Open for Sale: An Incredible 2023-24 All-inclusive Luxury Expedition Collection

RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN! 
10- TO 28-NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY EXPEDITIONS
15% REDUCED DEPOSIT BEFORE JUNE 30, 2021

Crystal Expeditions is now taking reservations on a thrilling expedition cruise aboard the world’s newest and most spacious luxury expedition yacht, the all-suite, all-verandah, all butler-serviced Crystal Endeavor. From Antarctica’s ice cathedrals and Svalbard’s polar bears to Indonesia’s magical Raja Ampat Archipelago and the windswept wonders of the Scottish Isles, the German-engineered, PC6 polar class vessel is set to explore the farthest reaches of Earth on 27 all-inclusive voyages in 2023-2024.

With a limited-time 15% reduced deposit for all voyages (normally 25%), your options range from expeditions to the Northeast Passage, Russian High Arctic or the Faroe Islands to remote offshore islands including Brazil’s Arquipélago dos Abrolhos and Uruguay’s Isla de Lobos Nature Reserve. You can cruise to Andalusia, Morocco, and the Côte d’Azur, or enjoy unique explorations by the river to dock in the heart of Seville, Rouen, and Bordeaux. Singular seasonal itineraries include springtime in the British Isles and autumn in Japan to see spectacular gardens awash in vibrant color. From Kamchatka and The Kurils to the Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania, we invite you to explore with Crystal Expedition Cruises… Where Luxury Roams Freely.

Contact me soon to secure your voyage.  The reduced deposit promotion is only valid until June 30, 2021. 

 

Rhine River Wine Cruise - Fall 2022

Fairytale castles, historic vineyards, charming villages, rich history, spectacular panoramas, majestic mountain landscapes...

all this and more could be yours for making some fabulous memories when you join us for a Rhine river wine cruise adventure. October/November 2022. Pre-cruise stay in Amsterdam and/or Post-cruise stay in Lake Como also available.

Limited rooms are available. Save $1,000 per person when you book before July 31, 2021. Message me for details and pricing.

Norwegian Cruise Line returns to service from US ports this year!!

Norwegian Cruise Line is getting ready to set sail from US ports once again! They have now announced departures from FLORIDA to the Caribbean and The Bahamas; departures from WASHINGTON for roundtrip Alaska sailings; departures from CALIFORNIA for the Mexican Riviera; and HAWAII's inter-island sailings resume this November from Honolulu! All available to book now.

• Norwegian Encore will operate 7-day cruises to ALASKA from SEATTLE sailing every Saturday from Aug 7, 2021, through Oct 16, 2021.

• Norwegian Gem will operate 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean FROM MIAMI sailing every Sunday from Aug 15 through Aug 29, 2021, and a 4-day Bahamas sailing Oct 17, 2021.

• Norwegian Escape will operate a 7-day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean FROM PORT CANAVERAL sailing on Nov 13, 2021.

• Norwegian Breakaway will operate 7-day cruises to Bermuda FROM NEW YORK CITY sailing every Sunday from Sept 26, 2021, through Oct 17, 2021.

• Norwegian Bliss will operate a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera FROM LOS ANGELES sailing on Oct 24, 2021.

• Pride of America will operate a 7-day inter-island cruise of the Hawaiian islands round-trip from HONOLULU sailing on Nov 6, 2021.

Cruising from the U.S. is BACK! The Wait is Over!

ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCEMENT!! The wait is over as cruising from the U.S. is just around the corner!

3-5 NIGHT CRUISES:
** FREEDOM OF THE SEAS® -- from Miami, Florida, starting July 2, 2021 (NOW OPEN FOR SALE)

** MARINER OF THE SEAS® -- from Port Canaveral, Florida, starting August 23, 2021 (NOW OPEN FOR SALE)

7-NIGHT CRUISES:
NEW! ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS®-- from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, debuting July 3, 2021 (NOW OPEN FOR SALE)

ALLURE OF THE SEAS® -- from Port Canaveral, Florida, starting August 8, 2021 (NOW OPEN FOR SALE)

SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS® -- from Miami, Florida, starting August 14, 2021 (NOW OPEN FOR SALE)

Emerald & Scenic Return to the rivers of Europe This Summer!

Hello Europe...we've missed you! River cruising resumes next month...how about some great discoveries on the Douro this summer? Both Emerald Cruises and Scenic Cruises are returning to the rivers of Europe in July. Contact me to explore availability with either of these sister lines.

BIG NEWS! The CDC has Revised Mask Requirements for Cruises for Vaccinated Passengers

In its latest COVID-19 operations manual update, the CDC gave cruise operators much more leeway regarding fully vaccinated travelers and near normalcy for ships with at least 95% of crew and passengers fully vaccinated.

The measures go a long way toward restoring the traditional cruise experience — and even allow self-serve buffets in specific circumstances. Click the image below to read more in the story from FoxNews.com

ALASKA AT LAST! 2021 Cruises Are NOW POSSIBLE!

Thanks to the work by the US Congress to modify the long-held Passenger Services Vessel Act, there WILL BE an Alaska Cruise Season THIS YEAR! Shortened yes, but cruise ships will be sailing the Inside Passage once again!

There are now five cruise lines sailing Alaska this season. Contact us and book quickly if you want to see Alaska this year.

Here's a list of all your options.

Royal Caribbean & Celebrity

• Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas will sail 7-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle visiting Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier starting July 19th.
• Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas will sail 7-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle visiting Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau and Skagway starting August 13.
• Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit will sail 7-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle visiting Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Juneau and Skagway starting July 23.

Guests age 16 and older must have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation and have proof of vaccination. Guests under the age of 16 are only required to provide proof of a negative PCR test in order to sail. However, as of August 1, 2021, all guests ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated, and guests under 12 are only required to provide proof of a negative PCR test in order to sail. All crew will be vaccinated.

Norwegian, Holland America & Princess

• Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Bliss will sail 7-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle visiting Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Glacier Bay National Park or Holkham Bay Glacier Fjord starting August 7, 2021.
• Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam will sail 7-day Alaska itineraries roundtrip from Seattle visiting Stephens Passage, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan, starting Saturday, July 24.
• Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess will sail 7-day Alaska itineraries roundtrip from Seattle visiting Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, and Ketchikan, starting Sunday, July 25. On sale now!

Sailings on Norwegian, Holland America, and Princess are available exclusively for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation and have proof of vaccination. All crew will be vaccinated.

BIG NEWS!! Alaska Cruises Will Resume in 2021 with an Abbreviated Season

The good news about travel resuming continues! 

Yesterday the US House of Representatives approved a bill that the US Senate had already approved regarding a revision to the long-standing PSVA which will effectively allow for an abbreviated Alaska cruise season to happen in 2021!  This is huge news for the people of Alaska who are very dependent on travel and tourism and were affected greatly in 2020 with the complete shutdown of the industry.  The PSVA controls the movement of foreign-flagged ships within US ports and a big hurdle for the Alaska cruise market is the fact that ships must dock in Canadian ports per the PSVA, but very early this year the Canadian government banned any ships from their ports until at least February 2022. This bill from the US Congress will effectively modify the PSVA making the stop in Canada, not a requirement, so there can be roundtrip sailings from Seattle up into Alaska!  Following the passage in the House, three of the Carnival Corporation brands - Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line - announced that they will be resuming sailing this summer, beginning in early July for 10 departures each.  Each line will have one ship sailing these itineraries, and all guests must be fully vaccinated.  

This is great news for the industry!!

Cruise Lines With Vaccination Requirements

 

For all those who are waiting anxiously to be able to resume cruising, here's the most current info on the assorted cruise lines and any vaccination requirements they have put into place. The list included is fairly extensive, though not all cruise lines have made their plans & requirements known yet. My team and I continually monitor the available information so that our guests have what they need to be prepared for their vacations.

BIG NEWS for Land Lovers & Cruise Lovers Alike!

EUROPE IS SET TO REOPEN!  
CRUISING FROM US PORTS LOOKS LIKELY THIS SUMMER! 

This week has brought some wonderful news for the travel industry and economies the world over, to be sure.  In this pair of exciting articles, we find that Europe is set to reopen to vaccinated Americans this summer, AND the CDC has now said that cruising could most likely resume from US ports this July.  Both of these are wonderful and long overdue announcements!  Stay tuned for more as the news gets shared. I'm so excited to see travel ramping up as more and more countries begin to reopen or announce their pending reopenings. And it's been exciting to watch the cruise lines find ways to resume cruising worldwide, but even better to see that the US is finally coming around to allowing it from our ports as well. 

STILL MORE Opportunities to Cruise in Summer 2021!! NEWLY ADDED ITINERARIES!

MORE CRUISE NEWS - BACK TO SAILING

Today I'm adding to the list of information previously shared about assorted Cruise Lines that have announced that they will be sailing soon from assorted international ports (note that all are from international ports as the US still will not allow cruise departures from US ports). 

 

PREVIOUSLY SHARED

On March 19, I shared that Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Crystal Cruises would begin sailing from The Bahamas and St. Maarten.  

 

Then on March 25, I shared that Royal Caribbean was adding departures from Bermuda and Cyprus. 

 

TODAY I'm pleased to add to the list!!

 

NEW ADDITIONS!

Norwegian Cruise Line just announced that it will begin seven-night sailings from Athens, Greece to the Greek Islands on July 25 and from Montego Bay, Jamacia, AND Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic to Caribbean destinations on August 7 and 15, respectively.

 

• Norwegian Jade will operate 7-day cruises to the Greek Isles from Athens (Piraeus), Greece from Jul 25, 2021, through Nov 7, 2021.

• Norwegian Joy will operate 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean from Montego Bay, Jamaica from Aug 7, 2021, through Oct 9, 2021.

• Norwegian Gem will operate 7-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from Punta Cana (La Romana), the Dominican Republic from Aug 15, 2021, through Oct 10, 2021.

 

 

 

Viking Cruises just announced their ocean sailings in JUNE and JULY 2021. Two distinct sailing itineraries include Iceland and also Bermuda. These will sell out fast!  Check these out below. 

 

https://www.vikingcruises.com/.../cruis.../welcome-back.html

 

 

 

 

The demand to cruise is high, and the available supply is still quite low with only a few ships from each line committed, so contact me quickly for any of these sailing opportunities!

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO CRUISE THIS SUMMER!

For all Cruisers Anxious to Get Back to Sailing...there are now MORE Opportunities for 2021!

 

Royal Caribbean has announced more opportunities to cruise this summer. While the US government may not yet allow cruising from US ports, other countries are open or about to re-open and are allowing them to sail.

 

 

   

 

 

ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS from The Bahamas

>> Offering weeklong getaways, vacationers can enjoy a day in Cozumel, Mexico, as well as an island-hopping sampler of popular Bahamian ports — including Grand Bahama Island and two consecutive days at our very own private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

 

 

VISION OF THE SEAS from Bermuda:

>> Vision of the Seas® will set sail from Bermuda! Beginning June 26, 2021, you can enjoy a much-needed 7-night getaway soaking up the sun on Bermuda's pink-sand beaches and keep the vacation going after dark, as well as an adventure-packed day at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

 

and now...

 

JEWEL OF THE SEAS has been announced from CYPRUS featuring GREECE as well.

>> All-new 7-night cruises departing from Limassol, Cyprus onboard Jewel of the Seas®! Beginning July 10, 2021, Jewel will call Cyprus home for the first time and sail to the picturesque shores of Cyprus and Greece through October 23, 2021. You can explore a combination of culture-rich cities and idyllic islands, including Limassol; Athens, Greece, and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Interested in any of these opportunities, reach out! Each ship has limited capacity, adults over 18 must be vaccinated, and negative test results before boarding for all guests.

CRUISES RETURN IN 2021!

FOR ANY CRUISERS COMFORTABLE AND READY TO SET SAIL AGAIN... LOOK WHAT SUMMER PROMISES. Both Royal Caribbean & Celebrity announced today that they will be setting sail beginning in JUNE from Nassau, Bahamas (Royal), and from St Maarten (Celebrity). And earlier in the week Crystal Cruises announced that they will be sailing starting in JULY from Nassau or Bimini, Bahamas as well!

 

Vaccinations are required for adults over 18 y.o. Reduced capacity on the ships. Call me for information.

 

• Royal Caribbean: https://tinyurl.com/RoyalisBack2021  (booking starts March 24th)
• Celebrity: https://tinyurl.com/CelebrityisBack2021   (booking starts March 25th)
• Crystal Cruises: Booking started today, so be sure to reach out if interested!

 

With successful cruise sailings happening in other parts of the world since last fall, but the CDC still says no to cruises from US ports, it's nice to see how they thought outside the box! It's true that it might not be right for everyone, but with some resumption in service, it'll sure be nice for those crewmembers to be getting a paycheck again, and for the islands to start seeing their economies rebound as well.

If you are interested, reach out right away, as demand will be high.

 

 

FacebookLive... I Need Some Help...

 As shared via FacebookLive this morning... I need some help, please! 

Continuing Education Update - Virgin Voyages

 More continuing ed taking place in my house recently.  Never stop learning. Today I am the newest Certified Travel Professional with Virgin Voyages as a Certified First Mate!  I am absolutely ready to help you discover all that the world's first adults-only (18+) cruise line has to offer. 

#virginvoyages #seacademy

 

Covid Cancelations - We Will Get Through it All

Another long day with all of this mess going on that has disrupted lives everywhere, but there is resilience in the travel industry and things will return in time. The cancellations and suspensions continue but the re-bookings for future dates have begun, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. Now time to shut down and go read a book, play a game, or do something with the rest of the ones who are self-isolating in my household. Have a great night all!

#tourismstrong #wewillgetthroughthis #changedatesdontcancel

Cancelations, Changes, & Rebooking for the Future

This past week saw many dominos fall thanks to the voluntary suspension of travel by so many vendors, and all but two of my business' departures over the next four weeks have been canceled. The week ahead is already full of rebooking for future dates as 95% of my guests have chosen to still go, just at a later date. Travel and tourism, and all those of us in the industry absolutely need you in the months ahead! Don't stop traveling after this covid mess ends.

#travel #tourism #changethedate #wewillgetbeyondcovid #seetheworld #takethetrip

Disney Cruise Line Returns to Greece in Summer 2021 and Offers an Exciting Array of Additional Itineraries for Families

 In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line will sail a variety of itineraries around the world including a return to Greece – back by popular demand – and exciting and varied European destinations, Alaska ports, and tropical locales. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will visit three first-time ports of call in Greece, Sweden, and Norway.

 

Explore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Beyond

In summer 2021, a new collection of itineraries is part of Disney Cruise Line’s grand tour of Europe. From May through July, the Disney Magic will visit captivating locales in the Mediterranean including the Greek Isles, Spain, and the French Riviera. From late July through September, the ship will transport guests to bucket-list destinations in the British Isles, northern Europe, the Baltic, Iceland, and Norwegian fjords.

The Disney Magic will return to the awe-inspiring beauty of Greece in summer 2021, where guests can marvel at the stunning landscapes and archeological wonders of the region, like Santorini with its iconic whitewashed cliffside dwellings and Mykonos with beautiful beaches along the azure Aegean Sea. Four special voyages departing from Rome will visit the Greek Isles, with cruises ranging from eight to 11 nights.

 

Each of these unique Mediterranean itineraries combines a selection of stops in Greece with visits to other notable cities in the region. Noteworthy ports of call in Greece include Katakolon near ancient Olympia – home to the first Olympic Games – and the gorgeous Greek island of Kefalonia, the first-time port of call for Disney Cruise Line.

Another itinerary highlight is a visit to the picturesque Sicilian harbor city of Messina, where guests can sample tantalizing, locally grown citrus fruits and delectable olives. One cruise features a stop at the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The walled medieval Old City of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers spectacular seaside views and centuries-old cobblestoned lanes to explore.

Additional first-time ports of call for Disney Cruise Line include the medieval city of Visby, Sweden, considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Scandinavia, and the village of Eidfjord, Norway, home to geographic wonders and situated at the foot of Hardangervidda, Norway’s largest national park.

Adventures in Alaska 

The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for the 2021 summer season to explore the region’s breathtaking natural vistas, glaciers, and wildlife.

Departing from Vancouver, Canada, seven-night itineraries will visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Dawes Glacier. One nine-night Alaskan adventure will visit Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan. A special five-night cruise will travel to Dawes Glacier and Ketchikan.

 

 

Each Alaska sailing will offer adventure and fun in port and aboard the ship, with stunning scenery, exciting Port Adventures, and special Disney Cruise Line touches that will bring the splendor and spirit of “The Last Frontier” to life onboard.

Tropical Vacations to the Caribbean and Bahamas 

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line will embark on a variety of vacation voyages to tropical destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Ranging from three- to nine-night sailings, the varied itineraries allow guests to experience charming island cultures, sunbathe on golden beaches and revel in local marketplaces. Most itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

 

In addition to seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, near Orlando, Florida, and the Walt Disney World® Resort, the Disney Fantasy will embark on an assortment of itineraries throughout the summer of 2021. These include a six-night sailing and an extended nine-night Caribbean cruise. Three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises round out the Disney Fantasy summer season – all including a stop at Castaway Cay. One special five-night cruise features two stops at Disney’s private island.

The Disney Dream will provide even more opportunities for guests to visit Castaway Cay in the summer of 2021 with all three- and four-night Bahamian cruises calling on the private island paradise.

 

When To Book Summer 2021 Itineraries 

Platinum, Gold, or Silver Castaway Club members, can take advantage of the opportunity to book summer 2021 itineraries before they go on sale to the general public on February 27, 2020.  Reach out to us today to be added to the list for booking when your Castaway Club level is eligible!

• February 25, 2020: Platinum Members 

• February 26, 2020: Platinum and Gold Members 

• February 27, 2020: Platinum, Gold, and Silver Members 

• February 28, 2020: all Guests 

Guided Experiences with Adventures by Disney

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line guests can enrich their cruise vacation with a variety of add-on packages from Adventures by Disney, a leader in family-guided group vacations. Highlights include a return to Alaska and popular packages in northern Europe and the Mediterranean. 

With Adventures by Disney, guests can book the ultimate Disney cruise experience on select sailings in Alaska and Europe. Throughout the voyage, knowledgeable Adventure Guides provide dedicated service both onboard and in port, as they lead guests on specially curated excursions, interactive activities, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Onboard the ship, guests enjoy unique experiences and premium amenities exclusive to Adventures by Disney, such as an intimate talkback session with Walt Disney Theatre cast members followed by a behind-the-scenes costume and prop activity.

Adventures by Disney also offer popular pre-cruise vacations in Rome; London; Barcelona, Spain; and Copenhagen, Denmark. These two- to three-night Escapes feature unforgettable experiences in iconic cities, such as a private guided tour to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Plus, activities like flamenco dancing, mosaic making, and preparing local cuisine immerse families in the culture of each region.

Bookings for these Adventures by Disney offerings open to the public on Feb. 27, 2020. 

 

 

Reach out to us today to include your name on the list for any of these exciting voyages!  317.776.1733

Choose Your Own Adventure

You can choose your own adventure on land, ocean, or river with this week's Travel Deals. If you don't receive them directly, be sure to opt in and start receiving them directly to your inbox! #travel #vacation #adventure #explore #wanderlust #useyourvacationdays #planyouradventure

https://tinyurl.com/Feb4Deals

Oceania's 2022 Around The World Voyage – Reservations Open Soon!

 

We are delighted to share this destination masterpiece voyage – Oceania Cruises' 2022 Around the World 180-day voyage, opening for bookings on January 15, 2020.

 

Here are the Top Reasons to Sail on Oceania Cruises’ 2022 Around the World Journey.   Voyage dates:  January 6, 2022-July 5, 2022

• Explore 6 continents and 44 incredible countries: this means French Polynesia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Africa, and beyond all on one incredible voyage.
• Bragging rights: sought-after destinations and more than 60 accessible UNESCO sites all from the comfort of the intimate and luxurious Insignia.
• Incredible perks: fares start at only $43,999 and you get so much for FREE – First-Class Roundtrip Airfare, Pre-Paid Gratuities, Laundry Services, Exclusive Shoreside Events & so much more.
• New lifelong friendships you’ll cherish for years to come.
• 6-months of life-changing travel and endless memories.

Reservations open for this destination masterpiece on January 15th, 2020. Contact Christopher now to be in the queue as annually this voyage sells out in mere days.  317.776.1733 | clingren@cruiseplanners.com |  Request a Quote