Princess Cruises Mother’s Day Sale

Princess Cruises is celebrating Mother’s Day with a sale on great family cruise destinations from convenient home ports. The May 10-14 sale offers special cruise deals on voyages to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada & New England, and Hawaii.

The Mother’s Day Sale offers passengers savings up to $700 per stateroom, plus up to $100 onboard credit on a total of more than 80 itineraries.

In addition to fare savings, passengers booking interior or oceanview staterooms can receive an onboard credit of $25 (cruises up to 9 days) to $50 (cruises 10 days or longer), and in balcony staterooms or above can get credits of $50 (cruises up to 9 days) or $100 (for sailings 10 days or longer). All onboard credits are offered per stateroom.

Cruise deals include:

Caribbean cruise – 7 days: $799 balcony (was $949); $549 interior (was $599)

Canada & New England cruise – 7 days: $999 balcony (was $1,299); $599 interior (was $799)

Panama Canal cruise – 10 days: $1,599 balcony (was $1,649); $999 interior (was $1,099)

Hawaii cruise – 14 days: $1,995 balcony (was $2,345); $1,295 interior (was $1,445)

Panama Canal cruise – 14 days: $1,799 balcony (was $2,299); $1,099 interior (was $1,599)

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy. The Mother’s Day Sale begins at 12:01 a.m. PDT on May 10 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on May 14, 2012 and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Reservations made during the sale require a non-refundable deposit.

Additional sale information is available at http://www.princess.com/sale.

For more about Princess Cruises see the Prow's Edge Profile at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-princess-cruises.html

Cruises and Mysterious Destinations

For something different in the world of cruises, you might want to take a look at Mysterious Destinations, a Maine-based company that specializes in creating travel experiences for people seeking to learn more about the unknown and the unexplained in both domestic and international locations.

For those crazy about their cruises, Mysterious Destinations is now offering a 7-day Caribbean cruise in which participants will have exclusive opportunities to personally investigate mysterious 4-fingered handprints at a Mayan ruin in Cozumel and seek evidence of paranormal activity at the Rose Hall Great House in Jamaica.

Paranormal detection equipment is provided for participants, as well as training in its use. Evidence collected by participants will be published online at www.MysteriousDestinations.com and presented to passengers of the cruise ship on the final day at sea.

The cruise will depart from New Orleans on Nov. 24 (2012) aboard the Navigator of the Seas, of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, with AAA acting as exclusive booking agent.

Further cruise based experiences of this type are in the planning stages. Watch Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine for the latest news about these and other cruises on offer around the world.

For more information take a look at:

http://www.mysteriousdestinations.com/component/content/article/10-tours/49-7-day-western-caribbean-expedition

Great American Steamboat Arrives in Memphis

The Great American Steamboat Company’s American Queen arrived in its homeport of Memphis today after her first voyage up the Mississippi River since 2008. The U.S.-flagged steamboat was welcomed to the revitalized Beale Street Landing marking the return of overnight cruises on the great rivers of America’s heartland and the continuation of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company legacy.

Originally built in 1995 by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, the American Queen is the largest and most opulent steamboat ever built accommodating 436-guests. Steeped in history, nostalgia and tradition, the steamboat offers an unrivaled All-American hospitality experience from its elegant staterooms to its palatial public spaces and celebrated Southern cuisine of famed Chef Regina Charboneau, the line’s Culinary Director.

“Today is a dream come true as we revive the fabled steamboat experience, introducing river communities to thousands of travelers, especially our hometown of Memphis,” shared Great American Steamboat Company President Jeff Krida. “The smiling faces greeting us here in the ‘Capital of Southern hospitality’ is humbling and it is no surprise most of our crew calls Memphis home.” 

After the christening, the American Queen will offer variety of voyage lengths, ranging from three nights to ten nights, and fares beginning at $995 per guest, offers exceptional value and convenience, with little or no flying required. With departures from iconic cities of Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Paul, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, this legendary mode of travel is easy to enjoy.  A pre- or post-cruise luxury hotel stay, all bottled water and soft drinks, wine and beer at dinner and complimentary shore adventures are included in each port of call.

For additional information and reservations, kindly contact the Great American Steamboat Company at 888-749-5280, visit online at  www.GreatAmericanSteamboatCompany.com 

For more information take a look at the new profile in Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-Great-American-Steamboat-Company.html

Norwegian Cruise Line 3-story sports complex

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Breakaway will be showcasing unique recreation and lots of fun facilities when it launches in April 2013. 

Offering new and unusual fun and thrills for the entire family, the Norwegian Breakaway top decks will be home to the first Aqua Park at sea complete with 5, fun, full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever to be offered on a cruise ship. 

The  Norwegian Breakaway will also feature a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more. 

Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that the ship will feature Nickelodeon experiences for the whole family and will include a Nickelodeon themed Kids’ Aqua Park and the chance for many more Nickelodeon experiences, including the all-new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Dora’s Dance Party, where kids will have the chance to sing and dance to their favorite songs with Dora the Explorer and Team Nick; Nickelodeon Character Meet and Greets; Story Time with Dora; and Nickelodeon Arts and Crafts. Nickelodeon will also be a part of the entertainment offered on the main stage .

Norwegian Cruise Line is recognized as the innovator in cruise travel with a 45-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

For more information visit the NCL web site at www.ncl.com

Luxury Ashore with Celebrity Cruises

Several years ago, Celebrity Cruises took an unique  approach to the exploration of 13 of the world's most exiting ports of call when it introduced private shore excursions.

Now, Celebrity Cruises has significantly expanded the concept to offer private shore excursions in over 70 ports of call around the world, offering even more ways for cruise passengers to make the most of their time ashore by enjoying the luxury and convenience of a private vehicle with a driver or a driver and a tour guide.

By exploring a destination at their own pace, guests who opt for Celebrity's private shore excursion options also enjoy a more immersive port experience focused on the places that interest them most.

Now available in over 50 ports of call in Europe and over 20 ports of call throughout Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest and South America, Celebrity's private shore excursion arrangements give vacationers a way to personalize the way they experience some of the world's most compelling ports, in the comfort of a private car or van.

These arrangements are available for purchase online pre-cruise, for either a half-day or full day of exploration. The day's itinerary is at the guest's discretion and is coordinated directly with the driver and/or guide on the day of the tour, so meals and visits to local attractions can be chosen on-the-spot.

For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit the  Celebrity Cruises wesite or take a look at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine

Princess Cruises Sale Offers Special Deals

For five days only, beginning April 19, Princess Cruises is offering special cruise deals to destinations around the world, including cruises to Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Hawaii, South America, Asia, and Australia & New Zealand. With the World of Savings sale, passengers can take advantage of savings up to $2,000 per stateroom, plus up to $100 onboard credit.

These select September 2012 to January 2013 sailings feature the best of Princess’ worldwide cruise destinations, offering the opportunity to sail to exciting ports of call such as Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Rome; to explore the natural wonders of Alaska; or to enjoy the idyllic islands of Hawaii or the Caribbean.

In addition to fare savings, passengers booking interior or oceanview staterooms can receive an onboard credit of $25 (cruises up to 9 days) to $50 (cruises 10 days or longer), and in balcony staterooms or above can get credits of $50 (cruises up to 9 days) or $100 (for sailings 10 days or longer). All onboard credits are offered per stateroom.

Examples of cruise deals include:

• Alaska – 7 days : $999 balcony (was $1,649); $549 interior (was $874)
  
• Caribbean – 7 days: $849 balcony (was $949); $549 interior (was $599)
  
• Europe – 12 days: $1,599 balcony (was $2,790); $999 interior (was $1,790)
  
• South America – 13 days: $2,099 balcony (was $2,395); $1,199 interior (was $1,495)
  
• Australia & New Zealand – 14 days: $2,199 balcony (was $2,995); $1,299 interior (was $2,095)
  
• Hawaii – 14 days: $1,999 balcony (was $2,345); $1,299 interior (was $1,445)
  
• Panama Canal – 14 days: $1,799 balcony (was $2,299); $1,099 interior (was $1,599)
  
• Asia – 16 days: $2,499 balcony (was $3,195); $1,499 interior (was $1,995)

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy. The World of Savings event begins at 12:01 a.m. PDT on April 19 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 23, 2012 and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Reservations made during the sale require a non-refundable deposit.

Additional sale information is available at http://www.princess.com/sale.

Disney Cruise Line's Disney Fantasy

Dwain Wall, Senior Vice President and General Manager of CruiseOne, the nation’s leading cruise retailer, recently returned from Disney Fantasy’s inaugural sailing. Below are his thoughts:

This ship is fit for travelers of all ages.
Multigenerational groups should look no further than Disney Fantasy, given the diversity of onboard activities and dining options. Disney has really worked hard to incorporate elements of each family member’s dream vacation onboard Fantasy. The show Wishes is a production appropriate for all ages. The private, adults-only areas of the ship are an especially nice retreat. Castaway Cay is an amazing private island oasis that only Disney could create, with bicycling, swimming with stingrays, character encounters, age-specific play areas and more. I was especially impressed by the beach wheelchairs Disney offers, which make shore excursions accessible and ensure every family member can participate in the fun.

A meal is no longer just a meal.
When guests sit down to dine at the Animator’s Palate restaurant, they immediately become engaged in creative, unique ways. Disney has taken the traditional family dinner and turned it into a 360-degree experience. Children – as well as adults – have the chance to interact with animators through dinner, who draw images that instantly come alive on the walls of the restaurant. This interactive experience is something incredible to watch as it comes to life and will take any cruiser’s vacation to the next level.

Evening entertainment is absolutely unprecedented.
Evenings aboard Fantasy are enchanting. The fireworks display that lights up the Caribbean – which is choreographed to everyone’s favorite Disney tunes – is an exciting magical Disney moment at sea.

Disney Fantasy is a unique opportunity for corporate and incentive travel.
CruiseOne will be celebrating our 20th anniversary and our first-ever joint land and sea National Conference aboard Disney Dream is this fall. After experiencing all that Disney brings to group travel onboard the Fantasy inaugural, I am excited to see what we are able to do for our network of travel professionals, vendors and partners.

To begin planning a dream vacation with CruiseOne, visit www.CruiseOne.com or take a look at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine for coverage on all sorts of topics and all the cruise lines.

Savings on Alaska Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line will launch a One-day Alaska Spectacular Sale on Monday, March 26, 2012, providing guests the opportunity to receive $100 on board credit per stateroom on all Alaska sailings.

Vacationers who make a new Alaska cruise reservation on March 26, 2012, will receive $100 per stateroom to spend on board for exciting Alaska shore excursions; treatments in Norwegian’s award-winning spas; or dinners in any of Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining restaurants.

This incredible Alaska offer is combinable with Norwegian’s Take It to the Next Level Sales Event featuring free up to 4-category stateroom upgrades, including balcony upgrades, and an e-coupon booklet valued at up to $400 in on board savings.

To make take advantage of the One-day Alaska Spectacular Sale limited time offer, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

For more experiences on cruise ships in Alaska take a look at Alaska cruise experiences at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine Cruise Experiences