NEW AMENITIES, PROGRAMS BRING ADDED
DIMENSIONS TO THE CRUISE EXPERIENCE

You will find plenty to do on a cruise. A typical day at sea could begin with a sunrise aerobics class followed by a leisurely breakfast and end with dinner in a signature restaurant featuring creations of master chefs, visits to several nightspots with live entertainment and dancing under the stars on deck. In between, cruise vacationers will be able to enjoy the greatest array of shipboard activities, amenities and options ever at sea in 2004, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Adults and kids alike will find plenty of things to do during a cruise, as ships roll out more and more choices for every member of the family, including enhanced children’s facilities, an increased number of entertainment options, new learning and discovery programs, unique theme cruises, innovative dining venues, and more places to relax.

“Year after year we continue to be amazed by the new and unique ways that ships cater to guests of all ages and interests, and 2004 will be no exception,” said Bob Sharak, executive director of CLIA. “Our member lines haves some exciting programs on tap for the new year.”

Here is a sampling of what CLIA-member lines have in store for 2004:

Carnival Cruise Lines’ new Carnival Miracle features indoor and outdoor promenades, an upscale supper club, and numerous balconied staterooms. Sixteen lounges and bars boast dramatic interiors celebrating famous fictional icons of literature, film and music.

Celebrity Cruises’ Concierge Class on its Millennium-class ships features fresh cut flowers, fresh fruit, and chilled champagne on embarkation day; Frette bathrobes; a veranda table for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres; and a one-touch phone button to Celebrity’s concierge, as well as priority service for seatings, shore excursion bookings, and luggage delivery.

Costa Cruises’ Costa Victoria returns to service in February after a short stay in dry dock for a refurbishment that includes the addition of 246 verandas.

Crystal Cruises unveils a new culinary program called “The Best Young Chefs of Italy” that brings aboard promising Italian chefs onboard to conduct cooking classes and demonstrations, with an emphasis on basic, fresh, and regional ingredients. The line’s Creative Learning Institute partners with Yamaha, Berlitz, The Cleveland Clinic, Society of Wine Educators, Pepperdine University, Tai Chi Cultural Center and Parsons School of Design to bring aboard experts in their respective fields for discussions with guests in a classroom setting.

Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 introduces the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub® as well as the first planetarium at sea. The ship also has a virtual reality golf center, bookshop, extensive children’s facilities and nannies. The interactive television system onboard allows guests to send and receive e-mails, sign up for shore excursions, order movies, review expenses and more.

Disney Cruise Line debuts an original stage show called “The Golden Mickeys,” which incorporates song and dance, animated film, video and special effects. Several new areas – a teens-only zone, adults coffee café and Internet center, and traditional pub – have been added. Guests can expect new dinner menus in all of the restaurants onboard the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, as well as tropical and Mexican themed dining nights, a champagne brunch and high tea.

First European Cruises has a variety of theme cruises scheduled for 2004, with a Well Being sailing, Hobby theme, Creole Festival Jazz cruise, Gastronomic voyage, Art and Culture itinerary and a Singles sailing. Guests can pre-book onboard amenities such as sports and spa packages, in-cabin flowers and fruit, children’s beverage plan, wine packages and other extras, as well as shore excursions. The Hilton Floating Resorts Program offers in-suite and onboard amenities.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Special Flagship Golf programs are available on select cruises and almost all of Braemar’s Caribbean departures. The program features practice nets on the top deck, individual instruction with a PGA pro, four private golf outings at handpicked clubs, lectures, and group cocktail parties.

Holland America Line’s Noordam commemorates the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy with a 10-day sailing round-trip from Dover, England on June 2. The cruise features a two-day extended stay in Cherbourg and calls at St. Malo and Honfleur, France; Plymouth, England; Zeebrugge, Belgium; and Amsterdam.

MSC Italian Cruises’ Lirica, which debuted in 2003, features 132 suites with private verandahs among its 795 cabins. The ship also features disabled-accessible rooms as well as the Italian-style service and amenities for which the line is known.

Norwegian Coastal Voyage introduces nine- to 17-day NCV Independent Vacations packages, which include air from New York, one-way or roundtrip sailing, first-class hotels, daily breakfast, Oslo and Bergen discount cards, Oslo-Bergen train journey and airport transfers.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Pride of America boasts eight restaurants, more than 660 balcony staterooms, numerous family-friendly interconnecting cabins, state-of-the-art entertainment venues, three pools and the largest dedicated meeting facilities at sea.

Oceania Cruises expands its Tapas on the Terrace program so that reservations are no longer required. Each evening, the Terrace Café and alfresco dining area are magically transformed into Tapas on the Terrace with a sumptuous buffet under the stars. Guest enjoy specialty cocktails and a menu of authentic tapas, paellas and other flavorful regional specialties from Spain and the surrounding Mediterranean. The line’s wine cellars now include more than 150 vintages.

Orient Lines’ Marco Polo features distinguished guest lecturers on its Antarctic CruiseTours. Select voyages are accompanied by teams of scientists, naturalists and explorers led by Nigel Stigwell, an internationally recognized naturalist. The Jan. 17, 2004 CruiseTour retraces the route of Sir Ernest Shackelton who authored one of the greatest survival stories in modern history.

Princess Cruises introduces a 300-square-foot LED poolside movie screen for watching movies under the stars onboard the Caribbean Princess and a new Lotus Spa® owned and operated by the line itself onboard the Caribbean Princess and Sapphire Princess. The spa features sea-based treatments, and guests can make reservations via phone or online. The line also presents its largest number of dining options, including four themed main dining rooms aboard Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises’ Club Mariner children’s program is available on more voyages in 2004, including summer itineraries in the Baltic, Alaska and Bermuda, as well as Caribbean holiday sailings. The line partners with “Audrey Grant’s Better Bridge” to provide a uniform and comprehensive bridge program onboard every sailing of the Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator. Forty theme voyages are featured, with topics such as “Godiva” and “the Beatles.”

Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Reunions program, available on all Voyager-class ships, is designed to enhance family and group gatherings by offering special onboard packages that help group members feel connected through special activities and celebrations.

Four of Hawaii’s most renowned chefs are onboard select sailings of Royal Olympia Cruises’ Olympia Voyager and Olympia Explorer to cook signature dishes in the dining rooms and host presentations, seminars and cooking demonstrations.

Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf will undergo extensive upgrades and enhancements in the public rooms, staterooms, and pool and deck areas, with new furnishings, amenities and technology.

Guests sailing on The Yachts of Seabourn receive Fusion Z nylon and leather document portfolios and luggage tags designed and manufactured by Tumi, along with a $25 savings coupon good toward the brand-name luggage products. Sheets, pillowcases, and duvets from Frette dress the beds in the suites onboard. The line also presents a more casual dining alternative each evening in the Veranda Café.