Since its founding in 1982, Clipper Cruise Line has stood for a high level of quality, hospitality, service, and a cruise experience that is well beyond the norm. This commitment to a more meaningful travel experience is quite apparent in Clipper´s 2006 schedule, where the company has arranged more than 40 cruise itineraries that encompass every continent aboard its fleet of four small ships. "With our emphasis on visiting interesting destinations –places of great natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and historical or cultural significance- a Clipper voyage offers lasting travel memories," Clipper Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer David Drier said.

Carnival Cruise Lines partnered with renowned chef and restaurateur Georges Blanc to create a series of dishes to be served aboard the line´s ships. The Georges Blanc Signature Selections will include appetizers, entrees and desserts that will be served in the main dining rooms and Lido restaurants fleet-wide, as well as in the reservations-required Supper Clubs on select vessels. A special notation on each menu will indicate Georges Blanc Signature Selections.

For the first time in its history, the American Queen, one of the three authentic steamboats of Delta Queen Steamboat Company, embarked through the Gulf of Mexico on a journey to Texas on a 30-day charter. Based on confidentiality, the company did not issue the name of the chartering entity. The steamboat traveled down the Mississippi River and out into the Gulf of Mexico for a two-day journey to Texas.

Silversea Cruises is taking steps to “discourage” agency rebating by disallowing agents to charge a client´s credit card less than the full amount of the cruise purchase, the line said. “Silversea believes rebating continues to hurt the distribution systems and the company is fully committed to providing a level playing field to agents,” the company said in a statement.

Carnival Cruise Lines´ 2,056-passenger Fantasy recently underwent a multi-million-dollar refurbishment and emerged with a host of new and updated features and facilities, including new photo and art galleries, a nine-hole miniature golf course, and completely renovated health and fitness center. The upgrades were completed during a 21-day scheduled dry dock that took place in Norfolk, Virginia. The Fantasy resumed its year-round schedule of three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises` innovative online check-in program that launched on two ships in July now is available fleet-wide, in English and Spanish, reducing guests` check-in times to mere seconds at the pier. Named “Xpress Pass” for Celebrity Cruises and “SetSail” for Royal Caribbean International, online check-in allows guests to fill out all pertinent cruise documents before arriving at the pier. Boarding documents, immigration forms, onboard accounts and ticket contracts can be completed with just a click of the mouse.