“Wrap” Up Your Holiday Cruise Planning

Avid cruisers who want to leave roasting the Thanksgiving turkey to someone else and escape the crush of December's holidays can rest easy. Instead of cooking, cleaning, and generally going overboard with holiday preparation, consider getting on board with Celebrity Cruises’ “Wrap Up Your Holidays” booking promotion. The promotion’s two-week booking window for select Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and President’s Day sailings from November 2008 through February 2009 began today.

Book one of the select sailings between July 14 and July 27, 2008 and receive onboard credit (per stateroom) based on the length of the cruise. Book a cruise of nine nights or more and receive $200 in onboard credit; book a six-to-eight-night cruise to receive $100 in onboard credit; and book a cruise of five nights or less and receive $50 in onboard credit.

The 16 different sailings included in the promotion range in length from five to 14 nights, and take place on Celebrity Century, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Summit. Six eligible Thanksgiving sailings in the promotion include destinations in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Australia/New Zealand. Four eligible Christmas sailing destinations are in the Caribbean and Australia/New Zealand. One New Year’s sailing is on offer, sailing for 11 nights in the Caribbean, and five Presidents’ Day sailings are included in the promotion, sailing in the Caribbean, Australia/New Zealand, and South America.

All aspects of Celebrity’s Wrap Up Your Holidays promotion are valid for new, individual bookings only. The promotion does not apply to group bookings, transatlantic sailings, or repositioning sailings, and cannot be combined with any other offer. The onboard credit received through the Wrap Up Your Holidays promotion is not transferable. If guests do not use the full amount of onboard credit during their sailing, they will not be refunded any remaining credit. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises online.

Carnival Splendor: A Splendid Home Away From Home

While Carnival Splendor is about as different as my house as it could possibly be—think of magical surroundings in a fantasy world—there is one place on board that is as comfortable as home sweet home. Of course I mean the accommodations.

Carnival Cruise Lines has always prided themselves on spacious cabins and Carnival Splendor’s are no exception. One thing I noticed immediately upon arrival was how much larger my standard balcony cabin appeared than those I've occupied in the past. Although Carnival Splendor is a new ship class, the staterooms are very similar in layout and décor to Conquest-class vessels. After a few minutes it dawned on me that the desktop-to-ceiling storage unit has been eliminated on Carnival Splendor. Instead, the desk/vanity has been “stretched” in length to include additional under-counter storage and the television is a flat screen that’s mounted on the wall. On one hand, the wall location is ideal for watching from the bed or sofa, but not so much when seated at the vanity. On the other hand, who really watches television from that spot anyway? There’s a magnifying mirror in the bathroom for applying make-up (or shaving if you happen to be a guy), and that frees up vanity/desk space for other things… like using a laptop to type my blog.

Unlike the recent trend for cabins with few drawers, Carnival Splendor’s standard balcony cabins have three nice deep ones built into the vanity/desk, where you’ll also find a mini-bar-fridge, a personal safe and more storage behind cabinet doors, and open book shelves. An additional drawer contains a built-in hairdryer and small amount of space for things like hairbrushes and combs. In addition to a closet with shelves for storing more folded clothing, two more closets have generous hanging space. There are two huge drawers in the base of the sofa and even some additional small storage cubbies in the two nightstands.

Best of all, the lighting throughout isn’t merely adequate—it’s superb. Ceiling lighting across the front of the closet even enables me to find what I’m looking for without a flashlight. I loved my Carnival Splendor “home” and was sad to bid my Carnival Comfort Bed goodbye this morning. It’s been a lovely, albeit too short, cruise.

Carnival Splendor: A Splendid World For Kids

There’s no reason to leave the kids at Camp Grandma when you and your spouse head off to cruise aboard Carnival Splendor. With a 5,500 square foot play area—the largest on any Carnival “Fun Ship”—and activities geared for kids from age 2 to 11 in three groups (2-5, 6-8, and 9-11), plus Circle “C” for ’tweens (12-14) and Club O2 for teens (15-17), you never have to worry about keeping the entire family happy and entertained.

Babysitting in Camp Carnival is offered every night for kids 11 and under from 10pm until 3am for a nominal fee ($6 for the first child and $4 for additional children in the same family). Even children under age 2 are welcome on port day mornings until noon and during the nightly babysitting sessions. If baby is still in diapers you needn’t be concerned—Carnival is one of only two cruise lines whose staff will change them without the necessity of paging mom to do the deed. Just bring your own supplies. Should your little one need a stroller, you can rent one onboard for $6 per day. Rental baby swings and bouncers are also available. For a nominal fee you may also rent a hand held gaming console for a bit of extra entertainment during your cruise.

One deck above Camp Carnival is the children’s water park with spray apparatus and a wet tot lot for watery fun. Of course one of Carnival Splendor’s four pools includes Carnival’s signature 214-foot “twister” water slide.

Carnival Splendor has the first purpose-built Circle “C” facility in the fleet (pictured above) and it’s an appealing space with games and supervised activities. Today I watched a Wii sports challenge that looked like so much fun I wished I could join in.

The piece de resistance, though, is the 2,365-square foot Club O2 with its soda bar, dance floor, DJ, and chill zones for the ultimate in adult-free teenage hanging out. Adjacent to Club O2 is a too-cool-for-grown-ups video gaming center. Special shore excursions offer older kids the opportunity to tour ports of call in a group and the Y Spa teen program is also available.

Kids even get their own turn-down service with just-baked cookies at bedtime and, of course, there are the always popular towel animals to wish them sweet dreams. And that brings us to the nearly 200 interconnecting staterooms and more than 350 that accommodate up to three or four guests—all family- and budget-friendly.

Of course kids need souvenirs of their cruise, so for $10 you can bring home a Fun Ship Freddie tee-shirt, storybook, or doll; a bathrobe for $24; or a book and tee-shirt combo for $17.

Carnival Splendor makes me wish I were a kid again, or at least a grandmother to share all these cool things with grandchildren.

Carnival Splendor: A World of Splendid Things

Joe Farcus, Carnival’s ship architect would like to hear passengers say at the end of their cruise, “I didn’t notice that before. Isn’t that interesting?” Farcus admits it would be impossible to notice every detail on the ships he designs, but he’s happy when passengers are constantly discovering new things.

I hope I made him happy today—I’ve explored Carnival Splendor from the pirate-themed miniature golf course high atop Deck 14 to the Lobby Bar on Deck 3. There are a few spots where I found I “couldn’t get there from here”—for instance, the Black Pearl Restaurant mid-ship cuts off the flow from fore to aft—but overall I found the ship fairly easy to navigate. If you’ve sailed on a Conquest-class ship, you’ll find some changes, though.

There are no whirlpools adjacent to the Splendido Lido Pool on Deck 9. Instead they are sensibly located on either side of Deck 10, shaded by the overhead cover and right alongside the outside rail for uninterrupted sea views—those views are also a theme at the aft located Linear Lido Pool. With the retractable pool roof moved to the mid-ship pool, instead of cutting off the view from the aft pool, the ship’s wake is a splendid sight. Whirlpools at the aft pool and the Thunderball Pool (where the waterslide is located) are not covered for those who prefer full sun. Thoughtful planning such as that insures there are spaces to satisfy everyone’s preference.

One area that stands out in particular is the Cloud 9 Spa. With its vaguely Asian feel, I was particularly enchanted by the Chinese Foo Dogs that guard the Thallasotherapy pool (in the photo above). Day passes for the thermal sanctuary, which includes the therapy pool as well as the thermal suite and relaxation area are $35. If you aren’t into scented steam rooms and the spa’s other sensory delights, you don’t have to miss out on a sauna after your workout. There are complimentary saunas for men and women in changing rooms adjacent to the gym. Sadly, unlike the Conquest-class ships, Carnival Splendor’s don’t have floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the sea.

Naturally this is just a taste of what’s to come in a complete illustrated ship review next week on CruiseDiva.com.

Carnival Splendor: On Board In Dover

What a difference a day makes. Although yesterday was damp and dreary, today turned out to be a glorious day to christen Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest and largest ship, Carnival Splendor.

Indeed, the weather wasn’t promising when we arrived at London’s Gatwick airport yesterday. It was raining. A constant drizzle continued through the day, but sometime during the night Mother Nature said stop. We were finally able to walk through the idyllic gardens of Chilston Park Hotel in glorious sunshine this morning before packing up to head from Maidstone, Kent to the cruise port in Dover.

Even the terminal was alive with the excitement of Carnival Splendor’s first call at Dover; however, on board the air was positively electric with anticipation. The stage was set poolside beneath the huge screen for wildly popular classical musician, singer, and television personality Myleene Klaas to perform her duties as Godmother in an unusual Naming Ceremony.

Myleene has a smile as lovely as the flowing peach chiffon dress she wore—one that caused her a bit of embarrassment when a gust of wind caught her hem. Without missing a beat, she charmed the guest with a mention of her childhood as a “Navy brat,” blessed the ship, and then took her place at the piano to begin playing.

Then, in an untraditional move, Myleene’s Royal Navy diver assistant Petty Officer Christian Rumming emerged from the water right on cue and began his dramtic ascent to the ship’s bow as she played. When he reached Carnival Splendor’s name, he smashed a bottle of Nyetimber 1994 Blanc de Blancs against the hull, cannons blasted confetti into the air, and the party was ready to begin. It was really quite an event and Carnival has made a video replay available on the Carnival Splendor web page at Carnival.com.

The mood on board is festive and I can hardly wait for sailaway past the famous White Cliffs of Dover. This promises to be a fun-filled three-night preview cruise and after I have a chance to look around some more I’ll have impressions of Carnival Splendor to share tomorrow. So far, I really like what I see.

Get Your Carnival Splendor While You Can

If you prefer cruising from Florida homeports, you might be anticipating the arrival of Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Splendor. Don't wait too long to make your booking if you want to sail on one of her Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, though.

Carnival Splendor's deployment is pretty unique for a brand new “Fun Ship” and she'll only be in Florida through winter 2008-09. At the conclusion of her Northern Europe schedule this fall, Carnival Splendor will embark on a 12-day Western Europe cruise departing Sept 11th followed by “Grand Mediterranean” and “Mediterranean, Greece & Turkey” voyages through Oct 17th. A 16-day transatlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) on Oct. 29th will reposition her to Fort Lauderdale on Nov 14, 2008.

Carnival Splendor will then operate a winter schedule of 7-day Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale followed by a series of 14- to 18-day South American voyages – Carnival’s first. Because Carnival Splendor is too wide to transit the Panama Canal, the South American sailings will position Carnival Splendor for year-round 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, California, beginning March 29, 2009, continuing Carnival Cruise Line’s West Coast expansion.

Carnival is currently accepting reservations for all of the Carnival Splendor’s European, Caribbean, South American, and Mexican Riviera cruises. Make your plans now or you may miss her altogether in Fort Lauderdale.

In the meantime, Cruise Diva is ready to board Carnival Splendor tomorrow and begin sharing the details from the Naming Ceremony and 3-day preview cruise from Dover, so check back here at the Cruise Diva Blog for updates.

Carnival Splendor: The Biggest Passenger Ship to Sail From Dover

There's going to be a hunka-hunka British hottie assisting Carnival Splendor's Godmother during her bottle-breaking assignment this coming Thursday. The first ever underwater-to-hull bottle break should go something like this...

Classical musician, singer, and presenter Myleene Klass will have an unusual “assist” from Royal Navy divers when she performs her Godmother duties to officially name the 113,000-ton Carnival Splendor, the biggest passenger ship to sail from Dover Cruise Port. Petty Officer Christian Rumming, 39 (pictured here), assisted by a Royal Navy dive team led by Lt Ian Richardson, 43, will be underwater near the bow of the Carnival Splendor when he will hear a unique radio signal from Myleene Klass, playing live classical piano music on the ship’s top Lido deck. PO Rumming will let out some compressed air from his diving tanks and then, in wet suit, safety harness, and flippers, personally climb a 60-ft black marlin ascent rope to reach the Carnival Splendor’s name on the top of her bow.

Lt Richardson of the Royal Navy Fleet Diving Squadron said, “This has to be a rather unusual assignment for my men, who are trained in deep sea marine diving and underwater bomb and mine disposal to protect our fleet, but I am confident they can pull this off.”

While Myleene Klass may not be a household name here in America, nor is “presenter” a term we're familiar with (it apparently has something to do with television?), we love Carnival Cruise Lines and new cruise ships. Cruise Diva will be aboard for the Naming festivities and to blog from the ship during Carnival Splendor's 3-day preview cruise to Amsterdam.

Be sure to join me here on the Cruise Diva Blog from July 10-13 for all the news. And don't miss the video replay of the Carnival Splendor Naming Ceremony beginning on the 10th at the Carnival Splendor web page at Carnival.com. It should be quite a show!

Carnival Gifts You Missed Out On Onboard

Was there some Carnival gift item you forgot to buy during your cruise? Maybe you saw something onboard and meant to get back to the gift shop but it was closed when you returned to shop. Now you can purchase it from the comfort of your own home computer at Carnival Cruise Lines extensive Internet store, which offers a wide variety of “Fun Ship”-branded merchandise. The new site is designed to provide cruise enthusiasts with a one-stop-shop for purchasing items that were previously only available in the line’s shipboard gift shops.

Dozens of different items are available emblazoned with Carnival’s name and logo. There's everything from hats, polo and T-shirts, and other apparel to travel gear, tote bags, backpacks, and toys, including, of course, the ever-popular “Fun Ship” Freddy toy and an inflatable Carnival cruise ship. A special “Island Music” section offers CDs featuring steel drum and calypso bands that are so closely associated with the “Fun Ship” cruise experience. For gaming devotees, there are even a variety of items featuring the Carnival Players Club logo. Want to give a Carnival fanatic a gift, but don't know what to choose? Carnival Fun Shop Gift Certificates are available in $25, $50, and $100 denominations that are only redeemable online.

Warm up your credit card and get ready to shop 'til you drop... visit Carnival Fun Shop, the cruise industry's most extensive online store.

Norwegian Dawn Makes High Seas Double Rescue

When you're in trouble at sea, who ya gonna call?

While sailing off the coast of Massachusetts and New York on Monday, June 30, 2008 on its way to Bermuda, Norwegian Dawn answered two separate distress calls within twelve hours and rescued two injured sailors from different boats in rough seas.

The first rescue, 210 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, involved the sailboat Patriot on its way back from Bermuda where it competed in a race. One of Patriot's crew members, Andrew Paul Giglia, 42, of Wilton, Conn., was suffering from shock-like symptoms and needed to be evacuated immediately. Norwegian Dawn was contacted by the United States Coast Guard since it was the closest ship to the sailboat. Approximately 52 miles away, the NCL ship quickly diverted course and made radio contact with Patriot. The Coast Guard had already deployed an aircraft to provide additional support for the rescue operation.

Norwegian Dawn Captain Trygve Vorren skillfully maneuvered the 965-foot cruise ship along side the 40-foot sailboat and ordered a small rescue boat lowered. Despite winds up to 35 knots and waves up to fifteen feet, a three-person rescue team from Norwegian Dawn was able to embark the ill sailor without difficulty. He was treated for dehydration by the ship’s doctor.

Within twelve hours of rescuing the first sailor, Captain Vorren was notified of another, potentially more serious, injury on the sailboat Misty approximately 260 miles south of Montauk, NY. Hillary Bercovici, 55, of Greenwich, Conn., a male crew member aboard the Misty sustained a head injury and was loosing consciousness. Again, Norwegian Dawn was the closest ship, approximately 32 nautical miles away. Despite deteriorating weather conditions, reported as very rough with rain, wind gusting up to 33 knots and 20-foot swells, Norwegian Dawn located the vessel, lowered a rescue boat with the same three crew members manning it and took the injured sailor onto the ship where he received immediate medical attention, including five stitches to the forehead.

Norwegian Dawn’s doctor reported that both men were in stable condition and could disembark upon the ship's arrival in Bermuda on Wednesday, July 2 at 8 am. Video of Patriot in rough seas available from the US Coast Guard.

Photo: Norwegian Dawn’s rescue boat makes contact with the sailboat Patriot off the Massachusetts coast on Monday, June 30. Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: What A Greeting

Eurodam may be the pride of Holland, but the Germans also gave us a rousing welcome as we sailed into Hamburg yesterday. Off the ship and just inside the terminal, the Get Happy Brass Band of Rendsburg struck a lively chord as we disembarked the ship for a day ashore.

While in the Hamburg cruise terminal I had the pleasure to speak with Dale Gruber of Warner Robins, Georgia, who, with his wife Sue joined Eurodam for the three-night “prelude” cruise yesterday. They arrived in Rotterdam a couple days before sailing in order to attend the Eurodam dedication event—as part of their pre-cruise package they were able to obtain tickets for $100 apiece. They loved the naming ceremony and Dale said they “wouldn’t have missed it.” The Grubers felt it was laid out well and, “if there were any glitches, they missed them.” Aside from it being a wonderful occasion, they were pleased to have been offered the opportunity to be there. Only cruising since 2003, Dale and Sue already have eighteen Holland America cruises under their belts and plan to be back aboard Eurodam to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in the Caribbean. Like me, the crewmembers on Holland America ships treat them like family and they appreciate the gracious on board ambiance.

And, speaking of holidays, Happy 4th of July! Today’s schedule aboard Eurodam calls for an old-fashioned American picnic with 'burger, hot dogs, and apple pie. While our European hosts have been gracious and welcoming—the Port of Hamburg regaled us with fireworks before sailaway last night—it’s a special treat that Holland America Line made it possible for our fellow passengers from around the world to share a uniquely American holiday tradition that holds such significance to those of us far from home. A Dutch passenger asked me what the fuss was about and when I explained that July 4th is the United States' Independence Day, his face lit up with a congratulatory smile. Freedom has no boundaries and knows no language barrier.

With the festivities drawing to a close, it’s time to pack for home. Like the Grubers, I look forward to being back on a Eurodam cruise again some day and hope to see my cabin steward Yudhi Hermawan again (he’s the best). If you missed the live webcast of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix naming Eurodam earlier in the week, you can catch the ceremony at Holland America’s web site.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Sailing From Rotterdam

The images of Eurodam’s departure from Rotterdam are so special that they are worth sharing here. First, there was the fireboat off Eurodam’s bow.

Next, a Port of Rotterdam tug and sightseeing boat.


Finally, local citizens lining the riverbank to watch as Eurodam passed by.

When we arrived earlier in the week, a small pleasure craft bearing a banner “Eurodam, Welcome Home” greeted us. During our departure, a similar boat with another banner pulled alongside bearing the message “Eurodam, Behouden Vaart” or “safe sailing” in English.

Once we reached the open sea Eurodam came to life—we were in cruise mode and the casino and duty-free shops opened. Being female, naturally I went shopping and, with the assistance of Robyn Du Plessis, found a cosmetic product I needed. Robyn saved me a trip to the mall at home next week as well as saving me money. As Markus Stenerys rang up my purchase he mentioned that I looked familiar. We pinned down the spot our paths had crossed on board Zaandam a few years ago. Sailing on a Holland America Line ship is like coming home—I always run across crewmembers from past voyages. That makes me feel like ‘family.’

We're arriving in Hamburg, Germany now and it's an overcast, yet warm day to go ashore and explore.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Everything Is Relative

Yesterday’s dedication ceremony, which included a retrospective of Holland America Lines’ relationship with the Dutch Royal Family, reminded me of another aspect of relativity—cruise ship sizes.

In modern terms, cruise ships are loosely categorized as small, medium, and large. Over the years those terms have become even looser as “mega” ships have sailed into the scene. Here aboard Eurodam, Holland America Line executives have briefed us about the new ship and emphasized that their fleet consists of medium-sized vessels. Some of my colleagues have questioned that description because, after all, Eurodam is an 86,700 ton ship and that has generally been considered within the range of larger cruise ships. When compared to her other Holland American Line fleetmates—the S-class ships weigh in at 55,451 to 55,819 tons, R-class from 59,855 to 61,396, and Vista-class at 82,000 tons—Eurodam is larger. However, she’s far from huge. These days, it’s more relevant to compare all cruise ships afloat when thinking in terms of size. With “mega” ships at 160,000 tons and more, Eurodam is indeed a medium-size ship.

More significantly, Eurodam isn’t too large to provide the premium experience that is Holland America Line’s signature—one that includes thoughtful features like homey and comfortable accommodations, intimate spaces to share conversation and a cocktail, and sincere, natural service by an outstanding crew.

Holland America Line’s mission is “Through excellence, we create once-in-a-lifetime experiences every time.” Today was one such experience. Eurodam just sailed from Rotterdam accompanied—as when she arrived—by a fireboat, a flotilla of small water craft, and even sightseeing boats carrying hardy passengers who watched our departure beneath umbrellas. Despite a slight drizzle, the banks of the Nieuw Maas River were lined with people waving, cheering, and wishing Eurodam Godspeed.

It was a thrill to sail on the inaugural cruise and to remain onboard for the prelude cruise. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Regal Naming Ceremony

In her short life Eurodam has already welcomed an astounding 35,000 visitors aboard for inaugural events. While there were only 350 guests on board when we sailed from Southampton on Saturday evening, there was a full complement of passengers for the dinner/dance cruise from Rotterdam on Sunday night. Among the 4,000 people on board yesterday for tours and lunch were twelve very special sailors who served aboard Holland America ships when they deployed for military service in World War II, plus Dutch travel agents and former Holland America Line employees. Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell and beer drew a standing room only crowd at the lido pool.

Holland America has a long tradition of royal godmothers; eight other members of the Dutch Royal Family have named Holland America ships and the Queen’s own mother, Her Majesty Queen Juliana, served as godmother for Rotterdam V in 1958. Only a year before that, a young Princess Beatrix began her association with Holland America Line when she blessed the bell of Statendam in 1957.

Altogether, about 2,400 people were on hand to witness today’s dedication ceremony when Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (pictured above) arrived to “break the bottle” and officially name ms Eurodam, Holland America Line’s 80th passenger vessel. A concert featuring the London Quartet and Opera Babes kicked off the event, which ended with a smash as the bottle of bubbly broke against Eurodam’s bow right on cue. The weather gods smiled on us and it was a perfect summer day for Queen Beatrix to name the largest ship ever to sail the Dutch flag.

The grand finale—a spectacular fireworks show—is set to cap a very long, but exciting and festive day for those of us on board as well as the scores of Dutch people who are due to line the river banks.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Surfing the Digital Workshop

Eurodam guests can return home from their cruise with more than a tee-shirt to remember the journey. Earlier today I explored several different ways to enhance my cruise memories with technology in the Eurodam’s Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows. During the complimentary session this morning, Eurodam’s Microsoft-trained “techspert” outlined the series of workshops and we got right down to business using Windows Vista’s photo editing tools. (I didn’t even realize I have them on my home PC, so I discovered something important right away.) I learned to easily remove red eye, improve the color, crop, and resize photos, and even stitch together five separate images to create a panoramic shot.

In the classes (soon to be available fleetwide on Holland America Line), even novices can learn to take better vacation photos, create away-from-home movies, edit pictures, make scrapbooks, and share digital memories through email, blogging, and social networking. Friends and family members can see where you've been cruising and what you’ve done even before you're back at home.

The free workshop sessions are hands-on, with personal assistance from the “techspert” on how to unlock the possibilities available in the digital world. I knew I could make custom greeting cards on the computer, but was unaware that I could also get creative with stickers and even personalized wrapping paper.

Workshops include:

• On the Download - How to move images between a digital camera and a Windows-based personal computer, with basic instruction.
• Put Your Best Face Forward - How to crop and color-correct digital photos and easily create panoramic pictures by stitching photos together using Windows Live Photo Gallery.
• Your "Home Away From Home" Movie - How to add music, special effects and titles to your videos and publish to a DVD using Windows Movie Maker.
• Show and Tell - How to create and upload photos to a personal Web page, invite friends to view the Web page and email photos using a variety of Windows Live services.
• Your 15 Minutes of Fame - How to turn your vacation journal into a blog by creating a basic Web page and blog entries using Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live Writer.
• A Click Ahead - How to design a photo card and a basic scrapbook, as well as how to order notepads, stickers, posters and other photo-related items from the Internet using Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Take one course or attend them all. Mine was really fun, easy to follow, and totally not in “tech-speak” so that even non-geeks can understand. I’ll put what I’ve learned to the test tomorrow afternoon—that’s when Eurodam is being named by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands right here in Rotterdam.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Arrival In Rotterdam

To say the people of Holland take a great deal of pride in their country and its history is an understatement. They are hugely proud—as they should be—of the accomplishments of their countrymen. At no time was this more evident than early this morning when scores of Dutch citizens awoke early and made their way to the banks of the Nieuw Maas River as Eurodam made her way for the first time to her dock in Rotterdam.

Met in the city by waving, enthusiastic crowds, Eurodam was saluted by a fireboat before settling into her berth adjacent to the historic Holland America Line headquarters, While she makes her home here for the next few days, thousands of visitors will come aboard to tour the ship, and some will sail this evening with us on a special one-night black tie dinner/dance cruise.

It was quite a splendid arrival, demonstrating how Holland America Line, while no longer headquartered in Rotterdam, nevertheless reflects the true heritage of Dutch seafarers and explorers. On board Eurodam we are surrounded by traditional Dutch art, from antique furnishings and ship models to more contemporary pieces and even a nod to American baseball—a replica of the World Series trophy is displayed in the Sports Bar where guests can kick back in baseball glove shaped chairs.

Self-guided art tours are offered on all Holland America Line ships, with iPods available to use free of charge on board. I’m off to get the Eurodam narrative loaded on my iPod and begin my tour right now.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Sailing From Southampton

It was great to board ms Eurodam early Saturday morning for several reasons. The first is the most important, though… the food. Getting to London, of course, meant an all-night flight and the food on Delta wasn’t terrible, but it was, well, airline food. Lunch aboard Eurodam was served in the Lido Restaurant and my selections included an incredible cheese and crab chowder, Caesar salad, and pasta with a creamy, cheesy, white sauce.

After a nap (I didn’t sleep much on the plane), I joined colleagues for dinner in Tamarind, Eurodam's Pan-Asian specialty restaurant. Typically, I flunked the chopstick test, but enjoyed sushi and sashimi (with a fork), shrimp filled dumplings in lemongrass sesame broth (with a spoon), and a rare Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin served on an oak plank with jasmine rice and stir fried veggies on the side.

Holland America Line has outdone themselves with the new restaurant concepts here on Eurodam. Tamarind carries only a $15 cover charge for dinner and lunches are complimentary. Pinnacle Grill, where we’ll dine tomorrow night is even more of a bargain than when I sailed on Westerdam just a few months ago. With new menus, the surcharges of $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner are great values. Eurodam also has a complimentary Italian restaurant, Caneletto (located in the Lido Restaurant) and Slice, for pizza (available on a nearly 24-hour basis).

As-You-Wish dining is now available throughout the Holland America fleet and offers the choice of an open-seating option in the formal dining rooms in addition to the more traditional fixed seatings.

There’s a lot more to share about Eurodam, but we’re losing an hour tonight as we cross a time zone on our way to Rotterdam—we arrive there in the morning after sailing down Holland’s River Maas. So, I’ll leave you with the cute towel critter pictured above—created by my cabin steward, who taught me the secret of how to make them myself. This little touch is just a sample of the level of personal service aboard Eurodam. I’ll be going from my cruise with a newly acquired skill. Right now, I'm going to sleep.

Eurodam, The Inaugural: Sailing From Southampton

It was great to board ms Eurodam early Saturday morning for several reasons. The first is the most important, though… the food. Getting to London, of course, meant an all-night flight and the food on Delta wasn’t terrible, but it was, well, airline food. Lunch aboard Eurodam was served in the Lido Restaurant and my selections included an incredible cheese and crab chowder, Caesar salad, and pasta with a creamy, cheesy, white sauce.

After a nap (I didn’t sleep much on the plane), I joined colleagues for dinner in Tamarind, Eurodam's Pan-Asian specialty restaurant. Typically, I flunked the chopstick test, but enjoyed sushi and sashimi (with a fork), shrimp filled dumplings in lemongrass sesame broth (with a spoon), and a rare Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin served on an oak plank with jasmine rice and stir fried veggies on the side.

Holland America Line has outdone themselves with the new restaurant concepts here on Eurodam. Tamarind carries only a $15 cover charge for dinner and lunches are complimentary. Pinnacle Grill, where we’ll dine tomorrow night is even more of a bargain than when I sailed on Westerdam just a few months ago. With new menus, the surcharges of $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner are great values. Eurodam also has a complimentary Italian restaurant, Caneletto (located in the Lido Restaurant) and Slice, for pizza (available on a nearly 24-hour basis).

As-You-Wish dining is now available throughout the Holland America fleet and offers the choice of an open-seating option in the formal dining rooms in addition to the more traditional fixed seatings.

There’s a lot more to share about Eurodam, but we’re losing an hour tonight as we cross a time zone on our way to Rotterdam—we arrive there in the morning after sailing down Holland’s River Maas. So, I’ll leave you with the cute towel critter pictured above—created by my cabin steward, who taught me the secret of how to make them myself. This little touch is just a sample of the level of personal service aboard Eurodam. I’ll be going from my cruise with a newly acquired skill. Right now, I'm going to sleep.

Eurodam, Getting Ready to Board

I'm on my way to Southampton to board Holland America Line's brand-new ms Eurodam tomorrow and it's going to be a thrill to sail on Holland America Line's first "Signature-class" ship for a week. Our itinerary is unusual because we'll be docked from Sunday through Wednesday in Rotterdam. Eurodam will be christened on Tuesday at 4pm by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, with a Gala Dinner afterward and a huge fireworks display that night. You can be sure that thousands of proud Dutch citizens will be on hand for the festivities.

To prepare for my trip, I've been avidly following the Eurodam News Blog. In the past week Paul Lasley, an award-winning journalist who writes and broadcasts extensively on cruising, has been chatting with members of the Eurodam crew. His "podcasts" on the Eurodam News Blog include interviews with Captain Jeroen van Donselaar, Pam Kern van Donselaar, (Eurodam's tireless blog correspondent, photographer, and Captain van Donselaar's wife), second executive chef, Francis Leong, Neptune Lounge concierge Arturo Bowalan Jr., and Rudi Sodamin, the consulting master chef for Holland America Line. I look forward to seeing them all in person.

Give Paul Lasley's Eurodam podcasts a listen, and if his voice sounds familiar, it’s because he is the producer and host, along with his wife, Elizabeth Harryman, of the iPod art tours available across the Holland America Line fleet.

Don't forget to follow along right here on the Cruise Diva blog for daily reports during the upcoming week from the Eurodam Inaugural Cruise, including the Naming Ceremony and Gala Celebration.

Image Above: Artist's rendering of a Eurodam Spa Stateroom

Eurodam, First of Holland America Line's "Signature Class" Ships

I was recently asked, "What is a Signature-class ship?" With nearly one crew member for every two passengers, Holland America Line has traditionally provided gracious service aboard ships that define classic cruise travel. In recent years, the entire HAL fleet was treated to extensive "Signature of Excellence" enhancements to staterooms and public rooms. The always-elegant ships—noted over the years for fine dining, stimulating activities, and enrichment programs—have been refined for a new generation of cruisers without losing sight of their reputation for tradition and grace. Slightly larger than her fleetmates, Eurodam is poised to set sail as the first Signature-class ship with the entire "Signature of Excellence" package in place—and even more.

With an additional deck, Eurodam has 63 new staterooms more than the latest Vista-class ship. Forty-seven are verandah cabins and ten are a new style with ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. Eurodam also features 56 Spa Staterooms, so named because of their proximity to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and special in-room spa amenities. In total, Eurodam carries 1,052 double occupancy staterooms. Staterooms provide the Signature of Excellence premium amenities of plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads and professional grade hair dryers.

Eurodam also includes a new pan-Asian restaurant and bar, Tamarind and Silk Den; casual Italian eatery, Canaletto; and Pizzeria Slice. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating and a new photographic and imaging center.

Cruise Diva will be boarding Eurodam in Southampton on Saturday. Watch for daily blog reports right here.

"Wii" Get Fit on Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is the first cruise line to offer passengers the chance to get their hearts pumping with the headline-grabbing new release on Wii™. After the much-anticipated Wii Fit™ system debuted across the country last month, the line unveils this fitness innovation at sea this week after shipboard staff completed special onboard trainings with Nintendo team members. All Princess ships, which have long featured Nintendo’s popular Wii systems onboard, add the revolutionary Wii Fit balance games, challenging passengers of all ages to put their athletic skills to the test with active video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop® or heading soccer balls.

Exciting family competitions will be held onboard, including on the dramatic Movies Under the Stars poolside screens. The distinctive 300-square-foot screens are featured on Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Sea Princess, and the upcoming Ruby Princess. The Wii Fit Balance Board™ is a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance. It connects wirelessly to the Wii console and serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 fun activities that challenge users in areas like yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balance. Helpful virtual trainers in the game talk users through the different motions and makes suggestions for improvements. Wii Fit even tracks users’ progress, which lets people see how they’ve improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated to keep going.

Youth and teen centers will also offer younger cruisers the opportunity to participate in Wii Fit activities throughout their vacation. Wii Fit gets everyone pumped up about making physical activities an enjoyable part of their daily routines. “Kids” of all ages enjoy playing games such as Wii Sports™ Golf and Tennis using the unique Wii Remote™, which enables a player’s movements to directly affect what happens on screen.

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.

Your Carnival Dream Is About To Come True

It's been the kind of week that cruise ship aficionados and those of us who cover the cruise industry dream about. Two major cruise lines have shared a look at the exciting and novel features their new vessels will offer and now we have a third. Not the largest of the new-ship trio, but certainly not the least, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will be the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed by Carnival Cruise Lines and an all-new ship class offering a host of on-board innovations and amenities.

Currently being constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream will usher in a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising when it makes its debut in September 2009. With a new layout, sleek hull, and distinctive profile, Carnival Dream is designed to deliver the ultimate vacation experience. With even more space to play, creative interiors by design genius Joe Farcus are sure to pique the imagination of all guests.

Unique features of the Carnival Dream include a new concept in entertainment called The Piazza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families. Carnival Dream will also offer many other exciting and innovative features that will be announced in the coming months.

Take a look at the images and get the details at CruiseDiva.com.

Royal Caribbean Welcomes You to More Oasis of the Seas Neighborhoods

Steeped in a philosophy that innovation and imagination contribute to a remarkable cruise vacation, Royal Caribbean is once again raising the bar with the announcement of the latest amenities on its newest ship under construction. Launching in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the world’s largest and most revolutionary ship introducing the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept, which will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal styles, preferences or moods.

Boardwalk, will be a breathtaking space for families inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yesteryear with a twist; the ship's amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities and performances for guests; and the urban living concept will take to the high seas with the introduction of industry-first loft suites offering expansive ocean views and luxury amenities. Enhancements to the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade will include a new design allowing guests to have a physical connection with the neighborhood above, Central Park, as natural light cascades down from the sky through the Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes.

Other surprises include two rock-climbing walls flanking the AquaTheater (illustrated above) and the first zip-line at sea suspended nine decks above Boardwalk. We introduced Central Park in April; now take a look at more Oasis of the Seas neighborhoods. CruiseDiva.com has the details and images, along with the itineraries you've been waiting for.

Norwegian Cruise Line Sails on a Sea of Dreams

After a brief peek at the Ice Bar on NCL's F3 ships, we promised more details about the nightlife under construction and we have it for you on CruiseDiva.com. Five distinctive places to party are the heartbeat of NCL's entertainment options and they are like nothing you've ever imagined at sea... like the aerial acrobatics demonstrated at left.

Just like in Las Vegas this week, where we partied like Paris (Hilton, that is) at PURE nightclub, passengers on NCL's F3 ships will be able to purchase a Beyond the Velvet Rope package to gain access to the exclusive clubs on board. Like Freestyle Dining, think of this as Freestyle Nightlife. The cover charges are for "crowd control"—and if you've ever seen clubs like PURE or TAO in Vegas, you know what we mean. Don't want to pay to party? You don't have to. There will be no charge for entry to Bliss Ultra Lounge or Spice H2O.

World, hold on—there's even more coming as NCL’s F3 ships incorporate a universe of new features. The F3 ships represent NCL's third generation of Freestyle Cruising ships—a further evolution of the cruise line's progressive dismantling of the structure, regimentation, and constraints of the traditional cruise experience. The 150,000-ton ships will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in NCL’s fleet.

Join us for the beach party, acrobatics, and more as Norwegian Cruise Line Sails on a Sea of Dreams.

Join Samantha Brown for a "Fun Ship" Great Cruise Weekend

When Emmy Award-winning Travel Channel personality Samantha Brown wanted a real break from the daily grind--a place to kick back and chill out--where did she go? She packed her sense of adventure and boarded Carnival Inspiration for a 4-day "Fun Ship" cruise from Tampa to Cozumel. During her 4-day cruise, Samantha combined relaxation with experiencing Carnival Inspiration's array of on board amenities and Caribbean ports of call.

One of the reasons Carnival Inspiration was ideal for Samantha's cruise is the extreme ship makeover the "Fun Ship" recently received. As part of Carnival's $250 million dollar Evolutions of Fun program, Carnival Inspiration was improved and enhanced from bow to stern. Complete with Carnival WaterWorks, a tropical resort-style pool, and the Serenity Adult-only Retreat, Carnival Inspiration is more fun than ever before.

Don't take my word for it that Samantha had a great time. You can join her by tuning in to the Travel Channel tonight, Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 10pm and Samantha will show you just how much fun a "Fun Ship" cruise can be. Want a preview? Visit Carnival Cruise Lines' web site for a video peek at Samantha's Great Cruise Weekend. And, because it's the Travel Channel, if you miss it the first time around, the show is certain to be repeated again.

NCL's F3 Cruises Into A Sea of Dreams

Last night NCL sailed into Las Vegas with a vision for the future of nightlife at sea. Along with the sizzle of Vegas and the beat of South Beach, F3 vessels—the next generation of freestyle cruise ships—will blow out the walls and reach for the sky with a line-up of new day-to-nightclubs.

“There is nothing ordinary about these ships. The F3s are unconventionally extraordinary,” said Colin Veitch, NCL president and CEO. To demonstrate the diversity of the experiences, we caught him chilling and chatting with a fur-clad Ice Queen poolside at Caesar’s Palace last night in Las Vegas (pictured here).

The F3 will feature a genuine Ice Bar—a cruise industry first—similar to the originals in Scandinavia. At 17 degrees Fahrenheit, the frozen chamber is lit in changing hues of blue, green, and purple LED simulating the Northern Lights. A giant ice cube creates a glowing centerpiece amid the bar, walls, tables, stools, sculptures, and even beverage glasses made of ice. Fur coats, gloves, and hats will keep 25 guests at a time warm as they sip icy chilled drinks (included in the cover charge).

There are other really cool spots on board that CruiseDiva.com will share in the coming days.

ms Eurodam Officially Delivered to Holland America Line

Holland America Line officially accepted delivery of its newest ship, ms Eurodam, in a formal handover ceremony near Venice, Italy, on June 16. The 2,104-guest ship, built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri shipyard, is the 14th ship in the premium line’s distinguished fleet and the first in its Signature-class series.

“The Eurodam is a gorgeous ship,” said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer, Holland America Line. “We are proud to be the industry’s leading premium experience and the addition of this new ship allows us to offer our Signature of Excellence to even more cruisers.”

Following her inaugural season in the Baltic region, Eurodam will offer its first transatlantic cruise and sail Canada/New England in the fall, followed by Caribbean sailings for the remainder of 2008.With an additional deck, Eurodam has 63 new staterooms more than the latest Vista-class ship. Forty-seven are verandah cabins and ten are a new style with ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. Eurodam also features 56 Spa Staterooms, so named because of their proximity to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and special in-room spa amenities. In total, Eurodam carries 1,052 double occupancy staterooms. Staterooms provide the Signature of Excellence premium amenities of plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads and professional grade hair dryers.

Eurodam also includes a new pan-Asian restaurant and bar, Tamarind and Silk Den; casual Italian eatery, Canaletto; and Pizzeria Slice. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating and a new photographic and imaging center.

The Eurodam will arrive in Southampton, England, on June 27 to begin a series of introductory events for past guests, travel sellers, media and local officials. She then sails to her homeport, Rotterdam, arriving June 29 for three days of festivities including a naming ceremony with Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially dedicating the ship on July 1. Watch here for Cruise Diva’s first-hand reports from on board beginning June 28th.

NCL Freestyle Cruise Rewards Offer Instant Benefits

In line with Freestyle Cruising, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle Cruise Rewards program offers freedom and flexibility for both passengers and travel agents, making it unique and unmatched within the cruise industry. While sailing on an NCL ship, you can book a future NCL cruise with a one time $250 refundable deposit that holds the entire stateroom (not just one person!) and you'll instantly receive a $100 on-board credit to use on your current cruise. Freestyle Cruise Rewards allows you the opportunity to secure a stateroom on a future cruise and sail whenever and wherever you want without having to choose a specific ship, sailing date or stateroom category and without having to provide passenger names.

Freestyle Cruise Rewards are transferable and available in four world currencies–the British pound, the Euro, and the Canadian and U.S. dollar–which makes them the perfect gift for the avid cruiser. By purchasing a Freestyle Cruise Reward, you have 12 months to book the cruise and 30 months to sail. For travel agents, Cruise Rewards make booking easier and more efficient. Agents are notified when one of their clients books a Freestyle Cruise Reward on board. When the client is ready to finalize their plans, the travel agent can then confirm the reservation.

If you're thinking you can deposit the $250, use the $100 on board credit, and then cancel out later for a full refund, then think again. Should you change your mind, the deposit refund will be the $150 difference. For more info on Cruise Rewards, just speak with the Cruise Consultant while on board or call 1-866-234-7352.

And, by the way... Cruise Diva is in Las Vegas today for NCL's second F3 "reveal" tomorrow evening. What happens in Vegas isn't staying in Vegas. I'll be sharing the F3 details here on the blog and on CruiseDiva.com.

Surf's Up in Grand Turk Cruise Terminal

Who knew that Carnival Cruise Lines’ President and CEO Gerry Cahill is such an awesome surfer dude? Among the first to “catch a wave” on the new Grand Turk FlowRider attraction at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, Cahill hangs ten (photo at left) with Carnival Triumph docked in the background. The FlowRider is an artificial wave created by a pair of high-pressure water jets that produce a thin, two- to three-inch layer of water moving over a pre-formed and cushioned surface at high speed. Cahill was on the island of Grand Turk for the grand opening of the FlowRider attraction, which is operated by Grand Turk’s Margaritaville restaurant and bar.

“The FlowRider is exhilarating—not to mention a lot of fun—and, when combined with Grand Turk’s excellent beaches and interesting sites and attractions, offers yet another exciting shore excursion option for cruise ship guests,” said Cahill. “Grand Turk is one of our most popular Caribbean ports of call, and the FlowRider adds a new dimension to all that this wonderful destination has to offer,” he added.

The new Grand Turk FlowRider—the only attraction of its kind at a cruise port facility—provides guests the opportunity to participate in both body boarding and stand-up board surfing. While tickets to the FlowRider are sold on board through the shore excursion desk on ships calling at Grand Turk, Carnival also expects to offer FlowRider tickets online in the near future. Prices are $24 for body boarding for a half-hour on the ride and $34 for hour-long stand-up surfing sessions. During the session, participants will have an opportunity to surf multiple times and friends and family are invited to watch at no charge. Each surfer will also receive a complimentary certificate of participation. Professional photographers will be on hand to capture both the awesome rides and gnarly wipeouts of surfers that will be available for purchase, along with a variety of other souvenir items of the FlowRider experience.

The FlowRider is just the latest addition to Grand Turk, one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled and beautiful islands. The $60 million Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to this magnificent destination and encompasses a state-of-the-art pier and a 13-acre complex offering an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool, and a variety of retail shops, including the Caribbean’s largest “Margaritaville”-themed bar and restaurant. The FlowRider attraction is currently available in conjunction with all cruise ship calls at Grand Turk, including Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Imagination, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Triumph. Additional cruise lines that call at the island include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, the Yachts of Seabourn, and Costa Cruises, among others.

Seriously, for all you cruise dudes and divas who haven't been there, book a cruise with Grand Turk on the itinerary and you won't be sorry.

Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Eurodam Nears Completion

For weeks now I've been following Holland America Line's Eurodam News Blog and counting the days (only 15 more!) until I reach Southampton and embark for a week-long sailing that includes the Dedication Ceremony in Rotterdam on July 1st. Having experienced a similar event aboard Oosterdam a few years ago, I know it will be a HUGE celebration, especially with Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands serving as Eurodam’s godmother.

Completion of the ship is certainly moving along at a quick pace. Only yesterday the materials for the fourteen cabanas to be located in the Retreat on Deck 11 were hoisted on board, and workmen are already busy assembling them. Cabanas in the Retreat offer a spa-like private area where passengers can relax with refreshments and deluxe leisure amenities. The tented cabanas are being furnished with modern woven chaise loungers, ottomans, and upholstered settees. All include the use of bathrobes and plush towels, hand-held fans, an Evian spray mister, and iPods preloaded with music. Chilled waters are available and guests can look forward to iced fruit skewers in mid-morning and frozen grapes, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a glass of champagne in the afternoon. An additional eight cabanas located around the Lido pool. Sounds heavenly and I'll certainly try to reserve a cabana before they are all booked up.

On a practical note, I'll be "connected" while aboard Eurodam with my own laptop computer so I was pleased to learn that 60% of staterooms feature safes large enough to accommodate a laptop, while the remaining 40% have a standard-size safe. Due to the ship’s structural design, stateroom location determines whether it has a laptop-size safe or standard safe in the closet. I'll try to find out how to determine that in advance while I'm on board. All in-cabin safes are operated by using a personal four-digit code so valuables are conveniently accessible.

In order to share the unique experience of the special inaugural cruise and Eurodam Dedication Ceremony, mark your calendar and check the Cruise Diva Blog for daily updates starting on June 28th. In the meantime, catch the Eurodam News Blog for photos of the ship's progress.

Mama Mia! That's Some Pizza

As part of the company’s 60th birthday celebration, Costa Cruises made history last Sunday in Sydney, Australia by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest pizza line. The world record was broken when 826 freshly-cooked pizzas stretching 221 meters were lined up on Norton Street in Sydney’s Italian quarter of Leichhardt. The line was equal to the length of Costa’s cruise ship, Costa Classica, which will be based in Asia Pacific beginning in May 2009.

Thousands of spectators turned up to watch the feat, which started in the early hours of the morning and finished at 1 pm. As soon as the Guinness World Record adjudicator deemed the record broken, the pizzas were delivered to local charities to feed the homeless and disadvantaged. With Costa donating $10 for every meter of pizza and hundreds of locals participating in the charity event, more than $5,000 was raised for Variety, the children’s charity.

Led by Sydney chef Ashley Hughes from the restaurant Alio, twenty-five Sydney chefs tackled the pizza-making challenge, which used more than 500 kilograms of flour, 250 liters of tomato sauce and 350 kilograms of mozzarella cheese.

There's no word on whether the crusts were hand-tossed, but the joint effort broke the previous pizza-line record, set only three weeks ago in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Disney Cruise Line Breaks A Record

We'll bet that this is one they weren't going for. According to recent Panama Canal authority reports, Disney Cruise Line paid a record $331,200 when the 964-foot Disney Magic crossed the Panama Canal on May 16th.

Canal fees were increased by Panama last year and cruise ships are now assessed according to the number of beds onboard rather than cargo capacity. With 875 staterooms, Disney Magic surpassed the previous record fee of $313,000 for a passenger ship, which was charged in Oct 2007 to each of two Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Your Bermuda Port Call: Will It Be More Entertaining?

One advantage of a Bermuda itinerary is that cruise ships remain docked at night, which affords the opportunity to dine ashore and sample the nightlife. There's always been a downside to onboard life, though. While most shipboard services—dining, lounges, and the fitness center and spa—continue to hum along as usual, duty-free shops and casinos have been required by Bermuda government regulations to remain closed when in port. Additionally, professional entertainment in the show lounge has been curtailed, although a movie might be screened there instead. Many ships offer a "Bermuda Night" tropical-theme deck party; however, ships docked in Hamilton and St. George's generally wrap up the outdoor festivities around midnight as a courtesy to local residents.

Happily, though, there may be a change on the horizon. The Royal Gazette reports that the Bermuda government is making a move to allow cruise ships to open signature shops and offer full entertainment onboard, including the operation of casinos after 10pm while docked. But will public opinion, and the local distaste for gambling, prevail over the government's desire to boost tourism and keep those cruise ships calling? The initiative seems up in the air to me, although others see it as a done deal.

Celebrate MSC Orchestra Coming To Town & Win A Cruise

MSC Cruises has selected the winner of the first free cruise in the cruise line’s year-long celebration leading up to the arrival of one of its newest ships, MSC Orchestra, in North America. Marcia Pascuito of Sarasota Springs, NY, is the first winner of a free 7-night cruise on MSC Orchestra in the Caribbean. She was the lucky winner selected from those who entered online at the line’s new website, www.theorchestraiscomingtotown.com. Additional free cruises will be awarded before MSC Orchestra arrives in Fort Lauderdale Jan. 2, 2009 for her inaugural Caribbean season.

“We invite everyone to visit theorchestraiscomingtotown.com to learn more about this magnificent ship and the MSC Cruises experience,” says Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA). “Plus, by entering the contest daily, they increase their chances of being the next winner of a free cruise or other free gifts.”

Guests who visit the website also will find:

• Ship information, including an extensive slide show and flash presentation complete with factoids;
• Fun & Free Stuff, including free downloadable wallpaper and e-cards, several shuffle picture puzzles and memory games;
• Special promotions on MSC Orchestra itineraries, including the line’s “Kids Sail Free” offer, where youngsters under the age of 17 sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults.

MSC Orchestra will sail alternating 7-night roundtrip itineraries through April 25, 2009:

• Eastern Caribbean, calling at Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas, and two days at sea.
• Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic, and two days at sea.

A special 7-night roundtrip Bermuda sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 25, 2009 and includes three days in King’s Wharf, Bermuda and a day in Nassau, Bahamas, and two sea days.

MSC Orchestra will depart Fort Lauderdale May 2, 2009 on an 18-night voyage that includes a two-day visit to New York City before heading eastbound to Copenhagen, with calls at Ponta Delgado, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal; Vigo, Spain; La Coruna, Spain; and Dover, England.

For more information about MSC Cruises and the arrival of MSC Orchestra, visit www.theorchestraiscomingtotown.com. While you're there, enter to win a free cruise!

Cruise Travel: Changing Habits

Ask almost anyone what the least appealing aspect of their recent cruise vacation was and you are likely to hear something to do with air travel. Either you or your shipmates had a miserable time waiting in long lines at the airport, flights were delayed, or maybe your luggage was lost. There's so much confusion in the skies that many cruisers are willing to forego the "convenience" of flying and brave the Interstate system to get to their Embarkation Ports

Even with the price of gas creeping higher every day, hitting the road can still be less expensive than air fare for a family that needs to get to port. We've been road tripping for several years now and from our home in east-central Georgia we've driven to Norfolk, Baltimore, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, and even New Orleans. All things considered, we've found it doesn't take much longer to drive than fly. Since we always arrive at our embarkation port a day ahead of sailing, we've already factored at least one night in a hotel into our travel budget. While we probably wouldn't take to the highway if we were embarking in Los Angeles or Seattle, there's a lot to be said for eliminating the hassle factor of flying. I've seen numerous comments online in the past few days from others who feel the same way we do. It's no surprise that they report plans to drive to Florida from northeastern states and from the midwest to Galveston.

However, not everyone's in a position to drive and then there are those European cruises we'd all like to experience. Unfortunately, we can't drive to Italy or Spain. Overseas flights are long and uncomfortable and getting more expensive by the day, especially with all the add-ons that drive up the cost. It came as no surprise to us that Carnival Cruise Lines is pulling Carnival Freedom from European service next summer and deploying it year-round in the Caribbean. (For details about Carnival Freedom's new itineraries, see CruiseDiva.com's Cruise News.) While we don't view that move as an industry-wide trend, we do think Carnival may be ahead of the curve regarding their North American sourced market. Airlines are grounding planes and those still in the air are flying full. Fewer seats means higher fares for the ones still available, perhaps too high for many Americans' wallets.

Airlift has always been an important component of a cruise vacation. However, with "homeland" cruising we can still enjoy our vacation even if there are fewer air options to get to port.

Cruisers, start your engines.

Carnival Cruise Lines to Introduce First Year-Round Cruises From Baltimore in 2009

Carnival Cruise Lines is set to launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with 7-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009. The new program kicks off Sept 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port. Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, FL; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore aboard the Carnival Pride, a truly magnificent ‘Fun Ship’ that will visit a wide range of tropical destinations from one of America’s most historic cities,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “Today’s consumers are more value-conscious than ever and considering that Baltimore is within a day’s drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option,” he added.

It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports––the most of any cruise operator. While not a brand-new-to-cruises homeport by any means, Baltimore is somewhat of a "pathfinder" port in the sense that Jacksonville and Mobile were several years ago––moving from a blip on cruise lines' GPS screen to year-around homeports. However, while Jacksonville has graduated from a smaller, older Carnival Holiday-class ship to a Fantasy-class ship, Mobile still boasts the oldest ship in the fleet. The Port of Mobile is no doubt suffering from a case of ship envy right now, but only Carnival's 88,500-ton Spirit-class ships, of which Carnival Pride is one, are fast enough to make the run from a northeastern homeport to the warmth of the Caribbean.

For more details and additional stories, visit CruiseDiva.com's Cruise News.

NCL Makes Fuel Supplement Adjustment

With news of increased fuel surcharges for cruise passengers rolling in, our headline could almost be, "As The Barrel Turns." It's time for an announcement from NCL, which is even pricier than the earlier one from Carnival Corp.

As oil prices have continued to rise since NCL's earlier announcement of a fuel supplement, the company announced today an increase to its current fuel supplement. The new fuel supplement will be $11 per person per day for the first and second guests in a stateroom and $5 per person per day for any additional guests in the same stateroom, based on the guidelines below.

Individual reservations: The increased fuel supplement applies only to new individual reservations made on or after June 20, 2008.

Group reservations: The increased fuel supplement applies to any group reservation booked on or after June 20, 2008. The increased fuel supplement will also apply to group space held prior to June 20, 2008 without specific names and full confirming deposit by June 19, 2008.

More Pain at the Pump: Carnival Corp Cruise Line Brands Increase Fuel Surcharge

Rising fuel costs have us all over a barrel. Literally. With no end in sight, cruise lines are feeling the squeeze just as much as their passengers. Which is why it's no surprise that Carnival Corporation's brands are upping their fuel surcharges once again. Our advice: lock your plans in now, before the increases go into effect next week.

Because of the continuing rapid escalation of fuel prices, the North American brands of Carnival Corp, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, The Yachts of Seabourn, and Costa Cruises, have announced an increase to the current fuel supplement from $7 to $9 (USD) per passenger per day. The fuel supplement on third, fourth and fifth passengers will increase from $2 to $4 (USD) per person per day. The new fuel supplements will apply to all new bookings effective June 12, 2008.

The fuel supplement is necessitated by significant rises in fuel prices which have dramatically increased Carnival Corp's operating costs. We regret having to take this action, but fuel prices continue to increase, and we find it necessary to implement a modest increase in the supplement.

Additional details about the fuel supplement increases, as well as information regarding Carnival Cruise Lines' voluntary refund of previous fuel supplement charges for bookings made prior to Nov 7, 2007, are available in CruiseDiva.com's Cruise News

NCL: Pillow Me In Comfort

The top priority of most cruise vacationers is a restful time away from everyday stresses. To some, that means time spent basking in the sun or being pampered in the spa. To me, it means sleeping well and greeting every morning refreshed and relaxed. Unfortunately, that hasn't always been possible over the years. Too many cruise lines put little or no thought into their guests' beds.

All that changed in 1999 when Westin started a bedding revolution in hotels with the introduction of their Heavenly Bed. Cruise lines have joined the trend and Norwegian Cruise Line has embraced the concept with upgraded mattresses, memory foam mattress toppers, silky-soft linens, and cushy duvets and pillows in all staterooms. But book a suite or villa and prepare to sink into the luxe comfort of NCL's Bliss Collection. You'll find your bed has a comfy pillow-top mattress, down comforter, high-end linens, and a pillow menu with six choices. Test out a different pillow every day of your cruise:

• Standard Feather: Plump, cozy, and filled with premium goose-down
• Overfilled Firm: "Just right" for side sleepers who want ultra support
• Climarelle: Stay cool with a super-scientific-body-temperature-regulating-pillow (perfect for those nights when we ladies experience our own personal summer)
• Ultra Foam Deluxe Memory: The super soft contoured memory pillow that eliminates stiff neck and shoulders
• Reading Wedge: A pure cotton pillow for relaxing, reading, or watching television in bed
• Hypo-Allergenic: No feathers, no fibers, no dust means no congestion or sneezing

It's always amusing to see passengers (usually youngsters, but sometimes adults) cuddling their own personal pillows as they embark, but now you can leave them at home and choose from the options afforded on board. If you aren't in a suite or villa, don't be concerned--you'll find really nice pillows on your bed as well, and if you need an extra one, just ask your steward.

Cunard Captains & Queens

In recognition of Cunard's longest-serving ocean liner leaving the fleet in November, Her Majesty The Queen made her farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth 2 in Southampton yesterday.

The Queen began by touring the vessel and meeting many crew members, some of whom have served on board since QE2 entered service in 1969 and others who went with the ship when she was requisitioned as a troop carrier in the Falklands Conflict. Later she attended a reception and lunch on board with 300 guests, including former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher.

Both the newest and longest-serving female crewmembers played a role in the visit. While on the bridge, The Queen gave a signal to Cadet Jennifer Haynes, who joined QE2 in April 2008, to sound QE2's whistle to salute Cunard's current flagship Queen Mary 2, which was also in port today and was named by The Queen in Jan 2004. Queen Mary 2 responded by sounding her whistle in salute of Her Majesty's visit. After disembarking, Her Majesty was presented with 55 red roses by QE2's Executive Housekeeper Roz Price Evans who is the longest-serving female member of crew; the gesture marked 55 years to the day since The Queen's Coronation. The Queen also met nine QE2 Captains including Captain Peter Jackson who became Master of QE2 in 1973 and who took the ship to the Falklands in 1982.

Her Majesty The Queen has visited QE2 twice since the launch--on May 1, 1969, immediately prior the Maiden Voyage, and on July 27, 1990 to mark Cunard Line's 150th anniversary. "We are delighted and honoured that Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to visit QE2 to wish her farewell. Her Majesty has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, having launched the ship, visited twice and reviewed the ship four times, including during the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of D Day. I am certain this final visit will be a memorable occasion for all involved," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line.

QE2, the most famous ship in the world, and for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, was launched by The Queen at Clydebank on September 20, 1967 - forty years ago last year. Since then the ship has travelled over 5.6 million nautical miles, more than any other ship; has carried over 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 803 times. She leaves Cunard service in Nov 2008 prior to starting a new life in Dubai as a first class hotel and entertainment destination.

Welcome to Hurricane Season: What Does That Mean For Cruisers?

It's June and you know what time of year it is... the annual "hurricane season" has begun in North America. I'm not going to bore you with any of the dire predictions for 2008--for the most part, seasonal estimates haven't proven very accurate over the years and even coastal emergency management directors ignore them. However, you do have to pay attention when a storm is brewing, although there's usually plenty of warning when one is about to impact your cruise plans. Just because it's our least favorite weather season (in terms of tropical storms), that doesn't mean you have to forgo a cruise vacation.

Passengers numbering in the hundreds of thousands embark on cruises during the "official" hurricane season every year without a thought about storms on land or at sea. For some, it's the only time they can schedule a family vacation. For others, it's just not a consideration. After all, the official hurricane season consumes a full six months of the year, from June 1st until November 30th. While it is something to ponder in terms of comfort and convenience, I wouldn't let it stand in my way of scheduling a cruise during that time frame. Chances are, you'll never have a problem. It's a big ocean out there and there's room for you, your ship, and Mother Nature.

Consider what can happen on a land vacation; I once had to evacuate a hotel on the Hawaiian island of Kauai because of a tsunami warning. I'd rather be drinking coffee on a pitching cruise ship than in a Red Cross Evacuation Center any day.

Take a look at Cruising into Hurricane Season with CruiseDiva.com.

Full Speed Ahead: Here Comes Seabourn Odyssey's Hull

Sleek and streamlined, the new steel hull destined to become the ultra-luxury cruising yacht Seabourn Odyssey arrived at T.Mariotti's quay in Genoa, Italy, on May 27. The hull, built in San Giorgio di Nogaro in the Gulf of Venice, was towed southward through the Adriatic, around the heel and up the coast of Italy to the T.Mariotti shipyard, where blocks of the yacht's superstructure have been under construction while the hull was being completed. Final construction and fitting out of the vessel will be performed over the next year in time for the vessel's launch in June 2009.

The hull's arrival marks a major milestone toward delivery of three intimate cruise vessels from T.Mariotti for Seabourn, the ultra-luxury brand of Miami-based Carnival Corp. The €200 million Seabourn Odyssey will be the cruise industry's first ultra-luxury addition in six years. A maximum of 450 guests will travel on board, in luxurious all-suite accommodations measuring from 290 to over 1,600 square feet, over 90 percent with private verandas. The cruising yacht will offer guests five dining alternatives, five lounges and bars, an expansive pool and sunbathing area, and a spectacular two-deck, indoor/outdoor spa facility with more than 11,400 square feet to go around. Seabourn Odyssey's maiden season will include voyages from the grand cities and romantic isles of the Mediterranean to the waters of the Caribbean, before embarking on Seabourn's first-ever World Cruise in January 2010.

"The arrival of the hull marks a significant step toward this luxury vessel's debut," said Pamela C. Conover, president and CEO of Seabourn. "Just looking at the graceful curve of her waterline gives a hint of what's in store for luxury cruise lovers come next summer, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests on board Seabourn's exciting new yacht."

For more information on Seabourn Odyssey and The Yachts of Seabourn, visit www.seabourn.com.