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October04, 2005 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Greetings, Cruise Fans, Welcome to the September 18 edition of the 7 Seas Cruise News. It's been a busy week for Pat, with a number of clients discovering that the fall and early winter is a great time to cruise. Certainly the prices bear out that notion! There are great values between now and the holidays! And Pat will get you the absolute best price! As for hurricanes, don't worry about it. The cruise lines have no interest in risking your neck or their multi-million dollar investment on questionable weather. They'll take marvelous care of you and keep you completely safe. No guarantees that you'll actually go to Grand Cayman or Jamaica or St. Thomas, but they will arrange an excellent trip for you (with a surprise destination or two perhaps). Enjoy a bargain! Call Pat for some suggestions. His toll- free number is 1-866-424-1090. Also, when getting in touch with Pat, please don' t reply to this email. He'll get your message- eventually-but it is routed to Russia (I'm not kidding!) which slows down communication somewhat. For a really quick response, write to him at: cruiseplanners7seascruises@msn.com or send a request through the website. Pat asked that I share this latest update from the Homeland Security folks. Here it is... The Departments of Homeland Security and State formally submitted the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative proposal for public comment. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of Canada and Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re- enter the United States by January 1, 2008. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 mandated that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, develop and implement a plan to require U. S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport, or other secure document when entering the United States. In the proposed implementation plan, the Initiative 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 will be as follows: December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel. Essentially, they are relaxing that Dec. 31 2005 business. Now it is apparently a year away. But, if you've already started the process, good for you! A passport is a must for Europe. Norwegian Cruise Line ("NCL") announced on Sept. 6 that Norwegian Sun would move to Houston beginning October 16 to operate its exotic Western Caribbean cruises through the January 8, 2006 cruise. The ship will then reposition to Miami to sail one four-day cruise to the Bahamas on January 17, 2006, and sail a series of alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning January 21, 2006 through April 16, 2006. NCL is working closely with the American Red Cross to assist in the recovery and restoration process. The company is making a corporate donation as well as conducting a fundraising drive for its employees and crew, and a passenger fundraising drive onboard its ships. All money raised will go directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Norwegian Sun's Panama Canal cruise departing Los Angeles September 30, 2005 will now conclude in Houston, instead of New Orleans, on Sunday, October 16, 2005. Norwegian Sun's itinerary from Houston, October 16, 2005 through the January 8, 2006 cruise will vary from the original from New Orleans. Port calls include Playa del Carmen (a brief stop for shore tours), Cozumel, Belize City, and Roatan, Honduras. Even if you have sailed the Western Caribbean before, Belize and Honduras will make it seem like an exotic new journey! Belize is fascinating. Honduras is home to the sweetest people on earth. Enjoy both ports and have a beer in Honduras. Port Royal, the native brew, is among the best beers in the world! The crafts are fabulous in both ports and the wildlife is totally unique. The Norwegian Sun is a beautiful vessel, too! A couple of years ago, Holland America began upgrading their ships and their entire cruise experience with some very innovative improvements. As more and more ships are fitted with these new features, I thought it was time to take a look at them... Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine. Holland America Line features the only fleetwide dedicated state-of-the-art show kitchens at sea, each resembling the elaborate kitchens used by celebrated chefs on television cooking programs. Innovative theater-styled venues offer large overhead plasma video screens providing close-up views of food preparation, and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn new techniques and recipes. More than 60 top chefs, wine experts and cookbook authors will sail in each year, and classes and demonstrations will be offered on every sailing. Explorations Caf?© - powered by The New York Times. This exclusive and progressive caf?© offers guests an opportunity to sip coffee, browse through one of the most extensive libraries at sea, enjoy a wide selection of music at several listening stations or surf the Internet. They may also work on specially designed New York Times crossword puzzles and receive complimentary access to " TimesTalks" events and the NYTimes.com website. Mariner's Dream beds. All staterooms and suites will be outfitted with plush, custom-designed Sealy Posturpedic Euro-top mattresses and feature 250-thread count cotton bed linens (Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah suites feature comfortable duvets, too). The mattresses have proved so popular with guests that they will be available for purchase shortly through an on-line store. Additional new stateroom amenities include thick Egyptian cotton towels and deluxe waffle and terry cloth bathrobes; premium massage showerheads; magnifying make-up mirrors with halo lighting and salon-quality hair dryers; a stainless steel basket filled with fresh fruit; and, a stainless- steel ice bucket and serving tray for beverages. Flat Screen TVs. All staterooms will feature state-of-the-art flat screen TVs and accompanying DVD/CD players. An extensive collection of DVDs is available for guests in the library at Explorations Caf?© - powered by The New York Times. DVD rentals are complimentary for all suite guests with a minimal fee for others. Family Reunion Program. The first of its kind in the industry, the Family and Friends Program rewards families who cruise together with extra amenities including special group pricing. Extras include a Fountain Soda Package for every member; a family photo per stateroom; and a choice of either dinner for the whole family in the line's alternative Pinnacle Grill Restaurant or, on Caribbean cruises, free rentals of snorkel gear and swim mats or banana boat rides for all on Half Moon Cay, the line's award-winning private island. Pat has complete details and other great suggestions for your family group! The Loft & The Oasis. Among the most innovative teen-only areas in the industry, the new facilities are exclusively for ages 13 to 17. The Loft appears as a New York artist's studio with a flair of bright colors and funky patterns. A secluded staircase leads to The Oasis, an adult- free zone and hideaway giving teens sun-drenched deck space with hammocks and a waterfall. With a focus on the arts and creativity, the expanded Club HAL?® now caters to kids as young as 3 years with supervised, age- and destination-appropriate activities for kids up to age 12. Club HAL After Hours now offers childcare from 10 pm to midnight. Half Moon Cay. Nearly every Holland America Line Caribbean itinerary features a day at exclusive Half Moon Cay - the highest-rated private island in the cruise industry and Holland America Line's highest-rated Caribbean port call. A bird- watching sanctuary, the cruise line carefully crafted new activities designed to offer guests an elevated sense of exploration, discovery and adventure consistent with the island's natural beauty. Enhancements include a horseback riding and swimming tour, a stingray adventure program, guided AquaTrax watercraft tour, and a fun-filled family aqua park. The new activities augment Half Moon Cay's extensive array of existing excursions including scuba diving tours, catch-and-release deep sea fishing trips, eco tours by glass-bottom boat, kayak trips and parasailing. One-touch Concierge & Neptune Lounge. Widely renowned for its world-class service, Holland America Line provides all guests in verandah suites with personalized, 24-hour phone concierge service to assist with special requests, spa or dinner reservations, room service and other needs. In addition, the industry-leading Neptune Lounge offers a quiet place to relax and work with one- on-one concierge service to deluxe verandah and penthouse suite guests. The fleet-wide lounges provide work tables, TV, library, sofas and chairs, and refreshments. Guests enjoy personalized service to confirm shore excursions, car rentals, spa appointments, and reservations at the Pinnacle Grill. One-Touch Concierge Service is available to deluxe suite guests when the Neptune Lounge is closed. More Times and Options to Dine. Holland America Line offers an elevated five-star dining experience, showcasing exceptional quality and choice unmatched in the premium cruise category. Enhancements include the elegant, reservations- only Pinnacle Grill, a fine-dining Northwest- themed steakhouse on every ship featuring Sterling Silver premium meats and fresh seafood served with distinctive Bulgari china, Frette linens and elegant Riedle stemware. An impressive four dining times are offered in the main dining room, catering to the varied schedules of its guests with enhanced one-on-one service. Made-to- order dinner entrees and table- side wait service are also offered in the Lido Restaurant's popular casual dining alternative. And all guests may enjoy 24-hour complimentary room service. Greenhouse Spa and Salon. Holland America Line teamed up with The Greenhouse Spa and Salon, a popular spa brand in Dallas and New York City, to provide a wide selection of signature treatments and fitness activities. Greenhouse Spa expansions feature additional treatment rooms: including couple's massage rooms, dry float suite with massage option, thermal suites with hydro-therapy pool and steam room; and heated ceramic lounges. It also features a new manicure and pedicure area and the Lifestyle Fitness Center. With so many goodies, it's easy to see why Holland America may well have the most loyal cruise passengers anywhere. They do things well and they take exceptional care of their guests. Ever since our cabin steward appeared with warm plaid wool lap robes so that we could sit out on our balcony in the Baltic, I have had a good feeling about Holland America. You will, too. Holland America will offer a comprehensive selection of Alaska cruise itineraries and departures, sailing eight ships on 159 cruises in 2006. Three Vista-class ships, ms Oosterdam and ms Westerdam, roundtrip Seattle, and ms Zuiderdam, roundtrip Vancouver, will be introduced as well as three Seattle-based ships, ten additional cruises to Glacier Bay National Park and unique new port, Icy Strait Point. The company's five- star ships offer unmatched spaciousness and service, carry fewer passengers than any other major cruise line and offer the most entries into Glacier Bay National Park. Guests will experience the most popular Alaskan ports of call, most extensive shore excursion programs, exclusive enrichment programs and brand-new Signature of Excellence amenities. All Holland America ships in Alaska next season will have gone thru the Signature of Excellence upgrades so the shipboard experience will be even better than ever, from stateroom amenities to the new Culinary Arts Center show kitchen and Explorations Caf?©. Beginning in May 2006, two ships will cruise Glacier Bay Inside Passage, 7- day roundtrip voyages from Vancouver, aboard Holland America Line's 1,848-passenger Vista- class Zuiderdam ( new to Vancouver, departing Saturdays), and the 1, 432-passenger ship ms Volendam (departing Wednesdays). The voyages will take in the pristine waters and scenic surroundings of Canada' s Inside Passage and tour Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier en route to port calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Each cruise features a day of cruising Glacier Bay National Park with a U.S. park ranger and Huna Totem native interpreter, including giant Margerie Glacier, a mile wide and 25 stories high. In addition, the 1,258-passenger ships, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Statendam, will sail six early and late season sailings to Glacier Bay. Three ships will sail seven-night Glacier Discovery Cruises, one-way between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska throughout the summer, approximately 1,679 nautical miles. The gracious 1,258-passenger Statendam (departing Fridays) explores new port Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway or Sitka. 1,258-passenger sister ships, Veendam and Ryndam, (departing Sundays), cruise Glacier Bay and College Fjord with port stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway or Haines. Seattle roundtrip Alaskan Explorer Cruises are offered on three ships, the 1,848- passenger Vista-class ship Oosterdam, (departing Saturdays), cruises to immense Hubbard Glacier and lovely Yakutat Bay. Ten additional Glacier Bay National Park departures are being offered from Seattle onboard 1,848-passenger Vista-class Westerdam (new to Seattle, departing Sundays) on May 7, 14, 21 and 28, July 16, 23 and 30, August 20, September 10 and 17. The Westerdam cruises Hubbard Glacier on all other dates. The 1,432- passenger ms Zaandam ( departing Fridays) also cruises renowned Glacier Bay National Park and all three ships have port stops in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia. Sounds good to me! So, whether you want to sail Holland America to Alaska next summer or venture into the Caribbean this fall, or sail the Norwegian Sun to Belize, give Pat a call. He'll get you there in grand style for the rock-bottom best price there is. Period. And until next week,smooth sailing! Teri |
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