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Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
Emergencies can happen while traveling.

Give us a call today at 800-473-6170 or purchase on-line.

What if there’s an emergency back home and you have to cut your trip short?
What if you become too sick to take your trip, or need medical assistance while on your trip?
What if your luggage doesn’t show up when you do?
What if you lose your wallet or identification?

Travel insurance and assistance plans through Travel Guard can be there for you before, during and after your trip. Covering more than 6 million travelers a year for more than 20 years, Travel Guard’s unmatched level of service and commitment can provide important coverage for you during your travels should the unexpected occur.
When you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan, you can travel with coverage for trip delay, trip interruption, baggage, medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, as well as 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your upcoming trip. We can provide you with a quote in just a matter of minutes. Give us a call today at 800-473-6170 or purchase on-line.

Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, a Pennsylvania Insurance Company (NAIC # 19445). It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Assistance Services provided by Travel Guard Assist. All coverages may not be available in all states.

This is a brief description of the insurance benefits and travel services provided. Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with its principal place of business in New York, NY. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. All coverages may not be available in all states. Travel Assistance Services are provided by Travel Guard Assist.

NCL’s Epic To Feature Expansive Aqua Park, Repelling Wall
Fri Apr 03 2009, by Travel Trade Staff

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) unveiled another aspect of its next generation of ship, the Norwegian Epic. The Epic will include an expansive Aqua Park with The Epic Plunge, the only tube slide and the largest bowl slide at sea, according to NCL.

The line also unveiled seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun. Among the highlights are a 33-foot high extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever repelling wall at sea. According to NCL, the Epic will also have the most bowling lanes at sea and the first ever squash court at sea.

The ship will also feature a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guest to engage in eight different athletic activities, as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas. The multi-use sports deck will include a full size basketball court, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope adventure course and a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage called the spider web.

In addition, NCL revealed the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices, as well as 18 bars and lounges. Shanghai’s, one of the restaurants to be offered on the Epic, is new to the line and will serve a mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties.

“From the Aqua Park to the expanded sports deck and largest Kid’s Crew facility to the most dining outlets at sea, Norwegian Epic is truly taking Freestyle Cruising to the next level by offering our guests so many choices in dining and onboard activities,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s CEO.

Homeport Cruises Co. offers Military discount rates about NCL ships.  Visit us on-line.

Carnival launches self-service check-in at Port of Miami
By: Johanna Jainchill July 07, 2009 – Travel Weekly – The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry

As part of an effort to streamline the embarkation process, Carnival Cruise Lines installed self-service check-in kiosks at the Port of Miami.

Carnival said that if passengers respond positively to the kiosks, they will be installed in other year-round homeports.

Citizens of the U.S., Canada or a Visa Waiver Program country embarking on a Carnival ship from Miami can use the kiosks if they have pre-registered online.

As in an airport, passengers enter their booking information and swipe their passport or credit card to check in. Then they pick up their cabin key at a nearby desk.

The kiosks also accept cash deposits for passengers’ shipboard accounts.

Oasis of the Seas will have 24 dining options

By: Johanna Jainchill – June 25, 2009

Royal Caribbean Unveils “Oasis of the Seas” Dining Venues
Wed Jun 24 2009, by Travel Trade Staff

Going by neighborhood, dining venues aboard Oasis of the Seas will include:

The Boardwalk will offer family favorite Johnny Rockets, as well as a new alternative the 50s style diner, the surf-themed Seafood Shack. Also, on the Boardwalk will be the Donut Shop, which will offer a rotating selection of 10 to 15 varieties of free donuts every day, as well as complimentary coffee. Also in the Boardwalk will be the Boardwalk Bar, a full-scale bar that will also offer salads and sandwiches, and the 50s-styled Ice-Cream Parlour, which will offer up to 15 different flavors.

Five dining options will be offered in Central Park, including the semi-formal 150 Central Park, the Oasis of the Seas’ most exclusive dining venue. Also in Central Park will be the line’s signature steakhouse Chops Grill and a new Tuscan eatery, Giovanni’s Table, which will offer family style Italian dining. Park Café will be a quick service concept offering sandwiches, made to order salads, soups, full meals and crepes on certain days. Central Park also will feature the familiar Vintages wine bar, but new to the Oasis, Vintages will offer a tapas menu, perfect for wine pairings.

On the Royal Promenade, guests will find Café Promenade, which offers coffees, pastries and sandwiches, as well as Sorrento’s, which offers pizza on most Royal Caribbean ships. However, on Oasis, Sorrentos will offer made to order pizzas so cruisers can choose from a selection of toppings and watch as a chef makes the pizza on the spot.

For those seeking healthy dining options, the Solarium Bistro will be offered in the Pool & Sports Zone. Here, guests will find healthy buffet selections for breakfast and lunch, and health food menu for dinner. All items served in the Solarium Bistro will be 500 calories or less. Also in the Pool & Sports Zone, will be Wipeout Café, which will offer all-day soft serve ice-cream, as well as hamburgers, hot dogs and other quick service sandwiches.

Vitality Café will be found in the Vitality Zone and will offer healthy snack items such as wraps, fruits, juices, smoothies, energy drinks and more.

Other dining venues found onboard, which will not be linked to a specific neighborhood, will be Windjammer Marketplace and Izumi Asian Cuisine. While Windjammer is an old favorite for RCI guests, Izumi is a new concept that will offer Japanese cuisine, as well as a sushi bar.

While reservations are not required for any of the specialty restaurants, Goldstein does recommend them. In doing so, he announced that as of July 9, guests will be able to go online before their cruise and make reservations for any of the specialty dining venues available on the Oasis.

“We are trying to make it resemble how you would dine out at home,” Goldstein said.

My Time Dining

With all the attention put on the specialty restaurants, “we have not forgotten about the Main Dining Room,” said Kenneth Taylor, director of fleet restaurant operations. Taylor added that RCI expects the Main Dining Room to continue to be very popular, especially with the cruise line’s new My Time Dining option in place.

With My Time Dining, “we’ve designed entertainment and dining to be on your schedule, which is why we think My Time Dining will be successful,” Taylor added.

As part of My Time Dining guests can choose when they want to dine, as well as request a specific waiter or table. One entire deck of the Main Dining Room will be dedicated to guests who choose My Time Dining. As of May 1, guests can choose My Time Dining at the time of booking.

Mike – Homeport Cruises Co.

1-800-473-6170

Mike/Homeport Cruises Co.

1-800-473-6170

www.homeportcruises.com

THE RISING PRICE OF A BARREL OF OIL

The price of oil is nearing $70 per barrel.  When the cruise lines removed fuel surcharges last year they did so with the caveat that IF the price goes to $70 a barrel they can re-impose fuel surcharges of $10 per person/per day or more.  What will happen?  Who knows?  It’s simply one more intangible cost of travel as we cruise through the current worldwide recession.

Mike/Homeport Cruises Co.

1-800-473-6170

www.homeportcruises.com

Carnival Dream’s 2 Level Serenity
Our new 130,000 ton Carnival Dream will offer a host of innovations including the largest adults-only retreat in our fleet! Created as an ocean going oasis for relaxation, the Carnival Dream’s 11,250 square foot Serenity area will encompass levels, a first for CCL , and it will accommodate up to 200! Clients can select from 7 different styles of seating from plush chaise lounges and chairs to shaded sun loungers and even hammocks. Carnival Dream’s Serenity area will also feature a full bar on the lower level in a shaded area while the upper level will offer whirlpools providing magnificent sea views. Design-wise, Serenity will offer a decidedly understated décor with decorative latticework, teak-style decking and other contemporary features creating an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort. The Serenity experience will be enhanced by a series of custom windscreens specially created for this area. Spanning the forward section of Sun Deck 14 and Sky Deck 15, Serenity is accessible via a glass elevator within Carnival Dream’s expansive 23,750 square foot Cloud 9 Spa as well as by 2 staircases.

Mike/Homeport Cruises Co.

1-800-473-6170

www.homeportcruises.com