October is ‘Plan a Cruise Month’ – Take Advantage of Cruise Deals, Promotions

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway, docked in Bermuda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

October is Plan a Cruise Month – a worldwide campaign to learn more about cruising and how to plan and take a cruise vacation, when cruise-goers can also take advantage of special cruise line deals and promotions available during the month.

Created by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the program provides insight on the best cruise destinations, special cruise line deals and promotions as well as experts to help navigate the many cruise vacation options available for every travel style and budget.

“Plan a Cruise Month is such an amazing opportunity for anyone who loves to travel to learn more about the variety of today’s cruise vacation options as well as take advantage of deals and promotions as well as guidance from cruise experts,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “Today there are cruises to take you around the world from rivers in Asia and Africa to ocean cruises to the Galapagos Islands. A cruise can take you to some of the best global destinations aboard some of the most advanced cruise ships.”

Cruising Destinations Around the World: This year, Plan a Cruise Month is shining a spotlight on the many worldwide cruise destinations including those in: Europe; the Americas and the Caribbean; Australasia and Asia. Each week in October, through videos, online content and expert advice from travel agents, travelers can learn more about cruise destinations around the world. Whether travelers are looking for tours of historic castles or lounging on the best powder sand beaches, a cruise can take vacation seekers to some of the most visited sights as well as those off the beaten path.

Cruise Deals and Promotions: During Plan a Cruise Month, cruise lines are offering exclusive deals and promotions. To take advantage of the Plan a Cruise Monthexclusive offers as well as the expertise from travel agents, travel planners can find a CLIA Certified Travel Agent at cruising.org/cruise-vacationer/cruise-travel-guide/clia-agent-finder.

Cruise Experts at the Helm: More than 25 million travelers are expected to take a cruise vacation this year. Of those that take a cruise, seven out of ten (70 percent) leverage the expertise of a travel agent to help navigate the variety of cruise options available today. Travel agents are a wealth of information with plenty of real world travel experience. Agents can provide incredible travel advice, as well as tips for making the most of a cruise including the best onboard cafes or cruise ship activities for children. Find a CLIA Certified Travel Agent at cruising.org/cruise-vacationer/cruise-travel-guide/clia-agent-finder.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 24 million passengers who cruise annually and is dedicated to promote the cruise travel experience. Members are comprised of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and cruise line suppliers and partners, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on CLIA Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

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Royal Caribbean Offer: Buy One, Get Half Off, plus $200 Credit; $1000 Off Air to Europe

Starting Valentine’s Day through Mar. 10, 2015, Royal Caribbean is offering half off a companion, plus $200 onboard credit, plus $1000 ChoiceAir flight credit for Europe Cruises © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

MIAMI – This Valentine’s Day, give a gift of love that everyone can share: a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. And for a limited time, Royal Caribbean’s new BOGO Wild offer sweetens the savings with additional spending credit. Starting Valentine’s Day through Mar. 10, 2015, vacationers can get half off the second guest’s cruise fare when making a new booking in an Oceanview or higher-category stateroom with a full-fare guest on a five-night or longer cruise, plus up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom to spend on the ship. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward a wide range experiences, including cocktails while lounging by the pool; a milestone celebration in a specialty restaurant; or refreshing with a rejuvenating spa treatment. The BOGO Wild offer applies for most Royal Caribbean ships, sailings from May 15, 2015, through Apr. 30, 2016.

Vacationers who book a new 2015 Europe cruise during the promotional period can enjoy even greater value and receive up to an additional $1,000 stateroom savings, when they use promo code EUROPEAIR and purchase their flights through Royal Caribbean’s competitively-priced, online air-booking system ChoiceAir. Guests booking a new Europe cruise will enjoy an additional $250 savings per Interior and Oceanview stateroom; an additional $500 savings per Balcony and Junior Suite-category stateroom; or an additional $1,000 savings per Grand Suites or higher-category stateroom.  For more information about BOGO Wild, visit http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/DealsandMore.

“Vacationers who take advantage of BOGO Wild now can save more than $2,500 on an incredible Europe cruise for two,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of Sales, Trade Support and Service for Royal Caribbean International. “With eight Royal Caribbean ships sailing European waters this summer and autumn season, vacationers have choices among the industry’s most innovative cruise ships sailing to compelling destinations – including our newest technologically advanced Anthem of the Seas and the world’s largest ship, the Oasis-class Allure of the Seas. From summer family vacations to holiday cruises to spring break 2016, now is a great opportunity to book an incredible Royal Caribbean vacation anywhere in the world.”

For new Oceanview and higher-category stateroom bookings made between February 14 through March 10, 2015, on a five-night or longer itinerary, guests will receive a 50-percent savings on the cruise fare for the second guest sharing the same room. Qualifying guests also will receive $100 onboard credit per Oceanview stateroom, or $200 onboard credit per balcony- or suite-category stateroom. The BOGO Wild offer does not include Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, and China sailings.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 45-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, Broadway-style entertainment and programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.

Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Royal Caribbean International sails 22 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and 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 12 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call 800-ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter @RoyalCaribbean.

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New: Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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Royal Caribbean Holds WOW Sale, with Up to $200 Credit for Booking Cruises thru Spring 2016

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas at Labadee © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Royal Caribbean International is in the middle of an unprecedented five-day WOW Sale – happening through August 20, 2014. During the WOW sale, vacationers can receive up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom when making a new booking on itineraries through spring 2016 aboard Royal Caribbean’s currently sailing fleet. (For more information, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/WOWSale.)

“Royal Caribbean’s WOW Sale is the best time for vacationers to plan their next adventure and enjoy great bonuses when they sail with us,” said Carol Schuster, senior vice president of Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. “Consumers can take their pick among our fleet of the industry’s 21 most innovative ships that calls at more than 230 exciting destinations in nearly 70 countries worldwide. Our world-renowned friendly and engaging staff and crew will deliver WOW after WOW, creating memories for a lifetime.”

For all new individual U.S. and Canadian bookings made from Aug. 16 through 20, 2014, vacationers will receive $50 onboard credit per stateroom for five-night or shorter itineraries; $100 onboard credit per stateroom for six- to nine-night itineraries; and $200 onboard credit per stateroom on 10-night and longer itineraries. As part of the WOW Sale, vacationers also can make a reservation with only a 50 percent reduced deposit, starting as low as $50 per guest, based on double occupancy. The offer is applicable to staterooms that are part of group space booked by U.S. and Canadian travel agents, provided those staterooms become named berths during the offer window, and excludes Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

Vacationers who make a new individual booking also can combine the upcoming WOW Sale offer with some existing Royal Caribbean promotions below, including up to $1000 savings per stateroom. (For details about each offer, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/DealsAndMore.)

•Bahamas Upgrade (valid through Aug. 31, 2014): Vacationers can enjoy an oceanview stateroom at the price of an interior stateroom aboard Majesty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas’ three- and four-night Bahamas cruises, departing from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2014.

•Choose Your WOW (valid through Sept. 15, 2014): Aboard any sailing departing on or after Oct. 15, 2014 (except sailings from Dec. 15 through 31, 2014), vacationers have a choice of Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50 percent off; third and fourth guests sail free; or receive up to $1,000 savings per stateroom when they book their flights with Royal Caribbean’s ChoiceAir flight booking system.

•Holiday Travel Our Way (valid through Sept. 15, 2014): Buy one and get the second guest at 50 percent off on three- to eight-night Bahamas and Caribbean holiday itineraries. The offer is applicable for sailings departing Dec. 15 through 31, 2014.

These offers are only applicable for new bookings during their applicable promotional window; exclude sailings aboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas; and have additional restrictions.

For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter @RoyalCaribbean.
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Variety Cruises Offers 2-for-1 Special on March 9 Sailing of Treasures of Costa Rica and Panama Canal Cruise

Small ships cruise line Variety Cruises is offering a 2-for-1 special on the March 9, 2014 sailing of its Treasures of Costa Rica and Panama Canal cruise. When one traveler books the cruise at the regular price, starting at $2590, his or her partner cruises for free. Travelers wishing to take advantage of the special offer should mention “SELECTED SPECIAL” at the time of booking by calling 1-800-319-7776.

The 2-for-1 fare offer does not apply for existing bookings and cannot be combined with any other offers. All special fare bookings must be fully paid within seven days of booking confirmation date. Port charges are excluded from these discounts.

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 on Variety Cruises, visit www.varietycruises.com.

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Cruise Industry Holds Sale of the Year During National Cruise Vacation Week, Oct.20-27; Deals Site Open

Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway docked at Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard. Thousands of CLIA travel agents and agencies will participate in National Cruise Vacation Week Oct 20-27 through online travel agency promotions and special live, in-person travel agent events selling specials from 26 major cruiselines © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Take advantage of National Cruise Vacation Week (NCVW) taking place Oct 20-27, 2013, when hundreds of exclusive cruise deals and incentives from Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) 26 member cruise lines representing more than 200 of the world’s most popular ships including river and specialty cruising are available during what is billed as the “World’s Largest Cruise Sale.”

Thousands of CLIA travel agents and agencies will participate in NCVW through online travel agency promotions and special live, in-person travel agent events.

Information on National Cruise Vacation Week, where to find a CLIA travel agent and agency and to view sample deals are already available at www.cruising.org/vacation/national-cruise-vacation-week-cruise-specials. 

NCVW savings and special offers include credits for shipboard spending up to $500, balcony upgrades, two-for-one fares, complimentary tours and free hotel nights in port cities on thousands of sailings in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Canada/New England, the Panama Canal, South America, Australia and the South Pacific, the Middle East and Asia.

Additional cruise deals are expected to be announced in the days leading up to NCVW as well, so cruisers are advised to stay in touch with their local travel agents.

NCVW participating CLIA member cruise lines include: AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten,  MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, Tauck River Cruising, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Windstar Cruises.

For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit http://www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association’s Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed @CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog.

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Princess Cruises Spring Clearance Sale Jan 17-21 Features Savings up to 35%, $100 Onboard Credit

Princess Cruises is running a Spring Clearance Sale from January 17-21 on sailings to some of its most popular warm-weather destinations, including the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii and the California coast. Passengers who book during the event can save up to 35 percent per person, plus as a bonus receive as much as $100 in onboard spending money per stateroom.

More than 50 cruises are featured in the sale, including beautiful destinations throughout the Caribbean, the Aloha spirit of Hawaii, the best of the Golden State on a California Coastal, the marvel of engineering of the Panama Canal, and select transatlantic sailings for a springtime journey to Europe.

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

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

Examples of savings include:

• Caribbean cruise – 7 days: $634 interior (was $784); $884 balcony (was $1,184)
• California Coastal cruise – 7 days: $679 interior (was $879); $1,079 balcony (was $1,229)
• Hawaiian Islands cruise – 14 days: $1,090 interior (was $1,790); $1,690 balcony (was $2,690)
• Panama Canal – 14 days: $1,499 interior (was $2,399); $2,099 balcony (was $3,149)
• Transatlantic cruise – 14 days: $1,589 balcony (was $1,789)

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy and now include government fees and taxes. The Spring Clearance Sale runs from 12:01 a.m. PST on January 17 through 11:59 p.m. PST on January 21, 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.

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MSC Celebrates Holidays with Buy One, Get One Offers

MSC is celebrating this season with savings as guests can ring in the holidays on buy one, get one offers on 7-night Caribbean cruises during Thanksgiving and Christmas starting at $529 per person plus government fees and taxes (GFTs).

Get the second week free with the purchase of a 7-night Caribbean cruise for a 14-night, back-to-back, Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean cruise experience on bookings made by Nov. 30, which includes the Thanksgiving cruise on Nov. 21.

During this buy one, get one free offer, rates are as low as $40 per day on select 14-night, back-to-back Eastern Caribbean cruises and Western Caribbean cruises onboard MSC Poesia and departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Cruise itineraries include:

 

• Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, call in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands;

Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica;

Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico departs Nov. 14, 28, and Dec. 12,   2010; rates from $529 (originally started from $1,058) for a $529 savings or more than 50 percent plus government fees and taxes (GFTs) of $117.07;

 

• Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises, call in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands;

Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Nassau Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica;

Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico; departs Nov. 12 and Dec. 5, 2010;  rates from $529 (originally started from $1,058) for a $529 savings or more than 50 percent plus GFTs of $117.07.

A Christmas cruise is another holiday sailing option with “The More the Merrier” offer where guests obtain a second stateroom at 50 percent off when they purchase one at the regular price. Rates for the Dec. 19 cruise begin at $649 per person for the first stateroom and $324.50 per person for the second stateroom plus GFTs. Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Offer expires Dec. 15.

Cruise-only rates are per person  based on double occupancy for U.S. and Canadian residents.

All cruises offer just a $100 deposit, and kids 17 and younger sail for just $99 as the third/fourth guest in a stateroom.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.