Un-Cruise Adventures Acquires Safari Voyager

Un-Cruise Adventures has announced its acquisition of the 64-guest Safari Voyager for its yacht fleet with plans to offer Luxury Adventures year-round in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés beginning in November 2013. In winter 2015, the vessel will transition to sailing year-round in Central America.

Previously named Sea Voyager, the vessel is currently in Colombia undergoing renovation. Details for Central America deployment such as itineraries, included shore programs, fares and dates of operation will be available spring 2013.

The Safari Voyager will replace the line’s 86-guest Safari Endeavour in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés beginning in November 2013 and offer four different itineraries available year-round from homeports of La Paz, Cabo and Guaymas. Current plans have the Safari Voyager transitioning from Mexico to year-round itineraries in Central America beginning in December 2015. The vessel will spend winters exploring Costa Rica, summers in Belize and offer transits of the Panama Canal in spring and fall. The 86-guest Safari Endeavour will then return to sailing in the Sea of Cortés during the winter.

The Safari Voyager will have 33 outside view staterooms including four suites and two single staterooms for a total guest capacity of 64. During the renovation, a new Library will be created on the Cabin Deck with eight floor to ceiling windows, plush furniture, and nautical décor in tribute to New World explorers. The very top deck of the vessel—the Sun Deck—will be transformed into a new al fresco public space with fitness equipment and lounge chairs. A massage room will also be added. A swim step platform on the stern of the boat is a convenient place for guests to access the water for included adventure activities such as snorkeling, skiff excursions, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding.

A spacious view Lounge features 20 floor to ceiling windows, a full-service bar, four glass doors with two as doubles opening onto an outside deck—a design element created for air conditioning when needed or flung open to deck. Comfortable chairs and tables outside extend the Lounge onto the deck. A separate Dining Room on the Main Deck accommodates all guests for meals at one seating in an ornate setting with rich, dark wood treatments. A nautical and tropical design ties décor together throughout public spaces.

The Safari Voyager becomes the adventure cruise line’s eighth vessel—all with capacities below 90 berths, a hallmark of Un-Cruise Adventures. The company has three expedition vessels sailing Active Adventures, three more yachts sailing Luxury Adventures and one replica Victorian-style steamer sailing Heritage Adventures. Current adventure destinations include Southeast Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Coastal Washington and British Columbia.

“The Safari Voyager fits in perfectly with our upscale adventure fleet,” said Dan Blanchard, Un-Cruise Adventures’ principal and CEO. “The vessel is outfitted for warm weather sailing and will be ideal for tropical adventures in Central America.”

A Luxury Adventure includes all meals, adventure activities, massage, premium wine/beer/spirits, transfers and port fees and taxes. For more information, visit un-cruise.com/.

Image Courtesy of Un-Cruise Adventures

Holland America Line Brings The Sounds of B.B. King's Blues Club to Eurodam

First they created a bit of Hollywood glam on board with "Dancing With The Stars" and now, all the way from the world-famous Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, Holland America Line has launched the B.B. King's Blues Club aboard ms Eurodam, with the ship's Queen's Lounge transformed into a vibrant blues musical experience. Five nights each week on cruises through June 20, 2013, world-class musicians from the B.B. King Blues Club Band create a dynamic energy to move the crowd to sing and dance along. The eight-piece band features two vocalists backed by a drummer, bassist, guitarist, sax player, trumpet player, and Hammond B-3 organ player.

To create its own B.B. King's Blues Club at sea, Eurodam trimmed its Queen's Lounge with portraits of the Memphis Blues legend, illuminating the prominence of Memphis Blues and its influence on everyone from B.B. King, Sam & Dave and Otis Redding to The Rolling Stones and Neil Diamond. A special stage was crafted to resemble a Memphis club with guitars hanging in the backdrop. Exclusive specialty cocktails from the land-based clubs also will be served, featuring the tasty, rum-based Lucille and Rock Me Baby concoctions mixed with different fruit liqueurs and juices.

In addition, "Memphis Sounds," a live stage show directed by Marion Caffey (producer of Amateur Night at the Apollo) and produced by B.B. King's Blues Club's CEO Tommy Peters, will headline one night on the ship's Mainstage. "Memphis Sounds" showcases the true sounds of the American music genre of Memphis Blues performed by the B.B. King Blues Club Band. The 45-minute performance incorporates video projection to tell the story of the blues.

"This collaborative effort is a perfect partnership," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Bringing the vibe of Memphis aboard Eurodam will create a new atmosphere on the ship that is going to be exciting for our guests. We also look forward to taking this show to other Holland America Line ships throughout 2013 and beyond through this new venture."

If you can't get aboard Eurodam, but are in Memphis, B.B. King's Blues Club is a supper-club style restaurant created and named after the reigning king of the blues and recording artist for more than four decades. B.B. King's offers a perfect blend of some of the finest live music and a variety of the South's most delicious comfort foods influenced by flavors from New Orleans all the way to the Mississippi Delta. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit bbkingclubs.com.

For more information about the B.B. King's Blues Club at Sea, Holland America Line's cruises and CruiseTours, visit hollandamerica.com.

Image Courtesy of Holland America Line

Cunard Line Celebrates 200th Anniversary of “Pride and Prejudice”

Chawton House Library

As fans of Jane Austen’s novels are aware, the 200th anniversary of her classic “Pride and Prejudice” has arrived.

To celebrate, and offer cruise travelers a unique opportunity, Cunard Line has planned a special site tour highlighting the famed author’s regional ties to Southampton, England, Cunard’s home port. Four-day, three-night tours are available pre- and post-sailing for select Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings and Europe voyages between April and December of this year, and include lodging and select meals.

Site visits include:

-- Jane Austen’s House Museum: Tour the 17th century Chawton village home where Austen wrote many of her major works
-- Winchester Cathedral: Pay respects at Austen’s burial site and view an exhibition of her life and work
-- Chawton House Library: Visit this historic manor, which Austen frequented, featuring a robust collection of 18th century women’s literary works (historic Chawton House Library is pictured above)
-- Salisbury Cathedral: While viewing the original Magna Carta, tour the location for the 1995 award-winning film, “Sense and Sensibility,” which was based on the eponymous Austen novel

"Jane Austen resided in Southampton for some time, and so we are delighted to provide our guests a glimpse into this beloved writer's life," said Peter Shanks, president, Cunard Line. "The Austen tours are the perfect complement to enjoying the British heritage of a Cunard voyage, either before or after sailing."

Sample 2013 voyages featuring these pre- and post-voyage tours include, but are not limited to, the following:

-- July 17 for the seven-day July 20 westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York
-- Aug 5 for the seven-day Aug 8 westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York
-- Sept 29 for the seven-day Sept 22 eastbound Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton
-- Dec 11 for the 11-day Nov 30 Iberian Serenade roundtrip from Southampton

Grab your favorite Jane Austen novel and plan to join Queen Mary 2 on a cruise vacation rich in classic British traditions. For more information about the special “Pride and Prejudice” 200th Anniversary site tours, visit cunard.com/janeausten.

Image Courtesy of Cunard Line

Carnival Cruise Lines Debuts “The Fun Shops” Online

Internet shopping has certainly made my life easier. No more dealing with finding a parking spot in the mall parking lot where my car could get door dings, no waiting in line to check out, and a nearly unlimited selection of merchandise are at my fingertips. I can even shop for and book travel online.

However, the one type of merchandise that's been limited is cruise related gifts. Yes, it’s always been possible to pre-order certain things to be delivered to us on board, but the selection hasn’t been great. That’s changed with the launch of Carnival Cruise Lines’ revamped online retail section “The Fun Shops”—now available on the line’s website.

The redesign includes a totally new “look and feel,” as well as simpler navigation choices like shopping by product, by occasion or one of Carnival’s four exclusive branded options: Cruise Cash, Cherry on Top, Funnel Gear and Portside Liquor. The site also marks the initial phase of a product expansion with new gifting options ranging from Carnival branded gear to chocolate-covered strawberries rolled in red velvet crumbs.

The Fun Shops can be used to buy a gift for anyone booked to sail on a Carnival cruise—even yourself. If users are looking to surprise a guest with “fun-tastic” treats while on board, they can click on the site’s new virtual “Booking Buddy,” which makes it easy to connect their order directly to a guest’s reservation without having to spoil the surprise by finding out information like their booking number. The “Gift Finder” feature is also new to the site and helps users select the perfect present for a booked guest, ranging from special-occasion treats, flowers, stateroom celebratory decorations, and themed gift packages. Some of the most popular gifts include cakes, festive cabin décor, cooler packages, and high seas gift sets, which are delivered to guests once they board the ship.

Along with the launch of the site, the company introduced Carnival “Cruise Cash,” which provides an immediate credit to a guest’s Sail & Sign account (commonly known as onboard credit); they can use this to pay for bar tabs, photos, shore excursions, spa treatments, or any other expenses accrued during their voyage.

Most items can be purchased for delivery up to two days before disembarkation, for those last-minute mid-cruise surprise gifts. Take a look at “The Fun Shops” for yourself at Carnival.com/FunShops. Hint: liquor prices are far above “duty-free” rates per bottle, but pricing for wines is reasonable.

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

A Blooper of Epic Proportion

A regular visitor to Nassau,
Norwegian Epic was denied a 
berth due to a port error.

When cruise ships have to cancel a port call at the last minute the cause is usually weather related; however, in the case of Norwegian Epic’s recent aborted call at Nassau it was a simple case of oops. It seems that someone responsible for assigning berths in the Bahamian port made a costly mistake. The port scheduled too many cruise calls on February 23rd and had to cancel a ship—in this case Norwegian Epic, its largest regular visitor during the winter Caribbean season with 4,100 passengers on board.

While passengers were surely unhappy about missing a port, local businesses were even more outraged. A local newspaper The Tribune reported that Atlantis Resort, which expected several hundred Norwegian Epic passengers to spend the day there on an excursion, lost an estimated $100,000 due to the error. Business owners downtown were steamed as well. One vendor told the newspaper, “This is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. How can they just allow it to be turned away? Whatever boat replaced it could not have been as big and could not have brought as many tourists to town. How do you overbook a cruise ship anyway?” Good question. But it’s one to which officials in charge will only say, “it won’t happen again.”

Entertainment staff and crewmembers aboard Norwegian Epic were probably just as upset as the merchants in Nassau. As the ship spent the day at sea instead of in port, many of them had to scramble to plan activities for passengers and continue to work on board instead of spending a day off ashore.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Carnival Dream’s Port Canaveral Itineraries Expanded

Here’s some good news for Floridians or anyone who prefers to drive to Florida for a cruise—the road trip part of our journey just got a bit shorter. Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded Carnival Dream’s year-round schedule from Port Canaveral, Florida, which is more convenient for those of us in the drive-to market. New itineraries include never-before-offered eight-day Caribbean departures along with two new five-day options, and a one-of-a-kind four-port, seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary. With these new options, Carnival Dream will offer six distinctly different five- to eight-day cruise programs from Port Canaveral—the widest variety of itinerary choices from this highly popular Central Florida homeport. Additionally, the expansion further bolsters the line’s position as the Caribbean cruise leader, operating approximately 1,250 voyages and carrying more than 3.6 million passengers within the region each year.

Carnival Dream’s two new eight-day schedules include a three-port Southern Caribbean itinerary with extended stops at the islands of Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk, and an eastern Caribbean itinerary featuring visits to four tropical destinations: St. Maarten, Tortola, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Seven southern Caribbean voyages will be offered, departing May 2 and 30, Aug. 23, Oct. 4, and Dec. 6, 2014, and Feb. 7 and March 7, 2015, while six eastern Caribbean cruises depart May 17, Sept. 5, Oct. 17, and Dec. 19, 2014, and Feb. 20 and March 20, 2015.

The two new five-day departures mark the first time that Carnival has offered short-cruise itineraries on a Dream-class ship. One five-day program features the popular ports of Key West, Nassau and Freeport departing May 25 and Oct. 12, 2014, and March 15, 2015, while the other offers day-long visits to Nassau and Grand Turk departing Aug. 31 and Dec. 14, 2014, and Feb. 15, 2015.

The line has also created a new four-port, seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary—unique to Port Canaveral—that includes stops at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Nassau. These attractive week-long cruises are being offered roughly once a month and complement Carnival Dream’s existing seven-day western Caribbean cruises calling at Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay, and Costa Maya that sail throughout the year.

The 3,646-passenger, 130,000-ton Carnival Dream launched year-round Caribbean service from Port Canaveral in 2009, ushering in a number of innovations for the line. These include a half-mile wraparound outdoor promenade called The Lanai, along with Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and entertainment venue, and Carnival WaterWorks featuring a 303-foot-long Twister water slide and other splash-tastic features. The ship also features a wide variety of accommodation choices, including more than 1,000 balcony and ocean view staterooms – perfect for viewing the spectacular Caribbean scenery, as well as two-bath, five-berth staterooms that hold particular appeal with families. Expansive children’s facilities, along with a Serenity adults-only retreat and a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, are also offered.

Even if you aren’t driving to port, these are some pretty terrific itineraries to choose from!

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Tony Tillman is Princess Cruises’ Entertainer of the Year

Cruise Director Lisa Ball presents Tony Tillman
with the 2012 Entertainer of the Year award

Four finalists vying for Princess Cruises’ Entertainer of the Year performed aboard Crown Princess during the February 9-16 sailing, the passengers cast their votes, and the winner was Tony Tillman, a singer and dynamic entertainer often compared to Sammy Davis, Jr. or Ben Vereen. A star of “The Rat Pack is Back” tribute show in Las Vegas, Tillman’s fast-paced and energetic style won over the Crown Princess audiences.

Crown Princess passengers attended live performances from each finalist—along with Tillman the finalists included comedy and dance duo Alfredo and Seymour, comedian Sarge, and mentalist Wayne Hoffman—and their vote chose the winner. Tillman was announced as the line’s “2012 Entertainer of the Year” on the final night of the cruise at a celebratory event in Princess’ signature venue, The Piazza and received a cash prize of $5,000 along with the title.

“Congratulations to Tony Tillman for being chosen as our second annual Entertainer of the Year,” said Martin Hall, vice president of entertainment. “All of the talented finalists thoroughly entertained Crown Princess passengers, and they each represented the caliber of guest performers on Princess ships.”

Image Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Carnival Cruise Ships to Call at Royal's Private Island

Carnival Cruise Line is presently in the process of notifying passengers booked on Carnival Fascination and Carnival Ecstasy of an itinerary change taking place next month.

Key West, Florida has been scratched from each ships' five-day cruise schedules and replaced with a visit to Little Stirrup Cay, a private island in The Bahamas. When it sails from Jacksonville on March 14, 2013, Carnival Fascination will make the first of nineteen calls to the island, which are scheduled through December 2013, with an additional six calls planned in 2014. Carnival Ecstasy, which sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, will visit Little Stirrup Cay eleven times in 2013 and once in 2014.

In Carnival's letter to booked passengers, Little Stirrup Cay is described as Paradise! And indeed it is. As part of the Berry Islands in The Bahamas, Little Stirrup Cay is located approximately 55 miles north of Nassau and features beautiful white-sand beaches, scenic nature trails, and a coral basin that is home to manatees, stingrays, tropical fish, and other marine life. A wide selection of shore excursions, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking are available.

Does that sound familiar? About the only thing left out of the description is that Little Stirrup Cay is also known as Coco Cay. That's right, it's Royal Caribbean's very own private island. Carnival has given their booked passengers the opportunity to reschedule their cruise due to the change; however, they'll be sorry if they miss the opportunity to explore Coco Cay, err... we mean Little Stirrup Cay.

Image: Carnival Fascination

Norwegian Breakaway: This Beauty Floats!

The long wait is almost over for Norwegian Cruise Line and it won’t be long before this beauty is all theirs.

The largest ship ever constructed in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway was floated out of shipbuilder Meyer Werft’s covered building dock II yesterday morning in Papenburg, Germany where the 146,600-ton ship has been under construction since September 2011. At approximately 7 am (Germany time), the massive 4,000 passenger ship with her signature hull artwork designed by pop icon Peter Max, departed building dock II bow first—an unusual, but not unprecedented positioning. Norwegian Breakaway has an overall length of 324 meters (1,063 feet), and is 39.70 meters (130 feet) wide. The ship’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction as it denotes that the ship has now moved into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place in just 58 days.

“Norwegian Breakaway represents a significant achievement both for Meyer Werft and Norwegian Cruise Line in terms of innovation and design,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer. “Celebrating her float out today brings us closer to her much-anticipated delivery on April 25 when she will make her debut in Europe before arriving in her homeport of New York City on May 7. We can’t wait.”

“This new vessel is a further milestone for us. Its construction complies with the latest safety standards, and the ship meets all valid environmental regulations. Beyond that Norwegian Breakaway includes a lot of unique design elements and technical innovations,” said Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of Meyer Werft.

Following the float out, tests were carried out in the harbor and the ship was berthed alongside the yard's outfitting pier. On March 4, the first crew members will move into their staterooms on board, and begin to familiarize themselves with the ship, readying her for guests. Norwegian Breakaway's conveyance down the river Ems towards the North Sea, where she will prove her seaworthiness, is scheduled for March 10 (weather permitting).

Norwegian Breakaway - Ready for Float Out

Float Out Norwegian Breakaway at Meyer Werft

For information on the incredible features and accommodations on Norwegian Breakaway, visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway micro-site and these links on the Cruise Diva Blog:

· Norwegian Cruise Line Begins “Project Breakaway” Reveal
· Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces “The Haven”
· “The Haven” by Norwegian: Posh Accommodations For Project Breakaway
· Norwegian Breaks Out More Project Breakaway Accommodations
· Innovative Spaces Planned For Norwegian’s Norwegian Breakaway
· Norwegian Breakaway Is Set To Be A Teen-Pleaser
· Dining and Entertainment Options for Norwegian Breakaway
· Norwegian Breakaway’s Hull Artwork Unveiled
· NYC’s Iconic Rockettes Named As Norwegian Breakaway Godmothers
· Norwegian Breakaway to Feature Cutting-Edge Spa & Fitness Experiences
· Norwegian Breakaway to Put NYC on Ice
· Norwegian Breakaway will Light Up the Night with Fireworks Shows
· Norwegian Breakaway Gets A New “Boss”

Images Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean Casts Kristin Chenoweth In Her Latest Role As Quantum of the Seas Godmother

Royal Caribbean certainly made a splash on Sunday night during the televised Academy Awards show when they used a red carpet-inspired commercial to announce that Emmy and Tony award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth will act as godmother to the line's next new cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.

To say that the announcement was presented in an unconventional way is something of an understatement. Cruise lines traditionally build up to the launch of a new ship with "reveals" that tease consumers with the ships' most outstanding features and save the announcement of a godmother until shortly before the final reveal of the ship itself. Thus far, all Royal Caribbean has "revealed" for Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas (her sister-ship) are basics—general size and anticipated inaugural dates. It was just earlier this month that steel was cut to begin construction, Royal Caribbean Marks Construction Milestone & Names Project Sunshine Ships.

We have to give the cruise line credit, the commercial was an attention getting—and flashy move. Chosen for her effervescent personality and ability to wow audiences, Royal Caribbean says Chenoweth's versatile range of roles made her a natural fit, given that Quantum of the Seas is poised to introduce unprecedented experiences and amenities. We'd just like to hear more about them.

"I am so excited to be named godmother of Royal Caribbean International's newest ship, Quantum of the Seas. I have been lucky to play many roles and I am looking forward to this one," stated Kristin Chenoweth. "I think the Royal Caribbean brand is the perfect match for me, especially with their history of providing exceptional entertainment experiences to their guests."

The Quantum class of ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, will build upon Royal Caribbean's legacy of revolutionary ship design and bold innovation. At 158,000 gross registered tons (GRT) and with a capacity of 4,100 guests based on double occupancy, the ships will debut in fall 2014 and spring 2015, respectively.

Video Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Documents Holder Becomes A Treasured Keepsake

The days when nearly every cruise line provided some sort of document holder are long gone for the most part, but Regent Seven Seas Cruises is among the few luxury lines that continue the tradition. Regent, The Most Inclusive Luxury Cruise Experience™, has unveiled its new guest documentation holder and it’s a keeper. The new holder, which is soft, brown faux leather, snaps with a magnetic closure and features the Regent Seven Seas Cruises logo embossed on the front cover.

The keepsake holder arrives with a personalized Final Cruise Summary tailored specifically to the guest’s experience containing all reservation information for their cruise such as shore excursions, flight details, pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and land programs and any other supplemental items booked. It also contains special Regent Seven Seas Cruises luggage tags and the new “Welcome Aboard” pamphlet detailing onboard activities specific to the ship the guest is sailing on.

But the best part? The new documentation package can be used to hold a tablet such as an iPad, Kindle, or Nook during and after the cruise.

“Regent Seven Seas Cruises is dedicated to offering guests an unparalleled luxury experience that begins from the moment of booking and carries through each customer touch point, including when they receive their pre-cruise documentation,” said Randall Soy, the line’s executive vice president. “This one-of-a-kind keepsake holder provides everything the guest needs to start their dream vacation and gives them the perfect memento to remember their experience for years to come.”

Guests will receive the new documentation holder with February 2013 voyages and beyond. I must say, I really want one myself! To get yours, check out the Regent Seven Seas website and book your next cruise.

Image Courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises

New Ports, New Itineraries & the Return of Insignia to Highlight Oceania Cruises’ 2014 Collection

With a high ratio of the deluxe cruise line’s repeat passengers who’ve “been there and done that” and are looking for new destinations, the latest news from Oceania Cruises presents them with numerous options from which to choose. The line’s 2014 Summer Collection promises 90 voyages, 10 new ports of call, an almost entirely new line-up of European itineraries. Additionally, Oceania has unveiled the highly anticipated return of Insignia to the fleet upon completion of her charter.

Oceania’s five ships—Riviera, Marina, Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica—will sail to more than 180 destinations throughout the world. The 2014 cruise collection features 70 European cruises, 93 percent of which are new itineraries, plus 10 Alaska voyages, seven all-new Canada/New England cruises, and three Panama Canal voyages. All summer voyages feature two-for-one cruise fares and free airfare with additional bonus savings of up to $3,500 per stateroom if booked by August 31, 2013. Bookings for the 2014 Summer Collection made by May 31, 2013, also offer the added value of free pre-paid gratuities.

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Riviera, will spend the entire summer in the Mediterranean on a series of 7-, 10- and 14-day cruises, sailing from as far west as Barcelona and the French Riviera, through Italy and Greece, to as far east as the Black Sea. Riviera ends the season with a transoceanic voyage to Miami.

Marina begins the European season in June 2014 with a series of cruises in Scandinavia, Russia, and the British Isles, several of which feature the popular two-night stays in St. Petersburg. Marina spends the second half of the season in the Mediterranean, culminating with a transoceanic voyage from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro.

Beginning in May 2014, Nautica will sail the Western Mediterranean and then head north to Scandinavia, Russia and the British Isles. Featured itineraries include two back-to-back 20-day voyages: Viking Odyssey, which explores Greenland and Iceland as well as Scotland and Ireland, and Path of the Midnight Sun, which ventures as far north as the Polar Ice Barrier.

After a two-year charter, Insignia returns to the fleet in May 2014 with cruises throughout the Mediterranean and three voyages that call on cities such as Bilbao, Lisbon, and Bordeaux along the Atlantic coasts of Spain, Portugal, and France. The season also features more visits to the Dalmatian Coast, including Insignia’s Adriatic Medley sailing, which stops in Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia.

New ports in Europe include Tirana (Durrës), Albania; Antibes, France; Hamburg (Bremerhaven), Germany; Chania (Crete), Kos and Syros, Greece; Ullapool, Scotland; Lysekil, Sweden; and Milford Haven, Wales.

Closer to home, Regatta begins and ends the Alaska season with voyages through the Panama Canal. There are a total of 10 sailings in Alaska, including four new itineraries and several cruises sailing roundtrip from Seattle. Travelers also get a sneak peek at the winter season with the early release of the new 24-day Amazon Odyssey sailing, departing from Miami on Nov 4, 2014.

Both Regatta and Insignia will offer seven autumn cruises along the Eastern Seaboard, the most in Oceania Cruises’ history. Voyages such as Capitals & Coastlines, 10-day sailings between New York and Montreal onboard Regatta and Insignia, will stop in some of the most beautiful places in New England and Canada, including new port of call Saguenay, Quebec, at the most stunning time of year.

Image Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Miss Belgium Noémie Happart to Christen New Vantage River Cruising Ship

Vantage Deluxe World Travel will officially launch their new river cruising vessel, ms River Splendor on March 14th at a grand inaugural event in Antwerp, Belgium. Miss Belgium Noémie Happart will serve as the godmother of the ms River Splendor in a traditional naming ceremony in which the godmother breaks a “christening fluid” or bottle of champagne over the vessel, officially declaring it named, blessed and ready to sail. Noémie Happart, from Grace-Hollogne in the province of Liege, became Miss Belgium earlier this year and will go on to represent Belgium at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants later this year.

The new vessel is part of a $120 million fleet investment program, which will double Vantage’s river cruising fleet by 2014. The new ship offers intimate cruising for no more than 176 passengers, single staterooms and single seating dining options as well as larger staterooms with French balconies and wi-fi throughout the ship. This launch follows the successful inaugural season of the ms River Discovery II, which launched in March 2012. In addition to enhanced amenities, passengers can choose from new itineraries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, a new Grand River voyage in France, and revamped itineraries in Portugal and Russia.

The celebratory christening along the port of Antwerp, in Belgium will include live music, toasts and speeches from Vantage management followed by a three-course dinner aboard the new ms River Splendor for over 200 guests. The following day, the ms River Splendor will depart on a four-day inaugural voyage along the Rhine River to Amsterdam. While Cruise Diva has been devoted to sharing information about ocean cruises for two decades, Mel and I will be on board for the inaugural to experience a brand new style of cruising for us, so watch for our reports and photos next month.

“Vantage has been building vessels in central Europe for 30 years and our friends in The Netherlands and Belgium have always been gracious and hospitable,” says Vantage COO Kevin Wallace. “Our Waterways of Holland & Belgium trip continues to be one of the most popular in our portfolio and we could not be more excited to welcome Miss Belgium Noémie Happart as our godmother on March 14th to help us celebrate our fleet expansion.”

Designed with the American traveler in mind, the 442 ft. ms River Splendor will offer luxury amenities and the best crew-to-passenger ratios in the industry, says Wallace. “Our extensive selection of river cruise itineraries is really changing the way travelers experience all corners of Europe.”

Image Courtesy of Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Royal Caribbean & Coca-Cola Make a Perfect Freestyle Blend For Passengers

Certain Royal Caribbean ships now feature Coca-Cola's new Freestyle Machine, demonstrated in the video below. With basic soft drinks that guests can blend with flavors to their hearts' content to create 100+ variations, it's an innovation that provides the best beverage package at sea. A chip embedded in the souvenir glass that comes with the purchase of a soda package allows the use of the machines at no additional charge.

Not to be confused with "Freestyle" cruising (that would be another cruise line), the machines were named by the Coca-Cola Company.

New Cruise Review: Celebrity Reflection

Join avid cruisers and frequent Cruise Diva contributors Mary and Vincent Finelli on their 99th cruise aboard the newest ship in Celebrity Cruises' fleet, Celebrity Reflection.

Yes, you read that right...their next cruise will be their 100th. As Vincent relates, "This was our 99th cruise and another good one, since we have never had a bad one yet. However, it was not as good as the other cruises we had on the Celebrity ships. We always had fantastic cruises on Celebrity, thus our expectation for this one was also high. Although this was a good cruise, it did not meet our expectation."

Image Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Windstar Cruises to Expand Fleet with Trio of Seabourn Ships & Seabourn Will Add a Newbuild

Rumor had it that Windstar Cruises has been looking for vessels to expand its fleet and the one most often mentioned in that regard was the Club Med ship that is a twin of the line’s Wind Surf. So, the announcement by Seabourn that the sale of the line’s original three vessels Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit, and Seabourn Legend to Xanterra Parks & Resorts(®), owner of Windstar Cruises, came as something of a surprise.

There will be no disruption in service or changes in operations on any currently published Seabourn voyages. Seabourn Pride will be transferred after its published schedule ends in April, 2014. The Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will be transferred to Windstar in April 2015 and May 2015, respectively.

Under the project name Global Windstar, the expansion will double the size of Windstar’s recently renovated, three luxury sailing yacht fleet, making the company the market leader in small-ship cruising with 300 or fewer passengers, with a total of 1,230 berths.

“Windstar Cruises has experienced four straight years of revenue growth. This expansion is the perfect way to build on the momentum following our recent fleet-wide renovation, providing us with the much needed capacity to match the accelerating demand for our intimate style of yacht cruising,” said Andy Todd, chief executive officer of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, owner of Windstar Cruises. “Global Windstar enables us to extend our unique small-ship experience throughout the world.”

After Seabourn Pride enters the fleet in the Mediterranean in April 2014 the ship will receive a Windstar branded renovation, which will give the ship a new name and casually elegant look, the Pride with set sail a month later in May 2014; voyages are expected to go on sale in May of this year. The other two yachts are scheduled to start sailing in May of 2015 following their dry-dock period.

“Windstar is proud of its heritage in sailing, but what our guests are most enthusiastic about is our intimate, yacht style of cruising. This style is the core of our brand experience and the new ships are a perfect fit to build on that foundation,” added Hans Birkholz, chief executive officer of Windstar Cruises.

The fleet expansion will provide Windstar Cruises access to new destinations such as Asia and South America, in addition to the fifty countries the company already sails to. Known for visiting hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world, Windstar will continue to focus on the unique destinations that large ships cannot call on. The opportunities of Global Windstar are already evident with the recent announcement of Windstar’s return to Tahiti in May of 2014. Tahiti has been one of the top destinations requested by Windstar guests and travel partners.

Seabourn Cruises states that during the transition, the luxury line is fully committed to continuing to deliver its award-winning standards on Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit, and Seabourn Legend, and providing its clientele with the ultra-luxury service and onboard product they have come to expect.

“Seabourn remains dedicated to our mission of creating the world’s finest travel experiences through our small-ship cruising product,” said Seabourn president Richard Meadows. “Our three newest vessels, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, and Seabourn Quest have raised the bar for ultra-luxury cruising and we intend to add a fourth ship of similar design,” he continued. “Seabourn is already in discussion with shipbuilders and an order is likely to be announced within the current fiscal year. The new ship will allow Seabourn to maintain much of its current guest capacity.”

Image Courtesy of Seabourn Cruises

Emergency Planning For Your Cruise Vacation

After living in an area of Louisiana prone to flooding and hurricanes, we learned to plan for emergencies, including loss of electric power and, on occasion, no water.

The pantry staples in our home included canned foods (and a manual can opener), flashlights and spare batteries, as well as plenty of bottled water. When storms were on the horizon we didn’t have to rush to the store, we were prepared with a supply of medications, some cash on hand, and plenty of gas in our vehicles—we learned never let the tanks get less than half full.

The habit of keeping a flashlight in our car came in handy last year when we arrived in Fort Lauderdale just as the area was feeling the full brunt of Hurricane Sandy passing offshore. Our hotel lost power for several hours shortly after we arrived and that flashlight came in handy, as did the bottles of water and snacks we also carry on road trips—restaurants in the area were also without power and we were thirsty and hungry. In our luggage was an ample amount of prescription medication that would last not only for the duration of our upcoming cruise on Holland America Line’s Eurodam, but also a few extra days.

Most of us don’t like to think that anything like the fire and stranded-at-sea conditions aboard Carnival Triumph that took place last week will happen to us, but it could. Like they say in football, the best offense is a good defense and these tips will help you get through an emergency.

• Travel with a passport. Carnival Triumph was on a closed-loop sailing and passengers weren’t required to have passports—900 of them didn’t have one and if the ship had been towed to Mexico, that situation would have made their re-entry into the United States tricky.
• Have a copy of your passport on hand just in case yours is lost or stolen. Keep it separate from the actual passport.
• Pack enough prescription medication to last for the trip and at least a few extra days. This is particularly important when travelling internationally, or on every cruise.
• Consider packing a small bottle of antibacterial soap for when times when the water available is questionable.
• Always have a small container of waterless hand sanitizer handy.
• Bottled water and snacks—power bars or even chips—can help you over rough patches.
• A small first aid kit with at least a few bandages and antiseptic cream is a must.
• A flashlight can be a lifesaver in emergency situations, especially on a dark ship.

Those suggestions may seem simply like common sense, but it’s surprising how many travelers leave their common sense at home when they depart on a vacation.

Royal Caribbean Changes Gratuity Policy

On March 1, 2013, Royal Caribbean International is changing its recommended gratuity guidelines. Automatic tips of $12 a day per person, per day for guests in standard accommodations, and $14.25 per person, per day for those in suites, will be be automatically added to passengers' SeaPass accounts each day. Gratuities will be distributed to dining staff, stateroom attendants, and housekeeping personnel.

Royal Caribbean states that the new automatic gratuity policy is based on current industry standards. The previous recommended amount was a total of $11.65 per day, per person, or $13.90 for those accommodated in suites. Passengers could previously pay by charging gratuities to their onboard account or in cash.

Gratuities may be adjusted according to the level of service passengers feel they received while on board.

The new policy only applies to passengers who have not prepaid gratuities before February 28, 2013; passengers who prepaid their tips when booking their cruise will not be charged in this manner.

Norwegian Cruise Line Expands Bermuda Shore Excursions

With its newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, launching cruises from New York City this May, Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its tour offerings in Bermuda. The line has added several new excursions that are available only to guests on Norwegian Breakaway, as well as a number of excursions for guests on both Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Dawn, sailing from Boston to Bermuda. The new tour options add to Norwegian’s extensive shore excursion program, which offers guests more than 30 unique Bermuda excursions.

The new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will sail a series of 22 seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda beginning May 12, 2013 through Oct 6, 2013. Departing on Sundays, the ship will spend three full days in Bermuda, along with three days at sea.

New 2013 Bermuda Shore Excursions Exclusive to Norwegian Breakaway

Private Boat Tour with Captain: Guests can explore Bermuda at their own pace with this half day adventure for the whole family. Sailors will enjoy the privacy of their own boat, and the freedom of exploring at their own pace on this half day motor boat charter. A captain will navigate the hidden treasures and beautiful scenery that Bermuda has to offer.

Night Snorkel: Experience Bermuda in a way that few others have—under the sea and under the moonlight. Guests will be equipped with snorkel gear and an undersea dive light to explore the island’s underwater life during the night. Snorkelers can expect to see a variety of sea creatures that only venture out after dark and will be in awe of the vast variety of coral formations that come to life by the shine of a light. 

Wildcat Island Tour & St George's: Join an exciting adventure to the old town of St. George's aboard Bermuda's spectacular tour sensation, the WildCat! This Adventure comes complete with an entertaining narrated tour of the Island's historic sites and other points of interest, and also includes a stop in the old town, allowing guests time to walk around at their leisure and explore the historical sites and scenery.

Railway Trail Bike & Beach Tour: Guests can maximize their time in Bermuda on this great combination tour. First, enjoy sight-seeing the rural West End of the island during a short shuttle to Somerset Island. After receiving instruction on riding and safety, explorers will begin their guided cycle tour along the original Bermuda Railway Trail. During the bike ride, a guide will stop at various points of interest, highlighting the spectacular scenery along the trail. Time permitting, guests will also have the opportunity to hike up to the historic Fort Scaur or visit the sprawling 17th century Mott Family estate. After the ride, riders can cool off with a refreshing swim at one of the island’s beautiful beaches and enjoy a complimentary beverage.

Night Fishing: For an evening of unforgettable adventure, guests can head out on the “Jolly Roger,” Bermuda’s family-friendly fishing adventure boat, and enjoy night fishing on the island’s barrier reef. Once onboard, anglers will enjoy a sunset ride through Bermuda’s pristine inshore waters to reach the fishing grounds. They’ll be provided with light spinning tackle, bait and any instruction they may need to hook into some snappers, triggerfish, jacks or any other of the countless species of nocturnal reef dwellers that abound Bermuda’s waters. The only thing needed for this excursion is some enthusiasm and a little luck—the captain and crew will take care of the rest for a memorable and exciting trip.

The following tours are available to guests on Norwegian Breakaway & Norwegian Dawn

Dolphin Encounter: Enjoy spending time with one of the ocean’s most playful and friendly creatures, the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin. This encounter includes 45 minutes of interaction, in both shallow and deep-water. Guests will have the opportunity to touch, swim alongside and even receive a “kiss” from these incredible marine mammals. Tour price also includes admission to the Maritime Museum, featuring treasures and historical highlights of the island’s storied nautical past.

Island Fever Theatre Show: The Island Fever Show offers a professionally-choreographed stage show that highlights Bermuda’s rich musical and cultural heritage. Guests can choose from traditional theatre style seats, or a more casual café-style seating to enjoy the show. The costuming and stage sets reflect the vivid colors and tropical feel of the island and is set under an 8,000 square foot tent located right in the Royal Naval Dockyards, within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal. 

West End, Bermuda Underwater Explorations Institute & Hamilton Tour: Enjoy spectacular views of the North Shore and the Great Sound during this half-day guided driving tour. The tour begins with a crossing over Somerset Bridge, reputed to be the smallest drawbridge ever built. Next, guests can stop for pictures at the island’s famous Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse and view one of Bermuda’s famous pink sand beaches. The tour continues on to the Bermuda Underwater Explorations Institute (BUEI), showcasing the island’s rich underwater history. Visit the Shipwreck Gallery and discover a world of treasures, from cannons to clay jars all pulled from shipwrecks found in the deep waters around the island. The tour ends in Hamilton at the Ferry Depot, where guests can browse the famed Front Street Shops.

Discover Stand Up Paddleboarding: Experience Bermuda by sea while enjoying the world's fastest growing water sport—stand up paddleboarding. Guests will learn how to stand up and maneuver their board from professional instructors before starting off on a journey around the coastal waterways. Knowledgeable guides will showcase the island’s flora and fauna and teach boarders about Bermuda's unique ecosystem. After the tour ends, guests can cool off at a local beach and enjoy a complimentary beverage.

All 2013 Bermuda shore excursions are currently available for pre-booking by calling Norwegian’s reservations team at 1-888-NCL-CRUISE or by logging on to NCL.com. As many tours fill up quickly, guests are encouraged to make selections as early as possible.

Bermuda Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Houston Airport System Opens Arms to Welcome Carnival Truimph Passengers Back to Texas

In a Texas-sized welcome, the Houston Airport System served the needs of hundreds of Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Triumph passengers who flew into George Bush Intercontinental Airport on chartered flights operated by Delta Air Lines. The flight operations were managed by a team of aviation professionals who created a plan on February 14 to offer a warm and seamless arrival to ease the processing.

"The Houston Airport System is happy to assist out partner Delta Air Lines with a smooth transition of the many passengers making their way home from the Carnival Triumph," said Lance Lyttle, Houston Airport System Chief Operating Officer. "We provided water, refreshments, comfort stations and coloring books with crayons to children. They boarded buses while here at Intercontinental and either continued on to Galveston at the port to retrieve their vehicles or were greeted by family in the baggage claim area."

Dozens of HAS employees were on site on the cargo tarmac, curb side of Terminal A, and working behind the scenes to ensure seamless arrival as passengers claimed bags, reconnected with loved ones, and continued to their final journey home. The Houston Airport System assigned a large team of employees who devoted their entire day to the details to facilitate a smooth operation for the cruise travelers to expedite their movement into IAH. The plan handled an average of one jet every hour between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The inbound flights deplaned on a cargo ramp and the passengers boarded buses to transport them to the terminal.

About Houston Airport System: The Houston Airport System served 50 million passengers in 2012. Houston's three airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) contribute over $27 billion to the regional economy. Visit Fly2Houston.com for more information about Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Image: Delta Airlines