'Dancing with the Stars' performers to headline cruises

(Photo: Anthony Heywood)

Fans of Dancing with the Stars might want to make a last-minute booking for one of two upcoming cruises on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam.

The line says show dancers Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus will be aboard the 2,106-passenger vessel's Jan. 5 "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" theme cruise and a Jan. 12 Champions Cruise, as will actress and former celebrity participant Sabrina Bryan.

All three of the show veterans will perform for passengers and take part in activities that include meet-and-greets with passengers and question-and-answer sessions.

The Jan. 12 cruise will feature winners of "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" competitions held over the past year on all 15 ships in the Holland America fleet. The sailings are just the latest in Holland America's growing series of Dancing with the Stars voyages.

Both trips are seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/09/13/dancing-with-the-stars-cruise/2808635/

Disney Cruises to Go All Out for Halloween and Christmas Parties

Aside from being a well-known kids' dreamland, Disney Cruise Line is renowned for constantly developing fun new on-board programs so returning guests don’t repeat the same experiences over and over again.

This fall, for example, cruisers will enjoy Disney’s "extra-spooky" celebration of "Halloween on the High Seas." This series of celebrations takes place on most voyages aboard Disney Dream from late September through October. Once the Halloween decorations have been stored away at the end of October, get ready for "Very Merrytime Cruises," beginning November 9 on Disney Fantasy and Wonder and November 10 on Disney Dream and Magic.

What can your family expect if you’re sailing Disney Dream during the Halloween festivities? Get ready for Halloween-theme parties, as well as holiday-themed entertainment and décor—and be on the lookout for the new Halloween Tree, which transforms throughout your voyage.

Read more at  http://www.fodors.com/news/disney-cruises-go-all-out-for-halloween-and-christmas-parties-7032.html

7 super-extravagant U.S. cruises

These are the top rated 7 U.S. cruises. In no particular order, the finalist are

• Linblad Expeditions, Alaska cruise
• Celebrity Cruises, Immersive Wine Cruise
• Azamara Club Cruises, Panama Canal Cruise
• Cunard, Queen Mary 2, transatlantic cruise
• American Queen Steamboat Company Mississippi River Cruise
• Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean, Quantum of the Seas

For summary of each of these amazing cruise read on
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/06/travel/american-luxury-cruises/?hpt=hp_mid

Disney lines cruise into top spot

By Phil Reimer, For Postmedia News

J.D. Power is probably known to most observers as the company that ranks cars from automakers around the world. On TV, you will find the award - or endorsement - stamped on commercials, and the manufacturers wait anxiously to slap on that seal of approval.

But the people at J.D. Power are more than that. They rank insurance, electronics and a host of services and manufacturers, including travel. I had assumed they felt the cruise industry was a niche market because their travel surveys concentrated on air, hotel, other travel and car rentals. Now cruising has caught their attention, and they have just completed the company's first Cruise Line Satisfaction Report for 2013.

The following seven categories, in order of importance, are the criteria used to rank the cruise lines: service; stateroom; food; embarkation/debarkation; entertainment; cost; and excursions (port adventures).

The ranking totals were out of 1,000 points and were based on 3,003 responses from customers who travelled on a cruise ship. The rankings took place from May 29 through June 14 this year.

The winner that came first in the rankings? Disney Cruise Line, with 871 points, performed especially well in the food and entertainment categories.

Read more at: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Disney+lines+cruise+into+spot/8620803/story.html

Cruise Voyant Offers Florida Residents Cruise Deals Starting from $60 a Day

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) August 05, 2013

South Florida based cruise travel agency Cruise Voyant is promoting Florida Resident discounts that start from $60 a day. As part of this promotion, Florida residents can visit CruiseVoyant.com and book a cruise with exclusive discounts.

Residents can take advantage of these savings for a limited time on popular cruise lines including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival. The cruise destinations include Caribbean, Bahamas, Mediterranean, Vancouver and more.

Cruise Voyant allows consumers to search for cruises by location, destination, cost and interest such as single’s cruises, family cruises, adventure cruises or romantic cruises. CruiseVoyant.com also features informative articles on all major cruise lines and ships that may help you choose the right cruise, best cabin, view itineraries and plan what you want to do while onboard.

Read more at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb10989464.htm

CruiseDealership Announces MSC Divina First Time Ever Year Round Cruises

MSC Cruises prepares for a year round presence in the North American market. The announcement came during the christening celebration for the line’s 12th new ship, MSC Preziosa, in Genoa, Italy. MSC Divina, sister ship of the MSC Preziosa, which was christened last spring and will now cruise year round from the Port Miami beginning November 2013, said Thomas DeSimone, Co-Founder & CEO of CruiseDealership.

The extension of MSC Divina’s scheduled cruise voyages to year round cruising showcases the company’s desire to expand into the North American market.

Read more: http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=177124#.Ud3Ih20kwio

Norwegian Breakaway, a New York City-themed cruise ship

The Breakaway, which evokes New York City on board in its food and activities, sails by the Statue of Liberty.

On board the new 4,000-plus-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, guests can eat a real New York hot dog, wash it down with a Brooklyn Lager, and indulge in a cannoli from Carlo’s Bakery, then work it all off with the Rockettes.

Breakaway is a ship created by a cruise company helmed by a New Yorker for New Yorkers. Reminders of the Big Apple are everywhere.

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan was born and raised in the city. While at Hunter College, he drove a cab. At Norwegian, he envisioned the line’s newest mega cruise ship — the largest ever to port year-round in New York — as a waterborne version of Manhattan. Mission accomplished.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/nysea-norwegian-breakaway-manhattan-water-article-1.1360046#ixzz2Yg3EjiUV