mercedes

Ever booked a cruise far in advance only to find out later you could have gotten a better deal by waiting? Banish the thought, says Royal Caribbean. Starting immediately, the line says it is offering a "best price guarantee" that will cut you in on any price drops that take place after you book. Under the conditions of the guarantee, announced late Tuesday, passengers who book early and later find a lower fare advertised by Royal Caribbean for the same ship, sail date and cabin category can receive the full difference in price as an onboard credit. Any dollars not spent onboard will be refunded at the conclusion of the cruise. “Best Price Guarantee gives guests peace of mind, allowing them to plan ahead, book early and get the staterooms and excursions that they want with no worries that a better deal will come along after they’ve committed,” says Royal Caribbean marketing chief Betsy O’Rourke in a statement. “We want our guests to know that they received a good deal from us.” The new program comes less than a year after rival Carnival unveiled new Early Saver rates that come with a similar price guarantee. Royal Caribbean's Best Price Guarantee is good up until 72 hours prior to sailing. Passengers who find a better deal must contact Royal Caribbean or their travel agent to request the credit. The line adds that for reservations outside of the final payment period, the onboard credit may be replaced, upon request, with a reduction to a passenger's outstanding balance or a refund, as applicable. Royal Caribbean also says a small number of pricing programs are excluded from the Best Price Guarantee program, and it doesn't apply to group bookings. Full terms and conditions are online at RoyalCaribbean.com/BestPriceGuarantee.

(6:45 AM) -- A massive search-and-rescue operation is under way off the west coast of Canada today for a passenger who has gone missing from a Princess cruise ship. The 67-year-old woman, who hasn't been identified, was noticed missing Wednesday after the 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess pulled into Vancouver at the end of a cruise to Alaska. The Princess vessel was at sea from late Monday, when it left the small port of Ketchikan, Alaska, until early Wednesday traveling down the scenic Inside Passage to Vancouver. Rescuers are searching the entire route -- an area that stretches for more than 500 miles. The Associated Press reports the woman wasn't found during a search of the ship Wednesday, and her personal belongings were in her cabin. The U.S. Coast Guard has sent a helicopter and boats to search the U.S. waters from Ketchikan south to the Canadian border -- an 86-mile stretch. Canadian rescue agencies are searching the much larger area of water between the Canadian border and Vancouver.

Ray, I will be looking for some of those nesting dolls on my cruise to Russia next May.

Cruzin, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

nygirl320, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

Carnival Corp. Chairman and CEO Micky Arison told Wall Street analysts today that the company is likely to pull more ships out of Alaska over the coming year due to the rising cost of doing business in the state. The parent company of Carnival, Princess and Holland America already has announced plans to reduce capacity in Alaska significantly for 2010, as has Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, but Arison says further reductions to begin in 2011 now are under discussion. "It is likely we are going to do more of (the capacity cutting) in '11," he said during a conference call to discuss third quarter earnings. "The amount of cost that they've put on to the industry during this short season is astronomical, and it will continue to negatively affect Alaska." Arison and other Carnival executives said it was becoming increasingly difficult to make money in Alaska due to growing fees, taxes and regulations imposed on cruise companies by the state, and they said that other destinations such as Europe now hold more appeal for their ships. "The brand will decide to put the ship where there is the best return and the most profitable returns," Arison told analysts. "They have to put it in the context that they already have seven ships in Europe or they already have two ships in Australia, but they will model it out, and if it pays to pull a ship from Alaska and put it in Europe or ... the Far East they will do that." Arison noted that Alaska is a summer destination, and there are plenty of alternatives during the summer. "You're talking the peak July and August period where we can make a lot of money on a lot of different itineraries, and (because of rising fees and taxes) we can't make a lot of money in Alaska." The comments come just a few days after an association that represents the nine major lines sailing in Alaska filed a lawsuit challenging the state's recently added $50 tax on vacationers arriving on large cruise ship. Arison said a recent decision by the Disney Cruise Line to send a ship to Alaska for the first time in 2011 was an outlier event, and he didn't expect Disney to stick around for long. "Disney has historically cherry-picked markets. It may do this one year and not come back for three, four or five years," Arison noted. "The basic Alaska business will be declining. You may get Disney, Crystal or maybe even a Seabourn" for a season, he said, but on the whole ships will be pulling out due to the rising cost of doing business and the falling return. The Yachts of Seabourn is owned by Carnival Corp.

I wish I could join you, maybe next time.

Norwegian Cruise Line today officially launched its new Incentive Awards by Norwegian Cruise Line program providing companies and organizations the opportunity to purchase individual cruise awards for a variety of programs including motivating employees or recognizing top performers, fundraising and promotional purposes, among other things. In addition, travel partners have their own incentive with commissions paid at the time of booking. Incentive Awards by Norwegian Cruise Line offers three tiers of pricing -- Ultimate, Preferred and Value . updated on a quarterly basis allowing for attractive pricing with the availability to choose from balcony, ocean view or inside staterooms on most of Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising ships, including the new Norwegian Epic set to launch next summer, to a variety of destinations including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mexican Riviera and Hawai'i. "A cruise is not only a memorable and enjoyable vacation, but it can also be a highly motivational incentive. With our Incentive Awards program, we now provide freedom and flexibility for businesses and organizations that want to reward their people with a cruise vacation, and at the same time the award recipient is given the freedom and flexibility to select the ship and sailing date that is most attractive to them," said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of global sales and passenger services. "Travel partners who supply their clients with our Incentive Awards will also be rewarded with a commission making the program a win-win for all involved." As part of the program, once staterooms are purchased, special cruise certificates are generated and sent to the purchaser who can award them at their convenience. Norwegian handles the fulfillment and redemption of the cruise certificates making it an easy and seamless program. Upon receiving a certificate, recipients can simply call Norwegian's Incentive Awards desk to book the cruise of choice. To add to the flexibility, award recipients can purchase accommodation upgrades and add additional guests to the same stateroom for a nominal rate. Incentive Awards by Norwegian Cruise Line cruise certificates are for two guests per stateroom and include the cruise fare, government taxes and fees and pre-paid service charges. Certificates are valid for up to 18 months from the date of purchase and no minimum purchase is required. To purchase incentive cruise certificates or for more information, travel partners, incentive houses, corporate travel executives and organizations, should call Norwegian Cruise Line's Incentive Awards at (866) 584-9755 or visit ncl.com/incentives.

The enthusiastic following for Princess Cruises' recent online drydock journals for Golden Princess and Dawn Princess, has prompted yet another installment for Sea Princess' current drydock. Visitors to www.princess.com can follow along through September 25 as the ship receives new interior furnishings and finishes, fresh hull paint and exterior refurbishment, plus the addition of the line's adults-only Sanctuary. The Sea Princess Drydock Journal features regular updates of the work in progress at BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair at Pier 70 in San Francisco. The journal can be found on the Sea Princess page in the website's "Ships" section, and it will be regularly updated throughout the ship's two-week drydock. The photos will also be posted to Princess' Twitter feed, Facebook page and Flickr photostream. "We've received great feedback from passengers who have enjoyed following along with these drydock journals, and have gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining our vessels," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Viewers love watching how quickly ships are transformed when in drydock." When Sea Princess emerges from the drydock, the ship will feature the opportunity to get away from it all in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess' signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks or listen to a relaxing playlist of music. Other changes viewers will see throughout the drydock include a remodeled photo gallery area, the installation of new carpet and upholstery, plus a rare view of the bottom of the ship's hull as it receives several new coats of silicone paint. Once out of drydock, Sea Princess will transit the Panama Canal on her way to the Caribbean to begin a series of 14-day cruises from Barbados.

In a nod to it's aging customer base, Crystal Cruises announced this week that it is introducing Nordic Walking, fitness walking with lightweight poles aboard its ships. Through an exclusive new partnership with LEKI USA, a leading manufacturer of skiing, trekking and Nordic Walking Poles, Crystal continues to break new ground in fitness options at sea. Specifically designed to engage the entire body, the Nordic Walking poles will be available complimentarily to guests aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity this October. "We continually strive to stay a step ahead and offer our guests programs that benefit the mind and body," says Kristin Carlson, Crystal's manager of entertainment. "Besides the array of indoor gym activities, this program takes full advantage of the expansive 360-degree promenade decks aboard Crystal ships." Featuring rubber tips to assist in push-off various surfaces, like Crystal's wide decks, Nordic Walking poles help to evenly distribute stress while walking, increase stability, and improve balance, and alleviate the steady impact of running and jogging, while offering similar benefits. Using the poles exercises the upper and lower body while walking, adding to the cardiovascular benefit and burning up to 46% more calories than walking without them. Nordic Walking Poles specialist Rick Deutsch will be on board Crystal Serenity's October 8 cruise from Athens to Venice, and Crystal Symphony's October 19 cruise from New York to Montreal to teach the opening classes and train the ships' fitness instructors, who will lead demonstrations on following voyages. Crystal has long been a trendsetter in sophisticated wellness programming. In addition to the 360-degree promenade decks - a rarity in luxury cruising - both ships boast well appointed fitness centers with state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment. Recently introduced indoor cycling classes and Kinesis™ machines join exclusive offerings like the Walk on Water program utilizing weighted Walkvests , complimentary yoga and Pilates mat classes, and lectures from Cleveland Clinic experts. Guests wishing to order a set of Nordic Walking Poles may do so through the fitness directors on board.

One of my favorite Carnival ships.

knmhc, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

Oceania Cruises announced plans Wednesday for sailings to yet another far-flung destination, Africa. The line's first voyages to the continent will take place on the 684-passenger Nautica over the winter of 2010-11 and include a 30-day circumnavigation dubbed "Enchanted Africa" that begins in Istanbul and ends in Cape Town. Also planned: A 35-day voyage from Cape Town to Singapore that includes stops in the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The cruises are among seven completely new itineraries the line will offer on the Nautica as it sails around Africa and Asia through the winter of 2010-2011. New ports of call included in the itineraries include Cape Town; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Rangoon, Myanmar. The voyages are part of what Oceania is calling its most extensive and exotic winter line-ups ever. Also announced Wednesday: New seven- to 22-day South America itineraries for 2011 on the 684-passenger Insignia that will include stops in coastal villages along the Brazil coast as well as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The ship also will sail a 22-day Antarctica & the Fjords voyage that takes in the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands and Chilean Fjords. The line says the 684-passenger Regatta will spend the winter of 2010 sailing to such places as the Amazon (on a 24-day roundtrip cruise out of Miami) and the Caribbean. Customers who book soon are eligible for free air and bonus savings of up to $3,000 per cabin off already discounted 2-for-1 fares, dropping the price on some voyages as low as $1,499 per passenger.

Add Charleston to the list of port towns with year-round cruising. Industry giant Carnival says it will begin sailing out of the historic South Carolina city year-round on May 18, offering five-, six- and seven-day voyages to the Bahamas and Key West, Fla., on the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy. The move means Carnival now offers year-round cruising from a record 12 North American ports from Miami to New Orleans. The company operates from eight other North American ports seasonally. Until now Carnival has offered just a handful of cruises a year out of Charleston. The Fantasy's new five-night cruises out of Charleston, departing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, will call at Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. Six-night voyages, departing on Saturdays, will visit Freeport and Key West. Seven-night voyages, also departing on Saturdays, will stop in Grand Turk, Nassau and private island Half Moon Cay.

It's a sign of the times: The largest river cruise ship ever built, the 416-passenger, 10,000-ton, 439-foot-long Victoria Jenna debuted for Victoria Cruises this September. The launch of this technologically advanced vessel, which will cruise China's Yangtze River between Chongqing and Yichang, is yet another signal that river cruise ships are starting to catch up in style, sophistication, amenities and environmental applications to ocean-going vessels. According to Victoria Cruises, Victoria Jenna is a trendsetter with a number of river cruise ship firsts: four elevators, two full-service kitchens, CDMA-based Wi-Fi, full bathtubs and high-tech toilets onboard. Its 208 all-balcony staterooms include 42 suites -- more than any other river ship cruising the Yangtze River. Environmentally conscious cruisers will be pleased to note that the kitchen serves up grass-fed and hormone-free meats, and the ship employs green technology so it can have one of the best fuel-to-passenger ratios and reduce paper use onboard. While Victoria Cruises may be striving for a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records with its new-build, other river cruise lines have been upping the ante with innovative new ships this year, as well. Boats that cruise Europe's rivers have more limitations in size and girth (these must pass through innumerable narrow links and under many low-slung, ancient bridges). Even so, Uniworld's new River Beatrice, which cruises along the Danube between Passau and Budapest, sports more junior suites than any comparable ship. Its all-suite River Tosca, which debuts in late fall with Nile River voyages, will feature 300- to 650-square-foot cabins with marble-floored bathrooms, as well as a swimming pool lined with cabanas and a rooftop bar. Viking River Cruises' new ship, Viking Legend, employs the latest engine technology to ensure a quiet ride and use 20 percent less fuel. The ship also sports the largest suites on European river ships, with high-quality amenities, European linens and complimentary room service. Not to be outdone, Avalon Waterways can boast the youngest river cruise fleet afloat with the debut of this year's new ships, Avalon Creativity and Avalon Affinity. The line is particularly creative with new itinerary options, including short cruises, theme cruises and new pre- and post-cruise land extensions. AMAWATERWAYS is also pushing hard for new ships, with 2009's Amadolce and Amalyra becoming the fleet's fifth and sixth new ships in three years. Modern amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi and an in-cabin "Infotainment system" (an interactive TV with options for watching movies, surfing the Web and sending e-mail), and multiple fitness options (including a small fitness center, walking track and bicycles for passenger use). French balconies, now a standard feature on newer riverboats in Europe, are on more than 82 percent of cabins. And Tauck's new Swiss Jewel (and siblings Swiss Sapphire and Swiss Emerald) boast such modern amenities as Nintendo Wii in the Lido Bar and an alternative dinner option. You can find these new river ships sailing everywhere from the many rivers of Europe to the Yangtze River in China and the Nile River in Egypt. Better yet, the lines are enticing travelers, especially Americans, with special deals.

rickyimpala, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.