| Early Booking Amenities Available Until May 31 for Holland America Line's 2009 Grand Voyages
In 2009, three Holland America Line ships -- ms Rotterdam, ms Prinsendam and ms Amsterdam -- will offer four distinct Grand Voyages ranging from 50 to 117 days that span the globe. Guests who make full-cruise reservations by May 31, 2008, will be privy to a host of early booking amenities to enhance their cruise experience. .
Pacific coastal cruises this fall, from just $99
Sailing the scenic Pacific coast is a fabulous way to spend a couple of days. So why not make an early-bird booking now for a fall cruise along the spectacular West Coast shorelines? We found a threesome of Pacific coast voyages, with Norwegian and Holland America, now starting at a spectacularly low $99! Six-night Pacific coastal fall voyage
We scoured a stellar Pacific coastal option on CruisesOnly: a six-night sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles that departs in September on Norwegian Star. This cruise regularly starts $599 but with this early-booking offer interior cabins have dropped in price to just $449. That means you're saving $150 off rack rates! Oceanview cabins are also discounted, selling at only $649. Ports of call include Victoria in British Columbia; Astoria, Oregon; and San Francisco.
Holland America Line Plans Exciting New Cruises and Ports in 2009
Holland America Line, the world's leading premium cruise line, has announced its 2009 global deployment which includes nearly 500 cruises that visit all seven continents and more than 320 ports of call. A highlight of the 2009 plan will take place in the fall when the ms Oosterdam moves to South America as the first Vista-class ship in the Southern Hemisphere. This will increase the line's South America capacity by 32 percent in this popular market. "We are thrilled to be introducing a Vista ship with more verandah staterooms in the growing South American market," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our commitment to offering the most varied and intriguing destinations to our guests is unparalleled. In 2009 alone, we visit 20 new ports and introduce a number of new itinerary options." Cruises, which sail from 35 home ports -- 11 in North America -- range from two to 117 days in length.
Royal Caribbean launching own social network
Cruises are often social vacations, and Royal Caribbean wants to tap into that community energy by creating an online social network for its customers. Called RoyalConnect, the social network is a way for previous Royal Caribbean customers to get in touch with company staff and other cruisers with similar interests. Cruising enthusiasts already dive into chat message boards and blogs, but this is the first time a cruise line is creating a private social network just for its customers. The site's first users will be members of the company's Crown & Anchor Society -- a free benefit program where membership requires having been on one Royal Caribbean cruise. About 70 executives, captains, cruise directors and other select ship staff will be among the first employees to create profiles so that customers can engage with them.
Obama cruises to victory in N.C., Clinton hangs on in Indiana
Sen. Barack Obama won a blowout Tuesday in North Carolina, putting him closer than ever to claiming the nomination. But Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton clung to a narrow lead in Indiana, allowing her to survive but weakening her case for help from Democratic superdelegates.</p><p>"Tonight we stand less than 200 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination," Obama told a cheering crowd in Raleigh, N.C. "We can't afford to give John McCain the chance to serve out George Bush's third term . . . That's why we will be united in November."</p><p>By winning the night's bigger prize by a wide margin, Obama stretched his delegate and vote lead. That served up a resounding rebuttal to Clinton's claim of momentum since her big win in Pennsylvania two weeks ago.</p><p>But with only a half-dozen primaries left, he can't clinch without help from party elders.</p><p>There are now more undeclared superdelegates than delegates at stake in remaining states.</p><p>For Clinton, viability may now hinge on whether the party lifts sanctions against Florida and Michigan for holding early primaries.
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