Princess Cruises Art Connoisseur Voyages Showcase Top Contemporary Artists

Princess Cruises is showcasing some of today’s top contemporary artists and lecturers in a series of special Art Connoisseur Cruises designed for both avid collectors and art newcomers.

A wide range of internationally acclaimed artists will join the ship during these cruises, including names such as bas relief sculptor Bill Mack, Russian American contemporary artist Viktor Shvaiko, and colorful French American painter Duaiv. The voyages offer a variety of events with the artists, such as meet-and-greet sessions, demonstrations, art classes, special art unveilings and interviews where passengers can ask questions. Some artists, including pop fusion painter Eric Waugh even entertain crowds with live painting sessions set to music. 

Other famous names onboard will include "rock star of the art world" Michael Godard, painter Alexandre Renoir, great grandson of the famed French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Christine Argillet, daughter of Salvador Dali’s publisher who will offer her personal stories and insight into of one of the 20th century’s most unique artists. 

Art Connoisseur Cruises are part of Princess’ Fine Arts program, offering passengers the opportunity to see and learn about some of the most notable artwork produced throughout the past century. Each ship features works from collectable artists for sale that are the centerpieces of art auctions held during each cruise.

"These connoisseur cruises give art lovers the opportunity to learn more about the works and artists they admire, or discover new artists," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Plus, it's something our passengers might not be able to experience at home, so it's an interesting enrichment option during their vacation." 

Princess’ upcoming Art Connoisseur cruises include:

July 17

Ruby Princess – 12 days Grand Mediterranean
Fabian Perez, Chris DeRubeis, Patrick Guyton

July 20
Caribbean Princess – 12-day Iceland
Michael Godard, Bill Mack, Viktor Shvaiko, Adam Scott Rote

August 25
Caribbean Princess – 14-day Iceland, Greenland & British Isles Explorer
Bill Mack, Chris DeRubeis, Patrick Guyton, Duaiv, Nim Vaswani (art lecturer/historian on Picasso), Christine Argillet (art lecturer/historian on Salvador Dali)

October 26
Emerald Princess –12-day Canada & New England
Alexandre Renoir, Viktor Shvaiko, Eric Waugh, Michael Schwartz (art lecturer/historian on Picasso, Rembrandt, and Renoir)

Many of these artists also sail individually on select artist voyages throughout the year.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

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Memorial Day Weekend Kicks Off the NH State Park Season

With Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start to the summer, New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation announces that all state parks will be open for the weekend. State park beaches are open for the holiday weekend and then will operate weekends only until June 16; at which time all parks will remain open full time through the summer season.

Fishing at Pillsbury - Courtesy of NH State Parks

The Division offers seasonal options for those who will be frequenting the parks more often. For an additional $85 when registering a vehicle in New Hampshire, a State Park Plate can be purchased. The plate allows the vehicle and its passengers to receive free admission for the car and passengers into New Hampshire State Parks' day-use areas. A family season pass is available which gets two adults and four dependents into the day-use parks for the season. Coupon books are another way to save money when visiting several times during the season.  All the options are available on the division's website, nhstateparks.org.

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Things to Do on Cape Cod

Courtesy of Visit Cape Cod on YouTube

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Princess Cruises Memorial Day Sale - Save Up to $1,000.00

Princess Cruises is marking Memorial Day with a six-day sale offering cruise deals on sailings departing from U.S. shores. The May 24-29 sale features savings of up to $1,000 per stateroom, plus an onboard credit of up to $100.

More than 80 cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Mexico, Canada & New England, and the coast of California are included in the sale, with sailings departing between September and December.

In addition to cruise fare savings, passengers booking interior or oceanview staterooms can receive an onboard credit of $25 (cruises up to 9 days) to $50 (cruises 10 days or longer), and in balcony staterooms or above can get credits of $50 (cruises up to 9 days) or $100 (for sailings 10 days or longer). All onboard credits are offered per stateroom.

Examples of cruise deals include:

•     Caribbean cruise – 7 days: $799 balcony (was $949); $549 interior (was $599)
•     Canada & New England cruise – 7 days: $999 balcony (was $1,299); $599 interior (was $799)
•     Panama Canal cruise – 10 days: $1,599 balcony (was $1,649); $999 interior (was $1,099)
•     Hawaii cruise – 14 days: $1,995 balcony (was $2,445); $1,295 interior (was $1,545)
•     Panama Canal cruise – 14 days: $1,799 balcony (was $2,299); $1,099 interior (was $1,599)

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy. The Memorial Day Sale begins at 12:01 a.m. PDT on May 24 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on May 29, 2012 and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Reservations made during the sale require a non-refundable deposit. Additional sale information is available at http://www.princess.com/sale.

In addition to the Memorial Day Sale, Princess is also reminding military personnel that the line offers a special onboard credit program for active military and veterans. This credit of up to $250 (depending upon the length of the cruise) is available year round, and can be combined with the credit available through the Memorial Day Sale. 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

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Entertainment Cruises Fourth of July Specialty Cruises Celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and Star Spangled Banner

Entertainment Cruises, Boston's premier provider of dining cruises and entertainment on the water, will offer cruises on the Odyssey and the Spirit of Boston in celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner from June 30^th through July 4^th, 2012. Offering dining, entertainment, narrated tours of the harbor, and close-up views of the Tall Ships, these specialty Fourth of July cruises provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the water.

"Watching the majestic Class A Tall Ships sail into the Boston Harbor is a stunning and unforgettable experience," said Entertainment Cruises General Manager Kelley Yelle. "We wanted to offer our guests a front row seat to this Boston tradition that's second to none with breathtaking views."

Tall Ships specialty cruise options on Entertainment Cruises' vessels the Odyssey and the Spirit of Boston include:

"Star-Spangled Sail" in Celebration of the Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner
Saturday, June 30^th Enjoy a light brunch or breakfast buffet and entertainment during your cruise.
Board 8:00am | Cruise 9:00 - Noon
Starting from $66.90 per person

Viewing Cruises
Sunday, July 1; Monday, July 2; Tuesday, July 3
Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet, entertainment, narrated tour of the harbor, and stunning views of the Tall Ships and Navy Ships.
Early lunch:
Board 9:30am | Cruise 10:30 - 12:30pm
Late Lunch:
Board 2:00pm | Cruise 3:00 - 5:00pm
Starting from $56.90 per person

Blue Angels Constitution Turnaround Cruise
Wednesday, July 4^th Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet and entertainment while watching the USS Constitution and USCGC Barque Eagle underway. The Blue Angels and 50 additional aircrafts will fly over in commemoration of this historic event.
Board 9:30am | Cruise 10:30-2:30pm
Starting from $151.90 per person

To book a reservation on the Odyssey or the Spirit of Boston, please email Cruise.Boston@entertainmentcruises.com or call (888) 741-0285.

Source: Entertainment Cruises

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Connecticut Tourism: New Branding Campaign Unveiled

Video Courtesy of Connecticut Tourism on YouTube

On Monday, May 14, 2012, the state of Connecticut unveiled its new branding campaign, entitled ‘Still Revolutionary’. The campaign, part of a two-year, $27 million dollar initiative to bolster tourism, will include TV, radio, print, and digital advertising. The new logo will also appear on the state’s social media channels. Click here for the full article. 

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Receive Up to $200 Dining Credit on Your Weekend Getaway in the Bahamas

Escape to the Bahamas for a weekend of relaxing, dining and unwinding at the award-winning British Colonial Hilton Nassau Resort.

The newly renovated hotel features the only private beach in the city, with its 300 ft of white sands and pristine waters.

This Weekend Getaway Package includes:

• Stay 4 to 6 nights and receive $100 Food and Beverage Credit per room.
• Stay 7 or more nights and receive a $200 Food and Beverage Credit. 

To make a reservation, call 1 877-GO-HILTON toll-free from US/Canada or visit your local Hilton Reservations and Customer Care Office. Mention Plan Code P9.

Offer valid for travel through Dec 20, 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

For more Hilton offers in the Caribbean, visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com

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