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April06, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Hello, Cruise Fans Welcome to another edition of the 7 Seas Cruise News. Pat wanted me to tell you about some excellent prices he just got in from Holland America. There are terrific fares for Alaska for May departures-and some fantastic air promotions, too. If you have 14 days and an urge to see spectacular scenery and save money, call Pat! You can reach him toll-free at 1-866-424-1090 or write him at cruiseplanners7seascruises@msn.com. You are welcome to visit the website at www.7seascruises. com--but don't believe the prices you see posted there. Pat's are better! And now, some cruise news??¦ Responding to the escalating trend toward shorter, more frequent vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines will increase its short cruise offerings this year by 50% and provide consumers with 39 different short- cruise itineraries, including departures from two new homeports - Jacksonville, Fla., and Mobile, Ala. 13 of Carnival's 20 "Fun Ships" will operate short cruises from 13 different North American homeports - the most of any cruise line - this year. In an industry first, passengers booked on Caribbean Princess' inaugural sailing have begun pre-reserving their spa treatments for Princess' own Lotus Spa, debuting on the vessel. Just one of the features of the new Princess-operated program, the spa reservations tool has already proven popular, with hundreds of advance bookings made for the ship's inaugural season. The new tool operates as part of Princess' Cruise Personalizer on www. princess.com. This unique service makes booking spa appointments as simple as entering in a name and booking number and choosing from a menu of more than 40 massage, body treatment, facial, hair and nail options. Passengers will be able to see available appointment times with respective port and sea day prices. A full brochure with descriptions of all spa treatments is also available for download -- at http://www.princess. com/onboard/spa/ -- to assist passengers with choosing their favorite treatments. THE NORWAY, once the pride of the Norwegian Cruise Lines' fleet, will not return to the NCL fleet. The ocean liner, which was severely damaged in a boiler explosion in May and has been berthed at the Lloyd Werft yard in Germany, could go to Asia or be sold for use as a floating hotel. Celebrity Cruises and world- renowned entertainment enterprise Cirque du Soleil have taken a bold move that will accelerate the already rapid momentum the two brands have built. In an exclusive, six-year agreement, Celebrity will sponsor Cirque du Soleil touring shows in North America and Europe, offer guests one- of-a-kind pre- and post-cruise experiences, capitalize on a variety of cross- marketing opportunities, and develop an exclusive and unique entertainment concept onboard select ships. Since its founding in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has entertained more than 40 million people in 90 cities around the world. Through its sponsorship of Cirque du Soleil's North American and European tours, Celebrity will have a presence in all critical markets in North America and Europe, with shows that annually attract in excess of two million spectators, and demographics that closely match that of Celebrity's savvy guests. Details about the Cirque du Soleil onboard entertainment concept will be announced in May. This major new development comes just three months after Celebrity' s announcement of Celebrity Xpeditions, a series of exotic experiences and exceptional excursions in the Galapagos Islands and elsewhere, and one year after the line unveiled ConciergeClass, a new category of plush accommodations, in addition to an extensive series of brand enhancements designed to add "a taste of luxury" to the top-ranked premium product. Cirque du Soleil is recognized worldwide for its elaborate and creative productions. Cirque' s wish is to offer creators from all backgrounds and origins the freedom to dream the wildest dreams and the platform to make them come true. that are the hallmark of its shows. According to a story in the Miami Herald, record numbers of cruise passengers will keep pace with this year's new ships. The industry forecasts many lines so far reporting higher booking volume and moderate pricing gains. However, the long-term effects on travel after last week's attacks in Madrid remain unknown, and the strength of the euro and costly production are putting a damper on new orders for cruise ships. Meanwhile, the industry's focus will remain on sailing from more ports close to home or within driving distance, as well as on boosting foreign ports of call to vary the travel experience. And analysts say the industry must redouble its efforts to boost revenue and contain costs. Overall, major cruise lines are expecting single-digit increases this year in pricing, continuing to turn around the declines posted since Sept. 11, 2001. Demand is expected to be strong, surpassing added capacity. A record 9.52 million passengers took cruises last year, up 6.9 percent from 2002. The number includes 7.99 million North American passengers, and the industry's average occupancy rate was 102.6 percent. The forecast for 2004 is for 10.6 million passengers, up 11.5 percent from 2003. At the same time, the industry is experiencing a huge boost in capacity. Thirteen ships were added in 2002, 15 in 2003, and 12 will be delivered this year. Bookings are up 15 percent for Carnival Corp., roughly 20 percent for Norwegian Cruise Line, and 35 percent for Silversea Cruises Ltd. At the same time, the trend toward home porting -- which widens cruising' s reach by eliminating the need for passengers to fly -- is continuing to grow. Years ago, cruise lines offered Caribbean cruises out of a limited number of bases, such as those in South Florida and San Juan. Today, that number has increased to include such cities as Houston; New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; and Mobile, Ala. Orient Lines returns to the White Continent in 2005 to explore the magnificent wildlife and spectacular icescapes of the Antarctic Peninsula in the company of distinguished naturalists, scientists and explorers. Marco Polo is the only non-expedition sized ship in Antarctic waters allowed to actually take passengers ashore. Marco Polo is constructed with an ice-strengthened hull. Additionally, Antarctica cruise tours include a complimentary two- night package in Buenos Aires! The package includes transfers between the airport and hotel, two-nights hotel accommodations and sightseeing. Holland America is adopting the staggered dining times that Carnival uses on its ships, with early dining at either 5:45 p.m. or 6: 15 p.m. and late dining at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. In light of the reactions Pat has heard about Holland America's change of tipping policy, we question whether they should be changing with any policies or timetables. Good thing they have some great prices to make up for some of their questionable decisions. That's it for cruise news this week. Until next week--- when we'll have a review of the brand new Caribbean Princess---hope your week is filled with room service and hot tubs and tea dancing. But since most of us do not live like that except when we're cruising, just have a good week. And a big ol Happy Birthday to my husband and your faithful cruise agent, Pat, whose birthday is Thursday. Happy Birthday to you!! Teri |
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| << March22, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News |
April06, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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