Seabourn Cruises from $1,349: One-Week Sale

Mark Monday, July 13 on your calendar. That's when Seabourn's one-week sale begins. The luxury cruise line is offering ten itineraries—between five to 14 days—at fares ranging from $1,349 to $5,249 per person.

Reduced fares may be found on all Seabourn ships, although only one Seabourn Odyssey sailing is part of this limited-time promotion.

Snag one of these special fares by booking between Monday, July 13 and the end of the day on Monday, July 20.

Discounted Voyages

Seabourn Legend
11/23/2009 14 days Ft. Lauderdale to Caldera, Costa Rica from $3599
12/07/2009 14 days Caldera, Costa Rica to Ft. Lauderdale from $3599
03/20/2010 5 days St. Thomas to St. Thomas from $1499
03/25/2010 7 days St. Thomas to St. Thomas from $1999

Seabourn Spirit
11/15/2009 12 days Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale from $2765
12/16/2009 5 days St. Thomas to Ft. Lauderdale from $1349

Seabourn Pride
02/13/2010 14 days Singapore to Hong Kong from $4999
02/27/2010 14 days Hong Kong to Singapore from $5249
03/13/2010 14 days Singapore to Hong Kong from $5249

Seabourn Odyssey
11/28/2009 12 days Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale from $3999

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact the Yachts of Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Would You Retrace Titanic's Last Voyage?

Am I the only one who finds the idea of a memorial cruise commemorating the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking a bit odd?

Reservations are open now for this April 8, 2012 twelve-night cruise aboard the MS Balmoral from Southampton to New York City. Miles Morgan Travel, a British firm, is partnering with Fred Olsen Cruises to present this itinerary that follows the RMS Titanic's itinerary:

• Southampton, England
• Cobh, Ireland
  
• Sail the Atlantic to the site of Titanic's sinking
• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• New York City

MS Balmoral will arrive at the Titanic's resting place on April 14/15, exactly 100 years after that fateful evening. After a memorial service, your ship will continue on to Halifax (where many of Titanic's victims were laid to rest) and then on to New York City, Titanic's original disembarkation point.

Cruise fares start at $4,200 per person for an inside stateroom. Visit the Titanic Memorial Cruise website for more information.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Logo courtesy of the Titanic Memorial Cruise.

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

James Taylor to Perform Aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2

In my younger years, I was a music journalist and wrote for many publications including the venerable Musician magazine, Billboard, Mix, Pro Sound News, and others. During that time, I spent my days (and nights) interviewing high-profile musicians in the rock and pop categories. It was my job and I never got flustered meeting these talented individuals—except once. That was the day I met James Taylor. I had loved his music for years—"You've Got a Friend," "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "Carolina in My Mind"—and had seen him in concert a handful of times. He always made singing look so effortless; I suppose it is for him.

Sony was opening a recording studio in Manhattan and I was invited to the party. So was JT. He blew into the room and a friend introduced us. I just looked into his eyes and completely blanked out! That's the first and last time that ever happened to me and I still smile when I think about it.

To be honest, it's been many years since I last saw James Taylor in concert but a recent announcement from Cunard may change that. Mr. Taylor will be the featured artist aboard the Queen Mary 2 on her June 19 eastbound transatlantic crossing. The musician plans to perform in the ship's Royal Court Theatre twice during the six-day voyage.

What brought these concerts about? According to Taylor, "I've always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe. It's such a civilized way to go, and the Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel. It was a dream to use the passage to transport and rehearse our summer tour: band, crew and family; kit and caboodle. I'm looking forward to the pair of concerts at the end of the trip and, hallelujah, no jet lag."

At rates starting at just $925 per person, this is a tempting summertime getaway.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Cunard's website.

Photo courtesy of Cunard.

Crystal's 2009 Half-Price Itineraries Announced

It's vacation planning time! Most cruise lines recently unveiled their 2009 itineraries and Crystal Cruises is no different. Visit their website now and you'll find descriptions of all 2009 voyages.

Crystal also just issued its list of "Value Collection" sailings. These 50% off itineraries are generally only offered during shoulder season or on repositioning cruises, but in 2009 Crystal has expanded its list to include the Panama Canal, South America, the Med, New England/Canada, the Caribbean, and the Amazon.

If you haven't sailed Crystal before, one of these voyages may be the ideal entrée. Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president of sales and marketing, agrees: "With Value Collection, travelers can enjoy Crystal's superb service and luxurious amenities at significant savings. This offers a great opportunity to experience Crystal Cruises and understand why we've been voted world's best by travelers more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort."

The itineraries offering up to 50% savings in 2009 are:

Panama Canal/Caribbean/Amazon
* February 16, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days. From $3,595 on Crystal Symphony.
* May 7, Los Angeles to Miami, 16 days. From $4,995 on Crystal Serenity.
* November 22, Round-trip Miami, 7 days. From $2,480 on Crystal Serenity.
* November 22, Miami to Manaus, 13 days. From $3,990 on Crystal Symphony.
* November 29, Miami to Caldera, 11 days. From $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.
* December 10, Caldera to Miami, 11 days. From $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.

Western Europe/Mediterranean
* June 2, Lisbon to Venice, 12 days. From $5,070 on Crystal Serenity.
* June 7, Rome to London, 12 days. From $4,360 on Crystal Symphony.

New England/Canada
* October 1, Boston to Montréal, 7 days. From $2,575 on Crystal Symphony.
* October 30, Montréal to New York, 11 days. From $3,835 on Crystal Symphony.

Ocean Crossings
* March 9, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days. From $3,690 on Crystal Symphony.
* May 23, Miami to Lisbon, 10 days. From $3,540 on Crystal Serenity.
* November 12, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days. From $3,540 on Crystal Serenity.

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