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

Windstar Last-Minute Deals in Europe as Low as $1,499pp

I think I've joined the email list for every cruise line and cruise travel agent out there! While the messages and newsletters tend to stuff my mailbox on a weekly basis, I still enjoy getting them so I can keep tabs on new itineraries and last-minute deals.


I just got a message from Windstar Cruises promoting a series of last-minute specials for Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises this summer. Rates range from $1,499 to $2,699 per person.


The most compelling offers are in Northern Europe but there are still some very low priced Med sailings. If you've ever wanted to sample Windstar, this summer may be your chance.


Northern European Coasts


Lisbon to Le Havre (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 2 or August 13
Category B from $1,499pp


Le Havre to Oslo (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 9 or August 6
Category B from $1,499pp


Stockholm to Oslo – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 30
Category B from $2,999pp


Stockholm to Stockholm – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 23
Category B from $2,999pp




Mediterranean Itineraries


Athens to Rome – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
June 11
Category B from $1,699pp


Rome to Nice – 7 nights on Wind Surf (We're sailing this itinerary soon!)
June 18
Category B from $1,999pp


Venice to Venice – 7 nights on Wind Star
July 23
Category B from $2,299


Athens to Istanbul (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Star or Wind Surf
July 2, 9, 16, 23
Category B from $2,499pp


Athens to Venice – 7 nights on Wind Star
July 16
Category B from $2,699


Act fast if you want to book one of these last-minute offers since they expire on June 21st.


For more information, talk with your travel agent or Windstar Cruises at 1-(800) 258-7245.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Uniworld's S.S. Antoinette Sets Sail in March

This March, river cruise company Uniworld launches its new "super ship," the S.S. Antoinette. This is Uniworld's largest ship—443 feet long and 37.5-feet wide—to date and it will sail the Rhine River.

De Hoop shipyard in the Netherlands built the vessel for Uniworld and its partner Red Carnation Hotels. So, what's different about this super ship? First of all, it was designed to give guests the feel of France's Chateau de Versailles during the 18th century. This includes an impressive blue Strauss 10-foot Baccarat chandelier with sapphires that originally hung in New York City's famed Tavern on the Green.

The ship offers 73 staterooms, eight junior suites, and the 391-square-foot Royal Suite. All top deck suites and staterooms have full balconies that, with a touch of a switch, are converted to glass-enclosed conservatories. Staterooms throughout the ship have LCD flat-screen TVs with movies on demand, music, news, sports, and more. Suites have an extra TV located on the balcony.

S.S. Antoinette Suite

S.S. Antoinette Stateroom

S.S. Antoinette Stateroom

S.S. Antoinette also features the first movie theater (20 seats with Dolby surround sound) on a river cruise ship. The ship's heated five-foot-deep swimming pool also utilizes surround sound so guests can listen to underwater music being piped in. For those who enjoy spas, the ship features the Serenity River Spa and fitness center.

S.S. Antoinette will sail the 8-day Castles along the Rhine itinerary that calls on Basel, Breisach (Colmar), Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, and Amsterdam.

S.S. Antoinette Castles along the Rhine Itinerary

For more information about the S.S. Antoinette, talk with your travel agent or contact Uniworld at 1-(800) 733-7820.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Uniworld

SeaDream Gears Up for 2011 Norwegian Fjords Itinerary

SeaDream Yacht Club has crafted some interesting new itineraries for 2011 and 2012.

One of the most anticipated cruises is the debut 11-night Norwegian Fjords voyage embarking Hamburg, Germany on May 28, 2011.

SeaDream I's Norwegian Fjords Itinerary
Hamburg, Germany
Transit Kiel Canal
Faaborg, Denmark
Marstrand, Sweden
Oslo, Norway
Lillesand, Norway
Stavanger, Norway
Sunndal, Hardangerfjord, Norway
Balestrand, Sognefjord, Norway
Flam, Sognefjord, Norway
Gudvangen, Sognefjord, Norway
Fjaerland, Sognerfjord, Norway
Nautnes, Oeygarden, Norway
Bergen, Norway

If you've sailed with SeaDream before, you know that many of the captains and officers hail from Norway. You'll be sure to get excellent touring advice from the crew, all of whom are very excited to introduce their guests to Norway.

For more information, talk to your travel agent or contact SeaDream Yacht Club at 1-(800) 707-4911.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of SeaDream I and SeaDream II courtesy of SeaDream Yacht Club

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We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Congratulations, Yachts of Seabourn! Seabourn Sojourn is Delivered

Congratulations to everyone at the Yachts of Seabourn! The cruise line has officially taken delivery of its newest yacht, the 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn. (See new photos of the ship at Seabourn's blog.) This is the second ship in a trio that also includes Odyssey (launched last summer and one of my favorite luxury cruise ships of all time) and Quest (launching next summer).

Sojourn was built at the Mariotti shipyard in Genoa and is now on her way to London where media events, her naming ceremony, and inauguration will take place. British supermodel Twiggy is the ship's godmother and will be at the festivities. On June 5, the ship will host a benefit for nonprofit Breast Cancer Haven before welcoming guests for her maiden voyage on June 6.

I'm a fan of Seabourn Odyssey and expect to cotton to Sojourn as well. Here are some of the things I especially like about the larger Seabourn ships:

• Ship Exterior—Seabourn Odyssey is a gorgeous ship and the spa atrium certainly gives the vessel a unique and sleek line.

• Pool on Deck 8—I could spend an entire cruise lazying by the pool on Odyssey. There is plenty of shade, two whirlpools kept at the perfect temperature, and a large (by cruise ship standards) pool. Service by the pool is also excellent; the watermelon smoothies and ice cream sandwiches are especially refreshing. (There is also a pool and two whirlpools on Deck 5 aft. This is a lovely, quiet spot but a bit too sunny for my liking.)

• Retractable Marina—I am not a strong swimmer so Odyssey's retractable Marina is a dream come true for me. Within the safety of what I like to call the "swimming basket," I can enjoy swimming in the sea without the panic! My husband prefers to spend his time at the Marina by taking out a kayak or going windsurfing.

• The Crew—I always enjoy speaking with Seabourn's affable crew members and the level of service they routinely provide always impresses me.

While plenty of Seabourn loyalist still prefer the smaller triplets—Seabourn Legend, Pride, and Spirit—Odyssey, Sojourn, and Quest will appeal to cruisers who enjoy a midsize ship and a slightly larger crowd.

A few travel agents and travel writers will be reporting live from the new Seabourn Sojourn at the end of this week. I look forward to hearing these "first look" reports as I cruise the Adriatic with Silversea's new Silver Spirit. I'll be departing Venice this Saturday!

Cheers once again to Seabourn! Sojourn looks to be a gorgeous new mega-yacht and I look forward to sailing with her soon!

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

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Andrea M. Rotondo

Seabourn's One-Week Fare Sale is Almost Over

If you've been following cruise pricing over the last year, you know Seabourn often runs one-week "specials". We're in the middle of one of those promotions. Here are the details in case you didn't hear about it from your travel agent:

• Sale Dates:  Monday, April 5–Monday, April 12, 2010
• Promotion:  two-for-one cruise fares, including roundtrip air or cruise-only fares up to 65% off the rack rate
• Itineraries:  27 voyages between June and August 2010 are included in this sale

Seven-day Mediterranean cruises aboard Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Legend, and Seabourn Odyssey begin from $2,499 per person for cruise-only, or $3,550 with inclusive air. Nine- to 12-day voyages on the brand new Seabourn Sojourn in Northern Europe start from $4,999 cruise-only or $6,400 with inclusive air. Cruises of 10 to 14 days in Asia aboard Seabourn Pride start from $3,499 cruise-only and $5,400 with air. Inclusive air is available from 40 North American gateways. All fares are per person, based on double occupancy.

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

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Enter Celebrity Cruises' "Eclipse of a Lifetime" Sweepstakes

Today Celebrity Cruises launched its "Eclipse of a Lifetime" sweepstakes, which runs through January 14, 2010. Ten winners and their guests will win a trip to Dusseldorf, Germany, where they will spend some time before heading to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg on March 13, 2010. From there, winners will board the brand new Solstice-class ship Celebrity Eclipse for the "conveyance" of the ship on the narrow River Ems to Emshaven, Netherlands. Sweepstakes is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.

What's unique about this?

• You'll be the first passengers aboard the ship, excluding Celebrity staff and crew.
• You'll be one of few people who have experienced a conveyance where the ship actually navigates backwards down the River Ems.
• You'll experience the Meyer Werft shipyard, one of the most modern facilities in the world.
• You'll meet Celebrity's President and CEO, Dan Hanrahan, who will personally lead you on a tour of the ship.
• You'll enjoy AquaClass staterooms and enjoy creative menus developed by Chef Jacques Van Staden, Celebrity's VP of Culinary Operations.
• You'll mix and mingle with the ship's senior officers.

Here's some more information about the conveyance from Celebrity:

During the "conveyance" through Germany's River Ems, more than 75,000 residents are expected to line the river banks - in cars, on bikes, on horseback and in RVs—to watch and cheer as one of the largest ships ever to transit the river meanders past charming villages and quaint farmlands. An indisputable rarity in cruising, the conveyance takes the ship along a truly challenging course: At its tightest points along the way, there will be as few as two feet between each side of the 1,040-ft-long, 121-ft-wide Celebrity Eclipse and the locks. The depth of the river and the draft of the ship allow for mere inches—or less—beneath the ship. Celebrity and shipbuilder Meyer Werft have essentially created a science all their own, to closely and carefully monitor the position of the moon and tidal conditions to pinpoint the precise moment when the depth of the river is ideal for the ship to depart the shipyard.

"The science and precision of the process is actually more complex than transiting the Panama Canal," said Hanrahan. A railway bridge must be completely dismantled, and normal train schedules adjusted, to allow for the ship's passage at one point on the course, among other narrow passages. The journey will take between 12 to 15 hours to complete, and is likely to be the most challenging ride the ship will encounter in its life. Only one captain in the world—who sweepstakes winners will have the exclusive opportunity to meet—is licensed and qualified to take the helm during the conveyance. The limited space available for navigation, the nature of sailing in reverse, and the number of narrow passages and bridges to transit are factors cruise ship captains normally don't have to deal with; but, it provides the chance for them to test the ship's maneuverability at slow speeds."

Enter Celebrity Cruises' "Eclipse of Lifetime" sweepstakes. Winners will be announced on January 28, 2010.

For more information about Celebrity Cruises, talk with your travel agent or contact Celebrity at 1-(800) 437-3111.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Northern Europe & Baltic Routes New for SeaDream in 2011

For those of us who cruise often, word about any new itinerary is always cause for excitement. Last week SeaDream Yacht Club announced new routes for 2011 that will take the line to the Atlantic coast of France, Spain, and Portugal as well as to Scandanavia and the Baltics.

SeaDream I will call upon England, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Germany, France, Holland, Spain, and Portugal from May through August 2011.

Why are these routes exciting? Well, it's the first time the yacht has called upon ports like London. You'll be able to transit the Kiel Canal or visit small villages in Bordeaux, Brittany, and Hamburg.

Among new ports of call for these 2011 itineraries are:

• Stockholm and Marstand, Sweden
• Helsinki, Finland
• Oslo, Stavanger, Lillesand, and Bergen Norway
• Tallin and Kuressaare, Estonia
• St. Petersburg, Russia
• Hamburg, Germany
• Amsterdam, Holland
• Honfleur, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux, France
• St. Jean de Luz, Gigoni/Oviedo, Spain
• Cascais, Portugal

If you love SeaDream and have been hoping for something a bit different, these new itineraries may hit the spot. Watch SeaDream's website. The cruise line says these trips will be bookable by this weekend, starting November 20.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact SeaDream Yacht Club.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of St. Malo, France courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

Embarkation Day Aboard Celebrity Equinox

Embarkation day is always such a rush for the passenger who's revving up for an extended holiday but at the same time it's usually an incredibly long and stressful day for a ship's crew. Since today is embarkation for Celebrity Equinox's pre-inaugural sailing, I thought the scene would be a bit harried, but that's definitely not the case.

Celebrity executives and the crew of the Equinox have planned this event for many months and I haven't noticed a hint of last-minute jitters. Everyone aboard is simply excited to be here to commemorate the launch of this gorgeous and modern cruise ship.

If you've sailed Celebrity Solstice, you already know a lot about Celebrity Equinox. She's the latest in Celebrity's series of five Solstice-class ships. Solstice celebrated her maiden voyage in 2008, Equinox launches this month, Celebrity Eclipse goes online in 2010 and the fourth and fifth ships debut in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

I'm onboard for two days and am running around trying to see and do as much as possible. The naming ceremony starts in a few hours so I'll be getting ready shortly for this black-tie gala.

The Internet is being finicky today but I'll try to post more as soon as I log on to a stable connection. Happy sailing!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com from Southampton, U.K.

Off to Meet Celebrity Equinox

We're leaving for the airport in a few minutes and are heading to the United Kingdom to meet Celebrity Equinox. This will be a short two-day pre-inaugural event so travel agents and members of the media can get to know the ship.

We'll be blogging live from Celebrity Equinox starting with her naming ceremony on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. This will be a very different experience for us. We tend to sail very small yachts and ships. Celebrity Equinox will carry nearly 3,000 passengers!

Also, unlike last week's cruise aboard Seabourn Odyssey, which was a paid vacation, this is a media event meant for magazine, newspaper, and website editors. The vibe will be very different but there's no doubt we'll enjoy all of the planned events!

Stay tuned for more details!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Celebrity Solstice, sister ship to Celebrity Equinox, courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Video: Happy 4th of July! Plus Fireworks & Cunard's QE2

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you and your family are enjoying this wonderful long weekend! Celebrating the 4th is always bittersweet for me. My grandfather, an Italian immigrant who—at the age of 14—sailed to the United States to find a better life, always loved this holiday. He's been gone several decades now, but I still miss him very much...especially this time of year.

One of his favorite pastimes on the 4th was enjoying fireworks displays so, in his honor, here's a video of a fantastic fireworks extravaganza shot by Rob Lightbody of Glasgow, Scotland.

In this segment, he captured Cunard's QE2 and her final departure from the River Clyde on October 5, 2008. Fifteen-minutes of fireworks sparkled above one of the best-loved ocean liners of all time.

Cunard's new luxury ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth, will set sail on her maiden voyage to the Canary Islands from Southampton, England on October 12, 2010.

Have a festive and safe Fourth of July!

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Crystal Cruises Invites Young Artists to Perform This Summer

Crystal Cruises has always been a staunch supporter of the arts but they've just gone a step further by partnering with the Music Center—Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County. The new program is dubbed the "Emerging Artists Experiences of Discovery."

This summer, in conjunction with the Music Center's Spotlight Awards program, select Crystal Cruises voyages will feature performances by this year's grand prize finalists. According to the Music Center's website, the mission of the Spotlight Awards is "to provide a supportive environment in which high school students can develop the skills needed to pursue their artistic dreams, with an emphasis on self-esteem, preparation and perseverance."

Over 2,000 high school students audition each year for this coveted award that includes ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental, and jazz instrumental. These young artists, most still just teenagers, specialize in music and dance of all types. Three performers per voyage will entertain passengers.

This summer's lineup includes:

June 30, Crystal Symphony—Stockholm to Copenhagen

• Garret Lang, Jazz Bassist
• Kelsey Porter, Vocalist
• Melinda Sullivan, Tap Dancer

July 28, Crystal Serenity—Venice to Athens

• Athena Sterig, Contemporary Dancer
• U-Jung Jung, Classical Pianist
• Anna Schubert, Soprano

September 14, Crystal Serenity—Istanbul to Venice

• Julia Metzler, Mezzo-soprano
• Phillip Golub, Jazz Pianist
• Timo Nunez-Bellamy, Flamenco Dancer

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with The Music Center and Spotlight Awards to present such an astounding caliber of talent aboard Crystal Cruises,” says Christopher Escamilla, senior production coordinator, entertainment. “With the world’s most fascinating cultural centers as a backdrop, Crystal guests will be introduced to some of the best as-yet-unknown talent.”

Crystal’s Europe Celebration cruise fares begin at $4,245 per person, double occupancy, plus up to $1,000 per person shipboard spending credit to customize one’s vacation.

For more information or Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent or call (888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Oceania Cruises: New 2010 European Itineraries Plus Unlimited Soda and Water

The 2010 European season from Oceania Cruises went on sale yesterday. Of special note is the fact that the cruise fare will now include unlimited bottled water and soft drinks. (You'll still need to sign a chit for any alcoholic beverages you order.) This semi-inclusive setup begins with the April 4, 2010 Pearls of the Riviera cruise aboard the Regatta. (Cruises scheduled before this date do not include the free soda and water.)

There are 34 itineraries to select from on the Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica. Oceania has added 30 new ports of call and almost three quarters of the routes are new for the line. Per person rates, with free airfare and a $2,000 price reduction off 2 for 1 cruise fares, start at $2,699. —Andrea M. Rotondo

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

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

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.

Seabourn Lowers Rates for Hotel Stays in Europe

The Yachts of Seabourn rolled out an aggressive price reduction today on pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions in ten European cities. Savings on luxury hotel properties vary between 9 and 18 percent off original pricing and are valid between July and November 2009.

Some of the properties participating in this promotion include:

• Gritti Palace—Venice, Italy (The Luxury Collection/Starwood)
  
  
• Luna Hotel Baglioni—Venice, Italy (The Leading Hotels of the World)
  
  
• Grand Bretagne—Athens, Greece (The Luxury Collection/Starwood)
  
  
• King George Palace—Athens, Greece (The Leading Hotels of the World)
  
  
• Excelsior—Rome, Italy (Westin/Starwood)

In addition to overnight accommodations, Seabourn land extensions include full American breakfasts, transfers between the hotel and pier, access to a hospitality desk, and all taxes and service charges.

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

Photo courtesy of The Westin Excelsior.


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

Seabourn 60% Sale: Book February 9–16, 2009

If you've been dragging your feet booking your next Seabourn cruise, you may want to consider signing on the dotting line next week when the cruise line offers savings of up to 60 percent on a variety of 7- and 14-night 2009 sailings. Per person cruise fares start at $2,840.

The following itineraries are included in this promotion:

Seabourn Pride
March 18 Portugal Passage I—Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon 13 days
March 31 Grand Mediterranean—Lisbon to Athens (Piraeus) 14 days
April 14 Mediterranean Panorama—Athens (Piraeus) to Lisbon 14 days
May 12 Grand Harbors of Europe—Dover to Copenhagen 11 days
June 13 Norwegian Fjords—Round Trip Copenhagen 9 days
June 22 Scandinavia & Russia—Round Trip Copenhagen 12 days

Seabourn Spirit
June 20 or July 11 Italian Idyll—Venice to Rome (Civitavecchia) 7 days

Seabourn Legend
Apr 16 Iberian Spring—Lisbon to Barcelona 10 days
June 20 Cote d’ Azur & Spanish Isles—Monte Carlo to Barcelona 7 days
June 27 The Yachtsman’s Riviera—Barcelona to Monte Carlo 7 days
July 11 Sardinia, Corsica & Cote d’Azur—Rome (Civitavecchia) to Monte Carlo 7 days

Seabourn Odyssey
July 18 Aegean Odyssey—Istanbul to Athens (Piraeus) 7 days
July 25 Greece & Dalmatian Delights—Athens (Piraeus) to Venice 7 days

To learn more about the above-mentioned discounts, contact your travel agent or Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391. In order to snag the discount, you must book between February 9 and 16.

Photo courtesy of Seabourn.

Seabourn's Innovative "Between Friends" Promo: Save $1,500

Here's an interesting new promotion from The Yachts of Seabourn that will net you a $1,500 per couple cruise credit to be used for private shore excursions on most 2009 European itineraries.

Dubbed "Between Friends," the promotion encourages you to invite two or more couples to sail with you on a 2009 European voyage. One couple must be first-time Seabourn guests. If your group meets this criteria, each couple will receive a $1,500 onboard credit to be used for private shore excursions through Seabourn's Signature Service Desk.

Your group can tour together or separately, with your own guide, driver, and private vehicle. Seabourn can suggest a variety of tour itineraries, including:

• Joining a top Italian chef for a hands-on, three-hour cooking class in Florence.
• Going on a tasting tour in Rapallo, Italy, with specialty food expert Guido Porrati who will introduce you to focaccia, pesto, olive oil, salame Sant’Olcese, Avetano cheese, strusciata cake and excellent local wines.
• Sailing via private yacht to Birla, Sweden to tour Viking Age ruins, including an in-depth tour of Gronsoo, a privately owned castle on the lake.
• Riding a mountain bike through the wonderful landscape of the Mounts of Malaga in Spain.
• Letting an expert local shopping guide show you around Stockholm’s most famous boutiques with the most internationally acclaimed brands.

To learn more about this promotion, contact your travel agent or call Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

Save 60% in Europe with Seabourn in 2009

Still shopping for the perfect holiday gift? How about a 7-, 9-, or 14-day Seabourn cruise at 60% off brochure fares? The cruise line has announced a one-week sale on the following European itineraries:

Seabourn Legend
June 20, 2009: Cote D'Azur & Spanish Isles from Monte Carlo to Barcelona (7 days)
July 11, 2009: Sardinia, Corsica & Cote D'Azur from Rome to Monte Carlo (7 days)

Seabourn Spirit
June 20, July 11, or August 1, 2009: Italian Idyll from Venice to Rome (7 days)

Seabourn Pride
April 14, 2009: Mediterranean Panorama from Athens to Lisbon (14 days)
August 20, 2009: Norwegian Fjords Copenhagen roundtrip (9 days)

For more information, contact your travel agent or call Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

Regent's Captain Knut Invites You to Norway

Regent just sent over this information about a summer voyage that sounds spectacular...

"Norway is a land of rich maritime history and natural beauty, from its inspiring mountain peaks and majestic waterfalls to the deep blue waters coursing through its towering fjords. Norway’s Geirangerfjord region is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Oslo, the capital, features an intriguing mix of architectural styles and a history dating back 900 years. This summer, none other than Regent Seven Seas Voyager master and Norway resident Captain Knut Hanssen will host guests on a journey highlighting Norway’s stunning natural landscape and rich seafaring culture.

Captain Hanssen’s 15-night cruise from Dover to Copenhagen departs June 24, 2008 aboard Seven Seas Voyager. Familiar to many Regent Seven Seas guests as the past master of the iconic luxury ship Song of Flower, Captain Hanssen’s experiences in Norway include service as a North Sea Captain in the Royal Navy. He currently resides in Alesund, Norway.

During the cruise, Captain Hanssen will share his insider’s views of the Norwegian fjords, which are the centerpiece of this itinerary. The itinerary features calls at Hellesylt, Geiranger, Longyearbyen (Spitzbergen), Honningsvag and Flåm, each home to towering fjords, monumental waterfalls, lush forests, snow-capped mountain peaks and abundant wildlife.

The cruise will also feature a special guest: Bard Kolltveit, Director of Research at Oslo’s Norwegian Maritime Museum. The museum features extensive collections and displays detailing Norway’s history through its relationship with the sea. Kolltveit has authored more than one dozen scholarly and popular maritime books, as well as articles in various Norwegian and foreign publications."

Seabourn 2-for-1 Biz Class + 40% Off Cruise Fare

This deal from Seabourn—offering 2-for-1 business class airfare and a 40% discount on select European cruises—definitely made me consider adding a Seabourn voyage to my 2008 vacation plans.

Ten European cruises—ranging from nine to 15 days—aboard the Pride, Spirit, and Legend are part of this deal. According to Seabourn, the 2-for-1 biz airfare deal is a $5,800 value. The fact that you can combine it with the 40% off cruise fare deal means some potentially big savings.

The airfares are available roundtrip from 38 North American gateways to voyages embarking between March and July, 2008 in Lisbon, Venice, London, Copenhagen, Rome, Nice, and Barcelona and exploring itineraries in the Adriatic, the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Western Europe, and Norwegian fjords.

According to Seabourn president and CEO Pamela Conover, "A Seabourn cruise already offers the best value in luxury travel to Europe this year. The comfort and convenience of business class travel is something that our guests use and value," she continued, "So this offer is consistent with the style they have come to associate with Seabourn."

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