** 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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