One of my favorite indulgences while cruising is fine dining… and the cruise line have some of the best cuisine to be found- both at sea and on land.  This is due in great part to the effort they put into recruiting the best chefs, as demonstrated by the fact that  Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa will be aboard Crystal Serenity in May as Executive Chef in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar, his specialty restaurants with Crystal Cruises.

Foodies will be delighted to hear that world-renown Japanese chef plans to give cooking instructions, personally prepare dishes, take pictures with guests, and sign autographs during a 12-day western European/Mediterranean voyage departing May 24.

Oceania reports that the chef will provide the following opportunities for guests on that cruise:

• Nightly appearances and guest mingling in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar
• Special add-on “Omakase” dinner, with sake and sake champagne pairings chosen by Sake Master Fumio Hazu, the man behind Nobu’s exclusive “living” Hokosetsu sake, plus explanations of each course by both.
• Intimate hands-on cooking class in Crystal’s kitchen for 10-12 guests
• Cooking demonstration for all guests
• Autograph signings of “NOBU’S Vegetarian Cookbook” and “NOBU the Cookbook”
• Photo opportunities
• Sake tasting with Japanese hors d’oeuvres, hosted by Mr. Hazu

Chef Matsuhisa’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion has been served on board the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity since 2003 and 2008, respectively.  His role with Crystal is to personally train all chefs, design all menus, and make ship visits for ongoing improvement of the program.

In addition to Chef Matsuhisa, Chef Heinz Beck (of Rome’s three Michelin Star La Pergola), Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, and Master Sommelier Bob Bath are also scheduled to host tastings and demonstrations during the May 24 “Wine and Food”-themed cruise.  A seven-course “Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner” prepared by Beck and Bath will feature impossible-to-purchase fine wines for approximately $1,000/person.

The “Bordeaux and Beyond” sailing departs from London/Dover for Bordeaux/Bassens (overnight), Lisbon, Gibraltar, Monte Carlo (overnight), Florence/Livorno, Porto Venere, and Rome/Civitavecchia.

European Waterways, for those of you who are not familiar with the line, has a series of hotel barges that cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries.  They visit canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, and are ideal for people looking for an intimate cruise, either travelers of similar interests, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

This year, European Waterways has announced in their 2012 brochure that they are making a new addition to their fleet- the Panache.

The Panache is a 12-passenger, 128-foot luxury hotel barge that will cruise the canals of Holland and France.   It features 6 double/twin en-suite cabins, sundeck and spa pool, along with large public areas and a saloon with panoramic windows.

Voyages are beginning this spring (April and May) with a series of “tulip” cruises that begin and end in Haarlem.  These journeys will include a number of guided visits to attractions such as the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens, the world famous Delft pottery and the cheese centre of Gouda.

European Waterways reports that after cruising from Bruges down to Paris in late May, the Panache will reposition and cruise the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin from Nancy to Strasbourg in Alsace Lorraine.  This region has a unique mix of French and German cultures, Baroque and Romanesque architecture, storybook hamlets and wonderful white wines. Shore excursions will feature hilltop villages and chateaux, private wine tastings and negotiating the world’s largest ‘barge lift’ at Arzviller.

European Waterways’ hotel barge cruises aboard the Panache include a 6 night cruise, accommodation in an ensuite twin/double cabin, all meals and fine wines, an open bar, excursions and local transfers. Full boat charters are also available.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise has replaced the Carnival Inspiration in the port of Tampa, offering 4 and 5 day cruises to the western Caribbean. It joins the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend, which sails year-round seven-day Caribbean voyages from Tampa.

On this route, Carnival Paradise departs Thursdays on four-day cruises to Cozumel and on Mondays and Saturdays on five-day voyages to Cozumel and Grand Cayman.  (The Carnival Inspiration has relocated to Long Beach, Calif., to operate year-round three- and four-day cruises. )

Carnival is the only cruise line to offer year-round cruises from Tampa and has maintained a year-round presence since it launched seven-day Caribbean cruises in 1994.  This year, the line’s two-year-round ships, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Legend, are expected to carry an estimated 300,000 passengers from Tampa – a 10-fold increase versus Carnival’s first year of operations there.

Carnival Paradise offers a distinctive décor with dramatic public spaces that pay homage to great ocean liners of the past, with memorable venues such as the Queen Mary Lounge, Normandie Theater, Rotterdam Bar and the Leonardo Lounge.

The ship also features spacious, modern facilities and programming for children in three age groups, along with a three swimming pools, including one with a spiral water slide.  Dining options include two formal restaurants with extensive menus and wine lists and an expansive poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria.  Other features include a 12,000-square-foot health and fitness center, a jogging track, and Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat.

The always exclusive Azamara Club Cruises has added another special amenity to its line; it has become the only cruise line to introduce the European ‘About Rose’ collection of toiletry products on its ships, the Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey.

Created by master-perfumer Olivier Decoster, ‘About Rose’ blends rich product  and fragrance formulations to offer superior hair, bath and body products for both men and women.  Catered to the discerning traveler, these products will provide a spa-quality experience, right in a traveler’s own stateroom.

Decoster, the founder and artistic director for HD Fragrances, is widely recognized across the world for having created exclusive perfumed and fragrances for some of the world’s leading hotels, fashion design and interior design brands.  Trained in Grasse, France, perfume has been Decoster’s lifelong passion and he is one of few perfumers who also holds a medical degree.

Luxury cruise line Oceania has plans for the New Year; beginning in 2012, they will introduce two new beverage package options on their voyages.

The line’s first offering, House Wine and Beer, priced at $29.95 per guest, per day, includes house wine by the glass and beer with lunch and dinner in any dining venue or via room service. House wine options are from a selection of red and white wines that change daily.

An alternate choice is the Open Bar, priced at $49.95 per guest, per day, includes beer and premium house wine by the glass and most beverages on the bar menu. Guests can also order spirits and beer through room service. Premium house wine options are from an exclusive selection of featured red and white wines that change daily.

The new beverage package prices include gratuities and can be pre-booked online or through a reservations representative. They can also be purchased onboard at any time during the cruise, with prices prorated for the days remaining. Guests can upgrade packages during the sailing.

All Oceania Cruises guests will continue to enjoy unlimited complimentary soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees and teas on every sailing.

Thinking of a holiday cruise? Princess Cruises goes above and beyond for their holiday cruise celebrations, including “snow flurries” in their ship’s multi-storied atriums, holiday décor (including a Christmas tree mounted to the mast), and strolling carolers. The holiday spirit is carried on through the ship with gingerbread house-building competitions, holiday card making, turkey-carving demonstrations and a holiday variety show. Other entertainment options include a special holiday-themed Pop Choir, screenings of favorite holiday films, and a virtual Yule log that will turn the giant screens into the “world’s largest holiday fireplace.”

And of course Santa makes visit, with passengers receiving their own stocking on Christmas Eve.

Religious services are held on board, and passengers can choose a Catholic mass or a non-denominational church service performed by onboard clergy. Those observing Hanukkah can celebrate the Festival of Lights onboard with special Hanukkah activities, as well.

Those traveling on board can expect traditional Christmas dinner, replete with turkey, stuffing, and sumptuous desserts.

Children will be well entertained with a host of holiday activities… crafts, cookie decorating and caroling. They’ll be greeted by Santa Claus, and read “The Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve, as is a tradition with the line.

(Note: parents who want to enjoy a late-night holiday evening will benefit from free group kid-sitting sessions on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.)

Hanukkah is not forgotten, with special celebrations from December 20-28. There will be services, menorahs and fresh flower arrangements in blue, silver and white on display. Kosher meals are available, and kid’s centers will include activities such as a reading of “Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah.”

The line also puts on festive New Year’s Eve parties, which include music, noise-makers and a balloon drop to ring in the new year. On New Year’s Day, college bowl will be shown on the giant Movies Under the Stars screens or in shipboard lounges.

Need some ideas for great gift-giving while on a cruise? Check out this great article about being mobile for the holidays… and making gift-giving a cinch!

A cruise, especially one on a small ship or river cruise, is inherently romantic… a slower pace, time to explore some of the most beautiful places on earth, fine wine and cuisine.  I definitely recommend them for a romantic occasion such as a honeymoon or anniversary trip.

One of the awards given in the cruise industry is “Most Romantic Cruise Line” which was recently awarded (for the 7^th time in a row!) to Windstar Cruises by Porthole Cruise Magazine.  The 13th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards tallied several thousand reader’s ballots, and once again proclaimed Windstar the winner due to the yachts’ romantic ambience. (Windstar’s Wind Surf was also voted “Best Tall Ship”.)

In addition to its Porthole Cruise Magazine honors, Windstar Cruises has been recognized in 2011 by some of the most notable names in the travel and lifestyle world. Celebrated Living, American Airlines’ prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises “Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line” on their Platinum List for the fifth time in a row. Condé Nast Traveler listed Windstar on its Annual Gold List of “Best Cruise Lines,” named Windstar a “Top Small-Ship Cruise Line,” and all three of Windstar’s yachts were recognized in the magazine’s “Best Small Ships” Readers’ Poll. Earlier this year, Windstar was selected by Travel + Leisure as one of the top five “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines.”

Learn more about Windstar.

In conjunction with its tenth anniversary in 2012, AmaWaterways will introduce a new destination to its cruise lineup- Africa.  The new safari cruise, “Afica Safaris and Wildlife Cruise” will include a four-night cruise aboard the elegant MS Zambezi Queen,  specifically designed for wildlife viewing on the Chobe River.  The ship will travel along its banks to view the plethora of wildlife on this beautiful continent, and professional guides will lead daily wildlife excursions, offering the opportunity to spot elephant, rhino, hippo, and many more species that symbolize the African safari.

Guests of this itinerary will also have the choice of 3 land tours into the heart of Africa, visiting the expanses of the Serengeti, the awe-inspiring Chobe National Park, or the towering landscape of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Each tour finishes with two nights in Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most splendid sights.

In addition to the accommodations aboard the MS Zambezi Queen, passengers will stay at safari lodges, game camps and exclusive hotels throughout Africa.  They will also experience a visit to a local village, authentic “boma” dining, and delicious cuisine on board the ship.

Ranging from 16 to 19 days, the Africa program commences in June of 2012.

Thinking of booking a cruise? Now’s the time- it’s National Cruise Vacation Week!

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and 26 of it’s member lines are promoting the largest consumer vacation sale in the travel industry. The lines, listed below, are offering a wide array of discounts, add-ons and credits on travel throughout the world.