Princess' First 3-Day Sale

Okay, I'll admit it. I don't often let you know about 3-day sales from lines such as Holland America and Carnival, mostly because I almost always have daily pricing better than their "sales" prices. But Princess sent me advance notice of their upcoming 3-day sale and I'm optimistic, so I'm passing the information on to you.

It's the first time Princess has offered a 3-day sale, and the pitch is there are 3-ways to benefit: incredible savings, up to $100 "cash back" per cabin (refundable onboard credit), and balconies at oceanview pricing.

Even better, I've set up a promotion with Princess so my clients will in addition get a reduced deposit of $100/person and an onboard coupon book!

The sale runs Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12. The applicable sailings are for the January-April 2010 sailings in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and Hawaii.

One twist is that the deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, which is a new provision for Princess sailings.

The details for the onboard credit is as follows:

Passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 6-9 day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $25 per stateroom; passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; passengers booked in a Balcony stateroom or above on a 6-9 day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; and passengers booked in an Balcony stateroom or above on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom.

If you've had your eye on a Princess cruise for winter or spring, then just the onboard credits alone are worth taking a look at this sale. Add to that the reduced deposit and other factors, and this is a great offer!

Give me a call or email me for details or a custom quote for your Princess cruise.

Royal Caribbean Mexico and Caribbean Dollars Off!

Royal Caribbean's First Time Cruisers Event finishes up the month with savings on sailings to Mexico and the Caribbean! While the event is called "First Time Cruisers", the savings are for everyone!

Book a selected Mexican Riviera or Caribbean cruise between November 24-30, 2008, and receive up to $100/cabin discount! Surf on over to Royal Caribbean Mexico and Caribbean Dollars Off Savings and see which cruise you want to book! Then, of course, give me a ring or email, and we'll plan your next vacation.

By the way, did you know the Mariner of the Seas begins sailings from Los Angeles in February? The largest ship ever to sail from the West Coast, this ship also receives the most consistent praise among my clients for the Voyager-Class ships. If you live out west, or want to change up your vacations to head down to the Mexican Riviera, this is a great opportunity for you!

MSC Offers Reduced Single Supplement Sailings!

There have been several posts recently about reduced or no single supplements for a bit more exotic destinations such as river cruising or Antarctica, the first of the offers for this season in the Caribbean has just come in!

MSC Cruises, an Italian line which has been sailing the Caribbean for several years, and is marketed toward North Americans during that time, is offering 3 sailings with dramatically reduced single supplements - only 120%! MSC is very much a European line, known for its unique entertainment and "sophisticated" approach to cruising (no announcements, activities such as language lessons over several days, and even pool games which are a bit more adult), is becoming popular with those looking for a different style of cruising, especially those who like European service styles, such as no hovering waiters. While they adjust a bit for the time they sail from the US, they're very much Italian, and you'll notice it everywhere onboard. Their ships also aren't the typical mold, putting more emphasis into their public lounges, and offering many different musical and entertainment venues every night. Have to say their pricing is also extremely attractive, often with "kids go free" promotions as well!

They also have a number of different "theme" cruises, regularly offering such themes as baseball greats and specific types of music. They just announced a "polka" themed sailing, in fact!

It's not a line for everyone - it's not another of the similar mold most North Americans have come to know and expect when boarding a cruise ship for the Caribbean, but it's a wonderful line for someone who wants something a bit different.

I was fortunate enough to sail on the first MSC cruise in the Caribbean a few years back, and am looking forward to sailing the beautiful new MSC Orchestra this March.

Oh, I mentioned deals, didn't I? Here they are!

• MSC Orchestra, January 29, 2009, 7 Nt W. Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Inside from $598.80, Oceanview from $826.80, Balcony from $982.80;
• MSC Lirica, January 23, 2009, 10 Nt Deep Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Inside from $$898.80, Oceanview from $1,138.80, Balcony Suite from $1,678.80
• MSC Lirica, February 2, 2009, 10 Nt Deep Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Inside from $1,018.80, Oceanview from $1,198.80, Balcony Suite from $1,738.80

All the above are for solo occupancy cabins, and include port charges. Taxes and fuel supplement are additional.

If you're interested in trying a new line this winter, this is your chance! Call or email for more details or to book your cruise!

2 More TGIFebruary Offers from Royal Caribbean

Following up on last week's TGIFebruary offer of reduced 3rd and 4th person occupancy, Royal Caribbean released 2 new offers, good through the end of February, in their TGIFebruary promotion. Well, at least it was originally intended to only be for bookings through the end of the month, but in the spirit of Valentine's Day, one of the offers is good until April 1, no fooling!

First up, save $200 on select "exotic" sailings in South America or Australia! This applies to the October 19, November 1, 11, 22, December 2, 13, 23, 2008 and January 6, 13, 27 and February 10, 2009 sailings on the Rhapsody of the Seas in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, the November 28, December 7, and 20, 2008, January 4, 18, February 1, 15, 28, , March 13, 29 and April 12, 2009 sailings of the Radiance of the Seas in South America. Lots of "exotic" there to choose from!

I've been highlighting more exotic destinations recently. Is it time for you to start exploring farther afield? If so, give me a call! These specials may be just the ticket for you!

The second offer this week is for sailings closer to home - the Caribbean and Panama Canal! Looking to sail next fall between August and December? These offers may be perfect for you. Most Caribbean sailings on the Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas between August 31 and December 14, 2008, offer a $100 onboard credit, as does the Jewel of the Seas 10- and 11-night Panama Canal sailings November 7, 28 and December 8, 2008. Interested in these? Call me by March 14 to book to be eligible for these savings, and be sure to mention the TGIFebruary specials!