“This is the broadest scope of savings opportunities we’ve ever offered,” says Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing. “Even the most affluent travelers are seeking strong value now. Discerning cruisers also place high importance on brand, reputation and consistency of product delivery, which is continually validated by the unprecedented number of consumer and industry awards Crystal has earned in the past year alone.”

The top 10 ways to save in 2009 include:

1. Save Now, Save Later

Guests booking and sailing on any 2009 Europe, transatlantic or Crystal Symphony Asia cruise can realize significant savings on these sailings, and also save 20% on virtually any 2010 voyage, excluding the World Cruise and its segments.

2. Asia Stateroom Upgrades and Penthouse Savings

Crystal is offering complimentary two-category stateroom upgrades and up to $2,000 per person for Penthouse accommodations with Crystal Symphony’s spring cruises in China & Japan and Southeast Asia. The two cruises between Hong Kong and Beijing also feature an inclusive three-night land stay in Beijing.

3. Free One-Way Air with Panama Canal Cruises

Guests originating in Los Angeles, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or Palm Beach air gateways on the February 16 or May 7 cruises between Los Angeles and Miami can fly for free one way.

4. Europe Celebration Savings

In celebration of an unprecedented 15 years as “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line,” Crystal is offering savings of $1,500, $1,000 or $750 per person off nearly all 11-day Baltic and 12-day Mediterranean cruises, and half that off most shorter European sailings, depending on accommodations selected. Savings also apply to Crystal Symphony’s September 3 port-filled transatlantic sailing and Crystal Serenity’s combination of two weeklong cruises in June.

5. Air Upgrades to Europe

Promotional business class air add-on fares start at just $799, one-way to the Baltic, and $899, one-way to the Mediterranean in conjunction with virtually all Baltic itineraries aboard Crystal Symphony, and Mediterranean voyages aboard Crystal Serenity, from June through August. Low premium economy upgrades are also available with Crystal Symphony’s Northern European itineraries between June and September.

6. Crystal Family Memories Program

Valid with virtually all of the line’s 2009 itineraries, the Crystal Family Memories Program offers one complimentary berth for every 10 full-fare berths, plus other perks like prepaid gratuities and credit toward a Crystal Private Adventure.

7. Value Collection Sailings

Save up to 50% on more than a dozen sailings of seven to 17 days through the Panama Canal, South America, the Mediterranean, Western Europe, New England and Canada, Caribbean and the Amazon, as well as Atlantic and Pacific Ocean crossings.

8. Crystal Assurance Plan

In combination with its existing price guarantee, Crystal is reducing cruise fare deposits - as low as 5% - deadlines and cancellation periods.

9. Combo Cruise Savings

Guests booking two or more cruises back-to-back, with the exception of World Cruise segments, can save up to 5% on the fare for each voyage.

10. Book 180 Days in Advance

All guests save 3.5% when they pay in full six months in advance.

Plus, Bonus Savings with Crystal Society Benefits

Not only do returning Crystal cruisers automatically save between 4% and 4.5% on their next cruise, but they can enjoy additional savings that range from shipboard credits, gifts and parties to stateroom upgrades and an 11-day free cruise in a Crystal Penthouse. All guests who book a future cruise on board save an additional 4% to 4.5% off their next cruise.

Always an Exceptional Value

Crystal Cruises continues to offer the highest level of luxury on every itinerary, adhering to the winning formula of service, space, quality and choices. Thoughtful amenities include:

• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• Complimentary specialty restaurants, including the celebrated cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa
• Complimentary enrichment classes, including computer learning, yoga and mat-based Pilates, wine tasting, language, wellness, music, art and bridge
• Complimentary transportation to the town centers from most ports
• Complimentary Ambassador Host program offering dance partners
• Complimentary lavish Broadway-style evening productions in the Galaxy Theatre
• Complimentary daily feature films in the Hollywood Theatre
• Complimentary elegant afternoon tea service in Palm Court

Restrictions apply for air arrangements. The Business Class and Premium Economy air promotions are capacity controlled and subject to space availability. For more information and Crystal reservations, please contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the line’s website, crystalcruises.com.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

“As the new year begins and the construction of our new ship moves forward steadily, I am delighted to reveal some of the highlights of her much anticipated inaugural season,” declared Silversea President and CEO Amerigo Perasso. “Silver Spirit, when launched in a year from now, almost to the day, added Mr. Perasso, “will embody the hallmarks of Silversea’s understated elegance and distinct luxury with yet more superlatives in terms of her spacious suites, expansive wellness facilities and epicurean venues.”

On their magnificent “Spirit of South America” odyssey, guests will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents, enjoying overnight stays in Fort Lauderdale, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Lima, Acapulco and Los Angeles. In addition, they will also be invited to attend the naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure with accommodation aboard ship, exclusive shore-side events in select ports of call, such as a VIP evening at the Rio Carnival, not to mention special commemorative gifts and a $2,000 spending credit per suite to enjoy the voyage to the full.

Fares for the full Grand Inaugural Voyage start at $39,187 per person, based on double occupancy, and include “Extended Voyage Savings” of 5% — plus enhanced “Early Booking Incentive” and new “Extended Advance Payment Bonus” discounts applicable to voyages in 2010. (The company plans to announce more details about these generous new savings options shortly.) A complimentary Business Class air upgrade is also available for guests who purchase Silversea’s optional air program.

Other highlights of the inaugural itineraries include an 11-day “Holiday Spirit” maiden voyage (#5901) on December 23, 2009, sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon; a “Maiden Crossing” (#5001), departing January 3 from Lisbon for 16 fascinating days exploring the Atlantic and Caribbean islands before arriving in Fort Lauderdale; and a two-week grand “Atlantic Crossing” (#5011) to Southampton from New York on April 23. Silver Spirit will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and then reposition to the Caribbean for fall and winter cruises.

The 36,000-ton vessel will indulge her 540 guests with the largest suites in the fleet — 95% feature a private veranda — and with one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea today, 67, providing 6,700 cubic feet of space per guest. The onboard décor will lend a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring no less than 8,300 square feet (770 square meters), three whirlpools (two adjacent to outdoor pool, one in spa area), enriching performances in The Show Lounge and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, a Japanese restaurant, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, featuring live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment.

A new full-color, 36-page brochure showcasing Silver Spirit and her inaugural season will be available in the coming weeks. To order a complimentary copy, please visit www.silversea.com or call toll-free (877) 215-9986. An area of the company’s website (www.silversea.com) has also been dedicated to Silver Spirit.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents. In the U.S., Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include “World’s Leading Luxury Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2007); “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2007); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice” survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Spain’s Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Asia’s Travel Weekly (2008).

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The new “Fun4All” promotion is available in conjunction with virtually all three- to 12-day cruises departing through Dec. 18, 2009, including voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England and Europe. To be eligible for this special offer, bookings must be made between Jan. 5-23, 2009.

“With consumers beginning to make their summer and fall vacation plans, there’s no better time to book a ‘Fun Ship’ vacation and this free best available upgrade promotion makes the value of a Carnival cruise even greater,” said Lynn Torrent, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services.

The new “Fun4All” sales event is capacity controlled and applies to new individual bookings for categories 4A and higher. Upgrades are available within specific stateroom accommodation types (i.e., interior to interior, ocean view to ocean view, balcony to balcony, etc.). Guests must request fare code PFF when making the reservation.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda and South America. The line currently has two new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011. The first of those, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009.

For additional information and reservations on the “Fun Ship” vacation experience, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

In addition, solo travelers may enjoy the Oceania Cruises Experience for a single supplement of only 25% and 3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom will receive an additional 50% reduction off of their cruise fare.

“With these significant pricing incentives and valuable amenities such as shipboard credits and pre-paid gratuities, this is the perfect opportunity for travelers to enjoy the acclaimed destination experience and unrivaled value that Oceania Cruises represents,” stated Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises.

2009 European Collection
On select 2009 European Collection voyages, guests will receive Free Airfare, 2 For 1 Cruise Fares and an additional Price Reduction of $2,000 per stateroom on accommodation in categories G through A.

Applicable Sailings:

April 4, 2009 – Barcelona to Istanbul, 14 Days
May 31, 2009 – Rome to Istanbul, 12 Days
June 5, 2009 – Athens to Rome, 12 Days
July 23, 2009 – Athens to Istanbul, 12 Days
July 26, 2009 – Venice to Barcelona, 14 Days
August 4, 2009 – Istanbul to Rome, 12 Days
August 16, 2009 – Rome to Athens, 12 Days
August 23, 2009 – Istanbul to Athens, 12 Days
September 4, 2009 – Athens to Rome, 12 Days
September 9, 2009 – Istanbul to Athens, 12 Days
September 28, 2009 – Venice to Barcelona, 14 Days
October 12, 2009 – Barcelona to Athens, 10 Days
October 17, 2009 – Athens to Venice, 12 Days
October 17, 2009 – Venice to Istanbul, 14 Days
October 22, 2009 – Athens to Venice, 12 Days
October 29, 2009 – Athens to Istanbul 12 Days
November 3, 2009 – Venice to Rome, 12 Days
November 15, 2009 – Rome to Barcelona, 10 Days

2009-2010 Winter Collection
For the 2009-2010 Winter Collection, guests will receive the following Price Reductions in addition to Free Airfare and 2 For 1 Cruise Fares along with amenities valued at up to $1,500 per stateroom.

* 10 Day Voyages: $500 per Stateroom Price Reduction, $500 Per Stateroom Shipboard Credit and FREE Prepaid Gratuities.
* 12-24 Day Voyages: $1,000 per Stateroom Price Reduction, $500 Per Stateroom Shipboard Credit and FREE Prepaid Gratuities.
* 25-40 Day Voyages: $1,500 per Stateroom Price Reduction, $500 Per Stateroom Shipboard Credit and FREE Prepaid Gratuities.

Applicable Sailings: All Winter 2009-2010 Collection voyages to Australia and New Zealand, Asia, South America and the Caribbean and Panama Canal.

With Free Airfare from 20 North American Gateways and Bonus Savings on top of 2 For 1 Cruise Fares, the Oceania Cruises Experience represents the greatest vacation value ever. The Celebration of Savings officially kicks off on Wednesday, January 7th and these historic savings are certain to generate extraordinary demand. Be certain to call your travel agent or Oceania Cruises to reserve your preferred voyage and accommodations.

For additional information on the Oceania Cruises Experience or to order a brochure on the 2009 European Collection or 2009-2010 Winter Collection, call your Travel Agent or Oceania Cruises at 800-531-5658 or visit us online at OceaniaCruises.com.

Fares quoted are per guest based on double occupancy, are subject to availability and are capacity controlled. Fifth Anniversary Fares are available only on select sailings and in select grades of accommodations. Certain sailings may be excluded or withdrawn at any time without prior notice. For full terms and conditions, please visit OceaniaCruises.com.
About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises® is the world’s only upper-premium cruise line and offers a unique combination of the finest cuisine at sea, luxurious accommodations, exceptional personalized service and extraordinary value. As the leader in destination cruising, Oceania Cruises sails to more than 180 ports in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. Featuring three intimate and elegant mid-sized ships, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, the line will introduce two new mid-size Oceania Class ships to its award-winning fleet in 2010 and 2011. For additional information, to make a reservation, or to order a brochure, please contact your Travel Agent or Oceania Cruises at 800-531-5658. Visit us at www.OceaniaCruises.com.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

These changes will replace Azamara’s previously announced 2008-2009 sailings in South America and world cruise in 2010. Azamara Cruises plans to announce details of its 2010 cruise itineraries for both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest in late March or early April.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

“We are very excited to introduce MSC Orchestra to North America,” says Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc. “It is an elegant ship in every respect – spectacular public areas, and a wealth of choices for dining, entertainment and activities, all with a style that epitomizes MSC Cruises.”

MSC Orchestra is the largest of the line’s ships to sail in North American waters. At 92,400 gross tons, the MSC Orchestra can carry 2,550 passengers and the majority of staterooms have private balconies. With more than 236,800 square feet of public areas and 5 restaurants (L’Ibiscus, Villa Borghese, La Piazzetta, Four Seasons, the Shanghai Chinese Restaurant – the only dedicated Chinese restaurant at sea), 10 bars (two of which are open air), 3 meeting and conference rooms, a 21-foot by 12-foot outdoor LED screen, and the 16,146 square-foot Body and Mind Spa, MSC Orchestra represents the perfect combination of grace and style.

MSC Orchestra will sail alternating 7-night roundtrip itineraries from Jan. 10-April 18, 2009:

• Eastern Caribbean: calling at Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas, as well as two days at sea.
• Western Caribbean: calling at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic, and two days at sea.

A special 7-night roundtrip Bermuda sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 25. This itinerary includes three days in King’s Wharf, Bermuda and a day in Nassau, Bahamas, as well as two sea days.

During her inaugural season, MSC Orchestra will host baseball greats on its Jan. 24 Western Caribbean itinerary, and its Feb. 28, March 28 and April 11 Eastern Caribbean itineraries. On each of these special sailings, unique insight into the world of Major League Baseball as seen through the eyes of some of the greats of the game.

MSC Orchestra is scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale May 2, 2009 on an 18-night voyage that will include a two-day visit to New York before heading eastbound to Copenhagen. The itinerary includes calls at Ponta Delgado, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal; Vigo, Spain; La Coruna, Spain; and Dover, England before arriving in Copenhagen.

On each sailing, guests will enjoy the line’s highly acclaimed entertainment, European-style ambiance, dishes from “La Cucina Italiana,” and top-of-the-line pampering. For more information on how you can celebrate MSC Orchestra’s arrival, visit www.msccruisesusa.com or a local travel professional.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

“Cruise Talk Poll

Would you take your children out of school for a family cruise vacation

* Maybe, it depends on how many days, the child’s age, and the individual child’s ability to make up the work. (35%, 40 Votes)
* Yes, even though the school is not very accommodating, I feel quality family time is important. (27%, 31 Votes)
* Yes, our school is flexible, family is important, and they can make up the work. (21%, 24 Votes)
* No, I don’t allow my children to miss school for any reason other than illness or other approved reasons (16%, 18 Votes)
* No, our school is too strict and will not work with families to make up the work. (1%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 114″

I have to say that I am probably in the “maybe” category, though for the last few cruises we have taken the kids out of school. We are very lucky that our district is very flexible and allowed our children to complete work early or take it with them on the trip. We were very lucky that the kids arrived back from the vacation completely caught-up on their work. The children were also given the opportunity to report on the educational and historical sights they experienced on their trip.

Please be sure to look at our new poll one the current economy and your future cruise plans.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

“We realize that in this challenging economy guests are booking their vacations closer to their departure date,” remarked President and Chief Executive Officer Dietmar R. Wertanzl. “Our inclusive pricing along with these added incentives ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy our experience-rich cruises without going over what, for many, is a more conservative vacation budget.”

By booking and paying in full on new or existing reservations by January 30, 2009 guests can save up to $1,210 per cabin, double occupancy, on a 2009 8-night/9-day Alaska’s Inside Passage cruise, including one-night hotel accommodations in Juneau. This savings reflects both the early booking discount and waived fuel surcharge promotion. Alaska cruises range from 3-night/4-day to 24-night/25-day. This promotion may be applied to existing bookings.

The fuel surcharge will be waived on all Cruise West itineraries that depart in 2009. Guests must pay in full by the final early booking discount date of Jan 17, 2009 for fall Japan; Feb 6, 2009 for Grand Asia, and Vietnam; and March 27, 2009 for Panama & Costa Rica, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia & Snake Rivers, and British Columbia to have the fuel surcharge waived and receive maximum early booking discounts of up to $2,310 per cabin for Grand Asia, double occupancy. To view all of Cruise West’s itinerary options or book a cruise visit www.cruisewest.com or call 1-800-296-8307.

All Cruise West voyages offer authentic, life-changing journeys and pricing includes an excursion in every port, transportation to/from the airport, as well as the line’s signature Exploration Leaders who share insightful information on the flora, fauna, culture and history of the region. As always, gratuities are neither expected nor required onboard.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

“Crystal has designed more than a dozen new Crystal Adventures that showcase Alaska’s greatest assets - its breathtaking landscape and indigenous wildlife,” said John Stoll, director, land programs.

New Alaska Crystal Adventures include:

• Ketchikan - Zip lining along a series of cables suspended between the tall spruce, hemlock and cedar tress bordering Tongass National Forest.
• Ketchikan - Flying above the spectacular Misty Fjords, spotting bears, timber wolves, seals, sea lions and whales en route.
• Kodiak - Exploring Abercrombie State Park with an expert naturalist pointing out the sounds of songbirds, eagles, puffins and gulls.
• Kodiak - Observing horned and tufted puffins, harbor seals, otter, sea lion and a variety of birds from a private yacht.
• Seward - Discovering preservation efforts of Alaska’s one-of-kind ecosystem at one of the region’s top research centers.
• Seward - Cruising across Resurrection Bay into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park.

Guests will also be treated to generously expanded programming, which is totally unique to the World Cruise and its segments, including celebrity guest lecturers Richard Dreyfuss and Ed McMahon, as well as Crystal’s exclusive Interactive Literary Review and language and music classes offered by Berlitz and Yamaha, respectively.

The 22-day itinerary departs from Tokyo en route to Los Angeles, calling at Otaru, Japan; Petropavolovsk, Russia; Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia; and San Francisco. The full 106-day “Pacific Circle Celebration” World Cruise departs Los Angeles on January 21 and is available in seven individual voyages ranging from 12 to 22 days. Cruise fares start at $11,160 per person, double occupancy.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the line’s website, crystalcruises.com.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The Celebration of Savings begins January 7th and will offer additional Bonus Savings off existing 2 for 1 Cruise Fares, resulting in historic savings of up to 72% on select sailings.

“As we celebrate our 5th Anniversary, there is no better time to underscore the unrivaled value that the Oceania Cruises Experience represents. Moving forward into 2009, we want to offer our guests enhanced value and lower cruise fares, and for our agents partners to reap greater rewards for all of their support over the past five years,” stated Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises.

With Free Airfare from 20 North American Gateways and Bonus Savings on top of 2 For 1 Cruise Fares, the Oceania Cruises Experience will represent the greatest vacation value ever. Specific details on pricing, value-added amenities and departure dates will be announced on Monday, January 5th.

The Celebration of Savings will officially kick off on Wednesday January 7th and these historic savings are certain to generate extraordinary demand. Call your travel agent today and visit OceaniaCruises.com to sign up for email alerts on these unrivaled values.

For additional information on the Oceania Cruises Experience or to order a brochure on the 2009 European Collection or 2009-2010 Winter Collection, call your Travel Agent or Oceania Cruises at 800-531-5658 or visit us online at OceaniaCruises.com.
About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises®, a Prestige Cruise Holdings company, is the world’s only upper-premium cruise line and offers a unique combination of the finest cuisine at sea, luxurious accommodations, exceptional personalized service and extraordinary value. As the leader in destination cruising, Oceania Cruises sails to more than 180 ports in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. Featuring three intimate and elegant mid-sized ships, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, the line will introduce two new mid-size Oceania Class ships to its award-winning fleet in 2010 and 2011. For additional information, to make a reservation, or to order a brochure, please contact your Travel Agent or Oceania Cruises at 800-531-5658. Visit us at www.OceaniaCruises.com.
About Prestige Cruise Holdings

Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is a subsidiary of Apollo Management L.P. and the parent corporation of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises. Formed in 2007 to manage select assets in Apollo Management’s cruise investment portfolio, PCH is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Del Rio, the founder of Oceania Cruises. PCH is the market leader in the Upper Premium and Luxury segments of the cruise industry with more than 4,450 berths between the Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises brands, a number the company expects will grow to more than 6,700 berths by 2011.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Windstar’s Wind Surf was contacted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Fort de France, Martinique, to assist Sofrane which was in distress experiencing engine problems with one person on board in 16-foot seas and winds gusting to 40 knots. Wind Surf made a lee for the catamaran using the ship as windbreak to produce a calm area to shelter the vessel for just over 2 hours before French rescue boat SNS 268 could take Sofrane in tow at 9:25 p.m. local time. Wind Surf was released at 9:29 p.m. and proceeded on passage to its regularly scheduled port of call of St. Martin.

About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The new image gallery and blog are available at www.carnival.com/dream.

Included among the site’s new digital renderings are stunning images of the Carnival Dream’s Carnival WaterWorks aqua park featuring the longest water slides at sea; a breathtaking nine-deck-high atrium that will provide convenient access to the ship’s numerous bars, lounges and nightspots; and Ocean Plaza, a new indoor/outdoor entertainment area offering magnificent ocean vistas. Examples of the ship’s striking décor, including renderings of the dance club, casino, piano bar, and dining venues, are also included.

The site also includes a link to an engaging new blog by Heald, who takes readers on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the spectacular new “Fun Ship,” displaying his trademark humor while conveying Carnival Dream’s unique characteristics.

In addition to detailed overviews of the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park and Ocean Plaza, Heald’s first-person account includes a look at the ship’s 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – the largest in the “Fun Ship” fleet – along with brand new area called The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade that encircles the ship.

Heald pays particular attention to Carnival Dream’s wide-ranging accommodation categories, which include new “cove balcony” staterooms located closer to the water line and deluxe ocean view staterooms that will feature five berths and two bathrooms and should have particular appeal to families.

The blog also includes several videos of Heald as he tours the various areas of the ship and interacts with shipyard workers.

“As my chauffer-driven Fiat 500 brought me closer to this spectacular new vessel, I experienced the feeling that I know you will feel when you see her for the first time. The Carnival Dream is going to be biblically, stratospherically, crushingly brilliant. It is a ship that will set the tone for others to try and follow and is without doubt a ship that will be talked about for a long time to come. Stop by my blog and find out why,” said Heald.

Carnival Dream is slated to debut in Europe Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 27, 2009.

The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2009. From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009. Then following a nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla. the ship will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from that port Dec. 12.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Nearly 10 million children in impoverished countries die every year of preventable illnesses before they reach the age of five because they lack the simplest of things - clean drinking water, basic medicines, mosquito netting, and nutrition. In September 2008, Crystal Cruises became a founding partner of the Condé Nast Traveler Five & Alive Fund, a program supporting children five and under in more than 30 countries around the world by preventing and treating malaria, water-borne illness, pneumonia and malnutrition.

Effective today, a link at crystalcruises.com enables people to make a tax deductible monetary contribution to Five & Alive. Additionally, Crystal Cruises’ onboard guests can make cash or check donations via an in-stateroom envelope, charge to their shipboard folios, or donate their shipboard credits.

Beginning in January, Crystal is introducing a selection of retail merchandise in which 100% of net proceeds will benefit the charity. Gift shop products include high end bracelets designed by Hubert Gems, specially designed polo and t-shirts and the coveted Webkinz® stuffed toys, all of which will be available in Crystal’s onboard shopping boutiques.

In 2009, Crystal Cruises is also scheduling four unique onboard auctions conducted by the Cruise Directors on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. In addition to various Crystal Cruises memorabilia, the line will auction unique and exclusive experiences, such as appearing on its in-room television programming or behind-the-scenes private events with the executive chef and head sommelier. Auctions are planned for the line’s March 9 Trans-pacific cruise from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, its April 16 World Cruise finale from Yokohama to Los Angeles, its May 17 cruise from Dubai to Athens, and the November 12 Transatlantic cruise from Lisbon to Miami.

As little as $5 can provide a long-lasting, insecticide-treated malaria net to an African child and his mother for three years. Only $25 can buy lifesaving pneumonia antibiotics treatment that will save the lives of more than 100 children. Just $50 can distribute enough oral rehydration salts to save 500 children’s lives in India, and $100 can provide more than 35 families in Malawi with safe drinking water for a year.

“I was so impressed that so little can do so much and that more than 90% of money received funds programs that reach the field,” says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises, who with cruise director, Gary Hunter, personally joined Five & Alive in Rwanda to view the organization’s efforts. “While we continue to support numerous philanthropic projects, we are inspired and committed to raising money and awareness. Although the western world is experiencing its own financial challenges, children around the world are facing a dire need for basic services.”

About Five & Alive & Crystal Cruises

Five & Alive is a non-profit program of Population Services International (PSI). Grounded in more than a decade of accolades from travelers and critics, Crystal Cruises is dedicated to raising shipboard and shore-side awareness of responsible and respectful treatment of the environments through which we travel.

For more information and to make a donation, visit www.crystalcruises.com/partnerhome.aspx. For more information about Crystal Cruises and reservations, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625, or visit the luxury line’s website crystalcruises.com.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The Save Now, Save Later program enhances 2009 promotions, including:

• Two-category upgrade or $2,000 per person Penthouse savings on Asia cruises
• Up to $1,500 per person savings on most Mediterranean and Baltic cruises
• Low Business Class air supplements from selected U.S. gateways for all summer Baltic, British Isles and Mediterranean cruises.
• Crystal Assurance Plan, which promises protection if fares are reduced, lowered deposits and reduced cancellation period.

“Today’s affluent travelers are value conscious,” say Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing. “The scope of these promotions is enormous. The opportunity to save big in 2009 on the most consistently rated #1 cruise line in the industry, plus the strong savings on a 2010 vacation, greatly increases the Crystal Value Proposition. Even guests already booked on a 2009 cruise can plan a 2010 cruise and enjoy incredible savings.”

Eligible 2009 “Save Now…” cruises feature all Crystal Symphony cruises departing March 27 through Sept 3 and/or all Crystal Serenity cruises departing May 23 through Nov 12. Included are itineraries through China, Southeast Asia, Dubai, Middle East, Western Europe, Baltic, North Cape, British Isles, Black Sea, Transatlantic voyages and more than a dozen seven-, 11- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises.

The 20% “… Save Later” offer extends to every 2010 cruise aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, except the World Cruise and its segments and the Dec holiday cruises. Luxury travelers have a choice of more than fifty 2010 itineraries. For more information, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the line’s website, www.crystalcruises.com

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Guests booked on the original inaugural sail date of Dec 12, 2009 will be contacted by their travel agent or a Royal Caribbean representative, and given the opportunity to move their cruise vacation to the new inaugural sailing of Dec 5 before the sailing opens to the public for booking on Jan 12, 2009. During the re-accommodation period, which ends on Jan 11, 2009, the following special benefits will apply. Guests choosing to sail consecutively on both the Dec 1 and 5, 2009 voyages also will receive a $200 onboard credit per stateroom ($300 onboard credit per suite) for an extraordinary 11-night Oasis of the Seas cruise. Booked guests who wish to take either the Dec 1 or 5 sailing will be re-accommodated in the same stateroom and category. The cruise fare for the Dec 5 sailing will remain unchanged. Guests wishing to sail on the 4-night voyage will receive a prorated fare.

On the 4-night itinerary, guests will make a call at Labadee and enjoy two days at sea. Oasis of the Seas maiden port of call at Labadee on Dec 3, 2009 also will herald the opening of new facilities and debut of a spectacular array of activities and excursion options at the private beach destination. Oasis of the Seas will dock at Labadee´s new pier (currently under construction), which leads guests through a grand entry to the welcome plaza.

Water taxis and five different walking paths, trails and avenues will take guests from the welcome plaza to many areas throughout the peninsula, including the new Dragon´s Plaza, Labadee Town Square, and Columbus Family Beach, all currently under development. Sea-based excursions, including a new exhilarating fast boat tour, also will depart from the welcome plaza. At the north end of the peninsula, Dragon´s Plaza will be the heart of Labadee and feature the Dragon´s Breath Caféand Pub, a welcome center, and central tram station, which will ferry guests to other areas of the peninsula. Guests booked on the extremely popular Dragon´s Breath Flight Line, the world´s longest zip-line over water, also will begin their excursion here.

At the base of the peninsula, Labadee Town Square will offer guests cultural experiences, shopping, dining and entertainment, featuring the Haitian Cultural Museum, Café Labadee and Bar, and the Straw and Artisan Market. From the Town Square, guests will board the new Alpine Coaster, a thrilling new roller coaster experience on Labadee. With convenient transportation from the pier via water taxis, the new Columbus Family Beach will appeal to adults and children of all ages, where guests can enjoy lunch and refreshments at the Columbus Café and Bar. Guests also can rent one of many private family cabanas, which dot Columbus Family Beach.

Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas (debuting in 2010) will claim the title of the world´s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship. Architectural marvels at sea, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. They will feature the cruise line´s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will offer guests of every age the widest array of onboard vacation experiences that cater to their personal styles, preferences or moods. New categories of onboard accommodations made possible by the ship´s cutting-edge design include bi-level, urban-style Loft Suites; two bedroom/two bathroom AquaTheater Suites; and Central Park- and Boardwalk-facing exterior staterooms with balconies. Both will be homeported at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More information about both ships´ exciting, first-at-sea onboard amenities can be found at www.OasisoftheSeas.com. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

The new commercials are part of the line’s new “Fun For All. All For Fun.” branding campaign intended to capture the truly unique essence of the Carnival vacation experience. The campaign was created by Boston-based advertising agency Arnold Worldwide. To develop the campaign’s creative concept, Arnold conducted an intensive study involving thousands of consumers, many of whom are Carnival customers, along with a number of health and lifestyle experts, to gain insight into the importance of fun in people’s lives.

“Fun is more important today than ever,” said Ruben Rodriguez, executive vice president of marketing and guest experience for Carnival Cruise Lines. “These new spots capture a sense of genuine, spontaneous fun which is the same kind of experience that makes a Carnival cruise such a memorable vacation.”

“There is a difference between telling consumers you’re fun and actually being fun,” added Pete Favat, Arnold’s chief creative officer. “These commercials truly capture the essence of fun and you can’t help but have a good time watching them. We hope that this will create even more passion for the Carnival Cruise Lines brand among consumers.”

In the “Beach Balls” spot, members of the Carnival Fun Team inflate three gigantic beach balls, each measuring a world record-breaking 35 feet in diameter. They then roll the balls off the tops of buildings in downtown Dallas as thousands of people below come together to help bounce the enormous balls up and down the city streets.

In the “Piñata” spot, the Carnival Fun Team assembles the world’s largest piñata in Philadelphia. Members of the community wake up in the morning to discover the gigantic, colorful donkey measuring over six stories tall, standing near a busy street corner. Thousands of people begin gathering to help break open the piñata, and celebrate in the 8,000 pounds of candy that showers down from the massive burro.

Noam Murro directed the TV spots. Murro is well known for his award-winning commercials for Volkswagen, Hummer and Nike. Most recently, he directed the movie “Smart People.”

The new commercials are scheduled to air nationally on ABC, CBS and NBC as well in select local markets on FOX, on primetime programming including Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty and Private Practice. They will also be running on several cable networks as well as in movie theaters nationwide and in various online channels.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda and South America. The line currently has two new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

Travel partners who make a reservation from now through February 1, 2009 on any NCL sailing can offer their clients up to a $500 on-board credit. The amount of the on-board credit varies depending on the length of cruise* and category of stateroom booked. For example, on sailings of six days or longer, the on-board credit ranges from $50 for an inside stateroom; up to $150 for a balcony and $500 for a suite or villa. For three to five day sailings, the on-board credit ranges from $30 for an inside stateroom up to $150 for a suite/villa.

“With Wave Season fast approaching, we wanted to help jumpstart our travel partners’ business by putting together a consumer promotion that offers a fantastic value for their clients,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president, global sales and passenger services. “NCL’s Wave Season promotion combines a strong consumer offer, with extremely competitive travel partner compensation, the benefit of the recently suspended fuel supplement and incremental investment in marketing to drive customers into travel agencies across the country - we believe this is a winning combination.”

During the promotion, travel partners can find more information and numerous marketing tools to help promote the Freestyle Resolution Sales Event at www.bookncl.com . Here, travel partners can download flyers and banner ads, forward customizable emails and play the Freestyle Resolution photo game for their chance to win one of five seven-day cruises for two. Travel partners registered as NCL U students will receive emails, bulletins and widget updates on the promotion.

To support the promotion and drive consumers to travel partners’ doors, NCL is launching a multi-faceted national marketing campaign, along with Hispanic targeted efforts, which include banner ads on popular consumer travel sites, radio advertising, direct mail and email. In addition, NCL will make available incremental co-op marketing funds to travel partners who are looking to invest in incremental marketing during this forthcoming Wave Season.

On December 30, NCL will take to the Internet and the streets of South Florida asking consumers to declare their New Year’s resolutions in an effort to promote its Freestyle Resolution offer. Consumers who log onto www.nclresolutions2009.com or visit the resolution wall from noon to 9 p.m. at Bayside Marketplace (Miami) on December 30 and 31; Lincoln Road (Miami Beach) on January 1 and 2; or Sawgrass Mills Mall (Sunrise) on January 3 and 4 will be entered to win a four-day Bahamas cruise, round-trip from Miami, on Norwegian Sky.

*One and two-day sailings are excluded from NCL’s Freestyle Resolution promotion.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

St. Maarten has grown quite a bit since my last visit there in 1980. I don’t even think St. Phillipsburg had a cruise port back then which required us to tender into town. During this visit we shared the cruise terminal with Adventure of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, however even with three ships in port, the town did not seem overrun. I asked one of the locals about this and they said that was because many passengers take tours or taxis to the other beaches, including renowned Orient Beach over on the French side of the island. I actually found the town of St. Phillipsburg to be quite charming with its nice paved beach front “boardwalk” and many beach side cafes and bars. Our visit to the island included a 15 minute walk from the ship into town, a light lunch at a cafe, and a swim at the in town beach. The beach in town is simply a swimming beach, not much surf and no snorkeling opportunity. Visitors can rent beach chairs and upbrellas if they choose to recline right on the beach, or they can do as we did and have one party sit with the stuff at the cafe/bar while the others take a swim. This worked well for us as the kids and I like to swim in the ocean and my husband who doesn’t like salt water prefers to “hold down the fort” and enjoy some beers. My daughter also got her hair braided in by the beach by one of the many ladies make a living braiding hair for tourist. She choose just to get the front braided and leave the back natural. It took about 45 minutes to get the 21 braids/cornrows in her hair, but she felt really “Caribbean” after having it done. The braids last for several weeks, but she’ll have to take them out soon for her ballet recital.

Our visit to St. Maarten also came with some typical Caribbean weather. The day started out hot, sunny and humid, then we had a brief 10-15 minute shower, then more sun. The rain did cool things off for a few minutes, but since it didn’t have any lightening, the kids were able to keep swimming even in the rain.

After our swim, we started our walk back to the ship and got diverted by the inexpensive shops along the way. We picked up a few very touristy items like t-shirts, hats, Caribbean shirts. and a white dress Caribbean dress for my daughter.

Back on the ship we enjoyed a swim in the pool and waited for our sail-a-way departure from St. Maarten. Again we were a bit disappointed that the band did not play pool side during the departure. On a small deck on the back of the ship they did have a guitar player, but this area seats only a small amount of passengers. We did enjoy waiving to the Royal Caribbean passengers on their ships as we departed. Cruiser on every ship and line always seem to be friendly and know how to have fun.

My first dose of reality was packing all 4 of us back up for the departure. I worked on getting the large suitcases filled and ready to go in the hallway for the crew to unload them from the ship. I also tried to organize a small bag for us to carry off and have packed with the essentials we would need for our hotel stay in San Juan.

We enjoyed our wonderful dinner on the last night and thanked all of our staff and crew members. We had chosen to use Celebrity’s auto tipping service. To use this service passengers must “opt in” by filling out a form earlier in the week. This automatically applies the recommended tipping amounts to the passengers on board account. The staff can see that the tip has been applied through their on board computer system. Celebrity used to give out nice envelopes with a little receipt in them showing that the auto tipping had been selected. However this time we only received some little slips of paper. Since we knew the crew would already know the tipping had been done, we choose to just make a short mention of the auto tipping and thank them verbally for their wonderful job during our voyage. This ended up being a very comfortable way to handle not only the tipping but to express our appreciation.

The next morning we enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast on the ship with our friends from England and then waited for our disembarkation number to be called. I give a very poor grade to Homeland Security for their handling of the disembarkation process. We waited in line for over 45 minutes to pass through immigration in an un-air conditioned terminal. The main problem was their not having enough agents and booths open to handle the large amount of non-US passengers who were on this cruise. All those passenger were required to have their fingers prints scanned and an electronic picture taken as then entered the country. The Border and Customs agents get a passenger manifest a head of time and should have allocated more agents to handle the large amount of foreign passengers. It also didn’t help that many of these foreign visitors choose to complain to the agents about the hassle of the whole finger printing and picture taking. This caused further delays. When we finally got to the agent, being US citizens, it took all of about 5 seconds for the agent to review our paper work and pass us through.

After picking up our luggage we went out to the taxi stand. Representatives got our destination and flagged the next taxi for us. Almost all of the San Juan tourist taxis are full size vans in order to handle the large amount of cruise passengers with cruise luggage. This worked out perfectly for us as the driver had plenty of room for the 4 of us and all our luggage. The ride was about 10 minutes from the Pan Am Pier to the Sheraton Old San Juan. The bellmen at the hotel where very helpful and very friendly. We had chosen this hotel because of its proximity to the pier. However, that pier was the Continental Pier. and our pier was the more distant Pan Am pier. I had discovered that we would be docked there about 1 week before the cruise, so I already knew that I had made a mistake in selecting the location of the hotel. Hover, the Old San Jaun location turned out to be not so bad. We were in very close walking distance from the shopping areas in Old San Juan and could see one of the forts from our room window. The pool area located on the 9th floor also provided a panoramic view of the harbor where we could see the many ships as them came and went. I had also read quite a few bad reviews of this hotel. We had used cash and points to book our room so our cost was only about $150 for the room. However, if you are paying full price for the room, which I have seen at $450 a night, I would definitely say that this hotel is not worth that price. The lighting was dim in the hallways and the carpets were, as other visitors have reported online, very worn and dirty. We also had some stains on our in-room carpet. However the room was clean and amenities were in the line of what we have found at the “Four Points” brand of Sheraton we’ve stayed in on other trips.

The next day we were up at 6:00 am to head to the airport. Again getting a taxi was no problem as they are lined up outside the hotel to accommodate both airport and cruise terminal passengers. The San Jaun airport was a bit of a hassle too. All luggage requires an agriculture inspection and sticker before you can even check in. Many passengers don’t realize this so we were glad that another passenger pointed us to the agriculture inspection area before we tried to check in. Once we got our “ag” stickers on our luggage we could check it in. I was sure that I had bought my tickets before the $25 second check bag fee went into effect, but it actually went into effect 6 days before we bought our tickets, so that meant paying an extra $25 each for 4 of our 8 checked bags. We have to figure out how to pack lighter for a 14 day cruise, but it is so hard when you are gone for that long and you have to guess about the weather. In any case we checked in, boarded our flight from San Juan to Houston. After that uneventful flight we had a 5 hour lay over in the Houston airport. We had originally booked an itenerary with a 90 minute lay-over, but shortly after we booked our early flight, Continental canceled it, moving us to the later flight. The lay over time did allow me to work with the kids on finishing some of their school work that was due the next day. We arrived in Tucson about 7:30, and arrived home about 9:00. That ended up being a very long and tiring journey home.

I am hoping to write a complete over-all review of the cruise, and have a photo gallery up in the next few weeks. This was a fantastic trip and over-all a great family cruise experience.

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

“We’re proud to bring a little bit of Italy to South Florida each year with our seasonal departures from Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean and value the loyal clientele we’ve established in this market over the years,” said Maurice Zarmati, president and ceo of Costa Cruise Lines-North America. “Our modern, state-of-the-art ships may differ from the smaller vessels that set sail in these waters 50 years ago, but one thing remains the same - our warm, authentic and genuine Italian hospitality and flair that keeps guests sailing with us year after year.”

The convivial atmosphere onboard back in 1959 aboard the Franca C was marked by Italians and Americans mixing and mingling against a glamorous tropical backdrop. The 552 berth ship featured sleek, elegant interiors designed by Nino Zoncada and accommodations, all in one class, featured bathrooms and air conditioning, heralding a new era of pleasure cruises. Guests sipped cocktails and played cards on the lido deck, creating the indelible impressions of cruising’s heyday that would eventually become a more accessible luxury for guests to enjoy.

Today, Costa Cruises is still bringing its signature style of “love, laughter and la dolce vita” to guests departing on cruises from South Florida. The Costa Fortuna is beginning her second season from Port Everglades on Dec 21, offering seven-night cruises on rotating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries through March. Drawing inspiration from the grand Italian liners of yesteryear that provided regular passenger service between Italy and the Americas, the 105,000-ton Costa Fortuna combines nostalgia and a refined atmosphere into a stunning modern framework. With a double capacity of 2,720, the Costa Fortuna features 1,359 cabins–857 ocean view and 458 with large verandas. The ship offers guests a stunning array of facilities including 11 bars, 4 restaurants, a theater extending over three decks, three swimming pools, a casino, disco, ballroom and a gym.

Costa’s unique and authentic onboard Italian flair provides guests with a feeling of “Italy in the tropics” on its Caribbean routes. For many, sailing Costa offers a “new” way of experiencing the Caribbean ports of call they know and love–bringing to mind the romance and warmth of Italy without having to cross the Atlantic. From homemade pastas and delectable desserts, to Italian greetings including “buon giorno” in the morning and “buona sera” in the evening, the “amore” of the old world stays with guests long after they disembark from their cruise. Festive onboard activities include everything from on-deck bocce ball games, tarantella dancing under the stars and Italian cooking lessons during “Festa Italiana,” to the famous “Roman Bacchanal” soiree, where guests don tasteful togas and celebrate as the Romans did centuries ago.

Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe’s number one cruise line. For the past 60 years its ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2007 over 1.1 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the European cruise industry. The company’s 12 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Five more vessels have been commissioned and will enter service by 2012. For reservations or more information, contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.

MSC Fantasia was designed by one of the world’s leading names in naval architecture, De Jorio Design International. She combines traditional Italian elegance with ground-breaking technological features, all dedicated to superior guest comfort and unprecedented environmental protection. MSC Fantasia marks the beginning of a new era in cruising, where the ship becomes a destination in itself.

“I am immensely proud that the christening of this exceptional vessel is taking place in the extraordinary city of Naples,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Crociere. ”MSC Fantasia is not only a beautiful ship but also a triumph of environmentally-friendly design and technological innovation, where every step taken on board holds the promise of exciting new experiences. Naples is famous for its vibrancy, creativity and professionalism, qualities that have greatly contributed to MSC Cruises’ success over the years, and which are amply reflected in tonight’s event. I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been involved in making this fantasy a reality.”

The official christening ceremony will be preceded by a suitably glamorous evening of entertainment, staged in an innovative, purpose-built structure that holds more than 2,500 people. Performed on a set inspired by coral - a perfect symbol for MSC Cruises’ love of the sea and respect for the environment - the show will create a kaleidoscope of changing emotions. An exclusive and energetic dance display by AEROS will complement the exuberant blend of diverse musical and singing styles.

And for an extra surge of adrenalin, at 2 p.m. on the day of the event, Formula One driver Jarno Trulli will officially open one of MSC Fantasia’s notable attractions, a thrilling high-tech Formula One Racing Simulator.

There will be a show for the entire city: a fireworks display set to music. Long after the fireworks are over, the magic of MSC Fantasia will live on for all those present and for the generations of guests who will enjoy the adventure of sailing on her, travelling the world in distinctive Italian style. For more about MSC Fantasia, visit www.mscfantasia.com

©2009 Cruise Talk Central. All Rights Reserved.