Here are some Fun Facts of the new Carnival Breeze to debut June 2012.

European Home Port: Barcelona Spain
Home Port: Miami, FL
Length:1,004 feet long
Capacity: 3,690 guests (double occupancy); Total Staff: 1,386

Includes contemporary furnishings and new tropical decor for staterooms

Lauches in June 2012

Dining: two dining rooms, a steakhouse, and Italian family-style fare at Cucina del Capitano

SportSquare
RedFrog Pub
Carnival Waterworks
The adults only relaxation place, Serenity
Features all the best of its sister ships Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic, plus more to be announced over the coming months

Book NOW to secure your reservation onboard the new Carnival Breeze.

Disney Fantasy starts sailing March 2012.

Disney Fantasy is the fourth family friendly cruise liner in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and designed to reflect the glamour of cruising of the 1930s.  The 130,000 ton vessell accommodates 4,000 passengers along with over 1450 Cast and Crew Members.

The staterooms feature contemporary amenitites, ample space and nautical decor.

Dining includes options of elegant adults-only dining, Main Dining and made-to-order casual fare.

There are 3 pools on board Fantasy on Deck 11. One for kids, one for families and one for just the adults.

These are just a few of the options onboard the Disney Fantasy.  This family friendly cruise line is fun for kids of all ages. 

Book NOW to sail onboard this beautiful ship.

No, it’s no joke. With the gas prices raising daily, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. NCL will raise cruise fares up to 10% on April 1. The good news is, Norwegian will be extending its “Free Upgrades for All” sale through March 31. This sale provides up to a four-category upgrade on select sailings and e-coupons up to $400 in onboard savings.

NCL has seen the exceptional demand of this sale. Based on the demand have planned to increase fares on April 1.

Start booking now to take advantage of the sales event and before the rate increase scheduled for April 1. For individual booking or to block group space, call me at 850.287.3990.

Happy Cruising!
Donna

Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, continues to grow. This year over 65 culinary pros are joining the ranks of this popular program.

Some of the celebrity chefs on the 2010 roster include:
Dean James Max, executive chef of 3030 Ocean on ms Westerdam, March 28-April 4.
Marisol Koczal Simon, culinary educator, author and chef aboard ms Prinsendam, April 9-26.
Lon Symensa, executive chef, Buddakan, sailing on ms Eurodam, May 9-19.
Martin Blunos, UK television personality and chef sailing on ms Eurodam, May 29-June 8.
Lars Kronmark, executive chef instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, sailing ms Nieuw Amssterdam, July 4-14.
Tre Wilcox, executive chef and Top Chef contender, sailing aboard ms Statendam, July 25-August 1.

For the full list visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Article by Meagan Drillinger for Travel Agent Central

Jaime A. Lopez Diaz, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, announced Monday morning at the 2010 Caribbean Marketplace that the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) members reached an agreement in principle to sign a historic memorandum of understanding that would make Puerto Rico the cruise ship hub of the Caribbean.

The memorandum will be signed by the members of the CTO in order to develop a “concerted effort aimed at developing the tourism industries link between the islands,” according to a written release. It aims to establish a working relationship between the CTO members and Puerto Rico to develop strategies and a program of activities designed to promote and improve air access, the cruise market, the relationship with the U.S., the creation of multi-destination packages and the sharing of tourism related data.

Article written by Joe Pike for Travel Agent Central

If you are woman working your own Party Plan Business and you have not contacted Party Plan Divas, you are REALLY missing out.  Lynsey Jones is a passionate woman and loves to teach women how to balance your family and your party plan business.  She will give you daily tips and inspiration.  Check out her website at http://thepartyplancoach.com/. 

2010 is the first annual Party Plan Diva’s Cruise ~ Go All in 2010    We are really excited about this cruise and I’m so happy to be a part of it.

Are You Ready To “Go All In”

for 2010?

Come Aboard for Party Plan Divas Seminar at Sea

Join us for four days of training, team

building, and tanning aboard Carnival

Cruise Lines!

THE DETAILS

Carnival Triumph October 7-11, 2010 from New Orleans

Cruising Into Success Seminar Sample Itinerary

Thursday: Depart New Orleans – Cocktail Hour Meet & Greet

Friday: Fun Day at Sea – Cruising Into Success Seminar Part I

Saturday: Day of Excursions and Shopping in Cozumel, Mexico

Sunday: Fun Day At Sea – Cruising Into Success Seminar Part II

Monday: Arrive in New Orleans

Seminar Fee – Early Bird Special only $75! Will be $125 after February 1, 2010! Save $50!!

INTERIOR CABINS

1st & 2nd Passengers pay $370.08 3rd & 4th Passengers pay $175.08

Total cabin cost for party of two: $740.16 Total cabin cost for party of four: $1,090.32

SUGGESTION: Share a cabin with 3 others and split cost for a total of $272.58 each

Oceanview Cabins available for a nominal fee

For payment schedule contact Donna Conley at www.CruisingWithMsD.com

*Price includes cruise transportation, cabin accommodations, all food, juice, tea, and coffee, taxes and port charges. Carnival Cruises provides entertainment, shows, dancing, music, swimming pools, fitness center, mini golf, youth/child care.

** Not included are gratuities (suggested $10 per person per day) alcoholic beverages, soda, and land excursions. Carnival may add fuel charge to the taxes if fuel price increases.

*** Prices above are subject to change if there is a need to rebook or add additional cabins.

EARN YOUR TRIP FREE

One lucky Diva will earn her Cruise Fair FREE simply by referring new Members to Party Plan Divas.com!

The Diva with the most amount of New Member Referrals will be awarded with a refund check for the entire amount of her cruise the day we set sail from New Orleans!

Sign up to be an Affiliate today and start spreading the word about Party Plan Divas.

Contest runs from December 7th, 2009 to October 1, 2010. Winner must have a minumum of 20 new paid Member Referrals. Refund check is not transferrable and will be endorsed to the Affiliate. Winner must be present on cruise to be elligible to win.

If you have any questions regarding the cruise, please contact me.  If you have questions regarding Party Plan Divas, please feel free to contact Lynsey Jones.

Cunard’s newest ship, the Queen Elizabeth was floated for the first time in the Italian port city of Trieste, in a ceremony paying homage to the ship’s predecessor, the QE2. 

The traditional smashing of the bubbly was conducted by Florence “Dennie” Farmer— widow of Willie Farmer, who was the chief engineer on both the QE2 and the original Queen Elizabeth.

Guests can expect a ballroom, several dining rooms, a bowling green and croquet lawn, gym, 830-seat theater, and the famed class and service of the cruise line’s two most famous ships.

The ship departs on its maiden voyage on October 12, making a 13-night trip around the Mediterranean.

Visit www.cunard.com.

Article by Meagan Drillinger for Travel Agent Central

Costa, the largest Italian tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, entered four ships in dry docks for routine maintenance between December and November for a total investment of approximately $94.4 million.

The most significant investment, worth approximately $78.7 million, is being carried out on Iberocruceros’Grand Holiday in the S. Giorgio shipyards in the port of Genoa from December 2009 through April 2010. These operations entail a radical restyling of the ship that previously operated for Carnival Cruise Lines as the Holiday. The ship will enter service with the Iberocruceros brand in May 2010. The objective is to adapt the ship to the quality standards of the Spanish clientele for which it will operate.

In addition to completely restyling the cabins and public areas, four new suites with balconies as well as a new wellness center will be built. The hull will be painted with a special silicone-based ecological paint that reduces the formation of micro-organisms on the hull without releasing toxic substances into the sea. This increases the vessel’s hydrodynamic performance while reducing its environmental impact given reduced fuel consumption. At the end of the refurbishment, the Grand Holiday will be the fourth ship of the Iberocruceros fleet. The first cruise will depart from Barcelona on May 18, 2010, with destinations including Villefranche-sur-Mer, Leghorn, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres. For the entire summer season, the ship will sail seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean. Departing from Barcelona on Sundays, the ship will call on Villefranche-sur-Mer, Leghorn, Civitavecchia, Naples and La Goulette.

In addition to the Grand Holiday, three ships belonging to the Costa Cruises brand recently completed dry docks: the Costa Magica (November 4-18) and the Costa Mediterranea (November 21-December 5) in Palermo and the Costa Marina (November 4-18) in Genoa. The ships underwent routine maintenance operations that the company carries out every two years to maintain its fleet’s standards and to comply with Italian and international safety norms.

The maintenance involved the hull and engine as well as the hotel section of the ships.  In the hotel area, carpeting, curtains, fabrics and other objects and materials subject to wear and tear were replaced in the public areas and in cabins. For the hull and engine, the largest amount of maintenance entailed cleaning and painting the hull. Inverter devices that optimize conditioning system operation while reducing fuel consumption and subsequent CO2 emissions, were installed in the engine room of the Costa Magica. These were already successfully tested on two other ships.

Visit

www.costacruise.com

Article written by staff of Travel Agent Central

Carnival Corporation & plc has reached an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct a

130,000-ton cruise ship for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand, scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. To be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard under a U.S. dollar denominated contract, the all-in cost of the vessel is approximately $200,000 per lower berth.

The new 3,690-passenger vessel will offer many of the same innovations featured on the recently launched Carnival Dream, as well as some new elements to be announced at a later date.

Like Carnival Dream, the new 130,000-ton ship will include a WaterWorks aqua park with a 300-foot-long corkscrew water slide, an indoor/outdoor cafe and live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza, and a wide range of staterooms including deluxe ocean views with two-bathrooms, some of which feature five berths.

Expansive, modern facilities for children and teens, a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, and The Lanai, an outdoor promenade featuring cantilevered whirlpools that extend over the ship’s sides, will be included, as well.

Already under construction at Fincantieri is the second sister ship to the Carnival Dream, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, which is scheduled to enter service in May 2011.

Carnival Corporation & plc’s portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia. Together, these brands operate 93 ships totaling more than 180,000 lower berths with 13 new ships scheduled to be delivered between January 2010 and spring 2012.

Article written by the staff of Travel Agent Central

Royal Caribbean International

is putting its own twist on a long-standing tradition. It is bestowing the honor of “godmother” of its newest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, on seven different women, rather than the traditional one. These seven individuals will be honored at the official naming ceremony on Monday, November 30.

Why the number seven? Each woman was selected to represent one of the seven signature neighborhoods aboard the ship. They are:

Gloria Estefan – singer, songwriter, actor and author. She is also godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas

Michelle Kwan – Olympic figure skating medalist

Jane Seymour – actress and recipient of multiple Emmy’s and Golden Globes, as well as an Officer of the British Empire

Dara Torres – swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist

Keshia Knight Pulliam – film and television actress known for her role as Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”

Shawn Johnson – gymnast and four-time medalist at the 2008 Olympic games. She will also be granting wishes onboard as part of Make-A-Wish Foundation

Daisy Fuentes – TV personality, producer, beauty and fitness expert

Tickets to the event begin at $500 per person. Guests who wish to continue onboard after the ceremony will receive a discount price, beginning at $650 for a four-night cruise to Royal Caribbean’s private beach, Labadee.

Article written by Meagan Drillinger for Travel Agent Central November 19, 2009