Monday, March 28, 2016

theCRUISEOUTLET.com announces Funds available to help Non Profits Groups & Organizations

TheCruiseOutlet.com of Hamden, CT has available  funds to be donated to benefit nonprofit organizations throughout the country. 
This unique program is able to save people who desire to cruise  hundreds of dollars and at the same time  they are able to help the specific organization raise thousands of dollars towards their mission and goal.

There are no additional charges and actually those supporting the organization receive significant other amenities on their cruise.

This program, in its 15th year by TheCruiseOutlet.com, does not require investment money from the sponsoring  organization.  Flyers, brochures, speakers & information booths are provided by TheCruiseOutlet.com staff. One of the most effective fundraisers available, this program has helped numerous organizations throughout the Country raise funds without straining the membership with hours of extra work. 

TheCruiseOutlet.com established in 1990, is certified by the International Cruise Association and all the National Cruise Lines as  a major provider of cruises. They have been recognized for their experience and professional knowledge and have received numerous awards. For additional information on this program contact them at 203-288-1884 or 800-775-1884. Visit them at their website www.thecruiseoutlet.com or email them at: info@thecruiseoutlet.com

Cruise destinations which are included in this program are Alaska, Bermuda, Bahamas, Disney World, the Caribbean, and Europe.  Many of the Cruise Lines that work with TheCruiseOutlet.com have fantastic children’s programs, as well as, educational programs for adults.  Meeting and conference space is available as well for organizations which want to make more out of the fund raising program.


Royal Caribbean to charge for high-speed Internet on Majesty of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International said it plans to charge for Internet connection on the Majesty of the Seas when it returns from drydock. Previously, Royal Caribbean had advertised the high-speed Voom internet as being free on the ship, which will do short cruises from Port Canaveral after the April refurbishment. While in drydock, the Majesty will receive an expanded pool bar and poolside movie screen, family hot tubs, a kids-only pool area with the Splashaway Bay aqua park, and upgraded cabins. Royal Caribbean said the need for those investments precluded offering Voom for free. For a limited time, however, free Voom will be available to acknowledge the previously advertised service. On cruises from May 15 to July 1, it will be included in the cruise fare. Passengers who booked before March 15 for sailings anytime after May 15 will also get free Internet.Although they vary by ship, Voom packages typically cost about $15 a day. 
For more information and to make reservations on any Royal Caribbean Ships, with  exclusive rates and amenities, contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com

Thursday, March 24, 2016

New Disney after Hours announced

New “Disney After Hours” providing loads of Nighttime Fun for guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resorts
Nighttime is a special time at Magic Kingdom® Park. From the colorful spires of Cinderella Castle to the twinkling lights of Storybook Circus in Fantasyland, the park comes alive in a very unique way.  And now, there’s a whole new way to experience nighttime at Magic Kingdom Park with “Disney After Hours.” This special, ticketed event, offered on select nights, people to enjoy exclusive time in the park with quicker than typical access to popular attractions like Space Mountain and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, as well as character greetings at Town Square and Princess Fairytale Hall. Ice cream novelties and bottled beverages will be available for Guests during the three-hour event. Disney Resort Guests will continue to enjoy Extra Magic Hours as this new event takes place on different nights. Disney After Hours” takes place April 14, 21, 28 and May 5, 8, 12 and 19, 2016 at Magic Kingdom Park. A separate event ticket is required. Guests can check-in starting at 7 p.m. each night, with the event hours from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Pricing is $149 plus tax for adults and children (ages 3-9). Admission is limited
For more information on this exclusive offer and for other special promotions at all of Disney Parks and on Disney Cruise Lines, call theCRUISEOUTLET.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@theCRUISEOUTLET.com

Wednesday, March 16, 2016


NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE REVEALS HARVEST CAYE EXPERIENCES


March 16, 2016 – Norwegian Cruise Line revealed today details on its new highly-anticipated premier Western Caribbean destination experience, Harvest Caye, Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line is developing Harvest Caye to feature an authentic Belizean environment that provides easy access to beautiful Southern Belize, coupled with luxurious amenities; a variety of eco-activities; the country’s only cruise ship pier for guest convenience and comfort; the opportunity for guests to easily depart to mainland Belize for the adventure excursion or cultural immersion of their choice; and much more. 
This spectacular resort-style port of call, set to welcome guests in November 2016, will be the only port in Belize that features a cruise ship pier. Rather than having to spend time tendering to shore, guests will be able to walk off the ship and immediately step into paradise.  Harvest Caye will offer guests the beauty and nature of Belize along with all that guests could desire from a tropical destination experience, and also serve as a gateway to the many eco and cultural adventures that lie in mainland Belize. Harvest Caye offers a large marina, where guests can depart for a wide variety of shore excursions to explore this rich destination, including spectacular Mayan ruins, river rafting, nature tours and more. 
“Belize is one of the most ecologically and culturally rich gems in the Caribbean, and Harvest Caye will be the perfect destination for guests to experience all that the country has to offer in authentic, unique ways,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief operating officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “There is so much to do on the island from the spectacular seven acre beach and watersports to interactive wildlife programs. Beyond Harvest Caye, we will strongly encourage our guests to explore Belize through the spectacular eco-adventure and cultural tours this incredible destination has to offer visitors.”
Harvest Caye’s seven acre pristine beach will be the heart of the destination, with white sand and crystal clear waters as the star. Guests who wish to enjoy the day in privacy can opt to rent one of the island’s 11 luxurious beach villas. These indulgent enclosed villas can accommodate up to 10 guests and are the ultimate beach escape, equipped with every comfort including air conditioning, dedicated lounge and dining areas, a private restroom, indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks, and exclusive dining and beverage options with dedicated concierge service so guests never have to leave the beach. 
For those that prefer a resort-style experience, Harvest Caye will offer a tranquil, lushly landscaped pool area as the perfect retreat. The sprawling 15,000 square foot pool features a swim-up bar with stools and lounge tables right in the water, surrounded by elegant lounge chairs and umbrellas, along with 15 canopy pool cabanas. The plush pool cabanas, available for rent, feature upscale lounge furniture, privacy drapes and beverage service. A footbridge spans the center of the pool, with a soothing waterfall feature below. 
            Adventure will be in no short supply for guests who opt to spend their day on Harvest Caye, with the island featuring a 130 foot tall Flighthouse as the central area for a variety of aerial activities including zip lining, suspension bridges, free fall jumps, a tandem “superman” style zip line and stunning views of the verdant hills of the mainland. Harvest Caye’s zip line course will have more than 3,000 feet of zip line, allowing guests to soar through the air with a bird’s eye view of the island and the sea, with stops at three different platforms. To top off the adventure, the Flighthouse will include a challenging but fun ropes course located on a platform in the saltwater lagoon. For a lower adrenaline adventure, guests can also enjoy watersports such as kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing in Harvest Caye’s shallow lagoon area.
           In true Norwegian fashion, Harvest Caye will feature a myriad of dining and bar options, available à la carte. Guests will enjoy five dining and bar outlets that feature a variety of cuisines, including a two-story indoor/outdoor Landshark Bar & Grill. An expansion of Norwegian’s partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, the Landshark Bar & Grill is sure to be an island favorite, with a scenic upper deck and a swim-up pool bar for the ultimate way to enjoy a “boat drink”. Those who want to indulge in authentic Belizean cuisine will be able to enjoy casual street style dining in the shopping village. Additional dining options will include the Laughing Bird Bar & Grill serving the beach, the Manatee Marina Bar & Grill in the marina, the Horse-Eye Jack Bar & Grill servicing the island’s cabanas as well as food and drink delivery throughout the pool area. 
No port-of-call would be complete without superior shopping options, and Harvest Caye will offer a shopping village, which will feature popular name-brand retailers as well as items from local Belizean craftsmen.
Guests with an affinity for wildlife will marvel at Harvest Caye’s many opportunities for an up close encounter with this rich eco-destination’s local plants and animals. To learn about the native flora and fauna in this stunning destination, guests can participate in manatee observation tours at the lagoon to learn about the gentle giants; get up close and personal with endangered Scarlet Macaws and Toucans, Belize’s national bird, in the island’s Aviary; wonder at the striking beauty of insects at the Butterfly Garden; and learn more about and view Belize’s indigenous reptiles such as boa constrictors at the educational center. Harvest Caye’s conservation programs and education efforts were developed by award winning author and wildlife expert Tony Garel, the destination’s Chief Naturalist. He will lead many of the island’s educational tours and be available to chat with guests about the incredible array of wildlife in Belize. The island’s aviary will also house a breed and release program for Scarlet Macaws, in an effort to increase the population of the native birds. Harvest Caye features a cornucopia of native plants and trees that all play a part in the destination’s eco-system. To help further the island’s conservation efforts, more than 10,000 new mangroves have been planted throughout the island, serving to increase the natural estuary system that serves as a critical habitat for birds, young fish and other marine species.  
            Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy Harvest Caye beginning November 2016 on Norwegian’s Western Caribbean itineraries, and on Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ sister brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, which will also offer calls at Harvest Caye on select Caribbean sailings. 
For full itinerary details and to book a cruise with Norwegian, or Regent Seven Seas or Oceania, contact TheCRUISEOUTLET.com for exclusive rates and amenities at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Celebrity Solstice Cancels Stop in Bali Due to Security Concerns

Celebrity Solstice Cancels Stop in Bali Due to Security Concerns - March 07, 2016
On Sunday, Celebrity Cruises announced that its Celebrity Solstice ship would be skipping its port of call Monday in Bali due to an increased threat of possible terrorist attacks in Indonesia.
Celebrity Cruises sent out a letter to passengers from Captain Yannis Berdos saying that the company had been monitoring the situation since leaving Western Australia, and they had made the decision to skip Bali. Instead of docking in Bali, the Celebrity Solstice arrived early in Darwin, Australia, where the ship was originally supposed to dock on March 10. Passengers who had booked tours in Bali will receive a refund from Celebrity Cruises, according to the cruise line. The cruise company has been keeping tabs on security concerns in Bali, and Celebrity Cruises listened to officials from Australia and the United Kingdom regarding potential terrorist attacks that could place in Indonesia. The most recent information in the past few days indicate that the possibility of an incident in Bali has increased. Also, the Balinese New Year is March 9 and recent past advisories have named this date as one that could be targeted by terrorists. We will continue to monitor the security situation in Indonesia and will notify guests or their travel agents if there are changes to future sailings that visit Bali. Celebrity Cruises also released a statement, saying, After discussion with our global security team in Miami, we have decided to cancel Celebrity Solstice's call to Bali on Monday, March 7. This decision was made in an abundance of caution, and we apologize for the impact on our guests' cruise. The safety of our guests and crew is always our foremost concern.

For more information on this and to make reservations on any Celebrity Ship, with  exclusive rates and amenities, contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Norwegian raises prices on beverage and dining packages

Norwegian Cruise Line has raised the cost of buying drinks or dinner as part of a multi-day package. Specialty dining packages will now cost $10 more per person, while the Ultimate Beverage Package has been raised to $79 per person per day, up from $69.   Under the new pricing, which took effect Feb. 26, a three-meal specialty dining package that formerly cost $69 would now cost $79. There is a discount of $10 per person for pre-purchasing the package online. Dining packages are available in three to 14 meals, with the cost of the 14-meal package going to $219 per person from $209.  The Corks & Caps beverage program, which covers soft drinks, beer and wine, increases from $54 to $59 per person, per day.   The cost of a soda package will remain at $7.50 for teens and adults, $5 for children.  Most ships are already charging the new prices, with the Norwegian Gem scheduled to start March 2, Norwegian Pearl on March 3 and Norwegian Epic on March 6. On Pride of America, which does not have the Ultimate Beverage Package or Corks & Caps, the dining changes take effect on March 15.
All beverage packages are subject to an 18% gratuity and a one-time service fee.