Vacation Planning Resource: Cruise Line YouTube Channels

If you're like me, you're taking some time off during the holidays to relax with friends and family. Part of this downtime includes planning vacations for 2012 and beyond. So far, we've booked reservations for getaways to Mexico, Fiji, Switzerland, France, and Thailand. We'll see what other adventures we settle upon for the year!


As we search for new vacation ideas, we're reviewing the YouTube channels of various luxury cruise lines and resorts. If you've got some time to view videos and plan your next trip, check out these YouTube channels:

Abercrombie & Kent

Azamara Club Cruises

Compagnie du Ponant

Four Seasons

InnerSea Discoveries

Oceania Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seabourn

Silversea | Luxury Cruises

Windstar Cruises

There are some fantastic videos posted by these travel companies and you'll also find links to videos taken by fellow travelers. The combination of marketing videos and real-world experiences will help as you plan your next great escape.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

What Luxury Cruise Lines Should Say to Lure Younger Travelers

It's been five years since I first set foot on a luxury cruise ship. I was still in my thirties then and was struck by the fact that my husband and I were the youngest travelers on board the ship. We couldn't understand why.

The itinerary was fantastic—visiting unusual ports of call—and the value was clear. We enjoyed a spacious, well-designed suite, attentive service, inclusive food and wine, and a cadre of entertainment options for less than a comparable vacation at a five-star resort on land.

Since that first experience, we've been on dozens of luxury cruise ships and yachts and we're still often among the youngest cruises aboard. All the cruise lines are reaching out to a younger crowd, and here's what they need to be saying to all those professional thirty- and forty-something's who've yet to set sail...

Our itineraries fit perfectly within the structure of your vacation time. Many luxury lines are now offering more 7-, 8-, and 9-night sailings. This makes it easier for a young professional to commit without tapping out his or her allotted vacation time. SeaDream Yacht Club has excellent offers in this regard as does Azamara Club Cruises.

We go to the destinations you want to visit. From close-to-home regions, like the Caribbean and Mediterranean, to more exotic locales such as French Polynesia and Southeast Asia, luxury cruise lines program compelling itineraries all over the world. Cruises enable the traveler to sample many ports across a region in a relatively short amount of time. For the Caribbean, thirty-somethings should check out Windstar Cruises, Compagnie Du Ponant Yacht Cruises offers excellent options in the Med, Paul Gauguin Cruises is the way to go in French Poly, and Crystal Cruises is excellent for Asia.

We offer active expeditions and wildlife-centric adventures. People often joke that cruises are for the newly wed and nearly dead, but that's just not true. More and more companies are offering expeditions that offer active adventures including hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and more. American Safari Cruises, part of InnerSea Discoveries, has excellent itineraries in Alaska's Inside Passage, Mexico's Sea of Cortes, the Hawaiian Islands, and more. Australia outfit, Orion Expedition Cruises, hits far-flung destinations like Borneo, Papua New Guinea, and Micronesia. And, of course, Silversea's expedition ship, Silver Explorer, is one of the best ways to visit polar bears in the Arctic.

No matter what your age, consider sailing with a luxury cruise line in 2012. It's one of the best vacation values available these days.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Six Best Summertime Cruises Beyond the Mediterranean

(I hope you all enjoyed the Fourth of July holiday! I spent the long weekend going through my photos from our recent Windstar Wind Surf Rome to Nice cruise. Look for my complete review later this week.)

This time of year, just about everyone who's anyone takes a Mediterranean cruise and with good reason. The ports in the Med are some of the most fascinating. There's history and fine architecture, modern art and fashion, and excellent cuisine! There are so many other itineraries to consider though! Here's a list of my six favorite summertime cruises that go beyond the Mediterranean.

10 Days Discovering Norway's Fjords
Azamara Club Cruises  | Azamara Journey
While the Mediterranean is gorgeous all year round, the high temperatures in the summer really do me in. Cruising the Norwegian Fjords is the perfect antidote to the hot and crowded ports of the Med. Azamara offers a knock-out roundtrip itinerary out of Copenhagen, Denmark that roams Norway from Bergen, Olden, and Geiranger to Molde, Alesund, Flam, and Stavanger. You'll be on the trail of Vikings as you're treated to snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and charming, little villages.

10-Night Arctic Circle Exploration
Silversea  |  Silver Explorer
If the Norwegian Fjords intrigue you but you'd like something a bit more exotic, consider Silversea's Arctic Circle voyages. You'll travel aboard Silver Explorer, one of the most beautiful and well-appointed expedition ships at sea. Voyage highlights include the spectacle of massive glaciers and icebergs while on the lookout for whales, polar bear, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, bearded seal, and puffins.

Intimate Yacht Adventure from Amsterdam to Bordeaux
SeaDream Yacht Club  |  SeaDream I
SeaDream's a winner in terms of service (top notch and friendly without being over the top or intrusive) and cuisine (hands-down the best meals we've ever enjoyed at sea). This itinerary swings from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to several French ports, including Caen/Normandy, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux. There'll be plenty to keep you busy on this cruise—there's so much history at these ports. But when you want to take a break, head to the top deck, order a drink, and repose on the comfy Balinese beds.

Alaska's Inside Passage with an Overnight Inside Glacier Bay National Park
American Safari Cruises  |  Safari Spirit
One of our favorite cruises of all time was our week aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Spirit 8-passenger yacht. We hiked, dipped in warm springs, got within mere feet of whales and brown bear from the ship's skiff. Not only that but we met several couples with whom we've remained friends and travel buddies ever since. We love American Safari and their approach to Alaska's Inside Passage is tough to beat. It's you and a few other like-minded travelers aboard intimate ships that are crewed by Americans. The onboard naturalists know their stuff and you'll make plans to visit Alaska again before you've even disembarked the yacht.

A Fortnight in Paradise: South Pacific Style
Paul Gauguin Cruises  |  m/s Paul Gauguin
Okay, I have to admit that there's no bad time to visit French Polynesia, but summertime is especially beautiful. The seas are calm, the palm trees sway gently in the breeze, and the climate is temperate. I'd opt for the two-week itinerary that calls upon the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands. The highlight of the trip is the beach party at Motu Mahana—Paul Gauguin Cruises' private island off Taha'a.

Wild Australia—Kimberely Region
Orion Expeditions  |  Orion
Exploring Australia's wild and remote Kimberely Coast with Orion Expeditions is on our to-do list. I've been told that this cruise, aboard Australian-based expedition ship Orion, is like nothing else. Orion's team of expedition leaders will introduce you to inspiring sights like waterfalls, deep river gorges, indigenous rock art, and sandstone cliffs. Embark from Broome in Western Australia and end your adventure in Darwin, Northern Territory.

What's your idea of a perfect summertime cruise? Let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

A Look at How Azamara Quest Handled the Crisis in Japan

Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, was aboard Azamara Quest in Nagasaki, Japan, when the earthquake and tsunami hit northern Japan. He wrote an excellent and detailed account of how the ship's captain and executive officers handled the crisis along with Azamara's home office.

As Nagasaki is in the southern part of Japan, the ship was never in danger and no passengers or crew were injured.

Read Arnie's minute-by-minute account aboard Azamara Quest here.

And here's his dispatch from March 14 about complications at sea during the crisis. Excellent reading!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Porthole Cruise Magazine Annouces 12th Annual Readers' Choice Winners

Porthole Cruise Magazine has been running its annual Readers' Choice Awards for the past 12 years and the 2010 results are now in.

The survey includes dozens of categories, but the awards are mainly geared to the mass market cruise lines. Still, luxury favorites like Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea, and Paul Gauguin Cruises get nods, as do premium cruise lines Oceania Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

And the winners are...

Best Small Ship (fewer than 500 passengers)
Seabourn Odyssey—Yachts of Seabourn

Best Medium-Sized Ship (between 500 and 2,000 passengers)
Azamara Journey—Azamara Club Cruises

Best River Cruise
Viking River Cruises

Best Luxury Line
Yachts of Seabourn

Best Expedition Cruise Line
Lindblad Expeditions

Best Eco-Friendly Cruise Line
Holland America Line

Best Shore Excursions
Holland America Line

Best Private Island
Half Moon Cay—Holland America Line

Best Megaship (at least 2,000 passengers)
Oasis of the Seas—Royal Caribbean

Best Tall Ship
Royal Clipper—Star Clippers

Best Value-for-the-Money Line
Carnival Cruise Lines

Most Family-Oriented Line
Disney Cruise Line

Most Romantic Cruise Line
Windstar Cruises

Best Short-Duration Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best One-Day Cruise
Discovery Cruise Line

Best Adventure Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean

Best Onboard Activities
Royal Caribbean

Best Main Dining Room Cuisine
Celebrity Cruises

Best Casinos
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Spa Facilities
Royal Caribbean

Best Medical Facilities
Holland America Line

Best Service
Silversea Cruises

Best Onboard International Experience
MSC Cruises

Best Adults-Only Onboard Options
Celebrity Cruises

Best Accommodations
Yachts of Seabourn

Best Onboard Educational Programs
Cunard Line

Best Alternative Restaurants
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Computer Facilities
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Onboard Shopping
Princess Cruises

Best Children's Programs
Disney Cruise Line

Best Entertainment
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Theme Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Web Site
Carnival Cruise Lines
Best Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers
Holland America Line

Best Caribbean Itineraries
Royal Caribbean

Best Mexican Riviera Itineraries
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Central America Itineraries
Holland America line

Best South America Itineraries
Oceania Cruises

Best South Pacific Itineraries
Paul Gauguin Cruises

Best Trans-Atlantic Itineraries
Cunard Line

Best Africa/Middle East Itineraries
Costa Cruises

Best Bermuda Itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Canada/New England Itineraries
Holland America Line

Best Alaska Itineraries
Holland America Line

Best Hawaii Itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Mediterranean Itineraries
Costa Cruises

Best Northern Europe Itineraries
Holland America Line

Best Asia/Pacific Itineraries
Silversea Cruises

Best World Cruise Itineraries
Cunard Line

Best Australia/New Zealand Itineraries
Princess Cruises

To subscribe to the magazine, visit Porthole Cruise Magazine's website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Logo courtesy of Porthole Cruise Magazine

The Best of 2011: A Luxury Cruise for Each Month of Next Year

With 2011 just a month away, many of us are reviewing our upcoming cruise plans for next year. If I could wrangle an unlimited amount of vacation time—or could figure out how to bring our two Bearded Collies with us on these adventures!—the 12 cruises I'd take are listed below.

They range from island strongholds like the Maldives, Hawaii, Galapagos, and French Polynesia to Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, Norway, South Africa, and Alaska.

Which are your must-cruise itineraries for 2011?

12 Fantastic Luxury Cruises for 2011

JANUARY 29, 2011
Paul Gauguin Cruises (m/s Paul Gauguin)
11-Night Cook Islands & Society Islands
Day 1 Papeete, Tahiti
Day 2 Huahine
Day 3 at sea
Day 4 Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Day 5 Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Day 6 at sea
Day 7 Bora Bora
Day 8 Bora Bora
Day 9 Taha'a (Motu Mahana)
Day 10 Moorea
Day 11 Moorea / Papeete, Tahiti
Day 12 Papeete, Tahiti

Why this cruise? We sailed with Paul Gauguin Cruises last May and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. French Polynesia is one of the most beautiful places on earth and Paul Gauguin Cruises has the expertise to show you the hidden gems. We sailed a seven-night itinerary last time around and it wasn't long enough. Next time, I'll go for the eleven-night Cook and Society Islands combo cruise.


FEBRUARY 7, 2011
Four Seasons (Four Seasons Explorer)
7-Night Maldivian Circuit Cruise
This cruise begins on North Male Atoll, Maldives at the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and sails to Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru on Baa Atoll.

Why this cruise? The Maldives, gorgeous coral atolls in the Indian Ocean, are on my bucket list. The Four Seasons has two exquisite properties in the archipelago as well as a luxury yacht, the Four Seasons Explorer.


MARCH 2, 2011
Silversea (Silver Wind)
10-Night Cape Town, South Africa Round-Trip
Day 1 Cape Town, South Africa
Day 2 at sea
Day 3 East London, South Africa
Day 4 at sea
Day 5 Maputo, Mozambique
Day 6 Richards Bay, South Africa
Day 7 Richards Bay, South Africa
Day 8 Durban, South Africa
Day 9 Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Day 10 Mossel Bay, South Africa
Day 11 Cape Town, South Africa

Why this cruise? We love the crew aboard Silversea ships. The butlers, stewards, bartenders, and waitstaff always strike the right balance of attentive yet friendly service. Likewise, the passenger mix makes it easy to find like-minded dinner companions. Finally, this is a fantastic itinerary for anyone who loves South Africa. These are fantastic ports with no shortage of excellent shore excursions on offer.


APRIL 30, 2011
Cunard (Queen Elizabeth)
5-Night Getaway Voyage
Day 1 Southampton, UK
Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Day 3 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Day 4 Zeebrugge, Belgium
Day 5 Le Havre, France
Day 6 Southampton, UK

Why this cruise? This is Cunard's newest ocean liner and, to be honest, we've never sailed with this line. It may turn out to be too formal for our liking, but I think every cruise fanatic should sail with Cunard at least once. This five-night itinerary hits some fun ports like Amsterdam, Netherlands and Zeebrugge, Belgium.


MAY 9, 2011
Crystal Cruises (Crystal Symphony)
12-Night Northern Lights
Day 1 San Francisco
Day 2 at sea
Day 3 Victoria, British Columbia
Day 4 Victoria, British Columbia
Day 5 at sea
Day 6 Sitka, Alaska
Day 7 Juneau, Alaska
Day 8 Skagway, Alaska
Day 9 at sea
Day 10 Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 11 at sea
Day 12 at sea
Day 13 San Francisco

Why this cruise? Alaska is one of our favorite cruise destinations and it's nice to see these ports without sacrificing luxury. Crystal Cruises offers up some of the best dining at sea and that's another thing that makes this itinerary so appealing.


JUNE 18, 2011
Azamara Club Cruises (Azamara Journey)
7-Night Spain and Portugal Cruise
Day 1 Barcelona, Spain
Day 2 Ibiza, Spain
Day 3 Ibiza, Spain
Day 4 Granada (Motril), Spain
Day 5 Gibraltar, UK
Day 6 Seville (Cadiz), Spain
Day 7 Lisbon, Portugal
Day 8 Lisbon, Portugal

Why this cruise? Plain and simple: it's the chance to sail the Strait of Gibraltar.


JULY 29, 2011
Oceania Cruises (Marina)
12-Night Treasures of the Continent
Day 1 London (Dover), UK
Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Day 3 Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium
Day 4 Paris (Honfleur), France
Day 5 St. Peter Ports (Guernsey), UK
Day 6 Saint-Malo, France
Day 7 Pont-Aven (Concarneau), France
Day 8 Bordeaux (Le Verdon), France
Day 9 Bordeaux (Le Verdon), France
Day 10 Biarritz (Saint-Jean-de-Luz), France
Day 11 Santander, Spain
Day 12 at sea
Day 13 London (Dover), UK

Why this cruise? Oceania Marina makes its debut in January 2011 and the ship will still have that new ship feel for this summertime cruise. The itinerary is spectacular with stops in Saint-Mao and Bordeaux, France.


AUGUST 14, 2011
Yachts of Seabourn (Seabourn Sojourn)
9-Night Norwegian Fjords
Day 1 Copenhagen, Denmark
Day 2 at sea
Day 3 Flaam, Norway
Day 4 Aalesund, Norway
Day 5 Olden, Norway
Day 6 Bergen, Norway
Day 7 Stavanger, Norway
Day 8 Oslo, Norway
Day 9 at sea
Day 10 Copenhagen, Denmark

Why this cruise? You've got a trifecta with this one: a terrific Norwegian itinerary, the beautiful Seabourn Sojourn mega-yacht, and an end-of-the-summer embarkation date.


SEPTEMBER 24, 2011
SeaDream Yacht Club (SeaDream II)
7-Night Venice, Italy to Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 1 Venice, Italy
Day 2 Rab, Croatia
Day 3 Split and Hvar, Croatia
Day 4 Hvar, Croatia
Day 5 Korcula, Croatia
Day 6 Kotor, Montenegro
Day 7 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 8 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Why this cruise? SeaDream is one of our favorite cruise lines (best gourmet cuisine at sea and super-friendly crew) and we've been wanting to get back to Croatia since we visited Hvar last summer.


OCTOBER 10, 2011
Orion Expeditions (Orion II)
7-Night Gulf of Siam Explorer
Day 1 Singapore
Day 2 Tioman Island, Malaysia
Day 3 Kuala Terrangganu, Malaysia
Day 4 At sea
Day 5 Ko Samui, Thailand
Day 6 Ang Thong Marine Park, Thailand
Day 7 Ko Kut, Thailand
Day 8 Bangkok

Why this cruise? Orion II is new to the line's fleet and recently underwent a major refurbishment. This expedition line combines attentive service with offbeat ports of call. We love Southeast Asia and I can't imagine more compelling destinations than those in Malaysia and Thailand that are visited during Orion's "Gulf of Siam Explorer" cruise.


NOVEMBER 14, 2011
American Safari Cruises (Safari Explorer)
7-Night Hawaiian Seascapes
Day 1 Lahaina, Maui
Day 2 Molokai
Day 3 Molokai
Day 4 Lanai
Day 5 Molokini
Day 6 Ka Lae, Big Island
Day 7 Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Day 8 Kona, Big Island

Why this cruise? American Safari Cruises is an American company with an all-American crew. This small business has always impressed us and I'd sail anywhere with this outfit.


DECEMBER 2, 2011
Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Endeavour)
10-Night Galapagos Islands
Day 1 Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 2 Guayaquil / Galapagos / Baltra
Day 3 Floreana
Day 4 Isabela / Fernandina
Day 5 Santa Cruz
Day 6 Santa Cruz
Day 7 Bartolome / Santiago
Day 8 Espanola
Day 9 Baltra / Guayaquil
Day 10 Guayaquil

Why this cruise? Are you on Lindblad's mailing list? If not, get on it. The cruise catalogs are packed with photos of up-close and personal animal encounters in the Galapagos. I listened in on a recent Lindblad webinar and I hope we can make time for a trip to the Galapagos Islands soon.

Comment on this post and let us know where you're cruising in 2011.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Happy Valentine's Day: Romantic Cruises for 2011

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you're spending the day with the people you love. I'm home with my husband and two wonderful Bearded Collies...nothing, not even a cruise, beats that!

However, a Valentine's Day cruise is always a welcome diversion in February! Why not think about booking a cruise to celebrate the holiday next year?


Andrea's Favorite 2011 Valentine's Day Itineraries

American Safari Cruises in Hawaii
Safari Explorer embarking Feburary 13, 2011 (7 nights)
Kona, Big Island to Maalaea, Maui

Azamara Club Cruises in Southeast Asia
Azamara Quest embarking February 5, 2011 (14 nights)
Hong Kong, China; Hue (Danang), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Bangkok (Klong Toey), Ko Samui, Thailand; Singapore

Crystal Cruises in South America and the Caribbean
Crystal Symphony embarking February 6, 2011 (16 nights)
Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Devil's Island, French Guiana; Bridgetown/Barbados, West Indies; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Miami, Florida

Four Seasons in the Indian Ocean
Four Seasons Explorer embarking February 14, 2011 (7 nights)
Departing from the Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa for travel around the atolls of the Maldives

Paul Gauguin Cruises in the Cook Islands and Society Islands
m/s Paul Gauguin embarking February 8, 2011 (11 nights)
Papeete, Tahiti; Huahine; Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Bora Bora; Taha'a (Motu Mahana); Moorea; Papeete, Tahiti

Regent Seven Seas Cruises in Australia and New Zealand
Seven Seas Voyager embarking February 8, 2011 (15 nights)
Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch (Lyttleton), Dunedin, New Zealand; Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Australia

SeaDream Yacht Club in the Caribbean
SeaDream I embarking February 13, 2011 (7 nights)
Marigot, St. Martin; Gustavia, St. Barthelemy; Deshaies, Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe; Portsmouth, Dominica; Coconut Grove, Nevis; Marigot, St. Martin

Silversea in Southern Africa
Silver Wind embarking February 10, 2011 (10 nights)
Port Louis, Mauritius; Tulear, Madagascar; Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, South Africa

Windstar Cruises in Costa Rica
Wind Star embarking February 12, 2011 (7 nights)
Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua; Playas Del Coco, Quepos, Dahia Drake, Curu (Reserve), Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Yachts of Seabourn in Javi, Bali, and the Barrier Reef
Seabourn Spirit embarking February 3, 1011 (15 nights)
Singapore; Karimunjawa, Semarang/Java, Padang Bay/Bali, Komodo Island; Indonesia; Darwin, Cooktown, Cairns, Australia


For more information on any of these itineraries, contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa

Azamara Goes All-Inclusive & Rebrands as Azamara Club Cruises

In the crowded cruise marketplace, it's imperative that each line differentiate itself from the competition. That's why Azamara Cruises is launching a major rebranding effort so you and I will better understand what they're all about.

To begin with, the cruise line's name has changed from Azamara Cruises to Azamara Club Cruises with the tagline, "You'll love where we take you." This change points to the refined focus on destination exploration.

According to Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises, "This isn't a strategy of going from 'good to great.' This is about taking an already great product and making it exceptional."

A lot of interesting changes are on tap and most go into effect in April 2010.

• House wines will now be complimentary at lunch and dinner
  
  
• Complimentary coffee (including specialty coffees), soda, and bottled water
  
  
• Gratuities for cabin stewards and dining staff will be included in the cruise fare
  
  
• More late nights and overnights in ports, even on 7-night itineraries
  
  
• Overnights in Istanbul, Turkey; Sorrento, Italy; St. Petersburg, Russia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; and Hong Kong
  
  
• New shore excursions will place more emphasis on the local community and culture
  
  
• Some new excursions include a Ferrari driving tour in Civitavecchia, Italy and a "In the Steps of the Beatles" tour in Liverpool, England
  
  
• Free shuttle service to/from port communities, where available
  
  
• No need to pack quarters! The self-service laundry is now complimentary.
  
  
• Suite guests may dine at no extra charge at Prime C steakhouse and the Mediterranean-inspired Aqualina
  
  
• Butlers will receive additional training at English butler schools; butlers will only be deployed to suite guests
  
  
• Azamara Club Cruises will launch a dedicated guest loyalty program, called Le Club Voyage, in April 2010

Azamara Club Cruises will continue to be one of the best deals available, but cruise fares will rise. In fact, you'll notice that pricing has been going up over the past few months and will do so again as of December 14, 2009.

Azamara has some brilliant itineraries and the new management team, focusing solely on Azamara Club Cruises, invites you to sail with them and experience their unique strengths. As they're fond of saying, "You'll love where we take you."

For more information about Azamara Club Cruises, talk with your travel agent or Azamara at 1-(877) 999-9553.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Get Married or Renew Your Vows at Sea

My husband and I hosted a destination wedding in Florida a dozen years before the practice came into vogue. Now, more and more couples are finding that cruises offer the perfect backdrop for a wedding, a reception, and a spectacular honeymoon.

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) has also noticed this trend and recently surveyed their member travel agents about it. The feedback was interesting: namely that over 60 percent of agents reported their cruise wedding business has increased in the last two years.

Here is a sampling of how CLIA member lines cater to bridal couples and other travelers interested in romance:

AZAMARA CRUISES
Azamara offers legal, captain-led wedding ceremonies, vow renewals and in-port wedding programs. Partnering with The Wedding Experience, a variety of packages feature everything from private receptions in the ship’s specialty restaurant to cake, Champagne, and more. Guests should book in advance to ensure processing of legal documents and licenses.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity’s most popular wedding package is the “Nautical Nuptials” program featuring a captain-led wedding ceremony at sea offered on all Celebrity ships except Celebrity Xpedition. Other packages available include a “Bridesmaids’ Tea Party,” a “Cigar and Cognac Party,” a “Test the Waters” package, and a “Welcome Reception.” Vow renewal celebrations are also offered.

CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal offers captain-led wedding vow renewal ceremonies and it is rare that one of the company’s ships sails without at least one honeymoon couple. Focusing on helping guests plan and enjoy a completely customized honeymoon rather than a pre-packaged program, Crystal offers such romantic options as a candlelight dinner on a suite’s verandah, onboard florists, a portrait studio, and private shore excursions.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America offers a Wedding Package as part of its Group Advantage Program (GAP). The wedding couple enjoys a free stateroom upgrade and a commemorative wedding cake with at least eight staterooms booked and the entire group enjoys numerous amenities, including a Pinnacle Grill lunch, private wine tastings, and chocolate-covered strawberries and Chase Limogere Brut in their staterooms.


PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES
French Polynesia in the South Seas is the setting for “A Lifetime of Memories” as the staff of Paul Gauguin create an unforgettably romantic event for honeymooners or those celebrating an anniversary. Among the features are a celebratory bottle of Champagne, a Polynesian blessing ceremony performed by Les Gauguines, an exclusive pillow gift and a photo portrait.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Guests wishing to make customized wedding plans in conjunction with a Regent Seven Seas cruise may use the services of Royal Ocean Events, which can handle all the details and requests. A honeymooner package features a letter of congratulations from the captain, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and caviar, in-suite canapés every afternoon, a miniature wedding cake and Leonidas chocolates and more.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
SeaDream offers two wedding vow renewal ceremonies – one designed for couples only, the other for as many as 12 guests – and both conducted by the yacht’s captain. Iced Champagne and canapés, a cake and flowers add special touches to the elegance of an elegant luxury yacht experience. SeaDream points out four couples who have completed the legal process at home, the shipboard vow renewal ceremony can serve as a wedding.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
Offering an intimate and elegant atmosphere, Uniworld's boutique hotel-style ships provide the ideal situation for couples to charter the vessel and create the wedding of their dreams. Uniworld can accommodate 82 to 160 guests, depending on the ship, and offers flexibility to customize itineraries and inclusions. Short of this, Uniworld river cruise itineraries are perfectly suited for honeymooners whether they want to explore Europe or even the treasures of the Nile in Egypt.

WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar invites couples celebrating honeymoons, renewing wedding vows or honoring a special anniversary to discover romance at sea. Chilled Champagne, chocolate-dipped seasonal fruit, breakfast in bed, “Time for Two” massages and elegant dinners for two at sunset are among the amenities featured on the line that has been named “Most Romantic Cruise Line” by Porthole Magazine.

Please visit CLIA’s Website at www.cruising.org for more information on weddings at sea and to find a CLIA-certified travel agent near you.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Scattered Across the Globe: Where Are My Favorite Ships Today?

I was lucky enough to sail quite a bit this summer but as we approach the end of the season, I've still been wishing I was back at sea. That got me to thinking about where my favorite ships are right now...

American Safari's Safari Spirit is in... Juneau, Alaska

Azamara's Journey is in... La Rochelle, France

Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony is in... Invergordon, Scotland

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is in... Brooklyn (New York), NY

Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Endeavour is in... Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands

Oceania's Regatta is in... Stockholm, Sweden

Regent Seven Seas Mariner is in... Cruising Tracy Arm in Alaska

Seabourn's Odyssey is in... Venice, Italy

SeaDream's SeaDream I is in... Monte Carlo, Monaco

Silversea's Silver Cloud is in... London, England

Windstar's Wind Surf is... at sea between Dubrovnik, Croatia and Venice, Italy

Where in the world is your favorite ship? Have a terrific Labor Day weekend!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Celebrity & Azamara Added to Amex Platinum Cruise Privileges Program

This week I'll be posting more about the new Solstice-class luxury cruise ship from Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Equinox. The ship's naming ceremony last week in Southampton, England was fantastic and Equinox is sure to become a favorite with cruisers from both the United States and Europe.

I personally look forward to sailing aboard Celebrity Equinox again in the future so I was very happy to hear that both Celebrity Cruises and her sister line, Azamara Cruises, are now part of American Express's Cruise Privileges Program exclusively for Platinum cardholders.

New Cruise Privileges Benefits

• Celebrity Cruises: a two-category upgrade or up to $300 per suite shipboard credit (depending on ship and category booked), complimentary dinner for two, and a bottle of champagne
  
  
• Azamara Cruises: a stateroom credit of $300, a behind-the-scenes ship tour, and a complimentary bottle of champagne

To take advantage of these benefits, you must be an American Express Platinum cardholder. You may book your cruise directly through Platinum Travel Service at 1-(800) 443-7672 or book through your travel agent and he or she will arrange for the Platinum Cruise Privileges benefits on your behalf (you will receive a written confirmation of the benefit in your stateroom upon boarding the ship). While you must have an Amex Platinum card, you do not have to pay for your cruise with that card.

Other cruise lines also taking part in this program include Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, The Yachts of Seabourn, Uniworld River Cruise Collection, and Windstar Cruises. Benefits vary by cruise line and stateroom category booked.

For more information, call Platinum Travel Service at 1-(800) 443-7672 or talk with your travel agent.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Azamara Cruises Names Larry Pimentel President & CEO

If you've ever cruised with SeaDream Yacht Club, the name Larry Pimentel will certainly mean something to you. He was previously president, CEO, and co-owner of the two-yacht line.

Last year he left SeaDream and many wondered what his next challenge would be. (Mr. Pimentel has held many high-level jobs in the travel industry during the last 25 years, including president and CEO of Cunard and Seabourn.)

On July 6, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. revealed that Pimentel has been hired as president and CEO of Azamara Cruises. He will lead the cruise line's continued growth in the "deluxe" market and will report directly to Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of RCCL.

"It is time for Azamara to stand on its own, after a successful two years of operation," said Fain. "The onboard experience and brand recognition of Azamara is due to the leadership, dedication, and commitment of Dan Hanrahan and his Celebrity Cruises team."

Mr. Hanrahan had this to add:

"I'm very proud of my management team here in Miami and onboard our ships, and thank them for their accomplishments in successfully launching and developing Azamara Cruises. I welcome Larry to the company and look forward to partnering with him to build on the success this brand has already achieved, and to capitalize on its great promise."

Azamara operates two deluxe 694-passenger cruise ships: Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. Itineraries include Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. The line most directly competes with Oceania Cruises.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or Azamara Cruises at 1-(877) 999-9553.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Azamara Cruises

Some Cruise Promos Expire Mid-June

In mid-June many current cruise fare promotions will expire and rates may climb once again. (While some deals may disappear, I'm fairly certain excellent cruise deals will be available at least through the first quarter of 2010.)

Here are some deals that I'm having hard time passing up:

SeaDream Yacht Club 5-Night Caribbean Getaway
November 29, 2009 aboard SeaDream II
St. Maarten, Netherlands • Saba, Netherlands • Gustavia, St. Barthelemy • Anegada, BVI • Jost Van Dyke, BVI • San Juan, Puerto Rico
Starting at $1,499 per person

Azamara Cruises 14-Night Asian Voyage
March 29, 2010 aboard Azamara Quest
Hong Kong, China • Da Nang, Vietnam • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam • Sihanoukville, Cambodia • Bangkok, Thailand • Singapore
Starting at $1,799 per person

Windstar Cruises 7-Night Mediterranean Itinerary
August 23, 2009 aboard Wind Surf
Rome, Italy • Capri, Italy • Taormina, Italy • Corfu, Greece • Dubrovnik, Croatia • Hvar, Croatia • Venice, Italy
Starting at $1,299 per person
(Windstar is offering certain 2009 Mediterranean itineraries to Foremast Club members for just $999pp.)

Crystal Cruises 7-Night Mexican Adventure
November 21, 2010 aboard Crystal Symphony
Los Angeles • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • Mazatlan, Mexico • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Los Angeles
Starting at $2,000 per person

Now is the time to review offerings from all the cruise lines and see which cruises may work for you this year and next. You can never cruise too often!

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Azamara Cruises

Want to Learn Italian?
Enter to Win a Rosetta Stone Language Program

Rosetta Stone offers programs to help you learn 31 languages, including Italian, French, German, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, and many others. Rosetta Stone is giving away one language program, Italian Level 1, to one lucky blog reader. Enter to win here.

Azamara Cruises Offers Europe at 2-for-1 Pricing

Looking to cruise Europe this spring or summer? Then consider premium cruise line Azamara Cruises and its recently announced 2-for-1 fares on select itineraries. Fares are based on brochure rates, include a price-protection component, and offer a special incentive to travel agents who book these fares. All you need to do to snag the 2-for-1 is book by April 30, 2009.

Twenty-one different cruises—from the Mediterranean and Greek Islands to the Black Sea to Europe to Iceland and Scandinavia/Russia—are on offer from May through November and range from seven to 15 nights aboard either the Azamara Journey or Azamara Quest.

One particularly good deal is Azamara Journey's seven-night Mediterranean cruise embarking Venice, Italy on May 2. The per person rate is $1,049.

"With these unprecedented two-for-one promotions and their price protection component, when our guests book these sailings early, they can feel secure that they will get the best price, lock in an ideal stateroom assignment, and begin the countdown to their well-deserved vacation,” Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Azamara Cruises, said. "With fantastic cruises available for prices as low as $75 per person per day, quite simply, there has never been a better time to book a cruise."

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Azamara Cruises.

Photo courtesy of Azamara Cruises

Interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

How to Avoid Norovirus

In February I received some reports of a norovirus outbreak on Azamara Quest, starting with the Valentine's Day itinerary in Asia. The ship has been thoroughly cleaned several times and the number of cases per cruise has greatly diminished. But this is an excellent time to remind everyone that norovirus, and other easily transmitted illnesses, can strike a cruise ship at any time.

How does norovirus make you feel? Not great. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Instead of looking for ways to treat the sickness, try to avoid it completely in the first place.

You can do this by following these tips from the Centers for Disease Control:

• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap (seriously, you can't do this too many times if you're concerned about norovirus)

• Don't wear a piece of clothing if you believe it may have come in contact with the virus; wash the item immediately

• Take advantage of the anti-bacterial lotion dispensers that are placed throughout the ship; if you pass one, use it!

Expert cruisers will also tell you not to touch hand railings or elevator buttons and to avoid buffet meals. (When there is a norovirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship, the buffets are often shut down or require crewmembers to serve each passenger to avoid additional person-to-food contact.)

Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth and use antibacterial wipes to keep your hands clean throughout the day.

Learn more about norovirus, and ways to avoid it, by visiting the CDC's Norovirus Q&A.

For luxury cruise news and unbiased luxury cruise reviews, please visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Azamara Cruises Tips Its Hat to Firefighters & Police Officers with Discounts

Azamara Cruises has been offering cruise fare discounts to members of the military for quite some time. They've also just added a program that offers a 20 percent discount off "the best prevailing rate" on select sailings to firefighters and police officers working in the United States.

To be eligible, you must be an active member of a local, state, or federal agency or fire department. You'll be asked to provide proof of employment when you book the cruise and at the time of boarding.

This discount is eligible for the firefighter or police officer and anyone sharing his or her stateroom.

You may book this discount with Azamara Cruises as well as Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.

For more information, talk with your travel agent, call Azamara Cruises at (877) 999-9553, or visit their website.


Interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Cruise Lines Offer Military Discounts

Reader Colonel (Retired) Wes Weiner e-mailed me a few days ago to let me know about a few luxury cruise lines that are currently offering discounts to members of the military. Thanks for the heads-up, Wes!

Top-tier cruise lines offering special rates right now include Azamara Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Windstar Cruises. (Cruise lines beyond the luxury category are also offering discounts: Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean.)

Requirements differ by cruise line but discounts are generally offered to active, reserve, and retired members of the U.S. military (and also sometimes Canadian Forces).

To stay on top of these deals, bookmark this military discounts search page at VacationstoGo.com, the travel agency these special rates are offered through.

Here's a sample of the many military discounts that are available:

• 7-night Tahiti cruise in May on Regent's Paul Gauguin for $1,575 pp (listed at $2,140 pp without the discount)
  
  
• 7-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage in July on Regent's Mariner for $2,450 pp (listed at $2,895 without the discount)
  
  
• 7-night Mediterranean cruise in June from Istanbul to Athens aboard Windstar's Wind Star for $900 pp (listed at $3,449 without the discount)
  

For more information on military discounts, contact VacationstoGo.com at (800) 338-4962.

(Unfortunately, not all travel agents are authorized to offer these military rates so your usual agent may not be able to quote similar prices for these itineraries.)