Holland America’s Cancellation Plan: Guests Can Cancel “For Any Reason”

Holland America Line guests who purchase the line’s Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) can cancel their cruise or CruiseTour for any reason and receive a refund of up to 90 percent of the cruise fare paid. Holland America Line now also permits CPP coverage to be added any time after booking, as long as it is purchased before the date cancellation fees begin — or 75 days prior to the departure date for most sailings. “Many of our guests book several months before their cruise and we understand that things happen,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales

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MSC Cruises’ Family Plan for Four

The entire family can experience the beauty of the Caribbean during the holidays on 7-night cruises onboard MSC Poesia and save with MSC Cruises’ Family Plan offer for four guests on an affordable family vacation through December 31, 2010. Guests who book a balcony stateroom during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve Caribbean cruises can save up to 50 percent off a connecting balcony stateroom for an affordable family vacation. This special Family Plan offer applies for adjoining Category 9, 10 or 11 Balcony Superior staterooms (accommodating up to four guests) on 7-night, Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises departing

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Holland America: Fall 2011 and 2012 Grand Voyages

In fall 2011 and early 2012, Holland America Line again will offer grand voyages that touch all seven continents. The ms Amsterdam and ms Prinsendam each sail two itineraries designed to discover and explore remarkable destinations — from famous landmarks to smaller, lesser-known ports. Amsterdam sails a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage in fall 2011 and then returns to world cruising in January 2012 with a 112-day Grand World Voyage that visits the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the Mediterranean. Following its 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January, Prinsendam will depart in March to the

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Dance With The Stars On An MSC Cruise

MSC Melody Cruise leader MSC Cruises isn’t just renowned for spacious ships with sumptuous designer interiors, superb cuisine and friendly Italian service. It’s equally famous for its creative themed cruises. From Chess and Card Games to Arts and Crafts, Food and Wine, Dance, Wellbeing and Beauty, there’s a choice for everyone to combine their personal passion with a voyage of relaxation, entertainment and discovery. Upping the tempo, the family-owned company with a personal touch has just announced its 2010-2011 dance cruises, setting feet tapping in anticipation with a spectacular choice of 18-day cruises across the Atlantic, and one week Baila

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Itchy and Scratchy: Are There Bed Bugs on Your Cruise Ship?

Bed bugs have long been the bane of hostels and motels, even luxury hotels. But after months of occupying a prominent place in headlines around the globe, we wondered: Are they on cruise ships as well?The short answer: Yes, and they’re equally content to feed on the blood of both the budget-minded and big spenders.Cruise ship infestations are rare, but they do occur. Cruise travelers have complained about possible bed bugs on recent Carnival cruises, and an outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas caught media attention in early 2005. For those with morbid curiosities, Web site CruiseBruise.com keeps

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New Kids on the Block Rock Carnival’s Destiny

NKOTB “Back in the Day” Rock Out ‘80’s Style to the Bahamas Liam P. Cusack Editor (3:48 p.m. EDT) — The New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) are together again and will set sail for the Bahamas on Carnival Destiny. The boy band that made teen girls scream and swoon in the ’80’s and early ’90’s has grown up — and are quickly becoming the kings of the theme cruise world. Veteran cruisers the “Kids” sold out their first concert cruise in 2009, crashing the cruise lines reservation computer systems process. Their last cruise was sold out, as well. The

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Cunard’s Newest Royal Performance

Liam P. Cusack New York, NY   When Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth enters service in October 2010 Cunard will be introducing an original concept in theatrical entertainment, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company – the first and only resident theatre company at sea. Guests will enjoy a brand new repertoire of shows premiered by the theatre company’s 29 singers, dancers, actors and musicians. New shows will include the hit “Slice of Saturday Night,” a nostalgic pastiche of 1960s music. Adapted especially for the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company by its original writers, the Heather Brothers, “Slice of Saturday Night” features all of

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Tropical Storm Colin forces Bermuda Itinerary Changes

  Weather Alert!   (12:00 p.m. EDT) — Tropical Storm Colin, the third named storm of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, has been slow and disorganized over the past 24 hours, but is expected to reach the island of Bermuda early Sunday morning.According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is currently located about 245 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and has been stationary for the past several hours. Maximum sustained winds have reached 40 miles per hour, and the NHC is predicting an increase in forward speed later today as Colin heads north-northeast. Cruise Ship Itinerary Changes: A Royal Caribbean

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Cruise Lines Change Itineraries: Greek Strikes to Blame

Liam P. Cusack New York, NY (ATHENS, GREECE) Greek workers staged the sixth general strike of the year taking their anger to the streets to protest the government’s austerity measures related to pay and pensions. The strikes halted public transport in Athens, including trains and ferries, and planes were grounded reported the Associated Press. Two cruise ships were scheduled to make port calls to Athens today. Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, which was originally scheduled to remain overnight in Athens and depart today, sailed from Athens at Midnight in order to avoid the protests the ship will visit Navplion today instead.

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