Secret Tip to Search and Compare Hotel Rates Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/24/4437689/secret-tip-to-search-and-compare.html

HONG KONG, April 24, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Hotel search has now gotten easier with OpenRoomz.com aggregated Hotel Search Engine. The hotel comparison tool allows you to search and compare hotel rates anywhere in the world. While there are many online travel sites in the market, few actually focus just on hotel search. OpenRoomz.com helps travelers compare hotel prices from 100's of booking sites at once. We search all major accommodation websites and compare hotel rates.

To make search faster, OpenRoomz.com has an enhanced UI to reduce the amount of clicks to search and compare hotel rates. "We went back to square one and removed all unnecessary links to enhance the user experience. What we were able to achieve was a more efficient hotel search tool," said Marketing Manager Leona Lam.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/24/4437689/secret-tip-to-search-and-compare.html#storylink=cpy

TV's 'Frozen Planet' boosts Antarctica cruise bookings

First they saw it on TV, now they want to see it in real life.

Upscale tour company Abercrombie & Kent reports that Frozen Planet, the epic Discovery Channel series about the earth's polar regions that began airing in March, has caused a surge in bookings for cruises to Antarctica.

An Abercrombie & Kent spokeswoman tells USA TODAY that since the March 18 debut of the seven-part series the company has received more than 250 phone calls from travelers interested in Antarctica who have specifically referenced the show, and more than 100 of them have booked a trip.

Read more:  http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/04/antarctica-cruise-frozen-planet-/679151/1

Holland America Line Offers Extensive South America Program In Fall 2012 And Winter/Spring 2013

SEATTLE, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Guests looking for vibrant ports of call, historical adventures and an extreme range of climates can chart a southerly course to South America aboard three Holland America Line ships come fall 2012. ms Veendam, ms Maasdam and ms Prinsendam head to South America on a series of cruise expeditions featuring exceptional scenic cruising around the continent.

The popular itineraries range from 13 to 68 days and include a new 49-day extended, port-intensive Amazon and Carnival Voyage aboard Maasdam in early 2013. A 23-day Amazon Explorer Cruise in November 2012 and a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January 2013 aboard Prinsendam are additional highlights of the line's 2012-13 South America cruise schedule.

Read more:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/holland-america-line-offers-extensive-south-america-program-in-fall-2012-and-winterspring-2013-2012-04-24

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Introduces Cutting-Edge Video Game Technology

Disney Cruise Line now has two brand new $1 billion ships sailing the Caribbean, the Disney Magic and the Disney Fantasy. Both ships feature the latest technology, including video game experiences that cannot be found anywhere on land. The following videos will showcase some cool gaming tech aboard the new Disney Fantasy ship.

Read more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/04/16/disney-fantasy-cruise-ship-introduces-cutting-edge-video-game-technology/

Carnival Cruise Lines to expand in Europe in 2013

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Industry giant Carnival today announced it would offer its widest array of European itineraries ever in 2013.

The line says it will send the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend to the Continent next year from April to October for an extended season of sailings that will include the line's first Norwegian fjords itinerary and its first extended program from the U.K.

Among the voyages on the newly announced schedule are a single 12-night sailing to Norway and Western Europe; a single 12-night sailing around the British Isles with stops in Norway and France; and multiple 12-night sailings around the Baltic -- all departing from Dover, England.

Also planned are 12-night Mediterranean sailings departing from Venice, Barcelona and Dover.

Read more: http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/02/carnival-cruise-lines-ship-europe/627467/1

Cruise industry adopts new safety rules after Concordia disaster

By Mary ForgioneLos Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal blogger
February 13, 2012, 2:51 p.m

Relatives and loved ones of victims of the Costa Concordia disaster sail to the damaged cruise ship to mark the one-month anniversary. (Enzo Russo / EPA)

 It's been a month since the Costa Concordia struck a reef and tipped over near Italy's Giglio Island, causing the deadliest cruise ship tragedy in modern times and prompting the industry to enact new safety rules.

The cruise industry last week announced a key change in how ships conduct safety drills. Passengers now will be informed of safety protocols and emergency evacuation procedures, known as "mandatory musters," before ships leave port. (Here's the Passenger Muster Policy.)

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-new-cruise-ship-rules-20120213,1,6488138.story

Norwegian Cruise Line profits improve in 2011

Norwegian Cruise Line said Monday that revenues and profits had increased in 2011, though the shipwreck involving another company’s ship earlier this year had a negative impact on bookings.

BY HANNAH SAMPSON

HSAMPSON@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Higher ticket prices and bigger onboard spenders helped Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line post improved profits in 2011, the company said Monday.

Norwegian, the world’s third largest cruise operator, reported that revenue increased more than 10 percent to $2.2 billion. Adjusted EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, increased to $506 million from $405 million a year earlier.

Net income increased from $23 million in 2010 to $127 million in 2011.

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Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/13/2640349/norwegian-cruise-line-profits.html#storylink=cpy

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/13/2640349/norwegian-cruise-line-profits.html