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VICTORIA CRUISES
DEBUTS
VICTORIA JENNA


The largest fleet of five-star vessels on
China’s Yangtze River just grew larger when Victoria Cruises introduced Victoria Jenna last fall. The line’s most luxurious vessel to date, Victoria Jenna carries 378 passengers. It has 35 junior suites, three deluxe suites and two elegant Shangri-La suites, and is the most spacious, most technologically advanced river cruise ship in the world. 

Opening routes make daily departures in each direction on the Yangtze River. Feature package is the popular ‘Three Gorges Highlights’ which includes onboard activities such as Tai Chi lessons, plus a visit to the huge dam in Sandouping that has literally ‘reconstructed’ the river and life along its shores. Package starts at $980 p/person double during high season; $920 during March, June thru Aug., and Nov. 2010.


Plans are underway to renovate sister ships Victoria Anna and Victoria Katarina to include the exclusive “Executive Suite Decks” offered on Victoria Jenna, featuring concierge service, suite accommodations, a private lounge area and à la carte restaurant.
www.victoriacruises.com


SAIL THE NORWEGIAN GEM

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem is worth a trip, especially at the discounted rates available from eCruises. cruise caribbean new york familyThe Gem lives up to its name with the option of dining at 12 restaurants serving everything from sushi to tapas. Pick your socializing spot from 11 bars; dance or listen to live music; or get your exercise at the four-lane bowling alley. Accommodations include exclusive Courtyard Villas and Garden Villas, plus several inter-connecting staterooms that appeal to families or groups.
Seven-night cruises from
New York stop in Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, with rates starting at $449 per person, double occupancy. Looking for a longer vacation? The ten-night itinerary visits San Juan, St. Thomas, St. John’s, St. Maarten and Tortola. Rates start at $699 per person double.  www.eCruises.com 


SUPER CRUISE SPECIALS PLUS REDUCED LUXURY CRUISE RATES AND FREE AIR ON REGENT WITH SUPER PERKS

Regent Seven Seas makes luxury cruising affordable by raising the bar while lowering rates when you book select 2010 trips through eCruises.com and also receive  FREE travel insurance covering the entire trip.  Here's a partial listing for Seven Seas Navigator departures from Fort Lauderdale, factoring in 2-for-1 savings and airfare (where applicable) with per person rates based on double occupancy.

 

Feb. 26 for 10 nights to Cayman Islands, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. $3,995

March 8 on an 11 night cruise, making calls on Grand Turk, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. John's, St. Maarten, St. Barts, San Juan and the Bahamas.  $4,495

April 9, 2010 for five nights visiting the Bahamas, Grand Turk, and Key West$2,395

Full list of sailings at www.eCruises.com

 

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 CRUISING IN QUEBEC

The Port of Québec recently welcomed its 500,000th cruise passenger to disembark in Quebec City since the cruise ship terminal opened in 2002! Over 125 000 cruise passengers and crew members passed through Québec City this Fall alone, to immerse in a French experience, do a little leaf peeping and enjoy the region's many attractions.

The port has become so popular with cruisers, it has now been chosen by two Italian cruise lines, Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises, as a stop for their floating giants on 2010 schedules. Both Costa Atlantica (2,680 passengers) and MSC Poesia (3,013 passengers) stand out due to their unique itineraries, Mediterranean style, and Italian cuisine. Add the French touch while in port at Quebec City, and the cruise takes on a distinct International flavor.  www.portquebec.ca

EXPLORE EGYPT WITH VARIETY CRUISES

See Egypt on Variety Cruises’ 7-night Red Sea Wonders sailings, operating through April 2, 2010. Fares start at $1,990 per person per week.

Red Sea Wonders makes an extraordinary journey through Egypt’s historical Red Sea and its diverse natural and cultural beauty. The very modern HARMONY V departs from Hurghada, visiting the Sinai Mountains and St. Catherine's monastery in Sharm El Sheikh, the cities of Aqaba and Petra in Jordan, and many more exciting sites. And of course, travelers have the option to plunge into the famous Red Sea underwater world, one of the globe’s most amazing dive spots.  www.varietycruises.com


GONE CRUISIN'

Find Your Cruise Niche. Whether it’s cruising on a river, four-masted schooner, barge or paddle wheel, you’ll find your dream trip at www.nichecruise.com. Click on Specialty Cruise Line tab for a brief description of several companies, and find the one catering to your special vision.

Shore Excursions. To avoid the herd aspect of cruise passenger sightseeing, contact www.autoventure.com. A private car and an English-speaking driver/guide will meet your ship and show you around in comfort…from the U.S. and Canada to Europe and the South Pacific. Auto Venture also does airport transfers, long distance tours and custom itineraries.

Latest Cruise Trend.  Free Yoga for Kids classes debut this fall on Princess Cruises, open to children as young as three years old. Kids will have their own area, but not in the fitness center where adult yoga takes place. Parents can join in for the 30-minute to one-hour sessions.

Royal Caribbean devotes an entire spa to kids on its newest Oasis of the Seas,  launched in late 2009.