Introducing the Freestyle way to earn credit card rewards. Open yourself up to a whole new world of opportunity with WorldPoints® credit card rewards. Redeem points for items like cash, gift cards, travel, cruise discounts and more! And right now, you'll receive 10, 000 bonus points after you make a transaction in the first 60 days§§. Redeem Your Cruise Rewards For: Exclusive redemption opportunities for last minute cruises, and other special cruise offers Stateroom upgrades, travel discounts and onboard credits Any of the other rewards available exclusively to WorldPoints cardholders Car rentals, hotel stays or gift certificates to over 100 top retailers - you choose the rewards that matter most to you Take Advantage of Credit Card Benefits Like: No annual fee † Double points for every qualifying dollar you spend with NCL One point for every dollar you spend in net retail purchases † For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, please see the "Terms & Conditions". This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. §§ Bonus Points Offer . You will qualify for 10, 000 bonus points if you use your new credit card account to make at least one transaction that posts to your account within 60 days of the account open date. Limit one (1) bonus points offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. Other advertised promotional bonus points offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus points to post to your rewards balance. Freestyle Cruise With WorldPoints® Credit Card Rewards Rewards Points $50 onboard cruise credit 5, 000 Up to 2-category upgrade on cruises 5-days or longer 10, 000 $100 onboard cruise credit $100 off any cruise Up to 4-category upgrade on cruises 5-days or longer 20, 000 $200 off any cruise $250 onboard cruise credit 25, 000 Inside to oceanview or oceanview to Balcony upgrade 30, 000 $500 off any cruise 50, 000 $500 onboard cruise credit Double Cross meta upgrade on 5-day or longer cruise 60, 000 $1000 onboard cruise credit 100, 000 Exclusive Cruise Specials: Coming Soon! 3- or 4–day Bahamas cruise for two:* Inside Stateroom Outside Stateroom 70, 000 Balcony Stateroom 90, 000 Each 3rd – 8th additional guest 25, 500 *Includes all applicable government taxes, port expenses, and fees 7-day Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruise for two:* 137, 900 157, 900 227, 900 40, 000 *Includes all applicable government taxes, port expenses, and fees Offer Terms & Conditions Offer Points Value Upgrades Up to 2 category upgrade on 5-day or longer cruise Up to 4 category upgrade on 5-day or longer cruise (within same category meta) Cross meta upgrade on 5-day or longer cruise Terms and Conditions: Terms and Conditions: Offer may be used by individuals, participants in qualified group bookings, by single guests and for use with third and fourth guest bookings. Upgrades vary per ship, sail date, category and cabin capacity. Stateroom Upgrades are subject to availability. The number of 3rd and 4th occupancy staterooms are limited and based on availability. Upgrade refers to a better available accommodation within the meta (Interior to Interior, oceanview to oceanview or balcony to balcony). Cross-Meta upgrade refers to having the option to book a specific Oceanview category for the price of a specific Interior category or book a specific Balcony category for the price of a specific Oceanview category. Double Cross-Meta upgrade refers to having the option to book a specific Balcony category for the price of a specific Interior category. Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to assign the stateroom at their discretion. Suites & Mini-Suites are excluded. Norwegian Spirit is not eligible for Balcony upgrade. Family Balcony, Spa Balcony, and Deluxe Balcony on the Norwegian Epic are excluded from the offer. Family Balcony, Spa Balcony, and Aft Facing Balcony on the Norwegian Breakaway are excluded from the offer. Cross meta upgrade does not apply to the Norwegian Epic as the Epic has no oceanviews. Cruise Discounts $100 off any cruise ($50 per person) $200 off any cruise ($100 per person) $400 off any cruise ($200 per person) $500 off any cruise ($250 per person) $1, 000 off any cruise ($500 per person) $2, 000 off any cruise ($1, 000 per person) 200, 000 $150 off any cruise ($75 per person) 15, 000 Terms and Conditions: Offer may be used by individuals, participants in qualified group bookings, by single guests and for use with third and fourth guest bookings. Cruise Fare must be greater or equal to the amount of the Cruise Discount. The standard cancellation policy applies. Cruise 7-day Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruise for two Inside category Oceanview category Balcony category Each 3rd - 8th passengers 3-4 day Bahamas cruise for two Terms and Conditions: This is a cruise only offer. Offer applies to individual bookings and based on double occupancy. Complimentary stateroom can be redeemed with qualified points value received. Complimentary stateroom can be redeemed only on one of the 7- Day Caribbean, Mexican Riviera or 3-4 - Day Bahamas & Florida cruises based on the value points received. This offer is not combinable with other offers, except for WorldPoints® offers. Norwegian Cruise Line will assign earned stateroom in best available category within the meta - category. Suites and Penthouses are excluded. If category is not available, Norwegian reserves the right to assign earned stateroom at their discretion. The number of 3rd and 4th occupancy staterooms are limited. Please note WorldPoints value can be redeemed in set points value based on length of cruise and category! As such, the difference in between points redeemed and cruise cost required may result in forfeiture of WorldPoints.

Thirty-two people died after the Costa Concordia cruis ship ran aground with more than 4, 000 passengers and crew on 13 January 2012, only hours after leaving the Italian port of Civitavecchia. The graphics and maps below reveal more about what happened. The Costa Concordia left the Italian port of Civitavecchia at 19:18 local time (18:18 GMT). The ship was heading out on a week-long cruise around the Mediterranean with 3, 206 passengers and 1, 023 crew onboard. As it made its way north-west along the Italian coastline, Captain Francesco Schettino ordered the ship to be steered close to the island of Giglio as a "salute". QPS reconstruction of the Concordia's final minutes Other details emerged at pre-trial hearings, including excerpts of the frantic conversations between the Captain and his crew in the aftermath of the accident, captured by the ship's "black box" voice recorder. Nearing Giglio just after 21.30, the captain gave the helmsman coordinates, followed by the warning "otherwise we go on the rocks". Minutes later, at 21:45, the Costa Concordia hit a rocky outcrop while travelling at around 16 knots. How the Costa Concordia capsized The ship was holed on the left-hand side, started taking on water and began to tilt. Engine rooms were flooded and power was lost. The crew struggled to assess the situation and relayed incomplete information to the Italian authorities. At 21:52 the chief engineer and electrical officer tried and failed to start the ship's emergency diesel generator. Shortly afterwards, passengers were told that the ship was suffering a "blackout", but that the situation was under control. The same information was given to the harbour master at Civitavecchia. Costa Concordia crew member tells coastguard "we have a blackout" Positioning data shows that the Costa Concordia turned and began to drift back towards the island's port soon after 22:00 due to, investigators say, a combination of the wind and the rudder positioned to starboard (right). As it drifted, the ship then began to list in the opposite direction, possibly caused by water in the damaged hull rushing to the far side during the turn. At 22:12, the coastguard called the ship to say passengers were reporting problems to the local police, but the captain replied: "We have a blackout and we are checking the conditions on board."

Viking Chairman Tor Hagen has said publicly that the company will eventually sail the Mississippi River, but a spokesman said Tuesday he could not confirm a 2015 launch date. A news round-up issued this week by the Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau said Viking will build a 340-passenger ship to cruise the Mississippi beginning in the fall of 2015 and will start taking reservations in the spring of 2014. The Port of Red Wing, one of the stops, is about 50 miles downriver from Minneapolis. The five-deck ship announced by Red Wing would be larger than the 190-passenger longships that Viking is building for European rivers. The cruise line has been growing explosively on European rivers, with plans for 10 new longships this year and 14 next year. The company will also launch an ocean cruise line in 2014. After several years with no regular overnight cruises, the Mississippi River is now sailed by two boats: the new 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi, launched last fall by American Cruise Lines, and the 436-passenger American Queen, built in 1995 and refurbished by the American Queen Steamboat Co. before it returned to the river in the spring of 2012. Both boats sail the Mississippi from New Orleans to Minneapolis/St. Paul and cruise sections of the Ohio, Cumberland or Tennessee rivers as well.

How it Ranks: Cunard has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings. Cunard Line appears on the following ranking lists: Cunard's three ships — Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria — receive well-rounded praise from travel experts and cruisers alike for their stylish accommodations and elegant facilities like upscale dining rooms and opulent ballrooms. Keeping with its legacy as a traditional, Old World ocean liner, Cunard is one of the only luxury cruise lines to offer secluded dining areas for select passengers, meaning guests staying in standard staterooms dine in a different restaurant than passengers staying in suites. Outside the luxurious lodgings, you can enjoy Cunard's versatile lounging and dining options, which include the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar and a specialty restaurant on Queen Mary 2 with a menu crafted by chef Todd English. Cunard offers one-way and round-trip voyages with popular 2016 itineraries covering the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and northern Europe, and including trans-Atlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, England. Popular destinations along the way spotlight major cities across the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Australia and the Pacific Islands. Shore excursions available depend on the cruise's itinerary and duration (2016 voyages can last anywhere from two to 120 days), and cover everything from zip line tours through St. Lucia's Rainforest Adventure Park to a gondola ride through Venice's canals. What's more, on all of Cunard's ships you'll find a casino, a fitness center and spa, an art gallery and a wide range of enrichment programs, such as computer classes, ballroom dance tutorials and lecture series. Pros & Cons After one Cunard cruise, you can join the Cunard World Club loyalty program and start receiving fare discount notifications and other benefits Variety of cabin classes and specialty restaurants to choose from Complimentary night nursery available from 6 to 11 p.m. for guests ages 6 months to 2 years old Some onboard amenities cost extra Shore excursions are not covered in cruise rate Government fees and taxes are not included in cruise fares On Board While Cunard offers programming catered to children on each ship, the cruise line's onboard activities target well-traveled American, British and international travelers ages 50 and up who prefer afternoon tea and evening galas over pool parties and dance clubs. However, during the summer months, you'll likely find more families and kids on board. More about the onboard experience» On Shore While docked at each port, you can either explore independently or book one of Cunard's shore excursions. Excursion options vary by itinerary and ports of call, and are not included in the price of your cruise. You can pre-book excursions up to three days prior to your cruise departure ... More about the on shore experience» Before You Book If you book directly with Cunard, you must pay your cruise fare 90 days before departure. Children must be at least 6 months old on most voyages, except for trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific journeys (including trips to Hawaii, Iceland and World Voyages) where guests must be at least 1 year old. Passengers younger than 18 must be traveling with a passenger 18 years or older. Passengers younger than 16 must share a stateroom with a guest who is at least 16. Cancellation policies vary by cruise length. For voyages that are shorter than 30 days, you must cancel at least 91 days before your trip to receive a full refund. If you cancel 61 to 90 days in advance, you'll forfeit the deposit amount; if you cancel your reservation 31 to 60 days in advance, you'll receive a 50 percent refund; if you cancel 15 to 30 days in advance, you'll receive a 25 percent refund; and if you cancel two weeks or less prior to your scheduled departure date, you'll receive no refund. For voyages that last 30 days or longer, you will lose your deposit if you cancel your cruise between 91 and 120 days in advance of your departure date; you will receive a 50 percent refund if you cancel between 61 and 90 days before yuor sail date; and if you cancel within 60 days of your departure date, you will receive a 25 percent refund.

Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world. Carnival offers their fleet of "Fun Ships, " operating voyages from 2- to 17-nights in length to many destinations. Carnival offers cruises to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, and Hawaii. They even offer cruises to nowhere for those of you that don't have a lot of time to get away…or for those of you that are looking to get a taste of what Carnival Cruise Lines has to offer. Carnival is particularly well known for their festive-yet-casual atmosphere. Carnival Cruises offers a variety of onboard dining options, including both traditional (assigned) and open dining formats. They also have lots of entertainment and activity options to suit anyone's mood or taste. Carnival's ships offer everything from elegant multi-course meals in their dining rooms, to more casual meals available in their "Seaview Bistros" and 24-hour pizzerias. The Carnival cruise ships also feature dazzling Las Vegas-style entertainment, along with a full slate of morning-til-night activities to take part in. A Carnival Cruise Line "Fun Ship" cruise truly offers something for everyone…and then some! Why Choose Carnival Cruise Lines? Great for Everyone! Carnival cruises are a great option for anyone looking to cruise. They offer fabulous options for families, friends, couples, singles and seniors. Additionally, each Carnival cruise ship features many swimming pools, a full gambling casino, onboard duty free shopping, a major spa and fitness facility, and "Camp Carnival, " a complimentary fleetwide children's program that hosts around 175, 000 kids a year. Amazing Public Spaces Among the fabulous features available on select Carnival ships (Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Magic, Carnival Pride, Carnival Sensation and Carnival Sunshine) is Carnival's WaterWorks Park, a elaborate water park featuring a giant twister water slide. Carnival's Seaside Theatre is a 12-foot-high by 22-foot-wide LED screen located poolside on select Carnival ships, showing movies, sporting events, concerts and other special programming. Serenity Retreat is an adults-only area for those looking for some relaxation. Spa Carnival is another fantastic area available onboard Carnival's ships, featuring a state-of-the-art fitness center, salon and various body treatments. Your Choice Dining Carnival's dining program is called Your Choice Dining because when it comes to eating, it's really "your choice" as far as where and when you want to eat. For example, you can choose between assigned dining (at 6:00 pm or 8:15 pm) or Your Time Dining (an open dining format, available between 5:45 pm and 9:30 pm). What's New for Carnival Cruise Lines? Beginning October 2015 through February 2016, Carnival will begin offering 10 to 14 day voyages on six different ships that feature extended calls at destinations throughout the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera and Bahamas. The announcement follows the rearrangement of Carnival's current ship itineraries. In 2015, Carnival will return to NYC seasonally, offering short Canada & New England cruises, as well as the only program of eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages operating one-way between NY and San Juan. Carnival Splendor's Norfolk program will begin in May 2015. Carnival Legend, following the inaugural season in Australia, will operate seasonally in Alaska beginning May 2015. In late 2016, and Carnival Triumph in Galveston, joining Carnival Freedom. Carnival Triumph will be relocated to New Orleans, where it will join Carnival Dream and replace Carnival Elation in Spring 2016. Carnival Elation will replace Carnival Fascination in Jacksonville, offering significantly longer 10-11 day repositioning voyages; Carnival Fascination will reposition to San Juan in Spring 2016 to offer year round 7 day cruises. Carnival Miracle underwent extensive refurbishments when it entered dry dock in March 2015. The new features, all a part of Carnival's ongoing Fun Ship 2.0 ship enhancements, include popular programs like Seuss at Sea and Hasbro, The Game Show, as well as new dining venues and the addition of four new spectacular shows! Carnival Vista, the first of a new class of Carnival cruise ships, is the next cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Lines. With an expected delivery during the Spring of 2016, she's going to be the first of a new "Vista" class of ships. At 133, 500-tons, Carnival Vista will be the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed, and will accommodate up to 3, 954 passengers and feature a variety of Carnival Funship 2.0 enhancements. A sister ship (yet to be named) is expected to debut during March of 2018. Be sure to check back here soon for more information. Carnival launched its winter schedule with the refurbishment of Carnival Pride, which emerged from a $75 million dry dock in November 2014. Boasting a variety of innovative additions, this upgrade to the line's Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements include the introduction of new dining and beverage venues, such as Guy's Burger Joint (developed in tandem with celebrity chef Guy Fieri) and Alchemy Bar. Another exciting addition is a massive WaterWorks aqua park, whose crowning attraction "Green Thunder" holds the title of fastest and steepest water slide at sea, as well as four new Playlist Productions shows. Carnival is now rolling out Camp Ocean across their fleet of "Fun Ships." The new program is designed for children between the ages of 2 and 11 and will feature more than 200 ocean-themed activities. Children will have a chance to play and discover in a fun, yet educational environment. Carnival Freedom is the first to receive the Camp Ocean program with the rest of the fleet receiving the program by 2016. Starting February 2014 onboard Carnival Splendor, Carnival introduced the Seuss at Sea program to their fleet. Combining all the excitement of a Carnival cruise with...

(6 p.m. EDT) - "Congratulations Dan Askin, Caribbean Cruise Line has identified you to receive a free two-night cruise for two onboard the Bahamas Celebration to Grand Bahama Island." * The Free Cruise We've seen spokesmodel Carmen Electra touting free cruises on TV, received the award booklet mailing (with its official-looking stamps of approval from The Islands of the Bahamas, Alamo and Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort) and discovered the offer while browsing the Web. We're told that collecting our free cruise is easy: Call an 800 number, or fill out a form, and it's time for two nights of zero-cost cruising. Naturally, "scam" might be the first thing that comes to mind with such an offer. And it quickly becomes apparent that the * means it's not actually free. It'll cost you a minimum of $59 per person for government fees and port taxes. There's nothing necessarily untoward here; the government taxes and fees are clearly stated, and $59 per person for a two-night Bahamas cruise - which includes accommodations, all meals, entertainment and a call at Grand Bahama Island - still seems like a decent deal for a quick getaway. Still, people have had serious complaints when trying to book the offer, ranging from confusion about which company is making the offer (Caribbean Cruise Lines, which sends the deal, or Celebration Cruise Line, which operates the ship) to forced timeshare pitches and misleading pricing. Cruise Critic did some research - and attempted to book a cruise - to help you determine whether the offer is a scam or a good deal. First, a bit of background: What is Caribbean Cruise Line, Anyway? Let's clear up a key point of confusion right away. Celebration Cruise Line is the actual name of the line on which you'll be sailing. Caribbean Cruise Line is not a cruise line at all, but the name of a wholesaler that's touting the free cruise. But the difference between line and wholesaler seems to be blurry at best, with numerous complaints on sites like Cruise Critic, complaintsboard.com and ripoffreport.com conflating line and seller. It doesn't help that each has a telegenic spokesmodel - Daisy Fuentes for Celebration and Carmen Electra for Caribbean. As a travel wholesaler, Caribbean Cruise Line is licensed and bonded in the State of Florida, "Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-37425." (Though, there are timeshare marketing outposts in locations where the company is registered; for instance, in New Jersey, it's registered by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission.) Regardless of the official license, the charges against Caribbean Cruise Lines have been fast and furious - consumers have had difficulties getting refunds, been subjected to aggressive sales tactics, discovered that salespeople had misrepresented cabin locations - and many equate the two companies or confuse one for the other. Angelina from Pennsylvania, who booked an extended-stay vacation after seeing Carmen Electra touting the cruise on TV, told us a horror story, which included more than five hours of timeshare presentations that they were not told they'd have to attend. "You have to go, or you will not be allowed to get on the cruise ship if you don't, " she told us. Florida's Division of Consumer Services has record of at least 40 complaints, the content of which we've yet to receive in the form of a public record request. Moreover, the Better Business Bureau gives Caribbean Cruise Line and "F" - and the BBB has documented 459 complaints filed against the business, 396 of which have been considered resolved. Still, according to a spokesperson at the Florida Attorney General's Office, the body responsible for responding in earnest to those consumer complaints, no official investigation has been opened or closed on Caribbean Cruise Line.

With over 261 romantic destinations in 72 countries to choose from, Royal Caribbean® can take you and your special someone almost anywhere. From the lure of the Caribbean to the charm of Europe, we've got everything you need for a romantic getaway - endless beaches, tropical breezes and sunsets over shimmering blue waters. Cozy up together as you set sail on a romantic cruise vacation. Imagine sipping wine on your private balcony while taking in the sounds and scenes of the ocean or sleeping in and enjoying complimentary breakfast in bed. We have the perfect stateroom for any couple and any budget. Formal night in the dining room makes any special occasion even more special. Or, for private nibbles and kisses, enjoy complimentary room service in your stateroom until midnight. Our specialty dining options provide delicious cuisine in a romantic, intimate setting, and with our pre-cruise reservations service, you won't miss a delicious moment.

Thousands of weary passengers stranded at sea for more than 24-hours as 30-foot waves blocked their cruise ship from docking finally made it back to shore early Wednesday in Australia. The Carnival Spirit — with 2, 500 passengers and 1, 500 crew aboard — was forced to remain out at sea as a massive storm pummeled Australia's coastline and shut down Sydney Harbor. "Upstairs on the main deck a lot of the glass had actually been pushed out and smashed all over the place, chairs just turned like lollipops, it was just crazy, " passenger Ernie Pittana said. "It was horrific, " passenger Rachel Browne told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. "You couldn't hear a thing anyone said, the noise was so loud and the rain was blowing sideways. "The glasses and teacups in my room smashed…They just blew off the table and hit the wall." On land, winds of up to 85 mph uprooted trees, crushed cars, snapped power poles and tore off roofs and building awnings. Damages were already in the millions and were expected to rise, according to officials.

Home > Cruise Destinations > Mediterranean Cruise Deals Embarking on a Mediterranean cruise is like being whisked away on a romantic odyssey. The Mediterranean will greet you with warm breezes, sparkling blue water, fresh seafood, medieval towns and European culture combined to create a relaxing and enlightening vacation. Mediterranean cruises offer plenty of port choices, big and small. You will be able to escape the crowds if you choose a ship small enough to fit into the more intimate ports. Because the Mediterranean ports are so close together, you can visit a different country each day and really get to understand the culture and history of each southern European port that you visit. Most cruises in the Mediterranean include one or two sea days for rest and relaxation and some sunbathing, too. Visiting the Mediterranean without taking a cruise is missing an important part of the Southern European experience. Search online for Mediterranean cruise discounts or let one of our cruise experts help you find the best cruise deal to the Mediterranean. Mediterranean and Southern European Cruise Highlights HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGY The Southern Mediterranean has been a crossroads of civilization throughout history. The great explorers including Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Saint Paul, Marco Polo all explored the coastal cities. The histories of great civilizations lay waiting to be explored. From the Roman Empire to the Holy Lands a vast world filled with great heroes and adventurous stories waits to be heard. WINE AND CUISINE The Southern Mediterranean offers a vast variety of local cuisine and fine wines. Indulge in mouthwatering Spanish tapas, fabulous Italian pasta or many of the other regional specialties if the Southern Mediterranean. Add to that the incredible local wines and spirits produced in the Southern Mediterranean towns and villages and your Southern Mediterranean cruise can be a food lover’s delight.

Experience the wonders of the Kennedy Space Center with the whole family. See, hear and touch NASA's glorious past, inspiring present and exciting future. Stroll through the Rocket Garden, home of Apollo and Gemini-era rockets, board life-size replicas of the space shuttle Explorer and see spacecraft that have actually orbited the Earth. Other Fun Things to Do Take an exciting and educational airboat tour into central Florida's Everglades. As you travel deep into the wilderness, you'll glide over a sea of grass into the pristine fresh-water eco-system of Bald Cypress Swamp, where alligators and other wildlife abound. Explore Cocoa Beach, made famous by "I Dream of Jeannie, " just a short drive from Port Canaveral and south of the Kennedy Space Center. You'll be charmed by the unique shops, many parks and 12 miles of beaches. Get a Taste of Local Flavor True Floridians celebrate Florida's wild side. And there aren't many places on earth more wild than the Everglades. Get a real taste of the Everglades by sampling some alligator meat. It's a popular appetizer all over the area and most people say it tastes "just like chicken." Local Currency The official currency of the United States is the U.S. Dollar (USD). Weather in Orlando (Port Canaveral) Temperature Fahrenheit Celsius Average High 69.9° 21.06° Average Low 47.3° 8.5° Mean Temperature 59° 15° Record High 88° 31.11° Record Low 19° -7.22° Precipitation Inches Centimeters Average Precip. 2.4 in