Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

The long-awaited Marina has set sail on her maiden voyage January 22 for a trans-Atlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami. 1,250 guests are pampered by a crew of 800. She has ten dining venues, including a Jacques Pepin signature restaurant.  Here's a link to my  Photo Tour . Here is an e-brochure of the  Marina .  There are two new features which really excite me: - Bon Appetit Culinary Center with hands-on cooking school, the first at sea. -La Reserve by Wine Spectator , a wine-tasing center with seminars and tastings by day, and private seven-course wine dinners at night ($75 per guest plus 18% gratuity, maximum of 24 guests) Oceania Cruises is  offering 2-for-1 Cruise Fares with FREE Airfare and up to $1000 Shipboard Credit per stateroom on  Select 2011 Alaska & Europe Voyages .  PLUS, if you book select Europe Voyages by March 31, you'll receive our exclusive amenity package which includes: Prepaid Gratuities,   $100 Shi...

Reserve your Holland America cruise by February 28, 2011 and receive an Onboard Value Booklet (value $450). Plus, our exclusives including up to $100 Shipboard credit per couple OR Complimentary Shore Excursion.  Click here for Holland America updates and more promotional  information . Holland America sails to all seven continents. Popular destinations include the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and their 7-night Bermuda cruises from New York on the Veendam. My favorite itinerary may be the 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas cruise from the West Coast.

October is National Cruise Month and this week is the "World's Largest Cruise Night" (I'm not making this up).  The cruise lines have offered even more reasons to book your next cruise now.  Here is a summary of my favorite cruise lines promotions (most are valid for new bookings made between October 14 - 16). These offers do combine with all current specials. Azamara : $300-$500 onboard credit for 2010 Europe sailings Celebrity : $50-$200 per stateroom on 3-9 day sailings Crystal : $100 per person discount on most 2009-2010 departures Cunard : Client receive $50-$300 onboard credit per stateroom Disney : $50 onboard credit for cruises 6 nights or less. $100 onboard credit for cruises 7 nights or longer Holland America : 3-day Sale with special fares for a variety of destinations Oct 14-16 Princess : Onboard value booklet (worth up to $320) and a reduced $100 per person deposit Regent : $100 per person on-board credit (book Oct 1 – Nov 14) SeaDream :...