Uniworld will launch the River Tosca along Egypt's historic Nile River in September, and the cruise line is offering good discounts on 2009 and 2010 Nile River cruises for those who book by July 31. The River Tosca will join the River Beatrice, which took her maiden voyage along the Danube in March this year, as Uniworld's second new ship of 2009.

River Tosca, an all-suite ship, has been decorated by the design team from the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Uniworld's sister company. The River Tosca's interior will be decorated with the same touches created for the Red Carnation Hotels and all of Uniworld's nine river ships.

River Tosca Courtesy of Uniworld Cruises

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In 1972, UNESCO adopted an international treaty to encourage the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites around the world. Since then, 890 sites have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 689 cultural sites, 176 natural sites, and 25 mixed site properties in 148 countries.

Cruise travelers are lucky, because many of these locations can be easily visited on shore excursions or as part of an extended cruise tour. The About.com Guides in our travel channel have some excellent information and photos of many of the UNESCO sites. How many have you visited?
UNESCO World Heritage Sites - About.com Travel Channel Blog Carnival

Iguazu Falls (c) Linda Garrison

Royal Caribbean continues to roll out some exciting new features for the Oasis of the Seas, which will be launched in December 2009. This time the cruise line has announced the numerous dining venues planned for this huge new ship. The Oasis of the Seas will have 24 diverse dining venues, ranging from the elegant, $35 per person, 150 Central Park (only the Oasis of the Seas is large enough to have addresses of its dining spots!) to its numerous traditional Royal Caribbean dining options such as Vintages, Chops, and the Windjammer Buffet.

The good news for those planning to sail on the Oasis of the Seas is that you can schedule your dining choices at royalcaribbean.com once you have booked your cruise.
Dining on the Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

More Oasis of the Seas Preview

• Oasis of the Seas Construction and Sea Trials Photos
• Oasis of the Seas - Lofts, Central Park, Boardwalk, and Royal Promenade
• Oasis of the Seas - Pools, Sports Zone, Spa, and Fitness Center
• Oasis of the Seas - Artist's Images and Pictures
• Oasis of the Seas - Entertainment Place
• Oasis of the Seas - Youth Zone

Oasis of the Seas Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Those who want to spruce up their wardrobe, makeup, or personal style will enjoy the October 20 Crystal Cruises' Mediterranean cruise. Fashion wardrobe stylists and designers will host a complimentary "Style Desk" aboard Crystal Serenity's 12-day Venice to Barcelona itinerary. Fashion experts will offer one-on-one consultations, answer fashion dilemmas, and help travelers enhance their own personal sense of style.

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Princess Cruises spans the globe in 2010-11 with a new season of worldwide cruising to all seven continents. With the new program, passengers will be able to explore the South Pacific with an extended program on sailings to Tahiti and French Polynesia, or enjoy a number of new routes in Australia, China, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, and a new world cruise itinerary. In addition, world explorers can take in the spectacular scenery of South America and Antarctica, or the jungles of the Amazon River.

In total, eight ships will sail to Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific, India and South America. New ports include Maputo, the capital of Mozambique; Toulon in the south of France providing access to Provence; Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); Manila, the heart of the Philippines; and Xiamen, a Chinese seaport.
Princess Announces 2010-11 Worldwide Itineraries

Maputo (c) Linda Garrison

Last week, a ceremony to mark the keel laying of Cunard Line's new Queen Elizabeth was held at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy. The second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen Elizabeth's keel is the third Cunard has lain in the space of seven years. When she enters service in October 2010, she will join Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in the Cunard fleet.

The keel laying involves the placement in the dry dock of the first section of the ship's hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 364 tons and is fitted with 104 tons of pipes, cables, insulation and other equipment.

The ceremony followed an intensive period of design and development. Fifty-three sections will be used in the construction of Queen Elizabeth and she will take to the water for the first time at her float out in December.
Construction of Queen Elizabeth Begins

Queen Elizabeth Keel Laying Photo Courtesy of Cunard Line

Many of us dream of a secluded island where we can swim, snorkel, and comb the beaches for lost treasure. We visited Gibbs Cay on a shore excursion from the Holland America Eurodam while on Grand Turk Island.

Gibbs Cay near Grand Turk Island (c) Linda Garrison

When Celebrity's new ship, the Celebrity Equinox, is launched late this month, guests will have the opportunity to book an AquaClass stateroom and enjoy a host of spa-inspired amenities and perks. First introduced on the Celebrity Solstice, these 130 cabins adjacent to the spa are the latest trend in cruising.

Guests in Celebrity's AquaClass enjoy a host of spa-inspired amenities and perks. These include unlimited access to the AquaSpa's Persian Garden aromatherapy steam room, featuring heated ceramic loungers, and the Relaxation Room, which offers stunning vistas from comfortable loungers and a peaceful ambiance. AquaClass guests also enjoy unlimited, complimentary access to the ship's exclusive specialty restaurant, Blu, which is also open for breakfast, exclusively for AquaClass and suite guests.

AquaClass guests enjoy in-stateroom amenities that include a pillow menu featuring Swedish Isotonic, body and hypo-allergenic pillows; carafes of unsweetened iced tea; soothing, calming lavender oil in a reed diffuser; and a five-jet shower by Hansgrohe, designed to invigorate and relax.

If stressed-out cruise vacationers can't relax in one of these AquaClass staterooms, I'm not sure where they can relax!
Celebrity Equinox - New AquaClass Staterooms

Celebrity AquaClass Stateroom (c) Linda Garrison

Silversea Cruises is offering a new, simpler pricing structure that provides the biggest savings incentive in its history -- 60% off -- plus free airfare on virtually all voyages in 2010. The company's best-available, capacity-controlled prices are being offered for guests who book early.

The new Silver Savings pricing program will introduce the most generous savings opportunities first, and the discount will be lowered significantly as the sailing date approaches -- offering a compelling incentive for guests to firm up their vacation plans well in advance of their desired travel date.

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Cruise West's "Voyages of the Great Explorers" 335-day circumnavigation of the world begins in March 2010 on the cruise line's Spirit of Oceanus. Each of the 24 segments of the world cruise features included shore excursions that should appeal to those who love history, adventure, and discovering new places. One of the most intriguing things about this voyage is the size of the ship --only 120 passengers, which allows a more intimate, less intrusive look at many of the ports of call.

While guests will enjoy an included shore excursion at every port including visits to 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the specially-designed Ultimate Explorers Experience included on each of the 24 voyages are designed to bring guests into direct personal contact with fascinating peoples, cultures and natural wonders.

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