Seattle, Wash., Feb. 2, 2012 — In 2012 Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center Program will host an all-star lineup of more than 60 celebrated chefs, cookbook authors and television personalities from the culinary world, including YouTube culinary sensation and “The Next Food Network Star” personality Serena Palumba, “Top Chef: Just Desserts” participant Zac Young and Chef Tony Maws, winner of the 2011 James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Northeast.”

The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, enables guests aboard the line’s 15 ships to experience culinary demonstrations in a full show kitchen, tastings, question-and-answer sessions and hands-on classes conducted by top chefs, wine experts and leading cookbook authors.

“The Culinary Arts Center is at the core of Holland America Line’s enrichment program and each year we bring on board the most talented and entertaining culinary experts in their field,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs. “We want our guests to have a special experience that makes them want to go home and tell friends and family they learned how to make a new dish from a well-known chef.”

Celebrity Chefs featured in Holland America Line’s 2012 Culinary Arts Center Program include:

Kaushik Chowdhury is executive pastry chef at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Ariz. Chowdhury has received numerous awards including first place in the Food Network’s Sugar Showdown competition and a gold medal at the 2009 U.S. National Pastry Championship. He is scheduled to sail aboard ms Amsterdam during the 18-day Grand World Voyage segment departing April 10. Chowdhury also is scheduled to sail Oct. 9 and Oct. 27 during segments of Amsterdam’s Grand Asia and Australia Voyage.

Linton Hopkins is owner and executive chef of Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta, Ga., and a multiple James Beard award nominee. He was recently nominated for a 2011 James Beard Award in the “Best Chef: Southwest” category. Hopkins is slated to sail aboard ms Eurodam’s 10-day Gems of the Baltic cruise June 14.

Tony Maws is executive chef and owner of Craigie on Main in Cambridge, Mass. The contemporary French cuisine restaurant was named one of Boston’s “10 Most Influential Restaurants of the Decade” by The Boston Globe, and Maws himself was named one of America’s “10 Best New Chefs” by Food & Wine magazine. In 2011, he won the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Northeast.” Chef Maws is scheduled to sail aboard ms Ryndam’s Norwegian Fjords cruise May 6.

Serena Palumba is a teaching chef, television personality and recent finalist from season six of the Food Network’s hit show “The Next Food Network Star.” Palumba, created an instant-hit series of instructional videos on YouTube called “Cooking in Manhattan” that teach viewers how to prepare meals with simple ingredients and limited equipment within the confines of a small urban kitchen. Palumba is scheduled to sail on ms Veendam’s seven-day Bermuda cruise April 29.

Jonathan Sawyer is executive chef of Greenhouse Tavern, recently named one of the top 10 best new restaurants in the U.S. by Bon Appetit magazine and best new restaurant by Cleveland Magazine. Sawyer has appeared on the Food Network’s “Dinner: Impossible” and “Iron Chef America,” and was recently honored by Food & Wine magazine as one of America’s best new chefs. He is scheduled to sail on ms Zuiderdam’s seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise Aug. 18.

Leslie Sbrocco is a wine expert, award-winning author and television personality. She is the host of the PBS series “Check, Please!” for which she won both the coveted James Beard Award and an Emmy Award. She has written two books, “Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine” and “The Simple & Savvy Wine Guide.” Sbrocco is slated to sail on ms Maasdam‘s 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise Nov. 30.

Denise Vivaldo is a culinary consultant, food stylist and celebrated cookbook author. Vivaldo has catered more than 10,000 parties and has cooked for notable guests such as U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, Prince Charles and Bette Midler. Additionally, she has styled food for various nationally syndicated television shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Inside Dish with Rachel Ray. Vivaldo is scheduled to sail on ms Westerdam’s seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruise July 21.

Zac Young is executive pastry chef of Flex Mussels Restaurant in New York City. He trained in France with renowned chefs Philippe Givre at Valrhona and Philippe Parc at Chocolate Michel Cluizel, where he developed his signature style of using French techniques and bold flavors for a creative spin on classic American desserts. Young finished in the final four of Bravo’s first season of “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and can be seen on The Cooking Channel’s new series “Unique Sweets.” Young is scheduled to sail on ms Volendam’s 23-day South Pacific cruise April 10.

Other notable Culinary Arts Center guest chefs and cuisine experts slated to sail in the 2012 season include:

• Hugh Acheson, judge on “Top Chef” season nine, culinary author, executive chef and partner of Five & Ten and The National
in Athens, Ga., sails on ms Veendam’s May 27 Bermuda cruise.
• Timon Balloo, executive chef of Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill in Miami, Fla., sails on ms Noordam’s Riviera Romance cruise Oct. 15.
• Paul Carter, executive chef of The Phoenician in Phoenix, Ariz., sails on ms Zuiderdam Aug. 18 in Alaska.
• Jeffrey Elliot, director of culinary relations for Zwilling JA Henckels, Demeyere, and Staub, knife skills expert and executive chef of
Zwilling JA Henckels – USA, sails on ms Eurodam Dec. 8 in the eastern Caribbean.
• Jason Franey, executive chef of Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, Wash., sails aboard ms Oosterdam’s New Zealand Discovery
cruise Oct. 24.
• George Geary, culinary journalist, author and educator, sails on ms Rotterdam Aug. 4 in the Baltic.
• Matt Gennuso, executive chef and owner of Chez Pascal, a French-American bistro in Providence, R.I., sails on ms Amsterdam
June 1 in Alaska.
• Paulette Mitchell, culinary instructor and author of 11 cookbooks, sails on a segment of Amsterdam’s Grand World Voyage
departing March 21.
• Patricio Sandoval, executive chef at Mercadito Chicago, sails aboard Rotterdam’s 14-day Spring Panama Canal cruise departing April 3.
• Kevin Sbraga, executive chef and owner of Sbraga restaurant in Philadelphia, Pa., and Bravo’s “Top Chef” season seven winner, sails
on Noordam July 17 in the Mediterranean.
• Angelo Sosa, executive chef and co-owner of Social Eatz, an “American-Asian” restaurant and bar in New York City and Bravo’s
“Top Chef” season seven finalist, sails on Prinsendam Aug. 8 in Norway and the British Isles.
• Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the “Ultimate” cookbook series, sail on Amsterdam Nov. 17 for
a segment of the Grand Asia & Australia Voyage.

Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center
Holland America Line’s industry trend-setting Culinary Arts Centers are featured on each of the line’s 15 ships. A “world class show kitchen at sea,” the Culinary Arts Centers presented by Food & Wine magazine resembles the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. The facilities are used for cooking shows, wine tastings, hands-on cooking classes and mixology presentations. All events are taught by highly-skilled culinary and beverage staff during every Holland America Line voyage.

Each facility features a theater-style venue with two large video screens and a large cooking display counter. In partnership with Food & Wine magazine, Holland America Line has schedule approximately 60 celebrated chefs and wine experts to sail in 2012. Holland America Line also offers a youth Culinary Arts Center activity program on select sailings to teach kids and teens how to cook. The program incorporates dishes from breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in complimentary 45-minute-long classes.

The Culinary Arts Center is part of Holland America Line’s innovative and industry-leading culinary initiatives, which also include a partnership with Le Cirque to present “An Evening at Le Cirque in the Pinnacle Grill” and a Culinary Council comprised of renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Jacques Torres, Charlie Trotter and the line’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise, a Michelin two-star restaurant just outside Reims, France, and Chef Scott Hunnel from award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World Resort have collaborated to create a French-inspired menu featuring superior products and seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world.

French-trained Chef Patrick Albert, executive chef for Remy, oversees an all-star culinary team providing guests a superb experience and epicurean excellence each day aboard the ship.

“From the moment our guests walk through the door at Remy, they are transported to a fine French dining experience,” said Ozer Balli, vice president, Disney Cruise Line Hotel Operations. “The success of Palo on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder encouraged us to create this elegant, upscale and even more intimate dining experience for the Disney Dream.”

Dinner at Remy is a lavish and leisurely affair, starting with a signature chilled Taittinger Champagne cocktail made tableside, followed by eight to nine small courses complemented by a stellar wine list. Lallement’s cuisine is simple and stylish, earning l’Assiette Champenoise two stars (of a possible three) from Michelin, making the experience “excellent cooking and worth a detour.” Hunnel’s innovative dishes garnered Victoria & Albert’s the coveted AAA Five Diamonds, a rating accorded a mere 0.19 percent of restaurants in North America and the Caribbean.

Polished touches at Remy include a tableside trolley for serving international cheeses and decanting stations for wines. Guests may order from two tastings menus that include wine pairings, or order a la carte from the menu.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

In consultation with the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), who has informed us that there are widespread outbreaks of Norovirus occurring in the US, it was agreed that the best course of action to stop the spread of the illness is for the ship to undergo a two-day extensive sanitization. To accomplish this, Crown Princess is now returning to Fort Lauderdale where the cruise will end on Thursday, Feb. 9. The ship was scheduled to return on Saturday, Feb. 11.

We sincerely regret having to cut short our passengers’ cruise vacations because of this highly-unusual situation. We will, of course, be refunding their cruise fare, arranging flights home, including covering change fees if air was not booked through Princess, providing hotel accommodation if necessary, and offering a 25% future cruise credit.

Crown Princess departed February 4 on its scheduled Southern Caribbean cruise after a comprehensive disinfection of all cabins and public areas, which was overseen by the CDC together with our public health, medical and onboard departments.

On the current sailing 114 passengers (3.70% out of 3,078) and 59 crew (5.01% of 1,178) have reported gastrointestinal illness. On the previous cruise, 364 passengers (11.73% of 3,103) and 30 crew (2.57% of 1,168) were affected.

At the first sign of increased cases of gastrointestinal illness, we immediately initiated additional enhanced sanitation procedures to interrupt the spread of illness for both passengers and crew members. Our sanitation program has been developed in coordination with the CDC and includes such measures as disinfection of high-touch surfaces; encouraging correct hand washing procedures and enhancing this with the use of hand sanitizing gels placed throughout the ship; isolating ill passengers and crew in cabins until non-contagious; encouraging passengers to use their own cabin’s bathroom facilities; and providing regular verbal and written communication to passengers about steps they can take to stay well while onboard.

The enhanced disinfection of the ship in Fort Lauderdale will include bringing aboard additional cleaning crew to assist with a thorough sanitization of all public spaces and surfaces including soft furnishing and carpets, railings, door handles and the like. The staterooms will be sanitized multiple times before making up the rooms with fresh linens and towels on Saturday morning, just prior to passenger embarkation.

We continue to work closely with the CDC to determine the cause of the illness, which is suspected to be the easily-transmitted Norovirus, which is so widespread that only the common cold is reported more frequently.

Following this additional sanitization of Crown Princess, we expect that the next cruise on February 11 will depart as scheduled.

The current seven-day Caribbean sailing of the ship was scheduled to visit Curacao and Aruba, but we regret that the early return to Fort Lauderdale has necessitated cancellation of these calls.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Football Legends To Quarterback NFL-Themed Crystal Cruise

LOS ANGELES, February 6, 2012 – For those for whom football fever lingers well after the Big Game, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is offering a showdown of gridiron greats during a spring “NFL Legends”-themed voyage.  The May 8, port-packed Trans-Atlantic sailing from New York to Dover features a football-focused “Ocean Views” panel discussion and each  guest individually sharing inspiring personal stories from decades on the field, as well as hard-won tools for success in any field, since everyone faces teams, competition, and occasional losses and victory dances in work and life.  Scheduled motivational speakers include:

• Coach Don Shula: Hall of Famer who holds the most wins in National Football League history as coach of the only undefeated NFL season record-holders, the Miami Dolphins, as well as the Baltimore Colts.
• Larry Csonka: Bowl MVP and Hall of Fame All-Pro running back for Shula’s undefeated Miami Dolphins and the NY Giants.
• Jim Tunney: “The Dean of NFL Referees,” with thirty years’ experience as a pro game Official.
• Coach Dick Vermeil: Former Bowl-winning head coach of UCLA, the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams.

“Sports fans know these guys as experts of the pig skin, but they’re also quite wise about the thick skin required to face hurdles in anything,” says Bret Bullock, Crystal’s vice president of entertainment. “All travelers on board can glean powerful coaching and playing tips for whatever game they’re trying to win in life.”

The experts will each host individual sessions, then gather for the “Ocean Views” confab to share opinions on sports and next season’s predictions (instead of world events, as usually discussed in “Ocean Views”). In addition to Q&A, audience members will be able to weigh-in anonymously during the panel with individual electronic polling devices that are new for the program this year.

The unusual Trans-Atlantic itinerary, with only three of its sixteen days spent at sea, overnights in New York before sailing on to Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; St. John’s, Newfoundland; Reykjavik and Heimaey (maiden call), Iceland, Tórshavn/Faeroe Islands, Denmark; Ålesund, Norway; Hellesylt/Geiranger and Bergen, Norway; and London/Dover.  The voyage also marks Crystal Serenity’s first “All-Inclusive” experience, with complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff all included.  Until February 28, per-person “Book Now” fares start at $5,055, with attractive air add-ons from more than 90 North American airports.

Crystal’s award-winning, luxury cruises always include a diverse selection of thought-provoking, scholarly, and sophisticated enrichment activities that provide extensive on-board choices for cultured world travelers.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

SEATTLE, February 6, 2012 — For the second year in a row, Seabourn’s intimate, luxury cruise ships sailed to the top of Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious list of the world’s 100 best cruise ships, based on scores achieved in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice poll. Seabourn’s fleet dominated the survey, occupying five of the top seven spots. Once again, Seabourn Odyssey was the highest-rated small cruise ship, with Seabourn Pride coming in second. Seabourn Sojourn ranked fourth, and Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit rounded out the top seven. Seabourn Quest, which debuted to rave reviews in June of 2011, was not included in the poll but is a sister ship to the top rated Odyssey.

“These honors truly belong to Seabourn’s hardworking crew” said Seabourn’s president, Richard Meadows. “We’re extremely proud of them, and we know that these rankings are a direct result of the exceptional way they care for our guests.”

The list, published in the magazine’s February issue, outlines the scores of each ship in a variety of categories, including service, itineraries, food and dining, activities, design and layout, and more. Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Legend received the highest scores in three categories: 97.1 for cabins, 98.8 for food/dining and 93.5 for design/layout, respectively.

In 2011, Seabourn completed a three-ship expansion, adding new vessels that garnered rave reviews and acclaim as “game-changers” for the luxury cruise segment. The expansion included the launch of Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, Seabourn Sojourn in June 2010, and the new Seabourn Quest in June 2011. Each ship carries 450 guests, providing the highest ratio of space per guest in the industry and unmatched levels of personalized service from nearly one staff member per guest. Seabourn’s fleet includes the line’s original trio of 208-guest ships: Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend.

All six ships offer key elements that set Seabourn apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas; superb dining in a choice of venues; open bars throughout the ship; fine wines poured at lunch and dinner; the aforementioned award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board.

Seabourn’s six-ship fleet circles the globe throughout the year, sailing to the world’s most desirable destinations at their peak seasons. Cruises of seven days to World Cruises of more than 100 days visit hundreds of ports, including marquee cities and lesser-known yachting harbors and hideaways.

For more information on Seabourn’s award-winning cruise vacations, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Steve Tucker, Silversea’s vice president of field sales for North America, said: “Once again, we’ve assembled an eclectic mix of renowned speakers from around the globe to enrich our guests’ holiday experience with insights covering a broad spectrum of topics.”

Following is a small sampling of guest speakers with abbreviated biographies and their respective voyages in 2012:

Silver Shadow – 4 February – Voyage 3203 (Auckland to Freemantle)
MAGGIE BEER : On Australia’s ABC television network, this self-taught cook and champion of traditional cooking methods co-hosted the popular cooking programme The Cook and the Chef with Simon Bryant, head chef for the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide. She has written several books about food and in 2001 was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to Australian society through cooking and writing.

Silver Shadow – 4 February – Voyage 3203 (Auckland to Freemantle) & 23 February – Voyage 3204 (Freemantle to Singapore)
TERRY WAITE: As envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite successfully negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya during the 1980s. In 1987, negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage and held in captivity for 1,763 days.

Silver Spirit – 12 April – Voyage 5210 (Barbados to Lisbon)
MORTON DEAN : As a correspondent for CBS News and ABC News, this Emmy-Award nominated reporter covered many historic, headline-making stories around the world. He covered the Vietnam War with distinction, and when a deadly terror bomb blasted the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen, he was dispatched there as ABC’s lead reporter.

Silver Shadow – 25 April – Voyage 3211 (Tokyo to Shanghai) & 6 May – Voyage 3212 (Shanghai to Tokyo)
BERNARD KALB: A veteran journalist, media critic and author, he was the founding presenter and a panelist on the weekly CNN programme Reliable Sources for a decade. He travelled the globe for more than three decades as a correspondent covering world affairs for CBS News, NBC News and The New York Times.

Silver Spirit – 16 November – Voyage 5236 (Las Palmas to Fort Lauderdale)
ALASTAIR BRUCE OF CRIONAICH, OBE : A descendant of Robert the Bruce, he is the author of numerous books on British royalty and a commentator for Britain’s Sky News and the BBC. He is also a documentary filmmaker and was historical advisor to recent award-winning films such as The Young Victoria and The King’s Speech, as well as the new Masterpiece Classic television series Downton Abbey.

Silver Spirit – 20 December – Voyage 5239 (Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale)
TERRY HUGHES: He was head of BBC TV Variety during the “golden years” of Morecame & Wise and The Two Ronnies. He also co-produced and co-directed the acclaimed Ripping Yarns, written by and starring Michael Palin. Moving to Los Angeles, he soon became one of the premiere producers and directors of television’s The Golden Girls, 3rd Rock from the Sun and episodes of 8 Simple Rules, Friends, Blossom and That ’70s Show.

And as previously announced, bestselling authors Bill Bryson (A Short History of Nearly Everything) and James Bradley (Flags of our Fathers) will be hosting two segments of Silver Whisper’s World Cruise 2012. Bryson is slated to host Voyage 4206, 3 – 14 March, Singapore to Shanghai, and Bradley will host Voyage 4207, 14 – 26 March, Shanghai to Bangkok.

For a complete list of upcoming guest lecturers, including their photos, biographies and voyage dates, go to www.silversea.com/life-onboard/enrichment/guest-lecturers/.

About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit — all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises’ itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 400 fascinating destinations in between.

In the US, Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and awarded “Best Cruise Line for Luxury Small Ships” by Luxury Travel Advisor (2011). International awards include “Best Innovation in Products and Services” from the Italian Innovazione Marketing Oggi Awards (2009); “World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2010); “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2011); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2010); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” Excellence Award by Spain’s Cruise News Media Group (2009); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2011); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Travel Weekly China (2010).

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The subway cars, which are wrapped both inside and out, reflect actual Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The cars’ interiors are each separately wrapped as an onboard theater featuring marquees of some of the Broadway shows guests can see onboard select Royal Caribbean ships such as Hairspray, Chicago and Saturday Night Fever; an onboard spa with bamboo showers and masseuse; as well as an open deck area complete with a Flowrider surf simulator and surfer. Each car conveys the options for entertainment, relaxation and adventure that can be enjoyed on a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. Commuters, who will be treated to special surprises during the month, are encouraged to take photographs and videos to share with friends through their social media channels, tagging Royal Caribbean by using the specified hashtag #RoyalShuttle. Royal Caribbean also challenges fans to find “hidden treasures” in the shuttle artwork, including characters such as Shrek and Po from the cruise line’s exclusive partnership with film studio powerhouse DreamWorks Animation.

For New York-area residents inspired to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, Royal Caribbean offers convenient cruising options to Bermuda and the Caribbean out of Bayonne, N.J., and Baltimore, Md., onboard Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas. Royal Caribbean’s innovative onboard amenities, upscale accommodations, dining and entertainment are all delivered with the cruise line’s signature Gold Anchor Service, all within a few-hours drive from home.

To further support the campaign, Royal Caribbean is offering a special “Book to Win” incentive for travel agent partners who book 2012 Bermuda sailings on Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas, between Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. A minimum of five cruises are required to qualify for contest entry. The grand prize winner, announced on Feb. 20, will receive dinner at an exclusive Grand Central Terminal restaurant, a ride on the Royal Caribbean branded shuttle to Broadway, and tickets to the hit Broadway show “Chicago.” The second place winner will be awarded a $100 gift certificate. Agents also are invited to visit the Royal Caribbean shuttle experience and share pictures with clients through their personal social media pages.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. The cruise line has a 40-year history of giving guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for nine consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow Royal Caribbean on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter, @RoyalCaribbean. Travel professionals should visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

About American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. cruise company, operates the newest fleet of small ships in the industry and offers more than 35 unique itineraries along the inland waterways and rivers of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Mississippi River System and East Coast of the United States, from New England to Florida. To learn more about American Cruise Lines, visit our Website at www.americancruiselines.com or call (800) 814-6880. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

With a majority of its West Coast sailings originating from the Port of Los Angeles or the Port of Seattle, a Disney family cruise vacation is more accessible to guests from the western United States.

“We listen to our guests, and shortly after we announced our first Hawaiian voyage it was clear our guests wanted more options to visit Hawaii,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “This second sailing to Hawaii is part of a wide variety of Disney Cruise Line vacation options for families in 2012 including new itineraries, regional homeports and the debut of our newest ship, the Disney Fantasy.”

2012 Los Angeles Schedule

Two Hawaiian Sailings…

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will offer two special voyages to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Kahului, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; and Hilo plus Ensenada, Mexico.

The 15-night Hawaiian itinerary, which includes nine days at sea, departs April 29, 2012. The newly-added 14-night Hawaiian itinerary, with eight days at sea, departs Oct. 14, 2012.

The Disney Wonder will sail through the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, where guests can experience the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu, see the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui, take in the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai and, on the Big Island, explore the natural wonders of the world’s most active volcano.

Rates for the Hawaiian cruises start at $1,800 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Mexican Riviera…

The Disney Wonder is scheduled to sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of the year – throughout winter, spring and fall.

Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $707 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The Disney Wonder will also sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (on Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.

Rates for the seven-night Pacific Coast itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $770 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

2012 Seattle Schedule

Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 14 seven-night cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia.

These cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney Cruise Line works closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

On their Alaskan adventure, guests can explore magnificent glaciers and fjords in Juneau. In Ketchikan, they can fish for salmon and learn about local culture through hand-carved totem poles. In Skagway, Disney Cruise Line guests can traverse panoramic landscapes by railway, or pan for gold like miners from the famous Klondike gold rush.

Rates for the seven-night Alaska cruise itinerary departing from Seattle start at $917 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Sailings depart May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27.

2012 Galveston Schedule

Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean, calling on Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.

A Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic offers families a tropical getaway with world-class entertainment and impeccable guest service found only on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Guests will enjoy three magical days at sea to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Magic and three days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters or to shop in exotic marketplaces.

Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston start at $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Sailings depart Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8.

2012 East Coast Schedule

Sailing from New York …

Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada plus two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience over a weekend:

Eight eight-night Bahamas cruises will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and Port Canaveral, Fla., with an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort.

Nine five-night cruises up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Three two-night cruises (June 15, July 13, Aug. 10) are perfect for a quick weekend getaway.

Sailing from Port Canaveral…

The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries, with a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Pricing reflects category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government Taxes and Fees not included.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (January 31, 2012) — Princess Cruises is looking for 1,000 passenger-submitted cruise vacation photos to permanently showcase aboard its new Royal Princess when the ship debuts in spring 2013.

The line has launched a “1,000 Memories at Sea” contest inviting passengers to submit their best cruise vacation shots, which will be displayed on the walls of hallways between staterooms and in other locations around the ship. In addition, one lucky photographer will win a cruise for two, including airfare, on Royal Princess.

Whether they captured the perfect Caribbean sunset, caught Alaska wildlife in action, found a breathtaking rainbow over Hawaii, or snapped a meaningful moment onboard, passengers can submit their favorite cruise photos on Facebook, at princess.com/royalprincesscontest or by mail. The “1,000 Memories at Sea” contest will be judged by a panel which is looking for creativity, originality, style, and images that capture the spirit of what it means to “escape completely.” Contest judges include Rai Caluori, Princess’ executive vice president of fleet operations; Teresa Anderson, the line’s vice president of interior design, and Ian Johnson, director of photography and video for Princess.

“With the introduction of Royal Princess, we wanted to pay tribute to our passengers and their vacation memories made aboard our ships,” said Jan Swartz, executive vice president for Princess. “This contest will be a fun opportunity for 1,000 of our passengers to be permanently recognized aboard our new ship, so they should start sifting through their travel photos now, and submit a remarkable shot to be considered.”

The “1,000 Memories at Sea” contest runs through March 31, 2012 and is open to entrants 21 years of age or older, residing in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Full entry details for the contest can be found at princess.com/royalprincesscontest .

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

LOS ANGELES, January 30, 2012 – Never one to rest on its laurels, Crystal Cruises is introducing “A Year of New Developments” for 2012. Each month, the ultra-luxury line is introducing new destinations, shore-side adventures and an array of new product enhancements that add even more choices in wining, dining, evening and daytime entertainment, enrichment and fitness. From offering VIP service at the airport to easing check in, Crystal’s steadfast focus is on refining its guest vacation experience. New developments include:

DESIGN

Extreme Ship Makeover: Major redesigns of Crystal Symphony’s Avenue Saloon, Palm Court lounge, Galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge, and Fantasia and Waves “junior cruisers” areas are set for June, completing a 5-year plan of re-doing every space on board.

CULINARY EVOLUTION

All-Inclusive: Crystal’s All-Inclusive segue this spring features quality spirits, fine wines, and champagne, with better-than-well brands such as Grey Goose, Belevedere, and Herradura serving as bases for fresh, mixologist-made cocktails.

Chinese Comfort Food: With a new chef, new equipment, and authentic ingredients, this month Crystal Serenity’s Tastes café introduced a casual dinner-on-deck menu of traditional, Chinese steamed dumplings, noodles, soups, fried rice and vegetables.

Late-Night Bistro: Shortly after going all-inclusive, Crystal’s hugely popular daytime bistro/central meeting place will transform into an evening café for small bites, desserts, and late-night snacks, accompanied by fine wines, champagne, and flavored coffee/hot drinks.

Nobu Checks In: Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Crystal’s partner in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar specialty restaurants, comes aboard this May to Executive Chef in-person, with nightly restaurant appearances, cooking demonstrations, autograph sessions and special “Omakase” dinner, accompanied by his private Sake maker, Fumio Hazu.

New Year Means Ocean of New Developments for Crystal Cruises

LOS ANGELES, January 30, 2012 – Never one to rest on its laurels, Crystal Cruises is introducing “A Year of New Developments” for 2012. Each month, the ultra-luxury line is introducing new destinations, shore-side adventures and an array of new product enhancements that add even more choices in wining, dining, evening and daytime entertainment, enrichment and fitness. From offering VIP service at the airport to easing check in, Crystal’s steadfast focus is on refining its guest vacation experience. New developments include:

DESIGN

Extreme Ship Makeover: Major redesigns of Crystal Symphony’s Avenue Saloon, Palm Court lounge, Galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge, and Fantasia and Waves “junior cruisers” areas are set for June, completing a 5-year plan of re-doing every space on board.

CULINARY EVOLUTION

All-Inclusive: Crystal’s All-Inclusive segue this spring features quality spirits, fine wines, and champagne, with better-than-well brands such as Grey Goose, Belevedere, and Herradura serving as bases for fresh, mixologist-made cocktails.

Chinese Comfort Food: With a new chef, new equipment, and authentic ingredients, this month Crystal Serenity’s Tastes café introduced a casual dinner-on-deck menu of traditional, Chinese steamed dumplings, noodles, soups, fried rice and vegetables.

Late-Night Bistro: Shortly after going all-inclusive, Crystal’s hugely popular daytime bistro/central meeting place will transform into an evening café for small bites, desserts, and late-night snacks, accompanied by fine wines, champagne, and flavored coffee/hot drinks.

Nobu Checks In: Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Crystal’s partner in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar specialty restaurants, comes aboard this May to Executive Chef in-person, with nightly restaurant appearances, cooking demonstrations, autograph sessions and special “Omakase” dinner, accompanied by his private Sake maker, Fumio Hazu.

Uber-Exclusive Vintage Room Experiences:
Intimate “Theater-in-the-Round” dinner hosted by two Hollywood legends: actress Tippi Hedren and iconic costume designer “Edith Head” (as played by actress Susan Claassen). (April)
Michelin Star chef Heinz Beck cooks a seven-course feast paired with impossible-to-purchase wines selected/presented by Master Sommelier Bob Bath, for an Ultimate Vintage Room experience priced at approximately $1000/person. (May)
Norwegian Bocuse D’Or contenders past and present, Odd Ivar Solvold and Ørjan Johannessen, chef their own Ultimate Vintage Room experience: a rare Bocuse-level dinner with wine pairings selected/presented by renowned French winemaker Christian Moueix. (Aug)

Sweetening Desserts: After an extensive “pastry summit,” onboard pastry chefs will debut new, homemade desserts, petit fours, and other pastries this fall.

NEW TO DO ON BOARD

Local Insights: Planned for every European voyage, local experts and dignitaries will be invited on board for one-on-one interviews and regional insights on topics ranging from the area’s economy to its arts and culture. (Spring)

Music Legends: Two brand-new evening productions will highlight the hits of legendary musical performers. (Late Spring/Summer)

Magic Alliance: Crystal is preparing to team with a world-famous magic organization to bring aboard strolling magic shows and adult-geared classes. (June)

Magical Kids: Magic Alliance-offshoot just for Junior Cruisers. (July)

Local Entertainment: Destination-unique, accomplished local entertainers will perform aboard every European sailing, making it easy for guests to see whirling dervishes in Turkey or Irish step dancers in Dublin. (Spring)

Interactive “Ocean Views”: Debuting with the World Cruise, Crystal’s popular discussion panel boasting high-level world affairs experts expands with interactive technology. Via individual electronic polling devices, audiences can join the debate instantly — and anonymously. 2012 guests include James Carville, Mary Matalin, former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, international economics expert Robert Warne, 4-star General Hugh Shelton, and geographer Dr. Harm de Blij, among others.

iPad® and Facebook Classes: This month, Computer University@Sea adds multiple levels of iPad and Facebook classes to its wide spectrum of free computer-related education.

Expanded Pilates/Yoga Classes: Dedicated Pilates & yoga instructors for expanded programs, including complimentary Pilates Reformer classes. (Crystal Serenity — Pilates Reformer: Jan-Mar, May, Dec; Yoga: Jan-Mar, April) (Crystal Symphony — Pilates Reformer: Jan, March, Sept, Oct; Yoga: Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec)

NEW TO DO ON LAND

Besides new experiences on board, Crystal is introducing 20 maiden calls, new itineraries, multi-day overland adventures, pre- and post-cruise land packages and a wealth of new excursions within itineraries. New highlights include:

Luxurious Land Programs: More than 100 new shore excursions in the first six months alone, including:
Samba-ing in Rio’s Carnival
Helicoptering over Paris
Exploring the slow food movement in Bordeaux
River rafting in Iceland
Pilgrimage-ing to a Bosnian holy site
Evening strolling through Copenhagen’s old streets, guided by a traditional night watchman

You Care, We Care: Crystal’s second year of complimentary voluntouring excursions on every cruise spreads more goodwill to new locales, such as:
Cambodia: Teach children the arts, plus plant a vegetable garden, at an orphanage
British Columbia: Stock, pack, and distribute food and toys at a local food bank
Singapore: Help literacy-challenged children to read
Odessa: Provide assistance to the homeless at a Ukrainian social services center
South Korea: Bring benevolent support to a home for underprivileged children

Complimentary Celebrations: Ring in 2013 with an all-inclusive, complimentary New Year’s Eve party underneath Sydney Harbour Bridge, offering a VIP vantage point for the world’s biggest New Year’s fireworks during an Australian-New Zealand holiday party-packed voyage.

MAKING TRAVEL EASIER

Crystal Fast Track Check-In, 360-day advance preview of Crystal Adventures, our earliest ever booking availability of World Cruise Crystal Adventures, and digital tour books online join new:

Crystal VIP Airport Service: An industry-first service that facilitates a hassle-free airport experience for guests traveling to and from their Crystal ship, launching next month.

“Crystal has long had a reputation for leading the pack in innovation,” says President Gregg Michel. “In 2012, we’re building upon that tradition by continually enhancing the Crystal Experience. One doesn’t hold onto the title of ‘World’s Best’ without consistently examining what ‘best’ means to its valued customers.”

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.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Miami – January 30, 2012 – Now celebrating 20 years as a luxury innovator, Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduces a bold, full-color brochure containing a 14-month look at the ultra-luxury line’s all-inclusive itineraries for March 2012 through May 2013. The new Voyage Collection features cruises to the world’s most exotic destinations, including Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and the Americas on the all-suite Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator.

The 234-page Voyage Collection provides information on each cruise, highlighting the number of free unlimited shore excursions offered on each sailing, a hallmark of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxury offerings. In a dedicated section, guests can read descriptions of a selection of complimentary tours, ranging from cycling through the Konvale Valley in Croatia and wine tasting in the south of France to a jeep ride through the Tijuca Forest in Brazil and riding an elephant in Phuket.

The brochure’s sleek design is complemented by new interior photographs of the recently renovated Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager. Emerging from drydock in 2011, both all-balcony, all-suite vessels showcase elegantly refurbished suites and public areas, from new ultra-plush carpeting throughout the ship to suite updates, including new wallpaper, fabrics, curtains, décor and art.

Introducing Sette Mari at La Veranda

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new Voyage Collection also introduces Sette Mari at La Veranda – a new intimate Italian dining experience. Beginning in June 2012, each evening, the popular daytime buffet venue La Veranda will transform into Sette Mari, where guests will choose from an extensive menu of authentic antipasti and Italian specialty items paired with distinctive fine wines, all cooked a la minute and served by a dedicated wait staff.

“This highly visual, elegantly designed new brochure provides our guests and travel partners with accessibility to a wide-range of itineraries and offerings all over the globe,” states Kari Tarnowski, the line’s senior vice president of marketing. “The concise new layout prominently highlights Regent Seven Seas’ distinctive all-inclusive offerings.”

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is widely recognized as the world’s most inclusive ultra-luxury cruise line with airfare, all-suite accommodations, award-winning cuisine, premium spirits and fine wines, live entertainment, shore excursions, gratuities and taxes, and a pre-cruise hotel stay included in cruise fares.

To receive a Voyage Collection brochure or for more information on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, see a professional travel agent, visit www.RSSC.com or call toll-free 800-285-1835.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The passenger code of conduct and contract states the following about the authority to remove passengers from the ship:

6. Authority to Remove Passengers: We may reasonably determine that for your safety, the safety of the Ship or other means of transportation or the safety or comfort of other passengers or our employees, you be denied transportation either before or during the Cruise, Cruisetour or HAL Land Trip. By way of example, these would include situations where: (a) you are or become in such condition as to be unfit to travel or dangerous or obnoxious to other passengers or employees; (b) you are inadmissible under the immigration or other laws of any country included in the Cruise, Cruisetour or HAL Land Trip itinerary or fail at any time to possess required travel documents; or (c) you fail to abide by the rules or orders of the Master or other ship’s officers. If transportation is denied after departure, you and your baggage may be landed or transported to any port or location that we select, without any resulting liability on our part.

Further reports state that their cabin number were called several times, giving them plenty of opportunity to comply.

Cruise Talks Thoughts:

Cruise Talk applauds Holland America and the crew of the Westerdam for taking this action.   The safety and well being of all passengers should be the top priority of the captain and crew.    Every passenger must pay close attention to procedures and instruction during these drills.  The muster drill only takes about 15 minutes and may mean the difference between life and death in a serious emergency.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The Bistro has long been a meeting place for cruisers due to its central location and quick, easy access to continental breakfast, fresh fruits, afternoon snacks, and wide selection of teas and coffee drinks, from morning to late afternoon. Signature Guy Buffet china and Six-Star service remains at night, but gastronomic offerings greatly expand:

6-8 pm: Charcuterie of cured meats, prosciuttos, and pâtés, plus international cheeses paired with premium wines and champagne.

8-11 pm: Artisanal cheeses, with complementary accompaniments such as truffle honey and fig chutney, plus an assortment of fresh fruits and desserts, including a chocolate fountain and petit fours handmade by onboard pastry chefs, with fine wines, digestifs, and hot drinks.

11 pm-12 am: Late-night munchies such as mini-sandwiches, freshly-baked pizzas, quiche, tandoori chicken, and trendy beef “sliders.”

“In traditional Crystal luxury fashion, our evening Bistro brings aboard the elegance and international panache of a European café experience—a central place to meet, people-watch, and enjoy a glass of wine or espresso and a snack,” says Vice President Food and Beverage Operations Toni Neumeister. “In addition, this expansion really enhances the culinary and social options for guests who spend a full day sightseeing and/or like to mix up their evening dining.”

Casual dining on deck is also offered most evenings with a new Chinese “Comfort Food” menu augmenting choices on Crystal Serenity.

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal vacation. The ultra-luxury line’s extensive, innovative choices for gourmandizing include coveted cheese and wine cellars, overseen by on-board, certified cheese and wine sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); fresh, chef-like cocktails served by certified mixologists; gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea, or in Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio’s specialty restaurants; and, starting this spring, all-inclusive premium spirits, fine wines, and champagnes throughout the ship.

Until February 28, couples can receive $1,000 to $4,000 in “Book Now” Savings on 48 remaining 2012 worldwide itineraries, including 25 seven- to 15-day voyages visiting the Mediterranean from March through December.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, visit www.crystalcruises.com.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

A 10-member cast of singers and dancers will perform music from many of Webber’s best-known shows, including CATS, The Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Riviera will feature three additional production shows: “Up in Flames,” showcasing the music of Elton John and Billy Joel; “The Dawning of Aquarius,” a 60s review; and “Rock On,” a love story with a rock-and-roll vibe. Royal Theater Productions, founded by Jean Ann Ryan, is an award-winning entertainment group that has produced high-quality musical revues for many of the world’s finest cruise ships and resorts.

“We are thrilled that Riviera guests will enjoy the songbook of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” said Michael Day, Oceania Cruises’ vice president of entertainment. “Working with Jean Ann Ryan and her team we are assured of the most talented performers and highest quality choreography, sound and lighting.”

Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera will feature suites over 2,000+ square feet and the largest veranda staterooms at sea. Top suites exude a residential esthetic with furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home and designs by Dakota Jackson of New York and S.B. Long Interiors of Greenwich, CT. The ship will also feature a Lalique-designed grand lobby, 10 dining venues and numerous bars and lounges. Facilities will include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and innovative Bon Appétit Culinary Center.

Following her May 16 maiden voyage, Riviera will spend the summer and fall cruising the Mediterranean and then cross the Atlantic to operate a series of winter Panama Canal and Caribbean cruises. For more information, visit www.OceaniaCruises.com, contact a travel professional or call toll-free 800-531-5658.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The maiden voyage of Riviera has moved from April 24 to May 16, and all guests affected by the delay will be contacted by their travel agents or by Oceania Cruises directly to discuss alternative cruise dates.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience that this may cause our guests,” stated Kunal S. Kamlani, the cruise line’s president. “We are working very closely with the shipyard to ensure Riviera is completed to meet Oceania’s high standards of quality and service.”

“We know that sophisticated international travelers are anxious to welcome Riviera and we regret that labor strikes have caused this delay,” said Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri’s chief executive officer. “All of us at Fincantieri are committed to producing a superior quality ship and we will deliver a truly magnificent vessel to Oceania Cruises without further delays.”

The new maiden voyage is a 10-day “Pearls of the Aegean” cruise that includes an overnight aboard ship in Venice before visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Crete, Santorini, Kusadasi (gateway to Ephesus), Delos, Mykonos and Athens.

Guests booked on affected sailings will have the option of rebooking another cruise and receive a future cruise credit, which ranges from $250 to $1,000 per guest, depending on category of accommodation. In the event guests do not wish to rebook, they will receive a full refund. Travel agent commissions will be protected.

For more information on Riviera or Oceania Cruises, or to order a brochure, contact a travel professional, visit www.Oceaniacruises.com or call toll-free at 800-531-5658.

©2012 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.