During the first few weeks of January, a wave of ships will soon be departing from a variety of ports to take eager passengers on an adventure of a lifetime around the world.  As most people are preparing for the busy holiday season, some of our Cruise Specialists travelers are also busy preparing for their long awaited world cruise.

Fifty Cruise Specialists guests with a thirst for new adventures, good wine, and giving back recently set sail on the 2011 California Winemasters Association cruise which helped raise $10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (the association’s official charity).  Cruise Specialists donated a portion of each guest’s reservation to the worthy cause.  This year’s cruise is hosted by Justin Baldwin of JUSTIN Vineyards and is sailing on the new Celebrity Eclipse to the Eastern Caribbean.  Guests are enjoying private wine tasting events, exclusive winemaker luncheons and much more.

Cruise Specialists is proud to announce their offices raised over $2,000 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  The luxury cruise agency raised the money for the foundation by making a $10 donation for each cruise reservation they sold on a Holland America sailing during the month of October.  Cruise Specialists also encouraged clients to donate money to take part in special five-kilometer walk onboard any Holland America cruise ship deck this year called “On Deck for the Cure®”

High C

During our Atlantic crossing on Silver Cloud, I saw something I did not expect to see: an audience stand not only to applaud but also to participate in a powerful performance by six young and extremely gifted vocalists.

Cruise Specialists and Luxury Travel Network team at Travel Mart

Cruise Specialists recently attended the travel industry’s most prestigious conference, Virtuoso’s Travel Mart, which took place August 14-19 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada.  During the five-day conference, advisors from Cruise Specialists joined nearly 1,700 other elite travel advisors and more than 1,600 executives and representatives from some of the world’s best travel companies, all of whom belong to the Virtuoso® luxury travel network.  In total, the conference attracted approximately 3,700 attendees – the largest turnout in the conference’s 23-year history – from 90 countries around the globe.

Travel Weekly 2011 Power List

Travel Leaders Group (parent company of Cruise Specialists) once again earns top industry rankings and climbs to the number nine spot on Travel Weekly’s 2011 Power List of the industry’s top travel sellers. 

Earlier this month Cruise Specialists staff attended a conference aboard the beautiful Crystal Symphony. We sailed from a sunny San Francisco, up the coast to Victoria and concluded our trip in Vancouver, BC. Trips such as these allow us to remain familiar with the cruise lines and experts in our field.

Cruise Specialists is offering a variety of theme cruises this fall for travelers looking to explore and indulge in their favorite passion while cruising.  Taste distinct wines from all over the world on our wine lovers cruise through the Mediterranean, play 10 days of Bridge on your way to and from Hawaii, dance your way through the Caribbean or the Panama Canal, and get in tip top shape on your way to Mexico on our new Zumba Fitness® Cruise.

Guests who truly want to explore the world in ultimate luxury may want to consider

Cruise to Africa

embarking on the Silversea World cruise 2012 aboard the Silver Whisper themed “Global Treasures, Hidden Jewels”.  Pampered with impeccable service, all ocean-view suites, butler service, gourmet menus, sophisticated entertainment and complimentary beverages served thoughout the ship, travelers may not want to leave their new home away from home.

Uniworld Antoinette christening

Tom Baumann, President of Cruise Specialists, recently attended the christening of Uniworld’s new 164-passenger S.S. Antoinette pierside in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

“The Antoinette is absolutely without a doubt the most incredible ship ever built for river cruising,” described Baumann.  “If you are looking for an upscale river cruise and truly a ‘boutique’ experience, then you must try a Uniworld cruise.  Not only is the ship absolutely incredible, but the service and food was fantastic!  There is an infinity pool, a gym, spa treatment rooms, a movie theater, two lounges, two restaurants, a 24 hour specialty coffee and tea bar and more.”