Top 10 Destinations for New Crystal Adventures in Southern Europe; Save up to $4200 for Booking by Aug. 30

 

With its Mediterranean cruise season in full swing through the fall, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is highlighting 10 top destinations that are springboards for new excursions in Southern Europe.  From exclusive, only-to-Crystal Boutique Adventures that explore the arts to full days of athletic pursuits, nearly 100 brand new Crystal Adventures are available this season in both popular and up-and-coming destinations throughout Spain, France, Italy, the Adriatic, the Canary Islands, and more.  The Crystal Adventures are offered on 25 Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings from July through December, with savings of up to $4,200 if booked by August 30.

New outings are featured in:

1.       Castellón de la Plana (maiden call): Hunt for, then feast upon, black truffles from the Morella countryside.

2.       Bilbao:  See areas and exhibits typically off-limits to the public, “backstage” at the iconic Guggenheim Museum.

3.       Montenegro: Bike the Luštica Peninsula around Kotor, past olive groves and the Adriatic coastline, to a lunch of local specialties.

4.       Palermo: Listen to classical strings in the Versailles-like ballroom of a Baroque ancestral palace during an exclusive Crystal-only concert.

5.       Marseille: Master the making of French bouillabaisse or enjoy a French impressionist art show deep inside a limestone quarry.

6.       Cartagena: Learn to sail, with the magnificent Spanish coastline as backdrop.

7.       Venice: Enjoy a private, off-hours view of Tintoretto paintings adorning one of six medieval Venetian “great schools.”

8.      The Canary Islands: Explore the villages and salt flats of Lanzarote by dune buggy or become a certified (or more experienced) scuba divier in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

9.       La Spezia (maiden call): Explore Cinque Terre, lunching or wine tasting along the way.

10.   Barcelona: Go behind-the-scenes from locker room to dugout at Fútbol Club Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou Stadium.

“Whether one is traveling to the area for the first time or his tenth, our collection of adventures offers so many less expected ways to experience the Mediterranean region as never before,” says John Stoll, vice president of land and port operations.

The voyages, ranging from five to 29 days in length, are available in shorter, convenient Crystal Getaways and extended combination cruises for additional savings.  All-inclusive cruise fares start at $1,950 per guest if booked by August 30.  Fares for the new Crystal Adventures start at $48.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, earning the line top ratings for two decades.

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 Offers 3-Day Sale with savings up to $1000 on Warm-Weather Destinations

Princess Cruises is offering special fares to some of its most popular warm-weather destinations, including the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii and Tahiti, during a 3-day Sale running between July 20-22. Passengers who book during the event can save up to $1,000 per couple off Launch Fares, plus as a special bonus, can receive as much as $100 in onboard credit per stateroom.

Selected fall/winter 2011-12 cruises featured in the sale depart between September 21, 2011 and April 27, 2012 – the perfect time for getting away from the cold weather.

In addition, passengers booking interior or oceanview staterooms can receive an onboard credit of $25 (cruises up to 9 days) to $50 (cruises 10 days or longer), and in balcony staterooms or above can get credits of $50 (cruises up to 9 days) or $100 (for sailings 10 days or longer). All onboard credits are offered per stateroom.

“If travelers are dreaming of getting away to tropical waters, this is a fantastic time to book,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This sale offers some of our lowest rates to the sunny beaches and colorful islands of these spectacular destinations, so it’s a great opportunity to relax onboard and enjoy the warm welcome of a Princess ship.”

Examples of savings include:

• 7-day Classic Southern Caribbean for $449 per person, plus up to $50 onboard credit
• 10-day Panama Canal for $899, plus up to $100 onboard credit
• 14-day Hawaiian Islands for $1,199, plus up to $100 onboard credit
• 11-day Hawaii and Tahiti for $1,695, plus up to $100 onboard credit

All cruise prices are per person, and onboard credits are per stateroom.

The 3-day Sale runs from 5:00 a.m. PDT on July 20 through 6:59 p.m. PDT on July 22, and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Reservations made during the 3-day Sale require a non-refundable deposit.

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.

About Princess Cruises:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises 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, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

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