Debuting in May 2016, the Carnival Vista will be our newest and most innovative ship to date! One of the most exciting features of this new ship is the addition of two new accommodation classes! Tropics-inspired Havana Cabanas feature accommodations with private outdoor patios – complete with lounge chairs and hammock – that face the expanded Lanai ocean-air outdoor promenade and offer magnificent sea views in addition to easy access to the Havana Bar and Pool. Located within a new dedicated family zone on deck two, the new Family Harbor accommodations offer an array of deluxe ocean-view, balcony and interior staterooms that accommodate up to five family members. Parents and kids will have even more room to relax at the new, exclusive Family Harbor Lounge, a secluded space designed as the ultimate family hang out with large-screen TVs, games and complimentary breakfast and snacks. A special family concierge desk will be available here to assist families in making this their best vacation ever.
Most travelers are drawn to cruising by the all-inclusive price. However, the price is not totally all-inclusive. Yes, it includes the price of the ship, meals, and entertainment, but there are quite a few things it doesn’t include. First, make sure you add the taxes and port fees to the basic advertised price before making your final decision to purchase your cruise. Here are a few extras that can add up:
Don't get left behind in port – When the captain says that the ship is leaving port at 5:00, he means it. He isn’t going to wait around for those that lost track of time. If you get left behind in port, you are responsible for your own transportation to the next port or back home. The costs can be several thousand dollars each and will be even more complicated if you are traveling without a passport. Our advice? Plan on arriving back near the ship 1 1/2 to 2 hours before you are scheduled to leave. This not only gives you some time to shop in the port area, but also gives you plenty of leeway if you run into traffic or your taxi or bus has a breakdown on the way back. Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the introduction of à la carte specialty dining at the line's signature specialty restaurants, providing guests the freedom to savor an array of tastes and gourmet dishes and the flexibility to choose how many courses they wish to enjoy during their meal. Guests will experience the ultimate in Freestyle Cruising beginning this October on the all-new Norwegian Escape, where they can choose to dine at any of 11 complimentary dining options or experience new flavors at Norwegian's signature specialty restaurants La Cucina, Le Bistro, Cagney's Steakhouse and the new Bayamo by James Beard Award winning chef Jose Garces, on an à la carte basis. Norwegian's signature specialty restaurants on Norwegian Escape will feature enhanced menus that include favorite dishes and new tastes alike, offering guests the freedom to select how many courses they'd like to enjoy during their dinner, with per-item pricing. Whether guests wish to have a light meal of a favorite appetizer and soup or salad, or indulge in a multi-course dinner featuring Maine lobster, with Norwegian's new à la carte options guests will now have the opportunity to create their desired dining experience, just as they would at any land-based restaurant. At Cagney's Steakhouse, starters on the new à la carte menu range from $4.99 to $7.95 and main courses from $17.99 to $29.99, featuring Certified Angus Beef® brand steaks, the world's leading Angus brand and consumers' top choice for premium beef. At Le Bistro, guests will find delicious new main courses in addition to traditional French favorites, including Bouillabaisse, Pan-Seared Jumbo Bay Scallops and Veal Medallions with Sauce Morrel, starting at $15.99. And guests looking to find a taste of "la dolce vita" will be transported to the Mediterranean when they choose from an expanded menu at La Cucina, featuring antipasti, pasta, risotto and traditional secondi courses starting at $12.99 including Osso Buco alla Milanese, Free-Range Chicken with Prosciutto or Pan-Seared Sea Bass Filet. Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki will remain at a cover charge of $19.95 and $29.95 respectively, as will entertainment dining including Wine Lovers The Musical and For The Record™: The Brat Pack. Guests who purchase a Norwegian Specialty Dining Package have the freedom to indulge as they wish, as Specialty Dining Packages will allow guests to enjoy La Cucina, Le Bistro and Cagney's Steakhouse at no additional charge. Guests with a Specialty Dining Package can dine in Bayamo by Jose Garces for an additional fee of $15. In addition to Norwegian Escape's specialty restaurants, Ocean Blue on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway will also begin offering à la carte options on October 3, 2015, and the new à la carte dining will be available fleetwide beginning January 1, 2016. Other entertainment dining across the fleet, including Cirque Dreams & Dinner and The Illusionarium, will remain at a cover charge. For those guests who wish to reserve their dining times ahead of time, they can continue to do so via MyNCL; there is no charge to make a reservation and guests will have any à la carte selections added to their onboard account at the time of dining. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line's specialty dining, visit http://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-dining#specialty Pick a River Cruise to Satisfy Your Curiosity. On these cruises, you'll glide along scenic waterways in an intimate, comfortable ship, enjoying river-view staterooms, fine dining and personalized service. Don’t forget that daily excursions ashore and onboard entertainment and enrichment activities also are included in the upfront rate. Southern Culture, 8 days with American Queen Steamboat Company -- Delve into the music, cuisine and traditions of the South on this Lower Mississippi River sailing between New Orleans and Memphis. It takes place aboard the elegant American Queen paddle wheeler, the largest ship to cruise the famed waterway. Romantic Danube, 8 days with Viking River Cruises -- Board one of this company's innovative Viking Longships for a signature Danube cruise. Stops include Vienna (where you can attend an optional evening concert), the beautiful Benedictine abbey at Melk and the medieval cores of Regensburg and Nuremberg. Portrait of Majestic France, 15 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises -- This itinerary incorporates sailings on the Seine River from Paris and on the Garonne River and Gironde Estuary in the Bordeaux region. Guests transfer between the two ships via high-speed train. You'll have your choice of excursions in some ports; for example, in Pauillac, you can visit the Chateaux d'Arsac -- one of the oldest wineries in the Medoc area -- or cycle through the vineyards. Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong, 8 days with AmaWaterways -- Cruise to such intriguing places as the Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh, famed for its French colonial buildings; Cai Be, where the floating market makes a great subject for your camera; and Tan Chau, home to a silk-making workshop. Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways -- Rhine River sailings are among our most popular river cruise vacations, and classic highlights of this itinerary include the picturesque Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle and Strasbourg's pedestrian-friendly old quarter. But you'll also visit whimsical spots like a museum devoted to mechanical musical instruments. Grand European Tour, 15 days with Viking River Cruises -- See the sights along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers on a panoramic sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest. Guided tours reveal the history, culture and legends of Vienna, Bratislava, Cologne and more. Other unique sights en route: the windmills of Kinderdijk and the small city hall of Bamberg, perched on an island. Columbia & Snake rivers, 8 days with American Queen Steamboat Company -- The American Empress paddle wheeler navigates these Pacific Northwest waterways, and guests can explore destinations via included "hop-on, hop-off" tours. Stop at the Sunshine Mills Winery in The Dalles or the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center near Stevenson. Experience the Rhine and Moselle, 8 days with Cruise & Maritime Voyages -- This river cruise sails round trip from Dusseldorf and calls mostly at German cities like Rudesheim (famed for its wine taverns and pedestrian-only street called Drosselgasse) and Koblenz (where narrow lanes lead to picturesque squares and churches). You'll also venture to the French Alsatian city of Strasbourg, famed for its attractive Petite France district. Castles Along the Rhine, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises -- This cruise immerses guests in storybook scenes, especially along the Upper Middle Rhine as you sail past vine-clad hills and more than 40 castles. Enjoy a wine tasting at Castle Vollrads in Rheingau, a region known for its Rieslings, and ride an aerial tram across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, set on a promontory above the river. Paris & Normandy, 8 days with AmaWaterways -- Take your pick of complimentary shore excursions on this Seine River voyage. For example, while the ship ports in the old fishing village of Caudebec, you can visit the pretty harbor town of Honfleur or embark on the "Routes des Abbayes," which highlights some of Normandy's old abbeys. There is a cruise for everyone. You don’t have to fly to Europe to enjoy a waterway. The American Steamboat Company has many cruises in the US. Let us know if we can help you plan the perfect getaway. 612-559-6545 Carnival Cruise Lines has released new details on the family-friendly spaces and amenities on the upcoming Carnival Vista, set to debut in Europe in 2016.
Offerings range from a unique suspended cycling experience called SkyRide and Family Harbor staterooms and suites featuring a “family concierge” to an IMAX Theater. Outdoor Spaces SkyRide lets adventure seekers pedal hanging recumbent-like cycles at speeds of up to 18 miles an hour across an elevated 800-foot-long track, while enjoying panoramic views of the sea 150 feet below. There will be no charge for Sky Ride. Adjacent to SkyRide is SportSquare, an all-ages open-air recreation area with a 270-foot-long suspended ropes course, a two-level miniature golf course, a 700-foot-long jogging track, a variety of outdoor fitness equipment, and the new Clubhouse, a modern indoor sports hangout with mini-bowling, ping-pong, sports-themed video games, arcade-style sports games and more. When it’s time to cool off, the young – and the young at heart – can check out WaterWorks, the largest aqua park in the fleet highlighted by Kaleid-o-Slide, Carnival’s first inner-tube slide. Riders can zip down 455 feet of corkscrew turns enhanced by music and kaleidoscopic effects. Additionally, there is the 300 foot Twister slide, as well as the PowerDrencher, a 300-gallon tipping bucket. A kiddie area with 30 different water spray toys and mini-racing slides will be available for younger cruisers. Onboard Entertainment Options The ship will also have an IMAX Theater with a three-deck-high screen showing Hollywood blockbusters and family favorites, IMAX classics and IMAX documentary content. The 182-seat IMAX Theater is part of the Carnival Multiplex, which includes Thrill Theater, a multi-dimensional experience where seats move back and forth and side to side and viewers are sprayed with water and bubbles to make them feel like they’re part of the movie. The Warehouse, featuring video and arcade games, is located next door. Popcorn and other movie favorites are available at a nearby concession stand. Families can also enjoy all-ages comedy shows at the 385-seat Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez as well as the audience participation favorite Hasbro, The Game Show. New for Carnival Vista will be a premium ice cream parlor within the Cherry on Top confection store where patrons can select their favorite ice cream and mix-ins and watch as their frozen creation is made right before their eyes. Family-Friendly Accommodations Exclusive to Carnival Vista is Family Harbor, with 96 specially designed “family ergonomic” accommodations, including extra-large family suites accommodating five guests and featuring two bathrooms. The Family Harbor Lounge is a secluded space with large screen TVs, board games and complimentary breakfast, cookies and other snacks. An exclusive family concierge assists with dining, spa and shore excursion reservations, registering kids for the youth programs and making recommendations on and off the ship for families with kids of all ages. Family Harbor staterooms include kid-friendly toiletries, bathrobes and slippers while suites feature separate sleeping quarters for parents and children and a walk-in closet. Guests in Family Harbor staterooms also receive a number of exclusive benefits and privileges, including 24/7 card key access to the Family Harbor Lounge, free meals for kids under age 12 in specialty restaurants, and one free evening in Night Owls, a late-night activities program held in Camp Ocean. Dr. Seuss Bookville and Other Play Areas Carnival Vista will also have Dr. Seuss Bookville, a family reading and play venue with décor and furniture inspired by the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. Here, kids and their families can read Dr. Seuss books, enjoy arts and crafts, toys and play Dr. Seuss-inspired games. Dr. Seuss Bookville is part of Seuss at Sea, a fleetwide program that also includes the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends, and Seuss-a-Palooza Parade and Story Time. Carnival Vista will also include a 4,000-square-foot Camp Ocean play area where kids ages 2-11 are immersed in the wonders of the sea through a variety of age-appropriate activities. Camp Ocean includes Party Reef, a common area for all ages, as well as a breakout room for arts and crafts called Creative Cove. Just outside Camp Ocean are two outdoor playgrounds: Camp Ocean Playground with climbing, tactile and exploratory activities for the little ones, while the interactive NEOS® Play Zone offers fast paced high-tech physical fun for older kids. For early teens, there’s Circle “C,” designed as a chill space for 12- to 14-year-olds, as well as Club O2, a hangout just for 15 to 17 year olds. Carnival Vista is scheduled to enter service from Europe May 1, 2016, then reposition to New York for a series of voyages in November 2016 followed by the launch of year-round Caribbean service from Miami later that month. May 26, 2015 Travel Agent Central Lori Campbell, gerontologist, has written about awakening our age potential. People many times focus on their chronological age instead of their biological and psychological health. We need to be proactive about maintaining our health instead of focusing on disease. We are never too young to be concerned about our health including our thoughts, emotions, and cell health. Click on the attached videos and learn more about staying young. The Amazing Health and Wealth Cruise Sets Sail from Charleston, South Carolina
on Sunday, November 8th to Friday, November 13th, 2015. We will Visit The Tropical Ports of Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas. Learn The Secrets to Harness Your Vitality, Inspiration, and Prosperity (VIP), While On Vacation and Having FUN! Thriving and Surviving/Reach Your Age Potential, The Wealth Factor, How to WOW Now, Moving and Grooving Lori Campbell, visionary gerontologist, a leading author, speaker, and authority in biological and psychological age. " I picture aging, not as it is commonly depicted, but as it could be: the unfolding of human potential rather than decline. My goal is to raise up more THRIVERS and to restore the integrity of growing old. I envision “thriving” becoming the “NEW NORM” in aging. I invite you to adopt the Age Potential way of life and join the MOVEMENT…Become a THRIVER! Evans “Mick” Connelly IV, CRPC® Financial Consultant Mick is a partner with Connelly Family Wealth Consulting & Management. Prior to UBS, Mick spent two years as a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual, providing financial planning and a variety of insurance solutions for families. Mick earned a B.A. with a financial management major and economics minor from the University of St. Thomas. Mick is certified as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor SM by the College of Financial Planning. Mick develops personalized wealth planning strategies to help clients and their families meet their needs. Mick highlights how to prepare your dollars to make living more comfortable in your golden years. Carolyn Connelly is an Account Manager for Thomson Reuters. Before joining Thomson Reuters she worked at Target as a business analyst managing a $400 million portion of the business. She also worked as a professional makeup artist at MAC. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, with degrees in marketing and Spanish. She is proficient in Spanish and has studied and worked abroad: Costa Rica, Spain and Argentina. Carolyn will highlight skin care and beauty tips that will make you look radiant no matter what your age. Jon and Erica Ludovina reside in Columbia, South Carolina, and have served as pre-marital counselors for the past six years. Jon is a teaching pastor at Midtown Fellowship Church in Columbia and Erica is a teacher! These deals don’t last long. Call 612-559-6545 or visit www.HealthandWealthCruise.com
Visit exotic locations and build memories that you'll remember for a lifetime! See live shows that are equal to those on broadway. Experience gourmet dining with exemplary service. Book Today: Call Peterson Travel Pros 612-559-6545 Strong Overall Demand: Cruise sales on average were up 26 percent per agency this year according to Cruise Planners, a large travel agency in the US. Pricing may be moving a bit higher. Caribbean pricing for this winter is stronger than it’s ever been and Europe is already filling up for 2015, says Stephanie Serino, a cruise expert with Tzell Travel Group. CruiseOne reports that 2015 business is tracking 5% higher in price versus what is was in 2014. Longer booking times: People are beginning to understand that booking further ahead often secures the best deal. There is more value and bundling:People understand the value of cruising. The number one trend is added value. Price is always a key factor, but guests want added value extras-everything from drink packages to pre-paid gratuities and onboard up-front discounts. Packages might include choices of shore excursions, shipboard credits, free gratuities, reduced deposits, and third/fourth cruisers sailing free. Some of the packages offered by cruise lines include: Holland America’s Explore4, Celebrity Cruises Pick Your Perk, Princess Cruises Three for Free, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s all-inclusive package. These packages have been offered in the past, but now more options are being offered on further out sailings and at a higher frequency. Customers still pay for the packages, but when they are one board, they don’t feel like they are nickel and dimed. There is more small ship and river cruising: New river vessels are launching in 2015. River cruising is comparable to ocean cruising in that everything is taken care of for you with longer port stays and more immersive destination experiences. There are many itinerary choices from multiple river lines sailing the Danube, Seine, Rhine, Mosel, Rhone, and Douro rivers. More exotic river itineraries can be found in India, Laos, and China. There are more emerging ports: Travelers are hungry for new destinations, new experiences, new ports and new horizons. Cruise line supported private-island experiences are increasing. An example of this is Carnival Cruise Lines’ new private beach in Tortuga, off Haiti’s coast. In the winter of 2015-16 Norwegian will have a fleet visit Harvest Caye, Belize, a new island experience. Honduras just opened a port off Banana Coast. Also, Europe is expanding ports in Valencia, Spain and Tunis Tunisian. Ports that have had increased interest are Bandol in France and Norway caused by Disney’s movie Frozen. Also, it is expected that Cuba will become a popular cruise destination. More Techie Ships: Ships are catering to the Millennials because of the technology. For example, Millennials are interested in the new Quantum of the Seas not only for its high-speed Internet, but also for its Robotic Bar and new types of entertainment where technological aspects – not simply the performers – are the stars. Freed says her line’s research has showed Millennials want to bring all their devices along, get connected fast and do not wait for anything. More Overnights in Port: Cruisers have more time for in-depth destination experiences, while cruise lines also save money on fuel costs. Continuing Demand for Luxury: Demand is still strong for both traditional luxury products (Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and others), as well as luxury suites on contemporary brands (The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line, the new generation of suites on Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships, Celebrity Cruises’ spa suites and others). Many new ships fill “top down” so booking clients ASAP on luxury products is essential. Call Peterson Travel Pros to plan your next cruise: 612-559-6545. Cruise travelers are expected to surpass 22 million for the first time in 2015. Cruise Holidays International reports on the most popular longer itineraries – 15 or more days – which allow vacationers to experience more destinations and the cruise ships themselves in greater depth.
“A 7-day cruise is the most popular length because it allows vacationers ample time to experience their ship, plus typically experience about three or four cruise ports,” said Kevin Weisner, senior vice president of sales for Vacation.com. “As travelers become more educated, they are increasingly selecting longer itineraries, and in some cases, cruises of multiple weeks or even months,” said Weisner. Top 10 Cruise Itineraries of 15 Or More Days 1. 15-day Hawaiian Islands from San Francisco, California - This itinerary is offered on a variety of dates throughout 2015 on Princess Cruises. 2. 15-day Panama Canal [Westbound] from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - This itinerary is available on numerous dates and through a variety of cruise lines in 2015. 3. 16-day Trans-Atlantic [Eastbound] from Miami, Florida - Of numerous trans-Atlantic options in 2015, this 16-day itinerary by Celebrity Cruises is the most popular. 4. 15-day Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles, California - This sailing from Los Angeles is offered on numerous dates by two different cruise lines. 5. 18-day Trans-Pacific from Sydney, Australia - Passengers on this April 2015 Celebrity Cruises sailing will travel from Australia to Hawaii via New Zealand and Tahiti. 6. 15-day Trans-Atlantic [Westbound] from London, England (Harwich) - This repositioning cruise on Royal Caribbean International allows passengers to have more time to enjoy the ship and spectacular North Atlantic ports as it shifts from a summer in Europe to North America for the fall and winter. 7. 21-day Suez Canal from Istanbul, Turkey - This ambitious itinerary on Oceania Cruises brings guests from Istanbul to ports in Israel, Egypt, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. 8. 15-day Panama Canal [Eastbound ] from Los Angeles, California - Guests eager to explore the Caribbean and the engineering marvels of the Panama Canal have numerous dates to choose from in 2015. 9. (tie) 15-day Panama Canal [Eastbound] from San Diego, California - There are additional opportunities to sail through the Panama Canal for passengers departing from San Diego. 9. (tie) 21-day Southern Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - This three week itinerary enables travelers to explore lesser-visited islands such as Antigua, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao and Martinique. Holland America Line The Cruise Holidays Cruise Trends report also looked at the size of the most popular ships being selected for 2015, no matter what the itinerary. Group cruising – typically meaning a block of eight or more staterooms – continues to be a growing trend in 2015. “Groups are often able obtain special perks aboard the ship that individual travelers may not have access to. Plus, with it being virtually all-inclusive, a group cruise is an ideal way to manage costs, ” added Weisner. For help planning your cruise, call Peterson Travel Pros: 612-559-6545. |
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