Cruise Headlines

Airlines Made Billions on Extra Fees

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Artemis North Atlantic Challenge Rendezvous at Sea

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.”

Priority Check-in & Planning Center Now Available to Crystal Guests

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.”

Carnival Debuts Superstar Live Karaoke, Giving Guests Center Stage to Sing With a Live Band

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.

How to Choose a Great Hotel Room

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.

MSC Announces New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Resident Rates for Canada/New England Cruises

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.

Feed a Family of Four This Summer with Just Two Separate Stays with Choice Hotels

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.

Cunard Line Unveils David Linley Artwork for the New Queen Elizabeth

A Better Seat On The Plane, Automatically

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.

Norwegian Epic To Be Host Venue For The National Broadcast Of America’s Largest Fireworks Display

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.