Summer in Tahoe South, ‘America’s Best Lake,’ is Packed with Entertainment, Celebrities, Recreation-Adventure Events

Remember summer camp? Intense and fleeting, full of traditions, camp was the bright beacon in the depths of winter. Tahoe South offers its own rituals of the season: sun-drenched beaches, Grammy winning artists on outdoor stages, family events and outdoor recreation, the country’s biggest celebrity golf tournament, fireworks, and enough nightlife to put the wild side into summer. (http://www.tahoesouth.com)

Voted by USA Today readers as “America’s Best Lake,” Tahoe South visitors can expect the best this summer with warm summer days, countless adventures and entertainment venues that brim with high endurance.

MUSIC, STAGE STARS AND SPORTS GREATS

A powerhouse lineup of sports legends including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Oscar de la Hoya, and Bodie Miller will join entertainers Ray Romano and Jack Wagner for the 24th annual American Century Championship, July 16-21, 2013. (www.TahoeCelebrityGolf.com).

More than 80 of the brightest sports and entertainment stars and celebrities will tee it up at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, vying for the $125,000 winner’s share of the $600,000 purse. First-timers this year include NFL Hall of Famer John Randle; former NFL Pro-Bowl wide receiver Andre Reed; former NBA All-Star Detlef Schrempf and former MLB All-Star Tim Wakefield.

Harrah’s Outdoor Concert Series, an annual South Shore favorite, features a star-studded lineup: Steve Miller Band, June 22; Tim McGraw, July 16; Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry, July 19; Phish, July 30-31; FUN with Tegan and Sara, Aug. 27; Brad Paisley, Aug. 30 and Dave Matthews Band, Sept. 4. Shows are anticipated to sell out. In the meantime, showroom entertainment includes: Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, April 27; Sammy Hagar, May 3-4; Super Diamond, May 11; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, June 1 and Eric Burdon & The Animals, June 8. www.SouthShoreRoom.com.

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa’s Summer Concert Series second annual Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival returns on Saturday, June 29. Tahoe’s taste of island irie at the 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater will feature breezy Jamaica rhythms and reggae ska beats from headliners SOJA and Alpha Blondy, along with special guests Passafire, Stickfigure, Tomorrow’s Bad Seed and Island of Black & White. Also added to the outdoor concert lineup are Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere with Tribal Seeds, The Grouch and Eligh, July 18. Additional acts will be finalized soon but expect a variety of rock, reggae, hip-hop, punk, etc. In the meantime, showroom entertainment inside includes: The Shins, May 11; Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, May 23; Gretchen Wilson, May 31; The Virgins, June 8. www.montbleuresort.com.

The Valhalla Arts & Music Festival (http://valhallatahoe.com/) celebrates music and visual arts from June through fall. In its 33rd year, this event series is set against a backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Tallac Historic Site. It features performances and comedy at the Boathouse Theater, outdoor concerts, festivals, and cultural events.

SPECTACULAR SHOWS

Recognized by NBC’s Today Show as one of the country’s top Fourth of July weekend celebrations, Lights on the Lake fireworks show is a Tahoe South ritual that packs the shoreline with spectators. The best viewing spots are South Shore’s sandy beaches or aboard the M.S. Dixie II or Tahoe Queen paddlewheelers. An end-of-summer fireworks display will grip the skies over Tahoe South again Labor Day weekend. Both displays feature simultaneous music set to sky rockets on local radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.

Hot August Nights South Lake Tahoe Experience returns for its fourth year, Aug. 2-3, at MontBleu. Car lovers can slide behind the wheel and cruise through four straight days and nights of show-n-shines, car exhibits, exclusive car auctions, and an outdoor pavilion with food, beverages and great oldies music.

The 24th annual (www.lakeintheskyairshow.com) Lake in the Sky Air Show takes flight, Aug. 23-25, and features some of the world’s top aircraft performers, radio-controlled demonstrations and military aircraft.

Labor Day weekend also features the 4th annual (www.samplethesierra.com) Sample the Sierra, a farm-to-fork festival, Sept. 1. This event offers regional products such as honey, jams, olive oil and soaps along with pottery, painting, photography and handmade crafts by regional artists. The festival brings live entertainment, storytellers and acoustic music as well as tastings of local produce paired with beverages from Sierra Nevada wineries and breweries.

FESTIVALS, FAIRIES AND COMPETITIONS

The 21st (http://www.valhallafaire.com) Valhalla Renaissance Faire, June 1-2 and 8-9, will exhibit the pleasures and pageantry of the Elizabethan era. Costumed players perform at Camp Richardson Resort in the shady lanes and byways, and sell their wares from market stalls filled with fine handmade crafts.

During the 22nd annual (http://www.bikethewest.com) America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, participants pedal the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe, June 2. This ride promotes Lake Tahoe Bikeway, a plan to build and interconnect bike lanes/trails around Lake Tahoe. Rounding out summer will be the Tour de Tahoe — Bike Big Blue Ride to Cure Diabetes, Sept. 8.

World class paddlers strike out from El Dorado Beach, June 29-30, for the nation’s premier flat-water standup paddleboard competition, Race the Lake of the Sky (http://racethelakeofthesky.com/). Multiple races are offered including short course, long distance, team relay, grom races plus a new SUP Cross Sprint course. Vendors, food booths and music are available throughout the weekend.

Runners will take to the woods around Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort this summer for the Ragnar Trail Relays, July 26-27. (http://ragnartrail.com/) This overnight running and camping race pits eight- and four-person teams as contestants charge around three loops that range from four to eight miles long.

One of the largest gatherings of unique boats in Northern California is the South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic, July 26-27, at Tahoe Keys Marina & Yacht Club (http://www.tahoewoodenboats.com). Enthusiasts can get an up close look at the vessels, talk with their owners and hear the powerful roar behind straight V6, V8 and V12 engines. From the early 1900s to the fiberglass vessels of the 1960s, enthusiasts can see more than 65 wooden antique and classic boats in the water and eight race boats on their trailers.

The Valhalla Grand Lawn is also the site of the annual Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Arts Festival, July 27-28, a cultural gathering that features traditional American Indian dancers and drummers, basket weaving displays, art and great food.

The third Tahoe Show (http://www.tahoeshow.com/) body building and sculpting competition at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa is set for Aug. 24, and will bring hundreds of the area’s fittest to compete for cash prizes in a judged competition featuring bodybuilding, figure and physique, fitness and bikini.

Return to the 1920s and enjoy the (http://www.tahoeheritage.org) 28th annual Great Gatsby Festival on the Pope Estate at the Tallac Historic Site, Aug. 10-11. Visitors will find antiques, Roaring ’20s era costumes, live music, interactive historic house tours, vintage auto rides, ice cream, cotton candy and vintage kid’s games.

Run, walk, swim, paddle, peddle or golf, Sept. 27-29, during one of the many (http://www.laketahoemarathon.com) Lake Tahoe Marathon events. Both the half and full marathons are along the west shore of Lake Tahoe and feature challenging hills around Emerald Bay.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in Tahoe South, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TahoeSouth, YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA. For Tahoe South information: 1-800-288-2463 or www.tahoesouth.com.

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Crystal Cruises Tops 2013 Condé Nast Traveler Magazine Gold List

Condé Nast Traveler magazine readers have voted Crystal Cruises first in Service, Cuisine, and Design, and #1 overall, among all small-, mid-, and large-size cruise lines in the magazine’s 2013 Gold List.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine readers have voted Crystal Cruises first in Service, Cuisine, and Design, and #1 overall, among all small-, mid-, and large-size cruise lines in the magazine’s 2013 Gold List. Crystal’s Service and Design scores are not only its highest ever, the ultra-luxe line was also named a “superstar” in the U.S. magazine’s “Platinum Circle” for having made the Gold List every year for the past five years running. The full list appears in the magazine’s January 2013 issue and on its website.

Crystal earned its highest scores in years in all of the seven voting categories:

• · Service: 97.7
• · Cuisine: 96.5
• · Design: 96.4
• · Itineraries: 94.5
• · Activities: 94.2
• · Staterooms: 91.6
• · Shore Excursions: 88.4

“Our highest-ever scores in Design and Service — tabulated in the same year we completed our $100 million, multi-year extreme ship makeover, and made so many service and product enhancements, like All Inclusive — affirms how much our guests appreciate our eye for contemporary design and our Six Star attention to detail,” says Crystal President Gregg Michel. “We are always looking at ways to rethink our product, while still continuing to deliver the sophisticated travel experience discerning world travelers have come to expect from the Crystal brand. It’s wonderful to know guests recognize our devotion to making their vacations extraordinary in every way.”

The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List selects the “gold standard” in travel with a carefully-reviewed roll call of the “World’s Best Places to Stay” (hotels, resorts, and cruise lines).

Crystal has been rated “World’s Best” more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history, with the latest Gold List honors joining several others in the line’s size category from the U.S. magazine in 2012, including the top #1 and 2 Cruise Ships, #1 Cruise Ship Spa, and Readers’ Choice for Best Cruise Line, both in the U.S. and U.K.. With two dozen awards given this year by the travel industry, trade associations, the design community, cruisers themselves, and more, 2012 has been Crystal’s most decorated in years.

Luxury cruises of 5-108 days, up to early 2015, on the line’s Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, are available in the Mediterranean, Western Europe, British Isles, Scandinavia/Baltic & Russia, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, South America, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, Caribbean, and a sumptuous World Cruise. Until December 28, all-inclusive, value-priced “Book Now” fares start at just $1,365 per person, double occupancy.

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

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Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada, Voted Among 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts by Fodor’s

Seagrapes Suites at Spice Island all-inclusive resort on Grenada

Grenada’s luxurious Spice Island Beach Resort (www.SpiceIslandBeachResort.com),s consistently recognized as a top destination for travelers around the world, was just named one of 10 “Best All-Inclusive Resorts” in Fodor’s 100 Top Hotel Awards. The resort also received the  2013 Condé Nast Johansens award for “Most Excellent Service” and distinction as the #1 property in Virgin Holidays’ exclusive Platinum Collection.

“We are extremely honored to be named as one of the 10 ‘Best All-Inclusive Resorts’ in the world by Fodor’s 100 Top Hotel Awards,” said Sir Royston O. Hopkin KCMG, owner and managing director of Spice Island Beach Resort. “The credit, however, belongs to our dedicated staff and management team who go out of their way on a daily basis to ensure a great experience that is second to none.”

The Fodor’s 100 Top Hotel Awards are chosen by Fodor’s editorial team, in conjunction with the outlet’s seven hundred writers from around the world, who live and work in the destinations they cover. What makes the Fodor’s 100 different from other hotel awards is that no hotel or resort can nominate themselves. The chosen 100 properties represent the best in class in nine categories.

Tucked away on spectacular Grand Anse Beach, just 10 minutes from the airport, Spice Island Beach Resort has also achieved “Gold”standing in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 and 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards, as well as at the Virgin Holidays Awards, where the resort was ranked #1 in the tour operator’s Platinum Collection from 2006-2012. The resort is also the recipient of the coveted AAA Four Diamond® Award, which it received for the last eight consecutive years.

Spice Island Beach Resort is surrounded by pristine tropical gardens and offers a world-class spa and culinary program, and a wide choice of elegant beachfront suites situated right on the beach at the edge of the Caribbean Sea.

Offering a new spin on beachfront elegance, Spice Island Beach Resort’s signature Seagrape Suites are equipped with a luxurious large whirlpool tub with views of the ocean and separate shower featuring chic, new Hansgrohe fixtures designed by Phillip Starck. An additional 225 sq ft. of spacious patio with private garden, chaise lounges and a double hammock provide the perfect romantic setting to absorb the breathtaking Caribbean sunset.

For the discerning couple, Spice Island Beach Resort’s custom-designed Royal Collection Pool Suites and Luxury Almond Pool Suites offer an oasis of private luxury. Each suite is at least 1,500 sq. feet with its own private entrance and tropical garden as well as a residential size swimming pool and outdoor dining terrace. The spacious bedroom is decorated in contemporary Caribbean style and features a luxurious canopy bed, making it an ideal setting for the perfect romantic retreat. An elegantly furnished bathroom with a whirlpool tub adds a touch of Caribbean romance. The Royal Collection Pool Suites also feature a Cedar Sauna.

All suites are air conditioned and outfitted with spectacular five-star amenities including a large whirlpool, LCD flat panel televisions with cable, dvd player and iPod docking station, the softest and smoothest Italian Frette bathrobes and linen, Molton Brown bath and body amenities, mini-bar, CD player/clock radio, iron, ironing board, hairdryer, direct dial telephone with Internet access, safe, coffee/tea facility, toaster, chaise lounges and patio or balcony. Several suites feature a private pool.

Spice Island Beach Resort features 64 elegantly-appointed suites, the full-service Janissa’s Spa, a Cybex® fitness center, Oliver’s beachside gourmet restaurant, the Sea & Surf Terrace for light lunches, the Sea & Surf Bar for refreshing cocktails throughout the day, a central swimming pool with swim-up whirlpool, an Omnicourt® tennis court, the Nutmeg Pod children’s activity center, the Gatsby Boutique and more.

Spice Island Beach Resort is a proud member of the esteemed Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection and the first and only resort in Grenada to be featured in the exclusive Virtuoso network’s Hotels & Resorts Programme and Signature Hotels & Resorts Collection.

Click on http://www.spiceislandbeachresort.com/imagelibrary for pictures of the property. Visit http://www.spicebeachresort.com/VirtualTours.htm for a virtual tour.

For more information, contact Spice Island Beach Resort at tel: 1-800-501-8603, fax: 1-473-444-4807, e-mail: reservations@spicebeachresort.com, or visit www.SpiceIslandBeachResort.com.

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Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang, Malaysia Voted as Top Ten Grand Houses in the World

The Cheong Fatt Tze mansion in Penang, Malaysia, was voted as one of the top ten “greatest mansions and grand houses” in the world by Lonely Planet. “The mansion blends Eastern and Western designs, with louvred windows, art nouveau stained glass and beautiful floor tiles, and is a rare surviving example of the eclectic architectural style preferred by wealthy Straits Chinese of the time,” stated Lonely Planet.

Built in the 1880s, this famous indigo-blue Chinese courtyard house in Georgetown, Penang, was the residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, a prominent Chinese figure in the newly established Penang Straits Settlement. The mansion was built by master craftsmen brought in from China and includes 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases, and 220 windows.

Rescued from the perils of development in the 1990s by a small group of Heritage preservationists, the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion possesses splendid Chinese timber carvings, gothic louvre windows, russet brick walls and porcelain cut & paste decorative shard works, and art nouveau stained glass panels. The building layout is based on feng-shui principles, and is filled with a rare collection of sculptures, carvings, tapestries, and other antiques.

In 2000, the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion received the inaugural Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award, selected as the ‘Most Excellent Project’ in the Asia Pacific Rim following its USD 2.39 million (RM 7.6 million) restoration work. The mansion has been partially converted into a hotel, offering a unique heritage experience to visitors. Each room was individually designed by a famous local artist according to specific themes, complete with period furnishings. Guided tours are also available on a daily basis.

For more information on the hotel, visit www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/index.htm.

St Maarten Voted Top 10 ‘Best Island in the World’ by USNews.com

St. Maarten, the ‘Friendly Island,’ boasts 37 beaches, more than 365 restaurants and a plethora of day and nighttime diversions for all, making it an ideal vacation destination.

St. Maarten was voted as one of the top 10 ‘Best Island in the World’ by US News. The ‘Friendly Island,’ which boasts 37 beaches, more than 365 restaurants and a plethora of day and nighttime diversions for all, has something for every traveler, making it an ideal vacation destination.

“As a destination we are greatly honored to make the list as one of the top 10 ‘Best Islands in the World’ by US News. It is a great achievement for St. Maarten and we appreciate the support from the millions of travelers that visit us throughout the years,” said May-Ling Chun, interim Director of Tourism for the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.

St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations, Kingdom of the Netherlands and France, creating a European-influenced vibe with a Caribbean flair. As “the culinary capital of the Caribbean,” St. Maarten offers an eclectic array of cuisine for food lovers with more than 365 restaurants to satisfy the tastes of every palate and pocketbook.

Located at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, the island’s 37 square miles has 37 breathtaking beaches and is home to both historical and family-oriented attractions. During the day, watersport enthusiasts can enjoy the island’s scuba diving and snorkeling facilities while the capital of Philipsburg offers true duty-free shopping in a bustling Caribbean city atmosphere and 14 casinos and numerous nightclubs provide endless evening entertainment.

Accommodations are varied and include elegant private villas, family oriented resorts, quaint cottages and luxury spa resorts. Air service to Princess Juliana International Airport is available from numerous U.S. and Canadian cities as well as from Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

Find St. Maarten on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VacationStMaarten and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/StMaartenTravel. For more information, visit www.VacationStMaarten.com.

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Crystal Cruises’ Ships Voted ‘Top in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveler Readers

Crystal Serenity at sea.

The sophisticated readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine have chosen Crystal Cruises’ fleet as 2012’s top mid-sized cruise ships. The February issue’s list of “Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World”—up from 80 last year–ranks the 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity and 922-passenger Crystal Symphony as the number one and two vessels, respectively, in the medium category.

“We are incredibly humbled, flattered, and appreciative of the continual recognition by our guests,” says Crystal President Gregg Michel. “We continually challenge ourselves to invest in, and re-invigorate, our ships to be the very best.”

Of the seven criteria upon which ships were rated, Crystal won more areas than any other small, medium, or large cruise line. The ultra-luxe company ranked highest of all ocean cruise lines in Design/Layout, and further dominated most criteria in its size category, including Crew/Service, Food/Dining, Activities/Facilities, and Shore Excursions.

“This poll shows that a superb cruise vacation is more than just ‘sailing,’ it’s about the sum of its parts—like adventure offerings on land, how one is treated, and attention to detail on each ship,” Michel says. “With our luxury ships winning the number one and number two slots, as well as leading in so many individual features, savvy world travelers clearly believe that Crystal Cruises delivers an overall resort vacation experience on the high seas better than any peers.”

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history, including Condé Nast Traveler readers’ “Best Cruise Line” (Mid-Sized) honors in fall 2011.

In 2012, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity visit 182 ports-of-call in 59 countries on 60 worldwide itineraries worldwide. Voyages this year include 25 seven- to 15-day, all-inclusive cruises visiting the western and eastern Mediterranean (including the Black Sea) from March through December, as well as seven to 94-day sailings through the North Cape, western Europe, Baltic & Russia, China, Japan, southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific, South America, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, British Isles, Canary Islands and Mexican Riviera. Until February 28, “Book Now” fares start at $1,360 per person/double occupancy, with additional savings available for groups of six or more, new-to-Crystal travelers, and combining cruises. Attractive air add-ons are also offered from more than 90 North American airports.

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

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Bonaire Voted Best Dive Destination in Caribbean/Atlantic

The island of Bonaire has swept top honors receiving four #1 Ratings, which is more than any other destination scored in the Caribbean/Atlantic category, while continuing its reign as one of the top diving destinations. For the tenth consecutive year, Bonaire has taken first place for Best Overall Dive Destination and island for Best Shore Diving.

Bonaire received first place in two other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Best Marine Life and Best Macro Life, and also received second place in the category of Best Marine Environment.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine as the top overall diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic for a decade long,” said Lara Chirino, Director of Tourism of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “Bonaire is notorious for demonstrating a longstanding commitment to preserving and protecting the environment below the water, and these awards show us the results of our efforts.”

For the Readers’ Choice Awards, thousands of Scuba Diving subscribers and web users rated their dive experiences on a scale of one to five. Results of the 2012 Awards are featured in the January/February 2012 issue of Scuba Diving magazine.

Located 86 miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and seep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism and as one of the top diving destinations in the Caribbean/Atlantic for 10 consecutive years in Scuba Diving magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. It was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008), and as the Favorite Dive Destination in the World by About.com (June, 2008). In 2011, Bonaire was voted one of the top five Snorkeling Destinations in the Caribbean by the editors of Caribbean Travel & Life.

For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire’s official web site at www.tourismbonaire.com. Follow Bonaire on Twitter and Facebook.

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Princess Cruises Named “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” by Travel Weekly

Riding the sightseeing train at Denali National Park in Alaska on a cruisetour. Princess Cruises, which offers an extensive selection of cruisetours in Alaska, has once again received top honors as the “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Princess Cruises has once again received top honors as the “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” in the annual Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the fifth year in a row, and the eighth time, that the company has been recognized with this distinction by the respected magazine’s travel agent readers for its Alaska cruises and cruisetours.

“We’re delighted and honored that the true travel experts – travel agents – continue to recognize our Alaska cruise program each year,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We’re passionate about the Great Land and sharing it with visitors, and this award acknowledges that we offer the best Alaska vacation experience in the industry.”

Drawing upon more than 40 years of experience cruising the 49th state, Princess Cruises offers Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage sailings and an extensive selection of cruisetours, with accommodations at five Princess-owned and operated, scenic wilderness lodges. The company’s immersive Alaska experience is created by combining a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise, including two distinct glacier viewing opportunities, with a land tour ranging from three to nine nights, along with travel by glass-domed railcars.

In addition to experiencing the state’s charming port towns, spectacular scenery and marine life while on a Princess ship, passengers who extend their vacation with a land tour will explore Alaska’s dramatic interior including at least one night among the wilderness of Denali National Park, one of the state’s top attractions. And only Princess offers Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail travel to give visitors more time in the Denali area.

Princess’ 2012 Alaska cruise season features seven ships, including a fourth ship added to the Gulf of Alaska route, and three ships sailing the Inside Passage. They will depart on 122 voyages, and travelers can choose from more than 20 different cruisetour options.

Additional information about cruises to Alaska and Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 16 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities and exceptional customer service. Princess is a leader in Alaska travel, offering immersive land/sea vacations that feature the state’s “must see” attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. Princess owns and operates five wilderness lodges nestled in scenic riverside locations throughout the state, as well as a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches and glass-domed Princess railcars – giving travelers the opportunity to combine cruise, rail and lodge options to see all the best of Alaska. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

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Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Named “Best Luxury Cruise Ship” for Eighth Straight Year by Travel Weekly Readers

The elegantly-appointed Britannia Restaurant aboard Queen Mary 2.

Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2, renowned for her signature trans-Atlantic Cruise, has been named “Best Luxury Cruise Ship” for the eighth consecutive year by the readers of Travel Weekly, the national publication of the travel industry. The award signifies the ocean liner’s dominance in providing the ultimate luxury cruise for which Cunard is known. Bestowed at the magazine’s ninth annual Readers Choice Awards gala event, held on 15 December 2011 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, the awards are presented annually to industry suppliers who set the highest standard for product and service during the past year.

Recently, Queen Mary 2 completed a significant 14-day refurbishment of all 1,310 staterooms, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites and Restaurants, the Commodore Club, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Sir Samuel’s Bar and Lounge, and the children’s Play Zone. The Golden Lion Pub also received a complete redesign, including upgraded flat screen televisions.

“It is most rewarding to see Queen Mary 2 named ‘Best Luxury Cruise Ship’ year after year by Travel Weekly’s distinguished readers since she was appointed flagship of Cunard in 2004,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The accolade is a testament to our ongoing commitment to provide unforgettable experiences, and the ship’s recent enhancements will ensure that guests continue to enjoy the grandest ocean voyages aboard our flagship liner.”

In 2012, Queen Mary 2 will depart on her fifth World Voyage, continuing the Line’s rich tradition of offering legendary and exotic itineraries. Queen Mary 2 will sail roundtrip from Southampton on a unique 108-day cruise which will include a maiden call to the spectacular sand dunes in Namibia’s Swakopmund before a two-night stay in Cape Town. She will then resume her iconic trans-Atlantic Crossings, sailing 20 of these legendary voyages in 2012, including six nine-day extended trans-Atlantic cruises between New York and Hamburg.

Queen Mary 2 is one of the grandest ocean liners ever built and offers many distinctive features which is why she has deserved to be called the “Best Luxury Cruise Ship.” Along with Cunard’s impeccable White Star Service, guests revel in the luxury of time as they enjoy myriad amenities on board – including the largest library at sea, the only planetarium at sea, the first Todd English Restaurant at sea, and the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard a ship, as well as the largest ballroom at sea where guests get decked out for glamorous evenings at Royal Nights Themed Balls. In addition, renowned guests and speakers present intellectually rewarding lectures as part of the award-winning Cunard Insights enrichment program, from NASA astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman to former CNN correspondent and novelist Kitty Pilgrim.

Intimate luxury on a grand scale is the experience that awaits in the famed Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites, where guests are pampered with the finest service and amenities, priority embarkation, a dedicated concierge, and exquisite cuisine in exclusive and elegantly appointed single-seating dining rooms.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, consult your travel professional, call toll-free 1-800-728-6273 or go to www.cunard.com.

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Crystal Cruises named ‘Best Cruise Line’ of 2011 by Conde Nast Traveler

Crystal Serenity at sea. Crystal Cruises was named 'Best Mid-Sized Cruise Line' of 2011 by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine (U.S.) readers have named Crystal Cruises the “Best Cruise Line” (Mid-Sized) for 2011 and rated the line higher than any cruise line, large or small. The ultra-luxe line’s victorious score of 93, its highest in years, marks the 18^th time the company has won its category–more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in the magazine’s history.

Clearly, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler continue to appreciate and recognize Crystal’s unwavering focus on delivering what sophisticated travelers want: new, life-changing itineraries and on-board experiences, plus a chic sense of design and space that also makes them feel at home,” commented Crystal President Gregg Michel.

Considered one of the highest honors in hospitality, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies and islands. The more than 28,800 readers who voted this year evaluated cruise lines’ Activities/Facilities, Staterooms, Crew/Service, Design/Layout, Food/Dining, Itineraries and Shore Excursions to determine the overall score. All award-winners are listed in the magazine’s November 2011 issue, and its website.

2011 has been a winning year thus far for Crystal, with numerous additional accolades from other travel trade publications, industry editors, and trusted travel agent consortiums. Such international honors include “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure (U.S.) readers for the 16^th consecutive year, #1 Foreign Cruise Line by Japan’s Cruise magazine readers, and three Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for the $25 million redesign of Crystal Serenity.

Other innovations implemented by Crystal in 2011 include new, private tour options for shore excursions; a new “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program, with complimentary opportunities on every cruise; new dual-compatible, 27” Apple computers and classes at Computer University@Sea; new fitness and beauty offerings in the Feng Shui-designed spas; and new dining amenities, including “Perfect Choice Dining” with flexible, open seating by reservation, and, starting in spring 2012, “All Inclusive” enhancements, with complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff—even in Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio’s onboard specialty restaurants.

Itineraries of 7-98 days on the line’s Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ships are available throughout the world, with “Book Now” savings of up to $4,000 per couple until October 31, 2011.

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

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