THE RIGHT PRICE…………….$1,999
May 2, 2011: Fort Lauderdale to Rome, 14 nights, Celebrity Equinox
Bonus: 2-night post-cruise stay in Rome plus air fare back to Fort Lauderdale
Contact: Online Vacation Center
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For people who are not dying to roam around China to see its sights, and I live with one such person, Princess Cruises has an interesting add-on that just might get her attention. The first step is booking a Diamond Princess cruise that starts or stops on Beijing. 
There are seven to choose from over the next year or so, from a variety of cities, ranging in length from 15 to 39 days.
The second step, which I think might appeal to my better half, is the cruisetour that can be an add-on. There are two cruisetour choices. One is a 5-night Best of China trip, with three nights in the capital and two in Xian. The second is an 8-night Yangtze Experience — three nights in Beijing, one in Xian, three cruising the Yangtze River and one in Wuhan.
Now all I have to do is get her to Beijing…or at least to the Princess website.
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Ever wonder how the hundreds of people who work on cruise ships on contracts that run seven months or more are able to stay in touch with families at home, wherever home is?
If they’re lucky enough to have some time at Port Canaveral (and there are other ports with this service), the seafarers centers are one answer. The ministry (Catholic and Baptist are two) sends a van for cruise ship workers, who have access to free Internet, telephone service, snacks and meals, entertainment and, yes, a religious program if they’re interested.
The roots of this unique service goes back to the 18th century in England, where neither the Internet nor the telephone were an option.
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For the next two weeks (until the end of July), Norwegian customers can get an automatic upgrade as part of a summer promotion called “Hello Balcony.” Book an ocean-view cabin and automatically get a balcony, on any of NCL’s ships.
If your ship of choice is the new Epic, you only pay half the standard deposit and qualify for up to $150 in on-board cabin credit.
The cruise line also says the promotion can be combined with Norwegian’s Fly, Sail and Save offer — $99 flights, plus air and port transfers, to reach the Epic from 16 gateway cities, when purchasing a balcony or deluxe balcony cabin.