Norwegian launches kids free shore excursions for all 2012 sailings

Just in time for summer vacation planning, Norwegian Cruise Line (“Norwegian”) is launching an exciting offer for families who book a 2012 cruise from today through May 13, 2012.  With the “Little Norwegian’s Explore For Free” offer, children 12 years and younger will receive complimentary Norwegian-sponsored shore excursions* and teens (13 to 17 years old) will receive half-off shore excursions* when in the same stateroom with a paying adult on the same excursion.

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Crystal Cruises expands Jewish heritage tours in Europe 2012

Crystal Cruises is offering almost 30% more Crystal Adventures exploring Europe’s extensive Jewish heritage in 2012.  A predecessor to the ultra-luxe line’s new Christian heritage tours, the popular program gives Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony travelers the opportunity to intimately experience Jewish culture and history.

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Swan Hellenic announces 16 new ports and early booking offers for 2013/14

Swan Hellenic introduces its 2013/14 programme of cruises which sees its flagship 350 passenger ship, Minerva, visiting 16 new destinations. In total, the ship will sail to 184 ports around the world during 2013/14.

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Norwegian Cruise Line announces limited time AARP offer

For a limited time, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering additional cruise savings for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) members. For those who book a cruise now through May 14, 2012, AARP members can take advantage of up to 10 percent off cruise fares on select sailings and destinations.

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Celebrity Cruises increases number of ports offering private tour arrangements

Celebrity Cruises has expanded its private shore excursions programme to include over 70 ports of call around the world, offering even more ways for guests to make the most of their time ashore by enjoying the luxury and convenience of a private vehicle with a driver or a driver and a tour guide. By exploring a destination at their own pace, guests who opt for Celebrity Cruises’ private shore excursion options also enjoy a more immersive port experience focused on the places that interest them most.

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Royal Caribbean ends longest season in the gulf successfully

Royal Caribbean International’s third and longest season in the Gulf is ending on a high note with nearly all sailings fully booked. After the last 12-night voyage to India, which departed April 7th, and will visit Cochin, New Mangalore, Goa, Bombay and Muscat, Brilliance of the Seas will start her 15-night repositioning cruise through the Suez Canal back to Rome on April 19th, calling at Muscat, Aqaba, Safaga, Sharm el Sheikh and Alexandria.

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Miami to be home to new 4,000 passenger cruise ship

PortMiami and Norwegian Cruise Line have revealed that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new state-of-the-art 4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Getaway, will make Miami her year-round home port. Norwegian Getaway - which will be the largest ship ever to home port year-round in Miami - will embark on weekly cruises beginning in the spring of 2014.

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CLIA announces dates and cities for Trainingfest 2012

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced dates and cities for TrainingFest 2012, the popular touring combination of seminars and trade show that offers travel agents the opportunity to earn as many as 70 credits toward CLIA Cruise Counselor Certification.

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Experience Europe’s best vineyards with the new Vinopolis Masterclass

Head to Vinopolis, London’s premium wine and food pairing destination, on 19 April to enjoy a bespoke tasting Masterclass developed by Vinopolis senior wine expert Tom Forrest. The Masterclass has been created as part of Vinopolis’ new partnership with luxury cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, and will feature European wines from vineyards such as Bordeaux, Rioja and Quinta da Aveleda. The Masterclass – the first of its kind – has been developed to appeal to all wine connoisseurs, whether cruise enthusiasts or not.

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New dining, entertainment options debut on Carnival Miracle today

Several exciting new dining and entertainment choices, including The Taste Bar complimentary appetizer program, The Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez and The Punchliner Comedy Brunch presented by George Lopez, will debut on the Carnival Miracle, which launches the line’s first year-round schedule from New York later today.

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River cruising just got a whole lot more personal with ‘Avalon Choice’

Pushing the river cruise boundaries once again, in 2013, Avalon Waterways is introducing Avalon Choice(SM) – an entirely new concept in river cruising.  Avalon Choice gives river cruisers the freedom to personalize their cruise, from beginning to end.

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Apple iStudy now available across Cunard Line fleet

Cunard’s highly popular Apple iStudy courses are now available on all three Cunard ocean liners, following the recent opening of the Apple Learning Centre on board Queen Victoria. The centres offer the latest iMac machines for confidence-boosting seminars and workshops that aim to familiarise guests with the latest technology, from Facebook to iPads, in a fun and interactive way.

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Kelly-Ennis appointed to Carnival board of directors

Shareholders in Carnival Corporation have elected Debra Kelly-Ennis, president and chief executive officer of Diageo Canada, to the board of directions. Kelly-Ennis will serve in a non-executive capacity on Carnival Corporation’s 14-member board, effective immediately.

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Crystal adds “Experiences Of Discovery” theme cruises for 2013

Adrenalin junkies; shutterbugs; film, theater and jazz buffs; foodies; political opinionators; whole body lifestylists; amateur gardeners; lifelong learners; golfers; ballroom dancers; and other zealous hobbyists need only look to Crystal Cruises for luxury vacations that indulge their passions next year.

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Royal Caribbean announces 2013 Bermuda and Caribbean vacations - Explorer of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International today announced Explorer of the Seas’ summer and autumn 2013 line-up, featuring 30 sailings to 17 spectacular ports of call on seven distinctive itineraries. New York metropolitan vacationers, and vacationers from around the world who have always wanted to combine a visit to the Big Apple with a cruise, can choose a sailing aboard Explorer of the Seas to Bermuda, Caribbean and Canada and New England from April through October 2013.

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CLIA ANNOUNCES DATES AND CITIES FOR TRAININGFEST 2012

Fort Lauderdale, FL — April 12, 2012 — Untitled Document

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced dates and cities for TrainingFest 2012, the popular touring combination of seminars and trade show that offers travel agents the opportunity to earn as many as 70 credits toward CLIA Cruise Counselor Certification.

Inviting agents to “Fast-Track Your Cruise Training and Profits,” TrainingFest this year will visit 11 cities in the United States and Canada between July and September. In each location, the two-day program will enable participants to earn credits for up to four seminars and attend a Continental Breakfast Trade Show featuring CLIA member cruise lines. While CLIA-member agents receive a significant price break, non-CLIA travel agents are also invited to participate.

“CLIA’s goal is to make valuable training and Certification accessible to as many travel agents in North America as possible,” said Bob Sharak, CLIA’s executive vice president for marketing and distribution. “TrainingFest will accomplish that goal this year by visiting cities on the East Coast, the South, the West Coast and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada. We urge all agents to ‘fast track’ profits by launching their personal professional development or continuing their training and Certification at a TrainingFest location near home.”

The cities and dates for TrainingFest 2012 are as follows:

Houston: July 12-13 New York/Flushing: July 19-20 Las Vegas: July 26-27 Washington DC/Arlington: August 2-3 Atlanta: August 9-10 Chicago/Rosemont: August 16-17 Orlando: August 23-24 New Orleans/Kenner: September 6-7 Los Angeles/San Pedro:  September 13-14 Vancouver/Surrey, BC: September 20-21 Toronto, ON: September 27-28   Agents with less than two years of experience selling cruises are encouraged to sign up for the following seminars: Cruise Vacations: An Introduction, Principles of Professional Selling, Delivering Great Customer Service, and Power Selling Techniques. Other topics designed for more experienced sellers include: Travel for All: How to Find, Sell and Market Accessible Travel, a new program for 2012; Effective Presentation Skills; Group Sales Made Easy; and another new seminar for this year, 40 Best Practices for Travel Agent Success.

The cost of TrainingFest ranges from $45 for one seminar ($55 for non-members) to $110 for four seminars ($150 for non-members). All those attending at least one educational session are entitled to complimentary admission to the Continental Breakfast Trade Show. Agents wishing to attend only the trade show pay $10 ($15 for non-members).

To register for TrainingFest 2012 or to obtain more information, agents may visit CLIA’s web site at www.cruising.org or call 855-444-CLIA (2542).# # # About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 26 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members across North America. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

© Cruise Lines International Association

Norwegians Cruise to an extended wave season

Norwegian Cruise Line is extending its popular “Norwegians Take it to the Next Level” sales event through Sunday, April 15, 2012, providing guests with an additional opportunity to take advantage of spectacular cruise savings.

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Voyages of Discovery cruises into rivers for 2012

Voyages of Discovery has launched its first-ever river cruising programme, European River Cruises.Cruise through central European rivers, the Rhine and the Danube, or discover Russia’s waterway, the River Volga, whilst experiencing a tailor-made programme of shore excursions.

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