10 Of The Most Intimate Boutique Hotels In South East Asia

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the exclusivity of being in a hotel that caters to just a select few – hotels that are small and intimate. The advantages are many – the best of them being that you are almost family during your stay. More often than not, you will find that the hotel staff is happy to go that extra mile to make your holiday unforgettable. Combine that with the warmth of the typical Southeast Asian hospitality and you will find yourself spoilt for choice. What’s more, we offer you a choice that suits every pocket!

Here are 10 of the most intimate boutique hotels you will find in Southeast Asia:

Akatsuki, KohSamui, Thailand

This intimate little hotel gives you 5 suites to choose from. With rates beginning from USD 1165, it is an amalgamation of Japanese culture with the freshness of the Thai tropics. The ambiance invites you to kick off your shoes and commune with nature.

To make the experience all that more exclusive, the resort limits itself just to one booking a day and each guest has a choice of 5 pavilions to choose from for a wonderful dining experience. And what’s more, you have a chef all to yourself, catering to your palate, all through your stay. A butler and driver are part of your personal staff. Talk about luxury!

Bon Ton Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia

Consisting of just 8 villas, this boutique hotel is built on a hundred year old coconut plantation, each villa is quaintly named and all of them afford you a delightful view of the lagoon. Each suite is equipped with every convenience to make you more than comfortable, right from slippers and sarong to WiFi! The rate for each suite starts around USD 300.

A word about the villas – these are actual old timber houses sourced from Kedah, brought to Langkawi, restored and rebuilt. Each one tastefully designed to recreate the ambiance of a village setting.

Abaca Boutique Resort, Mactan Island, Philippines

You will find the delightful Abaca Boutique Resort on the small island of Mactan in the Philippines. Built on the oceanfront, the hotel gives you the illusion of being practically on the water. This exclusive resort caters to only a few and has 6 suites and 3 expansive villas to choose from, and the rates offered are around USD 360. Each suite and villa is elegantly decorated with ethnic chic and large glass windows that afford you a view of the ocean, letting the morning light in to softly touch you into a luxurious wakefulness.

Eat at the Mediterranean style restaurant, or lounge around at bar where you can choose from a super selection of single malts. The ocean is irresistible to those who love adrenaline charged water activities like kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling and jet skiing. Or, you could just chill, out with some traditional treatments at the spa. Checking into this exclusively situated hotel promises to be a dream come true…

One Eleven, Bali, Indonesia

This unusual hotel is the last word in exclusivity. Arriving there surprises you with the view of high, fortress like walls that turn into vertical gardens when you step in. Its exclusiveness stretches to it being an adults only hotel, with nine private villas. The décor is modern and seductive. The service is personalized, with a butler assigned to each villa. Every villa becomes your own private world with its own tranquil little swimming pool, a spa, a kitchen and an outdoor living room, in addition to the bedroom and bathroom. If you are peckish, give the butler a call and he rustles up a delectable meal for you right in your kitchen.

The Shiro offers you deliciously fresh sushi and sashimi that you can wash down with sake or a Japanese beer. With rates at around USD 490 during the low season, you will find that the hotel, although tucked away behind these high walls, is conveniently within walking distance of the busy Lakshmana Street, where you can get your dose of shopping and eating out.

The Samar Villa & Spa Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia

An exclusive and elegant hotel, it is tucked away not too far from the temples of Angkor. The hotel offers you just 8 Suites to choose from – with 2 villas, an apartment and 5 junior suites. This is an ideal place to get away and celebrate an intimate special occasion. Cambodia being rich in history and tradition, the library is open to anyone interested in learning more. For those gastronomically inclined the chef par excellence serves up the most delectable concoctions and will even stretch to inviting you to tastings and cookery lessons! If you choose to make this your holiday destination, you could pay USD 81 during the off-season, but more in high season for a suite of your choice.

Sireeampan Boutique Resort & Spa, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this hotel has 11 suites and was originally built as a destination for the family and friends of a real estate developer in Thailand. His focus was to have a place that was as welcoming as one’s home. The hotel is beautifully laid out and the uniqueness of the service is its unique selling point. Each guest is treated like a part of the family. Encouraged by the response of his family and friends, he threw the hotel open to the public, and within a year of its opening, and was duly awarded one of top ten boutique hotels in Asia. Their basic studio starts at around USD 280.

The piece de resistance of this lovely little hotel is the Piano Lounge. Sitting down at the end of the day over a glass of wine, entertained by the pianist playing the beautiful grand piano, is a perfect way to relax. And what’s more, he is there all through the week to entertain you. But should you feel the urge to sing, they have even provided for a Karaoke area!

The Scent Hotel, KohSamui, Thailand

Entering the Scent Hotel is like tripping into a secret world that stimulates the senses. The location, the décor, and yes, the fragrances, all meld together to take you back into the colonial world of ancient Indochina. With rates starting around USD 330, you are treated to the view of an expanse of water no matter where you stay. There are fourteen rooms to choose from. The décor in every room bears evidence of the colonial influence, enhancing the ambiance of old world charm, taking you back to a different era.

Dining at Le Jaroen or Le Petit Indochine is like embarking on an exquisite culinary journey. You will find yourself at the best tables on the island and every culinary offering is a treat to the senses.

The Houben Hotel, Krabi, Thailand

Built on the top of a cliff, the hotel overlooks the Andaman Sea and gives you access to one of the best little hidden beaches on the island, just a hop, skip and a jump away in the Kantieng Bay. There are 15 rooms to choose from, each one giving you a panoramic view of the sea. There are suites to suit every pocket with rates beginning from USD 260. A special instruction here though, they do not accommodate children below 12. So, do keep that in mind.

Although the resort is small, it lacks nothing in its completeness. A wonderful infinity pool, a spa and a Thai restaurant are all perfectly put together to make the whole experience delightfully relaxing. Understated in its elegance, there is nothing that jars the senses.

Hotel Tugu, Bali, Indonesia

This is one of the most unique boutique hotels you will ever find. Situated on Canggu beach in Bali, it was conceptualized and brought into being by a man whose passion was collecting the most exquisite antiques he could find all over Indonesia. The hotel has 20 suites and 1 villa; each one decorated dramatically and themed around a story. Nestled amidst fragrant gardens and lotus ponds, each suite is a little world on its own, affording you all the privacy you need. The hotel boasts four restaurants and really, you are spoilt for choice.

A complimentary massage sweetens your stay at this beautiful antique museum hotel. In addition, you will find every amenity you can think of to make your stay acquire a dream like quality. Rates begin at USD 410 and include free airport transfers and complimentary high tea during your stay.

Hotel de la Paix, Luang Prabang, Laos

The Hotel de la Paix used to be a French Colonial Fort, built way back in 1910. It metamorphosed over the years into being the Governor’s residence and at some point along the way, a town prison. After much restoration and renovation, it is turned into this beautiful boutique hotel, with stunning architecture and deservedly made a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The hotel has 23 suites with rates that begin with USD 235.

To add to the temptation of staying in this beautiful hotel, is the Spa Indochine. It is the most unique spa in Laos. Designed to look like a traditional Lao village and in keeping with the ambiance, only natural products are used in the spa treatments. Customized treatments are available too, on request.

Contributed by Carmen Anderson, Founder of Here and There Without a Care. www.aluxurytravelblog.com

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3 Favorite Private Island Hotspots

Just this month Conde Nast released the winners of their ‘Readers Travel Award’ destinations, as voted for by you. After 3 years the Maldives are back in prime position, which is great news. The Maldives is often an alternative for non-skiers looking for winter sun, hotly followed by the Seychelles, Barbados and Hawaiian Islands. Here are my three favorite private islands for a dream escape this winter:

Velaa Private Island, Maldives

At Velaa, the essence of Maldivian culture, lifestyle and landscape meets unlimited relaxation opportunities where no request is too much, no luxury rental villa is too luxurious, and each guest will ultimately feel as if this is their own private island. This perfect luxury private holiday island was conceptualized from the experience of the founders, Radka and Jiri Smejc, on various journeys in the archipelago.

Opened in December 2013, Velaa’s mission is to create an outstanding private luxury haven with matchless service, bringing new meaning to the concept “private moments” in the Maldives. One of my  favorite aspects of travelling is experiencing different cultures, designs and cuisine. On Velaa you will be mingling with the A list of interiors. Petr Kolár, Velaa’s interior designer uses the phrase “polite luxury” to describe the vibe of the island. Not only that but any foodie will be delighted by the introduction of famous Michelin-starred chef, Adeline Grattard, who oversees the island’s great selection of vintage wines and cuisine… surely, another experience to be added to the ‘bucket list’!

Kuda Hithi Island, Maldives

From gourmet dining to exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, every experience undertaken on Kuda Hithi Island is designed around you – perhaps a contributing factor to why the Maldives was voted the number one destination this year. Situated in the North Malé Atoll, Kuda Hithi Island is the ultimate private island refuge in the Maldives, attracting the most illustrious guests from all over the world.

Presenting deluxe living, avant-garde design, unrivaled levels of service and absolute privacy, Kuda Hithi Island offers an authentic paradise. Emerging from the depths of the Indian Ocean like a fantasy, Kuda Hithi Island is the most precious diamond in the crown of the Maldives. Again, another of my favorites or design: the majesty of this intimate 13,000 square foot private island has been perfectly matched with the most exquisite architecture in the region, the centerpiece of which is an attention-grabbing master residence designed with prominent style, matchless facilities and a beach length pool. With its clear, aquamarine sea, pristine white beaches, lush vegetation and state of the art residences and pools, Kuda Hithi Island is the definitive island retreat in the Maldives.

Desroches Island, Seychelles

A jump across the Indian Ocean to another of my favourite islands, the Seychelles: Desroches Island is possibly one of the last islands of its size to offer both exclusive luxury and a multitude of hidden secrets in a secluded and exotic island paradise. A place where you are given the liberty and privacy to shape your own experience and discover paradise as you like it. While privacy, exclusivity and isolation are the greatest attractions, with flawless fine sand beaches and endless clear waters, Desroches Island is a safe haven for romance and relaxation.

Removed from commercial fishing and protected by law, Desroches and the other outer islands are a natural sanctuary with a flourishing eco-system and a colorful collection of unique marine species – a secret underwater world awaits for those keen divers and snorkelers among us.

Contributed by Holly McQueen, Sales Manager for Indigo Lodges. www.aluxuryblog.com

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Saudi Overhaul Reshapes Islam's Holiest City Mecca

Contributed by Aya Batrawy, AP

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 1954 file photo, Muslims visit the Kaaba, the Sacred House of Allah, during a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. As Muslims from around the world stream into Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage this week, they come to a city undergoing the biggest transformation in its history. (AP Photo, File)

 As a child, Osama al-Bar would walk from his home past Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba, to the market of spice and fabric merchants where his father owned a store. At that time, Mecca was so small, pilgrims could sit at the cube-shaped Kaaba and look out at the serene desert mountains where the Prophet Muhammad once walked.

Now the market and the homes are gone. Monumental luxury hotel towers crowd around the Grand Mosque where the Kaaba is located, dwarfing it. Steep rocky hills overlooking the mosque have been leveled and are now covered with cranes building more towers in row after row.

"My father and all the people who lived in Mecca wouldn't recognize it," said al-Bar, who is now Mecca's mayor.

As Muslims from around the world stream into Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage this week, they come to a city undergoing the biggest transformation in its history.

Decades ago, this was a low-built city of centuries-old neighborhoods Over the years, it saw piecemeal renewal projects. But in the mid-2000s, the kingdom launched its most ambitious overhaul ever with a series of mega-projects that, though incomplete, have already reshaped Mecca.

Old neighborhoods have been erased for hotel towers and malls built right up to the edge of the Grand Mosque. Historic sites significant for Islam have been demolished. Next to the Kaaba soars the world's third tallest skyscraper, topped by a gigantic clock, which is splashed with colored lights at night.

"It's not Mecca. It's Mecca-hattan. This tower and the lights in it are like Vegas," said Sami Angawi, an architect who spent his life studying hajj and is one of the most outspoken critics of the changes. "The truth of the history of Mecca is wiped out ... with bulldozers and dynamite. Is this development?"

Critics complain the result is stripping the holy city of its spirituality. They also say it is robbing the hajj of its more than 1,400-year-old message that all Muslims, rich or poor, are equal before God as they perform the rites meant to cleanse them of sin, starting and ending by circling the Kaaba seven times.

Mecca is revered by hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide. They face the Kaaba every day in their prayers. The Grand Mosque is one of the few places in the world where Muslims of all stripes gather - Sunnis and Shiites, secular Muslims, mystics and hard-liners.

Overseeing Mecca is also a key source of prestige for Saudi Arabia's monarchy. The past two kings - the current one, Abdullah, and his predecessor, Fahd - have adopted the further title of "custodian of the two holy mosques" to boost their status, referring to Mecca's Grand Mosque and Muhammad's mosque in nearby Medina.

Now the city is being molded to a particularly Saudi vision that bolsters the rule of the Al Saud royal family.

Two forces shape that vision. One is raw, petrodollar-fueled capitalism. Mecca's planners are largely catering to wealthier pilgrims by focusing on construction of five-star hotels, surrounding the Kaaba in marble-sheathed luxury. Nearby pilgrims can shop at international chains, including a Paris Hilton store and a gender-segregated Starbucks.

The other force is Wahhabism, the strict, puritanical interpretation of Islam that the Al Saud rulers elevated to the country's official doctrine. In return, Wahhabi clerics staunchly back the monarchy. The monarchy has long given Wahhabi clerics a monopoly of preaching at the Kaaba.

One tenet of Wahhabism is that Muslim tombs or sites connected to revered figures - even the Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions - should be destroyed to avoid veneration of anything other than God. It's the same iconoclastic zeal that has prompted militants from the Islamic State group to blow up Muslim shrines in Iraq and Syria.

In Mecca, hardly any site associated with Muhammad remains. Many were destroyed in previous expansions of the Grand Mosque in the 1980s and 1990s, and the new development is finishing off much of what remains. In 2008, for example, the house of Abu Bakr, Muhammad's successor as leader of the Muslim community, was razed to make way for a Hilton.

The country's top religious official, Grand Mufti Abdul-Aziz Al-Sheik, backed such demolitions last year, saying "the removal of such things within the expansion is necessary."

The urban renewal is necessary, Saudi officials say, to accommodate hajj pilgrims whose numbers are expected to swell from around 3 million currently to nearly 7 million by 2040.

The $60-billion Grand Mosque expansion will almost double the area for pilgrims to pray at the Kaaba. Around half the cost went to buying about 5,800 homes that had to be razed for the expansion, said al-Bar, the Mecca mayor. Domes and pillars dating back to rule by the Ottoman Empire are being pulled down to put up modern facilities.

Another mega-project is Jabal Omar, a hill on the mosque's west side. The hill - a landmark in the city - was levelled and in its place, construction of around 40 towers is underway, mostly for luxury hotels providing some 11,000 rooms. The first of the Jabal Omar hotels, a Hilton Suites and the Anjum Hotel, just opened in the past few months.

On the mosque's south side stands the 1,972-foot (600-meter) clock-tower skyscraper, part of a completed seven-tower complex that was built after tearing down an Ottoman fort on the site.

Also underway is the Jabal Sharashif project, in which a slum that largely houses Burmese and African migrants is to be torn down to build a new neighborhood for Saudis, along with hotels. A four-line metro system is planned for the city along with a high-speed rail line to the port city of Jiddah, where the area's airport is located, and to Medina.

The Grand Mosque's expansion is being headed by the Saudi Binladin Group, which also built the clock tower. The Binladin family has been close to Al Sauds for decades and runs major building projects around the country. Al-Qaida's late leader Osama bin Laden was a renegade son disowned by the family in the 1990s.

Speaking at a public forum in Jiddah in May, Nawaf Binladin, whose father is chairman of the conglomerate, said people are constantly asking if all this construction is needed.

"This can be answered in one moment in this image," he said, flashing a picture of tens of thousands of worshippers praying in the street because there was not enough room inside the Grand Mosque.

But many in the audience were not convinced. Saeed al-Ghamdi, a former Saudi diplomat, said he thinks greed is the main motivator.

Muslims around the world have an "intimate bond" with Mecca, he said. "It is not a place for one businessman or one company."

Mecca's planners didn't have to build so close to the Kaaba, overwhelming the simple cube-shaped structure, said Irfan al-Alawi, a Saudi who heads the London-based Islamic Heritage Research Foundation. The hotels could have been built miles away and transportation improved.

"Already we are losing the spirituality," he said. Pilgrims admire the clock tower instead of "looking at the Kaaba and admiring the house of God."

Essam Kalthoum, managing director of the government-owned Bawabat Makkah Company, which is involved in a number of projects around the city, acknowledged that "it would be a farce" to say financial motivations are not coming into play.

But he said the main goal is to increase space for pilgrims.

Kalthoum showed a gift from a Turkish foundation he had just received: a photo of Mecca from the late 1800s.

"This is painful," he said. "For those of us who witnessed some of this (past), it brings back memories."

But he pointed to the Kaaba in the photograph. "Because of this place," he said, the old markets and buildings had to go.

Admission To NY Matisse Show At The Museum of Modern Art Will Be By Timed Tickets, Available Online

 (AP) - A Matisse exhibition that drew big crowds in London is opening soon at New York City's Museum of Modern Art.

In anticipation of a large turnout, MoMa is issuing timed tickets for admission to "Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs."

They're available online, www.moma.org/, and at the museum and are free with the price of a regular admission.

The exhibition runs Oct. 12 through Feb. 8. It was shown at the Tate Modern in London before coming to MoMA.

The cut-outs were created largely in the last decade of the French artist's life when he was recovering from cancer and unable to paint.

Henri Matisse used scissors and paper to create a series of big, bold and ambitious cutouts. Some are mural or room-size, including "The Swimming Pool," which MoMA acquired in 1975.

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Australia's Best Food Experiences: Coffee in Melbourne

It's quite the truism to say Melburnians are obsessed with coffee. Ask locals for their best cafe tips and you'll set them arguing over the merits of one cafe over another: which has the right mix of modernist yet comfortable decor; inside or outside tables; whether the service was fast enough, friendly – but not too presumptuous – enough; or where to get the fastest pre-work take-away ‘latte’ in an artfully stenciled paper cup.

Pin this imageIconic Pellegrini's espresso bar / Image by Rachel Lewis / Getty Images

The writers of Lonely Planet’s 9th editon of Melbourne & Victoria, Trent Holden & Kate Morgan, recently interviewed ‘third-wave’ pioneer Mark Dundon who has over 13 years of experience in coffee, has travelled the world sourcing beans and is the man behind Melbourne roastery empire and much-loved Melbourne cafes such as Seven Seeds and Brother Baba Budan.

Here’s what he had to say about Melbourne’s coffee culture.

What makes for a great coffee?

It's the producer, the roaster, the barista and the consumer. Great coffee is like great wine or food: different people like different styles and interpretations. For me, it’s a sweet, floral coffee, and I enjoy drinking the coffee as filter or espresso.

How would you define Melbourne’s coffee scene right now?

Melbourne's coffee scene is literally second to none. Currently there are a lot of coffee professionals pushing the boundaries, exploring brewing methods, new coffees, roast styles and collaborations.

What are some of the city’s best coffee experiences?

Auction Rooms, Assembly, Market Lane, Clement and of course Seven Seeds. The Melbourne experience, really, is your great local cafe that knows you and your coffee order and looks after you. Melbourne’s cafes are some of the best in the world and there are many providing the beautiful local experience.

Pin this imageLaneway cafes in Melbourne's city centre / Image by David Hill / Getty Images

If you dig in the local history books you’ll discover how Melbourne got this way. A strong Italian cultural heritage from mid-20th century migration is where it started. Then, over the last couple of decades, retail strips emptied as grocery shoppers were seduced away from local shops by supermarket chains in shopping centres leaving Melbourne with low-rent shopfronts where quirky cafes could flourish in every other neighbourhood across the city.

Not only are great cafes abundant, but many Melbourne residents are now schooled up in the providence of their coffee beans, when and how they were roasted, and which of their local baristas can pull the best long macchiato or short ristretto.

This obsession may sound like something straight out of Portlandia, but in Melbourne the coffee culture isn’t a new fad or inner-urban pretension. Melbourne’s cafe scene runs right out to the outer suburbs and has taken over many small towns. It isn’t hard to plan a road trip based on where to stop for a decent cup of the good stuff.

Pin this imageMeasure of coffee beans / Image David Joyce / CC BY-SA 2.0

If you’ve got time on your hands and you want a deeper more immersive coffee experience while visiting Melbourne, look out for coffee courses from coffee ‘cupping’ sessions (a bit like wine tasting) and bean roasting information sessions at Market Lane http://www.marketlane.com.au/coffeeclass.asp or taster barista classes at one of Melbourne’s barista training academies.

For American visitors longing for the bottomless filter coffee head north of the city to Queensberry Pour House (queensberryph.com.au).

Finally, the International Coffee Expo (internationalcoffeeexpo.com) celebrates all things coffee – so we suggest if you’re as obsessed with coffee as Melbourne is, then you ought to time your Melbourne visit accordingly (Melbourne is a great place to be in March).

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/travel-tips-and-articles/australias-best-food-experiences-coffee-in-melbourne#ixzz3F0KZvJGJ

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This Coming Weekend Is Best For Viewing The Fall Tapestry Of Color In Maine

Fall Foliage Report Week 4

From Fort Kent in the north down through Bangor in the central part of the state, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is now reporting peak leaf color with low leaf drop of less than 30%.

 

“The colors of fall are reflecting off the water throughout Moosehead Lake in Greenville (Zone 5) as the foliage is approaching peak conditions this weekend,” according to Gale Ross, Fall Foliage spokesperson.  “Forest rangers are reporting that the maples throughout Maine are casting fiery red colors in central and western Maine as well, with low (30%) leaf drop,” Ross noted.

 

Maine’s official foliage website www.mainefoliage.com provides weekly reports by e-mail and an opportunity to share photos of favorite spots in Maine to watch the leaves turn color.

 

This upcoming weekend the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands is offering ranger-led fall foliage hikes at Mount Blue State Park in Weld and Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal.  www.maine.gov/dacf/fallfoliagehikes.  

 

In addition to viewing the spectacular fall foliage, there is a lot to do in Maine this weekend.

Enjoy wagon rides, making homemade cedar shakes, fresh cider and more on October 4 and 5 as part of Living History Days in Bradley. www.leonardsmills.com.

 

Travel to Freeport this weekend for the 16^th Annual Fall in the Village Art & Music Festival at the LL Bean Discovery Park.  View the works of talented artists and artisans while enjoying great live music, refreshments and more. www.freeportusa.com.

 

Enjoy the foliage while visiting the galleries of downtown Bar Harbor.  On October 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Art Walk Bar Harbor will include traditional and contemporary art including sculpture, glass, pottery, jewelry, fiber art and fashion.  Several of the galleries will host meet the artists events. www.artwalkbarharbor.com.

 

Family Harvest Day at Boothbay Railway Village celebrates the bounty of autumn at this new old-fashioned, family-friendly festival with apple cider pressing, antique tractors, a pumpkin hayride and more. October 4 and 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  www.railwayvillage.org.

 

For more information about fall activities and events in Maine go to www.visitmaine.com.

MSC Cruises Celebrates National Cruise Vacation Month With Deals On Caribbean and Mediterranean Sailing- Kids Sail Free, Free Gratuities, And Complementary Drinks Offfered

Balcony Rooms at Ocean View Rates, Kids Sail Free, Free Gratuities, and Drink Packages Part of Special Promotion

To celebrate National Cruise Vacation Month, MSC Cruises is offering balcony staterooms at ocean view rates for select sailings in both the Caribbean and Mediterranean, plus kids aged 11 and under sail free for guests who book cruises during the month of October.

And, the line will sweeten the deal for guests who upgrade to MSC Cruises’ new “Fantastica experience” on these select sailings with a complimentary drink package consisting of 12 vouchers. The Fantastica experience includes choice of a premium location stateroom and priority choice of early or late dining. Additional free amenities, valued at $250 per person, include 50 percent off all fitness classes and personal training, free delivery of room service, and enhanced recreational activities for children including cooking and foreign language classes.

The October specials are available to residents of the US and Canada who book select sailings of MSC Divina, departing October 2014 through October 2015 in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and select sailings of MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, departing November 2014 through April 2015 in the Mediterranean. Available on new bookings only, offers expire on October 31, 2014.

As an extra promotion for booking in October, MSC Cruises is also offering pre-paid gratuities for all MSC Divina seven-night Caribbean sailings between October 18 and December 13, 2014.

National Cruise Vacation Month, widely recognized as “The World’s Largest Cruise Sale,” is celebrated every October to promote special offers from member cruise lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry organization. 

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655 or contact a local travel professional. Ask for "CLIA National Cruise Vacation Month" promotion when booking.

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is a privately-held, family-owned, Italian cruise line with a fleet of 12 ships. The fleet cruises year-round in the Mediterranean and seasonally in the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the French Antilles, South America, South Africa, The United Arab Emirates and the Red Sea. In March 2014, the line announced the construction of two new cruise ships by STX France due for delivery respectively in 2017 and 2019. Two months later, the line announced the construction of two additional new builds by Fincantieri due for delivery respectively in Nov. 2017 and May 2018.  For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.