December 2002 Newsletter

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WORLDWIDE TRAVEL AND CRUISE 

All of us at Worldwide Travel and Cruise Associates would like to wish you a happy and safe holiday season.  We hope that you have been experiencing an up turn in your business and wish you a prosperous New Year.

Industry News

In the last thirty days the cruise industry has seen several interesting changes. The twin inaugural of the Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Star was a pretty big statement from NCL and the introduction of a new era in cruising.   You will find attached a review on the Norwegian Star and watch for our review next month on the Norwegian Sun.  Not only does Hawaii finally get a year round world class ship but the industry got two new FREESTYLE cruise ships with a combined total of nearly twenty first class restaurants.

The announced merger of Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity and P&O/Princess came as a surprise to many people.  This pairing will create the largest cruise line in the world.  The jury is still out on anti-trust issues as well as if another suitor might come forward after the picture becomes clearer when anti-trust rulings are handed down.

FAM Trip Opportunities!!

We had tremendous success with our recent FAM to the Grand Lido properties in Jamaica so we decided to repeat it this January 16 to 20, 2002.   Air and most expenses are included for one person per company. A fee of $200 per person covering taxes and fees apply. As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, the Grand Lido Negril was the ONLY all inclusive to be included in Conde Nast’s November 2001 TOP TEN RESORTS CATEGORY.   To see these great properties, simply click here - Grand Lido Resorts Jamaica

The properties are GREAT!  The F&B is exceptional and it really is all inclusive.  Taking over an entire property, we still call it chartering, is easy and realistically priced. As an example -  Exclusive use of the 142 Suite Grand Lido Sans Souci  for 4 nights in March 2003 for only $244,420.00 net.

FAM SPACE IS LIMITED SO CONTACT US QUICKLY TO RESERVE A SPOT. - click here to register 

New Itineraries

Starting in October 2002 Holland America’s Ryndam will be operating 7 night cruises from San Diego.  The ship will be offer two rotating new itineraries:

1.     San Diego, 2 days at sea, Loreto, Mexico, Pichilingue (La Paz), Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at sea,   San Diego

2:     San Diego, 2 days at sea, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, at sea, San Diego

Orient Lines' Crown Odyssey is offering 3 new 7 itineraries for summer 2002

1.     Barcelona, Marseilles, Cannes, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), at sea,  Malta, Sorrento, Rome.

2.     Rome, Livorno, Cannes, Marseilles, Barcelona, at sea, Cadiz, Lisbon.

3.     Lisbon, Porto, at sea, La Rochelle, at sea, St Malo, LaHavre (Paris), Southampton.

The Crown Odyssey will still be offering seven 5-night Rome to Barcelona cruises calling on Livorno, Portofino, Cannes and Palma de Mallorca.  NEW for summer 2002 are two new 5- night  Nice to Barcelona cruises:  Nice, Livorno (Florence), Rome, Corsica, Ibiza, Barcelona

Star 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.

Need something different

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA CRUISE.  Each year the Marco Polo offers several 8 night cruises in January to this truly unique part of the world.  Starting in the world’s southern most city of Ushuaia.   While the Marco Polo normally carries over 800 passengers,  these cruises are limited to only 500 passengers due to local regulations.   For these cruises, the Marco Polo carries her own helicopter for some the most dramatic tours in the world.  This  is truly awe-inspiring.

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. 

Ship Review

This month Worldwide reviews NCL's newest Freestyle ship, the Norwegian Star.  To read our review - click here