September 2009 Archives

In yet another industry first, Crystal Cruises is partnering with the Travel Channel Academy to teach its guests how to produce, direct and edit professional travel films.

Taught by Travel Channel producers and directors, the comprehensive curriculum mirrors the Academy's respected land-based program, embellished with camera equipment and editing software available exclusively to Crystal guests. The Academy is the only travel-focused digital filmmaking workshop on the planet. As the only cruise line to offer a version of the program at sea, Crystal is encouraging travelers to combine their passion for travel and film to become video travel journalists. Crystal's onboard Creative Learning Institute is introducing the workshops on the February 9, 21-day Cape Town-to-Mumbai "Safaris and Saris" segment of the ultra-luxury line's World Cruise.

"Storytelling is one of the great joys of travel," says Thomas Mazloum, Crystal's senior vice president of hotel operations. "This Crystal Cruises filmmaking experience is the kind of sophisticated enrichment our guests appreciate, enabling them to professionally document, relive and share the intangible adventures that inspire them to travel."

Via personalized and group instruction from nine Travel Channel professionals, guests will learn both the basic processes and finer nuances of developing travel documentaries, using their own adventures and stories as subject matter, during two distinct, comprehensive classes in travel filmmaking. The "Master Class" is a three-week intensive session during which participants will shoot, edit and produce two individual one-minute films, plus a three-minute group effort. The weeklong option, "How to Make Great Travel Videos," teaches the same skills in producing professional short travel videos, and help guests develop their own one-minute project.

Each person will have the opportunity to play the role of director, cameraperson, writer and editor, with the best videos selected at an awards ceremony during the cruise and shown on the Travel Channel Academy in-stateroom TV network. Guests can also submit their completed works to the Travel Channel and possibly showcase them on one of the network's many outlets. Master Class students will also learn how to market their documentaries.

"Research shows that consumer interest in and usage of travel video continues to rise, and since launching the Travel Channel Academy in 2007, we have now trained over 1000 people in the art of digital filmmaking and editing," said Adam Sutherland, vice president of business development, Travel Channel. "Since The Academy's inception, it was always our goal to identify partners who could help us grow the business and continue to build a base of skilled travel video journalists with the potential to take on projects for the network. Partnering with Crystal Cruises is a great way for us to build Travel Channel Academy awareness and reach, while providing Crystal's customers with useful skills they can apply while enjoying the splendors of cruising. It's a great fit for both parties, and one we feel will really resonate with Crystal's passengers."

No experience or technical knowledge is necessary to enroll in the program. Included in the $1,995 cost for the three-week course is hands-on training with Travel Channel Academy experts; and all equipment, including cameras, Apple computers, and Final Cut Pro video editing software, all of which runs several hundred dollars extra for the land-based course. Guests can opt for the shorter class for $495. Pre-registration is encouraged, as space is extremely limited.

In addition to Cape Town and Mumbai, the voyage visits Durban and Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mahe/Victoria, Seychelles; Male, Republic of Maldives; and Cochin and Marmagao, India. With two-for-one fares, the 21-day cruise starts at $13,190 per person, double occupancy, and offers a $500 per person 'All Inclusive - As You Wish' spending credit. Free air is included if the voyage is combined with another World Cruise segment.

Source: Crystal Cruises

MSC Cruises is offering a complimentary balcony stateroom upgrade from an interior stateroom on select Caribbean cruises for bookings made by October 16, 2009, providing savings up to 60 percent on a Caribbean cruise vacation.

Rates for this special "Fall Promotion" begin at $899 per person when booking an interior stateroom. Guests booking this promotion will be upgraded to a balcony stateroom on select 10-night cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean and Panama on MSC Poesia, which debuts in the U.S. with Caribbean sailings for the 2009-10 season.

The special rates are for new bookings made by October 16, 2009, while space is available, on the following 10-night Caribbean itineraries of MSC Poesia departing from Fort Lauderdale:

• Baseball Greats Cruise featuring Bob Feller, Frank Howard, Cito Gaston, Stan Bahnsen and Bill Russell to the "Dazzling Dutch Caribbean & The Panama Canal" Southern Caribbean, calls at Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; and Playa del Carmen, Mexico; departs Nov. 20. Fare: $949
• "Tropical Splendors, European Charm," Eastern Caribbean, calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort de France, Martinique; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas; departs Nov. 30. Fare: $899
• Les DeMerle Big Band Cruise to the "Remarkable Rainforests & The Panama Canal," Panama, calls at Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and Playa del Carmen; departs Dec. 10. Fare: $899
  

Cruise-only rates are per person based on double occupancy for U.S. and Canadian residents. Government fees and taxes for all guests are additional; restrictions apply. Children ages 17 and younger sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults.

Check out our website for a wide array of theme cruises at www.MSCCruisesUSA.com. All cruises offer just a $100 deposit on all sailings and itineraries.

Source: MSC Cruises

Once again, the cruise line known for recognizing, indulging and celebrating its guests is teaming up with the magazine known for celebrating the world of great food and sharing it with others. In December of this year, Celebrity Cruises' new Celebrity Life Savor Series and Bon Appetit will present their second at-sea experience focusing on the joys of cooking and dining: a seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage on Celebrity Solstice, the stylish and innovative flagship of Celebrity's newest class of ships.

Building on the success of April's joint program during which the magazine and the cruise line offered a Mediterranean experience on Celebrity Summit, and playing off Celebrity's new Celebrity Life program of onboard activities, the Bon Appetit cruise will take place on the 2,850-guest vessel that elevated the cruise industry's approach to style and design. Celebrity Solstice will depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 13, 2009, on a round-trip voyage that includes calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

The featured guest chef will be one of the foremost chefs in the U.S., Chef Marc Murphy, owner and executive chef of three popular New York City restaurants: Landmarc [TriBeca], Landmarc [at the Time Warner Center] and Ditch Plains. Renowned for his mastery of rustic French and Italian dishes, Chef Murphy will offer guests a comprehensive gastronomic experience.

Chef Marc Murphy

Onboard, Chef Murphy will bring his own flair to the voyage's culinary, enrichment and entertainment activities, as well as partner with Celebrity's own team of highly accomplished chefs. Chef Murphy will lead several culinary demonstrations and share his experiences via two enrichment lectures. During the cruise, Celebrity will feature special custom dishes inspired by Chef Murphy in addition to the traditional menu served in the Grand Epernay Dining Room.

Celebrity's most loyal guests, members of the line's Captain's Club program, will be offered the opportunity to participate in a shore excursion with Chef Murphy (on a space-available basis).

The seven-night sailing will also feature food and wine trivia, a recipe contest, a cooking class and an interactive cooking competition.

Travelers are encouraged to visit www.celebritycruises.com/bonappetit for more details.

In July, Celebrity Cruises launched Celebrity Life, in tandem with the arrival of the brand-new Celebrity Equinox, the second Solstice Class ship. Celebrity Life offers guests a new series of palate-pleasing, intellectually-enriching and life-enhancing programs designed to deliver the most unique and sophisticated onboard experience in premium cruising.

Built on long-established pillars of the Celebrity brand - dining, enrichment, and wellness - Celebrity Life encompasses three distinct program categories: "Savor," "Discover," and "Renew."

Guests sailing on Celebrity Solstice will enjoy a resort-like experience at sea through the brand-defining, industry-first attributes introduced with the ship's launch in 2008, including The Lawn Club, a half-acre country-club atmosphere featuring real, growing grass; 10 dining venues including several created by noted hospitality designer Adam Tihany, and all featuring menus pairing classic and contemporary selections created by noted chef, restaurateur and Celebrity's Vice President of Culinary Operations Jacques Van Staden; AquaClass, the line's spa-inspired staterooms offering exclusive access to the Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant, "Blu"; the industry's first Hot Glass Show at sea, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; larger, more intuitive staterooms influenced by a panel of five "boomer" women with unique travel and hospitality insights, and widely varied entertainment, including spectacular shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals.

Source: Celebrity Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator, will introduce the first year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C., with the deployment of the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in May 2010.

Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to The Bahamas and Key West, Fla., from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston beginning May 18, 2010.

On Carnival Fantasy's new Charleston-based cruises, Carnival is expected to carry more than 140,000 passengers annually from the port. Including Charleston, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 20 North American homeports in 2010, with 12 year-round departure points - the most in cruising.

The new year-round departures from Charleston dramatically expand upon Carnival's decade-long relationship with the port. Previously, Carnival has operated seasonal voyages from Charleston, including two five-day departures on the Carnival Triumph this year and two on the Carnival Glory next year.

Charleston's centralized location within the Southeastern U.S., as well as the city's strong appeal as a tourist destination, were key factors in the decision to launch year-round service aboard the Carnival Fantasy.

"Charleston is an extraordinary city within easy reach of millions of U.S. residents who will now have convenient access to Carnival's fantastic and affordable cruise vacation options year-round," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival's president and CEO. "Our past experience with the Port of Charleston, which has a very efficient and conveniently located cruise terminal, has been outstanding."

"Carnival and this vessel fit perfectly with the internationally acclaimed Charleston tourism market, which draws cruise passengers from across the Southeast and beyond," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "We have enjoyed a successful, long-standing relationship with Carnival, and we are very pleased to significantly expand that relationship with a year-round calendar. This commitment by Carnival underscores Charleston's cruise development potential."

New Year-Round Departures from Charleston

On its new Charleston-based program, Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages on a variety of departure days beginning May 18, 2010.

Five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. Six-day voyages departing Saturdays will visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West, Fla. Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Each of these tropical destinations has a character all its own and offers a wide range of snorkeling, fishing and water sports opportunities, as well as beautiful beaches and a distinctive island ambiance.

Carnival Elation to Mobile

Carnival Fantasy is currently based in New Orleans and is scheduled to transfer to Mobile for a program of four- and five-day cruises that will operate from that port from Nov. 10, 2009 through May 10, 2010.

Replacing the Carnival Fantasy in Mobile will be its sister ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, which will reposition from San Diego to launch year-round service from that port May 15, 2010. In addition to four- and five-day cruises from Mobile, Carnival Elation will operate a series of seven-day Western Caribbean voyages in spring, summer and fall 2010.

Prior to the start-up of its new Mobile-based program, Carnival Elation will sail on a 15-day Panama Canal cruise departing from San Diego April 30. Guests will have the option of debarking the vessel in Tampa on May 14 or in Mobile on May 15. Featured ports will include Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, Mexico; and Puntarenas, Costa Rica; followed by a Panama Canal transit; and visits to Cartagena, Colombia; and George Town, Grand Cayman.

Truly a 'Fun Ship'

The namesake vessel in Carnival's 70,000-ton Fantasy-class, the Carnival Fantasy offers a host of on-board amenities and facilities: a 12,000-square-foot health spa, extensive children's facilities for kids in three age groups - Camp Carnival (2-11), Circle "C" (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17), a variety of formal and casual dining options and 12 lounges and bars.

Also featured is Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive, all-ages aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, 82-foot-long dual racing slides and a splash zone. Carnival Fantasy also offers Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat, and a resort-style main pool area.

An Internet cafe with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are also available.

The ship also offers a variety of spacious accommodations, all of which feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Reservations

Carnival will begin accepting reservations on the Carnival Fantasy's new year-round departures from Charleston on Thursday, September 17. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Source: Carnival

Luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is expanding its innovative Computer University@Sea programming with the brand new Windows 7((R)) operating system, and more options for guests earning college credit during the World Cruise.

This fall, the line will offer classes based on Microsoft's Windows 7((R)), exclusively available on both ships - a month before the operating system will be available to the public. Additionally, guests aboard Crystal Serenity's 2010 World Cruise will be able to earn three transferable college credits for various computer courses, and can learn using two different operating systems, Microsoft and Apple.

The Windows 7((R) )classes will be taught by Crystal's Computer University@Sea instructors, and cover basic computing and valuable tips for mastering the operating system and maximizing ease and efficiency. The collegiate courses aboard the World Cruise, taught by an instructor from Del Mar College, include:

• Components of the System Unit
• Computer Storage Devices
• Database Management
• Privacy and Ethics
  

"Our guests expect sophisticated enrichment that includes progressive programming and the latest equipment," says Thomas Mazloum, Crystal's senior vice president, hotel operations. "We continue to strive to offer the very highest level of curriculum, as well as options to suit virtually any interest."

Every Crystal Cruise offers complimentary instruction on the Windows 7((R)) operating system, e-mail, website design, digital video editing, digital camera orientation, Photoshop, and even surfing the Web. Other topics include Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, greeting and business card design, and various financial research tools and spreadsheet preparation. Private instruction is also available. There is a nominal fee for those wishing to earn collegiate credit.

Renowned for its onboard enrichment, Crystal also offers varied, comprehensive programming on every worldwide itinerary, including keyboard classes through Yamaha and language classes through Berlitz. World Cruise segments feature expanded options, with additional lectures and classes.

The epic 108-day 2010 World Cruise departs Miami on January 11, and visits such exotic destinations as South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Iran, among more than 40 ports in 37 countries. For terms and conditions and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

Source: Crystal Cruises

Over 60 percent of travel agents report their cruise wedding business has increased in the last two years. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member lines report increases of as much as 60 percent in the last decade. More and more cruise lines offer shipboard wedding packages, amenities and wedding planning services, including legal marriages performed by ships' captains virtually anywhere in the world.

Couples have gotten the message that a cruise can be the setting for an ideal destination wedding -- an easily planned, fully-personalized marriage ceremony, reception and honeymoon all rolled into one convenient package. The options are boundless: a shipboard wedding on embarkation day followed by a honeymoon for two; a shoreside wedding on a tropical beach; or a sunset marriage ceremony at sea with everyone in the wedding party enjoying the entire cruise are among the many choices.

Whatever the plan -- a wedding close in the Caribbean or Bahamas on one of the newest and largest ships in the CLIA fleet or on an all-suite luxury vessel in Europe or the South Seas -- couples and wedding planners will find outstanding value at every price level, often with costs significantly less than a similar land-based wedding and reception. It is even possible to charter an intimate luxury yacht or elegant river cruise ship and have total control over all the details, even the itinerary. And, besides weddings, many CLIA lines offer honeymoon and vow renewal packages, bachelor and bachelorette parties, even programs for "popping the question" -- the ultimate engagement party at sea.

To gauge the significance of the cruise wedding market and its trends, CLIA recently surveyed those who sell approximately 90 percent of all cruises. More than three hundred travel agents provided their input on who they are booking destination weddings at sea for and what their wedding clients are looking for. Here are the highlights of the findings:

• Almost 40 percent of travel agents have sold shipboard or destination wedding cruises
• Cruise weddings are getting more popular: Travel agents report booking more day-of-embarkation wedding cruises (18.3 percent); more shipboard weddings with guests going along for the cruise (22.1 percent) and more in-port weddings during the cruise (18.3 percent)
• Over 60 percent of agents report their cruise wedding business has increased in the last two years
• The best reasons to have a cruise wedding? Almost 35 percent of agents say their clients want to combine a wedding with a honeymoon; over 23 percent said value offered by cruise lines was the top reason
• For romance, nothing beats the Caribbean/Bahamas: Over 80 percent of agents rank this destination as the overwhelming favorite among cruise wedding clientele
• The typical wedding cruise is a seven-day voyage in the Caribbean and/or The Bahamas, on a large cruise ship with less than ten guests in the group. However, almost 30 percent of agents report booking wedding groups of 10 to 20 guests and over 10 percent book wedding parties of 20 to 30, and some cruise lines have reported wedding parties of as much as 200
• The typical cruise wedding clientele are mid-priced travelers aged 44 or younger who book eight to 10 months ahead
  

Here is a sampling of how CLIA member lines cater to bridal couples and other romantic travelers:

AZAMARA CRUISES

Azamara offers legal, captain-led wedding ceremonies, vow renewals and in-port wedding programs. Partnering with The Wedding Experience, a variety of packages feature everything from private receptions in the ship's specialty restaurant to cake, Champagne and more. Guests should book in advance to ensure processing of legal documents and licenses.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Some 2,300 couples will take advantage of Carnival's all-inclusive wedding packages this year, a 50 percent increase from a decade ago. Carnival's wedding programs include an official civil ceremony, reception and other value-added features and can be tailored to the couple's wishes. Shipboard ceremonies are available on embarkation day in Carnival's U.S. ports and many Caribbean destinations. Vow renewal packages are also available.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity's most popular wedding package is the "Nautical Nuptials" program featuring a captain-led wedding ceremony at sea offered on all Celebrity ships except Celebrity Xpedition. Other packages available include a "Bridesmaids' Tea Party," a "Cigar and Cognac Party," a "Test the Waters" package and a "Welcome Reception." Vow renewal celebrations are also offered.

COSTA CRUISES

Costa's cruise weddings take place while the ship is in port, either onboard or on land, with the company's wedding planners taking care of all the details. Couples may invite guests to join the full cruise or simply spend wedding day with the bride and groom. Among the choices are a "Caribbean Island Wedding" in a beach or garden location, or an "Italian Shipboard Wedding" in keeping with Costa's romantic heritage.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal offers captain-led wedding vow renewal ceremonies and it is rare that one of the company's ships sails without at least one honeymoon couple. Focusing on helping guests plan and enjoy a completely customized honeymoon rather than a pre-packaged program, Crystal offers such romantic options as a candlelight dinner on a suite's verandah, onboard florists, a portrait studio and private shore excursions.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Guests on Disney Cruise Line can exchange vows onboard the ship or step ashore for a romantic beach-side ceremony on the line's private island paradise, Castaway Cay. With a magical Fairy-Godmother functioning as wedding planner, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings handles all the details, including floral arrangements, elegant cakes and Champagne toasts. For many couples, Disney is also the ultimate honeymoon experience.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Holland America offers a Wedding Package as part of its Group Advantage Program (GAP). The wedding couple enjoys a free stateroom upgrade and a commemorative wedding cake with at least eight staterooms booked and the entire group enjoys numerous amenities, including a Pinnacle Grill lunch, private wine tastings, and chocolate-covered strawberries and Chase Limogere Brut in their staterooms.

MSC CRUISES

MSC offers a variety of amenity packages to enhance cruise honeymoons and other romantic occasions. These range from a bottle of Asti Spumante and a special fruit basket or a bottle of Ferrari Perle and cold canapes, to a "Romantic Sunrise" -- Champagne in commemorative flutes, orange juice and pastries -- to a "Romantic Sunset" -- Champagne in commemorative flutes and chocolate-covered strawberries.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian offers two wedding packages -- "Onboard Aisles" and "On Shore Aisles" -- available in ports in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and Bermuda. Both include a ceremony conducted by a local official plus all the features of a wedding, from music to wedding cake and sparkling wine. Norwegian also offers vow renewal packages and an "Engagement Aisles" program for the ultimate proposal at sea.

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES

French Polynesia in the South Seas is the setting for "A Lifetime of Memories" as the staff of Paul Gauguin create an unforgettably romantic event for honeymooners or those celebrating an anniversary. Among the features are a celebratory bottle of Champagne, a Polynesian blessing ceremony performed by Les Gauguines, an exclusive pillow gift and a photo portrait.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess pioneered weddings at sea more than a decade ago, and since then ship captains have married thousands of couples while sailing in locations around the globe. The unique "Tie the Knot at Sea" program offers ceremonies in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska and other exotic locales, which couples can customize with live music, flowers and reception options. In addition, a harborside option enables couples to be married in port, and ashore weddings are available in a variety of scenic ports.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Guests wishing to make customized wedding plans in conjunction with a Regent Seven Seas cruise may use the services of Royal Ocean Events, which can handle all the details and requests. A honeymooner package features a letter of congratulations from the captain, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and caviar, in-suite canapes every afternoon, a miniature wedding cake and Leonidas chocolates and more.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

In addition to a "Royal Romance" package featuring a one-hour wedding ceremony onboard ship or on shore on embarkation day, couples on Royal Caribbean can exchange vows while climbing the ships' rock walls or ice-skating or even catching the waves on the shipboard Flowrider. Shoreside wedding venues include the glaciers of Alaska, European castles, rainforests and an Italian vineyard.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB

SeaDream offers two wedding vow renewal ceremonies -- one designed for couples only, the other for as many as 12 guests -- and both conducted by the yacht's captain. Iced Champagne and canapes, a cake and flowers add special touches to the elegance of an elegant luxury yacht experience. SeaDream points out four couples who have completed the legal process at home, the shipboard vow renewal ceremony can serve as a wedding.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES

Offering an intimate and elegant atmosphere, Uniworld's boutique hotel-style ships provide the ideal situation for couples to charter the vessel and create the wedding of their dreams. Uniworld can accommodate 82 to 160 guests, depending on the ship, and offers flexibility to customize itineraries and inclusions. Short of this, Uniworld river cruise itineraries are perfectly suited for honeymooners whether they want to explore Europe or even the treasures of the Nile in Egypt.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Windstar invites couples celebrating honeymoons, renewing wedding vows or honoring a special anniversary to discover romance at sea. Chilled Champagne, chocolate-dipped seasonal fruit, breakfast in bed, "Time for Two" massages and elegant dinners for two at sunset are among the amenities featured on the line that has been named "Most Romantic Cruise Line" by Porthole Magazine.

Please visit CLIA's Website at www.cruising.org for more information on weddings at sea and to find a CLIA-certified travel agent near you.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

5+design was a key player on the design team behind the recently launched Celebrity Equinox, the second vessel in the Celebrity Class, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' largest and most innovative ships. When the Celebrity Solstice first launched in November of 2008, the new class quickly became the new benchmark for the industry.

With the design of the Equinox's retail armature, the main spine of the ship, which includes the Fortunes Casino, the Galleria Tastings wine and aperitif venue, the Art Gallery featuring an extensive on-board collection, and a two-level retail arcade, the 5+design team drew on their experience designing Solstice, observations on how people use the spaces, and guest feedback. Yet, as designer Sharon Huang notes, "People are always excited to see new things on the next ship, our Equinox design reflects that understanding."

For Celebrity the Solstice Class of ships represents the most sophisticated and elegant manifestation of their brand, offering an exceptional range of services and amenities that bring the highest level of luxury, style, comfort and choice to its 2,850 guests. That intense focus on the on-board guest experience is what shaped the design for 5+design as they collaborated with Celebrity's in-house team and five other internationally recognized design firms.

"We have been fortunate to work with Celebrity as they endeavor to refine their product by fine tuning and upgrading their design," says Tim Magill, who led the 5+design team. "As they continue to build all five of the ships of the series, Celebrity has asked us to take additional spaces on the ship up to an even higher level of experience, unlike anything that is currently offered in the cruise ship industry."

5+design's goal is not only to emulate the best of land-based resorts, but to surpass the typical five star experience in terms of architectural design, quality of materials, and overall atmosphere. Combine the design with Celebrity's service and the beauty of their sea routes -- the result is an unforgettable vacation experience.

5+design is an international design studio offering services in architecture, urban design, planning and interiors. With offices in Hollywood, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai, the firm is working on mixed-use, retail, entertainment and residential projects globally. For more information visit: www.5plusdesign.com.

Holland America Line's ms Zaandam is set to discover the Hawaiian Island chain in 2010 with Circle Hawaii itineraries that offer guests the best of both worlds: luxuriously relaxing days at sea and exotic islands to explore. The 1,432-passenger ship will sail five 14-day roundtrip San Diego, Calif., cruises and one 15-day voyage from Vancouver, British Colombia, to San Diego. The sailings are from October through December.

Nestled between two stretches of sea days are back-to-back calls at Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui -- plus a call at Ensenada, Mexico -- before returning to San Diego. Included in the Hawaii cruise roster is a holiday sailing departing Dec. 19.

"Our Hawaiian itineraries combine the appeal of warm-water cruising and a port-intensive Pacific island experience," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "Guests will have time to enjoy our shipboard amenities and activities, and the convenience of visiting four ports in four days without multiple flights or the packing and unpacking associated with island hopping."

Departing Sundays from San Diego, guests will have several relaxing days at sea before arriving at Hawaii. During this time, they can enjoy a day at the Greenhouse Spa, channel their inner chef at the Culinary Arts Center for a hands-on cooking class or attend a Digital Workshop powered by Windows(R) to learn how to share memorable photos taken on the voyage. The Speaker Series offers exciting insights into upcoming ports and includes destination-related topics such as Polynesian music and dance traditions.

The first port call is to Hilo on the big island of Hawaii where guests can visit one of Hawaii's best-known landmarks -- Kilauea Volcano -- with its impressive molten lava flows. Other highlights include world-class botanical gardens and the awe-inspiring Akaka Falls. As Zaandam makes its way to Honolulu, the state capital, guests can enjoy an evening at the Polynesian Cultural Centers or other Hawaiian must-dos: whale watching, a traditional Hawaiian luau, a stroll down Waikiki beach or even surfing. For a more reflective view into Hawaii's past, guests can visit the USS Arizona Memorial from World War II.

On route to Nawiliwili, Kauai, cruisers are in for spectacular views as Zaandam sails along the island's dramatic Na Pali Coast. Upon reaching Nawiliwili guests can visit Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) or get an aerial view of the island on a helicopter tour. Thrill-seekers can book a zipline tour through the forest canopy for a unique perspective of the island's inspiring natural setting.

At Lahaina, Maui, guests can explore the stunning beaches and a magnificent volcano, or spend the day shopping at chic boutiques and galleries.

Those sailing on the 15-day voyage departing Oct. 2 have an added call at Kona, once known as the playground of Hawaii's royalty. Kona is synonymous with the famous coffee that grows on the slopes of dormant Hualalai volcano, a definite must-see for coffee aficionados. Another highlight of this longer voyage is an evening scenic cruise past the famous Kilauea volcano.

Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person for the full 14-day Circle Hawaii and $1,699 per person for the 15-day voyage.

For a cruise brochure or for more information on Holland America Line's Grand Voyages, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.

Source: Holland America Line