Cruising News - Destinations North America.

Feb 7, 2010

AMA Waterways AMA Waterways is offering an opportunity to experience Oktoberfest in Munich. The OBe Our Guest at OktoberfestO promotion includes a complimentary two-night stay in Munich on bookings made Feb. 2 to 9 of the lineOs new OOktoberfest EscapeO program. The itinerary, which takes place Sept. 21 to Oct. 1, begins with the stay in Munich at the Le Meridien Hotel or another luxury hotel. Included are a complimentary city tour, daily breakfast, and the chance to enjoy Oktoberfest as locals mark the 200th anniversary of this famous tradition. After the stay in Munich, guests will depart on a seven-night cruise on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers from Nuremberg to Amsterdam aboard the Amalegro. The OBe Our Guest at OktoberfestO promotional price starts at USD2,699 per person. For more information, call 800-626-0126 or visit www.amawaterways.com. Feb 3, 2010

Bethany Manchester Bethany Manchester, product manager for Collette Vacations, assured travel agents and passengers that the termination of the high-speed ferry service delivered by "The CAT" from Maine to Nova Scotia will not affect the operation of the companyOs CanadaOs Atlantic Coast tour. OThis tour never depended on The Cat Ferry; it is a leisurely-paced, land-based tour with mostly two-night stays that begins and ends in Halifax, Nova Scotia,O Manchester said. OThere are no long driving days -- ColletteOs clients get to explore the destination first hand.O Highlights of the 10-day tour include travel along the beautiful Cabot Trail and a two-night stay in Cape BretonOs Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa situated high on a cliff surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Manchester encourages travel agents to research where other tour operators will begin a similar tour, adding Ofrom Boston to the Saint John area of New Brunswick is about seven straight hours without stops or counting border control -- not a fun start to a vacation.O For more information, call 800-611-3361 or visit www.collettevacation.com. Feb 4, 2010

Crystal Cruises Crystal CruisesO Crystal Serenity will sail into Venice for the annual Redentore Festival, a spectacle of brightly colored boats, gondola races, costumes and traditional feasts culminating with a fireworks display. The 12-day Mediterranean/Adriatic voyage, departing from Athens on July 7, marks CrystalOs first itinerary with two shipboard overnights in Venice. Dating back to the 16th century, the Redentore Festival commemorates the church of the same name, built on the island of Giudecca to mark the end of a plague that had stricken the city. Each year on the third Saturday in July, Venetians gather in San Marco Basin to celebrate until late-night fireworks are set off in the bay of San Marco. Onboard, guests can celebrate with an al fresco champagne reception, local entertainment, Venetian dinner and view of the fireworks from the spacious open deck. In addition to dozens of shoreside activities offered in the seven ports included in the itinerary, guests can maximize their stay in Venice with experiences such as cooking lessons and lunch with Countess Lelia Passi or a birdOs eye view of Padua from a hot-air balloon. The voyage visits Athens, Santorini, Crete and Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Croatia; and Venice, Italy. Two-for-one cruise fares start at USD6,465 per person, double occupancy. Included are complimentary air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways, business-class air for Penthouse guests, and a USD1,000 per person shipboard credit. For more information, call 800-446-6620 or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Feb 2, 2010

Florida FloridaOs Amelia Island is revving up the month of March with two special events and special offers designed for car enthusiasts. The 15th Annual Amelia Island Concours dOElegance and RM Auctions, the worldOs largest collector car auction house, will host the OAutomobiles of Amelia IslandO event from March 11 to 14, 2010. Separate from Concours dOElegance and new for 2010 will be an additional auction with internationally recognized Gooding & Company on March 12. Visitors arriving for the events will find a number of discounted offers from island accommodations. The Amelia Island Concours dOElegance offers car enthusiasts a full weekend of auctions, seminars and receptions. This yearOs event will honor seven-time NASCAR series champion and winner of 200 races OThe King,O Richard Petty. Held at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, the Concours dOElegance also offers photographic and automotive art displays, vendor areas, road rallies and tours, and private parties. On Sunday, guests will also be able to enjoy a full-service caf on the colonnade surrounding the facility. On March 13, the annual RMOs 11th annual OAutomobiles of Amelia IslandO auction will take place in the new Ritz-Carlton, Amelia IslandOs Talbot Ballroom. RM Auctions, the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours dOElegance, is auctioning a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy Berlinetta and 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar Sports Racing Car, one of only four built, during their Automobiles of Amelia Island event. www.ameliaconcours.org or 519-352-4575 or www.rmauctions.com. Feb 5, 2010

Goway Travel For Goway TravelOs 40th anniversary year, it is giving away 40 trips for two to the destinations in which they specialize. The total value of these trips exceeds USD250,000. Prizes range from a seven-days Highlights of Jordan trip (valued at USD2,070) to a 22-day fully escorted, all-inclusive tour of Australia (valued at USD22,554). For golfers, there is an exclusive package to the PGA Presidents Cup in Melbourne. For romantics, there are several WorldOs Most Idyllic Islands escapes. For the active and adventurous, there are an African overland journey, Inca Trail treks and fun touring experiences in Europe and Australia. A visit to the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Abu Dhabi and India, China, Israel, South Africa and Antarctica are also available. Travel agents are invited to participate in the competition. Those who do will receive a USD40 credit for their next booking with Goway and will be eligible for other initiatives that Goway will be bringing out over the year. For more information, call 800-387-8850 or visit www.goway.com. Feb 5, 2010

Hawaii The Royal Hawaiian Center is offering Sweetheart Deals for ValentineOs Day, Feb. 12 to 14. In-store promotions include discounts of up to 70 percent off apparel and accessories at 7 For All Mankind; a free heart-shaped charm with every purchase at Anteprima; a free soap with the purchase of four and a free votive candle with the purchase of five at Island Soap & Candleworks; a USD10 gift certificate for every USD300 spent and a USD20 gift card for every USD500 spent at Koi Boutique; 30 percent off all 14-karat gold heart pendants and 50 percent off the silver heart and ring set at Komang Jewelry; a complimentary Hawaiian Scroll heart pendant with the purchase of USD1,000 or more at Phillip Rickard; and 25 percent off all Tahitian pearl rings and 40 percent off all ValentineOs style heart pendants at Pick A Pearl. 808-922-2299 or www.royalhawaiiancenter.com. Feb 5, 2010

Holland America Line  Holland AmericaOs 25 full-transit cruises though the canal from fall through spring 2011 are offered on six ships -- Statendam, Westerdam, Maasdam, Zuiderdam, Ryndam, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Itineraries range from 14 to 30 days. Cruises depart Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. The 14-day OPanama Canal AdventurerO and OExplorerO itineraries feature ports in the Mexican Riviera, Central America and Caribbean that may include Fuerte Amador (Panama City); Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Cartagena, Colombia; and Oranjestad, Aruba. Longer cruises may add Grand Cayman; Corinto, Nicaragua; Santa Marta, Colombia; and the San Blas Islands of Panama. Guests may also combine east and westbound crossings for a 28-day CollectorsO voyage, featuring in-depth exploration of the Panama Canal and surrounding regions with two complete transits. The April 17 Rotterdam transit includes several ports in South America en route to a two-night stay in Callao, the gateway to Lima, Peru. The 30-day cruise, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, also visits both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Central America. Panama Canal cruise fares begin at USD1,599 per person, double occupancy. Taxes are additional. Feb 3, 2010

Holland America Line Holland AmericaOs Caribbean itineraries range from six to 25 days. Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Ryndam and Westerdam offer six- and seven-day Western, Eastern or Southern itineraries while the Noordam, Zuiderdam, Maasdam and Prinsendam feature 10- to 25-day explorations of the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. All cruises sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or Tampa from October through April 2011 with 14 holiday cruises in late December. Many departures are designed so guests can combine different seven-day Caribbean sailings for a 14-day exploration. They also can combine two 10-day Noordam Southern Caribbean sailings to create a 20-day CollectorOs Cruise. Maasdam offers 21-, 24- and 25-day CollectorsO Cruises. Feb 2, 2010

Holland America Line Holland AmericaOs 10-day cruises to the Southern Caribbean feature three itinerary options. OWayfarerO itineraries highlight the islands of St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados and Martinique while OSeafarerO cruises showcase the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Curaao and Aruba. Nineteen OSunfarerO itineraries combine some of these destinations with the Panama Canal. Feb 2, 2010

Holland America Line The Maasdam will operate 10-day Eastern and 11- and 14-day Southern Caribbean itineraries roundtrip Fort Lauderdale. The eastern itinerary visits San Juan, St. Barts, Dominica, Antigua, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay. Both southern routes call at islands that can feature Half Moon Cay, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, St. Barts, Martinique, and St. Maarten en route to Barbados. The 14-day option will also sail to the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaao. Feb 2, 2010

Holland America Line Popular six- and seven-day cruises explore the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, some including Central American ports. Itineraries may include the Turks & Caicos, San Juan, Grand Cayman, Curaao, Aruba, JamaicaOs Falmouth, Belize City, Roatan in Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Caribbean cruise fares range from USD599 to USD2,499 per person, double occupancy. Taxes are additional. Feb 2, 2010

Holland America Line The Zaandam features 10-, 11- and 14-day cruises roundtrip from San Diego for the Sea of Cortez and Mexican Riviera in winter and spring 2011. Guests visit Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, Guaymas, Topolobampo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta on the Sea of Cortez itineraries. From Topolobampo, the highlight is the full-day optional excursion via rail into Copper Canyon. In addition, Rotterdam offers a 12-day holiday cruise and Amsterdam sails two six-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera roundtrip from San Diego in December. Starting cruise fares for Mexico itineraries are USD599 per person. Feb 3, 2010

Honolulu The 16th Annual Honolulu Festival is set for March 13 to 14 and is seeking the help of volunteers to assist organizers in the various festivities showcasing the diverse cultures of the Pacific Rim and Hawaii. Among the festival activities are cultural performances at the Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki Beach Walk and Waikiki Shopping Plaza and a parade along Kalakaua Avenue. The Honolulu Festival highlights the people and diversity of the Pacific and Asia through a showcase of arts, culture and entertainment, all of which is free to the public. Under the banner OPacific HarmonyO and theme of ODiscovery Through Tradition,O the 2010 festival will be an educational and entertainment extravaganza featuring cultural performances and exhibits from Australia, Tahiti, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Alaska and Hawaii. To volunteer, visit www.honolulufestival.com/eng/volunteers.php. 808-596-3327 or www.honolulufestival.com. Feb 5, 2010

Hurtigruten Line Hurtigruten has announced pricing specials on its spring and summer exploration cruises to some of the worldOs most remote destinations. If booked by April 31, all offer savings of 25 percent on the price of suites on the Fram and free air from New YorkOs JFK or NewarkOs Liberty International Airport. Hurtigruten is also allowing the discount to be combined with two other offers -- the 10 percent Repeater Discount for passengers who sailed with Hurtigruten in the past three years, and a USD50 shipboard credit for AARP and AAA members. Add-on airfares from dozens of North American gateways range from USD100 to USD600. Included cruises are three Greenland September departures; discounted rates for suites are USD5,649 to USD9,314 per person, double. The 11-day May 29 OClimate PilgrimageO to Northern Norway and the Arctic island of Spitsbergen is priced from USD5,108 to USD7,137 for suites (other cabin grades on this cruise are reduced by 15 percent and donOt include free air; they are priced from USD4,100 to USD5,263). The new 11-day OBaltic AdventureO visits Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia and Poland; suite fares are USD4,325 to USD5,522. The 12,700-ton, eight-deck Fram boasts an Internet caf, a glass-enclosed observation salon, a restaurant with ocean views, wellness center with saunas, a work-out room and two glass-screened heated outdoor whirlpools. Suites include seating areas, some with two rooms, TV, mini bar and queen-size beds. All sailings include three meals daily aboard ship, services of naturalist guides, specified land excursions and PolarCirkel excursions, ship transfers, government fees, cruise taxes and port charges. Airline fuel surcharges, air taxes and ticketing fees are additional. For more information, call 800-323-7436 or visit www.hurtigruten.us. Feb 5, 2010

InterContinental Hotels InterContinental Tampa, in Fla., is the official hotel sponsor of the fourth annual Gasparilla International Film Festival, which takes place March 18 to 21, 2010. The festival takes place in downtown Tampa and South Tampa. Each year, the festival features an average of 100 films from around the world at a variety of venues, with an additional focus on local productions. The InterContinental Tampa is offering rates for filmgoers as low as USD149 per night, based on double occupancy, including a complimentary breakfast buffet for two in ShulaOs Steak House for patrons attending the Gasparilla International Film Festival. To reserve the special Gasparilla International Film Festival rate at InterContinental Tampa, call 866-402-0758 and mention rate code OIPE10O or visit www.intercontampa.com. Feb 5, 2010

Marriott Hotels Warner Center Marriott, located in West San Fernando Valley in Woodland Hills, Calif., has completed an impressive enhancement of its outdoor pool and terrace areas, and has expanded its fitness center, which also now features all-new equipment. These latest upgrades follow an extensive USD6 million renovation of the hotelOs 474 guest rooms and suites, and guest room corridors, which was completed in August 2008. Conveniently located near all of the offerings of the San Fernando Valley, the hotel features 25,000 square feet of recently enhanced meeting and event space. The outdoor pool/terrace area, now named the OUrban OasisO area, features foliage, Chinese elm trees, a new outdoor firepit, all-new pool furniture, all-new terrace furnishings, two new cabanas, and an enhanced bar area with plush new furniture. The 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool/terrace area is a great option for group receptions or social functions, as it can accommodate up to 400 guests. The hotel also completed the renovation and expansion of its fitness center, which now features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a beautiful view overlooking both the indoor and outdoor pools. The all-new equipment at the fitness center includes a state-of-the-art Recumbent Bike equipped with a personal TV monitor, advanced low-impact treadmills with 12-inch personal TV monitors, a smooth and quiet Upright Bike with a personal monitor, additional innovative cardiovascular equipment, seven different strength machines, and free weights. Stereo headphones also are available for use with all of the machines equipped with personal TV monitors. For more information, call 818-887-4800 or visit www.WarnerCenterMarriott.com. Feb 5, 2010

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre is offering special SuperSaver rates starting at CAD 289 for a one-bedroom suite and CAD 416 for a two-bedroom suite. Available through April 30, 2010, rates quoted are for double occupancy in Valley View Suites and are valid for bookings made by Feb. 28, 2010. This offer is based on availability and restrictions may apply. In addition to these SuperSaver rates, guests of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre enjoy daily breakfast buffet in the Pacific Lounge; suites featuring full kitchens, fireplaces and balconies; complimentary wireless Internet and local calls; one of the best pool decks in Whistler with a heated outdoor salt water pool, two hot tubs and sauna; slopeside ski valet and storage at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside; signing privileges at Dubh Linn Gate Pub and the Salomon Store in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside; and access to the in-house full service Vital Spirit Spa. For more information, visit www.panpacific.com. Feb 5, 2010

Paris Though Paris is rarely spotlighted during Black History Month, a tour with Black Paris ToursO founder Ricki Stevenson reveals that African Americans have influenced a significant part of the romantic and historic City of Light. On the full-day seven-hour walking/metro/bus tour (a two-thirds day option is also available), travelers begin their learning at the Arc de Triomphe where the 369th regiment OHarlem HellfightersO were due to receive a heroOs welcome following World War I. They next continue down the Champs-Elyses to the former U.S. Embassy where in 1787 Thomas Jefferson and the black and beautiful Sally Hemings began their 38-year relationship. Participants then visit the new monument honoring one of NapoleonOs greatest generals, Haitian-born Thomas Alexandre Dumas, and another memorializing his son Alexandre Dumas, one of the most proliferate writers in French history. The tour then visits the theater where Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet and a cast of young African American performers exploded onto stage in 1925. Following lunch, the group heads north to Barbs-Rochechouart where they stroll through OLittle Africa,O an area that resembles Dakar or Abidjan. The day ends with mint tea and beignets in La Goutte d'Or and a climb to the highest point in Paris, Montmartre, known as the OHarlem of ParisO in the 1920s and 1930s given the expatriate African American community of jazz musicians that thrived in the district and helped turn the city into the major jazz capital it remains today. The full-day tour starts at USD95 euros per person, excluding lunch, and the two-thirds day tour starts at USD70 euros per person. Children under 13 are USD30 euros. Upon purchasing the OParis Black Tour,O travelers will receive their Air Tahiti Nui airfare promo code for the 10 percent discount. For more information on Air Tahiti Nui and to book the OParis Black TourO special, call 877-824-4846 or visit www.airtahitinui-usa.com/parisblacktour. Feb 4, 2010

Rocky Mountaineer Rocky Mountaineer is offering a ValentineOs Day package that includes traveling by luxury train in Western Canada with a gourmet culinary experience and intimate atmosphere onboard. OBeing onboard the Rocky Mountaineer is one of the most romantic things you can do as a couple,O said Hubert Wat, vice president of marketing for Rocky Mountaineer. OLife can often get away from us, so we strive to create packages that remind people to slow down, enjoy life and remember whatOs really important.O Rocky Mountaineer offers unique Canadian vacation packages and four spectacular rail routes through British Columbia and Alberta. Best known for the internationally-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train, a two-day, all daylight rail journey through CanadaOs West and the Canadian Rockies, the company also offers a three-hour experience between North Vancouver and Whistler, BC. Since its inception in 1990, the company has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and welcomed its one millionth guest in 2008. Rocky Mountaineer has been honored with four World Travel Awards as OWorldOs Leading Travel Experience by TrainO and was recently named by National Geographic as one of the OWorldOs Greatest Trips.O For more information, call 800-665-7245 or visit www.rockymountaineer.com. Feb 4, 2010

Roosevelt Hotel The Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan unveiled Vander Bar, set to open April 2010. Named by the winners of the OName Our BarO contest, Vander Bar is located on the street level of the historic Midtown Manhattan hideaway on the corner of Vanderbilt and 45th. In addition to a full bar, the hotelOs newest establishment presents a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as a menu offering light bites for happy-hour enthusiasts. Visitors can easily access the bar through a separate 45th Street entrance. The hotel launched a OName Our BarO contest in November 2009, encouraging guests and friends of the hotel to submit their suggestions for the new barOs name. After competing with more than 1,500 entries, the winners of the contest, Victor Anderson, Lucile Anthony, Christine Kepakis, Parker Lawrence and Michael Smith, will also receive special VIP treatment at the upcoming Grand Opening party where their names will honorably be inscribed on bar stools. The five people behind the winning name will each enjoy a two-night stay for two in a suite at The Roosevelt Hotel, delectable daily breakfast at The Roosevelt Grill and a pair of tickets to one of New YorkOs hottest Broadway shows. For more information or reservations, call 888-TEDDY-NY or visit www.theroosevelthotel.com. Feb 5, 2010

Silversea Cruises Silversea Cruises has tapped actress Karen Allen and others to host film-making discussion panels, screenings and presentations on the Feb. 20 16-day segment of Silver SpiritOs Grand Inaugural Voyage, sailing from Buenos Aires to Santiago. Allen, best known for her role as Marion Ravonwood in ORaiders of the Lost ArkO and OIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,O will be joined by production designer Kristi Zea, who worked on OThe Departed,O OGood FellasO and OAs Good as It Gets,O and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, whose screenplay for OThe Painted VeilO won the National Board of ReviewOs Best Adapted Screenplay Award. Another filmmaker Silversea has lined up as a guest speaker is Hugh Thomson. His 10-hour BBC documentary series ODancing in the Street: A Rock and Roll HistoryO was nominated for a BAFTA award and another of his film series, OIndian Journeys,O also made for the BBC, won the Grierson Award for Best Documentary Series. Thomson is also an author and explorer, with expertise in explorations of Inca settlements in Peru and far-reaching travels in Mexico. He will host presentations on two Silver Spirit voyages -- a 14-day cruise from Valparaiso to Acapulco departing March 8 and a 10-day sailing to Los Angeles departing Acapulco March 22. For more information, call 877-215-9986 or visit www.silversea.com. Feb 5, 2010

Smithsonian Journeys Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures, a brand created by the partnership of Collette Vacations, the oldest major tour operator in the U.S., and Smithsonian Journeys, released 12 value-priced educational programs for 2010 at the 24th annual Educational Travel Conference in Providence, R.I. The custom-crafted tours are created for adventurous travelers motivated by education and curiosity; flexibility and economical rates distinguish the vacation line. For 2010, unique destinations like Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey, Iceland, and Yucatan diversify the brand, along with perennial favorites like Washington, D.C. and Newfoundland, Canada. And from now until April 30, 2010, travelers who book an air-inclusive Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures tour will receive from USD50 to USD250 off depending on the specific tour. Along with Otravel beyond the ordinaryO destinations, complimentary roundtrip home to airport sedan service, an advantage that no other major U.S. tour operator can offer, is a key personalized component that adds value to these tours. The Educational Travel Conference is going on now through Feb. 6, and is the annual meeting of The Educational Travel Community (ETC). ETC is a community of practice for organizations worldwide dedicated to advancing lifelong learning and the understanding of international relations through travel. For more information, visit www.collettevacations.com/agents. Feb 5, 2010

St Moritz World On Skis is offering a five-night air/hotel ski package including air from New York to St. Moritz, Switzerland, with fuel surcharges, priced from USD1,393. Also included are roundtrip rail transfers and breakfast daily. A Washington, D.C. departure is available. Book by Feb. 28 and save 5 percent on the land portion of the trip. The offer includes roundtrip airfare from New York JFK to Zurich (via United or Lufthansa Airlines) including fuel surcharges; roundtrip rail transfers from Zurich to St. Moritz, and five nightsO hotel stay (Sunday through Friday), including hotel taxes and service charges and breakfast daily. Washington, D.C. departure, with nonstop flights from Dulles on United, is an additional USD214 per person. Hotel options include the three-star Hotel Laudinella for Feb. 27 to Apr 9 from USD1,393; four-star Hotel Monopol, March 14 to April 17, from USD1,709; and five-star Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Baines, March 14 to April 5, from USD2,448. For more information, call 866-678-5858 or visit www.WorldOnSkis.com. Feb 4, 2010

Taj Boston Now through April 4, Taj Boston is offering special 2010 winter rates. Rates start at USD149 per night on weekends and USD175 per night during the week. Upgrade to the Taj Club level for an additional USD100 per night and enjoy accommodations and access to the private Taj Club, with panoramic city views, complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day and dedicated butler service. The Taj Boston 2010 Special Winter Rates offer is subject to availability, must be paid in full at the time of reservation, and is non-refundable. For reservations or more information, call 877-482-5267 or email [e-mail] or visit www.tajhotels.com/boston. Feb 5, 2010

Trafalgar Tours, Qantas Airways Trafalgar Tours and Qantas Airways are joining together to launch a special offer on the May 5 departure of the Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand. Travelers booking by Feb. 28 can save USD1,200 per couple, as the combined land tour and air price has been reduced from USD5,824 per person to USD5,224. The 18-day itinerary juxtaposes modern Sydney and Melbourne with Maori culture, and contrasts the cooler Southern Alps and Franz Josef Glacier with tropical Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The package includes round-trip international airfare from Los Angeles on Qantas; all intra-tour air flights; round-trip airport transfers; sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary; meals as indicated in the itinerary; first class travel amenities as highlighted below; airline fuel surcharges; and all hotel taxes. Sightseeing highlights in New Zealand include Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Valley Springs, TranzAlpine, Franz Josef, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. In Australia, sightseeing includes Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens and Queen Victoria; the Great Barrier Reef with a full-day cruise; and Sydney, with sightseeing that includes the Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Darling Harbor and a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbor. In addition, Trafalgar offers their exclusive Be My Guest authentic local dining experience in both Christchurch and Sydney. In Christchurch, you will be invited in to the home of direct descendants of the first non-native New Zealanders who arrived in Christchurch by ship in 1850. You will be given a personal tour of the historic home and gardens before enjoying a home-cooked dinner and local wines. In Sydney, you will dine at the renowned Doyle family's Watsons Bay Hotel, a delightful Art Deco building on the beachfront with sweeping outdoor decks and panoramic views. For more information, call 866-544-4434 or visit www.trafalgartours.com. Feb 4, 2010

Virgin Vacations Virgin Vacations is offering a Paris At Its Best package starting at USD639 per person for six nights from New York City. Go to www.Virgin-Vacations.com , pick your departure date and enter the promotional code OVVFR2O for stays from Feb. 3 until June 30. For those six nights you will enjoy complimentary breakfast every morning and stay in a tourist-class hotel with roundtrip flights being offered by an available carrier. Departures are available from key Virgin gateways with prices starting at USD847 from Boston, USD857 from Washington, D.C., USD1,015 from Los Angeles, USD1,015 from San Francisco, USD917 from Chicago, or USD937 from Miami. Summer Deals to Paris start at USD829 per person from April 1[ETH]May 23 and USD1,119 per person from May 24 to June 30. Booking deadline is Feb. 10. 866-674-6209 or www.virgin-vacations.com. Feb 5, 2010

Virgin Vacations Virgin Vacations is offering London Escape starting at USD599 and the four-night Rome Escape starting at USD639. Also the new Virgin-Vacations.com makes it easy to customize your trip with new functions to add to your itinerary, upgrade your hotel, as well as add extra dates and locales. Booking deadline is Feb. 10. 866-674-6209 or www.virgin-vacations.com. Feb 5, 2010

ZZ CruiseGuide 100208

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