When times are tough, a well-deserved vacation is therapeutic, doctor says Dr. David Hubschmitt, a New Jersey-based psychologist specializing in depression, agrees that vacationing during stressful times can be a good remedy. “A well-timed vacation may offer significant benefits for mental health. The relaxation provides a much-needed change of gears in a time-starved society, and may be an ideal time to reconnect with loved ones traveling with you. For those traveling alone, vacations may lead to a higher level of self discovery.”
A well-chosen vacation, according to experts, offers significant benefits and opportunities, including:
What makes a cruise the perfect vacation therapy? There’s the ease of planning and the convenience of having a “home away from home” for the length of the trip, plus all-inclusive pricing that delivers excellent value. The diversity of cruise experiences means that there is a vacation for every taste, interest and budget. With more than 30 domestic ports of embarkation, millions of Americans are within driving distance of a cruise. And CLIA member lines are doing everything they can to create irresistible incentives. So take a cruise; it’s good for you!
That is the key message of the summer-long “You Deserve a Cruise” promotion just announced by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its member lines.
From June 8 through August 31, 2009, families, singles, seniors, first-time cruisers, honeymooners and groups of all descriptions will discover the important therapeutic benefits of vacationing as they take advantage of unprecedented cruise values, the latest savings and special cruise incentives.
Many cruise lines and thousands of CLIA-member travel agents are participating to tell consumers across the country that it is okay to travel – that the travel industry is vital to the economy, and they deserve to put daily worries on hold and take a break.
In fact, research, surveys of consumer attitudes and trends, and health professionals increasingly point to the beneficial effects of vacationing. Combined, these realities provide good cause to encourage consumers to take the break they deserve.
Now more than ever, a vacation is what people really need – a break from everyday stresses to get in touch with themselves, their families and what’s important, to reflect on the next steps which could be life-changing, and to renew physically and emotionally.
We are living in challenging times; we deserve the opportunity to reward ourselves while at the same time making a small contribution to the country’s well-being as well.
And, with the incredible, never-seen-before, and likely never to be seen again, values offered by CLIA member lines today, what better time could there be to get some ‘cruise therapy?
Terry L. Dale, President & CEO
Cruise Lines International Association
American Cruise Lines is offering a free category upgrade if you reserve a stateroom on a 2009 10-night Grand New England Cruise before Aug. 31.
Carnival Cruise Lines assures the lowest rate available if you book a three- to five-day cruise three months in advance, or a six-day or longer cruise five months in advance.
Celebrity Cruises is offering rates as low as $64 per day for Alaska, Europe and Trans-Panama Canal cruises, with price protection when those bookings are made by June 30.
Crystal Cruises’ “All Inclusive-As You Wish” promotion extends up to $2,000 in shipboard credits on nearly every voyage for 2009 and 2010.
Cunard is offering 30 percent off early booking fares on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria 2010 World Cruise full, liner and segment voyages.
Disney Cruise Line is giving onboard credits for verandah stateroom bookings on Caribbean cruises, with a $700 credit for most seven-night cruises sailings June 20-Aug. 8; a $400 credit for most four-night trips June 28-Aug. 9, and $300 for most three-night sailings June 25-Aug. 6.
Holland America Line is offering 50 percent off your deposit for each booked 2010 cruise, with no deposit required for the third or fourth guest, plus reduced fares on some sailings.
MSC Cruises is offering balcony staterooms on European cruises from $999 per person (savings of 60 percent), plus a “Kids Sail Free” offer, through June 30. Some Caribbean cruises are on sale for $399 plus “Kids Sail Free.”
Norwegian Cruise Line is offering weekly “Hot Deals” Atlas is also offering a 1 month NCL Sale (ends June 30th) with shipboard credit offers on every sailing. Pepsi promotion also offers complimentary soda package with 7+ day cruises.
Oceania Cruises is launching 2010 European sailings with a $2,000 price reduction off two-for-one cruise fares, with a free airfare per stateroom on all 2010 sailings to Europe.
Princess Cruises is offering free upgrades for balcony staterooms on certain cruises beginning June 15.
Royal Caribbean is offering $100 onboard credit per person on select fall Caribbean sailings booked by July 24.
Windstar Cruises offers free airfare from New York on select 2009 Europe sailings.
Crystal Recently Announced “All Inclusive – As You Wish“ Europe Promotion
In conjunction with its Celebration Fares, Crystal Cruises is announced its most dramatic promotion for Europe 2009: a $2,000 per couple or $1,000 per person – shipboard spending credit for discerning travelers who want to design their own vacation experience.
The generous “All Inclusive – As You Wish” spending credit can be used toward:
* Any Crystal Adventure shore excursion
* Any spa treatment
* Any wine
* Any cocktail
* Any boutique purchase
* Any gratuities
* Any Vintage Room experience
* And anything else on board except Casino gaming.
The $2,000 per couple spending credit is available with:
* Every Mediterranean cruise aboard Crystal Serenity in July through November
* All 11-day Baltic and British Isles cruises aboard Crystal Symphony between June 19 and August 23, and
* Crystal Symphony’s Northern Europe Transatlantic cruise from London to Boston
Guests on Crystal’s seven-day Baltic cruise departing August 5 will enjoy a $1,000 per couple, or $500 per person, spending credit. In all, there are 17 Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises eligible for the “All Inclusive – As You Wish” promotion.
Europe Celebration Fares
In addition to the custom onboard spending bank, Crystal Cruises is celebrating its 15 years as the highest rated cruise line with European Celebration Fares. The luxury line is offering up to $1,500 per person off most European cruises. Celebrating value, Crystal’s European fares for 2009 are lower than comparable cruises in 2008.
Save Now, Save Later – until March 31, 2009!
Travelers sailing on any 2009 Europe, Transatlantic or Crystal Symphony Asia cruise can enjoy 20 percent savings on almost every cruise in every category in 2010. The 2009 cruise must be booked by March 31, 2009, and the 2010 cruise must be booked by November 30, 2009. Crystal Assurance Plan features Price Protection.
If someone books a 2009 Crystal cruise and the fare for that stateroom category is later reduced, the guest will be protected at the reduced fare. Additionally, in 2009 Crystal reduced cruise fare deposits – as low as 5% – deadlines and cancellation periods.
The Crystal Difference
Aboard the ultra-luxurious Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and superior quality, providing worldwide vacations of seven to 100+ days that bridge the best of land and sea. Grounded in more than a decade of accolades, Crystal has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.
Crystal has 3 wonderful itineraries for this fall.
Autumn Adventure aboard the Crystal Symphony sailing Oct 8 – 19, 2009 – 11 days
Ports: Montreal (overnight,) Quebec City, Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston (overnight,) Newport, New York
Fares: from $4,050 with up to 39% savings
Exclusive Experience: Complimentary Shore Excursion in Saint John: Delights of City & Country
The maritime province of New Brunswick is blessed with a glorious seacoast plus dramatic river basins – and its lovely port of Saint John is Canada’s oldest incorporated city. Marvel at the city’s amazing Reversing Falls Rapids: the high tides here are so powerful that they reserve the mighty Saint John River’s direction. Travel outside the city via ferry to Kingston Peninsula, where an exclusive countryside lunch buffet awaits on the banks of Kennebecasis River.
Fall Jubilee aboard the Crystal Symphony sailing Oct 19-30, 2009 – 11 days runs the reverse itinerary of the Autumn Adventure cruise listed above. Prices from $4,050 pp and include the small group shore excursion in Saint John
New England Celebration aboard the Crystal Symphony sailing Oct 30 – Nov 10, 2009 – 11 days. Prices from $3,835 with up to 50% savings
Ports: Montreal (overnight,) Quebec City, Charlottetown, Halifax, Boston (overnight,) Newport & New York
Exclusive Experience: Complimentary Shore Excursion in Halifax: Afternoon Tea at Halifax Club
Canada’s oldest private club – Halifax, was established in 1862, and opens its doors for an exclusive afternoon of Victorian pleasures. You will be regaled with local maritime history over tea, and enjoy the opportunity to admire the club’s dazzling art collection. First, the delights of this nearly three-centuries old port await on a panoramic tour that includes Halifax Citadel and Public Gardens, plus Fairview Cemetery – the final resting place of RMS Titanic’s victims.