OCEANIA CRUISES TAKES DELIVERY OF ‘RIVIERA’
Posted: April 29, 2012 Filed under: Cruises, Vacation Planning Leave a comment
Oceania Cruises took delivery last Friday of its new 1,250-guest Riviera at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa. The line’s newest entry to the upper-premium cruise segment comes just 15 months following the launch of her highly acclaimed sister ship, Marina.
“The handover of Riviera represents a milestone achievement thanks to the loyalty of our guests, our strong partnership with the travel agent community and the dedication of every member of the Oceania Cruises family,” stated Kunal S. Kamlani, the line’s president.
The newest addition to Oceania Cruises’ expanding fleet of mid-sized ships, the 66,172-ton Riviera is purpose-built to engage and inspire epicureans with 10 dining venues, including Jacques, the namesake restaurant of the world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pépin. The ship also boasts a Bon Appétit Culinary Center for hands-on learning and La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a professional facility for wine tastings and pairing dinners.
In just 14 days, on May 11 in Barcelona, Riviera will be officially christened, presided over by godmother Cat Cora, a master chef, restaurateur, humanitarian, author, and co-host of Bravo’s new “Around the World in 80 Plates.” Riviera departs on her 10-day maiden voyage from Venice to Athens on May 16, 2012. From May 16 through November 29, 2012, she will offer a total of 20 Mediterranean voyages, calling at ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco, with maiden calls in Cephalonia (Argostoli), Motril (Granada) and La Palma, Canary Islands.
For more information, visit http://www.cruisingwiththechefs.com. To make a reservation, call us too-free at 1-877-313-9009.
Scenic Cruise Vacations…See It To Believe It
Posted: February 20, 2012 Filed under: Destinations, Vacation Planning Leave a comment
The world is full of beautiful landscape and iconic scenery, and choosing exactly where you visit to capture the best view can be a challenge. You may have heard of the renowned Hubbard Glacier or the iconic Greek Islands, but really, you have to see these spectacles in person to believe how incredible they really are.Scenic cruise vacations to Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean continue to impress Avoya Travel / American Express guests and keep them taking pictures left and right of all the majestic landscape. Charge up your camera, open your eyes, and get ready for an adventure at sea onboard scenic cruise vacations to Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean.
The Vistas of Europe
See Europe’s splendors on 7+ night scenic cruise vacations that will take you to Greece, Italy, and beyond. Santorini, one of the most popular Greek Islands, is a relaxing retreat for travelers and provides some of the best panoramic scenery with its memorable white hillside architecture and blue accents. From almost any point, Avoya Travel / American Express guests can take in unbeatable views of the popular Mediterranean and the quaint towns on this island. Relax at a café on one of the cliffs or go deeper into the town of Oia and get lost on its vertical trails. Spend some time on the black beaches in the villages of Perissa and Kamari and make sure to bring your flip flops – the sand gets hot! For a more lively experience, sail on itineraries to the island of Mykonos, known for its vibrant lifestyle, trendy bar scene, and equally stunning views of the Mediterranean. Admire Mykonos from the deck onboard your cruise ship and then disembark to shore and discover magnificent views of the town, trademark windmills seen all over the island, and unique marble architecture while admiring the endlessly deep blue sea. If you’re looking for a lavish vacation at sea or one that will take you to smaller Europe ports-of-call, try 7+ night luxury cruises to Europe. These luxury cruise lines will allow you to experience scenic Europe cruises like never before – taking you to unspoiled towns where bigger ships cannot dock. Visit Portofino, a classic Italian fishing village known for its inhabitance of dolphins and breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean. Find an ocean side café and indulge in fresh seafoodwhile enjoying the scenery. For unbeatable views of Portofino, opt for a short hike to Castello Brown, a romantic medieval castle that provides some of the best photo opportunities in the town!
The Majesty of Alaska
Alaska – famous for the Hubbard Glacier, easily accessible fishing towns, and beautiful landscape – is one of the best destinations to visit if you’re looking to take a scenic cruise vacation. From the privacy of your own balcony, guests can take in awe-inspiring views of the Hubbard Glacier, a surge of ice that is not to be missed. Onboard select 7+ night cruises to Alaska, Avoya Travel / American Express travelers will love visiting the city of Ketchikan, known as an entry port for the 1898 Gold Rush and is now the perfect city to breathe in the fresh air and experience exquisite vistas of 1000-foot waterfalls, clear blue lakes, fjords, and more. Experience all of Alaska with cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, who is also offering top Alaska sailings with low rates, free gratuities, free onboard credit, and more, to ensure you get the most out of your scenic cruise experience. While sailing with Celebrity Cruises, you’ll discover amazing itineraries that will take you to Ketchikan as well as Juneau – a wonderful city to see stunning snow-capped mountains, Skagway, and beyond! Another top cruise line to sail with for the best scenic cruises to Alaska is Princess Cruises. Experience a true Winter wonderland when you see Glacier Bay, where the icebergs around you seem endless and enjoy the natural wonders and the celebrated landscape of the Tracy Arm Fjord. Take advantage of Princess Cruises’ cruisetours excursions and choose from an array of activities including overnight stays in Fairbanks, gold mine tours, and more! Plus, you can save up to $1,400 on 2012 Summer Alaska cruiseswhen you sail with Princess Cruises.
Breathtaking Beaches of the Caribbean
Work on your tan onboard and on shore and enjoy the sunshine with 7+ night cruises to the Caribbean. Visit the port-of-call of St. Thomas for a truly tropical day. Enjoy a cold beverage by the water and indulge in authentic island cuisine while marveling in the beautiful beaches. Sail to Montego Bay and let your worries and stress float away as you take in the incredible island lifestyle and culture and, of course, the celebrated beaches. Sample the Jamaican jerk chicken, order a Red Stripe brew, and head to Doctor’s Cave Beach for a good time and great views! Get onboard one of Carnival Cruises’ fleet of ‘Fun Ships’ to have a blast onboard and sail to the Caribbean with incredible reduced pricing. The crystal clear waters in Curacao on select sailings will entice travelers to take a dip and the unique jungle-like terrain in Dominica will leave Avoya Travel / American Express guests impressed and ready for adventure. Another great cruise line, Norwegian Cruise Line, provides a fantastic scenic cruise experience to the Caribbean with exclusive pricing plus amenities valued at up to $150 and can take you to Belize, Cozumel, and beyond! Sail on a family-favorite cruise line, Royal Caribbean, and receive huge fantastic savings and possibly receive exclusive amenities and pricing of up to $100! With deals like this, a scenic cruise to the Caribbean couldn’t be more tempting and affordable.
Whether you want to relish in quaint European beach towns near the Mediterranean, marvel at the magnificent glaciers in Alaska, or relax on the sandy beaches in the Caribbean, Avoya Travel American Express Cruise Specialists can help you find the itinerary perfect for you to enjoy on your scenic cruise vacation.
For more information, call 800-963-5713 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an Avoya Travel® / American Express® Travel Specialist today!
2012 Florida Resorts: Travel Nearby!
Posted: February 20, 2012 Filed under: Destinations, Vacation Planning Leave a comment
Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or weeklong escape, the ‘Sunshine State’ is the perfect place to visit. From Orlando, and Miami, to Key West, leave your passports at home and try staying at one of these best 2012 Florida resorts to discover a vacation packed with warm weather, tons of fun, and an exciting culture unlike anywhere else in the United States!
ORLANDO
Thinking about planning a couple’s retreat, getaway with your friends, or action-packed family outing that the kids won’t stop raving about for years? Experience the vacation of a lifetime when visiting various favorite 2012 Florida resorts in Orlando that are within close proximity of an array of world-famous theme parks, scenic golf courses, and theaters. For fun-filled family adventures, visit Walt Disney World Resort – an enchanting magical wonderland made up of four different Disney theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as two water parks – Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon! Or, visit Universal Orlando Resort and step into the new and exciting Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Also boasting Sea World Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida, Orlando is packed with a variety of attractions for all types of theme park-goers. Looking for a relaxing vacation for you and your loved one? Enjoy a couples massage at Orlando’s many award-winning spas while staying at various resorts or take off full swing and discover firsthand why Orlando was voted in 2010 one of the ‘North American Golf Destination of the Year’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators with more than 170 golf courses to choose from, including Bay Hill Club and Lodge – home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Featuring so many attractions, there’s no surprise as to why Orlando attracts over 51 million travelers a year!
MIAMI
Turn the heat up and visit Miami – a sizzlin’ city filled with a plethora of some of the best 2012 Miami, Florida resorts for you to choose from. From South Beach’s hot beaches and Art Deco District to the city’s delicious international cuisine and trendy nightlife, Miami is a cultural hub filled with incredible attractions for Avoya Travel / American Express guests to experience. At resorts nearby South Beach, you’ll have the chance to be within walking distance to ‘America’s Riviera’ – a city that’s filled with excitement during the day and into the night. During the day, you can walk along Ocean Drive’s palm tree-lined street to enjoy an al-fresco lunch at a quaint café, head to the beach to people watch or bask with the sun shining above, or simply explore the perfectly preserved Art Deco buildings that Ocean Drive is known for. After some Happy Hour specials and a day at the beach, watch the sun set into the horizon and see Ocean Drive transition into a lively nightlife hub – no matter what day of the week it is! And, don’t leave Miami without tasting delicious Cuban food from some of the best local restaurants in Florida.
KEY WEST
With no known record of frost, ice, sleet, or snow ever in Key West, there’s no surprise as to why this Southernmost city of Florida (and all of the continental United States) offers some of the best 2012 Florida resorts and is a vacation hot spot for travelers worldwide. When not relaxing at various Key West resorts, relaxing along the shores of the city’s beaches, or taking on new and exciting water activities, you’ll find a variety of things to do in Key West. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum – a U.S. National Historic Landmark that was once a former residence of author Ernest Hemingway. As the first on the island of Key West to be fitted with indoor plumbing as well as a swimming pool, this attraction is said to be one of the houses where Ernest Hemingway completed some of his best work, including ‘A Farewell to Arms’, ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’, and ‘The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber’. And, be sure to take a picture in front of a buoy at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets that is brightly painted and labeled as the ‘Southernmost Point of Continental U.S.A’!
For an incredible vacation to the Sunshine State, contact an Avoya Travel Vacation Specialist and start planning your vacation to one of the best 2012 Florida resorts!
For more information, call 800-963-5713 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an Avoya Travel® / American Express® Travel Specialist today!
Caribbean Vacation Season: Hit the Beach!
Posted: February 20, 2012 Filed under: Vacation Planning Leave a comment
During these cold Winter months it can be hard to remember what it felt like to wear sandals, or what a city looked like without a blanket of snow. If you have been dreaming about beaches and sunny days then get ready because Caribbean vacation season is hotter than ever! The hurricanes have all passed and the holidays are weeks away from being over, so now is the perfect time to start planning your tropical Caribbean vacation. And, Avoya Travel / American Express can help make your dream Caribbean vacation for 2012 come true. Read on to learn more about popular resorts ready to welcome you to paradise!
JAMAICA
If you were to look at a live map of the Caribbean, Jamaica would stand out for its non-stop action and exciting activities. Hiking, water rafting, night clubs by the beach, steel drum bands, and Jamaican Red Stripe beer on the beach are just a few of this island’s attractions. When staying at resorts such as Riu Ocho Rios, you’ll be close to the famous Dunn’s River Falls and the beautiful Blue Mountain region. Hike through lush jungle foliage to discover majestic waterfalls at the end of your trail, or rent bicycles and take a scenic ride through the coffee plantations sprinkled throughout the Blue Mountain region. Many resorts have their own specialty beverages to offer you while you lounge at the resort’s pool and private beach, otherwise Jamaican Red Stripe beer or Planter’s Punch are delicious locally-made drinks to try while soaking up the sun. Caribbean vacation season wouldn’t be complete without visiting nearby beaches during your vacation, and you can easily take a day trip to Montego Bay or Doctor’s Cave Beach from resorts such as Iberostar Grand Rose Hall. Spend the day wandering through local shops, trying new restaurants, or simply relaxing in the sand at these famous beach destinations along the Jamaican coast. And for a night of dancing and hot island music after the beach, Montego Bay is also known for its ‘Hip Strip’ nightlife!
BAHAMAS
The Bahamas is one of the most recognizable tropical destinations in the world – known for its pristine beaches and exciting attractions. While staying at resorts such as Riu Paradise Island, you will be close to the city of Nassau where families can spend the day in Nassau’s Blue Lagoon and interact with dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, and visit fun historic attractions such as the Pirates of Nassau museum! Also on Paradise Island is the Atlantis resort – a great attraction that features a huge water park, the Atlantis Aquarium, as well the largest casino in the Caribbean! Paradise Island is also home to some of the best nightlife in the Caribbean, and you can prepare for your evening out with a pampering treatment at the Riu Paradise Island’sRenova Spa which features a wide variety of health and beauty services. During your days at the beach, the Bahamas is a wonderful destination to try various water sports such as wind surfing, sailing, snorkeling, and fishing. Both Paradise Island and Nassau are popular places to rent equipment or take excursions to try these water sports so you can try them all within a convenient distance from your resort. This island is truly a petite paradise filled with beauty and adventure, and you can visit it now during Caribbean vacation season!
TURKS AND CAICOS
For an exotic getaway, the Turks and Caicos islands are fantastic places to indulge in everything that defines the Caribbean: pristine beaches, awe-inspiring natural attractions, and gourmet island dining. For families, there is something to be enjoyed at the all-inclusive Caribbean resort, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, where the kids can spend the day at the Pirate’s Island Theme Park shooting down water slides and splashing in pools under the Caribbean sun. After a day of fun in the sun you can escape to the full-service European spa for a rejuvenating spa treatment, and end the day with a gourmet dinner at one of the resort’s specialty restaurants. Outside the resort, you can visit the famous Grace Bay to lounge along its white-sand beach or snorkel in a coral reef filled with colorful fishes. For some aquatic fun above the water, you can take a sailing tour around the islands to learn about its natural history, and maybe even see some whales during your tour! Exotic marine life is plentiful in the Caribbean, and at the Caicos Conch Farmvisitors can learn more about these creatures and even take a beautiful conch shell home as a souvenir. Animal lovers will also enjoy taking an unforgettable Caribbean sunset horseback ride along the beachduring their stay in Turks and Caicos whether it’s for family fun or a romantic activity. No matter how you want to spend your time in Turks and Caicos, you are sure to be amazed by the beauty and hospitality of these Caribbean islands.
Now that Caribbean vacation season is here, the only decision you need to make is which island to visit! Call an Avoya Travel Vacation Specialist to learn more about these Caribbean resorts and plan your getaway for 2012 – it will be the highlight of your New Year.
For more information, call 800-963-5713 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an Avoya Travel® / American Express® Travel Specialist today!
Is This You?
Posted: February 4, 2012 Filed under: Vacation Planning Leave a comment
Watch this before you start planning your next vacation.
Sun Sand & Sea Travel, LLC 