Few cruise companies can compete with Crystal Cruises in terms of on board enrichment, theme cruises and guest lecturers.  In 2010, the luxury cruise line adds a Science and Technology program (Dec. 11, 2010, Caribbean) to the broad spectrum of topics ranging from Wine and Food Festivals to Golf, Film and Jazz, among others.

The roster of special themes and departure dates follows:

Emerging Artists – Tomorrow’s stars shine today through Crystal’s exclusive partnership with The Music Center Los Angeles, showcasing some of the brightest talent from the Center’s Spotlight Awards on two European cruises.
* June 21, Baltic/Northern Europe
* September 29, Mediterranean

Wine & Food Festival – World-renowned chefs and wine experts share their techniques and specialties on several Australia/New Zealand, the Mediterranean and Mexican Riviera voyages.
* March 30, Australia/New Zealand
* April 29, Mediterranean
* May 25, Mediterranean
* September 5, Mediterranean
* September 17, Mediterranean
* November 22, Canary Islands
* December 12, Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez

Mind, Body & Spirit– Wellness experts focus on yogthanksa, Tai Chi, Pilates and general fitness on itineraries through Asia/Indian Ocean, Mexican Riviera and an Atlantic Ocean crossing.
* April 26, Indian Ocean/Southeast Asia
* September 5, Transatlantic
* December 5, Crystal Symphony

Golf– PGA pros offer on board and shore side tips on improving guests’ games, and play at some of the world’s most exclusive courses in New England/Canada.
* October 22, Crystal Symphony
Fashion & Style – Personal style consultations with professional designers and stylists, fashion shows, films and lectures highlight European fashion.
* June 6, Mediterranean
* Sep 29, Mediterranean

Film & Theater Festival– Guest film experts salute film and theater with lectures and on board entertainment on a Pacific Ocean crossing.
* February 28, Transpacific

Jazz – Live performances and discussions about musical legends jazz up South America and Mexican Riviera itineraries.
* January 8, South America
* November 28, Mexican Riviera

Big Band – Live daily Big Band performances, guest music lecturers, and additional Ambassador Hosts serve as dance partners on an Atlantic Ocean crossing.
* December 1, Transatlantic

Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute – Crystal’s Creative Learning Institute offers expanded music, language and arts curriculum throughout the 2010 World Cruise.
* January 10, (108-day Full World Cruise),

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Crystal Cruises is unveiling its first ever Crystal Overland Adventures from Ashdod on its Holy Land cruise this fall. A choice of three three-night journeys transport travelers to such revered sites as the 2,000 year old Rose City of Petra, the Pharaohs’ tombs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and the Dead Sea, among other astonishing destinations where Christian, Jewish and Islamic civilizations took root. The 12-day cruise sails from Athens to Venice October 8, 2009 aboard Crystal Serenity, with visits to Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu and Dubrovnik.

“With more than five millennia of history to explore, guests are able to lose themselves in the rich culture of these destinations with completely authentic experiences, and three full days to soak it all in,” says John Stoll, director, land programs.

Rejoining the ship in Alexandria, Egypt, all three of the new programs feature the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem’s Time Elevator and Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza, plus Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, with more than 100,000 relics. Attractions specific to each program include:

* NEW! Israel, Petra & Cairo –Jordan’s Petra, the archaeological site hidden for thousands of years, and whose only entrance is through the Siq, a narrow gorge of spectacular beauty;

* NEW! Israel, Luxor & Cairo – Luxor’s Valley of Kings, where Tutankhamen’s tomb was unearthed; and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh in history; and

* NEW! Israel In-depth & Cairo – Masada, a fortress built by King Herod; and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth with more salt and minerals than any other body of water in the world.

The cruise features an Ancient Civilizations Experiences of Discovery focus with guest archeologists and experts providing regional background on board, as well as during select excursions ashore. More than a dozen partial- and full-day excursions from Ashdod are also offered, several of them brand new.

Fares for the Israel and Egypt Crystal Overland Adventures start at $3,679 per person; cruise fares start at $4,940 per person, both double occupancy, including $1,000 per person All Inclusive – As You Wish onboard credits.

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Crystal Cruises is unveiling its first ever Crystal Overland Adventures from Ashdod on its Holy Land cruise this fall. A choice of three three-night journeys transport travelers to such revered sites as the 2,000 year old Rose City of Petra, the Pharaohs’ tombs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and the Dead Sea, among other astonishing destinations where Christian, Jewish and Islamic civilizations took root. The 12-day cruise sails from Athens to Venice October 8 aboard Crystal Serenity, with visits to Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu and Dubrovnik.

“With more than five millennia of history to explore, guests are able to lose themselves in the rich culture of these destinations with completely authentic experiences, and three full days to soak it all in,” says John Stoll, director, land programs.

Rejoining the ship in Alexandria, Egypt, all three of the new programs feature the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem’s Time Elevator and Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza, plus Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, with more than 100,000 relics. Attractions specific to each program include:

* NEW! Israel, Petra & Cairo –Jordan’s Petra, the archaeological site hidden for thousands of years, and whose only entrance is through the Siq, a narrow gorge of spectacular beauty;

* NEW! Israel, Luxor & Cairo – Luxor’s Valley of Kings, where Tutankhamen’s tomb was unearthed; and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh in history; and

* NEW! Israel In-depth & Cairo – Masada, a fortress built by King Herod; and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth with more salt and minerals than any other body of water in the world.

The cruise features an Ancient Civilizations Experiences of Discovery focus with guest archeologists and experts providing regional background on board, as well as during select excursions ashore. More than a dozen partial- and full-day excursions from Ashdod are also offered, several of them brand new.

Fares for the Israel and Egypt Crystal Overland Adventures start at $3,679 per person; cruise fares start at $4,940 per person, both double occupancy, including $1,000 per person All Inclusive – As You Wish onboard credits.

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*** Few regions offer as much unspoiled beauty, rustic coastline and quaint ports as the Pacific Northwest.  Cruise West offers the best way to visit this region with fleet of small, casual cruise ships. 

The 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavourwill sail on eight-day “Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape” cruises sailing round-trip from Seattle visiting Nanaimo, “The Harbour City”; Desolation Sound Provincial Marine Park, Victoria and historic Port Townsend.  Departure dates are Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 2008 and April 19, 26 and May 3, 2009. 

*** Crystal Cruises’ fall Canada New Englandcruises feature active shore excursions for those seeking a more in-depth experience of the area’s, maritime heritage and natural beauty.  From Sept. 16 through Oct. 29, Crystal Symphony sails on ten- and 11-day itineraries between New York and Montreal visiting Newport; Boston; Bar Harbor; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Quebec City.

New shore excursions include Riding the Reversing Rapids in Saint John; a photographer’s tour of Newport and a schooner cruise in Halifax.  Passengers may also tour Gros Morne National Park by helicopter and take a kayaking expedition that ends with a beach site lobster bake.

For reservations and additional information contact your local travel agent.

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** Carnival Fantasy Gets An Overhaull

While Carnival Fantasy may be one of Carnival’s oldest ships, she’s still popular on four- and five-day Caribbean itineraries from New Orleans.  This fall she will undergo an extensive upgrade during dry dock with a new aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, an exclusive adults-only area, and a totally redesigned “resort-style” main pool. Taking center stage on the Carnival Fantasy’s Verandah Deck will be Carnival WaterWorks, a spectacular aqua park featuring a four-deck-high 300-foot-long corkscrew water slide – the longest, most elaborate at sea – along with an 82-foot-long dual-lane racing slide, and various water spray apparatus creating cool and exhilarating fun for kids and adults, alike.  And, located aft will be Serenity, an adults-only outdoor retreat with two whirlpools and thatched cover.

*** Watch HAL’s Eurodam Being Built

If you’ve ever wanted to watch a ship being built, Holland America provides a bird’s eye view on a blog for its next new ship, Eurodam, scheduled to enter service in July, 2008.   Photos show each stage of ship building, from the hull to super structions and interiors, as they are being built.  Visit Eurodam News.

*** NCL Offers Valentine’s Day Specials

If you don’t have plans for Valentine’s Day, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering incentives to book a cruise during the official day for romance.  Last minute specials include the Norwegian Pearl’s nine-day Southern Caribbean voyage departing Feb. 8 from Miami at prices starting at $999 per person, double occupancy.  The Feb. 10, five-day Western Caribbean cruise of Norwegian Jewel from Miami starts at $419 per person, double occupancy.  Similar discounts are available on most ships in the fleet.  In addition, the “Romance Package” includes sparkling wine and strawberries in the stateroom upon embarkation, two 25-minute half-body massages a pedicure and manicure for one and tea service in your stateroom one afternoon.  The package is priced at $249 per stateroom.  Contact your travel agent for information and reservations.

*** Cruise West Offers Fall Wine & Food Cruises

Cruise West, which operates a fleet of small ships, has announced a new itinerary, “Taste of the Pacific Norwest” featuring the distinctive wines of Oregon and Washington, with visits to family-owned wineries and vineyards and tours through winery cave system.  The one-week cruises aboard the 84-passenger Spirit of Discovery sail round-trip from Portland, Ore., and visits Columbia River Gorge; Walla Walla, WA; Hanford Reach National Monument and Horse Heaven Hills & Red Mountain.  Departures are Sept. 28; Oct. 5, 12 and 19 and per person, double occupancy fares starting at $3,149.  For additional information visit Cruise West.

*** Crystal Cruises To Offer Active Europe Shore Excursions in 2008

The luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises, is offering new “self-propelled” shore excursion during the 2008 Europe season, including Cliff Climbing in Split, Croatia (climbing the cliffs of Omis followed by a dip in the Cetina River); Cycling expeditions in Barcelona and Ronne, Denmark; exploring the sea caves of Corfu; shipwreck diving near Dubrovnik and climbing the slopes of Mt. Etna, Taormina, Italy by jeep followed by bicycling at the top.  For information on Crystal’s Europe program, visit Crystal Cruises.

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Crystal Cruises is offering passengers access to new technology that enables them to travel with their entire medical records on a CD the size of a credit card.   The cruise line has partnered with PocketMD, a medical technology company, which does all the legwork in compiling all medical and dental records of those who enroll in the program.  Subscriptions to PocketMD cost $149.00 for the first year, and include unlimited updates.  Information that can be uploaded include information on medications, allergies, surgeries, vaccinations, lab test results and even actual EKG readings and dental records.  Click on PocketMD to read more about the new technology.

I think this is brilliant technology since it gives more peace of mind about pre-existing conditions while traveling.  Is this a service you may consider using, even when sailing with another cruise line? 

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