From the enchanting, romantic sights of Paris to the ancient castles and colorful holiday markets of the Rhine, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will introduce five new European itineraries in 2009. Uniworld’s brand new voyages range from nine to 32 days and showcase Europe’s most fascinating, and historically rich destinations. Following is the list of Uniworld’s new 2009 itineraries:

***Paris and European River Romance – 11 days – Paris to Nuremberg***
***Paris and the Heart of Europe – 18 days – Paris to Vienna***
***Paris and Grand European Waterways – 32 days – Paris to Bucharest***
***Parisian Winter Holiday – 9 days – Paris to Paris***
***Rhine and Main Holiday Markets – 11 days  – Nuremberg to Cologne***
In addition to the new itineraries, Uniworld will introduce a beautiful new boutique hotel-style cruise ship, the River Beatrice, in March of 2009. “By adding the River Beatrice to our fleet, we are able to expand our product offering and provide guests with cruises that range from slightly over a week to over a month visiting some of Europe’s most spectacular sights,” said Guy Young, president of Uniworld. “Our cruises offer travelers in-depth experiences and levels of hospitality that simply aren’t available on large cruise ships.”

In 2009, Uniworld will incorporate some exciting new enhancements, especially for food and wine connoisseurs. A new “Epicurean Adventurer” program will be available on select itineraries, and will offer private wine tastings, special wine and food pairing dinners, and culinary demonstrations designed to reflect the flavors of the regions visited. Uniworld will also offer a new “Al Fresco” evening dining program on the sun deck.

Uniworld provides all-inclusive vacation packages that protects travelers from currency fluctuation, maximizes their vacation dollars, and ensures travelers aren’t faced with surprise expenses for transportation, meals or accommodations while they’re on vacation.
On every Uniworld river cruise, guests enjoy elegant riverview staterooms, gourmet cuisine with fine wine served during dinner, award-winning hospitality, fully hosted shore excursions by English-speaking guides, and all transfers on arrival and departure days.  Plus, with Uniworld’s Pay-In-Full and Early Booking Discount programs, couples who book a 2009 Uniworld Europe river cruise and pay-in-full for their trip before September 30, 2008, can save up to $2,000 and those who simply would like to place a deposit on a 2009 river cruise can save up $600 per couple by booking and depositing by November 30, 2008.

For reservations and a list of new 2009 itineraries, contact your Preferred Travel Professional. Call  877-325-7522.

About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the premier river cruise company, was recently named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2008 Gold List and voted among the World’s Top 10 Small Cruise Lines. Uniworld features intimate boutique, hotel-style cruise ships designed for the experienced traveler, expertly planned itineraries with custom-blended, included shore excursions, and an all-English speaking staff and crew. The company offers over 500 departures on more than 35 itineraries sailing on 12 rivers in over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, China and Egypt.

Miami - (July 09, 2008 ) - This year’s most eagerly-awaited cruise ship – Celebrity Solstice – just added another first to its series of exceptional offerings: a 10-sided diamond cut for the first time, and available exclusively on Celebrity Solstice . Aptly named the Solstice Diamond, the patented gem’s 86 facets create a visible, distinguishing star pattern even more sparkling than the familiar 58-facet brilliant-cut diamond.

Sourced from conflict-free stones mined in Canada, the Solstice Diamond was created by UK-based Harding Brothers, who will manage the retail shops onboard. Mounted in hand-created settings and in varying sizes for rings, pendants and earrings, no two pieces will be alike.

The diamonds will be available in Celebrity Solstice’s luxurious “Boutique C,” one of 18 shops spanning three decks and 6,500 square feet onboard the ship.

“Celebrity Solstice ’s boutique areas have been designed to reflect the stylish and authentic ambience our guests will find throughout the ship,” said Celebrity’s Vice President of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “Each shop will have its own distinct look, feel and, in some cases, even aroma. It will be a phenomenal collection of sights, sounds, styles and scents.” In addition to the high-end Boutique C, Celebrity Solstice ’s retail venues include:

The Lawn Club Shop
The refreshing aroma of freshly-cut grass will welcome guests in Celebrity Solstice ’s Lawn Club Shop, with golf-oriented merchandise, wine-related items, and a casual, contemporary resort line designed by Bobby Chan, whose apparel highlights pro shops and lifestyle specialty stores around the world. The shop also will feature a “grass”-soled flip-flop sold exclusively on Celebrity Solstice .

The Showcase
Sparkling glass works from around the world will be the focus of The Showcase, where guests can purchase creations such as those found at The Corning Museum of Glass, whose alliance with Celebrity led to the industry’s first Hot Glass Show and Studio on Celebrity Solstice . Among the brands “showcased” are Mats Jonasson, Kosta Boda and Steuben. The Showcase also will feature limited edition and retired pieces sold exclusively on Celebrity Solstice .

The Solstice Shop
Celebrity Solstice ’s signature store, The Solstice Shop, will offer a variety of fashion-forward, private-label apparel, accessories and souvenirs, all tastefully marked with the ship or brand logo.

Exquisites
The largest jewelry boutique onboard, Exquisites will present a vast array of necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets from new designers, as well as recognized, world-class brands such as Bellarri and H. Stern. The boutique also will present canary, pink and blue diamonds, as well as Tanzanite creations.

The Artisan Store
Guests interested in one-of-a-kind jewelry and artifacts will find it hard to bypass The Artisan Store, where they can observe and interact with resident artists as they string pearls, carve cameos, and mount gemstones to suit each shopper’s interests and preferences. The venue also will present special enrichment lectures and demonstrations.

Pieces of Time
The timeless elegance of fine watches will be evident in the product line found in Pieces of Time, with featured brands including Dior, Gucci, H. Stern and Tag Hauer.

The Collection
Style is in the bag at The Collection, where guests will find classic and contemporary purses of all styles, sizes, colors and textures, as well as belts, scarves, and other accessories.

The Men’s Store
True to its name, The Men’s Store will feature casual yet sophisticated apparel for men from Newport Blue and Saltaire, as well as Celebrity’s exclusive Blue Collection, among other brands.

Moda
Chic women’s fashions ranging from everyday, active wear to cocktail apparel will highlight Moda, with selections from leading designers such as Joseph Ribkoff, Celebrity’s exclusive Blue Collection, and a number of variations on the classic “little black dress.”

Jasmine
Celebrity Solstice ’s Jasmine will focus on perfumes, cosmeceuticals and other skin care products. The venue also will offer personalized cosmetics consultations, and interactive workshops focused on color.

Adagio
The ambience of indulgence and tranquility found in Adagio will be reflected in its products, ranging from self-tanning products to scrubs, rubs and body butters. The venue also will present many of the world’s most popular fragrances, along with new launches.

Serendipity
Shoppers in Serendipity will have the good fortune of finding an eclectic mix of merchandise that is constantly evolving, reflecting the unique character of each destination on the ship’s itinerary. The selections will range from ethnic foods to apparel to accessories.

The Sundialer
Fashionable watches and sunglasses are always timely, and will be the focus of The Sundialer, with hip selections from a variety of designers, within a fun, relaxed environment.

Glitz
Trendy costume jewelry from established international brands as well as up-and-coming designers will be the focus of Glitz, with selections made of acrylic, crystal, gold and/or silver.

Sol Y Mar
Sun worshipers will find Sol Y Mar a welcome venue, with its vast array of designer sunglasses, suntan lotions, pool cover-ups and other beach apparel, and paperback books.

Spirits & Such
In a departure from the traditional shipboard liquor store, Spirits & Such will offer not only premium liquors, but also bar and kitchen accessories, and tote bags to ease the process of carrying purchases home. The venue also will host tastings.

Travel Made Easy
Guests who need additional luggage to take home all the products they can’t resist onboard will find relief in Travel Made Easy. There, accessories, sunglasses, hats and beach blankets are sold, along with luggage, tote bags, and electronics.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 “Top Cruise Ships in the World,” as voted by the readers of Conde’ Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers’ poll), Celebrity’s current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. For more information, call your travel agent at 1-877-325-7522.

Star Studies” and “Star Parties” Bring the Universe and New Adventures to the High Seas
Cunard Line is proud to announce a new partnership with The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) onboard its trio of famed luxury ocean liners, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and QE2. Poised to become a highlight of Cunard Insights, the Line’s award-winning enrichment programme, the RAS partnership begins this summer with RAS Fellows joining 15 voyages on such popular itineraries as Queen Mary 2’s Transatlantic Crossings and Caribbean voyages and Queen Victoria’s Mediterranean sailings. RAS will offer custom night sky displays of constellations and star navigation instruction, and highlight astronomical points of interest using the SkyScan software in the only planetarium at sea onboard Queen Mary 2. Nighttime “Star Parties” on deck, informal discussion groups and formal lectures with leading astronomers, will also be distinguishing features of this first-at-sea programme.”At Cunard, we are committed to offering our guests a dynamic and diverse range of enrichment opportunities,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “Our new partnership with The Royal Astronomical Society brings another new and innovative learning experience to our guests, allowing unprecedented access to one of the U.K.’s most renowned and historic scientific institutions.”"The RAS is delighted to be working with Cunard as part of our ongoing programme to promote astronomy and geophysics to the wider public,” said RAS spokesman Dr. Robert Massey. He added, “Our Fellows include leading scientitis, educators, writers and journalists, many of whom are experts at communicating cutting-edge science to a lay audience.”

RAS Fellows scheduled to sail in upcoming months include:

Queen Mary 2:
Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing to Germany (July 22)
Westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Germany (July 30)
Westbound Transatlantic Crossing (Aug. 13)
Westbound Transatlantic Crossing (Nov. 15)
Caribbean Adventure (Nov. 21)
Southern Caribbean Calypso (Nov. 29)
Southern Caribbean Calypso (Dec. 9)
Caribbean Celebration (Dec. 19)

Queen Victoria:
Legends of the Mediterranean (Aug. 25)
Connoisseur’s Mediterranean (Nov. 29)

QE2:
Land of the Midnight Sun (June 2)
Mediterranean Mosaic (July 20)
Taste of Mediterranean (Aug 12)
Mediterranean Sojourn (Aug. 27)

Cunard has long been synonymous with providing engaging onboard enrichment programmes. Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics, Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and accomplished visionaries who reflect the line’s heritage of adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A’s, debates, social gatherings, and workshops, guests connect with personalities who have achieved notable distinction in areas including history, world affairs, science, politics, arts and literature. The Insights programmes underscore Cunard’s longstanding view that onboard entertainment should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral experience.

For information about a Cunard voyage and to make reservations contact your travel professional, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or browse www.cunard.com.

About The Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely realted branches of science. The RAS organizes scientific meetings in Burlington House, its London headquarters, and throughout the country; publishes international research and review journals; recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes; maintains an extensive library; supports education through grants and outreach activities; and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3,000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific reserachers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises, through its partnership with Monte Carlo’s Societe des Bains de Mer, has lined up renowned spa chef Jacky Oberti to host a wellness culinary program aboard Silver Whisper’s July 5, Athens-to-Venice cruise.

Chef Oberti presides over the kitchens of L’Hirondelle, the gourmet restaurant at Les Thermes Marins, the celebrated spa and fitness center that serves the well-heeled guests of both the Hotel Hermitage and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.  At L’Hirondelle, Oberti, a trained nutritionist and native of southern France, uses only the freshest local ingredients to serve up a healthy, low-calorie cuisine with a delicious Mediterranean flair.

“We’re delighted to be able to welcome Chef Oberti aboard Silver Whisper,” said Salah Chetbi, Silversea’s director of food and beverage operations.  “This will be a wonderful opportunity for our guests to enjoy his inspired spa menu selections and also learn how they, too, can prepare healthy meals at home without sacrificing taste.”

Frederic Darnet, director of Les Thermes Marins, commented, “It’s a pleasure to team up with Silversea to create this type of unique enrichment program.  We’re very excited to introduce Chef Oberti to Silversea’s guests, giving them a chance to discover and sample some of the light and flavorful menu options that complement the wellness program at Les Thermes Marins.”

Oberti will present his unique gastronomic style and cooking methods in the ship’s demonstration culinary theater.  Custom-designed by Viking Range Corporation, the theater is equipped with state-of-the-art induction stove, sophisticated convection-microwave oven and Viking professional-caliber cookware, cutlery and countertop appliances — plus a large rear projection screen so guests can easily view different cooking techniques and utensils. 

A selection of Oberti’s signature dishes will be featured nightly in The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining venue, and he will also prepare a special “wellness” risotto to be served every evening in the specialty restaurant La Terrazza.

Another health-themed highlight of this voyage will be a water-tasting event that (like a wine tasting) will give guests a chance to sniff and sample some of the world’s finest still and sparkling waters.  And the nightly turn-down service will be enhanced with a selection of wellness-themed amenities.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance.  With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents. 

NCL’s new “It” Girl Norwegian Gem stars in the first ever cruise episode of TLC’s hit show “What Not to Wear,” a style makeover show that is one of the network’s top-rated programs. During the filming that took place in April 2008, “What Not to Wear” style guru Stacy London surprised Trenton, New Jersey resident Robin Kearns during the seven-day Bahamas & Florida sailing and by the end of the cruise had transformed her into a glamorous woman. The one-hour cruise special airs on TLC Friday, July 11, 2008 at 9 p.m. EST and will be shown again on Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

“NCL’s new ‘It’ Girl Norwegian Gem  is the perfect setting for such a popular fashion makeover show as TLC’s ‘What Not to Wear,’” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “With the relaxed atmosphere of Freestyle Cruising, our guests don’t have to worry about a strict dress code while on a cruise vacation; instead NCL guests can wear what they want when they want, which viewers will see during this special cruise episode of ‘What Not to Wear.’”

Kearns, 42, a data manager and single mother to son Shane, 15, was nominated to be featured in the show by her cousin Heather Kearns-Latini of Trenton, NJ and her best friend Kimberly Bomberry-Smith of Trenton, NJ. Both accompanied her on the cruise. Kearns boarded Norwegian Gem without any knowledge of being featured on the show. On embarkation day, she was enjoying time with her cousin and best friend in the ship’s atrium when a video began playing on the two-story screen which revealed Kearns’ fashion blunders. A stunned Kearns was then ambushed in the atrium by cameras from “What Not to Wear” as host Stacy London, flanked by Norwegian Gem ’s officers, strolled down the grand staircase to greet Kearns with a $5,000 gift card and an offer to be made over from head-to-toe.

“What I thought was just going to be a vacation ended up being a life changing experience for me,” said Robin Kearns. “‘What Not to Wear’ helped me to bring out my inner diva and gave me that extra dose of confidence I needed.”

During the cruise, the “What Not to Wear” team followed Kearns’ transformation. While visiting Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida and Nassau, Bahamas, Kearns went shopping using style guru London’s famous wardrobe “rules.” When back on the ship, Kearns completed her make over in the ship’s spa with special help from make-up artist Carmindy Acosta and hairstylist Nick Arrojo.

The big reveal happened on the last day of the cruise in the Stardust Theater amongst a crowd of guests who cheered on Kearns as she went from drab to fab. To complete her experience, she then revealed her look to the rest of the ship at dinner that evening in NCL’s signature Le Bistro restaurant with Norwegian Gem’s captain, her cousin, best friend and London.

In addition to the atrium, spa and theater, the show also features Norwegian Gem’s Bliss Ultra Lounge with its four lane bowling, Courtyard Villa sun deck, Spinnaker Lounge, Bar Central, Star Bar, pool deck and some of the ships 13 restaurants.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line.

NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle Cruising (”F3″) ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400-passenger Norwegian Gem.