Cruise Blog, by American Discount Cruises

Miami - (June 18, 2007 ) - Celebrity Cruises is beaming about the approach of summer solstice. The term for the longest day and shortest night of the year, summer solstice traditionally marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but at Celebrity Cruises, it also marks the opening of bookings for Celebrity Solstice^SM, the top-rated premium cruise line's first new ship since 2002.

Bookings for Celebrity Solstice will open exclusively for members of Celebrity's loyalty program, "Captain's Club," on June 21, the date of this year's summer solstice. Beginning July 5, all other cruise enthusiasts are welcome to book a Celebrity Solstice vacation. "We are thrilled with the early interest and enthusiasm we're receiving from our guests and travel partners about Celebrity Solstice," said Celebrity's President Dan Hanrahan. "As a special gesture of appreciation to our loyal Captain's Club members, we're pleased to offer them the first opportunity to set sail in the ship's inaugural season."

Celebrity Solstice will offer the extraordinary service and dining experience the brand is known for providing, along with a variety of compelling new features that will be revealed over time.

One of those features is the line's new AquaClass^SM category of veranda accommodations expressly designed for spa enthusiasts. Guests booked in AquaClass will receive unlimited access to Celebrity Solstice's new AquaSpa relaxation room and the Persian Garden, an exotic aromatherapy and steam room, as well as exclusive, complimentary dining in Blu, an intimate, 130-seat specialty restaurant whose design is likely to be as inviting as the cuisine.

AquaClass^SM will comprise 130 of the ship's 1,425 staterooms. A full 85 percent of all staterooms onboard Celebrity Solstice will have verandas, and all staterooms will be equipped with flat-screen TVs, smarter storage and closet space, spacious bathrooms, and plush European bedding. The ship will offer wireless Internet access throughout.

Following several weeks of inaugural activities, Celebrity Solstice will make its maiden voyage December 14, 2008, on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The itinerary will be offered on Sundays through April 5, 2009, with an alternating itinerary calling on San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, B.V.I.; and Labadee, Haiti, through April 12, 2009. Fares for veranda staterooms begin at $1,099 per person, based on double occupancy.

Celebrity Solstice^SM will be the line's first in a class of four 2,850-guest vessels with an exceptional range of guest-inspired services and amenities. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft is building the 122,000-ton vessels. Meyer Werft also built the line's Century-class fleet: Celebrity Century, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Galaxy.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and South America, and will begin sailing in Australia and New Zealand in November. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2007 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. To book a cruise on any of Celebrity's amazing vessels, call American Discount Cruises & Travel, toll free, at 1-866-214-7447.

June 18, 2007 - Cunard Line today announced the sale of QE2 to Dubai World, in a US$100 million deal which will turn the iconic liner into a first-class tourism destination at The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

QE2 will be delivered to Dubai World in November 2008, where she will cease her role as an ocean-going passenger vessel and be refurbished and adapted for her new home. From 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier to create a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island.

The ship, which was launched by Her Majesty The Queen in September 1967, 40 years ago this year, is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history, and was their longest-serving flagship. Since she came into service in 1969, she has undertaken 25 world cruises, has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and has carried more than 2.5 million passengers.

QE2 has been purchased by Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World, a wholly owned company of the Government of Dubai. Nakheel, developer of The Palm Jumeirah, is also a Dubai World company.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said:

"We are delighted that when her legendary career as an ocean liner ends there will continue to be a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history."

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, said:

"QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah."

"QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. We are investing in creating a truly global tourism destination."

"Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished."

Istithmar said its refurbishment programme will aim to recreate QE2's original interior decor and fittings. QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will also include a museum celebrating the rich history of the ship.


The Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is currently the world's largest man-made island and home to a residential, tourism and leisure destination created by Nakheel. The Palm Jumeirah is a landmark in engineering, providing luxury residences, retail and leisure facilities across three main areas - the trunk, the crescent, and the fronds. Over the next five to six years, The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the world's premier resorts, offering more than 30 beachfront hotels, including Atlantis, The Palm. The 17 fronds which form the head of The Palm Jumeirah will be home to some of the most luxurious villas in the world each with its own beachfront. Nakheel is one of the world's largest privately held real estate developers, and a key player in realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world class destination for business and tourism.


Cunard

Cunard Line was formed in 1839 principally to carry the Royal Mail between the UK and North America, and in doing so inaugurated in 1840 the first timetabled steamship service across the Atlantic. The company now operates the only scheduled passenger service across the Atlantic, along with world-wide voyages on the most famous (and only) ocean liners in the world. These legendary voyages offer like-minded travellers the epitome of British refinement through impeccable White Star ServiceSM, fine dining and the elegance and grandeur of these iconic vessels. Cunard's current fleet consists of Queen Mary 2, the world's largest and grandest liner, and Queen Elizabeth 2, the world's fastest and best known liner. The 1,980 passenger Queen Victoria, a truly Classic Cunarder, will join the fleet in December 2007.

Cunard Line is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, which is the largest cruise holiday group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises, and P&O Cruises Australia. These brands operate 80 ships totaling 149,000 lower berths. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, Holland America Tours and Princess Tours. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices. Combined, the companies attract seven million guests annually.


Istithmar and Dubai World

Istithmar PJSC is the investment company of Dubai World. It is 100 % owned by Dubai World, which is in turn wholly owned by the Government of Dubai. It has an investment portfolio which includes more than 50 successful companies. The real estate business aims to acquire and manage a distinguished and diversified portfolio of properties in commercial property, hotels and resorts, the leisure sector and in retail. Existing investments include Kerzner Group, International Hotel Investments, Mandarin Oriental in New York, The Adelphi in London, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Cape Town's V&A Waterfront.

Dubai World is the holding company which manages and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai Government, working towards making Dubai the leading hub for trade and commerce. Dubai World has more than 50,000 employees in more than 100 cities around the world and its companies include DP World, P&O, Nakheel, Istithmar PJSC, Inchcape Shipping Services and Tejari.

MIAMI, June 11, 2007 - Cruisers looking for a quick winter escape to the Caribbean will continue to have diverse Royal Caribbean cruise offerings during the 2008-09 winter season. The cruise line recently announced 42 Caribbean sailings aboard Grandeur of the Seas and Vision of the Seas. Ranging from four- to 10-night Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean voyages from Tampa or Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Grandeur and Vision sailings are currently open for bookings.

"Royal Caribbean offers travelers many choices for an exhilarating cruise vacation during the winter months," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Tampa is a convenient port for travelers from the eastern Gulf Coast to enjoy a rejuvenating weekend getaway aboard Grandeur of the Seas. And for a truly authentic Caribbean experience, Vision of the Seas will sail from Santo Domingo to the lesser-trodden island-gems in the Southern Caribbean.

"Travelers may choose from 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruises or four- and five-night Western Caribbean roundtrip voyages starting November 10, 2009, aboard Grandeur of the Seas. Eastern Caribbean ports-of-call include San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. Johns, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Travelers have two itinerary choices on the five-night Western Caribbean sailings, calling at Yucatan (Progreso) and Cozumel, Mexico; or Costa Maya, Mexico, and Belize City, Belize. The four-night voyage will include calls at Key West, Florida, and Cozumel.

At the beginning of 2009, Vision of the Seas will take guests on two fascinating seven-night itineraries to the Southern Caribbean. Sailing roundtrip from Santo Domingo, she will call at Pointe A Pitre, Guadeloupe; Fort De France, Martinique; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Castries, St. Lucia. The alternate itinerary takes guests to ports-of-calls at Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Margarita Island, Venezuela; and Oranjestad, Aruba. Travelers also can choose a 14-night eastbound Panama Canal repositioning cruise, sailing on January 4, 2009, with calls at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, and Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Cristobal Pier, Panama; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Both Vision-class ships, Grandeur of the Seas and Vision of the Seas feature a solarium covered by a crystal canopy, a glass roof that retracts to take advantage of the tropical Caribbean weather. Guests can enjoy a total of 10 restaurants and lounges, 24-hour room service, Royal Caribbean's award-winning Broadway-style productions, and Vegas-paced gaming in Casino Royale. Grandeur and Vision's extensive fitness programs and world-class spa menu, coupled with intriguing ports-of-call, offer guests additional choices for an exhilarating and rejuvenating vacation experience. The line's award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program, with five age-tiered curricula, also entertains and enlightens younger guests under the age of 18. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean's friendly and engaging staff and crew help make each guest's cruise vacation a unique and unforgettable experience by providing the line's signature Gold Anchor Service.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour division.

The following exciting news was recently released by Carnival Cruise Lines:

MIAMI (June 7, 2007) - Later today, Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of San Diego will commemorate the launch of the port's first year-round cruise program with a special VIP event aboard the 2,052-passenger Elation, which departs this afternoon on a four-day cruise to Cabo San Lucas.

Carnival's Elation recently began operating San Diego's first and only year-round cruise program encompassing four-day cruises departing Thursdays to Cabo San Lucas and five-day cruises to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada departing on Mondays and Saturdays, on a rotating schedule.

The Elation will sail on 78 voyages annually from San Diego and joins the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit which has operated seasonal eight-day Mexican Riviera voyages from San Diego since 2004. With Elation and Carnival Spirit, Carnival is expected to carry more than 230,000 passengers annually from San Diego - the most of any cruise operator.

"The West Coast represents a growing market for Carnival and the Elation's one-of-a-kind schedule offers an exciting new alternative to this region, providing consumers with a high quality, affordable short cruise option from a very convenient homeport," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "San Diego is a valued business partner and we look forward to working with them in bringing new visitors to this outstanding and dynamic city," he added.

Commented Sylvia Rios, chair of the board of port commissioners for the Port of San Diego, "The partnership between the Port of San Diego and Carnival Cruise Lines benefits the entire region of San Diego. Having a year-round homeported vessel here offers cruisers more travel opportunities while providing the region with added economic benefits."

Nearly three football fields in length, the 855-foot-long Elation features 12 lounges and bars, including an elaborate multi-level theater showcasing lavish production revues, along with a 12,000-square-foot spa, jogging track, and three swimming pools - one featuring Carnival's signature 115-foot-long "Twister Waterslide."

Dining options include three restaurants - two elegant formal dining rooms and an expansive 700-plus-seat poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria - along with a patisserie and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service. An Internet cafe, ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are also available.

Its family-friendly options include "Camp Carnival" and "Club O2," offering expansive facilities and supervised activities for children and teens, respectively. A comprehensive golf program providing the opportunity to play top courses in Mexico is featured, as well.

The Elation also houses a wide selection of spacious staterooms and suites, all of which feature the new "Carnival Comfort Bed" sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets, and high quality linens and pillows.

The following press release was recently issued by Norwegian Cruise Line, concerning the Marco Polo:

Ship to sail under the Orient Lines brand until March 2008 before delivery to new owner.

Miami - June 4, 2007 - NCL Corporation ("NCL") today announced the sale of Marco Polo, from its Orient Lines brand effective March 23, 2008.

Marco Polo is presently owned by Star Cruises along with two other mid-sized vessels also operated on charter by NCL, Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Majesty.

"Marco Polo has an extremely loyal following and the Orient Lines brand is unique in what it offers," said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. "It has been an important part of our business during the transition from the old NCL to the new NCL with the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of this year.

"We have said for the past two years that all of our older ships would progressively leave the fleet as our new, purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships arrived. The timing of Marco Polo's departure always revolved around finding a good next owner, and I am pleased to say we have found one. This unique ship will, from the summer of 2008, have a new lease of life serving a new market under an established brand. The new owner will be announcing the acquisition very soon."

Marco Polo's famously friendly and family-like Filipino crew will continue to delight Orient Lines guests through to the delivery of the ship to her new owner. After that, they will be welcomed into new opportunities within the rest of the NCL fleet.

NCL will shortly announce details of a comprehensive on-board program for the farewell season of the Marco Polo. Marco Polo's final cruise will be the March 2, 2008 repositioning cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, Portugal.

In the coming weeks, the hundreds of thousands of loyal Polo Club members who have sailed on Marco Polo over the years will be invited and enticed to come and enjoy her warm home-away-from-home atmosphere one last time.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines. The company recently took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Pearl, and is currently building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October of 2007.

In addition, NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011. NCL is on target to have the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of 2007 with the introduction of Norwegian Gem, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

The following information was recently released by Holland America Line:

Seattle, May 31, 2007 - The ms Westerdam recently launched its 2007 Europe cruise season with the unveiling of new staterooms, more shopping opportunities, a larger Pinnacle Grill and Bar, and a spectacular view for guests when they enjoy their morning latte. A new Explorations Cafe, powered by The New York Times, has been created at the top of the ship in a portion of the Crow's Nest on Observation Deck.

"The recent additions are another example of how Holland America Line continues to unveil new and imaginative on-board activities, dining, and ship renovations to provide an unparalleled experience for today's premium cruise guests," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer.

The first wave of innovative Signature of Excellence fleet-wide enhancements, which cost more than $225 million, was completed at the end of 2006.

"At Holland America Line, we continually evaluate how to make our product even more relevant to today's cruiser. This ongoing commitment to quality and innovation is our Signature of Excellence," added Kruse. "These new concepts and venues on the Westerdam will be extended to the Eurodam upon its launch in June 2008 and to the Vista-class Oosterdam in 2008 and Zuiderdam in 2009."

Work on the Westerdam was completed a day earlier than expected at Fincantieri Palermo Shipyard in Italy.

Located in the Crow's Nest, the new Explorations Cafe, powered by The New York Times, provides magnificent vistas while guests surf the Internet Center, read a book, listen to music, or relax with friends, sipping a specialty coffee or enjoying a tasty pastry.

The popular Pinnacle Grill alternative restaurant on Lower Promenade Deck was expanded to accommodate 136 guests. A new Pinnacle Bar separate from the restaurant was created.

One deck higher, on Promenade Deck, the former location of the Internet Center now features additional shopping areas and a small coffee bar. The Holland America Line Signature Shops have expanded and a new high-end jewelry store, the Merabella - which was first introduced on the ms Amsterdam - has been added.

The guest capacity of Westerdam also has increased with the addition of 34 verandah and inside cabins on the aft Upper Verandah, Rotterdam and Navigation decks. The new staterooms, complete with signature amenities such as flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds, give Westerdam a guest capacity of 1,916.