Author Archive
Seabourn Odyssey: The Patio Grill
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Diners are impressed with the presentation and selection at Seabourn Odyssey’s Patio Grill, possibly one of the most attractive pool dining venues afloat.
As expected, the Patio Grill serves up the usual offerings of burgers and fries, along with turkey burgers, hot dogs and grilled chicken. And while most pool grills have a fish offering, Seabourn Odyssey featured grilled wild seabass on the menu today. There is also a selection of salads and panini, the Italian sandwiches.
Also at the Patio Grill was pico de gallo and guacamole, both exceptionally fresh. Also tempting was the thin-crust, gourmet pizza, made on the spot from noon until 7 p.m.
Lots of attention to detail make for a masterful presentation at Seabourn Odyssey’s Patio Grill. Weather-permitting, the Patio Grill transforms to an evening venue for intimate al fresco dining.
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Northern European Adventures offered by Crystal Cruises
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Glacier trekking, flight-seeing and snowmobiling are just some of the adventures awaiting Crystal Symphony passengers this summer in Northern Europe. In addition to the fascinating cultural sightseeing at museums and historic places that one normally associates with a Northern European cruise, Crystal Cruises has 300 Crystal Adventures on its menu of shore activities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore the region’s natural attractions.
Of course, you can still find your way to the historic treasures or even the ballet theater, but the excursions offered through Crystal Adventures also allow you to do and see things that visitors to Europe frequently miss. From May through August, the Crystal Symphony will offer eleven- to 15-day Baltic and Northern European itineraries, with calls at ports throughout Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Finland, Norway, Poland, Germany, Iceland and the British Isles. Experiences ashore run the gamut, including:
- A spelunking cave expedition through Trollkirka Caves in Norway
- Private car and helicopter explorations of Helsinki’s Neo-Classical architecture, Olympic Stadium, opera house and other highlights in Finland
- Special opera or ballet performance at the famed Mariinsky Theatre in Russia
- High-speed sailing on an adrenaline-filled adventure in a state-of-the-art V.O.60 Volvo professional ocean racer
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Dream Thanksgiving
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Last night rack of lamb was on the menu and looked so tempting I overlooked it was braised in garlic. I am allergic to garlic. (I know, I’m on an Italian hit list somewhere). But how bad could braising be?
It was quite a night for me. First, the “family” comedy night with Marvin Bell. He was at once charming and very funny. The neat thing is, when I went up to chat with him after the show, he recognized me as “The Game Show Guy.” Actually that was better than my female tablemate who said, “I swear you have a twin brother.” Yes, and he’s on TV, I thought.
“He,” she said, “is a Roman Catholic Priest.”
I did stop by the hypnotist’s show and stayed for a bit until I had this urge to jump up because my seat was hot. From there to the “adult” comedy. The great thing about Marvin is he is funny! He doesn’t try to get laughs out of raunchy. If you have a chance, don’t miss this guy.
Next the heralded laser show on the main pool deck. Nothing stops the dancers on this ship. It was pouring rain!
We docked at Port Canaveral Thanksgiving morning; I slept. Thanksgiving afternoon, I slept. So I now list “braising with garlic” right after “oysters in August” on my “It’s Going to Get You List.”
I did manage to do some laundry. Dream has three launderettes, but bring quarters; 12 will get you a washer, 12 more a dryer, and 5, soap. Altogether one load will cost $7.25. It probably would have been more expedient to bring extra underwear.
All the major Thanksgiving football games made it to Dream on the huge screen with booming sound.
I couldn’t face mass made turkey, so the Chef’s Steak House got the nod. This is a $30 alternate dining site high on the top deck. It is lovely. To start, I had the best ahi tartar I’ve ever tasted. I asked the chef to send five pounds of it to my cabin. He didn’t. The steaks looked incredible, but, remembering my rack of lamb, I chose lobster. The Steak House is well worth the asking price.
From there, tryptophan deprived, to the lonely cabin. By the way, the thing about traveling alone is I can have any combination of anything without someone going “arrrrrgh.” For instance, for breakfast I’ve had eggs over-easy with two slices of cheese on top, and, on top of the cheese, a dollop of peanut butter.
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River Cruising 2012: Bigger & Better Ships, New Destinations
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Few industries have experienced the kind of growth that has characterized river cruising. There’s good reason: River cruising is a great way to see interior Europe.
Companies like AmaWaterways and Uniworld are moving along with their newbuilds.
Part of the reason for the success of river cruising lies in its ability to transport guests to areas that would be inaccessible to ordinary deep-ocean cruise ships. And unlike land-based tours, which often involve multiple motorcoach rides and hotel changes, river cruising allows passengers to unpack once, yet enjoy a multitude of fascinating ports. Every night, you return to the same ship, mingle with the same friends, and sleep in the same bed. River cruising is like a land tour coupled with the convenience of a traditional cruise.
European river cruises are by far the most popular. The rich mix of culture and history resonates strongly with passengers, who find themselves returning to “The Old World” year after year.
For those unsure about where to begin, theme cruises help to highlight some of the most fascinating times and places to visit, from spring Tulip Time cruises that explore the natural beauty of the Netherlands to the popular Christmas Markets voyages.
For many, a Europe under snow is a breathtaking way to spend the holidays with friends and family. A European river cruise also offers an astonishing array of river cruise ships.
Operating the line’s Imperial Jewels of China, Roof of the World and China’s Cultural Delights itineraries, these 12-to-17-day cruisetours offer guests the best of both worlds: a six-day river cruise along the famed Yangtze coupled with a land-based tour of Asia. Days are filled with the exploration of some of China’s most impressive sights, including a visit to the legendary Terra Cotta Army; a stop at a local night market in Xian; a fully guided monastery tour in Lhasa; a trip to Shanghai’s famous Bund, and of course, visits to the Great Wall of China and Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Guests will also be able to visit the school in Jingzhou, China that was set up expressly by Viking as a way to give back to the community. Enjoy a performance by the schoolchildren before returning to your ship and continuing your Yangtze adventure.
River cruising is also quickly gaining popularity in Russia, where ships ply the legendary Volga River. A true departure from the ordinary, these itineraries sail to places like Moscow, Uglich, Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg and offer passengers a tantalizing glimpse behind the former Iron Curtain into modern-day Russia. River cruises through Egypt have remained popular despite that country’s recent political unrest, with passengers drawn by the continuing allure of the Valley of the Kings. River cruising is also taking hold in Portugal, where smaller ships are uniquely suited to exploring the country’s Douro River, which winds through the legendary port wine-producing region known as the Douro River Valley.
With an unprecedented amount of ships, destinations and itineraries to choose from, travellers should ask themselves not why they should take a river cruise, but why they have waited so long to do so.
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Port Profile: Falmouth, England
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Cruise passengers sailing into the Port of Falmouth will see the twin castles of St. Mawes and Pendennis. A short walk or bus transfer from the port, the 16th-century castles that guard the entrance to the harbor were built by King Henry VIII to repel French invaders.
The port of Falmouth’s greatest asset has always been its prime location, sheltered by Pendennis Point and lying within the third largest natural deep water harbor in the world. It is Falmouth’s dramatic unspoilt scenery that has made it the Royal Duchy of Cornwall’s leading south coast resort.
Known locally as Carrick Roads, this unique natural harbor came about at the end of the ice age. As the global ice melted and sea levels rose, the river valley flooded creating a huge inlet to what we know today. Carrick Roads remains deeply rooted within Falmouth’s culture and heritage.
During the reign of Henry VIII, 450 years ago, two twin castles were built at either side of the entrance as a defense against an invasion of the French. Today, cruise passengers will sail into Carrick Roads to the heart of the town, where the twin forts of St Mawes Castle and Pendennis Castle can be seen on either side.
To view cruises to England, click here.
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Port Profile: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Scotland has not been an independent nation for 300 years, but the country continues to sustain its own capital: Edinburgh. And all the attributes that one would expect from a capital city can be found here. One of the most visible is the Edinburgh Castle, visible from almost any part of this second-largest city in Scotland (Glasgow is larger).
Rendering the city a profile that could be described as dramatic, the castle towers high on a cliff. Resolute stone statues of the legendary Scottish Kings Robert the Bruce and William Wallace guard the walls that have witnessed centuries of Scottish history. Edinburgh Castle is one of the main tourist attractions in Britain.
The crown jewels are kept in the castle, as is the Stone of Scone. Used in connection with coronations of the monarchs of Scotland and, later, the monarchs of England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland in 1996 after being kept for 700 years in London’s Westminster Abbey.
The Scottish Parliament is also based in Edinburgh, situated in the Holorood area. While it is unclear if the seven hills that surround the city have anything to do with the capital status, it is a fact that both Rome and Lisbon, the capital cities in Italy and Portugal, respectively, are also famous for being built on seven hills.
To view Northern Europe cruises, click here.
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Choose To Cruise The Danube
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Immortalized by Johann Strauss in the Blue Danube Waltz, the Danube winds from Germany’s Black Forest through Austria into the Balkans before dumping into the Black Sea.
The romantic river flows through six countries and meanders for nearly 1,800 miles. Some of Europe’s most fabled cities, including Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, are situated on the banks of the Danube, making the Danube a good choice for first-time river cruisers.
On our eight-day cruise on Uniworld’s River Empress, there were both first-timers and repeaters. Our cruise began in Budapest and ended in Passau, with an overnight on board in each city at the beginning and end of the cruise.
Ashore, Uniworld includes at least one free tour in each destination, so that passengers get an overview and introduction to the places they visit. Following is a brief overview of the destinations we visited along the Danube.
Budapest was once referred to as the Queen of the Danube, because of the city’s cultural significance at a time when Hungary was three times the size it is today.
On one side of the Danube, hilly Buda retains much of its Middle Age charm; its cobbled streets and Gothic buildings have been well preserved. On the other side of the river, Pest is the thriving city center.
River Empress was docked on the Buda side. A free ferry shuttled us between Buda and Pest.
Bratislava. Slovakia’s capital city was a capital in exile for Hungary’s kings and archbishops during Turkey’s occupation of Hungary and most of the middle Danube basin from 1526 to 1784.
Bratislava is dominated by an enormous castle that stands sentinel over the Danube. Though the castle dates back to the 9th century, it was razed in 1811 and rebuilt.
Vienna was the next stop for River Empress. After the included city tour, many passengers visited Schonbrunn Palace, the imperial summer palace of the Habsburgs, one of Europe’s principal sovereign dynasties from the 15th to the 20th centuries.
Vienna is characterized by beautiful parks, legendary Viennese coffee houses and Baroque palaces. One of the city’s most famous landmarks, Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) is also one of Europe’s most impressive Gothic structures.
The musically inclined will appreciate that Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss composed their greatest operas and symphonies in Austria’s capital city. The composer Schubert was born here.
An optional excursion offered by Uniworld features an evening concert, and this one is a “don’t miss” for lovers of music and culture.
River Empress called on Durnstein one morning, and Melk that afternoon, with scenic river cruising and an outdoor Bavarian buffet on the upper deck.
Using the bicycles on board, a group of us bicycled through the vineyard-rich Wacchau Valley in Durnstein.
In Melk, the included tour took us to the 900-plus-year-old Melk Abby, situated high atop granite cliffs overlooking the Danube and the village of Melk.
From Linz, on the following day, most passengers opted for the included tour to Salzburg (about two hours each way), birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the acclaimed musical, “The Sound of Music.”
Situated at the confluence of three rivers, Passau marked the end of our cruise. We overnighted on board.
The included tour featured a walking tour and an organ concert, performed on Europe’s largest pipe organ at St. Stephan’s Cathedral.
Disembarking passengers either transferred to Munich’s international airport, a 90-minute drive away, or for a post-cruise stay in Prague, about three hours by motorcoach.
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Port Profile: Aberdeen, Scotland
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The Scottish city of Aberdeen is known under many nicknames. Here are a couple of them: “Granite City,” “Oil Capital of Europe,” and “Energy Capital of Europe.”
One represents the past, one aptly describes today’s Aberdeen, and one tells us in which direction this city is currently heading.
“Granite city” is a remnant from past times, when Aberdeen became known for the granite quarried here. It has been estimated that six million tons of granite were excavated from the Rubislaw Quarry in the period from the late 18th century until 1971.
Throughout the centuries, granite from what is now one of the biggest man-made holes in Europe was used when constructing the terraces at Westminster Palace and the Waterloo Bridge in London. Aberdeen itself, of course, also features a number of impressive houses built in granite, such as the Aberdeen City Town House.
To view Northern Europe cruises, including cruises to Scotland, click here.
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Getting To Know River Empress
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Uniworld’s River Empress isn’t the newest vessel on the Danube. She was built in 2002 and refurbished in 2005.
There are no balconies gracing the 63 double cabins and four suites. Cabin sizes are fairly standard for river cruisers: 151 square feet; and 214 square feet for the suites.
Generously sized bathrooms feature showers with soap, shampoo and other bath amenities provided, so you can save room in your suitcase by not packing those items.
River Empress features a lounge, fitness center, launderette (laundry services also are offered), sauna, boutique and a beauty salon. For those with mobility problems, there is an elevator.
The restaurant is situated just below the sundeck, with plenty of tables offering a view from the window.
On one day of each cruise, a Bavarian lunch buffet is served on the top deck. Passengers also have the option on one night to be served in the Solarium on the top deck, a pleasant setting just behind the wheelhouse.
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Seabourn Odyssey, Panama Canal: On The Best Ship Ever?
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The Canal opened in 1914, and since then close to a million ships have made the trip from ocean to ocean. In 1999 the United States turned the canal over to Panama. Soon it will be bigger. There will be two new locks that will handle ships up to 160 feet wide and 1,200 feet long. It won’t be completed until 2015, but when it opens, it will be a big benefit to the cruise lines.
The canal still functions in a way like it did in 1914. Take one huge ship, add one rowboat, throw a line and attach it to a “mule.” They’ve tried different ways to grab on to boats, but the rowboat has yet to be bettered.
As you go through the Canal, big freighters, oil tankers, etc. pass you going the other way. I think each ship has a designated “waver.”
The ship that captured my attention was a yacht transport. The expansive deck packed with million dollar boats. Actually, the Pacific to Atlantic traffic was sparse, but the people still turned out to watch whatever came by.
I must say it’s the little things that make Seabourn Odyssey special, like Miraflores Margaritas served on deck.
If the Panama Canal is in your future plans, be sure to read “The Path Between The Seas.” You’ll be mesmerized by the story of the creation of the ditch, and your passage will mean much more to you. It took 400 years to get the job done.
Last night we ate in Restaurant 2. Before we went, I checked the menu, which changes each night and then repeats weekly. I couldn’t figure out the courses, or how we would order what appealed to us.
It worked this way: Each paragraph describes a course that is served on an oblong plate. Each described food is deposited on the plate in small separate portions. Tasty for sure, with immediate service and explanations of each course. It was an out-of-the-ordinary culinary experience.
One of the great things about Odyssey is the dining venues. Colonnade changes its theme each night. For example, Thai Bistro, Japanese Bistro, Indian Bistro, etc. The dress code is always casual.
My digital camera has a feature that, when set, will automatically take a shot the moment the shootee smiles. Left in that mode and pointed at any of the crew, it would be clicking all the time. There must be a smile class that has to be taken before getting a job on Odyssey.
Here’s a quote from my wife’s email to the kids:
“This is the best ship we have EVER been on! Gorgeous, fantastic food, everyone is so friendly, even the passengers!”
Entertainment is specialized; famous violinist, famous pianist, and a vocal quartet that gets good reviews. We’ll make it to their next performance, but for tonight it’s tuna tartar in The Restaurant.
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