May 2009 Archives

Prestige Yacht Charters, a premier luxury-yacht charter company serving New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, today announced a series of business-friendly features available on its fleet, including a brand new ship, the Romantica.

Yachts offer the latest audio/visual equipment, and confirmed business clients can test the set-up for their presentation in advance. Sophisticated projectors, screens and plasma TV monitors ensure compatibility for nearly any arrangement. In addition to standard laptop integration, ships offer mobile technology for iPod transmissions as well, so guests can stroll along the deck without missing a moment of any lecture or proposal.

David Hackert, President of Prestige Yacht Charters, said, "We can adapt our vessels and customize each cruise for nearly any type of business meeting. I especially recommend our new ship, the Romantica, because its combination of plush interiors and modern style evokes a sense of indulgence and largesse. In doing so, it also fosters an image of success essential for any business to impress its prospects and close a deal."

Other features on Prestige ships include zoned audio systems to provide even sound throughout the vessel so guests can enjoy striking panoramas without missing crucial communications. The scenery and the process of conducting business over the water, while the ship gently lolls from side to side, offers a unique approach to make potential partners more amenable.

Prestige also offers custom seating and table arrangements depending on the number of guests and the formality of the occasion. Cocktails with passed hors d'oeuvres can lend an elegant touch, or, for a no-nonsense business atmosphere, a company may opt for sodas and juice. Similarly, meals can vary from boxed lunches to five-star cuisine.

Prestige offers safeguards in case of inclement weather. All ships, including the new Romantica, are climate-controlled with enclosed decks, and the routes traverse calm waters.

SOURCE Prestige Yacht Charters

Following an intensive inspection by a team of environmental health officers, Crystal Cruises' ultra-luxurious, award-winning Crystal Serenity received a "perfect" score of 100 from Health Canada. The unannounced audit occurred during Crystal Serenity's May 3 call in Victoria, British Columbia on the final segment of the line's World Cruise.

Scoring is based on 41 inspection items of the potable water system, food preparation and storage areas, and waste management systems, including filters, ventilation devices and sanitizing temperatures. Swimming pools and spas are also inspected.

Canada's Federal health department, Health Canada, developed its Cruise Ship Inspection Program (CSIP) to inspect cruise ships that visit Canadian ports. The guidelines were coordinated with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vessel Sanitation Program in 1998. A ship's level of sanitation is satisfactory if its inspection score is 86% or higher.

Crystal Symphony also received a score of 100 during her most recent calls in Canada in October 2008.

"Crystal Cruises' record of perfect scores is indicative of our efforts to meet the highest standards of excellence in all areas of our cruise operation," says Joe Valenti, Crystal Cruises' senior vice president, marine operations.

SOURCE Crystal Cruises

Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com), one of the world's leading providers of small-ship exploration cruises, introduced today two enticing three-night Alaska cruise weekend packages that include airfare from 14 west coast cities.

The Alaska Weekend Explorers Package offers reduced airfare from select west coast cities for both the three-night Glacier Bay Highlights and Glaciers of Prince William Sound cruises. Total price of $1,499 includes the $999 cruise fare and $500 airfare.

The $500 air add-on/package deal is available from Boise, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Ontario, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Seattle and Spokane.

Alaska's Glacier Wonderlands Cruises

Join the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery for a three-night cruise to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve; with two full days in this magnificent park. Starting at $1,499 for cruise plus airfare or $999 for cruise only (round trip Juneau).

The three-night/four-day Glaciers of Prince William Sound offers spectacular scenic cruising in Prince William Sound boasting cliff-walled fjords, narrow passages, humpback whales, brown bears, sea otters and harbor seals. Offered onboard the 78-guest Spirit of Columbia, the fare starts at $1,499 for cruise plus airfare or $999 for cruise only (round trip Anchorage).

More information about Cruise West's 2009 Alaskan itineraries can be found online at www.cruisewest.com or by calling 800-296-8307 or a travel professional.

Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

Cruise West believes that small is beautiful. Small-ship cruising allows up-close and personal experiences unmatched by the traditional larger cruise lines. For more than 63 years Cruise West has provided authentic travel experiences where the destination is the focus. Nine small ships with guest capacities ranging from 78-138 explore remote and distinctive destinations throughout the globe. A robust onboard enrichment program further enhances the guest experience through topical guest lecturers, additional exploration by zodiac and included excursions at every port.

Source: Cruise West

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most sought-after destinations, announces the new Future Cruise program that allows guests to book their future cruises from the comfort of their current Windstar cruise.

Windstar guests have always had the luxury of selecting the highest quality cruises available, now they can do it onboard their current Windstar cruise and receive a minimum $100 per person shipboard credit, plus a reduced deposit amount. This new offering provides guests with the leisure of selecting their next sailing with the help of their onboard host and ensures that they have the best chance of securing their favorite stateroom. Guests' onboard bookings will be linked to the travel agent that booked their current sailing.

A leader in defining the small ship luxury cruise experience for more than 20 years, Windstar has won the allegiance of a new generation of contemporary travelers who appreciate the line's luxurious accommodations, alternative dining venues, diversity of shore excursions, complimentary water sports program, deluxe spa facilities, and casual elegance. The recently completed multi-million dollar Degrees of Difference enhancements on all three ships focused on structural and technical operations along with upgrades to guest areas, remodeled bathrooms in staterooms and an expanded beauty salon and spa. In order to take the ship's comfort level to a new degree of luxury, Apple iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDock speakers, wireless Internet, flat screen televisions, luxury linens and mattresses as well as L'Occitane bathroom amenities were added in each stateroom across the fleet.

Windstar's award-winning reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Windstar was recently awarded "Favourite Small-Ship Cruise Line" in the U.K.'s Conde Nast Traveller's 2008 Readers' Travel Awards. Windstar received the highest score of any cruise line in the poll and was also only one of three cruise lines in Conde Nast Traveller's list of the "Top 100 of the Best the Travel World has to Offer." Celebrated Living, American Airlines' prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises "Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line" on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar "Most Romantic Cruise Line" and "Best Tall Ship" in the 2008 10th Annual Readers' Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in Travel + Leisure's World's 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among "The World's Best Small Ships" by Conde Nast Traveler.

SOURCE Windstar Cruises

Departing Rome in summer 2009, Celebrity Equinox is the latest addition to the Solstice Class of ships from Celebrity Cruises. Whether you're new to cruising or an experienced cruiser, Celebrity Equinox is packed with the most innovative features, including an industry first on the top deck of the ship: real, growing grass. With it's decidedly Country Club ambience, the half-acre Lawn Club lets guests relax and enjoy a variety of casual outdoor activities on its magnificent, freshly manicured grass. There's absolutely nothing like it. At 2.4 times the size of Centre Court at Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club, guests are invited to enjoy croquet, practice their golf putting, or have a picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, while sailing the oceans of the world.

"We want our guests to experience the unexpected, like the thrill of sinking a putt on a freshly manicured lawn in the middle of the ocean," said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "The experiences on and around the lawn exemplify what we aim to achieve: to recognize, celebrate and indulge our guests in style."

The area also features the Hot Glass Show, another industry first developed by Celebrity Cruises and the Corning Museum of Glass. The dazzling and engaging Hot Glass Show allows guests to watch as professional glassblowers create gorgeous pieces of art in an interactive setting in a unique exhibition.

Other new features include ten dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals, spacious staterooms and bathrooms, and several categories of accommodations, including Celebrity's new spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises