AHOY MATES!
This is our 4th newsletter. How are we doing so far? We would love to hear your suggestions for improvements, topics and destinations. Our goal is to educate you through our newsletter and our local cruise night series in Charleston, SC.
This month's destination of the Galapagos Islands was inspired by our friends that just completed a trip to this amazing place. They decided this was a trip they always wanted to do and just did it. They were kind enough to include a review to share with our readers. It was a vacation that has provided them memories for a lifetime.
A voyage to the Galapagos Islands represents a rare opportunity to absorb the lessons of nature in one of the world's largest classrooms. Traveling in the company of a team of certified Galapagos naturalists, who will interpret every surrounding detail, you'll have a front-row seat to a wide array of natural wonders - from sunbathing marine iguanas to the imperceptible movement of giant tortoises. Yet despite the impact these islands will have on you, these trips are designed so that they will have minimal impact on the environment, thereby ensuring that generations of animals, and human visitors, can enjoy this special place for decades to come.
The Freedom of the Seas is coming to Port Canaveral in May 2009. We are excited to get a Freedom-Class ship this close to home. The Freedom-Class ships are the largest cruise ships in the world and have the most spectacular, innovative onboard features at sea: the FlowRider® surf park, cantilevered whirlpools, ice-skating rink, full-size boxing ring, H2O Zone and more! This ship sells out fast. Thinking of getting a group together and sailing on a ship that literally has something for everybody? What better ship than the Freedom of the Seas plus the added feature of a reasonable driving distance of Charleston.
A recent change to the passport requirements has just been issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Please click on the link at the bottom right hand portion of this newsletter for complete details. We strongly recommend obtaining a passport as soon as possible to avoid any future travel problems.
Enjoy your April newsletter!
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Expedition Cruising
- Get more out of your shore trips! -
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 As the name implies, expedition cruising is a taste of exploration and adventure in off-the-beaten-path places. It's an experience more likely torn from the pages of National Geographic than Travel & Leisure. Expedition ships are small, with shallow drafts, able to inch closer to those less visited, out-of-the-way ports or scenic wonders. Read more... |
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Into the Wilderness at Galapagos Islands
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 The Galápagos Islands offer some of the best wildlife viewing in the world, not only because the animals themselves are beautiful and interesting but because they are virtually fearless of humans. The famous blue-footed booby will perform its awkwardly elegant two-step mating dance right under your nose. Mockingbirds will hop onto your shoes. Sea lions will do figure eights to show off their swimming prowess. The giant Galápagos tortoise is the most distinctive animal on the entire archipelago. Read more... |
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Cruise Operators cut back on the Caribbean
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 For the first time in the modern cruise ship era, cruise lines are cutting back on Caribbean cruises, the lifeblood of Port Canaveral and other Florida cruise ports. The Caribbean remains the industry's largest market. However, faced with the faltering U.S. economy and the weakened dollar, cruise lines are turning more attention to growing markets such as Europe. Read more... |
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NCL set to launch "Freestyle 2.0"
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 "Freestyle 2.0" is the company's fleet-wide initiative to further improve the guest experience. The enhancements include a major investment in the total dining experience; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for guests of all ages; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests. NCL Corporation announced it will begin the roll out of "Freestyle 2.0" on Norwegian Jade's first Mediterranean cruise. Read more... |
| Planning your next cruise with us... |
Mike and Diana of Cruise Planners are experienced cruisers who have a passion for the industry. Many agencies promise discount cruise travel but few can match our expertise and concern for your cruise vacation. We take the time to get to know you in order to match you up with the cruise that best suits your needs. Contact us today to make your cruise travel dreams a reality! It's best to book early so if you're looking for great rates and the best cabin locations, please register on our website so we can send you all the information you need to join the fun, get secret sales, special promotional rates, new ship announcements and special ports of call information.
If that is not enough! After you return from your wonderful cruise vacation, you can tell us all about it on our exclusive
www.firstclasscruise.com "Web Log". So what are you waiting for? Subscribe to our website and become a member of a professional travel organization that treats you like family.
Sincerely,
Mike & Diana Bogart
Cruise Planners
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Freedom of the Seas homeported at Port Canaveral in May 2009!
Published March 20, 2008
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and the Canaveral Port Authority are expected to finalize an agreement in the next few months to homeport the 160,000-ton Freedom of the Seas at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean submitted a letter of intent to deploy the vessel to Canaveral in May 2009. "The Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise vessel homeported here," said Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. "And the agreement represents the longest commitment of Royal Caribbean to Port Canaveral." Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said, "Based on the popularity of Mariner of the Seas at Port Canaveral, we look forward to and anticipate similar success for Freedom of the Seas." The 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas was launched in 2006 as the world's largest cruise ship.
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"Freestyle Cruising" Scores High Marks At Cruise Seminar
Published April 4, 2008
On Thursday, April 3rd cruise experts Mike & Diana Bogart of Cruise Planners hosted their second of three educational cruise nights at the Holiday Inn Airport and Convention Center in Charleston, SC.
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Carnival Carnival Imagination on 10/20/08 · $239
Carnival Carnival Imagination on 11/17/08 · $239
Carnival Carnival Triumph on 11/02/08 · $541
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on 11/22/08 · $499
Carnival Carnival Sensation on 09/18/08 · $249
Carnival Carnival Fascination on 09/01/08 · $249
Carnival Carnival Fascination on 11/20/08 · $309
