Christmas cruises can be just what the doctor ordered. It’s a great way to have quality family or couple’s time. Or to beat the holiday blues.
I picked four perfect sailings on four different lines for you to choose from @ https://pavlus.com/oh-what-fun-it-is-to-take-a-holiday-cruise-but-better-book-now/
Go read it and get back to me. Would like to know what you decide.
We cruised for a cause Feb. 10-15 aboard the spiffy Ruby Princess, it was quite an eye-opener with seminars and lectures by Heart Assn. members and guest speakers. We learned CPR, matters of the heart and how to stay healthy. And, we had fun!
Read more about it here: http://www.examiner.com/article/a-princess-cruise-created-for-a-good-cause-inspires-informs-and-delights
It was a fantasy at sea, a special birthday/anniversary celebration aboard Princess Cruise sterling Golden Princess. We sailed roundtrip from Los Angeles 
to Hawaii
what a whirlwind voyage:
Pastry, glorious pastry
.
Carnival Cruise Lines “Carnival Breeze-A-Thon,” today launchea Facebook sweepstakes contest
, for a chance to win a boat load of prizes from a Caribbean cruise to a Samsung television, and other awards inspired by the Carnival Breeze’s vast amenities.
The contest is in conjunction with the Breeze’s arrival in Miami where she began a series of year around, six and eight day cruises and will be hosted on Carnival’s Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/carnival) from today, Dec. 3 through Dec. 6, 2012. Then, on Dec. 8, the day of Carnival Breeze’s official naming ceremony, prizes will be awarded each hour between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., interspersed with a series of videos showcasing many of the ship’s fun and fantastic features. The final video of the day will feature highlights from the naming ceremony.
To enter just hit “like” Carnival on Facebook, visit the “Carnival Breeze-A-Thon” tab and enter to be eligible to win a wide range of fun and memorable prizes.
Lucky winners will score goodies such as:
For additional information and reservations on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” cruises, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
Check out the full story of Carnival’s ‘fowl’ play here: http://www.examiner.com/article/carnival-breeze-arrives-miami-topped-by-a-50-foot-tall-1-250-pound-turkey
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, at least to Crystal Cruises. The luxury cruise operator has already wrapped the gifts and planned the parties for the December holiday season.
Globe trotting friends, families and couples can escape the cold and snuggle up in a penthouse suite or luxury stateroom with a balcony on a pair of warm weather Christmas and New Year’s cruises.
The award-winning line will offer new exotic holiday options through Australia and New Zealand aboard the re-designed Crystal Symphony, complete with a complimentary over-the-top New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration in Sydney’s famed harbour.
Travelers seeking a tropical Christmas/New Year’s getaway round-trip from Miami can enjoy the holidays aboard Crystal Serenity as she sails to eight ports in Tortola, St. Lucia and other coveted Caribbean locales.
The ships will be lavishly outfitted with holiday trimmings and décor, from fantastical forest-themed atriums with pines covered in snow and shimmering lights, to Santa’s Bakery inside Bistro Cafés. Elaborate, hand-painted accoutrements and ornaments will adorn areas throughout the ships, creating a romantic, nostalgic winter wonderland.
Ho ho ho…
Santa Claus will be on hand for any last minute wishes from junior cruisers, along with other specially planned activities and parties. Christmas days at sea offer traditional culinary delights, including Christmas goose, roast turkey, and chestnut stuffing, plus religious services; New Year’s Eve dinner and champagne countdown celebrations are followed by Bloody Mary parties and mimosa brunch on New Year’s Day.
Itineraries:
December 20 (16 days) – From Auckland (overnight),
Crystal Symphony calls at Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch and Dunedin, New
Zealand, spends two nights in Sydney and cruises the awe-inspiring Millford,
Dusky and Doubtful Sounds before arriving for an overnight stay in
Melbourne.
December 21 (14 days) – Crystal Serenity sails from Miami and explores the picturesque islands of Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Lucia, Barbados, and Guadeloupe, West Indies; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Ponce, Puerto Rico (a maiden call); and Key West, Florida.
Until August 31, all inclusive “Book Now” all-inclusive (wines, tips, admission to alternataive dining venues) fares for 2012 Holiday voyages aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity begin at $8,505 and $7,060, respectively, with additional perks and savings for family and friend groups of six or more via the Crystal Family Memories Program.
Mickey, Minnie and the gang were in Seattle today for a big event–it’s the first time the Disney Wonder will do cruises from this Pacific Northewest port to Alaska.
All aboard! Read all about it here: http://www.examiner.com/article/the-disney-wonder-heads-north-to-alaska-on-first-ever-cruises-from-seattle
Families sailing on Crystal Cruises Hawaiian Holiday voyage, December 21, can reap rewards that include a free berth for a sixth guest, another free one for kids 17 and under, your tips taken care of, $100 per person on-board credit , a professional photos of your group, and wait, there’s one more, a · $500 credit toward a shared “Private Adventure.”
Wow, what are you waiting for. Book now. “The holidays are a great time to share with loved ones,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president marketing and sales. “What better way to build memories than with a luxury Crystal experience where you can bond and pamper yourselves, yet pursue different interests and realize tremendous value during the prime season?
“ The “Pacific Coast Holiday” stops at Savy Seafarer favroites such as Lahaina (the place to pick up cool holiday gifts), Maui (great dining and beaches); Honolulu, Oahu (more good shopping at Ala Moana and there are free shuttles back and forth.
It also calls at Nawiliwili, Kaui; Hilo, Hawaii; and Enseñada, Mexico. The ship will be decked out for the holidays with with opulent, soirees, complete with fresh mixologist-made cocktails, premium wines and champagne, gourmet cuisine, and live entertainment and dancing.
Christian and Jewish clergy will host Christmas and Hanukkah services, and Junior Activities Directors will lead children and teens in custom-crafted activities daily.
Two-for-One fares for the 14-day cruise begin at $7,050 per person, and include $500/person “All Inclusive. As You Wish” shipboard credit, plus free, round-trip air and airport transfer from two dozen North American gateway cities (or generous air credit). Groups of six must sail together in a minimum of three staterooms; other restrictions apply. Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com .
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 http://www.silversea.com
Posted by Patti Pietschmann at 1:22 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Ho ho ho, Princess Cruises decks the halls for the holidays–with snow flurries, gingerbread houses and turkey carving demos…. Princess ships are preparing for another festive season at sea, and weather conditions are again pointing to unusual snow flurries onboard. After an extremely popular debut last year, snow will again magically fall in the ship’s atriums, transforming the vessels into a winter wonderland throughout December.
Let is snow, let is snow says Princess senior VP–“What’s better than the romance of a white Christmas, especially when it’s an unexpected surprise?” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “Our snowfalls were such a huge hit last year that this has now become a new tradition on Princess ships.”
Sounds pretty cool with three main sections separated by low, curving walls running the length of the pool, a middle 16 inches deep with built-in benches right in the water, water falls, and a hot tub. .
Other addition include: Slice, an upscale pizzeria, live music, an LED screen and a sound system.
According to HAL the Retreat is part of a $200-million phase in the Signature of Excellence commitment that brings the latest innovations at sea to Holland America Line’s Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam and Rotterdam. The first of the extensive dry dock periods begins with the Veendam in spring 2009 and the last will be completed on the Maasdam in early 2011.. While in dry dock, ships will expand the aft deck to create The Retreat and a new bar concept called Mix that features separate areas—Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Enhancements will be made to all existing staterooms and additional staterooms will be added to the ships. The ships also will introduce 38 innovative lanai staterooms (39 on Rotterdam) with direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck. New spa staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon will offer special in-room spa amenities. Overall, Holland America Line has committed $525 million to its Signature of Excellence program that redefines premium cruising. Friends of my just got did a family Thanksgiving cruise on the Ryndam and loved it. The savvyseafarer has done quite a few HAL cruises and ranks it in the top 10 of mass market cruises.
1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425), www.hollandamerica.com.
Patti Pietschmann: Cruise Diva 