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Pucker Up: Windstar Chosen as Most Romantic Cruise Line by Porthole Magazine Readers
November 7, 2006Cherie
Release Date: 11/6/2006
Pucker Up: Windstar Chosen as Most Romantic Cruise Line by Porthole Magazine Readers
Windstar’s Three-Ship Fleet Picked for Romantic Ambiance Two Years in a Row
Seattle, WA, November 6, 2006 —Couples searching for a romantic cruise vacation need to look no further. For the second year in a row, Windstar Cruises has won the award for Most Romantic Cruise Line in Porthole Magazine’s 8th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
"I must agree with the readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine," said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine. "Windstar Cruises certainly gets my vote for Most Romantic Cruise Line. I congratulate them on their win."
Windstar’s three-ship fleet of elegant motor sailing yachts—the 308-guest Wind Surf and 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit—has been popular with honeymooners and others seeking a romantic escape since the company’s inception.
“There is something inherently romantic about being on deck under sail,” says Diane Moore. “The Windstar ships bring out the romance in us all. It’s in the atmosphere, the small-ship feeling, the tables for two at dinner, the luxury amenities, the personal service.”
Honeymooners enjoy special recognition on board with a personal letter signed by the Captain and Hotel Manager welcoming them to their honeymoon cruise. Mid-way through the cruise, the couple will receive a plate of delectable chocolate-covered strawberries and romantic rose petals strewn across the bed at turndown. On the last night, a honeymoon certificate signed by the Captain and Hotel Manager will be delivered to the room as a memento.
A honeymoon celebration package is available to purchase for $148 and includes a bottle of Taittinger Cuvée Prestige Rosé, two Windstar champagne glasses, chocolate-dipped strawberries, breakfast in bed, and a Windstar keepsake picture frame.
On board, luxurious staterooms await with new, plush beds outfitted with luxury linens and duvets; flatscreen TVs and DVD players; and spa bathroom amenities by L’Occitane. A romance playlist has been added to the Apple iPod Nanos available at reception. Drop the Nano into the Bose SoundDock speaker installed in every stateroom and love songs create a romantic atmosphere.
Currently on the Wind Spirit and Wind Star, guests may enjoy a romantic dinner for two in their stateroom. Called “Cuisine de l’Amour,” the menu offers mood-enhancing food.
Windstar’s elegant motor sailing yachts have recently received a multi-million dollar investment in luxury amenities. New plush euro-top mattresses and luxury linens dress up all staterooms along with shea butter bathroom amenities by L’Occitane and flatscreen televisions and DVD/CD players. High-tech amenities include wireless Internet, Apple iPod Nanos, and Bose SoundDock speakers especially for playing music from the Nanos or other MP3 players. More upgrades are planned for 2007.
Porthole’s Readers’ Choice Awards will appear in the December issue, on newsstands and bookstores in November.
Lindblad Offers Cruise to Public Awareness Campaign
November 7, 2006Cherie
Release Date: 11/6/2006
Lindblad Offers Cruise to Public Awareness Campaign
The My Wonderful World public awareness campaign, a 24-member coalition of businesses and nonprofits led by National Geographic, is offering families the chance to win a trip to the Galápagos Islands in 2007. The deadline for entering the drawing for the trip is Dec. 31. The 10-day excursion, offered by Lindblad Expeditions, will bring a family of four to the Galápagos archipelago. "Part of the My Wonderful World campaign message is that learning about the world should be a family affair, with parents helping children better understand and care about the planet," said Barbara Chow, executive director of the National Geographic Education Foundation. "A family trip to the Galápagos, the most pristine island group on the planet, is an incredible opportunity, and we're delighted that Lindblad Expeditions is joining us in this effort." The My Wonderful World campaign is designed to give U.S. students tools to become more informed global citizens. The goal of the five-year, multimedia campaign ( www.mywonderfulworld.org) is to improve the geographic literacy of people ages 8-17 by motivating parents and educators to make geography more available and accessible in school, at home and in their communities. For contest rules and to enter the sweepstakes, visit www.mywonderfulworld.org/lindblad_sweeps.html.
Value World Offers Cruise-Tours to China
November 7, 2006Cherie
Release Date: 11/6/2006
Value World Offers Cruise-Tours to China
Value World Tours will offer six 12- to 19-day Yangtze River cruise packages for 2007. The focal point of five packages is a four-night Yangtze cruise on the Victoria Empress, which features all outside cabins with private balconies. The 198-passenger vessel was built in 1996, remodeled in 2002, and caters to the North American clientele. These cruises traverse the most scenic portion of the Yangtze River and include the Three Gorges Dam (to be completed in 2009) and the gorges. Every program includes Beijing and the Great Wall of China. Various packages also include Shanghai, Xian (with the Terra Cotta Soldiers), Guilin and the Li River, Suzhou, or Guangzhou. One program, the 15-day land-cruise "Yangtze Voyager," includes an eight-night river cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing in a balcony cabin on the 206-passenger Victoria Prince. Sightseeing in Shanghai and Beijing (including the Great Wall), round out this vacation. All of Value World's China programs include all meals on the ship and several meals during the city stays. English-speaking guides will escort the travelers during daily sightseeing programs. The "China Delight" 12-day cruise and land package starts at $1,399 plus $85 port and cruise fuel surcharges, per person, twin. "Grand China," the full 19-day program, includes Shanghai, Suzhou, a four-night Yangtze cruise, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xian, and Beijing. This package, which operates between March and November 2007, begins at $2,499 plus $85 in port and cruise fuel surcharges. Value World offers discounts on all 2007 cruise packages that are paid in full before the deadlines. An early bird discount of $200 per person is being offered for bookings paid in full by Nov. 30; $100 in savings is offered for full payment by Dec. 29.
Rosie O'Donnell Named Godmother of Norwegian Pearl
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Silversea to Debut New Personalized Voyages in 2007
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Tauck Sets Sail for New Guinea in October 2007
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Celebrity and Pullmantur to Swap Cruise Ships - Former R6 to Join Celebrity Fleet
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Carnival Valor Wine Cruise in December 2006
November 3, 2006The upcoming wine-themed cruise aboard the Carnival Valor in December will offer participants an opportunity to sample fine wines from top wineries in Italy, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and New...
Ghosts at Sea
November 3, 2006Halloween just woudn't be complete without a few ghost stories, and the About Guide to Paranormal Phenomena explores some of the most famous ghost tales from the sea. These tales...
Saba - Dutch Island in the Caribbean
November 3, 2006Saba is a small Dutch island in the Caribbean that is about 28 miles from St. Maarten. Saba is very mountainous, and cruise ships that stopover at Saba usually include...
Notre Dame de Paris Pictures
November 3, 2006Many people do not think of Paris as a cruise destination, but several river cruise lines sail the Seine River between Paris and Normandy. In addition, Paris is a popular...
NCL Confirms Order for Two Newbuilds
November 3, 2006Cherie
Release Date: 11/2/2006
NCL Confirms Order for Two Newbuilds
NCL Corp. Ltd. has confirmed an order with Aker Yards of France to build two new cruise ships, with an option for a third. The ships, to be built for the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, will each be approximately 150,000 gross tons with 4,200 passenger berths. The contract price for the two ships and one option is €2.17 billion, or approximately $2.8 billion at Wednesday's exchange rate. The vessels will be built in Saint Nazaire in 2009 and 2010, with the optional third ship for delivery in the first quarter of 2011. With the project name "F3," the new ships will represent NCL's third generation of Freestyle Cruising ships. Details of the ship's design will be released closer to delivery. The company did say that 100 percent of outside staterooms will have private balconies for a total of 1,415 balcony staterooms and suites. The new ship design will offer 60 percent more passenger space than NCL's largest ships. For more information, call 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com.