"Twilight" Fans Delight at Cruise Offering

Fans of the movie "Twilight" will rejoice in the recent announcement that there will be a seven-day Twilight Convention at Sea Cruise departing from Seattle on August 8, 2010. Included in the itinerary are themed events such as movie viewings, a costume ball, trivia events and a Q&A/ autograph session. Plus there will be a photo session with actors Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz.

Oh, and not to forget that there will be a cruise to Alaska, that visits Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria. Twilight cabins aboard the Holland America ms Oosterdam start at $1049 for an interior room, and go up to $3299 for a deluxe veranda suite, based on double-occupancy. So start saving up, Twilight fans!

Celebrity Millenium Gets "Do-Over"

Consistently ranked as among the top 10 large ships in the world, "Millie" emerged from a 12-day drydock in Victoria, B.C. with a sweeping "refreshment" that includes new carpeting and upholstery, installation of flat-panels TVs in each room, and a new varnish on floors and handrails throughout the ship.

The newly-refreshed Celebrity Millennium embarked on its first Alaska trip of the season on May 22nd, a seven-night roundtrip cruise from Vancouver.

Good News for Single Cruisers

Single cruisers being treated as equals is almost unheard of in the cruising business. Typically, single cruisers are required to pay what two people would normally pay for the stateroom aboard the ship. Scenic Tours are offering single cruisers the same rate as per person based on double occupancy. These rates apply to their river cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Single cruisers can also consider Holland America's "Singles Share" program which matches people based on gender and approximate age in the same stateroom, and thus reduces their per person cost.

Cruise Ships in Cuba? Stay Tuned.

Up until now, most cruise ships have been prohibited from sailing into Cuba ports, with the exception of British and German ones. With the recent thaw in Cuba-United States relations, this might change. While a full lifting of the travel embargo for Americans is making its way through both houses of the U.S. Congress, cruise lines no doubt are making plans in the event restrictions are lifted. Cuba is new, it's big, and there is room for ports all around the island. Cruise ships only need to find a safe place near shore to drop anchor, and they can jettison a flotilla of passengers in lifeboats to shore. With a potential infusion of tourism dollars from 1.5 million tourists each year, a lot is at stake for both sides. Stay tuned.

Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas"

This "new concept" ship is the most highly-anticipated of the year. Check out Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas," redefining the future of travel in the 21st century.

Uniworld River Cruising - Itineraries

With river cruising, you travel from one grand city to the next, making it the most efficient way to see the historic attractions and breathtaking scenery of Europe.

Crystal Receives Perfect Score for Cleanliness

Crystal Cruises' award-winning Crystal Serenity received a perfect score of 100 from Health Canada, following an intensive inspection by a team of environmental health officials. A ship's level of sanitation is considered satisfactory if its score is 86 percent or higher. The unannounced audit on May 3rd, took place in Victoria on its final segment of the line's world cruise. Scoring is based on 41 inspection items including food preparation and storage, waste management systems, ventilation device, sanitation temperatures, and potable water systems.

Canada's Federal health department developed its Cruise Ship Inspection Program (CSIP) to inspect cruise ships visiting Canadian ports. The guidelines were coordinated with the United States' Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Carnival to Resume Sailings to Mexico

Carnival Cruise Lines will resume visits to Mexican ports of call based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, which is no longer recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico. Once all voyages with previously modified itineraries are completed, those ships will revert to their original itineraries featuring stops in Mexico. Most itineraries were modified through mid-June with the exception of the Holiday which was modified through late May. Click here to see which date each ship will resume its original itinerary.

The Norwegian Epic, Coming to a Caribbean Port Near You

Norwegian Cruise Line recently unveiled the hull design of its largest and most innovative ship to date, the Epic. Scheduled to set sail in July 2010, the ship's interior will have a sophisticated modern, sleek design seen in everything from the curved New Wave staterooms to the ship's public areas. The ship will boast a rock-climbing wall, the most bowling lanes at sea, 14 restaurant choices, and an expansive Aqua Park, and the largest bowl slide at sea -- the Epic Plunge.

The 4,200 passenger Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with cruises going on sale May 21st, 2009.

Swine Flu Outbreak Redirects Cruise Ships Towards Victoria

Royal Caribbean International has suspended trips to Mexico due to swine flu fears, and has redirected six of its sailings to Victoria, Canada during the month of May. This is welcome news to British Columbia as it is projected this move will bring $4.5 million to the local economy.

Carnival Splendor is also providing a makeup sailing for the temporary cancellation of its Mexico cruise. This sailing departs June 7th from Los Angeles, and visits Astoria, Victoria and Vancouver before returning to Los Angeles.