Royal Caribbean Announces Explorer of the Seas 2014 Cruises From Cape Canaveral.

Explorer of the Seas Departs Cape Liberty, Bayonne

Royal Caribbean International today announced new Caribbean cruises for Explorer of the Seas from November 2014 through early January 2015. After eight consecutive years dedicated to the New York metropolitan area with year-round sailings from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., Explorer of the Seas will redeploy to Port Canaveral, Fla., to offer a range of four- to nine-night Bahamas, and Western and Southern Caribbean vacations. Throughout the short season, Explorer of the Seas will join Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas at Port Canaveral to offer the most ships and itinerary options to The Bahamas and the Caribbean from Central Florida’s Space Coast. Guests aboard each ship will enjoy a Caribbean-holiday vacation that only Royal Caribbean can deliver, with the cruise line’s award-winning family programming, industry-leading entertainment and world-renowned friendly and engaging GOLD Anchor Service. Explorer of the Seas’ 2014 holiday season cruises from Port Canaveral are now open for sale.

            Explorer of the Seas is among the Voyager class of ships, which first introduced innovative and iconic Royal Caribbean onboard amenities, such as Studio B – a real ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, an in-line skating track, and the Royal Promenade, a four-deck high boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship. The Royal Promenade is lined with boutiques, lounges and a café and comes to life with colorful parades during the day and themed dance parties at night. Guests also can delight in professional ice-skating productions in Studio B and Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Broadway-style musical revues in the Palace Theater; try their luck in the Casino Royale; and dance into the night in The Chamber nightclub.

            Young guests, ages three to 11, can join in Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program, while teens, ages 12-17, have their own exclusive space. College-accredited counselors lead ongoing entertaining and educational sessions from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. in five age groups. Kids will enjoy the Adventure Beach splash pool and teens can hang out with their peers in the teens-only Optix lounge.

            From close encounters with the rich wildlife both on land and below the sea, to enriching tours of cultural and historic landmarks, to exciting adventures into the lush terrain, Royal Caribbean’s expansive array of shore excursions help guests make the most of their Caribbean port of call and create long-lasting memories for every member of the family. No matter which Royal Caribbean shore excursion they choose, guests can rest assured that their guides and tour operators are reputable, experienced and insured.

            On select itineraries, guests call at two destinations highly rated by guests, CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in The Bahamas, or Labadee, the cruise line’s private beach destination on the north coast of Haiti. Guests can choose a wide range of watersports options on beautiful sandy beaches and enjoy a sumptuous seaside barbeque. Labadee also offers a range of activities for thrill seekers, who can soar 500 ft. down the mountainside on the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest zip line over water; twist and turn down the same mountainside on the Dragon’s Tail Alpine Coast; or beat the heat on the new 300 ft. long Dragon’s Splash Waterslide.

            Explorer of the Seas will sail four Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Port Canaveral through Jan. 4, 2015. On these five-night itineraries, guests call at Cozumel, Mexico, and Nassau, The Bahamas, or CocoCay and Cozumel. Vacationers also can choose two Southern Caribbean sailings on a nine-night itinerary that call at each of the ABC Islands and Labadee.

            Additionally, a five-night Bahamas cruise, departing Dec. 13, 2014, will call at Nassau, Grand Bahamas Island and CocoCay. Guests on a special four-night sailing, departing Dec. 23, will call at Labadee on Christmas Day. The following eight-night Caribbean itinerary will herald in the New Year in St. Maarten, as well as call at San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and Labadee. Vacationers also can choose an extended 14-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, departing Nov. 1, 2014, which repositions Explorer of the Seas from Cape Liberty to Port Canaveral via the Southern Caribbean.

            From Port Canaveral, vacationers also have Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas from which to choose. Freedom of the Seas, with its iconic FlowRider surf simulator, will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries and Enchantment of the Seas will offer three- and four-night Bahamas getaways.

            Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry firsts never-before-seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand. World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.

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Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas Returns to Service After Repair Completed

Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas

The Grandeur of the Seas is preparing to make her grand re-introduction after completing repairs.  The stern of the ship was extensively damaged on May 27 when a fire erupted on the rear mooring deck. As a precautionary measure passengers were asked to assemble on deck in the middle of the night. The fire was quickly under control and the ship was able to proceed under her own power to Freeport, in the Bahamas

Since then, the ship has been in the Grand Bahamas Shiyard undergoing repairs.

The fully restored Grandeur of the Seas arrived in Baltimore on Wednesday  (7/10) after undergoing 6 weeks of repairs. Upon arriving in Baltimore, she sailed on an overnight cruise for the media, and travel agents to showcase the ship.

The Grandeur will resume her regular cruise schedule from Baltimore starting today - July 12. Current schedules have the Grandeur of the Seas deparing Baltimore though April 2015.

As a side note: In preparation for  her series of sailings from Baltimore, the Grandeur underwent a major, $48 Million dollar refit in Cadiz, Spain in 2012

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Celebrity Cruises Inks Deal With Billboard

When considering what are the hottest new songs or who are the most popular performers, Billboard is the source that comes to music lovers’ minds. So, when seeking a partner for a series of new musical offerings onboard, that’s exactly who Celebrity Cruises approached, and guests across the fleet are now “rocking” the benefits.
Celebrity today announced that they have joined forces with Billboard to launch a series of innovative, modern luxury musical programs onboard. Based on Billboard’s exclusive charts that track today’s hottest songs and artists, a trivia series, new musically focused game shows and themed parties will offer guests fun and exciting entertainment experiences across the fleet, with a chance to win Billboard prizes.
On every Celebrity ship (with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition), guests can enjoy:

• Billboard: The Music Game Show - A “TV-style” interactive game show that tests guests’ knowledge through multiple rounds of music challenges, with the studio audience able to join in the action through an audience response system.
• Billboard: The Music Trivia Series - Teams participate in trivia contests comprised of questions based on various genres, such as Music Legends, Music in the Media, Decades, Country, British Invasion: Now and Then, ‘70s and ‘80s.
• Billboard Music Card Prize Giveaway - Guests participating in the trivia series and game shows have the chance to win Billboard music cards, which can be used to redeem music from the billboardmusicpromotions.com website, featuring millions of downloadable songs.
• Totally ‘80s Theme Party - Currently offered exclusively on Celebrity Reflection, the cast, activities staff and DJ transport guests back to the ‘80s in this fully produced and choreographed party, featuring Billboard Hits of the decade and encouraging dancing all night long.

In addition, two lucky Celebrity guests have the chance to win a set of tickets to the 2013 Billboard Music Awards Show in Las Vegas, May 19, through the “Rock the Red Carpet” sweepstakes running from January 7 through April 7, 2013. Each winner will be invited to bring a guest, and will have red carpet access, pre- and post-party access, premium seats at the show, and roundtrip air from a major gateway to Las Vegas for each winner and guest. To enter, click www.celebritycruisesrocktheredcarpetsweeps.com.

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Luxury Operator Crystal Cruises Offers Discounts on Shorter Cruises

Luxury travelers take note: Crystal Cruises is kicking off 2013 with a younger clientele, shorter cruises, stronger 2013 bookings, a broader collection of ultra-luxe cruise destinations and savings.   How so?

New Book Now fares, guaranteed only through February 28, 2013, offer up to $1500 off Asia, $1500 off Europe, $1600 off New England/Canada, $1700 off South America, $1000 off Holiday sailings, and more.  

What’s more…

·         Reduced Solo Travel Fares on 12 voyages in Asia, Mediterranean, Baltic and South America – as low as 110% for sole occupancy staterooms.

 

·         Kids Sail Free on select July and August Western and Northern European cruises, in a third berth when sharing a stateroom with two adults.

“Booking early reaps great benefits – in savings, third berth capacity, airfares, etc.,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president, marketing & sales.  “When our last round of Book Now fares expired on December 28, we raised rates on 25 cruises in 2013 and seven in 2014.  By the end of December, we had over 70% of our targeted revenue on the books for 2013.  The word is out that these extraordinary fares for our ultra-luxury cruises are not guaranteed forever.”

Also significant, many more 2013 cruises are 10 days or less (almost half!), including a 250+% increase in shorter European cruises.  Additionally, Crystal’s wildly successful Fall 2012 series of short Getaways, are returning for 2013 with more options to more destinations.

·         Crystal Getaways:  As little as 5 days, 9 voyages in Asia, Australia/New Zealand, New England/Canada and Alaska start as low as $1,470 per person.

“More than 70% of our Getaways guests are new to Crystal and, on average, almost 10 years younger,” says Anderson.  “Some are time-crunched professionals.  Some are combining with land stays.  All in all, they’ve been blending in well with guests on more extended cruise vacations and are raving about their Crystal experience.” 

Also worth noting in 2013:

·         More than 50% increase in shipboard overnight stays in port on embarkation days – to better enjoy the destination and ease the travel experience.

·         25% more port days than 2012.

In 2013, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity visit 216 ports of call in 63 countries, while 2014 brings 194 ports in 68 countries.  Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.  With a host of complimentary amenities, from enlightening enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining, featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, a Crystal cruise offers tremendous value in luxury resort vacationing worldwide.

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Crystal Cruises Offers Shorter Itineraries Special Offers.

Crystal Cruises Luxury Crystal Symphony Offers a 5-Day Sailing From New York to Halifax.

Crystal Cruises is unveiling a new collection of early 2013 “Crystal Getaways”: 5- to 11-day segments that pack a tremendous amount of luxurious value into convenient, shorter itineraries.  Ten voyages aboard the award-winning Crystal Symphony offer shorter versions of published cruises from January through May. 

Due to the enormous success of the “Crystal Getaways” launched for fall 2012 Europe sailings, the ultra-luxury line is expanding its offerings to cruises worldwide, including options in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, Alaska and New England, USA.  Each shorter segment features at least one overnight stay in some of the regions’ most beloved ports, and fares start as low as $1,365 per guest if booked by December 28.

“The ‘Crystal Getaways’ have proven to be a great way to welcome new Crystal cruisers to the luxury nuances, extraordinary service and value of the Crystal vacation,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president of sales and marketing.   “The new Crystal cruisers were either travelers with busy schedules who couldn’t take longer vacations, travelers who moved up to luxury to celebrate a meaningful occasion, or travelers who wanted to combine Getaways with their own land programs.  What has been gratifying and consistent is the high level of rebooking from these new Crystal converts.  We know that travelers who try a Crystal cruise are strongly inclined to come back for more.”

To date, “Crystal Getaways” for 2013 include:

5-day sailings:

• January 29, $1,725 – Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington
• March 7, $2,365 – Singapore, Bangkok
• April 24, $1,470 – Seward, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Vancouver
• May 23, $1,630 – New York City, Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax

  6-day sailings:

• January 5, $1,365 – Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart
• January 11, $1,365 – Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane

  7-day sailings:

• March 23, $3,235 – Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai
• April 5, $3,080 – Shanghai, Pusan, Nagasaki, Kōbe

  8- and 11-day sailings:

• February 3, (8 days) $2,755 – Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Sydney
• March 12, (11 days) $5,200 – Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Chan May, Hanoi, Hong Kong

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.  With a host of complimentary amenities, from enlightening Enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining, featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, a Crystal cruise always offers tremendous value in luxury resort vacationing.

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