Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced that it has selected the name for its new F3 ship: Norwegian Epic. Just as the name implies, the ship will be the largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date. The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Caribbean from Miami, beginning in summer 2010. Following a series of inaugural events in Europe and the U.S., the ship will homeport in Miami and will sail year-round to the Caribbean offering alternating seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages through April 2011. These cruises are scheduled...

Vacationers will now be able to experience the world's most highlyanticipated cruise ship even sooner. Royal Caribbean International today announced two additional sailings for Oasis of the Seas' inaugural season: a seven-night inaugural Eastern Caribbean itinerary, sailing on December 5, 2009; and a special four-night voyage - departing December 1, 2009 - to celebrate the launch of an all-new Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach paradise in Haiti. On the December 5, 2009 inaugural voyage, guests will be among the first to enjoy Oasis of the Seas, with all of her venues and amenities...

This holiday season, Celebrity Cruises and sister brand Azamara Cruises believe the gift that keeps on giving is the host of awards and honors the brands have received this year from travel partners, press, cruise guests and noted authorities in some of the industry's most prestigious surveys and readers' polls around the world. Last night, Celebrity took top honors as "Best Premium Cruise Line," further confirming the brand's longtime lock on that position, while sister brand Azamara Cruises' Azamara Journey earned "Best Premium Ship" honors at the annual Travel Week...

Guests aboard select 2009 Queen Mary 2 voyages will get up-close-and-personal with award-winning authors, playwrights and poets   In 2009, guests sailing a Transatlantic Crossing aboard Cunard's flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the literary world's most fascinating personalities. Among the best-selling authors and playwrights scheduled to sail are E.L. Doctorow, Erica Jong, Amy Bloom, John Guare and Susan Cheever. They are among several celebrated, award-winning authors who are set to infuse Cunard Insights, the line's top-r...

More Ships to Receive Innovative Features; New Itinerary Options Debut The Sanctuary Added to Princess Fleet -- Prompted by enthusiastic response from its passengers, Princess Cruises' ground-breaking "pocket of tranquility" -- The Sanctuary -- has become such a popular haven for passengers looking to escape to a serene hideaway, that it will be added to the entire fleet of Princess ships. The Sanctuary debuted in 2006 aboard Crown Princess and was an instant success as it gave passengers the perfect place to take a break and indulge in a private getaway in a plush, outdoor ...

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched online check-in via its new "My NCL" portal. This online gateway enables both travel partners and guests to update and track pre-cruise activity through a quick three step process. "By checking in online with My NCL,'" guests will speed up the boarding process allowing them to start enjoying their Freestyle Cruising vacation sooner," said Vivian Ewart, vice president of passenger services. "Travel partners will find My NCL' especially helpful in ensuring a seamless process from the moment a guest books to the minute...