3 Feb
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:
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.
29 Mar
Crystal Cruises (a favorite luxury cruise line of mine) has a history of upgrading their award-winning luxury vacation experience every year with increased complimentary amenities, services and dining options. So it’s no surprise that in keeping with an industry movement towards a more all-inclusive cruise experience, Crystal Cruises is adding gratis gratuities and wine and bar service to its already extensive luxury services and amenities.
Effective Spring 2012, the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will include complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. The complimentary gratuity amenity also includes Penthouse butler service as well as service in all of Crystal’s fine specialty restaurants and sushi bar.
The new benefits will begin with each ship’s first Trans-Atlantic cruise in 2012. Crystal Symphony begins this new package on the “Beyond the Sea” sailing from Miami to Lisbon on March 19, 2012, and Crystal Serenity’s marks the start with its “New World to Norway” voyage from New York to London on May 8, 2012.
7 Jul
Travelers of all ages and fitness levels can now join the Wii revolution aboard Norwegian and Princess cruise ships. Nintendo of America has teamed with both cruise lines to bring the popular Wii Fit experience to passengers. A variety of active video game contests and tournaments aboard the ships showcase one’s athletic skill in four categories, including yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance. The events are led by crew members specially trained by Nintendo this spring. Wii Fit contests are being held in a variety of locations onboard, including ship atriums, poolside (on giant screens where available) and other public places.
Ultra luxury spa staterooms make debut on Holland America’s ms Eurodam
Luxury reaches new heights on the ms Eurodam, Holland America’s latest ship, with 56 spa staterooms located on the two highest decks. In addition to being located close to the ship’s renowned Greenhouse Spa and Salon, the rooms feature their own spa ambiance with organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, a Burmese teak mat for baths and showers, an invigorating showerhead, body buff Loofah Mitt and aroma therapy bath salts. The spa staterooms also feature an iPod docking station, yoga mat, a pedometer for use aboard the ship, fitness DVD, mini bar stocked with specialty waters, cut fruit and a spa concierge to book treatments. Rooms are decorated with soft earth-tone hues and bright, fresh green accents and a water feature provides a natural, soothing ambient background sound. The nightly turn-down service includes organic chocolate truffles, orchids and special Belgian chocolates fused with herbs known for their calming and relaxing benefits. Guests staying in the spa staterooms can order exclusive Greenhouse Spa packages in advance. These include Body of Indulgence with a hot stone massage and facial bamboo massage; Skin Renewal with facial rejuvenation acupuncture and marine facial; His Sanctuary with grooming treatment, shave and deep tissue massage; and Bliss for Two couple’s cabana massages.
More penthouses being added to the already posh Crystal Serenity
With more upscale cruisers looking for penthouse accommodations, Crystal Cruises is responding by remodeling the Crystal Serenity in November by adding eight new such suites. While many cruise ships are adding more rooms into limited space, the Serenity construction project will actually the ship’s guest capacity.
The 403 square-foot penthouses feature personal butler service, a large private verandah, sizeable living area, complimentary bar stocked with wine and liquor, Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, walk-in closet, flat screen television, DVD and CD player, Riedel glassware and complimentary pressing. Penthouse guests also can enjoy 24-hour in-stateroom dining from the Crystal dining room, or they can order-in from the ship’s specialty restaurants during dining hours.
After the dry dock conversion, the Serenity penthouses increase to 72, as well as 32 penthouse suites and four lavish 1,345 square-foot Crystal penthouses. Four of the new penthouses will connect with penthouse suites.
Private villas on Norwegian Gem offer plenty of private space for families and others
Norwegian Cruise Lines has taken cabin envy to a whole new level with the introduction of 4,390 square-foot Garden Villa staterooms aboard the new NCL Gem cruise ship. Each villa has three bedrooms and bathrooms, a living and dining room, whirlpool, wet bar and steam room. A shared courtyard and pool is surrounded by luxurious patio furniture and lush, potted plants. The villas are being targeted toward multi-generational families, reunion groups and friends who want to cruise together and share private space. NCL’s new Freestyle 2.0 program aboard the ship allows guests to dine at any of the 10 restaurants aboard the ship whenever. Guests can book dinner reservations or just show up. Television screens around the ship tell one where tables are available.
New ResortCompete.com Site for All-Inclusives Going Strong
All-inclusive resorts have a natural appeal for cruises who like the all-inclusive nature of cruising, but are ready to try something different. ResortCompete provides detailed information about individual resorts, and provides the same competitive quotes from sellers to help you get the best deal. Check it out today at: ResortCompete.com
31 Mar
Christine McCabe of Harbor Light Cruises has been a CruiseCompete member-agent for more than three years. Her daughter was recently diagnosed with Intracranial Hypertension (IH), a serious neurological disorder that causes excruciating headaches and blindness. There is no known cure.
Please join Chris on a special 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the new MSC Orchestra to help raise funds and awareness to help fund the IH Research Foundation (www.ihrfoundation.org).
This is a theme cruise featuring past stars of Major League Baseball. Great rates are available, and kids cruise free! For more information, please contact her by phone at 732-477-3385 or e-mail at chris@harborlightcruises.com.
Ruby Princess to Set Sail Earlier than Expected
Princess Cruises just announced the line’s newest ship, the Ruby Princess, is being delivered earlier than previously expected. Her inaugural voyage will now embark on November 8, for a seven-day Western Caribbean sailing, taking passengers to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays. If they wish, passengers who booked a trip on the Ruby Princess’ previously scheduled inaugural cruise will have the opportunity to change their cruise to the new inaugural voyage date. Duplicate bookings have been made for all passengers, guaranteeing the same cabin on the new voyage.
Regent Entertainment Now Includes Ballroom Dancers, Industry’s Largest Live Orchestras
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has completed a multi-million dollar entertainment upgrade aboard three of its ships, including professional ballroom dance teams, exciting new productions and the largest live orchestra aboard any luxury cruise line. Capitalizing on the current ballroom dancing craze, several shows feature Regent dancers performing original choreography that showcases Latin, swing, waltz and other dance styles. The dancers offer complimentary lessons for guests on days at sea. The new shows include cabaret revues and five feature productions, including the musical “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and “Romance Romance”. The nine-piece Regent Signature Orchestra lends concert-quality support to the shows aboard the Seven Seas Mariner, Voyager and Navigator cruise ships.
Crystal Wine and Food Festival Cruise Features European Flair
Crystal Cruises guests will savor 14 special culinary excursions during the Crystal Serenity’s Wine and Food Festival cruise this summer, from July 31 to August 12. The voyage includes a delicious tour of coastal France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia – a region known for its bountiful delicacies. Travelers will immerse themselves in the rich flavors and the culinary heritage specific to each region.
Shore tours include wine tasting in four countries and multi-course meals in spectacular settings such as the Isle of Capri and Dubrovnik’s ancient sea port. New excursions include:
Onboard highlights include cooking demonstrations and a chef’s dinner by world-renowned Italian chef Gualtiero Marchesi, the first chef in Italy to be awarded three coveted Michelin Stars. Master Sommelier Robert Bath and wine educator Philip di Belardino also will be aboard for wine tasting and educational sessions.
17 Mar
Parents taking a cruise with tween or teenage children know these kids enjoy their space as much at sea as they do at home. The world’s most popular cruise lines have long recognized this and now offer more special hangouts and activities exclusively for them than ever before.
Combine this space with plenty of activities for the whole family and it is easy to see why cruises make for memorable family vacations, no matter what one’s age. Special pricing for children up to 17 years-old generally applies on many cruises which makes a cruise a true travel value.
For example, a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) can enjoy an early December seven-night cruise with cabin credits, complimentary photos and a special gift to the Western Caribbean in a verandah cabin, with Holland America for $2,380.00, including taxes, fees and fuel surcharges . That is less than $85. Per person, per day for the family’s onboard verandah cabin accommodations, 24/7 room service for those hungry teenagers, all dining options and most entertainment – including plenty for tweens and teens to do.
The following is a sample of the coolest places for older youth to hang out at sea in safe and secure settings:
Holland America Line
For the past two years, teens traveling on HAL cruise ships have enjoyed the Loft, a special lounge area designed to resemble a New York artist’s studio. The setting includes music and videos, comfortable furniture, Internet access stations, video games and karaoke, big screen TVs and more. A secluded passageway leads upstairs to the Oasis, a teens-only sundeck featuring a nine-foot waterfall and cooling cave. Teens can sunbathe during the day and dance under the stars at night to the beat of a state-of-the-art sound system and laser show.
Royal Caribbean International
The cruise line’s Voyager Class ships are a floating paradise for teenagers. The Living Room invites kids to hangout during the day, stocked with computers, books and games. The Back Deck provides teens with a place to sunbathe together and enjoy a buffet dinner. Fuel, the teens-only disco, is open until 2 a.m. and also provides a great place to mingle and meet new friends.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The Norwegian Dawn and Jewel feature the line’s most elaborate and largest teen clubs. The Underground lounge features computers, big-screen TVs and dance floor. Youth 17-and-under have their own cinema for nightly movies or an afternoon matinee.
Disney Cruise Line
A little Disney magic makes cruising memorable for teens too. They are invited to spend time with their peers in the Aloft lounge on the Disney Wonder and The Stack on the Disney Magic. Both of these teen-only hangouts feature music, movies, video games, plasma TVs, dance floor, Internet cafe and other activities. In addition, Disney hosts the H2O Splashdown and Party in Paradise farewell bash exclusively for teens.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival’s youth-oriented programming was recently expanded to include exclusive new Circle C clubs for 12-14 year-olds. Each features a dance floor, high-tech sound and lighting, monster plasma TVs with movies and music videos, touch screen jukeboxes and gaming centers with 20-inch plasma game screens. A number of ships have already been retrofitted with Circle C facilities, with several more are scheduled for this year and the entire fleet by 2010. Carnival’s Club 02 facilities continue to be very popular with teen’s ages 15-17 year-olds. In addition to a pulsating dance floor and the latest music and lighting systems, Club O2 features a teen-oriented library and lounge with non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Princess Cruises
The cruise line’s Grand Class ships have the largest facilities for teens. The Off Limits teen center includes plenty of games, movies, big-screen TVs and jukeboxes. On the Grand, Golden and Star Princess, teens can use their own Jacuzzi and sun deck.
Celebrity Cruises
This cruise line’s Celebrity X-Club Youth Program does offer teens plenty to do, especially during the summer and holiday family travel seasons. This includes supervised theme parties, pool games, movies, sports tournaments, karaoke, talent shows, fitness activities and play stations.
Regent Seven Seas
Ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas also offers teen programs. Regent’s Club Mariner operates during the summer and select holiday sailings and gives tween and teen travelers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exciting, interactive activities, including whale watching in Alaska and artist classes on tropical cruises, plus other unique adventure and cultural opportunities.
Crystal Cruises
Select Crystal sailings during the summer and holidays also offer older youth things to do without their parents on ultra-luxury cruises. These include games, arts and crafts, video games and other activities under the supervision of experienced activities directors. The Crystal Symphony and Serenity also feature Waves, a teen video arcade.
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18 Feb
Did you know Carnival Cruise Lines expects to host 600,000 kids this year – the most in the industry?
Families are particularly attracted to the line’s youth-oriented programming, which was recently expanded with the introduction of Circle C, an on-board program exclusively for 12-14 year-olds. It complements Carnival’s other youth programs, including Camp Carnival for younger kids and Club O2 for 15-17 year-olds. A number of ships have already been retrofitted with Circle C facilities, including the Carnival Legend, Pride, Victory and Valor. By the end of this year, the Carnival Imagination, Inspiration, Liberty, Fantasy, Paradise and Glory will be updated, with the rest of the fleet retrofitted by 2010.
To help celebrate the launch of Circle C, Carnival is offering especially attractive rates for families, just in time for the summer travel season. On select cruises, prices for the third and fourth guests in a stateroom start at $199 per person on three-day cruises and $329 per person on seven-day voyages.
The focal point of Circle C activities are custom-designed clubs, providing this age group with a place to call their own on-board. Each features a dance floor, high-tech sound and lighting, monster plasma TVs with movies and music videos, touch-screen jukeboxes with the latest music hits and video gaming centers with 20-inch plasma screens. Other Circle C program activities include basketball, volleyball and water games, as well as late-night movies and nighttime pool parties.
Soar Over Italy’s Breathtaking Landscapes on a Crystal Cruise
With guests clamoring for one-of-a-kind shore experiences, Crystal Cruises is expanding its Crystal Adventures in Italy program with a number of truly unique excursion opportunities. This year, guests can skip sea travel and take to the air on a number of special helicopter adventures, enabling them to soar high over the Amalfi Coast, Mount Etna, the Dolomites and vast portions of the Italian countryside. The high-flying trips are available on 16 Mediterranean itineraries aboard the Crystal Serenity and Symphony cruise ships.
Available from Rome, Venice, Taormina and Sorrento, the sky adventures include:
Mount Etna by Helicopter
In addition to majestic views of Europe’s largest volcano, guests visit picturesque Taormina, with plenty of time for exploring.
Majestic Dolomites by Helicopter
Aerial sites include Venice, Treviso, the Piave River, Longarone, Mount Civetta and Belluna, as well as lunch on land in Cortina d’ Ampezzo.
Etruscan Landscapes by Helicopter
Taking off from Tarquinia, travelers fly over Lake Bracciano, Lake Vico and Rome. They also make a special visit to Civita, dating back to 3,000 B.C.
Aerial of Amalfi Coast to Capri
Flying over the Dolomitic Cliffs, Positano, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii and Naples, guests dine at Capri’s Grand Hotel Quisisana, a favorite spot of the local elite and celebrities.
New Cruise Travel Survey IDs Most Popular Destinations
A new survey of North American cruise travel trends based on actual 2007 bookings is out and the findings are revealing.
According to the data, the most popular short-itinerary trips (1-5 days) were five-day voyages to the Western Caribbean. Four-day trips to the Bahamas came in a distant second. The top mid-length cruise itinerary (6-8 days) was seven days in Alaska, followed closely by the Western Caribbean. The most popular long cruises (9 days or more) were dominated by 12-day Mediterranean voyages, with ten-day Southern Caribbean cruises coming in second.
St. Thomas remains the most popular Caribbean island and port of call. Grand Cayman came in second and St. Maarten/St. Martin jumped to the third spot ahead of Cozumel. Rome captured the top spot among Mediterranean ports, with Venice and Barcelona rounding out the top three. The most-visited European ports (non-Mediterranean) included St. Petersburg, London and Copenhagen. The top recommended Mediterranean shore excursions included private, guided tours of the Vatican; city tours of Rome; and tours of the ruins of Pompeii and Ephesus.
21 Jan
If your ideal cruise vacation actually involves a set of golf clubs, now is the chance to tee it up at sea and play at some of the most picturesque and challenging golf links found anywhere in the world.
In addition to personalized on-board professional golf instruction and the chance to meet tour pros, a number of cruise lines offer special land excursions to unforgettable golf destinations throughout the Caribbean, South Pacific, Mediterranean and Mexico.
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has expanded its popular “Silver Links” golf program to 12 cruises in 2008. Golfers can perfect their swing on 35 world-class courses in 16 countries and islands. The golfing excursions, arranged and escorted by a ship’s golf professional, range in price from course to course and include transfers, pull or power-drive carts (where available) and all green and caddy fees.
The following is but a sampling of the Silver Links voyages and golf courses to be played by cruisers this year:
Silver Shadow departs May 16 on a 15-day Panama Canal crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles, with golf excursions to La Iguana at Los Suenos (Puntarenas); Tres Vidas Golf Club (Acapulco); and El Tigre Golf Club (Puerto Vallarta).
Silver Whisper leaves July 19 on a 7-day Mediterranean sailing from Rome to Monte Carlo; golfers can play at Golf Park Mallorca (Palma de Mallorca); PGA at Catalunya Golf Club (Barcelona); Servannes Golf Club (Sete); and Sainte Maxime Golf Club (St. Tropez).
Silver Whisper departs Aug. 16 on a 7-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Rome, with golf excursions to Cannes Mougins Golf Club (Menton); Cosmopolitan Golf Club (Livorno); and the Monte Carlo Golf Club.
Silver Shadow leaves Sept. 17 on an 11-day Mexican Riviera voyage from Los Angeles to Costa Rica, with rounds at Cabo del Sol Desert Course (Cabo San Lucas); El Tigre Golf Club (Puerto Vallarta); Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo); and Tres Vidas Golf Club (Acapulco).
Silver Shadow departs Dec. 3 on a 9-day Caribbean sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados; golfers can play at Antigua’s Cedar Valley Golf Club, the St. Lucia Golf & Country Club and Sandy Lane Country Club in Barbados.
Silver Whisper takes a 15-day holiday cruise to the South Pacific, leaving Dec. 20 from Sydney to Auckland. Tee times are set at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Royal Hobart Golf Club, St. Clair golf Club (Dunedin), Clearwater Golf Club (Christchurch), Paraparaumu Golf Club (Wellington), Cape Kidnappers Golf Club (Napier), Kauri Cliffs Golf Club (Bay of Islands) and the Tauranga Golf Club.
Crystal Cruises also has expanded its golf-themed cruises for 2008. Guests can tee off on three 11- and 12-day golf fests, teeing off in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and the maritime coast of Canada and New England. PGA pros will join Crystal guests at such courses as the Monte Carlo Club, situated high above the French Riviera; Spain’s El Saler Golf Course; and Lisbon’s Penha Longa Golf Course at the foot of the Sintra Mountain Range. In addition to championship golf ashore and onboard events, golfers can compete in one-in-one competitions for a chance to win a free cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new Golf Bermuda program, giving its golf-loving guests more opportunities to hit the links in Bermuda, where there are more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Golf Bermuda has excursions for every level of golfer at the island’s most popular and scenic courses:
Ocean View Golf Course, just outside of Hamilton, is rated “four stars” by Golf Digest.
The challenging 6,100-yard Belmont Hills Golf Club was designed by famed course designer Algie M. Pulley, Jr.
Mid Ocean Golf Club, located in scenic Tucker Town, has challenged the biggest names in golf today.
Port Royal Golf Course, operated by the Bermuda government for more than 40 years, offers some of the most challenging holes on the island.
Tucker’s Point Golf Club, ranked by Travel + Leisure Golf as one of the top golf resorts in the Caribbean.
St. George’s Golf Course, featuring ocean views at every hole.
Riddell’s Bay Golf Club, Bermuda’s oldest golf course and described by locals as a “must play”.