British billionaire Richard Branson, whose business empire covers airlines, trains and space tourism, is looking at setting up a cruise ship joint venture. Branson is in talks with potential partners about a cruise ship operation, possibly in Florida and the Caribbean, based on a similar model to his airline Virgin Atlantic, his company said on Friday.

Savings heat up when temperatures cool down this November and December, with two-for-one fares on six luxurious Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner cruises. Choose from a leisurely Transatlantic sailing or a smorgasbord of island-hopping Eastern and Western Caribbean and Mexican Riviera jaunts for five to eight nights, and prepare to enjoy sweeping ocean vistas from private balconies aboard the acclaimed 700-guest, all balcony-suite vessels.

Reps from London-based EasyCruise said that occupancy on the orange-painted EasyCruiseOne during its first two weeks in the Caribbean is in the neighborhood of 86 percent. Sources close to the line´s front office said about half of the passengers booked on its winter cruises are from the U.S., and 30 percent are from the U.K.

A noted team of polar explorers and lecturers will accompany Discovery World Cruises´ third consecutive season of Antarctic cruise expeditions. Travelers will learn about the world´s most fascinating continent while exploring the maze of icebergs and floes found in the South Polar waters aboard the line´s Discovery. Excursions by motor launches and multiple landings on the Antarctic Peninsula enhance the experience.

Caribbean cruise lines are rebutting criticism that their industry makes little contribution to the sustainable economic development of the Caribbean region. Responding to a barrage of charges at the recent Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conference in Basseterre –which ranged from not sourcing Caribbean agricultural products to employing only a token number of Caribbean nationals- FCCA President Michelle Paige says the accusations are groundless. She said some Caribbean destinations, like Aruba, Barbados and St. Kitts, have not voiced any major concerns about employment, and added that governments ought to share their wish lists with the cruise industry.

From music and culture to adventure and wildlife, Crystal Cruises´ 2006 South America season aboard Crystal Symphony explores the continent´s rich diversity with authentic and unique experiences ashore. With 153 Crystal Adventures, guests can find themselves dancing the tango in Buenos Aires, sipping wines in Montevideo, trekking the ice fields of Antarctica, or soaring high above Tierra del Fuego. “South America is a fascinating continent of contrasts –from rugged nature to cosmopolitan cities- and our Crystal Adventures are designed to put guests in the middle of the experience, whether it´s swaying to the samba, trekking Patagonia, or marching with penguins,” says John Stoll, Crystal´s director of land programs.