News & Updates

Costa Cruises

From Costa Cruises:-

First of all we are deeply sorry about what has happened on Costa Concordia and it is a tragedy that deeply affects our Company.

Our priority is to be closer to the passengers as well as their families and friends. At this moment, all our efforts are focused on the completion of the last emergency operations, besides providing assistance to the guests and the crew who were on board, in order to have them going back home as soon as possible.

The Company is currently working with the highest commitment to provide all the needed assistance.

THE FUTURE CRUISES of COSTA CONCORDIA ARE CANCELLED.

CruiseMasters, GSA for Costa Cruises, extends it sympathy to the situation. Travel agents who have guests booked on the ship's other 2012 itineraries will be notified accordingly. Our Johannesburg office can also be contacted on 011 469 5580.

Holland America Line Award "Best Overall Cruise Value (17 consecutive years), World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, Ocean & Cruise News!"

Windstar Cruises Ranked #1 by Celebrated Living for Fourth Year as Top Small/Mid-Size Cruise Line

Holland America Line


HOLLAND AMERICA LINE NAMED BEST OVERALL CRUISE VALUE BY WORLD OCEAN & CRUISE LINER SOCIETY FOR 19TH YEAR

Seattle, WA, Nov. 30, 2011 - World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society members named Holland America Line the Best Overall Cruise Value 2011 for the 19th consecutive year in recognition of the line's premium cruise experience.

"To continue to earn this award for nearly two decades and to be acknowledged by the members of the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society is an honor," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Holland America Line is dedicated to continuously evolving our product and our brand, and this award shows us that our guests appreciate our efforts."

WOCLS is composed of thousands of experienced cruisers who take an average of two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually, and in its monthly Ocean & Cruise News publication noted, "Holland America Line has consistently offered their passengers a great cruise experience and their Signature of Excellence upgrades and amenities introduced fleetwide over the past few years have certainly helped them provide an extraordinary value for cruise travelers."

"Holland America Line provides its passengers with an added class and sophistication, and features numerous small touches that are either overlooked by other cruise lines or have been eliminated in cost-cutting measures,” wrote Thomas Cassidy, editor of Ocean & Cruise News. "While one expects to pay more for refinement and amenities on some ships, Holland America provides these extras at only a modestly higher price. It is the ability to offer so much more for such a modest additional cost that creates this extraordinary value for cruise travelers. More affordable pricing should not always mean less quality service and touches."

WOCLS cites Holland America Line's "ships staffed with friendly Indonesian and Filipino crews, the extra effort to properly train and supervise staff, extensive choice of dinner menus in its restaurants, a variety of alternate restaurants and extra amenities such as canvas tote bags, hot hors d'oeuvres at cocktail time, a no-charge ice cream bar and later lunch hours when in port," as contributing factors to the line's selection as Best Overall Cruise Value of 2011.

Holland America Line also received top marks from the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society in the "High-Deluxe, 5-Star-Plus, Large Ships" category in the annual Best Cruise Value Awards.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE WINS NINE 2011 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS FROM PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE

Premium Cruise Line Earns Accolades for Top Itineraries, Best Private Island and ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Seattle, WA, Nov. 18, 2011 Holland America Line a leader in premium cruising, has earned top honors with nine 2011 Readers' Choice Awards from Porthole Cruise Magazine, one of the world's leading cruise travel publications. The awards included Best Alaska Itineraries, Best Medium-Sized Ship for ms Nieuw Amsterdam and Best Private Island for Half Moon Cay, its exclusive island in the Bahamas.

Porthole Cruise Magazine's Readers' Choice Awards are determined by thousands of the publication's readers who vote on their favorite cruise lines in a variety of categories.

"The readers of Porthole are knowledgeable and well-traveled, having extensively experienced first-hand the voting categories," said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine. "Our readers appreciate the quality cruise experience both on board and ashore that Holland America Line continues to deliver year after year."

Holland America Line's 2011 Readers Choice Awards include:

"Holland America Line is honored to be recognized by the discerning readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine once again," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "We continually strive to deliver the ultimate premium cruise experience and these awards validate our efforts and dedication to excellence."

Nieuw Amsterdam Named Best Medium-Sized Ship

Holland America Line's newest ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, received top accolades from Porthole readers as the Best Medium-Sized Ship. The 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam features décor highlighting the historic glamour of New York City and multiple five-star dining venues including the award-winning Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and Canaletto. Extensive social and entertainment settings enhance the on-board experience with the intimate Silk Den, the Crow's Nest lounge with sweeping ocean views, the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, plus a variety of luxurious getaways including the private Cabana Club and the Greenhouse Spa and Salon. Each evening, award-winning performers entertain in the Showroom at Sea, a modern-day version of the classic nightclub.

Half Moon Cay Receives Best Private Island Honors

For the past 11 years, Porthole Cruise Magazine has recognized Half Moon Cay as the industry's Best Private Island. Half Moon Cay features 15 beach-front, air-conditioned private cabanas, a natural 700-acre lagoon, a new Captain Morgan on the Rocks Island Bar and fun-filled excursions for nature lovers and adventurous travelers alike. Here guests can enjoy fascinating tours on the island including horseback riding by land and sea, snorkeling and swimming with stingrays in a secluded cove, biking tours, the AquaTrax watercraft adventure tour and parasailing.

Top Itineraries Garner Top Honors

In addition to winning the Best Shore Excursions award for its diverse and expansive selection of tours, Holland America Line maintained its leading position as the cruise line with the Best Alaskan Itineraries. In 2012, the line will sail seven ships on six unique itineraries, highlighted by scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay and Alaska's renowned Inside Passage.

Holland America Line also received top honors from Porthole Cruise Magazine recognizing its Canada/New England voyages, which explore the historic seaports and stunning fall foliage of the region. The line's 2012 itineraries range from seven to 15 days and will feature 27 sailings between April and October.

Rounding out the honors garnered for top itineraries are the line's Central America voyages, a series of sailings that explore the region's natural beauty, indigenous cultures and full transits of the Panama Canal.

Computer Facilities, State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities

Holland America Line won Best Computer Facilities for its Digital Workshop powered by Windows. The enrichment program offers complimentary sessions that are led by a Microsoft-trained "techspert" on a variety of relevant topics such as photo editing, making a slideshow, photo enhancing and sharing, and PC buying and security.

Completing the awards, Holland America Line received recognition for its accessibility and medical facilities. Holland America Line ships accommodate guests with a variety of special needs.

Seattle, WA, Aug. 16, 2011 Holland America Line's 2012 Early Advantage Savings program is now available offering guests who book early an opportunity to save up to 50 percent off brochure fares on select cruises and Alaska CruiseTours.

The program also features free and reduced rates for third and fourth guests, as well as savings on 2012 Europe fares. For example, a family of four can cruise the Caribbean in 2012 from just $1,100 plus tax with Early Advantage.

"Our Early Advantage Savings program rewards those who book early and allows guests to plan their cruises for the coming year," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Cruising is an incredible value and Early Advantage Savings offer a once-a-year opportunity for travelers to book their dream vacation and take advantage of significant savings."

Among the Early Advantage Savings cruise fares are rates beginning at $699 for a seven-day Alaska sailing, $899 for a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, $1,399 for a 12-day South America sailing and $1,599 for a 14-day Australia/New Zealand voyage. Holland America Line is also offering savings of up to 45 percent off verandah staterooms on select cruises.

Longer sailings also are included in the program, with Early Advantage Savings fares starting at $3,899 for a 28-day Hawaii and Tahiti cruise, or $3,049 for an 18-day Grand Voyage segment from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Piraeus, Greece, to Fort Lauderdale.

Holland America Line's popular Alaska CruiseTours also are part of the program, with rates starting at $999 on select packages. The CruiseTours combine a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage cruise with in-depth overland tours.

Third and fourth guests sail free on select cruises on these itineraries: 7-day Bermuda cruises with Early Advantage Savings fares beginning at $699; 7-day Caribbean sailings beginning at $599; 7- to 16-day holiday sailings from $799, 7-day Mexico cruises starting at $699; and 15-day Canada New England from $1,599.

Longer warm water destinations are also part of the program, with fares starting at $1,499 on 14-day Hawaii sailings and $1,699 for 14-day Panama Canal sailings.

Select cruises also have reduced rates for third and fourth guests, in addition to the Early Advantage Savings for the first two guests in the stateroom. For example, seven- to 13-day Canada and New England sailings begin at $1,299, with third and fourth guest rates starting at $299.

All rates are per person, double occupancy, and are capacity controlled so guests are encouraged to make their reservations early to obtain the savings and their preferred itinerary.

Costa Cruises

MARGARETH MADE' GODMOTHER AT THE NAMING OF THE COSTA FAVOLOSA: AN EVENT INCLUDED IN THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITALIAN UNIFICATION

The beautiful Italian actress and star of Baaria will be the special godmother at the Naming of the "made in Italy" flagship on Saturday, 2nd July in Trieste.

Special Guests of the show "Tribute to Beauty" will be Ludovico Einaudi, Alessandro Rossi and the Ballet School of the "Accademia Teatro alla Scala". Master of ceremony will be Cristina Parodi.

Genoa, 17th June 2011 - Margareth Made, the Italian actress who became a household word as the star of the Italian film "Baaria", will be the godmother of the Costa Favolosa (www.costafavolosa.com). The naming ceremony for the flagship of Costa Cruises, Italy's largest tourism group and Europe's no. 1 cruise company, the only one flying the Italian flag, will take place on 2nd July in the magnificent setting of the Piazza Unita d'Italia in Trieste. The Costa Favolosa, weighing 114,500 gross tonnage and carrying a total of 3,800 guests, will be the largest ship flying the Italian flag and a symbol of Italian pride that will sail the seven seas. The event to celebrate the ship’s naming will be a tribute to Italian identity: art, beauty, music, personages and history narrated through an extraordinary experience that will involve everything around the square, from the sea to buildings and the sky. The naming event was included in the official celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the of Italian Unification.

Costa Web Check-in : Available on-line from the comfort of your home in 3 easy steps!

Wireless Internet Onboard: Starting from today, if you have a laptop or PDA, you can take it on holiday with you and make use of the new Wi-Fi Internet connection in all public areas, pool decks and cabins available on Costa Deliziosa, Costa Pacifica, Costa Luminosa, Costa Serena, Costa Concordia, Costa Magica, Costa Fortuna, Costa Mediterranea, Costa Atlantica, Costa Romantica, Costa Classica and Costa Marina. You can simply choose among our pre-paid tariff plans that you will be able to view onboard or pay for the minutes of connection you use through your onboard bill at the end of the cruise. Throughout the duration of the cruise, you can add more credits to your card whenever you wish. *On board Costa Fortuna, Wi-Fi is not available in the cabins.

New ships: Costa Deliziosa, delivered in February 2010 and Costa Favolosa, delivering July 2011.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises on Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" List for Small-Ship Cruise Lines

Voted by Readers in the 16thAnnual "World's Best Awards"

Windstar Cruises Includes Complimentary Soft Beverages

On All Voyages Starting This December

Seattle, October. 25, 2011 Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of three luxury sailing yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations, will include complimentary soft beverages on all voyages starting this December.

Windstar's complimentary soft beverages include bottled water, sparkling water, sodas, fresh juices, milk, fruit smoothies, tea, coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, and espresso. The new benefit will be available in December at the start of Windstar's Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Costa Rica voyages.

The addition of soft beverages increases Windstar's complimentary offerings which include dining at Windstar's specialty restaurants—Candles Grill on each of the three yachts, and Degrees and Le Marché on Wind Surf; complimentary watersports such as kayaking, waterskiing, sail boating, and windsurfing from Windstar's Watersports platform; and complimentary DVD and iPod rentals.

In addition to new itineraries in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Baltic and Mediterranean for 2012, Windstar recently announced an $18 million fleet refurbishment plan, which will be completed in phases beginning this fall. Each yacht will receive stylish, new furniture, upholstery, art, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window treatments, and floor coverings, elevating the look and feel to ultimate luxury at sea, providing an unparalleled guest experience.

Windstar Cruises has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel and lifestyle world in 2011. Windstar was voted a "Top Small-Ship Cruise Line" in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards, honored on the magazine's annual Gold List of "Best Cruise Lines" and all three Windstar yachts were recognized in Condé Nast Traveler's "Best Small Ships' Reader’s Poll. Celebrated Living, American Airlines' prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises "Top Small-Ship/Midsize Cruise Line" on their Platinum List for the fifth time in a row. Earlier this year, Windstar was selected by Travel + Leisure as one of the top five "World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines."

Seattle, October. 12, 2011 Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of three luxury sailing yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, was voted a "Top Small-Ship Cruise Line" in Condé Nast Traveler magazine's annual Reader's Choice Awards for 2011 ranking the best cruise lines, cities, islands, airlines, hotels and resorts worldwide.

Windstar's commitment to providing guests with a luxurious, unique, boutique yacht vacation has consistently placed Windstar on the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler list year after year.

"We are honored that the readers of Condé Nast Traveler selected Windstar Cruises again as one of the top small-ship cruise lines in the world," said Hans Birkholz, President and CEO, Windstar Cruises. "This is a testament to our talented Windstar team who deliver a vacation experience to our guests that is 180 Degrees from Ordinary. We look forward to taking our yachts to the next level with our recently announced $18 million fleet refurbishment plan, which will enable us to provide an unparalleled guest experience."

Windstar's fleet refurbishment plan will be completed in phases beginning this fall with each yacht receiving new furniture, upholstery, art, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window treatments, and floor coverings, elevating the look and feel to ultimate luxury at sea.

In the 2011 Annual Reader's Choice Awards, more than 8 million votes were cast by 28,876 Condé Nast Traveler readers which were tabulated by Global Market Insite, Inc. of Boston, Mass. A full list of winners in every category can be found on Condé Nast Traveler’s website. Winners will also be featured in the November 2011 issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine on newsstands October 18, 2011.

Seattle, September. 19, 2011 Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of three luxury sailing yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations, is launching a multi-million dollar fleet refurbishment plan to be completed in multiple phases beginning this fall.

Total investment for the refurbishment is $18 million and it is one of several major projects within Windstar's "Full Sail Ahead" strategic initiative encompassing refurbishment, branding, technology investments and product upgrades over the next 18 months.

"This is a significant investment in our luxurious sailing yachts and will enable us to provide an unparalleled guest experience," said Hans Birkholz, President and CEO of Windstar Cruises. "Our new owners, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, are committed to Windstar's growth for the long term. Previously, there have been enhancements and refurbishment projects throughout the years to keep our yachts beautiful; however this is the most extensive fleet-wide refurbishment project in Windstar's history."

Work begins this November on the first phase of Wind Surf's refurbishment, emerging December 10, 2011, for the start of the Caribbean season, with renovated and luxurious staterooms, suites, bridge suites, corridors, and a 'timber boardwalk' throughout the main deck in keeping with her elegant yacht style. The second phase of Wind Surf's refurbishment will take place in the fall of 2012 and focuses on the yacht's public spaces including the Lounge, The Restaurant, Degrees, Veranda, Compass Rose, WindSpa, Yacht Club and Pool Bar.

Wind Star and Wind Spirit will undergo complete refurbishments of staterooms, owner's suite, and corridors along with public spaces including The Restaurant, Veranda, Lounge, WindSpa, Library, Reception, and Pool Bar following their respective Costa Rica and Caribbean seasons. After the completion of work, both yachts begin their Mediterranean seasons with Wind Spirit starting April 15, 2012, and Wind Star beginning April 29, 2012.

The vision for the refurbishment is classic, stylish yacht luxury that dramatizes Windstar's brand position of a "boutique yacht vacation" that is "180 Degrees from Ordinary." The yachts will receive new furniture, upholstery, art, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window treatments, and floor coverings. New furnishings will complete the look in keeping with the chic, private yacht scheme. The design palette combines sand and marine colors contrasting elegantly with the warmth of wood finishes, elevating the look and feel to ultimate luxury at sea.

Windstar's chosen design and build partner for the project is U.K. based Trimline Interiors incorporating MCVITTY Interior Consultants. Trimline is a refurbishment company well known to the industry specializing in cruise ship and superyacht "turn-key" interiors and has completed projects all over the world for many leading luxury cruise lines and yacht owners. Established in 1965, Trimline has its own in-house services including joinery, soft furnishings, upholstery, decoration and all types of flooring.

Alan McVitty, lead designer and director of MCVITTY Interior Consultants, has a career that spans 24 years in the interiors sector. McVitty's areas of expertise include both leisure and residential assignments along with projects for luxury cruise lines and private yachts.

"Our focus was to provide Windstar with something completely different from what currently exists in the luxury cruise market," said McVitty. "Every corner of our design was carefully confectioned with details and solutions to make guests find themselves not on another commercial cruise but experience a stylish, floating boutique yacht created with a vision to offer a uniquely different, cruise experience."



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Special of The Month

special

Savour expansive views and sea breezes in an ocean-view or verandah stateroom and save with incredible Sail & Save fares. Receive free upgrades to ocean-view and verandah staterooms^
Reduced cruise fares for 3rd and 4th guests*

- ^Free upgrade offer is from interior to ocean-view stateroom or ocean-view to verandah stateroom categories only, subject to availability, and valid on select sailings and in select categories only.
- *Third/fourth offer based on sharing with 1st and 2nd guests and on select sailings, based on Promo Z3.
- Government fees and taxes are applicable to all 3rd/4th offers.

Prices are per person, for cruise only, based on double occupancy. Price reflect best fares available for each stateroom on one date that this itinerary is available, from a snapshot taken in the last 24 hours for staterooms in each category. Changing the dates may change prices. Prices do not include Government Fees & Taxes. Pricing and availability subject to change without notice.

Awards

Costa Cruises Awards

Champion of the Seas Award
2003/2004/2005/2007

Best Incentive Sales 2004/2005/2006