Regent Wants to Be Your Fairy Godmother & Plan Your Destination Wedding

With the promise of stress-free, one-stop-shop planning, destination weddings and vow renewals have both gained popularity in recent years. In fact, I'll bet that you've attended a destination wedding in the not-so-distant past. It's not unusual these days to talk with someone who tied the knot in Hawaii or Mexico or some other exotic locale.

The cruise industry embraced these romantic occasions early on and each line offered a unique cadre of services to its guests. While Regent Seven Seas has been providing wedding/vow renewal services for some time, they are now focusing on this market with a partnership between their own in-house Regent Travel Concierge and destination wedding planning company, Royal Ocean Events. Couples will now have expanded opportunities to marry in select ports of call throughout the world. (Alas, no weddings at sea.)

Hmm. Maybe I can convince my husband that we should renew our vows on Bora Bora
next September for our 15th wedding anniversary !
Photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas

Chris Scurr, marketing director for Royal Ocean Events says “the sky won’t even be the limit" when it comes to a wedding with RSSC. "If a Regent guest wishes to get married in a hot air balloon over a tropical pineapple plantation, or take a helicopter to a glistening Alaskan glacier, we can do that,” says Scurr.

Based in Vancouver, Royal Ocean Events has planned thousands of cruise weddings in its 10-year history. In fact, if you've attended a wedding aboard a Holland America vessel, the event was probably pulled off by Royal Ocean Events.

The company’s wedding planners offers guests in-depth knowledge not only of romantic venues around the world, but how best to navigate the logistical elements of obtaining a marriage license in a foreign country.

To begin planning your event, call The Regent Travel Concierge at 1-888-Tour-321. You'll then be paired with a consultant from Royal Ocean Events who will discuss all the options with you. There are no pre-set packages per se, but Royal Ocean Events generally provides an officiant, marriage certificate, cake, and champagne for each event.

Just dream about the perfect wedding or vow renewal and Regent will make it happen!

Seabourn Odyssey's Keel-Laying Ceremony in Italy

Seabourn’s 32,000-ton Odyssey—due to start sailing in June 2009—is a step closer to reality! A keel-laying ceremony took place on July 11 in San Giorgio Di Nogaro, Italy. The agenda included the placement of a newly minted 2007 U.S. Silver Eagle dollar coin—contributed by Seabourn president and CEO, Pamela C. Conover—and a one-Euro coin—presented by Marco Bisagno, president of T. Mariotti S.p.A.—in the keel as the first section of the hull was joined to it. The tradition invokes good fortune during the vessel’s construction and throughout its future years at sea.

According to Conover, “Seabourn's Odyssey Class vessels are being born of a time-honored Italian legacy, whereby innovative designers and skilled craftsmen team to create objects of beauty that inspire and bring delight to people over many years.” Shipbuilder Bisagno showed his passion for the project, adding, “Mariotti is honored to build the first of two ultra-luxury yachts for Seabourn, which will no doubt set a new international standard for world-class cruise vessels.”

CI.MAR is constructing the Odyssey’s hull. Once completed, the steel fabrication will be transferred to Mariotti’s shipyard at Genoa where they will construct the ship’s superstructure.

For more information on Seabourn’s new flagship, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, or visit Seabourn's website.

Marco Bisagno, president of T. Mariotti S.p.A. and Pamela C. Conover, president and CEO of Seabourn Cruise Line, provided coins to be welded onto the keel of Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn's new flagship, now under construction in Italy.
Photo courtesy of Seabourn

Crystal Announces Its 2008 Value Collection

Have you been waiting for the right Crystal Cruises itinerary at the right price in order to give the line a try? If so, check out this recently released list of Crystal's 2008 Value Collection—each sailing discounted by 50 to 52 percent off the brochure rate.

These itineraries include repositioning voyages, as well as a few trips during "shoulder" season. If you're a first-time Crystal cruiser, these rates may be the perfect teaser. And, if you're a member of the Crystal Society (the line's past passenger loyalty program), these itineraries are ideal for picking up a few additional nights at sea.

Here are the eleven voyages making up Crystal's 2008 Value Collection:

Panama Canal/Caribbean

• February 11, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days. Fares from $3,145 - up to 52% savings (Crystal Symphony)
• November 10, Miami to Los Angeles, 13 days. Fares from $2,995 (Crystal Symphony)
• December 1, Miami to Costa Rica, 11 days. Fares from $3,550 (Crystal Serenity)
• December 12, Costa Rica to Miami, 11 days. Fares from $3,550 (Crystal Serenity)

Western Europe

• May 7, London to Rome, 12 days. Fares from $4,595 (Crystal Serenity)
• May 25, Athens to London, 7 days. Fares from $3,995 (Crystal Symphony)

Mediterranean

• October 18, Rome to Barcelona, 12 days. Fares from $4,445 (Crystal Serenity)

Canary Islands

• October 30, Barcelona to Lisbon, 12 days. Fares from $4,445 (Crystal Serenity)

South America

• December 7, Los Angeles to Valparaíso, 15 days. Fares from $3,450 (Crystal Symphony)

Trans-Pacific

• March 3, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days. Fares from $3,395 - up to 49% savings (Crystal Symphony)

Trans-Atlantic

• November 21, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days. Fares from $3,145 - up to 51% savings (Crystal Serenity)

Fares are per person, based on double occupancy.

Ask your travel agent for more information or contact Crystal at 1-888-799-4625.

Photo of Symphony's Crystal Penthouse with Verandah courtesy of Crystal Cruises.