A Royal Welcome for 6 Princesses

Princess Cruises will deploy a record six ships in Europe in 2008. The season, which starts in early April and stretches through November, will include five new itineraries and visits to eight new destinations. Cruises will range from seven to 23 days.

New to Europe will be Crown Princess, which adds capacity to Scandinavia/Russia itineraries, and Pacific Princess, which gives another small-ship option in the Mediterranean and will significantly increase Holy Land sailings.

The 710-passenger Royal Princess returns with a new schedule, including a ‘Classical Europe’ route which combines Scandinavia/Russia with the Mediterranean. Emerald Princess, which debuts this spring in the Mediterranean, sails once again throughout the Med and Greek Isles. Grand Princess showcases both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and Sea Princess sails on one- and two-week Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries from Southampton.

Silversea's Spa Sensation

Silversea Cruises is launching a new spa concept throughout its four-ship fleet, starting with the Silver Shadow. The new spa brand, known as The Spa at Silversea, will replace the line's existing Mandara Spas and will feature new treatments and ceremonies designed to offer a more personalized and holistic spa experience that focuses on the guest's individual needs and lifestyle.

Recently unveiled during the Silver Shadow's World Cruise, The Spa has a refurbished décor of new artwork and contemporary furnishings in a color palette of white and silver with subtle hints of color. The new spa will be implemented aboard Silver Wind in July, and will be expanded to the Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper in the following months.

Emerald not Emeril

The Emerald Princess will introduce the Chef’s Table when she enters service this spring, offering ‘foodies’ an opportunity to join the executive chef for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the galley, followed by a multi-course tasting dinner in the dining room.

The new Chef’s Table concept will give a select group of passengers the opportunity to visit the galley at its busiest time – dinner – where they will be served French champagne with appetizers while the chef previews the menu he has created for them. The fare will be at the chef’s discretion – perhaps focusing on regional cuisine or ingredients from a recent port – and will not be offered elsewhere on the ship.

The group will then go to their special table in the dining room, where wine selected by the maitre d’ is included. The chef will join the group for dessert. The Chef’s Table can be reserved by up to 10 passengers on select nights at a cost of $75 per person. After its debut on Emerald Princess, the concept will be gradually introduced fleetwide.

Cruisin' Kids Rule on Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International provided details of its previously announced loyalty program for young cruisers. The Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program is designed for passengers under 18 and will launch with Liberty of the Seas’ maiden voyage on May 19.

Children will automatically attain their parents’ membership level -- Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Diamond Plus -- when enrolled in the program. Members will be welcomed at the beginning of each cruise with a Youth Ultimate Value Booklet, which includes coloring pages, puzzles, games and special offers for shipboard amenities such as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Airbrush Tattoo, arcade games and Y-spa (teen treatments). Members also will receive Crayola Twistable crayons or a Royal Caribbean messenger bag.

Parents can enroll their children at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/youth.

Wine but no Whining Allowed

Celebrity Cruises unveiled more details of the two wine-themed voyages that will bookend the Mercury’s Alaska season. The ship will depart San Francisco on April 27 for a seven-night voyage to Vancouver with stops in Monterey (Calif.), Astoria (Ore.), Seattle and Victoria. On Nov. 2, Mercury casts off from Vancouver for a 10-night wine cruise to San Diego via Victoria, Seattle, Astoria and Catalina Island, with an overnight in San Francisco.

Activities on board will include talks by a California winemaker or wine expert, wine appreciation seminars, wine and cheese tastings, blending courses and culinary demonstrations.

Shoreside, excursions will include tastings and winery tours, a seafood cooking school, a wine and chocolate tour of Victoria’s Butchart Gardens and an overnight stay in Napa Valley with visits to Sterling Vineyards, The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, Opus One Winery, Jarvis Winery, Rubicon Estate Winery, Robert Mondavi Winery and Domaine Chandon. Also available are a post-cruise, chauffeured culinary adventure through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley and a tour of Oregon's prominent Willamette Valley wineries, Willakenzie Estate and Ken Wright Cellars.

Contact your cruise specialist for more details, rates and reservations.

Destiny's Delightful Dominican Diversions

Carnival Destiny’s new five-port, seven-day itinerary from San Juan will feature an overnight in La Romana/Casa de Campo, along with visits to St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados and St. Thomas/St. John.

The new route kicks off Jan. 8, 2008.
Prices start at $479 per person, double occupancy. Air supplements from a variety of North American gateways are available. Contact your cruise specialist for details.

In the Bag

With the new Princess Luggage Valet service, US and Canadian passengers can have their baggage picked up at home and delivered to their cabin on board.
The service will first be available for European voyages, beginning aboard Grand Princess on May 14, Emerald Princess on May 17, Star Princess on May 22 and Royal Princess on June 1. The program will be expanded to other destinations later in the year.
Shipping for Princess Luggage Valet will be provided by DHL Worldwide Express. Prices start at $90 per bag each way for domestic shipments, and vary depending on baggage weight and destination.