Family Powwows in Alaska with Princess
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
Round up granny, grandpa and the cousins and head for the Last Frontier, Princess Cruises has announced a 12-night cruisetour option geared to families (who don’t mind taking the kids out of school to do it!), with five departures offered in May, 2012. The cruisetours include family-fun stuff to do, from a sternwheeler boat ride to panning for gold.
“This is really the ultimate family vacation,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family.”
The cruisetour includes a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, one night at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. On sea days, families can also take advantage of Princess’ onboard programs geared to children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.
In addition, special tour extras included in the fare are daily breakfast, Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (from Fairbanks, travel on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try gold panning), ”Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch” (gets families to wilderness lodge faster), Denali Natural History Tour (intimate tour of Denali National Park), and a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Center.
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Out Of Africa: Silver Cloud Finishes Two Days In Morocco
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
Today just so happens to be my birthday. To celebrate, I ordered room service and spent a relaxing morning sailing along the African coast. Sipping a cup of coffee from my balcony, I gazed out at fishing boats against the the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, undulating along the distant horizon. Africa beckoned from afar. I was a “traveler in romance,” a phrase coined by one of my favorite authors during my youth, W. Somerset Maugham.
In the afternoon, Silver Cloud docked in Agadir, where I joined a tour to sample this fascinating resort city, completely rebuilt after an earthquake destroyed it in 1960. A relaxing morning, followed by a cultural immersion. From a traveler’s perspective, the day could not have been better.
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Get Out Of Town? Bound For Berlin On A Baltic Cruise
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
It’s not often that you visit destinations where the locals and tourist authorities advise you to “get out of town.” But in Rostock, Germany, and the nearby seaside resort, Warnemunde, that’s exactly what many cruise passengers are hearing.
It’s not that they, or any tourists, are unwelcome in Rostock and Warnemunde. The Baltic ports see more than 150,000 cruise passengers annually, according to Cruise Europe statistics. So why encourage them to leave? Cruise tourism authorities in both destinations are aware of the appeal of Berlin as well as the fact that theirs are the closest Baltic ports to the German capital, only three hours away by train.
Berlin, however, requires a full day on excursions offered by many of the cruise lines. Should you visit Berlin and skip Rostock and Warnemunde? Not so fast. By give short shrift to Rostock and Warnemunde, you’ll miss two worthwhile destinations.
My advice: See Rostock and Warnemunde and save Berlin for another visit. Berlin deserves more than a one-day visit. To help you decide, following is a tale of two cities — plus one — to help you make an informed decision about how to make the most of your time.
Wonderful Warnemunde, Historical Rostock
Ships typically dock in Warnemunde, a seaside resort that was famed for its baths and spas in the 20th century. Today, Warnemunde is a bit as if Miami were to meet the Baltic. Beaches are wide and sandy; hotels and bars line the streets across from the beach. Simply strolling the beach, or bicycling, is reason enough to visit Warnemunde.
Only 10 miles from Warnemunde, Rostock is one of the three original Hanseatic cities. Founded in 1218, the city is also home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1419. For the history buff, Rostock is well worth seeing. Moreover, getting to Rostock is easy. The train that departs to the city is within walking distance of the cruise terminal in Warnemunde
A few summers ago, I visited Rostock and Warnemunde on Holland America Line’s Westerdam. Disembarking for the day, I found help and maps in the cruise terminal. With information in hand, I boarded the train for the short transit to Rostock.
Once in Rostock city center, I transferred to a tram to get to the central square, Neuer Markt. From the ship to the central square took only about 30 minutes, including the transfer on the tram. In the tourist information center, situated on the square, I learned that the city features a town wall, gothic churches, charming shops and cafes.
I was advised to begin my exploration of Rostock at St. Peters Church, where I took the elevator up nearly 12 stories for a view of the city. Afterward, I walked the city squares and wide pedestrian streets, stopping for bratwurst before heading back to Warnemunde by boat.
In Warnemunde, I rented a bike near the train station and rode for a couple of hours along the promenade skirting the beach. Westerdam did not depart until 10 p.m., so after dinner on the ship, I walked back into Warnemunde. When I returned to the ship, the trains were returning with passengers who had opted for Berlin. As I watched them disembark, tired from the long journey but enthused about what they had seen, I was glad I stayed nearby. But as with most things, I had a tinge of “buyer’s regret” that I had not seen Berlin.
Berlin In One Day
On another Baltic cruise, I decided to head for Berlin from Warnemunde, nearly a three-hour journey by train each way. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Berlin if you’re not on one of the excursions offered by the cruise lines.
Prepare for a long day, which requires a 150-mile journey each way by train or bus to Germany’s capital.
Your goal is to see the major sites, including the remains of the Berlin Wall, historic Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building. You can do all that, and you’ll also have time to walk Berlin’s most famous boulevards and sample one of the city’s many museums.
After arriving at Berlin’s main train station get yourself on the S Bahn to the Zoologischer Garten (it’s only three stops – about 10 minutes). Once there, head outside to admire the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, destroyed in a World War II air-raid. The emotional effect of seeing the stark shell of the church is a powerful reminder of the devastating effect of war.
Board double-decker Bus 100 in front of the Zoo railway station for city tour using public transportation. Take a seat on top to enjoy the scenic ride that carries you through the Tiergarten (Berlin’s large city park), past the Reichstag, along Unter den Linden, and around Alexanderplatz, the open square and public transport hub.
Exit the bus at Museum Island, situated on the Spree River and home to four internationally renowned museums. Any one of them is worth your time, but as you are trying to maintain a schedule, limit yourself to the most popular, the Pergamon, home to original-sized, reconstructed monumental buildings such as the Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, and the Ishtar Gate, all consisting of parts transported from the original excavation sites.
Leaving Museum Island, stroll along Unter den Linden until you reach Pariser Platz, a prestigious address in prewar times that has returned to its former glory.
Surrounding the square are the American, French and British embassies, and on one corner is the beautiful Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Take a seat at an outdoor table at Restaurant Quarré and split a Chocolate milkshake, pricey, but worth the experience and the view — and plentiful enough for two.
From your seat outside Hotel Adlon, take time to admire Brandenburg Gate, once the formal entrance to the city and still a grand symbol of Berlin. When you’re done, head through the Gate, across Ebertstrasse, to the Reichstag. The first parliament of the German Empire, the Reichstag was opened in 1894 and housed the German parliament until 1933, when it was severely damaged in a fire supposedly set by a Dutch communist.
This fire proved to be a valuable excuse for the Nazis to suspend most civil rights and increase the state security apparatus. Following World War II, the Reichstag building again became the seat of the German parliament, and in October 1990, the official German reunification ceremony was held there. The building was completely reconstructed in a project led by architect Norman Foster and completed in 1999.
Check your watch. If time allows, take the free elevator up into the dome, which the locals call “the light bulb,” for stunning city views and to watch the democratic process take place below.
Head back to Ebertstrasse to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Also known as the Holocaust Memorial, the five-acre site has thousands of irregularly sized concrete slabs arranged in an unpredictable grid.
According to the designer’s project text, the slabs are designed to produce an uneasy, confusing atmosphere, and the whole sculpture aims to represent a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human reason. About a block away, you’ll find a sign marking the spot of the bunker where Adolf Hitler and his wife Eva Braun committed suicide.
Move on to Potsdamer Platz, a study in urban renewal and modern architecture, and continue to the Topography of Terror, a free, open-air exhibit on the organizations of the SS and the Gestapo, their crimes and their victims.
The site is bordered by a remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. Checkpoint Charlie lies another 250 yards further east. After viewing the Topography of Terror, continue on to the Mauermusuem Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, which is open until 10 p.m.
From Checkpoint Charlie, walk up the other side of Friederichstrasse six blocks to Berlin’s most beautiful plaza, Gendarmenmarkt.
Twin cathedrals (French and German) topped by tall domes in the gorgeous Baroque style anchor this square, with the grand Konzerthaus standing between them.
Each church has attractions: On the south side, the Deutscher Dom offers a government history museum, while the Franzosischer Dom has a nice restaurant and a tower with wine bar and dizzying spiral staircase leading to a panorama view.
Find your way to double-decker Bus 200 to travel the opposite side of the Tiergarten to the Zoo, and make your way back to the main train station and back to Rostock/Warnemunde before your ship departs.
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On Star Flyer: What, No Bvlgari?
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
During the past year, I’ve cruised my share of ultra-luxury ships, including those operated by Silversea, Regent and Seabourn. I’ve come to expect a certain standard — palatial staterooms, superior service, exquisite dining, and yes, sadly, Bvlgari bath amenities.
I have become, much to my dismay, something that I never dreamed I would become: a ship snob.
This is somewhat surprising for someone who was once content to backpack through third-world countries and for whom a splurge for luxury meant plunking down cash for a room in a three-star hotel.
Am I to apologize for the occupational hazard and my addiction to Bvlgari? I think not.
On Star Flyer, SeaDream-like stateroom, But Alas, No Bvlgari
When I walked into stateroom 326 on Star Flyer, I confess to some disappointment. I don’t know why I would have thought that the stateroom would have been larger, but I expected to peer down a long room with a balcony at the end, despite the fact that Star Flyer clearly features no balconies. It is habit, you understand. Insert the key and express awe. Rinse and repeat with each new ship. Instead, I inserted the key and found myself looking at a small room — with a porthole.
Scanning the room, I did a quick comparison. In place of the flat-panel televisions that I’ve become accustomed to was a small and boxy Panasonic television perched high in a corner so that it could be seen from the bed.
The bed: No ultra-luxurious, super deluxe dreamer mattress here — or even a pillow menu as many of the luxury ships have nowadays. Rather, the bed was shoved against one side of the room, a queen capable of being made into twins with only two pillows (did I hear someone gasp? My apologies for alarming the more sensitive among you.)
The bathroom was of a size and function that merely pivoting the hips would allow one to accomplish all tasks that one would want to accomplish in a toilet. The shower, sink and toilet are in such close proximity that one could, theoretically, put all three to use at once.
The bathroom and the stateroom reminded me of those on SeaDream, whose two vessels are more than two decades old. While SeaDream’s staterooms are moderately larger and its bathrooms are a tad bigger, both vessels share the same dark wood trimmings and non-balconied staterooms.
There are other similarities between the vessels, although it should be pointed out that SeaDream offers an ultra-luxury experience, meaning that yes, SeaDream satisfies the Bvlgari addiction.
A cruise on SeaDream, however, will set you back several hundred dollars per person per day whereas a sailing on Star Flyer can be had for less than a couple hundred dollars per day per person. So it’s not really fair to compare the two beyond that of the initial impressions of the staterooms.
Before boarding a friend told me that I would have to “let go” of my luxury ship expectations. She must have pictured me to be like the millionaire Thurston Howell III trapped on Gilligan’s Island, for those who remember the corny television show of the 1960s. All these years later, I am certain that Thurston was a Bvlgari man.
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Top 10 Honeymoon Cruises
By · CommentsAs rated by the iCruise.com staff
When we decided to create a top ten best honeymoon list the first thing we agreed upon was the approach. We looked at the entire cruise industry from contemporary cruise lines all the way up to the luxury lines, and destinations and itineraries all over the world.
We also know that some couples are interested in a traditional type of honeymoon experience, and that others are looking for something totally different; so we wanted to represent both it and the very best that each cruise line has to offer.
We rated the ships using a highly scientific method: our own opinion! Each contender was evaluated on the following criteria:
- Romance
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Ship
- Service
- Accommodations
- Dining
- Value
Then we placed them in the order of the scores. Price was not a deciding factor because everyone is going to have a different budget, but we can help you make a choice that you’re comfortable with. But here’s a great place to begin planning your vacation.
Drum Roll Please – Ladies and Gentlemen, from the Corporate Headquarters in Delray Beach, Florida. Here are the Top 10 Honeymoon Cruises!!
Number 10…
PRINCESS CRUISES – Star Princess
7 Night Alaska Inside Passage from Seattle, WA
If you’re looking for big scenery, big wildlife and big adventure, then you’ve found the perfect honeymoon. Departing conveniently from Seattle May through September, Star Princess sails to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia. You will experience exciting gold rush history aboard an antique train, trek magnificent glaciers and immerse yourself in the culture of Alaska’s native people while traveling in luxury aboard a new generation Love Boat.
Be sure to book a room with a private balcony so you don’t miss one moment of the gorgeous scenery while you enjoy your morning coffee or an evening cocktail. Star Princess offers a decadent spa and adults-only areas, flexible dining, a huge casino and a wide variety of nightly entertainment. And for an intimate, romantic evening, make a reservation at one of the most delicious restaurants at sea: Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. Then take in a comedy show and don’t miss the champagne waterfall extravaganza, a Princess Cruises exclusive.
Prices start at $699 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 9…
DISNEY CRUISE LINE – Disney Dream
4 Night Disney cruise and 3 Night Walt Disney World Resort stay from Port Canaveral/Orlando
Begin on Sunday by spending four nights on board Disney’s newest and most spectacular ship, the Disney Dream. Sail from Port Canaveral on one of the most delightful cruise ships ever, and visit Disney’s secluded island retreat, Castaway Cay, and charming colonial Nassau, Bahamas. Honeymooners will be thrilled to learn that on board there are uniquely separate areas created just for adults: a pool, an intimate Italian restaurant, a decadent spa, a nightclub complex with several different bars and even a beach on Castaway Cay all off limits to kids!
You’ll enjoy a completely different dining experience every night. Plus spacious accommodations, excellent service and a wide variety of entertainment, all done in classic Disney style, add up to make this one of the most enchanting honeymoons available. Then Thursday morning, transfer just 45 minutes away to Orlando and spend the rest of the week at one of the fabulous Walt Disney World resorts. Once at the parks the magic continues! All of Disney’s honored guests enjoy unlimited park admissions and convenient, complimentary Disney transportation.
Prices start at $1419 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 8…
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES – Carnival Freedom
6 Night Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is a ship built for fun and an itinerary designed for fun in the sun! Departing every other Sunday from Fort Lauderdale, you can sail year-round for 6-nights to Western Caribbean ports of call in Key West, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. And you can enjoy some of the most sought after adventures in the Caribbean. Carnival’s Las Vegas-style atmosphere keeps the party going from the show lounge to the casino to the nightclub to the piano bar. Plus, Carnival offers a terrific variety of flexible dining options, including an intimate adults-only supper club serving fine steaks and seafood delicacies.
Prices start at $309 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 7…
HOLLAND AMERICA – Eurodam
7 Night Eastern Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, FL
The first in the newest line of Holland America Line vessels, Eurodam sails conveniently from Fort Lauderdale every Saturday from January through April and again in November and December. She calls in Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas, plus Holland America’s award-winning private island retreat, Half Moon Cay. Holland America Line offers a traditional cruising experience with a refined social atmosphere and gracious Asian-style service from an all-Filipino and Indonesian crew. Their unique Pinnacle Grill dining experience specializes in the finest food and wine from the Pacific Northwest. Plus, the Culinary Arts Center, sponsored by Food & Wine Magazine, appeals the foodie in everyone. The ships are decorated like elegant fine- art galleries, and the cabin accommodations are very spacious.
Prices start at $599 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 6…
CELEBRITY CRUISES – Summit
7 Night Bermuda from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ
This will definitely be a vacation to remember, even if it weren’t your honeymoon, because you’re aboard one of the finest ships in the cruise industry on a cruise line with one of the highest ratings of customer satisfaction. Every Sunday from May to August, this gorgeous ship sails for 7 nights from Cape Liberty to beautiful Bermuda with an unequaled length of stay: three days in port. Sexy and elegant, Summit provides an experience rich in opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation, turning this cruise into a sophisticated, club-style spa vacation. A must-do for honeymooners: the couples body spa treatments or partner’s massage instruction.
Prices start at $799 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 5…
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE – Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas
7 Night Eastern or Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas definitely have the “WOW” factor. They are the largest and most innovative ships ever built. The entertainment and activities are endless including rock climbing, zip lining, ice skating (yep, you read that right), basketball, volleyball or mini-golf. At night you’ll find a wide variety of live entertainment in the many restaurants, bars and lounges, and the aqua theatre, not to mention a world-class casino. And look out for those crazy Dreamworks characters from Shrek and Madagascar! Every Saturday and every Sunday, Allure and Oasis carry more than 5,000 guests each to the most beautiful and most popular islands in the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau or to Labadee, Jamaica and Mexico.
Prices start at $749 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 4…
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE – Pride of America
7 Night Hawaiian Islands from Honolulu , HI
See more of Hawaii from a whole new perspective aboard Pride of America sailing year round in Hawaii. All of Pride of America’s itineraries include the beautiful ports of Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Kauai and Maui. Norwegian’s unique flexible style is perfect for such an adventurous and port-intensive itinerary. This cruise spends more than 100 hours docked in the islands, including overnights in both Maui and Kauai, so you have plenty of time to explore without rushing. The ship delivers a fabulous vacation value, without time wasted checking in and out of hotels and catching inter-island flights. Plus, the dining menus and night-time entertainment capture the best of the islands. Flagged in the US with a Hawaiian-American crew, Pride of America provides a unique perspective into the culture and history of Hawaii.
Prices start at $959 per person plus airfare. click for more info
Number 3…
AMA Waterways – AmaCello
7 Night Rhine River from Basel, Switzerland or from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Rhine River is an ideal backdrop for a fantasy honeymoon. The region’s quintessential castles and Medieval villages are direct from the pages of your favorite fairy tales. The Rhine flows through mythic Rhineland Germany, which has a great appeal for foodies and wine lovers. AmaCello carries only 148 people in an intimate, modern atmosphere and the common language on board is English. Dining and entertainment showcase the culture of the area, plus, all accommodations offer a river view, most have a private verandah. Imagine the convenience of traveling the interior of Europe without all the hassles of packing and unpacking. Amacello will take you door-to-door with the area’s most charming and delightful experiences, and daily shore tours are included in the cruise price. Lengthy port calls allow you to walk on and off the ship any time you want or borrow the ship’s bicycles for more private independent exploration.
Prices start at $2,499 per person. click for more info
Number 2…
WINDSTAR CRUISES – Wind Spirit
7 Night Greek Islands and Turkey from Istanbul, Turkey or from Athens, Greece
Windstar defies any attempt to be labeled an ordinary cruise by giving guests the chic feel of a chartered sailboat. With only 146 other guests you will find attentive service, superb dining, a casual atmosphere and the romance of some of the trendiest destinations in the Mediterranean. Choose one of two 7-night cruises among the Greek Islands from Istanbul , or from Athens, including Mykonos, Santorini, and Bodrum and Kusadasi. The ship offers such a laid-back atmosphere that even the captain goes without socks and there are no schedules and no restrictions.
Prices start at $2,499 per person plus airfare. click for more info
And the Number 1 Honeymoon Cruise Vacation is…
PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES – Paul Gauguin
7 Night Tahiti and The Society Islands from Papeete, Tahiti
The cruise sails every Saturday from Papeete, Tahiti for a 7-night voyage the idyllic coral atolls of Raiatea and Tahaa, and the itinerary includes overnight stays in Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete before disembarkation. This allows you plenty of time to bask in pure pleasure and even enjoy watersports right off the back of the ship! Paul Gauguin offers a retractable water-level marina platform and a full range of PADI SCUBA excursions. Informal, yet elegant, the Paul Gauguin carries only 320 guests who receive only the finest personal service, fabulous gourmet cuisine meticulously prepared and presented under the supervision of top rated French chefs.
Prices start at $2,999 per person including airfare for a suite! click for more info
Whichever honeymoon cruise you choose, you will have the most romantic time of your life!
Oasis of the Seas: Big Thrills for Kids!
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
The 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas made waves as she entered US waters in 2009 as the newest and certainly the biggest cruise ship in the world. Families are a large market for Royal Caribbean and naturally this ship has some amazing stuff for children.
Now, where to start?
Let’s begin with size. The gigantic 28,000-square-foot Adventure Ocean complex is built around a main artery called Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting kids with Adventure Ocean spaces and various customized play areas geared to specific activities. It also harbors the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older) as well as state-of-the-art teen areas.
Oasis of the Seas is divided into seven neighborhoods — from leafy Central Park to the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness zone — and two of them are especially geared to families: the Youth Zone and the Boardwalk.
The Youth Zone: Highlights
A Royal Caribbean first, Royal Babies and Tots nursery is a colorful fully-staffed nursery where children can be left in the care of Royal Caribbean’s trained professionals. The ship also offers the line’s popular interactive playgroups for parents and babies/tots created by Fisher-Price and Crayola. The nursery is open daily during the daytime and evening, maintaining an optimum staff to child ratio.
For the 3 to 11 age range, Kids Avenue is the Youth Zone’s answer to the Royal Promenade. It’s the main boulevard for young cruisers to access the various Adventure Ocean areas, where three age groupings each enjoy their own space: Aquanauts, ages 3 to 5; Explorers, ages 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11. All the fun is supervised by a team of college-educated counselors.
New common play areas aboard Oasis include the Kid’s Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrap booking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore the world of color and imagination through Adventure Art by Crayola; a fully-equipped Adventure Science Lab, where Einsteins-in-the-making can expand their knowledge; Play, an indoor playground where children can run around and play games like nurfball and dodge ball; and the 100-seat Adventure Ocean Theater. This is the first-ever children’s theater at sea – complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and state-of-the-art production equipment – where children of all ages can learn about theatrical productions, take part in talent shows, or sign up for hip hop dance classes.
For older kids, the tween and teen-only spaces are located one deck above the Adventure Ocean areas and adjacent to the ship’s Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ship’s pair of FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games. Teens of course will love having their space far far away from the younger Adventure Ocean kids. The two main areas for them are the Fuel disco and The Living Room, a hangout spot for milling around, making new friends and sipping on a non-alcoholic juice or soda from the “mocktail” bar. Teens can also learn to spin and mix music in Scratch DJ 101 classes or surf the Internet and keep in touch with friends via the bank of computer stations there. Fuel is a hip nightclub where teens can hang out with friends and show off their moves on the dance floor. A spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues gives teens even more opportunities to make new friends. There’s also a video arcade filled with the latest video games.
The Boardwalk
The nostalgic-y feeling Boardwalk has two main stars, the old time wooden carousel and the 600-seat AquaTheater for thrilling aquatic acrobatic, high-diving and synchronized swimming performances. A pair of rock-climbing walls measuring 43 feet high flanks the AquaTheater and provides multiple climbing routes. Each rock wall measures 43 feet tall and is open to passengers 6 and over. Even more thrilling for teens and adults is a go at the first zip line at sea stretching 82 feet in length and suspended nine decks above the bustling Boardwalk area.
Kids will also love Candy Beach, where they can buy M&Ms, jellybeans, Tootsie Rolls and other tasty treats. Kid-geared shops include the Star Pier for electronics and surf-inspired clothes for teens. The Pinwheels toy store targets younger kids and has a backdrop of plasma screens showing movie trailers and video games. Pets at Sea, a build-your-own stuffed toy shop, is also focused on the younger children. Another Boardwalk hit is the climbing and play space modeled after a 50′s-style gas station next to the popular Johnny Rockets diner-style restaurant. Other family-friendly noshing venues along the Boardwalk include an ice cream parlor, donut shop and casual seafood shack.
Other Great Stuff
In the Pool & Sports Zone, the H2O Zone aqua park has a great toddler pool as well as the first beach pool at sea, featuring a true-to-form sloped entry and colorful beach chairs and umbrellas.
In the dining department, families have the pick of 22 outlets throughout the ship, from burgers and shakes at the Johnny Rockets diner to individual cafes and restaurants specializing in cupcakes, pizza, sandwiches, ice-cream and more.
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By the Avid Cruiser
Helsingwhat? That was the response from some cruise passengers who stepped ashore in the Swedish town of Helsingborg this morning. “It’s been a long time since school geography,” said one man from the United Kingdom. “I’m afraid my knowledge isn’t sufficient enough to have known about Helsingborg.”
But he and other passengers disembarking Grand Princess said they were impressed by the city in the south of Sweden.
“I’m very impressed,” said Jim Hough, from Banks, Oregon. “I’m a city manager, so when I come, I look to see how well-kept the town is, and Helsingborg is very well kept. Everyone is obviously very proud of what they have here. I’m so glad it was put on our itinerary, because now I believe I’ve seen the real Sweden as opposed to the metropolitan Sweden.”
“We’ve been to the major cities, which is great,” added another passenger, “but this is a small city and we feel closer to the local population and not swamped by long queues of tourists.”
A couple from Detroit remarked on the cleanliness of Helsingborg. “It’s very fresh and interesting,” they added.
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NCL’s Epic: Will You Love It or Leave It?
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
It’s big and boxy on the outside, busy and noisy on the inside. With 20 dining options and 20 bars and lounges, NCL Epic features industry-first solo traveler cabins and innovative balcony staterooms, plus a lot more. Will you love it or leave it?
As our motorcoach approached the Southampton docks, I braced myself. Before me was a vessel that looked nearly as much like a container ship as it did a cruise ship. In the glow of a Southampton sunset, Norwegian Epic’s towering exterior appeared odd, with a flat aft and a Lego-like forward section, unlike any ship I had ever seen.
As a reporter, I’ve covered NCL for nearly 20 years. During that time, the company has struggled with its brand identity. As NCL’s Sheehan noted, in the past several years NCL had complicated its product offering. “Every time Carnival or Royal Caribbean or Celebrity or Princess came out with something new, we would say, ‘Well we’ve got to do that too.’ What happened was that we were doing way too many things, and it made it very complicated. We were not doing a superb job on everything.”
My question before boarding Epic was whether the ship would, in fact, redefine NCL. I harbored hopes that it would.
At first glance, however, I had my doubts about Epic. Entering the ship did little to ease my doubts. Big and boxy on the outside, Epic was busy and noisy on the inside.
Epic’s Din & Decibels
Even with half of the full passenger complement, NCL’s public areas were densely peopled, the bars and restaurants crowded. There was no place devoid of decibels.
I was ready to give up hope. But hold on, I thought to myself, I am a professional. Make an objective assessment. I had just come off of Crystal Symphony, carrying slightly more than 900 passengers. Epic could top out at more than 4,600. I had to remember that I was going from a vessel in the luxury segment, with a much higher price point, to a vessel in the contemporary or mass market segment.
Three successive thoughts help me temper my initial culture-shock about Epic: 1) British travel agents on something like a holiday, 2) only two nights to party, 3) and this one is important, open bar. Oh, and England was competing in the World Cup on a large-screen television. You get the picture.
Several hours late boarding (due to Epic’s late arrival in Southampton), I was paraded directly to my stateroom to drop my luggage then to the Argentine-inspired Moderno Churrascaria, which shares space with Cagney’s Steakhouse. The presentation of meat carved at the table was well done, and the food was good.
After a quick dinner, our group proceeded to the Manhattan Room for entertainment by Madonna, Elvis and Tina Turner look-alikes, and desserts. Again, great entertainment; tasty sweets.
Marching again, we headed to the upper decks to Spice H2O for a FABBA performance, where high-energy performers entertained us with ABBA favorites.
Around midnight, we stopped in at Headliners, where dueling piano players performed a mostly comedic act in “Howl at the Moon.”
After four hours of nonstop entertainment, my ears were buzzing when I returned to my room after midnight.
Bath & Bed
I was unable to immediately assess whether I liked my stateroom or not. As has been widely publicized, Epic’s staterooms are more curvy than boxy. The bathroom configuration turned out to be a point of controversy. Some loved it; some hated it. The toilet is in an enclosed capsule on one side as you enter the room, the shower is in an enclosed capsule on the other side, and the sink is close enough to the bed that I could have brushed my teeth with my head on my pillow.
The bed, though wide enough, missed accommodating the length of my body by about half a foot, and thus, I slept sideways. I appreciated the large, flat-screen television, the coffee-maker and the roomy balcony. Also, in a nod to environmental conservation, the stateroom keycard must be inserted into a slot to activate the light switches in the room. Kudos to NCL for that.
The next morning, NCL’s publicist told me that tonight we would experience sensory overload. “I thought that was last night,” I jokingly replied.
The on-board ambience is intended to be busy and buzzing, NCL execs say. With 20 bars and lounges and an equal number (or possibly more – it’s difficult to keep count) dining options, Epic clearly follows in the wake of Oasis as an entertainment extravaganza.
On a weeklong cruise on either ship, I think I would miss the close connection with the sea. Epic is more like Vegas than it is a cruise ship. However, that said, Epic grew on me during the 36 hours I was on board.
The Blue Man Group put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, at sea or otherwise. And there is nothing at sea like the Cirque Dreams & Dinner, which featured a Broadway-style show and acrobatics. Cirque’s meat and potatoes dinner was a bit heavy, so I skipped it and hit the Wasabi sushi bar after the show.
NCL says that upscale cruisers would be happy in Epic’s Courtyard villas, which were not completed during our brief inspection. Perhaps, but it wouldn’t be my first choice as a luxury cruiser. Of course, I am one who is happier looking out at the sea than I am watching high-energy performances. With my children, however, there’s no doubt that Epic would be a hit.
What is certain is that the ship certainly represents an epic moment in NCL’s 40-year history.
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Apple iPad Invades Seabourn Sojourn
By · CommentsBy the Avid Cruiser
An increasingly common trend on cruises: passengers toting iPads. No doubt that Apple’s iPad is an effective and highly transportable device for staying connected both on land and at sea.
This morning, leaving The Colonnade following breakfast, I was approached by a Seabourn Sojourn staff member who, seeing that I was clutching an iPad, remarked on the emerging prevalence of the technology on cruise ships. “I’m seeing more and more people using the iPad on board,” he said. “Probably 30 percent of the guests have them on this cruise.”
I’m not sure of the statistical accuracy of his statement, but indeed, I have seen a fair number of iPads in use during our cruise of the Norwegian fjords.
With Seabourn’s unlimited internet package, it’s easy to share access between computers, and you won’t need to count your minutes as the package covers the cost of all access while on board. I am using both a Macbook Pro and an iPad to stay on top of email and other work-related activities.
As some on this cruise have remarked, the ability to stay connected makes the cruise — and particularly returning home after the cruise — more enjoyable than not being connected. They contend that they would return home to an overwhelming workload, whereas logging on for an hour a day helps them manage their inboxes and smooths the transition of stepping off this luxury cruise and back into real life.
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By the Avid Cruiser
How do Celebrity’s Solstice-class vessels compare to luxury cruise lines where the price point is at least twice as much? Read the Avid Cruiser’s report this week during a Caribbean voyage on Celebrity Solstice.
Previously, I wrote Celebrity’s Newest Ship Breaks The Mold. Clearly, Celebrity Solstice left a good impression on me and many others.
This week, I’m back on Celebrity Solstice, taking a second look at what a friend of mine calls, “Crystal Light.” She’s referring not to the powdered sugar-free beverage but rather to Celebrity’s competitive positioning against luxury operator Crystal Cruises.
She posits that Celebrity is a formidable contender to Crystal in some areas, namely staterooms, cuisine and other ship-board offerings. That’s quite a claim, especially considering that Celebrity’s price point is about half of Crystal’s.
Are Celebrity’s Solstice-class vessels nipping at the heels of their luxury competitors? I don’t plan to a blow-by-blow comparison, but this week, I will take a look at some of the good — and not-so-good, if warranted — on Celebrity Solstice.
Bathrooms are well-designed with one small, but well-publicized feature: a shower bar to assist women in shaving their legs. Such small touches characterize the well-thought-out design on Solstice-class vessels.
First impressions are the same as last time I was on board: Solstice is an exceptionally tasteful ship in both design and on-board offerings.
Public areas are gorgeous, restaurants are both numerous (with as many as 10 dining venues, depending on how you count – five have cover charges) and impressive. Staterooms are comfortable and well-designed. Mine, 8253, has a deep balcony, thanks to its positioning in the mid-ship curve.
How will Celebrity Solstice shake out by the end of the week? Of course, purists know that Celebrity can’t compete in several areas against the luxury players:
- With a capacity of more than 2,800 guests, a single Solstice-class vessel has more capacity than the entire fleets of most, if not all, of the luxury players.
- On the smaller luxury lines, staff frequently address guests by their names. Not so on larger vessels, such as those in the Solstice class.
- With the exception of Crystal, luxury lines are all-inclusive, meaning that a check will not be shoved under your nose to sign for soft drinks, specialty coffees and alcoholic beverages. On Celebrity, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice your penmanship. Crystal skirts the all-inclusive issue by providing an As You Wish Credit.
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