NCL Phone App
We are excited to announce that Norwegian Cruise Line created a smartphone application that enables iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows7 users to interact with Norwegian Epic’s onboard guest information and service systems during their cruise. The application also enables you to communicate with other passengers via voice and text messages. The application is available for passengers sailing on board the Norwegian Epic beginning March 24, and an expansion of the service to the remaining fleet is expected in the near future. Passengers who download the free app can make unlimited calls and send messages to each other while on board, at an introductory rate of $7.95 for the entire sailing. The application was created in partnership with Allin Interactive.
New Offerings from Disney
Disney Cruise Line announced that in 2013 it will offer Caribbean sailings from the Port of Miami for the first time as well as new European cruises from Barcelona.
The 2013 schedule is now available for booking. The Disney Wonder will operate its first cruise from Miami on December 23, 2012 with 4, 5, 6 and 7-night sailings from January 5-May 2, 2013. Ports of call can include Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Key West, Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Beginning June 1, 2013, the Disney Magic returns to Europe to operate 4, 7 and 12-night sailings from Barcelona, Spain. Families can enhance 7 and 12-night Mediterranean sailings with Adventures by Disney Onboard Experience packages. These packages offer exclusive activities and concierge service from dedicated Adventure Guides, who will lead travelers at each port. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral. The Disney Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries, alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates start at $1,085 per person.
Nickelodeon Expansion on NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line expanded its Nickelodeon programming to the Norwegian Gem. Each cruise will feature Nickelodeon’s new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast where you are encouraged to wear pajamas and your child receives a complimentary photograph. Additional elements include Dora’s Dance Party, where children ages 6 and younger have the chance to sing and dance with Dora the Explorer and Team Nick; Nickelodeon Character Meet-and-Greets; Nick Jr. Story Time; and Nickelodeon arts and crafts. The Norwegian Gem sails seven-day Bahamas and Florida voyages from New York City through September 1. Ports of call include Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. From September 8 through October 10, the ship will sail 10-day Eastern Canada and Quebec cruises, followed by a series of nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages. Nickelodeon programming also is on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Epic.
Norwegian Revamps Kids Club
Norwegian Cruise Line is revamping its children’s program with a new curriculum for up to age 17. The cruise line will also begin structured programming for infants and babies up to 2 years old. 
The new youth program is being created in partnership with the King’s Foundation and Camps, a U.K.-based organization that develops sports and activity programs for children. More focus will be placed on sporting activities, arts and crafts, theater and technology, the line said. The Norwegian Gem will be the first in the fleet to introduce the new activities, starting in mid-February. It subsequently will be rolled out across all Norwegian vessels. The line also has engaged Cirque Du Jour, a New York-based company that specializes in teaching children circus skills such as juggling, clowning and acrobatics. Circus workshops and shows will be offered for the entire family.
iPads on RCCL
Royal Caribbean just installed iPad mobile digital devices in every stateroom onboard the newly revitalized Splendour of the Seas to allow you to access the daily Cruise Compass of events and activities as well as personal daily itineraries including shore excursions. 
You can also monitor your onboard account, order room service, view restaurant menus, access the Internet and watch movies. The program will be extended to all Vision-class ships when each undergoes revitalization in the following two years. The iPads can be used in staterooms, but also through the pervasive Wi-Fi also being installed throughout the ship. When logging on for the first time, you will need to accept an agreement to pay for the unit in the event it goes missing or is damaged. In addition to the iPads, Splendour of the Seas will have new stateroom amenities such as flat-screen televisions, refreshed bathrooms and completely remodeled interiors, including luxurious new linens and furniture, as well as an additional 124 balconies. New dining options include the Asian Izumi restaurant, the steakhouse Chops Grille, the Boardwalk Dog House, the Park Café deli-style restaurant and the Chef’s Table dining experience. Royal Caribbean also will introduce a new à la carte menu in the Viking Crown Lounge that will offer bite-sized portions of their favorite classics. Additional Royal Caribbean signature innovations debuting on the ship will be the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a Diamond lounge, a Concierge Lounge, a Britto Gallery featuring works from Brazilian pop-artist Romero Britto, the new R-Bar as well as a reinvented Centrum experience.
Disney Fantasy Entertainment
Disney Cruise Line shows are the best at sea for family entertainment. The Disney Fantasy, due to enter service in April, has scheduled a lineup of five musicals “Wishes,” “Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular,” “Disney’s Believe,” “A Fantasy Come True” and “An Unforgettable Journey.” Disney describes “Wishes”, the signature show on the ship, as a musical journey about three best friends who discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child. Disney characters in the show include Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from “Tangled,” Lilo and Stitch, Mulan, Hercules, Pinocchio and “The Lion King’s” Timon and Pumbaa. The Aladdin production will feature classic scenes and songs from the movie re-created on stage. “Disney’s Believe” tells the story of a workaholic father who reconnects with his daughter. Disney characters in the show include Cinderella, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” Rafiki from “The Lion King” and Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog.” “A Fantasy Come True” is the ship’s welcome show described as “a high-energy, multimedia musical production that follows one family’s journey as they discover the amazing experiences and enchanting surprises that await them aboard the Disney Fantasy.” “An Unforgettable Journey” is a farewell production that “allows guests to reflect and savor the experience they have had onboard the Disney Fantasy”. The Walt Disney Theatre will span three decks, with orchestra and balcony seating. In addition to stage productions, the Fantasy will host deck parties with live entertainment. On one night of the cruise, the ship will even transform into a pirate ship with a night of events brimming with buccaneer fun and a fireworks spectacular.
Get Slimed on NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line is extending the Nickelodeon family entertainment to a third ship, the Norwegian Gem, beginning in February. 
Each cruise will feature a live Nickelodeon-themed show in the main theater, Nick Live Poolside! with games and activities by the pool, character breakfast with characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora’s Dance Party. Other family activities include Nick Jr. Story Time, family trivia and arts and crafts sessions. The ship is sailing seven-day Bahamas and Florida voyages from New York City through September 1. Ports of call include Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. Nickelodeon-themed shows and activities were first introduced in April 2010 on Norwegian Jewel and in July 2010 on Norwegian Epic.
New from Shoretrips
We are excited to announce that Shoretrips, our choice for cruise excursions, is adding shared and guided van tours in Europe for next year. Previously only private tours were available which in Europe can be quite pricey. The shared van tours hold up to 8 people and are perfect for first time visitors. Van excursions are available in Cannes, Marseilles, Nice and Villefranche, France (as well as Paris for non-cruisers); Athens, Greece; Rome, La Spezia, Livorno and Naples, Italy; St. Petersburg, Russia; Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Spain and Kusadasi, Turkey. Shoretrips is also adding tours in Australia, Asia and Dubai as the cruise lines expand service or the size of ships in all of these exciting regions.
Behind the Scenes with Celebrity
Celebrity Cruises is the latest line to offer a behind-the-scenes tour of areas not usually visited by cruise ship passengers called See How It’s Done Tour and the Bridge Sail Away Experience. The See How It’s Done Tour visits the bridge, mooring deck, crew gym, theater, engine control room, prep rooms and the main dining room galley. The Bridge Sail Away Experience lets you join the navigational team on the bridge as the ship sails from port. Beginning 30 minutes before and concluding 30 minutes after departing, you are given a tour and an overview of the bridge by a senior Celebrity bridge officer. You also can meet and take photos with the captain. The tours include a lot of staff interaction and each tour is followed by a wine-paired lunch hosted by an officer in the main dining room. The program is offered on all ships and available for purchase onboard.
Children Save on Lindblad
Children 18 and under can save $500 on Lindblad Expedition’s sailings throughout the world. 
Families will appreciate the Panama and Costa Rica sailings on the 62-passenger expedition ship, National Geographic Sea Lion, which can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to her small size. A sturdy fleet of Zodiacs and virtually untippable kayaks allow you to be off the ship and out exploring within a moment’s notice. Launch your kayak from a picturesque beach, hike with naturalists into the rain forest or walk easily along a sandy dune. And if you book by December 15, you also receive a complimentary 3-day Montverde extension on select 2012 departures. Special family sailings are also available for 9-night trips to the Galapagos on June 15, July 16 and August 3 on the 96-passengers National Geographic Endeavour. Book early for the best availability on these very popular sailings.
