Cruise News You Can Use!

There are several new ships debuting in the next few months, which will add more entertainment options and activities to the high seas. We've already seen the entrance of Celebrity's new Eclipse. Her sister, the Silhouette, will join the line next July. Oceania's new 1,200 passenger Marina will begin sailing in January, and has already been selling out! Royal Caribbean is proud to debut the Allure of the Seas next month. The Allure is the sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, which you can read about in a previous post. It is the largest passenger ship afloat, with an almost 6,000 passenger capacity, and more activities, shows and restaurants than any other vessel. We will be visiting the Allure and the new Seabourn Sojourn in November and we will report back with our impressions!
What does all this mean to the average cruiser? There are great deals to be had on the older ships! And these days, with all of the new builds, old can mean last year's model. We have seen some amazing pricing lately: $600.00 per person for a week in a balcony stateroom on a premium cruise ship! The best bargains are for travel in the off-peak times, early December or January. Call our cruise specialists to find out more!

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email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600

Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn cruise line has five luxury ships sailing all over the world. Three of its ships are luxury yachts holding only 200 guests. Their two newest vessels, the Odyssey and the Sojourn, hold 450 guests and offer more dining and entertainment options than their smaller sisters.

I recently traveled on the Odyssey for a week, sailing from Istanbul,Turkey to Athens, Greece. This was my first visit to Turkey and I found the people to be exceedingly warm and welcoming. I enjoyed the ports of Dikili, Kusadasi (where we visited the ancient ruins of Ephesus) and Bodrum (a lovely harbor town known for its nightlife). The cruise line treated everyone to a evening concert at Ephesus. The ancient amphitheater provided a beautiful backdrop, lit by the sunset, as we listened to a classical music performance. These types of complimentary experiences are offered by Seabourn on many of their sailings.

The Odyssey is an all-suite ship, most with private verandahs. Everything is included in your cruise fare: all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and gratuities. You can take advantage of the gym and fitness classes at no extra charge and they even have complimentary self-service laundries aboard. The staff provides impeccable service and the gourmet dining is delicious, varied and abundant. The suites are very comfortable with marble baths and separate stall showers. There are magnificent suites to choose from, some with private whirlpool tubs and expansive balconies. There are connecting rooms available for families.

Cruise vacations give you the opportunity to visit many places with ease, and unpacking only once. You can visit the ports by going on ship-sponsored shore excursions or by booking a private guide. Visiting places with a knowledgeable guide can greatly enhance your experience. We can arrange private guides and touring in most cities around the world!

We truly enjoyed our days touring with guides from United Travel Services in Turkey. Nevzat in Istanbul and Fahti in Kusadasi were both able to give us so much information on the past history of the region and also modern day Turkey.
We also enjoyed "winging it" one day in Santorini. It's fun to walk down winding alleys and perhaps discover a little cafe or a great hidden gift shop!


Good to know: U.S. citizens require a valid passport and a visa to enter Turkey. Visas are easily obtained at the Istanbul airport upon arrival, for a fee of $20.00.


The cruise specialists at Bee Kalt Travel are ready to assist you with planning your next Seabourn cruise or cruise vacation.
Please give us a call at (248) 288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
www.beekalt.com