Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando Resort Offering Packages

Royal Caribbean International and Universal Orlando Resort are now offering the successful Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando package from both the east and west coasts of Florida. With the addition of Jewel of the Seas, which begins homeporting seasonally in Tampa starting November 2011, the two innovative companies are providing families with more options to combine the best of land and sea into one amazing vacation while enjoying unparalleled savings.

The land and sea vacation packages combine a three- or four-night stay at Universal Orlando Resort with a three- or four-night Bahamas cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas, a four- or five-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Jewel of the Seas, or a seven-night Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas.

The package includes hotel and shipboard accommodations, multi-day passes to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, complimentary admission to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and the ship at port.

For more information, contact a Vacation Specialist at 1-800-788-2545.

Norwegian Cruise Line Updates Smoking Policy Fleet-Wide

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced adjustments to its smoking policy for each of the line’s 11 Freestyle Cruising ships in response to changing guest preferences. Effective January 2012, guests setting sail on a Norwegian cruise vacation are no longer permitted to smoke cigarettes in their staterooms. Guests who are in a balcony stateroom will be permitted to smoke on the outside balcony; however, cigar and pipe smoking in staterooms and on balconies is prohibited. Ashtrays will be available for use upon request through housekeeping staff.

In an effort to diminish the presence of smoke indoors, cigarette smoking is only permitted in the casino, where ashtrays and appropriate signage will be displayed. Smoking is prohibited in all other public interior venues including all bars, restaurants, conference rooms, corridors, restrooms, staircases and landings. Guests may utilize the enclosed cigar bars on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Spirit for cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking.

In addition, the policy allows guests to smoke cigarettes, cigars and pipes in outdoor public guest spaces and open decks, where designated by the appropriate signage. Smoking is not permitted near outdoor venues which serve food, in open spaces such as the jogging track, sport complex, children’s pool and in The Haven outdoor areas.