get ready to follow my adventure to South East Asia

Chris and I are almost set to take off this evening for Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

 We will be sailing aboard CRYSTAL SYMPHONY on March 26, 2014. Watch this blog for details, insights and photos as we journey to new places for us to visit..

LOS ANGELES, January 21, 2014 – Crystal Cruises announces the newest perk to its All Inclusive luxury cruise experience: Free Wi-Fi for Crystal Society members, the line’s “club” of repeat guests, beginning Fall 2014.  Effective with Crystal Serenity’s September 19 New England/Canada sailing and Crystal Symphony’s October 15 Panama Canal cruise, each Crystal Society guest will receive 60 minutes of complimentary internet access for every day of the cruise.  For example, a 10-day cruise will offer 600 free minutes per person (or 1,200 free minutes per couple), a 12-day cruise offers 720 free minutes per person (or 1,440 free minutes per couple), a 14-day cruise offer 840 free minutes (or 1,680 free minutes per couple), etc., which can be used any time throughout the voyage.  

YES! YES! YES!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRYSTAL TO GO ALL INCLUSIVE IN 2012

Gratis Gratuities, Wines and Bar Service Added

LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2011 – Crystal Cruises is enhancing its already expansive host of luxury services and amenities. Effective spring 2012, vacations on the award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will include complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. The complimentary gratuity amenity also includes Penthouse butler service as well as service in all of Crystal’s fine specialty restaurants and sushi bar.

“Our ‘All Inclusive’ is an evolution of Crystal’s luxury services and responds to the desires of today’s upscale cruise traveler,” says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. “As many lines throughout our industry have itemized their services for additional charges, Crystal is maximizing the guest experience by eliminating additional transactions — further enhancing the ease and luxury of a Crystal cruise. We believe this service will offer greater convenience, simplicity and comfort.”

The new benefits begin with each ship’s first Trans-Atlantic cruise next year: Crystal Symphony’s “Beyond the Sea” sailing from Miami to Lisbon on March 19, 2012, and Crystal Serenity’s “New World to Norway” voyage from New York to London on May 8, 2012.

A complete list of 2012 Crystal itineraries, with fares, for all cruises is now posted on Crystal’s website, www.crystalcruises.com, and all cruises are now open for booking. Also included with all cruises is free round-trip air transportation from two dozen North American gateways (or a generous air credit), with airport/ship transfers included.

Since its inception, Crystal Cruises has added to its award-winning luxury vacation experience each year with more and more complimentary amenities, services, workshops and dining opportunities.

Always included at no additional cost are: all non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, specialty coffee drinks, soft drinks and fresh juices; all meals, including dining in specialty restaurants that feature the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio; high tea; ice cream and frozen yogurt bar; gym, steam, saunas and whirlpools; numerous fitness classes such as Spinning and group Pilates Reformer instruction; golf lessons with PGA pros; Walk-on-Water weighted vests and Nordic Pole walking equipment; Yamaha keyboard classes; Berlitz language classes; paddle tennis; dozens of computer/technology classes; art classes; Crystal Visions lecture series, featuring Crystal Visions lecture series featuring distinguished speakers; award-winning entertainment; in-stateroom movie and CD rentals; film screenings in the onboard cinema; dance lessons; dedicated junior cruiser facilities; early embarkation luncheon; welcome champagne; comfortable shuttles to town; pillow menus; self-service laundries; twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service; and 24-hour room service.

Penthouse accommodations also include personal butler service, pressing, stocked bar, and other amenities and services.

All guests enjoy Six-Star service from gracious European-trained wait staff, concierges who belong to the prestigious “Les Clefs d’Or,” and sommeliers certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers. 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.

It's about time.....

For the 2011 crusie season, cruise lines calling at Copenhagen port will soon be able to print airline boarding passes and check in luggage through to their final destination.

The initiative received approval from the Danish authorities earlier this month and is expected to see take up by cruise lines shortly.

This means that passengers can leave their bags outside their staterooms and the next time they see them will be when they arrive at the end of their flight. The idea is to maximise your time spent before returing home.

The Waiting Is Over.....

Holland America Line launched what it’s calling ‘Stateroom Direct Service,’ giving clients immediate access to their rooms upon embarkation.

Under the program, your stateroom will be ready as early as 11:30 a.m., and you will no longer have to check your carry-on bags and wait in public areas while rooms are being prepared.

Additionally, clients will receive their luggage earlier. Also you will have the opportunity to eat lunch at leisure in the Lido restaurants, which offer full buffets.

Enjoy...It's all included!

Chris and I just returned from a ten night Pacific Coastal Cruise aboard Regent Seven Seas Voyager. This was my FIRST time sailing with RSSC. We began in Costa Rica, visited many ports in Mexico (VERY WARM WEATHER - YEAH) and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge to compete a very lovely cruise.

I can personally tell you when RSSC says, "IT'S ALL INCLUDED" - that is the truth 100%. We selected a few of their FREE shore excursions which were operated better than some we have paid money for. If you are wondering how good the food is - I did not go hungry. I was never far from a drink. The service staff was very accommodating to our every wish.

There is so much more I could expound on, but I suggest calling me to book your RSSC cruise.

More Sailings to Save $$ on.....

Seabourn Cruise Line has just came out with an extension of 'Seabourn Value Fares,’ previously offered on all 2011 cruises to the first quarter of 2012, offering savings up to 65%.

Client must book by March 31, 2011, after which the prices are subject to rise.

Seabourn Value Fares start at $2,399 per person for a seven-day cruise. Prices vary by itinerary and apply to all worldwide voyages for fall 2011 and winter 2012.