October 14, 2011 Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
October 14, 2011

Happy Friday Everyone

Maroon 5 to perform when Carnival ship arrives in Galveston
A concert by rock band Maroon 5 will highlight the arrival of the Carnival Magic in Galveston, Texas, on Nov. 13.

Celebrity Replaces Holy Land, Eastern Med with Wine Cruises
Celebrity Cruises has modified its European line-up in 2012 to replace several Holy Land and Greek Isles/Turkey sailings from Istanbul. Instead, the line will offer seven wine-themed sailings to France, Spain and Portugal.

From Sept. 7 through Nov. 18, 2012, Celebrity Constellation will present new 12-night “Immersive Europe Wine Cruises” from Southampton, England. The new itineraries feature overnight stays in Le Havre (for Paris/Normandy) and Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), France, as well as Bilbao, Spain. Guests can attend tastings at wineries, see grape harvesting, and learn how Port wine is blended and aged in Porto, Portugal.

In addition, five Holy Land sailings on Celebrity Silhouette in 2012 have been modified to a 13-night Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise departing Civitavecchia (Rome) Aug. 22, a 13-night Italy and Croatia cruise roundtrip from Venice Sept. 4, a 12-night Adriatic cruise beginning Sept. 17, a 12-night Italy and Croatia cruise departing Civitavecchia Oct. 11, and an 11-night Adriatic cruise beginning Oct. 23, 2012.

From Oct. 14 to Dec. 16, 2011, Captain’s Club members who book any nine-night or longer Celebrity vacation in Europe in 2012 will receive an onboard credit of $400 per suite, $225 for each AquaClass or Concierge Class stateroom, $175 for each veranda stateroom, and $125 for each inside or ocean-view stateroom.

Non-members who book any nine-night or longer Celebrity Europe vacation from Oct. 14 to 23 will receive an onboard credit of $250 per suite, $200 per AquaClass or Concierge Class stateroom, $150 per veranda stateroom, and $100 for inside or ocean-view accommodations.

Princess Cruises Unveils West Coast Sailing Schedule for 2012-13
Princess Cruises announced a schedule of West Coast cruises in 2012-13. The line will feature more Pacific coast cruises, including an enhanced seven-day California coastal itinerary.
New this season is a roundtrip California coastal itinerary with an added visit to Catalina and an overnight in San Francisco. Other coastal itinerary options include a wine country cruise and four- and five-day cruises to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
The Sapphire Princess will operate seven-day “California Coastal” cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Catalina, San Diego and Ensenada. Sailings depart on Oct. 8 and Oct. 13, 2012; and March 30, April 6, April 13, April 27 and May 4, 2013.
A seven-day wine-themed cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver on Sapphire Princess will depart May 11, 2013. The cruise will visit Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Seattle Victoria and Astoria, Ore.
Hurricane Jova Forces More Cruise Ship Itinerary Changes
As Hurricane Jova neared the Mexico coast, a few more cruise ships changed itineraries to avoid the brunt of the storm. Carnival Cruise Lines said the Carnival Splendor, which departed Los Angeles on Oct. 9, will visit La Paz on Oct. 13 instead of Puerto Vallarta.
Holland America Line said Oosterdam’s itinerary has also been revised. On Oct. 9, a call to Avalon, Catalina Island, was added in place of a day at sea. On Oct. 10, the ship sailed at sea in place of scenic cruising in Bahia Magdalena. On Oct. 11, the ship had a day at sea instead of an overnight port call to Puerto Vallarta, followed by a call to Pichilingue (La Paz) on Oct. 13 in place of the second day in Puerto Vallarta. The remainder of the itinerary is as originally scheduled, with a call to Cabo San Lucas on Oct. 13 and a day at sea Oct. 14.

Disney Cruise Line said the Disney Wonder’s Oct. 9 itinerary replaced a call in Puerto Vallarta on Oct. 12 with Cabo San Lucas on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, followed by a call in Ensenada on Oct. 15.

Royal Caribbean Unveils National Cruise Vacation Week Promotions
For new individual bookings aboard Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing Nov. 15 through Jan. 31, you will get $25 onboard credit per stateroom on 3-5 night itineraries, and $50 per stateroom on 6-9 night itineraries. For Europe, Dubai and Australia cruises departing after Nov. 15, vacationers get $50 onboard credit per stateroom for 3-5 night itineraries, $100 for 6-9 night itineraries, and $200 for itineraries 10 nights or longer.

These offers are applicable for new individual bookings made in the U.S. and Canada from Oct. 17 through Oct. 21, 2011, and are not combinable with any other promotions.

Also offered is $200 onboard credit per stateroom aboard select 2012 Alaska cruise-tours, which combine a seven-night sailing with a three- to six-night escorted land tour. The $200 onboard credit offer is valid for new individual bookings made from Sept. 29 through Oct. 31, 2011, aboard Radiance of the Seas’ Alaska cruise-tours departing May 11 through June 8.

Carnival Fun Ship 2.0 initiative Recap
George Lopez has been named “creative director for comedy” for our fleet wide comedy venues, which will now be called The Punchliner Comedy Clubs Presented by George Lopez. George will play an active role in talent selection to enhance the overall comedy club experience.

Teaming up with Food Network personality and restaurateur Guy Fieri on a free new burger venue called Guy’s Burger Joint, which will be located poolside on Lido Deck and offers hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries in a fun atmosphere that celebrates his California roots and love of car culture.

Celebrity Cruises Extend Your Stay Program
Celebrity Cruises is offering the new “Extend Your Stay” program, allowing guests to stay in their stateroom until nine a.m. on the day their cruise ends. This time is one hour later than the standard time by which guests are typically asked to depart. Guests who participate in Extend Your Stay also can enjoy some of the ship’s services until as late as 90 minutes before the next cruise sets sail.

The program includes non-alcoholic specialty coffees and teas from Café al Bacio; a meal in Bistro on Five; the opportunity to watch a first-run movie in one of the ship’s theaters; and access to the pool, fitness center and locker rooms. The AquaSpa will be available for spa services at an additional charge. Bar purchases can be made on the last day of the cruise using a credit card.

Extend Your Stay is being offered for the remainder of the current Europe season on Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Solstice and the brand-new Celebrity Silhouette. The program also will be available for future Europe seasons, and is available for purchase at the onboard guest relations desk. The cost of the program is $59 per adult, $29.50 per child ages three to 12, and free for children under three years of age. Guests participating in "Extend Your Stay" can depart at any time until as late as 90 minutes before the next cruise departs. "Extend Your Stay" departure times may vary by ship and itinerary based on local immigration regulations.



Martina McBride to Perform Live on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas
Royal Caribbean and Republic Nashville are inviting guests to a live performance of country music performer Martina McBride on November 19, 2011. The Martina concert for invited guests will take place in Voyager of the Seas’ Lyric Theatre before the ship departs on its Thanksgiving cruise.

Voyager of the Seas will offer seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from New Orleans through April 2012, visiting Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman. Fares start at $499 per guest, double occupancy.

In addition to New Orleans, guests can choose between two 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries onboard Mariner of the Seas from Galveston or a selection of 5-night and 4-night Western Caribbean itineraries onboard Jewel of the Seas from Tampa.

Thought for the Month
I just returned from escorting a group on a 7 day Med cruise. Based on feedback from my clients, I am more convinced than ever that small private tours are the best way to experience the sites in Europe. Just knowing that my clients are still talking about their lunch at “Mama’s in Sicily” let’s me know this is a memory they will always treasure. In addition, it gives them bragging rights because few other cruise passengers were at this particular restaurant or in this particular village.

Wishing you a great weekend


Mary Engram, Your Personal Travel Consultant