Greetings!
Springing into Spring
Spring brings with it an enormous amount of news, none perhaps as dramatic as the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore. Most importantly, we grieve for the six lives lost and the impact on their families. In addition, the financial hit to the entire region, including the cruise industry, cannot be underestimated. Carnival Cruise Line alone anticipates a ten-million-dollar hit to its operations. It is now shifting all cruises out of Baltimore to Norfolk, Virginia. Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, which was scheduled to return to Baltimore on April 4, is now searching for a new port.
In happier cruise news, Princess Cruises' new “Love Boat,” the Sun Princess, has commenced its inaugural cruise season in the Mediterranean. Sun Princess features new venues, including The Dome, a glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired by the terraces of Santorini. The Sphere Atrium is the central Piazza hub of the ship with expansive ocean views and an open concept. Sun Princess houses 30 restaurant and bar venues with all-new concepts and celebrity collaborations. Further, it features the first-ever family activity zone, Park 19, offering multi-generational fun from the top deck.
In more positive cruise news, Celebrity became the first ocean cruise line to earn the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards in 2023—and they’re continuing to collect the accolades this year, with six of their ships receiving an official rating. Illustrating the importance of innovation and guest-centric service is the addition of Celebrity AscentSM, their newest Edge Series® ship, to the Four-Star list. Their six premium ships earning Star Ratings are Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Apex®, Celebrity Flora®, Celebrity Edge®, Celebrity Millennium®, and Celebrity Summit. Kudos to Celebrity!
Last month, we reported on the closing of American Queen Voyages. Its chief rival, American Cruise Lines, has revealed an expanded summer season of New England Cruises featuring six ships, including three new Coastal Cats. They will be sailing eight- to 15-day itineraries, including brand new Yankee Seaport cruises between Boston and New York City and new Hudson River Summer Classic cruises roundtrip from NYC. American’s coastal itineraries throughout New England are the only overnight cruises that remain within the US. They call at 20 New England Ports from May through September. The small ships visit ports in Plymouth, Bar Harbor, Bangor, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, Newport, Gloucester, and more.
Now, for some airline news, Delta has confirmed it will restart Israel flights this summer, following the lead from United. Delta said it will restart daily nonstop flights from JFK on June 7. In other airline news, Singapore Airlines unveiled its revamped Premium Economy Class in-flight service, with an expanded menu and new amenity kits. The upgraded service will be available on flights from 31 March 2024. Premium Economy Class customers will now be offered a glass of Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition NV champagne shortly after take-off. Meals will be served in custom-made porcelain Premium Economy Class serviceware.
Globus is offering a couple of excellent promotions. Book by April 30, 2024, and save 23% on select 2024 Globus Europe and North American Tours. In addition, book by April 30, 2024, and receive Free Air + $500 off per couple on select Avalon River cruises. Avalon has also just opened new Christmas market departures for 2024. Ready to sail on a Suite Ship or enjoy a wonderful land tour? Give us a call.
Alaska is experiencing exceptional demand. In addition to the previously announced opportunities, we are pleased to present yet another Alaskan opportunity. We have space on the Grand Princess from June 19 -26, 2024, from Vancouver to Whittier (Anchorage). Space is very limited!
In the February newsletter, we discussed our very positive experience on a Virgin Voyages cruise. From January 11 – 21, 2025, we will be sailing on the Resilient Lady on a round-trip voyage from San Juan, Puerto Rico. We hope you will Join Us!
Finally, for river cruise fans, please consider the Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on the Monarch Baroness, departing July 4. This one is almost sold out!
So, Where in the World Do You Want to Go?
Betty & Frank Villani
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7 Night Mexican Riviera
Roundtrip: San Diego
April 21 - 28, 2024
Disney Wonder
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Experience the magic of the Disney Wonder, saling to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada with 3 fabulaous sea days. |
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Best of Italy and Croatia
11 Nights
Rome to Raveena
May 13 - 24, 2024
Celebrity Constellation
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VISITING:
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy;
Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy;
Portofino, Italy;
Naples, Italy; Sicily (Messina), Italy; Brindisi, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy
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7 Nights - Mexican Riviera
Roundtrip: Los Angeles
June 14 - 21, 2024
Navigator of the Seas
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VISITING: Los Angeles, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mazatlan, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
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7 Day Voyage of the Glaciers
Vancouver to Anchorage
June 19 - 26, 2024
Grand Princess
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5 Ports: Vancouver, Canada;
Ketchikan, Alaska;
Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska;
Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska; College Fjord (Scenic Cruising), Alaska; Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska
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4 Nights - Catalina & Ensenada
Roundtrip: Los Angeles
June 24 - 28, 2024
Navigator of the Seas
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VISITING: Los Angeles, California; Catalina Island, California; Ensenada, Mexico |
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11 Day Rhine River Cruise
Basel to Amsterdam
July 4 - 14, 2024
Monarch Baroness
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Have an unforgettable journey visiting these stunning ports: Basel, Switzerland; Breisach, Germany; Strasbourg, France; Speyer, Germany; Koblenz and Cologne, Germany; and a full day in Amsterdam! |
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Join Us!
Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver to Jasper
July 4 - 13, 2024
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Enjoy 3 days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Gold Leaf Service, nine nights of hotel accommodations, gourmet meals, and unlimited beverages while onboard, lunch at the Columbia Icefields, Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk, Banff Gondola, all tours and transfers as specified in the itinerary, luggage handling/porterage at the hotels and train stations, prepaid gratuities for onboard Hosts.
Space is limited, so contact us as soon as possible!
See the video below for Rocky Mountaineer highlights.
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Join Us!
7 Day Alaska Gulf (Northbound)
Vancouver to Anchorage
July 13 - 20, 2024
Royal Princess
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Join Us! for a beautiful cruise to Alaska, visiting these 5 stunning ports:
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15-Day Off the Beaten Path
Alaska Cruisetour
Vancouver to Anchorage
Grand Princess
August 14 - 29
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Cruise first (7 days), followed by land (8 days)
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Best of Scandinavia
August 16 - 28, 2024
Roundtrip: Rotterdam
Celebrity Silhouette
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Enjoy 12 nights aboard the Celebrity Silhouette, visiting these amazing ports:
Rotterdam, Netherlands;
Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany;
Gdansk (Gdynia), Poland;
Visby, Sweden;
Tallinn, Estonia;
Stockholm, Sweden;
Copenhagen, Denmark
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North to Alaska
7 Nights
August 18 - 25, 2024
Roundtrip: Seattle
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Cruise the beautiful Majestic Princess to these 5 stunning ports:
Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier (scenic cruising), Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, Canada.
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Ancient Mediterranean Treasures Cruise
8 Days: September 18 - 25, 2024
Athens to Istanbul
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Visit 2 countries and 6 ports: Athens, Heraklion, and Rhodes in Greece and Ephesus, Troy, and Istanbul in Turkey, and discover the wonders of these ancient lands. |
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Turning Leaves
October 7 - 17, 2024
Boston to Quebec
Emerald Princess
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Experience the beauty of fall and visit these stunning ports:
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Join Us!
10 Night Voyage
Southern Caribbean
Round trip: San Juan
January 11 - 21, 2025
Resilient Lady
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Join Us! on the amazing Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady visiting Tortola, BVI; St. Kitts; Antigua & Barbuda; Martinique; Barbados; St Lucia and St Vincent from San Juan. This will be a fabulous cruise!
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Join Us!
11 Day Japan Explorer
Round trip: Tokyo, Japan
March 25 - April 5, 2025
Diamond Princess
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12 Nights British Isles Cruise
Roundtrip: Amsterdam
Celebrity Eclipse
April 27 - May 9, 2025
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Visiting 7 stunning ports:
Amsterdam, Netherlands;
Cork (Cobh), Ireland;
Waterford (Dunmore E.), Ireland;
Liverpool, England;
Holyhead, Wales;
Belfast, Northern Ireland;
Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland;
Lerwick, Scotland;
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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7 Day Mediterranean Cruise
Athens to Barcelona
June 21 - 28, 2025
Sun Princess
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Aboard the NEW Sun Princess.
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Mediterranean Cruise
Athens to Venice
October 5 - 15, 2025
Seven Seas Grandeur
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Sail aboard the luxurious Seven Seas Grandeur from Athens, Greece to Santorini, Greece; Heraklion (Crete), Greece; Katakolon, Greece; Tirana (Durres), Albania; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Zadar, Croatia; Koper, Slovenia and Venice, Italy. |
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