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Windstar Announces Lowest Fares of the Year in Europe Windstar Cruises announced a one-week sale on 2012 voyages in Europe, offering what it says are the lowest fares of the year for Northern Europe, Italy, the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles. The sale concludes on April 16. Fares start at $1,599 per person. Click here to view the article

Azamara Journey Makes Maiden Visit to New York En Route to Titanic Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Journey called at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City for the first time on April 9. The 694-passenger ship overnighted in the city before embarking on a chartered Titanic memorial voyage for an eight-day sailing. Azamara Journey, which has been chartered by Miles Morgan Travel in the U.K. for the voyage, will meet up at the Titanic sinking site with the Balmoral, which sailed from Ireland on April 8. Journey will visit Halifax and the cemetery where many Titanic victims were laid to rest. The 694-passenger ship will arrive at the Titanic site at 2:20 a.m. on April 15 for a memorial service. The memorial voyage will feature two 90-minute lectures each day by Titanic experts, a special meal duplicating the final dinner on the Titanic and two formal, dress-up evenings. Click here to view the article

Silversea, World Vacations Launch Email Marketing Program World Vacations Group, a travel technology company, has launched an email marketing program that synchs a travel agent’s co-branded website with Silversea Cruises. The free program allows an agent to select a Silversea promotional email template, and the system auto-programs in the branding for the agency including a logo, phone number, contact information and social media links. The agents can then forward it to their own email in-box, and send it to their clients, or pick up the HTML code and send it using their preferred email service provider. Click here to view the article

Taipei, Luxury cruise company Holland America Line made its first stop in Taiwan in about 20 years when one of its cruise liners, carrying over 1,000 Japanese tourists, arrived in Hualien Monday morning, according to a company spokeswoman. About 1,400 Japanese tourists aboard the Netherlands-registered cruise ship MS Zaandam arrived in the eastern Taiwan port at about 8 a.m. and were taken to Taroko National Park, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The luxury cruise liner, which was chartered by Japanese tour operators rather than on a regularly scheduled itinerary, set off from Kobe April 5 and stopped in Nagasaki before sailing to Taiwan. It was to leave for Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan later Monday before heading back to Kobe, the spokeswoman said. The cruise line had planned to include Taiwan among its destinations in 2009 but later dropped the idea due to restrictions on foreign ships sailing between China and Taiwan. It was unclear if the latest charter would encourage the inclusion of Taiwanese ports in Holland America Line's future itineraries. The stopover was also a milestone of sorts for Hualien and Taiwan in general as local officials have made efforts to draw international cruise lines to the island, including setting up facilities in several harbor cities to expedite immigration procedures and expand international cruise services. Tourist operators in Hualien complained, however, that while several cruise liners had arrived in the port city over the years, most tourists did not stay overnight, limiting opportunities for local businesses. Click here to view the article

Norwegian Cruise Line Named One Of Constant Contact's 2011 All Stars Norwegian Cruise Line Industry Development team recognized for achieving exemplary marketing results Norwegian Cruise Line's Industry Development team has received the 2011 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., a communications company, for their exemplary marketing and communication results. Each year, a select group of Constant Contact's, 500,000 international customers are honored, Norwegian's results ranked among the top 10% of Constant Contact's customer base. In June of 2011 Norwegian announced its "Partners First" commitment to the travel partner community which included an allocation of $16 million towards new customizable marketing tools, increased marketing support, improved communication and keeping NCL University as the most robust travel partner education site and online community in the industry. Norwegian's industry development team, led by Clark Reber, is responsible for educating travel partners on Norwegian's product. In the past year the team has continuously engaged partners with invitations to ship visits, luncheons, and Partners First weekends, an all-encompassing weekend the offers agents the chance to experience Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising ships. "Since our Partners First commitment we have seen the level of travel partner engagement increase, so we are thrilled to be recognized with this award from a leader in communications," said Camille OliNorwegianvere, Norwegian's senior vice president of sales, Americas. "Our goal is to continue to come up with innovative ways to interact with our travel partners." Any Constant Contact customer who uses a combination of the company's Email Marketing, Event Marketing, and Online Survey tools were eligible for the All Star award. "There is nothing we like more than to see our customers finding success. It's the reason Constant Contact was founded, and it's a thrill to see the fantastic results that our All Stars are achieving," said Gail Goodman, CEO of Constant Contact. "Norwegian Cruise Line is really leading the charge when it comes to delivering relevant, engaging content. We salute this year's All Stars for their success, and are honored to have played a part in their achievements." Click here to view the article

Passage to Africa is offering an expedition to Antarctica, Jan. 8 to 18, 2013, hosted by Michael Lorentz. One of the guides will be Jonathan Shackleton, cousin of the famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Jonathan Shackleton has accompanied 30 groups on trips to Antarctica over the past 15 years as a historian, guide,photographer and Zodiac driver. Also guiding will be Jonathan Scott, photographer and host of popular TV series, “Big Cat Diary,” “Elephant Diaries,” “Big Bear Diary” and “Dawn to Dusk.” Scott has made 18 trips to Antarctica with his photographer wife, Angie. The Scotts have dedicated their lives to preserving the last great wilderness areas on Earth, particularly big cat territories. The expedition will employ the small, sturdy M/V Ushuaia with its ice-strengthened hull and anti-roll system. This vessel provides access to areas not possible for the commonly used larger cruise ships. It also carries a fleet of seven Zodiacs that can take passengers to shore from a ship at some distance from the land The expedition is limited to a maximum of 40 guests. Cost for cabins with private facilities start at $12,475 per person, double, while a suite with private facilities, TV, DVD, fridge and two double beds is $19,245 per person. Prices include hotel, meals, transportation, open bar and shore excursions by Zodiac. For more information on the tour, email theteam@passagetoafrica.com. Passage to Africa conducts tailor-made safaris in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and East Africa. Click here to view the article

The same vigilance that is required at home when you eat out is also required on the ship. The Suggestions Traveling by cruise ship can be one of the most relaxing vacations possible. Food allergies don't go on vacation so the same vigilance that is required at home when you eat out is also required on the ship. Following are suggestions for before and during your cruise to make your experience as pleasant and stress free as possible. * Always book your cruise with a trusted travel agent. Your agent should be experienced and show a genuine interest in you and your medical concerns. If you do not have an agent, look for a Master Cruise Counselor at: www.cruising.org. * Always purchase travel insurance. Purchase a comprehensive policy that covers pre existing conditions as well as cancellation and emergency air evacuation. * Choose a set dining time rather than freestyle dining. Assigned tables allow the waiter and the Maitre D to better assist you at every meal. * When you book your cruise advise the agent at time of deposit that you have one or more passengers with life threatening food allergies. * Specify if you always have an Epi-pen with you. * List all known food allergies. If your list of foods that cause allergic reactions is extensive then it would be helpful to also include a list of foods that do not cause any reaction. This will allow the chef to carefully consider his menu for you. * Ask the agent to send an email to the cruise line with this information at the time they make the deposit. I would provide all of this information to the agent by email and in the email request that a copy also be sent to the Head Chef. The email should include your various contact information including all phone numbers. Ask for a copy of this email and take copies with you to the ship. * Wear a MedicAlert bracelet: * Take with you the names and phone numbers of all of your physicians along with any other pertinent medical information including all medications and allergies. * Pack all of your medication and medical information in your carry on bag. * If your cruise requires an air flight, don't forget to call the airline and inquire if meals will be served. If so request a special diet or take a meal or snacks with you. Getting to the Ship When you get to the ship do the following: * Check in with the Maitre' D. He will have a station set up before the ship sails. Give him a copy of the email that your agent sent to the cruise line. Ask for a waiter with excellent English speaking skills. * With a child who will be in the Children's program, attend the meeting on the first day for you to meet the youth counselors. Advise them of the food allergies and give them a copy of the email as well. If you do not want them to give your child food if you are not present please discuss this with them. * If you have a life-threatening allergy take a copy of your medical information sheet to the medical facility on board and write your cabin number on the top. * Take all of your meals in the main dining room so that the wait staff can be of more assistance with your allergies. It is not advisable to eat in the buffet area, as the ingredients are not readily available. Buffet lines also pose the risk of having utensils moved from a dish that would be dangerous to a dish that looks safe. Avoid snacking at cocktail parties and at the bars, as the wait staff may not be as familiar with the ingredients. Remember that many of the staff outside of the main dining room have limited English-speaking abilities and may not fully understand your questions or concerns. * At dinner the first night notify your waiter that you have discussed the food allergies with the Maitre' D and request his assistance in meal selection. Ask if he would like a copy of the allergies to give to the Chef. * Each night request the menu for the next day so that you can go over it with the Maitre D or Chef if necessary. * When you go ashore take your Epi-pen and oral Benadryl with you as well as your travel insurance card and your medical information sheet. If you are on a full day tour ask for a box lunch to take with you so that you know you have appropriate food. Cruise ships have vast kitchens and feed thousands of meals a day; however, they do an excellent job of meeting all types of special dietary needs. Keep in mind that just telling one person does not insure that everyone in the chain at the restaurant knows of your special needs. Don't hesitate to repeat your special needs or conditions as often as necessary. The ultimate weapon against food allergies is an informed consumer with a take-charge attitude. Never assume that anyone on land or sea knows of your special medical concerns. With so much at stake repetition of the facts is your best defense. Click here to view the article

Going "bare" is an insurance slang for having a potential liability that is not covered by insurance. In today's world, insurance is something that we purchase routinely for our cars, home, and business. However, sometimes we don't realize exactly what type of liabilities we may encounter in our travels The Insurance Claim Most travelers never file an insurance claim. The ones who do have a major event and file a claim or utilize the services of the company feel that the cost of the insurance was inconsequential compared to the service provided. There are several excellent travel insurance policies on the market. Travel agents have preferred suppliers that they work with on a daily basis. If there are any questions the major travel insurance companies have toll-free numbers consumers can utilize for specific questions or clarifications. If a comprehensive policy is purchased there may be no need for any additional coverage once you verify that your exposure is adequately covered and that you have met the pre-existing conditions coverage specifications. The Policy In reviewing the policy you are considering there are several items that you need to verify as included in the policy. If these things are not included in your policy ask your travel agent to refer you to a company who can provide the type of coverage that you need or add the coverage you need through a separate policy. There may be times that you need to purchase more than one policy or a rider to cover potential liabilities The Coverages Following are coverages that are often found in travel insurance policies. Baggage and baggage delay Trip cancellation or interruption Trip delay or missed connections Itinerary change Death and dismemberment Medical evacuation Travel accident and illness Return of mortal remains Travel assistance Generally the most financially significant liability that is encountered in traveling is due to injury, illness or death. Most uninsured travelers are unprepared for the huge expenditure that even a non-life threatening accident or illness can involve. If a patient is not insured or prepared for these expenses, there are greatly added stresses to an already stressful situation. For a US traveler who is going to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc. $50,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage is recommended as a minimum. The more exotic the destination the higher the coverage required. Destinations in Europe require a minimum of $250,000 in coverage, and remote and inaccessible destinations such as Antarctic require at least 1 million in coverage. Even what would be routine medical care costs in the states can quickly escalate if a known intermediary is not available to intercede in the patient's behalf. When combined with the refusal of many US based health insurance plans to pay for care out of the country the patient may be at risk for large medical bills unless covered by travel accident and illness insurance. Although return of mortal remains seems straightforward, this can be a very difficult problem in some countries. This situation can be further complicated if the casket must land in other countries with even more stringent standards than the originating country. Knowing which funeral homes in the country of origin are acceptable to the receiving and final destination countries is critical in what will already be a very trying time for those accompanying. Knowledgeable travel insurance and travel assistance firms are greatly appreciated at these times. Travel Assistance Travel Assistance is a broad based area of service. It can be as simple as getting lost and requiring an interpreter for assistance to return to your home base. Other things that are offered are assistance in finding an English speaking physician, dentist or lawyer. Travel assistance also comes into play in accident or illness in determining the medical facilities that are available and capable of meeting patient needs. There are many other valuable services often offered under this umbrella. Being covered for pre-existing medical conditions that the traveler, a companion of the traveler (related or not) and non-traveling family members have at the time the policy is purchased is vitally important. Generally the exclusionary period involves the period of time immediately prior to buying the policy-anywhere from one year to sixty days. However, most major travel insurance companies will now waive the exclusionary period if the policy is purchased within a specified time. In reviewing the coverage that you need, first verify what coverage's you already have in place. Following are sources of insurance that you may have in place that may be of assistance in traveling. Health insurance policies are changing so rapidly that some have revisions every few months. Now is a good time to verify with your carrier that your planned trip is within their coverage terms (As companies are trying harder to keep premiums down some services are being cut). Remember that if you are on Medicare, that Medicare benefits are not available outside of the United States. Air evacuation plans may only cover you if you are within a set distance from your home or in the company's catchment area. Before assuming that you have coverage, it is best to check with the company that you may be depending on for assistance. Credit cards, especially gold and platinum cards, frequently offer perks such as baggage insurance, damage collision waiver for rental cars and travel assist. Ask about travel accident insurance as well. Home owners or renter's insurance will frequently cover lost or stolen property even away from home. Your luggage, cameras, jewelry, etc. may be covered under one of these policies. Business insurance purchased by some companies includes wide ranging protection and is sometimes included for non-business trips. Don't assume that coverage that is in place at home will cover you out of the country. If you are uninsured and you do not have a travel assistance company to adequately assist you during an emergency, you should have the ability to pay for any exposure by credit card or wire transfer. In this case a trusted friend or advisor should be able to access emergency funds. You may be detained until your debts are satisfied. Travel Insurance Checklist (Some items may be covered by sources other than travel insurance) Necessary Coverages Medical Evacuation and Transportation: $50,000. minimum per person for Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, etc. $250,000. minimum per person for Europe and accessible locations* 1 million minimum for exotic and inaccessible locations* Policies with these coverages should also include: Return of mortal remains Travel injury and illness Travel assistance to assist with locating an appropriate physician, dentist, hospital, pharmacy or lawyer Assistance arranging hospital deposits Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage Suggested Coverages: Trip cancellation or interruption Operator failure, default or bankruptcy of the carrier Death and dismemberment Baggage and Baggage Delay Itinerary change Trip delay or missed connections Emergency Cash Transfer Optional Coverage Security Evacuation Travel insurance policies may provide secondary insurance coverage rather than primary coverage * May require purchase of a separate policy Click here to view the article

WE KNOW A LOT OF THE NEW SHIPS DO NOT PROVIDE SELF LAUNDRY SERVICE, WE ALWAYS CHECK THE SHIP WE ARE BOOKED ON TO SEE IF WE CAN WASH OUR CLOTHES, SO FAR THIS YEAR CRUISES, WE HAVE 4 SHIPS THAT HAVE A LAUNDRY ROOM.

WELCOME ABOARD, GAYLE & AMETRINEL. YOU WILL FIND US VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL, PLEASE VISIT, THE DAILY DOCK, LET'S TALK AND ON CRUISE NEWS. PLEASE JOIN IN ANY TIME WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP AND HAVE FUN JOHN

CRUISE CRAZIES AMETRINEL; HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ABOARD , PLEASE POST OFTEN JOHN JACKIE

This is one time you'll want to encourage kids to color inside the lines. Grown-ups, too. As soon as you sit down for dinner at Animator's Palate aboard the new Disney cruise ship Fantasy, your server hands you a green marker and a special placemat and instructs you and the kids to draw your own character within the blue lines. (One of the teens I was with drew a fetching Cyclops.) Just before dinner, as Mickey Mouse appears on large monitors around the room, our placemats are whisked away. While we eat (have you ever tried buttered popcorn soup?) we're treated to a montage of famous food-themed moments from Disney cartoons (think Lady and the Tramp sharing that strand of spaghetti). But the piece de resistance isn't dessert, though the warm chocolate lava cake certainly is yummy. It's the magic that has animated our rudimentary green stick drawings and brought them to life on the huge screens around the dining room. Your characters march and skip and dance with Mickey, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White. Wow! Even the jaded 17 year olds I'm with are impressed. At the end of the show, each of our names -- as we signed them on our placemat -- is listed on the credits as "guest animator." We leave the dining room smiling, clutching our drawing that has been returned embossed with a gold seal proclaiming each of us an "Official Disney Animator." You'll find that irrepressible Disney magic wherever you go on this 4,000-passenger ship. The Fantasy is the sister ship to the Disney Dream, with one big difference: The programming has been designed to entertain and wow you and your kids for seven days, instead of three or four. And from what I saw on a three-day preview cruise just before the ship's inaugural sail, it works. (For the latest prices and availability, check with Disney Cruise Lines.) That means more special dinners and menus (think princess and prince dinner, a captain's gala and pirates evening) and more than 120 different youth activities. According to Jen McDonald, who manages the 77-member youth staff that oversees programming for some 1,500 children, programs start with a nursery for infants (parents say the $6 an hour charge is well worth it for a facility that rivals the best day care centers) and include a 9,000-square-foot teen club with its giant 103-inch LCD screen, the opportunity to create videos, spin music tracks and sun on a private deck area. If your kids are crazy for Disney characters, they'll have two dozen unique character experiences on board that they won't get in the theme parks. (Story time with Belle, perhaps? A Tinkerbell talent show? Fun and games with Captain Hook?) There's the first onboard Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where little girls were patiently waiting in their princess gowns to be transformed into princesses with special updos, including one with multicolored hair, sparkly nail polish, eyes shadow and face gems. One mom from Michigan noted her daughter never sits so patiently when getting a hair cut at home. If you'd rather be a pirate -- there is a special pirate night complete with fireworks -- the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can also accommodate pirate makeovers for boys, as well as girls. There are two new Broadway-caliber musical shows, including "Disney Wishes" about three best friends about to graduate from high school and a Muppets Adventure Game around the ship where you uncover clues by use of a dozen pieces of "Enchanted Art" that come to life as you stand in front of them. (In case you are wondering, the Enchanted Art looks like a painting but is really a framed LCD screen that "recognizes" a guest is present and activates the animation. What's even cooler is you will see something different another time you visit. Kids gave thumbs up to the new AquaLab -- an 1,800-square-foot water play area on Deck 12 with pop jets geysers and bubblers. There are scores of activities scheduled for the entire family to share (everything from family dance parties to first-run Disney movies and game shows (how well do you really know your mom and dad?) but a surprising array for adults, too. In addition to the adults spa, there is a special adult pool and sun deck, adult beach on Castaway Cay, the cruise line's private island, two first-rate adult-only restaurants and a brand-new adult entertainment district, Europa, designed to make you feel as if you are club-hopping across Europe -- from an Irish Pub to a London dance club to an Italian bar complete with parked Vespa and intimate French boudoir, each with signature cocktails. (Think private label Taittinger Champagne at Ooh La La where you relax on Louis XIV lounges.) If I sound impressed, I am. I like the little touches -- the fact that counselors will pick the kids up from a late-dinner early so parents can relax, that there is no charge for late-night children's programming, as is the case on other cruise lines, that some rooms have a small, round tub in the shower stall that is ideal for bathing young kids and that the beds are high enough to put suitcases underneath. The youth staff is prepared to welcome most youngsters with special challenges and they speak at least a half-dozen languages. The menus are designed to encourage kids to try new foods -- at no extra charge, of course, and most important, every effort has been made to make sure that everyone -- kids, parents, grandparents -- gets time and space to do what they want. (The Disney ships attract a lot of multigenerational groups.) No wonder Tom Staggs, the chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, who was about to sail with his wife and three sons, says bookings on Disney Cruise Line are ahead of last year, despite consumer concerns in the wake of the Concordia tragedy and the fact that half of those who sail with Disney are first-time cruisers -- those most skittish about cruising now. Disney has made it easier for would-be cruisers to try their ships, too, with sailings this year from New York, Galveston, Los Angeles and Seattle. Bronlyn Holland, 10, from Georgia was preening in front of the mirror at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, the sparkles glinting in her hair. She'd saved her money to pay for her $54.95 makeover herself. "I've always loved princesses," she explained. "You never are too old to be a princess!" Certainly not aboard the Fantasy! Click here to view the article

Florida tourism entrepreneur Charles J. Kropke is planning to bring back freewheeling sail cruises through a new version of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. Kropke has purchased the defunct company’s three-masted Mandalay and hopes to operate his first weekly Caribbean cruise in May. The new Windjammer Sailing Adventures is based on the heritage of the old company started by Capt. Mike Burke in 1947, Kropke said. “Hopefully we’ll fill a lost niche in cruising,” he said. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises went out of business in 2007 after several failed attempts to revive the company by Burke family members. The Mandalay, a 236-foot barquentine, was purchased at auction by Fiddi Angermeyer, who operates Angermeyer Cruises in the Galapagos Islands. Kropke said Angermeyer restored the ship in Guayaquil, Ecuador, but he has since moved it to the Pacific Coast of Panama as work continues. It will be moved later this month through the Panama Canal to a new home-port in the Caribbean, which he declined to identify, saying final approval is pending. The new company is a sister to Dragonfly Expeditions, which operates ecological and cultural tours throughout the Caribbean and South Florida. Kropke serves as CEO of Windjammer Sailing Adventures and Uwe G. Doeringer is chairman of the board. Cindy Greenway has been named president of Windjammer Sailing Adventures and Sylvester Dzomeku is Vice President of operations. Kropke said the Mandalay previously carried 72 passengers, but the numbers of berths will be reduced to 64. Work will include installing a new air-conditioning system. But the style of the ship won’t change much. “We’re keeping most of the tradition, but we’ll keep a much tighter rein on the upkeep of the ships mechanically,” Kropke said. Mandalay was built in 1923 for financier E. F. Hutton and his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post. Despite all its troubles at the end, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises through the years gained a legion of wildly devoted fans, who still keep in touch through message boards and reunions on other ships. Kropke hopes to reach those cruisers and new ones, at this point using social media including a Facebook page. . “Windjammer did not die because it was more than a company. It was a culture,” Kropke's letter on Facebook reads. “And it was, like the dream itself, a fragile culture; one that had a rare balance of fun, adventure, informality and awe. One that would-be imitators never understood or worse, never valued.” Kropke said he bought pictures, furniture and memorabilia at the 2008 bankruptcy auction and plans to establish a Windjammer Barefoot Cruises museum at company headquarters in Coral Gables, Fla. In the Facebook letter, Kropke said the new company plans to keep several Windjammer traditions alive, including Rum Swizzles, crab races, story time, sleeping on deck and the playing of Amazing Grace. He also said several former Windjammer employees and crew members will return, including Duane South as captain of the Mandalay and Brian Bishop as chief engineer. Another company, Island Windjammer, was started by and for fans of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises in 2009, operating the 12-passenger schooner Diamant out of Grenada. Click here to view the article