April 29, 2011 Newsletter

Carnival Magic to feature disco musical
The Carnival Magic's entertainment will include a musical built around disco tunes, a magic show and a game show parody. "The Groove Line," named after Heatwave's disco-funk hit from 1978, will be a "funky journey through the city streets and iconic discotheques of the 1970s," and will be choreographed to songs by artists such as KC and the Sunshine Band, the Jackson Five and Sister Sledge. The magic show, "Destination: Unknown," stars Jason Byrne, who has appeared at the Riviera, Tropicana and Venetian hotels in Las Vegas, according to his website. Carnival said the show will open with Byrne "appearing out of thin air piloting a helicopter" and will be the largest show ever staged on a Carnival ship. "Win! The Game Show" is a parody of TV game shows that Carnival describes as "wild and crazy." There will be opportunities for audience participation. "The different and twisted games comprise a travelogue that guides the audience to exotic and exciting places, from a Nascar-style racetrack to the Las Vegas Strip," Carnival said. The show's soundtrack features songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, Shania Twain and Ricky Martin. The Magic also will feature singing and dancing waiters in the Italian-themed Cucina del Capitano; an acoustic guitarist in the RedFrog Pub; entertainment acts in the Ocean Plaza; the Punchliner Comedy Club; and "Superstar Live" karaoke, in which participants perform with a band and backup singers. The 3,690-passenger Magic is scheduled to debut in Europe with a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean cruises operating May 1 to Oct. 16. Following a 16-day transatlantic crossing, the Magic will launch seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston, Texas, on Nov. 14

Royal Caribbean International has announced its 2012-13 Caribbean cruises schedule.
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the largest cruise ships at sea, as well as Freedom of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will continue sailing a range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries year-round from five convenient drive-market ports, the line reported.Six additional ships—Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas—will offer even greater flexibility with four- to 12-night Caribbean itineraries, departing from four domestic U.S. ports in winter 2012-13.Royal Caribbean’s 2012-13 Caribbean cruises onboard Adventure of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas are open for booking immediately, while 2012-13 sailings onboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas will open throughout next week.In 2012, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will continue to alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Every weekend, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, while Freedom of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral along the Space Coast.Throughout winter 2012-13, Brilliance of the Seas will take over for Serenade of the Seas and join Adventure of the Seas to offer vacationers two ships to embark on a round-trip, seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas continue their year-round departures from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ, and Baltimore, respectively, to the Caribbean. Explorer of the Seas offers New York-metropolitan vacationers seven-night Bahamas and nine- to 11-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries. In mid-April 2013, vacationers also can choose a five- or six-night Bermuda or a nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itinerary. Enchantment of the Seas, on the other hand, will sail seven-night Bahamas, nine-night Eastern Caribbean and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries throughout the season.Gulf Coast vacationers will again have three convenient regional ports to embark on a Caribbean cruise in winter 2012-13. Sailing seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries, Navigator of the Seas will replace Voyager of the Seas as a new seasonal product from New Orleans, while Mariner of the Seas will sail round-trip from Galveston again. Jewel of the Seas will continue four- and five-night from Tampa, where the new five-night itinerary will alternate calls at Cozumel and Grand Cayman or Cozumel and Key West.Liberty of the Seas also will offer four- and five-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades. Additionally, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will continue to sail three- and four-night Bahamas getaways from Port Canaveral and Miami, respectively. These quick getaway cruises call at Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas..

Paul Gauguin Cruises Welcomes Lineup of Experts for 2011-2012 Season
Paul Gauguin Cruises is expanding its line-up of renowned artists, lecturers and entertainers for its 2011-2012 sailings throughout the South Pacific. This season’s guests include: Bobbie Verdegaal - The Gauguin’s onboard naturalist, Verdegaal is a trained marine biologist and environmental educator with extensive experience in the waters of French Polynesia. Mark Eddowes - Eddowes is an acknowledged authority and researcher in the field of Polynesian anthropology. Cécile Gaspar - As president of Te Mana O Te Moana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education,and research, Gaspar enlightens guests on the organization’s efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and return them to the ocean.Gotz Donaghy Philippe - Appearing on the July 9 sailing, painter and artist Gotz Donaghy Philippe uses his in-depth knowledge of Polynesian life to pen a humorous comic strip. Donaghy is also an expert on the Polynesian art of tattooing, having written several books on the subject. Guests will gain a unique perspective of French Polynesia through his artwork. Jean-Pierre Vigato - Parisian celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, the owner and chef-proprietor of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris, will join guests onboard the July 30 culinary sailing where he will personally prepare gourmet dishes and offer demonstrations of his culinary techniques. Devlin, The Matador of Magic - A professional magician for more than 30 years, Devlin brings a Latin flair to his style of magic, which has earned him the sobriquet “Matador of Magic!” He is also the recipient of the Society of American Magicians’ highest honor, Magician of the Year.
Holland America Lines 2012 Summer Europe
19-April-11 Holland America announced that its 2012 summer Europe sailing program will feature 44 unique itineraries including four new notable itineraries and five maiden ports of call. Ranging from seven to 35 days, these cruises offer travelers an opportunity to explore a variety of destinations, from the most sophisticated capitals of the world to hidden gems of the region. Holland America Line will deploy seven of its 15 ships - ms Eurodam, ms Maasdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam and ms Ryndam - to cruise throughout Europe on 103 departures that span from the northern tip of Norway to the Baltic and Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The 2012 Europe cruise season reflects Holland America Line's focus on destination diversity, timeless appeal and quality, featuring maiden calls at Durress, Albania; Fowey, England; and Eidfjord, Kirkenes and Ulvik, Norway, as well as overnight stays to 17 popular cities such as Barcelona, Spain; Hamburg, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey; St. Petersburg, Russia; Stockholm, Sweden; Dublin, Ireland; Mgarr (Victoria), Malta; Reykjavik, Iceland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Venice, Italy, and Bordeaux, France.

Save Up to 75% with Crystal Cruises “Standby” Fare Sale
Crystal Cruises has announced a “Standby” program that enables last-minute travelers to sail at up to 75% off brochure fares on five May-June sailings in Alaska, the Baltic and North Cape. Greatly reduced tiered pricing offers fares as low as $2,995 for 12-day cruises. Standby fares are based on availability, require a $500 per guest deposit upon reservation, and will be confirmed on a “first requested, first confirmed” basis no earlier than 45 days prior to departure.

Eligible cruises include:
12-day Alaska cruises — round-trip from San Francisco — Departing May 9, 21 and June 2
11-day Scandinavia/Russia sailing — Hamburg to Stockholm – Departing May 22
$2,995 for Deluxe Stateroom with large picture window
$3,995 for a Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah
14-day North Cape/Arctic Circle voyage — Copenhagen to Stockholm – Departing June 13
$4,995 for Deluxe Stateroom with large picture window
$5,995 for a Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah

Standby fares on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are cruise-only, for new bookings as of April 7, and do not include air transportation; port, security and handling charges; or “All Inclusive – As You Wish” spending credits. Fares quoted are per person, based on double occupancy accommodations, and other restrictions apply. Final payment is due within three days of confirmation.

Thought for the Month
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Well that’s it for now.

Love and Hugs