Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was one of 52 travel companies presented with the coveted Globe Award from American Express Vacations, one of the country’s premier private-label tour operators selling destinations worldwide. Award recipients are selected based upon business growth, innovation and partnership.   The awards were presented at the tour operator’s annual “Best of the Best” celebration held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, in the Dom...

  How do you make the best even better? Celebrity Cruises believes you break the rules, stay ahead of the curve, and provide what vacationers want most - often before they even say they want it. That belief is vividly reflected in the distinctive, luxurious, vacation-enhancing venues Celebrity will introduce on the fourth and fifth ships in its award-winning Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection. "We recognize that consumers' vacation time is precious, and that's what drives us to continually create new and unique experiences that...

  ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT host Mary Hart is confirmed as the godmother of Oceania Cruises’ new cruise ship Marina. Hart will name the ship in Miami at a lavish, invitation-only christening ceremony February 5, which will culminate with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of champagne, custom-made by Armand de Brignac, commemoratively crashing against the hull.   A beloved television personality, this year marks Hart’s final season as host of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT – the number one syndicated entertainment newsmagazine show in the world, which enters its 30th season th...

  Celebrity Cruises is expanding Celebrity Life, its popular onboard activities program. Enrichment activities will grow in 2011 to include Smithsonian Journeys speakers on a total of 99 cruises in six popular destinations. Celebrity also is evolving the Celebrity Life platform to include, for the first time, a range of fun games and activities such as pool games, outdoor evening DJ and dancing events, trivia and karaoke. Celebrity also is building on the success of its existing culinary and wellnessofferings."We created Celebrity Life as a way for our guests to en...

  Royal Caribbean International once again makes maritime history.  At the official naming ceremony for the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, guests were enchanted when her larger-than-life godmother was unveiled - Princess Fiona.  This is the first time that a 3-D animated character is the godmother of a cruise ship. The 3-D star of DreamWorks Animation's megahit film series, "Shrek," presided over the celebration, joining and interacting in 3-D with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s Chairman and CEO, Richard D. Fain, during the cerem...

  Following the revelry of Queen Elizabeth's Royal Naming Ceremony last month, Cunard Line continues A Grand Celebration by announcing its inaugural participation in the 122nd Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade presented by Honda - the globally televised event considered "America's New Year's Parade." Today, Cunard reveals a rendering of its float, themed "A Grand Celebration at Sea," created by award-winning Fiesta Parade Floats in collaboration with renowned artist and float designer Raul Rodriguez. Marking the first time Cunard has participated in the...

  Norwegian Cruise Line and CBS jointly announced today that Norwegian's CEO Kevin Sheehan will appear on an upcoming episode of the Emmy-nominated hit reality series "Undercover Boss" on the CBS Television Network. "With 11 Freestyle Cruising ships in our fleet and more than 16,000 employees both shipboard and shoreside, it's challenging to keep in tune with our crew who are the face of the company and interacting with guests on a daily basis," said Sheehan. "When I joined the company, one of my goals was to ensure consistency across our fleet and make sure that we are delivering...

  Royal Caribbean International takes delivery today of the newest addition to the cruise line's fleet, Allure of the Seas, from STX Europe in Turku, Finland.  With Captain Hernan Zini at the helm, Allure of the Seas will be departing Turku on October 29, 2010, starting the 13-day countdown to her U.S. debut into her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Thursday, Nov. 11.  Allure of the Seas joins sister-ship Oasis of the Seas as the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship. Fans and enthusiasts are in...

  Most relaxing Americans put a priority on having fun rather than sleeping while they are vacationing, according to a recent relaxation survey commissioned by Princess Cruises. With the busy holiday travel season upon us, many Americans may be looking for a little rest and relaxation in between, which, according to the survey findings, means different things to different people. The Princess Cruises "Relaxation Report" uncovered some surprising insights as to how Americans pursue leisure. The "Report" showed that 55% of vacationers preferred to get up early rather than sleep in...

  Following the successful launch of Norwegian Epic, the Company's largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it has reached an agreement with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Germany to build two new next generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in spring 2013 and spring 2014, respectively. Each of the 143,500 gross ton vessels, the largest passenger/cruise ships to be built in Germany, will have approximately 4,000 passenger berths and a rich cabin mix. Additional details about each ship's new and exciting features will be released as constructio...

  Partnership with the Wyland Foundation promotes environmental awareness and ocean preservation     Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced it will be partnering with the Wyland Foundation for its 2011 CP Cares initiative, a program created to support charitable organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Wyland Foundation, founded by renowned marine muralist and environmental advocate Wyland, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and pres...

  Brazilian Steakhouse Completes the 24 Dining Venues That Cater to Any Craving Showcasing onboard experiences all her own, Royal Caribbean International'sAllure of the Seas, the world's next largest and most innovative cruise ship debuting in December 2010, will introduce new culinary concepts and tempting twists to signature Oasis-class restaurants.  Samba Grille, a Brazilian steakhouse will be a destination restaurant that comes to life for dinner service in the Solarium, featuring authentic Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes, from Picanha cut sirloi...

  Construction of The Yachts of Seabourn’s third new ultra-luxury yacht, Seabourn Quest, is progressing well, and the company expects to take delivery of the vessel several weeks earlier than anticipated in May 2011. Following the delivery, Seabourn will operate two pre-inaugural cruises: a three-day round trip voyage from Monte Carlo starting from $1,299 per person, and an eight-day cruise from Monte Carlo to Barcelona beginning from $3,499 per person. Both voyages can be combined for an 11-day sailing starting from $4,549 per person.The two sailings will offer travelers opport...

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that three new "legends" will perform as part of the Legends in Concert show on Norwegian Epic beginning Saturday, September 25, 2010. The three are some of the world's most recognized entertainers  Britney Spears, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson. A staple on the Las Vegas' center strip for over 25 years, Legends in Concert is known as the pioneer of live tribute shows and has assembled the greatest collection of live tribute artists and celebrity look-alikes in show business. "The Legends in Concert shows in both the Manhattan Room and in the Epic Theater ...

  In light of the images of sun and shadow conveyed in the names of Celebrity Cruises' stylish Solstice Class ships, the world's top-rated premium brand is marking autumnal equinox by announcing the name of the fifth in its 'Xceptional' series: Celebrity Reflection.   "Selecting the name of the fifth ship in the class led us to reflect back on the significant impact the Solstice Class has had on the cruise industry," said Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Our Solstice Class ships offer the finest in premium cruising, with service provided by the best men and wom...

Now Is A Good Time To “Cruise Them Or Lose Them,” Says Royal Caribbean International   Over-worked, over-tired and stressed-out workers have one more thing to worry about this coming Labor Day - how many vacation days they could potentially be losing this year. And if The President of the United States, who just returned from a respite on Martha's Vineyard, can still find time, then shouldn't everyone?     The fact that people are not using all of their vacation days is well documented and the statistics are staggering. According to data released in a ...

  Cunard Line is pleased to announce that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton, England on Monday, 11 October 2010. The naming will be a milestone in British maritime history and will be a major event of worldwide interest. “The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 i...

  As Royal Caribbean International prepares for the December 2010 launch of Allure of the Seas, the world's next largest and most revolutionary cruise ship, the global cruise line continues to unveil surprising new features and amenities that will distinguish Allure from her sister-ship,Oasis of the Seas.  After announcing an integrated partnership with DreamWorks Animations and Chicago: The Musical as the ship's signature show, as well as a line-up of new dining, entertainment and shopping options, Royal Caribbean is pleased to share details of yet ...

  With the band warmed up, amps cranked, spotlight set and the adoring crowd ready to explode, Carnival guests will take the stage, grab the mic and live out their music-star daydreams on the open seas.  Introducing Superstar Live Karaoke, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest entertainment feature puts guests into the act, fronting a live band and performing their favorite songs to a packed house. Superstar Live Karaoke combines two popular forms of entertainment – live music by talented musicians and karaoke by Carnival’s singing sailors &nda...

  Playing off the series of hip, high-tech “firsts” it has introduced in recent months, premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises is debuting the industry’s first self-guided art tours on an iPad®. Earlier this year, Celebrity introduced the first “Celebrity iLounge” – a modern lounge equipped with MacBook® workstations, a retail space featuring Apple products and accessories, and an enrichment center where certified staff present a variety of courses and offer guests tips on Mac and iPod® usage. Celebrity Cruises is itself an iPad pioneer, ...

  In a gala ceremony rich with Dutch heritage, Holland America Line named ms Nieuw Amsterdam in Venice, Italy. Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima of the Netherlands officially named the premium line’s 15th ship in front of invited dignitaries, cruise guests and media during the special celebration before the ship embarked on its maiden cruise. “We are exceptionally honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima as the godmother of this beautiful ship and to continue a long and proud tradition of having members of the Dutch Royal Family name our ships,&rd...

  Carnival Cruise Lines is adding more laughs and upping the fun quotient at sea with the introduction of Carnival Punchliner Comedy Clubs — dedicated comedy lounges rolling out fleetwide on all 22 “Fun Ships”by the end of the year.  Building on the tremendous success of its first comedy club, which debuted on the new Carnival Dream last fall, Punchliner Comedy Clubs will feature a wide variety of side-splitting comics. Located in the ship’s aft lounge, each Punchliner Comedy Club will offer guests loads of laughs with five 35-minute s...

  When Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth debuts in October 2010, the Line will introduce an original concept in theatrical entertainment at sea with the newly formed Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company. Guests will enjoy a brand new repertoire of shows premiered by the Theatre Company’s 29 singers, dancers, actors and musicians. Video blogs about the new entertainment programme have been posted on the Line'sWeAreCunard YouTube.com channel, featuring Queen Elizabeth's Entertainment Director Alistair Greener chatting with Cunard President Peter Shanks an...

  Celebrity Cruises has introduced a new "Personal Concierge" program aimed at further enhancing the brand's "Designed for you" reputation, by emphasizing the extraordinary customized onboard service that has long set Celebrity Cruises apart from its competitors. By individually communicating with guests to learn their personal preferences, tastes and needs, Celebrity's new Personal Concierges deliver individualized attention - much like that of a personal assistant - for any guests who wish to heighten special occasions and create new ones."Our guests cruise for many reasons, whether...

  Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690 passenger  Carnival Magic, will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the largest cruise ship based at the port year-round.  Additionally, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will reposition from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Oct. 6, 2011 Homeporting the Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph in Galveston represents the largest-ever capacity commitment by a cruise line to Texas....

  Norwegian Cruise Line has accepted delivery of its largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Epic, from STX FRANCE SA. Norwegian Epic at 153,000 gross tons is the largest ship ever constructed in St. Nazaire and therefore represents a major milestone for STX.   "Norwegian Epic represents the next level of Freestyle Cruising with branded entertainment, more than 20 dining options and a wide range of accommodations including the largest suite complex at sea," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's Chief Executive Officer. "Following more than four years of develo...

  Stars of 'Shrek,' 'Madagascar,' 'Kung Fu Panda' and 'How to Train Your Dragon' to Delight Guests with Exclusive Entertainment and 3D Movies, Starting Onboard new Allure of the Seas in December 2010 Furthering Royal Caribbean International's commitment to providing guests with unparalleled vacation experiences, the global cruise line today announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA), the world-class animated film studio powerhouse, to bring the next generation of family programming and quality entertainment to the hig...

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that its largest, most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, will feature a pre-cruise online reservation system for select on-board entertainment. Norwegian Epic is changing the face of cruise line entertainment with unprecedented and world-class on-board entertainment including Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams" & Dinner, The Second City® Comedy Troupe, Legends in Concert, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos Show and Nickelodeon" at Sea.   To book tickets for many of these stellar performances, Norwegian Epic guests can pre-book...

Carnival Breeze has been selected as the name for the line’s new 130,000-ton cruise ship scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. To be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze will be the third in the line’s Dream class.  The series’ namesake vessel, Carnival Dream, entered service in 2009 and a sister ship, Carnival Magic, is currently under construction at Fincantieri and is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2011. Carnival Breeze will offer many of the popular innovations featured on Carnival Dream as well as some ...

When she debuts this December 2010, Royal Caribbean International's Allure of the Seas will bring a refreshing new array of features and amenities to the high seas as the world's next largest and most innovative cruise ship.  Following the announcement of Chicago: The Musical as the ship's signature Broadway production, Royal Caribbean is sharing the next of several new onboard amenities that will surprise and delight Allure of the Seas' guests.             "Allure of the Seas will offer g...

Cruise Planners is proud to announce a new feature just added to our website, cruise-plan.net.  This convenient booking tool offers you state of the art technology to research and book your air, car, hotel and vacation rentals.  This new tool will make your travel planning, with or without a cruise, much easier, and if you require additional service or help with the reservations, I’m just a phone call away. This new technology includes over 100,000 hotels worldwide, many of which offer specially negotiated rates.  Plus this will include Trip Advisor, the most popular...

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was recognized by three top travel companies with awards reflecting dedicated corporate partnerships and support to the cruise travel industry. The awards include the “Globe Award ” from American Express Vacations; the Globus “Top Producing Premier Partner” award; and recognition in Oceania Cruises'Cruise Connoisseur Club. Recognized for delivering outstanding customer service and booking unforgettable trave...

MIAMI, FL - March 17, 2010 - Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that its largest, most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, will feature an extensive number of complimentary Freestyle dining options – 11 out of 21 total – that are included in the cruise fare. The additional 10 dining options will have a nominal cover charge. Guests on board Norwegian Epic can select from a variety of cuisines, dining styles and atmospheres on board with a total of 21 dining options. Those that will be free of charge are: • Taste, the atrium resta...

Three days after the MSC Magnifica flag ceremony at the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire (France), MSC Cruises signed a letter of intent for the delivery of a new ship in June 2012, to join the eleven new vessels built in the last 7 years. Measuring 333.3m in length and 38m in beam, MSC Favolosa will have a total of 1751 cabins and will be able to travel at speeds ofup 23.7 knots. Thanks to award-winning naval architects De Jorio Design International the new addition to the Fantasia class, technically called V32, will herald a state-of-the-art concept in space management, which will...

Passengers Can Once Again Invite Friends and Family Aboard Ship On Embarkation Day SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative, new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them "bon voyage" and get a taste of the onboard experience. Called the "Bon Voyage ExperienceSM," the program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off pas...

MIAMI , FL – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, donated $18,000 to the Fisher House Foundation as part of its CP Cares initiative. The funds were collected at the company’s annual convention late last year through Cruise Planners t-shirt sales and a silent auction. “Cruise Planners has shown their commitment to improving the quality of life both locally and nationally by donating such an impressive gift,” said Mary Berrocal, director of the U.S. Department of Ve...

      The newest edition of our Cruise Planners Insider Online Newsletter has just been posted to our website. This new Winter 2010 edition features stories on the new class of ships from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity and current trendy traveler hot spots.  Check it out here!