The World's Most Exciting Destinations!
Ray Goldenberg
I received this press release from the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) and thought it would be of interest. It is a
follow up release from the one they issued several weeks ago. If you
have missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web
site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
CLOSE TO HOME OR FAR AWAY, SUMMER CRUISE ADVENTURES FEATURE THE
WORLD’S MOST EXCITING DESTINATIONS
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (April 22, 2007) -
This summer, the world’s most popular cruise ships will be sailing
itineraries spanning the globe. Close to home or far away, travelers
can take advantage of one of cruising’s best benefits: the opportunity
to explore the world, including some of the most exotic and
inaccessible destinations, in comfort, ease and security aboard any of
the 21 member lines of the Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA).
In Europe, CLIA member lines have designed summer cruise itineraries
that range from three nights and up, to such favored destinations as
Paris, Rome and London – as well as to emerging ports in Croatia,
Greece, Spain and Turkey, exclusive yachting ports along the French
Riviera and Italy’s Ligurian Coast.
Further east, travelers this year can also visit ports in Russia,
South Korea, Indonesia, Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa and
Kiribati – all in one 64-day itinerary, and with an option to leave or
return from a U.S. port. This year’s roster of new itineraries also
include ports to the Middle East’s most intriguing destinations, such
as United Arab Emirates’ Dubai, Egypt’s Luxor, Alexandria and Safaga
and Oman’s Salalah.
Closer to home, CLIA member lines have announced exciting summer
itineraries to a host of destinations that include visits to some of
the most exciting ports in New England, Canada and the Caribbean – and
many of these itineraries begin from convenient North American
homeports.
In order to have the most flexibility when planning a cruise vacation,
CLIA encourages all travelers without passports to apply today. The
U.S. government has modified its passport requirements for travel
within the Western Hemisphere – including the Caribbean, Mexico,
Central and South America, Bermuda and Canada – over the last few
years and it could require sea and land travelers to obtain passports
as early as January 1, 2008.
With passport requirements already in place for air travel, there is
no time like the present for prospective cruisers to obtain their
passports and ensure they’re in a position to enjoy the portfolio of
sail vacations that blanket the globe this summer and beyond.
“The variety and diversity of summer cruise itineraries this year is
exceptional. Quite literally, vacationers can sail anywhere in the
world, with the option of short trips or long, to truly wonderful
places,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, whose members
include 21 premier cruise lines and 16,500 North American travel
agencies.
“In order to have a relaxing, worry-free trip, we recommend that
travelers obtain their passports as quickly as possible. Many CLIA
cruise lines are debuting new itineraries to an array of exotic
international destinations that require passengers to have valid
passports and processing facilities are experiencing delays. Overall,
getting a passport is a wise investment in fulfilling your vacation
dreams.”
To apply, all travelers have to do is visit one of 8,000 passport
facilities across the United States. Passports are valid for a full 10
years and cost $97 and $67 for renewals. If travelers take two
vacations per year, the cost of the passport, per vacation, is less
than a poolside frozen drink.
Following is a sampling of the summer offerings from CLIA’s member
lines, including sailings in North America, the Caribbean, Europe and
Asia:
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
Travelers can enjoy week-long American Cruise Lines’ “Lobsterfest”
cruises featuring culinary delicacies highlighting lobster – as well
as a firsthand look at the lobsterman’s trade and its impact on New
England’s culture and economy. Port highlights include Nantucket,
Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, Block Island and New Bedford.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
The tropical destinations of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau will
be featured on an exciting new three-port, five-day itinerary operated
by Carnival Cruise Lines’ Imagination. The new itinerary, which begins
August 13, is the latest enhancement to the ship’s popular year-round
four- and five-day Caribbean cruise program from Miami.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
From April through October, Celebrity Journey offers guests
seven-night Bermuda itineraries from Cape Liberty, N.J. – including
one overnight in St. George’s and two nights in Hamilton. The ship
offers two specialty restaurants, 15 accommodation classes, butler
service and concierge amenities in every stateroom and suite, and
expanded spa services.
COSTA CRUISES
In June, Costa Cruises’ new flagship, Costa Serena, inaugurates
seven-night cruises roundtrip from Venice that call at some of
Europe’s most ancient and historic ports in Italy, Greece, Turkey and
Croatia. Highlights include Bari, Italy; Katakolon, Greece; Izmir and
Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The itineraries are
available from June through November.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
On August 31, Crystal Cruises features a unique 14-day transatlantic
voyage aboard Crystal Symphony from London to New York, calling at
Belfast, Ireland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Nuuk, Greenland; and Halifax,
Nova Scotia. Ken Rees, a journalist at Britain's ITN's News at Ten,
who has reported extensively on the areas visited, serves as guest
lecturer. The voyage also features a “Tribute to Character Actors” as
part of its Film & Theatre Festival theme.
CUNARD LINE
Queen Mary 2's signature Transatlantic Crossing is considered to be a
pinnacle travel experience - a must-do for discerning travelers. In
August, the grand ocean liner sails four six-day transatlantic
crossings between New York and Southampton, England and two eight-day
crossings between New York and Hamburg, Germany.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
This summer, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder continues to offer its
highly popular three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas with
stops at Nassau and its private island, Castaway Cay. A recent
renovation includes enhancements to spa, pool and deck areas,
including a giant LED screen featuring Disney movies and sporting
events.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America Line’s seven-day Canada/New England itineraries
sailing between Boston and Montreal aboard Maasdam this spring, summer
and fall explore the nature and history of the Northeast and Canada.
The itinerary cruises Canada’s Saguenay Fjord and calls at Maine’s Bar
Harbor; Nova Scotia’s Halifax and Sydney; Prince Edward Island’s
Charlottetown; and Quebec City.
MSC CRUISES
MSC Musica sets sail on a summer itinerary that takes in the culture,
history and beauty of an eclectic array of ports in Italy, Tunisia,
Spain and France. The seven-day itinerary, which sails roundtrip from
Genoa, includes calls at the popular ports of Naples, Palermo, Tunis,
Palma de Majorca, Barcelona and Marseilles.
NORWEGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE
Norwegian Coastal Voyage vessels ply the fjord-filled west coast of
Norway, from the charming Hanseatic port of Bergen to the North Cape
Plateau above the Arctic Circle. Cruises of six days southbound, seven
days northbound and 12 days roundtrip depart Bergen and Kirkenes,
making 34 port calls in each direction.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian Jewel sails a 12-day Egypt and Greek Isles itinerary from
May through September. This port-packed Norwegian Cruise Line
itinerary includes two full days and an overnight in Alexandria,
Egypt; calls to six Greek ports; a visit to Ephesus from Izmir,
Turkey; and an overnight stay in exotic Istanbul.
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises boasts a record five ships offering its signature
“Voyage of the Glaciers” Gulf of Alaska cruise this summer – which
include daylight cruising of famed Glacier Bay and the 16 spectacular
glaciers of College Fjord. The itinerary route runs between Vancouver
and Whittier with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent Seven Seas Cruises features an August “Arts & Culture Circles
of Interest” voyage out of Monte Carlo aboard Seven Seas Navigator
hosted by Diane Camber, executive director and chief curator for Miami
Beach’s Bass Museum of Art. The ship calls at Barcelona, Palma de
Mallorca, St. Tropez, Portofino, Livorno and Civitavecchia.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
From Civitavecchia, Royal Caribbean International’s Legend of the Seas
offers 12-night Greece and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. The
cruises call at Greece’s Alexandria, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kusadasi and
Piraeus; Cyprus’ Limassol; and Italy’s Naples. The itinerary
alternates with 13-night Italy and Croatia itineraries that spend two
full days in Livorno (Florence/Pisa) and Venice.
SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
From Civitavecchia to Monte Carlo, Seabourn Legend calls at some of
the most beautiful and fascinating ports in the region. Highlights of
the itinerary include a glittering overnight stay among the
mega-yachts of Monte Carlo, and calls at Italy’s Sorrento and
Taormina; Tunisia’s Sousse; Malta’s Valletta; and France’s Nice.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
Travelers sailing with SeaDream Yacht Club have the chance to explore
the classical yachting ports of Italy and France on a seven-day
itinerary roundtrip from Civitavecchia. The itinerary, which includes
late night and overnight stays in some ports, features Italy’s Ponza,
Amalfi, Positano, Capri and Sorrento, as well as the French island of
Corsica.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
A June itinerary aboard Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper from
Barcelona transports guests to the 32nd America’s Cup regatta in
Valencia, Spain. The ship will be moored in Valencia Bay directly
alongside the race course, providing guests with front-row seats to
experience all the drama and excitement of this global event.
WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf features a unique six-day voyage from Nice
to Barcelona – the only one of its kind on the line’s 2007 schedule –
that explores the coast of Spain and France for a taste of the
Mediterranean. Ports of call include Monte Carlo, Marseille, Valencia
and Palma de Mallorca. For more information about summer cruise
itineraries, CLIA and its member agencies and cruise lines, log in to
the association’s Web site at www.cruising.org. For more information
on how to apply for or renew a passport, please visit:
www.travel.state.gov/passport
About CLIA The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA
represents the interests of 21 member lines and participates in the
regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures
that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA
is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing
communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise
vacations and counts as members 16,500 travel agencies. For more
information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines
and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.