25 Şubat 2013 Pazartesi

Valentine's Day News: US Air and American are engaged!

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Big news: US Airways and American Airlines are engaged! Here's the website created to update us on the progress of the new American Airlines.

Love is in the air!
 
Don't panic: it usually takes a couple years before the complete merger takes place. It will be business as usual at both airlines (which isn't saying that service has been great with either carrier).

Your miles are safe. The frequent flier programs will be merged so you won't lose your miles. However, US Airways will transition from the Star Alliance to the OneWorld program. You have a year or so to consider your options. If you have status with either airline, this is a good time to switch loyalty programs (United or Delta may match your status and miles to woo you).

Congratulations to them both on their impending union.

CRUISE NEWS: Winstar buys half Seabourn's fleet

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Windstar Cruises announced the purchase of three Seabourn ships yesterday (here's a link to the press release).

The original Seabourn fleet consisting of 208-passenger yachts Seabourn Pride (1988), Seabourn Spirit (1989), and Seabourn Legend (1988) will join Windstar's fleet of three tall-masted sailing ships Wind Spirit (1988), Wind Star (1986), and Wind Surf (1990).  The Seabourn Pride will be the first ship to enter Windstar's fleet in April of 2014.  After renovations, the re-branded and re-named Pride will set sail a month later in the Mediterranean in May 2014; voyages are expected to go on sale in May of this year. Windstar will take possession of Seabourn Legend in April 2015 and Seabourn Spirit in May 2015. The yachts will start sailing in May of 2015 following their dry-dock period.

This is a great move for Windstar Cruises, allowing them to expand to new destinations. They recently announced that the Wind Spirit will return to French Polynesia in May 2014 offering 7-night Tahiti cruises from Papeete. Plans to sail in Asia and South America are also in the works.


Gene Sloan of USA Today writes: "The deal is a new milestone in the comeback of Windstar, an upscale line that was in bankruptcy as recently as 2011 before being taken over by the deep-pocketed Xanterra. Controlled by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz' Anschutz Corp., the company already has poured millions of dollars into renovations for all three Windstar ships."

This leaves Seabourn with their three new 408-passenger ships: Seabourn Odyssey (2009), Seabourn Sojourn (2010) and Seabourn Quest (2011). While rumors are circulating that a new Seabourn ship order will soon be announced, this cruise specialist wonders if the financial troubles of the Carnival Corporation (which owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn and Costa Cruises) had any influence in the timing of the sale.

Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas Fresh From the Refit

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Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas
On  June 1, 2012 – Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas completed its $48 million revitalization at the Navantia ship yard in Cadiz, Spain. The bow-to-stern revitalization of Grandeur of the Seas included the addition of five new dining venues, technological upgrades, a pool side LED screen, a refresh of all furniture, carpet, upholstery and staterooms as well as new entertainment offering including a spectacular aerial entertainment in its six deck Centrum. In addition, the ship received a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty guests, a Concierge Lounge for suite guests and top-tier loyalty guests, a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, as well as a transformed Viking Crown Lounge that will features a stunning new design, as well as a new menu featuring bite-size delectables.

Grandeur of the Seas will spend the summer offering a variety of Mediterranean itineraries from Venice, Italy and Provence, France.

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  • For Information on Cruises from the Northeast - www.NortheastCruiseGuide.com

Louis Cruise Lines' Emerald Sold for Scrap

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Emerald of Louis Cruise Lines - Reportedly Sold for Scrap
Emerald of Louis Cruise Lines - Reportedly Sold for Scrap

Initially reported sold to South Korean buyers, Louis Cruise Lines has now reported that the 54-year-old Emerald has been sold for scrap in June for  $5 Million dollars.

This is the second cruise ship that Louis Cruise Line has sold in the last three months. The Sapphire was recently sold for scrap as well. The line is actively reducing the older tonnage of the fleet. Currently Louis Cruise Line has 7 ships.

Although the Emerald did go though a total rennovation in the last 10 years, her fuel hungry  steam turbine-powered engines have made it hard for her to find suitable active service.
The Emerald was originally bult as the Santa Rosa for Grace Lines.

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  • Information on Worldwide Cruises - Cruise-Guru Blog
  • Information on Cruises From New York - NYCruiseInfo.com
  • For New York Cruise Updates - NYCruiseInfo Blog.
  • Cruises from the Northeast - Northeast Cruise Guide.com
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If You've Been Dying To Know...

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I'm going to finally give you some background around the name of my blog. 
Today, I am linking up with Casey over at Stress Case to talk all about why I blog.
I've mentioned before here and there about why I blog but I'll refresh your pretty little minds. And for all of you newbies who haven't read my blog cover to cover.
As a quick recap, I began blogging because I found myself unemployed with a lot of time on my hands. I had been following a few blogs and thought, why not create my own blog. That way I won't look like such a creeper reading other blogs. 
Initially blogging was sort of an outlet around my frustrations with not being engaged. I knew M didn't express interest in reading my blog but secretly I hoped he was reading. I created posts like this and this to sort of hint around at the types of rings I might like.
I then moved my focus to link-ups and daily happenings to try and meet people though the blogging community. I read that a lot of people had met great friends though blogging. 
Some days I would get down because my readership wasn't growing as quickly as I would like. I would see other blogs that were so big and I would get discouraged. Then I would remember blogging is not about the followers, but about me. I have one of the best followers out there, my mom!
Lately I'm blogging as more of a virtual scrapbook. In addition to my daily life and fun link-ups, I've been highlighting my past and present and preparing for what my future brings. I've found joy out of that, and the fact my blog keeps my mom updated.
So, how did by blog get its name?It all started with a Christmas present. 
The past few years my mom has thrown out the phrase "keep your sunny side up" whenever I've been down and out, stressed or struggling. She's said it here and there. 
This past Christmas, I received this present from my mom. The metal sign hanging on the wall in my room. 
I was in shock when I saw what it was. I thought she had it custom made since it was something she had said to me a lot. She actually didn't and when she saw it in the store just had to have it to give to me. I told her I'd treasure it always. 
The day I planned to start my blog I sat at my little ol desk thinking and thinking, racking my brain. I wanted something along the lines of "living by the salty sea". Although that seems so "me", it just didn't quite fit. I hadn't always and wouldn't always live by the sea. 
I was literally looking around my room to think when my eyes stumbled on the sign from my mom. It seemed like the perfect title to my blog. 
And that, my friends, is how my blog was named.

24 Şubat 2013 Pazar

Valentine's Day News: US Air and American are engaged!

To contact us Click HERE
Big news: US Airways and American Airlines are engaged! Here's the website created to update us on the progress of the new American Airlines.

Love is in the air!
 
Don't panic: it usually takes a couple years before the complete merger takes place. It will be business as usual at both airlines (which isn't saying that service has been great with either carrier).

Your miles are safe. The frequent flier programs will be merged so you won't lose your miles. However, US Airways will transition from the Star Alliance to the OneWorld program. You have a year or so to consider your options. If you have status with either airline, this is a good time to switch loyalty programs (United or Delta may match your status and miles to woo you).

Congratulations to them both on their impending union.

CRUISE NEWS: Winstar buys half Seabourn's fleet

To contact us Click HERE
Windstar Cruises announced the purchase of three Seabourn ships yesterday (here's a link to the press release).

The original Seabourn fleet consisting of 208-passenger yachts Seabourn Pride (1988), Seabourn Spirit (1989), and Seabourn Legend (1988) will join Windstar's fleet of three tall-masted sailing ships Wind Spirit (1988), Wind Star (1986), and Wind Surf (1990).  The Seabourn Pride will be the first ship to enter Windstar's fleet in April of 2014.  After renovations, the re-branded and re-named Pride will set sail a month later in the Mediterranean in May 2014; voyages are expected to go on sale in May of this year. Windstar will take possession of Seabourn Legend in April 2015 and Seabourn Spirit in May 2015. The yachts will start sailing in May of 2015 following their dry-dock period.

This is a great move for Windstar Cruises, allowing them to expand to new destinations. They recently announced that the Wind Spirit will return to French Polynesia in May 2014 offering 7-night Tahiti cruises from Papeete. Plans to sail in Asia and South America are also in the works.


Gene Sloan of USA Today writes: "The deal is a new milestone in the comeback of Windstar, an upscale line that was in bankruptcy as recently as 2011 before being taken over by the deep-pocketed Xanterra. Controlled by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz' Anschutz Corp., the company already has poured millions of dollars into renovations for all three Windstar ships."

This leaves Seabourn with their three new 408-passenger ships: Seabourn Odyssey (2009), Seabourn Sojourn (2010) and Seabourn Quest (2011). While rumors are circulating that a new Seabourn ship order will soon be announced, this cruise specialist wonders if the financial troubles of the Carnival Corporation (which owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn and Costa Cruises) had any influence in the timing of the sale.