Cruise
Crystal to host ‘precious’ Hobbit home dinner party
Crystal Cruises is offering an exclusive new dinner experience this December, on the "Hobbiton"set used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and new prequel film. The unique shoreside opportunity will debut just days after The Hobbit opens worldwide, when Crystal Symphony calls in Tauranga during a New Zealand/Australia holiday cruise beginning Dec. 20. The Crystal Adventure will also be offered on a Jan. 29 voyage through the region. The two local cultures of New Zealand and "Middle Earth"will come alive, starting with a private, after-hours, guided tour of the village movie set. From Frodo and...
Crystal extends ‘Sell Three, Sail Free’ incentive
Crystal Cruises is giving travel agents more time and more cruise product on which to earn travel rewards. The line is extending its popular "Sell Three, Sail Free"agent incentive into 2013, 2014 and on into 2015. Travel professionals only have to sell three staterooms in a calendar year to enjoy a complimentary cruise within that year for themselves and a guest. The cruise reward applies to any voyage, except the World Cruise and its segments, based on Sell 3 inventory, and is confirmed 30-90 days prior to sailing. Staterooms sold must be double occupancy, and agents are limited to one...
World War II historian to accompany Avalon cruise
History buffs - and anyone with a personal connection to Canada's efforts during World War II - will have a memorable travel opportunity next summer as war historian and award-winning military author Tom Douglas will accompany Avalon Waterways' week-long Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches cruise. The cruise departs on July 23 July and sails from the French capital to several historic sites including Gonflans, near Napoleon and Josephine's Chateau de Malmaison and to medieval Rouen. From there, the group will take a daylong coach tour to the Normandy Landing Beaches where visits will include...
ACV has free Disney cruise incentive
Agents booking three Disney cruises with Air Canada Vacations (ACV) between Oct. 23 and Dec. 16 will receive one free cruise for themselves. Cruises available for booking include Disney Dream: Nov. 25, 29, Dec. 2, 6. 9, 13 and 16. The free cruise includes one oceanview stateroom (category 9B) for two on Disney Dream three- or four-night sailings departing Sept. 1 to Nov. 14, 2013. Government taxes, fees, gratuities and shore excursions are not included. Each additional guest in the same stateroom is $199 (plus government taxes, fees and gratuities) and is non-commissionable....
Costa offers free nights in Rome
Costa Cruises has unveiled a new "Europe on Us"program that enables guests to extend their cruise vacation with a free two-night post-cruise hotel stay in Rome, Italy. The package is offered on select seven-, 11- and 12-night round-trip Civitavecchia (Rome) itineraries aboard Costa Pacifica and Costa Magica from Dec. 20 through April 12, 2013. In addition to the hotel stay, the package includes a one-way transfer from the pier to the hotel on the day of disembarkation. The offer is valid on new reservations for first and second guests booked in an oceanview or verandah stateroom. Costa...
Windstar moves full sail ahead
Windstar Cruises reports that advance bookings on 2013 sailings are 60% ahead of last year. Based on current pace, 2013 will mark the fourth straight year of increasing revenue for the small-ship cruise line. As part of its private yacht vision, Windstar invested $18 million in a fleet-wide renovation project, scheduled to be complete by the end of this year. Funded by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, who purchased Windstar Cruises in May of 2011, the 12-month project will enhance the guest experience from stem to stern on all three sailing yachts with updated décor, furniture, carpeting,...
Say ‘I do’ at sea with Royal Caribbean
Engaged couples can now experience the romance of being joined at sea by the Captain aboard a Royal Caribbean International ship through the Royal Romance weddings and vow renewal program. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has cleared the cruise line to conduct legal weddings aboard its ships while they are at sea. Couples wishing to share this special moment with friends and family can enjoy the "Sweethearts at Sea"promotional offer, inclusive of a ceremony performed by the Captain, photography and more, when booking 12 or more staterooms on a 2013 Royal Caribbean sailing during the special...
Avalon offers Vietnam, Cambodia savings
Avalon Waterways has introduced savings of up to $500 p.p. on select 2013 cruises of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. The cruises, on board the new Avalon Angkor travel to towns and past villages which reflect the river's rich history and importance in the region. Bookings must be made by Nov. 13. Itineraries on sale range from 14 to 20 days in duration and some include extensions to Bangkok, Hanoi, or both. Ports of call include Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Along the way, passengers will also visit smaller centres for cultural insights such as a rice paper factory,...