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| << April04, 2005 - 7 Seas Cruise News |
April21, 2005 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Greetings Cruise Fans, Welcome to a belated edition of the 7 Seas Cruise News. Too much freelance work over the weekend kept me from my newsletter assignment. Sorry about that. Pat has been looking for some good values in Alaska and Europe for the summer. He found one he is pretty excited about. It's the amazing Holland America Oosterdam for the week of May 14. It's a seven-night roundtrip from Seattle and an inside cabin is $779 per person, double occupancy. Best of all, an ocean-view cabin is only $849 per person. And that price includes all taxes and port charges! That's a hard-to-beat deal on a great ship to a beautiful destination! For $799 or $899, you can take the same cruise two weeks later on 5/28. If it sounds good to you, give Pat a call. Prices are good through April 17. And remember, all meals and entertainment are included and with a round-trip from Seattle, you don't have to pay that expensive air from Anchorage! Remember, too, you can shop for your dream cruise at www.7seascruises.com, but please email Pat or call him for the actual price. He can almost always beat the prices on the website. Now, some cruise news??¦ There has been a lot of talk about the government requiring passports as positive ID for travelers. Here are some Qs & As about new policies??¦ What is the new travel document requirement? All travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Canada or Mexico will be required to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer' s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. This new requirement will be known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Who does this requirement affect? All United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports will be affected. Certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States, namely most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and Mexican citizens will also be affected. When will the new travel initiative requirement be implemented? The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline is as follows: December 31, 2005 - Passport required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America. December 31, 2006 - Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada. December 31, 2007 - Passport required for all air, sea and land border crossings. Other than a passport, what types of documents will be acceptable under this initiative? The passport is the document of choice because of the incorporated advanced security features. Individuals traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico or Canada are encouraged to obtain a passport. Why is the U. S. Government going to require a passport or other secure identity document? BThe Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) mandated that the U. S. Secretaries of Homeland Security and State develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship documentation when entering the United States. For many years U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere including Canadians, have not been required to present a passport to enter the U.S. Other forms of documents, less secure than the passport, have historically been accepted. In light of the new security efforts, the United States is requiring travelers to have a passport for entry or reentry to the U.S. How do I get a passport? You will need to visit a passport agency or a post office with a completed application and the two required photos. Most big drugstore photo departments can take the photos (certainly Walgreen' s can). Cost is minimal. To get your passport application, look on line at www.travel.state.gov, click on " passport" and you' ll find an application form and information about where to take your form, how much it will cost and how long it will take to get your passport. If you' re going away soon, there are even instructions about expediting the process. And about Carnival in Europe... Carnival's first-ever Mediterranean cruises aboard the new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty will offer golfers many unique and memorable golfing opportunities, including top courses throughout Italy, Spain and France. Carnival Liberty's Mediterranean cruises will encompass eight 12-day cruises operating round-trip from Rome July 20 - Oct. 12, 2005. Ports include Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy; Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. In addition to golfing opportunities at a number of memorable courses throughout Europe, Carnival Liberty's golf program includes a certified shipboard golf professional who, in addition to escorting golfers during golf excursions, conducts private and group lessons, specialty golf clinics, and complimentary putting contests aboard ship. The program also includes early debarkation from the vessel for golf outings, transfers to and from the course, and priority tee times. Featured golf courses on Carnival Liberty's Mediterranean cruises include: Volturno Golf Club in Naples - Patterned after classic Scottish links- style courses, this par-70 course offers a varied landscape of large dunes and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards; Golf Club Villa Condulmer (Venice) - Measuring a relatively short 6, 408 yards, this spectacular course plays longer than its length, with tight fairways and small greens; Il Picciolo Golf Club (Messina) - This spectacular par- 70 course is built around the world famous Volcano Etna, which dominates every hole; Masia Bach Golf Club (Barcelona) - Designed by Spanish golfer Jose Maria Olazabal, Masia Bach is a favorite for its challenging layout which certainly tests golfers' abilities; Royal Mougins Golf Club (Cannes) - This Robert Van Hagge-designed course is challenging to golfers of all proficiency levels, with many water hazards and bunkers; Cosmopolitan Country Club in Livorno - With water coming into play on 11 of 18 holes, Cosmopolitan is a seaside links-style course that combines a tactical layout with native landscaping and large mounds that make for exciting play. While on board the cruise, lessons are conducted within a netted and lighted "practice range" which protects golfers from the elements and allows for both day and evening instruction. State- of-the-art "V1" teaching computers providing split- screen, side-by-side comparisons to some of golf's best players are available to help golfers improve their swing and ultimately lower their handicap. A home version of the "V1" software can also be purchased for use on golfers' home computers. Looks like Carnival is taking this golf business seriously! But, when you think about it, it makes a European cruise perfect for a lot of couples. For those who love golf, now there's an alternative to castles and churches, spas, sightseeing and shopping. That's it for this week. Get a passport and get ready to leave the country -- and to get back in, too! Have a great week. Smooth sailing! Pat is standing by to take your calls! Teri |
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April21, 2005 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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