Cruise Travel & Vacation Tips & News

Rescuers searching the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship discovered another body on Tuesday.

That brings the death toll of the disaster to 16. 16 others are still missing – including Minnesota couple Jerry and Barbara Heil.

The tragedy has us wondering if the disaster will have an impact on future cruise ship travel.

“I don’t think it’s ever really been a top concern for people when they go on a cruise. Obviously now, people might ask a question or two more,” said David Nelson.

Nelson is president of Four Seasons Vacations Travel Agency in Albert Lea. He said, so far, they haven’t seen any major concerns from clients after the cruise ship disaster earlier this month.

“Our cruises that we have booked ahead of time this year are all sold out, our group cruises, and we haven’t had one person call or say ‘Oh I don’t want to go’ or anything like that,” said Nelson.

He said people seem to realize that what happened to the Costa Concordia is the exception, not the rule.

“It’s highly unusual that something like this would happen. Obviously this wa…………… continues on KIMT

MIAMI, Jan. 25, 2012 – /PRNewswire/ – Avoya Travel™ / American Express®, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line has presented the company with its 2011 “Home-Based Agency of the Year” award. Avoya Travel received the cruise line’s highest agency honor for the company’s dedication to customer service, its elite network of Independent Agencies, and outstanding sales performance in 2011.

“Avoya Travel is a valued partner of Norwegian Cruise Line and, as such, we commend them for creating exceptional vacation experiences for customers worldwide,” said Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Passenger Services for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Avoya Travel’s support of Norwegian Cruise Line is a core element of our success, and we’re looking forward to working together to deliver amazing vacations to cruisers around the globe for years to come.”

Recently onboard the Norwegian Epic, Avoya Travel (continues on Sacramento Bee

Frommer’s Alaska Cruises and Ports of Call (Frommer’s Color Complete)
Frommer’s Complete Guides – IN FULL COLORAmerica’s #1 bestselling travel seriesMore full-color guides than ever beforeFoldout maps…

Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline: Where the Crew Lives, Eats, Wars, and Parties — One Crazy Year Working on (Travelers’ Tales)
In Cruise Confidential, Brian David Bruns spills the dirt — or in this case, the dirty water — on those romantic, fun-filled vac…