This is exciting news.  The Disney Cruise line has made short trips to the California market doing Mexican Riviera cruises, but in 2011 they will add Alaska sailing and do more of the Mexican Riviera.   For Disney fans and those that know what a quality product Disney provides this is a major heads up.  Booking starts Sept. 28th 2009.

The first Disney cruise to Alaska will depart May 3, with the last cruise of the season scheduled for August 30. The cruise makes four calls from Vancouver: Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Disney Cruise Line also will offer a number of repositioning cruises and special sailings in 2011, including a 15-night Panama Canal crossing, two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a five- and six-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and Vancouver to Los Angeles, with first-ever stops in San Francisco and Victoria, B.C., and 10- and 11-night holiday sailings to the Mexican Riviera and the eastern Caribbean.

Disney sells well – don’t be one of those wishing you had decided earlier when these sell out.

Balconies - gotta love em

Sales are happening – some of the things cruise lines are doing is giving ship board credit with the sale, but the condition on the booking is that the deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.  So the idea of booking a cruise and deciding for sure if you can go later is OUT with these promotions.  The deposits are in the neighborhood of $200- $300 per person, so not money to throw around.  Most of my bookings don’t cancel, but I know the idea that you can cancel right before final payment is a comfort to most people.    I’m not promoting this sale hard, as I don’t know if a $25 ship board credit is worth that risk.  If you would be canceling for something that insurance would not cover normally – that’s the issue.  Most cancellations are more of scheduling conflicts that come up… or lack of money.  Neither of those is a insurance claim.    What is great right now- are just some great prices for balconies in the winter months of January and February.  Perfect time to head to the sunny Caribbean!!    Rose@cruisesbyrose.com

New’s from Princess

Tour Offers Rare Opportunity to See Famed German Production, Only Performed Every 10 Years

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (July 17, 2009) – Princess has added a rare opportunity to its 2010 cruisetour lineup in Europe – a unique cruisetour designed to include the famed Oberammergau Passion Play, which is performed only once each decade in this small Bavarian village in Germany.

The new 18-day “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” tour features two nights in the southern German town of Oberammergau, and includes tickets to the event.  Passengers will also visit a variety of other top German destinations during the eight-day land tour, including Frankfurt, the Black Forest, Munich, Nuremberg and Berlin.  In addition, the tour will connect seamlessly with a 10-day Scandinavia/Russia cruise aboard Star Princess.  Two departures are offered on August 2 and August 12, 2010.

“This is such a unique opportunity, one that literally only comes around once every 10 years,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This new cruisetour makes it easy to enjoy this famous event, plus take in many of the other attractions for which Germany is famous, coupled with one of our wonderful cruises through the Baltic region. This is yet another example of our commitment to provide our passengers with fascinating experiences around the world.”

The Oberammergau Passion Play has been held every ten years since 1634 in thanksgiving for deliverance from the Black Death in 1633. The play is now performed in years ending with a zero (except 1984 which was the 350th anniversary), and involves more than 2000 actors, singers, instrumentalists and technicians, all of whom are residents of the village.  All cast members have lived in the village at least 20 years and must be amateurs of high moral and ethical principles.  Villagers also make all the costumes for the production and, as no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performances.

The “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” cruisetour is one of Princess’ four Europe cruisetour options available next season.  Travelers can also opt for the 18-day “Europe’s Imperial Treasures,” which features the cathedrals and castles of four capitals that have figured prominently in history – Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin – and includes a Star Princess Scandinavia and Russia sailing.  The 17-day “Classic Italy” tour offers the charms of Florence and Rome, and can connect to a number of Princess’ Mediterranean sailings.  The 16-day “Ring of Kerry” tour offers some of the Emerald Isle’s most inspiring landscapes with visits to Shannon, Killarney and Cork, plus a Crown Princess British Isles cruise.

Fares for the 18-day Oberammergau cruisetour begin at $5,319 per person, based on double occupancy. Capacity is limited on these special tours, and could fill quickly.

Email a cruise specialist – like me…. Cruises by Rose  – at Rose@cruisesbyrose.com  – for MORE DETAILS

Basically – yes, you need one.   If all was well in the world and there wasn’t even a remote chance of you missing your cruise ship or getting injured or sick and being left in a foreign port and you just flew in and out of Florida or other US port… then you could get away without a passport.  But really you want to go to Europe some day and just incase one of those terrible things happen – you need to just get a passport.   You need a passport to fly into the US from anywhere outside of US – (San Juan PR okay… it’s a US territory)  

Carnival sent out a letter explaining it – here is a part of that:

There has been much attention on the new travel requirements for U.S. Citizens going into effect on June 1, 2009, and we would like to clarify this for you.  While the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license.  Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.

Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.  

If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises.

For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that ALL guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued.  

So there you have it – RECOMMENDED – but not required on round-trip US departure cruises.

Well – it’s probably about time really.  I’ve been booking cruises for 7 years and the expected gratuity for the service providers on cruise ships has been in the neighborhood of $10 a day per guest.  It’s gone from pay them cash in little envelopes to the cruise line just charges it to your hotel tab daily and you pay with the credit card you check in with.  Royal Caribbean and Celebrity had held off from the automatic gratuity thing until mid January and now they are doing it also.  They pushed the envelope with that announcement and said $11 something and now NCL is changing theirs  to $12 per guest, regardless of age.  This amount is split between the room seward, and his assistant, and the dinner waiter and his assistant and the mater’de that takes care of your section of the dining room.  

This amount may seem high, but when you realize that none of these ships are flagged in the US… minus the one in Hawaii – these workers are not getting minimum wage or overtime pay etc….  It’s still a great gig for them, as if they go back to their countries with great English stills they can get great jobs upon thier return.  

I just got off a ship and am desparately missing having my room cleaned twice a day and wishing someone would ask me what I would like for dinner… and dessert.

This off Royal Caribbean site – that includes Celebrity and Azamra:

We have suspended our fuel supplement for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, anywhere in the world.

The decision reflects the recently sustained lower price of fuel.

Effective Monday, December 8, guests making new bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will not be charged the fuel supplement.

Guests already booked on sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will receive a refund of any fuel supplement paid, as follows:
• Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are now paid in full, will have the supplement automatically refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their sailing.
• Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are not yet paid in full, will have the supplement automatically removed from their outstanding balance.
We reserves the right to reinstate fuel supplement charges if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeds $65 per barrel, on the quarterly milestone dates mentioned in the company’s October 24, 2008, press release.

The bad news – as of May 2009 – if the price of oil keeps going up – they will add them back. BUMMER!

POLICY HIGHLIGHTS 

Deposit Requirements

 Princess has lowered the passenger deposit requirements for new bookings on summer 2009 voyages and beyond. Now all bookings will require a deposit of just 20% of the cruise or cruise tour fare, reduced from the previously announced 30% requirement. The World Cruise deposit will remain at 10% for the initial deposit.

New Fuel Supplement

Because of the continued rapid escalation of fuel prices, six of Carnival Corporation & plc’s brands, including Princess Cruises and Cunard Line, increased their current fuel supplement from $7 to $9 (USD) per person per day. The fuel supplement for third and fourth passengers will increase from $2 to $4 (USD) per person per day. The new fuel supplement will apply to all new bookings effective June 12, 2008. The fuel supplement will not exceed $126 per person per voyage for the first and second passengers, and $56 per person per voyage for the third and fourth passengers in a stateroom.

Air Policy Disclosures

Due to the volatility of the airline price changes, we want to highlight the fact that all air prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received by Princess. This is not new, but rather a re-communication of our existing policy. As long as a passenger has paid for their cruise and air in full, they will not be required to pay any additional air costs.

Platinum Vacation Protection

Starting with voyages departing in summer 2009, Princess is pleased to introduce Princess Platinum Vacation Protection. Our Platinum Plan provides a future cruise credit value of 100% of the normally non-refundable charges if you must cancel for a reason that is not eligible for 100% cash reimbursement. And, upgrading to our new Platinum Vacation Protection plan (or Travel Care Gold for voyages prior to the summer of 2009) will also double coverage for medical expenses, lost baggage and emergency medical evacuation. Also note that Princess purchases the Platinum coverage for Platinum and Elite Captains Circle members who purchase the standard program- a savings of up to several hundred dollars.

PRODUCT ENHANCEMENTS 

Star Princess and Caribbean Princess to Add Popular Amenities

The upcoming makeovers of Star Princess and Caribbean Princess will include a transformation of the Deck 5 atrium into the inviting piazza-style street café including Headline Entertainers as currently found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, a new wine bar concept including a walk-in cheese humidor and a fully stocked wine store. Additionally, we will add the company’s signature adults-only Sanctuary and showplace Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, along with a more centrally located casino and seven new suites. Star Princess will also receive a Movies Under The Stars screen during her September dry dock in San Francisco and Caribbean Princess will follow in January 2009.

Complimentary Hot Chocolate and Mid-Morning Bouillon

We are pleased to offer our passengers in cold weather itineraries, complimentary Hot Chocolate and mid-morning Bouillon. These special offerings are currently available on board our ships in Alaska.

Evian Misting Stewards

Launching in August, passengers will be able to take pleasure in being misted by our new Evian Misting Stewards while enjoying the sun on deck. This service is offered in our warm weather itineraries and is sure to be a hit with our passengers.

Waffle Stations

Available in late August, passengers can enjoy fresh waffles made to order at the Waffle Stations located in the Horizon Court buffet. Unlike other operations, Princess Cruises will offer fresh waffle creations for breakfast, brunch and throughout lunch. What better way to start the day!

Complimentary Lemonade

Complimentary Lemonade will be available later in 2008 on board all Princess ships.

In support of our ongoing partnership with Nintendo, Princess was the first cruise line to launch the new Wii Fit device on all vessels. Representatives from Nintendo of America introduced and trained cruise and teen staff on the popular Wii Fit through participative and interactive training courses. Family and adult tournaments are now featured on all vessels fleet wide.

If this photo represents flying to you… stop reading here. 

Where will the airlines stop in this new wave of setting the base price for a ticket and then surprising the traveler with new add on’s. 

First step that most of the airlines jumped on- is the second bag checked cost $25.  Now American is going to charge $15 for the first bag.  (tickets issued after June 15th)  How about getting a window seat… I’m an aisle person myself, but would you pay extra for a window.  It’s coming.

Of course all these extra’s are not for everyone, if you are a loyalty member with a little status, the airline doesn’t impose these things on you.  Loyalty pays in many ways in the travel industry. 

 It’s hard to remember how we used to make fun of airline food and how terrible it was, and now we are just grateful to get anything to snack on while we are stuck on the tarmac waiting for our gate to open as the clock tics and our connecting flight leaves without us.  I may be a little sensitive to this – this week as my hubby was stuck at SFO forever this week, and his flight kept getting delayed over and over.  Delays seem more common place lately – global warming… unusual weather? I don’t know … Mechanical issues?  Not sure, but it does put the adventure back into travel.

My husband travels alot – and this news is not exciting!  He uses United for a huge percentage of his business travel.  Read on…

United Adds Saturday Stay, Raises Ticket-Change Fees
Mon Apr 21 2008, by TravelTrade Staff

United Airlines is increasing business travel fares by requiring a Saturday night stay in about 65% of markets and will boost ticket-change fees to offset fuel costs.

The Saturday-night stay requirement has been tacked on to all tickets where United competes head-to-head with other legacy carriers, impacting business travelers, who usually don’t want to spend a Saturday night in their destination.

In addition, United’s fee for passengers to change tickets will rise from $100 to $150.

Last week, United added an additional $20 roundtrip fuel charge in markets that already had a fuel fee. A $10 surcharge was added in markets where no fee had been in effect.

After the recent news of the Cruise lines giving money back to customers after they charged fuel supplements on bookings already made.  NCL can stand proud on this one, as they didn’t do what the other did.  They only charged the fuel supplement on bookings made after the announcement.

NCL annouced this week that come May 1st – their fuel supplement charge that they started this past fall at $7 will go up to $9 per person (for first two passengers in each room) per day.  So on a 7 day cruise that’s $126 extra for a couple to cruise.  All of this makes looking at advertised prices a little tricky.  A cruise that’s posted for $699 – is going to cost a couple about $1589 with taxes.  (Cruises don’t include air unless you add that…)  Here in Oregon where we aren’t used to sales taxes… makes it even harder to tell someone the total price of their trip.

Carnival Corp (includes Princess, Holland, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa and Carnival) raised their fuel charge to $7 per person per day for all bookings made after TODAY April 20th.  They had been at $5 a day- same as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.   At the present moment RCCL and Celebrity are still at $5 a day.  Kudos to them if they can stay there.

NEWS- Royal Caribbean is raising their also.. up to $8 – All bookings made after May 1st. That includes Celebrity and Azurmara (never sure if I’m spelling that right, new cruiseline…)

Then there is air…

Just got a message saying the United is charging a fuel supplement on their Hawaii flights, all fares - $40 per person.  Yikes!

Need to start shopping for that electric car so I can still afford to travel!!