Carnival Cruise Lines Takes Delivery of 130,000-Ton Carnival Dream

Carnival Cruise Lines officially took delivery of its newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, during a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, on Sept. 18.

Following the ceremony, Carnival Dream steamed off toward Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, for its inaugural cruise, a 12-day "Grand Mediterranean" voyage departing Sept. 21, the first of three voyages within the region. The ship will then sail a trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York followed by a two-day cruise and two eight-day Caribbean voyages from the Big Apple.

Carnival Dream will then reposition to Port Canaveral for one nine-day voyage Dec. 3 before launching year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.

Representing a new class of vessel for the line, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream offers innovations such as Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue; The Lanai, an outdoor area featuring a wrap-around promenade and cantilevered whirlpools suspended over the ship's side; new accommodation categories, including two-bath, five-berth staterooms that appeal to families and cove balcony cabins located closer to the water line; a Carnival WaterWorks aqua park with the longest water slide at sea; and a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, the largest in the fleet.

New entertainment choices include a comedy club offering 24 performances per voyage and outdoor laser shows on Lido Deck. Also new is the "Fun Hub," an intranet portal and shipboard social network that provides information on the vessel and allows guests to interact and connect on board.

Dining options include two formal restaurants; the Lido-area eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, Indian tandoori and new Italian pasta bar; a steakhouse serving USDA prime dry-aged beef; a sushi bar; a patisserie; and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service.

A sister ship to the Carnival Dream, the Carnival Magic, is scheduled for delivery in June 2011. It is also being built in Italy by Fincantieri. For more information, call

Island Breeze Travel of Michigan
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New non stop flights to the US Virgin Islands from several US Gateways

Island Breeze Travel of Michigan, a certified U.S Virgin Islands Travel Specialist, is happy to announce new non stop flight opportunities.

New and enhanced flight service to the U.S. Virgin Islands includes US Airways recent commitment to launch weekly non-stop service from Boston's Logan International Airport to St. Thomas' Cyril E. King Airport.

The service represents a new route for the carrier, which will operate on Saturdays beginning Dec. 19 through April 23 using the A319 aircraft. The flights are now available for sale at USAirways.com and all other US Airways ticketing outlets.

Earlier this summer, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines committed to additional non-stop service to both the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix and the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas to commence later this year: In June, American Airlines shared plans to increase service to St. Croix, from seven to 10 flights departing weekly from Miami.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines announced the launch of daily non-stop service to St. Croix from Atlanta (up from four flights per week); as well as an increase in service to St. Thomas from Atlanta of up to four flights daily (up to 26 flights per week), and daily service to St. Thomas from John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York.

The additional service on both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines will commence in December. For more information, visit www.usvitourism.vi

Island Breeze Travel of Michigan
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Universal Orlando Details New Harry Potter Attraction

Universal Orlando Resort plans to open major new attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, in the spring. Inspired by J.K. Rowling's stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure will feature multiple attractions, shops and a signature restaurant.

The resort is collaborating with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team. The Harry Potter films' production designer, Stuart Craig, and art director Alan Gilmore are working to construct an authentic Harry Potter experience.

At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and a whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. Zonko's is a shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including extendable ears, boxing telescopes and Sneakoscopes.

Honeydukes is full of treats like chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans. The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog's Head pub will feature traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery. The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Ollivanders wand shop is an interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard.

Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.
Dragon Challenge is a twin high-speed roller coaster with many elements from the Triwizard Tournament. Flight of the Hippogriff is a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey uses new technology to bring the characters and stories of Harry Potter to life.

Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and remote control Golden Snitches. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Or contact us at:

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The Return of WonderFall at Beaches Resorts

It is with great delight that we announce the return of WonderFALL at Beaches Resorts!

Throughout the fall season, all four Beaches Resorts will roll out the red carpet for tiny tots, complete with special treats and surprises. Families traveling to Beaches Resorts this WonderFALL will enjoy all new adventures as well as the introduction of Beaches’ exclusive Halloween Celebration for the first time ever, Fall-O-Ween! Families will get a front row seat at the newest Sesame Street Stage Show as well as the chance to interact with the newest addition to Beaches and everyone’s favorite number-loving Sesame character, The Count.

Highlights of Beaches Resorts’ 2009 WonderFALL season include:

• World Premiere of the Sesame Street Fall-O-Ween Stage Show
  
• Uno, Due, Tre with The Count
  
• Little Tyke Monster Jam Sessions with Scratch DJ Academy
  
• Dive-In Movies
  
• Make a WonderFALL Difference in the Community with The Sandals Foundation book drive
  
• Decorate your Bag-o-Treats with Crayola
  
• Fall Family Reunions

Travel Window: August 15, 2009 through November 30, 2009 (*Normal black out dates apply)
Min. Night Stay: 3 Night Minimum
Room. Categories: ALL

For more information - email us at info@island-breeze-travel.com or call us at 877-858-8009

Dreams Riviera Cancun - Grand Opening on October 1st.

Dreams Resorts & Spas is getting ready to open the Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya next month. The company is celebrating the opening in partnership with Lifetime Network’s “The Balancing Act.” Viewers of the morning show, as well as online users, will have a chance to win a three-night Unlimited-Luxury vacation for 10 at the resort via the Build Your Own Beach Party promotion.

Contestants must visit http://www.dreamsbeachparty.com/ by Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. PDT to start their own virtual beach party. The winner will be announced during a taped episode of “The Balancing Act,” shot on location at Dreams Riviera Cancun, to air in November. All participants are automatically eligible to receive opening discounts off an Unlimited-Luxury vacation at the resort, guaranteed upgrades, $200 in resort coupons and special rates for premium rooms where every third night, third massage, third bottle of wine and third dinner is free.

A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the Dreams Riviera Cancun will offer 486 octagon-shaped guest rooms and suites with Jacuzzis. All rooms and suites will feature ocean views, plunge pools or gardens, and private balconies.

Hotel amenities will include nine international restaurants and six bars and lounges serving unlimited, premium brand beverages; an array of day and evening activities; unlimited, complimentary rounds of golf at El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Club, a PGA course; the Dreams Spa by Pevonia; a fitness center with cardiovascular and weight-training equipment, as well as free weights; 24-hour room and concierge services; the Explorer's Club for kids supervised by Red Cross-certified staff; and 7,196 square feet of meeting space.

For more information, call 877-858-8009 or email mark@island-breeze-travel.com

Sandals Resorts / Beaches Resorts offers an additional 10% discount to Military Families - even on current promotions.

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts Military Discount - 10% year round discount added to any existing promotional rate for all US Military personnel to include active and/or spouse, retired, Reserves, National Guard, and DOD personnel.

Proof of Military identification required at time of booking. Discount offer applicable to only one room per military personnel.

Promotional offer and savings valid for direct bookings only.

Contact me for further info - (SSG. Mark Brown, US Army, Ret.)

New Carnival Dream to Feature Comedy Club

Carnival Cruise Lines will introduce its first comedy club on its new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. The club will feature six comedy shows on four nights during each voyage. The new 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream -- the line’s largest ship -- is set to debut Sept. 21.

Presented in the 425-seat Burgundy Lounge, the comedy club will highlight a variety of comedians offering both family-friendly and adult-only performances each night. Six 35-minute shows will be presented nightly, with show times at 6, 7:15, 8:30, 9:45 and 11 p.m., and 12:15 a.m. The last two performances will be R-rated adult-only shows.

Carnival Dream’s comedy club is one of several entertainment options. Three high-energy revues -- “Dancin’ in the Street,” “Get Ready” and “X-Treme Country” – will feature elaborate sets and costumes, video technology and sophisticated special effects. The Ocean Plaza is an indoor/outdoor café/live music venue with activities and entertainment planned from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Guests can relax with specialty coffees and sweets while enjoying a variety of live music.

Located on Promenade Deck 5, Ocean Plaza will also serve as the venue for activities ranging from scrapbooking classes and trivia contests to karaoke, and art, spa and photo seminars. Jugglers and magic shows also will be presented, while the Fun Force, Carnival’s acrobatic troupe, will perform high-flying antics. Other diversions on Carnival Dream will include solo entertainers along the Dream Street Promenade, a karaoke lounge, sing-a-longs in Sam’s Piano Bar, steel drum and Calypso bands on Lido Deck, and live bands playing everything from rock to Latin to disco.

Carnival Dream will also feature Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a massive LED screen on Lido Deck showing movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.

Carnival Dream debuts Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia), followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York from Oct. 27 to Nov. 12. Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and Nov. 23 from New York.

The ship will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral on Dec. 12. Reservations are currently being accepted for Carnival Dream’s European and Caribbean departures. For more information, call 877-858-8009 or email us at info@island-breeze-travel.com