It's Wave Season! FULL List of Special Offers!

Once again, cruise wave season is upon us, the time when most bookings for the year are made, and the cruise lines roll out attractive specials to entice you. Below is a FULL list of wave season offers by cruise line! Most of these offers are available through February 4, 2010, though other booking dates may be listed in the specific offers:

Azamara Club Cruises: Receive up to $400 in Onboard Credit (per stateroom) when you book an Ocean View stateroom or higher on select Azamara Club departures. Booking Window: January 7 - February 4, 2010

Applicable Sailings:
Azamara Journey, 5/2/10
Azamara Journey, 5/23/10
Azamara Journey, 6/18/10
Azamara Journey, 8/29/10
Azamara Quest, 7/12/10
Azamara Quest, 11/27/10

Carnival: Up to 2 Category Upgrade on select dates.

Celebrity: Up to $100/cabin onboard credit! Celebrity January Sale

Interested in an Alaska or Europe cruisetour? Up to $200/cabin onboard
credit on Alaska cruisetours if booked by January 31, or $300/cabin onboard
credit for Europe cruisetours if booked by March 31!

Crystal: In addition to the absolutely wonderful As You Wish onboard credits up to $2,000/cabin, 2-for-1 fares and free air on select sailings, an additional $200/cabin onboard credit and pre-paid gratuities.

Solo Travelers: Remember that Crystal has some of the
lowest single supplements in the industry, standard starting at only 25%.
Crystal can be a fabulous value for solo travelers.

Cunard: Up to $300/cabin onboard credit for all 2010/2011 sailings (except 2011 World Cruise) on QM2, Queen Victoria and the new Queen Elizabeth.

Solo traveler alert: I have found ZERO single supplement on some fall 2010 Transatlantic sailings on the Queen Mary 2! Most notably the 11/10/10 sailing. Zero. Nada. Zip! Current inside fares are less than $1,000 SINGLE OCCUPANCY! If you've dreamed of a classic Cunard Transatlantic and sail solo... DO NOT WAIT! These sailings are also eligible for the onboard credit and reduced deposit offers!

Disney: Onboard credit for selected 3- and 4-night spring sailings!

Holland America: Reduced deposit and coupon book for all bookings! Don't forget the ongoing View and Verandah sale with lowered fares for oceanview cabins and above, 50% reduced deposit, savings for 3rd and 4th passengers, and even savings on pre- and post-cruise hotels!

In addition, in an EXCLUSIVE for my clients, I have some Limited Edition The Art
of Cruising books from Holland America! This lovely coffee table book
highlights the fine art and antiques aboard Holland America ships. Book
with me on Holland America by February 5, and I'll enter you into a drawing for
these collectible books!

NCL: Year of Freestyle Vacation offers. Up to 6 category upgrades, certificate books, plus rotating offers every two weeks. Currently on sale: Norwegian Epic with upgrades and reduced deposits!

In addition, for solo travelers, Norwegian Epic is offering
150% single supplements for most 2010 and 2011 sailings! This is huge, as
NCL rarely reduces single supplements. A great opportunity to try not only
NCL, but their brand new Epic!

Princess: Through January 21, reduced deposits of $100/person and coupon books on all sailings 7 days or longer.

In addition, for select 2010 European, Caribbean and Alaska sailings, book a balcony at the price of an Oceanview!

Alaska Cruisetours including Denali are on sale! Up to 25% off Alaska
Cruisetour packages! Book by February 28. Prices start as low as
$1,274/person.

Royal Caribbean: Up to $200/cabin savings for select sailings throughout 2010! Book an oceanview cabin or above by February 28 on select sailings and receive up to $200/cabin savings!

River Cruising: River cruise lines continue to offer tremendous savings, with 2-for-1 pricing, free or reduced air and other special offers. These specials are frequently changing, but if you're considering a river cruise for 2010, don't wait. Unlike 2009, many special dates are already extremely limited.

This is the time to book your 2010 (or even 2011) cruise!

If you're thinking of Alaska this year, I can't emphasize enough to BOOK NOW! Because of the reduction in the number of ships and sailings, I expect Alaska cruises and cruisetours to be going up in price throughout the year. Booking now locks in your preferred cabin and pricing.

Remember that several lines will allow me to adjust your fare if they lower prices, EVEN AFTER FINAL PAYMENT! If you're concerned with getting the best fare, and who isn't, ask for information on these policies. I never charge a fee for changes to your booking, unless the cruise line imposes one directly. So you're protected when booking with me!

Call me at 303-690-8937, or toll-free at 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123), or email at amber@cruiseresource.com for more information on any sailing, offer, or to book your cruise! You deserve a great vacation in 2010!

Why You Shouldn't Dare Someone to Jump... Or Disney Rescues "Daring" Carnival Passenger!

In a story too weird not to be real, the Disney Wonder rescued a passenger who went overboard from the Carnival Sensation. Kudos go out to both ships for their quick action and efforts to save this passenger.

However, as the story is unfolding, in official statements, news reports and in tweets from onboard the ships, it is now being reported the rescued man was overheard arguing with a woman shortly before he was observed jumping from a balcony. In the course of that argument, he allegedly threatened to jump, to which she reportedly replied "go ahead." Of course, that's unofficial at this point, but considering the official statement from Carnival is that he was observed by ship's cameras jumping (not falling) from a balcony, the reports of a dare being involved is not outside the realm of possibility. Anyone want to bet that drugs and/or alcohol were involved as well?

More details can be found at the Cruise Log at Drama at Sea.

I've warned you all before about balcony bungee jumping without the bungee. Didn't think I needed to warn you about accepting dares on a ship. Guess I need to update the cautions, don't I?

Kids Sail Free on Disney This Winter!

Starting Monday, August 31st at 8 AM!!!

Kids ages 17 and under can sail free on most 3-night cruises January 7 - April 15, 2010 and most 4-night cruises January 10 - April 11, 2010 with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Government Taxes and Fees not included.

Onboard, discover something magical for every member of your crew with separate areas for kids, teens, adults and families. There's even a day at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island paradise.

Offer applies to new bookings only for stateroom categories 4-12. The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Other special offers, discounts or onboard credits do not apply.

If you're looking for a Disney cruise getaway with your family this winter, and you know no one does fun like Disney, then call or email me NOW so you will be in line for this offer when it becomes available on Monday. Capacity is extremely limited, so don't miss out.

Just As Promised...Mega Secret Hot Summer Sales!

I hinted that there were some upcoming specials for 2009 sailings... and here they are! It's our Mega Secret (as in both Mega Large and Mega Top-Secret) Hot Summer Sale! Book between July 9 and August 9 for these offers!

First up is from Royal Caribbean. Book a balcony or above statement for any 2009 sailing on the Enchantment of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas or Adventure of the Seas between July 9 and August 9, 2009, and receive complimentary dinner for two in any of the specialty restaurants!

Better yet - the offer IS combinable with lowest available fare, restricted rates (EZN, Reduced Air, Seniors, Residents, Military, and Police and Fireman), Crown and Anchor, Shareholder Benefits, and Future or NextCruise offers. (Additional restrictions may apply. )

Prefer Celebrity? No problem! I have a "Beat the Heat" sale just for you (and I have to say, since my A/C keeps freezing over, anything to beat the heat right now is sounding really good to me!)

Book a specified 2009 sailing in an Oceanview cabin or above between July 9 and August 9, and receive up to $100 onboard credit! The applicable sailings and corresponding onboard credit amounts can be found here: Celebrity Beat the Heat Sale.

Still not satisfied? Then I have offers from NCL as well. Once again, book a 2009 sailing between July 9 and August 9 on any ship and the savings are yours! Book any 2009 sailing during the sale period and receive a 50% reduced deposit. Want to sail to Bermuda, Canada/New England, Western Caribbean or Mexican Riviera on NCL before the end of 2009? Then the deal is even better for you with onboard credits up to $250/cabin!

Want to take your family on Disney? I've got you covered with onboard credits! Book a 3-night cruise for 11/5/09 through 12/27/09, and receive a $50/cabin onboard credit. 4 night cruises between November 1 and December 23 net you a $50/cabin onboard credit. If you want to sail a 7-night cruise on Disney between 10/31 and 12/19/09, well, that'll get you a $100/cabin onboard credit!

Holland America your style? We've not forgotten you! We have a super coupon book for you for any cabins booked on 2009 sailings between July 9 and August 9!

You're a Princess lover? Their special is applicable for sailings in 2009 AND 2010! Book during our mega secret summer sale July 9-August 9, receive reduced deposits AND an onboard coupon book valued at $325!

Okay, my fingers are tired and my calculator is smoking at these hot summer savings. Any of these sales sound good to you? Then call or email me to book your cruise!

Don't forget about the Crystal's End of Summer 3-day Sale going on through Friday as well.

Can't They Think of New Names?

There must be some pretty deep layoffs in the Disney creative department these days, as there is a bit of industry redundancy in the new names they announced today for their next two new ships.

Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean have been repeating names between one another for awhile now (Carnival Freedom vs. Freedom of the Seas for example, or Jewel of the Seas and Norwegian Jewel), and of course Princess and Holland America re-use their own ship names frequently and for generations, but I didn't expect that Disney would expand the trend. After all, it's Disney we're talking about. The place where dreams come true and a true fantasy land... the birthplace of imagination for generations of youngsters across the world, and creative innovators for 50 years.

But, despite the redundancy with other lines, I do have to admit the names are well suited to the line which currently consists of the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic.

Oh, did I forget to mention the new names? They'll be the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, planned to set sail in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In announcing the new name, Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations said, "the names are very telling of our brand and are part of our history. Disney is known for making dreams come true, and for creating worlds of fantasy that go beyond the imagination. The names are a natural choice for our ships."

This just means you'll have to be even more careful when you tell your agent which ship you'd like to book. If you're wanting the Disney Fantasy, you want to be sure you don't end up on the Carnival Fantasy instead.

And anyone want to bet if Disney orders a third new ship that it will be the Disney Imagination?