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| << April26, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News |
May17, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Greetings and a Very Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and friends??¦ A hearty welcome tonight to all of our new subscribers. Pat told me today that we have 3000 subscribers now and I couldn't ask for a nicer Mother's Day present! Well, except for the two bouquets that arrived at the office, the fabulous book, the Borders gift card and the low carb cheesecake! I hope your children were as thoughtful! Pat is still underworked, so I encourage everyone to give him a call or send him an e-mail. Even if you are only vaguely thinking about a cruise right now, let Pat get a price for you. You won't be disappointed! You can reach him toll-free at 1-866- 424-1090 or by e-mail at cruiseplanners7seascruises@ msn.com You are always welcome at the website, too. It's www.7seascruises.com . Remember that the prices you see on the website are just suggested prices provided by the cruise lines. Virtually always, Pat can beat that price for you! And now, some timely cruise news??¦ Carnival Cruise Lines added a dozen tours to its roster of Alaska cruise excursions for seven-day Alaska sailings on the Carnival Spirit. Among these are: Sled Dog Discovery and Mushing Camp (Skagway) - Riding aboard a custom-built sled, guests discover a northern pastime while learning all about sled dogs and their mushers. The tour whisks guests along a scenic wooded trail, past waterfalls and spectacular views of the Taiya Inlet tidal flats. Then there's Gold Panning and Salmon Bake Combo ( Juneau) - This three-hour tour combines two popular tours in Alaska - gold panning and dinner at the award-winning restaurant Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Following a ride through historic Juneau, guests receive hands-on experience panning in Gold Creek and learn about the city's history of gold discovery. Afterward, guests enjoy a delicious meal at Gold Creek Salmon Bake against a beautiful mountain backdrop. FX-11 Expedition Kart Adventure Combo (Ketchikan) - After a motor coach ride to the Cape Fox Rainforest Preserve on the shores of George Inlet, guests are introduced to the FX-11 expedition karts and receive an orientation and necessary safety gear for their adventurous journey. With kart guides stationed at the head and rear of the expedition convoy to ensure a safe pace, guests drive to the Mahoney Lake basin, making stops along the way to enjoy the region's beauty. Once at the lake, guests have the opportunity to participate on a guided walk to view the cascading falls. The final leg of the adventure is a one-hour exhilarating Jet Boat ride, which traces the shoreline of George Inlet and heads back to the cruise ship dock. All drivers must show a valid driver's license. The karts are driven over uneven terrain and in all weather conditions. Certain physical requirements apply. Or, you might like Klondike Rock Climbing & Rappelling Adventure (Skagway) - This challenging and adventurous excursion provides guests an opportunity to climb over the smooth granite walls of the White Pass while accompanied by professional mountain guides with world expedition experience. There are more than a dozen paths to choose from, ranging from easy to very challenging, and all routes end with a stunning view of the Skagway River, the White Pass Yukon Route Railway, and the surrounding wilderness. This excursion is designed for physically fit guests. Climbing shoes, helmet, harness and snack are provided. "Duck" Historic City and Harbor Tour (Ketchikan) - A modern amphibian vehicle, called the "Duck," takes guests through Ketchikan's rustic streets and into the scenic harbor for a fun-filled tour. This unique vehicle, which is a combination boat and bus, travels through historic downtown Ketchikan toward Bar Harbor. Upon reaching the launching ramp, the water portion of the excursion commences, where guests can view wildlife, as well as local scenery. These new tours complement the wide variety of existing shore excursions available on Carnival Spirit Alaska sailings, which range from leisurely paced city walks and nature tours to more active pursuits such as biking, cycling and alpine lake snorkeling. Carnival Spirit's 2004 Alaska season consists of 16 seven-day Glacier Route and three Glacier Bay voyages. Glacier Route cruises depart May 19 to Sept. 1, either southbound from Whittier or northbound from Vancouver. Cruises in both directions feature Prince William Sound, College Fjord, Lynn Canal, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and the Inside Passage. Glacier Bay cruises depart round-trip from Vancouver May 12, Sept. 8 and 15 and feature full days cruising Glacier Bay National Park and the Inside Passage, as well as visits to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. The top priority of Royal Caribbean International is the safety of its guests and employees. Because of this, continuing unrest in Haiti, and the specific recommendations of security consultants, the company has decided to indefinitely suspend its port calls scheduled for Labadee. Labadee is Royal Caribbean?s private, secluded beachfront area on the northern coast of Haiti, which is on the island of Hispaniola. Although this will be disappointing to its guests, the company feels this decision is the most prudent course of action. The company is planning revised itineraries that include a substitute port of call. Below are the alternative port calls for ships normally scheduled to stop at Labadee through May 15: Royal Caribbean International's Empress of the Seas, formerly Nordic Empress, returns to the Northeast this weekend with a new look, a new name and a brand new berth to call home. The newly revitalized Empress of the Seas will be the first cruise ship to sail out of Cape Liberty Cruise Port, in Bayonne, N.J. On May 9, Empress of the Seas departed on a six-night cruise to Bermuda from the new port, which will be officially opened in a ceremony on May 14, when Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas, makes her Northeast debut. Empress of the Seas offers alternating six- and eight-night Bermuda vacations from May through October. The popular 1,602-passenger ship underwent extensive renovations from top to bottom, bow to stern. To reflect the magnitude of the revitalization, the line officially renamed the ship Empress of the Seas, bringing her in line with the remainder of Royal Caribbean's fleet, which all feature "of the Seas" names. Increased dining options are in high demand among cruisers, and Empress of the Seas features an elegant new specialty restaurant, Portofino, in addition to an upgraded Windjammer Caf?© and refurbished main dining room. Guests also can enjoy specialty espresso drinks from Seattle's Best Coffee?® or 16 different flavors from Ben & Jerry's?® at the combined Latte'tudes coffee bar and ice cream scoop shop. (extra cost) Guests who take advantage of Empress of the Seas' ShipShape Fitness Center and Day Spa will be treated to more than a great workout or spa treatment. The expanded spa and gym complex occupies two levels, including a state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking the Viking Crown Lounge, perched at the top of the ship, offering spectacular, panoramic sea views. In addition, the ship features the line's signature rock-climbing wall. Vacationers looking for high-quality entertainment will find plenty to choose from. The former High Society Lounge on Deck 6 is now Royal Caribbean's Latin-themed bar, Boleros, offering specialty tequilas and cocktail favorites like mojitos, as well as outstanding live entertainment. Empress of the Seas also now features the line's popular Schooner Bar, a nautical-themed lounge with sing- along piano entertainment. Guests will enjoy a variety of entertainers and Broadway-caliber productions in the refurbished main theater, the Strike Up the Band Showroom, while those in a gaming mood can head to the Casino Royale or the newly created Card Room just off the Centrum. Guest staterooms in all categories have new and upgraded bathrooms. In addition, some staterooms, including the Royal Suite and Superior Ocean View staterooms, feature new d?©cor. Empress of the Seas' Owner's Suites have been completely redesigned, with new furniture and finishings. Other refurbishments include general facelifts to the lobbies, elevators, landings, corridors and restrooms, and enhancements to the shopping areas and Pool Deck. Empress of the Seas is offering alternating six- and eight-night Bermuda itineraries from May through October from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey. The six- night Bermuda itineraries depart on Sundays and include stops in King's Wharf and Hamilton, Bermuda. The eight-night cruises depart Saturdays and visit King's Wharf, Hamilton and St. George's, Bermuda. In late October, Empress of the Seas will reposition to San Juan, where she will offer guests a choice of four Southern Caribbean adventures. The highlight is the 11-night Exotic Caribbean itinerary that takes guests to St. Maarten, St. Barts, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Margarita Island, Aruba and Curacao. Empress of the Seas also will sail three-night St. Thomas/St. Maarten and St. Kitts/St. Maarten sailings, as well as four special, four-night Dominican Republic cruises, with stops in Santo Domingo and Catalina Island, on Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8 and 15. The new Jewel of the Seas??¦Kathy Mellor, the US National Teacher of the Year for 2004, will serve as the godmother of Royal Caribbean International's Jewel of the Seas. The ship's official naming will take place on Friday in Southampton. Mellor, who has taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for 19 years at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, received America's highest teaching honor last week at a White House ceremony. She was chosen from among 55 state and territorial winners and is the first Rhode Island teacher to capture the award from the Council of Chief State School Officers. After the naming ceremony, Jewel of the Seas launches a series of 12-night cruises from Harwich to Scandinavia/Russia and the British Isles/Norwegian Fjords. The Disney Magic will reposition out of the Caribbean for the first time next year and head for a summer homeport in California as part of Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration. The Magic will offer a series of 12 seven-day cruises from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera; the cruises will depart Saturdays between May 28 and Aug. 20, 2005 and call in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. The line will offer pre- and post-cruise stays at Disneyland Resort hotels. The 2,600-passenger Magic is one of a pair of Disney cruise ships; both have historically sailed from Port Canaveral, Fla. As Pat says, "this is a great opportunity for west coast families to enjoy all that mouse magic without the cross-country airfare." If you'd like more information, call Pat or send him an e-mail! And that's the news! Have a great week. Just think how nice it would be if you were out on the big blue ocean this week! Sounds great, doesn't it? Teri |
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May17, 2004 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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