Take Advantage Of Off-Peak Cruise Deals

Cruisers who aren't after hot weather or calypso bands can find some great cruise deals by sailing to Alaska off peak, often referred to as Alaska's shoulder season. The off peak season begins in May through to early June and restarts again in September.

Peak season Alaska cruises can be more expensive than Caribbean cruises as there are fewer cruise companies sailing, however if you're after bargain cruise deals Royal Caribbean Cruises have some very tempting deals which provide passengers with the a look at Alaska's great wilderness and natural beauty. With less than two months until the off-peak season begins the deals are gradually rolling out, but you should also remember that many of the deals being offered mean you have to sail within sixty or ninety days.

Last minute bargains abound and whilst you may not get the stateroom you want, regular cruisers will know that they can still expect the same superb service and facilities they've always enjoyed, just at a lower price.

Shop around and keep you eye out for the latest cruise deals and you may find you can enjoy offers such as two-for-one, or reductions on future off-season cruises.

Royal Caribbean Sailing Down Under

Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania are the latest destination for Royal Caribbean as they continue to expand their horizons. They are customising their itineraries with highlights to enthral passengers at ports of call including a tour of Sydney Opera House, experiencing native wildlife up close and personal at the Bonorong Wildlife Park along with museum visits to discover the arts, crafts and history of New Zealand.

Whilst cruising to ports of call passengers can enjoy all the luxury and fabulous on board facilities Royal Caribbean has to offer including rock climbing walls and cantilevered whirlpools as well as a whole host of other fascinating on board facilities which have become synonymous with Royal Caribbean cruises.

Those who have dreamed of the beautiful South Pacific will relish the opportunity to experience the warmth of the sunshine both on board and ashore are in for an experience of a lifetime as Royal Caribbean Cruises make headway for the stunning South Pacific with their newest cruise deals.

Furthermore Royal Caribbean have a loyalty reward system where passengers can earn credits for future cruises. The Crown & Anchor Society, the name given to the reward system, has different levels of membership with some interesting and enticing benefits for joining and moving up the levels!

Royal Caribbean Cruises Provides Humanitarian Help To Haiti

Royal Caribbean Cruises has been one of Haiti's largest foreign investors for nearly thirty years, as such they have announced plans to provide much needed humanitarian help to the people of Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake.

Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Richard D. Fain has said 'The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery, Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster.'

Partnering charitable organisations which include Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, as well as the company's foundation, Solano Foundation, Royal Caribbean will delivering supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

Fain added 'In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee.'
The aid began with Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas arriving at Labadee with supplies which included powered milk, dried beans, water and rice which were loaded onto the ship during its stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Over the next two weeks Royal Caribbean's ships which were scheduled to call at Labadee will also take extra supplies beginning with Navigator of the Seas on 18th January and Liberty of the Seas the following day, 19th January, and Celebrity Soltice on 22nd January.

Passengers on board Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make donations Food for the Poor's Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their on board account. Royal Caribbean has more than 200 Haitian crew members, as such a portion of the $1 million donation will placed in the company's Crew Relief Fund which will enable the crew members to draw from in these desperate times.

Source information: Royal Caribbean Cruises

New Year – New Name For Azamara Cruises

Part of Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises is being given a new name. The two ships will now be called Azamara Club Cruises which will call at one hundred and forty ports this year in fifty different countries.

A new name is not the only new 'good news' from Azamara Club Cruises as from spring this year they will be introducing a whole host of new and exciting amenities and special offers for their passengers, including complementary soda, bottled water and coffee throughout the ships along with complementary house wines being poured at both lunch and diner.

Further money saving aspects for passengers include gratuities for housekeeping and dining staff as well as a free shuttle service when in port. All of these money saving aspects will help to ease the minds of novice cruisers who historically are known to forget to include gratuities within their spending budget.

Other aspects of Azamara Club Cruises will remain the same with passengers being spoilt for choice with the wide and varied on board amities, exceptional customer service, sumptuous dining options, with two nights of speciality dining, which go hand in hand with the warm welcome that smaller and more intimate cruise ships offer.

The two ships have been newly redecorated to the highest of standards and those that have previously booked cruise deals will be more than delighted with the all important finishing touches such as fresh flowers and fruit baskets daily, a 'sweet' surprise on passenger's pillows each night, new European style bedding, afternoon canapés, use of binoculars and plush robes all being complementary. For those who really enjoy the finer things in life but prefer to share with other passengers there is the opportunity to book spa treatments in-suite and private portrait sittings.

A Review Of Maiden Voyages In 2009

Despite the recession and the downturn in the economic climate 2009 saw the launch of a number of new cruise ships, each bringing unique levels of luxury for passengers.

Costa Cruises:
The maiden voyage of 1,130 cabin Luminosa set sail on 5th May during the summer touring Northern Europe, along with touring the Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco in the autumn. The Luminosa has the latest high-tech 4D cinema which uses scent as well as sound and vision to treat passenger's senses with new and exciting experiences!

Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Equinox had its maiden voyage through the Mediterranean and then headed off to the Caribbean. The Equinox holds 2,850 passengers and is part of Celebrity's new Solstice Class. Along with a whole host of on-board activities the Equinox has a lawn Club deck which has genuine grass, should passenger's have the need to step on terra-ferma! Glass blowing demonstrations is another of Equinox's new entertainment highlights.

Royal Caribbean Cruises:
The world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, set sail from Fort Lauderdale to Haiti on its maiden voyage in December. The ship has the capacity to carry 6,360 passengers on its sixteen decks. Oasis of the Seas has a wide and varied entertainment and activities itinerary, including rock-climbing, zip-lining and surfing for passengers who like the adventure of new challenges. The ship also has an Aqua-theatre which is used as a swimming pool during the day before transforming into a aqua-theatre at night to host synchronized swimming, water baller and spectacular fountain shows by night.

P&O Cruises:
P&O Cruises launched their latest ship the Pacific Jewel with an extravaganza ceremony in Sydney which showcased their on board circus, 3 storey atrium foyer and a 1,330 square meter spa. The Pacific Jewel's maiden voyage set sail on 13th December and will be operating cruises from Sydney all year round.

New Cruise Itinerary Announced For Royal Caribbean's 'Brilliance Of The Seas'

The cruise line Royal Caribbean International have announced a joint product to further boost Royal Caribbean's cruise itinerary from Dubai by using a joint venture with Dubailand, a member of Dubai Properties Group. Packages for on-shore excursions with Dubailand will be available to passengers sailing Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas From January until April 2010.

The cruise will enthral passengers with a seven-night sailing around the Arabian Gulf commencing and end in Dubai, with stops in the Untied Arab Emirates at Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, Mina Sulman in Bahrain as well as the capital of Muscat in Oman. Passengers who adore all things associated with sports will be able to experience Dubailand, which includes Dubai's main tourist attractions including Dubai Autodrome, the Ernie Els Golf Club, the Cricket Stadium and the Butch Harmon School of Golf, which sit very nicely with Royal Caribbean's signature of providing active holidays for their passengers. 18th January 2010 through to April 2010.

Considered one of the most refined and elegant cruise ships, Brilliance of the Seas already have their iconic rock wall, nine hole mini-golf, the Adventure Beach water-slide and self-levelling pool tables to keep all ages fully occupied during their cruise holiday.

'Two strong brands have come together to deliver a compelling series of attractions that will add value to the emirate’s economy and increase visitor numbers to the region. Combining some of DUBAILAND’s exciting destinations with the excellent Royal Caribbean product will provide a wealth of entertainment options that will attract repeat visits from tourists and residents alike. We look forward to welcoming this world-class vessel to the shores of the UAE and we are confident that this exciting development will contribute to the growth of regional and international tourism' has been said by Khalid Al Malik, CEO, Dubai Properties Group.