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

10-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise with Crystal Symphony for $1,995

It's that time of year again... cruise lines are reviewing their fourth quarter bookings and are tweaking rates to spur last-minute bookings. Here's a terrific deal to Mexico's Riviera from Crystal Cruises.

Sun-Kissed Shores (Voyage 1230)

December 11–21, 2011

Crystal Symphony

Rates form $1,995 per person

Los Angeles – at sea (2 nights) – Puerto Vallarta – Cabo San Lucas – 

Topolobampo – Loreto – La Paz – at sea (2 nights) – Los Angeles

Despite so many sea days (of which I'm not a huge fan), I like this itinerary because Crystal is offering so many strong shore excursions. My picks include a sea lion encounter, whale photo safari, sea kayaking, and a Mexican fiesta with traditional clambake.

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

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Crystal Cruises Cancels November 2011 Call in Libya

Due to the recent turn of events in Libya, Crystal Cruises will cancel its call in Tripoli and revert to the original itinerary set for its November 16 “Italian Splendor” European cruise from Venice to Barcelona.

The 11-day itinerary through the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas aboard Crystal Serenity will feature a maiden call in Koper, Slovenia, in addition to visits to Dubrovnik, Catania, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno and overnight stays in Venice and Barcelona.

“When Libya relaxed its visa restrictions, we were very excited to offer this exotic call to our fall cruise collection,” said Gregg Michel, Crystal’s president. “Fortunately, we can very easily replace the revised program with our original itinerary, which is rich in European culture, history, and scenery.”

With Crystal’s fall sale, the “Italian Splendor” cruise starts at $4,970 per person, double occupancy. Crystal’s pricing offers free round-trip air transportation from more than two dozen North American gateways (or air credits), $2,000 per couple “All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard spending credits. A Bring-a-Friend and Crystal Family Memories programs provide bonus savings.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises at (888) 799-4625.

—LuxuryCruiseBible.com

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Crystal Serenity Renovations During May 2011 Dry Dock

Cruise ship dry dock renovations have always fascinated me. Can you imagine making major improvements to a ship under tight time restrictions? It's astounding what these craftsmen and engineers can do.

This May, more than 400 technicians from around the world will converge at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. Their one and only goal is to work around the clock for 14 days on Crystal Cruises' Serenity.

Crystal is spending $25-million to redesign 531 deluxe staterooms, penthouses, and penthouse suites; the shops; and pool deck.

Let's delve a bit deeper into the upgrades. Stateroom changes include floor-to-ceiling tufted headboards, bedside cabinets, wallpaper, sofas, curtains, pillows, carpet, and lighting. I love the new electronic "do not disturb" and doorbell system.

The shops, Facets jewelry store and Apropos boutique, will get a facelift and will now offer Christian Dior cosmetic/skincare area.

The pool deck will get a similar treatment as Crystal Symphony's recent upgrade.

All corridors will be updated with new carpeting, artwork, and lighting. Likewise, new lighting will be installed in the Crystal Dining Room and all stateroom verandahs will get new furniture.

There's a lot to look forward to when it comes to these upgrades. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the ship once the dry dock upgrades are completed on May 22.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises at 1-(888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Luxury Cruise Lines to Raise Fares in 2011

Just a reminder that several luxury cruise lines plan to raise fares at the end of 2010. That means you've got just shy of two weeks to make plans at lower rates.

Silversea says it will raise rates on certain 2011 voyages but for now you can still snag some good deals. Here's a list of all Silversea special offers.

Perks on some Silversea voyages include...

• 60% off cruise fares
• $1,000 shore excursion credit
• roundtrip economy air and transfers
• $999 business-class upgrades
• reduced single supplements

Regent Seven Seas plans to raise cruise fares as of December 31, 2010. Peruse this list of Regent's current special rates.

Crystal Cruises is offering up to $3,000 per couple in savings on penthouse and verandah bookings. Also consider these other special Crystal fares. Reserve by December 31, 2010.

If you're thinking about booking a cruise for 2011 or 2012, now's the time to talk with your travel agent in order to take advantage of any last-minute savings offered in 2010.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Silver Spirit courtesy of Silversea

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

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

I admit that I've got a few obsessions in life... two of which are rock concerts and cruise vacations. In my younger days I worked for Musician magazine and spent more time at concerts than in the office. These days I'm more selective about the shows I see, but still love being in the middle of the crush as a band plays to fans who know every word of every song on the set list.

On the cruise front, I love trying new ships and have a checklist that keeps track of which ships and ports of call I still need to visit. It's little wonder then that I was daydreaming earlier today and came up with a wish list of rock concert that would be amazing if they were staged aboard luxury cruise ships.

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

1. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers aboard Paul Gauguin Cruises' m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia
   
   
2. U2 aboard the Yachts of Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn in the Norwegian Fjords
   
   
3. Jackson Browne aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit in the Mediterranean
   
   
4. Martin Sexton aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Explorer in Hawaii
   
   
5. Daniel Lanois aboard Windstar Cruises' Wind Star in Costa Rica
   
   
6. Brian Setzer Orchestra aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth for a transatlantic crossing
   
   
7. John Mayer aboard Oceania Cruises' Marina in the Caribbean
   
   
8. Jimmy Buffett aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II in the Caribbean
   
   
9. James Taylor aboard Regent Seven Seas' Voyager in New Zealand and Australia
   
   
10. Nora Jones aboard Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony in New England and Canada

Note: THIS IS JUST A DREAM LIST; these concerts (sadly) will never happen. It's just something fun to think about. Which bands would be on your cruise wish list?

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Try Crystal Cruises' New Priority Check-In & Planning Center

While not every traveler feels the need to digitize their cruise plans, more and more luxury lines are offering online planners and reservation mechanisms. Crystal Cruises just announced a serious upgrade to its pre-cruise planning functionality by introducing its Priority Check-In and Planning Center.



The Priority Check-in Checklist takes care of all the basics like...

• immigration forms
• credit card information for onboard charges
• preferences, such as bed configuration
• air itineraries for transfer arrangements

The Planning Center can assist with...

• spa and salon appointments
• Crystal Dining Room reservations (through Open Dining by Reservation, beginning in 2011)
• specialty restaurant and Vintage Room winemakers' dinner reservations
• Crystal Adventures shore excursions
• tuxedo rental
• Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea classes

The Cruise Calendar function keeps track of all your reservations and preferences and provides a day-by-day snapshot of your cruise. Helpful information includes dress codes, docking times, and port locations for each day of your voyage.

The great thing about Crystal's new online planner is that you can choose to use it yourself or designate that duty to your travel agent. Give this new online planner a try once you put down a deposit on your next Crystal cruise.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

New Port for Crystal Cruises: Ashdod, Israel

This fall Crystal Serenity will depart Athens, Greece on October 19 for its 12-night "Ruins and Relics" Mediterranean voyage. This is the perfect itinerary for anyone who's fascinated by the ancient—and not so ancient—histories of Greece, Israel, Egypt, Malta, and Italy.

Travelers on this voyage will be the first Crystal passengers to overnight in Ashdod, Israel. With two full days to explore this Israeli port city, there will be an opportunity to visit sites of importance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Shore excursions visit the Western (Wailing) Wall and Temple Mount, among other locations.

This will be an action-packed cruise since you'll visit so many different historic sites, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, King Herod's tomb, Pompeii, Mount Etna, the Acropolis, and so much more.

The "Ruins and Relics" Full Itinerary Includes…

Piraeus/Athens, Greece

Ashdod, Israel (overnight)

Alexandria/Cairo, Egypt (overnight)

Valletta, Malta

Sicily/Catania, Italy

Naples, Italy

Civitavecchia/Rome, Italy

A special guest speaker will also be onboard this voyage: former White House press secretary and expert in world affairs, Marlin Fitzwater.

Crystal is currently offering two-for-one fares for this itinerary, starting at $5,940, double occupancy plus free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways (free Business Class Air for penthouse guests), and $1,000 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard credits.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises at 1-(888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo from iStockPhotography.com

Crystal Cruises to Launch Open Dining By Reservation in 2011

Crystal Cruises has brainstormed a way to keep current guests happy with its traditional Classic Main and Late Seating dining times in the Crystal Dining Room while rolling out new "Perfect Choice Dining." I applaud the cruise line for developing an option for more flexible dining by reservation! In my opinion, this change makes Crystal Cruises much more appealing.

Starting on July 1, 2010, guests booked on itineraries in January 2011 and beyond will utilize an online Priority Check-In and Planning Center (PCPC) to make advance reservations for the main dining room as well as Crystal's specialty restaurants. You must select "Open Dining by Reservation" at the time of reserving your cruise in order to participate in this program and your cruise must be fully paid before you can make reservations via the PCPC.

Open Dining by Reservation tables are available from 6:15–9:15pm, subject to availability. Classic Main Seating is at 6:15pm and Late Seating begins at 8:30pm. Tables for two, four, six, and eight are available.

The cruise line has prepared a comprehensive FAQ about Crystal's new Open Dining by Reservation.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises at 1-(888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Have You Booked a Luxury Cruise for 2010?

We're in the middle of Wave Season, that time of year when cruise lines offer enticing packages in the hopes of garnering a bump in bookings. Last year at this time, the deals were incredible. This year, while there are some solid values, nothing amazing has jumped out at me.

Yet, cruise lines are downright giddy about their recent bookings. Deals or no deals, we travelers are making cruise reservations for 2010. According to Crystal Cruises, bookings during January 2010 are 205% over the line's sales during January 2009.

Yachts of Seabourn also announced a record number of bookings during January 2010. According to the press release, "numbers of bookings showed a 106 percent increase compared to 2009, and were up 215 percent compared to 2008. The number of first-time guests booking a Seabourn cruise in January surged 79 percent over the same period in 2009 and 155 percent over January in 2008, which was Seabourn’s best year to date."

Crystal shared a similar interesting statistic, saying 89% of its guests booked for 2010 are new to the line. I have to wonder why that is. Crystal had some terrific marketing materials last year to coincide with their 20th anniversary and it's possible the campaign reached cruisers who've always thought about trying Crystal but never sealed the deal with a reservation. Likewise, Seabourn enjoyed wonderful publicity with the launch of Seabourn Odyssey last summer.

So, why are so many cruisers "jumping ship" from former favorite cruise lines to Crystal, Seabourn, and other new-to-them lines? It could be because of changes in smoking policies, pricing, or shifts in overall service.

Have you booked a 2010 cruise on Crystal, Seabourn, or another new-to-you line? We actually started the year sailing with a new-to-us line: SeaDream Yacht Club. We also hope to book with the new Paul Gauguin Cruises soon.

I'd love to hear about your cruise plans for 2010. Where are you cruising and with whom?

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Video: This Looks Magical—Festa del Redentore in Venice with Crystal Cruises

Got any plans for the third weekend of July 2010? If not, join Crystal Cruises in Venice, Italy, as Crystal Serenity experiences one of Italy's most entrancing festivals, the Festa del Redentore.

This annual celebration dates back to 1577 when the city was finally rid of a plague that killed many of its citizens. The festival also marked groundbreaking of Palladio's "Redentore" (Redeemer) Church on the Island of the Giudecca. (The church was also built to commemorate the end of the plague.)

Over the years, the festival grew from one of religious significance to one that also now includes a more secular celebration in the way of a 30-minute fireworks extravaganza. Today, thousands of visitors flock to Venice for this festival. Small boats, often decorated with balloons, head to St. Mark's Bay and the Giudecca Canal in anticipation of the fireworks show that begins at 11:30 pm.

This summer, Crystal Serenity will have the best seat in the house for this amazing spectacle as she overnights in Venice. Guests will be treated to a champagne reception, local entertainment, a sumptuous Venetian dinner, and views of the fireworks from the open deck.

“Venice is one of the most magical cities in the world; to be there during this festival adds yet another layer to the authentic experience that our guests seek and expect with a Crystal vacation,” says Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, hotel operations. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the celebration and to offer our guests more time to immerse themselves in the culture.”

This cruise begins on July 7, 2010 in Athens, Greece and visits Santorini, Crete, and Patmos Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Croatia; and Venice, Italy.

Two-for one cruise fares start at $6,465 per person, double occupancy. Complimentary air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways, including Business Class air for Penthouse guests, plus a $1,000 per person ‘All Inclusive–As You Wish’ shipboard credit are included.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact your travel agent, call 1-(888) 799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Video courtesy of YouTube user Leifleo35121

Any Crystal Symphony Questions?

On Monday evening we're boarding Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony at Manhattan's Cruise Terminal to celebrate the cruise line's 20th anniversary and to take a tour of the recently refurbished ship. Crystal spent $25 million while upgrading Symphony during her September 17–October 1 drydock at Boston's Atlantic Marine shipyard.

Enhancements include...

• Prego Italian restaurant
• Lida Cafe
• Penthouse accommodations
• Seahorse and Neptune pool areas
• guest elevators
• digital x-ray equipment installed in the medical center
• and many behind-the-scenes upgrades

We'll be posting photos and video from the ship tomorrow. If you've got any questions, or want us to take photos of specific areas of the ship, let me know before 3:30 pm on Monday, November 9.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Don't Miss: The Birthday Bonus Program from Crystal Cruises

In 2009 Crystal Cruises unveiled its Birthday Bonus promotion and—in celebration of the line's 20th anniversary in 2010—it will be carried over into the New Year.

Simply book a 2010 cruise by December 31, 2009 and sail on your 2010 birthday. You're then eligible to save 50% off a second cruise-only fare taken before your 2011 birthday.

In addition, birthday guests can celebrate their 2010 birthday with a special champagne breakfast and a Captain’s Quarters birthday party.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Luggage Concierge Offers 2-for-1 Shipping to Passengers Traveling with Crystal Cruises

The only time I use a luggage delivery service is when I'm traveling with my parents (who are in their mid-80s). They travel with a wheelchair and a walker, so carrying luggage to the airport is just not very practical. Luggage delivery services that pick up your bags at home, deliver them directly to your cruise ship in time for embarkation, and then retrieve them at the end of your cruise for safe delivery home are truly a godsend for many of us.

That's why it's so great to hear that Crystal Cruises luggage-delivery partner, Luggage Concierge, is offering reduced 2-for-1 pricing on luggage delivery to all 2010 Crystal voyages. According to Crystal, you'll actually pay less to send two bags in 2010 than you may have to send one bag in 2009.

The service includes $2,500 of insurance coverage per bag and tracking notification via your choice of phone, e-mail, or fax.

To make arrangements to ship your luggage, visit luggageconcierge.com/crystal.

For more information, contact your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises at (888) 799-4625.


Additional Luggage Delivery Services

Luggage Forward

Luggage Free

The Luggage Club

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Learn to Document Your Travels with Crystal Cruises and Travel Channel Academy

I love it when a luxury cruise line dreams up a really fun program for passengers—something that will add a unique perspective to their voyage and give them plenty of stories to tell their friends when they return home. Crystal Cruises has announced a very compelling program for its February 9, 2010, 21-day Cape Town to Mumbai "Safari and Saris" World Cruise segment.

Crystal is teaming up with the Travel Channel Academy that teaches travelers to use computers, cameras, video cameras, and editing software to document their journeys around the world. This is the first time this program has been offered at sea but I'm sure it's going to be a hit. (Travel Channel Academy classes routinely sell out on land and have been offered in places like New York City, Washington, D.C., and Santa Barbara, CA.)

“Storytelling is one of the great joys of travel,” says Thomas Mazloum, Crystal’s senior vice president of hotel operations. “This Crystal Cruises filmmaking experience is the kind of sophisticated enrichment our guests appreciate, enabling them to professionally document, relive, and share the intangible adventures that inspire them to travel.”

Via personalized and group instruction from nine Travel Channel professionals, guests will learn both the basic processes and finer nuances of developing travel documentaries, using their own adventures and stories as subject matter, during two distinct, comprehensive classes in travel filmmaking. The “Master Class” is a three-week intensive session during which participants will shoot, edit and produce two individual one-minute films, plus a three-minute group effort. The week-long option, “How to Make Great Travel Videos,” teaches the same skills in producing professional short travel videos, and help guests develop their own one-minute project.

Each person will have the opportunity to play the role of director, cameraperson, writer, and editor, with the best videos selected at an awards ceremony during the cruise and shown on the Travel Channel Academy in-stateroom TV network. Guests can also submit their completed works to the Travel Channel and possibly showcase them on one of the network’s many outlets. Master Class students will also learn how to market their documentaries.

No experience or technical knowledge is necessary to enroll in the program. Included in the $1,995 cost for the three-week course is hands-on training with Travel Channel Academy experts; and all equipment, including cameras, Apple computers, and Final Cut Pro video editing software, all of which runs several hundred dollars extra for the land-based course. Guests can opt for the shorter class for $495. Pre-registration is encouraged, as space is extremely limited.

In addition to Cape Town and Mumbai, the voyage visits Durban and Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mahé/Victoria, Seychelles; Malé, Republic of Maldives; and Cochin and Marmagao, India. With two-for-one fares, the 21-day cruise starts at $13,190 per person, double occupancy, and offers a $500 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ spending credit. Free air is included if the voyage is combined with another World Cruise segment.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises at (888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

A Million Ways to Slice a Cruise Fare

Tracking cruise fare pricing is getting a bit comical these days. Every single line has its own promotion offering meaty discounts off the "brochure" fare or free shore excursions or thousands of dollars worth of onboard credits or "free" air or some other perceived perk.

Luxury cruise lines have made a point to announce to the media that they've all enjoyed strong bookings in recent days. As such, some lines like Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, and Silversea are all planning on raising fares in the coming months.

Yet other lines, like SeaDream and Crystal Cruises have released lower fares for select cruises in 2009 and 2010.

So what gives? Is the economy strengthening or are people just getting sick and tired of putting off their vacations? Maybe it's a little bit of both.

The fact of the matter is this: it's nearly impossible to compare some of these cruise deals in an apples to apples fashion. So don't. Select your favorite cruise line or your desired destination or pick a date that you're free to sail and then review your options and pricing.

2009 was the year to get the lowest rate ever for a luxury cruise. In 2010, let's concentrate on committing to the best vacation option for us as individuals. Each cruise line shines in its own special way and we all gravitate to one over another for very personal reasons. For me, I'd happily embark on any cruise ship tomorrow in search of an adventure! Who wants to join me?!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Luxury Cruise Bargains Hit the Sweet Spot

There was once a time when travelers who wished to book a cruise at the lowest possible price waited until January for the start of Wave Season. That's traditionally when cruise lines lure passengers with inexpensive fares, complimentary airfare, or hundreds of dollars of onboard credit to blow on shore excursions, vintage wines, spa treatments, and the like.

But that was BTR (before the recession). These days cruise lines—even the ultra-luxe that offer true all-inclusive experiences—are offering Wave Season-like bargains right now and, frankly, at fares that are unlikely to be repeated once the economy bounces skyward.

In fact, this may be the best time to book a cruise aboard one of the luxury lines. However, executives from Carnival, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises, Seabourn, and other cruise lines have publicly cautioned recently that the window to snag the cruise deal of the decade may close soon. In fact, both Regent Seven Seas and Silversea are planning to raise prices in October and Oceania will raise prices in January 2010.

2009 and 2010 Sweet Spot Deals

If the month of December is your getaway horizon, look to Seabourn's 208-passenger yacht, Spirit. Five-nights in the Caribbean will set you back just $1,349 per person (regularly $3,760 pp).

Another solid high-end cruise option isn't a cruise ship at all: it's SeaDream Yacht Club's 110-person yacht, SeaDream II. Book a five-night St. Thomas to San Juan sailing for $1,799 per person (that's 67% off the brochure rate).

For those that prefer sailing under wind power, check out Windstar Cruises' three motor-sail-yachts: Wind Spirit, Wind Star, and Wind Surf. The December 12th seven-night roundtrip excursion aboard Wind Star, out of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, is running at $899 per person.

Crystal Cruises, a line that's not usually known for steep discounts, is offering better than two-for-one deals for the rest of the year. No plans for Thanksgiving? Book a seven-night Caribbean roundtrip out of Miami for $2,480 per person (a 55% discount) and receive $500 in onboard credit.

Looking ahead to summer 2010, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is making it easy for you to take the kids or grandkids on their first luxury voyage with a special per child rate of $399 on 11 Alaskan itineraries aboard Navigator. (Similar deals are available for Caribbean, European, and Baltics sailings.)

Not to be outdone, Silversea has announced across the board savings in 2010 with 60% off published fares and free air on more than 150 itineraries. One good deal is Silver Wind's April 19, 2010, 10-night roundtrip out of Venice, which is available for approximately $3,800 per person (brochure rate is $9,795). Book by December 31.

If French Polynesia is on your radar for 2010, this early booking deal—valid until September 30—from Paul Gauguin Cruises is compelling: 50% cruise fare savings plus free roundtrip air from Los Angeles to Tahiti on select cruises of 10 nights or longer aboard m/s Paul Gauguin.

Is the Mediterranean or Scandinavia is on your "must visit" list? Oceania Cruises comes to the table with a $2,000 price reduction off two-for-one fares with free air. Rates are available on select cruises from April through December 2010. For $3,742 per person, you can book a 10-night Mediterranean cruise out of Monte Carlo.

Booking a Luxury Cruise

Your best bet is to book your passage with a travel agent that specializes in high-end cruises. Many lines often offer preferred pricing to the customers of these agents. Consider Brown & Keene Travel, Elite Travel International, and Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo. Alternatively, book with a reputable online agency such as VacationstoGo.com. True bargain hunters will enjoy comparing prices from several agencies at CruiseCompete.com.

Earn College Credits for Computer Classes Aboard Crystal Ships

Here's a clever cross-promotion: Crystal's Computer University@Sea will offer instruction on Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system a month before the OS package is available for purchase.

Crystal, in conjunction with Del Mar College, will also offer various computer classes that will earn transferable college credit during the 2010 World Cruise, which embarks Miami on January 11.

The Windows 7 classes will be taught by Crystal’s Computer University@Sea instructors, and cover basic computing and valuable tips for mastering the operating system and maximizing ease and efficiency. The collegiate courses aboard the World Cruise, taught by an instructor from Del Mar College, include:

* Components of the System Unit
* Computer Storage Devices
* Database Management
* Privacy and Ethics

“Our guests expect sophisticated enrichment that includes progressive programming and the latest equipment,” says Thomas Mazloum, Crystal’s senior vice president, hotel operations. “We continue to strive to offer the very highest level of curriculum, as well as options to suit virtually any interest.”

Every Crystal Cruise offers complimentary instruction on the Windows 7 operating system, e-mail, website design, digital video editing, digital camera orientation, Photoshop, and even surfing the web. Other topics include Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, greeting and business card design, and various financial research tools and spreadsheet preparation. Private instruction is also available. There is a nominal fee for those wishing to earn collegiate credit.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises at 1-(888) 799-4625.

—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