New Family River Cruise
Tauck Bridges is adding France to its family river cruise destinations. Their Bon Voygage: France Family River Cruise is a 10-day trip that begins with a two-night hotel stay in Paris with guided sightseeing and a special dinner at the famed Fouquet’s. Then you with take the high speed train to Lyon where you will board Tauck’s Swiss Emerald for a week long cruise on the Rhone River. Engaging and fun family activities include a scavenger hunt in The Louvre, a pentanque lesson in Viviers, a hayride in the Camargue, biking in Avignon and hands-on French culinary lessons in Tournon. Three departures will be offered in July 11, July 25 and August 1. Book early while space is available!
Disney in Europe
Disney Cruise Line is gearing up for its return to the Mediterranean next summer with four-, seven- and 12-day itineraries out of Barcelona. 
The 2,400 passenger Disney Magic will visit 8 new ports for the cruise line. Explore a variety of ports in France, Italy, Greece, Malta, Mallorca, Croatia and Turkey with plenty of unique excursion options. Disney’s shore excursions are slightly different than most cruise lines. Many of their “port adventures” are chosen for their authentic experiences and hands-on opportunities. For example, meet an archeologist at the Ephesus ruins in Turkey and put your digging skills to the test searching for replicas of artifacts. In Italy, learn to pilot a gondola in Venice (for ages 16 and over), create Venetian masks or make pizza. You can also add on a 3 to 12 night land itinerary with Adventures by Disney to create an amazing European getaway.
Children Free on Crystal
Crystal Cruises is offering a kids-sail-free promotion on voyages next summer in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. 
On four June and July voyages, cruisers age 17 and under can travel for free when sharing a third berth in a stateroom with two adults. This terrific special is good on three 10-day Baltic sailings on Crystal Serenity departing June 25, July 20 and July 30, from Stockholm, Sweden, to Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (two overnights); Helsinki, Finland; Berlin/Warnemünde, Germany; and Copenhagen, Denmark. It’s also good on the seven-day Mediterranean sailing departing July 6 on Crystal Symphony, which visits Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; and Sicily, Sorrento, and Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy. The Crystal Family Memories program also offers additional free berths and perks for groups of six or more.
RCCL’s New Wine Policy
Royal Caribbean recently announced changes to its alcohol policy. 
The cruise will now allows you to bring two bottles of wine or champagne onboard, as long as you do so during the initial cruise embarkation (not in a port of call). Guests are not allowed to bring any other beverages onboard the ship, including beer, soda, water or hard liquor. That distinction makes you wonder why the line would suddenly allow personal bottles of wine and champagne, but nothing else, to be brought onboard. The stated reason is that people may have a specific vintage in their personal possession that is not available onboard and that they may wish to bring that special bottle onboard for a very special occasion. When consumed in any public area, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00. If you receives a bottle of wine that was purchased from Gift & Gear selection, no corkage fee will apply if the bottle is consumed in any public area. Additional bottles of wine beyond two (2) bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored onboard and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing.
Silver Galapagos
The Silversea Group announced that it has purchased Canodros SA, the premier Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands, and their upmarket expedition ship, Galapagos Explorer II. Silversea plans to add Galapagos Explorer II to its ultra-luxury fleet of six ships after the all-suite, 100-guest vessel undergoes a major refurbishment in September 2013 and is given a new name, the Silver Galapagos. The 4077-ton ship offers the stylish elegance of a mega-yacht, attentive onboard service and an enriching naturalist education program. All of its 50 spacious suites feature ocean views and 24 include private balconies. It also offers connecting cabins. A rare find in Galapagos. Public spaces include a restaurant, piano bar, library and Internet station, main lounge, outdoor bar, two outdoor whirlpools, and a marine observation deck.
Half Off on NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line is launching an exciting offer for families who book a new Europe cruise reservation by January 31, 2013.Children ages 17 and younger will receive 50% off their cruise fare on any of Norwegian’s exciting Europe itineraries when traveling with two adults in the same stateroom. The Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Spirit sail Europe year round while the Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Star will be sailing throughout the spring and summer. Sailings are available from 7-14 days from ports such as Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Marseilles, Copenhagen, Rome and Malaga with a variety of diverse itineraries.
Merci Kids Sail Free
Sail 7 nights onboard Le Ponant’s luxury ship, Le Boreal, from April 8 -15, 2013 and your children ages 8-18 sail free! This special promotion is available to families sharing a Superior Stateroom and a Prestige Suite. 
The 264 passenger ship that was built in 2010 sails through the French West Indies and British Virgin Islands with stops in Antigua, St. Barts, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Guadeloupe and Dominica. With the feel of a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please. The ship is fitted with the latest fitness equipment and offers a spa, dipping pool, two dining options, evening entertainment, game room with Wii and more.
Fiji Cruise Adventure
Captain Cook Cruises wants your family to join them aboard their 150-passenger Reef Endeavour on a voyage of discovery through the popular Yasawa Islands of Fiji or the remote North. 
Just book a 3, 4 or 7 day cruise and your children ages 5-17 sail free! The promotion is available through March 31, 2013 if purchased by the end of 2012. The ship, purpose-built for cruising the sheltered waters of reef environments, features a swimming pool, spa, sun deck, sauna, glass bottomed-boat, snorkeling and dive vessels, bars, lounges, library and videos, guest laundry and more. Babysitting is provided on board for children age 5-10 and nannies are available and required for any children under age 5 for an small and additional cost. Both itineraries will have your family experiencing Fiji’s unique culture, diverse islands and amazing snorkeling and diving opportunities. You will witness sacred village ceremonies, island feasts and a choice of complimentary tours.
RCCL Food Upgrades
Royal Caribbean International is investing millions to upgrade the food served in its main dining rooms fleetwide.
The investment focuses on more menu options, including dishes reflecting the flavors of the ships’ destinations, and more choices for guests with dietary restrictions. The cruise line will continue to cater to its growing global clientele by adding authentic international flavors to the dining room menu and will continue to focus on training, which includes a sous chef certification program with the American Culinary Federation and a new waitstaff-training curriculum targeting the new menus, standards training, and allergen and dietary programs. Catering to the increasing demand of heart-healthy, gluten-free and lactose-free options, Royal Caribbean has enlisted a registered and licensed dietitian and nutrition consultant to evaluate menus, create new offerings for guests with dietary restrictions, and shape the cruise line’s current gluten-free and lactose-free program into a more guest-friendly experience. All low-calorie, gluten-free and lactose-free options will be clearly identified with menu icons as well as menu selections that can be modified to fit these requirements for guests. The updated menu format also includes a new vegetarian symbol, which is the official symbol of the European Vegetarian Union and considered the most widely used vegetarian symbol worldwide for easy recognition. In addition to the new menu designations, Royal Caribbean is rolling out new daily gluten-free bread offerings, available on request in all venues, including specialty restaurants.
NCL Gets Slimed
Besides the Nickelodeon-themed water park where young cruisers will splash among life-size characters from the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon, Norwegian Cruise Lines is in production for a Nickelodeon-style game show for the Breakaway Theater. It’s probably safe to assume that Nickelodeon’s famous green slime will make an appearance. Plus, Norwegian is bringing the existing Nickelodeon program aboard the Breakaway, including the popular Pajama Jam character breakfast, an event that is priced at $15 per attendee. The Nick crew and several Nickelodeon characters dressed in their PJs get kids and their parents up and moving with popular kids’ songs. Afterward, the Nickelodeon characters — including SpongeBob, Patrick Star and Dora the Explorer — are available for photos.
