Seabourn Odyssey - take a peek

I love trawling round Youtube and today I found this great video of the new Seabourn Odyssey which is cruising into the Pacific early next year (2010). Quite the best way to check out a ship if you can't go on a ship visit.

Odyssey leaves Fort Lauderdale Florida on January 5 and sails to Cartagena Colombia, then through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean and Costa Rica and Guatemala. She will visit Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico before heading north to Los Angeles. Hawaii is the next ports of call, then Christmas Island on February 2. Passengers will enjoy the delights of Tahiti and the Cook Islands and reach Lyttleton in New Zealand on Feb 17. Melbourne is her first Australian port on 22 February and Sydney on the 24th.
Odyssey joins her sister ships Legend, Pride and Spirit - all 5-star vessels suitable for sophisticated couples mostly over-50. If you are looking for gourmet food and European-style service then this could be it.
Thanks to travel writer Fran Golden for this peek!

The new look Regent Seven Seas Mariner

After cruising on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner last year I was looking forward to once again boarding this beautiful ship this morning. I invited a group of clients to join us and although the day was grey it didn't dampen our anticipation.
We sipped on champagne and nibbled hors d'oeuvres as part of our visit and thoroughly enjoyed visiting the new restaurant known as Prime 7 which has replaced the Asian restaurant, and the cabins that have been refurbished. (You may remember that I wrote a couple of months ago about passengers on this line asking for showers instead of showers over baths and quite a few of the cabins have not been modified.)
Regent Seven Seas and Mosman Cruise Centre have some great offers to passengers in 2010.
All sailings will be offered as two for 1 and include unlimited shore excursions. You will also be able to pre-book alternative dining before you sail. And one of the things I love about this cruise line is the no extra charge for wine, beer and the mini bar.
This is the first of my ship's visits and I'll write about as many as possible so you can get a first hand impression.
I'll also take my camera!
Special offer to clients: If you are a client of the Mosman Cruise Centre or Travel Choice and you would like to join me on a ship visit let me know by email (martin@travelchoice.com.au) or phone 9968 1600.

Dancing across the Atlantic

If you have a passion being able to indulge it and enjoy a cruise at the same time is a treat. Crystal Cruises have just announced their Big Band Celebration Cruise for 2010 and as well as a Big Band playing dance music every night there will be extra dance hosts. Dancing is known to be one of the best things you can do to keep active physically and mentally as you age and I for one love it! Evidence that it is not only fun but important to one's health is a bonus. Check out this story on TangoAustralia if you would like to know more.
Crystal Serenity has just left Lisbon on her 2009 Ballroom Dancing Cruise, however next year's cruise which will follow the same route from Lisbon in Portugal to Miami in Florida, with a couple of port calls in the Azores is now available. So contact me for more information if like me you love to dance! Email martin@travelchoice.com.au

Last minute cruising

There are still a few pre-Christmas cabins left for those who decide at the last minute they would like to take a cruise and avoid the silly season. Yesterday we were able to book a couple on a the cruise of their choice - before Christmas - and we are getting emails everyday about specials and last-minute deals.
So if you fancy escaping the pre-Christmas rush - or need to re-charge your batteries before the relatives arrive and the festive season really gets underway - contact us today - travel@travelchoice.com.au