All reservations made after August 1^st, 2010 are subject to the new rules, and these are some of the highlights:

•  You will get a full refund if you notify Celebrity Cruises® or Royal Caribbean International® in writing at least 75 days prior to your sailing date (60 days for 3 & 4-night cruises or 90 days for holiday sailings).

•  No refunds will be made if you do not show up for your cruise or if you interrupt or cancel your vacation once it has begun.

•  Cancellation fees are determined by calculating how far in advance you cancel your cruise.  When calculating the days prior to sailing, the day of sailing should not be considered as one of the days. The day of sailing is considered the first day of the cruise, therefore, the penalty period will commence one day prior to the day of sailing.

•  Final payment for all sailings 6 nights or longer will now have a final payment option at 75 days prior to sailing (excluding holiday sailings, which is 90 days prior.)

•  The cancellation schedule for reservations made prior to August 1st will  remain with Royal Caribbean’s old policy.

It’s no surprise, then, that Crystal has improved on what was an already well-thought out process.  They’ve now launched their new Priority Check-In and Planning Center on July 29^th as a valuable tool for their sea-faring guests.  The Planning center can be used prior to sailing to complete a number of tasks, such as submitting immigration information, airport/ship transfer requests, and booking spa treatments and shore excursions.  They also offer a day-by-day Cruise calendar to organize your travel plans once these reservations and requested have been submitted.

The line details this new service with the following information:

Priority Check-in Checklist - Once guests make an initial deposit, they have
access to check-in center, available at https://checkin.crystalcruises.com.
Here, they or their travel agents may submit required information:
* Immigration forms
* Credit card information for onboard charges
* Onboard preferences, such as bed configurations
* Air itineraries for transfer arrangements

Planning Center - Once guests have completed the check-in process and paid in full, they have access to the Planning Center, which allows them to plan their Crystal vacation far ahead of time, at their convenience, by confirming reservations for:
* Crystal Spa & Salon appointments,
* Crystal Dining Room reservations (through Open Dining by ReservationR, beginning in 2011),
* Specialty restaurants, and
* Crystal Adventures ashore

Guests can also request reservations (to be confirmed on board) for:
* NEW Tuxedo rental service,
* The Vintage Room winemakers’ dinners, and
* Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea classes

Cruise Calendar - Once made, all reservations for spa and salon appointments, specialty restaurants, Crystal Adventures and tuxedo rentals are displayed on guests’ personal Cruise Calendars in a convenient day-by-day layout.  The Cruise Calendar also advises dress codes, docking times and port locations for each day of the voyage, and will alert guests to any conflicts between their planned flight itineraries and embarkation/disembarkation schedules.  Travelers simply print their completed itineraries and present them at embarkation for priority boarding.

In fact, I have spoken several times with the owner of European Waterways, his name is Derek and we will soon be on one of the barges so I will be able to properly write about this type of cruise.   (I cannot wait to share this experience with you!)  This is what I do know right now………..

European Waterways, the lovely hotel barge line that visits Europe’s castles, ancient monuments and historic sites, has announced the re-launch of one of its ships, the hotel barge Rosa.  Rosa has undergone a dramatic new refit and will begin cruising again on August 29^th, 2010.

The ship, popularly known for its appearance on Rick Stein’s TV series “French Odyssey”, will once again be joining him on a televised journey between Agen and Toulouse.  This journey will constitute part of a new route that extends from Agen to Montauban on the Canal des Deux Mers.  This delightful voyage features Gascony’s best, including private wine, Armagnac and foie gras tastings, scenic French countryside and captivating shore excursions.

All-inclusive rates for this sailing aboard ‘Rosa’ are from $3,850 per person sharing a double cabin.  For a more private experience, the line offers an exclusive charter of the entire vessel for$26,800.

European Waterways is also promoting a wonderful romantic honeymoon option: a river cruise aboard the Nymphea.  Couples can create lifetime memories while cruising through the Loire valley past vineyards and chateaux, sipping champagne and enjoying fine cuisine.    This honeymoon cruise also features fantastic shore excursions, including a spectacular hot air balloon ride and dinner at a renowned Michelin starred restaurant ashore.  A honeymoon charter cruise aboard Nymphea starts at $15,800 for two people.

These hotel barges are quite lovely and provide a quintessential experience.  Find out more about European Waterways.

Explore the beauty of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, with time on the pristine white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reef…or take a Tasmania coastline voyage, visiting rich forests, rugged mountains and sparkling highland via Zodiak…

These voyages, scheduled for November and December 2010 (the late spring/early summer season in Australia, by the way) offer a once-in-a-lifetime Australian adventure, along with a selection of the finest hotels and resorts; packages include accommodations, meals, transfers, and private tours.

Itineraries and accommodation options are as follows:

• November 2, 2010 – Great Barrier Reef – Cairns to Sydney: Accommodations available at qualia or Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns; Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort or Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney
• November 9, 2010 – Australia’s Wild South-East – Sydney to Melbourne: Accommodations available at Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort or Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney; Chateau Yering or Crown Metropol Hotel in Melbourne
• November 24, 2010 – National Parks & Tasmania – Melbourne to Hobart: Accommodations available at Chateau Yering or Crown Metropol Hotel in Melbourne; Saffire Freycinet in Great Oyster Bay or Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania
• December 1, 2010 – Wild Tasmania  – Hobart round trip: Accommodations available at Saffire Freycinet in Great Oyster Bay, or Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania

Prices for all Orion Expedition Cruise packages start at $5,135 per person based on a twin share in a Category A stateroom.

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• Ships Appearance: The Norwegian Epic is by far the prettiest ship I have ever seen. The decor is subtle and well done.
• Cabins/Suites:…I thought they were beautiful.  
  • I have never seen as much storage space ever. ..under the couch, behind the couch, two closets, cabinets and drawers. Very comfortable.
  • The bathrooms are not your basic tiny box bathroom where you cannot get dressed… the toilet has its own room and the shower is separate… I felt the showers were the largest I have seen in a basic balcony room.   
  • Studios….the single staterooms I thought were amazing. I love the idea of the shared living room where singles can meet other singles. There is a bar in there, large screen TVs, snacks. Just perfect. 
  • The Villas complex…just stunning. The suites and villas are beautiful. They have a private restaurant, private bar and private sun deck with Posh a private nightclub. There is also a small gym overlooking the pool.
• Dining:  The food was fabulous. I ate in almost every restaurant.   I love the buffet for breakfast and lunch.  
  • Moderno , the Brazilian Steak House … everyone I ate with raved about the meat. I personally loved the chicken (it was) probably the best I have ever had.
  • O’Sheehan’s, our Irish pub seemed to be a meeting spot since it is central on the ship. Excellent Chicken Pot Pie. (There are also two bowling alleys here)
• Clubs/Entertainment:   The main restaurant, the Manhattan Room, has a show at 9:45…go to dinner wherever and then stop by and see the show…or go to dinner in the Manhattan Room a little later and catch the show.
  • Fat Cats, the jazz club, is always crowded. There is a jazz musician named Slam who has his band in there. First, Slam is a sweetie but he is also puts on a great show. Definitely a crowd favorite.
  • Headliners has a show with dueling piano players who also are comedians. That also was entertaining.
  • Bliss, the nightclub was a hot spot… There are 4 bowling alleys in Bliss.
  • Club H2O…is a south beach sort of atmosphere with a large movie screen and dance floor (which goes over the pool). This is adults only.
  •  The Ice Bar was fun! The bar is made of ice and they have great drinks.
• Sports: The Sports Deck (has) basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice skating, rock climbing, rappelling and bungee jumping on a trampoline. The gym was a hot spot (and) the equipment is the best I have ever seen at sea. The gym is huge and offers spinning, TRX, Kettle Bell and yoga and Pilates classes (and much more)
• Kids: The kid’s areas are top of the line. Smaller kids have a fun area with toys and little area on deck for to play. The teens have their lounge with video games and flat screen TVs.  The top deck is a water park…So much fun! I was right there in line…using the slides. The Epic plunge…made     me feel like a kid again.  

Sounds like a great trip!  Donna also said she felt the most notable thing about this ship was that many multi-generational families were sailing together and the ship seemed to offer something for everyone.  Well done, Epic!

Read on for a sampling of the coolest places for older youth to hang out at sea in safe and secure settings.  (Don’t see your favorite line here?  They may not have dedicated programs or amenities for teens or tweens; see here for a list of cruise lines without specific facilities for these older children.)

Carnival Cruise Lines:  Carnival’s Circle “C” clubs, for 12-14 year-olds, feature a dance floor, high-tech sound and lighting, monster plasma TVs with movies and music videos, touch screen jukeboxes and gaming centers with 20-inch plasma game screens.

The Club 02 facilities, for 15-17 year-olds, feature cool activities like movies, music, and video games.  Club O2 also features teen-oriented lounge with non-alcoholic specialty drinks, and the line has set up teen-only shore excursions.

Celebration Cruise Line:   Club Wave, for 10-14 year olds provides a variety of age appropriate activities and games.  It also features the Xbox, DDR, Guitar Hero, PlayStation and Wii. Open Water, for 15-17 year olds is intended to be more laid back and relaxed – a meeting place where friends play the latest video games, listen to music and jam on the club’s dance floor. Computers and internet are also available so teens can keep touch with their friends back home. The cruise line also features a 180-Foot Slide in the Kids of The Caribbean area!

Compagnie Du Ponant:  Compagnie Du Ponant warmly welcomes young passengers and offers adjoining cabins, games, and a multitude of other activities.  

Celebrity Cruises:  This cruise line’s Celebrity X-Club Youth Program offer teens lots of options, and breaks their program down into two age groups (three during peak season). Ensigns (ages 9-11) which features activities like Pool Olympics, Scavenger Hunts and Talent Shows, and Admiral (ages 12-14, and 15-17) which include teen late night dancing, Karaoke, and sports tournaments, among other activities.  Teens can expect theme parties, movies and Play Stations as additional options.

Costa Cruises:   Costa offers a two-part teen program, Teen Junior (12 to 14), and Teen (15 to 17). Teen Junior is only active during certain periods.   The TeenZone features a multitude of artistic, sports and game activities.  The line holds beach parties, treasure hunts, talent shows are karaoke- and a pool party with a midnight dip!

Crystal Cruises:  On select cruises during the summer and holidays, Crystal offers teen-specific activities like games, arts and crafts, and video gaming systems/. The Crystal Symphony and Serenity also offer Waves, a teen video arcade.  Crystal also offers a fantastic variety of programs like language and dance lessons, sushi making, and golf lessons with a PGA pro.

Cunard Line: Cunard offers The Zone, for activities for kids 7+ and 10+ years.  Some of their most popular entertainment includes scavenger hunts, bingo, ship tours and basketball, along with pizza nights, movies, and a disco.  Teens will also enjoy the unique Royal Court Theatre and Planetarium Shows.

Disney Cruise Line:  Edge, for 11-13 year-olds, and Vibe for 14-17 year olds, aboard the Disney Dream, are great places for kids to play videogames, watch television, listen to music, surf the Internet and partake in various activities with kids their own age. Vibe also features and indoor lounge and outdoor sundeck where kids can catch some rays.  Ocean Quest, a children’s activity center on the Disney Magic, is designed to look like the ship’s bridge.  Kids 11 to 13 years of age can steer a virtual ship, play videogames, watch television and participate in arts and crafts.  The Stack is exclusive for 14-17 year olds and allows this group to listen to music, surf the Internet and enjoy a variety of social activities throughout the day.   On the Disney Wonder, the line offers Aloft, a teen club for ages 13 to 17.

Ecoventura: Does not feature a teen program per se, but does offer family teen departures, for families with kids 12-17 years of age. The programs feature long trail explorations an extensive number of snorkeling and kayaking excursions. The ships provide popular kid’s board games, DVDs and books, and teens can tour the islands with their parents, or as a teen group.  They are free to spend time with kids their own age, joining their adults for specific activities such as briefings and dinner.

Holland America Line:  Teens traveling on HAL cruise ships can enjoy the Loft, a special lounge area for kids 13-17, designed to resemble a New York artist’s studio. The setting includes music and videos, comfortable furniture, Internet access stations, video games and karaoke, big screen TVs and more. A secluded passageway leads upstairs to the Oasis, a teens-only sundeck featuring a nine-foot waterfall and cooling cave. Teens can sunbathe during the day and dance under the stars at night to the beat of a state-of-the-art sound system and laser show.

HAL also offers a Teen Culinary Arts Center Program where kids can learn about basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety, new ingredients and how to follow recipe instructions.  Kids up to age 15 can participate in this program, teens 15 and up may participate in the adult classes.

MSC Cruises:  MSC offers age-specific activities for 13 to 17 year olds- everything from sports and games tournaments to MTV-style dance classes or the Virtual World Arcade.  There is a full teen nightlife that includes trivia and dance contests, live music and discos.  MSC also offers teens a prepaid card designed for onboard purchases.

Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL offers a Navigator’s Program (10-12 years) and a Teen’s Program (13-17 years) that offers theme and dance parties, sports events, and scavenger hunts.  Kids can also watch television, play Wii games and eat together as a group.

P&O  Cruises- P&O has a variety of programs for teen and tweens: Scubas (for 9-12 year olds and H2O (for 13-17 year olds) have clubhouses that have music, movies, video games and computers for teens to use.  Their ships the Arcadia and Artemis are adults only and do not accept passengers under 18.

Paul Gauguin Cruises: Paul Gauguin, does not have a traditional “children’s program”, but  features the Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program.  This unique program was created by explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau  and allows cruisers aged 9 to 17 to have a hands-on, interactive experience with marine and island ecosystems .  Tweens and teens can explore coral reefs, hike rainforest trails and visit marae (ancient Polynesian temples), learn how black pearls and vanilla are cultivated, how volcanic islands become coral atolls, and how to paddle an outrigger canoe.  

Princess Cruises: Princess has some great facilities for teens.  Remix (for 13-17 year olds) offers dance and hot tub parties, along with karaoke, sports competitions and late night movies.  The teen centers come equipped with ping-pong tables, juke boxes, and all the latest video games.  A note: Children are welcome on all Princess cruise ships, but facilities vary. Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess do not have dedicated Youth and Teen Centers.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas also offers teen programs. Regent’s Club Mariner (including age groups of 9-12 and 13-17) operates during the summer and select holiday sailings and gives tween and teen travelers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exciting, interactive activities, including whale watching in Alaska and artist classes on tropical cruises, plus other unique adventure and cultural opportunities.   

Royal Caribbean International:  The cruise line’s ships are a floating paradise for teenagers. The Living Room invites kids to hangout during the day, stocked with computers, books and games. The Back Deck provides teens with a place to sunbathe together and enjoy a buffet dinner. Fuel, the teens-only disco, is open until 2 a.m. and also provides a great place to mingle and meet new friends.   Voyagers (ages 9-11) can participate in activities with Adventure Scientists, create Adventure Art,  explore the acting with Adventure Theater, and enjoy outside excursion activities such as parachute games and tug of war on CocoCay® and Labadee®.  Older kids (12-14, and 15-17) will enjoy theme nights, learning to surf on a simulator, and attending Scratch DJ Academy, in addition to a variety of other activities.

Small ship line Cruise West recently announced new itineraries aboard the Spirit of America (formerly Spirit of Glacier Bay) sailing on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers, starting in March, 2011.

The line has added these itineraries in response to overwhelming consumer request; they are now the only line offering  overnight cruises on these American Rivers.  Many cruisers are rejoicing at the opportunity to cruise these great rivers, especially the Mississippi, which as North America’s longest river plays such a large and iconic role in America’s history, culture and literature.

Guests sailing the Mississippi River on the New Orleans to Memphis itinerary, for example, will play witness to mansions, plantations, and poignant civil war monuments.

Other highlights of this 7-day cruise include:

• Oak Alley Plantation, the most photographed plantation in the South.
• Visiting The Myrtles – “America’s Most Haunted House.”
• Spectacular antebellum and Victorian architecture of picturesque Natchez, Missouri.
• Vicksburg National Military Park, scene of the Civil War battle that gave the North control of the Mississippi.
• A visit through Helena, Arkansas – one-time home to no fewer than seven generals of the confederacy. 

These great North American cruises offer a walk through time and history…think about one for a one of a kind family vacation this year.  It’s a great way to see the country and learn more about its glorious past.

The French registry allows the line to visit unusual locales such as Cuba and Libya, and also adds to the flavor of the International and French cuisine, with complimentary wines at lunch and dinner.  Don’t be fooled though, this sophisticated flair doesn’t lead to a stuffy atmosphere; quite the opposite.  It’s refreshing to find the ships have a fun and casual elegance, and their motto is “Leave your tuxedo and tie at home.”!

Following is some information on Le Ponant’s Mediterranean Voyages 2010…

Nice to Nice

Jul 17 – 24

7 Nights

Nice, France; Portofino-Elba Island, Italy; Portisco, Sardinia; Bonifacio, Calvi, Corsica – France, Cannes, Nice, France.

 Nice to Venice

Jul 24 – Aug 2

9 Nights

Nice, France; Portoferraio, Civitavecchia/Rome, Amalfi, Taormina, Italy; Hvar, Split, Croatia; Sailing through the Kornati archipelago, Rovinj, Croatia; Piran, Slovenia, Venice, Italy.

 Marseilles to Malta

Oct 23 – 31

8 Nights

Marseilles, Saint-Tropez, France; Portoferraio, Capri, Italy; Palermo, Syracuse, Strait of Messina, Taormina, Sicily/Italy; Gozo, Valetta, Malta.

Malta to Alexandria

Oct 31 – Nov 8

8 Nights

Valetta, Malta; Tripoli, Al Khoms, Benghazi, Darnah, Libya; Alexandria, Egypt.

Learn more about Compagnie Du Ponant!

Attention, wine connoisseurs: AMAWATERWAYS has a fantastic new wine-themed cruise slated for November 12, 2010, on the MS Amalegro!  “Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel” will feature visits to world-famous wineries, off-site dinners hosted by renowned winemakers, onboard lectures plus much more!

AMAWATERWAYS President  Rudi Schreiner will host the 7-night cruise, which will travel from Amsterdam to Trier, Germany.  (After the cruise, guests will head to Luxembourg for a city tour of the Grand Duchy, followed by a high-speed TGV transfer to Paris!)  The three-night stay Paris will include a city tour, plus an excursion to the Champagne region.

Winemaker Jim Clendenen, owner of the internationally-acclaimed Au Bon Climat winery in Santa Maria, California and Archie McLaren, founder and chairman of the Central Coast Wine Classic will also be onboard. 

The “Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel” itinerary will include visits to the scenic Rhine Gorge town of Rudesheim, Koblenz, the Mosel river valley.  Passengers will enjoy a wine tasting in Winningen, followed by a visit to Cochem, known for its perfectly preserved timber-framed homes, medieval squares and the spectacular Reichsburg Castle perched above the Mosel.

There will also be a welcoming wine feast in the Mosel town of Zell, known for “Zeller Schwarze Katz” (Black Cat) wine., and a tasting at the Wine Museum in Bernkastel hosted by the famous Dr. Loosen winery. 

A portion of the cruise proceeds will be donated to charities supported by the Central Coast Wine Classic, one of the country’s preeminent wine auctions. 

Remember to review your cruise or port on AllThingsCruise and be entered to win a cruise from AMAWATERWAYS!  (See the official rules here.)