Sail Europe in a Balcony Stateroom at Interior Rate on Select MSC Cruises Booked by Aug 31

The MSC Poesia, docked in New York City. MSC has been hailed as offering the Best Onboard International Experience.© 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

With youngsters back in school and temperatures ideal for exploring the history, culture and nature of Europe, travellers can take advantage of special fall rates on balcony staterooms that begin at $669 on select MSC Cruises’ sailings that reflect the region and the line’s Mediterranean heritage.

Available only for bookings made by Aug. 31, 2012 on select sailings, guests can book a balcony stateroom at the early booking rate for an interior stateroom; rates begin at $669 (per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional) for select itineraries on MSC Cruises’ elegant fleet of ships – including the new MSC Divina.

While visiting some of Europe’s most beautiful and historic destinations in the Mediterranean, guests will also enjoy MSC Cruises’ rich Mediterranean heritage and international experience with world-class entertainment, the exotic MSC Aurea Spa and Mediterranean cuisine on the line’s elegant ships, including MSC Divina, which entered the fleet in May.

Like sister ships MSC FantasiaandMSC Splendida, MSC Divina features the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, 69 suites (71 on the sister ships) in a “ship-within-a-ship” oasis of tranquility where guests indulge in comfort and convenience, complete with 24/7 Butler and concierge services; complimentary wines and spirits; private restaurant, lounge, pool and relaxation area; private access to MSC Aurea Spa and more.

Among the roundtrip itineraries available this fall at limited-time-only rates are:

• MSC Divina’s 7-night “Divine Mediterranean” itineraries, sailing from Bari and calling at Venice, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubrovnik. Rates for balcony staterooms begin at $919.

• MSC Splendida’s 7-night “Splendid Mediterranean” cruises, sailing from Barcelona or Rome and calling at La Goulette, Valletta and Messina. Rates for balcony staterooms begin at $669.

• MSC Magnifica’s 7-night “Autumn Iberian Discovery,” sailing from Barcelona and calling at Genoa, Malaga, Lisbon and Casablanca. Rates for balcony staterooms begin at $819.

• MSC Musica’s 7-night “Greek Islands in the Sun,” sailing from Venice or Bari and calling at, Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus, Corfu and Dubrovnik. Rates for balcony staterooms begin at $769.

• MSC Orchestra’s 11-night sailing from Rome or Genoa, calling at Heraklion, Piraeus, Istanbul, Messina and Valletta. Rates for balcony staterooms begin at $969.

Alternate departure ports and itineraries may be available. Prices may vary. Contact your local travel professional, as space is limited

On all 12 of MSC Cruises’ ships, guests will discover what earned the line Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Onboard International Experience.” Surrounded by elegance and white-gloved service, guests can be pampered with a Balinese massage in the MSC Aurea Spa, dine in the many restaurants featuring international cuisine, sunbathe poolside, gamble in the casino or enjoy the highly acclaimed entertainment in the lounges or the magnificent theater. For guests seeking more activity, there is miniature golf, swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard as well as a wide variety of excursions sure to satisfy the interests of all guests.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit us online at www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional. Be certain to ask for Fall Promo for eligible fall dates and rates).

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About MSC Cruises:

MSC Cruises is a privately-held, family-owned, Mediterranean cruise line with a fleet of 12 ships: MSC Magnifica, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica and MSC Melody. Its 12th ship, MSC Divina, a sister ship to MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, debuted in May 2012, with sister ship MSC Preziosa scheduled to join the fleet in March 2013. The fleet cruises year round in the Mediterranean and seasonally in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, South America, the Indian Ocean, and South and West Africa.

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Avalon Waterways announces new ships, new itineraries for river cruising for 2013; $1000 off ‘Book Now’ deals

Melk Abbey in Austria has a perch above the Danube River is visited on Avalon Waterways' new 'Austrian Highlights & Bavaria" itinerary © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

On the heels of announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe and Avalon Choice^SM – an entirely new concept in river cruising – for 2013, Avalon Waterways is also unveiling plans to add five new itineraries (plus a new themed cruise) to its roster of cruise options.

“Our choice cruise options will now include more journeys through northern Holland, Austria, Central Europe and Germany,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “In addition, we’re giving cruisers the chance to discover the divine tastes and incredible flavors of northern France on a new Culinary Cruise. And, in Asia, we’re adding an exciting new cruise along China’s mighty Yangtze River, aboard two new ships.”

NEW EUROPE CRUISES:

Thanks to increased demand for “passion travel,” Avalon Waterways is expanding its popular wine-, music-, art-, legacy- and holiday-vacations to include a NEW! culinary-themed cruise, available on two itineraries for 2013: Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches (departure 1029; priced from $2,399) and Grand France (departure 1022; $4,999).

“On this cruise, travelers will enjoy cider, wine and oil tastings,” Clark said. “They will also visit a calvados distillery and a farm that produces the delicious Pont l’Evêque and Liarot cheeses. In addition, a local chef will prepare for guests a menu of regional specialties while sharing tips for food preparation.”

Another sure-to-be-hit for those interested in cruising Europe is Avalon’s 8-day NEW! Tulips of Northern Holland vacation, priced from $2,449. “Every year, our traditional Tulip Time Cruise sells out,” said Clark. “Now, we’re giving our travelers who love the beauty and history of Holland’s tulips a chance to combine some well-known sights with off the beaten path experiences.”

Originating in Amsterdam, on this itinerary, cruisers will enjoy the region of “North Holland” where tulip fields abound before cruising farther north to the region known as “Friesland,” famous for its black and white cows. They’ll sail across the Ijsselmeer and take a walking tour of the small town of Hoorn. They will also visit the ZuiderZee Museum in Enkhuizen, the Batavia shipyard in Lelystad and a windmill outside the fishing village of Volendam, with even more excursion choices in Arnhem and Rotterdam.

Other new European cruises for Avalon for 2013:

• NEW! Austrian Highlights & Bavaria: On this 9-day cruise vacation, travelers will visit Austria’s capital, Vienna, as well as charming small towns like Melk, Dürnstein and Grein before heading into Germany’s Bavaria. This new vacation also includes time in Munich and a visit to Oberammergau. Priced from $2,579 land/cruise (priced from $1,849 cruise-only).
• NEW! Capitals of Central Europe: With both 10- and 12-day options, this itinerary focuses on Europe’s splendid capital cities – Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest – as well as the many small towns that dot the landscape along the way. Priced from $2,939 land/cruise (priced from $2,299 cruise-only).
• NEW! Highlights of Germany: On this 13-day journey from Munich to Basel, Avalon guests will visit two of King Ludwig’s most famous castles: Newuschwanstein, the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and Linderhof. They will also enjoy a beer tasting in Nuremberg and exploration throughout Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Itinerary visits also include UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bamberg and Würzberg. Priced from $4,129 land/cruise (priced from $3,399 cruise-only).

NEW ASIA OFFERINGS:

In 2013, Avalon Waterways is introducing two new ships in Asia – The Century Legend and Century Paragon – and adding a fourth itinerary (a Small Group Discovery vacation): 15-day NEW! Enchanting China & the Yangtze River, priced from $3,629.

According to Clark, on this new itinerary, travelers can experience China in-depth. They’ll visit world-famous sights in Beijing, Xi’an, Lijiang, Shanghai and Hong Kong, including such must-see sites as the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, Terracotta Warriors, Yu Yuan Gardens and Stanley Market. We’re also offering them amazing, immersive experiences such as attending a special cloisonné and lacquer workshops, a noodle-making demonstration, calligraphy class, rickshaw ride through Beijing’s hutongs and a sampan ride on Hong Kong’s harbor.

“In 2013, our travelers can choose from a 4-to 24-day cruise as well as a cruise-only voyage or an extensive cruise-plus-land journey,” said Clark. “We have put together more than 100 cruise package possibilities on the greatest waterways in the world with hundreds of guaranteed departures to fit cruisers’ interests in Europe, Egypt, China, Southeast Asia and the Galápagos Islands.”

DEAL ALERT: Right now, Avalon Waterways is offering travelers a few ways to save on its 2013 cruises including offering up to $1,000 off per couple on “Book Now Sailings” as well as an early airfare price guarantee for Europe sailings. For details, click here.

To book an Avalon Waterways vacation or request brochures visit a preferred travel agent or by calling 877.380.1535. For more information,  visit www.avalonwaterways.com.

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