mercedes

cowetamom, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

linjensen, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

cowgirl, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

wunderlust, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

suziq333, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

I know that Carnival packages start from $1,195, not sure about the others.

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE), which operates Windstar Cruises, announced a restructuring plan this week designed to reduce its outstanding debt by up to $70.5 million. The restructuring plan involves: • A planned exchange offer for up to all of the Company's $97.0 million of outstanding 3.75% convertible senior notes due 2027 ("Convert Notes"). • Assuming 100% of the holders of the Convert Notes accept the offer and elect to exchange their Convert Notes, the proposed exchange consideration to be offered will be comprised of: -- $26.5 million aggregate principal amount of newly issued 10% senior secured notes due 2012 ("New Notes") on which interest will be paid in kind (or in cash at the Company's election); and -- approximately 22.3 million shares of newly issued common stock, which will represent approximately 66.67% of the Company's outstanding common stock, immediately following the exchange offer. • Holders of approximately 59.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convert Notes have entered into separate exchange offer commitment and support agreements with the Company pursuant to which the definitive terms of the exchange offer will be agreed and such holders have agreed to exchange their Convert Notes for the newly issued New Notes and shares of common stock in the exchange offer.

Over 60 percent of travel agents report their cruise wedding business has increased in the last two years. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member lines report increases of as much as 60 percent in the last decade. More and more cruise lines offer shipboard wedding packages, amenities and wedding planning services, including legal marriages performed by ships' captains virtually anywhere in the world. Couples have gotten the message that a cruise can be the setting for an ideal destination wedding -- an easily planned, fully-personalized marriage ceremony, reception and honeymoon all rolled into one convenient package. The options are boundless: a shipboard wedding on embarkation day followed by a honeymoon for two; a shoreside wedding on a tropical beach; or a sunset marriage ceremony at sea with everyone in the wedding party enjoying the entire cruise are among the many choices. Whatever the plan -- a wedding close in the Caribbean or Bahamas on one of the newest and largest ships in the CLIA fleet or on an all-suite luxury vessel in Europe or the South Seas -- couples and wedding planners will find outstanding value at every price level, often with costs significantly less than a similar land-based wedding and reception. It is even possible to charter an intimate luxury yacht or elegant river cruise ship and have total control over all the details, even the itinerary. And, besides weddings, many CLIA lines offer honeymoon and vow renewal packages, bachelor and bachelorette parties, even programs for "popping the question" -- the ultimate engagement party at sea. To gauge the significance of the cruise wedding market and its trends, CLIA recently surveyed those who sell approximately 90 percent of all cruises. More than three hundred travel agents provided their input on who they are booking destination weddings at sea for and what their wedding clients are looking for. Here are the highlights of the findings: • Almost 40 percent of travel agents have sold shipboard or destination wedding cruises • Cruise weddings are getting more popular: Travel agents report booking more day-of-embarkation wedding cruises (18.3 percent); more shipboard weddings with guests going along for the cruise (22.1 percent) and more in-port weddings during the cruise (18.3 percent) • Over 60 percent of agents report their cruise wedding business has increased in the last two years • The best reasons to have a cruise wedding? Almost 35 percent of agents say their clients want to combine a wedding with a honeymoon; over 23 percent said value offered by cruise lines was the top reason • For romance, nothing beats the Caribbean/Bahamas: Over 80 percent of agents rank this destination as the overwhelming favorite among cruise wedding clientele • The typical wedding cruise is a seven-day voyage in the Caribbean and/or The Bahamas, on a large cruise ship with less than ten guests in the group. However, almost 30 percent of agents report booking wedding groups of 10 to 20 guests and over 10 percent book wedding parties of 20 to 30, and some cruise lines have reported wedding parties of as much as 200 • The typical cruise wedding clientele are mid-priced travelers aged 44 or younger who book eight to 10 months ahead Here is a sampling of how CLIA member lines cater to bridal couples and other romantic travelers: CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES Some 2,300 couples will take advantage of Carnival's all-inclusive wedding packages this year, a 50 percent increase from a decade ago. Carnival's wedding programs include an official civil ceremony, reception and other value-added features and can be tailored to the couple's wishes. Shipboard ceremonies are available on embarkation day in Carnival's U.S. ports and many Caribbean destinations. Vow renewal packages are also available. CELEBRITY CRUISES Celebrity's most popular wedding package is the "Nautical Nuptials" program featuring a captain-led wedding ceremony at sea offered on all Celebrity ships except Celebrity Xpedition. Other packages available include a "Bridesmaids' Tea Party," a "Cigar and Cognac Party," a "Test the Waters" package and a "Welcome Reception." Vow renewal celebrations are also offered. DISNEY CRUISE LINE Guests on Disney Cruise Line can exchange vows onboard the ship or step ashore for a romantic beach-side ceremony on the line's private island paradise, Castaway Cay. With a magical Fairy-Godmother functioning as wedding planner, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings handles all the details, including floral arrangements, elegant cakes and Champagne toasts. For many couples, Disney is also the ultimate honeymoon experience. HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Holland America offers a Wedding Package as part of its Group Advantage Program (GAP). The wedding couple enjoys a free stateroom upgrade and a commemorative wedding cake with at least eight staterooms booked and the entire group enjoys numerous amenities, including a Pinnacle Grill lunch, private wine tastings, and chocolate-covered strawberries and Chase Limogere Brut in their staterooms. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Norwegian offers two wedding packages -- "Onboard Aisles" and "On Shore Aisles" -- available in ports in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and Bermuda. Both include a ceremony conducted by a local official plus all the features of a wedding, from music to wedding cake and sparkling wine. Norwegian also offers vow renewal packages and an "Engagement Aisles" program for the ultimate proposal at sea. PRINCESS CRUISES Princess pioneered weddings at sea more than a decade ago, and since then ship captains have married thousands of couples while sailing in locations around the globe. The unique "Tie the Knot at Sea" program offers ceremonies in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska and other exotic locales, which couples can customize with live music, flowers and reception options. In addition, a harborside option enables couples to be married in port, and ashore weddings are available in a variety of scenic ports. ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL In addition to a "Royal Romance" package featuring a one-hour wedding ceremony onboard ship or on shore on embarkation day, couples on Royal Caribbean can exchange vows while climbing the ships' rock walls or ice-skating or even catching the waves on the shipboard Flowrider. Shoreside wedding venues include the glaciers of Alaska, European castles, rainforests and an Italian vineyard. WINDSTAR CRUISES Windstar invites couples celebrating honeymoons, renewing wedding vows or honoring a special anniversary to discover romance at sea. Chilled Champagne, chocolate-dipped seasonal fruit, breakfast in bed, "Time for Two" massages and elegant dinners for two at sunset are among the amenities featured on the line that has been named "Most Romantic Cruise Line" by Porthole Magazine.

Holland America Line's ms Zaandam is set to discover the Hawaiian Island chain in 2010 with Circle Hawaii itineraries that offer guests the best of both worlds: luxuriously relaxing days at sea and exotic islands to explore. The 1,432-passenger ship will sail five 14-day roundtrip San Diego, Calif., cruises and one 15-day voyage from Vancouver, British Colombia, to San Diego. The sailings are from October through December. Nestled between two stretches of sea days are back-to-back calls at Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui — plus a call at Ensenada, Mexico — before returning to San Diego. Included in the Hawaii cruise roster is a holiday sailing departing Dec. 19. "Our Hawaiian itineraries combine the appeal of warm-water cruising and a port-intensive Pacific island experience," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "Guests will have time to enjoy our shipboard amenities and activities, and the convenience of visiting four ports in four days without multiple flights or the packing and unpacking associated with island hopping." Departing Sundays from San Diego, guests will have several relaxing days at sea before arriving at Hawaii. During this time, they can enjoy a day at the Greenhouse Spa, channel their inner chef at the Culinary Arts Center for a hands-on cooking class or attend a Digital Workshop powered by Windows® to learn how to share memorable photos taken on the voyage. The Speaker Series offers exciting insights into upcoming ports and includes destination-related topics such as Polynesian music and dance traditions. The first port call is to Hilo on the big island of Hawaii where guests can visit one of Hawaii's best-known landmarks — Kilauea Volcano — with its impressive molten lava flows. Other highlights include world-class botanical gardens and the awe-inspiring Akaka Falls. As Zaandam makes it way to Honolulu, the state capital, guests can enjoy an evening at the Polynesian Cultural Centers or other Hawaiian must-dos: whale watching, a traditional Hawaiian luau, a stroll down Waikiki beach or even surfing. For a more reflective view into Hawaii's past, guests can visit the USS Arizona Memorial from World War II. On route to Nawiliwili, Kauai, cruisers are in for spectacular views as Zaandam sails along the island's dramatic Na Pali Coast. Upon reaching Nawiliwili guests can visit Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) or get an aerial view of the island on a helicopter tour. Thrill-seekers can book a zipline tour through the forest canopy for a unique perspective of the island's inspiring natural setting. At Lahaina, Maui, guests can explore the stunning beaches and a magnificent volcano, or spend the day shopping at chic boutiques and galleries. Those sailing on the 15-day voyage departing Oct. 2 have an added call at Kona, once known as the playground of Hawaii's royalty. Kona is synonymous with the famous coffee that grows on the slopes of dormant Hualalai volcano, a definite must-see for coffee aficionados. Another highlight of this longer voyage is an evening scenic cruise past the famous Kilauea volcano.

The countdown continues as MSC Cruises prepares for a 2009-10 Caribbean season that includes the arrival of MSC Poesia in North American waters, a wide variety of special theme cruises and interesting itineraries. The Italian, family-owned line is bringing MSC Poesia to Fort Lauderdale for a season featuring itineraries of 3-, 5-, 7-, 8- and 10-nights throughout the Caribbean and to Bermuda during the winter season before returning to Europe in spring 2010. MSC Poesia features 1,275 staterooms, of which 80% are outside staterooms and 65% have a balcony. There will be 2 pools and 4 hot tubs, a 13,000-square-foot spa, and four restaurants, including a Sushi Bar themed restaurant. MSC Poesia will arrive in Fort Lauderdale Nov. 10, after a 17-night transatlantic journey from Venice. Her Caribbean season will include: • 5-night sailings: Nov. 10 and Nov. 15 • 10-night itineraries - Nov. 20, Nov. 30, Dec. 10 • 7-night Christmas itinerary, departing Dec. 20 • 7-night New Year's itinerary, departing Dec. 27 • 7-night itineraries - a variety of eastern and western itineraries Jan. 16-April 10 • 7-night Bermuda itinerary - departing April 17, features 3 nights in Bermuda • 3-night Bahamas cruise, departing April 24 MSC Poesia departs Fort Lauderdale April 27 on an 18-night voyage to Hamburg.

For those who have sailed even just once with Holland America Line, there's now more to enjoy on future cruises. 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. "We wanted to create a program that gives our loyal Mariner members fantastic perks, cruise values and enhances that sense of pride they feel after having sailed on several cruises with Holland America Line," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "We have one of the highest repeat guest ratios in the cruise industry and our loyal guests deserve the valuable benefits in our new Mariner Society Rewards Program." 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

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Norwegian Epic, the company's largest ship to date currently under construction in France, will make her inaugural transatlantic seven-day cruise on June 24, 2010, departing from London (Southampton). The 4,200 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship will arrive in New York, her first port of call in the United States, on July 1, 2010. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise has been added to Norwegian Epic's inaugural season, departing Miami on July 10, 2010, one week earlier than previously scheduled. "In true maritime fashion, Norwegian Epic will make the non-stop crossing from the U.K. to New York in just one week," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's chief executive officer. "This seven-day voyage gives our guests the opportunity to be the first to immerse themselves in all of the innovative and varied activities, world-class dining and spectacular entertainment that will be offered on Norwegian Epic." After strong response to a waitlist for Norwegian Epic's transatlantic last month, Norwegian Cruise Line will give those guests on the waitlist first priority to confirm their booking on the transatlantic today and tomorrow. A special guest services team will be contacting those guests so that they can choose from Norwegian Epic's wide range of accommodations from the innovative new Studios to the largest suite and villa complex at sea. On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, members of Norwegian's past guest program, Latitudes, will have a special preview sale day to book the cruise. The much-anticipated transatlantic sailing will officially open to the public for booking on Thursday, September 17, 2009. Norwegian Epic's new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas, will go on sale to the public on September 28, 2009. Guests currently booked on Norwegian Epic's July 17, 2010 Eastern Caribbean cruise will have priority to switch to the new sailing date if they so choose. Agents can contact Norwegian Cruise Line at 1800-327-7030 by September 25, 2009 to make any additional changes. In addition, Norwegian Epic's 2010/11 inaugural season sailings from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean are currently open for sale. The ship's alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, available as seven-day individual sailings or 14-day combined sailings, are available through April 2011.

Royal Caribbean added yet another thrill for its Caribbean-bound passengers this week: An "alpine coaster" that reaches speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. The $35-a-ride attraction, dubbed Dragon's Tail Coaster, is located at the line's private beach in Labadee, Haiti, which is visited weekly by several ships. Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein noted in his blog this week that Dragon's Tail Coaster is a first in the cruise industry. "This is an attraction that exists at some ski resorts but certainly not at any other cruise line’s private destination," he wrote. "I tried the one at Park City, Utah, this past winter so I would know what we were going to offer, (and) I can’t wait to try it at Labadee." Goldstein says the attraction soars 680 feet into the air and includes 360-degree turns, dips and curves. Cruisers ride a cart down a track that cuts through a mountainside forest. The total ride time is about three to five minutes. The $35 price is for two people in the cart with a maximum combined weight of 360 pounds. The minimum age for a single ride is 12 years old. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 may ride in the same cart with their parent or guardian.

The Disney Cruise Line will return to the Mexican Riviera in 2011 for the first time in three years. The line today announced it plans a series of seven-night cruises to the region out of Los Angeles aboard the 2,400-passenger Disney Wonder. The ship will stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta during the voyages. The sailings will take place before and after the ship visits Alaska for a series of cruises over the summer of 2011 -- a first for the company. Prices start at $639 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy. Disney has sailed to the Mexican Riviera twice before, in 2005 and 2008. Disney today also announced the Disney Magic will sail a series of 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises out of Barcelona in 2011. The series of 10 voyages kicks off on May 28, 2011, and rates start at $1,739 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.

Even as one Micky pulls out, another heads in. The Mickey Mouse-themed Disney Cruise Line today announced plans for its first cruises to Alaska -- a destination where cruise lines associated with another Micky, Carnival Chairman Micky Arison, have been cutting capacity. Disney will kick off the Alaska sailings in 2011 aboard the 2,400-passenger Disney Wonder, which will operate out of Vancouver, B.C. The ship will offer seven-night roundtrip voyages that call in the Alaskan port towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway and visit scenic Tracy Arm. Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz made the announcement today at an event in Anaheim, Calif. “Our guests have longed to explore the wild, natural beauty of Alaska with Disney Cruise Line,” Holz says in a statement. “With this itinerary, families will enjoy all the outdoor adventures Alaska has to offer.” Like other lines, Disney will operate in often-chilly Alaska during the summer. The first of 18 cruises the line plans for 2011 will depart Vancouver on May 3, 2011 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30, 2011. Rates start at $939 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy and not including government taxes and fees. Disney's move into Alaska comes as several lines pull ships from the region due to what they say is an increasingly difficult operating environment. Carnival-owned Princess and Holland America as well as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cruise West all have announced cutbacks in capacity for 2010. Carnival's Arison told cruise writers in June the industry is on the verge of filing a lawsuit against Alaska over a $50 per passenger cruise tax Alaska's voters approved three years ago. Arison and other industry executives have said such taxes and additional regulations imposed in the state in recent years have reduced its appeal as a place to do business. In anticipation of the Alaska sailings, Disney says it will add a new venue called Outlook Café atop the Disney Wonder during a dry dock in October. Located on deck 10, the 2,500-square-foot indoor lounge will offer a place for passengers to watch for wildlife such as whales as the ship sails along Alaska's scenic Inside Passage. The venue will have floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows. Today's announcement is for the 2011 season only. A Disney spokesman said "nothing has been determined" for the line's schedule beyond that year. Disney today also announced new itineraries for 2011 along the Mexican Riviera and in the Mediterranean.