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Royal Caribbean International’s President & CEO, Adam Goldstein, braved the open ocean on Saturday, November 20, 2010, for a once-in-a-lifetime gifting opportunity between the world’s two largest and most revolutionary cruise ships, sister ships Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

In a friendly case of sibling rivalry, Mr. Goldstein delivered to Oasis an oversized ruler on behalf of her newly debuted sister ship as a reminder that while Allure might be younger, she is in fact bigger.

It has been confirmed by Allure’s captain, Hernan Zini, that his ship is five centimeters longer than Oasis of the Seas, allowing room for more exciting new dining, retail, and entertainment options, including the DreamWorks experience, and Royal Caribbean’s signature Gold Anchor Service.

Hurtigruten is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of famed polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen with an eight-day “Climate Voyage” — a journey to the Northern Arctic lands of the Svalbard Archipelago — made complete with fascinating shore landings, informative lectures and thought-provoking discussions. With stops at the isolated Jan Mayen Island, the University Centre at Longyearbyen and the world’s northernmost community of Ny Alesund – among others – the voyage delves deep into arctic history to provide a greater understanding of the effects of climate change. Early-booking prices for the July 21, 2011 voyage range from $3,010 to $4,443 per person, double, and must be booked by Dec. 31; prices for reservations made after this date range from $3,763 to $5,554.

Following in the oceanographic traditions of Fridtjof Nansen, the MS Fram departs from Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik and heads north in a path forged by the Viking mariners of the 13th century. Guests enjoy a series of lectures on a wide range of climatic and natural themes before arriving at the remote outpost of Jan Mayen Island, where the expedition team does their utmost to facilitate a landing. In Spitsbergen, the Fram stops in Longyearbyen – an Arctic outpost at the center of a climatic struggle and home to the famous University Centre – before heading to Ny Alesund, where guests have a chance to cross the 80th parallel and see walruses, whales and polar bears. A polar barbecue on the shores of Isfjorden, the largest fjord complex in Spitsbergen, provides an incredible finale for the trip before the ship returns to Longyearbyen.

Fare includes the voyage in the cabin grade of your choice; transfers as applicable; flights between Longyearbyen and Oslo, including all taxes and fees; one night in Longyearbyen prior to the voyage, inclusive of breakfast and city sightseeing; all meals on board; and a wind and water proof jacket. International flights and optional excursions – including a pre-voyage extension in Iceland – are additional.

Guests on Crystal Symphony’s February 7 cruise will be treated to distinctly South American flavors, both on and off the ship. Sailing from Buenos Aires to Miami, Brazilian and Argentinian culinary and wine experts will spice up Crystal Cruises’ South American and Caribbean Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery itinerary with tastings, demos, and specially crafted menus.

Setting the perfect scene for Latin cuisine are:
Neriton Vasconcelos – Owner and head chef of The Galley, one of the most exclusive restaurants in São Paulo,

Matias Kyriazis & Estefania di Benedetto – Owners and chefs at Paraje Arevalo in Buenos Aires, whose cuisine Travel + Leisure called “decadent” and “artful;” and

Eugenio Jardim – A Brazilian native and wine expert, now the wine director at San Francisco’s Jardiniere with a reputation for seeking out unique and exciting vintages.

Celebrated “Modern Mixologist” Tony Abou-Ganim mixes it up with onboard cocktail making sessions and tips and techniques on creating local concoctions.

Crystal’s expert chefs will lead hands-on instruction and guests can opt for hands-on cooking lessons at a local Brazilian restaurant.

“South America has such rich culinary history and culture, and we are thrilled to showcase the region with the techniques and specialties of these culinary talents,” says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food and beverage.

Per person, promotional Two-for-one cruise fares for the 16-day voyage start at $5,220 (double occupancy), and include $1,000 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard credit. Crystal’s Family Memories program offers groups and families a host of perks, including a complimentary berth for every 10 full-fare guests. As a special bonus, travelers can save $2,000 per couple off Penthouse and Verandah staterooms for bookings made by December 31, 2010.

Responding to increasingly strong demand for some of its more exotic itineraries, The Yachts of Seabourn has announced some changes in the published itineraries of two of its intimate, award-winning yachts during the first quarter of 2012.

The 208-guest Seabourn Pride, which had been scheduled to sail 12-day cruises of Vietnam and Thailand between Hong Kong and Bangkok, will instead sail between Hong Kong and Singapore on five 14-day voyages that will each include a call at the up-and-coming beach resort community of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. Departure dates are scheduled between January 4 and March 14, 2012. The revised schedule also includes one 14-day voyage departing February 15, 2012, and sailing round trip from Singapore to Penang, Phuket, Langkawi, Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, the Malaysian metropolis of Kuala Lumpur and more.

The intimate Seabourn Legend will start 2012 sailing among the myriad islands of the Indonesian Archipelago, on 10- and 12-day itineraries between Singapore and Bali that include hard-to-reach places such as Komodo, Sumba, Flores, Gili Sudak and Kura Kura. Five departures are scheduled between January 3 and February 16, 2012.

“Southeast Asia has been a perennial favorite of our guests for many years, because our yachts can take them places that are difficult to visit otherwise,” noted Seabourn President & CEO Pamela Conover. “And as we have added new destinations within the region in the past two years,” she continued, “our guests have responded with increasing enthusiasm, and so we are adjusting our schedule in order to satisfy their desire for more of these exotic and unforgettable experiences.”

Following the additional Southeast Asian voyages, each of the two Seabourn yachts will reposition to Europe on a pair of longer voyages, the Jewels of India & Arabia sailing from Singapore to Dubai in 18 days and then the Wonders of Arabia & Egypt from Dubai into Athens in another 18 days.

Special Seabourn Value Fares offer savings up to 65 percent, with fares starting from $3,999 per person, based on double occupancy.

Beginning Friday, MSC is offering special rates on select 7-night Caribbean cruises for less than $40 per day with rates from $269 per person and up to a three-category upgrade on the Jan. 9, 2011 cruise for this “Black Friday Sale,” beginning Nov. 26 through Nov. 29.

Guests who book these Eastern or Western Caribbean cruises can experience destinations in Mexico, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and more, from just $269 per person plus government fees and taxes (GFTs). MSC Poesia departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. during this “Black Friday Sale” with Caribbean cruises including:

• Eastern Caribbean cruises, call in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau Bahamas; departs Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 with cruise rates from $269 per person plus GFTs of $69.62; Jan. 9 with cruise rates from $299 plus up to a three-category upgrade; Jan. 23 cruise rates from $329;

• Western Caribbean cruises, call Key West, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico; departs Dec. 5 with cruise rates from $269 and Dec. 19, rates from $349 plus GFTs of $81.35; Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 with cruise rates from $329 plus GFTs of $69.62.

Cruise-only rates are per person, double occupancy for residents of the U.S. and Canada. Offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion and may be withdrawn without notice. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability and restrictions apply.

The Tian Di Bamboo massage is a new and unique style of bodywork that incorporates many aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. This lavish full body treatment incorporates healing techniques of the Pacific Rim and Tibet and is performed entirely with heated bamboo.

Tian Di means “Heaven” and “Earth” in Chinese, words which so perfectly evoke the alluring significance and effects of this ancient therapy. Already the treatment has been unanimously acclaimed by MSC guests in the season just launched in South America aboard MSC Orchestra, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Armonia and MSC Musica. It will be available in all MSC Aurea Spa wellness centers aboard ships sailing in the Mediterranean next summer.

“As we work,” explains the MSC Orchestra SPA Manager Dania Brito Cruz “we apply pressure to the body with various warm bamboo sticks and the resulting “earthy” friction simply melts away the tension of the client while creating a deeply relaxing, soothing and utterly “heavenly” experience.”

For centuries bamboo has been a vital part of everyday life throughout South East Asia. Different bamboo “tools” – known as Cho sticks – are specially designed to work on particular parts of the body and the effect is maximized by using sliding, kneading, rolling, pivoting, tapping and friction techniques. Because the tools cover such a broad area at one time they afford some of the most effective and enjoyable work imaginable especially on typically troublesome areas like the neck, shoulders, back and legs.

Why Bamboo?
• No allergic reaction: Many people are allergic to natural fibers, such as wool. Bamboo has had the smallest number of allergic reactions with people.
• Anti-bacterial: Bamboo is aggressively anti-bacterial. It has a natural property called bamboo kun that kills up to 70% of any bacteria attempting to incubate on the bamboo.
• Circulation: Enhanced circulation will remove stagnant toxins and move blood throughout the body, improving internal respiration. Oxygenated blood will return nutrition and assist in the healing cells and tissues in the affected areas.

The Tian Di Bamboo massage lasts 45 minutes.

Reba McEntire, one of the biggest names in the American country music industry has officially christened the ‘Norwegian Epic’. The event which took place on the 2nd of July, was hosted by the equally popular comedian Jeff Garlin of the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fame. Apart from Reba McEntire, the launch ceremony of the ‘Norwegian Epic’ also boasts the names of stars like Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams and Dinner. Renowned performers like Madonna and Tina Turner were also present to grace the occasion.

The ‘Norwegian Epic’ has been hailed as the Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest Freestyle Cruising ship. Hence it was apt that a grand lady like Reba McEntire be chosen to christen such a grand ship as the ‘Norwegian Epic’. Speaking at the end of the ceremony, Reba McEntire said that she was simply “thrilled” when she got to know that it was her name which had been rounded upon for the christening of the cruising ship. The musician stressed that like any other observer she too has become a fan of the ship and its extravagant ornamentation.

The ‘Norwegian Epic’ houses some of the most lovely restaurants and very comfortable accommodations as part of its grand interiors. The ship was initially kept at the Pier 88 of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, before it set sail on the waters, and again returned to its place at the piers where it was made a part of the celebrations ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks’.

The christening ceremony of the ‘Norwegian Epic’ took place for an hour with Reba McEntire popping open the bottle to finally mark the end of the programme.

When the Norwegian Epic glides through Government Cut to its new home in Miami Wednesday afternoon, it will bring a host of industry firsts, including an ice bar, cabins for solo travelers and performances by the hip Blue Man Group.

But perhaps the most important “first” for Miami is that it’s coming at all. Though a flotilla of new cruise ships have moved to South Florida in recent years, Epic is the first new megaliner since 2007 to call the Port of Miami home. South Floridians can watch the vessel arrive around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at a party in Miami’s Bicentennial Park.

“We are bringing our best ship into Miami because we’re proud of where we live and work,” said Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Miami-based NCL Corp. “We believe that the people of Miami deserve to have the best ship in the market there.”

According to Port of Miami estimates, the Epic will carry about 300,000 passengers and will bring 90,000 passengers to Miami International Airport annually. The ship will support 1,000 jobs throughout the state and provide $3.5 million in annual revenues through fees.

Other buzz-worthy new ships — notably Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, the largest liner afloat, and the Carnival Dream, both introduced in 2009 — berth to the north. Oasis and its soon-to-arrive sister ship, Allure of the Seas, are based at Port Everglades in Broward County. Carnival Dream is based at Port Canaveral.

ANTICIPATION

Tourism officials have been counting down to the Epic’s arrival for months as port workers put the finishing touches on refurbished terminals that serve the cruise line, including a new roof, flooring, tile, paint, furniture and canopy system.

“Everybody’s excited,” said Port of Miami director Bill Johnson. “It’s not often you get a vessel like the Epic.”

There was a time when the ship seemed unlikely to ever make it to Miami. In its wake: a rocky patch of company upheaval, shipyard strife and a last-minute fire.

NCL’s original plan called for two ships, with the first launching in January 2010. After a dispute with shipyard STX Europe over cost overruns, NCL slimmed its order to a single ship, taking a nearly $130 million loss. During the standstill, the shipyard in France tried to sell the hull, but no one was interested in its unusual design.

“We have faced a lot of challenges in getting this ship up to snuff,” Sheehan said at the ship’s christening last week in New York.

Sheehan took over first as president and then CEO in 2008, and resolved the dispute with the shipyard. Work proceeded until shortly before Epic was scheduled to leave the shipyard in France, when a fire damaged cables on the ship. That forced frantic nonstop work so the ship could keep its schedule.

But by the Fourth of July, the ship was safely in New York, hosting the Macy’s holiday fireworks special and showing off to a national audience on NBC.

With positive buzz for its new $1.2 billion baby in newspapers, cruise websites and on TV after its trans-Atlantic voyage and last week’s U.S. debut in New York, the company sees smoother sailing ahead.

Epic’s success will increase brand awareness — and potentially market share — for the privately owned NCL, which has often been overshadowed by its larger competitors, Carnival and Royal Caribbean. To differentiate itself, a decade ago NCL introduced the concept of less structured “freestyle” cruising, with a wide array of dining choices that have influenced the industry.

Epic features 20 dining outlets and hopes to kick up its reputation for entertainment with Las Vegas-style shows, including Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams & Dinner and Legends in Concert.

Entertainment will be the ship’s calling card, predicts Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of CruiseCritic.com . “This is really if you love shows: fun shows, wacky shows, offbeat shows. It’s got things that have never been on a ship before.”

DESIGN REACTION

What’s not getting rave reviews: the ship’s design, which has been described as everything from “distinctive” to “bulbous” to “probably the ugliest exterior ever designed.”

That last description comes from cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron, chief executive of Miami-based Cruiseguy.com.

Still, he and other industry watchers say the ship’s draw is “not what’s on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside.”

Epic will be “a jolt of caffeine” for Miami that will draw new visitors to the city, Brown said.

That sounds good to William Talbert III, president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, who is banking on the new ship to entice tourists who will extend their vacations in the area after their voyage.

“When it arrives, we’ll kick the tires and experience the excitement,” Talbert said. “For Miami, it will be a very great day.”

Add Norwegian Cruise Line to the list of cruise companies offering a summer promotion to jump start bookings.

The company’s new “Hello Balcony!” offer, announced Tuesday, gives customers who book an ocean-view cabin by Aug. 1 a free upgrade to a balcony cabin.

The offer is available on select sailings fleet-wide, the line says, and the free upgrade also applies to other cabin categories. Passengers booking inside cabins, for instance, can get an upgrade to an ocean-view cabin.

As part of the promotion, Norwegian also is letting passengers who book on its newest ship — the just-unveiled Norwegian Epic — put down half the standard cruise deposit and is giving them up to $150 in on-board credit per cabin (based on cruise length and category).

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The line says the “Hello Balcony!” promotion can be combined with the recently announced Fly, Sail and Save offer for the new Norwegian Epic. The Fly, Sail and Save offer gives customers who book the Epic discounted $99 flights, plus air and port transfers, to reach the ship from 16 gateway cities when purchasing a balcony or deluxe balcony cabin.