Additional luxury amenities complement 24/7 European butler service and more

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Combine the discovery of the Baltics with a delicious theme cruise

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Couples May Save up to $2,000 on All-Inclusive Indulgence 

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52 vegetarian dishes featured, largest selection at sea

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At last some good news for Costa Cruises. After the loss of its chief executive and one of its ships, the cruise line has confirmed its latest flagship Costa Fascinosa, will be officially delivered to Costa on May 5th 2012 at the Venice Passenger Terminal.

The ship is set to make her debut just two months after the delivery of the Costa neoRomantica and will be followed by a new 132,500 gross tonnage Costa ship in October 2014, also to be built in Marghera.

The Costa Fascinosa will depart for her vernissage cruise on May 6th 2012 from Venice bound for Slovenia, Trieste and Croatia on a cruise hosting the 19th edition of the ‘Champions of the Sea’, an annual event celebrating the best travel agents partnering with Costa Cruises across five continents.

Following this, the Costa Fascinosa will depart from Venice once again on her inaugural cruise – a ten day itinerary taking in Greece, Israel and Turkey.

For the remainder of the 2012 summer season until late November, the Costa Fascinosa will be offering seven-day cruises from Venice and Bari to Greece and Croatia.

The cruise ship which was built at the Marghera yard has successfully completed her sea trials, passing a series of running tests on her systems, machinery and engines, and will be officially handed over to Costa Cruises by the builder Fincantieri the day before her vernissage cruise.

The total investment made by Costa Cruises for the Costa Fascinosa is worth over $675 million dollars.

The construction of the ship in Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard involved the labor of around 3,000 yard workers plus a further 7,000 people employed by about 500 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms.

The Costa Fascinosa will be the largest cruise ship flying the Italian flag.

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Princess Cruises announced today that for the first time it will base a ship in San Francisco year round, beginning in May 2013. The extensively renovated Grand Princesswill first offer a series of Alaska cruises during the summer months from the "City by the Bay," followed by a schedule of Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and the California Coast sailings during the fall 2013 to spring 2014 season.

Last year the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess underwent the largest drydock in Princess Cruises history, adding a host of new features so that passengers will enjoy the same onboard experience as offered by the line's other newer ships.

"Princess has been cruising from San Francisco nearly as long as our company has been in operation, so we have a rich history with the city, and we are the leading cruise line homeporting there," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Our Bay Area passengers and travel agents have long been asking for more cruise options from San Francisco and our new year-round schedule with Grand Princess will now give them a great selection of itinerary choices, plus the benefit of sailing on a ship that offers our signature features and amenities."

"Princess ships have been cruising from San Francisco for more than 40 years, and we greatly appreciate the company's longstanding partnership with our city," said Monique Moyer, executive director of the Port of San Francisco. "We are delighted to now have our first year-round ship based here, and it is a natural fit that the vessel is the caliber of Grand Princess. Having this ship sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and berth at the foot of Coit Tower will be spectacular, both for the passengers on board and the people of San Francisco."

During the 2013-14 season Grand Princess will sail roundtrip from San Francisco to:

Alaska -- Grand Princess' first Alaska season features 10-day Inside Passage sailings. The ship will offer 13 voyages featuring the stunning scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, with calls at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. Cruises depart between May 10 and September 7, 2013.

Mexico -- Grand Princess will offer two sailings on a new 10-day itinerary to Mexico, featuring two new ports for Princess -- Loreto and La Paz, both in Baja California. Passengers will also enjoy calls at Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Sailings depart on September 17, 2013 and March 5, 2014.

California Coastal -- An increasingly popular Princess itinerary, Grand Princess will take passengers to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles (Long Beach), San Diego, and Ensenada. Four sailings are offered on September 27 and October 19, 2013; plus March 15 and April 6, 2014.

Hawaiian Islands -- Passengers can explore each of the main Hawaiian islands on this 15-day voyage to the Big Island (Hilo), Oahu (Honolulu), Kauai (Nawiliwili), Maui (Lahaina), and Ensenada. Grand Princess will offer 12 departures between October 4, 2013 and April 28, 2014.

During last year's drydock Grand Princess added a variety of passenger amenities, including a completely new Piazza atrium, several new eateries -- including Alfredo's Pizzeria and the Crown Grill -- and the line's first specialty tea lounge called Leaves. Also included in the renovation were a remodeled casino, boutiques and art gallery; enhancements to the Horizon Court, Lotus Spa, and wedding chapel; and the addition of Crooner's Martini Lounge and a new nightclub, The One5.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent.

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Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announces that world-renowned oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau will guest host four sailings on The Gauguinin 2013.

For more than 60 years, he along with his father, the legendary Jacques Cousteau, and his family, have been part of the greatest exploration of the oceans in all of history. In 1999, Mr. Cousteau founded the Ocean Futures Society to explore global oceans, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for their protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet.

For more information on Mr. Cousteau and the Ocean Futures Society, visit www.oceanfutures.org. During voyages on The Gauguin, Mr. Cousteau will offer a series of lectures with videos of his work in the world’s oceans and accompany guests on several dives. Voyages Featuring Guest Host Jean-Michel Cousteau:

• 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands Cruise: February 2, 2013
• 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus Cruise: June 26, 2013
• 11-night Australs & Society Islands Cruise: September 21, 2013
• 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands Cruise: November 2, 2013

Also available in 2013 is Mr. Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program which introduces young travelers (ages 9-17) to the natural wonders of French Polynesia through interactive, hands-on experiences with island ecosystems. The program is available on sailings from June through August and on select holiday cruises for a nominal fee of $299 per child. For rates and reservations for Paul Gauguin Cruises, contact a professional travel agent.

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About Paul Gauguin Cruises

Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia’s leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. The Gauguin was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship, 513 feet long and 71 feet wide, has a draft of 16.9 feet and can accommodate 332 guests with a staff of 217. It is one of the top Exclusive Charter and Incentive Group venues in the industry and has completed more than 570 South Pacific cruises, serving more than 176,250 guests, including more than 15,000 honeymooners, since its inaugural sail in 1998. The Gauguin has undergone more than $25 million in enhancements, with an additional $7 million completed in January 2012. The Gauguin has been impressively named the 2011 Silver Magellan Award Winner in the Small Cruise Ship category by Travel Weekly and earned the “#1 ranking for Dining” in the Small Ship Category in Cruise Critic’s 2011 Cruisers’ Choice Awards.

Paul Gauguin Cruises also recently announced the acquisition of a second ship, which will begin sailing under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner in December 2012. With plans to sail to Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America, this ship will be christened m/v Tere Moana after completing a multifaceted renovation in December 2012. The Moana features 45 staterooms accommodating 90 guests.

 

 

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Costa Fascinosa, the new flagship of Costa Cruises, was delivered to the cruise line today by shipbuilder Fincantieri in Venice, Italy. Officially handed over at the Venice Passenger Terminal, Costa Fascinosa -- with sister ship Costa Favolosa -- is the largest Italian-flagged cruise ship afloat.

 

The delivery ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister of Tourism Piero Gnudi, and his daughter Elsa served as godmother of the new 114,500-ton, 3,800-guest flagship. At the ceremony, Costa Cruises and Fincantieri made a joint donation to the Papa Giovanni XXIII Community by Father Oreste Benzi for the Rainbow Project, which aids children in need worldwide and is supported by Elsa Gnudi. "The delivery of Costa Fascinosa is an important stepping stone on our company's road to recovery," said Costa Crociere S.p.A. Chairman and CEO Pier Luigi Foschi. "It is confirmation that the long-term fundamentals of our business remain strong, and we will continue to work for our customers, offering them even better cruises on fantastic ships like Costa Fascinosa."

 

Costa Cruises invested US$668.8 million (510 million euros) in Costa Fascinosa. Construction of the ship at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard involved the labor of approximately 3,000 yard workers plus 7,000 more people employed by about 500 contracted suppliers, most of them Italian firms.

 

Costa Fascinosa is the living proof of the progress and the results achieved by two great Italian industries jointly contributing to spread a positive image of Made in Italy around the world, said Giuseppe Bono, chief executive officer of Fincantieri. We are most pleased to have contributed to the success of Costa, an Italian company which proudly flies the Italian flag.

 

Since 1990 Costa Cruises has invested US$7.6 billion (5.8 billion euros) in work at Italy’s Fincantieri, T. Mariotti and San Giorgio del Porto shipyards, with a total of 14 ships built or on order, in addition to the refurbishment of other fleet members already in service. The handover of Costa Fascinosa took place about two months after the delivery of Costa neoRomantica, the result of the US$118 million (90 million euro) radical refurbishment of Costa Romantica. After Costa Fascinosa, the line’s fleet expansion program will continue at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard with the construction of a new 132,500-ton ship due for delivery in October 2014 and accommodating up to 4,928 guests, making it the largest Italian cruise ship.

 

Costa Fascinosa sets sail from Venice on a preview cruise May 6, bound for Slovenia, Trieste, Italy, and Croatia, and will host the 19th edition of the Champions of the Sea, an annual event celebrating Costa Cruises best travel agent partners from around the world. On May 11 the ship departs Venice on its inaugural cruise, a 10-day itinerary to Greece, Israel and Turkey. For the 2012 summer season until the end of November, Costa Fascinosa will operate seven-day cruises from Venice and Bari, Italy, to Greece and Croatia. For winter 2012-13 the flagship will be in South America on cruises calling at Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. For summer 2013 the ship will return to the eastern Mediterranean, sailing weeklong vacations to Greece and Turkey with departures from Venice and Bari.

 

The most seductive member of the Costa fleet

Costa Fascinosa will surprise guests with public areas that are works of art in themselves, with plush furnishings and superb decoration. The Amarcord Atrium will be very much center stage with its theatrical grandeur, warm colors and a series of diamond-shaped chandeliers.

A cruise on Costa Fascinosa will be the ideal vacation for families, with lots of opportunities for fun and relaxation for people of all ages. The aft Lido, which is dedicated to the classic movie Gone With the Wind, features 3,280 square feet devoted to relaxation and entertainment, with raised whirlpool tubs overlooking the sea, waterfalls and other attractions. Meanwhile, the al fresco Blue Moon Lido has a sliding glass roof and a giant 60-square-foot movie screen showing films and videos.

In the Playground, the Nuovomondo 4D Cinema is a guaranteed crowd pleaser for children and adults with screenings that arouse all five senses. Video gamers will head for the virtual reality of PlayStation with the latest product releases. There also is high-tech fun for adults: an authentic Grand Prix Simulator on the highest deck of the ship, modeled on an original Gran Prix car, reproduces the excitement of the world’s best racing circuits. Golf fanatics or beginners will enjoy the professional golf simulator where they can play on 37 of the world’s most famous courses.

The little ones will enjoy the open-air Acqua Park water park playground with its pirate galleon, castle and waterslide.

Costa Fascinosa also will have bow-to-stern broadband Wi-Fi, guaranteeing connectivity for laptops, tablets and mobile phones. The new Digi Mobile platform also will enable guests to use their smartphones and tablets to access the shipboard interactive TV system in their cabins to book programs and services.

Guests will be able to see shows worthy of the Belle Époque in the Bel Ami show lounge, socialize in any one of 13 bars, strut their stuff in the Babylon Disco, check out the live music in the Blue Velvet piano bar or try their luck at the Millionaire Casino, named after the Italian title of the multi-Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire.

Costa Fascinosa also will feature the finest Italian and international cuisine at five restaurants: the à la carte Club restaurant, the Samsara wellness eatery, the self-service buffet with dishes typical of the places visited during the cruise and traditional Mediterranean delicacies in the two main restaurants.

 

Timeless appeal is an apt description of Fascinosas art collection. The permanent display will feature specially commissioned original works and copies by contemporary artists, whose starting point was the concept of appeal and the world of movies.

 

A sea of wellness

Costas newest ship is ideal for lovers of wellness, with the Samsara Spa, one of the largest wellness centers ever built on a cruise ship, extending over 19,680 square feet, and offering a range of exclusive services and treatments. For guests wishing to fully immerse themselves in a wellness cruise, the facility includes Samsara cabins and suites with direct spa access, including six veranda suites with their own Jacuzzi and spacious balconies, plus relaxation amenities. The gym on Costa Fascinosa is equipped with the latest Technogym machinery incorporating the Visioweb digital platform to provide access to the Internet, TV and iPods. The Samsara experience also includes a wellness restaurant serving light tasty dishes.

 

The strictest environmental standards

Costa Fascinosa is at the cutting edge of safety and environmental protection standards always a hallmark of Costa Cruises. Like other ships in the fleet, the new flagship will be equipped for cold ironing, enabling it to plug into shore-side electric power. On Costa

Fascinosa and this already applies fleetwide 100 percent of solid waste will be collected separately for recycling and no waste will ever be discharged overboard. Also, most of the water used on the new flagship will be produced on board using desalination plants.

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	Hot deals in the summertime. Book May 8 – 11, 2012. Norwegian Cruise Line’s great Super Summer Dash is on for four days in May and the offers are stacking up. Book on select 2012 summer sailings and you can receive: Up to $250* onboard credit Over $400* e-coupon savings Up to $500* airfare credit to Europe, Alaska and Bermuda 50% limited-time reduced deposit Plus: Little Norwegians Explore For Free offer – free, unlimited shore excursions for kids 12 and under SUPER SUMMER DASH WITH A PARTNERS FIRST FOCUS Our Super Summer Dash has five great offers rolled into one. Our goal – to make it easier than ever for you to sail on Norwegian cruises.   Hurry, this deal sails away on May 11, 2012
	* Promo Code:DASHSALE. 1 & 2 Day sailings are excluded from the offer. Offer is for New FIT Reservations. Qualifying New FIT reservations can be moved into existing Group. Offer is NOT combinable with existing group block rates. Reduced Deposit is 50% off the standard deposit. Reduced Deposit does not apply to The Haven and Suites categories S1,S4, S5, S2, S3, S9, S7 and S6. Onboard credit has no monetary value and is non-transferable. It may not be used toward onboard service charges. Onboard credit is per stateroom, based on cruise length and category booked. Onboard Credit is applied to the 1st and 2nd guest on the reservation. Singles paying 200% are entitled to full onboard credit value. Guests who cancel and rebook must accept this promotion's Terms and Conditions. Government taxes & fees, and onboard service charges are additional. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $65 per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, Norwegian Cruise Line will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $10.00 per passenger per day. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, may be withdrawn at any time, and will be applied to select sailings/ select categories. Offer combinability with other promotional offers is subject to change at any time per Norwegian Cruise Line discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Promotion valid in United States, Canada, and international select markets. Norwegian Cruise Line is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. Ships’ registry: BAHAMAS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ©2012 NCL Corporation Ltd.

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Disney has taken to the high seas, and Hawaii is its latest port-of-call.

The cruise ship, Disney Wonder, docked in Honolulu harbor today after making the rounds on neighbor islands. It's the first-ever Disney Cruise Line voyage to our state.

The company is testing the waters to see if a set itinerary to the islands is viable. Right now, plans call for Wonder to only dock in Hawaii once more this year. But, as is customary for Disney, they came to impress.

"We have Broadway quality, world class entertainment in our theatres. And of course, we get to cruise around with world famous Disney characters," says the Wonder's cruise director, Christaan Abbott.

In what has become a ceremonial maritime tradition, the ship's captain exchanged plaques and gifts with local leaders, including Governor Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle. Hawaii tourism officials told us they'd like to see Disney Wonder return regularly with its 2,700 passengers. They estimate just one day in port adds $250,000 into the local economy, and, truth be told, it's hard not to become a kid again when you're on-board.

I asked one of the most famous characters, "So, Goofy, are you having fun here in Hawaii?" Goofy nodded. I said, "You are? I see that you learned how to shaka". Goofy gives the camera two big shaka signs (which isn't easy when you've got gloves on). I tell him, "Nice, nice!"

The ship has something for everyone. Of course, it's geared towards children with five, age-appropriate play areas designated for kids - from babies to teenagers. Three pools, a jumbo movie screen, video games, scavenger hunts, sports - you name it. It's here. Parents can drop their kids off for one hour or the whole day – whether they stay on board during port-of-calls or not.

Youth activities manager, Arnaldo Kretzig, says, "We offer activities, arts and crafts all day, computers, lunch and dinner - so the children will be well taken care of while the parents are just going shopping or sightseeing."

20% of passengers don't come with children at all. "We have a pool and a restaurant - just for the adults. A spa for them, as well. Lounges, nightclubs, musicians, comedians, just for our adults," adds Abbott.

Disney also offers something called rotational dining - where passengers rotate among three restaurants and their servers accompany them. Cost for this cruise starts at around $3,200 for 14 nights. The next cruise through Hawaii sets sail in mid-October. It departs from Los Angeles. Currently, Disney Cruise Line has no plans to travel through the state in 2013.

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For two weeks only, Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, is offering incredible savings on select sailings of its most popular voyage, Tahiti & the Society Islands, when booked between May 7 and May 19, 2012. Guests will benefit from these exceptional savings while enjoying the highest standards of luxury, quality, and service in the most exquisite destination in the world.

Sale: Book select sailings aboard the seven-nightTahiti & the Society Islands voyage and save $700 to $2,500 per person off previously advertised prices in addition to the 50% off standard cruise fare.*  Plus, guests receive FREE airfare from Los Angeles. 

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*Select sailings and new bookings only. Offer may be combined with free 3rd guest in stateroom offer and 5% past guest savings. Offer expires May 19, 2012. Call for details. Prices shown reflect savings. Government fees and taxes of $14 per person for 2012 departures and $89 per person for the 2013 departure are not included. For full terms and conditions visit www.pgcruises.com.

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Save up to $700 on Cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada & New England and Hawaii

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Innovative Book Paints Crystal’s “Begin a New Story”

Life Enrichment Brand Campaign

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Royal Caribbean International continues to bring the cruise line’s most innovative features and popular venues first introduced on Oasis-class ships to its fleet with the revitalisation of Grandeur of the Seas this month. With a host of new dining venues, a new baby and toddler nursery plus a giant outdoor cinema screen are just a few of the stunning new features awaiting guests on Grandeur of the Seas when it emerges from dry dock as part of the cruise line’s extensive revitalisation programme.

Following a five-week long, $48 million refurbishment at the Navantia ship yard in Cadiz, Spain, the 2,446-guest Grandeur of the Seas will sail an 11-night Mediterranean itinerary roundtrip from Barcelona, Spain. From there she will spend the summer offering a variety of Mediterranean itineraries from Venice, Italy and Provence, France. In winter 2012/13 Grandeur of the Seas will offer Southern Caribbean cruises from Colon in Panama and Cartagena, Colombia.

Returning to service on 31 May with new entertainment options, restaurants, children’s programmes, technology advancements and more luxurious accommodation options that were originally introduced to industry acclaim onboard Royal Caribbean International’s recently introduced Oasis-class ships, Grandeur of the Seas is set to wow guests with its fresh new look and cutting edge facilities.

The revitalisation also introduces:

 

• Wi-Fi availability throughout the ship

• Flat-panel interactive televisions in all staterooms

• A new Concierge Lounge for suite guests and top tier loyalty guests

• A Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members

• Transforming the Viking Crown Lounge including new menu featuring bite size delectables

• Digital, interactive way-finding system

The Centrum – a five story atrium in the centre of the ship has also been transformed into a major entertainment area featuring a range of daytime activities, nightly shows and aerial performers. The Centrum’s Champagne Bar has also been reinvented as the R Bar, a retro bar that will feature signature cocktails and trained mixologists.

Dining options onboard Grandeur of the Seas have nearly doubled with the addition of five highly acclaimed restaurants including:

 

• Giovanni’s Table: An Italian trattoria featuring classic dishes served family style (open for lunch, $15 per guest, and dinner, $20 per guest)

• Izumi Asian Cuisine: Featuring mouthwatering flavours with hand rolled sushi, as well as hot-rock cooking, the pan-Asian cuisine restaurant is an authentic dining experience (open for lunch, $3.00 per guest, and dinner, $5.00 per guest plus a la carte menu pricing) 

• Park Café: An outdoor gourmet market featuring customised salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, complimentary)

• Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse, offering premium cuts and quality meats (open for dinner, $30 per guest) 

• Chef’s Table: An exclusive and intimate event co-hosted by the Executive Chef and Sommelier for a five-course, wine-pairing fine dining experience (open for dinner, $95 per guest). 

While the speciality restaurants onboard are a small additional cost, guests have the option of choosing from several different dining packages which range from $50 to $120 per guest, and save at least 25 per cent compared to the sum of the individual restaurants’ cover charges. All main and buffet restaurants are included within the price of the cruise.

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Marks start of construction on second Breakaway class ship

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Costa Cruises has joined with the Venice Municipal Administration and the Piazza San Marco Association to present “Viviamo la città — sei in piazza San Marco” (“Let’s live the town — You’re in Piazza San Marco”), an initiative aimed at improving and preserving Piazza San Marco and the surrounding
area — one of the world’s most famous and iconic cultural and historical sites.
The project seeks to raise awareness about how local residents and tourists who work at or visit the unique location can use the Piazza San Marco in appropriate and sustainable ways. The three institutional sponsors are providing support in the form of planning and financial resources.

From May 14 to Sept. 30, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a team of eight hostesses and stewards will be available in the area around Piazza San Marco to provide information about how to respect and protect the iconic site, municipal rules of civilized conduct and the best use of public and private services. The multilingual team will be able to interact with tourists of all nationalities. Hostesses and stewards also will inform Metropolitan Police Headquarters of any violations of municipal rules they discover while on duty.
“Venice is one of the cities we are most fond of, and one of our cruise guests’ favorites,” said Gianni Onorato, Costa Crociere president. “That is why we want to contribute to the preservation of this monumental site that symbolizes the city, working jointly with the local authorities and institutions.”

Onorato noted that Costa has always played an active role in environmental protection and voluntarily proposes initiatives that go beyond the limits imposed by law. “In Venice we were one of the first, in 2007, to endorse Venice Blue Flag, the agreement to use low-sulphur fuel in the city area,” said Onorato. “Furthermore, our flagships Costa Fascinosa and her sistership Costa Favolosa will be calling in Venice throughout the summer 2012 season, and both ships are ready for fitting with the ‘cold ironing’ system, which allows the engines to be shut down when in the ship is in port and to connect to the shore electricity supply.”

“This is just one of multiple initiatives of the Piazza San Marco Association to protect the Piazza in collaboration with different entities that share the goal of solving the problems affecting the Piazza, particularly during summer,” said association Chairman Alberto Nardi. “That is when there is an unchecked flow of thousands of tourists of different nationalities, cultures, ages and social standings, arriving as individuals or in organized groups. The Piazza is huge, and its very architecture induces visitors to ‘spend time in the Piazza’ and ‘make themselves at home’ — at the expense of urban decorum. Well, this project intends to contribute to eliminating the negative aspects in all this.”

The Association, established in 1992 by Piazza San Marco traders and Venice residents, is committed to raising awareness and protecting the cultural values and the historical, artistic and architectural value of the Piazza San Marco area in particular and Venice in general.

For more information about Costa Cruises, contact a travel professional, call 800- GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com.

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In a luxury cruise industry first, Crystal Cruises has created an iPhone app to help travelers literally and figuratively share custom postcard images of their journeys via social media, email and even “snail mail.”  Incorporating the personalized memoir look and feel of the line’s just-launched “Begin a New Story” brand campaign, “The Storyteller” photo-customization app is available for free download from iTunes.

The user-friendly app invites both tech-savvy and tech-timid travelers to snap a memorable moment, stunning view, or new friend with their iPhone, and then use the app to add professional-style effects and share the image on one’s own Facebook page, Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page, or via email.  The “Storyteller” even provides an option to create an actual paper postcard that can be personally signed and mailed to friends and family with the tap of a touchscreen. 

Users can customize their photos with:

•  Color Filters in black and white, sepia, high-contrast, or de-saturated
•  Frames, with different black and white clean, classic, or more artistic border options
•  Captions, with choice of handwriting-style typeface, font color (white or black), and word positioning on the photo.

“This app provides the perfect venue for contemporary storytelling, combining photography, technology and creativity in an easy and intuitive way,” says Crystal’s Vice President of Marketing, Nitsa Lewis.  “It’s also a lovely nod to classically vintage travel correspondence and photos past, while celebrating the modern era of vacation storytelling...not to mention the added benefit of expanding communication channels for our loyal Crystal community.”

Crystal’s Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/crystalcruises) will have a “Never Ending Journal” section, compiling all photo submissions into an online group journal.  Categorized by cruise, the images will serve as emotional, peer-to-peer testimonials and rich visual depictions of the many adventures offered on a Crystal cruise. 

A video with step-by-step app instructions can be viewed on Crystal’s website and Facebook page.  The application is compatible with 3GS, 4, and 4S iPhones.  Upcoming guests will receive app brochures with their cruise tickets, so they can be ready to share their travel stories as soon as their trip begins.  Crystal fans can also look forward to other extensions of the “Begin a New Story” campaign soon, including animated Aurasma videos.

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history. 

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

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It has been announced that Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal will conduct a review of the P&O Cruises fleet as part of The Grand Event on Tuesday July 3rd, 2012, the pinnacle to celebrations which mark 175 years of heritage.

Her Royal Highness will visit Southampton and join guests on Oriana, the ship named by HM The Queen at its launch in 1995.

Following the reception, she will join THV Patricia to conduct the Fleet Review in her capacity as Master of the Corporation of Trinity House.

Each of the seven ships in the P&O Cruises fleet will depart on a Grand Event cruise and passengers on board will enjoy a special deck party to see them off in style with flutterfetti and daytime pyrotechnics from the quayside.

They will leave their berths in Southampton in order and process down the Solent into Southampton Water.

The P&O Cruises fleet will then move into formation to pass THV Patricia at Charlie Anchorage and salute HRH the Princess Royal as they are photographed from the air before they sail onwards to their various destinations.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “We are honoured to have HRH The Princess Royal visit us on this, one of the most significant days in our history, as all our seven ships gather in their home port on the same day for the first time ever to celebrate 175 years of heritage.

“As one of our esteemed godmothers she is intrinsically linked with P&O Cruises and we are privileged that she has agreed to conduct our Fleet Review.

“Thousands of people are expected to line the shores to witness this historical occasion, joining over 15,000 passengers and 6000 crew on board the seven ships.

“I am sure that this magnificent Fleet Review with Her Royal Highness in celebration of 175 years of heritage will go down in British maritime history, providing long lasting memories as we look forward to the next stage in our company’s history, with a new ship being launched in 2015.”

The Grand Event is part of a year of celebrations in 2012, marking 175 years of heritage. P&O Cruises can trace its roots back to 1837 when the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was awarded the Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

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Louis XIV’s marital stomping grounds, puffins’ Icelandic party pad, a former Prussian capital, Napoleon’s birthplace, and the gateway to Norway’s most scenic vistas are among seven European ports-of-call Crystal Cruises will be visiting for the first time this year.  From Crystal Serenity’s current trans-Atlantic voyage to Crystal Symphony’s reverse pond crossing in September, guests will be among the first Crystal travelers to stop in quaint communities, centuries-old fishing villages, and trendy cosmopolitan centers in Lithuania, Norway, France, Iceland, and Spain. 

Maiden calls include:

KlaipÄ—da: The third-largest city in “hot” Lithuania, this historic east-west-south crossroads offers metropolitan architecture, as well as the natural beauty of the Curonian Spit right outside.  Crystal Adventures: Birdwatch at the VentÄ— Cape ornithological station, learn about local fairytales at the Hill of Witches Sculpture Park, bike through Old Town, or step inside a former Soviet nuclear missile base.

Heimaey: Virtually destroyed in a 1973 volcanic eruption, this rebuilt island of 4,500 people serves as home to 8 million puffins per year.  Crystal Adventures: Explore caves by RIB boat, motorboat past orcas and puffin colonies, or watch locals rope-swing over cliffs to collect bird eggs.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz: This Basque coastal gem, with narrow cobblestoned lanes leading past the Church of St. Jean Baptist, is where Louis XIV married Spain’s Marie Thérèse in 1660.  Crystal Adventures: Glimpse Balenciaga’s haute couture, make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, sample Basque delicacies, or daytrip to San Sebastian, Biarritz, or Hemingway’s Pamplona.

Leknes: The Lofoten archipelago’s colorful Arctic trading/shopping center is ground zero for Norway’s most stunning mountains and cliffs.  Crystal Adventures: Safari for sea eagles, appreciate frozen art at an ice bar/gallery, or learn Scandinavian history at Borg’s Viking Museum.

Bonifacio: French chicness and Napoleonic history are all crammed into this one medieval Corsican town, perched precariously on the edges of stunningly steep, limestone cliffs.  Crystal Adventures: Canoe along the coast, ride a wheel train through the port, or trek cliffside hiking paths past wildlife and gorgeous views.

Palamós: This 800-year-old Costa Brava fishing village is famous for giant-sized prawns, water sports, and some of the best people-watching in Europe.  Crystal Adventures: Segway around gothic Girona, taste Salvador Dalí via a visit to his home or a meal inspired by his favorite dishes, or daytrip to Barcelona for a behind-the-scenes tour of Barça Team’s Football Club Stadium.

Akureyri: Iceland’s second-largest city offers a robust cultural scene surrounded by snowcapped peaks and gardens. Crystal Adventures: Visit the “Waterfall of the Gods,” flightsee over Eyjafjordur fjord to Grimsey Island, take a whale-watching expedition, soak in the Myvatn Nature Baths, or sample homemade ice cream, jam, and smoked lamb at local farms.

Until June 30, all-inclusive Book Now fares for the luxury European cruises featuring maiden calls start at $3,165/person, with optional air add-ons and savings for groups of six or more, combining cruises, and Crystal Society member-sponsored, new-to-Crystal guests.

Crystal Cruises’ passion for creating unique luxury experiences both on land and at sea have helped earn the company top ratings from international travelers for two decades. 

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent.

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