Biggest Cruise Sale of the Year

CLIA World’s Largest Cruise Night

Many of our preferred suppliers have put together some special offers and incentives so you can take advantage of these great deals, and book the cruise vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Below is a summary of offers. Note that the offers may not start before October 14th and restrictions apply. Call or stop by for additional details.   Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a $100 per person shipboard credit booking incentive. Booking window October 1-November 14, 2009. Windstar Cruises is offering a $50 SBC on select Wind Surf and Wind Spirit sailings. Booking window October 14–November 9, 2009. Crystal Cruises is offering a $100 per person discount on most 2009-2010 departures. Booking window October 14–November 7, 2009. Silversea Cruises is offering a $100 per person or $200 per suite discount on any 2009-2011 Silversea Voyage. The Yachts of Seabourn is offering a $100 per booking bonus commission for bookings made during the Virtual WLCN (October 1-31) on request basis when booking is made. Disney Cruise Line is offering up to $100 OBC for January-December 2010 cruises. Booking window October 14–28, 2009. Azamara Cruises is offering up to $500 OBC on select 2010 Europe cruises. Booking window October 14–16, 2009. Celebrity Cruises is offering up to $200 OBC on select January and August 2010 cruises. Booking window October 14–16, 2009. Holland America is offering special 3-Day Sale rates on select 2009-10 cruises. Booking window October 14–16, 2009. Norwegian Cruise Line is offering ship board credits up to $250 Booking window October 13-20 Princess Cruise Line is offering reduced deposit, onboard coupon booklet & ship board credits on select sailings. Booking window Oct 14-16, 2009.

MSC Cruise News

MSC Cruises will use thermal-imaging cameras to detect whether its passengers might be infected with H1N1 swine flu. The thermal imaging cameras will be at all embarkation points of its ships, enabling medical staff to monitor the temperature of every embarking passenger. One of the principal indicators of influenza is body temperature. Within seconds, the cameras produce infrared images of a person’s body, which detects whether that person’s temperature exceeds a certain threshold.

Cruise Lines began taking immediate precautions when an outbreak of the swine flu in Mexico last spring caused a worldwide scare.

Do you think all cruise lines should implement this?

Written by:  C Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com

MSC Expands Theme Cruises in the Caribbean

Posted:         July 15th, 2009
Author:        MSC Cruise
Category:    Cruise News

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (July 15, 2009) – MSC Cruises has added five new theme cruise sailingsto the Baseball Greats, Polka and Big Band themes already planned for MSC Poesia’s 2009-10 Caribbean season.

“Guests have always raved about our theme cruises and the wonderful experiences they offer,” said Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc. “These new additions to the upcoming Caribbean cruise season provide even more variety to the existing 7- and 10-night roundtrip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.”

President’s Cruise: Nov. 10, 2009– 5-night “Caribbean Escape” itinerary. Rick Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc., will be the featured guest onboard MSC Poesia’s first sailing in the Caribbean.

Latin Music: Jan. 23, 2010– 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” itinerary. Rumba, samba and mambo aboard MSC Poesia to Carlos Oliva and Los Sobrinos del Juez as they perform traditional salsa dance hits and unique arrangements of pop and disco favorites with a Latin beat. Salsa dance lessons and live performances by a hot lineup of Latin music stars are sure to add plenty of flavor and rhythm to this Latin music cruise festival at sea.

Comedy: Jan. 30, 2010 7-night– “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” cruise itinerary. “Laughter is the Best Medicine” featuring the songs and remarkable impressions of Scott Record. The laughter continues well into the evening nightly in the ship’s comedy club with onboard performances by our featured comedians. Participate in the game show  “Bonk!” (an interactive game show that is part general knowledge, part physical mayhem and all comedy).

Country Music: Feb. 20, 2010– 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” cruise itinerary. Boot, scoot and boogie to music by various country artists. Line dancing lessons also will be offered onboard.

Oldies Music: March 20, 2010– 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Dream” itinerary, featuring a performance by The Lettermen – Tony Butala, Donovan Tea and Mark Preston – one of the most popular vocal groups in history. Their 45-year career of unique sound spans the big band vocal and the early rhythm and blues rock groups. The Lettermen will perfom one grand show onboard during this old time rock-and-roll festival at sea.

Plus, The Fabulous Stingrays, a party band performing songs spanning the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, will keep onboard guests rocking and rolling to the sounds of the oldies all night long. Other activities will include an Elvis look-alike contest, dance competitions, trivia games and a lecture on the rock-and-roll era.

Festa Italiana: April 10, 2010– 7-night “Island Treasures & Ancient Temples” itinerary. This celebration of all things Italian features entertainment by opera singers and contemporary Italian vocal artists. Dance the night away or simply sit back and enjoy performances by bands that play Italian and Italian-American favorites. Activities include Venetian mask making, a pizza throwing contest, tarantella dancing and more.

Guests have the opportunity to learn the secrets of making delicious European dishes during cooking demonstrations by top Italian chefs. They can also take a lecture on Italian Art and Architecture, Italian Automobiles or Italian Fashion and Design.

The new themes are in addition to several previously announced theme cruises:

• Baseball Greats: Nov. 20, 2009– 10-night “Dazzling Dutch Caribbean & The Panama Canal”
• Big Band: Dec. 10, 2009– 10-night “Remarkable Rainforests & The Panama Canal”
• Polka: Jan. 9– 7-night “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment”
• Baseball Greats: 7-night sailings: Jan. 16, 2010 and Feb. 6, 2010 “Island Treasures & Ancient Temples”; March 6, 2010 “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment”; April 3, 2010 “Eastern Caribbean Dream”
• Big Band: Feb. 27, 2010– 7-night “Island Treasures & Ancient Temples”

You Deserve A Cruise Sale

Posted:        June 8, 2009
Author:       CLIA
Category:   Press Release | Cruise News
Topic:         You Deserve A Cruise Promotion

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:

• Relaxation,shifting gears and change of scenery are good for one’s health – physical, mental and spiritual
• There is no better time or setting for reconnecting with family and friends and renewing relationships
• A vacation is an opportunity to discover or rediscover oneself
• There’s no better time to recharge and re-energize and to look forward with confidence and enthusiasm

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.

MSC Cruise Deals

MSC Cruise deals…discounted rates on MSC Europe cruises

MSC Orchestra Baltic Castles & Russian Palaces (Northern Europe) Copenhagen,Kiel, Stockholm, Tallinn, San Petersburg, Copenhagen Sunday departures from Kiel are also available.Fascinating Fjordlands (Northern Europe) Copenhagen, Kiel, Oslo, Stavanger, Flåm, Hellesylt, CopenhagenIberian Discovery (Western Mediterranean) Barcelona, Genoa, Malaga, Cadiz, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona Departures from Genoa are also available Departure Dates Nights Oceanview Staterooms Balcony Staterooms Balcony Suites May 23, 30 Baltic Castles & Russian Palaces 7 from $1,149* from $1,149* from $2,299* June 6, 13, 20 Fascinating Fjordlands 7 from $1,249* from $1,249* from $2,399* Sept. 5, Copenhagen to Genoa 7 from $1,299* from $1,299* from $2,499* Oct. 1, 9, 17, 25 Iberian Discovery 7 from $999* from $999* from $2,049* Nov. 2 Iberian Discovery 7 from $1,049* from $1,049* from $1,899* MSC Poesia Turkish Treasures & Croation Coasts (Eastern Mediterranean) Venice, Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Venice 2009 Departure Dates Nights Oceanview Staterooms Balcony Staterooms Balcony Suites May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Turkish Treasures & Croation Coasts 7 from $1,119* from $1,119* from $2,099* June 6, 13, 27 Turkish Treasures & Croation Coasts 7 from $1,169* from $1,169* from $2,149* Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 Turkish Treasures & Croation Coasts 7 from $1,169* from $1,169* from $2,149* Oct. 3, 10, Turkish Treasures & Croation Coasts 7 from $1,069* from $1,069* from $2,049* MSC Musica Greek Islands In The Sun (Eastern Mediterranean) Venice, Bari, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus, Katakolon, Dubrovnik, Venice 2009 Departure Dates Nights Oceanview Staterooms Balcony Staterooms Balcony Suites April 26 Greek Islanda In The Sun 7 from $1,199* from $1,199* from $2,049* May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Greek Islanda In The Sun 7 from $1,299* from $1,299* from $2,149* June 7, 14, 28 Greek Islanda In The Sun 7 from $1,399* from $1,399* from $2,249* Sept. 6, 27 Greek Islanda In The Sun 7 from $1,349* from $1,349* from $2,199* Sept. 13, 20 Greek Islanda In The Sun 7 from $1,399* from $1,399* from $2,199* Oct. 11, 18, 25 Greek Islanda In The Sun 7 from $1,249* from $1,249* from $2,099* MSC Splendida The Splendid Mediterranean (Western Mediterranean) Barcelona, La Goulette (Tunis), Valletta, Messina, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona Friday departures from Rome and Saturday from Genoa are also available Departure Dates Nights Balcony Staterooms Balcony Staterooms Balcony Suites Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 The Splendid Mediterranean 7 from $1,249* from $1,249* from $3,699* October 5, 12, 19, 26 The Splendid Mediterranean 7 from $1,049* from $1,049* from $3,599* November 2, 9 2009 The Splendid Mediterranean 7 from $999* from $999* from $3,649* MSC Fantasia Mediterranean Fantasy (Western Mediterranean) Genoa, Naples, Palermo, La Goulette (Tunis), Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa Friday Departures from Barcelona are also available. Departure Dates Nights Balcony Staterooms Balcony Superior Balcony Suites March 1, 8, 15, 22 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $999* from $999* from $3,549* March 29, Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,049* from $1,049* from $3,549* April 5, 12, 19, 26 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,149* from $1,149* from $3,549* May 3, 10, 17, 31 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,249* from $1,249* from $3,449* May 24 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,399* from $1,399* from $3,449* June 7, 14, 21, 28 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,399* from $1,399* from $3,649* September 6, 13, 20, 27 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,399* from $1,399* from $3,649* October 4, 11, 18, 25 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $1,199* from $1,199* from $3,549* November 1 Mediterranean Fantasy 7 from $999* from $999* from $3,549* For reservations & information call: 800-942-3301 *Rates are USD, per person, double occupancy, cruise-only valid for new retail bookings on select sailings and stateroom types for residents of U.S. and Canada. Children 17 and under sail free when travelling in the same stateroom with two full fare paying passengers. Offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion and may be withdrawn without notice. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability and restrictions apply. Rates are subject to change without notice. Government taxes and fees for all guests are additional. Ask for “Free Balcony Upgrade ” promotion when booking.This is a limited time offer. Ship’s registry: Panama.