HOLLAND AMERICA LINE OFFERS NEW REWARDS PROGRAM

The new Mariner Society Rewards Program provides past guests with exciting new benefits from generous onboard discounts while sailing and special rates on select cruises to reduced or free third and fourth rates when booking future cruises. Benefits are tiered and vary based on a guest’s cruise history.

The Mariner Society Rewards Program offers a four-level progressive membership with a wide range of cruise and on-board savings and extra values. All guests who sail with Holland America Line are automatically welcomed into the Mariner Society where they receive special offers on upcoming cruises as well as advance information about new ships and the latest product enhancements.

Based on past cruises recorded as cruise days, members now enjoy Star memberships with four different levels offering an ever-widening range of cruise options and enhancements. Guests automatically collect additional “cruise days” or cruise day credits based on their onboard spending or through the purchase of one of the premium line’s suite options.

Star Mariner
Guests who complete their initial cruise with Holland America Line are automatically enrolled in the Mariner Society’s first level, earning cruise days towards future cruises and an exclusive collectable gift. Among the features of Star Mariner status: special offers on select sailings, 50 percent discount for third and fourth guests on select sailings, hosted sailings with Holland America Line Ambassadors, a relaxing Welcome Back Embarkation Brunch on future cruises, a subscription to the Mariner Magazine and a Mariner Champagne Brunch on future cruises.

Two-Star Mariner
After 30 cruise day credits earned, Two-Star guests receive all the amenities of a Star Mariner plus shopping discounts, featuring 15 percent off merchandise purchased from ShopHollandAmerica.com and 10 percent off logo apparel items onboard in the gift shops. Two-Star Mariners also will receive a complimentary ship photo and be sent an exclusive annual cruise planner and special recognition pin.

Three –Star Mariner
With 75 cruise days earned, Three-Star guests automatically are given all Two-Star amenities plus generous new discounts including 10 percent off on select spa treatments; a 25 percent discount on all wine packages, mini-bar purchases, Explorations Café drinks and alternative restaurant surcharges; special advanced notice of new itineraries; and a waiver of air deviation fees.

Four-Star Mariner
At the top of the tiers, with 200 cruise days earned, Four-Star guests enjoy the benefits of all Star levels below and the bonus of free fare for third and fourth guests on select sailings; complimentary wine tasting and laundry/pressing; a 50 percent discount on all wine packages, mini-bar purchases, Explorations Café drinks and alternative restaurant surcharges; a 15 percent discount on logo apparel items onboard in the gift shops; priority tender service and check-in; priority shore excursion pre-booking; and a free subscription to Food and Wine magazine or Travel and Leisure magazine.

The new Mariner Society Rewards Program will roll out to the entire fleet by October 18, 2009. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

For news about other rewards programs offered by other cruise lines, visit www.prowsedge.com/cruises-advice-reward-programs.html or visit our forum pages at www.prowsedge.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=53&sid=ac06f8a560971d0b824878877131f8e2 where visitors share their own opinions about cruise line reward programs.

TRANS EUROPE ?

We’ve all heard about Trans Atlantic cruises - but how about a Trans Europe cruise!

Sounds odd to cruise across a land mass?

Well, it IS possible – with European Waterways who are offering a very special voyage aboard luxury hotel barge 'Anjodi' on a unique 1,000 mile, 6 week adventure along the canals and rivers of central Europe, from Avignon in Provence all the way to Amsterdam in Holland.

Anjodi is the hotel barge that achieved “film star” status following her many appearances during the hugely popular BBC TV series 'Rick Stein’s French Odyssey', when she carried celebrity chef Rick Stein and a full film crew, on a 400-mile voyage of culinary discovery through South West France.

This unique 6 week cruise takes in famous cities such as Lyon, Paris and Cologne, the local highlights and culture along famous rivers such as the Rhone, Seine and Rhine, and enchanting smaller waterways such as the Canal de Bourgogne. This extraordinary adventure will be a mixture of days spent cruising, sight seeing and city stays whilst discovering the regional cuisine and wines of Provence, Beaujolais, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace and the Moselle and Rhine valleys.

The voyage also follows the advance of the American, British and allied forces liberating the French, Belgium and Dutch populations in World War II. It passes through regions held by the French resistance, areas liberated by Allied Forces and near towns like Arnhem fought over by the airborne forces in operation Market Garden. It is an incredible, unfolding journey for those interested in the historical importance of the period following the D-day landings of June 1944.

This amazing Trans Europe cruise is available at a price per person of US$25,000 based on a minimum of 6 passengers, or as a whole barge charter for US$185,000. Rates include all meals, wines, open bar, excursions, admittance fees and transfers.

Click here to see the whole 6 Week Trans Europe Itinerary.

For more information on European Waterways, visit the brand new profile of the cruise line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-european-waterways.html

ALONG BORNEO’S REMOTE RAJANG RIVER

Peopled by the Iban, headhunters till the 1950s, there is much to see and do along the remote Rajang River, much of it inaccessible until Pandaw River Cruises came along.

Now taking Prowsedge readers (at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-borneo-pandaw.html) on this fascinating river journey is Stu Lloyd, one of the first passengers aboard the good ship RV Pandaw Orient cruising the Rajang River in the footsteps of Redmond O'Hanlon's journey “Into the heart of Borneo”. (Mr. O'Hanlon, of course, is known for his journeys into some of the most desolate and remote jungles of the world.)

It’s a fabulous trip rich in local Iban headhunter culture and their traditional longhouses, the daunting life-taking Pelagus Rapids, and close shaves with local vessels who know nothing of port-to-port. It is recounted in Stu Lloyd’s inimitable style.

The author of six books – selling in 27 countries – Stu’s travel writings appear in a range of international newspapers and magazines.

His website tells you he “collects tropical art, musical instruments, dabbles in painting exotica, and enjoys stamp collecting [pause for gasps of astonishment]. Biggest claim to fame? “I won 7th place in the Australian Potato Carrying Championships in 2001. Carried a 50kg bag of spuds one lap around a racetrack – the $10 prize money didn't quite cover the cost of the resulting knee reconstruction operation”.

He has lived in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore, and currently calls Chiang Mai, Thailand, home.

For more on wordsmith Stu Lloyd, “The Perfect Storyteller” as The Weekly Telegraph characterize him or on his “crazy” world as he labels his own lifestyle, go to www.stulloyd.com .

More fascinating features around the world by many talented writers can be found at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-reviews.html

FIRM HELPS TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES FULFILL VACATION DREAMS

For the 53 million Americas with limited disability, oxygen requirements or other form of disability, who want to travel, Special Needs at Sea, (www.specialneedsatsea.com) can help make any trip easier and more hassle-free.

Now in its third year, Special Needs at Sea delivers a full range of special needs equipment and services to hotels, resorts and cruise ships around the world, so that it’s waiting and ready to go when you are.

Special Needs at Sea has delivery and pick-up capability within most of the world’s travel destinations and can even accommodate “one-way” travel. According to company spokespersons, the most frequently requested items are motorized scooters, power chairs, oxygen equipment—including battery-powered concentrators—however, the company also provides audio aides, patient lifts, relief materials for companion dogs and hospital beds and cribs.

Andrew Garnett, company founder and president points out that even with the large number of persons with disabilities, the majority of equipments requests are from travelers without disabilities; persons who may not use scooters or wheelchairs at home, but who are concerned about walking long distances on tours, shore excursions or onboard today’s new, larger cruise vessels.

“My goal is to ensure that no one misses an opportunity to see the world or go on a family vacation because of a permanent or temporary physical impairment,” says Garnett. He established Special Needs at Sea after witnessing the challenges encountered by his own family and friends when they attempted to travel with physical disabilities.

“While today’s resorts, hotels and cruise ships are very accommodating for individuals with disabilities, providing special rooms or staterooms, wider hallways and other special needs access, travelers can’t always take oxygen or powerchairs aboard an airplane, and it can be a hassle to transport the needed equipment. We bridge the gap with customized on-site delivery and pick-up.”

Special Needs at Sea, A Special Needs Group Inc. company, also develops tours for persons with disabilities and works closely with travel professionals, including travel agents, tour operators and cruise lines, to facilitate persons with special needs. In most instances, your travel agent can handle the arrangements with Special Needs at Sea for you.

For more details about Special Needs at Sea or to request a brochure, call Special Needs at Sea toll free 1.800.513.4515, email info@specialneedsgroup.com or log onto www.specialneedsatsea.com.

PINK RIBBON CRUISES TO HELP RAISE CASH FOR THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

In this time of greed and "self" here's a great chance to do something for others at the same time as indulging yourself in a great vacation.

Grab your girlfriends, okay guys too, for a weekend away on Captain Cook Cruises ‘Pink Ribbon Cruises’ and help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)! Money from each weekend cruise departing October 9, 16 and 30 will go to breast cancer research. To help get the party started every booking of four or more adults will get a free bottle of champagne per cabin.

The ‘Pink Ribbon Cruises’ will feature Captain Cook Cruises normal cruise itinerary plus exciting extras including a beautician onboard so passengers can be pampered, raffles with great prizes to be won, an NBCF guest speaker, a pink party and formal dinner and NBCF pink ribbon merchandise will also be sold on board.

All monies from raffles and merchandise and a proportion of money from cruise fares and beauty treatments will be donated to the NBCF.

The two night cruise onboard the “MV Captain Cook’s Explorer” kicks off on Friday night with a breathtaking sunset over the sails of the Sydney Opera House, marking the start of the welcome Pink Party where anything pink goes from clothes, cocktails to top hats.

Saturday it’s time to walk off breakfast with an early morning stroll around the Botanic Gardens before cruising up the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers. Another dining delight awaits with a seafood buffet lunch, followed by a leisurely afternoon of retail therapy at The Rocks Markets.

Tonight’s Individually Formal Captains Dinner has no strict dress code – from haute couture to that favourite little black dress, passengers can wear whatever makes them feel special and enjoy an a la carte three-course meal followed by live music and dancing with the city skyline as the perfect backdrop.

Sunday passengers can do as little or as much as they like. Join one of the headland walks, visit beachside Watson’s Bay, relax and take in the views or indulge in one of the optional beauty therapies. After lunch disembark at Darling Harbour at 3.00pm.

The two night ‘Pink Ribbon Cruises’ departs Friday October 9, 16 and 30 at 6.00pm, with boarding from 5.00pm from No.1 King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour.

Fares start from $470 per person twin share and mention NBCF when booking and receive 10% off. Fares include all accommodation, meals and most activities.

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 804 843; Int +61-2-9206 1100, or visit www.captaincook.com.au.

HOW SAFE IS CRUISING - PIRACY AT SEA

Most of us aren’t worrying too much about pirates at sea, unless it’s part of your costume for the fancy dress night on board. But is this a case of sticking your head under the sand? Should we we concerned about piracy at sea?

Pirate attacks on cruise ships are actually very rare.

The first reported attempt of piracy involving a cruise ship was in November 2005 when a Seabourn ship was attacked while sailing off the Somalian coast of eastern Africa.

In December 2008, Oceania Cruises’ M/S Nautica escaped an attack by six pirates in 2 speedboats in the Gulf of Aden. Hapag-Lloyd took precautionary measures that same month by disembarking 246 passengers on the M/S Columbus while it passed through the troubled region.

March of 2009 saw another unsuccessful attack, this time on the Fred Olsen British liner Balmoral, and in April 2009, MSC Cruises’ Melody was fired at as she sailed north of the Seychelles, off Africa's east coast.

Other incidents involving smaller vessels in other regions, like the “robberies” involving the luxury Amazon cruise ship, m/v Aqua last week, are less assiduously covered by the media.

So, is this something to worry about?

Some experts tells us that it is inevitable that piracy attacks on cruise ships, large and small must increase. The fact that cruise lines, especially the smaller ones in isolated areas like the Amazon are reluctant to report many of the incidents is also worrying.

If this issue is a concern for you, it may perhaps be an idea to:

1: Avoid cruise areas popular with pirates. Government alerts and travel advisories will keep you informed. Piracy prone areas include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malacca Straits, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore Straits, Vietnam, some parts of northern South America, and around Africa:Tema (Ghana), Lagos & Bonny River (Nigeria), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), and the Gulf of Aden.

2: Choose a larger cruise ship as these are less prone to attack for obvious reasons.

In the grand scheme of things, however, considering the number of cruises taking place each day in all parts of the world relative to the number of incidents, cruising is still one of the safest forms of vacation.

As a frequent visitor to Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine told us once - “What’s the point of worrying about absolutely everything? It can get to the point where you will cancel your holiday anywhere tropical because you’re afraid a coconut will fall on your head!”

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Competes For the Title of Europe’s Leading Cruise Line

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is thrilled to announce their nomination for a 2009 World Travel Award (WTA), in the "Europe's Leading Cruise Line” category. The World Travel Awards, a travel industry awards program, has been dubbed by the Wall Street Journal as the ”Oscars of the Travel Industry.” Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ fleet of four, offers ships with their own unique character, hundreds of destinations, on-board and on-land programs, attractive travel combinations, short trips to get a feel for what’s offered and long passages for travel enthusiasts.

MS EUROPA, the fleet’s flagship, sets international standards: it is the only cruise liner to have been awarded the coveted 5-star plus distinction by the Berlitz Cruise Guide from 2001 to 2009 and the only cruise ship worldwide to be honored with a "Six Star Diamond Award" by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. MS HANSEATIC and MS BREMEN, their exploration ships are both designed for travel in polar-regions and for destinations “off the beaten track.” The MS HANSEATIC is the only 5-star exploration ship in the world, the MS BREMEN offers 4-star comfort, and the MS COLUMBUS is a 3-star-plus ship.


All four ships offer selected bilingual cruises (German/English) ensuring English-speaking passengers feel comfortable from the moment they step onboard. For more information on the fleets 09’-10’ bilingual itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com.

The WTA were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Now celebrating its 16th anniversary, the awards are regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive. 
Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.
 Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in 919 different categories. 
The World Travel Awards Europe Gala ceremony will take place in Obidos, Portugal on October 17, 2009, during which the winners of the European categories will be announced. For a complete list of nominees visit www.worldtravelawards.com

TRAVEL AGENTS CAN WIN A TRIP TO THE MEKONG

Exotic Southeast Asia is the newest destination in the award-winning AMAWATERWAYS river cruise vacation lineup and now agents have an exciting opportunity to sample a 7-night Mekong river cruise aboard the brand-new MS La Marguerite, with a new “Learn, Book and Win” contest.

Details as follows:
THE PRIZE:
Win an unforgettable 7-night cruise for two aboard the brand new MS La Marguerite, the most luxurious vessel on the Mekong River. Cruise from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap with calls at Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang and the Tonle Sap River. Experience the richness of life on the great Mekong River, from small rural villages to vibrant capitals. Visit temples, floating markets and much more along the way during your Mekong River odyssey.

HOW TO WIN: 

Each “Vietnam, Cambodia & The Riches of The Mekong” booking made between now and September 28, 2009 entitles the booking agent to one chance at the drawing. It’s simple. The more an agent BOOKS, the more chances to WIN.

For information agents can log on to www.amawaterways.com

DRAWING DATE:
September 30, 2009. Winner will be notified shortly thereafter.