Tuesday Teasers (Cruise Edition)

Cruise Innovations
Travelling as a family? Check out the Family-Connected staterooms on the upcoming Quantum of the Seas: 3 staterooms connected together to sleep 8-10 with 3 baths and a large balcony. Book early through an agent if this is what your family needs.

Prefer a balcony room on the cheap? Inside staterooms on the Quantum of the Seas will have "virtual balconies" - floor-to-ceiling TVs playing broadcasts from outside cameras.

These are two new features that caught my attention, and there are lots more coming in the next 2 years. Some new ships to watch for include:

-5* Quantum of the Seas with Family-Connected staterooms, skydiving simulation, and an elevated glass viewing capsule.
-5* Norwegian Getaway featuring Grammy-related entertainment and Nickelodeon themes for kids;
-5* Regal Princess with everything bigger and better than before;
-5.5* Viking Star, the first oceangoing ship for the river cruise company who continues with port-focused itineraries;
-5.5* Star Pride joins Windstar Cruises after renovation;
-5.5* Silver Galapagos gets a major refurbishment;
-5.5* Lo Soleal, specially built for extreme waters like the Arctic.

US$279 -- 5 Nt Pacific Coast Cruise
Departs Sep 16, 21, or 29 on Norwegian. Book today.

US$339 -- 7 Nt Caribbean Cruise
Departs Port Canaveral Aug 31 on Carnival.

US$559 -- 7 Nt Alaska Cruise, Roundtrip
Departs Seattle Sep 10 on Carnival, ends in Vancouver.

$719 -- 11 Nt Alaska Cruise, Roundtrip
Departs Vancouver Sep 15 on Celebrity. +$252 tax.

$2379 -- Wine Lovers Cruise Vacation, Inc Tax
Air from YVR to London, 12 nt cruise, 2 nts London hotel, pier transfers. Cruise departs Harwich Oct 12 on Celebrity.