HAL Sends Flagship ms Rotterdam to Alaska in 2010

Yipes,  cruise lines are already promoting Alaska voyages and we’re not even into the new year.  I’ve done about a dozen cruises to our last frontier and recommend it to everyone. And I do mean “all.”

The first time we sailed to Alaska, my husband Richard and I and a good friend (who had his own cabin) it was during what I refer to as my “bimbo with brains” day, today I might say my Sarah Palin time, although I don’t think I was ever that…… (you fill in the blank). The ship was nice but old and none of the bells and whistles of today’s vessels. In fact we only had port holes, today I won’t board a ship unless I have a guaranteed balcony.

Anyhow, I just partied on for 10 days oblivious to the fantastic scenery, flora, fauna, elk, tundra or basically anything off the ship. In fact Richard and our friend Bob got off the ship to explore the ports while I got massages and worked out. Then a little older and wiser I sailed again, this time on the maiden voyage of the super luxe Crystal Harmony and while the ship was first in class at the time and one of the most amazing luxury liners to ever sail the seas, I was able to concentrate on the scenery and shore excursions. Okay it wasn’t easy leaving the spa or hot tub.

Anyhow I discovered Alaska in all it’s glory and it is God’s country, pristine, amazingly beautiful. While it’s impossible to fill you in on all the ships heading north to Alaska next year, Holland American just announced that it’s flagship ms Rotterdam–complete with staterooms that sport balconies or what the company calls “lanais” will be making 18 cruises to the area from Seattle starting May 15-September 11. The voyages highlight the inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay –North America’s largest tidewater glacier. According to a recent press release: Under Holland America’s $525-million Signature of Excellence program, the Rotterdam gains 39 new lanai staterooms, created by replacing existing stateroom windows (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade. The ship also adds 23 new spa staterooms, featuring a variety of enhanced spa amenities, on its Verandah Deck. All staterooms and bathrooms will receive complete new décor and furnishings. Public areas will host the Retreat, a resort pool feature; the Showroom at Sea, a glamorous nightclub; and Mix, a new concept with three separate bars: Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Canaletto, Holland America Line’s popular and complimentary casual Italian restaurant, will also be added to the ship. Cruise-only fares start at US $649, per person, double occupancy, for a seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruise on the Rotterdam. 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com. # # # our last frontier and recommend it to everyone. And I do mean “all.” The first time we sailed from Vancouver to Alaska, my husband Richard and I and a good friend (who had his own  cabin) it was during what I refer to as my “bimbo with brains” day, today I might say my Sarah Palin time, although I don’t think I was ever that…… (you fill in the blank). The ship was nice but old and none of the bells and whistles of today’s vessels. In fact we only had port holes, today I won’t board a ship unless I have a guaranteed balcony. Anyhow, I just partied on for 10 days oblivious to the fantastic scenery, flora, fauna, elk, tundra or basically anything off the ship. In fact Richard and our friend Bob got off the ship to explore the ports while I got massages and worked out. Then a little older and wiser I sailed again, this time on the maiden voyage of the super luxe Crystal Harmony and while the ship was first in class at the time and one of the most amazing luxury liners to ever sail the seas, I was able to concentrate on the scenery and shore excursions. Okay it wasn’t easy leaving the spa or hot tub. Anyhow I discovered Alaska in all it’s glory and it is God’s country, pristine, amazingly beautiful. While it’s impossible to fill you in on all the ships heading north to Alaska next year, Holland American just announced that it’s flagship ms Rotterdam–complete with staterooms that sport balconies or what the company calls “lanais” will be making 18 cruises to the area from Seattle starting May 15-September 11. The voyages highlight the inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay –North America’s largest tidewater glacier. According to a recent press release: Under Holland America’s $525-million Signature of Excellence program, the Rotterdam gains 39 new lanai staterooms, created by replacing existing stateroom windows (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade. The ship also adds 23 new spa staterooms, featuring a variety of enhanced spa amenities, on its Verandah Deck. All staterooms and bathrooms will receive complete new décor and furnishings. Public areas will host the Retreat, a resort pool feature; the Showroom at Sea, a glamorous nightclub; and Mix, a new concept with three separate bars: Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Canaletto, Holland America Line’s popular and complimentary casual Italian restaurant, will also be added to the ship. Cruise-only fares start at US $649, per person, double occupancy, for a seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruise on the Rotterdam. 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com

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Silverseas New Spirit On Schedule for December 23 Debut

Photos compliments of Silversea Cruises

It’s so exciting, a brand new member of the tiny Silversea Cruises fleet is about to set sail and I can’t wait. I love this cruise line, it’s simply one of the best afloat with seamless service, scrumptious cuisine, upscale, but not stuff ambiance, all-inclusive rates and suite-size staterooms that engulf you in the lap of luxury.
The 540-passenger Silver Spirit makes her bow on a “Holiday Spirit” voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon. .
The new vessels will feature two new dining options for a total of six venues in addition to in-suite service, which includes dinner served course by course.
What Makes Her Special let me count the ways:
* Exceptional attention to details. * Open seating  dining. *Artfully prepared meals made from the finest quality fresh ingredients by master chefs with a taste for innovation. *Complimentary wines, spirits and sodas and the comfort of an extensive stock of additional rare vintages, the perfect complement to the meal is always at hand.
* THE RESTAURANT Situated midship on Deck 4, dishing out sumptuous culinary fare in an atmosphere of elegance. It is elegant but not at all stuffy – the perfect stage for a dining experience guests want to savor. Open most of the day, The Restaurant serves open-seating breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features contemporary international cuisine, complemented by La Collection du Monde, signature dishes created by Relais & Châteaux in partnership with Silversea’s own master chefs.
*LA TERRAZZA The far aft location of La Terrazza on Deck 7 allows for 180-degree views of the horizon. It is open for casual, buffet-style breakfast and lunch with indoor/outdoor seating available. For dinner, La Terrazza offers an authentic a la carte experience with only the finest elements of Italian cooking, melding together fresh and flavorful ingredients — in the finest Slow Food tradition. Reservations are required for dinner.
* LE CHAMPAGNE for savoring outstanding champagnes and wines paired to perfection with regional fares in the intimate atmosphere of Le Champagne, situated aft of The Restaurant on Deck 4. This innovative Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux features some of the world’s rarest vintages, carefully chosen to highlight a most memorable and exclusive culinary experience. There is a fee to dine and reservations may be made on board.
*SEISHIN new to the fleet, the dining venue takes its name from the Japanese word for “spirit,” this intimate restaurant specializing in Asian fusion cuisine is situated aft of The Restaurant on Deck 4. Seishin features a large, round chef’s table as its centerpiece. Guests at surrounding tables can watch the chef at work sculpting fresh sushi and sashimi. The varied menu ranges from exquisite bento (boxed meal) lunches and a la carte specialties of seafood salad, lobster and Kobe beef to a nine-course degustation dinner. There is a fee to dine and reservations may be made on board.
* STARS SUPPER CLUB also new, the Art Deco-inspired decor of this dining venue elegantly recalls the supper clubs of the 1930s. Located just forward of La Terrazza on Deck 7, Stars Supper Club offers a modern twist with trendsetting menus showcasing regional and seasonal delicacies to be enjoyed in a succession of small courses. Guests can arrive early for cocktails and stay late as the mood is transformed by live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. Reservations are required for dinner.
*POOL GRILL On Deck 9 adjacent to the pool area is the Pool Grill. In addition to a medley of salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs offered for lunch in a casual outdoor setting, the Pool Grill on Silver Spirit will introduce a wellness breakfast designed to complement morning poolside fitness classes. Here guests can start the day energized with a menu of light and delicious fares — from nutrition-packed fresh fruit smoothies and organic cereals to egg-white omelettes and spinach and artichoke frittatas. Also set to debut at the Pool Grill is a unique cooking concept for dinner that lets guests cook healthy fare on their own heated volcanic rock plate.
SUPER SPA  where I’ve had some of the best treatments on land or sea (on her sister ships of course, obviously I haven’t yet done the Spirit, but hope to.

*24-HOUR IN-SUITE DINING Complimentary 24-hour room service is available on all Silversea voyages.  Let me tell  you, my husband and I enjoyed this amenity many times of her sister ships and it’s simply divine. We always began with champagne on the veranda (there’s complimentary bottles in the mini fridge) and then maybe a first course out there and then move into the suite and watch a movie while finishing the meal. (Videos are free of charge). You get to order straight from the  Restaurant menu and  are served in courses ona beautifully set table of  fine china, linens and accessories as enjoyed in The Restaurant.

A  luxury cruise trendsetter Silversea raised the bar when they entered service and began spoiling passengers such as we with unheard of exemplory service, cuisine and amenities. 
Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper — and launching in December, Silver Spirit — all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance.
In addition to the large, inviting pool, passengers can get all the exerc ise needed to work off the mega calories in the fine fitness room or in special workout classes led by some of the best trainers around.  I am a spa snob, spa expert and can unabashedly aver that I’ve taken some of the best Pilates Classes, aerobics and Yoga sessions on Silversea ships (and I go regularly to the Golden Door, the top spa in the world). Also, there is no nickle and diming on this line like runs rampant on many other ships.

Yes it cost more but it’s well worth the all-inclusive fare that includes gratuities, hard and soft drinks, and much more. For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent. For a complimentary brochure, please call toll-free (877) 215-9986 or visit www.silversea.com

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Concierge Services and Great Deals Offered by Silversea

My favorite cruise company, Silversea is

continuing to offer unprecedented savings on a bunch of interesting voyages this year. If you haven’t sampled the fare yet now is the time to book your journey. Silversea is simply one of the top three cruise lines afloat (tied with Seabourn).  Silversea ships debateably rival  Crystal Cruises– although not  everybody, some seafarers prefer larger ships like Crystal operates to the smaller vessels of Silversea.  And I do admit Crystal is pretty spiffy but alas it doesn’t feature the all-inclusive pricing of Silversea which means lots of extra out of pocket. But if you prefer bigger, glitzier ships with Vegas like casinos, Crystal’s your bag.

So here’s the deal: Silverseas is offering  50% savings on 39 worldwide voyages offering 50% savings in all suite categories. Plus, an array of Silver Sailing voyages offer additional perks such as free or reduced air programs … and $1,000 Onboard Spending Credits.

  An innovator in true upscale cruising, Silverseas offers  large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper — and launching in December, Silver Spirit — all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.  www.silversea.com

Visiting the best beaches in the world is just one of the perks of cruising….. 

New Concierge Service

Silversea’s new concierge service lets passengers design their own unique experiences ashore with the introduction of its new “Silver Shore Concierge” service.

Passengers or travel agent can  call the dedicated toll-free phone line, 1-800-968-9518, or email concierge@silversea.com, to request assistance in making personalized, private onshore arrangements.  The Silver Shore Concierge desk can be reached from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (East Coast time, U.S.), Monday through Friday.

“The new Silver Shore Concierge desk has been created to provide our guests with one-to-one consultations and creative assistance,” said Darius Mehta, Silversea’s director of land programs.  ”Our team of destination experts are happy to set up arrangements to meet a guest’s specific requirements, tailored to their personal interests, or help guests design their own one-of-a-kind onshore experience.”

The Silver Shore Concierge arrangements could include not only sightseeing but also sporting activities, and securing behind-the-scenes or after-hours access to exclusive designer shops, museums, cathedrals and more.  Other possibilities might include a champagne picnic and hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, access to a designer’s atelier in Venice, or a journey through Juneau’s glacier-carved fjords by private catamaran.

Additionally, guests can call upon the Silver Shore Concierge to plan pre- and post-cruise land adventures that include accommodations at some of the world’s best hotels, flights, ground transportation, and guided tours of historical sites and other attractions.

To take advantage of the new service, Silversea guests will need to have a deposited or fully-paid booking.  Payment for confirmed arrangements is made in advance of sailing and includes a service fee.  

The Silver Shore Concierge is also offered aboard ship, where the shore concierge manager and team, together with the destination specialist, are available to assist guests with suggestions, planning and coordination of all their independent touring needs.

The Concierge service is the centerpiece of an array of new Silver Shore tour and hotel offerings designed to make the destination experience more personal and authentic, including:

** Silver Shore Privato — lets guests experience the destination at their own pace on full or half-day excursions by private car or van service that can be reserved on board or in advance of sailing via Silversea.com/MyVoyage.  

** Silver Shore Expedition — adventurous and educational tours for the active explorer.

** Silver Shore Collection — unique and exclusive in-depth explorations of local history and culture.

** Silver Shore Excursions — intimate and rewarding small-group touring.

** Silver Shore Land Adventures — multi-day excursions that head inland to explore the region in depth.  Offered before, after or during select voyages, they include accommodations, porterage, all transfers, sightseeing and some meals.

** Silver Shore Simply Hotel — single-night programs that feature a 4.5- or 5-star hotel stay before or after the cruise at such properties as the InterContinental Athenaeum in Athens, the Park Tower in Buenos Aires or Rome’s Bernini Bristol.  These flexible overnight stays offer guests the option to add transfers, additional nights or upgrades, if desired.

** Silver Shore Grande Hotel — two-night programs that enable guests to extend their vacation at Claridge’s in London, the Peninsula in Bangkok and other landmark hotel or boutique properties across the globe.  Full breakfast and private transfer between the pier and hotel are included.

All Silver Shore tours are available for guests to pre-book online as early as 120 days prior to sailing.  Silver Shore Land Adventures and hotel options can be booked as add-ons to the cruise vacation through Silversea reservations.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper — and launching in December, Silver Spirit — all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance.  With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.  

Holland America Says Aloha To Hawaii in 2010 With New Cruises

HAL heads to Hawaii

Ready to start planning your 2010 vacation. How about a leisurely cruise to Hawaii from San Diego. Nothing like it. Your savvyseafarer has made  this voyage a dozen or more times. And now Holland America’s 1,432-passenger  Zaandam sets sail on 14-day roundtrippers from San Diego–and one 15-day voyage from Vancouver, British Colombia, to San Diego–beginning October  2010 through December.  
 
Nestled between two stretches of sea days are back-to-back calls at Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui — plus a call at Ensenada, Mexico — before returning to San Diego. Included in the Hawaii cruise roster is a holiday sailing departing Dec. 19.Of course you must book a stateroom with a private balcony, it’s the only way to cruise to Hawaii or anywhere, at least your Savvy Seafarer thinks so. I rarely fly coach and never  sail in a cabin without a veranda.
 
“Our Hawaiian itineraries combine the appeal of warm-water cruising and a port-intensive Pacific island experience,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. “Guests will have time to enjoy our shipboard amenities and activities, and the convenience of visiting four ports in four days without multiple flights or the packing and unpacking associated with island hopping.”
 
Departing Sundays from San Diego, guests will have several relaxing days at sea before arriving at Hawaii. During this time, they can enjoy a day at the Greenhouse Spa, channel their inner chef at the Culinary Arts Center for a hands-on cooking class or attend a Digital Workshop powered by Windows® to learn how to share memorable photos taken on the voyage. The Speaker Series offers exciting insights into upcoming ports and includes destination-related topics such as Polynesian music and dance traditions.
 
The first port call is to Hilo on the big island of Hawaii –with excursions to the amazing Kilauea Volcano — with its impressive molten lava flows, botanical gardens and the awe-inspiring Akaka Falls.  En route to Oahu,  the ship will offer  an evening at the Polynesian Cultural Centers or other Hawaiian must-dos: whale watching, a traditional Hawaiian luau, a stroll down Waikiki beach or even surfing. For a more reflective view into Hawaii’s past, guests can visit the USS Arizona Memorial from World War II.

Pax  on the 15-day voyage departing Oct. 2 have an added call at Kona, once known as the playground of Hawaii’s royalty. Kona is synonymous with the famous coffee that grows on the slopes of dormant Hualalai volcano, a definite must-see for coffee aficionados. Another highlight of this longer voyage is an evening scenic cruise past the famous Kilauea volcano. 

Your Savvy Seafarer has sailed on a variety of Holland America ships and gives the cruise lines 4 Stars for service, ambience and accommodations and 3 to 4 stars for cuisine–it depends where  you dine. The dining rooms offer good fare while the alternative venues usually offer more haute cuisine especially since the chefs have fewer mouths to feed and can put their best efforts forward.

 Fares: start  at $1,499 per person for the full 14-day Circle Hawaii and $1,699 per person for the 15-day voyage.

 For a cruise brochure or for more information on Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

 

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To Book or Not to Book Shore Excursions

       The Savvyseafarer’s Pros and Cons of Shore Excursions

                   Seeing the world by cruise ships is the most seamless way to go. You can visit dozens of different islands or cities without the hassle of repacking and boarding countless airplanes. And to make it more convenient (and add to corporate profits) cruise line offered a variety of organized shore excursions for an additional fee.  

     But to book a shore excursion or head off on your own, that is the question. The answer banks on your budget, inclinations and tolerance for potentially long lines, crowded busses and sometimes excruciatingly long shopping stops.  

Port tours vary in price depending on cruise line and can run you anywhere from $50 and up a person for a simple snorkel or walking excursion to well over $100 each for such higher-priced options as golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides and visits to ancient ruins. Some lines even offer overnight excursions to city hotels, or private limousine tours that can run $400 a person and up.      

       Monte Carlo

The bottom line is shore excursions are worth it if you want to venture to attractions located far from the pier, have easy access to historic monuments, forts, castles and learn more about an area.  However if all you want to do is walk around a port  town, shop or go to a beach it could be much cheaper and less time consuming to get a map and go it on your own. For instance: In most Caribbean ports shops and even some attractions are a stone’s throw from the ship, but good beaches are a cab ride away. (Although it still might be less expensive to hail a taxi to the beach than participate in tour).  In St. Barths, one of the best beaches, Shell Beach, is just a stroll from the pier and the island is pretty maneuverable on foot.

In big cities it makes better sense to pop for a tour. It is also wiser to take a shore excursion in any Third World country or foreign port where language and customs present a barrier.  For example in Brunei you would definitely want to take the guided tour to sites such as the biggest mosque in Asia– Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. You’d probably never find it on your own or much less pronounce the name correctly. And without guidance may not be aware that local custom mandates covering your body from head toe in long pants, long skirt, and long sleeves.  More than one cruise passenger has appeared scantily clad at the mosque steps. Fortunately the locals are used to this and have robes available to drape over visitors). 

Of course whether on your own or in an organized group you should dress properly where touring.

Locals operate most port tours and cruise lines are pretty much at their mercy. This can be a good thing or a bad in the case of a recent visit to Costa Rica. We were booked on a rain forest trek. Our giddy young female tour operators kept warning us that since it was late in the morning we may not spot any denizens in the area. “We don’t why they send you so late,” they moaned, “the animals are only around in the early morning.” Well one reason it was late was the ship doesn’t arrive any earlier. Which the cruise line should have thought about before adding this tour to the program. Well not only didn’t we see any creatures of the woods, we pretty much didn’t see anything but millions of ants. A spectacle that seemed to fascinate our guide who made us stop for a seeming eternity to watch them cross our path. Needless to say there were many complaints. Not the least of which was about the non-stop blabbing of our guidettes. Which may have been a good thing had it been interesting. It wasn’t.

However in French Polynesia we walked off our ship and into the arms of local tour operators who took us snorkeling, diving and to the beach at half the price charged by the cruise line.

Shore excursion comfort factors vary from ship to ship. Princess Cruises’ New Waves snorkel and scuba trips can’t be beat. Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn and Radisson Seven Seas also run a tight ship with handpicked tours that usually run smoothly. 

Alas too many tours translate into lengthy bus rides, and too much time in souvenir shops. Following a long, hot, but worthwhile tour of the Acropolis outside of Athens, passengers who thought they were being driven directly back to their ship were squirreled into a tacky little shop belonging to the tour guide’s brother-in-law. 

The best way to decide on a shore excursion is by reading the brochure thoroughly. Keep a look out for red flags such as:  “once there you will have two hours to swim, snorkel, beach comb or just relax.”  Now while that doesn’t sound so bad, we’re talking a 6-hour tour that includes two hours on a catamaran.  And while champagne and drinks may be proffered (usually bad bubbly besides) do you really want to spend four hours on a boat after being on a ship! Maybe you do.  But think about it. The length of the tour is always noted in the brochure deduct time spent getting there to time available once at your destination to decide if this is a good thing or not. For some reason unknown to this seafarer, shore excursions have gotten longer. On a recent cruise it was difficult to find any less than 5 hours long.  A couple of hours in a cat or sailboat may not to be tough duty; the same amount of time in a bus may not be that pleasant.

Shore excursion managers  are eager to please , answer  questions and of course book business.  So  be sure to discuss the excursion in detail  before you plunk down your dough. Some tours involve strenuous treks in hot, humid climes. Cruise lines are quick o point this out to avoid liability or problems. Be sure to pick tours that you can handle physically.

One final caveat:  the bigger the  ship, the faster shore excursions sell out, so if you still want to take an organized tour, don’t delay, book it soon after you embark or on line if the cruise line permits.

It’s also a good idea to get your hands on a few good guidebooks to learn about  the ports of calls  you’ll be visiting or surf the web.

Making A Case for Long Cruises

 Making A Case For  Long Cruises

For the Savvyseafarer a  one week cruise is simply too short. It takes at least two days to adapt and get my sea legs, especially on a new ship. Ten days work better, two weeks are even more enjoyable and well a month is ideal–on the right ship.

We’ve taken a few 28-day and longer journeys and it’s amazing how quickly the time flies.  We actually got off the ships in better shape than we started.  We jogged, swam, worked out in the gym, took  Pilates, Step, and aerobic classes,  had massages, facials and assorted body treatments, attended riveting lectures, learned Spanish, saw late run movies, dined in fine restaurants, read several books, checked our email daily, made new friends, went to musical and comedy shows, sunned, relaxed and visited five countries.  

 Who says there’s nothing to do on a cruise?  Well lots of people. But they are wrong. Very wrong.

 My husband and I have not only been on several cruises but on at least half dozen voyages of 21 days or more. When we tell friends and family that we’re taking such a long voyage they invariably raise an eyebrow and comment, “Won’t you be bored? Whatever will you do?”

 Plenty folks. Contrary to popular belief, days on board a ship can be as chuck full as you’d like. Especially today, and of course if you select he right ship and stateroom.

We prefer small luxury liners with suites. The bigger the quarters the better for longer voyages. However folks who really want non-stop activities should lean toward mega ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance, Radiance and other ships Of-the-Sea, Princess’ Grand and Coral class ships, Celebrity’s behemoth fleet and Holland America’s newest vessels.  On some of them you’ll find rock climbing walls, huge fitness centers, generous spas, basketball courts, paddle tennis, golf, an assortment of dining venues, Vegas-like casinos, lavish showrooms and productions and more. Now tell me who could be bored. Sure there was a time when a seafarer did get weary dining in the same spot night and day. But many ships now feature a  choice of  restaurants, some for an additional charge that rival landside operations (such as on Carnival’s Legend, Celebrity’s Constellation and Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Sea et al), 24 hour cafes, diners, pizza parlors and even ice cream shops. I must admit that this wasn’t the case when we first started cruising about 20 years ago. And that yes, there were days at sea that ennui overwhelmed us. But that was then and this is now.

 Room service on our private balcony……

Silversea is one special cruise line.  They just get it right.  Our most recent long journey was aboard Silversea Cruises sweet little Whisper. Although any of Silverseas’ four ships: Cloud, Wind, Shadow or Whisper provide all the right offerings to make any long cruise special.   We sailed from Los Angeles to Auckland with stops in Ensenada, the Hawaiian Islands, Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand. There were glorious days during which we did all those aforementioned activities. We also watched movies on the plasma screen television in our site while room service waiters served us multi course dinners. We tried our luck in the tiny casino (but didn’t win), took afternoon tea with yummy pastries. We worked off our indulgences in exercise classes led by Gabor, a Rumanian fitness instructor who worked our abs, butts, upper and lower bodies and taught us Pilates and Yoga.

 

Not quite 10 years old, Silversea boasts an astonishing 65,000 repeat passengers who receive assorted perks as Venetian Society member that increase with number of days spent on board. On our cruise passengers were rewarded with sapphire, ruby or diamond pins and free cruises for having spent from 100 to 300 days cruising with the line.

What keeps them going back is the compact luxury, excellent personalized service, fine dining, open seating,  all-encompassing tab that includes complimentary wines, booze and soft drinks, tips, shuttle service in most ports and in top suites, laundry service.  Guest mingle easily at the bars and in the lounges. Many become fast friends meeting same time next year for another cruise. The crew on these ships is some of friendliest afloat. This time there was Ricky, from Manila, a deck steward and sometimes barkeep who went out of his way to service passengers. Nick, the regular pool bartender, an outgoing Kiwi who kept folks happy with powerful pours of their favorite brands. Spellbinding lectures were provided by Dr. Dieter Arnulf Galler, a rather opinionated but fascinating speaker who kept his audience rapt with tales of Tonga, New Zealand and the south Pacific.   At night there was Michael heading The Bar (it’s called just that) where he knows everybody’s name and drink preference.

 Beloved, omnipotent veteran cruise director Ray Solaire kept passengers content with fun and games. Amiable Anne the social director taught Spanish and accompanied shore excursions. She and Ray also acted on stage in a short play written by the latter. 

 

On Silversea ships everybody becomes one big happy family.  Stewardesses not only keep suites in tip top shape but they lay out your bed clothes, hang your laundry and stock your fridge with water and supplies.  It is always sad disembarking a Silversea ship.

 

 While we never wonted for activities on sea days, the ports of calls were welcome sights. The ship sailed from LA with stops in Ensenada, Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands—where we stopped in Hilo, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Honolulu before heading on to more exotic ports of call, like Apia, Western Samoa. There we took a shore excursion led by a savvy guide named Julie who told us that the natives eat only two meals a day but “snack frequently.” Sounded like a being on a cruise. We went by van to a local beach where Beverly Hills attorneys run the restaurant. Go figure. We swam in the crystal clear, but rather shallow sea and sunned until heading back to the ship. We made an unscheduled substitute stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga due to inclement weather where we were supposed to dock in Figi. Who among you have been there? Even though Silversea pax are well traveled this was new for most of us and fascinating. We booked a tour to an island. But before we were able to board the little boat, we were given a mandatory excursion to see the sites and markets of the city. The pristine island was worth the wait with its warm, transparent waters and friendly natives who entertained us with local dance routines.

 

From there we steamed to New Zealand. It was our first visit to this retro 1950s scene where locals go at a slow pace enjoying life to the fullest at the beach, in sailboats, sitting in cafes or restaurants and taking time to smell the roses.  In Tauranga  we hiked around a The Mount and went to the beach; in   the Bay of Islands  we walked around the cute, picture postcard town and walked about 2 miles to the nearest  beach. Guess you get the point that we like the beach a lot. A whole lot.

 

The days flew by—all 24 of them. We even lost a day, we will never see January 20, 2003 as it was the day we passed through the International Date Line. I missed it, it would have been an added 24 hours. We were sad to disembark in Auckland. In fact we wished we could have stayed on the extra 9 days to Sidney. But alas all good things must come to an end. And we had several hours to spend before catching the long, 12-hour flight home. A very long, bumpy ride.

Sidebar:

Not every ship conforms to long voyages. You can’t go wrong with Crystal Cruises luxurious Harmony or Symphony—we’ve been on both for three weeks at a throw. 

Crystal’s only drawbacks are  the fare is not all-inclusive—there are many extra charges including tips which are automatically added to shipboard accounts, spirits, wines, bottled water and soft drinks—and assigned tables in two seatings in the dining room (Silversea allows passengers to dine whenever and with whomever they want at open seating meals).  Crystal does offer two alternative dining venues: an Italian and Asian restaurant–along with room service.

If you book a suite or mini suite on any of Princess Cruises’ Grand or Coral Class ships you can’t go wrong, ditto for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. But never ever try this in a regular stateroom and always book a balcony. Some 75% of Silversea ships (Wind, Cloud, Shadow and Whisper) have private balconies, while Crystal offers 50% or more and Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are well endowed with verandas.

 

Just remember cruising means only having to pack and unpack once; eliminating of flying—which concerns most of us during these trying times. (Our LA to Auckland cruise entailed only one flight, back to LA from Auckland). You can visit several countries or islands effortlessly, have all your meals and activities at your beck and call usually for no extra charge save for shore excursions and spa treatments. 

 

I recently attended a press conference where they said only a small percentage of travelers go by sea. And for the life of me I can’t understand this.  Cruising is one of the most therapeutic, exciting ways to vacation. And with more modern ships providing contemporary and high tech comforts and amenities it’s better than ever.

The Savvyseafarer’s Tips on Prudent Packing

The Savvyseafarer’s Tips on Prudent Packing, Shore Excursions and Seasickness

A once not-so-savvy seafarer and  self-professed “fashion plate” who  couldn’t leave  home unless she  packed two steamer trunks with enough outfits to clothe a small nation on every cruise. This, she finally learned, was not a good idea. Besides ticking off her male traveling companion, who continually carped about how he would be the lifting and stowing my bags from car or cab through airport terminals and beyond, she actually realized she only wore half of what she packed. Today, the savvier seafarer has a new set of rules, some of it due to those security regulations at airports I will only pack what fits neatly in one suitcase, especially if I am flying to the port of embarkation and want to carry my bag on the plane and not pay additional fees to check my bags. Packing Nitty Gritty With a little ingenuity, women’s cruise wardrobes can be a breeze to assemble. Dress as you would for a fine shoreside restaurant or tropical resort. Be as snazzy as you feel on formal nights in long gowns or cocktail dresses; take a few pretty gauzy or silk numbers for informal wear and pantsuits, resort chic dresses or slacks and pretty tops for casual evenings. To lighten your load go with lots of silk and mixed and matched tops and bottoms. During the day, especially in tropical areas, you will probably spend a lot of time sunning and lounging by the pool and will virtually live in your bathing suit. While short shorts are taboo in most dining rooms they are acceptable wear for daytime deck buffets or in the more casual eateries found on most megaliners as well as such small luxury liners as Seabourn’s fleet, Radisson’s ships and the Wind Star armada. For walking around port or daytime indoor activities you’ll want slacks, nice shorts, jeans, T-shirts, cotton or silk blouses and good walking shoes. If you’re into fitness, be sure to pack workout wear to use in the gym. The male wardrobe: The biggest obstacle for “him” is formal night. Tuxedos take up a lot of room and require extra accessories. Alas many ships have done away with this requirement but veteran seafarers often prefer to keep the trend. While Some ships actually rent out tuxedos, check with the line before you pack f this interests you. Most evenings men can get away with a sports jacket and appropriate shirts, tie and shoes for informal nights and pants and nice shirts for casual nights. Daytime wear is a snap, a bathing suit for sun/pool time, shorts or jeans, tank tops, T- shirts etc. for strolling into port, and workout wear. Most upscale ships (Celebrity, Princess, Seabourn, Silversea, Wind Star, Radisson Regent Seven Seas, etc) provide robes for use while on board as well unlimited toiletries such as shampoo, condi¬tioner, body creams, shower gels and even toothbrushes and razors–sometimes on request. Additional personal items you might want to consider include a portable radio/cd player, digital camera, MP3 player, IPods the usual techno tools, prescriptions (pack in carry on always)sunscreen if sailing in sunny climes.

Dawn Princess Comes out of Drydock with New Features

Photo courtesy of Princess CruisesThe Savvyseafarer has fond memories of her Dawn Princess birthday cruise along the Mexican Riviera a few years ago.  I went with my husband and a group of special friends and to use a cliche a great time was had by all. I’m sad the feisty luxury liner is based in Australia but I’m happy she’s all rejuvenated and ready to sail with added features. What’s more she’ll be embaring on a world cruise this year.  Climb aboard, it’s a great ride.

After a two-week drydock in Brisbane, Australia, Dawn Princess has re-entered service with two signature Princess features – the giant Movies Under the Stars poolside screen and the adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary.  The transformation was chronicled in a daily Dawn Princess Drydock Journal on Princess’ website, giving cruise fans around the world the opportunity to follow along as work progressed.

 The online journal was updated daily on www.princess.com, with regular notices on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook when new photos debuted.  Approximately 100 photos gave web users an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of the work that goes into a ship’s maintenance period.

 

“From the enthusiastic response we’ve received about our recent drydock journals, we know that passengers enjoy the chance to go behind the scenes, and so now it’s something we plan to offer for all future drydocks,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.  “These online journals visually tell the story of our commitment to enhance the services and amenities aboard our ships.”

 

Dawn Princess now offers passengers the opportunity to get away from it all in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess’ signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards.  Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks or can relax with a personal music player with themed playlists.

 

On the pool deck, Movies Under the Stars has debuted with a state-of-the-art Times Square-style LED screen, offering evening movies and a variety of daytime programming.  The 300-square-foot screen offers passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater.  In addition to family cinema and first run hits, Movies Under the Stars also features major sporting events, concerts and special programming.

 

Other changes made during the drydock include new carpet and upholstery, a remodeled photo gallery and new silicone paint for the bottom of the ship’s hull.

 

Dawn Princess is home-ported in Sydney for year-round Australia-based cruising and on July 5 the ship departs on a 104-day world cruise, the first circumnavigation and longest-ever roundtrip voyage from Australia.

 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

 

Princess can also be found on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Princess-Cruises/19788524059

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PrincessCruises

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesscruises/

 

 

Shipboard Spas go Overboard

 

Shipboard Spas Reach New Heights           

 There once was a time when shipboard fitness facilities meant tiny rooms stocked with a stationary bicycle and free weights. If massage was available it was offered in a small area off the salon where one could get their hair or nails done.

Today profits making mega spas and massive fitness centers have hit the high seas. Welcome to the spa wars.

 

According to Bob Dickinson, president/CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, more than 1.5 million passengers are expected to utilize the fitness and spa facilities of its 20-ship fleet. Just try to get on a treadmill or book a massage. Actually Carnival’s newer ships such as the Valor boast 13,000 square feet of workout/pamper space. 

In addition to dozens of exercise machines Carnival’s spas feature two whirlpools, an aerobics room, and a juice bar.  Exercise classes on these ships are so popular you have to sign up for them well in advance.  There are also steam baths, saunas and the entire spectrum of spa treatments-including a special Y Program for teens that offers seep cleansing fresh fruit facials, surfers scrubs, sea salt scrubs, teeth whitening and poolside hair braiding.

        

While the use of shipboard gyms is complimentary, many cruise companies charge about $10 a passenger for specialized classes such Pilate’s or Spinning. You might also have to shell out $15 or more to use the spa on a few ships.  Access to all shipboard gyms is free (as of this writing anyway). 

 

What Price Pampering

 

The cost for pampering, with few exceptions, has skyrocketed to triple digits. Oddly enough Radisson Seven Seas’ Carita Spa of Paris was one of the most expensive at sea, but at last look prices dropped at least 10%. Most recently an hour massage was $95. Call it a facial and the price drops, however book a “cathiodermie” facial, “Ionithermie” muscle toning; “affinoderm” body wrap, “thalassotherapy” or any other provocative sounding procedure you’ll pay dearly. However, this doesn’t stop most passengers who now book on line or the minute they set food aboard ship.

       

Miami/British-based salon operator, Steiner maintains a veritable monopoly of onboard facilities. The company dispatches therapists and estheticians to more than 100 ships at sea. When another company, Mandara Spas attempted to compete in the early 90s, Steiner did what mega corporations do and bought them out. While treatments have improved greatly, thanks to some savvy cruise companies who allegedly read Steiner to riot act, one aspect that needs help is the constant hawking of products by many estheticians and massage therapists (for which commissions are earned).

 Quite often the best-trained therapists are put on pricier ships (Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Windstar). However the bigger, newer ships boast the biggest and often the best fitness and spa facilities.

 Physically Fit Take to the Seas “People are more active than ever and want to be able to continue their workout regimen while on vacation,” says Bob Dickinson, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, which he adds, “prides itself in offering some of the largest and most elaborate spas at sea.” And he’s not just whistling Dixie, spas on these ships range from 12,000 to 15,000 square feet and growing.     

       

Since Carnival also attracts a younger clientele than most, the fitness centers and spas are jammed from day of embarkation. However the popularity of pampering has spread to just about cruise line with many offering passengers the opportunity to book treatments on line or by filling out forms ahead of time that sent with their tickets.  Alas, when it comes to getting on a treadmill or elliptical machine, it’s survival of the fastest there.       

Carnival: 

The Facilities: All ships in this mega fleet sport dynamite spas, but the 13,300 square foot spa Carnival on the Valor is the headliner. In addition to the latest, hottest Keiser exercise equipment passengers can burn calories and firm up with kickboxing, spinning, aerobics and spa cuisine. There are also Jogging tracks and pools.

Pamper possibilities: Dozens of top to bottom treatments are offered at the attractive Steiner salons.  Not one to miss the boat in our youth obsessed culture, Carnival offers a Y Spa Program for teens (oddly enough so has Royal Caribbean, more on that below), with beauty treatments and special exercise options designed to attract the under 20, but older than 16 seafarer. 

 

 

Crystal Cruises Harmony, three-ship fleet, Call 800-820-7763; www.crystal cruises.com

The Facilities:  Attractive, fully-equipped feng shui correct fitness centers and spas designed with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the sea (aerobics, stretch, step) are often superb as are the personal trainers available for a fee. Each ship provides changing room with steam, sauna and lockers. Each vessel sports a nice long jogging track, large pool, basketball and volleyball courts. The Steiner salons are all stunners with serene treatment rooms. Crystal insists on a top-notch spa staff for its sophisticated, well-heeled passengers and Steiner obliges.

 

Pamper Possibilities: Head to toe maneuvers from a Frangipani Ceremony of Strands (translation: hair and scalp treatment that costs from $191 to $211) to$61 “Sole Delight” pedicures. In between is the usual list of salubrious suspects from assorted facials, massages (stone, shiatsu, Swedish) and body treatments.

 

       

            

Celebrity Cruises’ nine-ship fleet, call: 800-437.3111

Facilities:  Fully equipped fitness centers on all ships boast sufficient treadmills and equipment to satisfy the 1300-plus passengers. Exercise classes have proved exceptional. Personal trainers are available for a few to help you boost your metabolism strengthen and stretch teach weight training and basically motivate and pump you up.  For additional calorie burning there each ship sports a jogging track and large swimming pools.

Spas on the Infinity, Millennium, Galaxy, Summit and Constellation are the most comprehensive with steam and sauna bath. If you have two to five hours to spare, book one of the many “ceremonies and rituals” offered in the spa such as “Egyptian Ceremony of Milk and Ginger”, Asian Ceremony of Stone”, “Tahitian Ceremony of Flowers”. Advance bookings are available by calling 1-800-437-3111.

    

 

Pampering Possibilities: pumped up the pampering with its innovative AquaSpa by Elemis, designed to release tension while pummeling the body with hydrotherapy jets is the highlight of its eye-catching fleet wide spa while its Acupuncture at Sea program headlines therapeutic options on five of its newest vessels. The Oriental technique targets passengers who want to stop smoking, lose weight, reduce stress and decrease pain—which takes in a pretty big group. In addition to the needles, passengers can attend lectures on the subject and learn the benefits of feng shui, good nutrition and healing with herbs. According to Dietmar Wertanzl, the company’s senior vice president of fleet operations, the program has enjoyed large success since its debut on the Infinity in 2003.            

Princess Cruises: 11 ship fleet, call: 800-774-6237; www.princess.com

Facilities: Much to the chagrin of many passengers, Princess no longer offers its Cruisercize reward as you go program. In its place are additional exercise classes such as high/lo aerobics, basketball play, “minimize your middle” (just like it sounds), step aerobics classes for all levels, firm & fabulous, and circuit training. Kickboxing, Yoga, Pilates and Spinning and personal trainers are available for a fee. The fitness centers are extremely well fitted with large aerobics floors, weight room, exercise bikes, plenty of treadmills, and weight equipment. Each is situated on upper decks where wide windows allow great views of the sea. 

 

Pamper Possibilities: Sybarites can enjoy steam baths, saunas, hydrotherapy, two outdoor Jacuzzi’s and an extensive menu of spa services. There is also an inviting pool suspended between two decks adjacent to the gym.

All ships sport super-jogging tracks. And of course there are large pools for lap swimming.           

            

Windstar Cruises: three ship fleet, call: 800-258-7245, www.windstarcruises.com

Facilities: Each ship boasts greatly enhanced spas and fitness centers. But the WindSurf leads the pack with a spiffy 1,895-square-foot facility filled with Nautilus equipment, an exercise gym, treadmills, stationary bicycles, free weights, elliptical machines, stair climbers and workout stations. Wrap around windows offer great ocean views. Supervised aerobics, Yoga and Pilates (for an extra $11 a class), Cardio Kick-Boxing, and Kai Bo are held regularly in the Nautilus Fitness Room.

Pamper Possibilities: Each WindSpa features a menu of exotic face and body options such as Aroma stones massage, ocean wrap, Reiki, Shiatsu, Reflexology, nail and h air care and much more.  If you’re really dedicated, you can hire a personal trainer or diet consultant, have your body fat measured (to avoid shock, do this early in the cruise) and watch your weight with special Sail Lite cuisine created by chef Jeanne Jones. Other ways to stay in shape include snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking off the water sports platform, or running around the jogging track (many times, these are small ships remember). The coed sauna adjacent to the Watersports platform, feels really good after hours frolicking in the sea.

       

        

            

Royal Caribbean International: 17 ship fleet, call: 800-327-6700, www.royalcaribbean.com

Facilities:  Each fitness center caters to Xtreme fitness fanatics with some of the biggest and best workout areas afloat, especially on newer ships such as the Brilliance of the Sea with its 15,000-square-feet fitness center and spa. There are dozens of treadmills, tons of equipment and a 30-foot high rock-climbing wall.

Pamper Possibilities: The usual, extensive Steiner menu of indulgences awaits on every RCL ship.  Like Carnival, the cruise line tempts teens with a special Fitness Frenzy package, a boot camp for 16 to 19 year olds who want to get in shape, and Y Spa choices. Teenster choices include a “Fake Bake” body scrub; “Surfers Scrub” aromatherapy massage; “Fruity Facials” and manicures and pedicures. The Elemis Steiner salon   lavishes the gamut of treatments on moms and dads.       

Radisson  Regent Seven Seas: 

Facilities:  The fitness area on each ship varies but is usually sufficiently equipped with treadmills, steppers, free weights and bodybuilding machines.

Pamper Possibilities: The fleet wide Carita of Paris Spa boasts some of the top therapists and estheticians in the business. Each tres chic salon dishes out exclusive French therapies designed to reduce wrinkles and cellulite, lift the face, firm your butt (that’s what they claim), and but of course relax and rejuvenate.

                  Holland America:  12 ship fleet, call: 800-426-0327, www.hollandamerica.com

Facilities: This fleet of bodacious boats houses 1, 400 square foot floating versions of Steiner’s prestigious Texas-based Greenhouse Spas. Currently available on all Vista Class ships; the spa will operate fleet wide in spring of 2006.  There is a $15 usage fee for spa facilities, but use of the super sized, well-stocked fitness centers are complimentary.  . 

Pamper Possibilities: We’re talking out of the body indulgences here beginning with two to four hour Greenhouse “Ceremonies” that run $215 to $350 to exotic rubs, wraps, tanning sessions, and salt glows and way beyond.

 Silversea Cruises: four ship fleet, call: 800-722-9955, www.silversea.com

Facilities:  Each of these seamless small luxury liners house small fitness rooms. However, they also tend to employ top instructors who lead dynamite exercise classes. A Pilate’s instructor onboard the Silver Shadow proved even better than my landside mentor. 

Pamper Possibilities: When Mandara Spas first landed on Silversea ships, yours truly cheered. After all this is one of the best spa organizations in the industry. It wasn’t long, however that Steiner bought them out. The name’s still  “Mandara, and it does distinguish itself from the usual Steiner trademark with the emphasis on Oriental décor, and therapies that always begin with Asian-style foot soak.

 When You’re Rich Enough to Afford the Very Best

SeaDream I and II: 

Facilities:  There are fully outfitted gyms each of these yacht sized luxury vessels along with a water sports marina from which to kayak, swim jet ski or snorkel, and mountain bikes to use ashore. Each ship provides fitness therapists to lead you through aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi or a tailor-made program

Pamper Possibilities: An extremely discerning clientele demands the very best and both ship abide with Asian Spa and Wellness Centers fit for royalty. Treatments include Japanese Shiatsu massage; Javanese Lulur, a spice and yogurt scrub; a Balinese Salt Glow; a papaya body polish and the signature massage which combines Eastern and Western techniques into one salubrious session. And if you’re really serious you can opt for the Asia Spa Wellness cuisine and non-alcoholic healthy cocktails.

 Behemoth Ship Meets Behemoth Spa

Queen Mary 2: toll free 800-728-6273, www.cunard.com

Facilities: The behemoth 2,620 passenger Queen Mary2 sports a 20,000 square foot floating version of the Canyon Ranch (of the Berkshires and Tucson) called Canyon Ranch SpaClub (20,000 square feet is devoted to exercise and pampering on two separate decks.  The Fitness Center is stocked with all the latest tools to keep you in shape while the Beauty and Skin Care Centre proffers salubrious treatments to help you unwind.  While the fitness center is free, there is a $25 a day charge to take a shower or use a locker. A fee is also levied to use the facilities at the Aqua Therapy Centre (whirlpool, reflexology bath, sensory showers, sauna, steam or ice fountain), however this is waived if you book a treatment. Additional, complimentary calorie burning activities include basketball and paddle tennis courts, jogging track and golf simulators.

 

 

 

 

Cunard is celebrating the  Queen Mary 2’s 5th anniversary along with its  five year partnership with Canyon Ranch—the award-winning spa, fitness and salon services provider aboard the line’s flagship will go forward with strength and include new innovative treatments and services.  

  

“Queen Mary 2 and Canyon Ranch are each distinctly unique and combined offer an unequalled experience at sea. Guest satisfaction scores are excellent and we are pleased that our association with Canyon Ranch delivers such exceptional benefits and world-class services to our guests,” shared Carol Marlow, president and managing director, Cunard Line. “The Canyon Ranch experience is a perfect complement to our line’s famed White Star Service,” she added.

 

New treatments and services have now been introduced by Canyon Ranch onboard Queen Mary 2, including:

 

– Voya Seaweed Treatments:  A true organic line of products, this seaweed is harvested in Ireland, freeze dried, and then re-hydrated into its organic state for use in body detoxification services.

 

– Detoxifying and Revitalizing Rituals: Based on the skin care practices of the traditional hammam bathhouse and utilizing Red Flower products, these Japanese-based rituals offer an intense therapeutic transformation for the whole body.

 

– Performance Orthotics service:  Utilizing specialty equipment, our service providers will measure gait and foot force and fit guests with customized orthotic shoe inserts.   

 

“Canyon Ranch is thrilled to be expanding its relationship with Cunard Line,” stated Peter Smith, chief operating officer for Canyon Ranch. “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service to our guests and look forward to continuing to introduce The Power of Possibility to guests onboard Queen Mary 2.” 

 

Queen Mary 2’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub boasts 30 professionally trained associates expertly servicing 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art spa, salon and fitness facilities situated on two decks. The SpaClub offers 24 massage, body and skin care treatment rooms, a fitness centre with more than 50 pieces of cardio and weight-training equipment, and a relaxation room with wonderful views out to sea. Throughout the SpaClub, the Canyon Ranch experience incorporates unique water-based features, emphasizing the healing and therapeutic benefits of water and heat, including a 30 feet x 15 feet Thalasso-therapy Pool with airbed recliner lounges, neck fountains, a deluge waterfall, air tub and body massage jet benches. Adjacent to the pool is an extensive Thermal Suite featuring an herbal sauna, Finnish sauna, reflexology basins and an aromatic steam room.

 

Guests aboard Queen Mary 2 enjoy an array of rejuvenating spa treatments, including massages and therapeutic bodywork, mud, aromatherapy, ayurvedic and seaweed treatments, facials and masks, conditioning body scrubs and therapeutic body cocoons.

 

The ship’s SpaClub also offers the exotic Rasul Ceremony, a Canyon Ranch signature treatment. This medicinal mud and steam therapy, which takes place in an ornately tiled steam chamber, is derived from an ancient Middle Eastern cleansing ritual.

 

The salon offers a full array of Canyon Ranch services including hair styling, nail care treatments and makeup styling and consultations.

 

In addition to the ship’s extensive spa, salon and fitness facilities, Canyon Ranch certified instructors conduct daily group and private fitness, yoga and tai chi classes. These “healthy living experts” provide on-board lectures and workshops that address overall wellness topics such as lifestyle change, health and medical issues, stress management, smoking cessation, healthy aging and disease prevention.

 

Canyon Ranch chefs team with Cunard’s Executive Chef Jean-Marie Zimmermann to design nutritious spa menu selections for Queen Mary 2 restaurants, prepared to Cunard’s highest culinary standards. 

 

For more information on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, contact your travel professional, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit us online at www.cunard.com. Canyon Ranch:  www.canyonranch.com.

About Cunard Line

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company’s first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840.  Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travelers who seek a civilized adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service™, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service between New York and Southampton, England and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.  A new Queen Elizabeth joins the fleet in October 2010.

 

Cunard Line is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines.  The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.  Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

 

About Canyon Ranch

Canyon Ranch pioneered the evolution of wellness lifestyle and has been an industry leader for nearly 30 years.  Operating the world’s most celebrated collection of life-enhancement properties, Canyon Ranch has destination health resorts in Tucson, Arizona and Lenox, Massachusetts, and SpaClubs (spa, wellness and fitness facilities designed to give guests a taste of the more intensive resort experiences) at The Venetian/The Palazzo hotel in Las Vegas, Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida., and onboard the Queen Mary 2 luxury ocean liner.  In addition, the company recently opened Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, the nation’s first luxury wellness hotel and residential community. Canyon Ranch has been named the “Healthiest Spa in America” by Health magazine as well as the “Best Spa for Food” by Gourmet magazine. Also, Canyon Ranch is an 11-time recipient of the Condé Nast Traveler Best Destination Spa Award.

 

 

 

 

 

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Princess Posts Exciting New Itineraries Check It Out

Princess Cruises Traverses the World 

My favorite mass-marketer entices passengers to get on board with voyages to the South Pacific  (extended sailings to my personal pet  isles of Tahiti and French Polynesia),  Australia, China, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, and a new world cruise itinerary.  In addition, world explorers can take in the spectacular scenery of South America and Antarctica, or the jungles of the Amazon River.

 Eight Ships Sailing  to Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific, India and South America 

Diamond Princess returns to Australia and Asia and features a new Australia & China itinerary sailing from Sydney to Beijing.  The intimate Ocean Princess also sails throughout Asia with some intriguing longer routes, including a new holiday sailing from Singapore to Bangkok, and the opportunity to travel to India and Africa.  Star Princess explores South America featuring a new holiday voyage to Antarctica sailing from Rio de Janeiro, while the intimate Pacific Princess explores the vastness of the Amazon River.  Royal Princess offers more Tahiti and Hawaii sailings while Golden Princess explores the Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles.  For world travelers, Pacific Princess offers a new 107-day world cruise route featuring Western Australia and Cape Town via West Africa.  Dawn Princess and Sun Princess continue year-round Australia-based cruising throughout the region.

 

Travelers will also have six new ports to explore, including Maputo, the capital of Mozambique; Toulon in the south of France providing access to charming Provence;  Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); Manila, the heart of the Philippines; and Xiamen, a charming Chinese seaport.

 

“Our decades of experience enabled us to design the very best ways to see these exotic destinations, whether passengers are exploring a new continent for the first time or are returning to delve deeper into the local culture.” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

 Princess’ 2010-11 worldwide cruise program includes:

 Royal Princess to Tahiti and Hawaii – Royal Princess will offer an extended seven-month season sailing among the islands of the South Pacific tropical paradise.  The ship will sail on 13 cruises on a 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia itinerary featuring Princess’ two-day experience in Bora Bora, an overnight stay in Tahiti (Papeete) and calls at Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, and Moorea.  The ship also sails on eight 12-day Hawaii & Tahiti voyages between Honolulu and Tahiti (Papeete), calling at Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Hilo, Maui (Lahaina), and Kauai (Nawiliwili). In addition, passengers can enjoy sailing the Pacific between Vancouver and Honolulu (or extend to Tahiti) on two 10-day journeys to Hilo, Kona, Maui (Lahaina), and Kauai (Nawiliwili).  Royal Princess will sail in the region from September 14, 2010 to May 8, 2011.

 Diamond Princess in Asia and Australia/New Zealand – Diamond Princess sails to Asia as well as Australia & New Zealand, with a variety of itineraries including a new 23-day Australia & China route from Sydney to Beijing.  Other options include seven cruises on a 16-day Southeast Asia & China itinerary between Beijing and Bangkok (or Singapore), four departures on the favorite 12-day Australia & New Zealand cruise between Sydney and Auckland, a 17-day Eastern Australia & Asia cruise from Bangkok to Sydney, and two Alaska & Far East cruises between Anchorage and Beijing to begin and end the season.  Diamond Princess sails from September 11, 2010 through May 6, 2011.

 Ocean Princess Sailings to Asia, India and Africa – Ocean Princess offers the small-ship experience on a series of voyages throughout Asia, including new itineraries such as a 16-day South China Sea holiday sailing, a series of four 12-day China & Japan Explorer sailings now between Shanghai and Osaka, and a 39-day Indian Ocean and Middle East journey from Singapore to London (Dover).  The ship will also offer a 31-day Africa, India and Southeast Asia voyage from Cape Town to Singapore with additional cruise options with up to 56 days to explore this destination.  Sailings depart between October 27, 2010 and April 29, 2011.

 Star Princess to South America and Antarctica – Star Princess offers a variety of South America journeys, including sailings around Cape Horn (between Santiago and Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires) and two Antarctica adventures.  Among the options are a new 20-day Antarctica & South America Adventure from Rio to Buenos Aires, as well as a 16-day Antarctica journey roundtrip from Buenos Aires.  The ship also sails on four 14-day Route to Rio sailings between Santiago and Rio de Janeiro, one 12-day Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan sailing from Buenos Aires to Santiago and a 16-day Andes & South America sailing from Santiago to San Francisco.  Star Princess’ South America season runs from December 20, 2010 to April 3, 2011.

 Pacific Princess through the Amazon – Pacific Princess will offer two sailings on a 14-day Amazon River adventure between Ft. Lauderdale and Manaus, Brazil.  The ship will visit St. Thomas (or St. Maarten), St. Lucia, Tobago, Devil’s Island (Île Royale), and the Amazon ports of Santarém, Boca da Valéria, and Parintins plus an overnight visit to Manaus.   Pacific Princess sails on December 22, 2010 and January 5, 2011.

 Golden Princess to Hawaii – Golden Princess again sails on Princess’ popular Hawaii route, offering convenient 14-day roundtrip sailings from the port of Los Angeles.  The itinerary features visits to the Big Island (Hilo), Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), and Maui (Lahaina).  Golden Princess will sail on 16 departures between September 29, 2010 through April 27, 2011.

 Pacific Princess World Cruise – Pacific Princess spans the globe with a new 107-day journey that features travel through Western Australia and around the southernmost tip of Africa, visiting some of the most dramatic locations on the globe as it sails between Fort Lauderdale and Rome.  Calls include Grand Cayman, Panama Canal Transit, Quito (Manta), Lima (Callao – for Machu Picchu Overland Excursion), Easter Island, Pitcairn Island scenic cruising, Tahiti (Papeete), Moorea, Auckland, the two-day Sydney Experience (includes two full days & overnight), Burnie (Tasmania), Adelaide (for Ayres Rock Overland Excursion), Bunbury, Perth (Fremantle), Bali (Padang Bay), Bangkok (Laem Chabang – for Angkor Wat Overland Excursion), Ko Samui, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Andaman Islands (Port Blair), Cochin (for Taj Mahal Overland Excursion), Mumbai, Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Dubai, Seychelles (Port Victoria), Maputo (Mozambique), Durban, East London, two-day Cape Town Experience (includes two full days & overnight), Lüdertiz (Namibia), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Lomé (Togo), Tema (Ghana – for Accra), Dakar (Senegal), Madeira (Funchal), Casablanca (for Marrakech), Gibraltar, Barcelona, Toulon (for Provence), Monte Carlo and Portofino.  This world cruise departs on January 19, 2011 with segments of 19 to 33 days available for explorers who’d like a shorter voyage.

 

Sun Princess and Dawn Princess Australia Departures – Both Sun Princess and Dawn Princess will offer a selection of sailings departing from Sydney and Melbourne, featuring Australian-style cruising.  Itineraries include voyages to New Zealand, Tasmania, New Caledonia & Vanuatu, and Round Australia sailings that circumnavigate the continent.  Sun Princess will also sail on a 42-day journey to China & Japan roundtrip from Sydney and Dawn Princess offers a 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific voyage.  The season’s sailings depart between September 3, 2010 and April 3, 2011.

 

A variety of cruisetour packages are available in Australia, Asia and South America, offering cruise passengers the opportunity to add to their vacation with such wonders as the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors, Angkor Wat, Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Kakadu National Park, Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu.

 

Exotic cruises are available for booking on May 21, 2009.  Launch Fares for seven-day sailings start at $945 per person, based on double occupancy.  Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $100 in Captain’s Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2009.

 800-PRINCESS,  www.princess.com.

 About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service.  A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days.  The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

 

Princess Cruises Doubles Up on Caribbean Cruises For 2010

 Princess  Cruises  plans to double passenger pleasure during the  summer  of 2010,  by offering  five itineraries plus  sailing from New York and Florida.

 The Caribbean Princess

will feature  nine-day voyages from New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean.

The Emerald Princess

will sail on seven-day roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Together, the two ships will offer 30 departures to the sun-filled islands of the Caribbean. 

 

“We’ve seen increased interest from passengers in sailing to the Caribbean during the summer,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.  “So in response, we’ve significantly expanded our program to offer cruisers a choice of sailings and the option of two departure ports.”

 

And from my favorite port, New York The Caribbean Princess

 will embark on 10 departures between May 2 and July 29, 2010. Eight of the nine-day voyages sail roundtrip on an itinerary that includes Bermuda (West End), St. Thomas, Grand Turk and San Juan. Caribbean Princess will also offer two sailings to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Turk and San Juan. In addition, the ship sails on a special seven-day Eastern Caribbean & Bermuda sailing from San Juan to New York featuring calls in Bermuda, St. Thomas and Antigua.

 

Emerald Princess from Fort Lauderdale

 will sail on week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, departing from May 9 to September 12, 2010.  The ship will offer nine Eastern Caribbean departures calling at Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk, alternating with 10 Western Caribbean sailings to Princess Cays, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

 

Caribbean Princess and Emerald Princess both offer a variety of passenger-favorite features perfect for cruising the balmy waters of the Caribbean, such as the dramatic poolside “Movies Under the Stars” outdoor theater and the line’s signature Sanctuary, an adults-only pocket of tranquility featuring plush lounge chairs and massage cabanas. Passengers will also enjoy hallmark Princess features such as the piazza-style atrium with its International Café and Vines wine and seafood bar.

 

Launch Fares for nine-day Caribbean Princess summer Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean cruises begin at $1,099 per person, and seven-day sailings on Emerald Princess begin at $699, based on double occupancy. A $50 per person Captain’s Circle Launch Savings discount is available to Princess past passengers on bookings made by December 31, 2009. Sailings open for booking on May 14, 2009.

 

Princess Cruises: 1-800-PRINCESS,  www.princess.com.

 

 

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service.  A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days.  The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

 

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines.  Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.  Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

Cruise News You can Bank On

Your Savvy Seafarer (shown here on Silversea) loves touring Europe by ship, and has covered it north to south, east to west. I’ve sailed Scandinavia through  fabulous fijords,  cruised the shores of the sexy French Rivieria, and pretty much covered the world by sea. There’s nothing like a European cruise vacation.  You get to visit lots of places and only need pack and unpack once.  And if you do it right you fly First Class to your destination and then lounge in style in a  fabulous suite on a luxury ship like the Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea or Crystal. And if you can afford to sail the very best, then book top cabin on any ship, bigger is always better, especially the suites on Princess Cruises….

 And to lure you….

The Yachts of Seabourn …now offers up to 18 percent off optional pre- and post-cruise extensions that, combined with enhanced savings on its cruise fares in Europe this year,  makes cruising Europe more enticing than ever.  The lower prices are available for stays from July through November in 10 European cities.

The rate reductions vary by city and property from about 9 to 18 percent and include accommodation at nifty spots like the Gritti Palace and the Luna Hotel Baglioni in Venice; the Grand Bretagne and the King George Palace in Athens and the Excelsior in Rome. Seabourn’s bundled extensions include full American breakfasts, transfer between the hotel and the pier, staffed hospitality desks, all taxes and service charges (including V.A.T.) and porterage.

In addition, Seabourn is offering new private show excursions.

The Yachts of Seabourn will have four vessels cruising in Europe in 2009. Seabourn Pride will be based in Northern Europe for most of the season, sailing round trip from Copenhagen to Scandinavia, Russia and the Norwegian Fjords. Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will be sailing in the Adriatic Sea and along the French and Italian Rivieras, respectively. The industry’s first new ultra luxury ship in over six years, Seabourn Odyssey, debuts on June 24 at Venice and sails in the Greek Isles, Turkey and the Black Sea throughout the summer, before crossing to the Americas in the autumn. Fares for an array of 2009 voyages have been reduced by 50 to 65 percent, with all-inclusive fares starting from $2,999 per person for seven days, based on double occupancy of a 277-square foot ocean-view suite.

Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, www.seabourn.com .The iconic wonders of the ancient world, the continent’s bustling cities and the majestic beauty found along dramatic coastlines will be showcased with Princess Cruises’ just-announced 2010 Europe program, which offers an unprecedented choice in itineraries and departure dates on six ships.

The Cruise of Your Dreams

Ah the good life. Sailing in a luxurious, yacht-size cruise ship with an attentive staff, gourmet food, upscale amenities and practically for a song. I sailed on these ships when they were the SeaGoddesses–a glorious, unequaled experience to say the least. Alas they have new names but still remain the exceptional product and now nearly every one can afford to climb aboard to experience pure luxury.

EXCEPTIONAL SAVINGS

SeaDream Yacht Club, the ultra-luxury operator of the twin SeaDream mega yachts, is offering savings on Caribbean and transatlantic five-, seven-, nine-, eleven- and twelve-day voyages in March, April and May this year. On both SeaDream I and II, savings for travelers range from 45 to 63 percent off published brochure rates. These exceptional savings fares are from $1,799 to $3,399 per person based on double occupancy of a stateroom. Sailings are San Juan-San Juan or San Juan-St. Thomas roundtrips and one is transatlantic from Miami to Lisbon. SeaDream fares include all meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar with selected premium brands, plus use of “water toys” from the vessel’s Marina and gratuities. Some conditions apply. Contact your travel professional or SeaDream Yacht Club 1 800 707-4911

AHOY all fans of John Lithgow and Ted Koppel

I’m a big fan of John Lithgow, a little luke warm about Ted Koppel though. However if you’re into either one you can see them up close and person aboard a Silversea cruise this year. Lithgow will be boarding The Silver Cloud Stockholm-to-Copenhagen voyage July 4 (#1915), to regale passengers with a portion of his one-man show, Stories by Heart, the same presentation that proved hugely popular with Silversea guests during his debut performance last year aboard Silver Whisper. Stories by Heart is a meditation on the art and essence of storytelling that played a successful limited engagement at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in New York. Invoking memories of his grandmother and father before him, Lithgow traces his own history as an actor and storyteller, a history spanning three generations.

Kopple’s Appearance

Ted Koppel spent 43 years working at ABC News, 26 of them as anchor and managing editor of Nightline. He has won every major industry award, including 42 Emmy Awards, eleven duPont-Columbia Awards, ten Overseas Press Club Awards and eight George Foster Peabody Awards. From Vietnam in the sixties to Iraq in 2003, he has covered more than ten wars. His career as a political reporter spans from the Johnson and Goldwater presidential campaigns of 1964 to the recent Obama-McCain contest. Currently, he is a senior news analyst for National Public Radio and a contributing analyst for the BBC. On Silver Whisper’s April 5 Tokyo-to-Singapore voyage (#4909), Koppel is scheduled to lecture on international affairs and host a screening of the final segment of The People’s Republic of Capitalism, an enlightening four-part program on China he produced with Discovery Channel. (Guests will be able to view the first three parts of the series on their in-suite televisions.) Following the screening, Koppel will respond to questions and comments from the audience. Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper — and launching in December, Silver Spirit — all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents. In the U.S., Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include “World’s Leading Luxury Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2007) ; “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2009); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice” survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Spain’s Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Asia’s Travel Weekly (2008). (877) 215-9986 or visit: www.silversea.com.

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The Savvy Seafarer’s 28-Day Voyage on Silversea’s Silver Whisper

 We jogged, swam, worked out in the gym, took private Pilates classes, had massages, facials and assorted body treatments, attended riveting lectures, learned Spanish, saw late run movies, dined in fine restaurants, read several books, checked our email daily, made new friends, went to musical and comedy shows, sunned, relaxed and visited five countries. Who says there’s nothing to do on a cruise? Well lots of people. But they are wrong. Very wrong. My husband and I have not only been on several cruises but on at least half dozen voyages of 21 days or more. When we tell friends and family that we’re taking such a long voyage they invariably raise an eyebrow and comment, “Won’t you be bored? Whatever will you do?” Plenty folks. Contrary to popular belief, days on board a ship can be as chuck full as you’d like. Especially today, and of course if you select he right ship and stateroom. We prefer small luxury liners with suites. The bigger the quarters the better for longer voyages. However folks who really want non-stop activities should lean toward mega ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance, Radiance and other ships Of-the-Sea, Princess’ Grand and Coral class ships, Celebrity’s behemoth fleet and Holland America’s newest vessels. On some of them you’ll find rock climbing walls, huge fitness centers, generous spas, basketball courts, paddle tennis, golf, an assortment of dining venues, Vegas-like casinos, lavish showrooms and productions and more. Now tell me who could be bored. Sure there was a time when a seafarer did get weary dining in the same spot night and day. But many ships now feature a choice of restaurants, some for an additional charge that rival landside operations (such as on Carnival’s Legend, Celebrity’s Constellation and Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Sea et al), 24 hour cafes, diners, pizza parlors and even ice cream shops. I must admit that this wasn’t the case when we first started cruising about 20 years ago. And that yes, there were days at sea that ennui overwhelmed us. But that was then and this is now. Silversea is one special cruise line. They just get it right. Our most recent long journey was aboard Silversea Cruises sweet little Whisper. Although any of Silverseas’ four ships: Cloud, Wind, Shadow or Whisper provide all the right offerings to make any long cruise special. We sailed from Los Angeles to Auckland with stops in Ensenada, the Hawaiian Islands, Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand. There were glorious days during which we did all those aforementioned activities. We also watched movies on the plasma screen television in our site while room service waiters served us multi course dinners. We tried our luck in the tiny casino (but didn’t win), took afternoon tea with yummy pastries. We worked off our indulgences in exercise classes led by Gabor, a Rumanian fitness instructor who worked our abs, butts, upper and lower bodies and taught us Pilates and Yoga. Silversea boasts an astonishing 65,000 repeat passengers who receive assorted perks as Venetian Society member that increase with number of days spent on board. On our cruise passengers were rewarded with sapphire, ruby or diamond pins and free cruises for having spent from 100 to 300 days cruising with the line. What keeps them going back is the compact luxury, excellent personalized service, fine dining, open seating, all-encompassing tab that includes complimentary wines, booze and soft drinks, tips, shuttle service in most ports and in top suites, laundry service. Guest mingle easily at the bars and in the lounges. Many become fast friends meeting same time next year for another cruise. The crew on these ships is some of friendliest afloat. This time there was Ricky, from Manila, a deck steward and sometimes barkeep who went out of his way to service passengers. Nick, the regular pool bartender, an outgoing Kiwi who kept folks happy with powerful pours of their favorite brands. Spellbinding lectures were provided by Dr. Dieter Arnulf Galler, a rather opinionated but fascinating speaker who kept his audience rapt with tales of Tonga, New Zealand and the south Pacific. At night there was Michael heading The Bar (it’s called just that) where he knows everybody’s name and drink preference. Beloved, omnipotent veteran cruise director Ray Solaire kept passengers content with fun and games. Amiable Anne the social director taught Spanish and accompanied shore excursions. She and Ray also acted on stage in a short play written by the latter. On Silversea ships everybody becomes one big happy family. Stewardesses not only keep suites in tip top shape but they lay out your bed clothes, hang your laundry and stock your fridge with water and supplies. It is always sad disembarking a Silversea ship. While we never wonted for activities on sea days, the ports of calls were welcome sights. The ship sailed from LA with stops in Ensenada, Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands—where we stopped in Hilo, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Honolulu before heading on to more exotic ports of call, like Apia, Western Samoa. There we took a shore excursion led by a savvy guide named Julie who told us that the natives eat only two meals a day but “snack frequently.” Sounded like a being on a cruise. We went by van to a local beach where Beverly Hills attorneys run the restaurant. Go figure. We swam in the crystal clear, but rather shallow sea and sunned until heading back to the ship. We made an unscheduled substitute stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga due to inclement weather where we were supposed to dock in Figi. Who among you have been there? Even though Silversea pax are well traveled this was new for most of us and fascinating. We booked a tour to an island. But before we were able to board the little boat, we were given a mandatory excursion to see the sites and markets of the city. The pristine island was worth the wait with its warm, transparent waters and friendly natives who entertained us with local dance routines. From there we steamed to New Zealand. It was our first visit to this retro 1950s scene where locals go at a slow pace enjoying life to the fullest at the beach, in sailboats, sitting in cafes or restaurants and taking time to smell the roses. In Tauranga we hiked around a The Mount and went to the beach; in the Bay of Islands we walked around the cute, picture postcard town and walked about 2 miles to the nearest beach. Guess you get the point that we like the beach a lot. A whole lot. The days flew by—all 24 of them. We even lost a day, we will never see January 20, 2003 as it was the day we passed through the International Date Line. I missed it, it would have been an added 24 hours. We were sad to disembark in Auckland. In fact we wished we could have stayed on the extra 9 days to Sidney. But alas all good things must come to an end. And we had several hours to spend before catching the long, 12-hour flight home. A very long, bumpy ride. Sidebar: Not every ship conforms to long voyages. You can’t go wrong with Crystal Cruises luxurious Harmony or Symphony—we’ve been on both for three weeks at a throw. Crystal’s only drawbacks are the fare is not all-inclusive—there are many extra charges including tips which are automatically added to shipboard accounts, spirits, wines, bottled water and soft drinks—and assigned tables in two seatings in the dining room (Silversea allows passengers to dine whenever and with whomever they want at open seating meals). Crystal does offer two alternative dining venues: an Italian and Asian restaurant–along with room service. If you book a suite or mini suite on any of Princess Cruises’ Grand or Coral Class ships you can’t go wrong, ditto for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. But never ever try this in a regular stateroom and always book a balcony. Some 75% of Silversea ships (Wind, Cloud, Shadow and Whisper) have private balconies, while Crystal offers 50% or more and Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are well endowed with verandas. Just remember cruising means only having to pack and unpack once; eliminating of flying—which concerns most of us during these trying times. (Our LA to Auckland cruise entailed only one flight, back to LA from Auckland). You can visit several countries or islands effortlessly, have all your meals and activities at your beck and call usually for no extra charge save for shore excursions and spa treatments. I recently attended a press conference where they said only a small percentage of travelers go by sea. And for the life of me I can’t understand this. Cruising is one of the most therapeutic, exciting ways to vacation. And with more modern ships providing contemporary and high tech comforts and amenities it’s better than ever.

What’s In Store for Cruising 2009?

Who knows what lurks in the wake of cruise ships in 2009. The economy is bust, people are staying home, is anyone out there booking a cruise? We hear from insiders that cabin rentals are down, but most cruise lines won’t admit this. Cruise pax seems to be falling like flies in more ways than one. An elderly couple recently went missing over Carnival’s Paradise somewhere between Mexico and the US. Did they jump? Are they still wandering aimlessly around a port, left behind? A realy mystery. The FBI’s on it. And their cabin door was locked from the inside leaving the only way out through the balcony. Hmmm. A few other pax seem to have fallen in the sea. What’s going on with that?

Bookings up or down with the tide…If the cruise lines use good marketing ploys, you should see extra savings on some voyages. Still unless you opt for all inclusive luxury lines like Silversea, Seabourn and the like, the extras charged on board will add up big time. So maybe you’ll spend $50 to $100 pp daily but you’ll also shell out $$$$$$$$$ in tips, drinks (even bottled water and soda), Internet use fees, excursions and  other money making fees. So be careful out there. It’s the dawn of a new era of saving, scrimping, prioritizing spending. But it would really be a shame to miss out on one of the most enjoyable travel experiences  known to man(and woman)–CRUISING. 
Savvy Seafarer Knows

With more than 200 cruises behind me, I can vouch for the industry. There’s nothing like it. You pack once, unpack once. See the world without having to board and reboard airplane. Breathe fresh, sea air.  See, in some cases, fantastic entertainment, in some instances no so entertaining, but hey, life is an experience and experiment. You can laze in a chaise all day or work out in a world class fitness center, pamper yourself silly in the spa (and pay big bucks for the privilege, but well worth the splurge),  enjoy life on your private balcony

gamble (good luck, it’s a crap shoot), visit exotic ports on your own or with a guide (for a fee), eat  a lot, dress up on formal nights (or not),  learn  things like a language (yes many ships offer free lessons) or even to sew, use the computer, self improvement and more. See movies you missed, some under the stars like on Princess Cruises that offers outdoor viewing on a large screen, complete with free popcorn and even blankets on cool evenings. There’s so much or so little, but always your choice. So if you’re one of the lucky few who haven’t lost your life savings, IRA or house in the Bush-driven recession, get out an cruise. It’s still the easiest, cheapest way to see the world, or just relax and let the Captain do the work.

BonVoyage.

Check out: www.silversea.com; www.princess.com; www.seabourn.com;  www.carnival.com

Other options: Celebrity Cruises (sedate, smart), Royal Caribbean (young, fun, testosterone-driven),
Windstar (white mast sailing)
Costa (cruising Italian-style)

Silverseas New Spirit To Set Sail with Grand Voyage in 2010

Photo compliments of Silversea Cruises

I’m so excited about the upcoming debut of Silversea Cruises’ Silver Spirit.  We’ve favored this line since it launched it’s first little luxury liner over a decade ago and can’t wait to sample the new build, which is bigger but could hardly be any better, but knowing Silversea there will be improvements. I don’t mean to gush,but trust me this company knows how to pamper passengers. Anyhow the Spirit’s due to take her bow on January 21, 2010 with lots of hoopla in  Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She will embark on a 91-day Spirit of South  America voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles and then back to New York on a fascinating itinerary highlighted by a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for Carnaval, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, an in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera, a crossing of the Panama Canal and an unforgettable Statue of Liberty event in New York Harbor. 
Reservations  begin on January 12 and can be made at www.silversea.com  on a special area dicated to Silver Spirit.

“As the new year begins and the construction of our new ship moves forward steadily, I am delighted we’re able to reveal some of the highlights of her much anticipated inaugural season,” said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea’s president and CEO. “When Silver Spirit sets sail, she will embody the hallmarks of Silversea’s understated elegance and distinct luxury with even more spacious suites, expansive spa facilities and enticing epicurean venues.”
Spa photo compliments of Silversea Cruises.
GRAND INAUGURAL VOYAGE 2010 

The “Spirit of South America”  will  hit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents, enjoying overnight stays in Fort Lauderdale, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Lima, Acapulco and Los Angeles.  Pax  on the full voyage are invited to attend the naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure with accommodations aboard ship, exclusive shoreside events in select ports of call, and a VIP evening at the Rio Carnival, not to mention special commemorative gifts and a $2,000 per suite onboard spending credit.  A complimentary Business Class air upgrade is also available for guests who purchase Silversea’s optional air program.  

Fares for the full Grand Inaugural Voyage start at $39,187 per person, based on double occupancy, and include “Extended Voyage Savings” of 5% — plus enhanced “Early Booking Incentive” and new “Extended Advance Payment Bonus” discounts applicable to voyages in 2010.  (The company plans to announce more details about new savings options shortly.)

Other highlights of the inaugural itineraries include an 11-day “Holiday Spirit” maiden voyage (#5901) on December 23, 2009, sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon; a “Maiden Crossing” (#5001), departing January 3 from Lisbon for 16 fascinating days exploring the Atlantic and Caribbean islands before arriving in Fort Lauderdale; and a two-week grand “Atlantic Crossing (#5011) to Southampton from New York on April 23.

After completing her inaugural season, Silver Spirit will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and then reposition to the Caribbean for fall and winter cruises.

The 36,000-ton, 540-passenger ship features oversize suites — 95% of which sport  a private veranda — and with one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea today, 67, providing 6,700 cubic feet of space per guest.  The onboard décor is a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring no less than 8,300 square feet (770 square meters), three whirlpools (two adjacent to outdoor pool, one in spa area), enriching performances in The Show Lounge and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, a Japanese restaurant, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, featuring live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. 
For a  new full-color, 36-page brochure showcasing Silver Spirit’s Inaugural Season go to www.silversea.com or call toll-free (877) 215-9986.

Veranda suite photo compliments of Silversea Cruises.