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.

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Kids Sail Free on 17 Additional Crystal Cruises in Europe this Year

Crystal Cruises had added 17 European cruises where kids 17 and under can sail for free sharing parents’ stateroom.

Due to popular demand, Crystal Cruises is adding17 voyages to the ultra-luxe line’s “Kids Sail Free” program. With the promotion, kids age 17 and under can sail for free when sharing a third berth stateroom with two adults.

Previously offered on just four luxury European cruises during June and July, families can now choose from seven- to 15-day voyages in the Mediterranean, Western Europe, North Cape, Baltic, British Isles, Canary Islands, and across the Atlantic from May-December aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

New Magic Castle at Sea “junior cruisers” shows and classes will be offered on board during summer cruises, in addition to all-ages shows on every cruise.

“While summer break is a key time for a ‘whole family’ vacation, many families enjoy sharing the history, beauty, and educational journey of Europe at non-break times like autumn, when airfares may be more attractive,” says Jack Anderson, Crystal’s senior vice-president of marketing and sales. “With visits to some of Europe’s most storied and breathtaking locales, such as Monte Carlo, Casablanca, Venice, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Stockholm, and Edinburgh, the additional savings make these voyages an incredible value, sure to create lifelong memories.”

In addition to the new Magic Castle at Sea enrichment, every Crystal cruise offers family-friendly learning and entertainment, from iPad Digital Filmmaking classes (in association with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts) to dedicated on-board kids and teens spaces — a rarity among luxury cruise lines. During school vacation times, junior activities directors host complimentary supervised activities on board, ranging from behind-the scenes tours to cooking classes and scavenger hunts. Every cruise also has babysitting services, “finicky eater” foods, movies, library books, family-friendly excursions, and more available.

All-inclusive, “Book Now” fares for “Kids Sail Free” applicable voyages begin at $2,495/person if booked by April 30. The “Crystal Family Memories” program also offers additional free berths and perks for groups of six or more.

With sophisticated tours worldwide, enriching learning opportunities, international gourmet cuisine, complimentary voluntourism excursions, and a host of other activities for all ages, the Crystal experience gives families exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime access to creating intimate bonds, gleaning a global education, and building lifelong memories while sailing in elegance, making Crystal Cruises the leader in family-friendly luxury cruising.

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

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Princess Cruises Reveals Special Amenities for Youths, Teens Aboard new Royal Princess Debuting in June

Royal Princess youth centers will include new outdoor lounge and play spaces.

Even the youngest passengers will enjoy the many special features aboard Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess when the ship debuts in June. The line has just revealed the amenities just for kids and teens that will wow younger cruisers aboard the new ship.

Royal Princess will offer expanded space for youth centers that adds a new level to the onboard experience for young passengers. All age groups will find more space with dedicated outdoor areas, including a new teen lounge. Toddlers can also join the fun with a special fun area just for kids under 3.

“It’s always important to us that passengers of all ages have a great time onboard,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Naturally we’ve included features on Royal Princess to make every moment of the cruise memorable for our youngest passengers – we love hearing them tell their parents that they can’t wait to come back.”

The new areas for kids and teens are detailed in the company’s latest video previewing Royal Princess, available at princess.com/royalprincess.

Some of the fun that young passengers will find on Royal Princess includes:

Princess Pelicans (ages 3-7): The youngest age group will enjoy a great space for group activities like movie nights, a new mini air hockey table, a special area for arts and crafts programs, and a new indoor play structure. In addition, they’ll have a new outdoor play area, which includes toys, games, tricycles, and a new playground. These features add to the lineup of popular activities that kids love on Princess ships, including the Jr. Chef@Sea program, educational workshops, pajama and ice cream parties, and a Kid’s Fun Fair.

Shockwaves (ages 8-12): Junior passengers in the middle group will now have their own dedicated outside area complete with lounge chairs and a variety of fun games. Shockwaves kids will really get into activities geared for their age – like air hockey, skeeball, and exciting game stations. They’ll also find their own lounge with a giant TV, a DJ Booth, and arts and crafts tables with activities led by Princess’ youth counselors. Plus they can hang out and enjoy their own pizza and ice cream parties or kids-only dinners.

Remix (ages 13-17): The Remix area for teens will feature a Princess DJ booth loaded with cutting-edge tracks where music lovers can create their own playlist, kick back, relax, or dance to the latest club mix. In addition, there’s a new lounge area, perfect for meeting new friends, with games like foosball, skeeball and the latest video games. A brand new outdoor lounge fulfills a request from teens, and offers cool club lighting, contemporary seating, a great new wading pool, and of course music perfect for parties under the stars. Teens will also enjoy activities specially designed for their age group, including sports competitions, late-night movies, hip hop dance classes, teens-only “mocktail” parties, formal dinners, and the always-popular video game tournaments.

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship currently under construction for Princess Cruises. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio; a pastry shop; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

The ship’s 2013 maiden season will include cruises on the line’s signature Grand Mediterranean itinerary throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the fall. More information and video previews of the ship are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

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.

Find Princess Cruises:
Blog: InspiredToCruise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PrincessCruises
Twitter: twitter.com/PrincessCruises
YouTube: youtube.com/princesscruises
Flickr: flickr.com/photos/princesscruises
Pandora: princess.com/radio
Google+: google.com/+princesscruises
Pinterest: pinterest.com/princesscruises

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Crystal has Special Rates for Small Family/Friend Groups for Dec. 21 Hawaiian Holiday Cruise

Ultraluxe Crystal Cruises is encouraging family and friends to celebrate the festive traditions of the 2011 holiday season together with a sweetened Crystal Family Memories program for Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel.

Friends and family groups of just five or more on Crystal Symphony’s December 21 Hawaiian holiday cruise round-trip from Los Angeles can enjoy generous holiday perks, including:

•  Free berth for a sixth guest
• Free third berth for kids 17 and under
• Pre-paid gratuities
• $100 per person on-board credit
• Professional photos of the group
• $500 credit toward a shared “Private Adventure”

The “Pacific Coast Holiday” visits tropical favorites Lahaina, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kaui; Hilo, Hawaii; and Enseñada, Mexico. Christmas and New Year’s holidays will be celebrated at sea with opulent, all-ship soirees, complete with fresh mixologist-made cocktails, premium wines and champagne, gourmet cuisine, and live entertainment and dancing. Christian and Jewish clergy will host Christmas and Hanukkah services, and Junior Activities Directors will lead children and teens in custom-crafted activities daily.

Two-for-One fares for the 14-day cruise begin at $7,050 per person, and include $500/person “All Inclusive. As You Wish” shipboard credit, plus free, round-trip air and airport transfer from two dozen North American gateway cities (or generous air credit). Groups of six must sail together in a minimum of three staterooms; other restrictions apply.

 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.

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

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MS Europa Offers New ‘Baby Welcome Package’ to Make it Easier on Parents Sailing with Babies, Toddlers

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is now offering parents a complimentary new service to facilitate carefree travelling with babies and toddlers – the Baby Welcome Package. The Hamburg-based cruise operator is taking into account the constantly rising proportion of families on their voyages, and making it easier than even to take along babies and toddlers.

With this new service, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is enhancing its offerings for families, and enabling them to travel to the cruise departure point without excess luggage due to baby items. The package includes: care products such as diapers and baby lotion, changing mats, and bibs. Every family can submit their personal “Baby Welcome Package” list prior to the beginning of the cruise. By filling in a form, they can order items like diapers in the required size and quantity, as well as the desired type of baby food, if preferred organically grown. The suite will also be furnished, on request, with baby monitors, baby carriers, portable cribs, high chairs and bathtubs for babies.

On the EUROPA, children up to three years old sharing a cabin with their parents or grandparents travel at no cost; for children aged four to 15, the charge is 65 Euros per night. Designated family cruises and cruises with at least four children on board include a special program with meals, drinks and customized children’s excursions for the little cruise passengers.

Further information is available online at www.hl-cruises.com.

ABOUT THE EUROPA:

The EUROPA is the first “all-suites” cruise ship, with staterooms that are never less than 290 square feet, 80% of them having their own veranda, assuring privacy andrelaxation. The EUROPA is one of the few ships in the cruise industry that offers guests the largest space per passenger, as well as one of the highest staff passenger ratios, with 280 staff members for max. 408 guests. New to the EUROPA in September 2010, Dieter Mueller became the first award-winning chef to open his own gourmet restaurant onboard the EUROPA. He’s personally on board 70 days a year. The EUROPA is the only cruise ship in the world awarded 5-stars-plus by the Berlitz Cruise Guide 2011 and known for its unique itineraries and worldwide destinations. She will be visiting over 20 countries in 2012, as part of her international (German/English) itineraries.

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