EasyCruise is previewing its 2009 itineraries with a fantastic offer – up to 30 percent saving for early bookers until 31st August 2008. The new cruises include stops at some of Greece’s most popular islands as well the company’s first visit to Crete and Rhodes and a new range of festival celebrations including the Patras Carnival, one of the most famous in Europe.

After announcing plans last September to build the largest and most expensive sailing vessel ever, Star Clippers is still in discussions with various shipyards and “working on purchasing agreements” for its fourth yet-to-be-named ship, said Mark Carlson, director of marketing, last week.

Upon the recent return of the first-ever Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean, Nickelodeon and Royal Caribbean International announced plans for two more joint journeys at sea together in summer of 2009.

Uniworld River Cruises announces special pay-in-full and early booking discounts on river cruises through Russia, and Ukraine, the Black Sea and Istanbul. By planning ahead, guests save money while experiencing the big, bold and beautiful destinations of Russia, and Ukraine, the Black Sea and Istanbul.

Carnival Cruise Lines is set to recategorize of all its stateroom accommodations, fleetwide, beginning with Carnival Valor on August 18. The rest of the “Fun Ship” fleet will be recategorized by the end of the year.

Cruise West has announced 26 itineraries for the 2009 season, including four new and one re-introduced cruise. The four new voyages will visit Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, the Danube River, the East Indies and Melanesia. The Vietnam itinerary is being re-introduced by popular demand. The 2009 cruises include stops in 29 countries and 165 ports worldwide.