Wizards of Décor for Cruise Ships Offer Advice for Home Decoration

If you've ever stood in front of the vast number of color choices in the paint department of Home Depot or tried to decide whether a watercolor that's drawn your eye will work in your home, consider what the interior designers of cruise ships encounter. These wizards of décor create spaces enjoyed by thousands of cruise vacationers on a weekly basis. When they choose colors it may be for 1,000 staterooms; when they buy artwork, it's to be seen by thousands of cruise passengers each week. And they do their designs on a moving ship. Just like you, the designers of cruise ships work on a budget and within the confines of specific spaces. Their inspiration comes from the sea and beyond.

Most of us can't afford the luxury of an interior designer to decorate our homes, but we can learn a lot from the designers of cruise ships and bring those ideas home. For instance, I loved the softness of draping around cabanas on Holland America Line's ships and added drapes to surround the seating areas of my deck to achieve a similar effect.

Below are some of my favorite tips from cruise ship designers that you can use in your own home.

1. Step back and really look at your space and do a deep think about how you want to move within that space.
2. Be creative with color choices (you can always change your mind and repaint).
3. Design for yourself. If you love the design, it is successful.
4. Use inexpensive LED lights to highlight art and create other "wow" effects.
5. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Always simplify, edit and then edit again.

Image Courtesy of Seabourn

Two New Five-Day Itinerary Options Added to Carnival Paradise’s Year-Round Schedule from Tampa

Carnival Cruise Line has been busy adding new itineraries and shore adventures to their portfolio and this new one out of Tampa is particularly attractive to those of us who drive to port from the southeast. Two new 5-day itineraries, one visiting Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Cozumel and another featuring Key West and Cozumel, have been added to the Carnival Paradise’s year-round cruise schedule from Tampa, providing guests with even more vacation choices from that port.

Ten Mahogany Bay/Cozumel and six Key West/Cozumel voyages will be offered, departing on Saturdays throughout 2017. The new 5-day cruises are part of the line’s new Cozumel Plus program that provides additional time in port and features a variety of unique shore excursions—swimming with whale sharks, visiting centuries-old ruins, and swimming in hidden caverns, among others—offered both on the island and within mainland Mexico.

The new 5-day itineraries complement the ship’s existing 5-day cruises to Grand Cayman and Cozumel which depart on Saturdays and Mondays. Carnival Paradise also offers 4-day cruises to Cozumel departing Thursdays, providing a value-packed “long-weekend” cruise option.

Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Miracle to Offer Unique 14-Day Alaska Cruise Round-Trip From Long Beach in Sept 2017

West Coast fans of sea days have a reason rejoice. Carnival Cruise Line will offer a 14-day Alaskan voyage round-trip from Long Beach, California, in 2017, featuring seven popular destinations, including Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the line’s first visit to Icy Strait Point, an unspoiled wilderness area offering some of the best whale and bear watching in the state and the world’s longest zip-line. The one-of-a-kind voyage—part of the line’s Carnival Journeys cruise enrichment series—will take place aboard Carnival Miracle departing Long Beach Sept. 2 and returning Sept. 16, 2017.

In addition to a full-day sailing Glacier Bay and Carnival’s inaugural call to Icy Strait Point, the 14-day cruise will feature the Alaskan ports of Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and Sitka, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia. Each of these ports of call offers a rich history and culture, along with awe-inspiring natural wonders, including calving glaciers, majestic fjords, and native sea and animal life. A wide range of shore excursions—from helicopter flightseeing and rainforest canopy tours to hiking, canoeing and kayaking expeditions, and alpine lake snorkeling—will be available.

Guests sailing on the special 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise will also enjoy unique on-board experiences where they can sample Alaskan cuisine and enjoy local entertainment and cultural opportunities within the various ports of call. Activities focusing on a broad range of topics—everything from photography and cooking to arts and crafts and celestial navigation—along with a 1980s-themed “Throwback Sea Day” will be offered, as well.

Carnival Legend will also offer thirty-eight 7- and 8-day Alaska voyages in 2017 and 2018, including seven week-long Glacier Bay cruises next year—the most voyages by Carnival to this region, which features majestic glaciers and other ice formations and is home to numerous whales, bears and other wildlife. The 7- and 8-day voyages operate either round-trip from Seattle or from Vancouver to Seattle, visiting a variety of stunning ports, including Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC, plus a full-day cruising Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay.

“A Carnival Alaska cruise is like no other and with this exciting new 14-day Carnival Journeys adventure, combined with the wide variety of 7- and 8-day voyages, we’re offering guests an incredible array of opportunities to get an up close and personal look at this beautiful sailing region,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Miracle and Carnival Legend feature a wide range of dining and entertainment choices, including an American steakhouse serving USDA prime aged beef and other upscale cuisine and the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub. Kids can have an unforgettable cruise experience with exhilarating water slides as well as fun supervised programs catering to three age groups and the popular Seuss at Sea program with fun activities like the Seuss-a-palooza Parade and Story Time and more.

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation Gives $250,000 Donation for Louisiana Flood Relief

As you may recall, we reported earlier this week that Carnival Cruise Line & Carnival Corp have donated $250,000 to aid organizations assisting victims of the Louisiana floods. Adding to that humanitarian effort, Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine have matched the $250,000 donation through the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, which raises the total contribution from Carnival Cruise-related organizations to half-a-million dollars. Recipient aid organizations of the $500,000 total gift include the American Red Cross, Louisiana Association of United Ways, and Save the Children.

“Recognizing the tremendous magnitude of this disaster and the Carnival organization’s long-standing partnership with the state of Louisiana, Madeleine and I felt strongly in our desire to provide additional support to organizations aiding in the flood relief efforts,” said Micky Arison.

In addition to the total $500,000 donation, Carnival Cruise Line is encouraging guests sailing on its two New Orleans-based cruise ships, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Dream, to donate when they check in for their cruise. Carnival employees are also being encouraged to donate.

On a personal note, I know Micky Arison and he’s a truly nice, unassuming, and generous person. He, his wife Madeleine, and his Family Foundation, along with Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Corp, do a lot of good works—many that we never hear about. This donation, made from their hearts and announced in order to draw attention to the need in Louisiana, brings to mind another family foundation from which we haven’t heard a peep. Inquiring minds wonder, where are the Clintons? Like I said, I know Micky personally and, Hillary Clinton, you are no Micky Arison.

Image Carnival Triumph

Princess Cruises Presents Majestic Princess

For Princess Cruises devotees, the line has announced key features of Majestic Princess, the newest and most luxurious ship in the global fleet. As previously revealed, the ship will offer a limited number of European cruises prior to sailing off to China.

Majestic Princess will depart April 4, 2017, on her inaugural voyage, a 5-day Adriatic Sea cruise roundtrip from Rome with stops in Kotor and Corfu. Following her maiden cruise, Majestic Princess will tour Europe, offering guests a chance to experience the ship on 7, 14, 21, and 28 day cruises departing from Rome, Barcelona, or Athens. A repositioning voyage will depart Barcelona on May 14, 2017, visiting Dubai and Singapore before arriving in Shanghai, her new home. Majestic Princess will begin her first cruise from its homeport in Shanghai on July 11, 2017, carrying 3,560 guests to a variety of destinations in Japan and Korea.

“Over the past 50 years, we have developed a mastery of global travel, delivering a truly international cruise vacation experience to our guests,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “With the debut of Majestic Princess, first in Europe and then in China, we invite guests to indulge in a world-class experience that allows them to completely relax, unwind, and ultimately ‘come back new.’”

Majestic Princess, a sister cruise ship to Regal Princess and Royal Princess, will offer its guests a variety of features and experiences, including:

Global Cuisine - Exceptional culinary offerings are a pillar of the Princess guest experience, designed and executed by masterfully trained chefs from France, Italy, the United States, Australia, China and Japan, among others. They create memorable dining experiences inspired by the more than 360 exotic ports of call visited by the line annually.

Popular culinary offerings from sister ships Royal Princess and Regal Princess will be aboard Majestic Princess including:

• The exclusive Chef’s Table Lumiere, a unique and engaging dining experience personally hosted by our Princess Executive Chef which includes a private galley tour and a multicourse dinner served at a grand custom-designed table where guests are surrounded by a glimmering curtain of light.
• The award-winning Crown Grill & Bar, an American steakhouse, preparing top-quality cuts of beef, chops and seafood in an open-kitchen served in a classically elegant restaurant setting.
• Alfredo’s, named after Princess Cruises’ award-winning Master Chef Alfredo Marzi, offers a selection of classic Italian and signature Neapolitan-style pizzas, along with baked pasta dishes and specialty appetizers and desserts.

Two new specialty restaurants will be introduced on board Majestic Princess. They are:

• Harmony, created in partnership with Chef Richard Chen, formerly of Wynn Las Vegas “Wing Lei,” will feature haute Chinese cuisine paired with pristine ocean views and modern décor, serving Chef Chen’s interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes.
• Le Bistrot, located in the atrium, offers casual French home-style dining with a modern twist. Hearkening back to an authentic Parisian bistrot, guests will enjoy traditional Escargots Casseroles, Braised Ox Tongue and Mushroom Ragout, along with baguettes, tartines, tourtes, and French Patisseries.

To top it off, there will also be a wide selection of all-day gastronomy in the World Fresh Marketplace (Horizon Court buffet on other ships), where guests can taste flavors from diverse food stations around the world ranging from Mediterranean dishes, a pasta specialty counter, colorful farmer's market salads and fresh fruits, and a new "East Meets West” street food specialty counter. The Bakery inside the World Fresh Marketplace will serve Western, European, and Asian pastries and Danishes.

Modern & Stylish Cruise Ship Design - Influenced by fashion, art, and history, the interior designs of Majestic Princess present a stylish visual experience representative of traveling the world. Designs use metal, glass and inlaid wood through-out. European marble, mosaic tile floors, polished woods and sumptuous fabrics are featured on board the ship. Plush custom-designed carpets in the guest corridors feature floral motifs that represent an Asian-inspired beauty and grace. Hand tufted area rugs also mirror floral motifs located at the entrances to the main dining rooms.

Modern & Stylish Stateroom Design - More than 80 percent of Majestic Princess' staterooms include a private balcony. All staterooms feature the new Princess Luxury bed, featuring a custom-made mattress developed by Dr. Michael Breus, a board-certified sleep expert. The bed also includes luxury linens designed by Candice Olson, the Canadian design-star of hit HGTV shows.

World-Class Entertainment - The first two shows to be seen on Majestic Princess will be “Fiera” and “Fantastic Journey” both have been met with acclaim by international audiences across the Princess fleet. These musical shows feature a world-class cast of singers and dancers along with some of the most elaborate production numbers, costumes, and advanced multimedia stage technology ever produced at sea. It also features Movies Under the Stars on the largest outdoor screen at sea, as well as Water Color Fantasy, presenting a dazzling water and light show at sea.

Onboard Experience - Majestic Princess, guests will also experience the signature SeaWalk, the glass floor walkway at sea, and SeaView Bar featuring “flair” bar tending. The Piazza Atrium, the central focal point of the ship features live entertainment throughout the day and evening. It is surrounded by The Shops of Princess, nearly 1,100 square meters of luxury boutiques which include designer brand shops from Cartier, Bvlgari, and Chopard, leather goods from Burberry and Gucci, along with watches by these luxury brands as well as Montblanc, Longines, Rado, and Tissot to name a few.

Image Courtesy Princess Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line & Carnival Corp Donate $250,000 To Aid Organizations For Louisiana Flood Relief

As we have seen in the past—when they have come to the the aid of homeports and nearby communities in times of need—cruise lines are good neighbors. Carnival Cruise Line and its parent company, Carnival Corporation, are coming to the plate again by giving a total of $250,000 to charitable organizations to support their efforts on behalf of victims of the Louisiana floods. The cruise line is donating $125,000 and its parent company is matching that amount through its Carnival Foundation charitable arm.

Recipients include the American Red Cross, Louisiana Association of United Way,s and Save the Children. In addition, guests sailing on Carnival cruises from New Orleans have the option to donate when they check in for their cruise and Carnival employees are being encouraged to donate, as well.

“Having homeported Carnival ships in Louisiana for more than two decades, we very much consider ourselves a part of the community and, therefore, it is extremely important to us to provide aid to support the tens of thousands of Louisiana residents who have been affected by these devastating floods,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The American Red Cross is sheltering thousands of residents displaced by the flooding in southern Louisiana and delivering food, relief supplies, and emotional support to flood victims. Donations to the Louisiana Association of United Ways will be dispersed among regional United Way organizations in communities affected by the floods to support long-term needs. Save the Children has deployed an emergency response team to Louisiana and is focused on meeting the critical needs of flood affected children and families and moving forward will be working to restore services essential to children’s well-being.

Carnival is Louisiana’s most popular cruise line and has operated from the Port of New Orleans since 1994. Carnival is the only line operating two year-round ships, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Dream, carrying 450,000 guests from the port annually. Since 2004 Carnival has embarked over 3 million guests from New Orleans.

Image Carnival Triumph

All Aboard For An Eastern Caribbean Family Cruise on the Disney Fantasy

Our good friend Georgina Cruz shares that, “Like Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan, who were often seen doing meet-and-greets with guests in the ship’s atrium, another “character” our family loves—Mother Nature—would have felt right at home posing for photos and signing autographs aboard the Disney Fantasy on our seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing. If she had been there in her white flowing robe and laurel leaf crown, hobnobbing with Snow White, it would have made the perfect poster for our voyage, as it had both magical and natural aspects for three generations of our family: my husband Humberto and me, our daughter Veronica, son-in-law Kyle, and grandsons Aidan, 15 and Julian, 12.”

Join Georgina and Humberto’s multi-generational family to discover the joy they experienced on their Disney Fantasy Cruise.

Celebrity Cruises' Andrej Malic Sets Sail for One of the World's Best Bartender Competitions

With the Rio Olympics drawing to a close, there's another competition ongoing that you might want to follow—the battle to become one of the world's best bartenders. Last week, Andrej Malic of Celebrity Cruises beat out competition from thousands of cruise line bartenders from three of the world's leading cruise lines to be crowned one of the best bartenders at sea.

All the cruise line bartenders who took part in the competition were put through a series of heats in what was the biggest year yet for WORLD CLASS, before the three finalists mixed it up and were judged by a panel of the industry's elite experts in the deluxe Diageo 396 Bar in Miami.

Andrej prevailed throughout the competition with his outstanding showmanship and innovative cocktail creation and technique, particularly with his signature serve 'Old Spice Fashion' featuring BULLEIT Bourbon, which you can make at home by following the recipe below.

Andrej's signature 'Old Spice Fashion'

Ingredients:
1.5 oz BULLEIT® BOURBON
0.25 oz Allspice Dram Liqueur
0.75 oz Honey syrup
2 drops of Tiki bitters
1 bar spoon of crème de Yvette
A dash of Peychaud's bitter

Recipe: Add all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir to dilution and strain into double old fashioned glass over one large ice cube. Garnish with expressed grapefruit zest.

Andrej, 27, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, will proceed to represent cruise line bartenders at one of the leading and most respected contests of its kind in the world—WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year Competition in Miami on Sept 25-29, 2016. He will compete there against 59 of the world's best bartenders for the coveted 'World Class Bartender of the Year' title.

A leading bartender on board Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Millennium, Andrej said, "This is without doubt the best moment of my career to date. I'm hugely delighted and grateful to be recognized by the WORLD CLASS competition and to have won. I've been inspired and challenged by many talented bartenders over the last few weeks and I'm really looking forward to using the skills and knowledge that I've developed to represent Celebrity Cruises and all cruise line bartenders at the grand final of the WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year Competition."

There's no word on whether the cocktail's aroma is similar to that of the famous men's Old Spice after-shave. We'll just have to make it at home to find out.

Image Courtesy Diageo

Silversea Plans Multi-Million Dollar Fleet Refurbishment

Luxury cruise line Silversea is planning the biggest fleet-wide refurbishment in its history, worth $170 Million. This investment is not aimed at simply maintaining Silversea’s high levels of excellence, but to reaffirm the company’s commitment to exceptional standards of guest comfort and timeless elegance.

Silver Whisper, host to the iconic World Cruise, will undergo a refurbishment that will take place by the end of 2016. Largely influenced by feedback from past World Cruisers—proving that Silversea guests truly are at the heart of the company operations—2017 World Cruisers will be the first guests to experience the fresh feel of understated glamour with which the brand has become synonymous.

The luxury suites will be refurbished and the bathrooms outfitted with dark emperor marble flooring. Public spaces will be the key beneficiaries of the revitalization, where a freshly tiled pool and new chaise lounges will add comfort and style to open air spaces. Dining areas at The Restaurant and La Terrazza will be re-surfaced with plush new carpet and elegant hard-wood parquet respectively, and will each receive new furniture, echoing the theme of contemporary glamour throughout the ship. Finally, Silver Whisper’s communications hub is set for a major overhaul with the addition of two satellite antennas, vastly improving Internet speeds on board and enabling guests to take full advantage of the new, interactive TVs and on demand movies available in every suite.

The refurbishment program extends to Silver Wind during her dry dock scheduled for October 2016. Once again, refurbishment of furniture and furnishings and technology upgrades that include interactive TVs and on demand movies complete the contemporary, yet understated levels of luxury in every suite. Additionally, the concept restaurant La Terrazza and the flagship Main Restaurant will both have new flooring installed. The pool deck will undergo a complete rip-and-replace approach to one of its aesthetic jewels, the exceptional teak flooring. This will reinstate the deck area, more akin to a luxury yacht than a cruise ship, while reaffirming Silver Wind’s status as a timeless classic within the Silversea fleet.

Beyond the Classic fleet, Silver Discoverer will also benefit from this investment in 2016, also entering dry dock this October. While service and suite presentation will be held strictly to Silversea’s high standards, it is in the public areas of this Expedition vessel where guests will see the most visible changes. The Restaurant will be remodeled with a lighter, more contemporary color palette and the popular pool grill area will receive new furniture. The Discoverer lounge will go through a transformation from breakfast venue to a sophisticated lounge in which to relax, read, and reflect on the day’s excursions. Silversea continues to augment the expedition experience to the benefit of its guests, and this is illustrated with further investment in new AV technology in the Explorer Lounge and new furniture from which to enjoy the lectures and briefings in unbridled comfort.

“We are thrilled to be moving ahead with these major refurbishments and look forward to welcoming guests aboard and sharing our unique vision of ultra-luxury cruising, both in terms of service and physical environment”, said Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of Silversea. “We pride ourselves on being the reference when it comes to ultra-luxury cruising and this investment reflects our long-term commitment in this regard toward our ships, our guests, and our crew.”

Silversea is committed to the continued evolution and progression of elegance at sea, a commitment that will continue to be driven by, and at the service of its guests. Further fleet-wide refurbishment will be revealed in the coming months.

Image Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Seabourn To Offer Spa & Wellness Programs With Integrative Medicine Pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil

Noted for its innovative onboard programming, luxury cruise line Seabourn has created a fleet-wide mindful living program offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental, and spiritual well-being. The new Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil program will be the first-ever of its kind at sea. The new program will be led by the newly established position, The Wellness Guide. The Guide, will be a certified yoga and meditation practitioner who will inspire and educate all guests through various complimentary classes and gatherings throughout the voyage. Guests who choose to participate in this new program will have a cruise experience that is further enhanced by a holistic mind and body perspective.

"This new wellness program will offer our guests an experience they simply won't find anywhere else in the industry," said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. "By partnering with Dr. Weil, a pioneer in integrative medicine, we will deliver an even greater degree of mind and body programs that ensure you can break away, relax and rejuvenate while you travel with us. We're eager to share the full slate of offerings as a part of Seabourn Encore's inaugural sailing as another component of the Extraordinary Worlds of Seabourn."

The program is scheduled to kick off with Dr. Weil sailing on Seabourn Encore's inaugural cruise in January 2017. The program will be rolled out throughout the entire Seabourn fleet in 2017, including Seabourn Ovation in spring of 2018. Dr. Weil will sail on a different Seabourn ship each year where he will deliver a 60-minute lecture for guests and will also offer smaller informal group discussions. A separate team of wellness experts will also make regular visits to spa facilities throughout the Seabourn fleet.

Central to the program is the daily practice of meditation and yoga through a selection of complimentary sessions. Guests can experience Mindful Meditation, which will introduce positive affirmations and mantras they can reflect on throughout the day. There will also be daily restorative yoga classes which will continue to focus upon the mantra and positive affirmations. Yoga classes will be varied, offering guests the ability to choose classes that focus on various physical issues, such as yoga to heal back and joint pain, headaches and body alignment, as well as yoga to enhance creativity, mental focus and happiness. Classes will focus on mind, body and spirit over a period of seven days, and will change daily with a new theme.

Integral to the wellness program are enriching complimentary Mind and Body seminars designed to educate guests on philosophies and practices that are aligned with the program's mission. Each presentation will aim to empower guests with ideas and practices that enhance well-being and increase the awareness of connection between mind, body, environment and wellness. Seminars are created by Dr. Weil and Steiner's Wellness professionals, many of which will be based upon Dr. Weil's teachings, and will explore the fields of the healing arts.

On board seminars include:

• Spontaneous Happiness & Spontaneous Healing: adapted from Dr. Andrew Weil's best-selling books.
• Anti-inflammatory foods: adapted from Dr. Andrew Weil's nutritional guidance.
• Healthy Aging: adapted from Dr. Andrew Weil's research in this area.
• Introduction to Mindful Meditation: learn what happens to the body and mind during meditation.

Individualized one-on-one wellness sessions on select topics will also be available for a fee.

The launch of the Mind and Body Wellness Program with Dr. Andrew Weil deepens the already wellness-focused Seabourn spa program that offers a wide range of body massages, facials, fitness and beauty treatments. Lending itself to the program is the powerfully aromatic Thai Poultice massages that use the traditionally prepared steamed herbs of Camphor, Kaffir Lime, Prai, Turmeric and Lemon Grass in muslin poultices to melt away stress and tension, or nourishing desecrated Coconut that nurtures the body with soothing fats and lipids. Guests will also find Deeper than Deep Hot Stone Massage, Bamboo Massage and Freestyle Massage to engage their minds and bodies.

Seabourn Encore Pool Deck Image Courtesy Seabourn

"Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" Set Sail Aboard Disney Wonder

It's the height of summer and hot, hot, hot, so let's think about something really cool. For the "first time in forever," the animated hit "Frozen" is getting the Disney Cruise Line theatrical treatment as a new stage show exclusively aboard the Disney Wonder. "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" debuts, along with a wave of new enhancements to the ship, on cruises starting Nov. 10, 2016, from Galveston, Texas. The story will be presented with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology, and classic Disney whimsy, completely unique to the Disney Wonder production.

"We're so excited to bring 'Frozen, A Musical Spectacular' to the stage of the Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Wonder. The production is going to delight each one of our guests because it's a story for absolutely everyone in the family," said Jim Urry, Vice President, Entertainment, Disney Cruise Line.

"Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" will follow the adventures of royal sisters Anna and Elsa as they embark on a journey to discover the meaning of sisterhood, inner strength and true love. Fans of the film and newcomers alike will be enchanted by favorite characters brought to life onstage along with beautiful renditions of the movie's iconic music. The show features dynamic costumes and sets, remarkable special effects, and spectacular production numbers that will delight Disney Cruise Line guests in new and surprising ways. The creative disciplines blend to create a seamless environment—blurring the lines between costume and scenic, set piece and video, puppet and puppeteer—and expand upon the most imaginative elements of the film.

"The story of 'Frozen' is one of the most iconic animated movies ever, so this is a unique and special opportunity to retell the story onboard the Disney Wonder, transporting guests right into the world of Arendelle," said Kevin Eld, Creative Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. To adapt this blockbuster animated feature into a quintessential stage production, Eld assembled a team of distinguished creative talent with Broadway credits and theatrical accolades.

The 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre provides the perfect setting to immerse audiences in the kingdom of Arendelle and showcase the renowned score. Songs like "For the First Time in Forever" and "Love is an Open Door" will be expanded into ensemble pieces, and the film's wintry wizardry will be realized in lavish production numbers of "In Summer" and "Fixer Upper." A stand-out moment, the emblematic ballad "Let it Go" will be transformed into a full-fledged stage spectacle. Complete with real-life magic—transformative scenery, snow flurries and state-of-the-art video technology—this show stopping number will bring Elsa's enchanted icy blasts to reality like never before.

"Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" is based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios "Frozen," which is the number one animated feature of all time. The acclaimed film earned two Academy Awards (2014) for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. An entirely separate two-act Broadway production of "Frozen" is currently being prepared by Disney Theatrical Productions and is slated to join Disney Theatrical's New York productions of "Aladdin" and "The Lion King" for spring 2018 at a theater to be announced. It will have a pre-Broadway engagement starting in summer 2017 in Denver.

Image Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Country Music Stars & Comedians Join Carnival LIVE's 2017 Lineup

Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival LIVE, the one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that brings the best in live music and comedy to the seas, will feature country music stars Tim McGraw and Little Big Town along with comedians Jay Leno and Jeff Foxworthy who will perform on seven different ships departing from five convenient U.S. homeports in 2017.

Providing guests an opportunity to enjoy top artists in a unique and memorable setting where there’s never a bad seat in the house, performances are held in the ships’ main show lounges that range in capacity from 900 to 1,300—giving shows a more intimate and personal feel.

Three-time Grammy Award winner Tim McGraw will bring his signature brand of country music to two Carnival ships with performances aboard Carnival Breeze March 2, and Carnival Valor March 3, while the ships are docked in Nassau, The Bahamas. Platinum recording artist Little Big Town will perform shows in Nassau aboard Carnival Dream May 11, and Carnival Valor May 12. The recipients of nine Country Music Association awards, the chart-topping band has earned a loyal following for their unique mix of harmonies and incredible musical talents.

One of the most successful comedians in the country, Jeff Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee, and author of 11 books. Famous for his “you might be a redneck if…” jokes, his comedy explores everyday family interactions and human nature. Foxworthy will perform two shows—one aboard Carnival Freedom June 21, and another aboard Carnival Ecstasy June 22, while the ships are docked in Nassau. A member of the Television Hall of Fame and a longtime host of NBC’s Tonight Show, Jay Leno will entertain guests with his observational humor with a pair of hilarious performances in Cozumel aboard the Carnival Victory May 3, and Carnival’s newest ship the Carnival Vista May 4. Leno plays upwards of 200 shows a year and currently hosts “Jay Leno’s Garage” on the CNBC network.

Carnival LIVE tickets for Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Jeff Foxworthy, and Jay Leno range in price from $30 to $80 for general admission, significantly less than land-based venues. VIP tickets are available for $100 to $300 and include seating in the first five rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass. A full listing of all Carnival LIVE performances is available at carnival.com/CarnivalLIVE.

Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

Sleepless in America: Princess Cruises' Relaxation Report

Dr Breus & Candice Olson

Are you often tired in the middle of the day because you didn’t get a good night’s rest? From politics to work stress, Americans need today’s National Relaxation Day more than ever. According to Princess Cruises’ seventh annual Relaxation Report, Americans are using valuable vacation time for things unrelated to vacation such as catching up on sleep and running errands.

When it comes to catching more shut-eye, a majority of working Americans (72%) take at least one day off a year just to sleep, and two out of five Americans (40%) take five or more days off per year (a full work week), just to catch up on sleep according to the recent survey by Wakefield Research for Princess Cruises.

If they are not using their vacation time to sleep, many Americans are trying to get things done. In fact, 68% of Americans admit they’ve used a vacation day for something other than vacation including family emergencies (37%), doctor’s or dentist’s appointments (36%), sick days for their children or loved ones (31%), home projects (23%) and running household errands (23%)—compared to 2015, when 54% said they had done so. Sadly, it’s no wonder Americans are so tired, vacation time has become hard work.

In observance of National Relaxation Day, it’s time for Americans to let go of the guilt and stress they feel when trying to relax, especially when on vacation. Forty-three percent of Americans admit they frequently feel guilty for relaxing, holding steady from 2015. Ninety-one percent of working Americans say they look forward to sleeping while on vacation, but it appears that the stresses of everyday life are getting in the way of a good night’s sleep on vacation. More than a third (35%) of working Americans, including half (50%) of Millennials, often feel more stressed when they’re on vacation because they can’t stop thinking about work. The lack of sleep is even getting in the way of leisure activities with nearly half of Americans, including 65% of Millennials, admitting they frequently skip events or activities on vacation because they’re simply too tired.

As one of the world’s leading cruise lines, Princess Cruises, is committed to ensuring its guests come back from vacation feeling refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated. As part of its Come Back New Promise Princess Cruises partnered with leading experts in both the science and beauty of sleep to develop the new Princess Luxury Bed. Together with sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus and designer Candice Olson, Princess Cruises now delivers its guests the ultimate night of sleep at sea.

“Sleep and relaxation should be a guilt-free necessity every person should seek in their day.” said Dr. Michael Breus, board-certified sleep expert. “We all want to get the sleep we need while on vacation, but sometimes being in a new place and sleeping in an unfamiliar environment will disrupt a good night's sleep. This is why I’ve partnered with Princess Cruises to design a luxury mattress and sleep program that will deliver the most restful, rejuvenating sleep at sea.”

• Stressed Coast to Coast: Stress levels are high on vacation in every region except one. Working Americans in the Northeast (43%), West (42%) and South (33%) are significantly more likely to feel more stressed on vacation because they can’t stop thinking about work than those in the Midwest (21%). It’s clear that Midwesterners have no problem relaxing. Most agree (67%) that they never or hardly ever feel guilty about relaxing, compared to an average of only 54% across other regions (Northeast, South and West).
• Men vs. Women: When it comes to the differences between the sexes, working women are far more likely (48%) than men (39%) to feel guilty about taking the time to relax. However, among the Americans who take at least one day off per year to catch up on sleep, men take more days than women—8 versus 7, on average.
• Redefining Digital Detox: The role of technology and smartphones seems to have shifted from a source of stress to a source of relaxation over the last couple of years. In 2016, 53% of Americans feel their smartphone makes it easier, rather than harder, to relax, compared to 2014 where 52% felt it made it harder.
• Political Pressures: This year has taken political stress to the next level from the U.S. presidential election to the U.K.’s historic Brexit. In fact, when it comes to Trump vs Hillary, more than half of Americans (54%) say Trump is more likely to keep them up at night, with Hillary a close second at 46%.

However, Americans aren’t the only ones in need of a political pause, as 61% of those polled felt that the United Kingdom, rather than Rio de Janeiro (39%), was in most need of a National Relaxation Day this year.

Images Courtesy Princess Cruises

Zumba Goes Back to Sea

After a successful sold-out sailing in 2016, dance-fitness leader Zumba is teaming up with Royal Caribbean International for the second year in a row to host the Zumba® Cruise. Setting sail from Miami on April 23, 2017, the 5-night Zumba Cruise on board Navigator of the Seas will feature exclusive Zumba activities and experiences, and visit Nassau, Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico.

Throughout the cruise, guests will experience Zumba® at an entirely new “sea-level,” with daily Zumba-themed classes as well as master classes taught by Zumba creator Beto Perez and more than 50 additional celebrity Zumba instructors. All classes will be filled with live music to the beats of celebrity DJs and live musicians. In addition to burning calories (and having fun while doing it), vacationers can enjoy more than 20 live music concerts with some of the hottest artists, soak up the sun, relax and take advantage of the ship’s signature amenities, which include ice skating, rock climbing, nightlife, the casino, a variety of dining venues, the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center, and running track.

“We have been overwhelmed with requests to bring back the Zumba Cruise because the experience with Royal Caribbean was truly one of a kind and a wild success,” said Zumba CEO, Alberto Perlman. “With new destinations, new experiences and new opportunities on Royal Caribbean, we are truly excited to offer our guests and their families another opportunity to have the vacation of a lifetime and a chance for Zumba fans around the world to celebrate and dance together outside of the class setting.”

Travelerss and Zumba fans alike can mark their calendars now and take advantage of the sun while they torch calories at sea. For more details, visit zumba-cruise.com.

Image Courtesy Zumba

Cruise Ships "Star" at Rio Olympics

If you've been watching the Olympics on television (and who hasn't?) then you've probably seen two of our favorite cruise ships on tap for the games. While Silversea's Silver Cloud  (pictured at left) is offering luxurious accommodations for the United States men's and women's basketball teams, Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Getaway (below) is on hand to house Olympic corporate sponsors and members of the International Olympic Federation and national organizing committees in style.

On Trend—Layering with HALFTEE

Before the suitcases are packed for any cruise it can be a chore to decide what to put in them. Does your favorite outfit need a bit of help by "layering" to make it presentable? Like the image at left, I have garments that can use a tee or camisole underneath them—they are either too low cut for modesty or simply need a bit of updating.

With layering on trend, I've discovered the HALFTEE—a fashionable way to stretch my wardrobe without adding bulk. HALFTEE is just what it sounds like—a tee that covers what's exposed, but stops below the bust line and unlike other layering tops doesn't add the appearance of extra midriff weight.

On a Caribbean cruise there's also the temperature to consider when deciding what to wear. The HALFTEE is a combination of breathable cotton/modal/spandex blend fabric. With the signature "non-slip" band, it's a tank for unbeatable coverage you can't get anywhere else. It also features wider straps to cover undergarments. In fact, as I've discovered, a HALFTEE Tank can sometimes even replace a bra under some tops.

HALFTEE comes in a number of styles and colors, with or without sleeves, and I've found that the Tank pictured here is perfect for those times when you need a little coverage in the bust without the bulk of a full length camisole or tank top. It's so comfortable you will forget you're wearing it. I have a cute top I purchased several years ago and haven't worn because the neckline is so low scooped that it's too revealing. I didn't return it at the time and now I can look forward to actually wearing it with my HALFTEE Tank underneath.

Like all the Halftee styles, the Tank HALFTEE is reversible, providing the opportunity to have a higher or lower neckline, because its creator understands that everyone has different preferences and body types. Visit HALFTEE to find a solution to your wardrobe problem. I'm really happy that I did!

Images Courtesy of HALFTEE

Carnival To Serve as 'Official Seagoing Headquarters' For The Cat in the Hat's Presidential Campaign

Don't make up your mind just yet about who to vote for in November. With Election Day just a few short months away, a new candidate has thrown his trademark stovepipe hat in the ring—Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat!

In support of the candidacy of the world’s favorite feline, Carnival Cruise Line will serve as the Official Seagoing Headquarters for The Cat in the Hat’s presidential campaign, coinciding with the release of the new Dr. Seuss book, “One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote.”

Joined by his running mates, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and decked out in his special presidential attire, The Cat in the Hat will be hitting the campaign tail—er, trail—on each Carnival ship starting this week, shaking hands, passing out stickers, leading parades, and smiling for photo opportunities, all part of his platform of “it’s fun to have fun but you have to know how.”

In keeping with the presidential theme, Carnival will also offer a variety of fun, educational #CatinHat4Prez-inspired activities designed to teach kids about the importance of voting and the election process. Part of the line’s exclusive Seuss at Sea program, the activities include patriotic face painting and arts and crafts sessions where kids can create colorful posters that will be used in a Seuss-a-palooza Presidential Parade led by none other than The Cat in the Hat himself. Ballot boxes will be also positioned in Camp Ocean/Camp Carnival on each ship, allowing kids’ voices to be heard as they vote on their favorite Dr. Seuss book and receive a custom-made certificate for voting. Kids are also invited to star in The Cat in the Hat’s official campaign commercial which will be shown on the in-cabin TV channels on each ship.

“Carnival is the number one cruise line for families and we’re delighted to team up with our partner Dr. Seuss Enterprises to celebrate the release of this fantastic new book and the launch of The Cat in the Hat’s presidential campaign to help kids understand the importance of voting in a fun yet educational way,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Seuss at Sea is a fleetwide program operated in conjunction with Dr. Seuss Enterprises that features exciting youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences inspired by the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss. The program includes such popular activities as the Seuss-a-palooza Parade and Story Time and The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends, as well as character interactions, Dr. Seuss toys and games and popular movies. Dr. Seuss Bookville, a colorful family reading venue, is featured aboard Carnival Freedom and the new Carnival Vista, which debuted earlier this year.

Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line & CatinHat4Prez

The SS United States Won’t Sail in the Crystal Cruises Fleet After All

Sadly, upon conclusion of an intensive, six-month evaluation, Crystal Cruises has determined that while the SS United States is structurally sound, the technical and commercial challenges associated with returning the historic liner to service as a modern cruise ship have proven insurmountable. As a show of support for the vessel, Crystal Cruises will be making a significant donation of $350,000 to aid in the Conservancy’s ongoing mission to save the ship. The Conservancy intends to resume its pursuit of stationary redevelopment opportunities for America’s Flagship.

In February, Crystal and the SS United States Conservancy announced they had entered into an exclusive option agreement with the goal of converting the iconic 1950s-era vessel into a modern, luxury cruise ship that would comply with all modern safety and technical standards—unprecedented for a single vessel refurbishment. Crystal commenced a comprehensive feasibility study and professional evaluation, convening a world-class team of engineers and experts while incurring over $1 million in costs.

“Over the past six months, Crystal has conducted an extensive feasibility study to restore 'America's Flagship' to oceangoing service. Unfortunately, the hurdles that would face us when trying to bring a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance have proven just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner,” said Crystal President and CEO Edie Rodriguez.

“While it has been determined that Crystal’s exciting vision for the ship would have required overcoming various technical hurdles and major changes to her historic design, the studies performed have confirmed the ship is structurally sound,” said Susan Gibbs, Executive Director of the SS United States Conservancy. “America’s Flagship continues to hold enormous potential as a stationary mixed-use development and museum in New York or another urban waterfront setting. The SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to saving this unique and powerful symbol of the nation’s strength, history, and innovation.”

Regrettably, the technical feasibility study concluded that while the ship is remarkably intact and structurally sound, modifying the ship for today’s standards for oceangoing service (SOLAS) would require significant changes to the hull that would pose stability challenges. Additionally, the installation of a modern, state-of-the-art diesel electric propulsion plant would have necessitated altering of the existing shaft lines and rebuilding about 25 percent of the hull to reconfigure the ship to a twin shaft-twin rudder arrangement. While it was known that the vessel would need to have been essentially rebuilt from the inside out, these specific challenges, among others, collectively posed significant risk to the success of the project.

“Our company has great affection for this historic and irreplaceable vessel, and we will be making a $350,000 donation which will help support the Conservancy preserve the vessel through the remainder of the year,” said Rodriguez. “We firmly believe the SS United States is an American treasure and deserves to be preserved and redeveloped as a stationary destination for future generations to experience and enjoy.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Expands Margaritaville® Partnership

Fins to the left, fins to the right—cruisers should get ready to get their “Fins Up,” as Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding its exclusive partnership with Margaritaville®. As a part of The Norwegian Edge™, a $400 million investment program dedicated to delivering an exceptional onboard experience, Norwegian will introduce new Margaritaville® at Sea restaurants onboard Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway this fall. Building on its success and popularity on board Norwegian’s newest ship, Norwegian Escape, Margaritaville® at Sea onboard Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway will bring to life nostalgic island moments with a tropical menu that features signature items like the Cheeseburger in Paradise and Who's to Blame Margarita, available à la carte, in an open air-eatery offering stunning ocean views.

“Norwegian Cruise Line has been bringing guests to paradise for nearly 50 years,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “With the expansion of our partnership with Margaritaville to our Breakaway Class ships, our guests will now be able to enjoy the island lifestyle before the ship has even left port.”

Margaritaville® at Sea will open Sept 18 aboard Norwegian Getaway in the former Flamingo Grill, and on October 9 aboard Norwegian Breakaway in the former Uptown Grill.

When Norwegian Breakaway debuted in 2013 she brought the best of New York City to sea with industry first innovations like The Waterfront, a full deck promenade of restaurants, bars and lounge space which enhances the guests’ connection with the ocean; high energy Broadway entertainment with Rock of Ages and Burn The Floor; a wide variety of accommodations offerings and much more. Norwegian Breakaway sails from New York year-round, during the winter months offering 7-day sailings to the Bahamas and Florida as well as Caribbean sailings up to 14-days visiting winter escapes, and 7-day sailings to Bermuda featuring three days there in port.

Norwegian Getaway, sister-ship for Norwegian Breakaway, sets sail from her home city of Miami and embodies the essence of the Magic City, the ship’s hull artwork was designed by Miami’s own David “LEBO” Le Batard and offers 26 dining options, two Broadway Shows, a thrilling Aqua Park with five heart-pounding slides, Splash Academy for kids and much more. Now through April 2017 Norwegian Getaway will sail 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries with alternating ports of call including Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize, the Caribbean’s new premier resort-style port of call that is being developed by Norwegian and due to open in November; and much more. In Summer 2017, Norwegian Getaway will return to Europe for the first time since her delivery in 2014, and sail the Baltic Capitals from Copenhagen, giving guests the opportunity to experience the ultimate in flexibility on 8- or 9-day cruises. The itinerary will allow guests to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, take in the picturesque Baltic countryside, and experience the unique history, cultures and architecture of European cities, including Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Warnemünde, Germany which features shore excursion options to Berlin; along with an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Images Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Holland America Line’s Ship Float ‘Cruises’ Through Downtown Seattle

This is something you certainly don’t see every day—a cruise ship over land and in the air. On Saturday, July 30, 2016, spectators at the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade in downtown Seattle watched Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam cruising down the street. The unusual sight was a replica helium balloon of the ship, which was among more than 100 floats taking part in this annual event.

At 45 feet long and 11 feet tall, the detailed float required 30 employees to guide it carefully through the streets of Seattle on the 2.5-mile route. In addition to the float, Seattle’s Hometown Cruise Line was a presenting sponsor of the parade, with participating employees carrying a banner boasting the company’s hometown pride and proudly wearing shirts that read “Anchored in Seattle.”

Holland America Line has been a sponsor and participant of the annual Seafair Torchlight Parade for many years, and employees previously carried an orca-whale balloon to highlight cruises to Alaska. This year’s cruise ship balloon was recently commissioned for the company to highlight its newest ship Koningsdam, launched in April, and to represent all the ships in the fleet, including the three sailing weekly from Seattle this summer.

Image Courtesy Holland America Line

Carnival Donates Tableware to Charleston-Area Charities

When cruise ships are refurbished, or when furnishings and fixtures are replaced, cruise lines often take the opportunity to donate items that are no longer in use to charitable organizations. Continuing Carnival Cruise Line’s ongoing support of its homeport communities, the Charleston-based Carnival Ecstasy has donated tableware—plates, saucers, cups, silverware, etc—to five local charities, including Habitat for Humanity Restore, Windwood Farm Home for Children, Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, The Neighborhood House of Our Lady of Mercy, and My Sister’s House.

Representatives from the various charities are pictured here with officers from the Carnival Ecstasy as well as Carnival’s port agent Gary Santos of Inchcape Shipping Services and agents from the Charleston office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection—all of whom were instrumental in facilitating the donation.

The tableware from the Carnival Ecstasy is the latest donation from Carnival to Charleston-area charitable organizations. Previously the cruise line has provided mattresses, bed frames, and winter clothing to children’s charities and shelters for abused women throughout the Charleston community.

Carnival Cruise Line launched the first year-round program from Charleston in 2010. Currently the Carnival Ecstasy operates 4- to 10-day cruises from Charleston, accounting for roughly 170,000 passengers annually.

Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

What to Know About Sunscreen & Bug Repellent

With cases of mosquito-borne Zika virus showing up rapidly in South Florida, travelers embarking on cruise ships in Miami and Fort Lauderdale should take heed—you'll need more than just sun screen when outdoors. There are numerous products that combine sunscreen and bug repellent and I've used some in the past, but new information is now available about the products that contain DEET. Interestingly, Web MD advises to avoid products that contain sunscreen and DEET because the DEET is absorbed too quickly in the skin when combined with sunscreens.

The product illustrated here is DEET-free, but only SPF-30. For me, that's not enough protection from the sun. What to do? I intend to go back to applying sunscreen with SPF-100 and a separate bug repellent that contains DEET, which is a proven mosquito repellent. But, how should they be applied and which product goes on first?

CNN Health answers that question:

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you apply sunscreen first before applying insect repellent. This is true for both lotions and spray products. Rub on each product according to the label instructions. When applying to the face, put a small amount of lotion or spray in your hands before spreading and avoid getting the product into the eyes, nose or mouth. Try to keep these products out of open wounds such as cuts and scratches."

Good advice and I intend to follow it!

Additionally, when shopping for sunscreen and bug repellent products, read the labels carefully. Be especially cautious when purchasing products for children. If you have any questions, your best friend is a dermatologist. Mine recommends Neutrogena SPF-100+ sunscreen. If you don't need maximum sun protection as I do, Neutrogena offers sunscreens from SPF-45 and up. In addition to being recommended by my dermatologist for effectiveness, I like Neutrogena sunscreen products because they aren't sticky or stinky.

There’s a New Carnival Ship on the Horizon

Carnival Horizon will be the name of Carnival Cruise Line’s new 133,500-ton ship scheduled to be delivered in March 2018. Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Carnival Horizon will be the line’s second Vista-class ship, with the namesake vessel in the series, Carnival Vista (pictured here), having entered service in May 2016.

As a sister-ship, Carnival Horizon will offer many of the hugely popular indoor and outdoor dining, bar, entertainment and activity options available on Carnival Vista including SkyRide, the IMAX Theatre, WaterWorks aqua park, Seuss at Sea program in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Alchemy Bar. There will also be a number of new innovations unique to this vessel.

Additionally, Carnival Horizon will offer a wide range of accommodation categories, including the popular Havana staterooms and extra-roomy Family Harbor cabins. Homeport and itinerary details for Carnival Horizon will be announced at a later date.

“The name Carnival Horizon not only reflects the ship’s unique connection with the sea with so many spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces but also the boundless array of options that guests of all ages are sure to enjoy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line