Cruise Newsletter

Below is a copy of our current cruise newsletter. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, absolutely free of charge, please click here. To email this newsletter to friends or family, click here. Please note that the FastDeals are subject to availability and sell out quickly.

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Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

Alan Fox just sailed to the Caribbean and the Bahamas on the all-new Norwegian Luna and his report follows. Scroll down to see this week's cruise discounts and deals.

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My first glimpse of the Norwegian Luna, docked at the Port of Miami, whetted my appetite for the week ahead. The hull features a multicolored dreamscape titled "La Luna," the story of a voyage through the cosmos, set in a palette of pink, magenta, purple and blue.

It's quite striking, as you can see from my slideshow linked below.

Stepping aboard, I found that the Luna sparkles in all the ways a brand-new vessel ought to sparkle, with modern and stylish décor that makes wandering around onboard a pleasure in itself.

Carrying 3,565 passengers and 1,597 crew, the Luna measures 1,056 feet in length and offers just about every amenity and activity imaginable. I had no trouble at all shifting quickly into vacation mode.

I booked the cruise a few months prior to departure and got the last small suite in The Haven, Norwegian's upscale "ship-within-a-ship." This private enclave includes a restaurant, lounge, sun deck and infinity pool, along with butler service and a dedicated concierge desk. One of my favorite perks was the priority escort on and off the ship at the beginning and end of the cruise and in every port.

I appreciated the freedom to enjoy the energy and variety of the larger ship and then step back into a more serene environment. The Haven feels exclusive without feeling stuffy.

There are 1,809 staterooms throughout the ship but only 123 in the Haven, so book early if the concept appeals to you.

The heart of the Luna is the three-story, glass-walled Penrose Atrium. It's an ultra-modern space with restaurants, lounges, shops, a dance floor and a sprinkling of private seating areas with spectacular views of the horizon.

Another center of activity is Ocean Boulevard, an expansive outdoor promenade that wraps around the ship, designed for walking, ocean views, and easy access to bars and pools.

Indulge Food Hall is a casual, high-variety dining hall with multiple food concepts. Order from as many venues as you like from the tablet on your table.

The Pulse Fitness Center is well-equipped and packed most of the time.

Tee Time is a 12-hole, high-tech mini-golf course that keeps your score automatically and throws in bonuses for great shots.

Families with children will appreciate the Kids' Aqua park and the Splash Academy, featuring engaging activities and sports competitions for kids up to 12.

Aqua SlideCoaster is billed as the world's first hybrid water slide and roller coaster at sea.

The Drop is a 10-story, dry slide that I could see from my balcony. I managed to photograph one of its riders as he barreled through a transparent section of the slide.

Vibe Beach Club is an adults-only outdoor retreat with loungers, ocean views, and upgraded service. It is a premium-access area rather than a fully public one.

The Luna Theater & Club is the hub for entertainment, and I particularly liked the tributes to the Eagles and Elton John. Impressive productions and talented performers brought the music and spirit of these artists to life.

Elsewhere around the ship, there was live music in a number of venues, which gave the evenings a festive atmosphere.

Dining was another strong point of the trip, with excellent food and service throughout. There are seven complimentary dining venues on the ship, including the two main dining rooms, and eight specialty restaurants with cover charges. I made it to three of the specialty restaurants -- Palomar (Mediterranean), Le Bistro (French) and Los Lobos (Mexican) -- and doubled up on visits to the Haven restaurant and Hudson's.

It's easy to assume that the main dining room on a large ship might be merely adequate but Hudson's is absolutely stunning, with floor-to-ceiling windows that lean outward at the top and wrap the aft of the ship. It's modern and elegant and the food and service were outstanding. It's the flagship of the complimentary restaurants onboard.

Our first stop was Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. There, I simply walked down the pier to Taino Bay, a development built to welcome cruise guests, with pools, restaurants, bars, a lazy river and shops of all kinds. It is colorful and convenient, and it works well if you want a pleasant few hours ashore without committing to an organized excursion.

It may not be the most adventurous stop imaginable, but it was enjoyable and relaxing, and sometimes that is exactly what a port day should be.

Next up was St. Thomas, which I had already visited a couple of times. I wanted to see the nearby island of St. John so I caught the ferry to Cruz Bay and from there, took a taxi to Trunk Bay.

Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. It's a sweeping crescent of cream-colored sand and crystal-clear, turquoise water, protected by lush, green hills. I stayed as long as I could and promised myself I'd be back someday to stay on St. John and visit Trunk Bay (as well as some of the smaller and lesser known beaches nearby) with more time to spare.

I taxied back to Cruz Bay and had lunch at a fun little dive called High Tide before catching the ferry back to St. Thomas.

Our next stop was Tortola, and I had booked one of the signature excursions in the region. It was windy and the seas were rougher than usual when I took a bumpy catamaran ride to the nearby island of Virgin Gorda. There I visited The Baths, a seaside collection of giant boulders, narrow passages and pools of shallow water. Visitors use ropes and ladders to climb over, duck under, and squeeze through the rocks. Great fun but be warned there are some tight spots along the route.

Our final stop was Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas. A major expansion is underway to add Great Tides Waterpark and other amenities.

I splurged on a private cabana in the recently finished Silver Cove section and enjoyed relaxing in the infinity pool and floating in the saltwater bay. Afterward, being able to shower and change in the cabana made the beach day especially comfortable. Silver Cove was a fine way to wrap up the port calls.

One of the nice things about this cruise was the balance it struck. There were easy port days and more adventurous outings. There was the abundance of activities, entertainment and variety that only a megaship can provide, but also the comfort of the spa, the calm of The Haven, and the serenity of gazing out on an endless sea.

I was especially impressed by the friendly and well-trained staff throughout the ship, and I want to add a special shout-out to our stateroom attendant, Beth, and our butler, Mark.

The Norwegian Luna is the 21^st vessel in the NCL fleet, a beautiful and well-imagined ship that bodes well for the company's future.

Alan Fox

To see itineraries and prices for the Norwegian Luna, including discounts up to 85%, please click here.
To see the deepest discounts on all NCL cruises departing in the next 90 days, please click here.
For more about NCL and a list of all their ships, please click here.
For a slideshow of my photos of the Norwegian Luna and the ports we visited, please click here.

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Here are today's Top 10 Cruises, brand-new specials from the world's best cruise lines. Click the FastDeal # for details.

1) Caribbean, 7 nights on MSC Cruises, departs Galveston Sep 13, starting at $409, save 68%, FastDeal # 22182

2) Mexico, 7 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs Los Angeles (San Pedro) Sep 4, starting at $439, save 77%, FastDeal # 47823

3) Caribbean, 7 nights on Carnival, departs New Orleans Sep 20, starting at $432, save 65%, FastDeal # 29978

4) Alaska, 7 nights on Celebrity, departs Vancouver Aug 14, starting at $644, save 79%, FastDeal # 40900

5) Caribbean, 7 nights on Princess, departs Fort Lauderdale Sep 19, starting at $519, save 65%, FastDeal # 12801

6) Greek Islands, 7 nights on Celestyal Cruises, departs Ephesus / Kusadasi Jun 28, oceanview starting at $789, save 74%, FastDeal # 49939

7) Eastern Canada & New England, 10 nights on Norwegian, departs Quebec City Sep 16, starting at $1,189, save 83%, FastDeal # 25929

8) Mediterranean, 10 nights on Oceania Cruises, departs Rome (Civitavecchia) Jul 2, starting at $2,775, save 63%, FastDeal # 25426

9) Alaska, 7 nights on Seabourn, departs Juneau Jul 31, suite starting at $2,639, save 47%, FastDeal # 40836

10) Northern Europe, 11 nights on Silversea, departs Southampton Jul 12, suite starting at $5,550, save 80%, FastDeal # 41991

To search for discounts of up to 85% on cruises, use our Find a Bargain tool.

Once you've found a FASTDEAL, call us at 800-338-4962 (US and Canada) and a cruise counselor will attend to your needs. International customers, please email or call us at +1-713-974-2121.

Please email me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@vacationstogo.com and I will respond the same day.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go