(Not Quite) Barred From Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor, Maine doesn't have the mansions of Newport or historic vibe of Boston, but during "fall foliage" season it can be one of the most beautiful stops on a New England/Canada itinerary. It can also be one of the most crowded.

Despite the fact that the town currently allows only two cruise ships to anchor in the harbor on any given day (or three ships if one is small enough to dock at the Town Pier), Bar Harbor residents and merchants have complained that ships have gotten so big that, even with the current limits in place, there are days when the downtown area is overcrowded and roads are congested by tour buses. What's a small town to do when the ships that are scheduled to visit can each carry more than 3,000 passengers? For example, two ships scheduled to call at Bar Harbor this season are huge; Explorer of the Seas has a capacity of 3,114 passengers and 1,185 crew and Caribbean Princess can carry 3,110 passengers and 1,142 crew.

In a move to solve the problem, the Bar Harbor Town Council recently voted to impose a daily limit on the number of passengers (not including crewmembers) that cruise ships may bring to town. Set to begin in 2010, from May 1st to June 30th and from Sept 1st to Oct 31st, passenger counts will be limited to 5,500. In July and August, the passenger limit will be 3,500 a day or, up to 3,700 at the discretion of the Harbor Master. The reasoning for the limits is sound. According to one Council member, visitors will have a more positive experience if the town is less crowded.

Bar Harbor's Cruise Ship Task Force proposal suggested that ships be allowed to visit Bar Harbor as late in the year as Nov 10th, but the Harbor Committee recommended the Oct. 31st cut-off date. They cite the need for lobster fishermen to have the harbor all to themselves during the productive fall season. That also makes sense. What would a day in Bar Harbor be like without a lobster lunch?

Photo: Golden Princess at anchor from atop Cadillac Mountain

Love Sets Sail: Captains Can Help Guests Tie the Knot

Hey, lover boy! Give that girl a diamond for Valentines Day and prepare to set sail on a sea of love.

The sailor's knot is known for being easy to tie but hard to break. Couples who wish to be married at sea by the captain will soon be able to do just that aboard Azamara Cruises' and Celebrity Cruises' ships. The lines plan to launch legal, captain-led wedding ceremonies later this year to complement their existing vow renewal and in-port wedding offerings.

"While many of our guests come onboard seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or vow renewal location, and we've been happy to provide them with in-port weddings led by a local official, their number-one request is for captains to perform the ceremony," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Hotel Operations. "Now, we're able to fulfill that wish, while sailing the open waters of the world."

With the recent re-registration of seven of Celebrity's eight ships in Malta, where Azamara's two ships also are registered, government regulations have changed to allow for captains to perform legal marriages while the ships sail the seas of the world. Guests planning to be married at sea by Azamara and Celebrity captains will have a variety of packages available to them and should book their weddings well in advance of their sailing dates to allow time for the processing of licenses and other legal documents. Lovebirds are encouraged to visit Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises web sites for details.

NCL America: Is One Ship A "Fleet"?

It's only been a week since I reported that NCL America's Hawaii fleet had officially shrunk to two ships. So, imagine my surprise when a late-in-the-day press release arrived in my email box yesterday announcing that one of the two remaining fleetmates--Pride of Aloha--is also withdrawing from the line's Hawaiian island service on May 11, 2008.

Yesterday's press release emphasizes NCL's major fleet-wide Freestyle 2.0 initiative, featuring significant product and hardware upgrades to its modern fleet, including Pride of America--the only NCL America ship set to remain in Hawaii service. The release also calls the transfer of Pride of Hawaii to NCL’s European deployment a "temporary" move. While I have no insight into how temporary it will be, it took an act of Congress to flag the three foreign-built vessels under the US flag in order to offer Hawaii inter-island cruises. Any attempt to return the newly re-named Norwegian Jade under the stars and stripes could encounter some pretty steep obstacles.

For passengers booked on Pride of Aloha from May 11, 2008 and beyond, NCL is holding space and will offer the same cruise fare as they currently have paid on their Pride of Aloha cruise if they would like to transfer to the same week on Pride of America, departing one day earlier. For additional details, read the entire press release at Cruise Diva's Cruise News.

Carnival Cruise Lines' "Circle C" is Fun for "Tweens"

Family cruise leader, Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a new on-board program called “Circle C” aimed specifically at the 12- to 14-year-old age group, with expansive new clubs, trained staff, and a full schedule of activities--including everything from sports such as basketball, volleyball, ping-pong and various water games to late night movies and “swimming under the stars” pool parties.

Designed to complements the line’s other youth-oriented programming, including “Camp Carnival” for younger kids and “Club O2” for 15- to 17-year-olds, the focal point of “Circle C” activities are custom-designed clubs, providing the "tweens" a place to truly call their own. With a sleek modern design created especially to appeal to younger teens who want to hang out with new friends, the areas are decorated in a vibrant motif, with oversized picture windows and plush comfortable seating. Facilities feature a dance floor with high-tech sound and lighting system, along with 42-inch plasma-screen TVs to display movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox stocked with the latest hits, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles, with 20-inch plasma-screens positioned throughout the room.

“Circle C” is just the latest enhancement to kid-centric amenities aboard the “Fun Ships.” Children ages 2-11 can enjoy diverse activities and dedicated facilities of “Camp Carnival,” which continues to evolve with new 1,600-square-foot play areas on “Fantasy-class” ships and new programming fleetwide. For older kids, there’s the “Club O2” teen program featuring teen dance clubs, just for teens shore excursions, and more. Also new is Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long twister water slide, dual-lane racing slides and water spray apparatus, currently rolled out as part of the “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program on select ships. Carnival Splendor, set to debut in July, will boast Carnival’s largest play area to date and a water spray park.

Carnival Cruise Lines expects to host 600,000 kids this year– the most in cruising. Other family-friendly features include babysitting services, stroller rentals, children’s menus, and a variety of spacious accommodation categories, with dozens of inter-connecting cabins ideal for large families or family gatherings.

Pictured above is an artist's rendering of "Circle C"--Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Celebrity Cruises Rolls Out A New Way to Count to TEN

Ten of 2008’s hottest new restaurants will open this fall, but you won’t need special connections to book a table. In fact, you won't even need directions, since the GPS coordinates will change daily. That's because the 10 restaurants are all on one of the world’s most eagerly awaited new cruise ships: Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice.

"The dining experience has always been central to our guests’ cruise experience, and on Celebrity Solstice, we’ll present the extraordinary service the brand is known for, in venues designed to perfectly complement the spectacular cuisine," said Celebrity’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "The larger size of Celebrity Solstice allows us to offer more options for our guests, with menus created by some of the best talent in the business

Celebrity has partnered with some of the world’s best designers in the hospitality business to create the restaurants onboard Celebrity Solstice; among them, preeminent restaurant and hotel designer Adam Tihany, who created such lauded restaurants as Per Se, Jean Georges, Le Cirque, The Sea Grill and Osteria del Circo in New York; Aureole, Bouchon and Seablue in Las Vegas; and Monte’s and the chic Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London.

Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the interiors of Celebrity Solstice’s Dining Venues on CruiseDiva.com.

Princess Cruises Wants to Know, "Are You the Greatest Romantic?"

The leader of love at sea, Princess Cruises is launching a nationwide search asking, "Are You the Greatest Romantic?" All "romantics at heart" can nominate themselves or someone they believe deserves this highest honor of amorous aptitude. "The Greatest Romantic" will be chosen from a field of entries narrowed down to five finalists determined by the line's Department of Romance experts. After a public vote, he or she will become an "ambassador of love" for the department for one full year, in addition to receiving a romantic cruise for two.

The contest launches on Valentine's Day and Princess invites all romantics to submit a video telling why they deserve this honor. Videos can be entered until March 20, and then from April 1-14 the five finalists will be posted and the general public will have the chance to vote for their favorite "Greatest Romantic." The winner will be announced on April 15 and receive a romantic, 7-day cruise for two to Mexico or the Caribbean, including airfare. While onboard they will receive a special couple's package from Lotus Spa. "The Greatest Romantic" will also enjoy a year-long title of Princess' "ambassador of love" as a member of its Department of Romance.

"From a personal love story to an original poem or creative stunt, we're seeking compelling video entries expressing romance from many perspectives," said Jan Swartz, senior vice president for Princess Cruises. "Be it in small or dramatic ways, we're looking for someone who can channel their inner romantic and espouse the meaning of romance for others, plus share how they make romance a part of their daily lives."

Three-minute video entries should compellingly convey why the person is the ultimate romantic. For a complete list of rules and video requirements, as well as sample video entries for romantic inspiration, visit greatestromantic.princess.com.

As Valentines Day approaches, we know you are in the mood for love. Cruise Diva shares her picks for the Most Romantic Ships. Get hints to enhance Romance at Sea and enjoy Princess Cruises' sumptuous Ultimate Balcony Dinner.

Cruise Travel: Mutiny Over Fuel Supplement Fees?

When we hit the road to embark on a cruise last month we knew filling the tank of our super-size SUV was going to cost more than the last time we made the trip south to Florida. Sure, we could drive a more fuel efficient vehicle, but we like our comfy Ford Expedition and where would I put the luggage in a Prius?

Like other SUV, truck, RV, and van owners, we've made a lifestyle choice and the cost goes into our budget. If we couldn't afford it, we wouldn't drive it. Similarly, when going on a cruise, we factor in not only the fare, but all the add-ons into the bottom line when making decisions. Which is why I believe so many booked passengers were upset when fuel surcharges were levied a few months ago by the majority of cruise lines. I can't say that I blame fellow passengers on one level--the charges were retroactive for the most part and unexpected. On the other hand, anyone who hasn't noticed the soaring cost of fuel during the past year probably hasn't been paying attention to much of anything.

Cruise lines held out longer than other segments of the travel and hospitality industries, which have routinely added such surcharges for some time. Think airlines, automobile rentals, and even hotels and restaurants. Most consumers don't like it, but seldom do they 'mutiny' the way booked cruise passengers have. The Miami Herald and other media outlets report that the Florida Attorney General's Office is following up on over 150 consumer complaints to determine whether the fuel supplement fees imposed by cruise lines were "appropriate and properly disclosed to passengers."

It would be easy to say, "just cancel," to those who object to the fuel surcharges, but there's a lot of emotion involved in this situation. Although there have always been minor fluctuations in port charges and government taxes over the years, passengers have long considered their fare contracts with cruise lines to be a sacred assurance that they won't pay a dime more than agreed upon at booking. While they could have cancelled upcoming sailings without penalty and made other plans, some avid cruisers simply won't consider anything but a cruise vacation. Others have purchased non-refundable airline tickets or pre-paid for shore excursions. There's a huge hassle factor in turning travel plans upside down and starting from scratch.

The outcome of the Florida Attorney General's investigation won't be known for a while; however, no matter what happens on that front, don't expect cruise lines to give consumers a free ride in the face of rising costs to operate. If the fuel surcharges are deemed unfair, cruise lines aren't going to operate at a loss. While we wait to see how this plays out, following are a couple comments from Miami Herald readers for your enjoyment.

• "Look at the other companies that have had to add a fuel surcharge. Doesn't surprise me. I love all the whining that has been going on at the Cruise Critic board. Those Carnival people know how to yell about five dollars. Carnival had better be careful as it will on board lose sales on Pabst Blue Ribbon, Schiltz malt liquor and Winston cigarettes with that surcharge."
• "My favorite comments on the fuel surcharge come from the Cruise Critic people, who keep whining that 'it's about honoring the contract.' Funny, when the money or shipboard credit flows their way, you don't hear them screaming bloody murder about the cruiseline going outside the bounds of the sacred contract."

Aloha, Pride of Hawaii

The newest of NCL America's Hawaii-based ships sailed yesterday from her Honolulu home port for the last time as Pride of Hawaii. Christened in May 2006, the cruise line announced last year that it would pull the ship from Hawaii service due to financial losses caused by weakness in its Hawaii operations fare pricing.

Presently on a "farewell" 5-day cruise to Los Angeles, Pride of Hawaii will enter wet dock upon arrival on Saturday. After the colorful Hawaiian-themed hull artwork is painted over she will be reflagged and renamed. Emerging as Norwegian Jade she is scheduled to leave Los Angeles Feb 16 on a 13-day Panama Canal cruise bound for Miami. From there, she sails to Barcelona, Spain, where a casino will be added before the ship enters service in Europe.

Pride of Aloha and Pride of America, NCL America's two other U.S.-flagged ships, will continue to operate inter-Hawaii cruises.

Cruising Back-To-Back

Even though I've sailed on nearly a hundred cruises and write the cruise travel material for eight Fodor's guidebooks, I continue to find new experiences at sea. Just this month I joined in the fun on a full-ship music charter and sailed on back-to-back cruises for the first time.

First of all, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, a full-ship charter on Holland America Line's Westerdam, was an incredible opportunity to indulge in my passion for cruising while exploring the smooth jazz scene with a ship full of ardent fans. Each night's two-hour concerts in the main show lounge were certainly entertaining, as were the music sessions in more intimate settings, but one highlight for me was meeting so many nice people. One morning I found myself having coffee on deck with a delightful gentleman who turned out to be Grammy nominee Kirk Whalum's father. Like all Holland America Line ships, the atmosphere on Westerdam is gracious and refined. That doesn't mean the passengers were stuffy, though. A late-night poolside Pa-JAM-A Party was well attended by passengers clad in PJs and robes and dancing went on well into the night in the Crow's Nest.

The week-long Smooth Jazz Cruise went by all too swiftly and it was time to disembark in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday and get ready for our next cruise--a five-night sailing on Carnival Imagination from Miami on Monday. At times the logistics of packing for back-to-back cruises seemed almost as daunting as storming the beaches of Normandy. Fortunately, I had two things going for me... we drove to Florida and I have a dear friend in Fort Lauderdale who happened to be sailing with us on the second cruise. Marcia kindly offered the use of her washing machine to solve my dilemma of how to pack enough unmentionables for two weeks and we were able to leave our excess luggage in her garage. That made room for her luggage and we were all able to drive to the Port of Miami together, thus also saving on the high cost of parking there ($20 a night!).

While I could have done laundry aboard the Carnival Imagination, having a day between cruises meant the luxury of not having to waste my time hassling with it during what turned out to be an exceptionally fun cruise. The "Evolutions of Fun" enhancements are all in place on Carnival Imagination and have transformed the aging Fantasy-class vessel into a bright and shining modern cruise ship. It should come as no surprise that when the world's largest cruise line sets about to do something that they do it right, but the level to which Carnival Cruise Lines went in the transformation astonished even me. I wasn't expecting an "all new" look and feel and it was hard to believe Carnival Imagination was launched in 1995.

There is a lot more to share on CruiseDiva.com and here on the blog in the coming days. For now, I hear the distinctive DING of my clothes dryer! So much for the glamorous life of a travel writer.

Carnival Imagination In Port: Nassau

The last day of our cruise vacation promises to be full of activity and we’re looking forward to fun ashore in Nassau as well as on board Carnival Imagination. Throughout the cruise there’s been a lot of keep everyone as busy as they want to be. There are children cruising with us but they’ve been nearly invisible—they’re having a great time in Camp Carnival and in the Water Works pool. Disney Wonder is berthed beside us today in Nassau and I can’t help but wonder if they are just a tinge envious… our water slide is bigger than their water slide.

With so many passengers ashore we’re taking the opportunity to chill out at the Lido Pool. The entire area has been re-built with new tile in the pool; thatched roofs that shade one of the two hot tubs, the pool bars and snack bar; and a covered stage where games have taken place this week. Stylized palm trees offer a tropical vibe that’s fresh and, frankly, fun.

Later there will be plenty of time to pack. We’re going to “self assist” in the morning so we don’t have to rush to put luggage in the passageway tonight. That means we won’t have to miss any of this evening’s show—Carnival Legends starring our fellow passengers. We’ve heard that some real talent has been tapped and it promises to be quite an event.

Watch CruiseDiva.com for an in-depth “Evolutions of Fun” report and many more photos next week.

Carnival Imagination In Port: Half Moon Cay

The day began somewhat cloudy and, while it looked like it wouldn’t be the ideal “beach break” we were blessed with an absolutely perfect call at Half Moon Cay. Carnival Imagination passengers enjoyed ‘private island’ amenities and facilities to the fullest. If possible, it was an even nicer day than we had ashore last week while cruising on Holland America Line’s Westerdam. Carnival Imagination was the only ship anchored off Half Moon Cay today and we tendered ashore in the island’s large and efficient boats.

Even as early as 10am, children and adults alike were creating masterpieces in the sand to compete in the “Giant Sand Castle” competition. A buried treasure scavenger hunt pitted passengers against one another as did “Beach Survivor” where winners return to the ship and losers must remain on the island—someone will have to tell me how ‘losing’ that contest is bad.

Mel and I intended to take an eco-tour through the island’s lagoon, but the boat had problems and our excursion was cancelled. As it turned out, that wasn’t all bad as we were in the lagoon area last week and the tour cancellation meant we had more time today to spend with friends in the Private Oasis Cabana, one of the most exclusive areas of Half Moon Cay. With an over-water thatched roof deck, hot tub, cushy lounge chairs and our own bar and bar-be-que, it was the ultimate private island experience. Perfect for large groups, the Private Oasis is some thing you’ll want to look into booking if you are cruising with family or friends. Drinks and food are included and steps lead from the deck to the pristine beach and clearest water for swimming and snorkeling you can imagine.

We hated to leave, but we’re back onboard and looking forward to another excellent dinner and late-night show. Jorge, our cruise director has just announced that his “disembarkation talk” is about to begin… is it that dreaded time already?

Tomorrow’s another day—and we’ll be in Nassau—so we won’t worry about it until then!

Carnival Imagination In Port: Grand Turk

The first time we visited Grand Turk we concentrated on the country’s history and culture by touring on “The Guana” bus that makes a loop of the island, allowing riders to hop off and back on at will. For today, the eco-safari tour turned out to be a good choice to learn about the local flora and fauna. Our small excursion bus circled the island, stopping at Governor’s Beach to observe the location of the world’s third largest coral reef, a salt pond to spot birds, a shell beach, and a scenic area thick with mangroves where we could also see small cays in the distance.

The two-hour tour stretched out a bit on “island time,” but we made it back to the Grand Turk Cruise Center in time to enjoy the facilities—a large pool, restaurants, bars, wide stretches of beach, and, of course, shopping. The Cruise Center has been greatly expanded since our previous visit shortly after it opened.

By re-boarding Carnival Imagination an hour before our departure, we had our pick of comfortable wicker-style chairs in the adults-only Serenity Deck (photo above). With two hot tubs and plenty of thickly padded chaise lounges, it’s the ideal spot to order a Pina Colada from the bar steward and catch a nap or update the blog—as we are doing right now. Obviously Mel’s the one napping and I’m not far behind… zzzzz.

Use Your (Carnival) Imagination At Sea

Slight swells create a gentle motion on board Carnival Imagination today—just enough so we’re aware of being at sea, but not at all uncomfortable as we fully explored the ship.

We’ve sailed recently on Carnival Fantasy, the first of the eight popular Fantasy Class sister-ships introduced between 1990 and 1998. Although we thoroughly enjoyed that ship, which already had some ‘Evolutions of Fun’ upgrades in place, the next level of the $250 million initiative already completed on Carnival Imagination has, well, captured our imagination. In a 33-day drydock, Carnival Cruise Lines ordered many spaces gutted and essentially created a “new” ship. They plan to work the same magic on all eight Fantasy vessels (Carnival Inspiration is also complete at this time and Carnival Fantasy is next in line for an extreme makeover).

Ideally suited for short cruises ranging from three to five nights, Fantasy Class sister-ships have always provided fun afloat, but newer fleetmates tend to overshadow them these days with an abundance of private balconies and other state-of-the-art features. The ‘Evolutions of Fun’ enhancements go a long way toward bridging the gap. At dinner last night one improvement in our dining room was immediately apparent—the booth-style seating was removed and there are now numerous tables for two. In addition to great pizza and international fare, the Lido restaurant now features rotisserie chicken, Mongolian stir-fry, and a New York-style deli.

We’ll be taking a look at other upgrades during this five-night cruise, but the sun is shining and I’m about to make my way aft to the Carnival Water Works. Located where the aft pool and hot tubs used to be, spray from the water jets cools off youngsters splashing in the shallow pool and even provide some relief from the heat to nearby sunbathers. However, my objective, and the major attraction for all ages is a trip down the breathtaking corkscrew waterslide. Or maybe I’ll challenge one of the kids to a race down the side-by-side racing slides. It’s really cool fun.

Carnival Imagination Embarkation Day

No matter whether it’s your first or fiftieth cruise, embarkation day is always special. Carnival Imagination was berthed at the new Carnival terminal in the Port of Miami today, which made the embarkations process all the more efficient. We were getting our photo taken at 12:30pm and were on board shortly afterward. While waiting for staterooms to be ready at 1:30pm, we found a comfortable seat in the atrium lobby and enjoyed a rum punch from the lobby bar. While full, the ship doesn’t seem at all crowded.

Our standard outside stateroom on Upper Deck was worth waiting for—as part of the “Evolutions of Fun” enhancements, all accommodations now have flat screen televisions, Carnival Comfort beds, and new furnishings and bathroom fixtures. Particularly useful are bedside tables and a corner shelf beneath the television for storing small objects. There’s plenty of closet space, including shelves. The vanity/desk has drawers for even more storage. Bring your own hair dryer, though… they aren’t provided, although you may be able to borrow one to use during the cruise if you ask immediately after boarding. You won't have to ask for fluffy terrycloth robes to use; they are waiting in the closet.

While exploring the rest of the ship we were equally impressed with the fresh appearance of lounges and public rooms. A major improvement is that tables have replaced "dated" booth-style seating in the dining rooms, resulting in more room to move around for both guests and waiters. And our dinner was excellent—it’s hard to beat the food on a Carnival ship.

Another upgrade can be found in public restrooms throughout Carnival Imagination—fashionable basin-style sinks, heavy duty hand dryers, and all automatic fixtures. You don’t have to lift a finger to turn on the water, the powerful hand dryer, or even flush.

We’re sure to find a lot more to like tomorrow during our day at sea. Follow along as we tour the ship and discover other changes aboard Carnival Imagination.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise Hits the Beach at Half Moon Cay

Dressing to the nines for dinner is always special and never more so than on a cruise. Not only did the Pinnacle Grill meet our expectations once again—they set the bar pretty high the other night—but they exceeded them during our formal night last evening.

Like many people, I don’t do time zone change well, particularly when it means losing an hour. However, last night we also reclaimed the hour lost earlier in the cruise which meant the late-night comedy show starring Alonzo Bodden wasn’t too late, even for me. And I didn’t want to miss it.

This morning was a good one to sleep in just a bit since Westerdam’s scheduled arrival time at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private island, wasn’t until 11am. (We shared Half Moon Cay today with passengers from fleetmate Maasdam, pictured above.) Another day in paradise awaited ashore where we enjoyed the pristine beach under an overcast sky. The clouds were no problem; it was still nice and warm but not overly hot and humid. Oh yes, there was food—a terrific barbecue and tropical drinks.

Alas, it’s time to think of packing up to disembark tomorrow. Our cruise has been a week of music, fun, activities, more fun, and making new friends. A fellow passenger from Montreal commented that if nations could follow the example of passengers aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise then we’d all live in a better world. I can’t disagree.

I’ve only hit the highlights from Westerdam this week. Watch CruiseDiva.com in the coming days for more about The Smooth Jazz Cruise.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise at Sea Aboard Westerdam

Captain Peter Harris promised us clear skies and balmy weather for our day at sea and he’s delivered. It’s a gorgeous, sunny day on board Westerdam—just perfect for a volleyball competition in the pool or lazing on a deck chair.

The day’s line-up of activities is full with autograph signings, a poolside party, and “Just Sweet Enough” cooking class with Gerald Albright. Naturally there is music everywhere.

I must admit that I wasn’t a Smooth Jazz aficionado when we boarded last Sunday and barely knew what to expect. While the style is difficult to describe, it’s a little bit funky with some soul and R&B tossed in, all performed to a great beat. It’s contemporary and the sounds are infectious. And, yes, you can dance to it—Janet, a fellow passenger who is 83 years young has captivated us during the nightly concerts with her dancing in the aisles. Staying seated is nearly impossible.

Tonight is our only formal night of the cruise and the ladies I’ve spoken to are looking forward to dressing up… not that this isn’t a well-dressed crowd. All other evenings have been smart casual and nearly everyone has ramped it up a notch.

Westerdam in Curacao: The Smooth Jazz Cruise

One appealing aspect of an evening spent in port is the accessibility to local dining and nightlight. Well, it usually is appealing. Although Carlos ‘n Charlies has its charm, I doubt that any Westerdam passengers were there last night. In fact, the hottest night spot in Aruba was surely the Vista Lounge when all the artists on board took the stage and special guest Jeffrey Osborne made his first appearance.

In addition to the amazing entertainment, Westerdam’s chefs outdid themselves with the deck BBQ dinner (pictured). We were treated to down-home and upscale fare: ribs, steak, chicken salmon, chilled salads, and the best jambalaya at sea. There was even a white chocolate fountain with assorted fruits for dessert.

Although our sailaway party wasn’t until midnight, it looked like everyone aboard was there to bid goodbye to Aruba. We awoke this morning in Curacao, one of my favorite Caribbean islands. The day ashore was all too short, but we have a full afternoon of activities ahead of us with lectures and one-on-one meetings with the stars and the second round of Wayman Tisdale’s Star Search.

Tonight’s concert, featuring Mindy Abair and Jeffrey Osborne, promises to be one of my favorites. And, because tomorrow is a sea day, we can stay up late to enjoy the musicians in Westerdam’s lounges and not have to worry about getting up too early in the morning.

Westerdam in Aruba: the Smooth Jazz Cruise

Aruba is called “One Happy Island” and we were as pleased to be going ashore with our Smooth Jazz Cruise caps (photo) and bags as the residents were to welcome us. In addition to the main show last night, extremely strong winds kept us rocking and rolling aboard Westerdam so we have looked forward to spending all day in Aruba.

In fact, we’ll be docked here until midnight and tonight’s schedule includes one of the signature events arranged by Jazz Cruises LLC for their full-ship charters. It’s Caribbean Luau Night, which begins with a Poolside BBQ Dinner and ends with a Luau Sailaway Party. Naturally there is also a show in the Vista Lounge. Tonight’s Stars in Concert performance will feature all the artists.

It’s been fun to meet jazz fans from all over the country. Many travel to attend concerts and some have been on previous jazz cruises. Their delight at seeing one another is infectious and we are having a great time—this is a very social mix of people.

Because food is such a highlight of any cruise, I’d like to say a word about the cuisine on Westerdam—delicious. Seriously, we’ve enjoyed every meal so far and service has been superb. Last night we dined in the alternative restaurant, Pinnacle Grill and it was so fantastic that we made second reservation for later this week.

Tuesday at Sea: The Smooth Jazz Cruise Aboard Westerdam

It’s all about the music here on the Smooth Jazz Cruise. I don’t pretend to know a lot about it, but the performances in concert last night had me tapping my toes and, of course, swaying with the beat. Ranging from the simplicity of unplugged guitars to the rich sounds of multiple horns, Westerdam was rocking.

For today at sea—the sky is blue and the sea is full of “smooth” wavelets. Clearly we’re in for a beautiful day full of activities and behind-the-scenes looks into the lives and careers of the musicians who are working so hard to entertain us.

In addition to the lectures and autograph sessions, there may be a Smooth Jazz “Idol” in the making aboard Westerdam. One talented passenger will win Wayman Tisdale’s Star Search competition.

Pictured here is the little towel critter created by Hendry, surely one of the most personable cabin stewards at sea. The Smooth Jazz Cruise bag will come in handy when we go ashore in Aruba tomorrow.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise Monday at Sea On Board Westerdam

Even on a dreary afternoon yesterday in port Everglades we could feel the electricity generated by fellow passengers during embarkation on Westerdam. Many were repeat Smooth Jazz Cruisers and are here to enjoy their favorite music and artists in concert. Later, as we waited in the Sports Bar (Giants versus Green Bay) for our after-dinner show, one music (and football) enthusiast told me this was his fourth Smooth Jazz Cruise—he’d only missed the first one.

To kick off the Welcome Show, Rick Braun and his trumpet made a grand entrance, giving the audience a close-up as he played his way to the stage. While the music swept over the Vista Lounge, everyone was on their feet, moving and clapping to the beat. A few bars of “won’t you let me take you on a sea cruise” were met with approval.

Smooth Jazz Cruise posters awaited on our beds last night—pillow gifts that are great for collecting autographs, as are the program books we received earlier. We’ll have plenty of opportunity to use them.

Although today’s seas are a tad rough and we’ve encountered strong winds and some rain, we began the day on a high note during a rousing Gospel Hour with Jonathan Butler. What an appropriate way to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this, his national holiday.

Don’t get the impression that it’s all seriousness on board Westerdam. Today is also T-Shirt Party Day with complimentary afternoon cocktails and snacks served poolside and later a behind the scenes look at “how songs become” and then Daiquiris with artist Mindi Abair. Naturally, we’ll attend another concert after dinner.

Because we set our clocks forward an hour tonight I may have to cut my time short at the PA-JAM-A party. At least I’ll be ready to fall right asleep—the late night dress code calls for PJs and, of course, jazz.