Oct 5 2012 - Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
October 5, 2012

Good Friday Morning

12 Cruises to Match Your Musical Tastes

The Smooth Jazz Cruise                                 
Jan.13-20, 2013                               
Jan. 20-27, 2013                              
Oct. 12-19, 2013
Jan. 11-18, 2014
The Jazz Cruise
Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2103
Jan 25-Feb 1, 2014
Soul Train Cruise
Feb 17-24, 2013
Oct 5-12, 2013
Malt Shop Memories Cruise                           
Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2013                                 
Ship of Fear  
Oct 28-Nov 2, 2013
Celtic Thunder Cruise
Nov 2-7, 2013

The Country Music Cruise
Jan. 19-26, 2014

Carnival Launches Cruise Check-In at Miami Airport

Carnival is opening check-in counters at Miami International Airport so passengers can get their Sail & Sign and boarding cards before arriving at the port. The Carnival counters are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Concourses D and H on the day of sailing.

Based on flight arrival, you will check in and receive a boarding card that reads “Airport Express” along with your Sail & sign card.  If you did not pre-purchase Carnival’s transportation, you have the option to buy transfers to the pier during check-in. Your must take their your luggage with you whether using Carnival's transportation service or other means.

Carnival “Faster to the Fun”

Being tested on Carnival Imagination and Liberty, this option includes early embarkation, early stateroom availability, express luggage delivery to staterooms, priority dinner seating, and choice of early or late debarkation. The cost is $49.95 per stateroom, regardless of number of guest.

Celebrity Cruises Winter Escape Sale

Dreaming about a Luxury Vacation?  What about a Caribbean vacation with free gratuities and a savings of up to $420.  Plus, receive $200 to spend on board!   Well Celebrity Cruises is offering 99 different sailings, aboard seven stunning ships, ranging from 4- to 14-nights, where you can do just that.  But hurry.  You have to book between Oct 8 - 20, 2012.

Norwegian Getaway to Sail Eastern Caribbean from Miami in 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line said the new Norwegian Getaway will sail a seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary from the Port of Miami year-round. Following inaugural events in Europe, Norwegian Getaway will arrive in Miami in late Jan 2014 and begin sailing on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014.

Oceania Cruises Expands Oceania Club Passenger Loyalty Program

Oceania Cruises is enhancing its Oceania Club loyalty program by adding a new Blue membership level for guests to earn rewards on their first cruise.  Current benefits include on-board recognition and membership-level pins, exclusive cocktail receptions and member-only offers. Higher levels also include free cruises, free Canyon Ranch SpaClub treatments, and a combination of benefits that reward guests with both shipboard credits and pre-paid gratuities.

Carnival Bans Carry-on Alcohol When Carnival Spirit Sails Australia

All Carnival ships allow adults to pack a 750ml bottle of wine or Champagne in their carry-on luggage, but this will not be the case when Carnival Spirit sails in Australia. 

Carnival is also dropping it’s all-you-can-drink package.  Other cancelled services include Bon Voyage liquor, which allowed people to pre-order bottles of spirits, wine and beer to be delivered to their cabin, and Bon Voyage gifts, which is used for buying presents for other passengers.

Azamara will launch nighttime shore excursions in 2013
Azamara Club Cruises has announced new offerings on its European sailings in 2013 aboard the Azamara Quest and the Azamara Journey. The "AzAmazing Evening" program offers immersive nighttime land excursions for free, available with each cruise. The cruise line is also introducing a new line of complimentary drink selections at its onboard bars

Royal Princess pool deck to feature fountain show

The Royal Princess will feature an island area between two pools that will become the showcase for an interactive sound and light show with dancing fountains.  The fountain feature will have 85 water jets that can shoot water 33 feet into the sky.  This is in addition, to the see-through skywalk extending in a semi-circle over the ocean and a display screen for outdoor movies that is 30% larger than screens on existing ships.  Princess also said that evening entertainment will include a deck party featuring a DJ on a balcony two decks above the dance floor.

Princess Cruises 3 & 4 Day West Coast Getaways

That’s right, starting September 2013, Princess will offer 3 &4 day sailings from Los Angeles. 

3-Day (Los Angeles, Ensenada, day at sea, Los Angeles)
October 4, 7, 18, 21 - 2013
November 1, 4, 15, 18, 21, 24 - 2013
December 1 - 2013
January 13 - 2014

4-Day ( Los Angeles, Catalina or Santa Barbara or San Diego, Ensenada, day at sea, LA)
September 26 & 30 - 2013
October 10, 14, 24, 28 - 2013
November 7, 11, 27 - 2013
January 16 - 2014

Azamara Club Cruises West Coast Voyages
12 night sea of cortez/copper canyon – Jan 29 – Feb 10, 2014
Mazatlan, Mexico - La Paz, Mexico - Topolobampo, Mexico - Guaymas, Mexico - Loreto, Mexico - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - Los Angeles

8 Night Coastal California – Feb 10-18, 2014
Santa Barbara - Monterey - San Francisco - Ensenada, Mexico - Los Angeles

14 Night rout of the america – Feb 18 – Mar 4, 2014
Los Angeles - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - Manzanillo. Mexico - Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Mexico - Huatulco, Mexico - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - Acajutla, El Salvador - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua - Caldera, Costa Rica

Thought for the Month
Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward. --Victor Kiam, American businessman
 

Wishing you a great weekend

Mary Engram, CTA/MCC
Your Personal Travel Consultant