Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas"- Naming Ceremony

The brand new Carnival Dream just made its inaugural sailing last month in the Mediterranean

Carnival Dream Takes to the Seas

The Carnival Dream departed on its inaugural cruise on September 21st. The 12-Day Mediterranean voyage was the first of three such voyages before it embarks on a trans-Atlantic crossing to New York.. Starting December 12th, it will begin year-round 7-day Caribbean cruises.

The Carnival Dream can accommodate 3,600 guests and introduces a host of new innovations including the Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue; the Lanai, and outdoor area featuring a wrap-around promenade and whirlpools suspended over the ship's side; and the largest Cloud 9 spa in the fleet. There are also new entertainment choices including a comedy club, outdoor laser show and an intranet guest portal, the first at-sea social network system.

A sister ship to the Dream is scheduled to for delivery in in June 2011

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_dream/default.aspx?shipCode=DR

Disney Coming to Vancouver in 2011

Disney Cruise Line has announced that it will make Vancouver its home port for 18 Alaska cruises starting in 2011. This comes as welcome news to the Port of Vancouver which has seen several cruise lines discontinue or divert their Vancouver-based Alaska departures for 2010. Disney will make 18 seven-night sailings between May 3 and August 30, 2011. The Disney Wonder will visit Tracy Arm, Skagway adn Ketchikan. Disney will also operate five and six-night cruises from Vancouver to Los Angeles (and back) with stops in San Francisco and Victoria. Jeff James, vice-president of sales for Disney Cruise Lines, said their decision came as a result of demand from passengers wanting sailings to Alaska with Vancouver as a home port. "Our guests said Vancouver will provide them with the experience they are asking for," James said.

Cruise the Beautiful Wine Country of France

French wine lovers are about to get a treat.....seven new cruise-tours offered by Peter Deilmann Cruises that visit the French wine regions of Burgundy, Beaujolais, Maconnaise, and Provence. The trips will be operated by the 140-guest "Princesse de Provence" round-trip from Lyon. The 9-day itinerary includes seven shore excursions to family vineyards including Burgundy's Veuve Ambal vineyard for tastings and Avignon's Chateauneuf-du-Pap to taste red and white vintages. Departures run from May to October, and exclude August.

Award-winning Peter Deilmann Cruises has been offering deluxe river cruises for over 25 years. Besides wine, they also offer other special interest cruises such as music, golfing, cycling and walking, and health & wellness.

http://www.deilmann-cruises.com/theme/index.html

Celebrity Rolls out Anytime Dining

Celebrity Cruises introduced "Celebrity Select Dining" on August 31st, giving passengers greater flexibility in when they choose to dine. Passengers will still enjoy the same menu and service they would receive with traditional seating. Guests will have access to "anytime dining" starting with the September 26th sailing of the Celebrity Equinox. A full roll out fleetwide of select dining will occur during the first quarter of 2010. To see initial applicable sail dates for each ship, log onto www.celebritycruises.com

Vancouver Becomes World's Third Port to Offer Shore Power to Cruise Ships

Cruise ships docking at Vancouver Port can now significantly reduce marine diesel emissions by plugging into the city's electricity grid which uses mostly hydroelectric-generated power that is 90 percent nonpolluting. The port is only the third in the world to install shore power for ships (the other two are Seattle and Juneau). The $9 million project has been in the works since 2005, and is a collaboration between the Government of Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, BC Hydro and Port Metro Vancouver.

Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have pioneered this technology within the industry and have invested heavily in outfitting their fleet with shore power equipment. Currently nine Princess Cruises ships and six Holland America Line ships have this capability. Port Metro Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and is the home base for the popular Vancouver-Alaska cruise.

2009 Top 10 Rivers for Cruising

If you would like to discover the magic of river cruising, Cruise Critic has put together the top 10 rivers for cruising in 2009.

1. Danube - storied landscapes, cultural heritage and centuries-old architecture of the Old World. You'll discover Europe's vineyard-lined valleys and beautifully preserved medieval towns in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia and Romania.
2. Douro - visit restored palaces, places of pilgramage, cultural centres and vineyards in Spain and Portugal
3. Yangtze - see spectacular scenery and visit some of China's great historic landmarks
4. Rhine - incredible scenery from Alps to the North Sea, visiting Switzerland, Germany, France and Holland.
5. Rhone - this area through Provence and the south of France is renowned for fine wines and culinary delights
6. Nile - visit the sights of ancient Egypt
7. Murray - cruise through the Australian outback, visiting million-year-old gorges, golden sandstone cliffs and majestic red-gum forests.
8. Volga - travel scenic rivers, canals and lakes that connect Moscow and St. Petersburg
9. Mekong River - take in ancient cities, temples and natural wonders in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand
10. St. Lawrence Seaway - visit Montreal and Ottawa, two of Canada's most storied cities.

http://www2.canada.com/topics/travel/activities/cruises/story.html?id=1764066

Uniworld's New Program for Epicurean Adventurers

For wine and food connoisseurs, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise is offering the new Epicurean Adventurer Program that will enable guests to indulge their passion for fine wines and gourmet foods. Guests aboard Uniworld cruises that feature this program will enjoy a special dinner prepared with the region's finests ingredients and then learn how to select the perfect wine to complement the meal. Guests will also participate in cooking demonstrations and learn trade secrets and techniques from master chefs. Guided shore excurisions take guests into vintners' homes where they can enjoy private wine tastings, or to open air food markets where they can sample local food treats.

Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection features intimate hotel-style cruise ships with expertly planned itineraries and custom-blended shore excursions. It offers 35 all-inclusive river cruises ranging from 9 to 32 days in over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, China and Egypt. Uniworld was named to Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Top 10 Small Cruise Lines"and Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Gold List.

Will Alaska Axe the Cruise Tax?

Had Alaska voters known that their decision in 2006 to levy a $50-per-passenger head tax on cruiselines would result in the dramatic pullout of several cruise ships from the Alaska market -- including those of Royal Caribbean, Cruise West, Carnival, Norwegian and Princess -- they might have thought twice about passing this initiative into law. It is estimated that Juneau alone will suffer a $25 million loss for the summer of 2010. The number of calls to Sitka will fall 53% next year from 222 to 104.

Alaskans are obviously taking notice and a grass-roots effort is under way to overturn or amend the tax. On July 24th, the First Things First Alaska Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes economic development, sponsored a summit in Juneau to discuss what the state needs to do to woo travelers back, particularly cruise passengers. The summit attracted more than 230 people, including legislators, mayors, tour operators and business owners. The summit did not resolve any issues, but major recomendations were made including revamping the tax and implementing a new marketing campaign aimed at drawing travelers to Alaska. A second summit is scheduled for August 20 in Anchorage, with a third summit possibly taking place in Fairbanks in September.

Princess Offers Rare Opportunity to See Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010

Princess has recently added a special cruisetour opportunity for 2010 that includes a visit to see the famed Oberammerau Passion Play, which is performed only once each decade in this small Bavarian town in Germany. The new 18-day "Oberammergau & Highlights in Germany" tour includes a 10-day Scandinavia/Russia cruise aboard Star Princess, and an eight-day landtour that includes two nights in Oberammerau, tickets to this special event, and stops in other German destinations such as Black Forest, Munich, Nuremberg and Berlin.




The Oberammergau Passion Play is a re-enactment of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Gripped by war and plague in 1633, the villagers of this southern Bavarian town vowed to put on a "passion play" every ten years. The descendants of those villagers have carried out that pledge over the last four centuries. In 2010, over 2000 residents of the village will bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to life for visitors from all around the world. All cast members have lived in the village at least 20 years, and must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performance.

Cruisers who want to catch this exceptionally rare event have a choice of two cruise departures offered on August 2 and August 12, 2010. The eight-day land tour takes place prior to the cruise departure.

http://www.oberammergau-passion.com/

Cunard Hosts James Beard Foundation

Cunard Cruise Line recently hosted an exclusive foodie event for the esteemed James Beard Foundation aboard the Queen Mary 2. The four-course lunch was specially prepared by Cunard's Executive Chef Jean-Marie Zimmermann, and was meant to showcase the magnificent Queen Mary 2 and its wonderful cuisine. Zimmermann served as head chef at Warrener Restaurant in Berkshire for five years which earned him a Michelin Red M, and Egon Ronay Star and a Michelin Star and has been leading Cunard's cuisine since 2004.

The James Beard Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization based in New York City, dedicated to offering programs that help people learn about and engage with food. Is annual James Beard Foundation Awards are an esteemed honor in the culinary industry.

Princess Announces Vancouver-Sydney Cruise, Departing September 20, 2010

Princess Cruises recently announced the redeployment of the Sapphire Princess from the Mexican Riviera for a new 32-day cruise from Vancouver to Sydney, departing September 20th, 2010. This dream cruise includes stopovers in San Francisco, Hawaii, the Polynesian Islands and New Zealand, before arriving in Sydney on October 23rd, 2010 . This dream cruise went on sale July 31st, 2009.

Princess Unveils Leonard Maltin Movie Club

Princess Cruises has teamed up with celebrated film critic Leonard Maltin to give passengers another way to enjoy movies onboard, by joining the exclusive Leonard Maltin Movie Club. Debuting fleetwide, Princess will showcase a new film selected by Leonard Maltin every month on its giant Movies Under the Stars screens. Each movie will be preceeded by a special video introduction from Mr. Maltin. After the movie is over, cruise staff will host a group discussion guided by questions and trivia from Mr. Maltin, where passengers can engage in thought-provoking discussion and gain greater perspective on the film.

Princess revolutionized movie-going at sea five years ago with its giant poolside movie screens. The giant Times Square-style movie screens are available on eight ships, and will be available fleetwide by 2011. Mr. Maltin is best known as the resident film buff on the popular entertainment news program, "Entertainment Tonight" where he has appeared since 1982. Mr. Maltin himself will be traveling aboard a Princess ship to host his new Movie Club at a date to be announced later.

Norwegian Epic - One Step Closer

Accompanied by a fleet of six tugboats, the Norwegian Epic made its first venture out to sea on July 11th, 2009. The "Float Out Ceremony" began at 7am as the ship made its first journey down the Loire Estuary to its outfitting dock. This event represented a major milestone as the ship has now moved into its final stage of construction, and work on the vessel's interior can now begin.

The ship will incorporate high-design New Wave staterooms with dark woods and curved walls giving the cabin a sleek chic feeling throughout. The innovative ship will also include 14 restaurant choices, a 33-foot high rock climbing wall and the largest bowl slide at sea - the Epic Plunge. As for entertainment, The Norwegian Epic will feature some of the most avante-garde shows ever seen at sea, including the Blue Man Group in the 685-seat Epic Theater, and the interactive Cirque Dreams and Dinner where guests will marvel at acrobatic theater during the two-hour dinner performance.

And for the very first time, a cruise ship will feature an ice bar, where the temperature inside is kept at a very cool 17 degrees fahrenheit (-8 degrees celsius) and guests are given coats and gloves to keep warm. Or for a little more spice and sizzle, guests can dance to the latin beat in Spice H2O Club.

The Norwegian Epic is scheduled to be delivered in May 2010, with its first sailing from Miami scheduled for July 17, 2010. The ship will alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries until April 2011.

Top 10 Cruise Lines in the World

Travel + Leisure Magazine recently unveiled its ranking for the Top 10 Cruise Lines in the world (large ship category), as rated by its readership. Surveys were conducted by Harris Interactive, an independent research firm, from January 15, 2009 to March 29, 2009. Cruise lines were rated, based on "characteristics" such as cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value. Included in the ranking are each cruise line's ranking in 2008.

Rank	'08	Name	Score
1	1	Crystal Cruises	88.94
2	2	Regent Seven Seas Cruises	86.02
3	4	Oceania Cruises	81.78
4	3	Disney Cruise Line	79.93
5	-	Azamara Cruises	78.95
6	6	Celebrity Cruises	76.70
7	7	Holland America Line	75.92
8	-	Cunard	75.84
9	8	Princess Cruises	74.24
10	9	Royal Caribbean International	73.00

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2009/

Top 10 Reasons Why People Cruise

A lot of people out there are curious about the notion about cruising, but really have no idea exactly what cruising is all about. They have a bevy of unanswered questions: Is it just for older people? Will they be bored on the ship? Can single people go cruising? Is it expensive? In my new Cruising 101 series, I will answer all these questions and more. But first, let me start by introducing the Top 10 Reasons Why People Cruise, which will hopefully help to dispel some of the misconceptions out there, and help people on their way to booking their first cruise.

1. It's a hassle-free vacation. No driving around, looking for hotels, waiting to catch planes, wondering what to eat. You pack and unpack only once, and spend the rest of your time maximizing your vacation time.

2. It takes you away from it all. No smog, pollution, traffic, ringing telephones, early-morning alarm clocks. It's all about water, sea, sky and landscape. The simple things in life that move us.

3. Pampering. Ever-present and gracious service, breakfast in bed, afternoon tea, spa treatment, lounging on deck. All these are commonplace on a cruise.

4. Huge variety of things to do. Snooze by the pool, jog on the deck, yoga in the gym, take a cooking course, watch a movie under the stars, explore an exotic port.

5. Sample a large geographic area. Cruises cover a vast area, and allow you to "sample" numerous places along the way. This is a great way to decide where you would like to return to and spend more time at a later date.

6. Making friends is easy. Opportunities to socialize are seemingly endless.....at dinner, by the pool, on shore excursions. Many of the people you meet will share the same interests as you in travel and other subjects.

7. You can learn so much. On many cruises, expert lecturers give enrichment presentations that help you understand the history and culture of the places you will be visiting. There are specialty courses on board that teach you cooking, wine-tasting, and even how to hit a golf ball!

8. Safety. The ship's environment is highly managed, and passage onto and off the ship is strictly controlled. Vessels have safety device and features that make problems highly unlikely.

9. It's the trendy way to travel. It's the "in" thing as more and more people indicate they would like to try it. In fact, experts say that a "hidden" reason for people to cruise is the bragging rights associated with going on an all-inclusive pampering cruise in far-flung destinations.

10. It's great value for the money. Cruise prices are comparable to land-based vacations, and typically include entertainment, onboard lectures, free courses, and supervised children's programs. Cruises also receive the highest satisfaction rating in the travel industry.

The History of Cruising

Cruising actually began as far back as ancient times when hardy souls would travel to far-flung destinations aboard vessels that were being used primarily for commerce, exploration, migration and even warfare. The most famous cruiser, Herodotus, compiled a list of the most interesting manmade things he saw in his travels, including the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. His purpose in compiling this list was to develop a guide for other pleasure travelers on where to go and what to see. Thus, pleasure travel was born.

Leisure travel disappeared after about 500 AD, and only started to reappear in the 1920s, when ocean liners, built for the transportation of immigrants and goods, began to provide more entertainment and pampering, thus attracting more of the middle class. Being on an ocean liner became a fashionable thing. During the winter, a few smaller steamship lines would even "reposition" their ships to warmer places like the Caribbean giving people the opportunity to book "excursions" that would visit a series of interesting ports. The era of ocean liners ended in the 1960s with the advent of transoceanic air travel, making ocean liners practically obselete overnight. As the decade closed, it became no longer economical or fashionable to travel by boat.

In 1974, to boost a declining market, Cunard Line Limited hired international celebrities to perform aboard the Queen Elizabeth II on its transatlantic travel service between New York and London. They advertised it as a vacation/entertainment experience with Las Vegas style shows. They also introduced the concept of one-class cruising where all passengers aboard could fully access the ship's amenities and facilities. The idea caught on, and people began taking short cruises as vacations.

The industry broke new ground in the 1980s and 1990s, launching large "megaships" capable of carrying over 2000 people. These ships not only carried passengers to beautiful sun-drenched locales, but also offered a full all-inclusive resort-like experience at sea that included amenities such as casinos, sports tracks, spas and nightclubs aboard. Since then, the cruise industry has never looked back.

Social Networking at Sea?

When Carnival Dream debuts on September 21st of this year, it will be the first ship in the industry to feature an onboard intranet portal. Dubbed FunHub, this social networking site allows guests to create a personal profile that helps them meet and interact with others onboard. In addition, guests can send and receive private messages, create groups based on interests, and invite guests to participate in onboard events.

Designed as a convenient resource for wide-ranging information specific to the ship, FunHub includes information on entertainment options, daily events, restaurant menus, plus weather updates for the next port of call and the latest news and sports scores.

FunHub will be available via 36 state-of-the-art stations around the ship. Guests may also access the intranet portal free of charge via any personal laptop or Wi-fi enabled device. The ship also rents 10-inch netbooks that can be used anywhere on the ship.

Narwhals, Polar Bears, and Seals.....A Journey to the Arctic with Cruise North Expeditions

Cruise North Expeditions offers an eight-night "Baffin Adventure" voyage which delivers guests to the most far-flung pockets of the Canadian Arctic, including Baffin Island's arctic tundra, northern Labrador's fjords, and Lancaster Sound's narwhal-inhabited waters. This is Inuit country, and the Inuit offer a welcome mat to the some of the most remote communities where you can visit Inuit villages, trek across tundra and hike among caribou, and take zodiak rides and kayak rides in polar bear and orca-inhabited bays.

Cruise North is Inuit-owned and operated, and its expeditions allow a remarkable touch point to the local culture and this region's striking landscape and wildlife. It is the only cruise line to specialize exclusively in Canadian Arctic cruises, and earned the designation of "Best Adventure Travel Companies 2009" by the editors of National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Cruise North offers a variety of itineraries throughout the summer months.

For more information, visit:
www.cruisenorthexpeditions.com

Celebrate Summer Under the Midnight Sun

Adventure-seekers now can skip to the beat of a different drummer this year as they visit the spectacular north of Canada. With Canada's Arctic Circle Airpass, visitors can visit a copper mining museum and tour the S.S. Klondike Sternwheeler in Whitehorse; relive the days of the Klondike gold rush in Dawson; and marvel at spectacular Alexandra Falls outside Hay River.

With the Canada Arctic Airpass, choose from one of three gateway cities (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton) and spend up to 45 days in 6 northern destinations, including Whitehorse, Dawson, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Yellowknife and Hay River. The cost? CAD$879 + applicable taxes and fees. Not a bad deal, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For more details, check out http://www.canadasarcticcircleairpass.com/

Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 recently extended its five-year relationship with award-winning Canyon Ranch SpaClub, announcing that it had added a host of new treatments and services in the process. New treatments include Voya Seaweed Treatments with seaweed harvested in Ireland for use in body detoxification; and Detoxifying and Revitalizing Rituals, based on the skin care practices of traditional hammam bathhouse products. In addition, the SpaClub offers an array of rejuvenating spa treatments including massages and thereapeutic bodywork, ayurvedic and seaweed treatments, facials, conditioning body scrubs, and the signature Rasul Ceremony, a medicinal mud and steam thereapy derived from ancient Middle Eastern cleansing rituals.

Besides spa treatments, Canyon Ranch also offers daily fitness, yoga and tai chi classes; and healthy lifestyle experts are onboard to discuss wellness topics ranging from stress management to lifestyle change and healthy aging. Canyon Ranch was Conde Naste Traveler's "Top Spa" in 2007.

Celebrity's Autumn Wine Cruises

For those who enjoy the finer things in life, Celebrity is offering two Pacific Coastal wine cruises this September that will allow guests to take in scenic landscapes and explore the fertile wine-growing regions of Canada, Oregon, Washington, and California. This cruise experience will include wine-centric shore excursions, wine enrichment seminars with notable guest speakers, and themed wine events, such as "Grand Cru" wine dinners, "Walk Around the World Wine Tasting", and a "View of the Vineyards." Shore excursions include wine tastings at Stonestreet Winery, Alexander Mountain, and Jackson Highland Estates.

Celebrity is offering two wine cruises this fall, both departing from Vancouver. Choose from an 11-night aboard Celebrity Mercury departing October 12th, or a 12-night aboard Celebrity Millennium departing September 28th.

Taylor's Tunes Rock the Boat

Legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor recently performed two standing-room-only shows aboard the Queen Mary 2. Taylor had them dancing on this June 19th transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton, England. During the cruise, guests got a more intimate look at the life of an American icon during the Q&A session and a two-hour autograph session afterward. Taylor will kick off a 10-week 22-concert tour visiting nine European countries.

Spotlight on Ho Chi Minh City

There's something special about visiting an Asian city on the river, steeped in history and lore. Ho Chi Minh City has earned the nickname, "Paris of Asia" for its colonial architecture and elegant boulevards. However, the former Saigon's charms also come in ancient pagodas, bustling Asian markets, and thrilling pedicab rides through narrow streets. Visit this magical city aboard Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, or on one of Oceania Cruise's Asian itineraries.

St. Petersburg.....this Imperial City is a Gem

St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. For many, a visit to this beautiful city of the north is the highlight of the Baltic itineraries as its splendid attractions captivate. Among the must-sees include the magnificent State Hermitage Museum, the grand Catherine's Palace in Pushkin, and the gloriously restored Peterhof Palace and gardens originally inspired by Versailles. At night, enjoy a concert or ballet in this major European cultural center.

The majority of Baltic cruise itineraries make stops in St. Petersburg, many typically spending a night or two in port to allow plenty of time to enjoy the many splendid attractions. The other plus is that no Russian visa is required - as long as you're booked on the ship's shore excursions, you won't need an individual visa to hit the highpoints of the city.

Spotlight on Komodo

One of the most exotic islands in Indonesia's 17,000-island archipelago, Komodo is home to the native dragon of the same name. Shore excursions with Oceania Cruises will bring you face-to-face with these fascinating creatures, the largest living species of lizards in the world. Komodo, also known for its pristine reefs, is also home to some of the best diving and snorkeling. Besides Oceania Cruises, Silversea also visits Komono on select sailings in 2009 and 2010.

How the Cruise Industry is Unfolding in 2009

One of the biggest stories of 2009 has been the downslide of the world economy. But the good news (for consumers) is that cruiselines have offered up some really juicy last-minute cruise deals that represent significant savings for cruisers. As a result, some cruisers have been willing to wait 15 days to 3 months prior to the departure to scoop up these deals. If you're flexible with dates and you're not too picky about leftovers, this is the year to cash in on those deals.

Cruiselines continue to implement anytime dining - being able to eat whenever and wherever you want, rather than committing to a set table at a set time. The original concept was pioneered by Norwegian, but now all of the big ship lines are offering more dining options, including Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean. Carnival is experimenting with the idea and will make a decision as to whether to make this offering fleet-wide.

As interest in cruising grows, cruiselines have been rolling out impressive new ships in increasing numbers. Slated for 2009, include the AIDALuna, the MSC Splendida, Costa Luminosa, Costa Pacifica, Seabourn Odysssey, Celebrity Equinox, Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas, Carnival Dream, and the Silver Spirit. An additional 11 ships are due to be launched in 2010. Perhaps the most highly anticipated ship of 2009 is the RCI - Oasis of the Seas. This mammoth 5,400-passenger cruise ship will be the largest ever built. This revolutionary ship is divided into seven neighborhoods, with innovative elements like the open-air Central Park with live grass and trees, the Aqua Theater for aerial acrobatics, a zip-line, a bar that rise five stories high, and two-story loft suites.

Exotic cruising to far-flung places like Australia/New Zealand, South America and Asia have slowed down due to the softening of the economy. Not only are these itineraries generally more pricey, but also require expensive air flights. Instead, cruisers have been more inclined to take closer-to-home trips such as Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Alaska remains an enchanting destination; however, demand has dropped significantly over the past year as the economy has worsened, forcing cruise lines to discount heavily to fill ships. As a result, a number of cruise lines are deciding to pull out of this market for 2010. Some of these ships are being re-routed to places like Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Another region to watch is the Far East as people discover what a wonderful destination it is, and its popularity increases. Cruise lines such as Voyages of Discovery, Yachts of Seabourn, Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean have caught onto this trend and are either debutting or placing a firmer foothold in this region in 2010.

Antarctica Voyage Unveiled

Cruise West, long a specialist in cruise travel to Alaska and other parts of the world, is adding a 19-night Antarctic expedition to its line-up in 2010. The 114-guest Corinthian II, departs from Buenos Aires and makes stops in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Orkney Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This vast ice-covered expanse of land is teeming with wildlife, and home to millions of seabirds and penguins, as well as seals, dolphins and whales. Guests will get an up-close-and-personal view with the help of eight naturalists.

This dream voyage does not come cheap, with prices starting at $13,899. However for those adventure-seekers who can afford to look the other way when confronted with the price tag, this voyage offers a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. This voyage sets sail on February 8, 2010.

http://www.cruisewest.com/antarctica-cruises

Elvis is......On The Ship

Elvis fans will be able to relive the glory of the King of Rock 'n' Roll aboard the Carnival Inspiration, November 12-16, 2009. The cruise will feature live music and entertainment from some of Elvis' former bandmates and backup singers. In addition, guests can enjoy in-room Elvis movies, meet and greet sessions with celebrity guests, an Elvis fashion show featuring officially licensed merchandise, trivia tournaments and other Elvis-themed activities. And while the primary focus of the cruise is Elvis and his music, guests will also be able to enjoy a stop in Cozumel with its vibrant reefs, rich Mayan heritage and historical landmarks around the island.

The Elvis Cruise is the only officially licensed cruise by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., and is being produced by Sixthman, an affinity travel company based in Atlanta. Cabins start at USD$599 per person based on double occupancy, and bookings are made by directly contacting Sixthman at 1-877-749-8462.

Texas Hold'Em Takes to the Seas

Carnival, the world's largest cruise operator, is getting into the poker action by hosting the 2009 PokerPro Challenge. From now until October, a series of preliminary No Limit Texas Hold'Em poker tournaments will be held on the line's 22 ships. Winners of the preliminary tournaments will then face off in the "Grand Final" aboard Carnival Freedom's six-day voyage departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 24, 2010.

First place winners of the preliminary tournament will receive a certificate towards a cruise on the January 24th voyage. The Grand Final winner receives a cash prize of $25,000.

"Mothership" Cruises to Land of the First Nations

Mothership Adventures is offering an interesting twist on exploring the British Columbia coastline: visiting the land of the First Nations' people. The Columbia III will depart from Port McNeill onthe north end of Vancouver Island and sail into the wilderness region of the Broughton Archipelago.

Lillian Hunt, curator of Cultural Tourism Programs for the U'mista's Potlatch Collection, will guide guests through the legends, artwork and sites of the Kwakwaka'wakw cultures. Other guides will explain the complexities of the "Potlatch" ceremony with its masks and regalia. Guests will also have a chance to visit a "Big House" and witness chanting, drumming and traditional dance. The tour also makes stops in ancient village sites, includingn Mimkwamlis. There are also opportunities to watch First Nations people carve trees into canoes and totem poles, and gold and silver into jewelry.

The 23-passenger, 19-metre ship has a spacious dining room and six staterooms. Gourmet meals are served and the ship has a fireplace and library. The cruise takes place from July 2-6,.

Fuel Supplement Returning?

In June 2008, the price of crude oil hit an all-time high of $145 per barrel. Cruiselines were forced to charge a fuel supplement to all cruise fares. By December, the price of crude had fallen to a low of $30 per barrel, and cruiselines removed the fuel supplement charge with the provision that if the price of sweet crude oil should increase above $70 per barrel (according to the NYMEX), then they would reserve the right to reinstate the fuel supplement charge.

As prices hover around the $70 mark these days, cruisers are wondering if that extra charge will return anytime in the near future. How much was this charge you ask? For example, last year first and second guests in each stateroom were charged $5 per-guest, per-day, to a maximum of $70 per person per sailing.

For now, cruiselines such as Carnival are saying they have no plans to institute a fuel supplement; and so far, the other cruiselines are following suit. However, Carnival adds, "we will continue to monitor the situation in the markets and review our position as the situation warrants." Stay tuned.

Viking Legend Making Debut in July

Viking's much-anticipated ship, the Legend, is making its much-anticipated debut in July 2009. The ship will join the fleet on its Grand European Tour, the cruise line's most popular itinerary. As with all of its ships, the Viking Legend's all-inclusive policy covers accommodations, all onboard meals, shore excursions and cultural enrichment activities such as lectures, discussions, workshops, demonstrations of handmade crafts, and local food and wine tastings.

The cruise line will unveil three new itineraries in 2010: an 8-day sailing on the Danube through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia; a 6-day Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges; and a 5-day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

Alaska - Did You Know?

For those people out there considering a cruise to Alaska, but not sure what they will see.....perhaps consider the following lesser-known tidbits of information:

1. The first humans arrived in the Americas between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago. They crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Russia into Alaska. Anthropologists know that the ancestors of today's Alaska Natives have lived in Alaska for thousands of years. Visitors to Alaska can watch Native Dancers (such as the Naa Kahidi) perform song and dance that have changed little in thousands of years of history.

2. In 1741, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia sent explorer Vitus Bering to sail east from Siberia to Alaska. Russia claimed Alaska until 1867, when they sold it to the United States for $7.2 million. Sitka is a town that has maintained much of its Russian heritage.

3. The Klondike gold rush of 1897 caused the population of Skagway to swell from 1 person in 1896 to 10,000 in 1897. The population plunged after that, but many of the buildings during that time survived and have been preserved for all to enjoy.

4. Ketchikan is considered the Salmon Capital of the World, with 1.5 million cases of salmon produced annually during the 1930s. Those numbers have declined, but salmon is still an important industry of Ketchikan.

5. The Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska, boasting an open calving face over six miles wide. Glacier Bay National Park has one of the highest concentrations of tidewater glaciers in the world, most of them actively calving slabs of ice into the water.

Is it Possible to Roller-Skate at Sea?

As if rock-climbing , boogie-boarding, and lawn bowling weren't enough, now you can roller-skate at sea. Costa Cruises is introducing the industry's first roller skating track on the Costa Luminosa. The track, which doubles as a jogging track, is located on the ship's uppermost deck. For $7 per hour, you can rent rollerskates that strap onto your sneakers and feel that blast of sea breeze as you whiz around the ship at sea. Also new to the industry is Costa's 4-D cinema where people can watch 3-D movies while experiencing vibrating seats, wind blowing and water spraying in their face.

Finally, Costa is also introducing the industry's first onboard recording studio for passengers aboard its Costa Pacifica ship. With the assistance of a sound engineer, you can sing your favorite song and sound great doing it. Costa promises that it's high-tech engineering can make even the worst singer sound beautiful. For about $50, passengers can record up to three songs on a CD.

"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.