navigator will sail June 3 on a 14-night Monte Carlo-to-Copenhagen cruise with calls in Iberia and an overnight in Greenwich, plus a July 29, 11-night Stockholm-to-Dover voyage reaching Poland and Latvia. Per-person prices for the Baltic cruises start at $5,276 for the Seven Seas Voyager and $4,396 aboard the Seven Seas Navigator. For those choosing the $1,000 savings, starting prices are from $4,276 per person and $3,396 per person, respectively.
SEADREAM Yacht Club sets sail for South America
SeaDream Yacht Club will operate a series of 10 sailings in South America between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires in the winter of 2006-07. Five of the nine-night sailings will commence in Rio and end in Buenos Aires. These include an overnight in Rio with the SeaDream yacht as the guests' hotel, and a day trip to famed Iguaçu Falls. The other five commence in Buenos Aires and end in Rio. These will include an overnight and extra day in Buenos Aires with the yacht serving as the guests' hotel. Since it commenced service in the fall of 2001, SeaDream Yacht Club has had both of its twin yachts SeaDream I and Sea Dream II sailing in and out of small yachting ports in the Caribbean during winter months. In the summer, both yachts are in Europe. The new South American itineraries will be operated by SeaDream I. The SeaDream II will continue to sail in the Caribbean for the winter months. With the absence of her SeaDream I twin yacht, SeaDream II is expected to sell briskly. South American ports of call from Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires will be Buzios, Parati, Ilhabela, Porto Belo, all in Brazil and Punta del Este, Uruguay. There will also be a call on Itajai in Brazil to position guests for a private jet charter to Iguaçu Falls, which will included in the price of these Rio-Buenos Aires voyages. The ports of call from Buenos Aires to Rio will be Punta del Este; and Porto Belo, Ilhabela, Ilha da Gipoi, Parati and Buzios, in Brazil. One of these South America sailings from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro will include Rio's famed Carnaval (Feb. 17-20, 2007). On Christmas Eve 2006, the SeaDream I will sail off Porto Belo, while for the New Year's holiday it will be in Rio. SeaDream stated these special holiday voyages are expected to fill quickly and is urging those interested to book early to assure good air transportation. Following the South America sailings, the SeaDream I will sail back to the Caribbean. The plan is for SeaDream II to do the South American itineraries the following year. The South American sailings are open for bookings now. Prices start at $3,999 per person, double occupancy, based on SeaDream's "Book Now and Save Plan." Similarly, prices for individual bookings for the Dec. 20 Christmas voyage are from $4,599. Prices for the Dec. 29 New Year's voyage start at $5,999 and include a day trip to Iguaçu Falls. Prices for the Rio Carnaval voyage are from $5,499. Solo travelers pay 150 percent for single occupancy. In addition government and port charges, document issuance, fuel surcharges, handling and service fees of $585 per person are extra.
Crystal Cruises Photo Collection
This fall Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony will host a new photo collection from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service (SITES). Crystal Symphony guests will be among the first to view the collection "Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change," exploring a country in transition as seen through the eyes of seven native photographers. "Documenting China" debuts on Crystal Symphony on Nov. 2 with 28 images on display. The exhibit runs through early May 2006, when it will transfer to the Crystal Serenity. Onboard lectures and exhibit brochures by Smithsonian experts will complement the showing on selected sailings. Focusing on the impacts of urbanization and industrialization in China, the exhibit portrays the country from an insider's point of view. With black-and-white and color images, the photographers unveil truths about China's internal struggle a battle between modern industrialism and the traditional, agrarian past that has sustained the country for thousands of years. "Documenting China" was created by SITES in conjunction with Bates College Museum of Art in Lewiston, Maine. In addition to the showing on Crystal, the full 57-image exhibit will tour museums nationally from the spring of 2006 through 2009.
Silversea Announces it's World Cruise 2007 Itinerary
Join Silversea for the premier holiday event of 2007and voyage for 126 unforgettable days aboard Silver Shadow on her first World Cruise to completely circle the globe. Follow the trade winds from the island jewels of the Caribbean to the Incan treasures of Peru and across the wide Pacific to the fabled South Seas, where the ocean is the colour of a cloudless sky. Journey from Down Under to the enchantments of the Far East, India and the spice ports of Arabia. Touch the tapestry of ancient Egypt and the must-see Mediterranean. Then make the classic Grand Crossing to New York City.
Regent Seven Seas Spotlight Cruises
Being a guest of Regent Seven Seas Cruises is to share an exciting adventure, exploring entrancing places and cultures. On several cruises each year, our Spotlight program enhances the normal itinerary with guest experts on various topics and frequent specialized tours ashore. Several cruises each year shine a spotlight on antiques with experts from the famous BBC television program Antiques Roadshow featured in onboard presentation and treasure hunts ashore, guest chefs and winemakers provide culinary insights on select cruises and the natural beauty of Alaska provides a calming backdrop for presentations on well-being in a high-tech world. The additional onboard and shore-side events on a Spotlight cruise are open to all guests - you just need to bring your sense of adventure and curiosity. From photography and jazz to antiques, chamber music and wine & food, our Spotlight is sure to shine on something for everyone.
Holland America announces its Culinary Arts Center Program
One of the marquee features of Holland America Line's $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative, the Culinary Arts Center program is a groundbreaking program that integrates guests' love for fine food and wine with an entertaining experience and opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique traditions and tastes of their ports of call. An innovative theater-style venue, each Culinary Arts Center features a state-of-the-art show kitchen, large plasma video screens, and a large cooking display counter, where guests can learn how to prepare a variety of culinary treats. These Culinary Arts Centers will be in place across the entire Holland America Line fleet by mid-2006.
Holland America Line, in a multi-year partnership with Food & Wine magazine, is launching an exciting new on-board culinary program that will provide guests on select Holland America Line cruises the opportunity to experience demonstrations and seminars conducted by top chefs, wine experts and leading cookbook authors provided by Food & Wine. Onboard these selected sailings, beginning Fall 2005, guests will learn tricks-of-the-trade from top professionals and can try their hand at preparing dishes and tasting wines representative of the specific ports-of-call. Food & Wine will also design and provide recipe cards and wine tasting notes that guests may take home along with copies of the magazine. Other opportunities might include book signings, question and answer sessions, market tours in ports of call, specially designed on-board menus and more.
Included among the chefs who will be sailing as part of the program is Michelle Bernstein, who will sail on Holland America Line's ms Statendam to Alaska on Sept. 9, 2005. Bernstein recently opened her signature MB restaurant at Grand Aqua in Cancun and is also a co-host of The Food Network's "Melting Pot." Oceana's famed Cornelius Gallagher, who received the Food & Wine Best New Chef honor in 2003 will delight guests on the ms Westerdam's Caribbean sailing Nov. 13, 2005. |
