How Royal caribbean and Carnival cope with Hurricanes

The Serenade of the Seas, which was scheduled to depart San Juan, P.R., at 8:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Aug. 21, was ordered to leave at 5:30 p.m., so 145 guests who had not re-embarked were left behind. Royal Caribbean provided 15 of the passengers, who had booked their air travel via the line, with hotel accommodations in San Juan for Monday evening, as well as a flight to Aruba on Tuesday, where they re-joined the ship.

The cruise line also notified the 130 passengers who paid cruise-only fares and booked their air separately of hotel availability in San Juan, but the expense was their responsibility, since it was a weather-related event. They also were responsible for their own air to re-join the ship. “Since this decision was made by the Port of San Juan on Sunday while the ship was docked alongside, there was no way to notify our guests of this change in departure time,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Victory was forced to depart San Juan at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, approximately four hours ahead of schedule, stranding about 300 passengers at the port. However, about half were able to meet up with the ship at its next port call in Barbados. For those who were unable to board ship, Carnival provided a complimentary, two-night hotel stay in San Juan and complimentary air transportation to Barbados.

Guests who did not have passports in their possession could not proceed to Barbados and missed the full voyage. Those passengers will receive a future cruise credit equal to the amount of the cruise fare they paid.

Early Advantage Saver

Holland America

Early Advantage Savings

The earlier you book the more you save.

Customers benefit from

• 50% savings on selected sailings
• FREE or reduced 3rd/4th passenger fares
• New reduced 2012 European sailings

Be welcomed aboard as honoured friends. Gracious, personal service is the ultimate luxury, and our crew is the reason that readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler rate Holland America Line among the best, time after time.
Call cruising2 on 0844 4148 268 now to guarantee your cruise.

Hebridean Island Cruise for 2012

Hebridean Island Cruises released its 2012 cruise brochure, which details 20 new itineraries aboard the 50-passenger Hebridean Princess to Scotland and Ireland.

During its March through November season in 2012, Hebridean Princess offers four- to 10-day cruises sailing mainly from her Scottish homeport of Oban, as well as from Greenock and Invergordon in Scotland. Two new cruises depart from Cork, Ireland. Other season highlights are tours to Kelburn Castle, built in the 13th century and rarely accessed by groups, and the privately owned Isle of Eriska. New signature “Footloose” itineraries include walking tours accompanied by three guides.

New 2012 season fares include meals, beverages and select wines, spirits and champagne, privately escorted tours, a guest speaker program, and all port charges and gratuities. Also included are activities such as the use of the ship’s bicycles, fishing, bridge, speedboat rides and more. Black-tie gala dinners are a highlight

For more information visit www.payless4holidays.co.uk or   call 0844 4148 268.

Last Chance to Save £2000 per couple on cruise.

Book before 30 June 2011 for savings of up to £2000 per couple on Viking River Cruises,market leader in river cruising, just visit cruising page on www.payless4holidays.co.uk to see our lastest offer and take advantage of these great savings.

After 30  June these savings fall to £1000 per couple so get on board now.

MSC returns to Tunisia

Cruises to Return to Tunisia Beginning July 5 

MSC Cruises plans to return to Tunisia with sailings beginning July 5. MSC Fantasia and MSC Lirica are scheduled to return to La Goulette, the port for Tunis on July 5, with MSC Splendida and MSC Sinfonia calling at the port the next day.

“Tunis is back to normal and security is now stable,” said MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago. “We are glad to offer our guests one of their favorite destinations again for this summer’s seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. Tourism represents one of the biggest resources for this country’s economic revival and we are proud to be making our contribution.”

MSC Cruises also will offer Tunis as a winter destination on MSC Splendida’s seven-night cruises between December and March, departing from Genoa. For more details or cruise availability visit Getaway2.com

SINGLE PARENT VALUE ON NCL

Single Parents Initiative

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new pricing structure to help attract more single parents into cruising.

Single parents who travelled with the line previously had to pay a full adult fare for the first child in the stateroom.

Now the child will travel at up to half the adult cruise fare, with the third and fourth children travelling at the existing lower third and fourth berth rates for children.

The line said under the new pricing structure, it would be cheaper for families to book two staterooms rather than a four berth family stateroom, giving them more space and two bathrooms.

Commenting, Nick Wilkinson, director of sales, NCL said: “Norwegian prides itself on looking after defined groups of guests.  Our solo traveller staterooms on Norwegian Epic are examples of this. Now we’re delighted to offer solo parents a way to sail with us that saves them money.  We know times have been tough and we want to make a cruise holiday accessible to all families.”

The new pricing will come into effect on May 21 for all sailings on Epic from Barcelona between July and September 2011.

Voyage For The Tastebuds

   Oceania Cruises newest ship Marina is ideal for cruisers who like to sail in style. It boasts 10    dining venues, including six gourmet restaurants, it truly is the first ship built with epicurians in mind.

It is the first Oceania ship to have its own French brasserie with celebrity chef Jacques Pepin, together with standard favourites Toscana and Polo Grill , it is sure to pass every culinary expectation.

A floating palace the ship can cater for 1250 passengers, it has sumptuous furnishings and carefully positioned artworks. Guests can also relax in the Canyon Ranch, the  spa or the Artist Loft studio. Highlight are the Owners Suites at more than 2,000 sq.ft. are filled with Ralph Lauren Home furnishings they exude both style and opulence.

Marina is currently spending the Summer in the Med, Northern Europe and the Baltic.

Exclusive 7night Mediterranean Cruise £459

Payless4holidays have  some great exclusive cruise offers from Italian Cruise Specialists Costa Cruises available right now, check out www.payless4holidays.co.uk for exclusive deals and latest prices.

Cruise specialists on hand to take your booking and advise on your travel plans.