Voyages to Antiquity Grand Voyages Offer Excellent Value

Voyages to Antiquity, a specialty enrichment cruise brand, is providing free Air — including all government taxes, fees and fuel surcharges — to guests on Grand Voyages in the Far East, transition Grand Voyages from the Far East to the Mediterranean and the first three Mediterranean Grand Voyage itineraries.

Traditionally, airfare to the Far East ranges from US$995-$1,195 and $595 to the Mediterranean. This move deepens Voyages to Antiquity’s commitment to offer guests extraordinary value as well as an enrichment experience, celebrated by its  Guest Lecture programme and in-depth shore excursions.

Grand Voyages for the Far East programme include:

• Singapore to Bangkok – 32 days – December 5, 2012
• Bangkok to Singapore – 30 days – February 1, 2013

Grand Voyage Transition Cruises include:

• Singapore to Cairo – 33 days – March 6, 2013
• Singapore to Istanbul – 43 days – March 6, 2013
• Delhi to Istanbul – 32 days – March 17, 2013

Grand Voyages in the Mediterranean include:

• Cairo to Athens – 27 days – March 30, 2013
• Istanbul to Venice – 26 days – April 12, 2013
• Venice to Cannes – 24 days – May 6, 2013

Extraordinary value is a hallmark with Grand Voyage cruise fares starting from $US6650, including pre- and/or post-cruise hotel stays; shore excursions with complimentary bottled water; gratuities to shipboard staff; and wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner. To accommodate the significant demand from single passengers, Voyages to Antiquity has increased the number of dedicated single cabins to 26 to complement single supplements in double occupancy cabins, which start from just 25%. Guests who book by September 30, 2012 can enjoy up to $1000 in stateroom savings on these Grand Voyages as well as individual departures from March 30 through July 3, 2013.

For information about the itineraries and to make reservations, call 1.800.961.5536 – The Cruise People, Ltd.

Old Time Service with Modern Technology

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The Cruise People, Ltd. now has a wonderful research tool.  Whether you are thinking about cruising for the first time or you are an experienced cruiser, we can help you find that perfect cruise.  Fun, sun, beaches, adventure, culture or sights – there is a cruise here for you.

We have over 20,000 ocean and river cruises to show you including detailed itineraries, port descriptions and useful information about your cruise ship.

You can use the Quick Search to start or choose one of the offers or other links on this page.

LiveJournal Tags: cruise research,research ships,search itineraries,search ships,search ports

CruiseTricks Chooses Cruise People/CMA CGM Cargo-Passenger Route as one of its Top Ten Unusual Cruises in the World

 

 

The German site www.cruisetricks.de has chosen The Cruise People’s CMA CGM New York to Seattle route via Suez as one of its “Top Ten Unusual Cruises in the World” for 2011. In making its choice, CruiseTricks’s Franz Neumeier said,

“That the French company CMA CGM offers the possibility for up to seven passengers to travel on three of its cargo ships is not unusual. Many cargo ships carry passengers these days. What is unusual about the service offered by the CMA CGM Figaro, CMA CGM Tosca and CMA CGM Dolphin, however, is that it follows the route of the first World Cruise undertaken by a passenger ship, as performed by Hamburg America Line’s Cleveland in 1909. These voyages can be booked through The Cruise People Ltd in London.”

 

 

Three ships, the CMA CGM Dolphin, CMA CGM Figaroand, CMA CGM Tosca(shown below), now offer an interesting itinerary between New York and Seattle, as well as Vancouver BC, via the Suez Canal. Known as CMA CGM’s Columbus Loop, the full 105-day round voyage is made via ports in the Far East. Eastbound, ships leave New York via Norfolk and Savannah and sail directly to Tanjung Pelepas, a port in Malaysia located just across the water from Singapore. Calls are then made at Hong Kong, Yantian and Shanghai before proceeding to Pusan, in South Korea, and on to Seattle and Vancouver.

The return voyage is made from Vancouver to Yokohama and then calls at the Chinese ports of Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong and Yantian before returning to New York via Tanjung Pelepas.

Voyage time from New York to Seattle is 55 days and from Seattle to New York 50 days (Vancouver to New York is 46 days). This voyage is for those who love the sea, the longest transit being 29 days from Savannah to Tanjung Pelepas (on the return, Tanjung Pelepas to New York is 23 days).

The new routing retraces the route of the first World Cruise, which was offered by Hamburg America Line’s Cleveland before the Panama Canal had even been opened – but takes half the time. Chartered by Frank C Clark of New York, an early cruise organizer, Cleveland left New York on October 16, 1909, and took 108 days to proceed across the Atlantic to ports in the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, India and the Far East before finishing the world’s first Round-the-World Cruise in San Francisco on January 31, 1910. Passengers then returned to their homes from the West Coast by train while Cleveland retraced her steps on a second world cruise. Equally, passengers taking the new Columbus Loop cruise can travel around the world in either direction and complete their circumnavigation in less than two months by making the rail journey across North America.

CMA CGM Figaro and CMA CGM Tosca carry seven passengers each in different mixes of single and double cabins, with fares set at €100 per person per day or €110 per day for sole occupancy of a double cabin. CMA CGM Dolphin carries up to six passengers in three double cabins. Fares include full board, port charges, deviation insurance and complimentary French table wine with lunch and dinner. Part voyages are also possible but the full 105-day round voyage starts at €10,500 (about $14,645 or £9,350). New York to Seattle is €5,500 (about $7.670 or £4,895) for 55 days and Seattle to New York is €5,000 (about $6.975 or £4,450) for 50 days.

For further details please call Fred Cherney at 1-800-961-5536 Ex 22 or email fcherney@thecruisepeople.ca.

Master Photographers Aboard Crystal Cruises in 2012

Crystal Cruises is featuring award-winning Master Photographers to shoot guest portraits on eleven 2012 sailings.  "The Master Collection" line-up consists of top-tier professional portrait photographers who have the distinction of being Fellows (highest certification possible) of the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) and the Master Photographers Association (MPA).

During their voyage, travellers can arrange private photography sessions aboard Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity, or at exotic destinations on land with pros renowned for their portraiture.  Individuals, couples, or families/groups can opt for different wardrobe, locations, and activities to customize their shoots.

Reservations include pre-planning consultation, unlimited shoot time, unlimited number of pictures, and photo review.  Final, retouched photographs are printed in a handcrafted, custom-bound, 16"x12", embossed-aluminum album.  Other framed photo and presentation product options are available to celebrate a special occasion, create a family treasure, or just give a grand gift to one’s self. All products are created at Europe’s leading professional photo laboratory and shipped anywhere in the world four weeks after the end of the cruise.

Operated by esteemed photography company Paragon Pixels, the programme is an expansion of the popular "Crystal Celebrations" Private Portrait Program.

"One’s wedding might be the only time one secures a professional photographer to record meaningful moments in one’s life," says Paragon founder Keith Roberts.  "This programme provides rare access and opportunity to have one’s personality, relationship, lifestyle, or intimate vacation memories beautifully captured by a prominent industry artist."

Photographers include:

• David MacDonald: UK Family Portrait Photographer of the Year
• Sophocles Alexiou: Four-time BIPP Gold Medal-winner for Outstanding Photographic Art
• Richard Dutkowski: Past MPA President, UK Master Photographer of the Year
• John Parris: British Fashion, and Scottish Wedding, Photographer of the Year
• Kevin Wilson: 17-time Kodak European Gold Award-winner, three-time Kodak UK Portrait Photographer of the Year

One Master Photographer will be on each of the following sailings: January 18 LA-Sydney; February 6 Miami-Rio; February 7Sydney-Singapore; March 3 Buenos Aires-Miami; March 13: Hong Kong-Osaka; March 31 Osaka-LA; May 8 NY-London; July 8Copenhagen-Stockholm; September 5 London-NY; October 12 Athens-Venice; October 31 NY-LA;

The Master Photographer will also host an informal talk giving trade tips and insight into their life and work, as well as mentor staff photographers while aboard.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact The Cruise People at 1-800-961-5536.

del.icio.us Tags: portrait photography,shipboard pictures

Longer Passenger Freighter Voyages

Pacific Express 3 Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 77 days. From New York to Tanger Med (Morocco), Suez Canal passage, Jebel Ali (UAE), Singapore, Hong Kong, Chiwan (China), Xiamen (China), Shanghai, Pusan (South Korea), Houston, Mobile, Miami, Jacksonville, Savannah, and back to New York. Priced from EURO 100 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Pad Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 84 days. From New York to Savannah, Kingston (Jamaica – no embarkation or disembarkation), Punta Manzanillo (Panama), Papeete, Lautoka (Fiji), Noumea (New Caledonia), Sydney (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Napier (New Zealand), Tauranga (New Zealand), Punta Manzanillo, Kingston, Savannah, Philadelphia, Tilbury (England), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Dunkerque (France), and back to New York. Priced from EURO 110 – 120 per day.

MEX Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 77 days. From Valencia (Spain) to Barcelona (Spain), Fos Sur Mer (France), Genoa, (Italy), Malta, Damietta (Egypt), Khor Al Fakkan (UAE), Port Kelang (Lalaysia), Nansha (China), Xiamen (China), Kwangyang (South Korea), Busan (South Korea), Shanghai, Ningbo (China), Xiamen, Nansha, Chiwan (China), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Port Kelang, Beirut (Lebanon), Malta and back to Valencia. Priced from EURO 100 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Indamex Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 56 days. From New York to Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston, Port Said (Egypt), *Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), *Port Qasim (Pakistan), *Nhava Sheva (India), *Mundra (India), Damiette (Egypt) and back to New York. Note – no embarkation or disembarkation in starred ports (*). Priced from EURO 100 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

French Asia Line – CMA – Complete, round voyage is approximately 70 days. From Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Port Kelang (Malaysia), Singapore, Ningbo (China), Shanghai, Yantian (China), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Port Kelang, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Rotterdam and back to Zeebrugge. Priced from EURO 100 – 105 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Columbus Loop – Complete, round voyage is approximately 105 days. From Vancouver to Yokohama (Japan), Shanghai, Ningbo (China), Hong Kong, Yantian (China), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Suez Canal passage, New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Suez Canal transit, Tanjung Pelepas, Hong Kong, Yantian, Shanghai, Pusan (South Korea), Seattle and back to Vancouver. Priced from EURO 80 – 90 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Voyage 6-10 – Complete, round voyage is approximately 70 days. Philadelphia, Savannah, Panama Canal transit, Balboa, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Timaru, Port Chalmers, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, Panama Canal transit, Manzanillo, Cartagena, Philadelphia. Priced at approx. EURO 101 per day.

MS MSC UGANDA (Laeisz) – Complete, round voyage is approximately 56 days from the USA east coast to the east coast of South America. From Charleston to Norfolk, New York, Baltimore, Savannah, Freeport, Caucedo, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio Grande, Sao Francisco, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Suape, Caucedo, Freeport and back to Charleston. Priced from EURO 80 – 85 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Voyage 6-05 – Europe from the west coast – Complete, round voyage is approximately 70 days. From Vancouver to Oakland, Long Beach, Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Puerto Quetzal, Panama Canal transit, Cartagena, Tanger Med, Rotterdam, Tilbury, Hamburg, Le Havre, Cartagena, Panama Canal transit, Puerto Quetzal, Lazaro Cardenas, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and back to Vancouver. Priced at approx. EURO 100 per day.

Voyage 1525 – Far East from both coasts – Complete, round voyage is approximately 104 days. From Halifax to New York, Savannah, Kingston (Jamaica), Panama Canal transit, Los Angeles, Oakland, Shekou (China), Hong Kong, Ningbo (China), Shanghai, Balboa (Panama), Panama Canal transit, Kingston, Savannah, New York, Halifax, Tarragona (Spain) Haifa (Israel), Leghorn (Italy), Genoa (Italy), Tarragona, and back to Halifax. Priced from EURO 90 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Voyage 1190 – New York to West Coast of South America. Complete, round voyage is approximately 42 days. From New York to Baltimore, Charleston, Port Everglades, Cartagena, Manzanillo (Panama), Panama Canal transit, Guayaquil (Equador), Callao (Peru), San Antonio (Chile), San Vincente (Chile), San Antonio, Callao, Guayaquil, Panama Canal transit, Cartagena, Port Everglades, and back to New York. Priced from EURO 93 – 106 per day plus port taxes/fees.

MSC LAUSANNE NSB. Complete, round voyage is approximately 63 days. From Vancouver to Seattle, Oakland, Long Beach, Balboa, Panama Canal transit, Cristobal, Gioia Tauro, Naples, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Valencia, Cristobal, Panama Canal transit, Balboa, Long Beach, Oakland, and back to Vancouver. Priced from EURO 90 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

These voyages may also be available as shorter segments subject to availability and cabotage restrictions. Round voyages may be available from most of the listed ports. For more information and to request space, contact:
The Cruise People, Ltd.
416-900-0889        1-800-961-5536        freighters@rogers.com        facsimile – 1-888-759-2990

Some World Cruises For 2013 and 2014

by Kevin Griffin of our London office writing for cybercruises.com

The upmarket lines have recently announced their intentions for 2013 World Cruises and it may be worth a look at some of their itineraries.While Crystal Cruises will dispense with its world cruise in Crystal Serenity in 2013, it will instead substitute a 74-night circumnavigation of South America, departing Miami on January 16, 2013, but the world cruise will be reinstated in 2014. Seabourn and Silversea, meanwhile, will still be offering 2013 world cruises in Seabourn Quest and Silver Whisper.

Crystal Serenity will now proceed on an 89-night world cruise in 2014, departing Los Angeles on January 18 and finishing in Southampton on April 18. Major ports include Yokohama, Hong Kong, Singapore and Cape Town, with two or three night stays at each of these, as well as two nights at Ho Chi Minh City. As well, there will be overnight stays at each of Honolulu, Osaka, Shanghai, Hanoi and Bangkok.

Under Crystal Cruises’ new all-inclusive plan the line will also be offering free flights, fine wines, premium spirits, alternative dining at Silk Road, the Sushi Bar and Prego, as well as prepaid gratuities. And champagne will be served free with lunch on boarding days. This rather modified world cruise will visit 32 ports in 19 countries and include 17 overnight port stays, giving the opportunity for more detailed exploration, instead of rushing on. The 1,070-guest Crystal Serenity achieved 1717 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships.

Seabourn, meanwhile, is offering a 116-night voyage in Seabourn Quest from Fort Lauderdale to Venice, departing on January 6, 2013. Ports of call will include three Caribbean islands, the Panama Canal, nine South Pacific islands, half a dozen calls in Australia and its islands, four calls in Indonesia, Hong Kong, two calls in Vietnam, one in Cambodia, two in Thailand, two in India, ten in the Middle East including Ashdod and Haifa, two calls in Turkey, plus Corfu and Dubrovnik before reaching Venice.

Full cruise amenities include round trip Club Class flights, or air credit, pre-cruise Gala Bon Voyage event and overnight stay in Fort Lauderdale, drinks on board, prepaid gratuities and shipboard credits. On Seabourn, all dining venues are also complimentary. And with just 450 guests, the ship offers a more intimate experience.  Seabourn Quest was awarded 1787 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide.

Silversea’s offer is a 115-day world cruise from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale on board Silver Whisper, departing January 5, 2013. This cruise will cross the Equator four times, visit New Zealand and Australia and offering overnight stays in Tahiti, Fremantle, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore, Cochin, Cape Town and Walvis Bay, but no two- or three-night stays like Crystal. This cruise will visit 52 ports in 28 countries and includes nine overnight stays.

Full world cruise guests will receive a complimentary Bon Voyage Gala and overnight stay at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and fares will include free flights and transfers, or air credits, all-inclusive on-board package, prepaid gratuities and shipboard credits. The 388-guest Silver Whisper scored 1753 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide.

On the other hand, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Voyager is offering a “build your own” world cruise this year with a marathon 210-night voyage leaving Bareclona next Monday and working her way out to Auckland and back as far as Copenhagen on June 25. While this is not a world cruise, twenty-three different sectors are available The 708-guest Seven Seas Voyager scored 1654 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide.

To be fair, Steven Stern, in his Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation, gives all four of these ships a full Six-Stars-Plus rating. For the best advice and fares on any of these ships contact The Cruise People, Ltd.  at 1-800-961-5536 or email cruise@thecruisepeople.ca

Holland America Line’s 2013 Grand Voyages to Explore Seven Continents, 65 Countries

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Holland America Line’s flagship Amsterdam and the smaller, Prinsendam, each will sail two Grand Voyages in 2013. In total, the four extensive itineraries feature 322 cruising days, visiting more than 120 ports of call in 65 countries.

Amsterdam will sail a 115-day Grand World Voyage in January and a 75-day Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage in the autumn. Prinsendam departs on a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January, immediately followed by a 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage.

"We’ve designed Holland America Line’s 2013 Grand Voyages itineraries to feature some of the most sought-after sights and experiences in the world," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Even the most experienced traveller will be inspired and impressed by our carefully crafted selection of port calls, maiden visits and extended stays."

Grand World Voyage
Departing Jan. 5, 2013, and sailing roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Amsterdam will ring in the New Year with her eighth Grand World Voyage and marking 55 years since the line began world cruising.  The 115-day journey is every traveller’s dream and features eight overnight calls, visits to some of the world’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites and two inaugural ports of call — Makassar, Indonesia, and Penneshaw, Australia.  Shorter segments ranging from 24 to 51 days also are available.

During the Grand World Voyage, Amsterdam will call at Cartagena, Colombia, before a daylight transit of the Panama Canal. The ship continues westbound where passengers will experience calls at Bora Bora and Papeete, Tahiti, home to the famous Vaipahi Garden, rugged mountains, lush rain forests and deserted beaches.

After exploring New Zealand, Australia and Asia, Amsterdam heads west through the Indian Ocean, taking a southerly route to the continent of Africa for a journey around the Cape of Good Hope. An African exploration presents the opportunity for guests to take an overland safari and go in search of the "big five" or learn about the legendary Zulu tribe and gain a true sense of modern-day Africa.

Amsterdam continues her voyage across the Atlantic to South America and the Caribbean before returning to Ft. Lauderdale.

Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage
Designed to explore the most remote corners of the world in elegance and style, Prinsendam returns to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon on a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage that sails roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, also departing Jan. 5. The itinerary offers in-depth exploration with overnight calls at Callao (Lima), Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro and Manaus, Brazil. Be reminded though that guests are not landed in Antarctica (ed).

The South America circumnavigation includes seven full days of cruising the Amazon River down to Manaus, the furthest navigable point for cruise ships, and a daylight passage through the Panama Canal. Adventure seekers won’t want to miss the three days of scenic cruising in Antarctica where the pristine beauty and diverse sea life are showcased during the continent’s austral summer (again, no landings).

For those with less time, 32- or 36-day segments to or from Buenos Aires are available.

Grand Mediterranean Voyage
Following her Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage, Prinsendam will return to Fort Lauderdale March 14 and embark on a 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage. This roundtrip sailing takes guests on a journey across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and the Balkans. Prinsendam calls at several "boutique" ports in the region that are not accessible to larger vessels, including Agadir, Morocco; Marmaris, Turkey; and Korcula, Croatia.

Passengers will have an opportunity to visit attractions such as the Acropolis, Constitution Square, Hadrian’s Arch and the Olympic Stadium at Piraeus (Athens), Greece, and explore the Hassan II Mosque in the economical capital of Morocco, Casablanca. Travellers can explore this area in greater depth when Prinsendam docks overnight at seven ports of call: Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Sorrento and Venice, Italy; Funchal, Madeira; and Barcelona, Spain.

Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage
Amsterdam closes out the year with a new 75-day Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage sailing from Vancouver, B.C. or Los Angeles, Calif., to Los Angeles, Calif., departing Sept. 20/23. The itinerary features a more in-depth exploration of Micronesia,China, Japan, the Philippines and French Polynesian islands, as well as inaugural calls to Majuro, Marshall Islands, and Pohnpei, Micronesia. The cruise also offers extensive time in port, allowing guests to visit historical landmarks and experience local culture.

Following calls throughout Asia and Indonesia, the itinerary circles back through the South Pacific to the tropical island jewels of Fiji, Bora Bora and Moorea before arriving in Los Angeles. During the voyage the ship overnights in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; Kobe (Osaka), Japan; and Singapore.

Cruise fares are per person, $US,double occupancy. Rates start at $19,999 for Amsterdam‘s 115-day Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 5; $12,999 for Prinsendam‘s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage departing Jan. 5; $11,499 for Prinsendam‘s 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage departing March 14, and $10,999 for Amsterdam‘s 75-day Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage departing Sept. 20. Segments are also available ranging from 24- to 51-day sailings.

Book Early for Best Value
Reservations are now open for all four Holland America Line 2013 Grand Voyages. Book the Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage by November 30, 2012, and the Grand World, Grand Mediterranean and Grand South America & Antarctica Voyages by May 31, 2012 to take advantage of early booking amenities.

For more information, consult The Cruise People, Ltd. at 800.961.5536 – specialists in World Cruises since 1972

Avalon Waterways to Use Victoria Cruises’ Exec Suites

by : Meagan Drillinger in Travel Agent Central

Following the launch of its Executive Deck programme, Victoria Cruises‘ Executive Suites will be used by Avalon Waterways for its 2012 Yangtze River programmes, exclusively.
Three comprehensive China journeys starting at $3,079 per person and ranging from 11 to 16 days will be offered aboard Victoria Anna and Victoria Jenna. A highlight of each of Avalon Waterways’ China programmes is the Yangtze River Cruise experience, which includes excursions to the "Ghost City" of Fengdu and passage through the Three Gorges.

Avalon Waterways’ 11-day Magical China & Yangtze River program features components in Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing and Shanghai. The package includes hotel accommodations at Westin properties in Beijing and Shanghai as well as the Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel in Xi’an, daily American breakfast, eight lunches and dinners, as well as intra-China air transportation and transfers.

For travellers with more time, a 15-day Cultural China & Tibet with Yangtze River Cruise itinerary is available, as well as a 16-day Heart of China & The Yangtze River programme, which includes stops in Guilin and Hong Kong.

Costa Cruises: The Biggest In Europe

by Kevin Griffin writing as http://www.latecruisenews.com/http:/the-cruise-examiner/

Figures released by Costa Crociere SpA of Genoa confirmed its position as Europe’s largest cruise operator, with 2.15 million passengers carried by its Costa, Aida and Iberocruceros brands last year. The overall passenger increase was 18% over 2009, with Costa group now operating twenty-six ships, fourteen under the Costa banner, eight with Aida and four with Iberocruceros, with another four for delivery by 2013, two each for Costa and Aida. The delivery and naming of  Costa Favolosa at Trieste on July 2 will bring Costa to fifteen ships and the Costa Group to twenty-seven.

The group’s consolidated revenues rose by around 12% in financial year 2010, reaching just under 3 billion euros. Costa Crociere is now one of Italy’s top ten most profitable companies and ranks 49th in terms of revenues in a 2010 survey of more than 3,700 Italian businesses that generated revenue of at least 50 million euros the previous year.

Costa has also recently announced its cruise itineraries for autumn 2011 and spring 2012. Its new programmes will include new mini-cruises, for those who would like to try Costa for the first time, new and exclusive itineraries in the Caribbean, new routes for South America and a new extended cruise from South America to China.

For those who would like to try Costa without going for a full week, in the spring and autumn of 2012  Costa Atlantica will offer a series of new 3-4-5 night mini-cruises from Savona to Barcelona, Ibiza or Palma, Ajaccio and Marseille, with embarkations available at any of Savona, Barcelona or Marseille.

On this side of the Atlantic,  Costa Mediterranea will offer a brand-new Caribbean itinerary from December through March. A new 7-night cruise from Guadeloupe will alternate on two itineraries that include Aruba, Curacao, Costa’s private island (Catalina), Isla Margarita, St Lucia, St Maarten, Antigua, Dominica, Barbados and Antigua.

Costa will also enhance its South America programme when Costa Victoria is based in Santos between December and March for 9-night cruises calling at Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Porto Belo and Ilhabela.

Costa Serena will also offer new Canaries and Madeira programmes.
From November through March, she will offer 11-night cruises from Savona to the Canaries and Madeira, as well as 14-night cruises to the Canaries and Madeira that will include calls in Spain and Morocco. Between November and March, Costa Serena will also offer 11-night cruises to Greece, Turkey and Israel, leaving Savona and calling at Katakolon, Ashdod, Haifa, Izmir, Piraeus and Civitavecchia.

In a special sailing to position  Costa Victoria from South America to Asia, she will depart Santos on March 7, 2012, on an unique 72-night cruise to Shanghai, with four different sectors being offered to the public. The first leg, from Santos to Savona, will be a 17-night crossing with calls at Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia, Recife, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, Madeira, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Barcelona. The second leg, leaving Savona on March 24, 2012, will depart for Dubai on an 18-night cruise calling at Naples, Port Said, the Suez Canal, Sharm el Sheik, Safaga, Aqaba, Salalah and Muscat.

The third leg will commence on April 11, 2012, in Dubai on a 20-night cruise to Singapore calling at Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Malè, Colombo, Phuket and Port Kelang. And finally, the fourth leg to Shanghai will be a 17-night cruise with calls at Bangkok, Ho Chi Min City, Da Nang, Halong Bay, Hainan and Hong Kong. Thereafter, from May 18, Costa Victoria will be based in Shanghai to offer a series of 4-5-6-7-night cruises for the growing Asian market.

In the Indian Ocean,  Costa Allegra will again sail from Mauritius on 14-night Indian Ocean cruises from November to March, calling at the Seychelles, Madagascar and Reunion on a route offered only by Costa.

Starting in 2012, there will be a Costa ship positioned in the Red Sea year-round. From November to March,  Grand Voyager, be chartered from Spanish affiliate Iberocruceros, will offer 7-night Red Sea cruises with calls in Egypt, Israel and Jordan. Given characteristics that make her ideal for sailing the Red Sea, the ship will be operated by Costa Cruises with its own staff, and the service, atmosphere and style of a Costa cruise. Then from March until the end of 2012, Costa’s own Costa Marina will take over the 7-night Red Sea itinerary.

In Europe, 8-night cruises in Costa Magica out of Amsterdam will allow guests to visit six of Europe’s top capital cities on one cruise: Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Oslo. This cruise will also be available for boarding in Dover, which has been abandoned by MSC Cruises in favour of Southampton.

Meanwhile, after returning from her first world cruise, Costa Deliziosa will offer 11-night cruises to the North Cape and the Baltic, departing from Amsterdam.

From Germany, Costa Pacifica will be offering a series of 10-to-16-night cruises from Kiel and Hamburg, to the North Cape, Iceland, Spitzbergen and the Baltic.

Costa Luminosa from Amsterdam and  Costa Fortuna from Copenhagen will complete Costa’s North European operations, with7-night summer cruises to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic.

The new flagship, Costa Favolosa, will operate 7-night cruises in the United Arab Emirates and Oman throughout the winter of 2011 and 2012.

In the Far East, Costa Classica will leave Singapore on a 14-night itinerary, which can be broken down into two 7-night segments, sailing to Thailand and Malaysia. She will also operate 5-night cruises out of Hong Kong to Taiwan and Vietnam.

Back in the Caribbean, in addition to the new programme by Costa Mediterranea,  Costa Atlantica will operate a new 10-night itinerary from Miami, with calls at Grand Turk, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Nassau. And for the first time  Costa Luminosa will be positioned in the Caribbean to run 7-night cruises from Guadeloupe, calling at a different island each day. Caribbean passengers will also be able to enjoy the line’s private beach resort at Catalina in the Dominican Republic.

In South America, there will be four Costa ships operating next winter: Costa Pacifica, making her South American debut, Costa Magica, Costa Fortuna and Costa Victoria. Cruises will be offered from Santos, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires to ports in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

Looking further ahead, on January 6, 2013, Costa Deliziosa will set sail from Savona on a 100-night Round-the-World cruise, a westbound route embracing all five continents. Her 2012 cruise, by comparison, will be only 76 nights.

For the winter in the Mediterranean, Costa Deliziosa will leave Savona in December on an 11-night cruise to the Canary Islands and three Mediterranean mini-cruises. Costa Concordia will offer 7-night cruises from Savona to Marseilles, Barcelona, Palma, Tunis, Palermo and Civitavecchia. From February,  Costa Romantica will also be deployed on 11-night cruises to the Canary Islands.

In the summer of 2012 the two new ships, Costa Fascinosa and Costa Favolosa, will sail from Venice and Bari on 7-night cruises to Greek Islands and to Greece and Turkey,  Costa Fortuna will also operate week-long cruises out of Venice and Bari, in her case to the Greek Islands and Croatia. Costa Romantica will meanwhile leave Venice on 11-night cruises to Egypt and Israel or the Black Sea. Costa Classica will operate 7-night cruises from Trieste and Ancona to the Greek Isles.

From Savona, Costa Serena will offer a 7-night itinerary to Naples, Catania, Tunis, Barcelona and Marseille and Costa Concordia will offer a 7-night itinerary to Barcelona, Palma, Tunis, Palermo and Civitavecchia. Costa Mediterranea, meanwhile, will offer 11-to-13-night cruises to the Canary Islands and to the Black Sea, or Egypt and Israel. Finally, from July to September, Costa Atlantica will operate 7-night summer cruises from Savona to Civitavecchia, Naples, Tunis, Valencia and Marseilles.

In the autumn of 2012, Costa Deliziosa will be deployed on 11-night cruises from Savona to the Canary Islands, Costa Luminosa on 9-night cruises to Lisbon and Casablanca; Costa Pacifica on 11-night cruises to Egypt, Greece, Israel and Turkey and Costa Fortuna 10-night cruises to Egypt, Greece and Turkey. During the autumn and spring the Costa Magica will also offer a special 10-night itinerary to Marseilles, Livorno, Palermo, Athens, Izmir, Rhodes and Malta.

Thirty years ago, in 1981, after surpassing the Soviets with a mix of ten owned and chartered ships, Amerikanis, Carla C, Danae, Daphne, Enrico C, Eugenio C, Federico C, Flavia and World Renaissance, and Costa Riviera about to come on line, Costa claimed to operate the world’s largest cruise fleet. Now, as the largest cruise operator in Europe, there is no doubt that, with fifteen ships to its name and twenty-seven under its control, Costa has come a long way, and has picked up a significant role in the development of cruising on a world scale.

RMS QUEEN MARY 2 at Sea Off Japan

RMS Queen Mary 2 is currently on passage between Osaka & Nagasaki & is circa 450 miles south west of the epi-centre of this morning`s earthquake.Weather in the area is calm and it is extremely unlikely that the sea area and route the ship is on will be affected by any after effects of the earthquake.The Commodore has made a broadcast to passengers advising them of the situation. He has walked the decks and all is calm on board.

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