Carnival Miracle Among First To Make Los Cabos Call After Hurricane

Published Friday, October 3rd 2014

Carnival Miracle Among First To Make Los Cabos Call After Hurricane and delivers supplies to locals!

When it comes to the cruise lines, the region hasn't missed a beat.

CarnivalMiracle will depart Saturday, Oct. 4 from Long Beach, Calif., on the first voyage of a new year-round cruise program to the Mexican Riviera. The ship will be among the first to call at Cabo San Lucas on Oct. 6 following Hurricane Odie and will be loaded with relief supplies provided by Carnival for local residents.

Holland America's Westerdam will arrive in port on Oct. 5.

Carnival Miracle’s new year-round Mexican Riviera program will encompass three different week-long itineraries, including a new three-port, seven-day cruise featuring Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

During the ship’s first visit to Cabo San Lucas, the crew will be off-loading several pallets of bottled water, canned food, cereal, diapers, paper products, personal items and other supplies for local residents.

“We have been in close contact with officials in Cabo San Lucas and have sent our own teams there to evaluate the recovery process,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. “The residents, along with local, state and federal authorities, have worked extremely hard to ready the destination to receive visitors and revitalize the economic contribution that tourism brings to the area.

"At the same time, local residents are still in need of relief supplies and it is extremely gratifying to be resuming our Mexican Riviera cruise program while doing some good for the local community."

Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, federal under minister of tourism for Mexico, stated, “Our tourism destinations are ready to receive visitors. Tourism is an important part of the local economy and we are grateful for everyone’s contribution to the recovery of Los Cabos. The destination is ready for cruise passengers and the majority of restaurants, shops and tours are ready to be enjoyed.”

The locals second that opinion and are happy to have Carnival back in town:

Article courtesy of Travel Pulse

Carnival Cruise Line 2015 Concert Series Lineup!

Published Thursday, October 9th 2014

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES ANNOUNCES SPRING 2015
‘CARNIVAL LIVE CONCERT SERIES’ ARTIST LINEUP
Best of Live Music at Sea Program to Feature Journey, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town,
Smokey Robinson and Styx With Additional Artists to be Announced Next Year
MIAMI (October 9, 2014) – Cruising has never sounded so good! Today Carnival Cruise Lines unveiled
its new Carnival LIVE Concert Series roster for spring 2015, bringing more of the best live music to sea from
some of most popular and highly requested music acts. Coming on board in the first part of next year will be
Journey, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Smokey Robinson, and Styx, back by popular demand for the second
season.
The exciting 2015 Carnival LIVE concert lineup continues this one-of-a-kind entertainment option,
while building on the success of an inaugural year of high-energy, sold-out on-board performances. In addition
to this incredible mix of GRAMMY® Award- and CMA Award-winning artists and nominees, next year the
company will announce even more acts scheduled for the latter half of 2015.
Carnival LIVE was created to give guests the opportunity to experience exclusive live entertainment
from major music artists, all at a tremendous value and with great convenience. Guests attend shows in the
ship’s main theaters – which range in seating capacity from 900 to 1,300 – for an intimate on-board
performance where there is never a bad seat in the house.
“Our 2014 Carnival LIVE shows have been tour standouts, so we are thrilled to get on board again to
rock the boat next year,” said Tommy Shaw, singer and guitarist for Styx. “The audience of cruisers in a
vacation state-of-mind combined with the ship’s theater design creates an incredible energy that’s fun for
everyone, including the band.”
Guests will have even more Carnival vessels, homeports and itineraries to choose from with a total of 10
“Fun Ships” departing from six convenient U.S. homeports hosting concerts in spring 2015. Carnival LIVE
voyages will originate in Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville, Fla; Charleston, S.C.; and, for the
first time, Galveston, Texas, the line’s second largest homeport.
The 2015 Carnival LIVE Concert Series kicks off next March and features one or more major artist each
month, performing multiple shows on Carnival vessels docked in one of three ports of call: Cozumel, Nassau
and a new port for the program, St. Thomas. Artists board the ship in port, perform in the main show lounge,
and then debark following the concert.
• Journey kicks off the 2015 roster with two rock anthem-filled performances on March 18 and 19 in St.
Thomas. 2
• The award-winning Little Big Town brings their unmistakable sound to “Fun Ships” in Nassau for three
appearances on (March 30 and 31 and April 1).
• Guests “Cruisin’” to see Smokey Robinson sing timeless classics from his 50-year music career can catch
the icon April 21, 22 and 23 in Cozumel.
• In May, country trio Rascal Flatts, one of the top-selling live artists in any genre, will perform a series of
three shows for guests in Cozumel (May 5, 6 and 7).
• Rock fans are invited to “Come Sail Away” to see one of four Styx concerts to be performed in Nassau
(June 16, 17, 18 and 20).
“We are thrilled to continue our Carnival LIVE Concert Series in 2015 and welcome aboard more
fantastic rock, country and R&B artists for our guests to enjoy,” said Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest
operations for Carnival Cruise Lines. “This program has struck a chord with consistently sold-out shows and a
tremendous response from past guests and travel agent partners, as well as those who sailed with us for the first
time to catch their favorite performers.”
Carnival LIVE tickets for 2015 range from $35 to $60 for general admission, significantly less than
land-based concerts. VIP tickets are available for $125 to $250, offering fans seating in the first four rows, an
artist meet and greet, a souvenir photo with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.
For a calendar of spring 2015 Carnival LIVE concerts and to learn more about the Carnival LIVE sailings this
fall featuring Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Jewel, Daughtry and more, contact us today!
http://www.getawaycruiseplanner.com
mherzog@getawaycruiseplanner.com
206-618-6765 or toll free 1-800-481-4976

7 ways to make the Most of Your Halloweentime at Disneyland

Published Friday, October 10th 2014

We share this article from Janeen Christoff OCTOBER 09, 2014

Halloweentime doesn’t last forever so you need to make the most of it. One of the best ways – stop by Disneyland and see some of your favorite characters celebrating the “spirits” of the season. Here are some of the ways to have a spooktacular time at Disneyland this October.

Get There Early

Gobble up some Fastpasses and get some rides in early so that, when darkness arrives, you have time for spooky events such as Mickey’s Halloween Party, the Happiest Haunts Tour and the Halloween Carnival.

Take a Haunted Tour

Disneyland shows off its darker side at dusk with a sunset journey through the park. Join your “Ghost Host” and experience spooky attractions and hear spine-tingling tales — and if you make it to the end, there’s a special Halloween treat.

Spooky Rides

Don’t miss rides that are especially spooky for Halloween. Space Mountain turns into Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, exploring the most haunted areas of the universe and Jack Skellington returns from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to transform the Haunted Mansion into his personal stomping ground.

Take a Break at the Halloween Carnival

Stop by the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland to take a break from the mayhem. You’ll find Disney villains in the sideshow tent, live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, arts-and-crafts stations for kids and maybe even see Mickey and Minnie dressed up for Halloween.

Book tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party

Mickey’s Halloween Party is held on select nights, plus there’s one more opportunity to go and dress up and experience the Monsters U Dance Party or enjoy exclusive fireworks viewings, trick-or-treat stations, a costume party, photo ops with your best Disney pals and more. Remaining dates include Oct. 17, 20, 24, 27, 29 and Halloween night.

Visit the New Anna and Elsa Boutique

It’s not at all spooky but it opened in time for Halloween at Disneyland. The new Anna & Elsa boutique in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort has everything you need to transform you little girls and boys into princesses and princes. Guests ages 3 to 15 transform into characters inspired by “Frozen.” Crystallizers (otherwise known as sylists) will makeover guests with hairstyling, nail polish, make up and tiaras.

Stay for the Fireworks

The fireworks, hosted by Jack Skellington as the master of “scare-omonies”, are definitely worth the wait (around 9 p.m., weather permitting). Haunting melodies fill the air and Disney villains cap off the night, which ends in a blaze of light. Tired kids can take a break at the Halloween Carnival or, like me, you can coerce them into napping in a stroller.

We can book Disneyland for you this Holiday season! If Halloween isn't your thing, how about Thanksgiving or Christmas & Winter Holidays? Contact us today!
1-800-481-4976
http://www.getawaycruiseplanner.com

Super Duper Diva Cruise Deals!

Published Monday, October 13th 2014

Super Duper Diva Cruise Deals! Book with us today! http://www.getawaycruiseplanner.coms
See Terms & conditions, select caribbean sailings on MSC.

Grand Princess Ship Tour!

Published Saturday, October 18th 2014

We arrived at the Grand Princess in Pier 91 in Seattle, Washington to have a ship tour and lunch before she set sail on her last Alaska Journey for 2014.

The Grand Princess is newly enhanced with latest innovations and continues to offer the signature service for which Princess Cruises is renowned. With innovative features like Movies Under the Stars®, Italian-inspired Piazza and The Sanctuary®, there are plenty of ways to help you escape completely. Sip on a variety of soothing teas at Leaves Tea Lounge & Library, or enjoy hand-tossed pizza in Alfredo’s, the full-service pizzeria. Plus, the new nightclub, The One5, provides a vibrant ambience to dance the night away.

GRAND PRINCESS SHIP FACTS

Guest Capacity: 2,600 lower berths

Tonnage: 107,517

Inaugural Cruise: May 26, 1998

Last Refurbished May 2011

Christener: Olivia de Havilland

Dining and Snacks: Three main dining rooms, Sabatini's – Italian restaurant, Crown Grill, Alfredo's Pizzeria, International Café, Vines – Wine Bar, Leaves – Tea Lounge and Library, Ultimate Balcony Dining, Trident Grill – Burger & hot dog grill, Horizon Court – Buffet restaurant, Prego Pizzeria – Poolside pizza, Sundaes – Ice cream bar, 24-hour room services

Showrooms/Lounges: Princess Theater, Vista Show Lounge, Explorer's Lounge, The One5 nightclub, Wheelhouse Bar, Crooners – Martini Bar, Snooker's Cigar Bar

Guest Services: The Sanctuary, Movies Under the Stars poolside screen, Lotus Spa and Fitness Center, Piazza-style Atrium, Wedding Chapel, Grand Casino, Kid's and Teen's Centers, Internet Café, Art Gallery, Photo/Video Gallery, Duty-free Boutiques, Golf Putting Course, Sports Court, Guest Services Desk, Shore Excursions Desk, Medical Center

Number of Crew: 1,150

Registry: Bermuda

Length: 949 feet

Height: 188 feet

Number of Decks: 17

Guest Cabins: 1,301 total

26 Suites with private balconies - Square footage: 468-1314*
7 Window suites - Square footage: 341-319
2 Family suites with interconnecting cabins - Square footage: 595*
180 Mini-suites with private balconies - Square footage: 323*
502 Balcony cabins - Square footage: 232-274*
218 Ocean view cabins - Square footage: 168-206
366 Inside cabins - Square footage: 160

*includes balcony

Wheelchair Accessible Cabins: 27

Cabins with Private Balconies: 717 (76 percent of all outside cabins)

Pools: 4 plus 1 splash pool

Whirlpools Spas: 8

Lifeboats: 22 lifeboats including tenders, 2 rescue boats

I was very impressed with the Grand Princess, she is quite grand! We loved the Sanctuary, the Vista Show Lounge, the Grand Casino, Boutiques and so much more. We took the stairs most everywhere as we knew there would be a big lunch ahead of us! We were able to see all the pools as well as the youth & teen center and chapel. We visited the Grand suite, the Penthouse suite, mini suites, window suites, inside rooms as well as ocean view rooms. And of course, the lunch was truly amazing, with each course looking like a work of art and tasting delicious. We thank Princess for having us on board for a few hours to take in this truly remarkable & Grand Ship!

The Grand Princess! We can book your cruise! photo by Melissa Herzog of Cruise Planners http://www.getawaycruiseplanner.com

While the kids play in their kids club on board the Grand Princess ship, you can relax in the Sanctuary! We can book this for you! Photo by Melissa Herzog of Cruise Planners. http://www.getawaycruiseplanner.com

While the kids are playing in their kids club onboard, you can relax in the Sanctuary, this was taken on the Grand Princess by Melissa Herzog of Cruise Planners. http://www.getawaycruiseplanner.com

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