Crystal Cruises Fall Special Deals

A whole variety of special offers are being featured this fall in the ultra-luxury line, Crystal Cruises' latest announcement.

Beginning in September, nearly a dozen Mediterranean, South Pacific and trans-ocean voyages aboard Crystal Serenity and a freshly-redesigned Crystal Symphony offer several new opportunities to save on luxury.

Savings aboard Crystal Serenity include a number of specials from $1,000  savings on Penthouse, Penthouse Suite and Crystal Penthouse accommodations, to $1000 savings per couple for luxury staterooms boasting spacious private verandahs, and low single fares that significantly reduce solo supplements. There are even specials for children, in which those under 17 years of age may sail for free on certain cruises

There are savings to be had aboard Crystal Symphony as well, including hundred dollar savings per person for luxury staterooms with private verandahs.

For a good look at what Crystal Cruises are all about visit the Prow's Edge Crystal Cruises Profile

For details about which cruises these specials apply, take a look at www.crystalcruises.com

Variety Cruises Weddings and Honeymoons

What can be more romantic than a wedding or a honeymoon at sea on a cruise?

Not much!

Making sure that more may enjoy this romantic start to wedded life, Variety Cruises has now started to concentrate on providing special things for those in the bridal and honeymoon segment.

Variety Cruises, the Greece-based, family-run company that operates a fleet of mega yachts carrying up to only 72 passengers, has released a host of new honeymoon packages and cruise options, available to newlyweds, as well as couples renewing their vows.

Advantages of these special packages include the ship’s captain taking part in the ceremonies, a 25 percent price reduction for the bride, a cabin with a double or king bed for the happy couple, a celebratory bottle of Champagne and fresh fruit, a candle-lit dinner in a private, secluded place on board, or in a preferred restaurant in Santorini or Mykonos, and even a complimentary massage for two.

Before you think that this may be fun, even if you're not getting wed, note that there has to be proof of marriage and that the cruise has to take place within  six months of the actual wedding ceremony.

For more information visit the Prow's Edge profile of Variety Cruises or take a look at the Variety Cruises website at:
http://www.varietycruises.com

Silversea at the Olympics

Silversea Cruises has been in the heart of the excitement of the 2012 Olympics in London as the Silver Cloud made its way through London and passed under the  London's Tower Bridge to find its birth nearby.



As part of the excitement of the huge event, and in recognition of being a part of it all, guests on Silversea Cruises, Silver Cloud received an iconic Olympic experience not soon to be forgotten.

As Silversea Cruises point out - this is just another example of how Silversea provides guests with uniquely enriching cultural connections.

The amazing photo of the Silver Cloud at rest not far from Tower Bridge is an image to remember for many years to come.

Holland America Increases Alaska Opportunities

Many cruisers have claimed that a cruise to Alaska is “old news” now and that every one has already done that particular kind of cruise and that no one has any wish to repeat the experience.



Simply not true!

Cruising to Alaska continues to be a popular option for first time cruisers as well as for cruise “experts” who have been there before – several times.

What else would Holland America Line now increase its presence in the region with more departures and more guests than in previous years.

Although Holland America Line still only has seven vessels cruising the area each year, the ms Amsterdam will double its departures on new seven-day roundtrip sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As a result, Alaska-season departures will increase 8.5 percent and guest capacity will increase 6 percent over 2012.


And to make the idea of an Alaska cruise with Holland America Line even more tempting, Early Advantage savings feature complimentary upgrades and free and reduced fares for third or fourth guests who share the same stateroom on select sailings.  

By planning ahead, a family of four can take advantage of fares on select departure dates starting at $699 per person for the first and second guest in a stateroom, and the third and fourth sailing free.  Taxes are additional.

For more information visit www.hollandamerica.com

For a taste of Alaska cruises with Holland America Line take a look at some Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine experiences.

•  Hot Boullion and Icy Waters – by Kevin Retief

•  Gone Fishin’ with the Rotterdam – by Ruby Turner

Dancing and Dining on Fred. Olsen Cruise Line

From hit television shows all concentrating in good old fashioned ballroom dancing and the increase in ballroom dancing classes in most towns, it is no surprise that cruise lines, like Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, are making 'good old' dancing a feature of their cruises.

On their 28-night ‘Black Sea’ cruise on board Black Watch this autumn, departing from Dover on 25th September 2012, Fred. Olsen’s favorite dance instructor, Debbie Snashall, and dance-duo Joanne Almond and Leighton Jones will be on board to make sure that good old fashioned dancing becomes an important and fun part of the whole cruise experience.
 
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was voted ‘Best Educational Cruise’ for its Vistas "on-board enrichment program" – now a favorite part of Fred.Olsen Cruise lines cruises, – a feature that is showcasing a number of exciting speakers, such as Antiques Roadshow expert Lars Tharp and gardening guru Charlie Dimmock, in its 2012/13 program.

Find out more about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines by visiting the website at www.fredolsencruises.com  or take a look at the many articles about the cruise line at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine like the food recipes ( a perfect reward for efforts on the dance floors ) from:

1: Chef Palle Jorgensen's recipe for Seafood Salad

and
2: Executive Chef Dirk Helsig's recipe for Gravlaks

Luxury Yacht Cruises with The Moorings

For something really different for regular cruisers looking for something beyond the usual huge cruise ships, The Moorings are debuting a brand new premium yacht for crewed yacht charter vacations in the British Virgin Islands beginning in December 2012. 



The fleet’s new flagship catamaran, the Moorings 5800 offers extraordinary space in a 3-tiered design with five guest staterooms – all with private en-suite baths.

Complete with a professional Captain and Chef, the 58-foot yacht offers personalized itineraries complete with gourmet, Chef-prepared meals, a full bar and the chance to enjoy a wide selection of water sports from paddling in kayaks and on paddle boards to exploring the seas with expert snorkeling gear. 



Under the expert care of the Moorings’ captains, passengers aboard their vessels are able to travel where regular, large cruise ships cannot venture, along  customized itineraries that enable passengers to plan their cruise to suit themselves, to stop when they want, and stay where they want.



The Moorings is fast becoming recognized as the world's premier yacht charter company, especially for crewed yachts with captain and chef. 

And this is just the beginning – plans are underway to ensure the existence of at least four Moorings 5800 yachts offering similar cruises and experiences such as the trips suggested by the first of the Moorings 5800 yachts due to arrive in the British Virgin Islands in December, 2012.



For more information visit :  http://www.moorings.com


2015 on Crystal Cruises

Looking way ahead – comes news that Crystal Cruises will be offering an amazing world cruise in 2015.

In honor of its 20th World Cruise, and 25th anniversary of the company, the ultra-luxury cruise line will be offering a brand new route around the world from Miami starting January 15, 2015. 

This really is looking ahead - an unusual step for cruise lines.

The 108-day, warm weather voyage aboard Crystal Serenity will consist of six all-inclusive segments that will traverse Central and South America, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and the Caribbean.

Specific segments of this unique cruise are as follows:

·         Miami to Callao/Lima (16 days)
·         Callao/Lima to Auckland (19 days)
·         Auckland to Perth (21 days)
·         Perth to Cape Town (21 days)
·         Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro (15 days)
·         Rio de Janeiro to Miami (16 days)

Itinerary highlights include maiden calls in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Albany, Australia; Ambodifotra and Taolagnaro, Madagascar; and Richards Bay, S. Africa (in addition to three other South African calls), and stops in Easter Island, Bora Bora, the Cook Islands, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Reunion Island, Buenos Aires, Cartagena, Turks & Caicos, and more. 

Full World Cruisers receive a host of complimentary perks such as private enrichment classes, fitness programs, entertainment, social invitations, and mementos. 

Full details have only now been just posted at www.crystalcruises.com

2013 Cruise Savings with Holland America Line

There is an advantage for those booking their 2013 cruises way in advance with Holland America Line.

The "Early Advantage" savings on a wide selection of 2013 cruises are well worth convincing would be cruisers to book their cruises well in advance of departure.
 
Advantages include free upgrades on select sailings, as well as savings of up to 50 % by combining two cruise itineraries on select Collectors’ Voyages in Europe.

There is also a wide selection of free and reduced cruise fares for third or fourth guests who share the same stateroom on various cruises to more than 415 destinations around the world, from Alaska to Antarctica and everything in between.

Examples of specific savings with Early Advantage bookings are 14-day Collectors’ Voyage cruises now on offer for as little as $1,799 per person, with free upgrades from inside staterooms to ocean-view suites, and 14-day Australia/New Zealand cruises starting at $1,699 with similar upgrades as pafrt of the deal.
 
Popular seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises from Seattle, Washington., or Vancouver, British Columbia, are available for only $699 for inside staterooms or $999 for verandahs, with free upgrades available.
 
For more information on Holland America Line’s Early Advantage savings, consult a professional travel seller or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Prows Edge articles about specific cruises with Holland America Line can be found at:

•  Cruising to Puerto Rica – by Sharon Spence Lieb

•  Cruising Alaska – by Kevin Retief

•  Cruising the Panama Canal – by Brooke Cunningham

New MS EUROPA 2 of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Leaves the Drydock

Four months after the laying down of the keel, the EUROPA 2 has already left the dry dock of the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.

In an open festive ceremony, the dock was flooded and the new addition to the fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises took to the water for the first time.

Now that the EUROPA 2 has left the drydock the next construction stage is due to begin – the completion of the interior at the outfitting pier.

251 all-balcony suites, eight restaurants, a modern theater as well as bars, lounges and public areas will be featured on board the EUROPA 2.

A total of 835 shipyard workers are involved in the construction of the new ship – until the delivery of the latter in the spring of 2013. They will dedicate around 2.5 million hours of labor to the project, and 10,000 tons of steel have already been used in the process of building the EUROPA 2. The ship is expected to be delivered to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises at the end of April 2013 – her 14-day maiden voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon will take place from May 11 – 25 2013.

The EUROPA 2, the sister ship of the EUROPA will be positioned in the luxury segment as a lifestyle-oriented, casual alternative. The EUROPA 2 will offer a maximum of 516 guests more space per passenger than any other cruise liner, with 251 all-balcony suites. All the ship suites have a veranda and a minimum size of 301 ft². Eight restaurants, as well as six bars will offer culinary diversity, and a large spa and fitness area takes into account the trend towards health and well-being at sea.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com or visit the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises profile at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine

All About Crystal Cruises

Over the years, Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine has published a host of information about Crystal  Cruises, from a host of actual cruise experiences written by established travel writers, to the latest in news about Crystal Cruises.

In case you have missed any of these great articles in the past, here is a reminder of some of those pages.

•  a basic overview of Crystal Cruises 



•  Crystal Cruises and their Atlas 2013 / 2014 



•  around Africa with Crystal Cruises

•  Alaska with Crystal Cruises

•  Crystal Cruises voted the World’s Best

•  Crystal Cruises treats in Northern Europe



•  Crystal Cruises and their Quick Embarkation 



•  new developments for Crystal Cruises



Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions

Aurora Expeditions is offering an original cruise with their fully inclusive Antarctica package!

Unlike any other part of the world visited by cruise ships and cruise lines these days, and cruise lines are all looking for something new for cruise enthusiasts, there is nothing quite like Antarctica.

"Spring in Antarctica is an explosion of life," the experts at Aurora Expeditions tell us  "Penguin rookeries bustle with nest building, courtship and egg laying. Flourishing plankton attracts krill, fish, seals and whales. The icebergs sparkle and the soaring peaks and rocky shores are dusted white from freshly fallen snow. The midnight sun powers all with life and energy."

Now offering special packages from $10,000 per person, Aurora Expeditions cruise packages include Antarctic expedition, international and domestic flights, accommodation and transfers.

Packages available on selected departures below.

Antarctic Peninsula (EAP25)
26 November to 6 December 2012
Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Kayaking, Photography, Climbing, Camping

Antarctic Peninsula - Sail/Fly (ANP85)
6 December to 14 December 2012
Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
Kayaking, Photography, Camping

Antarctic Peninsula - Fly/Sail (ANP86)
14 December to 22 December 2012
Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Kayaking, Camping


For more information visit : http://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

Windstar Cruises Sale

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, announces its biggest one-week sale of the year on 2012 luxury sailing voyages.

The Fourth of July Sale concludes on Friday, July 6th, and features fares as low as $976 per person in the Caribbean, $1,476 per person in Northern Europe, and $1,776 per person on many popular voyages in Greece, Italy and the Mediterranean.

Along with reduced fares, guests will experience the chic, stylish new look of the line’s $18 million renovation.

All three yachts now feature completely redesigned staterooms, owner’s suites, corridors, and public spaces. The four-masted Wind Star and Wind Spirit will introduce a new design in The Restaurant, Veranda, Lounge, Pool Bar, Library, and WindSpa.  Wind Surf, a five-masted sailing yacht, will feature a newly designed style in The Restaurant, Degrees, Veranda, Compass Rose, WindSpa, Yacht Club, and Pool Bar.


Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine guide to Windstar Cruises





Diane Moore, President Sales & Marketing of Windstar Cruises offers her View from the Bridge 







Cruising with Windstar Cruises across the Atlantic






Cruising with Windstar Cruises in the Caribbean (1)



Cruising with Windstar Cruises in the Caribbean (2)

News about Windstar Cruises renovations





Windstar Cruises ranked #1 by Celebrated Living for fifth year