Norwegian Cruise Line Set to Launch Freestyle 2.0

Norwegian Cruise Line Set to Launch Freestyle 2.0

Roll out begins March 30 on Norwegian Jade

NCL Corporation (NCL) announced today it will begin the roll out of Freestyle 2.0 on Norwegian Jade’s first Mediterranean cruise which starts on March 30, 2008. Freestyle 2.0 is the company’s fleet-wide initiative to further improve the guest experience. The enhancements include a major investment in the total dining experience; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for guests of all ages; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests.

The initiative has been driven by quantitative and qualitative feedback from both guests and travel partners and enabled by the $1 billion infusion from Apollo Management, LP in NCL and Star Cruises continued commitment and vision.

“It is critical for NCL to retain today’s loyal customer, while still attracting the next generation of travelers,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “We believe the features and benefits of Freestyle 2.0 will further position NCL as a Freestyle Cruising innovator and the preferred brand for today’s cruise vacationer.”

Guests on Norwegian Jade’s March 30 12-day Classic Mediterranean cruise will be the first to experience the Freestyle 2.0 initiatives. Additional ships will launch Freestyle 2.0 within the following weeks, with fleet-wide roll out implemented by June 1, 2008. More specific details of the enhancements include:

Freestyle Dining:
A “bubbly welcome” - a welcome aboard glass of bubbly for everyone;
New menus with expanded choices in every restaurant;
Lobster Galore - Lobster in the main restaurant twice per cruise and in every specialty restaurant every night of the cruise;
Steak & Eggs Breakfast Feast in Teppanyaki restaurant with unlimited Bloody Mary’s and mimosas;
Lavazza coffee in all Java Cafes and top suites;
A signature specialty dish in every restaurant, including the following:
Le Bistro: Côte de Boeuf, a 32-ounce premium gold angus rib eye steak; Plateau de Fruits de Mar, a cold seafood platter including mussels, lobster tail, shrimp and raw oysters on the half shell; and Cardinal of the Seas, a braised Maine lobster;
Italian: Osso Buco, Lobster Ravioli;
Cagney’s: Maine Lobster, 32oz Porterhouse, Surf & Turf, Alaskan King Crab Legs;
Tex-Mex: Jumbo Tiger Prawns;
Asian: Szechuan Stir-fried Maine Lobster;
Action Station: Chocolate Fountains;
The action station restaurants will also receive plasma menu boards, a world-class salad bar, soft serve ice cream machines, and improved service and nighttime ambiance with tablecloths and candlelight;
A new and expanded room service menu.
Stateroom Experience:
Elemis bathroom amenities;
Memory foam mattress toppers;
Pillow upgrade and addition of Euro pillows to all beds;
Upgraded linens;
All beds will receive a top sheet.
Expanded mini-bar options and item customization option;
Upgraded room service menus.
Balcony and Mini Suites, all of the above plus:
Bathrobes;
Customized Fruit Menu;
Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise;
Escort to stateroom on embarkation day;
Special color keycard;
Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception hotlines.
Suites and Villas, all of the above plus:
NCL branded bedding collection;
Upgraded mattress, linens and feather pillows.
Upgraded sofa bed;
MP3 Player connections;
Pillow Menu;
Plush Bathrobes;
Customized Fruit Menu;
Customized Canapé Menu;
Turndown cookie last night of cruise;
Personal escort to stateroom on embarkation;
Bottle (or Half Bottle depending on category of suite) of Moet Chandon White Star Champagne upon embarkation;
Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception Hotlines;
Special color keycard for ship-wide recognition;
VIP Breakfast & Lunch in Cagney’s;
Private Breakfast & Lunch with action station set-up in Courtyard for Villa Guests;
Dedicated Butler in Courtyard.
On-board activities:
An enhanced educational, entertainment and lifestyle program - NCL “U” - offering a range of new classes in:
Humor hosted by Second City;
Food, wine and spirits;
Destination education;
Digital technology.
Library transformed into a coffee shop atmosphere with:
Implementation of honor system for book borrowing;
Complimentary coffee and tea;
Plasma screens (muted) broadcasting news.
Enhanced nightlife with new party experiences, such as:
NCL’s White Hot Party;
NCL’s Monte Carlo night.
An enhanced Pool Deck experience:
Entertainment taken upscale;
Relaxing ambient music;
Drink flags on all deck chairs;
Pool of indulgence - Evian sprits, cold towels, etc.;
Quiet zones and times.
Exciting sports deck programming;
X-box game consoles in video arcades;
Expanded and increased flexibility of Kids Crew hours;
Enhanced Teen Centers to include:
X-box game consoles;
Nintendo Wii;
Table games such as foosball, billiards and air hockey.

To make your reservation on a NCL cruise, contact A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel!

Carnival Offers Specials on Air-Inclusive Europe Packages

Carnival Offers Specials on Air-Inclusive Europe Packages
Published on modern agent: March 26, 2008

Carnival Cruise Lines is offering cruise-air packages for its 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” and “Mediterranean, Greece & Turkey” cruises aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom, with rates starting at $2,399 per person. The special rates are available from nearly 40 North American gateway cities in conjunction with eight voyages departing June through August. Both itineraries operate round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia). The special cruise-air packages are available in conjunction with Carnival Freedom’s 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” cruises departing June 3, June 27, July 9, July 21, Aug. 2 and Aug. 26. These voyages visit seven ports: Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice (two-day call), Italy; Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy.

Cruise-air packages are also available in conjunction with Carnival Freedom’s 12-day “Mediterranean, Greece & Turkey” voyages departing June 15 and Aug. 14. These voyages feature eight ports: Naples, Italy; Marmaris, Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; scenic cruising of the Dardanelles; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; Livorno, Italy; and an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia).

To make your reservation on a Carnival European cruise, contact Amy at A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel!
800-571-3159
amy@aroomwithaviewtravel.com
www.aroomwithaviewtravel.com

Viking River Cruises Offers Specials Through Dec. 18

Viking River Offers Specials Through Dec. 19
Published on modernagent: November 19, 2007

Viking River Cruises is offering several specials through Dec. 19. The company is featuring roundtrip international air to China from $320, including taxes and fees, for China cruise-tour programs with sailings of five or nine nights on the Yangtze River. Europe roundtrip air is offered from $395 with select sailings in March and April. Early-booking discounts are up to $1,000 per stateroom.

To make your reservation, contact Amy at A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel

Uniworld Offers Two-for-One Holidays in Europe

Uniworld Offers Two-for-One Holidays in Europe
published on modernagent 9/20/07

Uniworld Grand River Cruises is offering two-for-one pricing on two holiday river cruises in Europe. The “European Holiday Grand River Cruise” departs Dec. 19 and sails from Nuremberg to Vienna. The seven-night cruise includes a river-view stateroom on the River Countess, all meals and celebratory dinners, and shore excursions led by English-speaking guides. The cruise is priced from $1,698 per couple, cruise only, exclusive of port charges. The “Rhine & Main Holiday Grand River Cruise” also departs Dec. 19 and sails from Cologne to Nuremberg. The nine-night cruise includes a river-view stateroom on the River Duchess, all meals and celebratory dinners, and shore excursions led by English-speaking guides. The cruise is priced from $1,998 per couple, cruise only, exclusive of port charges.

Contact A Room With A View soon to make your reservation!

Crystal Sets new Cruise Savings Promotions

Crystal Sets New Cruise Savings Promotions
Published on: August 9, 2007

Crystal Cruises announced new savings promotions for 2007 and 2008. Guests can save up to 48 percent on six late August and fall 11- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages aboard Crystal Serenity. Cruises depart from Venice, Monte Carlo, Athens, Istanbul and Rome. Fares start at $3,890. This November, guests can save $500 per person in most stateroom categories — including verandahs — on Thanksgiving voyages through the Panama Canal and Caribbean aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Along with Crystal’s family-friendly activities and supervised junior activities program, kids 11 and under will sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare adults. Plus, Crystal Serenity has just increased its third berth capacity by 15 percent. With the new promotion and special savings fares, travelers can save up to 60 percent off brochure fares. Fares start at $2,195. The 2007 and 2008 Value Collection offers savings of up to 52 percent. Three applicable cruises remain in 2007 through the Panama Canal, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Crystal’s 2008 Value Collection features 11 sailings of 10 to 17 days through the Panama Canal, South America, the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Caribbean and a transpacific voyage from Los Angeles to Hong Kong.

For 2008 Western Europe cruises, new bookings made before Sept. 14, 2007 offer savings of up to 20 percent on all Deluxe Stateroom accommodations (including verandah staterooms) and 10 percent on all Penthouse accommodations aboard Crystal Symphony’s 13-day voyage departing May 25 from Athens to London. Fares start at $3,995. Travelers seeking a longer cruise experience in Europe can save 20 percent on all categories of staterooms and suites for new bookings made before Sept. 14, 2007, when combining Crystal Symphony’s May 25 Athens-to-London cruise with the cruise prior or cruise following. The combination cruises create a 27-day exploration of Egypt, the Mediterranean and Western Europe, or a 24-day journey from Greece to the Baltic Sea, at savings ranging from $1,000 to $2,530 per person. Those who combine three voyages for a 38-day cruise receive total savings of $3,840 per person. All guests who book a future cruise on board receive between 4 and 4.5 percent off their next cruise. All guests will receive a discount of 3.5 percent when they pay in full six months in advance. Not only do returning Crystal cruisers automatically save between 3 and 4 percent on their next cruise, but they can enjoy additional savings that range from shipboard credits, gifts and parties to stateroom upgrades and an 11-day free cruise in a Crystal Penthouse.

Additionally, Crystal Society members who sail on Crystal Serenity’s Mediterranean voyages departing July 19, July 31 or Aug. 24, 2008, will receive a $150-per-member shipboard credit if booked by Oct. 15, 2007. Starting fares for single travelers are 125 percent of the applicable double occupancy fare.

To make your reservation, contact A Room With A View!

HAL Plans Retail Shops for Eurodam

Holland America Plans Retail Shops for Eurodam
Published on: August 9, 2007

Holland America Line’s first Signature-class ship, the Eurodam, will feature a collection of Signature Shops in a substantially expanded shopping promenade when the 2,104-passenger liner debuts in June 2008. The Signature Shops concept highlights four major additions: high-end Merabella, offering designer jewelry collections; Fine Jewelry, specializing in diamonds and exotic gemstones; Fine Watches, featuring brands from around the world; and Destination & Apparel, which will tailor its selection to the climate in which guests are cruising, plus classic nautical wear. “Holland America Line successfully introduced Merabella, the high-end jewelry store, on the Amsterdam and added it to the Vista-class Westerdam in May,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president-marketing, sales and guest programs. “The positive response from guests convinced us to include Merabella on our new Eurodam as well as introduce it to other ships in our fleet.”

Meadows said guest feedback also prompted the line to add approximately 1,000 square feet of boutique space. “We’re responding to a new trend in cruise guests’ shopping preferences — they definitely want expanded selection and upscale choices while cruising,” Meadows said. Eurodam is scheduled to debut in June 2008 with European inaugural events and then cruise the Baltic region through the summer. The ship will then offer its first transatlantic cruise and sail Canada/New England in the fall, followed by Caribbean itineraries the remainder of 2008.

Princess Christens Royal Princess in Portofino

Princess Christens Royal Princess in Portofino
Published on: June 18, 2007

Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess was christened Thursday in the harbor of Portofino by the line’s most-traveled cruise passenger, Lorraine Arzt, who has spent more than 11 years sailing aboard Princess ships. With the words, “I name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in her,” Arzt released the lever which broke the champagne bottle over the ship. Having spent more than 4,100 days at sea, Arzt is likely the most traveled passenger in the cruise industry, according to Princess. At a ceremony celebrating her loyalty to Princess, she was feted by Princess executives and the passengers and crew of Royal Princess. Last month when the ship entered service, Arzt, who spends approximately 10 months cruising each year, moved onto her “home away from home” — a suite aboard Royal Princess. She plans to travel exclusively on the 710-passenger vessel, when not at her shoreside residence in Beverly Hills.

“Watching Lorraine christen ‘her’ vessel was a special treat for us at Princess,” said Princess President Alan Buckelew. “She is so deserving of this special honor, which pays tribute to her loyalty to Princess over many years.” Bucklew added that by naming Arzt godmother, the line was also recognizing the importance of all Princess’ loyal past passengers. Arzt has been a regular resident aboard various Princess ships over the years. She began cruising with her late husband, Joe, in the early 1970s aboard P&O’s Spirit of London, which later became the original Sun Princess. The Arzts, professional dancers who later became successful in the real estate business, discovered that their first voyage to Mexico sparked a life-long love of cruising. The couple, whose marriage Lorraine describes as “a 46-year romance,” spent 17 of those years as regular passengers aboard the original Royal Princess.

Following the transfer of that ship to P&O, Arzt sailed regularly aboard Sea Princess until the recent debut of the new Royal Princess. The Portofino ceremony marked a first for Princess in this picturesque Italian Riviera port. The christening voyage — a new 12-day “Mediterranean Collection” itinerary — began in Rome and also calls at Monte Carlo, Corsica, Sorrento, Messina, Valletta, and Corfu, in addition to the new Princess ports of Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Croatia; and Ravenna, Italy; before ending in Venice. A sister ship to the line’s Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess, the 30,200-ton Royal Princess offers a boutique version of Princess’ onboard options, including a variety of dining and entertainment choices and a large number of cabins with private balconies. The vessel and its sisters offer “off-the-beaten-path” itineraries and a small-ship experience.

New HAL Ship To Be Built

Carnival Corp. Exercises Option for HAL Ship
Published on: June 12, 2007

Carnival Corp. & plc exercised its option for a new 86,000-ton vessel for its Holland America Line brand. The 2,100-passenger ship will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri at its Marghera shipyard at an estimated all-in cost of €425 million (about $568 million on Monday). Delivery is scheduled for fall 2010. “Holland America Line is performing very well and its growth is consistent with our business strategy for the premium segment of our business which seeks to capitalize on the increasing affluence of the baby boomer generation,” said Micky Arison, Carnival Corp. chairman and CEO. “The exercise of this option is another opportunity to strengthen Holland America’s position as the leading premium cruise brand in the world.”

Stein Kruse, Holland America Line’s president and CEO, noted that the new vessel will be a sister to the Eurodam, which is already under construction at Fincantieri and due to debut in summer of 2008. Eurodam’s size has been increased slightly since originally announced and both ships will have a lower-bed capacity of 2,100. Kruse added that the two ships, to be the largest in Holland America’s fleet, will maintain the brand’s commitment to mid-sized vessels, larger staterooms, and richly appointed dining areas, lounges and other public rooms. “The addition of these two ships represent a 23 percent increase in our capacity over the 2008 through 2010 time period and will allow us to continue our premium leadership position and achieve a greater share of the growing cruise market,” he said.

The new vessel will continue the evolution of the Holland America Line brand with features that will include a topside 144-seat specialty restaurant, a diversity of live music and entertainment facilities, outside-view glass elevators at mid-ship, and an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool. Of the new ship’s 1,050 staterooms, 85 percent will offer an ocean view and 67 percent will feature private verandahs. All staterooms will offer plush Mariner’s Dream beds, flat-panel TVs and DVD players. The vessel will feature such Holland America facilities as the Crow’s Nest Lounge, Explorations Café, Pinnacle Grill and the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, offering cooking demonstrations and classes in state-of-the-art show kitchens. With today’s announcement, Carnival Corp. & plc has 17 new ships on order, 12 of which are being constructed by Fincantieri.

Uniworld Debuts Two New European Itineraries

Uniworld Debuts Two New European Itineraries
Published on: June 6, 2007

Uniworld Grand River Cruises is offering 10-day “Rhine Rhapsody” cruise from Amsterdam to Speyer on the River Queen. The company also is promoting its “Delightful Danube and Main” program, which operates as an eight-day sailing from Vienna to Wurzburg (Frankfurt) or nine days from Wurzburg (Frankfurt) to Vienna, on the River Countess. The Rhine cruise explores such ports as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Luxembourg and Speyer. The “Delightful Danube and Main” cruise sails from Vienna to Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Bamberg and Wurzburg (Frankfurt). The “Rhine Rhapsody” is priced from $1,599 per person, cruise only. The “Delightful Danube and Main,” is priced from $1,399 per person, cruise only. Uniworld cruises include river-view staterooms, all meals and entertainment onboard, the services of a Uniworld cruise manager, and shore excursions lead by English-speaking guides.

For more information or to make your reservation, contact Amy at A Room With A View.

Carnival Splendor to Launch Northern Europe Program

Carnival Splendor to Launch Northern Europe Program
Published on: May 1, 2007

Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor — representing a new class of vessel with innovations such as new spa staterooms — will debut in July 2008 operating the line’s first-ever Northern European cruise program. These 12-day Northern Europe voyages, which will operate July 13 through Aug. 30, 2008, will visit Denmark, Germany, Finland, Russia, Estonia and The Netherlands. Following the Northern European voyages, Carnival Splendor will feature a 12-day London-to-Rome cruise Sept. 11, 2008, and then sail a series of 12-day Mediterranean voyages Sept. 23 through Oct. 17, 2008.

Carnival Splendor will be the second Carnival ship deployed in Europe next year, joining the Carnival Freedom which will operate a program of 12-day Mediterranean cruises May-to-October 2008. Also included in Carnival Splendor’s 2008 inaugural season will be a 16-day transatlantic voyage departing Rome Oct. 29, as well as a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale commencing Nov. 22, 2008. A one-time four-day eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale Nov. 17, 2008. The 12-night Northern Europe debuts July 13, 2008, departing from London (Dover). Other departure dates include July 25, Aug. 6, Aug. 18 and Aug. 30, 2008. Ports include Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (two-day call); Tallin, Estonia; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Following the Northern Europe cruises, Carnival Splendor will operate a one-time 12-day Western Mediterranean cruise departing London (Dover) Sept. 11, 2008, and calling at Le Havre (Paris), France; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Malaga and Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. Carnival Splendor will then operate one “Grand Mediterranean” and two “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) Sept. 23 to Oct. 17, 2008. The 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise will depart Sept. 23, 2008, and call at Naples and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. The two 12-day Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises will depart Oct. 5 and Oct. 17, 2008, calling at Naples, Italy; Marmaris, Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey, with scenic cruising of the Dardanelles; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy, as well as an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia).
As the first in a new class of “Fun Ships,” Carnival Splendor will offer a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center, which will feature Carnival’s first elaborate thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome.

Surrounding the facility will be 68 spa staterooms, also a first for Carnival. Guests in spa staterooms will have exclusive entry access to the adjacent spa facilities and will receive a wide array of special offerings including priority spa appointments, unlimited use of the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool, complimentary fitness classes and other amenities. Carnival will begin accepting reservations for Carnival Splendor’s European and Caribbean departures on May 10, 2007. Prices for the 12-day Northern Europe cruises begin at $1,299 per person, based on double occupancy; rates for the 12-day Mediterranean cruises start at $1,249; a 16-day transatlantic crossing starts at $849 per person and seven-day Caribbean cruises begin at $469 per person.