Atlas Travel Web.com Blog

Want to learn more about Azamara cruises in 2009? Azamara is a deluxe cruise line, and was voted one of the World’s Best Cruise Lines by Condé Nast Traveler. Europe. Asia. South America. The Caribbean. Where in the world would you like to go? With Azamara, you can travel to the far reaches of the earth and explore a myriad of ports and cities that most can only dream of. From French Polynesia to the warm waters off the islands of St. Barts, whatever your passion, let Azamara take you there in magnificent style.  Enjoy butler service, the most delectable dining on the high seas, a masterful spa, graceful accommodations, and more.

Guests who travel with Azamara Cruises are explorers, seeking experiences that are richer than those offered by most cruise lines. Many Europe and Asia itineraries will include overnight stays in cities such as Istanbul, Barcelona and Venice. The ability to reach smaller ports isn’t the only advantage of traveling on smaller ships. On both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, 93% of staterooms enjoy ocean views, with 70% offering private verandas. You’ll also discover an intimacy not found on larger vessels, creating a relaxed atmosphere that is far more conducive to interacting with the staff, as well as fellow travelers. The advantages of smaller ships are even evident when you’re in port. Captains can navigate right into the heart of the engaging ports of call so that almost immediately after you dock, you’re free to begin explorations.

Past Azamara & Captain Club members can receive up to $300 off all stateroom categories on the following cruises, when booking Jan 1st - March 31, 2009. Call about these and other Azamara discount offers.

7 Night Europe Mediterranean     Azamara Journey       Apr 25;  May 2, 9, 16, 2009

10 Night Europe Mediterranean   Azamara Journey       Apr 5, 15, 2009
                                                                    Azamara Quest             June 4, 2009

14 Night Europe Mediterranean   Azamara Journey        May 23, 2009
                                                                    Azamara Quest             June 14, 28, 2009

12 Night Scand/Russia                     Azamara Journey        June 6, 30, 2009

12 Night Caribbean                            Azamara Journey        March 8, 2009

14 Night Asia                                        Azamara Quest             March 14, 2009

16 Night Transatlantic                     Azamara Journey        March 20, 2009

24 Night Asia                                       Azamara Quest             April 7, 2009

I came across this article on CNN on the 9 reasons people will not be traveling next year. There are some good points, but I would like to suggest a different point of view.

We all agree that 2008 has brought about drastic economic changes in this country.  However, we find that consumers are still traveling.

Vacation budgets:  It’s hard to imagine setting aside money for a vacation, but small adjustments make it very possible to include a vacation in your budget. Cosmos tours recently launched a campaign called “A little change could go a long way.” Cut out just a few stops at the specialty coffee shops and you an enjoy a delectable taste of the real thing on the other side of the globe. 20 grand lattes = 1 grand day in Italy or a couple of days on a National Park tour. It’s that simple.

The article points out that people feel uncertain about the future. After 9/11 we as a country learned that life brings unexpected challenges, tragedies and fear, but these emotions in many cases bring people together, and makes families and individuals want to enjoy their lives more. Even as we were uncertain of the security in our country and what the the future would bring, there was a significant increase in pregnancies after the terrorist attacks. Logic would have suggested the opposite - why bring a child into an uncertain world? You could argue that uncertainty makes people realize the value of living a meaningful and fulfilling life, providing a constant source for inspiration to work hard towards these goals.

Staying at home and seeing local attractions can be monotonous, so people will want to venture away from home. Why not take a driving vacation through New England or the National Parks? Rafting trips in the Midwest are also very affordable. A good travel agent can help you think “out of the box” and find the right trip for your family.

The article mentions that deals are good, but consumers feel they could be lower. Cruises are going for as low as $99 for 3 days…we just  booked a client on a 3 day NCL cruise in March, balcony cabin for $306 pp and the promotion included a $40 ship board credit. Worried about onboard expenses? You can go on a cruise and spend little money out of pocket.  Read our blog for some great ways to save while on your next cruise!

Another point, was that people don’t feel like traveling right now. Each time a new ship came out this year we saw a spike in interest to experience them.  We were part of the Inaugural cruises for both the Celebrity Solstice and Ruby Princess, and consumer excitement in both of these ships was evident with the surge of bookings for these ships. The Oasis of the Sea is not sailing until November 2009, but consumers could not wait to begin booking the world’s largest cruise ship when reservations opened in September of this year.

Stress! Plunging markets. Shaky mortgages. Pricey bailouts. The financial crisis is taking a toll on budgets, but could also be affecting people’s health. Stress has been linked to overeating, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and more. Relaxation is key, and what better way to relax than to take a short vacation?

Hiking, biking, river rafting, cooking and wine tours have all increased in popularity over the past several years. We also see increased bookings for family travel to the Galapagos, Alaska, Costa Rica, Canada, Hawaii and Europe as these itineraries ensure that there are plenty of activities for both adults and children. People are interested in travel, they just seem to be looking for new destinations and experiences.

The article also suggests that the travel industry is not offering enough incentives. Early payment discounts, payment plans and incentives are in place for several tour companies and cruise lines. For the month of January, many cruise lines have not only lowered fares,  but they are reducing the deposit required  by 50% to make a reservations. The airline industry should be dropping prices as they start to purchase new fuel contracts at lower rates, but there are plenty of vacation alternatives close to home if they don’t. Purchasing from a travel agency could also give you some added benefits such as savings on travel insurance, complimentary shore excursions, onboard credits and more at no additional cost to the consumer.

Last but not least, it seems that many consumers are planning their trips for 2010.  It’s okay to plan ahead, but keep in mind that as the economy recovers, the prices will start to go back up. With cruises, consumers can get a full refund of their deposit up to the time of final payment, so there is no risk in booking early to take advantage of these great promotions. Many insurance policies will offer coverage that allow travelers to cancel for any reason, (including work related issues.)  This is another advantage of booking with a travel agent, as booking direct may not always provide consumers the option to purchase the type of insurance coverage they need.

The article closes by stating that for those that do travel in 2009, even a small budget could offer a wonderful, and rewarding experience. You can read other great reasons to travel in 2009 in the article Thank you! 6 reasons we love to Travel Now.

We’d love to hear about your travel plans for 2009.

Princess Balcony Bonanza Sale extended until February 28,2009. Don’t delay in booking to get the cabins with the best location on the ship. Princess is offering some great prices, and free upgrades from ocean view to balcony on select sailings. Keep in mind that your cruise deposit is refundable until the time of final payment, so there is no risk in booking your Princess cruise early. Many sailings have added amenities including ship board credits, wine and more. Call for details.

BALCONY BONANZA EXTENDED! Summer 2009 EUROPE/ALASKA/CARIBBEAN/ CANADA & NEW ENGLAND Free upgrades from oceanview to balcony!^ Extended through February 28, 2009!

EUROPE 10 DAYS SHIP: ITINERARY: EMERALD PRINCESS® Scandinavia & Russia Sail roundtrip from Copenhagen 12 DAYS SHIP: ITINERARY: RUBY PRINCESS® Grand Mediterranean Sail between Venice & Barcelona GRAND/CROWN PRINCESS® RUBY PRINCESSSM Greek Isles Sail between Rome & Venice CROWN PRINCESS® British Isles Sail roundtrip from London CROWN PRINCESS® North Cape & Norwegian Fjords Sail roundtrip from London GRAND PRINCESS® Egypt & Aegean Sail roundtrip from Rome ALASKA 7 DAYS SHIP: ITINERARY: ISLAND/CORAL/DIAMOND/ SAPPHIRE PRINCESS® Voyage of the Glaciers Sail between Anchorage & Vancouver GOLDEN/STAR PRINCESS® Inside Passage Sail roundtrip from Seattle CARIBBEAN 9 DAYS SHIP: ITINERARY: CARIBBEAN PRINCESS® Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean Sail roundtrip from New York CANADA & NEW ENGLAND* 7 DAYS SHIP: ITINERARY: CARIBBEAN PRINCESS® Canada & New England Sail roundtrip from New York 10 DAYS SHIP: ITINERARY: CROWN PRINCESS® Classic Canada & New England Sail between New York and Quebec BOOK EARLY FOR BEST AVAILABILITY!

^FREE BALCONY UPGRADES APPLY TO SELECT SUMMER 2009 SAILINGS ONLY ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS AT TIME OF BOOKING. *BALCONY BONANZA FARES FOR CANADA/NEW ENGLAND WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 13, 2008. This offer applies to lower berth passengers only. Offer may not be combinable with other discounts, promotions, or shipboard credits, and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico only. Call Princess for applicable fares and air add-on program. Please refer to the applicable Princess Cruises brochure for terms, conditions and definitions which apply to the booking.

Whether you prefer a large floating city with “neighborhoods,” a mid-size ship or a small luxurious ship, 2009 brings you plenty of new cruise ships to choose from.

Royal Caribbean  
Oasis of the Seas 
5,400 passengers       November, 2009

                     Costa Cruise Line  
Costa Pacifica                     Costa Luminosa
3,004  passengers                2,260 passengers   
June, 2009                         April, 2009

                      MSC Cruises            
Splendida                           Magnifica
3,300 passengers                 2,550 passengers     
July, 2009                          December, 2009
                                    
Seabourn              
Odyssey                         
450 passengers      June, 2009

Carnival                
Dream                      
3,652 passengers    September, 2009

Celebrity                    
Equinox                      
2,850 passengers    August, 2009

Silversea                
Spirit                                
540 passengers      November, 2009

River Cruises:

Amadeus Waterways:      Amadolce & Amalyra (142 passengers each) March, 2009                                        
Uniworld: River Beatrice (160 passengers)
 River Tosca (84 passengers) April, 2009

Do you plan to sail on any of these new ships in 2009?

Want to get a great look at the Norwegian Pearl? The Travel Channel is featuring the Norwegian Pearl as a great alaska cruise during a 1 hour special. The show, filmed in high-definition during a seven-day Alaska cruise aboard Norwegian Pearl, will premiere during the network’s Alaska-themed night on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 10 p.m. EST. The show will also air on Dec 22nd at 2 a.m., Dec 27th at 12 p.m., Jan 16th at 10 a.m. & Feb 12 at 10 p.m.  so set your Tivo!

You’re sure to enjoy the revolutionary Freestyle Cruising concept that Norwegian Cruise Line has pioneered. It’s all about freedom of choice. Choose from pasta or sushi, resort casual or formal wear. You can dine when you want, and with whomever you want. It’s up to you! Plus, Norwegian’s entertainment can’t be beat, and the Mandara Spa is sure to melt all of your cares away while your kids enjoy the complimentary Kid’s Crew™ program.

In 2009, Norwegian Pearl sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Glacier Bay round-trip from Seattle. NCL’s seven-day Alaska cruises are priced from $699 per person. The Pearl also sails the Caribbean in the winter months.

Now is a great time to book, with the NCL’s Freestyle Resolution sale. All new bookings receive ship board credits (up to $500 per cabin!)

I sailed on the Pearl in November of 2007, and loved it! You can take a look at some great pictures of the Pearl on my Flickr account

Passengers sailing aboard the new Ruby Princess can get an exclusive glimpse at the behind-the-scenes action onboard a ship. The tour will be offered one or twice per cruise on a sea day, and allows guests to explore the engine control room, medical center, back stage area, galley and food production areas, print shop, laundry, photo lab, bridge and other areas typically only seem by the crew. The tour will also include the ship’s command center, where passengers will meet the Captain, enjoy special refreshments and take in the dramatic views from the bridge’s wraparound windows. You can pose with the captain at the ship’s wheel. The framed photo and a certificate will be delivered to each participant’s stateroom. The tour will be 3 hours in duration and will cost $150 per person. Princess does plan to offer this program on other ships in the near future.

Do you think the experience is worth the asking price?

If you’d like to see more pictures of the Ruby Princess, just click here to visit my Flickr account.

Norwegian Cruise line launched their latest cruise promotion, offering ship board credits on every 3+ day cruise. Prices are amazing starting in the Caribbean at $99 pp on select 3 day cruises. There’s never been a better time to be an NCL cruise.  Atlas also has select sailings that have additional exclusive amenities such as wine, pre-paid gratuities and more. Call or email for details.

NCL On-Board Credit Offer Up to $500 per stateroom.

Get ready to save with NCL´s Freestyle Resolution Sales Event. Receive up to $500 in on-board credit per stateroom and it´s good for almost all of NCL´s great activities and amenities. So, whether you want to use your credit to get a relaxing spa treatment, hit the casino, or just enjoy a delicious meal in one of our specialty restaurants, the choice is yours.

But you have to hurry, this offer is for a limited time. So, book now and get ready to do…whatever, with up to $500 in on-board credit and our exclusive Freestyle Cruising®. 

Holland America Cruise Line launches an aggressive Vacation Stimulus Plan. “There’s never been a better time to get more, pay less and sail away from it all,” says Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.  “And the return on investment is guaranteed.”

For a limited time aboard select 2009 & 2010 cruises, upgrade from an inside to an outside stateroom from as little as $50 or upgrade from an outside to a verandah stateroom from as little as $100!  This sale ends February 28, 2009 - but don’t wait until then, contact us today for the best availability. 

Atlas & Ensemble Exclusive Amenities

Atlas Cruises & Tours adds value to all Holland America cruises, such as exclusive savings off your cruise fare, shore excursions, a bottle of wine or shipboard credits. 

* Every stateroom is a gracious retreat
* Spacious, elegantly appointed and many with private verandahs
* Luxurious Euro-Top beds and premium linens
* Large, extra-fluffy Egyptian cotton towels and terry cloth robes
* Flat-panel television with DVD player
* Complimentary 24-hour in-room dining
* Choice of Traditional or As You Wish dining
* Luxurious main Dining Room graced with fine art and antiques
* Intimate dining in the Pinnacle Grill featuring Sterling Silver Beef®
* Fresh, cooked-to-order specialties in the casual Lido Restaurant
* Academy-trained professional crew
* Nearly one crew member for every two guests
* Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine
* Tranquil Asian-inspired Greenhouse Spa & Salon
* 24-hour e-mail and Internet access
* Club HAL® for guest ages 3-12 and separate teens-only program

Finally! Cruise line are responding to consumer demand to eliminate fuel surcharges. Let’s hope the airlines start bringing down their prices as well.

Here are the latest updates:

Carnival Corporation
As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival Corporation has announced that it will suspend fuel supplements for its six North American brands effective for all voyages departing on or after December 17, 2008. Brands include: Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and the Yachts of Seabourn.

Norwegian Cruise Line
In response to the current continued decline of fuel prices, NCL has announced that it is suspending the company’s fuel supplement effective immediately for all voyages departing in 2009.

Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc
Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has announced that the fuel supplement charge will be eliminated from all voyages departing in 2009. Guests who have already paid in full for their 2009 voyage will be issued a shipboard credit equal to the fuel supplement charge they were assessed.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has announced the suspension of its fuel supplement for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, andAzamara Cruises sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009. The decision reflects the recently sustained lower price of fuel.

Windstar Cruises
Windstar has announced a suspension on fuel surcharges for 2009 sailings.  Clients that are paid in full will receive the refund in the form of a Shipboard Credit & bookings that are under deposit will have the fuel surcharges taken off.  All of the bookings will be updated by Christmas.

For more information, visit our web site our call 800-942-3301.