Norwegian Cruise Line is offering an all-inclusive package, available for all 2015 sailings from three to 14 days fleetwide (excluding back-to-back sailings and Pride of America). This and other Exclusive cruise program are available through TheCruiseOutlet.com
The offer is only available on new reservations made from August 4 through August 29. The all-inclusive package, which Norwegian says represents a $2400 value per stateroom, includes signature dining, alcoholic beverages, unlimited soda, shore excursions, internet access, service charges and more.
It is priced by the number of days, and is available for all stateroom categories, including the Haven by Norwegian. When adding the All-Inclusive to the cruise, guests receive 10 percent off the cruise fare. For a seven-day cruise, the package costs $899 extra and includes the Ultimate Dining package; the Ultimate Beverage package; shore excursion credit of $200 per person, pre-paid daily service charges; a 250-minute Internet package per person; 20 photos of any size; chocolate-covered strawberries; a bottle of wine; one bingo session and six bottles of water. For cruises from three to five days, the shore excursion credit is $100 per person; and for sailings from 9-14 days, the package includes 12 bottles of water.As part of the All-Inclusive offer, Norwegians Ultimate Dining package provides complimentary access to one of the lines specialty restaurants every night of the cruise, including Cagneys, the popular steakhouse; French bistro, Italian restaurant, Moderno Churrascaria, Asian-Fusion restaurant and more. The Ultimate Beverage package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, draft beer, bottled beer and glasses of wine up to $10 and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and on Norwegians private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
For more information and to make a reservation and have this Exclusive offer included in the cruise, contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email info@thecruiseoutlet.com
Clients of TheCruiseOutlet.com can receive FREE on many sailings of the Celebrity Fleet through April 2016 a choice of:
Classic Beverage Package,
or prepaid Gratuities
or as much as a $300. On board spending credit **
or up to $600. Credit on Celebrity’s Choice Air program.
**As well as on many sailings clients that choose the on board spending will find that TheCruiseOutlet.com will match and add to the on board spending credit.
Plus 3rd and 4th in the same cabin can receive up to 50% off cruise fare.
Call 1-800-775-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com to make reservations
Some Restrictions apply, Ocean view or higher cabins, new bookings only
Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing more choices and flexibility in the line’s complimentary dining venues. The culinary enhancements include: the debut of multiple new menus in the ships’ main dining rooms that offer an increased variety of selections and contemporary dishes; a dedicated “Chocoholic Night” one evening per cruise, featuring specialty chocolate-based desserts in each restaurant; and the ability for guests to make main dining reservations up to 90 days in advance. “Dining is an essential part of cruising and an experience that our guests look forward to,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO. “We want to make sure that we are exceeding our guests’ expectations with culinary delights in our complimentary dining venues. These enhancements with such a wide variety of choice along with guest favorites and of course, chocolate, are bringing our complimentary dining venues to new heights.” The new regionally-focused complimentary dining room dinner menus vary by ship itinerary and change each evening of the sailing, ensuring that guests have a wider selection of dishes to choose from during their cruise. Featuring a sleeker design along with wine pairing recommendations and anecdotal culinary history, the new menus display several sections – starters, classic dishes, main courses, chef’s signature dish and dessert – and offer an increased variety, with up to 12 starters and up to 15 entrees per evening. The menus focus on balancing popular traditional dishes like prime rib, chateaubriand, rack of lamb and escargot with current dining trends. The new offerings include increased seafood options such as grouper, barramundi, sushi and crab dishes. Contemporary dishes include mojito shrimp ceviche, seared Atlantic scallops with fennel puree, and braised beef short ribs with Cajun shrimp. Additionally, guests can enjoy new lunch menus in the main dining room. In the complimentary dining venue, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill on board Norwegian Getaway, Breakaway, Epic and Jewel, the company is introducing exclusive specialty dish nights, such as prime rib, all-you-can-eat baby back ribs, and chicken and waffles. These specialty dish nights give guests an alternative dinner venue in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. One of the most popular additions is the “Chocoholic Night,” which offers a choice of up to seven signature chocolate desserts in every restaurant one evening each cruise. The Chocoholic Midnight Buffet was a signature item for years with Norwegian. When the Midnight buffet was eliminated, the “Chocoholic Midnight Buffet was switched to an afternoon and later one elimentated.
In keeping with the line’s Freestyle Cruising, they are making it easier for guests to customize their vacation by offering the ability to make reservations for the complimentary dining rooms up to 90 days prior to the cruise. With reservation times at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m., the new system provides guests the option of selecting a dining time during any evening of their cruise, for a party size of up to 12 guests. The new menus and concepts will be available on most of Norwegian’s fleet by July 31, and onboard Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sky and Pride of America by early 2015. For more information on these programs, contact exclusively TheCruiseOutlet.com at 1-800-775-1884 or email at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
The Oceania’s Insignia route will take guests from the southern Caribbean and South America to the western shores of Africa and around the Cape of Good Hope. Continuing to Asia, the itinerary features several overnight stays, including two-night stays in Rangoon (Yangon) and Shanghai. After stops in the Philippines, Borneo and Bali, guests will visit Australia and New Zealand before exploring the islands of French Polynesia. Insignia calls on four of the Hawaiian Islands en route to Los Angeles and then returns to Miami via the Panama Canal, completing her circumnavigation of the globe.
This fascinating voyage includes:
92 ports in 45 countries
Five maiden ports of call
14 overnight stays
Crossing the Equator six times
74 days at sea
Sailing more than 47,000 nautical miles
Guests reserving this journey will receive 2 for 1 Cruise Fares with Free FIRST CLASS Roundtrip Airfare* and Early Booking Savings up to 71%. They will also enjoy the Exclusive Prestige Package, which includes:
Free Pre-Paid Gratuities - a value up to $8,300
Free Onboard Medical Services
Free Unlimited Internet
Free Laundry Services
Free Exclusive Shoreside Events
Free Visa Package
Free Luggage Delivery
Free 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Stay
Free Roundtrip Transfers
individual segments will be available for purchase
For more information and to make reservations contact exclusively TheCruiseOutlet.com at 800-775-1884 or email at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
Crystal Cruise Lines’ Vice President Mimi Weisband announced an Anchorage to New York itinerary, departing August 16, 2016 on the Crystal Serenity. It has been almost two years in the planning. "It's not only a historic first for Crystal, but a revolutionary new cruise," she says. "We are going to do a whole completely new route traversing the Arctic Ocean via the Northwest Passage. We will be the only luxury cruise ship to do that, the largest cruise ship to have gone there." The Crystal Serenity won't go alone, there is going to be an expedition ship accompanying the Serenity that will serve a host of purposes. "We've never had an itinerary where we've had a second vessel behind us," she says. "There will be a 14-person expedition team, including a native Arctic-guide." The expedition ship will be put into use on so-called "Surprise days" that are built into the schedule to allow for unplanned calls of the wild for polar bear viewing, whale watching, glacier cruising and so forth. Scheduled ports include a host of maiden calls for Crystal, ranging from Cambridge Bay to Sisimiut. Overall, there are 12 ports of call, 19 scheduled days at sea. The first port of call will be in a settlement of just a few hundred people on the shores of the Amundsen Gulf. There will also be three calls in Greenland, including regions that virtually no cruiser ever gets to. The sailing will have countless other special touches, including Crystal's usage of low-sulfur fuel for the entire sailing, in itself unusual. Also in this vein, Crystal Exec VP Thomas Mazloum says, "During this voyage, speakers will enlighten guests on information regarding climate change, and how it has impacted this passage." A plethora of excursions are planned involving kayaks, Zodiacs, and even golfing at the world's northernmost nine-hole course.
"Crystal Society members are always clamoring for something new, and the ports are not only brand new to almost all, but sensational in their own right," It is predicted that almost 90% will be past guests." Tellingly, the sale is only being made available to Crystal Society past guests first for almost six weeks. Non-members may add their name to a wait list. Remaining space, if any, will open to the public on September 2. Weather can be tricky, but the timing seems good. The departure date of August 16, 2016 is still good for daylight, even though it's almost two months after the summer solstice in June. Crystal's Arctic journey is the latest example of how the upscale cruise market is undergoing a revolution, not with hardware, but in the essence of what constitutes a modern-day luxury vacation. For more information and to book this exclusive cruise, contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at 800-775-1884 or email at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
As the health and well-being of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, Norwegian Cruise Line will institute changes to its smoking policy for all sailings on or after November 1, 2014. The specific changes prohibit smoking on stateroom balconies and limit smoking in the casino to players. On Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, smoking on The Waterfront will be permitted on the starboard side, except by the outdoor dining areas. Public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke regular or electronic cigarettes, you can do so in designated areas only. If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Smoking cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars and pipes is permitted in outdoor public guest spaces and open decks where designated by the ship's management based on the ship's specific characteristics and arrangement. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in or near venues serving food, the jogging track, outdoor sporting venues, The Haven outdoor areas and children's pool areas. On ships with The Waterfront, smoking is permitted on the starboard side excluding any food service areas. Active Casino players may smoke cigarettes in the Casino during gaming hours. Cigarette smoking is not permitted in any other indoor venue or location. Guests are not permitted to smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars or pipes in their staterooms or on their balconies. Cigar and pipe smoking in staterooms and on balconies is prohibited. Smoking inside your stateroom or on your balcony will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account. If cigarette burns on furniture, linens, towels or carpeting are detected; guests will be advised and charged for the damages. Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas where there is a No Smoking policy in force; simply because these cigarettes look so realistic and therefore other guests' perception is that we are not enforcing the No Smoking rule. For additional information and to book Norwegian Cruise contact TheCruiseOutlet.com for exclusive programs and savings at 800-775-1884
Celebrity Silhouette has a propulsion problem, slowing its top speed and forcing the premium line to adjust some of the ship's itineraries. While the issue does not impact the ship's manueverability they indicate there is no risk to the safety of crew and passengers, the propulsion issue means the ship can't get from Point A to Point B on the normal time schedule. Thus, Celebrity has been forced to modify itineraries and cut short many port visits. Through November, at least, the following itineraries are slightly modified:
July 27 and August 24, seven-night Greek Isles voyages: Shortened port calls.
August 3, 17-night Greek Isles and Turkey: Shortened port calls
September 12, 11-night Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles: Shortened port calls
October 4, 14-night Holy Land: Shortened port calls
November 1, 15-night Italian Passage: Shortened port calls
It's not yet known when the issue will be corrected. TheCruiseOutlet.com is keeping clients advised and those desiring to sail on the Silhouette in the future are being advised of the problem. For more information, contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
Those who love cruising on mega-ships but have a taste for luxury are in luck. Many contemporary and premium lines have been splurging in recent years on lavish suites in private ship-within-a-ship enclaves. Far beyond cramped cabins, these suites are aimed at loyal customers looking to splurge for a 50th birthday or a 25th wedding anniversary, the grandparents taking the extended family on a multi-generational trip, or perhaps the Pied Piper of a major group. These behind-locked-doors enclaves offer a respite from the busy, noisy or crowded areas of the ship.
In addition to the spacious accommodations, guests also get extra perks such as butler or concierge service, free drinks, and private restaurants and pools.
The MSC Yacht Club includes a private pool, lounge and sun deck. MSC Cruises offers the private and lavish MSC Yacht Club on the Miami-based MSC Divina as well as MSC Preziosa, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia. Guests get a key card to enter the Yacht Club and its Top Sail Lounge (serving complimentary drinks and snacks) and swimming pool surrounded by a café and bar. The curved main staircase sparkles with Swarovski crystals. Theres also a private restaurant called Le Muse on the other side of the ship.
The Celebrity Reflections top suite includes an airy bathroom with an all-glass shower.
Celebrity Cruises’ most lavish accommodation is the two-bedroom Reflection Suite on the Celebrity Reflection. Located in a private area accessible by key card, the suite measures a whopping 1,636 square feet and has a private, 194-square-foot veranda and has a bathroom with an all-glass shower cantilevered over the side of the ship. Theres more to come: Starting in April, those who book high-end Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites will be able to dine in a private restaurant as well as all the ships specialty restaurants at no additional cost. The new Suite Class experience also will include a VIP lounge, complimentary premium beverages, unlimited Internet access, priority check-in and embarkation.
The Haven by Norwegian includes a private pool.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a private enclave of luxury suites called The Haven by Norwegian on all Jewel- and Breakaway-class ships, as well as Norwegian Epic. The Haven, which can only be entered by key card, has a private restaurant, 24-hour butler service, a private pool, hot tub, fitness area, a concierge, dining areas and service from the Courtyard Valet. Other perks for Haven guests: preferred seating at the live shows, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and priority boarding on tenders to shore.
The Queens Grill Master Suite on the Queen Elizabeth offers plenty of space for entertaining.
Cunard Line has long offered its upscale Queens and Princess Grill-class accommodations and restaurants. Those who book the suites also can dine in the single-seating Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants. Other perks include butler or concierge service, priority embarkation, pre-dinner canapés and in-suite dining from Queens Grill menu.
For more information on these luxury suites as well as other upscale cruise line products contact TheCruiseOutlet.com, exclusive Cruise Agents at 800-775-1884 or email at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
The American Queen Steamboat Co. is moving the 436-passenger paddlewheeler American Queen to the Ohio River for the remainder of July due to high water levels on the Upper Mississippi River. Torrential downpours in recent weeks in the Midwest have resulted in flooding along stretches of the Mississippi River. Consequently, the American Queen is moving to the Ohio River for its next three sailings, which will impact the originally scheduled July 9 sailing between Cincinnati and St. Louis and the July 15 and 23 sailings between St. Louis and St. Paul, Minn. "Sometimes river conditions are outside our control, Ted Sykes said in a statement. "We recognize the need to cruise on the Ohio River for our July 2014 itineraries and will then return to our regularly scheduled itineraries." The new itineraries will sail between Cincinnati and Paducah, Ky., calling on Cave-In-Rock, Ill.; Henderson, Ky.; Louisville, Ky.; Madison, Ind.; and Augusta, Ky. Guests on the July 9 voyage will travel by motorcoach from Paducah to St. Louis at the conclusion of the sailing and resume their return home as scheduled. The July 15 pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Louis remains, and guests will be transferred to Paducah to join the American Queen. The July 23 voyage will now depart Cincinnati, replacing St. Paul, and details on that itinerary will be available shortly. Guests booked on the July 9 or 15 itineraries have the option to stay on their deviated voyage and receive a $100 onboard credit, per person, and a $500 future cruise credit per stateroom. Guests preferring to book an Upper Mississippi River voyage in late 2014 may roll forward their booking with a one stateroom category upgrade (subject to availability). The Mississippi River continued to gradually rise on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported, but overnight rainfall wasn't as severe as predicted. For more information and to book on these sailings or other sailings contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com or call directly (203) 288-1884
Carnival Cruise Lines is banning smoking in all staterooms & on stateroom balconies, effective Oct. 9, and they are also increasing its tips to $12 per person, per day. The updated tobacco policy, announced prohibits smoking inside the staterooms. Guests who smoke in staterooms or on balconies will be charged a $250 cleaning fee. Smoking will still be allowed in designated open deck areas, as well as night clubs and certain areas within the casino and casino bar. Those comments were echoed by many others. Still, some threatened to cancel. “If I can’t smoke on my balcony on my cruise I just booked I will be cancelling my cruise thank you,” wrote one person. Heald said the Oct. 9 effective date gives guests time to cancel outside the penalty period. Guests booked for sailings Oct. 9 and onward can cancel before the final payment due date and receive their deposit back, Gratuities are automatically added to Sail & Sign onboard accounts, although guests can always increase or decrease the amount once on board.
Oceania Cruises to host World Premier!
Guests sailing on Riviera's October 29, 2014 voyage from Athens to Monte Carlo will be in for a special treat: the world premier of the highly-anticipated PBS documentary series, "The Italian Americans." This special 10-day Enchanting Riviera voyage will provide an opportunity to interact with producers, writers and directors involved in the development of this exceptional new series, all while traversing the Mediterranean and Italian coastline aboard, the Riviera. Narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, The Italian Americans consists of four, one-hour documentary films that chronicle the history of Italian Americans from the mid-19th century to present day. During the cruise, filmmakers will host screenings for each individual one-hour episode. Prior to the showing, filmmakers will provide compelling insight into the making of the film, and they will engage with guests during question-and-answer sessions at the end of each screening. These are complimentary experiences available to all guests sailing. Special experiences with limited capacity, such as private dinners and intimate cocktail functions tlinewith guest speakers, will only be available for guests booked specifically on The Italian Americans package. In addition, exclusive shore excursions tying into The Italian Americans theme will be available for guests booked to purchase. The Italian Americans package is available at no additional cost for guests booking with TheCruiseOutlet.com the Enchanting Riviera voyage. Just call TheCruiseOutlet.com at 800-775-1884 to make a reservation for this exciting cruise. Space is limited to the first 300 guests who sign up for this special program on the cruise. Email the TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com for additional assistance.
