Last week, at the Aker Yards France shipyards in St. Nazaire, one of the oldest marine traditions was celebrated once again: the Coin Ceremony. Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, and Jacques Hardelay, managing director of Aker Yards France, sealed two coins into the central block of MSC Magnifica, which will join MSC Cruises' fleet during the spring of 2010.

Following tradition, the first coin was donated by the ship owner and the second by the shipyard. The MSC Cruises' coin - minted in pure gold for the occasion - bears the City of Venice coat of arms as a testament to the deep bond between the company and the Serenissima (Serene) Venice. The other side of the coin shows the traditional rose of the winds, the MSC logo. The Aker Yards France coin is a 1978 50 French francs silver coin.

MSC Magnifica will be delivered to the ship owner in December 2009. It will be the twelfth ship of the fleet and the fourth sister ship of the "Music" class: at 92,400 tons, it will have 1,259 staterooms - of which 80 percent are outside - for a double occupancy of 2,550 guests.

Two other ships are currently being built at the St. Nazaire shipyards: MSC Fantasia and its sister ship, MSC Splendida. Both will be the largest ships ever built for a European ship owner (133,500 tons). MSC Fantasia will be launched in Naples Dec. 18, 2008, while delivery of MSC Splendida is expected in June 2009.
Coin Ceremony for MSC Magnifica In St. Nazaire

What's Wordless Wednesday?

Located in the Sea of Cortez near La Paz, Isla Partida is connected to Espiritu Santo by an ancient volcanic crater. While on a wonderful small ship cruise on the American Safari Cruises' Safari Quest, we anchored in El Cardonal Bay at Isla Partida. A hearty group of passengers hiked the mile across Isla Partida, marveling at the mangroves on one side and desert cactus on the other. The desert sun was hot, and the sky was perfectly clear. After crossing the island, we climbed a small summit on the eastern end of Isla Partida and had an excellent view of the brilliant blue sea below.

These photos show some of the beauty of the islands of the Sea of Cortez.
Hiking Isla Partida in the Sea of Cortez from the Safari Quest

Sea of Cortez Photo (c) Linda Garrison

Celebrity's 2009-2010 winter Caribbean season will feature a series of 4 and 5-night sailings on the recently refurbished Celebrity Century. From December 12, 2009 through April 22, 2010, Celebrity Century will sail a total of 29 short Western Caribbean itineraries, departing from Miami, Florida, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Each itinerary features two ports of call; these include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Key West, Florida.
Celebrity Cruises to Reprise Four- and Five-night Caribbean Sailings in 2009

Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Happy Mother's Day! If you are looking for a special treat for your mom, why not plan a cruise with her? Since cruises offer activities for all ages and interests, cruises make wonderful multi-generational vacations. My mother and I took our first cruise together to the Mediterranean in April 2000, and since then we have sailed Australia, the South Pacific, China, Japan, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean together. We have built some lifetime memories that I will always cherish. Isn't this a great photo of our family enjoying lunch ashore in Florence, Italy? (We left Ronnie the About Fishing Guide at home for this cruise.)
Cruising with Mom

Photo (c) Linda Garrison

As an incentive for booking a 2009 departure before September 30, 2008, voyagers traveling on the Scenic Tours' Rhine and Danube "15 Day Jewels of Europe River Cruise" can choose from three exclusive deals, while those traveling on other itineraries will be given a discount for reserving early.

Two separate offers allow couples or companions complimentary air to Europe for the 15-day cruise, with distinctive "Fly Free" savings of up to $1,600. Early birds can receive up to $750 in savings for luxury rooms aboard Scenic vessels for all dates on all 2009 itineraries.

Photo Courtesy of Scenic Tours

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Peter Deilmann Cruises' MS Deutschland is featuring three 15- to 20-night Africa itineraries that blend relaxing days at sea with calls at an eclectic portfolio of destinations in southern and eastern Africa, focusing on the region’s world-class beaches, abundant wildlife and grand and historic cities and villages.

All three itineraries call at South Africa’s Cape Town, arguably one of the world’s most beautiful cities; Durban, boasting a string of beaches; and Port Elizabeth, the water sports capital of South Africa, situated on picturesque Algoa Bay. Depending on selected itinerary, the cruises also take in the South African ports of East London, the country’s only river port; and Richard's Bay, one of the nation's largest harbors and home to a game reserve; as well as Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mombasa, Kenya; Port Louis, Mauritius; and Namibia's Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
Peter Deilmann Unveils Three 2008-2009 Africa Itineraries Aboard the Ms Deutschland; Spotlight on South Africa, Mauritius, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania

Kenya Photo Courtesy of the Kenya Tourism Board

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offered a treat to guests aboard the Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner as the ships docked side-by-side in Hamilton, Bermuda in late April. The two ships celebrated with a bloody mary party, and passengers were able to visit back and forth between the two luxury cruise ships. Since the Regent Seven Seas ships sail varied world-wide itineraries, it is unusual for the ships to rendezvous, although last spring the Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator crossed paths in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

I visited Bermuda in July 2004 on the Seven Seas Navigator and loved this sunny island in the Atlantic Ocean. The Seven Seas Navigator was also in Bermuda last month, but not at the same time as her two sister ships.

I sailed on the third leg of the Seven Seas Voyager's world cruise back in February from Sydney to Shanghai, and am envious of all the passengers we met who spent 60+ more days on the ship as she worked her way from China across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, and across the Mediterranean and Atlantic. What great stories they must have!

Regent Seven Seas Cruses Ships Meet in Bermuda

Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator Photo Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Princess Cruises has announced its 2009-2010 cruise schedule, which includes more than 110 sailings on 10 ships to all seven continents with six new itineraries and calls at more than 180 destinations including 11 new ports. Destinations include Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, India, South America, Canada & New England, and a world cruise.

New for this season, Princess has increased capacity in Asia with two ships and three new 14- to 16-day itineraries offered on the newly named Ocean Princess (formerly Tahitian Princess), which will also venture into India and Africa. Other new itineraries include a 31-day West Africa Adventure and a special 13-day holiday sailing in Australia/New Zealand on Diamond Princess. In addition, Pacific Princess will set off on an extensive 107-day world cruise visiting 40 destinations. The 2010 worldwide sailing will feature maiden calls to a number of fascinating new ports, including Topolobampo for Mexico's Copper Canyon, Vietnam's "City of Peace" Halong Bay, and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.
Princess Announces 2009-2010 Cruise Schedule

Emerald Princess (c) Linda Garrison

Norwegian Cruise Line's shore excursion program offers guests a total of 160 Alaska excursions in 2008. Passengers can depart from Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Colombia from now through September 2008 on one of three Freestyle Cruising ships - Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Star or Norwegian Sun.

Passengers also have the opportunity to explore Alaska's natural beauty in a more personalized setting with NCL's Freestyle Private Touring via boat, chauffeur-driven hummer, rugged luxury SUV, classic floatplane or Alaskan skiff.

All Alaska shore excursions are currently available for pre-reservation. NCL Alaska cruise passengers can reserve their tours by logging on to www.ncl.com.
Norwegian Cruise Line Offers New Shore Excusions, Private Tours For 2008 Alaska Cruise Season

Alaska Cruise Photo (c) Linda Garrison