Wonderful Wednesday Promotions

June 10, 2009 ~~~~~It's no secret that 2009 has delivered some extraordinary cruise values. With many cruise rates at historic lows, it is a prime opportunity to plan your next cruise.

Below, we bring you what we have identified as some of the best cruise values. Some of these are exclusives to Cruise Holidays of Alexandria. Others are limited-time promotions made available by the cruise lines, enhanced with special amenities for our clients.

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2010 Oceania Cruises: 2-for-1, Free Airfare, & Prepaid Gratuities
Limited Time Offer.
15-Night Cruise from just $1,499 per person, including airfare!

We're celebrating our induction in Oceania Cruises' distinguished Connoisseur's
Club, recognizing the top 50 Oceania partners throughout the United States and Canada.
This year, in honor of our elite status with one of the finest cruise lines in
the industry, we are pleased to offer our clients exclusive amenities on more Oceania
Cruises than ever before.

Our clients will enjoy the following special offer on every 2010 Oceania Cruises
2010 Europe itinerary when booked by no later than August 31, 2009:

* 2-for-1 rates, representing 50% savings over Oceania Cruises' brochure rate;
* Additional $2,000 per stateroom off;
* Free roundtrip airfare from select gateways across North America;
* Complimentary soft drinks and bottled water;
* Included cruise taxes.

Cruise Holidays' Clients also receive the following exclusive amenities on select sailings:

* Prepaid Gratuities (representing savings of $25 per day per stateroom);
* Spa credit of up to $200 per stateroom;
* Additional $100 per stateroom amenity credit when booked by June 30, 2009.
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Royal Caribbean Fall New England & Canada Cruise from $514.39
Fall Foliage Cruise with a Twist
a Cruise Holidays of Alexandria Exclusive

Just in time for Halloween, this cruise offers the best of a fall foliage New England and Canada cruise with a fun twist. Mark Nesbitt, author of the best-selling "Ghosts of Gettysburg" series, will headline this unique cruise of New England and Canada October 17 -22, 2009.

Onboard, Nesbitt will host some spooky story telling, bringing to life his many adventures that have convinced him that ghosts do indeed walk among us.

Ports include Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a Cruise Holidays client, you will enjoy:

* Invitations to join Nesbitt for spooky ghost stories based on Nesbitt's personal experiences with the paranormal, convincing all but the biggest skeptics that ghosts really do walk among us;
* Ability to participate in exclusive ghost-hunting shore excursions in Portland, Bar Harbor & Halifax ($65 for all three)
* Phenomenally low rates: $514.39 interior; $664.39 ocean view; and $794.39 balcony.

Rates based on double occupancy, include all taxes and port charges, and subject to availability. Book with a deposit of just $250 per person.

For additional details, visit our website.
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Silversea Cruises at 50% Savings, Free Air, & $1,000 Amenity Credit.

Limited Time Offer
All-Inclusive Rates

Silversea Cruises was Cruise Holidays of Alexandria biggest seller last month, and it's no wonder. Rates on countless 2009 Silversea Alaska and Europe itineraries are being offered to our Cruise Holidays clients at 50% savings, free airfare, and $1,000 per stateroom amenity credit. When you consider that on Silversea, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and gratuities are complimentary, the $1,000 amenity credit assures that the price you pay is the price you pay. After all, $1,000 will buy a lot of shore excursions, making your trip truly all inclusive.

For a list of Alaska itineraries, click here.

For a list of Europe itinearies, click here.
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Save Up to $800 on 2010 Europe River Cruises Aboard Uniworld

Must Book by June 30, 2009
Savings available on 2010 Pearmund Cellars Wine Cruise

As a Cruise Holidays client, when you book most 2010 Europe river cruises on award-winning Uniworld, you will enjoy a $200 per person savings ($400 per stateroom). If you choose, you may book and pay in full for your 2010 river cruise and enjoy a $400 per person ($800 per stateroom) savings over published rates. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lock in some of the lowest rates on a Europe river cruise. What's more, even if you book and pay in full, you can still cancel your river cruise and receive a refund provided you cancel no later than one day prior to your final payment date.

Consider two Cruise Holidays' exclusives for 2010:

* Wine cruise with Pearmund Cellars, Winery at LaGrange, and Vint Hill Winery, June 27-July 4, 2010. This extraordinary cruise along the Rhone River, led by Virginia wine expert Chris Pearmund, will feature wine tastings, wine-themed excursions, and exclusive onboard events just for Cruise Holidays clients. Book by June 30th and save up to $800 per stateroom. Click here for additional details.

* Octoberfest cruise down the Danube River September 26-October 3, 2010. Our very own Jodi Hunter and her husband Darren will lead this extraordinary cruise to celebrate this annual custom in the heart of Germany and Austria. Jodi and Darren spent the past three years in Germany and know all the best venues to celebrate Octoberfest in the true Bavarian custom. Book by June 30th and save up to $800 per stateroom. Click here for rates.
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2009 Princess Alaska 7-Nights from Under $50 Per Day.
July Sail Dates Available from Just $349/person
Vancouver to Whittier or Reverse

Can you even stay home for under $50 per day? We suspect not. When you consider your cruise includes all onboard meals, accommodations, and entertainment on a premium cruise line like Princess, this rate is truly amazing.

On this 7-night cruise, you will visit each of the following must-see ports of call in Alaska:

* Whittier (gateway for Anchorage)
* College Fjord
* Glacier Bay National Park
* Skagway
* Juneau
* Ketchikan
* Vancouver

$349 rate available on the following sail dates:

* July 4, 2009
* July 11, 2009
* July 24, 2009Hurry, these are flash promotions and can be withdrawn at any time.

Rates are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability at the time of booking. Taxes are additional.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises Better than 2-for-1 Rates & Free Air

Hurry, Unprecedented Offer Ends June 15, 2009

This year, true luxury cruises are within financial reach of more cruisers than ever before. Cruise Holidays clients who book a 2010 cruise aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson) by June 15, 2009, will enjoy a truly unprecedented offer that includes the following special offers:

* Better than 2-for-1 rates;
* Up to an additional $1,000 per person off;
* Complimentary airfare;
* Unlimited free shore excursions;
* Complimentary gratuities;
* Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Cruise Holidays' clients will enjoy an exclusive offer that includes up to $200 per person amenity credit on Regent Seven Seas Cruises booked by June 15, 2009.

Search our site for your Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing, and then contact us for final rates and special offers.
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New Passport Rules Effective Tomorrow (6/1/09)

Beginning on Monday, June 1, 2009, Americans traveling outside the United States, including to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, will be required to have a valid United States passport. This new rule will apply to Americans flying to and from any of these destinations, driving across the Northern and Southern Borders, and sailing on any cruise that begins and ends in different ports, or begins and ends in a foreign port.

What if your cruise begins and ends in the same United States port? Provided you are sailing in the Western Hemisphere (e.g., the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Panama Canal), then your government-issued ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) will suffice. So, if you're catching a Caribbean cruise sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, then your driver's license and birth certificate are adequate. But, if your sailing Alaska from Vancouver to Anchorage or sailing the Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles, then you'll need a passport.

Venice Environmental Prize Awarded to Crystal Serenity

Crystal Cruises announced yesterday it has won the Venice Blue Flag Environmental Award for the second year in a row. The award recognizes Crystal's efforts to reduce port emissions by using low sulfur fuel in port. Crystal has a long history of being sensitive to its environmental impact, from using hangers made of recycled materials to non-plastic, reusable laundry bags in staterooms, to its efforts to save lighting and energy consumption on board. Crystal's new release on its latest environmental award can be found here:

Venice Environmental Prize Awarded to Crystal Serenity

Sail Burgundy & Provence with Virginia's Favorite Wineries

What could be better than sipping fine Virginia wine in the beautiful countryside on a bright, sunny day? How about sipping that wine in the sun-drenched countryside of Burgundy & Provence?

Three of Virginia's finest wineries have joined together to bring you an extraordinary vacation opportunity in 2010. Pearmund Cellars, Winery at LaGrange, and Vint Hill Craft Winery invite you to sail with vintner and noted wine expert, Chris Pearmund, as we visit the historic wineries along the Rhone River, June 27-July 4, 2010.

The cruise will feature the following day-by-day itinerary and included excursions:

Day 1: Our journey begins in Arles, France. Here, you will be picked up at the airport and transported to our luxury, floating hotel, the River Royale. You'll have time to relax and rest from your transatlantic flight, and prepare for our adventures to begin the following day.

Day 2: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles, a UNESCO listed city. Our knowledgeable, expert local guide will show us the many sites of this historic city, from the Roman Amphitheater, Town Hall Square, and St. Trophime Cathedral, a Romanesque cathedral built in the 12th century. By evening, you'll enjoy a Welcome Dinner hosted by the Ship's captain.

Day 3: We'll enjoy a tour of ancient Avignon, with its many cafes, shops, and namesake clock tower dating back to the 1300s. From here, we'll move on to Pope's Palace Square for a visit to the Papal Palace, and then up to Rocher des Doms, where Avignon was first settled.

Day 4: Day 4 we will spend in the quaint city of Viviers. Here, we will enjoy a guided walking tour starting in Old Town with stops at the Rue Chevrerie, Porte Riquot, the Renaissance Maison des Chevaliers, Rue du Chateau, and Maixon Elementaire du Commercant. We'll then stroll the medieval streets on our way back to the ship.

Day 5: Nestled among famous vineyards are the little towns of Tain L'Hermitage and Tournon, both known for chocolate and fine Cote du Rhone wines, and we will sample both. In Tournon, we'll continue our tour, seeing its famous feudal castle located in a scenic setting overlooking the river.

Day 6: Lyon is where we will spend this day. Lyon has a wealth of Roman remains, along with many impressive museums, Renaissance architecture, and world-renowned cuisine. We'll begin our tour with a drive to a vantage point to see the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, Lyon's hallmark church. Next, we'll stop on Croix-Rousse Hill for a dramatic view of the Beaujolais Mountains and Saone River. We'll then ride through town, see Terreaux Square, the Fine Art Museum, and the Opera House.

Day 7: We'll enjoy an exciting tour of the medieval town of Beaune, the center for Burgundy wine making. Here, we'll admire the Flemish-influenced architecture, including the eye-catching Hospices de Beaune. A hospital from 1443 to the 1960s, it is now a museum dedicated to the history of healthcare.

Day 8: Our tour ends in Chalon. Here, you can plan to extend your stay in the beautiful city of Lyon before flying home.

In many of these ports of call, Chris Pearmund will be leading optional private shore excursions that will be available exclusively to our small group of wine enthusiasts. These excursions will be to quaint wineries and vineyards in Burgundy & Provence, and will further enhance this extraordinary adventure.

In addition, as a member of our wine cruise, you also will enjoy:

• A private cocktail reception;
• Private onboard wine tastings featuring Pearmund Cellars, Winery at LaGrange, and Vint Hill Craft fine wines;
• Informative wine-themed lectures
• Optional shore-side wine-and-food pairing dinner (subject to minimum participation); and
• Optional wine and culinary-themed excursions led by Chris Pearmund.
  

The luxurious River Royale of award-winning Uniworld River Cruises will serve as our floating hotel. The River Royale features just 65 staterooms. Each one is lavishly appointed with hotel-style beds, a vanity and make-up mirror, generous built-in closets, hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, direct-dial telephone, flat-screen TV with selection of viewing choices, bottled water, and private bathroom. In addition, our floating hotel features:

• Panoramic lounge, full-service bar, cozy library, and elegant restaurant;
• Sun deck, fitness center, sauna, Jacuzzi, beauty salon, boutique with gifts and sundries, and Internet corner;
• Wireless internet access;
• Complimentary use of bicycles;
• 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar, and front desk attendant;
• Elevator.

When you book and pay for your cruise by June 30, 2009, you will enjoy a substantial savings of $400 per person; that's $800 per stateroom. If you'd rather, though, you can book with a deposit of only $200 per person and not owe anything more until April 2010. When you book with $200 per person by June 30th, you will save $200 per person on your cruise fare; that's $400 per stateroom savings. You have a choice of four stateroom categories. They are as follows:

Category 3:

• Only 10 available
  
• 151 Square Feet
• River View with 2 porthole windows
• Located on Champagne Deck, lowest passenger deck, one deck below the Cezanne Restaurant and 2 decks below the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
  
• $2,799 per person
• $2,599 per person if deposited by June 30, 2009
• $2,399 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

Category 2:

• Only 29 available
  
• 151 Square Feet
• River View with full-size picture window
• Located on the Burgundy Deck, the same deck as the Cezanne Restaurant and 1 deck below the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
• $3,149 per person
• $2,949 per person if booked by June 30, 2009
• $2,749 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

Category 1:

• Only 25 available
  
• 140 Square Feet
• River view with private balcony
• Located on the Azure Deck, 1 deck above the Cezanne Restaurant and the same deck as the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
• $3,499 per person
• $3,299 per person if booked by June 30, 2009
• $3,099 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

Suite:

• Only 1 available
• 217 Square Feet
• River view with private balcony
• Located on the Azure Deck, 1 deck above the Cezanne Restaurant and the same deck as the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
• $4,049 per person
• $3,849 per person if booked by June 30, 2009
• $3,649 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of bookings. Taxes are additional.

Please note: If you book and pay-in-full by June 30, 2009, and then need to cancel your plans, you will receive a full refund, less $200 per person provided you cancel prior to final payment.

To reserve your place on this extraordinary experience, please call Cruise Holidays Luxury Cruise Counselors at 866-368-7327.

This Week's Extraordinary Cruise Values

This week, we have come across the following extraordinary cruise values. These are available for only a very limited time, some only through Friday, May 29, 2009.

The best per diem value: 7-Night Alaska aboard Princess Cruises (June 6 & July 13, 2009), available for an amazingly low rate of just $42.71 per day!

Alaska:

Alaska continues to be a bargain this year. Here are the rock bottom, truly extraordinary sailings available this year:

Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, aboard Princess Cruises, 7-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $299 per person (available 6/6 & 7/13)
• Balcony staterooms, $799 per person (available 6/22)
• Balcony staterooms, $899 per person (available 6/29, 7/6, 7/15 & 7/20)

Seattle Roundtrip aboard Princess Cruises, 7-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $449 (available 6/21 & 6/28)
• Balcony Staterooms, $799 (available 6/21)
• Balcony Staterooms, $849 (available 6/28)
• Mini Suites, $1,049 (available 6/28)

Caribbean -- Western

Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip aboard Royal Caribbean, 5-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $349 (available 9/5)

Canada/New England

Montreal to Boston (or reverse) aboard ms Maasdam of Holland America Line, 7-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $799 (available 6/20, 9/5, 9/12, & 10/3)
• Ocean View Staterooms, $849 (available 6/20, 9/5, 9/12, & 10/3)
• Balcony Staterooms, $1,599 (available 6/20, 9/5, 9/12, & 10/3)

Europe

Barcelona Roundtrip aboard Celebrity Century, 7-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $699 (available 9/26)
• Ocean View Staterooms, $799 (available 9/26)
• Balcony Staterooms, $1,149 (available 9/26)
• Concierge-Level Balconies, $1,249 (available 9/26)

Copenhagen Roundtrip (Scandinavia & Russia) aboard Emerald Princess, 10-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $699 (available 7/5 & 7/15)
• Ocean View Staterooms, $999 (available 7/5 & 7/15)
• Balcony Staterooms, $1,199 (available 7/5 & 7/15)

Asia/Pacific

Vancouver, Canada to Kobe Japan aboard ms Volendam of Holland America Line, 16-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $999 (available 9/23)
  
• Ocean View Staterooms, $1099 (available 9/23)
• Suites, $2,499 (available 9/23)

Australia/New Zealand

Sydney Roundtrip aboard ms Volendam of Holland America Line, 14-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $1,499 (available 1/20/2010 & 2/28/2010)
• Ocean View Staterooms, $1,499 (available 1/20/2010 & 2/28/2010)

Mexican Riviera

Los Angeles Roundtrip aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner, 7-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $499 (available 7/15, 7/12, & 7/19)

Panama Canal

Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip aboard ms Zuiderdam of Holland America Line, 10-nights.

• Interior Staterooms, $999 (available 10/14, 10/24, 11/3, 11/13, & 11/23)
• Ocean View Stateroom, $1,099 (available 10/14, 10/24, 11/3, 11/13 & 11/23)
• Balcony Staterooms, $1,399 (available 10/14, 10/24, 11/3, 11/13, & 11/23)
• Suites, $1,899 (available 10/14, 10/24, 11/3, 11/13, & 11/23)

Each of these cruises is available with a special Cruise Holidays offer. To receive that offer, please sign up for weekly e-mail promotion.

Baltic Cruise Specials on Azamara

We have focused many of our recent postings on the ports of call that are typically part of any cruise of Russia and the Baltics. This week, Azamara Cruises, Royal Caribbean's upper premium product, released some extraordinary limited-time booking specials on 2009 Baltic and Northern Europe cruises.

This 12-night cruise, offerd on multiple sail dates, sails roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark, with the following itinerary:

1. Copenhagen (depart 5 p.m.)
2. Warnemunde, Germany (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
3. At Sea
4. Helsinki, Finland (9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
5. St. Petersburg, Russia (arrive 8 a.m. -- 2 overnights)
6. St. Petersburg, Russia
7. St. Petersburg, Russia (depart 5 p.m.)
8. Tallinn, Estonia (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
9. Stockholm, Sweden (arrive 10 a.m. -- 1 overnight)
10. Stockholm, Sweden (depart 5 p.m.)
11. At Sea
12. Travemunde, Germany (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
13. Copenhagen, Denmark (arrive 7 a.m.)

You can read about our experiences in these ports of call on many of our previous, recent postings. Azamara sails ships that are 38,000 tons and carry just 700 guests. The onboard environment is business casual; there are no formal nights and the ships offer open dining in a choice of restaurants.

Rates on this 12-night Baltic cruise are extraordinary, and offered on the following dates:

• June 30 sail date: Interiors for $1,199; Balconies for $1,699
• July 12 sail date: Interiors for $1,499; Balconies for $1,699
• July 24 sail date: Interior for $1,499; Balconies for $1,699
• August 5 sail date: Ocean View for $1,699; Balconies for $1,799

These rates are per person, based and double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking.

Want an even better deal? Consider Azamara's low-cost air options. On the sail dates above, Azamara is offering low-cost air add-on from $399 (rate applicable to Boston, Baltimore, Charlotte, Newark, Dulles, JFK, Chicago, and Raleigh/Durham). Air Add-on of just $499 is available from many other select gateway cities (Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa). If you are very lucky and live in Phoenix, the air-on is just $199. Other gateway cities are offered at reduced, but slightly higher fares.

Cruise Holidays clients who book this cruise will also enjoy enhanced amenities onboard. To inquire, please e-mail us at info@LuxuryCruiseCounselors.com, visit our website, or call us toll free at 866-368-7327.

Brugges, Belgium -- A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The city center of Bruges (Brugge in Dutch), Belgium is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This medieval city full of picturesque scenes is a popular cruise line stop on Northern Europe and Baltic itineraries. It boasts one of the most modern and important ports in Europe, and is a great place to spend the day.

When you arrive, skip an organized shore excursion and catch a cab into the city. The short 15 minute ride will take you into the heart of the city, where you can spend the entire day enjoying the sights, grabbing lunch, and popping in little shops. Here, you can stock up on Belgium chocolates, which make wonderful gifts for those back home, stroll through the narrow streets, and if you are inclined, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

The city itself dates back to 1128. Because of its canals and historic buildings, it is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North. There are a plethora of historic sites here. Grab a guide book to lead you through this very walkable city. Some of the famous sites include the Church of our Lady, notable because its brick spire is one of the world's tallest brick towers and the church houses perhaps the only Michelangelo sculpture to have left Italy during the artist's lifetime -- the Madonna and Child. Other historic sites include City Hall, a central building on Burg Square, and the 13th Century Belfry.

Realizing that the buildings here date back nearly 900 years is the real charm of the city. Relax, enjoy the sites, and have your camera ready to capture the many idyllic scenes you'll come across.