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Hello again, cruise fans-
Welcome to another edition of the 7 Seas Cruise
News. Pat and I spent Sunday afternoon at the LA
Dodgers spring training game up the coast in Vero
Beach, so I didn't have a chance to put this issue
together until now. Sorry about the delay. We'd
like to welcome our new subscribers, too. Hope you
enjoy this (mostly) weekly newsletter. If you have
suggestions or ideas, please write to me at
cruiseplanners7seascruises@msn.com and Pat will
pass your comments along.
And now, a bit of cruise industry news??¦
The good news just keeps getting better for the 19
cruise lines and 16,500 travel agencies that are
members of the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA). (These are all of the major
cruise lines and the largest travel and cruise
agencies in the world, including us!) Spurred by a
strong upsurge in cruise travel, the tally for
passengers choosing to sail last year surpassed --
by far -- all previous booking records. In all, a
record 10.5 million people took a cruise in 2004.
CLIA predicts just over 11 million travelers will
cruise in 2005.
The numbers break down as follows: 8,870,901 North
American passengers sailed on CLIA-member line
ships in 2004, compared with 7,990,246 in 2003 --
which represents a year-to-year increase of 11
percent. In 2004 1,589,936 international passengers
sailed on CLIA lines, compared with 1,536,714 in
2003.
Although there are more cruise departures and
itineraries than ever before -- 68 vessels will
have debuted between 2000 and the end of 2005 --
CLIA's member line ships are sailing at a 104
percent occupancy rate.(100% occupancy would be 2
passengers per cabin. Add third and fourth
passengers and you end up with 104%)
This year, travelers are flocking to Europe in
droves -- and choosing to cruise to insulate
themselves from the sticker-shock of European land
vacations. Cruise vacationers in Europe pre-pay in
U.S. dollars, which protects them from the effects
of the weak dollar abroad. In fact, the high cost
of the euro against the U.S. dollar, coupled with
extraordinary early booking opportunities, is
transforming 2005 into a banner year for cruising
in Europe. (See related story below)
Since CLIA's inception in 1975 the number of North
American "homeports" -- cities from which cruise
ships offer regular departures -- has nearly
tripled. Vacationers now have a staggering 30
homeports from which to choose because CLIA's
member cruise lines recognized North Americans'
desire for departure ports within driving distance,
which eliminate the expense and hassle of flying
and reduce the overall price of a cruise.
Always seeking new ways to address its guests'
vacation desires, the cruise industry will continue
to grow through continued fleet expansion
throughout this year and beyond. CLIA fleets will
introduce 20 more cutting- edge ships between now
and 2008.
Great Values - in Europe and Everywhere!
Cruise vacations offer the travel industry's
greatest inherent value. One price covers
everything -- accommodations, all meals, snacks and
entertainment. Furthermore, CLIA cruise lines
constantly up the ante on features and amenities.
Today's ships have cutting-edge facilities that
equal or surpass those found at the best land-based
resorts. Guests can revel in a host of cutting-edge
nightclubs and discos, find tranquility in state-of-
the art spas, or gaze at the stars while watching a
movie on a 300-square foot poolside screen. CLIA
member line ships feature multiple dining venues
and unlimited activities - from ice-skating to
acting classes to scuba diving. All the while,
cruise guests have the opportunity to travel to
ports across the globe, including Europe where
Holland America Line did some figuring and came up
with these comparisons between land-based and sea-
going vacations.
10-Day 13-Day 13-Day
Self-Guided Northern Europe European
Land Tour Escorted Tour Cruise
Room $1555 $4074 $2399
Transportation
Betw Cities $588 incl incl
Food $1100 $300 incl
Entrtnmt $995 $600 incl
City Tours $605 incl $725
# countries
visited 4 5 6
# of times
to unpack 4+ 5+ 1
Total $4440 $4974 $3124*
Per Day $444 $382 $312*
*these are Holland America figures. Pat will
discount, making your total even lower!
And speaking of lower, Pat has found some
exceptionally good air add-ons for Celebrity
Cruises in the Baltic on the Century! Book an ocean-
view stateroom and Pat will get you these amazing
round-trip airfares! For May 21 and June 2 cruises,
fly round-trip for $550 from Atlanta, Boston,
Cincinnati, Newark, Washington (IAD), New York (JFK)
, Miami or Philadelphia; just $600 from Dallas,
Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago or San Francisco; or $
700 from Denver or LA. For June 14 sailing, $550
round-trip air is available from Atlanta, Boston,
Cincinnati, Newark, Washington, New York or
Philadelphia; $600 air from Dallas, Detroit, Miami,
Chicago and San Francisco; and $650 air from Denver
and Minneapolis. Take the June 26 cruise, and sail
for $450 from Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Newark,
Washington, New York, Miami and Philadelphia; $500
from Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago and San
Franciso; and only $600 from Denver or LA.
If you've priced a flight to Europe this summer,
you know that these are fantastic airfares! And the
Celebrity Century offers a fabulous 12-night Baltic
trip, visiting Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki,
St. Petersburg, Tallinn (Estonia), and Copenhagen.
This is essentially the same trip Pat and I took in
2003 and we agree that this is the trip of a
lifetime! Call Pat and talk about the possibilities!
You can reach him toll-free at 1-866-424-1090
almost anytime! Or check out this itinerary on our
website, www.7seascruises.com, or just drop Pat a
email at cruiseplanners7seascruises@msn.com
That's about it for me tonight! Here's wishing you
a week of smooth sailing. And if spring isn't in
your town yet, I hope it is just days away!
Teri
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