Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Proposed $680,000,000 Debt Offering



Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL Corporation Ltd., "Norwegian" or the "Company"), a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:NCLH), announced today that it is proposing to issue $680 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the "Notes") in a private offering (the "Offering") that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

 

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund a portion of the purchase price and related fees and expenses for the previously announced acquisition of Prestige Cruises International, Inc. ("Prestige") for $3.025 billion including assumption of debt. Norwegian intends to finance the remaining portion of the Prestige acquisition, as well as to refinance Prestige's Oceania and Regent Credit Facilities and satisfy and discharge the indenture governing Prestige's Regent Senior Secured Notes using $1.05 billion of borrowings under its New Term Loan A and New Term Loan B facilities (the "New Term Loans"), available cash and an additional share issuance. The Offering and the New Term loans are expected to close concurrently with the Prestige acquisition.

 

The Notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States, only to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

 

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning this proposed debt offering and any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, and technological factors outside Norwegian's control that may cause Norwegian's business, strategy, or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. For information about the risks and uncertainties associated with Norwegian's business, please refer to Norwegian's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

 

Investor Relations Contact
Andrea DeMarco
(305) 468-2463
InvestorRelations@ncl.com

 

Media Contact
AnneMarie Mathews
(305) 436-4799
PublicRelations@ncl.com

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Porthole Readers Name Costa Cruises Best for Mediterranean Itineraries 15th Year in a Row

http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pacifica.jpg

Costa Cruises was named “Best Mediterranean Itineraries” in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards for the 15th consecutive year. The Italian cruise line has been rated best in the Med since the award’s inception in 2000.


Costa Cruises is the largest Italian travel company and Europe’s number-one cruise line. While most lines sail spring through fall in the Mediterranean, Costa sails the region year-round. In 2015, Costa will deploy 13 ships across the eastern and western Mediterranean on itineraries ranging from three to 15 days.


The line’s new flagship, Costa Diadema, which just entered service last week, departs Savona, Italy, on seven-night cruises calling at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Naples and La Spezia, Italy, through the end of 2015 summer Mediterranean season.


“When it comes to Mediterranean itineraries, Costa Cruises brings its experience and deep-rooted understanding of the destination to cruisers,” said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. “It’s that expertise that our readers continually recognize and appreciate, and I congratulate Costa on its muchdeserved win.”


“Costa is very proud of its Italian background and we consider the Mediterranean our home,” said Ruben Perez, general manager of Costa Cruises North America. “We are confident we deliver the best product for cruisers to experience our ‘backyard,’ and we are gratified that Porthole readers continue to agree year after year.”


Departing from several countries, Costa’s Mediterranean cruises are port-intensive, allowing guests to explore some of the most popular and historically and culturally important cities in the world. In addition to calls at well-known ports like Istanbul, Turkey; Santorini, Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, the line also visits off-thebeaten- path ports like Kotor, Montenegro, and Split, Croatia.


Costa also introduced the new “slow-cruising” concept this year on its neoCollection ships. This style of cruising features longer, leisurely itineraries and extended time in port. Costa neoRiviera and Costa neoRomantica are both currently sailing Mediterranean itineraries that include destinations declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. About Porthole Cruise Magazine


Porthole Cruise Magazine is published bimonthly in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Now in its 18th year, it is the nation’s leading consumer cruise publication, featuring cruise and destination articles for both first-time and experienced cruisers. Available on newsstands as well as by both print and digital subscriptions, each issue includes ship reviews, cruise destination features and other editorial about cruise trends, food and wine, spa and well-being, entertainment, kids’ activities and other onboard amenities. To learn more, visit Porthole.com.

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Holland America Line’s new ms Koningsdam to Debut an Innovative Design Approach

Holland America Line


When Holland America Line welcomes ms Koningsdam to the fleet in February 2016, the ship will debut a new era in design approach for the line. As the first ship in the Pinnacle class, the 2,650-guest ship will have an interior that blends a fresh, contemporary styling in perfect harmony with the line’s renowned classic elegance.


Future guests, travel agents and ship fans can now get the first look at select interior renderings on Holland America Line’s website, www.hollandamerica.com. The story of the ship will unfold online over the coming months through vibrant renderings, engaging videos, ship facts and more details about the interiors created by Adam D. Tihany and Bjørn Storbraaten.


“When guests come aboard ms Koningsdam they’ll know they’re on a Holland America Line ship, but they’ll see we’re taking a forward-thinking approach to many of the design elements,” said Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group. “Revealing the first renderings and video of ms Koningsdam enables us to give future guests an advance look at the stunning interiors and over the coming months will reveal innovative new features along with our classics hallmarks that will create a cruise experience for the travelers of tomorrow.”


At the helm of the interior conceptualization is Tihany, regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent hospitality designers. A leader in creating luxurious and creative interiors at some of the world’s most iconic properties, Tihany has approached ms Koningsdam with an eye toward creating public spaces that reflect the tradition and signature elegance for which Holland America Line is known, while elevating the design to strike a more modern balance of past, present and future.


Focusing on fluid curves and graceful lines, light-filled spaces and the natural flow of public areas, Tihany’s metaphorical approach to the interiors of ms Koningsdam was inspired by the “architecture of music.”


“The idea was to tell a story that guests can connect with throughout their voyage,” said Tihany. “I was inspired by the thought of what you might see from the inside of a musical instrument, what the architecture of the surfaces and the geometry look like.”


Key to his concept is utilizing visual interaction, where guests actively engage with the architecture rather than passively moving through it.


“The design isn’t a literal translation of music, but a conceptual approach where we seek to evoke the feeling and beauty of an instrument with graceful lines, dramatic textures, lighting effects and use of materials,” said Tihany. “My inspirations were not only instruments, but also majestic spaces and exaggerating the feeling of height, so guests feel the grandeur of every room.”


For example, at the heart of the ship Tihany is creating visual drama with the central atrium. Soaring three decks high, the space is graced by an airy stainless-steel sculpture that represents the synthesis of a string quartet. Like music, the experience changes as guests move around and through it, so no two perspectives are the same. The atrium is capped by a ceiling “skylight” that serves as a backdrop for subtly changing high-definition projections. Guests will look up by day and see wispy cirrus clouds floating in an azure sky or perhaps soothing images of light in water. By evening, the atrium takes on dramatic lighting hues or reflects the starlit constellations of the night sky.


Hallmark Venues Reimagined with A Fresh Approach


The main Dining Room aboard ms Koningsdam will span two floors and be framed by views of the sea. A bright interior will be inspired by a modern, global design and sets the stage for the exceptional culinary experience to come. Strong, curved architectural pillars will accentuate the soaring ceiling. Chic, custom furnishings and modern glass lighting are being fabricated especially for the ship. The centerpiece is a curved copper sheath surrounding a two-story wine tower showcasing an impressive selection.


The iconic Queen’s Lounge has been completely reimagined as an elegant theater and entertainment venue that spans two floors. Tihany once again drew inspiration for the space from music, nodding to the sensual curves of a violin and featuring extensive use of wood, fluid waveforms and light. With state-of-the-art technology, the Queen’s Lounge will showcase world-class musicians and the largest dance floor on the ship.


Architect and Designer Bjørn Storbraaten Joins Tihany in Blending Contemporary Styling with Brand Hallmarks Architect and designer Bjørn Storbraaten joins Tihany in bringing the ship to life in a familiar yet innovative style. With his previous work on ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam, Storbraaten adds continuity of the brand to ms Koningsdam, while taking elegance to the next level.


“It’s been fascinating to work on ms Koningsdam where we are introducing design elements never before seen on Holland America Line,” said Storbraaten. “We were tasked with evolving the look and feel of the ship while keeping it true to the brand, making this an exciting and rewarding project.”


Storbraaten’s hand is clearly present in the design of the central pool area. The Magrodome, which typically is a single level on Holland America Line ships, has been expanded to two levels to create a vast glass-enclosed space. The lower level will have more traditional poolside elements, while the mezzanine level will be a new concept for the brand. In addition to other areas, Storbraaten is designing the exotic look of Tamarind, the line’s Pan-Asian restaurant that emphasizes nature’s basic elements: water, wood, fire and earth.


Across the ship, Tihany and Storbraaten are working together to make ms Koningsdam an evolution of the Holland America Line brand.


Over the coming months, even more innovative features and detailed renderings of ms Koningsdam will be released on the company’s website. Early season premier itineraries will be revealed in the coming weeks, in advance of these first ms Koningsdam sailings opening for booking on Dec. 1.


For more information about ms Koningsdam and Holland America Line, consult a professional travel agent.

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Sail Away to a Magical Winter Holiday on Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line
This holiday season, give a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a cruise on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, all decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer. Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.


During these voyages through the new year, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:


  • NEW “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
  • NEW “Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where guests celebrate the arrival of the guests of honor—Santa and Mrs. Claus—when a seemingly simple snowman is magically transformed into jolly old Saint Nick himself. Favorite Disney characters and princesses join guests as they dance the night away to holiday classics and delight in festive treats. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a very special princess joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.
  • NEW Dickens-inspired characters and carolers carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
  • NEW “Storytime with Mrs. Claus” beneath the giant holiday tree, where children join Mrs. Claus for a cozy and intimate storytelling as she reads classic holiday tales. Returning this year, holiday storytellers will also share tales of Hanukkah and Kwanza.
  • Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
  • Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
  • “Deck the Deck Holiday Party,” a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.
  • “Til We Meet Again” features a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire, and a special turkey towel animal in their stateroom upon turndown. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, big NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screen—Funnel Vision—located near the family pool.


Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids. Guests will also enjoy caroling from the crew choir plus a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas Dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.


Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 16 to Dec. 24.


When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.


For an extra sprinkle of holiday joy, mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper, in addition to special holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets, are available for purchase prior to the voyages for stateroom delivery. Plus, during the holiday cruises, Disney Cruise Line’s holiday merchandise collection, along with the ever-popular Disney Cruise Line ornaments, will be available onboard in the gift shops.


To ring in 2015, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.


To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 28; the Disney Wonder sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 30; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 10 to Dec. 29; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 8 to Dec. 27.


To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, contact a travel agent.

This holiday season, give a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a cruise on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, all decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer. Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.

During these voyages through the new year, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

  • NEW “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
  • NEW “Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where guests celebrate the arrival of the guests of honor—Santa and Mrs. Claus—when a seemingly simple snowman is magically transformed into jolly old Saint Nick himself. Favorite Disney characters and princesses join guests as they dance the night away to holiday classics and delight in festive treats. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a very special princess joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.
  • NEW Dickens-inspired characters and carolers carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
  • NEW “Storytime with Mrs. Claus” beneath the giant holiday tree, where children join Mrs. Claus for a cozy and intimate storytelling as she reads classic holiday tales. Returning this year, holiday storytellers will also share tales of Hanukkah and Kwanza.
  • Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
  • Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
  • “Deck the Deck Holiday Party,” a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.
  • “Til We Meet Again” features a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire, and a special turkey towel animal in their stateroom upon turndown. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, big NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screen—Funnel Vision—located near the family pool.

Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids. Guests will also enjoy caroling from the crew choir plus a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas Dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.

Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 16 to Dec. 24.

When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.

For an extra sprinkle of holiday joy, mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper, in addition to special holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets, are available for purchase prior to the voyages for stateroom delivery. Plus, during the holiday cruises, Disney Cruise Line’s holiday merchandise collection, along with the ever-popular Disney Cruise Line ornaments, will be available onboard in the gift shops.

To ring in 2015, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.

To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 28; the Disney Wonder sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 30; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 10 to Dec. 29; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 8 to Dec. 27.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

- See more at: http://dclnews.com/2014/01/27/sail-away-to-a-magical-winter-holiday-with-disney-cruise-line-3/#sthash.SsgwkPsE.dpuf

This holiday season, give a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a cruise on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, all decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer. Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.

During these voyages through the new year, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

  • NEW “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
  • NEW “Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where guests celebrate the arrival of the guests of honor—Santa and Mrs. Claus—when a seemingly simple snowman is magically transformed into jolly old Saint Nick himself. Favorite Disney characters and princesses join guests as they dance the night away to holiday classics and delight in festive treats. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a very special princess joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.
  • NEW Dickens-inspired characters and carolers carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
  • NEW “Storytime with Mrs. Claus” beneath the giant holiday tree, where children join Mrs. Claus for a cozy and intimate storytelling as she reads classic holiday tales. Returning this year, holiday storytellers will also share tales of Hanukkah and Kwanza.
  • Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
  • Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
  • “Deck the Deck Holiday Party,” a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.
  • “Til We Meet Again” features a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire, and a special turkey towel animal in their stateroom upon turndown. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, big NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screen—Funnel Vision—located near the family pool.

Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids. Guests will also enjoy caroling from the crew choir plus a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas Dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.

Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 16 to Dec. 24.

When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.

For an extra sprinkle of holiday joy, mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper, in addition to special holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets, are available for purchase prior to the voyages for stateroom delivery. Plus, during the holiday cruises, Disney Cruise Line’s holiday merchandise collection, along with the ever-popular Disney Cruise Line ornaments, will be available onboard in the gift shops.

To ring in 2015, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.

To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 28; the Disney Wonder sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 30; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 10 to Dec. 29; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 8 to Dec. 27.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

- See more at: http://dclnews.com/2014/01/27/sail-away-to-a-magical-winter-holiday-with-disney-cruise-line-3/#sthash.SsgwkPsE.dpuf

This holiday season, give a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a cruise on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, all decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer. Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.

During these voyages through the new year, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

  • NEW “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
  • NEW “Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where guests celebrate the arrival of the guests of honor—Santa and Mrs. Claus—when a seemingly simple snowman is magically transformed into jolly old Saint Nick himself. Favorite Disney characters and princesses join guests as they dance the night away to holiday classics and delight in festive treats. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a very special princess joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.
  • NEW Dickens-inspired characters and carolers carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
  • NEW “Storytime with Mrs. Claus” beneath the giant holiday tree, where children join Mrs. Claus for a cozy and intimate storytelling as she reads classic holiday tales. Returning this year, holiday storytellers will also share tales of Hanukkah and Kwanza.
  • Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
  • Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
  • “Deck the Deck Holiday Party,” a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.
  • “Til We Meet Again” features a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire, and a special turkey towel animal in their stateroom upon turndown. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, big NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screen—Funnel Vision—located near the family pool.

Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids. Guests will also enjoy caroling from the crew choir plus a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas Dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.

Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 16 to Dec. 24.

When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.

For an extra sprinkle of holiday joy, mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper, in addition to special holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets, are available for purchase prior to the voyages for stateroom delivery. Plus, during the holiday cruises, Disney Cruise Line’s holiday merchandise collection, along with the ever-popular Disney Cruise Line ornaments, will be available onboard in the gift shops.

To ring in 2015, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.

To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 28; the Disney Wonder sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 30; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 10 to Dec. 29; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 8 to Dec. 27.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

- See more at: http://dclnews.com/2014/01/27/sail-away-to-a-magical-winter-holiday-with-disney-cruise-line-3/#sthash.SsgwkPsE.dpuf

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Princess Cruises Introduces First-Ever Gift Card Program



Just in time for the holidays, today Princess Cruises announced a brand new gift card program making it easy to give the gift of cruising.


Princess Cruises gift cards can be applied as payment towards the purchase of a Princess cruise, as well as onboard products and services including specialty dining, drinks, Lotus Spa treatments, shore excursions and more.


“Our new gift card offering is customizable, easy to purchase, ideal for any celebration and is the perfect gift for holidays, birthdays and anniversaries,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We hope our new gift cards will inspire new travelers to take a Princess cruise and introduce them to the many worldwide destinations and memorable onboard experiences only a Princess cruise vacation can offer.”


Additional features of the Princess Cruises gift card program allow buyers to choose from various designs, schedule a delivery date to the recipient and even personalize the notification by allowing buyers to record an audio message and add a digital photo.


Cruise gift cards are available in $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,000 increments and can be customized for a specific dollar amount up to $2,000. Buyers purchasing a gift card for $100 or more will also receive free shipping. Gift cards can be sent electronically or via mail.


Princess Cruises gift cards are available at www.princess.com/giftcard and can also be purchased through travel consultants, or by calling 1-855-426-0168. Soon, gift cards can additionally be purchased on the Princess Cruises Facebook page. The program is available to all U.S. and Canadian residents.


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

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Holland America Line Names Orlando Ashford as President

Holland America Line

Holland America Line announced today that effective Dec. 1, Orlando Ashford will join the company as president to lead the award-winning cruise line's brand and business, including its fleet of 15 premium vessels carrying approximately 850,000 guests annually to all seven continents. Ashford joins the company from Mercer, the global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments, where he was president of the Talent Business Segment.

“We are fortunate to have Orlando join our team, bringing with him a career's worth of global experience leading high-performance teams that helped innovate some of the most respected and well-known companies in the world,” said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer, Holland America Group. “I am confident that Orlando’s leadership will enable Holland America Line to build on its uncompromising Signature of Excellence commitment to deliver a superior guest experience that will continue generating rave reviews from our guests, travel professionals and the industry alike.”


“Holland America Line is a remarkable and highly respected company that delivers exceptional experiences and indelible memories of joy and adventure to their guests,” said Ashford, newly appointed president of Holland America Line. “It’s a noble mission, and I am eager to get to work with this talented group of service-minded employees to unleash new ideas while building on the success of this thriving global business.”


Ashford will oversee Holland America Line’s sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, hotel operations and strategy. He will report to Holland America Group CEO Kruse and will be part of the Group’s executive leadership team alongside brand leaders Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises; Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn and president of Cunard North America; and Ann Sherry AO, chief executive officer, Carnival Australia. Ashford will relocate to the Holland America Line headquarters office in Seattle.


Prior to his role at Mercer, Ashford served as senior vice president, chief human resources and communications officer of Mercer's parent company, Marsh & McLennan Companies. He also has held several other leadership roles during the course of his career, including group director of human resources for 90 countries in Eurasia and Africa for the Coca-Cola Company and vice president Corporate Center human resources and cultural transformation. Previously he was vice president of global human resources strategy and organizational development for Motorola, Inc. where he helped modernize the human resources function for the global tech leader.


Ashford’s recently published book, Talentism, addresses the global disconnect between available jobs – more than one-third of employers worldwide cannot fill all available jobs – and the estimated 202 million eligible workers who are unemployed worldwide. Ashford examines how technology and human networks can help bridge the skills gap, improve business performance, and lead to the betterment of society at large.


Ashford is on the Board of Directors for a global manufacturing company ITT Corporation. He is among the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) 2013 and 2014 “Directorship 100,” and has been honored as a Purdue University School of Technology Distinguished Alumnus. An active community supporter, he is on the Board of Directors for the Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent membership organization for the development of global black leaders, and for Streetwise Partners, an organization that brings together low-income individuals and volunteer business professionals to develop workplace skills and employment networks. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Industrial Technology from Purdue University.


For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel professional.

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