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January 2002 Newsletter |
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Worldwide is exhibiting at the INTERNATIONAL CONFEX Show at Earls Court, London from February 19 thru 21, 2002. Hope to see you there - Booth Y551. What's new in 2002 CRUISE LINE BOOKINGS Most major cruise lines are reporting that bookings have come back to or above pre- 9/11 levels. Pricing continues to creep back up almost on a weekly basis. There still are great deals on many sailings available. Due to soft demand European cruises offer some of the best deals going for summer 2002. Since 9/11 the major cruise lines have deployed ships in more US ports than ever. There are now more options than ever from ports such as San Diego, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston, Port Canaveral and others. These new options allow for potential drive-in opportunities and for closer/cheaper air options for regional groups. NEW-LOOKS Costa's, Costa Tropicale, has undergone a MAJOR refit and looks better than new. The ship will be offering a limited number of 7 night cruises in South America: Santos (Sao Paolo), Rio, at sea, Porto Seguro, Salvador De Bahia, at sea, Ilhabela, Santos.
NEW SHIPS Celebrity's new Constellation will be offering a limited number of roundtrip sailings from Barcelona this Sept and October: Barcelona, Villefranche, Ajaccio, Rome, Naples, Malta, Barcelona. NEW ITINERARIESFirst European's newest ship, European Vision, begins her new itineraries from the Dominican Republic. This new 1,500 passenger ship will be offering two rotating itineraries:
Watch for our review of this ship in our February Newsletter. ROYAL CARIBBEAN/PRINCESS MERGER As mentioned in our December newsletter this merger was pending legal questions as well as possible other suitors. As we suspected Carnival Corp. has now joined the hunt and has made a better offer, in CCL's words, for Princess. Watch this space for news of the victor in this hotly contested battle.
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB The new owners of the two ex-Sea Goddess ships will introduce the SeaDream II in early February after under going an extensive refit and modernization. Early reports and pictures show an entirely new profile for the ship with the addition of more space for the outdoor restaurant as well as additional deck space. The ships will also be able to offer an expanded number of suites that can convert to double suites as well as a new owners suite. Worldwide will be cruising on this ship February 4 and will give you a full report on this new concept in cruising. CHARTER OPPORTUNITIESStar Clippers is offering several 5-night charter opportunities May 5 through November 3, 2002 out of Barbados priced at $135,000 NET plus port and gratuities. SEA CLOUD II This new 92 passenger sailing ship has two rare openings for charters in 2002. Oct 28 to Nov 5 Palermo/Motril and Dec 6 to 13 Barbados/Barbados. Check our web site, www.cruiseco.com, under the review bottom for our review on this 5 Star ship. LE PONANT Has two Sept dates for 7 night charters roundtrip Nice. This 64 passenger sailing ship rarely has any summer space available. NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
BRAZIL Here's a new option for South America. Our partners at SuperClubs have a great all inclusive seaside resort, Costa do Sauipe, located near Salvador, Brazil. Located on 5 miles of virgin beach the Costa do Sauipe complex has a PGA 18 hole golf course, an equestrian center, a sports complex and Vila Nova de Praia (a replica of a colonial Brazilian village with shops, restaurants and bars). They can package the resort with various options including 2 nights in Manaus for an Amazon Experience or 2 nights at Iguacu Falls or 3 nights in Rio. All packages include 4 or 5 Star Hotel and tours of the highlights of these unique areas. If you have a program in Argentina and are considering new options take a serious look at this one.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT DEAL? We have been getting group rates in the $600.00 pp price range for 7 night cruise in outside cabins and around $700.00 pp for mini balcony suites from a top cruise line for prime 2003 winter dates. The rates are so low that we have been asked to NOT publish the cruise lines name in our newsletter, CALL our office for full details. Prices like this are really unheard and the ships are GREAT. LAST MINUTE REAL DEALS Take advantage of a charter cancellation on Silversea's Silver Cloud (294 paxs) May 25 to June 1, 2002 at a NET rate of $2000.00 pp dbl occupancy on charter basis ONLY. Rate is fully inclusive of port charges, gratuities, all bar and wines with meals. Planned itinerary is Rome, Sorrento with and overnight, Taormina, at sea, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus. We have a special 4 night sailing available for charter on the Star Flyer Sep. 28- Oct. 1, 2002 : Sep. 28 Civiatavecchia, Italy (Rome) Sep. 29 Ponza, Italy Sep. 30 Sorrento, Italy Oct. 1 At Sea Oct. 2 Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) This is a sample of what itinerary |