Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will return to the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal for the seventh straight year with the 1,462-passenger Norwegian Majesty, offering expanded cruises to Canada throughout September and closing with fall trips to Bermuda.

NCL will make eight sailings from the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal this year.

The season kicks off on Aug. 29 when the Norwegian Majesty makes a five-day sail to Canada and New England.

That trip will be followed by three consecutive 10-day sailings to Canada and New England -- the longest Canadian cruises from Philadelphia to date.

These 10-day cruises will call on Bay of Fundy/St. John, Sydney, Charlotte, Halifax and Portland, Maine. Beginning Oct. 3, Majesty makes four consecutive seven-day sailings to the pink beaches of St. George’s, Bermuda.

Norwegian Majesty’s final sail to Bermuda leaves Philadelphia on Oct. 24.

Go to www.cruisephilly.com for more.

After a two-week drydock in Brisbane, Australia, Dawn Princess has re-entered service with two signature Princess features – the Movies Under the Stars poolside screen and the adults-only oasis, The Sanctuary. Dawn Princess now offers passengers the opportunity to get away from it all in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess’ signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards.

On the pool deck, Movies Under the Stars has debuted with a state-of-the-art Times Square-style LED screen, offering evening movies and a variety of daytime programming.

The 27-square-metre screen is also used to screen major sporting events, concerts and special programming.

Other changes made during the drydock include new carpet and upholstery, a remodeled photo gallery and new silicone paint for the bottom of the ship’s hull. Dawn Princess is home-ported in Sydney for year-round Australia-based cruising and on July 5 the ship departs on a 104-day world cruise.

Sail on over to www.princess.com for more.

Royal Caribbean International has introduced its 2010-11 Australia and Hawaii cruise and cruisetour season.

Travellers can choose among 17 sailings from September 2010 through March 2011aboard Rhapsody of the Seas, 14 of which depart from Sydney, Australia.

The new season will offer 12 distinct itineraries, more variety in cruise lengths and itineraries than ever before, with a total of 50 unique ports of call in eight countries.

Rhapsody of the Seas’ 2010-11 Australia and Hawaii season are now open for booking.

Guests can add to their vacation experience with an optional six- or seven-day escorted cruise and tour.

The six-day Australia land package begins in Sydney, followed by a flight to Cairns and the beach resort destination of Port Douglas. Here, guests will visit the Kuranda Rainforest and be treated to a full-day boating adventure exploring the outer Great Barrier Reef. Other highlights include a visit to the famed Ayers Rock in the country’s remote Northern Territory, where they can witness the sun rising over the world famous sandstone formation before returning to Sydney.

Guests on the seven-day New Zealand package will visit a private sheep farm in Auckland; excursion to a winery, museum and wildlife reserve in Rotorua; and embark on a Milford South cruise to soak in the fjords before flying to Sydney and embarking on their Australia cruise.

Sail on over to www.cruisingpower.com for further details.

Silversea is making it easier for passengers to design their own shore experiences with the introduction of its new ‘Silver Shore Concierge’ service.

Now passengers or their travel agents can call a dedicated toll-free phone line -- 1-800-968-9518 -- or e-mail concierge@silversea.com, to request assistance in making personalized, private onshore arrangements.

The Silver Shore Concierge desk can be reached from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (East Coast time, U.S.), Monday through Friday.

The Silver Shore Concierge arrangements could include not only sightseeing but also sporting activities, and securing behind-the-scenes or after-hours access to exclusive designer shops, museums, cathedrals and more.

Other possibilities might include a champagne picnic and hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, access to a designer's atelier in Venice, or a journey through Juneau's glacier-carved fjords by private catamaran.

Passengers can also call upon the Silver Shore Concierge to plan pre- and post-cruise land adventures that include accommodations, flights, ground transportation and guided tours of historical sites and other attractions.

To take advantage of the new service, Silversea guests will need to have a deposited or fully-paid booking. Payment for confirmed arrangements is made in advance of sailing and includes a service fee.

The Silver Shore Concierge is also offered aboard ship, where the shore concierge manager and team, together with the destination specialist, are available to assist guests with suggestions, planning and coordination of all their independent touring needs.

For more, go to www.silversea.com.