Crystal Cruises has pulled the ultimate rabbit out of a hat with a new, industry-first program entitled “Magic Castle at Sea.” Thanks to an exclusive arrangement magically orchestrated by Master Magician Rich Bloch, magicians from Hollywood’s renowned private magicians’ club, the Magic Castle, will come aboard to entertain and mystify guests of all ages.
Starting today aboard Crystal Symphony and on August 6’s Crystal Serenity voyage, the incredibly intimate evening shows add yet another live entertainment option to 13 luxury European cruises this year, and every voyage in 2013. The new affiliation also offers complimentary classes for adults to develop their own magical acts, educational enrichment on subjects like Houdini, and children’s shows on select summer and holiday sailings...plus access to the secret Castle itself when in Los Angeles.
“Considering club guests can only gain entrance if they’re in LA and invited by a member, Crystal’s Magic Castle at Sea provides rare access to a truly spellbinding entertainment experience,” says Crystal’s Vice President of Entertainment, Bret Bullock. “We’re thrilled to offer our guests yet another unique choice in high-caliber vacation fun.”
Like at the Magic Castle itself, on-board performances are “invitation-only,” with advance, complimentary “invitations”/tickets available at the ships’ libraries. Guests can choose from multiple, half-hour performances over the course of several nights. Come showtime, they enter a special entrance to find the ship’s Pulse or Luxe lounge transformed into the mysterious spirit of the Victorian-era Castle, with flameless candles, lighting, music, murals, bookshelves and magic movies from the 1920’s. With attendance limited to just 25, audience members are privy to an extremely up-close look at sleight-of-hand tricks, impossible feats, and bewitching hocus pocus.
After vacation’s end, invitations can further be used for one-time access to the real Magic Castle in Hollywood. Show attendees must call the number on the back of their used ticket to reserve entry, then present the same ticket upon arrival at the Castle.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Monday, 23 July 2012
Cruise Ships to be Banned from Venice?
The long-running row over large cruise ships entering the Venice lagoon escalated this week with the news the Italian government is considering a law to ban them entirely.
The environment committee of Italy's parliament is at the review stage of a bill, which could give the city council powers over the surrounding waters. A ministerial decree was issued in March banning ships over 40,000 tonnes -- mid-sized ships -- from sailing too close to the Doge's Palace, but it will only come into force once an alternative solution has been found.
Following the Costa Concordia disaster, UNESCO appealed to the Italian authorities to ban large ships from entering the San Marco basin and Giudeccia canal, due to the environmental damage they cause. Increasing numbers of ships are mooring in the port, at the end of the Grand Canal. But although the authorities agreed in principle nothing has changed.
The senator for Venice Felice Casson want to go a stage further –- banning all ships of more 30,000 tonnes from entering the lagoon. Casson wants the ships to dock outside either at Malamocco or a custom-built offshore port near the future Mose barrier [designed to protect the historic city].
A 30,000-ton ship is classified as “small” by today's standards; P&O's Adonia is 30,200 tons and carries 710 people, for example.
This row escalated with the arrival of the new MSC Divina, one of the largest ships ever to visit the historic city. Divina was greeted with huge banners saying ‘No Grandi Navi' (‘No big ships'). Venice, as one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean, depends heavily on cruise tourism.
"The two or three big cruise operators which control international business have massive clout,"said Francesco Bandarin, Unesco assistant director general for culture.
The head of the local council, Giorgio Orsoni, worries about the damage to the city's foundations from ships passing through the Giudeccia canal, only 10 metres deep. The water they displace acts as a pump for the seabed, shaking even the San Marco basilica.
"We are victims of the state," Orsoni added. "The big cruise ships deal with the port authorities who report to central government. [The ships] pay €40,000 ($49,000) each time they moor, with 3,500 calls a year, but Venice gets nothing out of it. The 2 million passengers who disembark spend very little, maybe just buying a drink."
The state of the lagoon is a deep cause of concern. "The wash churned up by the ships is hollowing out the seabed and gradually turning the lagoon into an inlet of the Adriatic," warned Angelo Marzollo, the author of a Unesco report. "The erosion is particularly bad in the southern part."
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The environment committee of Italy's parliament is at the review stage of a bill, which could give the city council powers over the surrounding waters. A ministerial decree was issued in March banning ships over 40,000 tonnes -- mid-sized ships -- from sailing too close to the Doge's Palace, but it will only come into force once an alternative solution has been found.
Following the Costa Concordia disaster, UNESCO appealed to the Italian authorities to ban large ships from entering the San Marco basin and Giudeccia canal, due to the environmental damage they cause. Increasing numbers of ships are mooring in the port, at the end of the Grand Canal. But although the authorities agreed in principle nothing has changed.
The senator for Venice Felice Casson want to go a stage further –- banning all ships of more 30,000 tonnes from entering the lagoon. Casson wants the ships to dock outside either at Malamocco or a custom-built offshore port near the future Mose barrier [designed to protect the historic city].
A 30,000-ton ship is classified as “small” by today's standards; P&O's Adonia is 30,200 tons and carries 710 people, for example.
This row escalated with the arrival of the new MSC Divina, one of the largest ships ever to visit the historic city. Divina was greeted with huge banners saying ‘No Grandi Navi' (‘No big ships'). Venice, as one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean, depends heavily on cruise tourism.
"The two or three big cruise operators which control international business have massive clout,"said Francesco Bandarin, Unesco assistant director general for culture.
The head of the local council, Giorgio Orsoni, worries about the damage to the city's foundations from ships passing through the Giudeccia canal, only 10 metres deep. The water they displace acts as a pump for the seabed, shaking even the San Marco basilica.
"We are victims of the state," Orsoni added. "The big cruise ships deal with the port authorities who report to central government. [The ships] pay €40,000 ($49,000) each time they moor, with 3,500 calls a year, but Venice gets nothing out of it. The 2 million passengers who disembark spend very little, maybe just buying a drink."
The state of the lagoon is a deep cause of concern. "The wash churned up by the ships is hollowing out the seabed and gradually turning the lagoon into an inlet of the Adriatic," warned Angelo Marzollo, the author of a Unesco report. "The erosion is particularly bad in the southern part."
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Fred Olsen Becomes Latest Line to Launch Price Promise
The Fred. Olsen Price Pledge means that if the price of the cruise is reduced for the cabin grade booked, Fred. Olsen will refund the difference through one or a combination of measures - a cabin upgrade, onboard credit (O.B.C.), or a cash refund.
The price pledge is applicable on bookings made from today (July 20th, 2012) to September 30th 2012, and applies to all sailings departing on or after April 6th, 2013 and which are featured in the current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, except for the world cruises.
The moves follows that of Carnival, which introduced an Early Saver Promise into the U.K. market for the first time earlier this year; and P&O and Cunard, which both introduced Vantage Fares this week. Saga Cruises was in fact the first line to have an early booking promise, and has had this available to passengers for the past three years. Like P&O and Cunard's Vantage Fares, Saga's early price promise allows you to choose your cabin and if the price of a cruise is reduced - even for a day - the line contacts you and offers a reimbursement, again either in the form of O.B.C, an upgrade or refund.
Fred. Olsen has confirmed it will contact all guests entitled to refunds or upgrades before the cruise departure date to advise them of how they have benefitted.
Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We want to offer our guests the best possible deal on their cruise with us, and by booking early with the Fred. Olsen Price Pledge, they will have the peace of mind that, should the cruise price reduce, then we will make up the difference, whilst they will be able to secure the best choice of cruise and cabins.”
The line also confirmed it will offer more ‘all-inclusive' cruises. The move follows a trial period with four limited-availability itineraries. The all-inclusive offers, which include drinks, but not tips, will now be extended to all cruise departures on or after April 6th, 2013 and featured in its current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, for bookings before September 30th, 2012. The offer also excludes the world cruises and is limited to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September 2012. The deal will also be added to all applicable bookings retrospectively.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The price pledge is applicable on bookings made from today (July 20th, 2012) to September 30th 2012, and applies to all sailings departing on or after April 6th, 2013 and which are featured in the current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, except for the world cruises.
The moves follows that of Carnival, which introduced an Early Saver Promise into the U.K. market for the first time earlier this year; and P&O and Cunard, which both introduced Vantage Fares this week. Saga Cruises was in fact the first line to have an early booking promise, and has had this available to passengers for the past three years. Like P&O and Cunard's Vantage Fares, Saga's early price promise allows you to choose your cabin and if the price of a cruise is reduced - even for a day - the line contacts you and offers a reimbursement, again either in the form of O.B.C, an upgrade or refund.
Fred. Olsen has confirmed it will contact all guests entitled to refunds or upgrades before the cruise departure date to advise them of how they have benefitted.
Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We want to offer our guests the best possible deal on their cruise with us, and by booking early with the Fred. Olsen Price Pledge, they will have the peace of mind that, should the cruise price reduce, then we will make up the difference, whilst they will be able to secure the best choice of cruise and cabins.”
The line also confirmed it will offer more ‘all-inclusive' cruises. The move follows a trial period with four limited-availability itineraries. The all-inclusive offers, which include drinks, but not tips, will now be extended to all cruise departures on or after April 6th, 2013 and featured in its current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, for bookings before September 30th, 2012. The offer also excludes the world cruises and is limited to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September 2012. The deal will also be added to all applicable bookings retrospectively.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Viking River Cruises Orders Two More Ships for 2013
Viking River Cruises has announced it has placed an order for two additional Viking Longships in 2013. This brings the number of new ships launching next year to eight – an industry first – and a total of 14 new Viking Longships over a two year period.
“As the fastest-growing segment of travel, river cruising is inspiring more vacation plans than ever before,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “We are very pleased by the response we have seen to our new Viking Longships, and we are continuing our expansion to meet that demand.”
Viking Longships integrate patent-pending design and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends, such as:
• Two Explorer Suites, the largest river cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet, each featuring a separate living room, bedroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.
• Seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom.
• Thirty-nine Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas.
• Twenty-two French Balcony Staterooms.
• A revolutionary new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, which reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing guests to enjoy the scenery and dine al fresco.
• New premium in-cabin amenities that include heated bathroom floors and mirrors, Sony HD TV’s and premium bath products.
• Sustainability upgrades, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines that reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.
Accommodating 190 passengers, the ships are scheduled to sail four of Viking’s most popular European itineraries, including the 10-day Tulips & Windmills, 8-day Romantic Danube, 15-day Grand European Tour and 8-day Danube Waltz. The two newest ships, Viking Jarl and Viking Atla, will host guests on the 8-day Rhine Getaway cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel. Each of the new Viking Longships will be 443 feet (135 meters) long and will feature 95 staterooms per ship.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
“As the fastest-growing segment of travel, river cruising is inspiring more vacation plans than ever before,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “We are very pleased by the response we have seen to our new Viking Longships, and we are continuing our expansion to meet that demand.”
Viking Longships integrate patent-pending design and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends, such as:
• Two Explorer Suites, the largest river cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet, each featuring a separate living room, bedroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.
• Seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom.
• Thirty-nine Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas.
• Twenty-two French Balcony Staterooms.
• A revolutionary new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, which reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing guests to enjoy the scenery and dine al fresco.
• New premium in-cabin amenities that include heated bathroom floors and mirrors, Sony HD TV’s and premium bath products.
• Sustainability upgrades, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines that reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.
Accommodating 190 passengers, the ships are scheduled to sail four of Viking’s most popular European itineraries, including the 10-day Tulips & Windmills, 8-day Romantic Danube, 15-day Grand European Tour and 8-day Danube Waltz. The two newest ships, Viking Jarl and Viking Atla, will host guests on the 8-day Rhine Getaway cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel. Each of the new Viking Longships will be 443 feet (135 meters) long and will feature 95 staterooms per ship.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Friday, 20 July 2012
Windstar Cruises Releases 2013 Voyage Collection
Windstar Cruises has just released its new 120-page Voyage Collection Brochure showcasing the 2013 sailings.
The brochure gives detailed information on itinerary schedules, destination information and news on Windstar’s renovations.
Windstar Cruises 2013 deployment features sailings in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Northern Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Greek Isles and the Transatlantic Crossings. The brochure showcases the unique voyages day-by-day, such as the signature Greek Isles and Turkish Delights, or the new Idyllic British Islands, giving an in-depth look at adventures off the ship.
Seven new voyages will debut in 2013. Among those sailing for the first time are Footsteps of Faith, which explores the origins of world religions between Athens and Alexandria and the Gaelic Explorers, a journey through the hills and highlands, castles and pubs of Scotland and Ireland.
Along with the enticing collection of voyages, the new Voyage Collection brochure also shares the floor-plans for the newly renovated Wind Star and the soon-to-be renovated Wind Surf and Wind Spirit. The $18 million, fleet-wide renovation features completely redesigned staterooms and a new level of casual elegance onboard in all public areas.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The brochure gives detailed information on itinerary schedules, destination information and news on Windstar’s renovations.
Windstar Cruises 2013 deployment features sailings in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Northern Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Greek Isles and the Transatlantic Crossings. The brochure showcases the unique voyages day-by-day, such as the signature Greek Isles and Turkish Delights, or the new Idyllic British Islands, giving an in-depth look at adventures off the ship.
Seven new voyages will debut in 2013. Among those sailing for the first time are Footsteps of Faith, which explores the origins of world religions between Athens and Alexandria and the Gaelic Explorers, a journey through the hills and highlands, castles and pubs of Scotland and Ireland.
Along with the enticing collection of voyages, the new Voyage Collection brochure also shares the floor-plans for the newly renovated Wind Star and the soon-to-be renovated Wind Surf and Wind Spirit. The $18 million, fleet-wide renovation features completely redesigned staterooms and a new level of casual elegance onboard in all public areas.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
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