Crystal Offering Discounts up to $12,200 on Back-to-Back Itineraries Booked by June 28

For those for whom one luxury cruise just isn’t enough, Crystal Cruises is offering incredible new discounts of up to 25% off the best cruise-only fares for combining select 2013 and 2014 voyages. The new Explorer Combinations promotion boasts savings of up to $12,200/person for travelers who combine two to three of the Crystal Serenity Mediterranean cruises back-to-back. Itineraries feature calls in Dubrovnik, Sicily, Montenegro, Malta, Mykonos, St-Tropez and more, with overnight stays in Venice, Monte Carlo, Lisbon, Istanbul, Barcelona and Sorrento.

“Extending one’s vacation via an Explorer Combination allows one to see more of Europe, in an extremely convenient and luxurious way,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president, marketing and sales. “All-inclusive fares start from just $217 per person per day – an incredible value for a Six-Star vacation visiting so many of Europe’s most storied and charming locales.”

Combo options include:

2013

• · October 17 & October 26: Istanbul to Rome (16 total days) from $3,770
• · October 26 & November 2: Venice to Lisbon (20 total days) from $4,535
• · October 17, October 26 and November 2: Istanbul to Lisbon (29 total days) from $6,320

 

2014

• · May 30 & June 8: Barcelona to Venice (16 total days) from $3,975
• · June 8 & June 15: Rome to Istanbul (14 total days) from $3,640
• · May 30, June 8 and June 15: Barcelona to Istanbul (23 total days) from $5,795

All fares are per person, and must be booked by June 28, 2013. Individual cruises and Crystal Getaways offer luxury vacations starting from just five days in length in the Mediterranean, as well as the Baltic, North Cape, Western Europe, British Isles, and Black Sea. Crystal also offers 5% savings for all other back-to-back cruises.

Crystal Cruises’ award-winning “World’s Best” ocean resort experience always includes a host of complimentary amenities, from enlightening enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining, featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and all-inclusive beverages and gratuities.

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

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Princess Cruises Memorial Day Sale Offers Air Deals With Savings Up to $700 for Two

Princess Cruises is marking Memorial Day with a sale on more than 60 worldwide cruise vacations. Running through May 28, the Memorial Day Sale features air savings to destinations such as Hawaii and Tahiti, Asia and Europe. Passengers can save up to $700 in air savings for two passengers.

More information about the cruise sale and pricing can be found at princess.com/sale.

Examples of cruise deals include:

• Tahiti cruise – 10 days: $1,879 interior; $2,469 balcony (air savings up to $350)
• Asia cruise – 10 days: $1,269 interior; $1,999 balcony (air savings up to $250)
• Greek Isles cruise – 12 days: $1,079 interior; $1,579 balcony (air savings up to $200)
• Mediterranean cruise – 12 days: $1,229 interior; $1,629 balcony (air savings up to $200)
• Hawaiian Island cruise – 15 days: $1,599 interior; $2,299 balcony (air savings up to $100)

In addition to the Memorial Day Sale, Princess is also reminding passengers that the line offers a special onboard credit program with benefits for active military members and veterans. This credit of up to $250 (depending upon the length of the cruise) is available year round, and can be combined with the credit available through the Memorial Day Sale. Past passengers who have qualified for retired or veteran-status Military Personnel Benefits on previous sailings will have this discount automatically applied to their booking.

Air savings are available to passengers booking Princess eZAir flights in conjunction with the cruise. Princess eZAir gives passengers easy and full control of their flights and the ability to seamlessly coordinate them with their cruise itinerary.

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy and include all applicable government fees and taxes.The Memorial Day Sale runs from 12:01 a.m. PT on May 23 through 11:59 p.m. PT on May 28, 2013 and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

CruisesOnly Teams with Susan G. Komen on Fundraising Cruise on Holland America

CruisesOnly^®, World Travel Holdings’ cruise-only agency network, and Susan G. Komen^® are teaming up to offer “A Cruise for the Cure^®,” a cruise fundraiser to raise money for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

CruisesOnly, in partnership with Holland America Line^®, will serve as host to the exclusive cruise fundraiser sailing Nov. 10-17, 2013 (the new date is rescheduled from December 2012). The sailing on the Holland America ms Nieuw Amsterdam begins in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., making stops in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; and then back to Ft. Lauderdale on Sun., Nov. 17.

“We are honored to work with Komen for the very first time and offer this group sailing to our customers and anyone who wants to support the fight against breast cancer,” said, Jeff Smith, senior vice president of customer care for World Travel Holdings. “It’s always rewarding when we can help families and friends spend time together cruising. And, it is even more rewarding to do this while supporting such an important cause.”

The cruise offers a variety of Komen-specific activities including …

• · Exclusive Sail Away Concert Performance by a “Special Celebrity Guest”
• · Lunch and Learn Seminars conducted by Breast Cancer Experts
• · Culinary Demonstrations by “Onboard Executive Top Chef”
• · A Silent Auction and Pink Party benefiting Komen
• · Daily Zumba^® classes
• · A Spa Day on Nov. 13 — 10 percent of the overall sales will be donated to Komen

Prices for the cruise vary by location on the ship, room size and amenities. A portion of each traveler’s cruise price, equaling $200 per person, will be donated to Komen.

“We are so excited to be teaming up with CruisesOnly, in the fight against breast cancer,” said Dorothy Jones, vice president of marketing for Komen. “These travel experts are lending critical support to this cause by hosting this fun and unique group sailing trip and giving travelers the opportunity to take action for their breast health – all while enjoying the beautiful ship and ports.”

For more information or to book a cruise, visit the A Cruise for the Cure^® website, or call 1-866-552-1243.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Royal Caribbean One Day Sale: $100 Onboard Credit for Bookings Made on Saturday May 18

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas anchored at its private island. RCL is offering $100 onboard credit for bookings made on May 18, 2013 © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Book a cruise with Royal Caribbean International on Saturday, May 18, 2013 and receive up to $100 onboard credit on summer 2013 sailings. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward a Royal Caribbean signature cocktail at the Sail-away Party, a specialty dining experience to celebrate a family milestone, or a shore excursion for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, among others. The offer applies for all new U.S. and Canadian individual bookings for any Royal Caribbean International ship departing June 1 through Aug. 31, 2013. For more information, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/SuperSaturday.

Vacationers have a world of summer cruise options with Royal Caribbean’s fleet of 21 of the industry’s most innovative cruise ships sailing to Bermuda and the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and the Far East. For sailings departing from June through August 2013, vacationers will receive $25 onboard credit per inside or oceanview stateroom and $50 onboard credit per suite or stateroom with balcony. Vacationers who act quickly and sail in June will receive double onboard credit of $50 per inside or oceanview stateroom and $100 per suite or stateroom with balcony. The offer is subject to availability and additional restrictions may apply.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry firsts never-before-seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand. World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.

For more information, contact your travel agent or visit www.royalcaribbean.com

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Cunard Line Gives North American Military Personnel up to $250 to Spend On Board

Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth 2. The line is offering North American military personnel $250 in onboard credit.

Cunard Line is offering a new benefit for those who serve in the armed forces in North America. The new program grants On Board Credits of up to $250 per person to members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves, and the Canadian National Defense. Military personnel who are active, retired or disabled veterans are eligible with proper documentation.

The credits apply to all published voyages aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth and are combinable with other On Board Credit offers. The amount of each credit varies with cruise length: $50 per person for a cruise of six days or less; $100 per person for cruises of seven to 14 days; or $250 per person for those 14 days or longer.

Under the terms of the program, retired status applies to enlisted personnel or officers with a minimum of 20 years of service, medical retirees and the 100 percent disabled. Veterans with an honorable discharge and a length of service that meets certain minimums also are eligible to apply. Military status must be confirmed prior to embarking on the voyage to be eligible for credits.

Cunard has a distinguished history with the military. During World War II, the Queen Mary served as a British Royal Mail Ship and, along with the original Queen Elizabeth, as a troopship. In addition, Winston Churchill credited Cunard with ending the war one year early because of the troop transfer services that both ships provided.

For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth or to book a voyage, consult your Travel Agent, call Cunard toll-free 1-800-728-6273 or visit http://www.cunard.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Small Ships Cruise Line Variety Cruises Offers 25% Discount on Bookings Made By July 31

Small ships cruise company Variety Cruises is offering travelers who book their Winter 2013/ Spring 2014 cruises by July 31, 2013 a 25% reduction on cruise fares and a 25% reduction on single occupancy supplements.

The special offers are available on the following select Variety Cruises sailings:

From Costa Rica to Colombia – On board the Variety Voyager

All sailings from December 2013 through April 2014

Sights and Sounds of Cuba on board S/C Panorama (License pending approval of the U.S. Department of the Treasury)

All sailings from December 2013 through April 2014

Rivers of West Africa on board M/Y Harmony V  

All sailings from December 2013 through April 2014

The Seychelles: Cruises in the Garden of Eden on board M/Y Pegasus

All sailings from November 2013 through April 2014

Offers do not apply to existing bookings and cannot be combined with any existing or future offers. Travelers should mention “Special Offer 2013 B” when booking.

Variety Cruises, one of the world’s largest small ships cruise companies, has been offering passengers worldwide a total yachting experience since 1949. Their fleet of 11 fully-owned vessels varies in size from 4 to 36 cabins. Their yachts and staff provide an intimate and relaxed environment; a comfort filled starting point for the discerning travelers as they visit well known and unique ports of call. Fine locally-flavored cuisine, exciting itineraries and personalized service are just a few of the things that have made Variety Cruises the choice for the ever growing number of travelers looking for distinctive small ship cruise experiences.

For more information, visit
http://www.varietycruises.com/

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

                                                                               

Royal Caribbean offers Families up to 50% Savings for 3rd, 4th guests for bookings through May 10

The Flowrider, one of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ signature onboard activities. Royal Caribbean is offering families up to 50% savings for third and fourth guests for bookings through May 10 © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Bringing the whole family on an adventurous Royal Caribbean International cruise vacation is easier than ever before, with the cruise line’s new significantly reduced third- and fourth-guest fare offer. For new U.S. and Canadian bookings made from Apr. 10 through May 10, 2013 aboard select Royal Caribbean ships, the reduced third- and fourth-guest fares offer vacationers up to 50 percent savings for sailings departing on Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013. The additional savings on already significantly lower fares for third and fourth guests offer families even more reason to share in a vacation only found on Royal Caribbean’s innovative ships. Reduced third- and fourth-guest fares start at $99 per guest for three-night Bahamas cruises and $199 per guest on four- to seven-night Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean and Europe cruises. For more information, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/April34Guest.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean International is offering its valued travel agents more tools as part of the cruise line’s ongoing Loyal to You Always commitment to supporting them in growing their business and increasing profits. For all new U.S. and Canadian groups created from Apr. 8 through 21, 2013, aboard any Royal Caribbean sailing departing from Jan. 1 through Apr. 30, 2014, travel agents will earn two bonus Group Amenities Plus (GAP) points to add more value to their clients’ vacation. Travel agents can apply the GAP points toward additional stateroom amenities, such a bottle of sparkling wine, a welcome aboard fruit basket, robes to use on their cruise and more, to help secure a booking; recognize loyal clients; or acquire repeat business. Additional restrictions may apply. For more information about the Bonus GAP offer, travel agents should visit www.CruisingPower.com, the online portal dedicated to providing the most comprehensive tools and information for travel professionals selling Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming.

The cruise line has more than 40 years of history of delivering to guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow Royal Caribbean on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter, @RoyalCaribbean. Travel professionals should visit Vicki Freed’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/VickiLovesTravelAgents; go to www.cruisingpower.com; or call (800) 327-2056.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Virgin Vacations Offering $1,000 Savings on Fall Danube Cruises; 9 Days from $1359

Cruise prices range from $1,359 (regularly priced at $2,359) for a Category C cabin Thanksgiving cruise departing from Nuremberg to Budapest November 23; to $2,049 (regularly priced at $3,049) for a Category A balcony cabin on the October 19 Budapest to Nuremberg departure.

Included in the price are 7 nights cruising aboard the 64-cabin “Sound of Music,” transfers, all meals with unlimited wine and beer at dinner while on the cruise, evening entertainment, and port taxes. Rounding out the inclusions are shore excursions in Bratislava, Vienna, Nuremberg and Melk Abbey, plus a walking tour of Regensburg. Air fare is additional.

Optional Tours, Stays in Budapest and/or Prague, air fares

Travelers can add optional activities, beginning at $59 for a full-day tour of Schoenbrunn Castle, once the summer residence of the Hapsburg emperors.

Also available are add-on nights in Prague and Budapest pre- or post-cruise. Discounted prices begin at $1,679 for the November 14 cruise in a category C cabin and two additional hotel nights in Budapest; to $2,499 for 2 days hotel stay in Budapest with 3 nights Prague, for a Category A cabin on the October 23 departure. The Budapest and Budapest-Prague add-ons include transfers plus a city tour in each destination.

Virgin Vacations has low air fares to Budapest, returning from Munich (or vice versa), available from cities nationwide. Sample air-inclusive packages for the Fall Danube cruises–with the $1,000 discount–begin at $2,129 for the November 23 cruise departing New York.

For more information on Virgin Vacations’ Europe River Cruises visit VirginVacations.com, or phone 1-877-740-4302. To take advantage of the $1,000 discount, use Code: VNB14DRC13.

Space is based on availability, and some cabin categories may not be available for every departure. Fuel charges and taxes are included on air-inclusive packages. Optional tours and excursions, and gratuities are additional. Virgin Vacations travelers can enroll in Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club or in Virgin America’s Elevate frequent flyer programs, and earn points for the cruise portion of the trip.

Virgin Vacations offers a wide selection of escorted tours, river and sea cruises, and independent packages worldwide, available with or without air fare on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Virgin America, as well as other international airline partners. As a member of the U.S. Tour Operators Association, Virgin Vacations protects travelers’ payments up to $1 Million through the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Princess Cruises’ Sale through April 19 Offers “Sky High Savings” on Alaska and Europe Cruise Vacations

Princess Cruises is offering a way for passengers to ease the cost of getting to their dream Europe or Alaska cruise with a special “Sky High Savings” sale that offers airfare savings of up to $1,000 for two. Running through April 19, the promotion also offers up to $2,000 off the cruise fare per stateroom, as well as up to $100 in free onboard spending money per stateroom.

The “Sky High Savings” sale offers deals on cruises throughout Europe, including sailings to the Greek Isles, British Isles and Scandinavia & Russia. Travelers will also save on cruises and cruisetours to the natural wonders of Alaska, where they can explore the best of the state by land and sea.

In addition to special fares, passengers booking balcony staterooms or above will receive an onboard credit of $100 (for sailings 10 days or longer) or $50 (cruises up to nine days), and those booking interior or oceanview staterooms can get credits of $50 (cruises 10 days or longer) to $25 (cruises up to nine days).

More information about the cruise sale and pricing can be found at www.princess.com/sale.

Samples of the available Sky High Savings cruise deals include:

• Greek Isles cruise – 12 days: $1,779 interior (was $2,379); $2,379 balcony (was $3,379). Air savings: $500
• British Isles cruise – 12 days: $1,839 interior (was $2,439); $2,539 balcony (was $3,439). Air savings: $400
• Scandinavia & Russia cruise – 11 days: $1.869 interior (was $2,369); $2,669 balcony (was $3,369). Air savings: $400
• Gulf of Alaska cruise – 7 days: $899 interior (was $1,259); $1,559 balcony (was $2,159). Air savings: $250
• Alaska cruisetour – Denali Explorer – 10 nights: $1,476 interior (was $1,730); $1,976 balcony (was $2,340). Air savings: $150

Air savings available to passengers booking Princess eZAir flights in conjunction with the cruise. Princess eZAir gives passengers easy and full control of their flights and the ability to seamlessly coordinate them with their cruise itinerary. Featuring real-time pricing and flight availability, immediate flight confirmation, competitive airfares, and next port protection in the event of flight delays, the innovative program provides passengers and their travel agents the ease of a single booking source for both air and cruise reservations. Travelers using Princess eZAir can choose air carriers and flights, as well as select their preferred cabin level and seating, all with no extra customization fee.

All cruise and air prices are per person, based on double occupancy and include government fees and taxes. The “Sky High Savings” sale runs through April 19, 2013, and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Additional information about 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.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Small Ships Cruise Company Variety Cruises Offers 25% Discount on Summer Cruises Booked by March 31

Small ships cruise company Variety Cruises is offering a 25% discount on Summer 2013 cruises booked by March 31, 2013, for both cruise fares and single occupancy supplements.

The special offers are available on the following select Variety Cruises sailings:

The Seychelles: Cruises in the Garden of Eden on board M/Y Pegasus

March through October 2013 sailings

Classical Greece on board M/Y Harmony V

April 26, 2013; May 3 and 10, 2013; June 7, 2013; Oct 11 and 25, 2013 sailings

Jewels of the Cyclades on board S/M Galileo

April 26; May 3, 17 and 24; June 21 and 28; Oct 11 and 18 sailings

Adriatic Odyssey on board S/C Panorama June to September 2013

From Corfu: July 7 and 21; August 11 and 18 sailings

From Dubrovnik: July 10 and 24; August 14 and 21 sailings

Dodecanese Mosaic on board S/C Panorama II

From Crete: June 1; July 6 and 20; August 3 and 24 sailings

From Rhodes : June 4; July 9 and 23; August 27 sailings

Antiquity to Byzantium on board S/C Panorama II

March 29; April 5 sailings

The Romantic Rivieras on board M/Y Variety Voyager

July 21; Aug 4 and 18 sailings

Treasures of South Italy & Malta 2013 on board M/Y Variety Voyager

June 16 and 23; Oct 13 and 20 sailings

Offers do not apply to existing bookings and cannot be combined with any existing or future offers. Travelers should mention “Special Offer 2013 A” when booking.

Variety Cruises 2013 brochures and flyers are now available by calling 1-800-319-7776. For more information, visit http://www.varietycruises.com.

Variety Cruises, one of the world’s largest small ships cruise companies, has been offering passengers worldwide a total yachting experience since 1949. Their fleet of 11 fully-owned vessels range in size from 4 to 36 cabins. Their yachts and staff provide an intimate and relaxed environment; a comfort filled starting point for the discerning travelers as they visit well known and unique ports of call. Fine locally-flavored cuisine, exciting itineraries and personalized service are just a few of the things that have made Variety Cruises the choice for the ever growing number of travelers looking for distinctive small ship cruise experiences.