SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 28, 2012) – Princess Cruises today marked the beginning of construction of the second of its new generation of ships with the official keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. At the same time the line annoUnced that the ship’s name will be REGAL PRINCESS.The vessel, a sister ship to Royal Princess, will debut in Spring 2014.The company and shipyard officials started the countdown to the ship’s launch today as the keel – the bottommost part of the ship – was ceremoniously lowered into position in the building dock.

"Just as Royal Princess was named after one of our iconic early vessels, Regal Princess also takes a name from our past that we think is well suited for this spectacular ship," said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises. "Today’s keel laying is an exciting event as it marks a key milestone in our newbuilding program."

Following a traditional blessing by a priest, the ship’s keel – which weighs approximately 500 tons – was moved into position by a huge crane onto the keel blocks. The computer-guided maneuver took only minutes, belying the more than 2 million man hours that will ultimately go into building the vessel. The 3,600-passenger, 141,000-ton ship will remain in the building dock until its float-out next summer.

Regal Princess will offer many of the same special features as  Royal Princess, which debuts in June 2013. Among these are a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio; a pastry shop; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. More information and video previews of Royal Princess are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

Additional details including schedules and itineraries for Regal Princess will be announced next year.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through professional travel agent, CRICKET CRUISE & TRAVEL, LLC by calling 979-836-6600.

About Princess Cruises:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 16 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. Two ships are under construction and will join the fleet in 2013 and 2014. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from three to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

CRUISES: Carnival Tests All-You-Can-Drink Packages

8/21/2012 - CruiseCritic.com reports that Carnival Cruise Lines is quietly testing an "all-you-can-drink, alcohol-included" beverage package (similar to Celebrity, MSC, and Oceania). Now available just on the "Carnival Victory," the "My Awesome Bar Program" runs $42.95 per person per day, plus a 15 percent gratuity. The package includes any drink sold on board priced individually at $10 or less, including sodas, non-alcoholic frozen cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits/mixed drinks. If one passenger buys the package, then everyone ages 21 and up in that person's cabin must also buy it. See the CruiseCritic.com report. MSC Cruises reports that its ship "MSC Poesia" will launch its winter season in Fort Lauderdale in late November (through late April 2013). The ship will add two new port calls (Bonaire and Dominica) on its Caribbean routes, and it will sail to Bermuda as well. The schedule includes several "Baseball Greats" themed cruises. See Holland America Line confirms that its ship "Volendam" helped rescue 70 passengers from a tour boat in Alaska after it apparently struck a rock in Glacier Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard evacuated the passengers from the tour boat to the cruise ship, which will take them to Bartlett Cove for their return to Juneau. See American Safari Cruises plans to add a new vessel next summer: the 88-passenger steamer "Safari Legacy" (formerly the "Spirit of '98" operated by the defunct Cruise West). The ship will be refurbished and upgraded before it begins offering Alaska and Pacific Northwest voyages. Louis Cruises says it will offer new enrichment lectures on its Greece and Turkey cruises this fall. The initial series ("Ancient Empires to Modern Metropolises") will include 60-minute interactive seminars each day on the line's Sept. 21 and Sept. 28 voyages from Athens. (Credit: Carnival Cruise Lines)

I DON'T want my CLIENTS to MISS THESE UPGRADES! BOOK BY AUGUST 12, 2012 Only three more days for me to offer my clients free upgrades with Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Upgrade Event.  Call me to book any 2013 or 2014 sailings, and get free upgrades. HERE ARE THE OFFER DETAILS: • All ships, all destinations on 2013 and 2014 sailings • Up to a 4-category upgrade within the same category - best upgrades go first • Select sailings offer upgrades to the next stateroom category (i.e. Book a Balcony Stateroom for the price of an Oceanview, book an Oceanview for the price of an Inside and more) • 50% reduced deposit • Over $300 worth of onboard e-coupons Get the word out and HURRY before this offer ends! 979-836-6600 LeAnne (Photo Credits:  NCL)

SAILING FROM GALVESTON, TEXAS

Mariner of the Seas
7 Night Western Caribbean - Round trip from Galveston, TX


11/18/12 prices from:
$909 - Interior, Cat L
$1209 - Ocean View, Cat H
$1269 - Balcony, Cat D3
$2279 - Junior Suite, Cat JS

11/25/12 prices from:
$649 - Interior, Cat L
$709 - Ocean View, Cat H
$969 - Balcony, Cat D2
$1849 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
$2599 - Grand Suite, Cat GS

12/2/12 prices from:
$689 - Interior, Cat L
$829 -Ocean View, Cat H
$1209 - Balcony, Cat D1

12/9/12 prices from:
$569 - Interior, Cat M
$679 - Ocean View, Cat H
$899 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1499 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CA, LA, AR & TX

12/16/12 prices from:
$659 - Interior, Cat N
$799 - Ocean View, Cat G
$999 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1699 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Senior & Resident rates are also available: CA, LA, AR & TX

12/23/12 prices from:
$1189 - Interior, Cat M
$1499 - Ocean View, Cat I
$1799 - Balcony, Cat E2
$2969 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CA

12/30/12
$899 - Interior, Cat M - NEW LOWER PRICE!!
$1099 - Ocean View, Cat I
$1249 - Balcony, Cat D2
$2669 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Senior & Resident rates are also available: CA, OK & TX

1/6/2013 prices from:
$509 - Interior, Cat M
$649 - Ocean View, Cat H
$849 - Balcony, Cat E1
$1669 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CA, OK, & TX

1/13/2013 prices from:
$589 - Interior, Cat N
$779 - Ocean View, Cat H
$999 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1649 - Junior Suite, Cat JS

1/20/2013 prices from:
$619 - Interior, Cat M
$699 - Ocean View, Cat I
$869 - Balcony, Cat D1
$1799- Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CO, OK & KS

1/27/2013 prices from:
$609 - Interior, Cat N
$699 - Ocean View, Cat I
$999 - Balcony, Cat E2
Resident rates are also available: CA, TX, & OK

2/3/2013 prices from:
$559 - Interior, Cat N
$729 - Ocean View, Cat H
$849 - Balcony, Cat E2
Resident rates are also available: CA & TX

2/10/2013 prices from:
$619 - Interior, M
$729 - Ocean View, Cat H
$999 - Balcony, Cat E1
$1499 - Junior Suite, Cat JS

2/17/2013 prices from:
$599 - Interior, Cat Q
$749 - Ocean View, Cat I
$949 - Balcony, Cat E1
$2049 - Grand Suite, Cat GS
Resident rates are also available: CA & TX

2/24/2013 prices from:
$599 - Interior, Cat Q
$749 - Ocean View, Cat I
$909 - Balcony, Cat D3
$1799 - Grand Suite, Cat GS
Resident rates are also available: CA, OK & TX

3/3/2013 prices from:
$549 - Interior, Cat Q
$699 - Ocean View, Cat I
$899 - Balcony, Cat E1
$1349 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CA & TX

3/10/2013 prices from:
$899 - Interior, Cat Q
$1049 - Ocean View, Cat I
$1249 - Balcony, Cat E2
$2149 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CA, TX,& OK

3/17/2013 prices from:
$699 - Interior, Cat Q
$749 - Ocean View, Cat I
$999 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1399 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
Resident rates are also available: CA, TX, & OK

3/24/2013 prices from:
$699 - Interior, Cat Q
$849 - Ocean View, Cat I
$1049 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1599 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
$1949 - Grand Suite, Cat GS

3/31/2013 prices from:
$699 - Interior, Cat Q
$849 - Ocean View, Cat I
$999 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1299 - Junior Suite, Cat JS
$1749 - Grand Suite, Cat GS
Resident rates are also available: CA & TX

4/7/2013 prices from:
$659 - Interior, Cat N
$799 - Ocean View, Cat I
$999 - Balcony, Cat E2
$1999 - Junior Suite, Cat JS

DON'T HESITATE & MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY !
GIVE ME A CALL:  979-836-6600
~~ LeAnne

Rates are cruise-only per person in US dollars including NCCF, and are based on double occupancy. Governmental taxes and fees are additional. Rates are capacity controlled and are subject to change without notice.  Ships Registered in the Bahamas. 
Updated 8/3/12.

Here is a lineup of PRINCESS CRUISES Getaways starting in 2013:

Caribbean Getaways (Oct 2013–May 2014) ~

• 4- and 5-day Eastern Caribbean Getaways (roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale)
• 4- and 5-day Western Caribbean Getaways (roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale)
• 4-day Western Caribbean Getaway (roundtrip Galveston)
• 5-day Caribbean Maiden Voyage (roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale)

California Coastal Getaways (Sep 2013–Jan 2014) ~

• 3- and 4-day West Coast Getaways (roundtrip Los Angeles)

In addition, we are also offering several 1- to 6-day Pacific Coastal itineraries (May 2013–May 2014) and a 5-day Alaska Getaway sailing roundtrip Vancouver (May 16, 2014).


INTERESTED?? Call me! ~~ LeAnne

ROYAL CARIBBEAN News:

In March the Rhapsody of the Seas went through extensive refurbishment; we added some of Royal Caribbean International's signature lounges and restaurants and upgraded many of her features.

After a month-long $54 million dry dock, Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas has emerged from Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard (a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.) as a virtually new ship. The newly revitalized Rhapsody of the Seas will deliver guests a host of exciting new dining options, visually stunning entertainment and unique amenities after the ship’s bow-to-stern transformation. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy all of Rhapsody of the Seas new signature features as they sail in the awe-inspiring Alaska this summer or vibrant Australia in the fall. To learn more about Rhapsody’s transformation visit http://bit.ly/9m9ZTc.

“Rhapsody of the Seas’ dry dock is part of Royal Caribbean’s multi-ship enhancement and revitalization strategy to deliver the world’s most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries and world-renowned Gold Anchored service to our guests, also known as the Royal Advantage” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “With every inch of Rhapsody of the Seas renewed, five new dining restaurants added, the evolution of entertainment in our iconic Centrum, plus an array of new touches, guests will be wowed by what is virtually a new ship.”

The all-encompassing revitalization introduces a range of guest amenities and premium experiences that are sure to wow even the most experienced cruiser. From the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery designed for the cruise line’s youngest guests, 6 - 36 months old, a Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members, a Concierge Lounge for suite guests and top-tier loyalty guests and completely refreshed staterooms, the onboard revitalization was comprehensive. Guests also will find that staying connected at sea will be easier with Wi-Fi availability throughout the ship and enjoy a host of technology enhancements that include, flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, an outdoor LED movie screen on the pool deck, as well as a digital way-finding system all of which debut on Royal Caribbean’s latest and world’s most innovative sister ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
For guests looking to tickle their taste buds, Rhapsody of the Seas features an array of new dining options with the addition of five of the fleet’s most highly acclaimed dinning concepts, including Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Asian Cuisine restaurant, Park Café deli-style restaurant, Chop’s Grille steakhouse and the exclusive 14-guest Chef’s Table. Concept overviews and pricing are as follows:

· Giovanni’s Table: An Italian trattoria featuring Italian classics served family-style (open for lunch, $15, and dinner, $20)

· Izumi Asian Cuisine: Featuring mouthwatering flavors and a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking, the pan Asian cuisine restaurant is a no-hassle, authentic dining experience (open for lunch and dinner, $3.00 cover charge for lunch and $5.00 for dinner plus a la carte menu pricing)

· Park Café: An indoor/outdoor gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, complimentary)

· Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse offering premium cuts and quality meats (open for dinner, $30 per person)

· Chef’s Table: An exclusive and private experience co-hosted by the executive Chef and Sommelier for a wine pairing dinner of five courses (open for dinner, $95 per person).

Guests looking for a jaw-dropping entertainment experience need to look no further than the reinvented Centrum, featuring enriching daytime activities, dazzling nighttime entertainment and a new high-flying entertainment experience where aerialists glide through the five-story atrium as guests enjoy a cocktail in the 60’s inspired R Bar, a new bar concept first introduced onboard Splendour of the Seas. Guests also can take in the newly re-imagined Viking Crown Lounge, which features a stunning new design concept as well as a new menu featuring bite size goodies.

Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on a 15-night voyage from Singapore to Sydney, Australia. From there, she will sail across the Pacific via Hawaii to her Alaska season in May 2012. In Alaska, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail every Friday on seven-night, round-trip cruises from Seattle, calling at Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, and Victoria, B.C. Guests also will transit Alaska’s Inside Passage, as well as venture up Tracy Arm Fjord to see Sawyer Glacier.

If you'd like to book your next cruise on this FANTABULOUS ship, give me a call: 979-836-6600.
~~ LeAnne

Why Savvy Travelers Use Travel Agents

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Vacations. They create positive lasting memories and are designed to recharge our internal batteries. But too often the stress around planning and traveling can do just the opposite, with travelers spending countless hours researching and Internet surfing to find the best deal for their vacation.

But what happens when the vacation you buy online doesn't live up to your expectations? Who do you call? If you used a travel professional, they would be able to make it right.

Savvy travelers know that vacations planned using travel agents offer better experiences and customer satisfaction.

My mission statement is to offer my clients the best vacation for the best price with unconditional service.

~~ LeAnne
www.cricketcruiseandtravel.com