Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line Order New Ships

Tags: carnival, holland, america, build, ships

Carnival Corporation & plc today announced it has reached an agreement for the construction of two new cruise ships – a 99,000-ton ship for its Holland America Line brand and a 135,000-ton vessel for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand. A memorandum of agreement has been signed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of a 2,660-passenger ship for Holland America Line scheduled for delivery in fall 2015 and a 4,000-passenger ship for Carnival Cruise Lines scheduled for delivery in winter 2016.

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Carnival Conquest destination: Caribbean - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Tags: caribbean, grand, cayman, islands

Enjoy laidback British civility in a sun-splashed tropical locale on your Carnival® Grand Cayman cruise. Don’t let the island’s scrubland terrain fool you—a spectacular marine paradise lies just offshore of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, where a living undersea wall drops dramatically into the ocean deep. Cruises to Grand Cayman bring you directly to the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the kaleidoscopic Caribbean Sea. Stretch out on the glimmering white sands at Seven Mile Beach. Stroll the shops, cafes, and museums in George Town, Grand Cayman. Swim with gentle stingrays in Stingray City on your Grand Cayman cruise. Dive in the wondrous undersea world along the Cayman Wall. Spot native parrots and lizards in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. ...

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Carnival Conquest destination: Caribbean - St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Tags: caribbean, st, croix, us, virgin, islands

St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a tropical dreamland complete with stunning beaches, clear aqua-blue ocean water, a small rain forest and rolling green hillsides. The Danes purchased St. Croix in the 1700s at which time the slave trade and sugar cane fields thrived. Today, the Danish influence is still apparent in the island's architecture and language. Most of the sugar mills lie in ruins. Yet you can still get a taste of the island's history in freshly squeezed sugar cane juice or Cruzan Rum. Explore "one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea": Buck Island Reef National Monument. Most of this 176-acre island is surrounded by an elkhorn coral barrier reef which serves as home for a multitude of fish and other sea life. Snorkelers will enjoy navigating the underwater trail on the eastern side of the reef. Buck Island itself is a nesting area for sea turtles, brown pelicans and frigate birds. Hike the nature trail, soak in the sunshine on the beach, or dive in and snorkel or SCUBA to your heart's content. Take a tour of the Cruzan Rum factory and taste a significant spirit in St. Croix's history. Venture into the countryside to wonder at the ruins of sugar mills and plantations. Wander the Estate Whim Plantation museum, a restored Great House with 3-foot thick walls made of coral, stone and molasses - a sweet foundation. Take a hike through the island's rain forest. Though it's technically more of a "tropical forest" than a "rain forest," you won't be disappointed with its mango, lime, hog plum, mahogany, kapok and turpentine trees, as well as its abundant tropical birds. Traditional island dishes include curried chicken, conch fritters, fried plantains and Kallaloo, a stew made with meat, seafood, okra, spices and greens. For a refreshing local drink try maubi, a beverage made from maubi tree bark, yeast, herbs and ginger root. If you're looking for a nonalcoholic alternative, try ginger beer or soursop juice. Visit the shops in Christiansted and Frederiksted for china, crystal, batik, liquor, leather goods, perfume and jewelry. Peruse Folk Art Traders for local artwork, including pottery, masks and paintings. If you're looking for colonial West Indian furniture to spice up your home, visit Estate Mount Washington Antiques. The U.S. dollar (USD) is the official currency. Traveler's checks and credit cards are also widely accepted....

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Cruise Planners Gears Up for Its Annual Convention

Tags: planners, american, express, travel, advisors

Cruise Planners – American Express Travel, claiming to be the largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is preparing for its annual convention, which is themed “Cruisitude Revolution.” Nearly 500 travel advisors will attend this year’s sold-out convention, taking place November 28-December 1, 2012 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Following the land portion of the event, participating Cruise Planners travel advisors will board Celebrity Reflection for its inaugural sailing from the Port of Miami December 1-3, 2012.

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Holland America Commits to Quebec Turnarounds

Tags: holland, america, veendam, fleet, quebec, ports, tourism

Agnès Maltais, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Minister for the Status of Women and Minister Responsible for the Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches Regions; Pascal Bérubé, Minister of Tourism; Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City; and Gabriel Savard, Director of the Quebec City Tourism Office (OTQ) are proud to announce that an agreement has been reached with Holland America Line.

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Lido Marketplace in Carnival Breeze

Tags: carnival, breeze, lido, marketplace

Carnival Breeze's Lido Marketplace is your one-stop destination for a world of casual dining options, and features new décor that meshes perfectly with the taste of familiar favorites. At Carnival Breeze's Lido Marketplace, enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, and food options like a New York-style deli, Indian Tandoor oven, Mongolian Wok, Italian Pasta Bar, and more. You're only steps from dining at the upstairs Cucina del Capitano, which features an Italian pasta bar during the day and fine Italian dining at night....

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Transatlantic cruise

Tags: transatlantic

Have you been dreaming of visiting Europe, but dreading the long flight? A Transatlantic cruise may be the answer. In fact, at one time, this was the only way to transverse the great pond, connecting the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern Hemisphere. Today, transatlantic cruises are considered a luxury cruise experience. While you are traveling across the ocean, you can be planning for your visit to your final decantation. Some cruises stop at popular ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Baltic, while others focus on the journey itself. While you are on board a transatlantic cruise, be sure to: Take advantage of the onboard enrichment programs to learn something new. Take shore excursions when available to experience the rich culture of the areas you are visiting, such as Stonehenge near Southampton. See Broadway and off-Broadway shows before you leave from New York City or on board in the ship's own theater. If you need to book a transatlantic cruise, CruiseWeb.com has what you need. With our help, you can save significantly on this elegant cruise experience. Planning Your Transatlantic Cruise Experience. Transatlantic cruises are a bit different form other cruises in that they are often designed not just for leisure, but also to get you to a new destination. They range from seven to 17 nights and leave from eastern ports such as New York, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The destination ports are typically Southampton, Barcelona or Paris....

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