Sunday, October 5, 2014

The Northwest Passage: even if it had been on your bucketlist, it wasn't possible... until now

Gate to the Northwest Passage
Commemorative statue for Capt. George Vancouver, Vanier Park, Vancouver, BC
By artist Alan Chung Hung, photo by Eddy Hofbauer, wikicommons
You can cruise from Vancouver to transit the Northwest Passage in April 2016
Even if you had it on your bucketlist, it wasn't possible... until now.

A magnificent 42 night journey from Vancouver to New York, very far off the beaten track.

NEW! Northwest Passage (August/September 2016) – Crystal’s new Northwest Passage cruise heralds the beginning of a new chapter of exploration in the enviable story of the World’s Best cruise line. Crystal Serenity will become the very first cruise ship to transit the fabled Northwest Passage, visiting a series of U.S, Canadian and Greenland destinations, most of which never before called upon by any other cruise line. Designed for those with a true wanderlust for the rare and undiscovered, this incredible 32 night expeditionary-style voyage travels from Anchorage/Seward to New York City, marrying a passion for extreme wilderness adventure with a penchant for unsurpassed luxury travel.
August 16, 2016 - 32 nights
http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/Cruise/en-US/RobertaWestwood/Itinerary?item=660754

PLUS: You can cruise up to Seward from Vancouver for 10 nights to begin your journey:
August 6, 2016 - 10 nights
http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/Cruise/en-US/RobertaWestwood/Itinerary?item=655372

Yes, that's 42 nights.

Be one of the first.

Don't miss out.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is sure to sell out.

Book by October 31, 2014 for early booking savings.

Ask me.

Roberta
Contact me

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Worth reading:
The Crystal Overview (click-through presentation)
Crystal's Northwest Passage: Unprecedented Adventure, Historic Cruise-Expedition
Cargo Ship Is First to Solo the Northwest Passage - October 2, 2014 news story
Across the Northwest Passage: The Larsen Expeditions
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Crystal Cruises reduced single supplements

Feel like a little luxury? How about a lot?

Crystal Cruises is offering reduced single supplements on a number of sailings, but only until June 30th.
Please contact me if you would like more information, or a quote.

** Join my little solo e-travel club to receive solo-friendly travel news, and flash solo travel deal alerts. **

Monday, June 16, 2014

Silversea reduced single supplements

Silversea is offering reduced single supplements - of just 110% - on select sailings.

http://www.silversea.com/specialoffers/?specialoffer=18897

Please contact me if you would like to be onboard one of these fabulous luury sailings.

Roberta

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

AmaWaterways - Solo River Cruise Fares

AmaWaterways announced waived single supplements for selected 2014 sailings. Here are the
details.

Enjoy your river cruise on the AmaCerto (image: millers on Flickr)

AMA WATERWAYS: GREAT DISCOUNTS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
Don't miss this chance to cruise with AmaWaterways in Europe and Southeast Asia without
paying any additional fees for being a solo traveler.

Enticing Douro
7-night cruise through the Douro River Valley
2014 Embarkation Dates: April 22, May 27, June 24, July 22, August 19
Aboard the AmaVida
http://www.amawaterways.com/enticing_douro-2014

Port Wine & Flamenco (Douro)
7-night cruise from Vega TerrĂ³n to Porto
2014 Embarkation Dates: April 15, July 8
Aboard the AmaVida
http://www.amawaterways.com/port_wine_and_flamenco-2014

Magnificent Europe (Danube, Main, Rhine)
14-night cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam
2014 Embarkation Dates: June 2, July 28, November 3
Abord the AmaCerto
http://www.amawaterways.com/magnificent_europe-2014

Paris & Normandy (Seine)
7-night Seine cruise
2014 Embarkation Dates: June 5, July 10, July 17, July 31, August 21, August 28, October 2,
October 9, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13, November 20
Aboard the AmaLegro
http://www.amawaterways.com/paris_and_normandy-2014

Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong
7-night Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) cruise
2014 Embarkation Dates: June 30, July 14, July 28,
August 11, August 25, September 22, October 6, December 15, December 29
Aboard the AmaLotus
http://www.amawaterways.com/vietnam,-cambodia-and-the-riches-of-the-mekong-2014

Christmas Markets and New Year’s Cruises
Experience the wonder of beloved European Christmas Markets on a variety of itineraries
sailing in November and December.
Ask for applicable dates.
http://www.amawaterways.com/christmas-markets

Food & Wine Cruises
Enjoy food and wine pairings, wine tastings, excursions to vineyards and more aboard these
unique cruises on a variety of itineraries.
Ask for applicable dates.
http://www.amawaterways.com/wine-cruises
AmaWaterways cruise fare includes:
- Shore excursions in every port of call
- Fine dining while on board
- Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch & dinner
- In-room Internet and Infotainment
- Complimentary use of bicycles

More on AmaWaterways:
http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/cruise-lines/AMA-Waterways

If you are interested in this solo travel offer, please contact me at your earliest opportunity.

Roberta

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Cunard for Solos



Here is Cunard's policy for solo cruisers:

What if I’m travelling by myself?
  • Cunard welcomes single travellers on every voyage.
  • There are countless ways to meet interesting people during your voyage — by attending the “Welcome Cocktail Party,” by choosing to sit at a larger table for dinner, and through activities like lectures and Bridge classes.
  • For ladies travelling alone, Gentleman Dance Hosts make great dance partners.
  • For those who wish to travel as the sole occupant of a double occupancy stateroom, the following single supplements typically apply:
    ~ For Grill categories (Q1 – Q7 and P1 – P2), singles pay 200% of double-occupancy fares.
    ~ For all other categories (AA – ID), singles pay 175% of double-occupancy fares.
  • Please be aware that supplements may vary and are subject to change without prior notification.  

Monday, March 3, 2014

Retire With Intention At Sea

I am SO excited to be partnering with Michelle Sharp again, this time to bring her fabulous workshop, Retire With Intention, to sea!


September 20 to September 27, 2014

Participate in the interactive and thought provoking Retire With Intention at Sea workshop while you enjoy the wonders of ALASKA aboard HOLLAND AMERICA’s ms ZUIDERDAM.

Will you be onboard when the Retire With Intention At Sea
group departs Vancouver on September 20th?
 
Imagine reflecting and planning how you will reinvent retirement your way, all while on board the lovely ms Zuiderdam, cruising to Alaska.

For more information: http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/local-promotions/8382-Retire-With-Intention-At-Sea


The lovely ms Zuiderdam in Alaska

Related content:

Saturday, January 11, 2014

New Single Staterooms on Royal Caribbean

This is exciting news for solo travellers!!

serenade of the seas
The Serenade of the Seas has something special onboard.... single staterooms!

This week Royal Caribbean announced that they have added new single staterooms on three ships. Jump for joy if you love Royal Caribbean as now you can experience all their onboard innovations in one of the new single staterooms.

Each single stateroom is an inside cabin, measuring 108 square feet, with a twin bed, vanity area and a bathroom (of course!). Best of all is what they will be missing: the dreaded single supplement!

Brilliance of the Seas (Miniature Golf)
More chances for solo cruisers to golf at sea on the Brilliance of the Seas!

The new single staterooms are available on:

Radiance of the Seas
Does one of these deck chairs on the Radiance of the Seas have
your name on it? It might, if you are looking for a solo cabin
with no single supplement!
There are just 3 single staterooms on each of the 3 ships, so they are bound to sell out quickly.

Please contact me if you want me to find one for you!

Tips:
  • Brilliance:
  • Radiance: category SI, cabins 4583, 4585 and 4587
  • Serenade:

Holland America Vancouver Sailings 2014/2015

MS Zuiderdam docks at Canada Place cruise ship terminal
ms Zuiderdam at Canada Place in Vancouver
The 2014/2015 cruise season promises to be an exciting one for Vancouver due, in no small part to the amazing array of sailings offered by Holland America. Of course, the star attraction is Alaska, but...

Zaandam Cruise Ship @Honolulu Harbor
The Zaandam in Honolulu
Did you know you can cruise roundtrip to Hawaii from Vancouver?

Imagine boarding your cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii on the Zaandam on September 19, 2014 - you'll have a full 16 nights onboard before you return.

Did you know you can cruise to Vancouver aboard Holland America from:
  • Buenos Aires (Argentina)
  • Hong Kong
  • Los Angeles
  • Singapore
  • Valparaiso/Santiago (Chile)
  • Yokohama (Japan)
  • ... and more
Or did you know you can cruise from Vancouver aboard Holland America to: 
Sydney, Australia, The ms Volendam in Sydney Harbor  on Sunday -  and the Opera House    - IMG_3280
The Volendam in Sydney
  • Buenos Aires (Argentina)
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Kobe/Osaka (Japan)
  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • ... to name just a few
Did you know you can visit these ports-of-call on sailings either to or from Holland America's Vancouver sailings? 
The Westerdam and the bridge in Curaçao.
The Westerdam in Curaçao

  • Callao/Lima (Peru)
  • CartaGena (Columbia)
  • Corinto (Nicaragua)
  • Half-Moon Cay (Bahamas)
  • Jeju/Cheju (South Korea)
  • Laem Chabang/Bangkok (Thailand)
  • Manta/Quito (Ecuador)
  • Noumea (New Caledonia)
  • Oranjestad (Aruba)
  • Pago Pago/Tutuila (American Samoa)
  • Panama City (Panama)
  • Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy (Russia)
  • Phu My/Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
  • Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica)
  • Puerto Chiapas (Mexico)
  • Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala)
  • Shanghai (China)
  • Sihanoukville/Kompong Som (Cambodia)
  • Suva (Fiji)
  • Willemstad (Curacao)
  • Xingang/Beijing (China)
  • ... and many more!
It's quite a list, isn't it? You can even take a 3 day shore excursion to Machu Picchu from Lima, meeting up with the ship later in the voyage (not cheap, but once in a lifetime...).

It's all true. What a great way for you to see the world, especially if you aren't keen on flying. For details, check out highlights in the brochure:
Want help? I would be pleased to help you book your Vancouver regardless of where you are located. Please get in touch.

Roberta

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Transatlantic Eastbound Sailings - January to June, 2014

Just for those of you interested in sailing to Europe on a repositioning cruise in the first half of 2014, I have compiled a list. If you would like a quote on any of these sailings, please get in touch.

Cunard Queen Mary 2 QM2
The bow of the Queen Mary 2, a regular on the transatlantic route

January 3, 2014 – Queen Mary 2 – New York to Southampton – 7 nights

March 10, 2014 – Seven Seas Mariner – Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona – 18 nights

March 11, 2014 – MSC Orchestra – Rio de Janeiro to Genoa, Italy – 16 nights

March 14, 2014 – Prisendam – Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona – 27 nights

March 16, 2014 – Costa Fascinosa – Santos, Brazil to Venice – 22 nights

March 19, 2014 – MSC Preziosa – Santos, Brazil to Venice – 17 nights

March 21, 2014 – Noordam – Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona – 14 nights

March 21, 2014 – Costa, Favolosa – Buenos Aires to Savona, Italy – 20 nights

March 22, 2014 – Seabourn Quest – Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona – 14 nights

March 22, 2014 – MSC Musica – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Genoa, Italy – 14 nights

March 23, 3024 – Seabourn Pride – St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to Barcelona – 20 nights

March 29, 2014 – Wind Star – Barbados to Lisbon – 14 nights

March 29, 2014 – MSC Magnifica – Santos, Brazil to Hamburg – 18 nights

March 29, 2014 – Tere Moana – Philipsburg (St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles to Lisbon – 14 nights

March 30, 2014 – Eurodam – Fort Lauderdale to Rome – 14 nights

April 5, 2014 – Seabourn Spirit – Barbados to Barcelona – 13 nights

April 5, 2014 – Wind Surf – Philipsburg (St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles to Lisbon – 14 nights

April 6, 2014 – Nieuw Amsterdam – Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona – 14 nights

April 6, 2014 – Ryndam – Fort Lauderdale to Dover – 27 nights

April 7, 2014 – Riveria – Miami to Barcelona – 14 nights

April 14, 2014 – Celebrity Equinox – Fort Lauderdale to Malaga – 13 nights

April 16, 2014 – Legend of the Seas – Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen – 16 nights

April 18, 2014 – Emerald Princess – Fort Lauderdale to Southampton – 15 nights

April 19, 2014 – Celebrity Eclipse – Fort Lauderdale to Southampton – 13 nights

April 20, 2014 – Adventure to the Seas – Miami to Southampton – 14 nights

April 21, 2014 – MSC Poesia – Buenos Aires to Warnemunde, Germany – 20 nights

April 24, 2014 – Celebrity Constellation – Fort Lauderdale to Amsterdam – 15 nights

April 25, 2014 – Splendour of the Seas – Santos, Brazil to Barcelona – 14 nights

April 26, 2014 – Celebrity Reflection – Miami to Rome – 16 nights

April 26, 2014 – Serenade of the Seas – New Orleans to Barcelona – 16 nights

April 27, 2014 – Ruby Princess – Fort Lauderdale to Southampton – 14 nights

April 27, 2014 – Royal Princess – Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen – 15 nights

April 27, 2014 – Norwegian Epic – Miami to Barcelona – 11 nights

April 29, 2014 – Celebrity Infinity – Miami to Harwich, UK – 13 nights

April 30, 2014 – Brilliance of the Seas – Tampa to Harwich, UK – 14 nights

May 1, 2014 – Liberty of the Seas – Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona – 13 nights

May 4, 2014 – Independence of the Seas – Fort Lauderdale to Southampton – 13 nights

May 5, 2014 – Norwegian Star – Miami to Copenhagen – 14 nights

May 16, 2014 – Queen Mary 2 – New York to Southampton – 7 nights

May 22, 2014 – Oceania, Marina – New York to Dover – 16 nights

June 13, 2014 – Queen Mary 2 – New York to Southampton – 7 nights