American Safari Cruises' Safari Quest at sunrise in the Sea of Cortez.

Sea of Cortez Sunrise (c) Linda Garrison

More Sunrise Photos from the Sea of Cortez

In 2011, for the very first time, Silversea's new Silver Spirit will embark on a full World Cruise traversing both hemispheres.

This grandest of voyages, appropriately themed "Spirit of Discovery," begins in Los Angeles on January 19, when Silver Spirit is set to welcome no more than 540 privileged guests for a 119-day odyssey exploring 60 destinations in 25 countries -- with 11 overnight port visits -- before concluding in Southampton on May 19. Along the journey, Silver Spirit will take in the tranquillity of French Polynesia, Australia's untamed landscapes, the unique customs and cultures of Asia, ancient Egyptian wonders and timeless Mediterranean hideaways spanning from Italy and Monaco to Spain and Portugal.

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Azamara Cruises - the two-ship brand launched in 2007 with the 694-guest Azamara Journey and sister ship Azamara Quest - today became "Azamara Club Cruises," with a newly refined focus, and a series of new attributes designed for upmarket, experienced travelers.

Azamara Club Cruises President & CEO Larry Pimentel, tapped to take the helm of Azamara Cruises in July of this year, spent several weeks talking with travel agents, past guests and press to determine how to make his great-to-exceptional goal a reality. He also tapped a small new team focused 100 percent on Azamara, including VP of Sales & Marketing Edie Bornstein, AVP of Hotel Operations Bert Van Middendorp, Director of Marketing Signe Bjorndal, Director of National Accounts Michelle Nevin, and an eight-member field sales team dedicated solely to Azamara.

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The Costa Deliziosa, Costa's newest flagship, completed her official technical trials in the open sea successfully. She will be inaugurated on February 23, 2010 in Dubai, which marks the first time the international locale has hosted a cruise ship naming ceremony.

The stunning ship, Costa's 15th fleet member, built at Fincantieri's Marghera (Venice) shipyard, was put through her paces in the open sea for the first time, with a series of running tests on the ship's systems, machinery and engines. During the official trials performed at sea, the Costa Deliziosa sailed at maximum speed (in excess of 23 knots = 40 km/h), for eight hours non-stop during the endurance test. A crash stop was also carried out. This maneuver involves the total shutdown of propulsion with full ahead movement to see the distance required to bring the vessel to a total stop in the event of an emergency. During the UMS trial, the Costa Deliziosa sailed for six hours non-stop using only her automatic control systems for power generation and propulsion. Lastly, the blackout test was conducted whereby all the ship's control equipment is shut down and reactivated automatically.

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The Oasis of the Seas has been one of the most widely-anticipated cruise ships ever, and the wait was worth it. Oasis is huge, absolutely beautiful, and the innovative neighborhood concept provides a marvelous atmosphere for cruisers. The ship is contemporary, sleek, and has touches of both elegance and casual fun.

I originally had some trepidations about this new mega-ship, but my worries vanished when I stepped onto the Royal Promenade from the dock, walked around the ship, and got my first looks at the Boardwalk, Central Park, and pool deck. The "WOW factor" definitely kicked in. The Oasis of the Seas will appeal to anyone who loves large ship cruising, but also those who have never cruised but enjoy resort vacations. The wide variety of entertainment, food, and accommodations should attract many fun-loving travelers to cruising.

Since I was only on a half-full ship for a two-night cruise to nowhere, I had two open questions. "How will the crowds be when the ship is full?", and "how long will it take to go ashore in the Caribbean ports?" Early reviews I have read from travelers on the Oasis of the Seas are generally very positive, so these two concerns have also been allayed.

One quick tip for those lucky travelers booking a cruise on the Oasis of the Seas--you can pre-book reservations for the free shows and entertainment before you cruise. You can also pre-book reservations for the restaurants. Any planning you can do before you cruise will free up valuable time onboard.

Oasis of the Seas Photo Galleries

• Oasis of the Seas AquaTheater
• Oasis of the Seas Boardwalk
• Oasis of the Seas Central Park
• Oasis of the Seas Dining
• Oasis of the Seas Cabins
• Oasis of the Seas Suites
• Oasis of the Seas Lounges
• Oasis of the Seas Interiors
• Oasis of the Seas Outdoors
• Oasis of the Seas - Kids and Teens Areas

Oasis of the Seas Photo Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Celebrity Cruises has announced an exciting sweepstakes for those who love cruising. Wouldn't you love to be one of the first passengers to sail on the new Celebrity Equinox? Ten sweepstakes winners will be onboard in March 2010 when the new Celebrity Equinox makes her first trip from the shipyard down Germany's River Ems. This 12 to 15-hour passage, called a "conveyance" takes the ship to her first sea trials, and involves complex navigation skills due to the narrow, shallow river.

In addition to the series of onboard 'first-ever' experiences, Celebrity's "Eclipse of a Lifetime" prize package includes a night in Dusseldorf prior to boarding the ship, and a night in Amsterdam after departing the ship. Each "Eclipse of a Lifetime" prize package also includes coach-class air for two from each winner's nearest major gateway to Dusseldorf, Germany; hotel accommodations and meals prior to boarding Celebrity Eclipse; all meals and activities onboard the ship; all pertinent gratuities; ground transfers to and from airports, hotels, and Celebrity Eclipse; the exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Meyer Werft shipyard, and coach-class air from Amsterdam to the U.S. Doesn't it sound wonderful?

To enter this exciting Celebrity contest, click on Eclipse of a Lifetime Sweepstakes

More Information on the Celebrity Cruises Eclipse of a Lifetime Sweepstakes

Celebrity Solstice, Sister Ship to the Celebrity Equinox, Leaves the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany - Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

In January 2010, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Inc., which has owned Paul Gauguin since 2004, will take over the operation of the m/s Paul Gauguin after Regent Seven Seas completes its contract. As part of the cruising public, I hope the new operator will deliver the same five-star experience provided by Regent for the past many years.

To celebrate the new operation, for select m/s Paul Gauguin cruise itineraries of 9 nights or less, cruise travelers who reserve and deposit by December 18, 2009 can save up to 50 percent off standard cruise fares for January-March 2010 departures and up to 45 percent off standard cruise fares for April-December 2010 departures, plus receive two-for-one roundtrip air between Los Angeles and Papeete, an additional savings of up to $1,250 based upon two persons sharing a stateroom.

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Orion Expedition Cruises has increased the size of its fleet with the addition of the Orion II, a second specialist expedition ship which will join the line's existing 106-passenger Orion. The ship, configured to the brand's exacting requirements, is scheduled to commence expedition voyages under the Orion Expedition Cruises banner in May 2011.

Orion Expedition Cruises announced the forthcoming long-term charter of Clelia II, a 100-passenger, all-suite luxury expedition cruise ship, to be renamed Orion II from onboard the Orion.

Orion II will be based in South East Asia offering a wide range of expeditions that will include Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Indonesian archipelago, Japan and Borneo. Details of destinations and itineraries will be released in 2010, once voyage details and expedition team scouting are finalized.

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Just when some of us were starting to worry that new orders for cruise ships were running out, Carnival Corporation & plc has reached an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct a 130,000-ton cruise ship for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand, scheduled to enter service in spring 2012.

The new Carnival ship will be built at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard under a U.S. dollar denominated contract. The all-in cost of the vessel is approximately $200,000 per lower berth.

The new 3,690-passenger vessel will offer many of the same innovations featured on the recently launched Carnival Dream, as well as some exciting new elements to be announced at a later date.

Carnival Orders New Cruise Ship

Carnival Dream Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Cruise West has announced a new six-night Cocos Island voyage and a freshly revised nine-night "Between Two Seas" itinerary that ventures from Panama to Costa Rica. Guests who book both voyages back-to-back save 25 percent on "Cocos Island" and an additional five percent on "Between Two Seas".

Cocos Island - Rich in History, Rich in Nature -- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cocos Island borders on the magical -- caverns rumored to hold pirated Incan treasure; 200 streaming waterfalls; the world's largest population of hammerhead sharks; 90 species of birds; and outstanding kayaking and snorkeling are just a few of its many attractions. An inspiration for the film Jurassic Park, Cocos Island is considered the jewel of the Costa Rican park system; a paradise that Jacques Cousteau once called "the most beautiful island in the world." Cruise West passengers can choose "Cocos Island" from two departure dates, roundtrip from San Jose, Costa Rica: January 24 and April 12, 2010, with rates starting at $2,799 per person.

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