29 July 2010 – While sailing one of her 21 Transatlantic Crossings this season, Cunard Line‘s flagship Queen Mary 2 navigated a mid-Atlantic rendezvous to cheer on the rowing team for ‘Artemis Investments’ as they attempt to break the 114-year old world record, set back in 1896, by rowing from New York to England. The 23-foot, purpose-built rowing boat with its four-man team departed New York on 17 June. Additional pictures and video capturing the spirit of the occasion have been posted on Cunard’s blog WeAreCunard.com.

“It was a thrilling moment to witness this one-of-a-kind encounter at sea, not only for me and the crew, but for all our guests aboard Queen Mary 2,” said Captain Nick Bates. “We wish the Artemis team good luck and Godspeed as they continue the quest for their world record-breaking journey.”

The opportunity for Queen Mary 2’s guests and crew to show support for this adventurous challenge was especially poignant since one of the Artemis team crew members served as a crew member aboard the flagship liner when she was launched in 2004.

Transatlantic Crossings are part of Cunard’s legacy and reflect the pinnacle of adventure and civility in ocean travel. Queen Mary 2 is the only liner offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic service, ranging from seven-day voyages between New York and Southampton, England, to eight- and nine-day Crossings offered to Cherbourg (France) and Hamburg (Germany).

For more information about Cunard and Queen Mary 2, or to book a voyage, consult your travel professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.

SOURCE: CUNARD

The newest development from Crystal Cruises is now available to ease travel planning. Crystal’s Priority Check-in & Planning Center launched today, allowing guests or their travel agents to complete tasks prior to sailing, from submitting guest immigration information and airport/ship transfer requests to booking spa treatments and shore excursions. A new day-by-day Cruise Calendar feature conveniently organizes guests’ travel plans once reservations and requests are submitted.

“The Priority Check-in & Planning Center is an invaluable tool in streamlining the luxury travel experience,” says Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, operations. “Guests have the luxury of pre-planning their vacations from home, making the first day of their cruise even more enjoyable.”

The new service comprises three user-friendly parts:

Priority Check-in Checklist – Once guests make an initial deposit, they have access to check-in center, available at https://checkin.crystalcruises.com/. Here, they or their travel agents may submit required information:

Immigration forms
Credit card information for onboard charges
Onboard preferences, such as bed configurations
Air itineraries for transfer arrangements

Planning Center – Once guests have completed the check-in process and paid in full, they have access to the Planning Center, which allows them to plan their Crystal vacation far ahead of time, at their convenience, by confirming reservations for:

Crystal Spa & Salon appointments,
Crystal Dining Room reservations (through Open Dining by Reservation®, beginning in 2011),
Specialty restaurants, and
Crystal Adventures ashore
Guests can also request reservations (to be confirmed on board) for:

NEW Tuxedo rental service,
The Vintage Room winemakers’ dinners, and
Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea classes

Cruise Calendar – Once made, all reservations for spa and salon appointments, specialty restaurants, Crystal Adventures and tuxedo rentals are displayed on guests’ personal Cruise Calendars in a convenient day-by-day layout. The Cruise Calendar also advises dress codes, docking times and port locations for each day of the voyage, and will alert guests to any conflicts between their planned flight itineraries and embarkation/disembarkation schedules. Travelers simply print their completed itineraries and present them at embarkation for priority boarding.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

SOURCE: CRYSTAL CRUISES

With the band warmed up, amps cranked, spotlight set and the adoring crowd ready to explode, Carnival guests will take the stage, grab the mic and live out their music-star daydreams on the open seas. Introducing Superstar Live Karaoke, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest entertainment feature puts guests into the act, fronting a live band and performing their favorite songs to a packed house.

Superstar Live Karaoke combines two popular forms of entertainment – live music by talented musicians and karaoke by Carnival’s singing sailors – and cranks it up. It is fun for all when aspiring singers or fun-seekers have their moment in the spotlight while a few hundred of their friends, family and fellow guests cheer them on and sing along.

Following a high-energy introduction, the would-be music legend hits the stage to belt out a favorite tune accompanied by talented musicians playing the electric guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, as well as versatile backup singers to provide sweet harmonies.

“We’re thrilled to bring this new entertainment option to the Carnival vacation experience. Superstar Live Karaoke takes Carnival’s participatory fun to a new level with our guests unleashing their vocal talents and fulfilling their musical fantasies while fronting a great live band,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO.

Those interested in living their dream as a super star — for one night, at least — simply sign up with the on-site host in the designated Superstar Live Karaoke lounge on board. Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests can channel their inner rock star, pop idol, Motown legend and country crooner, selecting from a list of more than 100 song titles that span a wide variety of musical styles and genres from artists including ABBA to Zac Brown Band and everything in between.

For those about to rock, there are plenty of classic songs from AC/DC, The Beatles, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett and others, as well as contemporary hits by artists such as The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga and Maroon 5.

Guests can add a twang with current and classic country songs made famous by Garth Brooks, Patsy Cline, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Shania Twain, and others, or pay their respects to soul, rap and R&B greats by performing songs by Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Wilson Pickett and Sir Mix-A-Lot, among many others.

“Super Star Live Karaoke is quickly becoming one of the most popular and exciting activities we’ve ever offered. People love to express themselves through music — we even had a groom sing to his new bride,” said Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald. “It’s a dream of so many people to perform on a stage backed by a live band, but so few get the opportunity. We’re giving people the ability to live out their dream and just go out and have fun!”

The program, which recently debuted aboard Carnival Conquest and Carnival Valor, premieres on the Carnival Pride this week. Superstar Live Karaoke will be introduced to the line’s 12 Fun Ships that operate itineraries of seven days or longer by year’s end.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe, and Bermuda. The line currently has two new 130,000-ton ships on order – Carnival Magic, set to debut from Europe May 1, 2011, and Carnival Breeze, scheduled to enter service in spring 2012.

For additional information and reservations on the “Fun Ship” vacation experience, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival also can be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/carnivalcruiselines/
Journalists also can visit Carnival’s media site, www.carnivalpressroom.com.

SOURCE: CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Hotel room prices can be misleading. Just because a hotel is advertising a low price does not guarantee that it is good value. Always do your own research and ask some questions.

Booking in Advance

The best hotel deal – price, location, standard & facilities – is made by booking well in advance especially if booking during a holiday period or some other special event. The HotelWorld reservation system allows customers to book a hotel twelve months in advance and change the booking if required. Generally, as hotels fill up they increase the price of their rooms. So booking early always gets you a good price. Sometimes booking at the last minute is great for picking up a hotel bargain if a hotel has not booked enough rooms. If you are not too fussy about where you stay this can work in your favour but don’t expect it to work in peak holiday periods of when a special event is on in town.

Hotel Facilities

Look carefully at hotel facilities. You have chosen two hotels that cost the same amount. One hotel has a huge swimming pool and a spa and the other does not. This is great if you are travelling in the summer and plan to use a swimming pool and a spa, the hotel with those facilities is a better value for you. But if you are travelling in the winter and have no desire to use a swimming pool or a spa, look a little closer because the second hotel may have other facilities you would prefer. Maybe there is free internet access or breakfast is included in the price. After all, you pay for everything extra that a hotel offers. The HotelWorld reservation system provides a detailed list of all the hotel’s facilities for easy comparison.

Hotel Location

Try to choose a hotel nearest to the attraction(s) you have come to see or very close to public transport. If you have chosen a hotel that is not in the center of things you may need to factor transportation costs into your total holiday cost. If you have arrived in your own car it is probably not an issue. If you are planning to use taxis or another form of public transport, that can be a considerable extra expense to add to your holiday. Remember to ask if the hotel offers a shuttle service to and from attractions and airports. This could save you a lot of money and make your visit less stressful. The HotelWorld reservation system provides a google map of the hotels location so customers can check out the surrounding area.

Breakfast

Try to book a hotel that includes a breakfast (preferably an American buffet breakfast) in the price. This can be very convenient and save you money on your visit. The HotelWorld reservation system specifies whether breakfast is included in the room rate.

Restaurant

Generally, my advice is to not eat at the hotel restaurant because they are normally over-priced and attract hotel guests out of convenience more than offering a great meal choice. Choose a hotel in an area where there are plenty of restaurants and food courts to give yourself a wide variety of choices at reasonable prices. And if you order room service expect to be over-charged.

Check Out Time

Most hotels have a checkout time of around 10-11 am. If you have a flight or other connection later in the day most hotels will store your luggage while you shop or sight-see. Check if you can negotiate a later checkout time. If the hotel is not full this is often accommodated by the hotel especially if you arrived late at night or have stayed in the hotel several days. The HotelWorld reservation system allows you specify you planned arrival and departure times so the hotel staff know in advance and can do their best to meet you requirements.

Travellers’ Reviews

The HotelWorld reservation system website posts real customer experiences for you to read and then make a decision in selecting the best hotel for your vacation or business. This can be very valuable information as some hotels may look good in the photos but how old are the photos? Other hotels may be older but have just refurbished and are a good deal again. And we all know that customer service can vary widely from hotel to hotel.

About the Author – Rebecca Park
Checkout HotelWorld NOW.

7-Night Cruise Rates Less Than $65 Per Day

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents have a reason to celebrate as MSC Cruises announces reduced rates from $449 (plus government fees and taxes, GFTs) for its inaugural fall foliage cruises to Canada/New England onboard MSC Poesia through August 31.

Six to 13-night, Canada/New England cruises are available for less than $65 per person, per day, with some featuring an overnight stay in Quebec. Set sail from New York City and Quebec City for both roundtrip and one-way fall foliage cruises.

Canada/New England cruises available for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut resident rates include:

— 7-night “Captivating Colors of Canada,” cruise from New York City, calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island with an overnight in Quebec City. October 16; rates begin at $449 (plus $79.25 pp. GFTs);

— 7-night “Scenic Splendors of Fall,” cruise from New York City, calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Corner Brook, Newfoundland with an overnight in Quebec City. October 2; rates begin at $499 (plus $78.50 pp. GFTs);

— 6-night “Maple Leaves & Mansions,” cruise from Quebec City, calls in Sydney, Nova Scotia; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; and New York, New York. October 23; rates begin at $479 (plus $81.40 pp. GFTs).

— 9-night “Autumn Leaves to Palm Trees,” cruise from Quebec City, calls in Sydney, Nova Scotia; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; New York, New York; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. October 23; rates begin at $659 (plus $102.40 pp. GFTs);

— 13-night “Fall Landscapes by the Sea,” cruise from New York City, (roundtrip), calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Quebec, Quebec; Boston, Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island. October 16; rates begin at $849 (plus $117.10 pp. GFTs);

— 10-night “Dazzling Fall Foliage,” cruise from New York City, (roundtrip), calls in New Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Quebec, Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Newport, Rhode Island. September 22; rates begin at $659 (plus $72.90 pp. GFTs);

Rates are available for residents of the US and Canada; offer is per person, based upon double occupancy, cruise only, and subject to availability.

For more information, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.

Source: MSC Cruises

CONTACT: MSC CRUISES (USA), Inc., Julianne Carelli, Manager, Public
Relations, +1-954-958-3262, jcarelli@msccruisesusa.com

Web Site: http://www.msccruisesusa.com

PRNewswire

What does it take to feed a family of four in today’s economy? Just two separate stays at any Choice Hotels location in the Choice Privileges program. This summer, when travelers stay just two separate times with check-in from May 20 through August 5, 2010 at any participating Choice brand hotel, they’ll receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a $50 restaurant gift card.*

And this added value should come as a welcomed surprise for most travelers this year, as more than three quarters of U.S. active travelers who are planning to take at least one leisure trip by July of this year (56 percent) said they plan to spend less or the same amount on leisure travel services as they did last year, according to the February 2010 travelhorizons(TM) survey co-authored by Ypartnership and the U.S. Travel Association. As usual, getting more for your money seems to be as popular as ever among today’s travelers.

“This offer is yet another way for our guests to enjoy great value when they stay at our hotels while also cashing in on their summer travel,” said Greg Brown, vice president of loyalty and relationship marketing for Choice Hotels. “With this great new value, along with our free breakfast and free Wi-Fi at many of our hotels, we hope our guests will enjoy traveling even more this summer.”

To qualify for the promotion, guests only need book their reservations at ChoiceHotels.com or through 800.4CHOICE. This offer is available across all 10 Choice hotel brands. For more information or to sign up for Choice Privileges today, visit choicehotels.com or call 800.4CHOICE.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 485,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2010, more than 600 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 52,000 rooms, and more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,200 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories. The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

* Reservations must be made at choicehotels.com or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates and Choice Privileges member number must be provided upon check-in. After every second qualifying stay with arrival between 5/20/10 and 8/5/10, enough points will be added to points earned to reach the 8,000 point level, which can be redeemed for a $50 Chili’s gift card that can be used toward the purchase of a meal for a family of 4 excluding tax or tip. Members may earn and redeem for up to two awards during the promotion. Redemptions must be completed by Oct. 31, 2010. A stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs at any Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn® and Ascend Collection® property included in the Choice Privileges program. You must maintain a U.S. address (including U.S. territories) to be eligible for this promotion. For program details, qualifying rates, eligible properties and point redemption rules, visit choiceprivileges.com. Brinker International® (Chili’s®, Macaroni Grill®, On The Border®, Maggiano’s®) is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this promotion.

© 2010 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Web Site: http://www.choicehotels.com/

PRWeb

Yesterday, in Chelsea near London, Cunard Line unveiled the stunning centerpiece for the Grand Lobby of the Line’s newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, debuting this fall. The artwork was specially commissioned to David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and the internationally famous photographer Lord Snowdon – and Her Majesty The Queen’s only nephew – whose company specializes in the design and creation of fine furniture and marquetry.

Work is already underway, and the completed 18 and a half foot panel will be shipped this summer to the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, where it will be installed over a four-day period to take pride of place at the heart of the ship just before she enters service in October.

Linley’s magnificent work shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, and is intricately executed using the technique of marquetry inlay with nine individual panels made of various types of wood veneers seamlessly jointed to lightweight board. Featured woods are Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird’s eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony – all utilized to depict the evocative image of one of Cunard’s most elegant Queens.

Designers for the new Queen Elizabeth’s interiors considered the best way to treat the Grand Lobby’s soaring central arched space on the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck, as it is the first area to greet embarking guests.

“We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic – a ‘wow’ factor in an area already full of ‘wow’ – but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

“Once we had decided on the theme and the medium,” Shanks continued, “it didn’t take us long to conclude that no one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned.”

“Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past,” said Linley, who founded his company in 1985, “this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale – it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made – but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him – and others – equally proud.”

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, as part of the youngest fleet in the world. The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday 12 October 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal. She will then embark on five celebratory maiden voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean.

For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen Elizabeth, consult your Travel Agent, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD (1-800-728-6273) or go to www.cunard.com.

Frequent flyers can improve their chances at landing their preferred window or aisle seat with MySeatFinder, an online travel application that does all of the legwork for them. For a limited time, MySeatFinder is offering new members a free 30-day trial.

Steve Gordon and Tim Hadden developed MySeatFinder in the days when Gordon, a Cisco executive, was flying back and forth from his San Jose home to Orange County to facilitate Cisco’s acquisition of Linksys. Gordon coveted seat11B on his regular flight (exit row + aisle = leg room!) and lamented to his friend that it often took several calls to the airline to land 11B. The pair, who had worked in information systems at Northwest Airlines years earlier, started brainstorming ways technology could come to his rescue, and MySeatFinder was born.

The way it works is this: Frequent flyer members enroll at www.MySeatFinder.com and input their frequent flyer numbers and a profile declaring their seating preferences. Once they are in the system, MSF automatically goes to work searching for pending flights and using the customer’s preferences to search for a better seat. Flights that are booked after enrollment will be added under the My Flights tab. Using a technology the founders call Intelligent Seat Selector™, the service continues looking, several times every day until the customer’s ultimate seat is booked or until the customer checks in. When it finds that coveted seat – or, even simply a better seat than the original assignment – MySeatFinder books the traveler into that seat and emails notification, all automatically and without any action by the customer.

“As a United Global Services member I get pretty good support from United,” said M. Maple, a Cupertino, Calif., customer. “But on a recent last-minute reservation, all that got me was a seat on the plane. In just two days, MySeatFinder took me from a middle seat in the back of the plane to a window seat in Economy Plus.”

The process is completely automatic, requiring no checking or calling by the busy frequent flyer, and it works with the frequent flyer programs of American, United and Delta airlines. The company plans to bring US Air, Continental and other airlines online soon. New members may sign up and receive a free 30-day trial, after which a $49 annual subscription will apply.

The idea is not to turn 11B into every passenger’s nirvana, but to make every passenger’s nirvana the goal for MySeatFinder. Premium frequent flyers are getting fewer first class upgrades as the competition for these seats escalates and airlines try to fill planes. With flights growing increasingly crowded and business travelers squeezing work into every spare moment, having the desired seat – whether front of the plane or over the wing, aisle or window – can make the difference between in-flight bliss and in-flight blues.

About MySeatFinder: MySeatFinder (MSF) is an online travel application for frequent flyers that helps improve their chances at securing a prime seat on their flights. Using a technology called Intelligent Seat Selector™, MSF automatically goes to work searching for pending flights and using the customer’s preferences to search for a better seat to improve their chances at landing their coveted window or aisle seat. MSF was co-founded in 2008 by Steve Gordon and Tim Hadden, and launched in March 2010. Hadden is CEO of the company, which is based just outside of Minneapolis.

For more information please visit: www.MySeatFinder.com.

This year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® in New York is sure to be truly epic. Norwegian Cruise Line and Macy’s today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship, Norwegian Epic, will be the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4, 2010. The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display.

As Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic will be an ideal venue for the fireworks show. Guests will have incredible views of the New York skyline and river from the ship’s pool and outer decks. The expansive ship – the length of more than three football fields — will provide multiple vantage points to view the largest and most spectacular fireworks display in the nation.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Macy’s to host their 34th Annual 4th of July Fireworks,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “This is the biggest and most spectacular fireworks display in the nation. What better way to salute Norwegian Epic than to host such an epic event on board. It will be an amazing finale to our inaugural festivities in New York and something we’re sure we’ll never forget.”

“Over the years, Macy’s has staged its 4th of July Fireworks in many different locations, but it’s my guess that this year’s live broadcast, taking place aboard the monumental new Norwegian Epic, will add a dimension to the show that will excite our audience like never before,” says Robin Hall, head of Macy’s Parade and Entertainment Group. “We are grateful to Norwegian Cruise Line for their partnership.” Hall continued, “It seems fitting that the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet should host the biggest fireworks show in America. Now that’s an EPIC event!”

In addition to hosting the Macy’s Fireworks broadcast on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line is partnering with Macy’s to offer a Norwegian Epic Vacation Getaway Cruise for four on board the ship as part of a national sweepstakes.

Spectators from coast-to-coast will have a front row view of the fireworks by tuning into NBC’s national broadcast of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular beginning at 9:00 p.m. (check local listings). In addition to the splendor of the nation’s largest fireworks display, the spectacular entertainment broadcast will feature a star-studded line-up of performances by America’s most popular recording artists.

Viewing information, spectator tips and fireworks event sweepstakes information will be available as of June 2010 at www.macys.com/fireworks or by calling the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.

For more information on Norwegian Epic as well as to book a cruise on the ship to the Eastern or Western Caribbean, please call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line(Norwegian)is the innovator in cruise travel with a 43-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian has the youngest fleet in the industry with 10 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

Norwegian is presently building Norwegian Epic, the company’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, for delivery in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic.

For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @NCLFreestyle or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 866-234-7350.

About Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® are the nation’s largest 4th of July pyrotechnic display. Produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks of Rialto, CA, Macy’s Fireworks are a digitally synchronized display of firepower that is choreographed to a rousing patriotic score. Yearly fired from various locations across New York City, Macy’s Fireworks feature shells from all over the world. Seen by more than 3 million spectators and more than 8 million viewers nationwide on NBC, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks have become the nation’s premiere 4th of July celebration event.