Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has announced that it will offer Alaskan cruises in the summer of 2011, with departures from Vancouver, B.C. It will be the first time the cruise line has operated an Alaska cruise program. For four months, DCL will operate 18, seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder which feature calls at Tracy Arm, Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line, commented:

“Our guests have longed to explore the wild, natural beauty of Alaska with Disney Cruise Line. With this itinerary, families will enjoy all the outdoor adventures Alaska has to offer and we're excited that our guests begin their journey in one of the world's most picturesque and dynamic cities - Vancouver.”

The first sailing in the program is set to depart on May 3, 2011, while the last sailing is scheduled for Aug. 30, 2011. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at US$939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

“Canada is one of the top international markets for Disney Cruise Line, and having some Disney magic in our own back yard is incredibly exciting. Canadians will love being able to sail out of a homeport on the Disney Wonder,” said Marlie Morrison, director, Marketing and Sales, Disney Parks (Canada).

In order to prepare for its Alaska sailings, a brand-new venue called Outlook Café will be added to the Disney Wonder during dry dock in October. Located high atop deck 10, the 2,500-square-foot Outlook Café is a stylish retreat for guests to relax and enjoy a beverage or cocktail as they peer out through floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows at breathtaking vistas.

The design of Outlook Café is sophisticated with contemporary, Art Deco inspiration. An elegant spiral staircase connects Outlook Café with the existing Cove Café one deck below.

The 65-seat lounge has a granite-topped cocktail bar with comfortable seating throughout the space, all providing picture-perfect views of the surrounding landscapes.

For more, see your travel agent.

Island Princess helped inaugurate the Port of Vancouver’s new shore power facility recently by turning off its engines and instead “plugging in” to clean hydroelectric power from shore.

The new shore power technology at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal enables Princess Cruises’ ships, and other equipped vessels, to use power from the city’s grid instead of the onboard diesel-powered engines, reducing emissions when docking in Vancouver.

The port becomes the third in the world where Princess ships can take advantage of this innovative technology.

Cruise West is waiving the single supplement fee for its 18-night ultimate Antarctica voyage departing in February.

“We found that the majority of guests interested in participating on our Antarctica voyage are singles, and when you think about it, it makes sense. Every person has their own unique ‘bucket list’ that may not have the same appeal for their normal travelling companions, said Richard Genovese, vice-president of sales and marketing.

“Cruise West would like to give these guests the opportunity to follow their dream and not be penalized financially for doing so.”

The exclusive 18-night Antarctica voyage departs Feb. 7, 2010, and includes one night in Buenos Aires at the Palacio Duhua – Park Hyatt Hotel, roundtrip air from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and all excursions.

Travelling on board the 114-guest, all-suite Corinthian II, guests will explore such sites as the Falkland, South Georgia and Orkney Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula and the myriad of islands that dot its shore. February is optimum viewing season for marine mammals and natural history observation – the penguin chicks have fledged and there is an increase in food supply.

Prices start at US$13,899 per person.

Sail on over to www.cruisewest.com for additional information.

From lions to leopards, white rhinos to wildebeest, a record number of safaris will highlight African wildlife with Crystal Cruises’ 2010 World Cruise.

Eighteen Crystal Overland Adventures allow adventurous guests to closely encounter Africa’s “Big Five” – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – throughout Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The two- to five-night adventures take guests from port to some of the most celebrated game reserves in Africa, and then return them to the ship in another port.

The 21-day cruise aboard Crystal Serenity departs Cape Town for Mumbai Feb. 9, the third segment of the108-day World Cruise.

Safaris include:

!!! Okavango Delta, Botswana – A haven for rare species, this is the only place in Botswana where endangered white rhinos can be seen in their natural habitat.

!!! Boulders Lodge at Singita Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa – The Singita Sabi Sand Reserve offers intimate views of leopard, zebra, elephant and giraffe living in the bush, as well as indulgences like reflexology and hot stone therapy.

!!! Mala Mala Game Reserve, Rattrays – Sharing an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, Mala Mala’s spotlight safaris showcase the nocturnal animals on their nightly hunts.

!!! Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, Nairobi – Along with the 102-square-mile crater, guests will visit elephant and rhino orphanages established in Nairobi National Park, and Lake Manyara for a close look at hippos and giraffes.

“Each distinctly unique, the safari excursions are carefully planned at dusk and dawn to allow guests to explore the region’s wildlife in profoundly authentic ways,” says John Stoll, director, land programs.

“Whether it’s watching the animals migrate from Tanzania to Kenya or lions’ nightly hunts, guests can immerse themselves in the African wild.”

The voyage visits Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mombasa, Kenya; Malé, Republic of Maldives; Mahé/Victoria, Seychelles; Cochin, Marmagao; and Mumbai, India.

Cruise fares start at US$13,190 per person, double occupancy, and include a US$500 per person “All Inclusive – As You Wish” shipboard spending credit.

The Crystal Overland Adventure safaris are available from US$3,055 per person, double occupancy, while partial day safaris start at US$155 per person.

Cruise on over to www.crystalcruises.com for additional information.

Cunard Line has introduced the latest chapter in its storied history -- the 2011 World Voyages.

In January 2011, Cunard ocean liners will embark on global odysseys that together will visit 57 ports of call across 34 countries, including a maiden World Voyage for the new Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary 2 travelling the globe via the east-west route of passage.

Each itinerary will offer a unique adventure – featuring overnights in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai on Queen Elizabeth, and Cape Town, Sydney and Hong Kong on Queen Mary 2.

For its maiden World Voyage, Queen Elizabeth will offer a complete circumnavigation of the globe from its home port of Southampton, England, crossing the Atlantic en route to New York. Canadian guests can embark on their World Voyage experience from New York, Fort Lauderdale or -- after the ship transits the Panama Canal -- Los Angeles.

From the west coast, Queen Elizabeth will continue its westward journey to Sydney (where it will stay overnight) via the South Pacific and New Zealand before heading to ports in Asia, including Singapore, Bali, Vietnam and Thailand, as well as another overnight stay in Hong Kong.

The ship then sails on to Malaysia and India before calling on Dubai (also an overnight stay), followed by a visit to Oman before transiting the Suez Canal and taking in some of the sites of Egypt, Greece, Italy and Portugal en-route back to Southampton.

Here North American guests can rendezvous with the Queen Mary 2 and take in a transatlantic crossing to complete the 103-day circumnavigation of the globe.

Full World Voyage fares start from US$19,995 per person. Segment voyages capture the essence of the World Voyage and aboard Queen Elizabeth range from 12 to 25 days, including New York to Los Angeles (16 days), Los Angeles to Sydney (23 days), Sydney to Singapore (25 days), Singapore to Dubai (12 days) and Dubai to Southampton (19 days). Segment fares start from US$2,545 per person.

Queen Mary 2 will begin its fourth World Voyage in New York and its second passage sailing on an east-west route around the globe.

Check out www.cunard.com for more.