Wednesday, December 21, 2016

NCL announces Cuba sailings

Norwegian Cruise Line announced cruises to Cuba aboard Norwegian Sky, sailing a series of five, four-day cruises from Miami to Cuba in May 2017 that will include an overnight in the capital of Havana. On Monday, May 1, Norwegian Sky will set sail for her first voyage to Havana, arriving on Tuesday morning and staying alongside until Wednesday evening, allowing guests the opportunity to go ashore and experience the island’s rich cultural traditions through people-to-people exchanges. Norwegian will also offer OFAC-compliant shore excursions, where guests  will have the opportunity to visit historical sites such as Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; view incredible art and listen to the vibrant local music scene; and visit with Cuba’s warm and friendly residents through people-to-people exchanges. The ship will continue on to call on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island destination in the Bahamas. Passengers enjoy unlimited complimentary beverages as a part of the ship’s all-inclusive program. Additional Cuba cruise departure dates include May 8, 15, 22 and 29. The four-day cruises begin at $699 per person. For additional information or to book a cruise to Cuba on Norwegian, contact theCRUISEOUTLETLET.com for special rates and additional amenities at info@thecrthscruiseoutlet.com.  

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Holland America Line to Cancel all Cruise Calls to Turkey in 2017

Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to cancel all calls to Turkey in 2017, citing "guest preferences for alternate ports." This follows the announcement earlier this week that sister cruise lines -- part of Carnival Corporation -- Cunard and P&O Cruises are also removing all calls to Turkey from 2017 itineraries. In a statement issued this morning, the line said: "Holland America Line has made the decision to cancel all scheduled port calls to Turkey through 2017 based on guest preferences for alternate ports. "Ten departures in 2017 are affected and booked guests and travel professionals on these sailings will be notified. Shore excursions booked in affected ports through Holland America Line will be refunded and taxes, fees and port expenses will be adjusted accordingly." Changes will affect voyages onboard Amsterdam, Prinsendam and Koningsdam with the line expected to reroute itineraries to stops in Greece or Albania, although the line is yet to confirm this.
The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey and to avoid travel to southeastern Turkey.
The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise that the threat from terrorism [in Turkey] remains high, although the situation has calmed since the attempted coup.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also cautions travel to Turkey.

For more information or to make reservations and receive exclusive rates and special promotional amenities,  contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com.  

Empress of the Seas to Move to Tampa for Cuba Cruises

The Empress of the Seas will launch Royal Caribbean's Cuba program with a five-night sailing departing Miami on April 19, 2017.
The ship will then reposition to Tampa offering two itineraries with calls to Havana on April 30 (7-night sailing) and May 20 (5-night sailing), according to a statement.
The Empress of the Seas will homeport in Tampa for the 2017 summer season  the cruise line's first-ever summer program from the destination  offering a series of 4- and 5-night sailings, including port calls to Cuba.
"Royal Caribbean is the world's most exciting adventure company, and we're thrilled to introduce culture-seeking travelers to Cuba. As the unrivaled innovators of the cruise experience, no company is better positioned to help adventurers explore and experience this culturally rich destination," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

For more information or to make reservations and receive exclusive rates and special promotional amenities,  contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com.  

Crystal Cruises Announces Barbara Streisand-Themed Film and Theatre Cruise

Crystal Cruises has announced the roster of performances on the Crystal Symphony Film & Theatre Festival sailing inspired by Barbara Streisand.
Guests can enjoy a combination of film and musical performances by seasoned veterans. Cruise goers can even go behind the scenes of the production process. Performing as Streisand will be leading tribute artist Sharon Owens.
In addition to Owens performances and hosted receptions, multiple other Broadway and Hollywood stars will be making appearances. Tony-nominated actress Lainie Kazan, who was Streisands understudy in Funny Girl on Broadway, will give presentations, while scar-, Grammy-, and Golden Globe-nominated songwriters Allan Rich and Jud Friedman, both of whom have worked with Streisand, will talk about scoring movies for the silver screen. Red carpet stylists will offer tips; costume designers will share their collections; and special screenings of Streisands hits will air in the Hollywood Theatre. 

The 19-day Panama Canal Adventure sailing departs Los Angeles for New York on April 30, 2017, calling in Puerto Vallarta and Huatulco, Mexico; San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Panama City, Panama (and transits the Panama Canal); Cartagena, Colombia; and Charleston, South Carolina. All-inclusive fares begin at $5,995 per person. 

For more information or to make reservations and receive exclusive rates and special promotional amenities,  contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com.  

Carnival Raises Bottled Water Prices ... Again for the second time this year.

In July 2015, the cruise line banned passengers from bringing their own bottles onboard but appeased the masses by offering inexpensive 12-packs for pre-order at a cost of $2.99 each. Cruisers would then find the water waiting in their cabins. In March of this year, prices were raised from $2.99 to $3.99 -- an increase of more than 30 percent. As of December 8, the price for a 12-pack has jumped again, this time more than 10 percent to $4.50 (plus gratuity if ordered onboard), according to Carnival's website. 
"The ability to purchase bottled water in bulk and have it delivered to the stateroom continues to be a great convenience to our guests,"  The line declined to comment on why the prices were raised just nine months after the initial price increase.

For more information or to make reservations and receive exclusive rates and special promotional amenities,  contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com.  

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Royal Caribbean streamlines drinks packages

Royal Caribbean International has pared down its offering of beverage packages to four, with just one that includes alcohol. The cruise line said guests can buy a package that includes beer, wine and cocktails for a price of $55 a day (the package includes drinks that sell for less than $12). Guests will get a $12 credit toward any drink that costs more than $12. The package also includes non-alcoholic beverages, premium coffee, tea and bottled water. The new packages went into effect Sept. 6.
Previously, Royal Caribbean offered packages that includes various levels of alcoholic drinks for $39, $57 and $67 a day. It said guests that had ordered a $39 package will be upgraded at no charge.
Royal Caribbean said the changes were made with a focus on making the vacation-planning process easy. Two other nonalcoholic options are the Classic Soda package, which provides soft drinks at $8.50 per day, and the Refreshment Package that includes a spectrum of nonalcoholic drinks for $26 a day. Guests can also order Evian water in packages of either 12 one-liter bottles ($39) or 24 one-liter bottles ($69).

For more information and to make reservations,  contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com.  Presently they are offering  exclusive rates and amenities for all RCCL sailing in 2016 and 2017

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Oceania Cruises > Book by 9/30/2016 for sailings through 2/2/2017

2 for 1 Cruise Fares with Free Airfare and Free Unlimited Internet | Free Beverage Package – Free Shore Excursions – Free Shipboard Credit plus our agency exclusive $200 shipboard credit

Stars & Shores > Monte Carlo to Venice - 10 Day / October 22, 2016 / Marina
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $4699
Choose one: 8 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $800 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit $99 Premium Economy Air Upgrade

Jewels of the Riviera > Barcelona to Rome - 7 day / October 26, 2016 / Riviera
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $3599
Choose one: 6 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $600 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit $99 Premium Economy Air Upgrade

Magical Mediterranean > Rome to Lisbon - 10 days / November 11, 2106 /Marina
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $4299 
Choose one : 8 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $800 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit $99 Premium Economy Air Upgrade

Atlantic Horizons >>Barcelona to Miami - 14 days / November 21, 2016 / Riviera
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $3599 
Choose one: 10 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $1000 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit 

Panoramic Panama Canal > Miami to Los Angeles - 16 days / Nov 25, 2016 / Sirena
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $5599 
Choose one: 10 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $1000 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit

Radiant Reflections > Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires - 12 days / Dec 7, 2016 / Marina
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $4599 
All 3 for Free: 8 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package and $800 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit

Coasts to Canyons > >Los Angeles to Los Angeles - 10 days / Dec 11, 2016 / Sirena
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $3899 
Choose one: 8 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $800 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit

Incas and the Andes > Valparaiso to Miami -17 days / January 5, 2017 / Marina
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $6299 
All 3 for Free: 10 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package and $1,000 Shipboard Credit
Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit

Caribbean Hideaways > Miami to Miami - 10 days / January 23, 2017 / Riviera
Veranda Stateroom Fares from $2899 
Choose one: 8 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package or $800 Shipboard Credit Plus: Free Airfare, Unlimited Internet and Our Agency Exclusive additional $200 Shipboard Credit


Offers and fares are subject to change on 10/1/16. All fares and promotions are per person, based on double occupancy, for new bookings only and may be withdrawn at any time.  Amenities are per stateroom, subject to change. amenity must be chosen by final payment. Not all promotions are combinable.“Airfare” promotion does not include ground transfers and applies to coach, round trip flights only from select airports.. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to assign gateways based on availability. charges such as baggage fees may apply. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees, promotions and surcharges at any time. Ships’ Registry: Marshall Islands.