Norwegian Cruise Line is offering guests the opportunity to take advantage of limited time savings on cruises through majestic Alaska. Those who book a new Alaska cruise reservation between Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2, 2013, will receive up to $200 to spend on board. Air credits, up to $500, are also available on select sailings and this special offer is also combinable with exclusive military and AARP member discounts.

Norwegian Sun sets sail to Alaska from May 13, 2013 through September 9, 2013, offering a series of seven-day cruises from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Whittier, Alaska, with fares starting at $399*. In addition to the Bonus Day offer, families cruising on Norwegian Sun with kids, ages 17 and under, who are sailing with two adults in the same stateroom will receive an additional 50% off their cruise fare and guests who book an Alaska Cruise Tour in conjunction with their Norwegian Sun cruise will receive an additional $100 on board credit.

Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel also provide guests with an unparalleled Alaska cruise experience as both ships set sail from Seattle to some of the most scenic Alaska destinations including Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, as well as a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. Norwegian Pearl sails a series of seven-day cruises every Sunday from May 19, 2013 through September 22, 2013, with fares from $549*, and Norwegian Jewel sails every Saturday from May 18, 2013 through September 14, 2013, with fares starting at $499*.

Families who sail through Alaska on board Norwegian Jewel will delight in the wide range of Nickelodeon® family-friendly activities offered on board. From “Slime Time Live,” to an exclusive Nickelodeon Character breakfast, kids of all ages will love mingling with their favorite Nickelodeon characters on board.

To book a cruise to Alaska on board Norwegian during this limited time Bonus Day Sales Event, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

Reported by © www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Seven of the world’s largest cruise ships are docked in St. Thomas today – Oasis of the Seas and Carnival Dream (both on first visits), Celebrity Millennium, Sea Princess, Norwegian Pearl, Costa Atlantica, and Sea Dream One. Interestingly, local news is reporting the world’s largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, is not carrying the most passengers – it’s Carnival Dream with a full load at 3,800 passengers versus Oasis’s 3,400 passengers.

Related story:

Is Oasis of the Seas worth the high fares?

When you’re sailing the seas, surrounded by nothing more than serene ocean waves it’s tough to get into a more relaxed state of mind. But if ultimate tranquility is what you seek, then head to the ship’s spa. Most ship spas offer classic massages and facials, but some spas stand out from the rest and feature soothing treatments and striking venues that are truly unique.

Here are the top five cruise ship spa experiences.

Celebrity Solstice AquaSpa
The two-story AquaSpa and fitness center is an integral part of the Celebrity Solstice where the goal is to create a healthy spa-resort fitness feeling. The Solarium indoor pool is among the prettiest pools at sea with waterfalls and dancing water fountains. Before and after treatments guests can lounge with sea views in the Relaxation Room that offers comfy and plush wicker ottomans or the spa’s Persian Garden that offers warm marble lounges to laze on. The spa offers a wide array of treatments, but acupuncture therapy is the highlight and is very popular among returning guests.

Adjacent to the spa are 130 AquaClass staterooms, which offer unlimited access to the spa facilities and come equipped with an amazing five-head Hansgrohe “shower tower” that offers a waterfall showerhead and side jets.

Costa Serena Samsara Spa
Costa Serena boasts the largest spa-and-health facility at sea: the 23,000-square-foot Asian-inspired Samsara Spa. The relaxation begins the moment you enter the door as the staff welcomes you in Asian style with Namaste, a Hindi greeting offered with hands in a prayer position and a quick bow forward.

The treatment offerings include a huge thalassotherapy pool, rock sauna, aromatic Turkish bath, VIP Treatment Suite and Oriental Deluxe House — to name just a few. Many treatments are ayurvedic, i.e., they are based on ancient, holistic healing practices from India that aim to balance body and soul. Every treatment begins with a shanty foot-cleansing ritual then lingers through a series of relaxing and revitalizing attentions. Before and after treatments, guests are encouraged to relax with a cup of tea in the Japanese Tea Garden or in the winter garden solarium, which has comfy loungers and canopied beds with sea views and relaxing music.

Spa junkies can book one of the 99 Samsara Spa staterooms, which comes with treatments and unlimited visits to the thermal suite.

Cunard Queen Mary 2 Canyon Ranch SpaClub
The 20,000 square foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is both spacious and luxurious even surpassing land-based spas. The only spa at sea affiliated with the world-renowned Canyon Ranch, it comes with 24 treatment rooms and a staff of 51 certified health and wellness experts — the best therapists afloat.

SpaClub’s goal is to inspire and motivate guest’s healthiest intentions into action. Fitness instructors conduct daily group and private fitness, yoga and tai chi classes for passengers. Additionally, “healthy living experts” will offer on-board lectures and workshops addressing lifestyle change, health and medical issues, stress management, smoking cessation, healthy aging and disease prevention — all in the quest for healthy change.

Every feature of the SpaClub, from the spectacular views offered by the wraparound windows in the full-service salon, to the beautifully appointed locker rooms, is enhanced by sea air and gorgeous scenery. The spa’s Aqua Therapy Centre is impressive: an amazing thalassotherapy pool with a deluge waterfall, a whirlpool, and neck-massage fountains. There are reclining lounge airbeds, a deluge shower, wall-mounted body jets and floor-mounted air tubes.

The Thermal Suite has both herbal and Finnish Saunas, an ice fountain, two reflexology basins that massage tired feet, and an aromatic steam room. The herbal sauna has a unique Moorish design, with individual arched areas for each person using the room.

Disney Magic Vista Spa
The Disney Magic’s 11,000 square-foot Vista Spa includes 11 treatment rooms with abundant treatment offerings. In addition, there’s a tropical rain forest retreat and relaxation room with heated lounges to sooth tired muscles.

Find nirvana in the Vista Spa’s “spa villas”. You won’t find these on any other cruise ship. These three Mediterranean-inspired villas come complete with an indoor spa treatment suite which is connected to a private outdoor veranda with personal hot tub, open air shower and luxurious chaise lounge. Indulge in packages that incorporated a long dip in the Jacuzzi, a 55-minute massage, and a relaxing post-treatment tea time all while watching the waves — complete bliss!

Norwegian Pearl South Pacific Spa
Norwegian Pearl’s South Pacific Spa, operated by Mandara Spas, is the perfect place to unwind and get pampered. The spa features 20 treatment rooms, 3 of which are designed for couples and offers everything from massages and manicures, to teeth brightening and Botox!

The spa also has separate men and women’s saunas, aromatic steam rooms, plunge bath, hydro baths, and hot tub. The unisex relaxation room offers heated chaises and plush rattan lounges affording endless sea views. The best part is the huge thalassotherapy pool, which combines heat and saltwater for a delightfully relaxing soak.

Sit back and relax and get ready to be pampered at sea. Who knows you may disembark your cruise feeling like a new person.

Three years ago I sailed on Norwegian Pearl’s inaugural sailing and back then it exceeded expectations. A recent sailing onboard the same ship proved to be significantly better than my previous cruise.

How is it better? Last year, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) launched Freestyle 2.0 a fleetwide initiative to further improve the guest experience. And, wow have they succeeded.

Fifty million reasons
NCL pledged some $50 million towards the Freestyle 2.0 enhancements that include major investments in the total dining experience, upgraded staterooms and new wide-ranging onboard activities for guests of all ages. All this, along with additional recognition and service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests.

One of the first changes passengers will encounter is during boarding where crew members greet guests with a “bubbly welcome” — trays with flutes of champagne or orange juice. Additionally, passengers staying in balcony staterooms, mini-suites and suites are then escorted to their accommodations. These are just little changes that improve the guest experience; however, changes to menus and stateroom amenities have taken this cruise to a whole new level.

Lobster galore
Food is the major focus on any cruise and NCL’s Freestyle Cruising provides guests with the widest variety of dining choices of any cruise line. Dining choices include the ship’s two main dining rooms, Summer Palace and Indigo, which offer traditional and contemporary menus, respectively. There are also the Garden Café buffet area and the Blue Lagoon for comfort food. For a cover charge of $10 to $25 per person, dine at the following premium venues: La Cucina (Italian fare), Mambos (Mexican), Le Bistro (gourmet French cuisine), Lotus Garden (sushi, teppanyaki and Pacific fusion) and Cagney’s Steakhouse (steak and seafood). Still hungry? There’s an on-deck grill, a coffee shop, an ice cream bar and 24-hour room service.

Freestyle 2.0 has improved both the quality and quantity of food in all dining venues. When it comes to food lobster is king and when it comes to lobster, Freestyle 2.0 is pouring it on. The line touts “Lobster Galore” featuring lobster served twice a week in the main dining room. Plus, lobster dishes are on all specialty restaurant menus from lobster ravioli in La Cucina to lobster brioche for breakfast.

In addition, all specialty restaurants have upgraded their offerings. For example, Le Bistro features Cote de Boeuf, a 32-ounce, premium-gold Angus rib-eye steak, braised Maine lobster and Plateau de Fruits de Mer, a cold seafood plate with mussels, lobster tail, shrimp, and raw oysters. Cagney’s steak house has added a 32-ounce porterhouse and Alaska king crab legs.

The Pearl’s Garden Café buffet area offers action stations where guests can select different foods at different stations without having to stand in a long line and pass unwanted choices before getting to desired dishes. Garden Café upgrades also include table clothes and candlelight to enhance the ambiance for those dining at night.

Room service has been upgraded for guests in all staterooms, and even broader choices are available for suite guests. Minibar options have been expanded, and guests are encouraged to ask their room steward to customize their selections.

Expanded entertainment
Entertainment upgrades include two new party experiences to enhance the nightlife. Monte Carlo Night provides singing, dancing, games and prizes in the casino, while White Hot Party features white costumes and hot music. The cruise staff, including waiters and cabin stewards, wear T-shirts promoting the parties during the days they were scheduled. On Monte Carlo Night they wear black T-shirts designed to look like tuxedos.

Entertainment provided by an improv comedy troupe from Chicago’s famed Second City is a favorite among passengers. The group performs a regular show and a late-night show.

An improved Pool Deck experience has been added. Relaxing music is played and there is a designated quiet zone. Drink flags have been placed on lounge chairs to make it even easier to attract a waiter. Cold towels and Evian mists are also provided.

Sports and kids’ programs have been expanded, with a more flexible Kids Crew program and increased Xbox and Wii availability. Foosball, billiards and air hockey have been added as well.

Plusher accommodations
Norwegian Pearl offers 32 stateroom categories, from standard inside staterooms and balcony suites to interconnecting cabins and luxurious villas that come with butler and concierge service. Most suites have a queen-size bed, a separate living area with a dining table, and concierge service. A standard ocean-view stateroom with a balcony encompasses about 200 square feet; regular ocean-view rooms and inside cabins range between 140 and 160 square feet. All cabins have glossy cherry wood walls and furniture, a flat-panel TV, a coffee maker, a mini-bar, a safe and a duvet, and most have a bathroom with separate toilet and shower/tub areas.

A big stateroom upgrade is the Bliss Bed, which features Euro-top foam memory toppers on new, thicker mattresses and a pillow menu that offers six types of pillows. The quality of bed linens and bathrobes has been improved. Duvets have been improved. Elemis shampoo, conditioner and lotions add another touch of elegance. Another upgraded amenity provided to guests in balcony staterooms and higher suites is the choice of what they want in their fruit basket, which is replenished several times during the cruise.

Sweeter suite life
The Pearl has some of the largest and plushest suites at sea including a private top-of-the-ship deck that contains only Garden Villas and Courtyard Villas, which offers a swimming pool and recreation area in its courtyard. Freestyle 2.0 has added private breakfasts and lunches in the courtyard for villa guests. A big perk for the 48-suite guests onboard is the exclusive breakfast and lunch in Cagney’s steakhouse. Breakfast choices include steak and eggs, eggs Benedict over crab cakes. The setting is calm and quiet compare with that of the main dining room and Garden Café.

Additionally, guests staying in suites get their own concierge who will make restaurant reservations for the entire cruise on the first day, whereas guests in standard staterooms can only book one day in advance. Suite guests also receive snacks in their room each day after selecting their choices from a daily menu and VIP disembarkation as they are escorted off the ship ahead of the crowd.

The Norwegian Pearl is one of the prettiest cruise ships afloat and is blessed with a crew that is extraordinarily friendly and accommodating. There’s no doubt that Freestyle 2.0 is delivering a superior cruise experience, and it’s highly recommended for travelers who prefer a resort casual atmosphere with varied dining choices over the traditional assigned seating. While NCL is considered a mainstream cruise line, I felt the upgrades on Pearl clearly put it in the premium cruise category.

If you go:
The Norwegian Pearl sails the Caribbean from October thru late April then the vessel transitions to Alaska from mid-May thru September. Repositioning voyages including the Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera are available. Prices for 7-day Caribbean sailings begin at $539, prices for 7-day Alaska sailings start at $529, and pricing for 14-night repositioning cruises start at $1299. All aforementioned prices are based on inside stateroom, double occupancy. Visit NCL’s Web site for more details.

Roatan, Honduras is the way the Caribbean used to be. Sure it’s technically Central America, but this island is wild, wonderful and is blessed with citizens who are happy to show you the best the area has to offer. Sadly it’s close to getting too popular as both Royal Caribbean and Carnival are building large cruise ship docks with the usual ‘tacketry’ of trinket shops and bongo slapping natives. The key is to get beyond the port to see the real Roatan.

My husband and I opted to skip the SCUBA diving this trip for more active pursuits. We picked Norwegian Pearl’s West Bay kayak, snorkel and hiking tour. After a 20-minute drive from the port of Coxen Hole to West End we were dropped off at a restaurant/bar named Cannibals where the motto is “everyone is welcome for dinner”. Located directly across the street from the beach this was our base to get our gear and have a little lunch.

The snorkeling in Half Moon Bay was excellent as the reef was home to hundreds of colorful fish and eels. The snorkel was quite lengthy and difficult as there was a lot of wind kicking up the seas. Kayaking was harder and a number of couples had difficulty paddling the wind-whipped seas – one kayak overturned. I was surprised NCL had this tour down for 5-years on up. This tour was way too hard on the 7-year-old boy who was with us – he ended up riding with the guide. In my opinion, this tour is best for 12-years on up.

After the kayak we had the option of hanging out on the beach or taking a hike up to a banana plantation. I stayed on the beach as the water was pure heaven. My husband took the 45-minute hike around the banana plantation where he learned about the flora and fauna of the island.

One thing to beware of in Roatan – sand fleas. We learned the hard way last year after a visit. We had hundreds of bites after a day at Tabyana Beach. This time we brought bug spray with us and did not get bit. We shared the spray with our guests who escaped unscathed. Unfortunately, one German newlywed couple didn’t understand what we were telling them about sand fleas and passed on the bug spray. At the end of the day they looked like they had measles.