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jfultz81, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

elsisi, have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

It's not just Alaska's port towns suffering this year as cruise passengers cut back on spending. Even the state's interior is feeling the pinch. Fairbanks' Daily News-Miner today reports visitor arrivals to Alaska's second largest city have plunged this summer as cruisers slash the number of days they stay in the state before and after voyages. The news outlet notes attendance at Fairbanks' Museum of the North, a popular stop for cruisers, dropped about 25% in July versus the same month last year. Hotels in the city are seeing double digit declines in occupancy, and airlines report sharp declines in passengers flying to and from the city. Cruise passengers traditionally account for about half of visitors to Fairbanks. While far from the coastal ports cruise ships visit, the city is a common stop on multi-day land tours that cruise lines sell as add-ons to seven-night Alaska voyages. The tourism decline for Alaska's interior may be just beginning. Several big ship lines including Princess, NCL and Royal Caribbean already have announced plans to pull ships from the state in 2010, citing the growing costs of taxes and regulations. The Alaska Travel Industry Association projects that 140,000 fewer cruise passengers will visit Alaska in 2010 -- a 14% decline from this year.

Want to be on the first revenue sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line's much-ballyhooed Norwegian Epic? The line says it will begin taking names today for a waitlist to book the 153,000-ton vessel's crossing next summer from Europe, where it is under construction, to its new home in the Caribbean. Passengers on the waitlist will have first priority to make a booking on the trans-Atlantic voyage after the sailing date, itinerary and pricing are announced. The line says passengers should call their travel agent or NCL directly (at 866-234-7350) to be put on the waitlist. NCL already has begun taking bookings for the ship's inaugural season in the Caribbean, which begins on July 17. The ship will sail seven-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami. Bigger than all but a handful of Royal Caribbean ships, the massive vessel will be more than 60% larger than the largest NCL ship currently at sea and dwarf the biggest vessels operated by such big-ship lines as Carnival, Princess and Celebrity. With room for 4,200 passengers at double occupancy -- more when third and fourth berths in cabins are taken into account -- the soaring, 19-deck giant will be second only to Royal Caribbean's soon-to-debut, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas in capacity. It'll boast such groundbreaking features as cabins with curved walls and adults-only, Vegas-style nightspots that come with a cover charge. The Epic's Eastern Caribbean voyages will call in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship’s Western Caribbean itinerary has stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

As Ruby Princess approached Venice this afternoon, passengers aboard the Princess Cruises ship were treated to a special live art event as famed marine life artist Wyland painted an unusual canvas -- the bottom of the ship's Neptune Pool. Known worldwide for his unique works featuring sea animals, Wyland is aboard the ship for special art events and meet and greets with passengers. However, painting the ship's pool was not on his original agenda. Ruby Princess Captain Tony Draper suggested the idea to the artist after being inspired by watching ship crew members painting the Princess "seawitch" logo on the bottom of the ship's other main pool. A first for the cruise line, Wyland agreed to paint the mother dolphin and her baby as a way to increase awareness of his conservation message. Passengers were invited to follow along with a live top-deck event hosted by the ship's cruise director, including live video of the painting in progress broadcast on the ship's Movies Under the Stars screen. "This is certainly one of the most unusual ways we've ever painted a pool," said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. "But it's a wonderful way to work with Wyland to address our shared concern with the importance of marine conservation, and to give our passengers a unique experience as they witnessed a one-of-a-kind artwork taking shape." Passengers were able to enjoy watching the artist at work just prior to the ship's arrival into the Venice canal system. Marine life artist Wyland is an accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer and SCUBA diver. His non-profit Wyland Foundation has supported numerous conservation programs since 1993, including the monumental Whaling Wall mural project -- an epic series of more than 100 life-size marine life murals that spans 14 countries on four continents and is viewed by an estimated 1 billion people every year. Wyland and Princess Cruises have a long-time association. Many Princess ships incorporate his sculptures in the swimming pool areas, and are featured in his latest book "100 Whaling Walls." Wyland's artwork is also featured in the ships' onboard art galleries.

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has signed a new, multi-year contract with Carnival Corporation that will ensure cruise ship passengers and staff have access to the latest high-speed Internet and advanced voice and data services available as they sail the high seas. Harris, an international communications and information technology company, has provided satellite communications services onboard select Carnival cruise ships for the past 10 years. The new managed services agreement initially covers Carnival vessels under the Costa Cruises brand, Italy's largest tourism group and Europe's #1 cruise company. Harris will provide Costa ships with significantly more satellite bandwidth, a modern all-IP network, and operational support of onboard equipment including dual C-band and Ku-band antennas for seamless global coverage and high reliability. Costa Cruises operates 14 cruise ships with worldwide itineraries, and expects to commission 3 new ships by 2012.

Crystal Cruises unveils its 2011 season with returns to Alaska and West Africa, among the 58 cruises visiting 163 ports in 67 countries. From Trabzon, Tallinn and Tauranga to Lomé, Loreto and Liverpool, the ultra-luxurious, award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will embark on global journeys throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic, Alaska, New England/Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Australia/New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, India, South America and Africa. Crystal Serenity’s 15th annual epic World Cruise spans 110 days on a new route around east and west Africa, while new northern hemisphere adventures offer guests Alaska cruises roundtrip from San Francisco and expanded opportunities to visit the North Cape and Mexican Riviera. "Given the great number of Crystal Society members from all over the world, we’re mixing it up more than ever in 2011," says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. "In addition to our very exotic voyages in destinations like Africa, India and the Middle East, we’re also greatly increasing our presence in North America with a greater selection of domestic cruises. While destination and reputation are the leading vacation drivers, we also know that many of our guests relish the Crystal resort experience combined with the convenience of closer-to-home itineraries." Whether celebrating a reunion or a romantic getaway, Crystal’s 2011 cruise repertoire highlights the best of each destination on a variety of seven- to 21-day itineraries, in addition to the full World Cruise. Most itineraries boast overnight night stays and late night port calls. New in 2011: • 110-day World Cruise from Los Angeles to London, via the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India, Dubai, and Africa. • Maiden calls in Argostoli, Kefalonia; Fethiye, Turkey; Komodo Island, Indonesia; Koper, Slovenia; and Marigot Bay, St. Martin. • Return to West Africa for the first time since 2001. • Return to Alaska with 12-day voyages round-trip from San Francisco, for the first time since 2005. • Additional North Cape opportunities to the Polar Ice Cap, two cruises in 2011. • Every fall New England/Canada cruise includes a shipboard overnight in New York, as well as Montréal. • Eight Mexican Riviera choices round-trip from Los Angeles, including several seven-day and a holiday cruise. • All but one Crystal Symphony voyage embarking and/or debarking from a U.S. port. • Overnight calls in Ashdod and Melbourne, as well as Barcelona, Cannes, Istanbul, New York and other worldwide cities. • Double overnight calls in Dubai, as well Cape Town and St. Petersburg. • More than 80 possible combo cruises throughout Europe without repeating ports. • Thanksgiving cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. • Christmas/New Year holiday options round-trip from Los Angeles or from Miami. • Dozens of career-friendly itineraries embarking and/or debarking on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises today announced ChoiceAir, a new way for guests to purchase air transportation to and from their cruise. With ChoiceAir, guests will be able to select their preferred airline and a specific itinerary and shop for the best prices among published fares and exclusive ChoiceAir specials. Unlike traditional programs, guests will know their airline itinerary as soon as they are ready to choose it, and - as with traditional air programs - there is a support team available to support guests before, during, and after they travel. ChoiceAir will be available to guests from the U.S. and Canada beginning August 3, 2009. "The new ChoiceAir is a best-in-class program that will provide guests with convenience, flexibility, value, and support when it comes to the air transportation portion of their vacation," said Doug Santoni, senior vice president of Revenue Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "Our guests and our travel partners have told us they value the support we provide as part of our traditional air programs, but that they would also like a full choice of competitive air fares and schedules, and to be able to select their itinerary at the time they book their cruise. With ChoiceAir, we are responding to our customers' wishes." Guests will be able to purchase ChoiceAir through a travel agent, directly from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises contact centers, and online through a new ChoiceAir website. Travel agents will be able to purchase ChoiceAir for their clients through CruisingPower.com, the three cruise lines' dedicated site for travel professionals. A cost of $15 per person for domestic and $25 per person for international air travel will apply to ChoiceAir bookings, and will include access to the ChoiceAir support desk, aid in cases of flight delays, and assistance in making alternative flight arrangements in the event of missed embarkation. Guests' cruise and air arrangements will both be present in a single consolidated booking record, creating greater convenience for travel agents, who would no longer need to manage two separate and independent bookings.

Promoting relaxation and well-being, three Holland America Line packages provide guests with more ways to customize their cruise vacation. The Well-Being Package, Suite Amenities Package and Suite Elite Package feature select combinations for fitness, luxury and revitalization. "As the needs and expectations of our guests continue to diversify, we, in turn, continue to vary our offerings that entertain, educate and energize," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest services. "These packages further enhance luxury cruising for our guests that are wanting an exclusive and personal experience." The Well-Being Package promotes rejuvenation through the Greenhouse Spa and fitness center. One fitness session is included which guests can choose from a class schedule while onboard. Guests select either a fifty minute facial or massage treatment from a collection comprised of a La Therapie Facial, an Elemis Aromapure Facial and a Swedish or an Elemis Deep Tissue Massage. Guests will also enjoy an advanced revitalization treatment with an Alpha Capsule session which combines dry-heat sauna, vibratory massage and soothing aromatherapy. Unlimited access to the hydro pool and thermal suite is added with a souvenir monogrammed bathrobe for each guest. At a preferred time, a platter of sliced fresh fruit is delivered daily. The Well-Being package starts at $299 per person on seven-day sailings. The Suite Amenities Package offers special suite-like services for guests booked in staterooms other than suites. Either high tea or cold canapés are delivered to each stateroom daily as well as complimentary laundry and pressing through the length of a sailing. Guests also enjoy an Explorations Café coffee card for ten drinks and a daily DVD selection from the video library with hot popcorn. For an evening of fine dining, a dinner for two is provided at the Pinnacle Grill restaurant. Fresh flowers, pillows à la carte and a beverage set-up with two bottles of wine and two bottles of liquor are prepared along with two souvenir monogrammed bathrobes in each stateroom. Special disembarkation including luggage pick-up and departure at leisure is offered with access to a disembarkation lounge with refreshments. The Suite Amenities Package starts at $285 per person on sailings up to 10 days. Exclusive to suite guests, the Suite Elite Package pampers guests even more with additional amenities for a deluxe cruise experience. An initial beverage set-up of two bottles of wine and two bottles of liquor are placed in each stateroom. A Culinary Arts Center cooking class is included along with a session of premium wine tasting and a dinner to share in the Pinnacle Grill. For relaxation, unlimited access to the hydro pool and thermal suite is offered on all sailings. An internet card of 100 minutes, an Explorations Café coffee card for ten drinks, daily turndown truffles and a deluxe flower arrangement complete this package. The Suite Elite Package starts at $429 per person on sailings up to 10 days.

It was inevitable – the latest theme cruise is based on the immense popularity of the vampire and werewolf genres in books, film and television. The "Fangs and Fur Seminar" departs Miami on the Carnival Liberty on Jan. 2, 2010, for a seven-day Western Caribbean sailing targeted towards both fans of and writers trying to break into the Gothic market that spawned the Twilight films and the True Blood HBO series. Themed cruises have become increasingly popular, and sailings are centered on everything from 1980s boy-band New Kids on the Block to old-time baseball players and ukulele lovers. During "Fangs & Fur," Judy Burns, a screenwriter and teacher who has written for Star Trek and Mission Impossible, will provide commentary during film screenings and will host writing workshops. Participants at some events will be able to dress like their favorite blood-sucking characters. “Whether you’re a fan or writer, you will have a thorough understanding of why we like vampires and werewolves so much, and why are they the hottest romantic stars in today’s movies, books and TV shows,” say the organizers of the cruise on its website, fangsandfurcruise.com.