Five Holland America Line ships will soon undergo individual month-long dry-docks at a total cost of approximately $200 million. The most dramatic alterations during the latest Signature of Excellence enhancements will result in an additional 32 veranda staterooms added to the aft portion of each ship. In addition, 46 new lanai staterooms will allow guests direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck.

Carnival will operate a series of nine-day voyages to Quebec aboard the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph in summer 2009. The cruises will operate roundtrip from New York on June 25, July 23 and Aug. 20. The cruise calls in Quebec City, Baie-Comeau and Havre St. Pierre and features a daylong cruise along the St. Lawrence River, home to whales and other marine life.

Holland America Line will provide promotions, sales tools and special incentives in support of the fourth annual World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) to be held on Oct. 16. In addition to three-day special fares, the premium line will feature promotional materials that include e-tools on successful selling and a guide on how to create profitable cruise nights.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny will begin a new schedule of four- and five-day cruises from Miami on Sept. 27. Carnival said the Destiny’s deployment will also further solidify Carnival’s position as a leader in the short-cruise market, with 29 such options from 12 U.S. homeports.

Aruba Cruise Tourism (ACT) is offering a birthday gift to all cruise passengers celebrating their special day on the island. The birthday gift promotion is valid starting this month, while supplies last.

Clients who visit a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free, as Disney Parks embraces a new trend in family travel called “celebration vacations.”