Celebrity Cruises Expands Xpeditions

Just one year after launching “Celebrity Xpeditions,” an extension of Celebrity Cruises offering elite, exotic travel experiences, the line is making good on its promise to offer one Xpeditions experience on every major cruise itinerary.

“Our goal at Celebrity is to fulfill dreams, and what we’re announcing today is a compelling example of that,” said Williams. “Who hasn’t imagined visiting locations like the Great Pyramids, Easter Island, or the Matterhorn?  The exotic destinations and exclusive experiences we offer through Celebrity Xpeditions are what many people only dream about.” 

Celebrity Xpeditions launched in January 2004 as a one-of-a-kind program offering travelers the premium experiences they expect of Celebrity – in entirely new and different venues, such as the Galapagos Islands, the Arctic, the Antarctic, and Moscow.

  The new Celebrity Xpeditions offerings, by cruising region, include:

 Alaska: A“fire and ice” experience in Vancouver, with helicopter and Zodiac tours of the Mt. Garibaldi volcano site and Howe Sound; and treks through the Alaskan wilderness in search of black bears.

Bermuda: An aquatic archaeology course from the platform of a 43-foot catamaran.

California Coastal/Mexican Riviera: Marlin fishing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with a tournament-seasoned crew.

Caribbean: Underwater exploration and diving adventures culminating in National Geographic diver certification in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Hawaii: Heli-tours and lava tube cave explorations in Hana.

Mediterranean: A four-day exploration of the Great Pyramids of Egypt with leading Egyptologists; storybook stays in Switzerland, including hikes beside the majestic Matterhorn.

Panama Canal: Behind-the-scenes visits of Johnson Space Center and Houston Space Center in Texas, led by distinguished Apollo VII Astronaut Walter Cunningham.

South America: The Lost City of the Incas in Machu Picchu; archaeological explorations of the Copan Ruins in Honduras, and tours of the isolated Easter Island and its mysterious Moai statues carved of volcanic rock.

 The new lineup joins the existing series of Celebrity Xpeditions, including cruise vacations in the enchanting Galapagos Islands onboard the 296-foot megayacht, Celebrity Xpedition; voyages in the isolated Arctic and Antarctic aboard the polar-class, 434-foot icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov in partnership with Quark Expeditions; a behind-the-scenes tour of the former headquarters of the KGB and Kremlin in Moscow; a race car driving academy led by professional drivers Justin and Derek Bell in Palm Beach, Fla., and the line’s pre- and post-cruise land tours on luxurious, domed rail cars and motor coaches in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies.

Carnival Plans First Presidential Wine Cruise
Carnival Cruise Lines is planning its first Presidential Wine Club cruise, hosted by president and ceo Bob Dickinson. The December sailing is scheduled on the new Carnival Liberty from Fort Lauderdale. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a number of exclusive events, including tastings, seminars with leading wine experts, and wine-themed parties and food pairings. Details are still being finalized. The six-day cruise will sail on Dec. 4 from Port Everglades, calling at Freeport, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The voyage is not exclusive to Presidential Wine Club members and may be booked with any travel agent or direct with Carnival. However, a special fare code is required for participation in the wine events. Carnival launched its Presidential Wine Club this year, with the first monthly shipment of two bottles from boutique vineyards going out to members in February. All wines are personally tasted and approved by Dickinson, a noted wine authority with one of South Florida’s largest cellars.

SuperClubs to Offer Passport Package for '06
In response to the U.S. State Dept.’s new passport requirements for U.S. travelers to the Caribbean in 2006, SuperClubs created a Passport Included package to defray the additional costs of passport fees. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which takes effect Dec. 31, stipulates that Americans traveling to the Caribbean by air or sea must have valid passports to re-enter the U.S.  The cost of applying for and renewing passports will be credited towards all SuperClubs’ packages next year at its 10 Grand Lido, Breezes and Hedonism resorts on four Caribbean islands, as long as the vacations are booked by July 31. The current cost for an adult passport is $97; passports for children under age 16 are $82; and renewals are $67 each. SuperClubs requires proof that new passports have been applied for or renewed. The promotion includes cruise passengers who are booking pre- and post-trips at a SuperClubs resort. For details on how to apply for or renew a passport, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport. For SuperClubs’ information, visit www.superclubs.com or call (800) 467-8737. 

HAL Boosts Catch of Salmon Dishes
Holland America Line’s seven ships operating in Alaska this year will feature a ‘Going Wild for Salmon’ program developed by master chef Rudi Sodamin. A menu rotation of Alaskan salmon dishes, on-board culinary events, cooking demonstrations and seminars are planned. ‘I recently spent some time in Anchorage and I realized that when our guests disembark in Alaska’s ports, they are met with fabulous salmon preparations of all kinds,’ Sodamin said. ‘Bingo! I thought. We must bring more of Alaska’s delicious, fresh favorite fish to our guests so they can experience their Great Land adventure through cuisine, too.’ Sodamin and HAL’s culinary team developed 50 recipes to showcase on dinner menus, which already offer poached, sautéed or baked salmon as an alternative to featured dishes. The ‘Going Wild For Salmon’ menu additions will be available five nights a week in the main dining rooms, Lido restaurants, and Pinnacle Grills on all Alaska ships. Dishes will include both appetizers and entrees, such as thin salmon scallops with fresh herb dressing, hazelnut-crusted salmon with sorrel sauce, salmon and lobster chowder, and salmon baked in phyllo with shitake mushrooms and Champagne sauce.

Live With Regis and Kelly Teams up with NCL
From June 18-24, 2005, "Live with Regis and Kelly" hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa will take on their most exciting adventure yet, as the top morning talk show becomes the first national program to broadcast a full week of shows (airing June 20-24) from aboard a cruise ship. "Live" is partnering with NCL America and their stunning new ship, Pride of America, cruising the historic ports of the Eastern United States on her maiden voyage. Pride of America is the first new U.S.-flagged cruise ship in a half a century and is the biggest passenger ship ever built for the US registry. The ship boasts an all-American crew and celebrates a 'Best of America' theme, with public rooms inspired by the diverse regions of the United States. Regis and Kelly have commandeered the whole ship, and are giving away free cruises to 1,000 contest winners and fans to join them for this spectacular weeklong vacation at sea through "Live's Pride of America Cruisin Reunion" watch-to-win contest. Every day from May 16 to June 10, Regis and Kelly will give away 20 cruises to one lucky winner, so they can create their own reunion and invite a group of 20 family members and friends to come along on the Pride of America. Viewers can log on to http://www.liveregisandkelly.com for full contest details. In addition, "Live" affiliates also will offer the chance to win, with local contests in each city.

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Crystal Announces 2006 Itineraries

Crystal Cruises’ new collection of luxury cruises includes more ports per cruise, more overnight stays and a greater variety of shorter cruises than in previous years.  Ranging in length from seven to 106 days, a choice of 63 cruises is available in 2006 aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.  The award-winning, ultra-luxurious line will visit 168 ports in 79 countries – 15 more countries than the line has scheduled for 2005.

Complementing the majority of 10- to 14-day cruises in Europe, South America and North America are new seven-day cruises in the Baltic, Mediterranean, New England/Canada, Caribbean, and Mexican Riviera and a 106-day World Cruise that can be taken as a whole or in rich segments from Los Angeles, Lima, Papeete, Melbourne, Cape Town, Dubai or Rome.  Fourteen maiden calls are scheduled throughout the year, including Ayr & Troon, Scotland; Pisco, Peru; Tripoli, Libya; Gijón, Spain and Les Baie des Ha! Ha!, Canada.

“Like the Crystal Cruises’ product, our 2006 cruise collection is about fascinating choices,” says Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales & marketing.  “Even never-before cruisers will savor the variety of port-intensive itineraries with many ports per cruise and longer stays in those destinations.  Veteran Crystal cruisers will also relish the cruises with several days at sea to further enjoy our ships’ service excellence and stimulating onboard programs.  Itineraries can also be combined to enjoy both.” 

 Highlights of 2006 by destination:

 The Mediterranean and Western Europe