Crystal Cruises "Mind, Body & Spririt" cruise in Asia

Asia is well known as a region of the world that is steeped in spirituality and ancient wellness practises and paying homage to this, Crystal Cruises have announced a “Mind, Body & Spirit” focus on their March 27 Asia cruise. The Experience of Discovery sailing will include guest experts for yoga, Pilates, stress management and general physical and mental health classes.

Crystal Cruises 15 day cruise will depart from Hong Kong with ports of call in Japan and China as well as a three-night post-cruise land program in Beijing. There will be noted wellness and health magazine writers, yoga and Pilates specialists, and hiking and adventure author Rick Deutsh providing insights on board Crystal Symphony, whilst inspirational Crystal Adventures ashore will take guests to sacred monasteries, monuments and temples.

Crystal Cruises guests will also have the opportunity to visit Crystal Symphony’s Feng Shui-inspired Spa & Fitness Center and take advantage of the 360 degree Promenade deck ideal for walking or jogging, plus the newly introduced Tour de Spin indoor cycling classes are great for those wanting to try something new, plus there are acupuncture treatments and Kinesis equipment to try.

There will be a host of culinary options on offer from Crystal Cruises throughout the cruise, with fresh fruit and fish, creative and healthy salads, low-calorie and low-carb meals and trans fat-free dining experiences and even the cocktail menus will include only the freshest fruit purees and juices.

"Asia is a natural setting for a wellness-related theme, since the connection between mind, body and spirit is so integral to the history and culture," says John Stoll, director land programs. "Additionally, the onboard programming offers guests the chance to learn about physical health and general wellness from top experts."

Crystal Symphony’s “Far East Focus” cruises calls at Hiroshima, Japan; Dailan, China; as well as overnight stays in Kobe, Japan; Shanghai and Hong Kong, China. The March 27 itinerary is one of several 2009 cruises Crystal Cruises is offering to China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. Crystal Cruises is also offering a Mind, Body & Spirit Experience of Discovery with its May 7 Panama Canal cruise.

EUROPE AND ASIA CRUISES TIPPED FOR GROWTH IN 2008

Cruise Critic is predicting increased interest in European and Asian cruise itineraries for 2008.

The online resource for consumer cruise reviews, which recently launched a UK site after being purchased by Tripadvisor, said a record number of British holidaymakers will be taking to the high seas this year as cruise holidays experience an unprecedented boom.

"Along with the increased popularity and availability of Asian and European cruises, other 2008 trends we are seeing include a greater number of fitness and spa themed cruises and the building out of new ports of call in the Caribbean," said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief, Cruise Critic.

She said the popularity of Europe-based cruising and the need to alleviate gridlock at the busiest ports means cruise lines are offering more exotic itineraries, including ports of call along Croatia's coast or around the Black Sea.

"Cruise lines are offering more opportunities to explore Asia by sea, as lines like Princess Cruises (with Sapphire Princess) and Royal Caribbean (with Rhapsody of the Seas) have moved larger ships into the market," she added.

Meanwhile, Cruise Critic believes that some Caribbean itineraries are getting a bit stale for long-time cruise enthusiasts.

"In 2008, look for cruise lines and other developers to continue investing in "undiscovered" ports of call. Carnival, a leader in this field, is developing places like Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos, and Progreso, in Mexico," it said.

Cruise Critic travel experts have put together a list of the top 10 ports that should not be missed in 2008. These are:

Amsterdam,
Dubrovnik,
Hong Kong
Martinique,
Maui, Hawaii
Muscat
Naples,
St. Petersburg
Sydney
Vancouver, B.C.

PRINCESS CRUISE TOURS GO TO SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST CELEBRATED DESTINATIONS IN 2008-09

Princess will debut three new cruisetour options for the 2008-09 season to add more adventurous opportunities for passengers on South America, Asia or Australia cruises.

These land/sea vacations take passengers to explore some of the world's most fascinating destinations, including new tours to the remote Galapagos Islands, and Hangzhou, one of China's most scenic cities.
Together Princess' worldwide lineup of cruisetours offer passengers the opportunities to visit three of the new Seven Wonders of the World as well as a number of UNESCO's World Heritage sites, including such important sites as Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China, Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Angkor Wat.
Courtesy of About.com

STAR CRUISES SELLS SUPERSTAR GEMINI

KUALA LUMPUR - Star Cruises announced Saturday the sale of the SuperStar Gemini, which is to be concluded in the following weeks.

The cruise ship will be chartered back from the new owner until December 2008 to continue offering her cruise itineraries before being handed over to the new owner.

SuperStar Gemini is presently owned by Star Cruises along with the Asian fleet of other mid-sized ships such as the SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Libra, Star Pisces, Megastar Taurus, Megastar Aries and Wasa Queen, of which she has been part since 1995.

Star Cruises' President David Chua said the sale was part of the company's fleet optimisation plan in line with the realisation of new growth opportunities in the region.

"Such a need to sell or replace selected ships in the fleet will occur as and when opportunities from potential buyers arise to enable us to acquire bigger, better vessels as well as to renew and further enhance our products and services to better cater to our guests' needs." he added. "An example is the arrival of the SuperStar Aquarius recently in June this year to Hong Kong, with greater capacity and features to cater to the needs and tastes of our guests."

Apart from the future growth potential with renewed and bigger capacities and features of ships, Star Cruises will now be able to focus on further improvements to its current ships such as the SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Libra, with continuous innovation and improvement of personalised services, ongoing new activities and world-class themes and performances.

SuperStar Gemini currently offers 7, 10, 11 and 21-night cruises from Singapore to destinations in South East Asia before moving to Australia, where her ardent fans are, in November for three months.

In Australia, she will do two full circumnavigations of the continent, creating many memorable itineraries taking in ports of call such as Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and others. The decision to deploy the ship for three months Downunder during some of the very best cruising conditions, the Australian Summer, is largely due and in response to the huge popularity of SuperStar Gemini with the Australian market.

On returning to Singapore, she will continue with the ever popular 7-night Straits of Malacca cruises as well as another six 10, 11 and 21-night cruises taking in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

At 19,093 gross tonnes, SuperStar Gemini is a world-class cruise ship with international and Asian dining, world-class entertainment and recreational facilities. Facilities include a swimming pool, restaurants and bars, hair salon, spa, well-appointed karaoke rooms and much more to cater to all types of passengers, young and old, singles, couples and families.

Courtesy of Travelmole.com

RCI RHAPSODY 15 NIGHTS - 13TH JANUARY 2008

Far East cruises to - Hong kong, Vietnam, Thailand , Cambodia and Singapore.

RCI have just dropped their special offer price for this cruise by a further £250 pp. This represents a great saving and incredible prices to the Far East from only £1299pp including direct flight to Hong Kong and overnight hotel accommodation. This is a great opportunity to escape the post Christmas blues and get away from the winter weather in the UK. Plus Jetlin cruises are also offering an additional $50 on board credit toeards your bar bill on selected cabin grades.