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Racing for the America's Cup starts in earnest. Large crowds pack port.

With the decisive 2007 season just underway, attendance at the 32nd America's Cup during events has just broken the 2 million barrier. This dates back to the first Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004 when nearly 300 000 people visited the AC Park.

 

In 2005, over 800 000 people came to the AC Park in three venues across Europe and last year, with racing restricted to Valencia, the growing Port America's Cup welcomed nearly 500 000 visitors over 22 days.

 

This year, public support in Valencia has been impressive. Despite poor spring weather, an average of more than 35 000 poured into Port America's Cup during Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13, including a record setting day of over 63 000.

 

"It's an exciting time for the America's Cup, for Valencia and for us as event organisers," said Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of AC Management. "Over the past four years, we've seen Port America's Cup develop into a tremendous facility with entertainment and activities for the entire family. Now, with racing about to begin in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the atmosphere is tremendous, and we anticipate some very intense competition on the race course to go along with the fun off the water." 

 

On Saturday, the day of the season opening Boat Parade, Port America's Cup welcomed 52 821 people, including visitor number 2 million.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Expands Partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau Through new Circle of InterestSM for Younger Guests

Leading luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises® announced the expansion of its exclusive partnership with famed ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society through the launch of the "Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Circle of Interest" for younger guests. For the first time, this acclaimed educational program will be offered on summer Alaskan cruises aboard Regent's 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner®. Beginning with the Mariner's June 6 sailing, Jean-Michel Cousteau's team of naturalists will introduce young guests and their families to the abundant wildlife, natural wonder and mystical beauty of Alaska through exciting shore excursions, physical activities, arts and crafts, games and interactive presentations.

"Having visited Alaska with my own children last year aboard Seven Seas Mariner, I can attest to the sense of wonder that this magnificent destination provides for young guests as they observe whales, eagles, bears and glaciers," said Sophie Vlessing, Regent vice president, guest strategy and marketing. "We recognize the importance of educating the next generation not only to appreciate the wonders of nature but also to contribute to the preservation of the environment around them - and have fun while learning!"

Cousteau, the son of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, and an acclaimed oceanographer, educator and environmentalist, has been a long-time partner of Regent Seven Seas, offering an Ambassadors of the Environment program for young guests on Regent's Tahiti cruises and himself leading enrichment programs for adults aboard Regent cruises in Tahiti and South America. Cousteau's well-received 'Ambassadors' programs are designed to give young people an understanding of the wonders of nature and a commitment to sustainable living - all while having fun and making new friends. Similarly, Regent's Circles of Interest were created to offer guests the opportunity to discover a destination through a lens of particular interest, with the insights of an expert guest host and the camaraderie of a smaller community of guests who share similar interests.

"We are pleased to extend our partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, who shares our interest in educating children to become responsible stewards of their natural heritage and preserving the environment for future generations," said Jean-Michel Cousteau, founder and president of Ocean Futures Society. "The rich natural wonders of Alaska make it a living laboratory where kids can learn and grow without even suspecting they are having an educational experience."

As part of the new Circle of Interest, young guests will learn about life in the ocean and on land, including glacial geology and a variety of native animals, fish, birds and plants. Special emphasis will be placed on sustainable living, focusing on how the native Alaskan Tlingit tribe peacefully co-existed with nature, how the Seven Seas Mariner operates in an environmentally responsible manner, and how young guests can continue to be ambassadors of the environment when they return home.

Each participating guest will receive a commemorative passport that will be stamped each time they participate in an activity, and a certificate of completion signed by the captain and Cousteau. Young guests will also receive a special CD featuring an Ambassadors of the Environment presentation and library of images, which they can use to teach their class, scout troop or friends what they learned during summer vacation. The Circle of Interest is complemented by Seven Seas Mariner's complimentary Club Mariner youth program, available on most Alaskan sailings. Featuring interactive activities to enhance and enrich experiences in each of the ports of call, Club Mariner programs are staffed by experienced youth counselors (for children ages 5 -17).

The Ambassadors of the Environment Circle of Interest is geared for children ages 9 -17. The cost per guest is $110, which includes all shipboard activities and one shore excursion in either Ketchikan or Campbell River, depending on the itinerary. In order to receive certification for the 'Ambassadors' program, young guests must also purchase and participate in one additional 'Ambassadors' excursion. The program will be offered on 11 one-way, seven-night cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska between June 6 and August 15, 2007. Alaskan ports include Seward with transfers to Anchorage, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Tracy Arm and Campbell River (Vancouver, B.C.). Regent also offers a variety of exciting pre- and post-cruise land adventures ranging from fly-fishing in Anchorage to a wildlife hiking excursion in the Denali.

Per person fares start from $3,697. Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; in-suite bar setup in butler suites; and refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily.

About Ocean Futures Society
For more than four decades, explorer, environmentalist, educator and film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau has used his vast experiences to communicate to people of all nations and generations his love and concern for our water planet. The son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel spent much of his life with his family exploring the world's oceans aboard Calypso and Alcyone. Honoring his heritage, Jean-Michel founded Ocean Futures Society in 1999 to carry on this pioneering work.

The mission of Ocean Futures Society is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet.
The US Dollar slips badly on the Foreign Exchange Markets

I am sure it has not gone unnoticed that the US Dollar has hit a low point it has not seen for many, many years.  For our American clients this is becoming a real problem if you have to travel out side of the US... unless that is, your taking a cruise vacation on an American based cruise ship.  Your dollar still goes a long way.. remember, you purchased that cruise in US$, you booked and paid for your shore excursions in US$ and you will end up settling your on-board account in US$... really the only exposure you have to the highly valued currencies is - walk about money - the amount you plan on spending during your stroll through the cities you visit.  We urge our corporate clients to consider a cruise for any up coming overseas programs being considered.  Worldwide will happily work up some proposals to show ypu and your client the value in a cruise - it may surprise you how relatively inexpensive it can be and how much bang you get for your buck.

Of course for our non-American clients, well the world is your oyster at times like this.. the United States in particular has to be the bargain of all time, and once again a cruise program can look so very attractive to your clients - you cna even have something left in the budget to spend on a big bang closure party or whatever.