Category: Holland America Line

Fast-Growing Viking Cruises Eyes Mississippi, Amazon Rivers

9/16/2014

Viking Longship Mai tied up on the Rhine River in Germany.

By John Roberts

Hi all!

We've just returned from a trip on Viking Longship Mani.

How about a quick recap of some numbers I learned during my week onboard with Viking Cruises? (Read about how Viking River Cruises keep you moving.)

The fast-growing river line has 54 boats on waterways all over the world, with plans for 13 more vessels arriving next year -- 12 more river boats and Viking's first ocean ship.

That ship, 930-passenger Viking Star, the first in the fleet for Viking Ocean Cruises, will be joined by three others, Viking Sky, Viking Sea and an unnamed ship (probably Viking Sun, if the pattern continues; Viking CEO Torstein Hagen once served as CEO of Royal Viking Line. While there, ships were named -- in order of year built -- Royal Viking Star, Royal Viking Sky, Royal Viking Sea, Royal Viking Sun and Royal Viking Queen), by 2017.

Crew onboard Mani also spoke openly about the impending arrival of Viking's boats on the Mississippi River. No official timeframes have been announced by Viking, but get ready for the line to make a big splash with its first U.S. river vessel soon.

Wait there's more: The Amazon River is on the horizon for Viking, perhaps by 2016, according to considerable buzz aboard Viking Mani that I noticed as I chatted with several crewmembers.

We had a blast onboard and found the journey a great way to explore historic charming European city centers and towns alongside friendly fellow passengers who share a spirit for exploration. All in a much more intimate and relaxing surrounding that you find on the typical ocean cruise voyage.

Elsewhere . . .

Princess Cruises launched a new Seawitch craft brew to recognize the line's 50th anniversary. Cheers to that! The Seawitch West Coast IPA was developed by startup Strike Brewing Co. of San Jose, Calif.

The Seawitch West Coast IPA goes for $6.25 in bars and lounges on the line's brand new Regal Princess. The craft brew is expected to be available fleetwide by early 2015. Princess will roll out additional Seawitch craft beers in partnerships with regional breweries that specialize in local flavors and represent some of the cruise destinations Princess ships visit.

Holland America Line revealed the name of its new ship set to debut in February 2016. The first Pinnacle Class 2,650-passenger vessel will be called Koningsdam and will be the Dutch line's 16 ship in the fleet.

Un-Cruise Adventures is offering a new adventure cruise in Mexico's Sea of Cortes. Beginning in January 2015, the 84-passenger Safari Endeavour sails a weeklong "Baja's Bounty" itinerary roundtrip from San Jose del Cabo, Baja, Mexico. The voyage combines active adventures with seasonal sea life encounters. When gray whales arrive to calve in Bahia Magdalena, an overland tour to board panga boats to see whales and calves up close is included (usually January-March). At other times of the year, a snorkeling excursion in Bahia de La Paz may bring guests up close to the largest known fish in the sea -- gentle whale sharks.

Exploration cruising allows for a flexible itinerary with time to seek out wildlife. Desert hiking, a mule ride into the arroyo, whale watching, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff excursions and snorkeling with sea lions are included on all cruises.

The inclusive Mexico cruise includes all activities; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; hot tub, sauna, exercise equipment, yoga on deck and a massage for wellness; transfers; and all port charges, taxes and fees. Rates begin at $2,995 per person, double occupancy. For details, check out www.un-cruise.com/mexico-cruises-bajas-bounty

JR

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New Smoking Policies on Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line

7/21/2014

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By John Roberts

Two major cruise lines joined the growing tide and banned smoking on stateroom balconies in the past month. It's now off-limits to smoke on your balcony on Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships. The vessels still have dedicated areas by the pool, and some feature indoor areas such as cigar lounges and casinos, where passengers can smoke.

Holland America remains the lone big cruise line that allows balcony smoking, but it seems like it won't be long before the practice is banned on those ships, too. (How soon before all ships ban smoking outright?)

Cruise lines are moving to institute new policies on smoking, citing health concerns chiefly among the reasons for doing so. Smokers are in the extreme minority, and the percentage of the population who smoke shrinks every year.

The lines know they risk alienating a loyal and vocal minority of passengers, but overall, it's simply the right move. I know I severely dislike the smell of smoke wafting up to my outdoor sanctuary when I'm on my vacation. I wouldn't want to be the source of displeasure for others. I know smokers often feel they are being persecuted, but perhaps they could try to view the multiple reasons these types of policies make more and more sense.

How do you feel about the new policies that further limit smoking areas on ships?

Elsewhere . . .

Norwegian Cruise Line has plans in place to add two more fun-filled ships to its fleet.

Already an active traveler's favorite, especially with the new ships Breakaway (sailing out of NYC) and Getaway (out of Miami), along with under-construction Escape (due to hit the Caribbean out of Miami in November 2015) and Bliss (due for delivery in 2017), NCL announced that it would have two more ships built in the Breakaway Plus class (Escape and Bliss). The third and fourth 4,200-passenger ships in the class are due in 2018 and 2019.

These ships are known for their wide range of dining options, including waterfront outside seating, and full range of exciting activities, like the largest ropes courses at sea. These ships are a favorite of In The Loop Travel because you'll always find something unique to do and somewhere new to eat so you don't fall into a rut during your weeklong sailing. We also like that NCL typically runs a lot of promotions that allow you to get onboard at attractive prices.

And, because it's never too early to plan for that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Antarctic, Poseidon Expeditions is offering early-bird savings on cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falkland Islands for the 2015-16 season. Adventurers who make reservations for the voyages, ranging from 12 to 23 days, aboard 114-passenger expedition vessel Sea Spirit will save as much as 25 percent off regular rates.

You have to book by December 31, 2014 to get the savings on these journeys:

Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia, Oct. 31 to Nov. 21, 2015, 22 days

Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia, Nov. 20 to Dec. 9, 2015, 20 days

Classic Antarctica, Dec. 8 to 19, 2015, 12 days

Christmas in Antarctica, Dec. 18 to 29, 2015, 12 days

New Year in Antarctica, Dec. 28, 2015 to Jan. 8, 2016, 12 days

Classic Antarctica, Jan. 7 to 18, 2016, 12 days

Classic Antarctica, Jan. 1 to 28, 2016, 12 days

Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia, Feb. 17 to March 10, 2016, 23 days

These types of trips are pricy (starting around $8,000 per person for a 21-night cruise, for example), but with this offer, you can save $1,424 to $6,499 per person, depending on the departure date and stateroom category booked.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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MSC Cruises Holds Balcony Lottery and Holland America Offers 114-Day World Voyage

7/7/2014

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MCS Divina

By John Roberts

How's this for a deal?

MSC Cruises is offering a balcony lottery of sorts. Passengers who book a basic interior stateroom will be eligible to get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom -- all based on the luck of the draw.

Rates on seven-day sailings from Miami to the Caribbean are priced at $299, $349 and $379, based on itinerary, and cruisers will be assigned their cabins at random at least 14 days before the sail date. Eligible cruises start August 23 and run on sailings that depart through October 25. Bookings must be made by the end of July. You could get anything from an interior to a balcony stateroom. The prices start at less than $50 a day to sail on MSC Divina (a spectacularly low price that is sure to tempt avid cruisers to find time for a bonus adventure). And the chance at a balcony is a great sweetener, too. Balconies are awesome! Nothing beats the view as you sail the open waters and can have breakfast outside in your robe. But the prices often are prohibitive for us frugalistas.

Got $20,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Of course not. But have you been considering a hiatus to go off and see the world? Holland America Line features a 114-day world voyage that starts at $19,999 and leaves out of Fort Lauderdale on January 15, 2015 bound for 45 ports in 25 countries on six continents.

Let's break this down. That's about $175 per person, per day. That ranges a bit higher than the great deal level I tend to set around $100 per day.

On HAL cruises, you are offered a bit of luxury among an older crowd. But this might not be a bad way to see a vast portion of the world with your hotel room, meals and transportation all included at that one price. It helps a lot with the logistics of this type of ambitious trip.

Also, if you can book and pay in full by July 31, you get 3 percent off the cruise fare. HAL's Amsterdam ship will transit the Panama Canal and stop in Australia, the Polynesian islands, Cambodia, India, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Italy and Spain among many other destinations.

Now, to find that money and get the time off from work.

Rainforest Cruises, an Amazon River specialist, has launched a new cruise and lodge package in Peru. Ever wanted to explore the Amazon? Me too. That's still on my list. Check this out. It might be a little pricy, but it sounds way cool. The Peruvian Amazon adventure tour includes a four-day riverboat cruise and a tree-top "hotel" stay.

Tours begin with two-nights in the Amazon's Treehouse Lodge, a collection of eight en-suite bungalows set from 25 feet to a dizzying 65 feet in the air, all joined by secure walkways and platforms perfect for spotting the abundant tree-top wildlife.

After the stay, join the Cattleya Amazon riverboat to embark on a four-day adventure cruise into the little visited Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, the largest protected wetland in the world and recognized as one of the areas of highest biodiversity on the planet.

The eight-person riverboat is sleeker and has a smaller engine than other vessels in the region, allowing the Cattleya to quietly navigate farther along narrow tributaries and channels for more chances to spot wildlife.

Prices for the six-day tour start from about $2,600 per person, with all accommodations and meals included.

George Takei

Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 sails a July 28 transatlantic voyage with actor George Takei onboard. I've reported that here before. The news is that passengers will get the chance to check out an exclusive onboard screening of Takei's biographical documentary "To Be Takei" during the eight-night voyage from New York to Southampton.

The documentary looks at Takei's personal journey from his childhood in U.S. internment camps for Japanese Americans during World War II, through his iconic and groundbreaking role as Sulu on "Star Trek" to his rise as an Internet phenomenon. Takei also will speak twice during the cruise as part of the line's Insights program.

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Fast-Growing Viking Cruises Eyes Mississippi, Amazon Rivers

New Smoking Policies on Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line

MSC Cruises Holds Balcony Lottery and Holland America Offers 114-Day World Voyage

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