Continuing its history of innovation, Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced a completely new concept to make cruising more attractive to solo travelers on the company’s largest and most exciting Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, launching this July.   Norwegian Epic’s Studios are the first staterooms designed and priced for single occupancy. These specially designed and priced Studio staterooms available on all of Norwegian Epic’s sailings – with no single supplement – went on sale January 18, 2010.

“Historically, the cruise industry has not embraced the large number of people who enjoy traveling solo,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer.  “We are breaking the mold of traditional cruising once again by offering a stateroom designed and priced specifically for solo travelers, making cruising a more attractive travel option.  We invite all solo travelers – whether they are first-time cruisers or cruising veterans — to sail on our incredible new Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic.”

The Studios on Norwegian Epic are a private key-card access complex on two decks consisting of 128 staterooms and the Studio Lounge.  This unique and thoughtfully designed concept provides comfort and convenience for the solo traveler.  Each Studio stateroom, at approximately 100 square feet of living space, features a contemporary design with a full-size bed and separate areas for the bathroom, sink and shower.  In addition, guests in the Studios have private access to the exclusive Studio Lounge.  Here, guests can grab a cup of coffee in the morning, meet up with fellow cruisers and plan their day or relax with a drink in the evening.  Since many of the Studio staterooms are connecting, there is also the opportunity for friends to travel together while giving each their own private space.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new partnership with Nickelodeon in which select Norwegian ships will feature Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment and programming all year long.  Beginning in April on Norwegian Jewel and this summer on Norwegian Epic, Nickelodeon and Norwegian experiences for the entire family will include: character meet and greets; interactive game shows; and more.  The three-year partnership also includes select specialty Nickelodeon-themed cruises each year, featuring Nickelodeon TV stars, show premieres and continuous themed-entertainment on the ship.

“Nickelodeon is an incredible family brand that is well-known to kids and parents of all ages,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “Combining its worldwide appeal with our signature Freestyle Cruising will create the ultimate experience at sea for families.  For any family considering a cruise vacation, there is no better value and experience than Nickelodeon at Sea on Norwegian Cruise Line.”

“At a time when families are seeking special travel experiences, we see an opportunity to build on the success of our previous Nickelodeon cruises to create a unique family cruise vacation experience with Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Howard Smith, executive vice president, Nickelodeon Recreation. “By partnering with Norwegian, we are now able to offer families Nickelodeon entertainment and programming at sea all year long.”

Nickelodeon at Sea will launch on Norwegian Jewel when the ship begins sailing from New York in late April, and on Norwegian’s latest addition to its fleet—Norwegian Epic—when she launches in July.  Each cruise will feature live Nickelodeon-themed interactive shows, including: SlimeTime LIVE! with Nick’s signature slime; Nick Live! Poolside entertainment; character breakfasts and meet and greets; Nick-themed dance parties; and more.  Nickelodeon-themed elements will also be incorporated into Norwegian’s Kids’ Crew program.

In addition to the year-round programming on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Epic, special Nickelodeon-themed cruises will be offered annually where families can immerse themselves in everything Nickelodeon all day, every day.  These unique cruises will include: special appearances by the Network’s live talent; show premieres; more live game shows; even more opportunities to visit with kids’ favorite Nick characters; and much more. The first of the Nickelodeon-themed specialty cruises is scheduled on Norwegian Jewel later this year. More details and an on sale date will be released soon.

I cannot believe it has already been three years since our wedding on board the Crown Princess. Looking back, I must say that it was a truly great and stress-free experience.

My wife Yelena and I knew at the onset that we did not want the big traditional wedding. Hosting such a big event and especially planning for it was not something that appealed to us. Having been in the cruise industry for a short while already, I knew how popular cruise ship weddings were. After doing some research, we agreed: there is no better way to celebrate our love than to get married in the middle of the ocean surrounded by our family and closest friends. We loved the idea as it gave us a chance to have the small, intimate wedding we wanted, allowed all of us (our guests included) to have a nice relaxing vacation, and the whole package was surprisingly affordable.

The planning process was unbelievably easy. First, it was important to choose the right cruise line for everyone involved. Although it was our wedding, we wanted our guests to have a wonderful time as well. We considered several cruise lines and decided on Princess as it really fit our needs nicely: large ship, plenty of things to do for adults and kids, as well as being able to get married while at sea by the Captain (how cool is that?!). After choosing the ship and itinerary (Southern Caribbean) and placing our deposit, there was not much to do until about a month prior to the cruise. That’s when Princess’ wedding department contacted us to take care of the details: types of wedding vows, flowers, cake, colors, music, etc., as well as a schedule of our wedding day.

Finally, the big day was here! About 25 people joined us aboard the beautiful Crown Princess to celebrate the most special day in our lives. The wedding day went without a hitch as everything was planned to perfection by our onboard wedding coordinator. The ceremony itself took place in a beautifully decorated wedding chapel. The ceremony went by so quickly, and with a few laughs. The onboard photographer took many pictures that turned out absolutely magnificent, capturing special moments of our family, our friends and us. Some pictures were even artfully done using black & white film with pops of color.

In order to make the day even more special we opted to have our dinner at Princess’ specialty restaurant, Sabatini’s.  The dinner was amazing and only cost $20 per person for a seven course meal – you really can’t beat that!  What really made this dinner special was when each of our guests got up to toast us on this important day.  We were truly touched.  After dinner, all of us went out dancing at the club, which was a perfect way to end the evening.

All in all, everyone had a great time, and the cruise was just beginning!  Planning the wedding was easy; the wedding day was amazing and memorable; and best of all relaxing! Would you ever imagine lying by the pool and doing absolutely nothing the morning of your wedding?!

Arthur Balin
Assistant Sales Manager
The Cruise Web, Inc.
1-800-377-9383  EXT 311
arthurb@cruiseweb.com

One of the signature qualities of an MSC cruise is the diversity of its passengers. MSC has taken the challenge of performing for possibly dozens of different language backgrounds, and turned it into an experience that can only be found on an MSC cruise. Instead of spoken word, the entertainment onboard is more likely to be focused on the visual experience.

An example of this, and the highlight of the evening, was the show that was performed in the Carlo Felice Theater. The Cruise Web’s Said Durrah commented, “The show was definitely Cirque meets Sea… Bright lights, custom costumes, all wrapped in a story of show that definitely kept you wondering what the next chapter would be…”

After a brief, but enlightening overnight on the Poesia, the group returned home eager to share their insights with their friends and coworkers.

On December 17, 2009, The Cruise Web rang in the holiday season with its own Holiday Cocktail Party. The party, held at Fado’s Irish Pub in Washington, DC, proved to be a huge success as co-workers shook off their work titles and spent the evening as friends.

Frans Hansen, President of The Cruise Web, kicked the evening off by toasting the employees, thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication all year long. It was a fitting tribute to the heart and soul of The Cruise Web.

The fun environment of the cocktail party provided the perfect way to unwind after a hard day of work. While the fantastic food and live music made the night enjoyable, it was the great company that made it one to remember; all highlighted by several employees’ attempts at traditional Irish dancing!

Here’s hoping your holiday season was as special as ours!

The proposal took place in Central Park in New York City. Her new fiancé, Doug, surprised Dana by proposing to her while the couple was enjoying a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Dana and Doug have yet to set the date, but know they want a destination wedding, either in Mexico or the Caribbean in the fall.

The Cruise Web is happy to hear about the engagement and wishes both Dana and her new fiancé all the best in their new lives together.

Before “The Love Boat” ever aired its first episode in 1977, cruises have long been intertwined with romance. Understanding the important relationship between cruising and romance, today’s cruise lines provide a variety of ways to turn an unforgettable vacation into the unforgettably romantic vacation of a lifetime.

Set sail to exotic destinations while enjoying the sunset over the ocean.  Enjoy a late night walk on the Sun Deck under the stars, as the moon glistens off the ocean below.  Dance the night away in one of the many onboard lounges or cuddle on the pool deck while enjoying a movie under the stars.  For those passengers still looking for that special someone, the singles meet and greet cocktail party is a great way to meet the man or woman of your dreams.  And once you step ashore, the romance begins almost immediately: a gondola ride on the canals in Venice, strolling in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or walking along white sand beaches a Caribbean Island hand-in-hand.

Looking to make a romantic cruise vacation even more special?  Cruise lines offer a variety of options to personalize the romance at sea. The onboard florist can make a formal evening more romantic with a corsage of fresh flowers.  Treat each other to a relaxing couples’ massage in the onboard spa.  Enjoy a champagne breakfast or dinner for two and a constantly changing view on the private verandah of your stateroom.  And don’t forget to commemorate the romantic getaway with a professional portrait session offered by the ship’s photographer.

Cruise Ship Weddings fulfill the dreams of many brides, where the wedding ceremony is performed at sea by the ship’s Captain.  Destination Weddings, offered in ports of call around the globe, give brides and grooms the opportunity of a lifetime – to have a beach wedding in the Caribbean, a glacier wedding in Alaska, a Tuscan wedding in the Mediterranean and more; the options are nearly endless.  Cruise lines’ all-inclusive wedding packages are completely customizable to create the perfect romantic wedding, whether just for the bride and groom, or a party including family and friends.  If you’re already married, you can renew your vows in a romantic ceremony onboard your cruise vacation.  Vow renewal packages are offered on sea days throughout the world and are officiated by the ship’s Captain.

No matter what you consider romantic or what special occasion you are celebrating, celebrating on a cruise is a great way to make it special.  And with all the different romantic options available both onboard and ashore, you can be sure the memories from your romantic vacation will last for years to come.

Jennifer Crivelli
Cruise Consultant
The Cruise Web, Inc.
1-800-377-9383  EXT 234
jenniferc@cruiseweb.com

What is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space?  Answer:  The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

This March, Crystal Cruises is introducing a new opportunity to explore this region’s remarkable sea life, rainforests and wildlife via a three-night “Great Barrier Reef Escape” Extended Land Program available before and after four Crystal Symphony voyages beginning or ending in Sydney, Australia.  The program flies guests more than 1,200 miles from Sydney to Cairns to some of the most breathtaking locations on the Australian coast, including:

• The Great Barrier Reef – Guests can swim and snorkel, or view the abundant coral and sea life via the underwater theater or a semi-submersible vessel.  The reef comprises more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays developed over centuries of natural evolution.

• World Heritage Rain forestation Nature Park – Guests will explore lush tropical rainforest and visiting resident crocodiles, wombats, wallabies, snakes, dingoes and kangaroos.

• Kuranda Scenic Railway – From the rainforest back to Cairns, and traveling at 34 kilometers above sea level, the rail showcases the region’s rainforests, plus steep ravines and cascading waterfalls and rivers.

“Australia’s environmental culture is fundamental to its heritage and lifestyle,” says John Stoll, director, land programs.  “With continuing comfort and ease, the escorted Great Barrier Reef program allows Crystal guests to more deeply explore one of the earth’s most spectacular natural gifts.”

The three-night optional land program is offered post-cruise for Crystal Symphony’s February 28, Los Angeles-Sydney cruise and March 30 Auckland-Sydney cruise; pre-cruise with the March 18 Sydney-Auckland and April 11 Sydney-Singapore voyages.  Accommodations at Sydney’s Intercontinental and Cairns’ Shangri-La hotels and air transportation from Sydney are included.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the line’s newest and largest “Fun Ship,” recently departed on its inaugural cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla., kicking off its year-round Caribbean cruise schedule from that port.

Carnival Dream’s inaugural departure from Port Canaveral – a nine-day cruise to Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas/St. John, San Juan and Grand Turk – was followed by the launch of year-round seven-day cruises, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean.  On this route, eastern Caribbean cruises visit Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten while the western Caribbean itinerary features Cozumel, Mahogany Bay (Roatan), Belize and Costa Maya.

Carnival Sensation also operates three- and four-day Bahamas voyages from Port Canaveral and, combined with Carnival Dream’s new week-long departures, Carnival Cruise Lines expects to carry some 450,000 passengers annually from Port Canaveral – more than any other cruise operator.

Representing a new class for the line, Carnival Dream ushers in an exciting new era in “Fun Ship” cruising, offering a sleek, modern hull design and a host of on-board innovations and features.

These include 19,000 square feet of space dedicated to children and families, an expansive WaterWorks aqua park offering the longest water slide at sea, new entertainment choices such as a comedy club and outdoor laser shows set to high-energy rock music, a half-mile wrap around promenade and whirlpools that extend over the ship’s sides, and Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue.

Other features include innovative accommodation options such as deluxe ocean view staterooms with two-bathrooms, some of which feature five berths and hold particular appeal for families, as well as the Fun Hub, a comprehensive intranet portal and the cruise industry’s first shipboard social network.

A wide variety of formal and casual dining options, including a new made-to-order pasta venue, Indian tandoor, 24-hour pizzeria, sushi bar, and burrito station, along with the largest health and wellness center in the Carnival fleet, the 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, are also featured.

Cunard Line, operator of the most famous ocean liners in the world, is pleased to announce a partnership with The Juilliard School that will present stellar jazz performances on select 2010 eastbound Transatlantic Crossings aboard Queen Mary 2. Students and faculty from Juilliard, which has set America’s standard for education in the performing arts, will perform programmes in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre, treating guests to the best in classic and contemporary jazz. These presentations are part of Cunard’s entertainment and award-winning enrichment programme, which showcases a variety of compelling entertainers – from new and emerging world-class talent to today’s most enduring and iconic artists. Last August, Juilliard Jazz scholar Jumaane Smith became the first student from the school to take the stage onboard Queen Mary 2, presenting a trumpet recital that proved to be very popular with the voyage’s guests.

“Our partnership with Juilliard will provide our guests access to outstanding, world class performances, reflecting both the rich history and lineage of Juilliard, as well as Cunard’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts and to offering our guests exclusive onboard experiences,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.

“We are honored that a famous and trusted brand such as Cunard has invited Juilliard to help enhance their legendary Transatlantic voyages with the talents of our students and faculty,” said Dr. Laurie A. Carter, the School’s vice president and general counsel, as well as executive director of Jazz Studies. “At Juilliard, we seek to foster the skills of our musicians, while helping them share their gifts with the world. With these special performances, we are proud to be able to provide them the opportunity to do so and, in return, bestow upon them what are sure to be unforgettable journeys.”