MSC Cruises is making available to AARP members savings of more than 50 percent with rates from $859 per person on select itineraries in its Distinctive Collection featuring repositioning sailings from various locations around the world.

Repositioning itineraries depart from and arrive in different ports and offer an array of cities in many countries typically unavailable on cruises.

Children 11 and younger cruise free when sharing a stateroom with two adults. These AARP member rates are available on select sailings. Positioning cruise itinerary highlights include:

17-night cruise from Genoa to Cape Town or 16-night Barcelona to Cape Town on MSC Melody and calling in Barcelona, Cadiz, Tenerife, Mindelo, and Walvis Bay. December 1 or December 2; rates from $859;

18-night cruise from Kiel or 17-night from Copenhagen to New York on MSC Poesia and calling in Southampton, Le Havre, Vigo, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, and King’s Wharf. September 4 or 5; rates from $1,149;

16-night cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona or 17-night to Genoa on MSC Poesia and calling in San Juan, St. John’s, Port Castries, Funchal, Malaga, and Alicante. March 6; rates from $949;

18-night cruise from Venice to Rio de Janeiro or 19-night from Rio de Janeiro to Venice on MSC Musica and calling in Dubrovnik, Valletta, Malaga, Funchal, Tenerife, Fortaleze, Recife, and Salvador de Bahia. October 31 or March 29; rates from $919;

17-night cruise from Genoa to Santos or 19-night from Santos to Kiel on MSC Orchestra and calling in Barcelona, Lisbon, Casablanca, Tenerife, Recife, Salvador de Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro (Funchal, Vigo, Southampton and Copenhagen on 19-night). November 11 or April 12; rates from $999;

18-night cruise from Venice to Santos or 17-night from Santos to Southampton on MSC Opera and calling in Katakalon, La Valetta, Malaga, Casablanca, Agadir, Arrecife, Recife, Salvador de Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro. November 25 or April 20; rates from $919;

Restrictions apply. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion including standard AARP member offers.

or more information, visit http://www.msccruisesusa.com/aarp/, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.

Fiji’s iconic Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering a 30 percent discount off all seven-day Yasawa Island cruises booked before August 31, 2010, for travel until March 31, 2011.

The special offer means pricing for a seven-day cruise now starts from just $1,063 per person twin share in a Hibiscus class cabin – a saving of $490 per person.

This includes all onboard accommodation, all main meals, morning and afternoon tea, cruise and cultural activities.

Cruise activities include daily shore excursions and water-based activities ranging from snorkeling safaris, fish feeding, fishing and glass bottom boating.

Cultural experiences include a ‘Lovo’ feast, visits to remote villages, Kava ceremonies and a day spent at Blue Lagoon Cruises’ private island of Nanuya Lailai.

The seven-day cruise departs Blue Lagoon Cruises’ home port of Lautoka in Fiji every Monday, returning the following Sunday.

For cruise reservations telephone Blue Lagoon Cruises in Lautoka, Fiji, on +679 666 1622, facsimile +679 666 4098, via email on reservations@blc.com.fj or online at www.bluelagooncruises.com.

*Conditions apply. Please note prices do not include international airfares or beverages (other than tea or coffee).

SeaDream Yacht Club believes that romance and yachting go together like love and marriage and has launched a honeymoon contest for those couples planning to be married this summer.

The winning couple will receive a $20,000 honeymoon sailing in the Greek Isles aboard the ultra-luxurious, mega-yacht cruiser SeaDream I.

Applicants are invited to seek the support of friends and family in promoting them through various social media including Email, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and personal blogs. A jury selected by SeaDream will review all applications and comments of friends and family and then choose the winner.

The seven-day, luxury honeymoon voyage, September 11-18, includes such romantic ports-of-call as the Greek Islands of Sifnos, Itea, Mykonos and Santorini.

Entries must be received from May 26 through July 30. The winning couple will be announced early August.

Some Conditions apply.

Details and applications are available on SeaDream’s website—www.seadream.com or www.win-a-honeymoon.com. It is also possible to follow updates at www.facebook.com/SeaDreamYC or at www.twitter.com/SeaDreamYC.

In addition to offering guests world-class entertainment options on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a partnership with Gibson Guitar to let guests discover and explore their inner rock star – in the privacy of their stateroom.

The “Check-In-Rock-Out” program gives guests the opportunity to borrow a Gibson guitar, companion pod, and a private amplifier with headphones to take to their staterooms and rock out without disturbing other guests.

Guitars, pods and accessories will be available to guests at a cost of $10 per day rental every day except on embarkation/disembarkation. The Check-In-Rock-Out program will be available in Norwegian Epic’s Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club. Each pod includes controls and special effects so that guests can select the type of sound they want to create, from classic rock to heavy metal, blues, classic and country – and then choose their own song to play. The pods are supplied by Line 6 and the headphones and cables are supplied by Monster Cable.

“We are so excited about this program,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We’ve brought world class performers to our guests on Norwegian Epic. Now, we’re letting our guests be the superstars and play on world class Gibson guitars. Whether you’re an expert guitarist or an air guitar fan like me, the ‘Check-In-Rock-Out’ program will let you play like a rock star, in the privacy of your stateroom.”

“Our partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line will offer fans from around the world the opportunity to experience music like never before on the high seas,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We are delighted to be part of the global excitement surrounding the launch of Norwegian Epic and share in our mutual goals for world class entertainment.”

For more information about Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.

A keel-laying ceremony to mark the start of construction for Oceania Cruises’ 1,258-guest m/s Riviera was held June 3 at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa.

At the ceremony Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman and CEO of its parent company, Prestige Cruise Holdings, and Oceania Cruises President Bob Binder, welded four U.S. silver coins onto the keel. The welding of coins into a ship’s keel is an age-old maritime tradition believed to solicit good fortune for the ship, its crew and its passengers.

The four coins – dated 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2009 – represent the years when keels were laid for the four other vessels in Oceania Cruises’ upper-premium fleet: Insignia, Regatta, Nautica and Marina, respectively.

Once the coins were welded, the first of 55 steel blocks that will eventually comprise Riviera was lowered into the dock, thus marking the official start of the building process. The ship is scheduled to debut in April 2012.

“Today is a special day for Oceania Cruises,” stated Binder. “We are grateful to Fincantieri, our loyal guests and travel partners, and the entire Oceania Cruises team at sea and shore-side for all of their efforts to make this new ship come to fruition.”

Riviera is a sister ship to Marina, which launches in February 2011. She will feature 10 dining venues – six of which are open-seating, gourmet restaurants – including one by Master Chef Jacques Pépin. Facilities will also include a Canyon Ranch SpaClub® and gym, Bon Appétit Culinary Center, swimming pool and hot tubs.

Interior design highlights include a Lalique-designed grand lobby, luxurious accommodations by Dakota Jackson as well as Owner’s Suites furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home.

The preliminary cruise schedule for Riviera will be released in the coming months. For more information, call a travel professional or Oceania Cruises toll-free at 800-531-5658 or visit www.OceaniaCruises.com.

Small ship cruising specialist Swan Hellenic has launched its Summer 2011 cruise program on their dedicated North America website www.swanhellenic.us.

The website features cruises that revisit classic Minerva itineraries. With lead-in fares from $1,425 per person, guests can be assured of exceptional inclusive value – an integral part of Swan Hellenic’s ethos since 1954.

While Minerva will call at some of the world’s most celebrated cities such as St Petersburg, Venice, Bordeaux and Dubrovnik, her itineraries also visit new and lesser known ports that add depth to every itinerary. In 2011, Minerva will call at Rovinj and Pula, both on the Istrian Peninsula. Other “off the beaten track” ports include Crotone in the southern region of Calabria, Italy and Lazio – featured in the “An Italian Serenade” cruise beginning with an onboard overnight in Venice May 11, 2011.

Swan’s 2011 program will also return to some of the well-loved, lesser-known ports that Minerva has not visited for several years. Swan Hellenic takes pride in listening to guest feedback and requests regarding itineraries. Consequently Minerva will return to her roots, offering in-depth cruises to the Hellenic world, visiting some of the major sites such as the royal tombs of Vergina and the monasteries of Meteora, but also some of the smaller, less-visited Greek islands including Lesbos, Chios, Milos, Symi and Delos.

Late summer will see Minerva make a complete circuit of the Black Sea with visits to Sinop in North Turkey, Batumi in Georgia and the ports of the Crimea, including the site of the “charge of the Light Brigade” near Balaclava.

Accompanying Swan’s inspiring range 2011 summer itineraries are  podcasts from long serving and well respected Minerva Cruise Director, Paul Carter. This unique feature is a first for the cruise industry. Each podcast presents Paul’s expert insights and provides a personal narrative that will bring each itinerary to life. These commentaries, all voiced by Paul in his own distinctive style, are available to download from: www.swanhellenic.us/podcasts.

Equally new  for Swan Hellenic’s 2011 summer season is that Minerva will now sail from the historic naval port of Portsmouth. What finer way to begin your Swan Hellenic cruise than by sailing away past the Historic Dockyard, the Old Portsmouth Waterfront, Victorian fortifications and the Isle of Wight.

The Summer 2011 cruise preview will be available mid-June. Guests and travel agents are able to view these cruises now by visiting the website www.swanhellenic.us for itineraries and pricing.

For reservations contact your travel professional or Swan Hellenic at 866-923-9182. Visit www.swanhellenic.us.

Cunard Line has unveiled a stunning centerpiece for the Grand Lobby of the Line’s newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, debuting this fall. The artwork was specially commissioned to David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and the internationally famous photographer Lord Snowdon – and Her Majesty The Queen’s only nephew – whose company specializes in the design and creation of fine furniture and marquetry.

Work is already underway, and the completed 18 and a half foot panel will be shipped this summer to the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, where it will be installed over a four-day period to take pride of place at the heart of the ship just before she enters service in October.

Linley’s work shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, and is intricately executed using the technique of marquetry inlay with nine individual panels made of various types of wood veneers seamlessly jointed to lightweight board. Featured woods are Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird’s eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony – all utilized to depict the evocative image of one of Cunard’s most elegant Queens.

Designers for the new Queen Elizabeth’s interiors considered the best way to treat the Grand Lobby’s soaring central arched space on the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck, as it is the first area to greet embarking guests.

“We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic – a ‘wow’ factor in an area already full of ‘wow’ – but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

“Once we had decided on the theme and the medium,” Shanks continued, “it didn’t take us long to conclude that no one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned.”

“Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past,” said Linley, who founded his company in 1985, “this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale – it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made – but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him – and others – equally proud.”

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunard ship ever built and will join her sisters, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, as part of the youngest fleet in the world. The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday October 12, 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal. She will then embark on five celebratory maiden voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean.

For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen Elizabeth, consult your travel agent,  call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD (1-800-728-6273) or go to www.cunard.com.

Scenic Tours has opened river cruise reservations for the 2011 season. The new brochure will be available at the end of May. The Scenic Pearl will join four sister ships in spring 2011.

Also new for 2011 are an eight-day “Tulip Time” cruise roundtrip from Amsterdam; a 14-day “Romantic Rhine & Moselle” cruise from Amsterdam to Basel; a ScenicEnrich experience to Marksburg Castle in Braubach on the Rhine; a choice of three included sightseeing tours in most cities; Scenic FreeTime, which allows guests to take a map and audio device with commentary ashore for sightseeing on their own; and a choice of three dining venues including an outdoor experience on all Scenic vessels.

Scenic’s river cruises include gratuities, all sightseeing and tours, bicycles for shore-side exploring, beverages including wine and beer at lunch and dinner, airport transfers and more. Many of the accommodations have private balconies with room for a table and chairs. Those in private balcony suites on the Danube deck have services of a butler.

In Russia, Scenic now offers cruises on the all-outside-view Tikhi Don. Egypt and Jordan cruising and tours are also on offer. Guests will sail the Nile aboard the Jaz Legacy or Jaz Minerva, or cruise Lake Nasser on the Jaz Omar El-Khayam. For more information, call (866) 689-8611 or visit www.scenictours.com.

Once again, NCL is breaking ground with is new Norwegian Epic ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced this week that the Epic will feature a pre-cruise online reservation system for select on-board entertainment. Norwegian Epic will feature such outstanding entertainment as the  Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, The Second City Comedy Troupe, Legends in Concert, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos Show and Nickelodeon at Sea.

To book tickets for many of these performances, Norwegian Epic guests can pre-book reservations prior to their cruise. Booked guests can go to the Norwegian website, www.ncl.com, log in to the “My NCL” section and visit a special entertainment page where they can select and reserve their desired performance. Pre-booking will be available for performances of Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City Comedy Troupe, Nickelodeon SlimeTime Live!, Breakfast with Nickelodeon and the Murder Mystery “Presumed Murdered.” Guests may make a reservation for each show once per sailing.

Online bookings open 45 days prior to sailing date. Reservations for entertainment events with no cover charge are valid until 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. At that time, all unclaimed reservations with be released to guests on a first come first serve basis. Cancellations of reservations for entertainment events which have a cover charge must be made no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time to receive a full refund. If cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours notice, the full price of the ticket will be charged. Once on board, guests may still make reservations for available shows through the ship’s iTV system or by contacting the Box Office.

“Norwegian Epic will redefine cruise ship entertainment with its wide variety of world-class entertainment,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We believe there will be a huge demand for the on-board entertainment and to ensure that guests can see the performances of their choice, we created a special pre-booking mechanism. We feel that this will further the Freestyle Cruising experience, offering guests unsurpassed flexibility and convenience.”

Guests will have many entertainment options and venues to choose from on board Norwegian Epic. Blue Man Group will perform eight shows per sailing; Legends in Concert, six performances; Legends Unplugged, three shows; Nickelodeon SlimeTime Live, three shows; Cirque Dreams & Dinner will be performed 12 shows per cruise; Second City, 14; Howl at the Moon, four shows; and there will be Breakfast with Nickelodeon on three mornings per sailing. Amongst the 13 entertainment venues is the first big top at sea, the Spiegel Tent, which will be home to Cirque Dreams & Dinner, created and directed by Neil Goldberg. A special Murder Mystery, called “Presumed Murdered,” presented by The Second City will also be featured in the Spiegel Tent one time per cruise.

Online reservations for entertainment are currently being accepted for Norwegian Epic’s June 24 transatlantic sailing. The ship begins alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean seven-day sailings from Miami on July 10. To book a cruise on Norwegian Epic, visit www.ncl.com; call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784); or contact a travel professional.

MSC Poesia returns to the Caribbean for her second season with a line-up of five baseball cruises during the 2010-11 Caribbean season.

Cruise-only rates begin at $529 per person double  and participation in the theme cruises is complimentary.

MSC Poesia’s 2010-11 Caribbean cruises sail roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and feature the ever-popular Baseball Greats theme cruises. Here is a review of what these theme cruises feature:

Baseball Greats

During the sailing, guests gain insight into the world of Major League Baseball as seen through the eyes of some of the greats of the game.

The Baseball Greats theme cruise includes free interactive guest/player activities, including a player-hosted trivia game in which guests can test their baseball knowledge, question-and-answer sessions with the players, a guest pitching contest and a story-telling session where players share candid revelations about their baseball experiences.

Players will also host pitching, hitting, fielding, and base running clinics. There’s an extremely popular free autograph session at the end of the cruise.

The following itineraries will be Baseball Greats theme cruises:

• November 14, 2010: 7-night Eastern Caribbean calling at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas. Featured former players include: Bob Feller, Tommy Davis, Glenn Beckert, Clarence Jones, and Stan Bahnsen.

• December 5, 2010: 7-night Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Florida; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Featured former players include: Graig Nettles, Amos Otis, Dave Campbell, Stan Bahnsen and one more still to be announced.

• January 9, 2011: 7-night Eastern Caribbean. Featured former players include: Stan Bahnsen and four more still to be announced.

• January 23, 2011: 7-night Eastern Caribbean. Featured former players include: Rick Burleson, Jim Fregosi, Rick Wise, Stan Bahnsen one more to come.

• February 6, 2011: 7-night Eastern Caribbean. Featured former players include: Stan Bahnsen and four more still to be announced.

For more information about MSC Cruises and its theme cruises in the Caribbean, visit www.MSCCRuisesUSA.com, call (877-665-4655) or contact a local travel professional.