Those looking to visit important historical sites to the Christian faith may find an upcoming cruise group of interest to them. The Archdiocese of Genoa is planning a group cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas that will sail a western Caribbean itinerary for a journey of spirituality.

The cruise is a seven-night cruise that departs Genoa on July 28, 2013 and will stop in Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Rome.

During the cruise, there will be visits to churches and cathedrals such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, St. Peter's Basilica and the tombs of the popes in Rome.

Prices for this cruise start at 998 euros per person for an inside stateroom (based on double occupancy).

The travel agency organizing the Paula Deen Cruise is adding a second sailing aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas because of "so many requests".

A second winter 2014 cruise is being organized now by Alice Travel, who is responsible for putting the cruises together.

A spokesperson from Alice Travel had this to say about adding a second cruise, "Due to so many requests from Paula’s fans in the past we are actually planning two cruises for 2014 and look forward to both. It’s always an amazing time with Paula, her family and fans. If she goes – we go."

While the cruise group is being held on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Paula Deen Cruise is being organized by a travel agency and not by Royal Caribbean. 

"Royal Caribbean has never had a partnership or any formal association with Paula Deen," says Cynthia Martinez, Royal Caribbean's director of global corporate communications. "She has sailed with our brands a couple of times, but as host of group cruises, and each time, the groups were booked through a specific travel agency, not through Royal Caribbean."

The first-ever Pittsburgh Steelers fan cruise is being planned aboard Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas out of Tampa on March 10, 2014.

The cruise promises to allow up-close and personal access to Steelers fan favorites such as Hines Ward, Franco Harris, Mel Blount, Willie Parker, Antwaan Randle El, among others.

Former Steeler Tunch Ilkin, will be your cruise director.

“We have every decade represented of Steeler football since the 1960s, so that’s cool,” said Ilkin. “So, for everyone in the family, every generation, there’s going to be someone there for you.”

During the cruise, activities will be planned such as daily autograph sessions, Super Bowl rewinds with live Steeler interviews and a “Steelers Got Talent” show featuring a Ward dance number.

NFL Play 60 has activities on the sports desk for the kids. There will also be kids-only press conferences and interactive games.

Guests can also pay additional fees to allow them even more access, including VIP parties with players, a “fast pass” in the autograph line and even staying on the same deck as the players.

More information booking this cruise can be found at steelerscruise.com.

Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas will host a three-night cruise for older women looking to meet younger men as part of Cougarevents.com 7th annual Cougar cruise.

A cougar is roughly defined as older women (over the age of 40 or so called cougars) look for younger men (in their 20's or so) to meet and the idea is women find young men for "companionship" while the young men find a woman who has financial stability, among other things.

The cruise is being put together and will offer an equal mix of younger men and older women and events include

• Coordinated single get-togethers throughout the weekend
• Past & new Singles Travel Company travelers from our years of past trips/cruises/cougar cruises
• Private dinner time and designated area, dancing & socializing every night within our singles group
• Roommate matching to avoid the single supplement
• Singles Social Director Host(s)
• Meeting new and fun single friends

Dates for the Beatles Tribute Cruise 2013 have been announced. The cruise will be on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas March 3 - 10, 2013.

Special guests for this 4th Beatles cruise include

• Mark Hudson (Producer for Ringo Starr)
• Billy J. Kramer (Recorded songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
• Joey Molland (Singer from Badfinger, a band signed by the Beatles' label)
• Joe Johnson (Emcee)
• Revolution (Tribute Band)

Special events are planned for those who go on the cruise such as

• Welcome Registration and Guest Introduction by: MIM's Host, Angela & Emcee, Joe Johnson of Beatle Brunch
• Individual performances by Mark Hudson, Billy J. Kramer & Joey Molland
• Trivia Contests by Joe Johnson
• Q & A with Special Guests
• Revolution, The Beatles Tribute special performance
• Photos & autographs with Special Guests and items available for purchase
• Karaoke

For fans of steampunk, there's a new cruise theme for you.  The Steampunk Cruise and Duchess of Nola High Seas Ball will be held on Navigator of the Seas on March 16, 2013.

The cruise offers on-board workshops and performances from established steampunk writers, speakers, artists and musicians.

Steampunk is defined as Victorian science fiction, which is basically how industrialized 19th century people would have viewed science fiction.  Steampunk uses this existing technology and structure to imagine an even more advanced 19th century, often complete with Victorian-inspired wonders like steam-powered aircraft and mechanical computers.

Other events aboard the cruise include

• The Steampunk Duchess Of Nola High Seas Ball
• The Chrononauts Parade
• The Magnificent Captain’s Formal Night on the Navigator of the Seas
• Performances by Hellblinki Sextet in the exquisite Shipboard Ixtapa Lounge
• Performances by Unwoman under the stars
• Appearances by the infamous Mary Robinette Kowal, Writer and Puppeteer
• Appearances by the renowned Author GD Falksen
• Readings with award winning Author Jay Lake
• Mind-bending Steampunk Confabulations on everything from, Steampunk History, to the Future of our Past
• Steampunk Film Festival sharing some of the best Steampunk Movies and shorts
• Ballroom Dance class and Dance Attitudinal workshop
• Sunset Sail Aways of Romantic Splendor
• Dinners in the magnificent three tiered Formal Dining Room
• Late Night Rendezvous on the top deck all glass wrap around Viking Crown Lounge
• Tea Get Togethers as you step back in time in the Dungeon Dance Club
• The Steampunk Cruise Craftroom Extravaganza Gatherings
• The Great Mad Scientists Monologue Competition
• Vintage Bathing Suit Contest Deck-side as we sail out to sea…
• Pipe and Brandy after dinner in the Connoisseurs Club (cost not included)
• Formal Portraits in your Costumed Best with amazing backdrops and green screen.
• Cocktail Party with Prizes for the weeks best! Prizes, Swag and so much more!
• Optional High Tea excursions in Jamaica and Grand Cayman ( Add on cost)

More information on the cruise can be found at steampunkcruise.com

Photography buffs, aspiring photographers or just people that want to take better photos are all encouraged to join the 11th DSLR Photography Workshop Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas on October 21-28, 2012.

Hosted by professional photographers Arthur Bleich and Peter E. Randall, the cruise will teach you how to first learn to identify the crucial elements that make up every great image. Over the eight day cruise, you're promised a photographic epiphany: you'll go from simply "taking" photos to "making" them, shooting with a firm concept in mind of exactly what story you want your shot to tell.

The workshop will feature one-on-one help with taking better photos, lecture and demonstration sessions and more.

If you're interested, check out more details on the workshop website.

Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas will host the fifth annual Brazil Fashion Cruise in 2013.  The event will take place April 7th through the 11th and will tour the Brazilian coast.

The Brazil Fashion Cruise ship will bring together the top names in Brazilian fashion, businessmen, journalists and students of fashion.

"The event grows each year and, for the anniversary edition of five years plus the attractions on board, prepare actions and parade ground," says Carla Wolff, the Dreamakers Travel & Consulting, creator of the project in partnership with Alba Ferrari Facex partner of Foreign Trade.

The event features special programa for students, such as workshops with designers who will be in the line-up.
 

Famous southern cook Paula Deen is hosting a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas that will sail out of Galveston, Texas early next year.

The cruise leaves on January 27, 2013 and will visit Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.  The "2013 Cruise with Paula" event will begin with a “welcome pajama dessert party” with Paula.

Everyone who books the cruise package will receive an 8x10 photo with Paula and events onboard include

• Deen Family Olympics
• Not your Mama’s Meals with Paula & Bobby
• Q&A games with Paula and "the boys"
• Super Bowl party with "the boys"
• Jazz (or Gospel) brunch
• Slot tournament
• charity auction
• Final night BBQ including private cocktail party

There will also be goody bags and a "personal gift" from Paula herself.

If you're interested, you can book the cruise by going to the Cruise with Paula website.

A group that specializes in cruises for families with autism, down syndrome and other related disabilities is planning a number of group cruises for 2012 and 2013.  Sailing on ships such as Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, the group looks to offer those families with these special needs an opportunity to enjoy a fun cruise vacation.

The group, Autism on the Seas, is a niche travel company that organizes and staffs cruise and land resort vacations for families with special needs. They have been in collaboration with Royal Caribbean since 2007 in developing this program. Their specially trained staff provides respite care, special accommodations and coordinated group activities and events, for all special needs guests with a broad range of conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other cognitive and intellectual developmental impairments.

The group offers disability accommodations, pre-vacation planning, youth program and staff respite, services and activities for those with special needs and a trained staff aboard the ships.

For more information, visit their site at http://www.autismontheseas.com