Vancouver Spring Panama Canal saillings

Sailing the Panama Canal on the Coral Princess

Did you know that you can take a Panama Canal cruise from Florida right to Vancouver? No flying on your way home... doesn't that sound lovely?

In the spring, there are usually only NORTHBOUND Panama Canal sailings to Vancouver, but this year there are two (2) SOUTHBOUND Panama Canal sailings from Vancouver... so take your pick!

You can choose between sailings from 17 to 22 nights - there is even an 28 night sailing that includes Alaska!

April 9, 2019: Island Princess - 22 nights

April 9, 2019 - NORTHBOUND SAILING
22 Night Panama Canal cruise on the Island Princess
Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - Cartagena, Colombia - Panama Canal - Fuerte Amador, Panama - At Sea - Puntarenas, Costa Rica - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - At Sea - Huatulco, Mexico - At Sea - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - Los Angeles, California - Santa Barbara, California - At Sea - San Francisco, California - At Sea - Astoria, Oregon - Victoria, British Columbia - Vancouver, British Columbia
Book with me now!

April 11, 2019: Emerald Princess - 22 nights

April 11, 2019 - SOUTHBOUND SAILING
22 Night Panama Canal cruise on the Emerald Princess
Itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia - Victoria, British Columbia - Astoria, Oregon - At Sea - San Francisco, California - At Sea - Santa Barbara, California - Los Angeles, California - At Sea - At Sea - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - At Sea - Huatulco, Mexico - At Sea - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - Puntarenas, Costa Rica - At Sea - Fuerte Amador, Panama - Panama Canal - Cartagena, Colombia - At Sea - At Sea - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Book with me now!

April 13, 2019: Oosterdam - 21 nights

April 13, 2019 - NORTHBOUND SAILING
21 Night Panama Canal cruise on the ms Oosterdam
Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - Cartagena, Colombia - Panama Canal - Fuerte Amador, Panama - Fuerte Amador, Panama - At Sea - Caldera, Costa Rica - Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - Puerto Chiapas, Mexico - Huatulco, Mexico - At Sea - Manzanillo, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - San Diego, California - At Sea - At Sea - Victoria, British Columbia - Vancouver, British Columbia
Book with me now!

April 18, 2019: Volendam - 20 nights

April 18, 2019 - NORTHBOUND SAILING
20 Night Panama Canal cruise on the ms Volendam
Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - Cartagena, Colombia - Panama Canal - At Sea - Caldera, Costa Rica - Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - Puerto Chiapas, Mexico - Huatulco, Mexico - At Sea - Manzanillo, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - San Francisco, California - At Sea - Victoria, British Columbia - Vancouver, British Columbia
Book with me now!

April 20, 2019: Coral Princess - 18 nights

April 20, 2019 - NORTHBOUND SAILING
18 Night Panama Canal cruise on the Coral Princess
Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - Cartagena, Colombia - Panama Canal - Fuerte Amador, Panama - At Sea - Puntarenas, Costa Rica - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - At Sea - Huatulco, Mexico - At Sea - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - Los Angeles, California - At Sea - At Sea - Vancouver, British Columbia
Book with me now!

May 1, 2019: Oceania Regatta - 28 nights

May 1, 2019 - NORTHBOUND SAILING
28 Night Panama Canal cruise on the Oceania Regatta
Itinerary: Miami, Florida - Havana, Cuba - Caribbean Sea - Caribbean Sea - Colon, Panama - Panama Canal - Pacific Ocean - Puntarenas, Costa Rica - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - Pacific Ocean - Acapulco, Mexico - Pacific Ocean - Mazatlan, Mexico - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - Pacific Ocean - San Diego, California - Pacific Ocean - San Francisco, California - Pacific Ocean - Astoria, Oregon - At Sea - Sitka, Alaska - Hubbard Glacier, Alaska - Juneau, Alaska - Wrangell, Alaska - Ketchikan, Alaska - Inside Passage - Vancouver, British Columbia
Ask for a quote - or book with me now!

May 16, 2019: ms Amsterdam - 17 nights

May 16, 2019 - NORTHBOUND SAILING
17 Night Panama Canal cruise on the ms Amsterdam
Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Florida - At Sea - At Sea - Cartagena, Colombia - Panama Canal - At Sea - Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - Huatulco, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - San Francisco, California - At Sea - Victoria, British Columbia - Vancouver, British Columbia
Request a quote - or book online now!

June 30, 2019: Queen Elizabeth - 21 nights

June 30, 2019 - SOUTHBOUND SAILING
21 Night Panama Canal cruise on Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth
Itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia - At Sea - At Sea - San Francisco, California - Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles, California - At Sea - At Sea - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - At Sea - At Sea - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - At Sea - Puntarenas, Costa Rica - At Sea - Panama City, Panama - Panama Canal - At Sea - Oranjestad, Aruba - At Sea - At Sea - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Contact me now for this rare Cunard opportunity!

Please contact me if you are looking for a fall Panama Canal sailing, or even 2020 - I have the information you need, and am always happy to help.

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Squid Ink: Tattoos at sea

This caught my eye today.

I thought it was brilliant, and I would do it. As long as the seas aren't too high. How about you?

"It was only a matter of time. But you can now add getting a tattoo to the list of things you can do on a cruise ship. Start-up cruise line Virgin Voyages has announced that its first vessel will have a tattoo parlor – an industry first..." [read more on OpenJaw].

The aptly named Squid Ink is being designed in partnership with World Famous Tattoo Ink.

"Virgin Voyages said the idea was following in its ethos of the “Modern Romance of Sailing,” with the inspiration behind Squid Ink “steeped in the traditions of sailing” with many historians crediting the expansion of tattooing to British colonial sailors who picked up the concept from aboriginal tribes while exploring the South Pacific..." [read more on TTG].

“Tattooing is a time-honored seafaring tradition, and we’re continuing that legacy with rock and roll style by bringing some of the best ink artists to sea,” Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin said in a statement. “Our sailors are looking to make lifelong memories, and we think there's no better way to commemorate their first voyage with us than with a souvenir they'll never lose track of...” [read more on Travel Pulse].

“The World Famous Tattoo Ink family has been working with
sailors, pirates and rock stars for more than 50 years."
Lou Rubino of World Famous Tattoo Ink and Soho Ink

World Famous Tattoo Ink's Lou Rubino Jr., who is also the creator of Manhattan's Soho Ink and Freshly Inked Magazine, will handpick Squid Ink's two permanent full-time tattoo artists.

Squid Ink will also feature a rotating line-up of guest artists, including:

• Arlo DiCristina - surrealist tattoo artist
• Jime Litwalk - illustrative specialist
• Sarah Miller - star of Spike TV’s Ink Master

Squid Ink services will include:

• Exclusive voyage commemoration tattoos designed by World Famous Tattoo Ink
• Body piercings
• Permanent makeup treatments using vegan-friendly Perma Blend pigments

Artist's rendering of Squid Ink

“As global acceptance of tattoos and body art continues to grow, partnering with Virgin Voyages gives us the unique opportunity to bring colour to places people might have never thought possible before. We couldn’t be more excited to leave our mark on the sea travel industry,” says Rubino.

Reactions so far are mainly positive, though the move does have it's detractors. "We have to wonder if this won't be much more popular at the end of sailings though, as while tattooing over sunburn doesn't sound like fun, you really shouldn't go into the ocean after being freshly inked either, says Cruise Habit's Billy Hirsch.

In another industry first, Virgin has announced that it will not only hire staff with visible tattoos, but will encourage crew to also express themselves freely through tattoos, if they so wish. That alone should convince anyone doubting how different Virgin Voyages will be. 

"To date, the cruise industry's big tattoo moment came last year when Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing at Carnival Cruise Line, got a tattoo on his upper arm saying "Travel Agents Rock" at a Carnival Agentpalooza agent event in New Orleans..." [read more on Travel Weekly]


Related resources:
Lasting Memories: Virgin Voyages Ship To Feature Tattoo Parlor - Open Jaw
Inked at sea: Virgin Voyages ship will have tattoo parlor - Travel Weekly
Virgin Voyages Adding Tattoo Parlor to Scarlet Lady Ship - Travel Pulse
Virgin Voyages ship to have its own tattoo studio - TTG
Virgin Voyages Gives Cruises Another Way to Remember Their Sailing - With Tattoos at Sea! - Cruise Habit
Get a tattoo on board Virgin Voyages - Virgin.com
Got Ink? Thank a Sailor - Virgin Voyages

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Top 5 Solo Picks - October 9, 2018

It has been awhile since I sent out one of my solo cruise deal newsletters, but am seeing some marvellous deals at the moment, so here we go.

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There may be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford. Fares below INCLUDE TAXES, and are subject to availability.

October 27, 2018 - 15-Night Caribbean cruise from New York to New Orleans on the Norwegian Breakaway
Balcony - $1668 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1534 CAD solo
Inside - $1039 CAD solo

October 28, 2018 - 14-Night Transatlantic cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale on the Koningsdam
Balcony - $1970 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1970 CAD solo
Inside - $1970 CAD solo

November 11, 2018 - 14-Night South Pacific cruise from Papeete to Auckland on the Maasdam
Obstructed oceanview - $2525 CAD solo + $50 USD credit
Inside - $2266 CAD solo

December 5, 2018 - 17-Night Transatlantic cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale on the Pacific Princess
Balcony - $2934 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $2318 CAD solo
Inside - $2318 CAD solo

December 7, 2018 - 15-Night South America Panama Canal cruise from Miami to San Antonio, Chile on the Norwegian Sun
Obstructed oceanview - $2057 CAD solo
Inside - $1923 CAD solo

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

Cheers,
Roberta

Expedia Extras: if you book with me, you will earn 2 Expedia+ Rewards points for every $1 spent on cruises. They add up and can be redeemed on hotels, car rentals, and more. Ask me how!

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

Want this news as soon as it comes out? Just email me with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Actually, any email works fine. A human will read it (this one), not a bot.

Want more?
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruisetravelbug
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Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertawestwood/
Check out my list of ships with solo occupancy cabins: Solo-Friendly Cruise Picks
Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

My late picks - October 2018

If you can get away last minute, here are some interesting sailings this month that still have space ~ and good deals!

Fall Colours and Sunshine! 

October 26, 2018

14 -Nights

Sailing from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale on the Royal Princess

See the last of the fall colours on the Canada New England cruise, and end up in sunny Fort Lauderdale!

Ports on this sailing include: Saint John, Sydney, Halifax, Bar Harbour, Boston and New York.
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

Sun, sun and more sun!

October 27, 2018

8-Nights

Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on the Adventure of the Seas

You'll find plenty to do for all generations on Royal Caribbean - or just laze in the sun!

Ports on this sailing include: Labadee, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Kitts... nice!
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

The BIG Apple & The BIG Easy!

October 27, 2018

15-Nights

Sailing from New York to New Orleans on the Norwegian Breakaway

From The Big Apple to The Big Easy, this sailing packs in big fun and great sun along the way!

Ports on this sailing include: the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Saint Lucia, Curacao, Aruba, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel - talk about a bucketlist Caribbean cruise!
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

Incredible fare on the Koningsdam - one of the newest ships! 

October 28, 2018

14-Nights

Sailing from Rome to Barcelona on the Koningsdam

Holland America's Koningsdam continues to get rave reviews, so I was excited to see such good fares on this crossing. If you can get away, you'll have a great deal on a top ship!

Ports on this sailing include: Alicante (Costa del Sol), Malaga (Picasso's birthplace), Cadiz (for Seville) and Madeira.
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.

4 days in the Azores on the Prinsendam! 

October 28, 2018

12-Nights

Sailing from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale on the Prinsendam

The Prinsendam is Holland America's smallest ship, but not for long. She is being retired soon, so this is a great deal on one of the last opportunities to sail on her.

Ports on this sailing include 4 days Azores: Ponta Delgada (2 days), Praia da Vitoria and Horta
View the itinerary

Interested? Please contact me for a quote.



==============================================

None of these your cup of tea?

I'm happy to help you plan an adventure wherever you'd like to go.

Please contact me to begin the planning process.



Related resources
Roberta's picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Solo-friendly picks - a list of ships with single staterooms
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me

81 nights... with Africa!

I think this is a very clever itinerary.

Imagine sailing for 81 nights - if you are inclined to stay on that long - from Rome to Yokohama, via Africa. Or, pick 1 or more of the 4 segments to customize your trip to your liking.

2 of the segments are positioned well for land travel in Africa. You can either sail from Dubai to Cape Town, or Cape Town to Singapore.

February 10, 2020

21 Night Middle East cruise on the Norwegian Spirit

Sailing from Rome to Dubai
(ends March 2)

Itinerary: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - At Sea - Piraeus, Greece - Kusadasi, Turkey - Rhodes, Greece - Limassol, Cyprus - Haifa, Israel - Haifa, Israel - Haifa, Israel - Suez Canal, Egypt - Safaga, Egypt - Safaga, Egypt - Al 'Aqabah, Jordan - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Muscat, Oman - Khasab, Oman - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
More details...

March 2, 2020
20 Night Africa cruise on the Norwegian Spirit
Sailing from Dubai to Cape Town
(ends March 22)

Itinerary: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Fujairah, United Arab Emirates - Muscat, Oman - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Victoria, Seychelles - Victoria, Seychelles - At Sea - Nosy Be, Madagascar - At Sea - Port Louis, Mauritius - Port de Pointe des Galets, Réunion - At Sea - At Sea - Richards Bay, South Africa - At Sea - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Cape Town, South Africa
More details...

March 22, 2020
24 Night Africa cruise on the Norwegian Spirit
Sailing from Cape Town to Singapore
(ends April 15)

Itinerary: Cape Town, South Africa - Mossel Bay, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - At Sea - Richards Bay, South Africa - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Port de Pointe des Galets, Réunion - Port Louis, Mauritius - At Sea - At Sea - Victoria, Seychelles - Victoria, Seychelles - At Sea - At Sea - Male, Maldives - At Sea - At Sea - At Sea - Phuket, Thailand - Langkawi, Malaysia - Penang (Georgetown), Malaysia - Port Kelang, Malaysia - Singapore, Singapore
More details...

April 15, 2020
16 Night Asia cruise on the Norwegian Spirit
Sailing from Singapore to Yokohama
(ends May 1)

Itinerary: Singapore, Singapore - At Sea - Phu My, Vietnam - At Sea - At Sea - Hong Kong, Hong Kong - Hong Kong, Hong Kong - At Sea - Shanghai, China - Shanghai, China - At Sea - Hiroshima, Japan - Kochi, Japan - Kobe, Japan - Kobe, Japan - Shimizu, Japan - Yokohama, Japan
More details...




If sailing more than one segment appeals, I recommend booking as early as possible, so that you can get the same cabin for the duration of your voyage.

If you are considering doing one of the Cape Town sailings, to spend time ashore, there are a number of African safari options available to you (G Adventures is very popular, ask me why!). 

If you would like more information on these Norwegian Spirit sailings, or are making other travel plans, please contact me. I am happy to help!


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