Carnival Short Cruise Program

CARNIVAL TO LAUNCH NEW ONE-OF-A-KIND SHORT CRUISE PROGRAM FROM PORT CANAVERAL

MIAMI (March 10, 2011) – Carnival Cruise Lines today announced a unique and exciting new “Fun Ship” cruise program from Port Canaveral, Fla.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will operate four- and five-day Bahamas cruises from the Space Coast beginning November 7, 2011. The move further bolsters Carnival’s position as Port Canaveral’s largest cruise operator with three year-round ships carrying approximately 600,000 guests annually.

“In addition to offering a convenient departure point for millions of consumers in the southeastern U.S., along with attractive port facilities and excellent flight options into nearby Orlando, Port Canaveral is an extremely popular homeport and we’re excited to provide our guests with some fantastic new cruise choices from Central Florida,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. On the Carnival Ecstasy’s new schedule, two different four-day itineraries will be offered, along with two different five-day itineraries.

Carnival Ecstasy will depart Thursdays on four-day ‘long weekend’ cruises visiting Nassau and Half Moon Cay or Freeport. Five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay or Key West.

With Carnival Ecstasy’s new four- and five-day schedule, combined with year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises aboard Carnival Sensation and seven-day eastern and western Caribbean voyages on Carnival Dream, the line will offer an unprecedented array of cruise lengths and itineraries from Port Canaveral.

Prior to repositioning to Port Canaveral, the Carnival Ecstasy will continue to operate from Galveston, Texas through September 8, 2011 and then from New Orleans September 22 through November 5, 2011, as previously scheduled.

Carnival Elation from New Orleans

Carnival Elation will reposition from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans to operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning November 5, 2011. On this route, four-day cruises will depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel, one of the Caribbean’s most popular ports, while five-day voyages will call at both Cozumel and Progreso.

Carnival Elation’s new schedule from New Orleans replaces the previously announced program from that port on the Carnival Ecstasy.

Carnival Elation will join the Carnival Conquest in New Orleans, marking the first time Carnival has operated two ships from New Orleans in six years. Carnival will be the only cruise line with two ships based year-round in New Orleans, carrying more than 350,000 passengers annually.

Guests with Current Reservations

As a result of these deployment changes, Carnival will no longer offer cruises from Mobile, Ala. Guests booked on those voyages will have the option of re-booking from an alternate homeport and receive a $25 per person onboard credit, or they can elect to receive a full refund.

Guests booked on cruises from New Orleans on the Carnival Ecstasy that will now be operated on the Carnival Elation are being automatically shifted to the Carnival Elation. Itineraries on the Carnival Elation will be identical to those that were scheduled for the Carnival Ecstasy. The two vessels are sister ships with largely similar features, amenities and staterooms. (Those guests who were booked in standard balcony staterooms on the Carnival Ecstasy - a cabin category not featured on the Carnival Elation - will be contacted individually to discuss their preferences.) The movement of bookings from Carnival Ecstasy to Carnival Elation will be completed by Friday, March 11, 2011.

New Reservations

Carnival will begin accepting reservations for the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Elation’s new programs from Port Canaveral and New Orleans beginning Friday, March 11. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com

Hot Promos for the week of 3/6/2011

Here are this week's hot promotions from Sand & C Travel®!

-4 Night Western Caribbean on Navigator of the Seas departs Mar 31 from $279* Inside/$329* Outside/$379* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 8 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 7

-7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Celebrity Solstice departs Mar 20, Apr 3 or Apr 10 from $699* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 8)

-7 Night Eastern or Western Caribbean on Celebrity Eclipse departs Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2 or Apr 9 from $699* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 8)

-7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas departs Apr 9 from $799* Inside/$899* Outside/$999* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 8 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 7])

-10 Night Ultimate Caribbean on Celebrity Equinox departs Apr 22 from $749* Inside/$899* Outside/$949* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 8)

-12 Night Trans-Atlantic on Jewel of the Seas departs May 6 from $499* Inside/$649* Outside/$799* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 8 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 7])

-12 Night China & Japan Explorer on Ocean Princess departs Mar 20 from $699* Inside/$799* Outside/$1099* Balcony/$1599* Mini-Suite!

-12 Night Med & Aegean on Star Princess departs May 18 from $1599* Inside/$2599* Outside/$2599* Balcony/$2999* Mini-Suite!

-Celebrity Europe Cruise Sale…March 7-9…Book an ocean view to veranda stateroom on a select 2011 Celebrity Europe departure and save $300 per cabin with a reduced deposit requirement! (New bookings only, inquire for details.)*

-Book a select Summer 2011 Globus Family of Brands Europe departure (includes Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterays) by June 14 and save up to $1200 per person on Business Class air!**

-A Unique Opportunity! Jewish Themed Blue Danube Cruise on Avalon Waterways! One departure only….October 29, 2012 with Jewish touring included. Inquire about Sand & C Group Space!

FOLLOW Sand & C Travel ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR LINKED-IN! Join the conversation with Sand & C and other travelers at our blog!

The Sand & C Travel ®Presentation Series

Your opportunity to learn more about the destinations, cruise lines and tour operators that offer the vacation that you desire.

Date	Supplier
April 6, 2011	Isram World of Travel
May 4, 2011	Viking River Cruises
June 2, 2011	Oceania Cruises

All presentations begin at 7:00PM and will take place in our office.

PLEASE RSVP AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION BY CALLING OUR OFFICE OR E-MAILING US AT INFO@SANDCTRAVEL.COM AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER,

E-MAIL ADDRESS AND DATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND.

Space is limited and guests will be limited to attending 2 of the above events.

Contact Sand & C Travel® for more information today!

(561) 736-3880 or (877) 736-3880

9851-F Military Trail

Boynton Beach, FL 33436

info@sandctravel.com www.sandctravel.com

*-All rates are per person, cruise only, no air, based upon double occupancy, and subject to availability at time of booking. Offers are subject to immediate withdrawal at any time by the respective cruise line or tour operator. Significant restrictions apply. Rates include non-commissionable cruise fare. Government taxes, fuel surcharges, and fees are additional. When air booking is processed through Sand & C Travel, either through the tour operator, cruise line or separately, an agency service fee will apply. Gratuities, which are mandatory with certain cruise lines, are also additional. Optional insurance is strongly recommended for an additional charge. Offers are for new bookings only and are not combinable with any other promotion, including groups, shipboard credits, etc. See respective cruise line or tour operator's brochure for complete terms and conditions, as we ll as respective ship's registry, if applicable. All offers based upon faxes or e-mails received by Sand & C Travel, Inc. during the period Feb 25-Mar 4, 2011 from the respective cruise line or tour operator. Note that outside and/or balcony cabin pricing may include obstructed view cabins. Offers may apply to limited or categories. Sand & C Travel is not responsible for mis-prints or typographical errors. All passengers are required to carry proper proof of citizenship. For cruises or tours with a total cabin commissionable cruise fare of under $500, a Sand & C Travel booking fee will apply in addition to the cruise line or tour operator charges.

**-Must be booked at least 60 days prior to departure. Book and deposit select 2011 Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon air-inclusive Europe vacations only on Lufthansa or another Star Alliance carrier from applicable U.S. gateways to select European cities to receive the special Business Class fares. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between February 16 and June 14, 2011 for travel between June 28 and September 2, 2011. Offer not valid with any other air offer but is valid with Journeys Club coupons and any land only Globus family of brands promotions. Applies to new 2011 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Due to limited availability, offer may be withdrawn at any time by the Globus family of brands and Lufthansa. Sample Lufthansa Business Class fares shown are per-person, roundtrip high season, mid-we ek travel include fuel surcharges but do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. For current prices, please see our web site. Additional restrictions may apply.

Undercover Boss: Norwegian Cruise Line

Did you see the latest episode of Undercover Boss? Aired Sunday January 2, 2011, Norwegian Cruise Line's CEO Kevin Sheehan boarded two of his ships- one of which was the Norwegian Epic.

Watch the full episode here: Undercover Boss

Changes for Norwegian ships after CEO goes undercover: USA Today

Top 10 Cruise Destinations

Cruising is no longer simply a mode of transportation, it's a vacation unto itself. Here, we've highlighted the top ten most popular places to cruise to so get comfortable, grab your umbrella drink, & get ready to relax!

10. Panama Canal
The world's greatest shortcut & one of the most fabulous engineering feats, this Central American retreat is a natural beauty. Not only is sailing through the numerous locks something to marvel at but the surrounding scenery and vibrant local culture will have you swooning.
9. Aruba
Whether you're looking to party or put your feet up, this sun drenched island is perfection. As a top tourist destination, there are a plethora of resorts to choose from. Due to its location, Aruba is blessed with breathtaking beaches, balmy weather, and lovely breezes.

8. Hong Kong

A unique destination due to its mix of cultures, this Asian destination accommodates every traveller. Cruising through the waterways is a popular past time and many tour providers offer the opportunity to experience this small but bustling city.
7. Norway

A favorite Scandinavian retreat, Norway has a plethora of natural attractions well-worth travelling to see. Enjoy astounding views of the Norwegian Fjords, northern lights, whale watching, and midnight sun just to name a few. It also doesn't hurt that the locals are absolutely wonderful.

6. Cayman Islands
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, this dreamy island delivers. While business men call it a tax haven, cruisers love it for the azure waters, sugar soft sand, and Kodak moment dive sites. Enjoy a nights stay in chic hotel or rustic villa.

5. New Zealand/Australia
Enjoy some of the most beautiful natural vistas down under with Aussies or Kiwis. It's hard to just highlight one reason to travel down under, but the combo of beaches, forests, & history is a good start. Revel in the natural beauty, great food and wine, and a fabulous blend of modern and historic culture.4. Alaska
Between the wildlife, glaciers, and natural parks, what's not to love? Enjoy whale watching while you cruise through the icy waters and order some of the best salmon dinners around. If after cruising through the gorgeous waters, you'd like to see more plan a stay at one of the numerous & vast state parks.

3. French Riviera

Famous for the glitz & glam of Cannes, St. Tropez, and Monaco, this lovely Mediterranean escape also boasts more laid back towns such as Gourdon, Biot, Grasse, Eze, & Vallauris. The nearly tropical climate coupled with azure waters, crisp colored villas, and indigo skies against the Alps has been an inspiration to many artists, including Picasso, and will surely inspire you.

2. US Virgin Islands

If you're looking for a beachy escape closer to home, you've found your haven. These islands are smaller in size but certainly rate high on the satisfaction scale. These islands are mostly all natural providing a plethora of private inlets and beaches to enjoy.
1. Barbados

Close your eyes & imagine your dream beach. The characteristics you're thinking of are all offered here-- unspoiled, crisp, clean beaches disturbed only by the lapping of crystal waves, tropical flora & fauna, warm rays of sun accompanied by a balmy breeze, topped off with a charming atmosphere & lovely culture. You won't be disappointed and you won't want to leave.

Epic Adventures

This past weekend, my best friend Allyson (another avid cruiser) and I had the opportunity to board Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Epic, and take a tour. Before I go into details about our experience, let me just say that the Epic is, quite simply, Epic. It was aptly named & has quickly become a favorite. The NCL staff was not only polite and helpful but created a quick sense of comfort & cohesion among the group.

When we arrived, we had no problem finding parking & getting to our destination. Although customs took a bit longer than expected to clear the ship, we were excitedly boarding with cameras at the ready in no time. Upon boarding, our first visit was to The Villas, which is essentially an ultra private, mini-community within the ship. It's located at the top of the ship & has two levels of rooms surrounding a private courtyard containing a pool, two hot tubs, and an array of chaises to soak up sun on. Staying in The Villas brings such privileges as a private gym, sauna, indoor/outdoor dining and bar/nightclub, separate concierge, and elevator. After a thorough tour of all that staying in The Villas has to offer, we continued our tour onto the rest of the ships accommodations. While I've heard plenty opinions about the new wave design, personally I loved it. We toured a variety of rooms and were able to gain a clear understanding of the rooming options available upon the Epic-- everything from inside cabins, studios, spa staterooms, family accommodations, and deluxe owners suites. The rooms are fairly spacious & look ridiculously comfortable. Plus, there seems to be enough storage for even the most 'prepared' packers (admittedly, I fit into the over-packing/super prepared category).

After a thorough tour of rooms on all ends of the Epic, we all met up in The Manhattan Room for lunch, which was quite delicious. Located on deck 6, this room has a massive floor to ceiling, two story window with a view looking off the back of the ship. There's a space for a band in front with a dance floor and tables all around. We were told that this is one of the best places to dine for the first few nights as they have a band & theme nights. It's also conveniently located in the middle of the action so you get to know your way around quickly. (Decks 5, 6, & 7 have the most places to go & things to do aside from the massive Aqua Park)

After lunch, we were given free reign to explore the ship and see the many entertainment and relaxation venues. Since we only had about an hour before we needed to leave, we quickly but thoroughly visited the bars, nightclubs, cafes, restaurants, shopping, and various entertainment venues. We checked out the theatre, a few bars and nightclubs like Bliss, dining like Moderno and Wasabi, the spa and gym, and of course the Aqua Park. There is certainly no lack of things to do and see! The best part is though, that regardless of age or preference you will definitely be able to find something that pleases you.

Just to name a few, there were some little things we noticed that stood out-- instead of a light switch, you need to put your room key into a slot just inside the door to turn the lights on/off. This is one of the many efforts to be more energy efficient & earth conscious but may also help prevent losing your key! The wave design- as far as balconies go- leaves you with a uniquely shaped balcony (no more boxy living quarters) & a bit more room too! The color scheme is a lovely blend of modern shapes, bright splashes, and muted tones. Since it's a big ship, it can be intimidating & easy to lose your way. To help solve this, there's touch screen directories all over-- absolutely fabulous. Also, for sanitary and health purposes, there are hand sanitizer dispensers strategically located around the ship. Ultimately, there are small but significant differences throughout which make this ship a refreshing experience.

Feel free to check out the pictures of Allyson & I's Epic Adventure!

If you have any questions about the Epic, NCL, or cruising in general, feel free to drop me a line & say hello in the comments, via Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail as we love hearing from you!

Click here for more ship information on the Norwegian Epic