Where To Play In The Caribbean Breeze

As promised, here are some more images of Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Breeze, now under construction and due to launch June 3, 2012. After a summer schedule of Mediterranean voyages through Oct 25, 2012, she will leave Barcelona and sail to her new Miami homeport. From there Carnival Breeze will offer year-round 6- and 8-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov 24, 2012.

We think you'll agree that Carnival Breeze's stylish and contemporary decor and bright color palette will be right at home in the sunny Caribbean. Take a look.

Carnival Breeze: Lanai

Carnival Breeze: Ocean Plaza



Carnival Breeze: Piano Bar

Carnival Breeze: Dance Club

Carnival Breeze: Spa Thermal Suite

Carnival Breeze:Spa Therapy Pool

Images Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival's Breeze-iest New Ship

Back in May we shared a photo here on the Cruise Diva blog of our stateroom aboard Carnival Magic: Home Away From Home. Interestingly, the immediate feedback from a reader asked the question, "Is that your actual cabin?" Yes, it was, although the furnishings, fittings, and color scheme on Carnival Magic were essentially similar to her sister-ship Carnival Dream and some earlier fleetmates. However, we subsequently learned that when Carnival Breeze launches next year, her staterooms are taking on a new look that we shared in Carnival Breeze’s Colorful New Staterooms.

Now that we've had the opportunity to see renderings of Carnival Breeze's public rooms, to say we are impressed would be an understatement. First and foremost, gone are the themed areas of earlier ships. We actually liked many of them, but the themes were sometimes diluted beyond comprehension during ship refurbishments. As you'll see in these images, in their place is a fresher, brighter contemporary decor that we find quite pleasing. We love the breeze-y new atmosphere they create.

Carnival Breeze Atrium

Carnival Breeze Atrium

Carnival Breeze Sapphire Restaurant

Carnival Breeze Steakhouse

We'll have more images to share here tomorrow and will follow up when we learn about additional Carnival Breeze features that will be unveiled in the future.

Carnival Breeze is scheduled to enter service June 3, 2012 with a special one-time voyage from Venice to Barcelona, positioning the vessel for a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean voyages through Oct 25, 2012. Following a 15-transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Miami, Carnival Breeze will launch year-round 6- and 8-day Caribbean cruises from Miami Nov 24, 2012.

Images Courtesy Carnival Cruise Lines

From Europe to North America: Oceania Cruises Wants to Change Your Mind

In yet another sign that demand for some European cruises may be eroding further, Oceania Cruises has announced it will offer Canada and New England cruises for fall 2012 in place of previously scheduled Mediterranean voyages. In total, nine itineraries have been changed. Some of those previously scheduled included Egypt or Tunisia port calls, which now have less appeal for cruise travelers after political turmoil in the region.

Scenic highlights of the new itineraries include cruising the Bay of Fundy, Saguenay Fjord, and St. Lawrence River. Optional excursions enhance the destination experience and include a horse-drawn carriage tour of Quebec City; visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg fishing village; and a lobster lunch at Dalvay by the Sea, the 19th-century summer home built by then Standard Oil chief Alexander MacDonald. Outdoor pursuits include cycling Acadia National Park and Prince Edward Island and kayaking coves in Maine and Nova Scotia.

Travelers will discover these destinations aboard Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta–an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating dining (and no surcharges for its two specialty restaurants), upscale public rooms and accommodations, and warm, attentive service.

• Aug 30: Mediterranean Splendors, 12 days, Istanbul-Lisbon
• Sept 11: Colonial Passage, 14 days, Lisbon-New York
• Sept 25: Colors, Coasts & Coves, 12 days, New York-Montreal
• Oct 7: Colors, Coasts & Coves, 12 days, Montreal-New York
• Oct 19: Autumn Vistas, 14 days, New York-New York
• Nov 2: Enchanted Amazon, 25 days, New York-Miami
• Nov 27: Caribbean Interlude, 7 days, Miami-Miami

Whatever the reason for the redeployment–which Cruise Diva is frankly happy to see–Oceania Cruises has offered a nice explanation for the change.

“Our 2011 Fall Foliage cruises have been so well received by our travel agent partners and their clients that we decided to redeploy Regatta from Europe to Canada and New England in fall 2012,” stated Bruce J. Himelstein, Oceania Cruises’ president. “These new voyages offer exceptional value with two-for-one fares and free round trip air.”

For more information on the above new itineraries, visit the Oceania Cruises website.

Image Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Small Ship Alaska Cruises Are Getting Bigger

It wasn’t that long ago that the demise of Cruise West spelled less choice for cruise passengers who want to visit Alaska in a more intimate fashion. However, in less than a week this month, two small-ships cruise lines have announced new, bigger small-ship options for Alaska in 2012 and 2013.

American Safari Cruises
Last week American Safari Cruises announced it will more than double the capacity of its fleet of three yachts offering inclusive adventure cruises with the addition of an 86-guest small ship. The Safari Endeavour, formerly Cruise West’s Spirit of Endeavour, (pictured upper left) will undergo major renovation to transform it into an upscale vessel ready to sail in Southeast Alaska in summer 2012.

The yacht-style ship will sail weeklong cruise in Southeast Alaska from May to September. Roundtrip from Juneau, Alaska, the voyages will follow similar itineraries to those sailed by the yachts, with two days exploring Glacier Bay National Park and expedition cruising in Icy Strait, Frederick Sound, Thomas Bay, Chichagof Island, Ford’s Terror and Endicott Arm. Two-week cruises from Seattle to Juneau and reverse will be offered in spring and fall.

An extensive renovation project will add American Safari Cruises’ exceptional comfort and refined atmosphere to Safari Endeavour. The guest capacity of the yacht-style ship will be reduced 16% from 102 to 86 guests with a mix of twin (some convertible) and king beds. Five stateroom categories include three Master, 21 Commander, 12 Captain, three Admiral and four Commodore Suites. The suites will be created by merging two former staterooms and adding new step-out balconies. All staterooms have one or two outside view windows. Other amenities being added to the ship include two massage rooms, two hot tubs, sauna, exercise equipment, wine bar, and a library. Cuisine is innovative and fresh with seafood and produce purchased locally whenever possible. All meals will be served in the ship’s elegant dining room. An all-American crew of 34 will ensure attentive service with a guest-crew ratio of 2.5 to 1.

Even further on the horizon, American Safari Cruises is also acquiring the Safari Legacy, formerly the Spirit of ’98 (yep, another former-Cruise West vessel). Preliminary plans are for it to operate summers in Alaska’s Inside Passage beginning in 2013 and fall and spring on the Columbia/Snake Rivers.

InnerSea Discoveries
On the heels of a sold out inaugural season in Alaska, InnerSea Discoveries announced yesterday their acquisition of the 76-guest Wilderness Explorer, which also formerly sailed in the Cruise West fleet as the 86-guest Spirit of Discovery (pictured lower left). After significant renovations, the ship will sail active, adventure un-cruises between Juneau and Sitka, Alaska beginning summer 2012.

Itineraries will spend three days exploring Glacier Bay National Park, and move on to Icy Strait, Chichagof Island, and Peril Strait. In May and August, two-week cruises between Seattle and Juneau (and reverse) will be offered.

After the refurbishment, three cabin categories will consist of 21 Trailblazer, 13 Pathfinder, and 4 Explorer cabins. Bed configurations include twin or queen with many more made convertible during renovation. Cabins will feature flatscreen televisions with DVD players, iPod docking stations, and eco-friendly bath amenities. All cabins feature a large, view window.

During renovation, two hot tubs will be added, with one on the bow and one on the aft sun deck. A sauna and exercise equipment will also be added to the aft sun deck. The lounge bar will be expanded with the addition of 10 taps serving a selection of microbrews and cask wine. To ensure ample space for included adventure activities, a new swim step will be added to the ship’s main deck aft. The extra space will serve as a launch pad for excursions and host a state-of-the-art kayak launch platform able to quickly and safely launch five kayaks at a time.

Other shipboard amenities include complimentary on-deck yoga classes, a large resource library, well-stocked DVD library, and board games. A professional masseuse is part of the crew and massages are available for a fee. An underwater camera mounted on the ship’s bow will stream video from the underwater world to flatscreen televisions in all guest rooms and the lounge. Healthy and hearty meals feature fresh ingredients including locally caught Alaskan seafood. A 3-1 guest to crew ratio ensures attentive service.

Similarities and Differences
A National Park Ranger will board the ships of each line for the full duration of visits inside Glacier Bay to provide interpretation on the area’s history, culture, geography, flora and fauna. The park ranger, along with shipboard expedition guides, will also lead guests on hiking and kayaking expeditions within Glacier Bay.

With an emphasis on exhilarating explorations in Alaska’s wilderness, expert naturalists on all cruises lead hiking and kayaking tours of varying lengths and activity levels. Other adventure activities include stand-up paddle boarding, skiff explorations, and whale watching. Flexible itineraries and few set port times allow the ships to seek out wildlife and maximize viewing time.

Although the sister-companies each feature active, adventure cruises that allow passengers the freedom to engage in many activities, there are differences in their onboard product and fare structures. The more-inclusive American Safari cruise fares include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment, transfers, hand-crafted meals, fine wine, premium spirits, and microbrews, a massage, and all port charges, taxes, and fees. Tipping is discretionary, but a hefty 5% to 10% of the fare is suggested. Fares for the less-inclusive InnerSea Discoveries cruises still cover a lot, including transfers and all activities except optional excursions. Port charges, massages, spirits, and gratuities are extra.

Visit their websites at American Safari Cruises and InnerSea Discoveries for more information.

Photos Courtesty of American Safari Cruises and InnerSea Discoveries

Can this cruise be saved? Get Me To The Ship On Time

A recent email from a new-to-cruising reader asked what Cruise Diva thought of his flight reservations. Could he make a connecting flight with a one-hour layover and would there be any problem with his plane arriving in Miami at 2:15 pm?

Without a crystal ball, that first one is a tough question to answer. For instance, while I've changed planes at Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport in Atlanta more than a hundred times and can get from gate-to-gate in under 12 minutes, I'm really familiar with the airport and its shortcuts. However, I'm still uncomfortable with anything less than a two-hour layover there, or at any other airport for that matter. With even a short delay in arrival, one-hour connections can be tight. These days, delays are all too common, which is what I told my reader. That answer is a squishy "maybe."

The second part of his question brought up an even bigger problem. His flight was scheduled to land in Miami at 2:15 pm, but his ship was departing Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades at 4:30! While they are only about 30 miles apart, the driving time on I-95 from Miami to Fort Lauderdale is about 40 minutes without traffic, with traffic it can take an hour or more. Of course that would be after my reader retrieves luggage at the airport and gets a cab or shuttle, which also takes time.

His party might make it to the port before his ship sails, but that might not be good enough if they haven't completed their check in online prior to arrival at the port. U.S. government security regulations require cruise lines to submit certain passenger information to law enforcement authorities at least 60 minutes prior to departure. To meet this requirement, they must have the necessary information in their records at least 90 minutes before departure. If the cruise line does not have their information by that deadline, my reader's party may be unable to sail. Passengers who wait to check in at the terminal risk being denied boarding even if they arrive at the terminal before the ship leaves.

The answer to the second part of his question is another "maybe you'll make it okay," but it's iffy.

My advice? Even if flights to Miami are cheaper, it's not worth the hassle and worry, not to mention the expense of ground transportation to Fort Lauderdale, just to save on airfare. A better option is to book earlier flights to Fort Lauderdale on the day of embarkation, or if that isn't possible, fly in the day prior to relax before boarding.

Got a question about flying to port? You'll find answers in Cruise Diva's Air and Sea: Solutions for the Landlocked.

Rockin' the Boat

Rockin' the Boat - If all else fails,
 find a sympathetic bartender

Mal de mer...

That's a fancy French way of saying seasickness, motion sickness, upset stomach... and all that goes with it. Those who are afflicted claim only dying will relieve their discomfort. Many first time passengers are anxious about whether they'll be stricken with it.

Our good friend and avid cruise traveler, Dr. Joe Reynolds from Bastrop, Louisiana, recently told me, "I always thought one would get nauseated with seasickness, until I had vomiting but was not nauseated. An old sailor aboard the fishing vessel told me I was seasick. HA!"

I had to stop and think about what he meant—in other words, he didn't feel sick before it hit him. Thankfully, he's found a cure that works for him and might be useful for you if your inclined to get seasick as well. He continues, "For cruises I hate to take any prophylactic medications but I want something in the event that I do have a bout. I found SCOPACE which is scopolamine in pill form. A prescription is needed just like the Transderm Scōp® patch (which is the same medicine). So in addition to the Merazine, Meclizine, and other things, Scopace is good to have when the others don’t work. I used it once in the Brainfield Strait in Antarctica and once from NY to Bermuda. One pill only was used each time."

Dr. Reynolds also advises that if your physician has prescribed the Transderm Scōp® patch, you should use care and wash your hands well after applying it. If some of the medication has gotten on your hands and you and get some of it in your eyes by rubbing or touching them, it will dilate your pupils.

For more information on seasickness—its causes and cures, and the emergency remedy at the ship's bar—CruiseDiva.com takes a look at Seasickness: Rockin' the Boat.

Charleston: One Step Closer To A New Cruise Terminal

Despite opposition from a small group of locals protesting the inappropriateness of having cruise ships homeport there, Charleston, South Carolina is moving forward with plans for a new cruise ship terminal. Basically, the new terminal will be a repurposed industrial warehouse at the north end of Union Pier, where cruise ships currently berth. The (South Carolina) State Ports Authority plans to transform the warehouse into a modern cruise ship terminal at a cost of $35 million.

Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review voted 4-0 last week to initially approve the cruise terminal’s design (pictured in the rendering above). Of the seven Board members, three recused themselves from voting: one whose firm has involvement in the project, and two who are members of the Coastal Conservation League, which had a hand in a lawsuit filed in June against Carnival Cruise Lines.

Initially, there will be no parking garage alongside the new terminal, although one might be constructed later. Passenger parking will be provided in the large area alongside the converted warehouse/new terminal that once served as an automobile staging area for BMWs awaiting shipment. Another Board of Architectural Review meeting to go over the plan in more detail hasn’t been scheduled yet.

On a related note, Carnival Cruise Lines has responded to the lawsuit brought by the Coastal Conservation League, the Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association, the Charlestowne Neighborhood Association, and the Preservation Society of Charleston, which alleges that Carnival’s use of Union Pier (the location of the current cruise terminal and the site of the new cruise terminal) is illegal under city zoning.

The cruise line requested the dismissal on the grounds that the terminal has been used by passenger vessels since the early 1900s, long before the city zoning regulations cited were in existence. According to the Charleston Post and Courier, “Carnival also claims that state law prohibits cities from enacting zoning rules that would interfere with the SC State Ports Authority’s responsibilities, and argues that the plaintiffs don't have standing to sue.”

For more information about that lawsuit and the controversy surrounding it, see Cruise Diva’s blog coverage at Charleston Groups File “Frivolous” and “Irresponsible” Lawsuit Against Carnival Cruise Lines.

Five “Must Play” Caribbean Golf Courses For Cruisers

Golf is a perennial seagoing favorite of players who want to log the Caribbean’s most beautiful and challenging courses on their scorecards and take their games to the next level. Shipboard programs can include clinics, use of full-motion golf cages, and even individual instruction from resident pros using state-of-the-art computer analysis. Once ashore, escorted excursions include everything needed for a satisfying round of play, including equipment and tips from the pro, and the ability to schedule tee times at exclusive courses.

Cruise Diva is not a golfer, although her son is a pro. For cruise ship passengers, here are five “must plays” in the Caribbean that have been suggested to us:

The Black Pearl: Pristine Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras
“The Black Pearl is laid out on one of the best canvases we’ve worked with,” says legendary course architect Pete Dye. Located 35 miles off the Honduran coast, Roatan is resplendent with unblemished, sugar sand beaches coexisting in harmony with azure Caribbean waters so shockingly blue it almost hurts to gaze too long. Like its pirate ship influenced moniker, it’s all sinisterly enticing. http://www.pristinebayresort.com/

Cinnamon Hill Ocean Course: Rose Hall Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Cinnamon Hill is like a Whitman’s Sampler of Jamaica’s awesome beauty combining fragrant foliage, verdant mountains and tranquil Montego Bay vistas. Its 15th green is serenaded by the smoothing cascade of an idyllic waterfall that was the site of a dramatic scene from the James Bond flick “Live and Let Die.” Like 007, you’re in for thrill after thrill as this course peaks at 350-feet above sea-level and crescendos with holes so close to the ocean you think you’ll need fins with soft spikes. http://www.rosehallresort.com/

Teeth of the Dog: Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Like Pablo Picasso must have done, Pete Dye seems to knock out masterpiece designs with ease. "The opportunity to carve out Teeth of the Dog was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Dye says in his book Bury Me In a Pot Bunker. "Without proper heavy machinery to crack the coral, the tireless Dominican crew used sledgehammers, pickaxes and chisels." The result is a Caribbean golf Eden. http://www.casadecampo.com.do/

La Cana Golf Course: Puntacana Resort and Club, Higuey, Dominican Republic
Golf courses don’t come much closer to the sea than La Cana Golf Course. Designed by P. B. Dye, La Cana features 14 ocean-view holes with four playing right on the water’s edge. It’s not often one’s given a choice to either hit your next shot or snorkel—that’s how close the agua is. And like most of the magnificent Caribbean—the water is as blue as it gets. http://www.puntacana.com/

Tierra del Sol Resort and Country Club: Malmok Beach, Aruba
Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Tierra del Sol Resort and Country Club sits regally on the northwest side of Aruba. Open for visitors play, this Lesser Antilles gem has the unlikely, but thought-provoking, characteristic of being a "desert course with ocean views.” The target-style design and constant trade winds provide a unique challenge that calls for repeated play to master its numerous subtleties. http://www.tierradelsol.com/

Photo: Casa de Campo © CruiseDiva.com

Princess Cruises Promotes A “National Relaxation Day”

If you were unaware that there is such a thing as National Relaxation Day on August 15th, you aren’t alone. Cruise Diva only learned about it as the result of a national survery commissioned by Princess Cruises for its second annual “Relaxation Report.” Princess Cruises, which helps more than 1.3 million passengers a year unwind aboard its worldwide fleet of ships, commissioned the survey to examine Americans’ relationships with vacations and the pursuit of leisure. And the results are in: According to the survey, three-quarters of Americans want to see National Relaxation Day become an official U.S. holiday. Apparently, overworked and over-scheduled Americans are so eager to adopt and observe this day of rest that they are even willing to trade-in an established holiday like Columbus or Labor Day.

“Americans are busier than ever—be it for work or family,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “The overwhelming support for an official, nationally recognized day of relaxation demonstrates that we need reminders—and in some cases, permission—to simply relax and escape from our everyday routine.”

Nearly a quarter (23%) of Americans have never had a relaxing vacation, and, for those who have, it has been an average of three years since they last took a break from the routine grind of daily life. Three-quarters (74%) of Americans reported their inability to relax frequently negatively affects their mental and physical health.

“Although many Americans wish they could have National Relaxation Day off from work, there are plenty of other creative ways to observe the occasion—relaxing the dress code, opening the office later or leaving early, or sponsoring a calming staff activity,” said Swartz. “To celebrate this day, Princess Cruises will be providing our employees with complimentary yoga classes as well as shifting the dress code from ‘business-casual’ to ‘summer-fun.’”

In addition to making National Relaxation Day official, the Relaxation Report revealed a few other surprising revelations on Americans’ dreams of relaxation.

Relaxation Is Difficult: Despite the current economic climate, two out of five (40%) Americans think finding time to wind down is even harder than living within their budget (60%). And while technology may be making things easier for some, half (50%) of those surveyed agreed that having a smartphone by their side actually makes it harder to check out.

Kid-Free Travel: American families are well aware of the stresses of everyday living, and while three out of four (76%) parents would feel guilty leaving their little ones behind, more than half (54%) of parents say their perfect vacation wouldn’t include their children!

Time Is on Our Side: Most experts suggest creating minor moments of “me time” during the day, but Americans think that taking a week away delivers longer lasting results. Nearly half (45%) of Americans think a weeklong vacation is more likely to reduce the stress in their lives than taking small moments each day to decompress. Americans also agreed that it takes an average of two days to settle in and let the time off clear their busy minds—meaning a weekend trip just won’t cut it.

A Toast to Sleeping In: The 2011 Relaxation Report also illustrates a directional shift in Americans’ favored methods of achieving relaxation. In the 2010 report, Americans opted for reading (25%) and getting up early (55%) while on vacation. This year, however, roles were reversed, with Americans enjoying a cocktail (24%) and sleeping in (65%) as the preferred ways to unwind. Cheers to that!

About the 2011 Survey
The Relaxation Report, commissioned by Princess Cruises, was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,005 nationally representative Americans ages 18+ between July 7th and July 13th, 2011, using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18 and older. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within ±3.1 percentage points, 95 times out of 100, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled.

About the 2010 Survey
The Relaxation Report, commissioned by Princess Cruises, is based on findings from an Ipsos poll conducted Aug. 26, 2010-Sept. 12, 2010 (excluding Sept. 1 through Sept. 8, due to the Labor Day holiday). A nationally representative sample of 2,000 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S., was interviewed by telephone via Ipsos’ U.S. Telephone Express omnibus. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within ±2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled.

While they didn’t poll me, I’ve decided to celebrate National Relaxation Day this year by sleeping in, dressing for summer fun, and having a cocktail. Sounds good to me!

American Safari Cruises Expands With Safari Endeavour

In a really big move sure to please small-ship cruise line fans, American Safari Cruises is adding an 86-guest ship to its fleet of three yachts that offer high-end, inclusive adventure cruises. The Safari Endeavour, formerly the Spirit of Endeavour (one of now defunct Cruise West’s largest and fastest, not to mention nicest ships in terms of features), will undergo major enhancements to transform it into an upscale vessel ready to sail in Southeast Alaska in summer 2012.

“This is an ideal time to expand our fleet,” said Dan Blanchard, principal and chief executive officer. “In our 14-year history, our occupancy rates have never been higher, and we are seeing an increase in demand for the type of small-group adventure travel we offer.”

Once upgraded to the standards of the American Safari fleet, the yacht-style Safari Endeavour will cruise in Southeast Alaska from May to September. Weeklong cruises roundtrip from Juneau, Alaska follow similar itineraries traditionally sailed by the line’s yachts with two days exploration in Glacier Bay National Park and expedition cruising in Icy Strait, Frederick Sound, Thomas Bay, Chichagof Island, Ford’s Terror, and Endicott Arm. Two-week cruises from Seattle to Juneau and reverse will be offered in spring and fall.

An extensive renovation project will add American Safari Cruises’ exceptional comfort and refined atmosphere on board. The guest capacity of the yacht-style ship will be reduced 16% from 102 to 86 guests with a mix of twin (some convertible) and king beds. Five accommodations categories include 3 Master, 21 Commander, 12 Captain, 3 Admiral, and 4 Commodore Suites. The suites will be created by merging two former staterooms and adding new step-out balconies. All staterooms have one or two outside view windows. Other amenities being added to the ship include two massage rooms, two hot tubs, sauna, exercise equipment, wine bar, and a library. An all-American crew of 34 will ensure attentive service with a guest-crew ratio of 2.5 to 1.

“The newly-created ambiance on board will be casual yet with a full menu of upscale amenities. The highlight remains the wilderness outside which we explore daily in a variety of ways,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

American Safari Cruises’ active, adventure cruises allow the freedom to engage in many shore and water-centric activities, as well as those available on board. Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are available for excursions. Skiff rides will explore Alaska’s shoreline, wildlife, and glaciers up close. Expert naturalists and guides lead excursions on land and sea. An enhanced program of educational presentations will be presented in the salon. In Glacier Bay, a National Park Ranger boards the ship for two days to lead hiking and kayaking excursions and provide interpretation of the area’s history, culture and geography.

Dining is a highly anticipated part of each day, featuring American Safari’s innovative cuisine with fresh seafood and produce purchased locally whenever possible. All meals will be served in Safari Endeavour’s elegant dining room, and the complimentary bar offers premium spirits, fine wines, and microbrews.

The line’s other yachts include the 12-guest Safari Spirit, 22-guest Safari Quest and 36-guest Safari Explorer. Specializing in active, adventure cruises with flexible itineraries. The inclusive cruises include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; hand-crafted meals; fine wine, premium spirits, and microbrews; a massage; and all port charges, taxes, and fees. In addition to Southeast Alaska, the fleet’s destinations include Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Hawaiian Islands, and Washington and British Columbia. For additional information, contact American Safari Cruises at 888-862-8881, email sales@americansafaricruises.com, or visit the American Safari Cruises web site.

Celebrity Cruises Raises Specialty Dining Charges

Murano Restaurant aboard Celebrity Solstice

If you haven't pre-booked your specialty dining reservations in certain popular restaurants by Sept 1st, you'll be paying a higher cover charge on Celebrity Cruises' ships after that date. Surcharges are rising from $5 to $10, depending on the restaurant.

French-inspired Murano restaurants, found on the cruise line's Solstice-class ships and on Celebrity Century, will charge $40 per person (up from $35 per person). The same increase will be found by diners in the upscale ocean liner-themed restaurants on Celebrity's four Millennium-class ships.

Aboard Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette, the charge for meals found on the iPad menus in their quirky, fun-food Qsine restaurants is also going up to $40 per person.

In an unusual move, Celebrity is increasing the cover charge at its just-introduced Lawn Club Grill aboard Celebrity Silhouette from $30 to $40. That seems like quite a hike for a restaurant that hasn't yet established a following and where diners are encouraged (but not required) to grill their own food.

Pre-booked specialty dining reservations for the restaurants mentioned above that were made before Sept 1st will be charged at current rates. Charges for the other specialty venues are not increasing. For the time being, at least.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Banana Coast in Honduras Coming Soon

It’s no secret that cruise lines are always seeking new destinations to entice their passengers, and although you probably have never heard of it, we predict it won't be long before you'll look forward to visiting Banana Coast in Trujillo, Honduras.

Construction began this week on the only new Caribbean port destination strictly dedicated-for-cruise-passengers that is presenttly in development. The initial work is concentrated on preparing the approximately 10-acre beachfront site pictured in the image above, with a seawall being constructed along the perimeter. If you have visited Grand Turk on a cruise, you’ll understand the concept.

“With its colorful history and setting, Trujillo provides wonderful opportunities for both architecture and landscaping,” said Doug Kulig, chief executive officer of OBM International, the project’s architectural and design firm. “The key to the design is finding the right combination of a rewarding visitor experience and seamless site functionality.”

By December construction of the 50,000-square-foot themed oceanfront shopping center and transportation hub is expected to be under way, with completion slated for late 2012.

“We are excited to reach this milestone in the development of our new port,” said Trujillo’s Mayor Jose Lianez. “The Municipality and other constituents have made major improvements to our colonial city’s visitor facilities in anticipation of receiving cruise guests. We hope that our efforts, and the charm of our citizens, will entice cruisers to return for longer visits to fully experience everything the area has to offer.”

OBM International is no newcomer to cruise port planning—they also designed Royal Caribbean International’s private island, CocoCay, and Carnival Corporation’s Grand Turk Cruise Center. For more information and a peek at the area awaiting beyond the new cruise center, visit the Banana Coast web site.

Norwegian Cruise Line Updates Their On Board Smoking Policy

Norwegian Cruise Line has just joined the list of cruise lines that have expanded smoking restrictions on their ships this year. Norwegian is adjusting their smoking policy for each of the line’s 11 Freestyle Cruising ships in response to what they say are changing guest preferences. Effective January 2012, guests setting sail on a Norwegian cruise vacation are no longer permitted to smoke cigarettes in their staterooms. Guests who are in a balcony stateroom will be permitted to smoke on the outside balcony; however, cigar and pipe smoking in staterooms and on balconies is prohibited. Ashtrays will be available for use upon request through housekeeping staff.

In an effort to diminish the presence of smoke indoors, cigarette smoking is only permitted in the casino, where ashtrays and appropriate signage will be displayed. Smoking is prohibited in all other public interior venues including all bars, restaurants, conference rooms, corridors, restrooms, staircases, and landings. Guests may utilize the enclosed cigar bars on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Dawn, and Norwegian Spirit for cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking.

In addition, the policy allows guests to smoke cigarettes, cigars, and pipes in outdoor public guest spaces and open decks, where designated by the appropriate signage. Smoking is not permitted near outdoor venues which serve food, in open spaces such as the jogging track, sport complex, children’s pool, and in The Haven outdoor areas.

For more information on Norwegian’s updated smoking policy, guests may consult their Freestyle Daily once on board the ship or view the policy on the Norwegian website at NCL.com.

For more information about where smoking is and is not permitted at sea, read CruiseDiva.com’s Smoke On The Water.

Norwegian to Host @SeaTweetup Cruise

Although the concept of a Tweetup at sea is interesting, we are often unimpressed with the very buggy Twitter website, which doesn’t appear to always have adequate bandwidth for its traffic. As I began typing this, the Twitter site wouldn’t load on my computer’s browser (or my BlackBerry) and I was unable to fact check the following announcement until it finally loaded after about 15 minutes. So, here goes...

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky will be the site of its first ever Tweetup at sea dubbed the SeaTweetup Cruise (@SeaTweetup) coordinated by members of the South Florida social media community. The cruise departs from Miami on Friday, Nov 18, 2011 for a 3-day weekend getaway to the Bahamas and returns on Monday, Nov 21. The social-savvy sailing will allow social media enthusiasts to interact onboard where they can participate in exclusive networking events including social media marketing panels and discussions. Participants will also have access to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, as well as invitations to exclusive in-port events to post, tweet, and blog throughout the weekend.

The unique cruise takes networking to the next level allowing Twitter users to share their experiences with followers, as they build and strengthen relationships and create new ones. In addition to planned group activities, tweeters can enjoy the perks of Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising. The 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sky has 10 dining options; more than 10 bars and lounges; spa and fitness center; casino; and duty-free retail shops. Also, after a long day of tweeting, guests can dance the night away at the White Hot Party, the line’s signature dance party.

For more information on the first SeaTweetup cruise on board Norwegian Sky follow @SeaTweetup and Norwegian @NCLFreestyle on Twitter and include hashtag #SeaTweetup. Before deciding on this group cruise, or any other, you might want to read Cruises, the Social Network Way to Travel, to determine if it is right for you. If it is, go to the Twitter site and search for @SeaTweetup to get the details.

Caveat Emptor: Before you get excited about tweeting heavily from sea, take into consideration the charges involved for the onboard WiFi and any international roaming costs charged by your mobile phone carrier. Take it from me (and AT-and-T), those minutes can quickly add up to big bucks on your mobile phone bill.

Oceania Reschedules Riviera’s Inaugural Cruise

At one time there was a running joke about how to get a free cruise, “Just book a maiden sailing and be compensated with a refund and future cruise credit when it’s cancelled.”

Thankfully, that’s a situation we haven’t seen happen in the cruise industry for a long time—the delay of a new ship introduction. Until now.

Oceania Cruises has announced that their new ship Riviera will sail her maiden voyage on April 24, 2012—10 days later than originally planned. The line said they have rescheduled Riviera’s first revenue cruise to allow additional time for the staff to familiarize themselves with the ship’s facilities and fine-tune the countless details required to deliver the Oceania Cruises Experience. With sister-ship Marina (pictured here) already in service, that seems rather odd. Most cruise lines simply transfer a core of experienced employees to the new ship from the one they have learned the ropes on.

In any event, the new maiden voyage is a 12-day Ancient Grandeur itinerary that sails from Athens and visits Alexandria and Port Said, Haifa and Ashdod (Jerusalem), Alanya, Rhodes, Patmos and Kusadasi (Ephesus) before ending with an overnight stay onboard ship in Istanbul.

Oceania Cruises guests who were booked on the original 10-night maiden voyage will be moved to the new, longer sailing at no additional cost and will also receive a $250 per guest shipboard credit as a gesture of goodwill from Oceania Cruises. Guests who desire a different voyage may book any other Oceania Cruises’ itinerary and receive a $250 per guest future cruise credit. In the event guests wish to cancel, they will receive a full refund.

While the line's announcement stated that travel agent commissions will be protected, there was no word on whether passengers who have booked their own air for the original sailing will be reimbursed for fees related to airline flight changes.

Cruises, the Social Network Way to Travel

When we boarded our first cruise ship there was no Facebook, no Twitter, no Internet message boards. In fact there was no Internet as we now know it.

At the time, it actually didn't occur to us that we would ever want to "friend" a fellow passenger ahead of time, send a "tweet" out to potential cruise mates, or join a "roll call" in order to have a ready-made social circle on our cruise vacation.

Back then we didn't feel it was necessary to have a group of acquaintances aboard ship in order to feel comfortable on a cruise. It still isn't necessary and you can still do your "networking" on board as we did—and still do.

Ultimately, you have to decide whether social networking—online or on board—is right for you. You be the judge. Cruise Diva looks at Cruises, the Social Network Way to Travel.

Outdoor Adventure & Regional Culinary Choices Rank High On Crystal's Fall Pacific/Southwest Cruises

Who says you have to sail away to far-flung destinations to enjoy a cruise? Sometimes you have to look no further than your own country, or state, to discovery new adventures, as California-based Crystal Cruises will prove later this year.

The luxury cruise line has scheduled two unusual 7-day Crystal Symphony sailings round-trip from Los Angeles up the California and northern Baja coasts this fall and is introducing 18 brand-new shore-side excursions to up the exploration factor. Crystal Adventures will showcase the outdoor opportunities, culinary arts, and varied scenery local to the remarkable Golden State region during cruises departing Nov 20 (our United States Thanksgiving week) and Dec 4.

In Santa Barbara, adventurous passengers will have their choice of hiking, biking, horseback riding, paragliding, Segway-ing, or kayaking through the area, learning about everything from California's Chumash Indians to native sea life. Additional outdoor explorations range from kayaking past the Baja coast's 100 foot-high blowhole to a jeep safari through Mexican countryside with a winery as the final destination.

California's fine wines will be the highlight during tasting trips to Santa Ynez and Napa Valley, the latter including a gourmet lunch at the famed Culinary Institute of America. Foodies can expand their epicurean acumen with a tequila tasting/education or a Mexican cooking lesson outside Ensenada, or a custom wine-blending competition in Santa Barbara. Crystal Symphony passengers can also explore the quaint Danish town of Solvang and hidden alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown.

"These ultra-regional itineraries offer our first-ever overnight stays in San Francisco. More time in a more concentrated area allows us to delve deeper into what makes this captivating coast such an unparalleled world travel destination," says John Stoll, vice president land and port operations. "From helicoptering over Alcatraz to a private tour of San Diego with just your family, travelers have copious choices on these sailings."

The easy, LA-round-trip voyages visit Santa Barbara, San Francisco (overnight), Ensenada (for the required "distant foreign port"), and San Diego. Fares include $500 "All Inclusive—As You Wish" shipboard credit, free air from 24 North American cities (or air credits), and additional family/friends group savings. A special promotion enables kids to sail free over Thanksgiving. For more information, visit the Crystal Cruises website.

Image Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Carnival’s Rolling Out The Barrels of Private Label Beer

It was so popular aboard Carnival Magic during the inaugural cruise that thirsty passengers drank up on the first night the supply that was supposed to last the entire cruise. I’m talking about ThirstyFrog Red, Carnival Cruise Lines’ private label draught beer that debuted in Carnival Magic’s Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub in May. In fact it has proven to be such a hit that it’s being rolled out to other ships in the fleet.

Currently, 15 “Fun Ships” offer the popular amber-colored brew in select bars and lounges with three others expected to receive kegs of ThirstyFrog Red over the next few weeks.

Since its introduction two months ago, passengers have bellied up to the bar to savor ThirstyFrog Red’s rich taste and delicate aroma, with toasted notes resulting from the fine caramel and black malts used during the brewing process. The brew is served ice-cold on tap in the line’s signature ThirstyFrog Red pint glasses, which are also available for sale on board.

When Cruise Diva and Mel boarded Carnival Magic in Venice for the inaugural sailing we retired fairly early that first night and missed the opportunity to be among the throng that drank the RedFrog Pub dry. However, when the supply of ThirstyFrog Red was replenished, we were able to try it out. Not being big beer drinkers, it’s difficult to judge the taste in comparison to other boutique beers, but I certainly enjoyed it enough to order a second glass to toast the volcanic eruption as Carnival Magic sailed past the island of Stromboli. ThirstyFrog Red Beer and Stromboli were a Magical combination on a memorable night.

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

The Ink Is Barely Dry On New Ship Orders For Costa & AIDA

Carnival Corporation didn't achieve its status as the largest cruise vacation group in the world by sitting on its laurels. With a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P-and-O Cruises (UK), and P-and-O Cruises (Australia), the brands under the Carnival Corp umbrella operate 101 ships totaling approximately 200,000 lower berths and now it has 10 new ships scheduled to be delivered between May 2012 and March 2016.

Carnival Corp announced yesterday that it has reached agreements for the construction of three new cruise ships—one 132,500-ton vessel for its Costa Cruises brand and two 125,000-ton ships for its AIDA Cruises brand. The ships will be the largest ever constructed for these two cruise lines. A contract has been signed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of a 3,700-passenger ship for Costa that is scheduled for delivery in October 2014. The all-in cost for this vessel will be approximately euro 150,000 per lower berth. A memorandum of agreement has been signed with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build two 3,250-passenger ships for AIDA which are scheduled for delivery in March 2015 and March 2016. The all-in cost for these vessels will be approximately euro 140,000 per lower berth.

The order for the two AIDA ships marks a return by Carnival Corp to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries which built two highly successful ships for Princess Cruises, both of which were delivered in 2004. The contract with Fincantieri continues the company's longstanding and successful relationship with the Italian shipbuilder, which dates back nearly 20 years.

The AIDA order marks Carnival Corp's first new ship delivery for 2016 and continues the company's strategy of introducing two to three ships per year. Including the new orders for Costa and AIDA, Carnival Corp currently has 10 ships on order—three for 2012, two for 2013, two for 2014, two for 2015 and one for 2016. The delivery of the new Costa ship in fall 2014 is expected to replace capacity from the sale of certain older Costa ships beginning with the sale of Costa Marina, which will leave the fleet in Nov 2011.

The new Costa ship order is subject to financing. The memorandum of agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is subject to customary closing conditions, including execution of shipbuilding contracts and financing. Additional design and itinerary details for the three new vessels will be announced at a later date by Costa and AIDA.

A Sign Of The Times

It's no secret that cruise travel has grown as a vacation choice worldwide. While mainstream and premium cruise lines mostly focused their marketing efforts on North America in the past, for many years luxury ships have plied waters around the globe and filled their ships by targeting international passenger markets. However, that's changed more recently and you're just as likely to hear Russian as English being spoken on a traditionally all-American-style cruise ship in the Mediterranean. And the English you hear is likely to be spoken with a different accent. It's not Crocodile Dundee, but his mates "down under" who have taken to cruising in a big way and cruise lines have responded by positioning ships in Australia to cater to the market there.

In a move to further strengthen its presence in Australia, Holland America Line has announced it will open a sales office in Sydney with a final transition date of Sept 1st. Focused on the Australian market, the independent sales, marketing, and reservations team will provide direct contact with agents and administrative support. The opening of the office follows an earlier announcement that 2011-12 marks the first time Holland America will have two ships, ms Volendam and ms Zaandam, sailing a series of itineraries in the region simultaneously. In 2012-13 the 1,926-passenger ms Oosterdam will join the 1,432-passenger ms Volendam as the first Vista-class ship to be homeported out of Sydney, boosting Holland America Line's capacity in the area by nearly 25 percent.

Although cruise lines, such as Holland America, aren't abandoning U.S. homeports, this move is simply a sign of the times and explains why your favorite ship may not be offering closer-to-home cruises in the future.

Unwind In “The Alcoves” Aboard Celebrity Silhouette

We really like the idea of having our own private spot at sea with a view that we don’t have to get up at dawn to “save” for later. That’s what “The Alcoves” on Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Silhouette offer, and they can be booked ahead of time online.

Eight stylish, cabana-style settings that comfortably accommodate two to four people each, The Alcoves are designed for relaxation and a bit of seclusion just steps away from the unique atmosphere of The Lawn Club. Within The Alcoves, you can enjoy views of the lawn and sea; ambient mood lighting for cozy, romantic evenings; complimentary amenities including a fresh fruit plate, hand-held fans, chilled towels, four bottles of water, and all-day use of an iPad loaded with a variety of music, movies, games and magazines. Additionally, fresh, themed picnic baskets with selections from the ship’s specialty restaurants, as well as a la carte beverages, are available for an additional charge, and just a phone call away, via Celebrity Silhouette’s dedicated Alcove Attendant. Wine and cheese evenings under the stars and special spa services can also be arranged once onboard. You can even stay in touch with family and friends back home from The Alcoves as the area is fully WiFi-equipped (fee applies).

The Alcoves can be booked online for full-day rentals, from 9 am to 9 pm, or even for the entire cruise. Rates are $99 per Alcove per day on days in port, and $149 per day for days at sea. To book yours, visit the Celebrity Cruises website. Special values are available if you book one of The Alcoves for several days or for the entire cruise. Adjacent to The Alcoves are eight hammocks and two oversized Adirondack chairs, each offering complimentary, additional opportunities to relax—and the oversized chairs have proven to be a favorite photo op spot.

Celebrity Silhouette entered service July 23rd in Hamburg, Germany. After a series of Mediterranean cruises, the ship will reposition to Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey) in November to offer Caribbean sailings from the New York/New Jersey region.

Image Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Plan Ahead For Your Norwegian Cruise

One of the things we have enjoyed about our cruises aboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships in recent years is the spontaneity. We don’t always want to dine in the main restaurant while on a cruise and prefer to go with the flow. Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising was conceived for passengers like us. However, sometimes even we like to plan ahead—particularly when it comes to shore excursions or a special occasion dinner—and now we can. Norwegian announced that it has enhanced its reservation system by adding the convenience of pre-purchasing shore excursions fleetwide and the flexibility of pre-purchasing specialty dining on Norwegian Epic. The company also plans to add the ability to make Freestyle Dining reservations for specialty restaurants fleetwide in the coming months. This enhanced system gives us the opportunity to plan our cruise vacation prior to boarding the ship.

The expanded reservation system gives us the option to pre-purchase a large variety of shore excursions in all the destinations Norwegian’s ships visit around the world. Additionally, we can select from the 20 dining options that Norwegian Epic offers, make reservations, and pay the specialty dining cover charges, which range from $10 to $25 per person in all of the ship’s specialty restaurants. The system also includes the ability to purchase tickets to Cirque Dreams and Dinner™ and The Second City’s Presumed Murdered interactive experience.

Once the reservation system is available fleetwide, all passengers will be able to pre-book and pay for all specialty restaurants. Reservations are not required at the many complimentary dining venues on each ship. As in the past, there is still the option of booking shore excursions and making specialty restaurant reservations once we are on board.

It’s the best of both worlds.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Jacksonville, Forget About Those Week-Long Cruises After All

One thing we've liked about our cruises from Jacksonville is the convenience. The city is within an easy drive of many cities in the southeast, including our hometown, and it sure beats the long haul down I-95 to port cities further south.

One thing we didn't like are the short itineraries that call only on Bahamian ports on 4-night cruises and the Bahamas and Key West on many 5-night sailings aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Fascination. Don't get us wrong, we like the ship and the ports. It's just that we'd like more options. The planned 7-night cruises, although there were only six of them on the 2011 schedule, seemed like something we'd enjoy. It's just as easy to pack for a week-long cruise as it is for a shorter one. Although we'd pay more for the cruise itself and the parking, it wouldn't cost any more for gas to get to Jacksonville.

Alas, the 7-night cruises have been scrubbed from Carnival Fascination's line up. We suspect the lower fares for the shorter cruises fit more into travelers' budgets in the current economy.

It's a shame, but there's still Port Canaveral, where the choice of 7-night cruises includes Carnival Dream. And, after all, it isn't too much further down the Interstate for those of us who mix up our cruises with a road trip.

When Is A Cookbook Not A Cookbook?

Answer: When Celebrity Cruises publishes a book with recipes that is elegant enough to display on your coffee table. Known for its culinary leadership and commitment to offering guests the best experience during their vacation time, Celebrity Cruises now invites them to take that experience home, with an immersive new "lifestyle" book, Excite the Senses. In the 400-page volume, Excite the Senses provides an up-close and personal look at Celebrity Cruises' dining experience, complete with recipes, rich photography, and tips for entertaining and hosting friends and family in Celebrity style at home.

"We titled this 'Excite the Senses' because what we offer onboard and what we present in the book centers around ensuring that every aspect of our culinary experience satisfies and appeals to all five senses," said Celebrity's Senior VP of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. "Our dining experience goes well beyond appealing to the senses of taste and smell alone; it appeals equally to the senses of sight, sound and touch. It's multi-dimensional, as is the content of the book, so we wanted the title to reflect that."

Inspired by Celebrity's charismatic Vice President of Culinary Operations and James Beard-nominated Master Chef Jacques Van Staden, Excite the Senses offers an inside look at Celebrity's widely varied menus; upscale, modern restaurants, and vast wine program—one of the most extensive in the business—designed to appeal to everyone from the novice to the sophisticated oenophile.

"Excite the Senses is a window into the amazing world here at Celebrity Cruises, and a core part of that world is the culinary experience," said Van Staden. "The dining experience is an essential part of every guest's vacation, and we're committed to making it particularly unique—with every dish prepared fresh, from scratch; customized menus that change daily in the main dining room; and genuine, engaging service. We do all this within chic, stylish restaurants that each have their own identity and overall atmosphere of modern luxury, which is profiled in words and rich photography in the book."

Excite the Senses features more than 250 signature recipes created by Van Staden and team, blended with easy-to-adapt tips and anecdotes from members of the line's highly-skilled, global culinary staff, and informative profiles of vintners and other partners Celebrity hand-picked to create its widely varied dining experiences. Recipes include the intimate, elegant specialty restaurant Murano's "Wild Forest Mushroom Cappuccino"; the future-forward Qsine's "Chocolate Tombstone," and, from Blu, Celebrity's specialty restaurant offered exclusively for guests in its distinctive AquaClass staterooms, "Lump Crab Martini." The beneficial "at-home" tips range from how to create the perfect antipasto and how to read a wine label, to how to pour a perfectly blended cappuccino, and how to orchestrate holiday meals to ensure every dish is served hot and fresh.

"To identify the best tips, we consulted our dedicated shipboard staff," said Van Staden. "And this book is designed to help consumers easily create a little of the artistry and magic we present onboard in their own homes."

Excite The Senses is available at CelebrityLifestyleBook.com, for a purchase price of $59.95 USD. A sneak peek at the book also can be accessed on the site. Sadly, it's not offered on Amazon.com.

Image Courtesty of Celebrity Cruises

Hit The Beach, Avoid The Burn

Take a cruise, any cruise, to a tropical destination and you'll see them. The lobsters—and not the kind on a plate at the Captain's dinner. They are the passengers whose quest for a bronzed, suntanned look went awry.

First off, I'll admit that I sought that seemingly healthy, tanned look in my younger days. I spent hours baking in the sun protected by nothing more than a mixture of baby oil and iodine, which was in vogue during my college years. As a fair-skinned person of Nordic descent, I got my share of burns and paid the price.

Over the years I thought I'd gotten smarter and built up a "base" tan by spending time in a tanning booth and shorter periods in the sun until I could eventually spend long hours at the beach without burning to a crisp. I always wore some type of protection, although it usually had a low SPF (skin protection factor) number that allowed me to tan without the burn.

Even those of us who are not fair skinned need protection. My husband found out the hard way on our first cruise that his ruddy complexion was susceptible to a painful burn in the Caribbean sun. I've even discovered strap marks on my body after a day outside when I was fully clothed.

What's a cruiser to do? After my dermatologist chided me about my past tanning episodes and how they'd "aged" my skin, he recommended the Neutrogena sunblock that is pictured above. With an SPF of 100, it's an extremely effective product (Cruise Diva is not a paid endorser) as long as it's used according to the directions. Apply it at least 15 minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply it after getting wet or toweling off. It's waterproof so it's pretty sweat resistant, but you should apply more after swimming or on exposed skin if you're out in the sun for an extended period. I've been using it for several years and I still get a bit of a tan from simply being outdoors in the summer, but I haven't gotten burned—even after spending an entire day touring sunny Florence, Italy recently.

Should you not heed the warnings, the Mayo Clinic offers these suggestions to alleviate the pain while your skin is healing:

• Take a cool bath or shower. You can also apply a clean towel dampened with cool water.
• Apply an aloe vera or moisturizing lotion several times a day.
• Leave blisters intact to speed healing and avoid infection. If they burst on their own, apply an antibacterial ointment on the open areas.
• If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.
• Treat peeling skin gently and continue to use moisturizing cream.

Consult your doctor for treatment if severe sunburn covers a large portion of your body with blisters; you experience a high fever or severe pain; or the sunburn doesn't begin to improve within a few days.

If you simply must return home from your cruise with a tan, Neutrogena offers lower SPF products that are equally as effective at preventing sunburn and the subsequent skin damage it causes. Whatever product you use, follow the label directions for the best outcome and enjoy your day at the beach or poolside on your ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line Salutes U.S & Canadian Armed Forces With Enhanced Military Program

We’re always pleased to see members of the armed forces recognized for their service and are especially pleased that this offer includes our Canadian allies as well. Norwegian Cruise Line has launched an enhanced military program offering special rates to members of the U.S. and Canada armed forces that features exclusive rates on select Freestyle Cruising vacations. Cruises include the line’s newest and most innovative ship Norwegian Epic, along with the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, Pride of America. Current featured destinations include 7-day cruises in the Western Mediterranean, Eastern Caribbean, and Hawaii, along with Norwegian Epic’s 13-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Miami on Oct 23, 2011. Active or retired members of the military can chose from numerous sailings in 2011 or 2012. In addition, new sailings will be added on a regular basis.

“Norwegian Cruise Line salutes our military personnel for their commitment, dedication and service,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We want to make sure that when they are ready for some rest and relaxation, we have special pricing available to show our appreciation and to ensure that they get to spend quality time with their families.”

The offer is valid for new reservations on a range of accommodations from inside staterooms to mini-suites, along with the solo-traveler friendly Studio staterooms on Norwegian Epic (although we hope our servicemen and women won’t be sailing alone). For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line, visit their website.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Ships That Go Bump in Key West

Oops. At least one Carnival Cruise Lines captain will have some 'splaining to do after two of Carnival's "Fun Ships" had a fender-bender in Key West, Florida yesterday.

Thankfully no one was injured in the incident and the damage was minor to each ship's stern after Carnival Fantasy hit her near-twin Fantasy-class fleetmate Carnival Imagination while the former vessel was docking in Key West. As a routine measure in their investigation into the accident, the United States Coast Guard performed alcohol and drug tests on key personnel aboard both ships.

Carnival Imagination (pictured above) had just begun a 7-night cruise from Miami, Florida and Carnival Fantasy will return to homeport in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday. The collision isn't expected to effect either ship's schedule.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Teen Hero Honored by Norwegian Spirirt & The Port of New Orleans

Norwegian Spirit’s Captain Evans Hoyt
presents Alex Giffel with the life ring that
saved a fellow passenger’s life.

Last month Cruise Diva reported on a man overboard incident in the Mississippi River that concluded in a happy ending due to the quick thinking of a teenage passenger aboard Norwegian Spirit. At the time we received some criticism for not having more details to share, but were pleasantly surprised to subsequently find this comment on the Cruise Diva Blog, “My family was on the NCL Spirit when the man jumped from the top deck. We were on deck 7 and my 16 year old son tossed a life ring back. It took 40 minutes to get him out of the water and to the medical center. The NCL Spirit’s crew did a GREAT job for such a rare event.”

We could feel the pride in that father’s words, knowing that his son had helped to save the passenger’s life. However, beyond the young man’s age, we didn’t know much else because his father’s comment was posted anonymously. Thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line and the Port of New Orleans, now we know more and are happy to report it. Last Sunday the cruise line and the port recognized the quick actions of 16-year-old Alex Giffel of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Norwegian Spirit’s rescue team in a ceremony aboard the ship in New Orleans.

And so, here is the rest of the story. Giffel had just started a cruise vacation with his family on Sunday, June 12, 2011, onboard Norwegian Spirit when he witnessed a fellow passenger go overboard into the Mississippi River. Giffel reacted immediately by throwing a nearby life ring to the person in the water while his 21-year-old cousin, Tyler Giffel, alerted the crew. Norwegian Spirit’s rescue team quickly dispatched a rescue boat into the river and rescued the passenger, bringing him back on board to safety.

In Sunday’s ceremony, Captain Evans Hoyt thanked Giffel and as a token of appreciation presented him with the same life ring that he threw to the man in the water. Both the line and the Port of New Orleans also gave him plaques of appreciation.

“Some of us train all our whole lives to respond in an emergency and others are thrust into the situation. In either case, it comes down to the individual having a moment to respond and make the right call,” said Captain Hoyt. “The Giffel family can be proud of the quick response by Alex and Tyler, just as the Spirit team is proud of all the responders onboard whose professionalism and quick response resulted in a life being saved.”

The ceremony, which was attended by the Giffel family, representatives from the Port of New Orleans, and the ship’s senior officers, also honored Norwegian Spirit’s rescue team (pictured here with Alex and Captain Hoyt) for their successful life-saving effort. The group concluded the day with a lunch in Cagney’s Steakhouse.

We’d certainly be proud—and feel safer—to sail on any cruise with Alex Giffel and we extend our best wishes to him and our sincere appreciation for his quick thinking and heroic actions.

Images Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Crystal Cruises Comes Home (Again) for the Holidays

Here's an interesting itinerary change and "two-fer" holiday savings offer we can really get behind. Due to increased demand for a tropical, warm weather itinerary in North American waters for the 2012 winter holiday season, Crystal Cruises is moving its 2012 holiday cruise on Crystal Serenity from the Holy Land to the Caribbean.

As an added bonus, with Crystal's "Save Now, Save Later" promotion, you can save 20% on the 2012 all-inclusive Christmas/New Year's sailing by also booking one of this year's holiday voyages by Sept 15, 2011. The 2011 holiday cruises to either Hawaii or the Panama Canal/Caribbean are also value-priced at up to 58% off brochure fares.

President Gregg Michel explains: "We previously had both our ships in exotic locations for the 2012 holidays. By now moving one of our ships closer to home, we offer a combination of North American and overseas holiday choices. Plus, guests can save even more by making Crystal their luxury holiday for two years in a row."

Departing on Dec 21, 2012, the 14-day Crystal Serenity holiday cruise sails round-trip from Miami for Tortola; Barbados; St. Lucia; Guadeloupe; St. Maarten; St. Thomas; Ponce, Puerto Rico (maiden call); and Key West.

The 14-day 2011 holiday voyages this year, which depart Dec 21, 2011, remain unchanged, providing these options from both U.S. coasts:

-- HAWAII round-trip from Los Angeles (Crystal Symphony): Maui; Honolulu; Kauai; Hilo; Ensenada
-- PANAMA CANAL/CARIBBEAN round-trip from Miami (Crystal Serenity): Cozumel; Grand Cayman; Panama Canal (Gatun); Cartagena; Antigua; St. Barts; Turks and Caicos

To accommodate next year's change from the Middle East, Crystal Serenity's pre- and post-2012 holiday cruises have also been revised. Crystal Serenity now makes a Barcelona-to-Miami Trans-Atlantic crossing on Dec 9, 2012, and follows the holidays with a Jan 4, 2013 Caribbean cruise round-trip from Miami to Tortola; St. Kitts; Point-a-Pitre, St. Lucia; St. Barts; St. Maarten; and Turks and Caicos.

All cruises include complimentary airfare from 24 North American gateways (or air credit), with additional savings for family or friend groups via Crystal's Family Memories Program. For more information visit Crystal Cruises online.