Royal Caribbean Expands Allure of the Seas’ Inaugural Season

There’s going to be a bit more Allure in the Caribbean this year. Vacationers can experience the world’s newest, largest and most innovative cruise ship even earlier aboard Allure of the Seas, featuring the widest array of onboard amenities only found on an Oasis-class ship. Royal Caribbean has announced the expansion of Allure of the Seas’ inaugural season with a special 4-night cruise, departing Port Everglades on Dec 1, 2010. The special itinerary will feature two days at sea and a call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean private beach destination on the northern coast of Haiti.

Guests booked on the Dec 5 inaugural 7-night voyage have until April 30, 2010, to choose to be re-accommodated in the same stateroom on the new cruise. Any price difference will be adjusted on their booking. Additionally, these guests will receive $100 onboard credit per stateroom when adding the new 4-night cruise to their existing Dec 5 booking for an 11-night grand western Caribbean adventure.

Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will feature Royal Caribbean’s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean 7-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Additional information is available at AllureoftheSeas.com.

Carnival’s New ‘Chef’s Table’ Offers Exquisite Culinary Experience

Carnival Cruise Lines is introducing an exciting new fine dining option for its guests–The Chef’s Table. Launched as a pilot program aboard the Carnival Dream and Carnival Ecstasy last year and currently being rolled out to six other ships, this one-of-a-kind culinary experience includes an exquisite multi-course dinner hosted by one of the line’s master chefs along with a private cocktail reception and a personalized tour of the galley.

With The Chef’s Table, a select group of 12 guests enjoy cocktails and hors d’ouevres hosted by the ship’s chef de cuisine. The chef then takes the group on a personalized tour to see the galley in operation, providing participants with a unique perspective on Carnival’s extensive food and beverage operations. The evening concludes with a sumptuous full-service dinner with delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts created by the line’s master chefs. Depending on the vessel, the meal takes place in non-traditional dining venues throughout the ship–the galley (as pictured above), library, conference center, etc.

The Chef’s Table program is being rolled out to the following six ships over the next several weeks: Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Pride, and Carnival Fascination. The program can be booked on board through the ships’ guest information desk. The cost is $75 per person.

Carnival Sensation: NO Bomb On Board

Common sense dictates that you don't yell fire in a crowded theater, nor do you argue about the speed of your vehicle when stopped by a traffic cop. You also want to avoid making jokes about bombs in front of TSA officials at airport security and, now, you don't want to similarly threaten a cruise ship with a hidden bomb.

Ibrahim Khalil Zarou, of Leesburg, Virginia., posted a $10,000 bond last Sunday after being charged with making a false report about planting a bomb aboard Carnival Sensation. It turned out to be a hoax, possibly fueled by excess alcohol consumption, but it did reveal that authorities have a plan to set in motion in case of such incidents.

After the threat was reported at about 4am on Sunday morning, the ship's crew conducted a search. When US Coast Guard, FBI agents, and other law enforcement officials arrived on the scene later, a second search turned up nothing. When it was deemed safe, the ship was allowed to dock in Port Canaveral, about five hours after its scheduled arrival time.

No doubt there were many among the 3,470 passengers on board who missed their flights home as a result. Perhaps instead of arresting the perp, the police should have turned him over to the angry passengers for punishment. In any event, we hope he's learned not to even joke about bombs under such circumstances. We'd also like to see him have to reimburse all the passengers for the fees they incurred due to the necessity of rebooking their flights.

Sixthman Sails With A Beat & Announces Lynyrd Skynyrd Simple Man Cruise 2011

Affinity travel group Sixthman connects passionate music lovers with the artists and bands they love as well as the ones they have yet to discover. With the goal of breaking down walls between their artists, fans, and partners, they invent unique cruise experiences. And they are preparing for a very busy year by adding some awesome performers and activities.

VH1 Best Cruise Ever (April 15-19, 2010): The Trailer Park Ninjas have been added - they'll be partying on the promenade with the guests! 3 Doors Down have donated two Gibson guitars for raffle and auction on the ship, proceeds from which will go to charity.

Kid Rock Chillin' the Most Cruise (April 29-May 3, 2010): Infamous debaucher Mickey Avalon will join Kid Rock at sea, along with Pop Evil, Leroy Powell, Detroit rapper and Kid Rock's protégé Paradime, Ty Stone, G'n'R tribute Appetite for Destruction, Yacht Rock Revue, and Scott Munns.

Sailing Southern Ground (Sept 2-6, 2010): If Zac Brown Band's guests haven't heard The Wood Brothers (Chris Wood from MMW and his brother) yet, they'll be in for a treat when this band takes the stage on the cruise. Also joining ZBB and friends are Atlanta's Yacht Rock Revue and songsmith Darrell Scott.

The Elvis Cruise (Nov 4-8, 2010): We'll soon be announcing the addition of one of Elvis' movie co-stars, and we'll have performers from the new Vegas-based Elvis Presley Cirque de Soleil show with us on board!

The Rock Boat XI (Jan 6-10, 2011): Pete Francis and Needtobreathe have been added to the lineup for the eleventh Rock Boat!

Lynyrd Skynyrd Simple Man Cruise 2011: On January 20, 2011, Sixthman and Lynyrd Skynyrd will host Simple Man Cruise 2011; this is the fifth voyage of this nautical Southern rock festival. The Carnival Inspiration will take Skynyrd and friends on a 4-day Caribbean cruise from Tampa to Grand Cayman, returning on Jan 24, 2011.

On Simple Man 2010, guests enjoyed unforgettable performances by Skynyrd, .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Blackberry Smoke, and more. There were also fun events like a men's wet t-shirt contest and a belly flop competition. 2011 promises to deliver that much fun and more. Sixthman owner Andy Levine says, "We're proud to work with Lynyrd Skynyrd one more time, bringing the ultimate southern rock party to the high seas, for the fifth year in a row." Sixthman's first Simple Man cruise in 2007 was such a hit that fans have been returning year after year, and the artists love coming back to play for the most loyal audiences in the country. Lynyrd Skynyrd will take a break from cruising for a while after Simple Man 2011, so visit simplemancruise.com and book your cabins now for this rare opportunity.

Cruise Travel: The ABCs

One of the first things we all learn in school is the alphabet, the foundation for all learning that is to follow. In cruise travel, it's much the same. However, many cruise passengers start out with "C" for Caribbean and advance to "A" for Alaska and "B" for Bermuda.

The Caribbean is a frequent choice of first-time cruisers, accessible year-round and with a wide variety of ships and itineraries available. On the other hand, Alaska and Bermuda are seasonal, with fewer ships and homeports to choose from and are often looked upon as a "move up" cruise. They take just a bit more planning, but are worth it for the diversity of experiences available in both regions. In Alaska, you'll encounter magnificent scenery and the thrill of spotting wildlife; Bermuda is notable for pink-sand beaches and warm hospitality.

To help make your choices, Cruise Diva goes ashore to profile the things to do in ports of call in:

Alaska -- Today’s Alaska cruises offer a little something for every lifestyle, from small excursion vessels offering casual informality and soft adventure to megaships with a dazzling array of activities and options.

Bermuda -- Probably the most popular misconception about Bermuda is that it’s a Caribbean island. It isn’t.

Caribbean -- Sparkling turquoise water, stretches of sandy beach, and the beat of a steel drum band are just the main ingredients of a Caribbean cruise.

To delve even deeper into the ABCs of cruise travel, Cruise Diva suggests the following reading assignments:

Fodor's Alaska Ports of Call
Fodor's Bermuda
Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call
The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises

NCL Offers a "Power Hour" of Savings Before Fares Increase on April 2

Norwegian Cruise Line is giving travel partners and customers an extra hour to book a cruise vacation before the line implements its largest rate increase in company history with prices going up by as much as seven percent fleet-wide on Friday, April 2, 2010. The company’s call center will stay open until 1:00am the morning of the increase giving everyone a last chance to book current pricing on the line’s 10 Freestyle Cruising ships along with its newest and largest ship, Norwegian Epic.

Price increases will take effect on more than 125,000 rates across the fleet on every ship and every sail date through 2012. For instance, a 7-day Hawaii cruise on Pride of America will go up from $1,389 to $1,489; a 12-day cruise on Norwegian Sun through the Baltic will rise from $3,099 to $3,319; and a 7-day Alaskan vacation on Norwegian Pearl will change from $1,699 to $1,819. Prices are based on double occupancy in a balcony stateroom.

For more information on Norwegian or to book a cruise now, call 866-234-7350, visit NCL.com, or phone a travel professional.

Exploring South America’s “Other” Coast, A Silver Spirit Voyage

Of South America’s two spectacularly long coasts, the east, Atlantic Ocean coast, generally gets the lion’s share of attention from travelers. After all, it has such fabulous cities as Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, opportunities to visit its Caribbean ports like Cartagena and to seek adventure on the Amazon—to name just a few of its golden attributes.

But the west coast of South America offers treasure as well. Join Georgina Cruz as she Explores South America’s “Other” Coast aboard Silversea Cruises' new Silver Spirit.

“Deadliest Catch” Captain Keith Colburn to Sail on Holland America Line's Zaandam

One of the most appealing aspects of any cruise is the food. Another is learning about food, as I did last year on my Holland America cruise aboard Westerdam when guest chef Chris Salans introduced us to “The Flavors of Bali.” The Culinary Arts Center on each Holland America Line ship provides guests on select cruises the opportunity to experience demonstrations and hands-on classes conducted by top chefs, wine experts, and leading cookbook authors.

This summer, Captain Keith Colburn of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” series (pictured above) is scheduled to sail as part of the guest-enrichment program on the June 18, 2010, Alaskan Explorer Voyage aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam. The 7-day cruise sails round-trip from Seattle, and calls at Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, BC, Canada. During his cruise, Colburn will share his expertise on how to select, crack, and clean fresh crab, while Holland America Line’s executive chef demonstrates different ways to prepare and serve this delectable Alaska seafood favorite. Colburn is one of more than 65 celebrated chefs and wine experts scheduled to sail in 2010 and share their expertise in the line's Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine.

Colburn started as a true greenhorn on an Alaskan crabber in 1985. The fishing lifestyle, along with working in and against the elements, captured him immediately. While initially looking only for adventure in Alaska’s unknown waters, Colburn found something unexpected: a career. In 1988, he became a full-share deck hand on the Wizard, and in 1992 he received his master’s license and has since remained as captain of the vessel that he eventually purchased. Viewers of“Deadliest Catch” follow the captains and crew of crab-fishing vessels in the Bering Sea as they struggle against treacherous weather conditions to perform one of the deadliest—and most lucrative—jobs in the world.

Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center is featured on each of the line’s 14 ships. A first-class “show kitchen at sea,” the Culinary Arts Centers presented by Food & Wine magazine resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. The facilities offer demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes aboard every Holland America Line sailing. Each facility features a theater-style venue, with two large plasma video screens and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from and interact with the masters. On cruises that do not have a celebrity chef on board, hands-on classes and demonstrations in the show kitchen are scheduled with Holland America Line’s own expert chefs. For a full schedule of Holland America Line’s culinary guest program, visit HollandAmerica.com and click on the Culinary Arts Center tab.

Today's Passport Day Can Help US Citizens Save Before Fee Increases

All 23 regional passport offices will be open to the public today in honor of "Passport Day in the USA." Any citizen in need of a passport can walk into any of these 23 offices without an appointment between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The timing of this event is particularly beneficial to American citizens as it occurs before passport fees are likely to increase later this spring. The U.S. State Department formally announced on Feb 9, 2010 its proposal to increase U.S. passport fees in order to fully recover its costs for producing these travel documents. The State Department said it intends to implement its proposed new fees as soon as practicable after it reviews public comments, but certainly not before April.

A summary of some of the proposed fee increases for both the passport book and card are as follows:

-- First-time Passport Book for Adult - Increasing from $100 to $135
-- Renewal Passport Book for Adult - Increasing from $75 to $110
-- Passport Book for Minors - Increases from $60 to $105
-- Passport Card for Adult - From $20 to $30
-- Passport Card for Minors - From $10 to $15

A list of passport office locations can be found at travel.state.gov/passport/passport_4312.html.

Carnival Cruise Lines Fun Is Coming To Charleston

Carnival Cruise Lines, which will launch Charleston, South Carolina’s first year-round cruise program this spring is coming to town on Saturday, March 27th to offer the largest outdoor attraction at the Cooper River Bridge Run Festival—a gigantic 40-foot-high inflatable slide.

Jumbo-sized slides are a signature element of Carnival’s “Fun Ships” and the cruise line is bringing its own version of this fun attraction to the Cooper River Bridge Run Finish Festival to commemorate the Carnival Fantasy’s new year-round service from Charleston beginning May 18th.

Carnival will be donating $1 to the MUSC Children’s Hospital for every rider who goes down the slide, with a total donation of up to $5,000. The fun begins directly after the Cooper River Bridge Run at the Finish Line in Marion Square Park, Charleston.

Carnival Fantasy will operate 5-, 6-, and 7-day Bahamas/Key West cruises from Charleston, carrying an estimated 140,000 passengers annually from the port.

For additional information on the Cooper River Bridge Run visit www.bridgerun.com. Additional information on Carnival’s Charleston-based cruises is available at www.carnival.com/charleston.

In Just A Week: Fare Increases For Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Time is running out on the opportunity to take advantage of Regent Seven Seas Cruises' savings offers of 2-for-1 fares plus additional bonus savings of up to $1,000 per guest. After March 31, 2010, prices will be increasing on many of their 2010 voyages and, while you will still be able to enjoy free unlimited shore excursions and free air, you'll have to book by next Wednesday to ensure the suite of your choice at 2-for-1 rates, as some suite categories are already full.

Visit RSSC.com now and find the perfect sailing to experience the most all-inclusive luxury cruise available. This is cruising as it was meant to be–everything is included, without exception and without compromise. Personal service soars into the sublime aboard the elegant Regent ships, liberating you to fulfill your wishes and explore exciting new places in complete and absolute comfort. Indulge in world-class cuisine. Trust that your voyage will be enlightening in ways you never imagined. Sail on a fully-refurbished fleet of ships in all-suite style. Be pampered in the new Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Experience the award-winning service which has earned top honors for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises promises an extraordinary experience with:

• Included Roundtrip Air
• Included Unlimited Shore Excursions
• Complimentary beverages including fine wines, beer, premium spirits, soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees, and tea served throughout the ship
• Complimentary in-suite mini-bar replenished daily with beer, soft drinks, and bottled water
• All staff gratuities included

Go ahead and enjoy... it's all included.

For 2011, Royal Caribbean Will Be A BIG Presence in Europe

There's going to be a lot more Royal Caribbean to like in Europe next year. As their fleet goes even more international, the cruise line’s 2011 Europe cruise and cruisetour season promises to be its biggest ever European-wide deployment with 10 ships slated to sail Baltic and Mediterranean waters. The 2011 European fleet will see an increase from eight ships in 2010 and offer 109 unique itineraries, ranging from 3- to 15-nights and visiting 27 countries, and 78 ports. Two ships, Liberty of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas,will sail their maiden Europe seasons from Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, respectively. Independence of the Seas will continue its year-round service from Southampton, U.K. and, with Liberty of the Seas, makes two Freedom-class ships to sail European waters as the largest and most innovative cruise ships in the region. Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Splendour of the Seas will sail a variety of Mediterranean itineraries, while Jewel of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will ply the Baltic and North seas. Most 2011 Royal Caribbean International Europe cruises and cruisetours are now open for booking.

“Vacationers will have the widest selection of Europe’s largest and most innovative cruise ships with Royal Caribbean in 2011,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean Intl. “With four classes of ships in the region, Royal Caribbean is offering a 2011 Europe cruise lineup that will appeal to a wide range of vacationers from couples seeking the romance of Europe to multi-generational family vacations. And all of our guests receive the Royal treatment from our friendly and engaging staff and crew.”

Vacationers also can choose a Royal Caribbean Europe cruisetour, providing a more comprehensive vacation experience. A cruisetour allows guests to choose from packages that combine a Europe cruise aboard one of seven Royal Caribbean ships with a 3-night Italian Lakes and Venice, 4-night Paris and London, 4-night Madrid and Barcelona, 5-night Venice, Florence and Rome, or a 4-night Istanbul and Cappadocia land tour itinerary. Each land tour is escorted by a Tour Director, and ground transfers, hotel reservations, city tours, and some meals are inclusive.

Norwegian Cruise Line to Enhance Its Private Island, Great Stirrup Cay

It was 1977 when Norwegian Cruise Line became the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests and much of Great Stirrup Cay looks just as it did when NCL acquired it. Only 120 miles east of Fort Lauderdale in the Berry Island chain of the Bahamas, the “grand-daddy” of private islands offers magnificent white sand beaches, majestic palms, and calm, pristine waters where an abundance of colorful marine life inhabits the surrounding coral reefs. While not much has changed over the years, Great Stirrup Cay is about to get a makeover. NCL has announced that it will make major enhancements to the 250-acre island in a two-phase renovation over the next 22 months. At a cost of in excess of $20 million, the work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

“We have one of the best private islands, particularly for swimming and snorkeling. With these improvements, we can provide an even more enjoyable island experience for the more than 9,000 guests who visit Great Stirrup Cay weekly during the height of the season,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “Highlights of the enhancements include an expanded beach front, exciting island excursions, additional dining facilities, private beachside cabanas, and a new kid’s area.”

The first phase of improvements to Great Stirrup Cay is already underway. This includes the excavation and formation of a new entrance channel for tenders, marina basin, and arrival area with welcome pavilion that will be the site for new tender landings and docks. Once this is complete, the island’s current beach front will be expanded significantly to accommodate more guests.

New infrastructure and landscaping to enhance the guest experience is planned in the second phase including new dining and bar facilities; several comfort stations; a band stand; cruise program activity area; private beachfront cabanas; a kid’s play area; straw market; and beach volleyball courts. Several new island activities and shore excursions will be added including wave runners, a floating Aqua Park with a variety of water toys, kayak tours through man-made rivers within the island, an eco-cruise, and a stingray encounter experience. These are in addition to the existing snorkeling; floats; inflatable hippo slide; and parasailing that are currently offered.

Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Pearl regularly call on Great Stirrup Cay throughout the year. For more information on NCL or to book a cruise, call 866-234-7350, visit NCL.com, or phone a travel professional.

Cruise Diva will be sailing aboard Norwegian Pearl and going ashore at Great Stirrup Cay in a couple weeks, so watch for first-hand reports.

New Cruise Review: Liberty of the Seas

After a recent "encore" sailing aboard Liberty of the Seas, Mary & Vincent Finelli take a look at how life has changed aboard the RCI ships since the global economic downturn.

The Finelli family cruise started out a bit rocky, since the Loyalty Manager had them listed in the wrong cabin and their dining room seating was incorrect. To say the least, the first day on board was chilly until Hotel Director Helmut Leikauf soon came to their rescue.

There may not have been chocolates on their pillows at night, but at least Mary & Vincent won a bottle of champagne for having the most cruises on RCI during a past passengers' cocktail party and, despite changes and any glitches they encounter, they are truly happy cruisers. Join them as once again they review Liberty of the Seas.

How to tell if a cruise ship is "sick"

When hundreds of cruise passengers report to the infirmary with similar symptoms, does that necessarily mean their ship is SICK?

Hardly. But you'd never know that from news reports about nasty cruise ship diseases, like norovirus, that attack unsuspecting vacationers who then claim that their sailing was the "cruise from hell."

What are the facts and how can you avoid getting ill on your next cruise? CruiseDiva.com has the information you need to know about cruise ships and illnesses in Is Your Cruise Ship Sick?

Discover The Best Cruise Vacation: World’s Leading Cruise Lines Launches New Web-Based Tool For Consumers

World’s Leading Cruise Lines, a marketing alliance between Carnival Corporation & plc’s six brands serving the North American market–Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn–has created an innovative, new web-based tool that engages consumers and helps them discover which brands’ unique style of cruising matches their ideal vacation experience.

Through a series of experiential questions, the Cruise Navigator tool asks users to choose from a range of desired vacation experiences, indicating priorities and interests. Their ideal vacation is then compared to a favorite car or a favorite film, for example, to self-select between brands spanning the contemporary, premium and luxury cruise categories. Links to handy travel agent locators are provided as well as brand overview videos and the opportunity to “send to a friend.” Prospective guests enjoy mixing up their answers to see which cruise lines Cruise Navigator suggests they explore further.

Cruise Navigator is the latest addition to the World’s Leading Cruise Lines comprehensive website, a helpful online resource featuring destination descriptions, profiles of the six member lines, and the Best Blogs at Sea.

“Vacation time is as precious as ever and each of our brands contributed to Cruise Navigator, enabling the vacation planning public and travel agents alike to select from the diverse experiences offered by these distinct cruise lines, each a leader in its own market segment,” notes Bill Harber, Carnival Corporation & plc’s senior director of marketing.

World’s Leading Cruise Lines capitalizes on an array of ships, destinations, durations, and cruising styles for excellent vacation options. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires first time cruisers and repeat guests to discover their best vacation experience. Together, these brands offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruises to the world's most desirable destinations.

About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises, and P&O Cruises Australia.

Together, these brands operate 95 ships totaling more than 185,000 lower berths with 11 new ships scheduled for delivery between March 2010 and May 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.

Norwegian Epic: Free Eats In Over Half The Restaurants

Count Mel and me among those passengers who appreciate dining choices while on a cruise vacation. Our at-home lifestyle is laid back and casual. We eat when we are hungry, whether that’s at 6pm or 8pm. While Mel might disagree, we’ve never minded “dressing” to dine, or paying a supplement for a special dinner, but there are times when we just don’t feel like it, so Norwegian Cruise Line's “Freestyle Cruising” suits our style just fine.

And now NCL has announced that its largest, most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, will feature an extensive number of complimentary Freestyle dining options–11 out of 21 total–that are included in the cruise fare. The additional 10 dining options will have a nominal cover charge. Guests on board Norwegian Epic can select from a variety of cuisines, dining styles and atmospheres on board with a total of 21 dining options. Those that will be free of charge are:

· Taste, the atrium restaurant serving traditional and contemporary cuisine;
· Manhattan Room, reminiscent of an elegant supper club complete with music, dancing and entertainment;
· O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, serving American favorites and comfort food, 24 hours;
· Garden Café, Norwegian's signature action station casual restaurant;
· Great Outdoors, the pool-side grill;
· Spice H20, serving Latin and Asian-influenced cuisine in the adults-only complex;
· Atrium Cafe and Wine Bar;
· Studio Lounge, serving snacks and light fare;
· Epic Club, the elegant, exclusive eatery available to Norwegian Epic's Suite and Villa guests;
· Courtyard Grill, the more casual, outdoor area of the Epic Grill, open for breakfast and lunch; and
· 24-hour room service.

“It’s important for our guests to know that Freestyle Cruising on Norwegian Epic will offer the ultimate in freedom and flexibility, especially when it comes to dining,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “With that flexibility comes a wide-range of complimentary dining venues and options.”

In addition, Norwegian also announced the cover charges for Norwegian Epic’s specialty dining/entertainment venues (the good news is none of them will break the bank or our vacation budget):

· La Cucina, Tuscan-style eatery serving regional Italian specialties, $10 per person;
· Cirque Dreams & Dinner, two shows nightly including a three-course meal, $15 for general seating/$20 per person for preferred seating;
· Shanghai’s, Norwegian Epic’s new Chinese restaurant serving a delicious mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties, $15 per person;
· Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, a la carte pricing;
· Wasabi, expansive sushi and sake bar, a la carte pricing;
· Le Bistro, Norwegian’s elegant bistro serving classic French cuisine with an American flair, $20 per person;
· Moderno Churrascaria, expansive salad bar and choice of a variety of meats served by tableside passadors, $18 per person;
· Cagney’s Steakhouse, the line’s signature American steakhouse, $25 per person;
· Teppanyaki, the largest signature Japanese experiential restaurant at sea, $25 per person; and
· Pizza delivery, $5, available 24 hours around the ship.

"With our specialty restaurants, some guests may choose to dine in one of these venues just once or twice during their cruise to celebrate a special occasion," added Sheehan. "At the same time, others may want to sample a different specialty restaurant each evening to experience a new type of cuisine. That’s the great thing about Freestyle Cruising–the choice is up to our guests to decide how they want to customize their trip.”

We couldn’t agree more and Mel and I are really looking forward to exploring all the options on Norwegian Epic in July when she arrives in Miami.

Crystal Cruises to Offer Open Seating Dining Option, Starting With 2011 Sailings

I have always contended that the true mark of luxury cruise lines could be measured in the dining experience on their ships. While the food alone has been a good enough reason to sail on a Crystal cruise, passengers have traditionally been assigned to specific tables in either an early or late seating. Yes, there are fantastic specialty restaurants as alternatives at no charge (with the exception of the Vintage Room, which showcases reserve wines) , but that Crystal Dining Room assigned seating has been an annoyance. So, their announcement this week that they will offer Perfect Choice Dining™ with Open Dining By Reservation™ for 2011 is a welcome enhancement to the on board experience. From the inspired creations of Crystal's internationally acclaimed chefs, to the celebrity fare of Nobu and Piero Selvaggio, to the coveted pairings of the Vintage Room, to the casual simplicity of outdoor dining on deck, the evening dining venues aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity offer the ultimate in personal choice to suit every palate.

Offered complimentary in the Crystal Dining Room, Perfect Choice Dining maintains Crystal's classic dining style, while adding greater flexibility and choices. Beginning with its January 2011 cruises, Crystal will complement its Crystal Dining Room choices of Classic Main Seating and Classic Late Seating with a brand new option, Open Dining by Reservation. An expansive online Priority Check-in and Planning Center (PCPC) launching in July will enable any fully paid guests who have opted for Open Dining by Reservation to make nightly reservations in the main dining room in advance of their cruise - in addition to their reservation in each of Crystal's specialty restaurants. More information on the new service is available at CrystalCruises.com/PerfectChoiceDining.

"Crystal's Perfect Choice Dining retains the traditional dining experience of two seatings each evening where guests become friends with tablemates and have wait staff who know their preferences, as well as offers a new additional option to satisfy the demand for open dining," says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. "No other cruise line in the luxury market is offering this choice of personalized luxury dining."

How does it work?

-- Effective immediately, guests can choose Classic Main dining seating, Classic Late dining seating or Open Dining by Reservation when they book their 2011 cruise. Guests already booked on 2011 World Cruise voyages will automatically retain their selection of Classic Main or Classic Late, or they can switch to Open Dining by Reservation by contacting their travel agent or Crystal's Onboard Guest Services at onboardgstsvcs@crystalcruises.com.

-- Effective July 2010, the online Priority Check-in and Planning Center (PCPC) launches. Guests who are fully paid for 2011 cruises and who have opted for Open Dining by Reservation can make their individual Crystal Dining Room reservations using the comprehensive PCPC online service. While Crystal currently offers an online pre-reservation system, PCPC will expand pre-reservation services. Details on PCPC services and complete instructions for making reservations will be available at the end of June 2010.

Tables for two, four, six, or eight are available for dinner reservations and reservation times and table size can vary each night. If a specific time is unavailable, the Open Dining by Reservation system will suggest an alternative.

Michel reiterates, "For guests who prefer two dining seatings in the main dining room, nothing will change. We have many, many passionate repeat guests who look forward to having their same evening dining room table, who enjoy cultivating the bonds that develop amongst tablemates and who appreciate the attention that comes with having the same senior waiter and waiter. Perfect Choice Dining adds another flexible dimension, delivered with Crystal's penchant for unparalleled service and attention to detail."

Who's Afraid of Norovirus? Celebrity Mercury Delays Next Cruise

While waiting for my flight connection in Detroit last Saturday, I chatted with two nice ladies who were on their way to warm weather vacation destinations. Asked if they'd ever considered a cruise, they looked dubious. One said she'd love to cruise, but was afraid of getting sick. Of course she was referring to the recent news about the outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on Celebrity Mercury. My assurances that you could get sick anywhere didn't seem to allay her concern. When I got home and was able to catch the news, I discovered why.

Celebrity Mercury has had an unusually bad run of gastrointestinal illness on board. So bad, in fact, that The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has made a no-sail recommendation for at least four full days for the ship to investigate recurring outbreaks.

The latest bout of illness is the third on the ship since the middle of last month. The source of the first two outbreaks was identified as norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Members of the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which works with the cruise industry to prevent and control illnesses on cruise ships, boarded Celebrity Mercury Monday to look for the source of the current outbreak. CNN reports that CDC spokesman Ricardo Beato stated, "The CDC and the cruise line corporate staff have not yet determined why the controls that they were following have not been effective."

After the first February outbreak, in which more than 20% of passengers became ill, a VSP team inspected the ship and made preventative recommendations. Celebrity Mercury's next sailing was delayed for a day while a full cleaning was undertaken. Nevertheless, about 10% of passengers on that subsequent cruise were felled by norovirus. On the latest sailing, approximately 19% of passengers became ill. As a cautionary measure, Celebrity Mercury has skipped a scheduled port call in Tortola this week, cutting the current cruise short by a day, and the ship will return to Charleston, SC, on Thursday morning.

Passengers have been compensated for the abbreviated itinerary, according to Celebrity Cruises spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez. "Guests currently on board Celebrity Mercury received an onboard credit in the amount of one day of the cruise fare paid for their sailing, as well as a future cruise certificate for 25 percent of the cruise fare paid," she said in an email to CNN.

According to a statement issued Monday, Celebrity Cruises has delayed the cruise scheduled to depart from Charleston on Friday, March 19, for two days so Celebrity Mercury can undergo enhanced cleaning and disinfecting:

Itinerary Change Celebrity Mercury: During Celebrity Mercury's last sailing, a number of guests on board experienced a gastrointestinal illness, thought to be a norovirus. In an abundance of caution, we are conducting extensive and thorough sanitizing on board the ship and within the cruise terminal, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, to help prevent any illness from affecting the next sailing.

Regrettably, in order to conduct the extensive sanitizing, it is necessary to delay the departure of Celebrity Mercury March 19 sailing by two days. Boarding is now anticipated to take place on Sunday, March 21 between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Seating in the cruise terminal at the Port of Charleston is very limited. Therefore, we ask that guests scheduled to depart on this sailing not arrive at the pier on Sunday before 4:00 p.m. We apologize for this delay and any inconvenience it may cause our guests.

Due to the delayed departure, it was necessary to make some adjustments to the planned itinerary. Celebrity Mercury will now departed Charleston on Sunday, March 21, be at sea Monday; visit Key West, Florida, Tuesday; Cozumel, Mexico, Wednesday; Costa Maya, Mexico, Thursday; at sea Friday; Nassau, Bahamas, Saturday; and at sea Sunday.

It is our understanding that passengers who choose not to sail on March 21 will be issued a refund; those who do sail will receive a pro-rated refund for the shortened cruise in the form of an on board credit.

New York Themes Highlight Holland America Line's New Nieuw Amsterdam

An extensive array of upscale public areas aboard the new Holland America Line Signature-class ship ms Nieuw Amsterdam reflects the brand's enhanced premium-class facilities and amenities, highlighted by decor honoring the historic glamour of New York City, known as Nieuw Amsterdam by its Dutch founders. Art, craftwork, and historical artifacts documenting New York's Native American history and Dutch influences, along with the history and glamour of Holland America Line's 138-year association with the world's greatest city, are displayed throughout the ship's expertly finished public areas.

Located adjacent to the Crow's Nest, Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, is very NYC. The comfortable, seagoing coffee bistro features an extensive library, Internet terminals, international newspapers, plush chairs and sofas, and a comfortable, upscale environment for reading and conversation. The Crow's Nest lounge itself, which completes Observation Deck's public areas, overlooks Nieuw Amsterdam's bow and features a collection of Nieuw Amsterdam memorabilia dating back to the original ship's 1906 launch and the heyday of Nieuw Amsterdam II, which carried the cream of international society between New York and Rotterdam in the post World War II era. A plush and quiet vantage point by day, the room transforms into a stylish dance club in the evening.

Kids are in control on Panorama Deck (deck 10), which features Club HAL®, the dedicated youth facilities and activities center offering supervised, age-appropriate programming for kids 3 to 12. And, because teens desire their own space, Holland America created The Loft, a hip lounge where teen-age cruisers can meet, have fun and hang out. The Loft is equipped with comfortable chairs and sofas, games and a new video editing facility, and is decorated as a typical New York street design of large murals featuring creations by top New York City graffiti artists, crosswalk, street signs, a real New York yellow cab and old-fashioned hot dog stand.

Lower Promenade's Explorer's Lounge continues Nieuw Amsterdam's New York theme with a stunning wall-to-wall mixed media collage of the 17th Century New York City skyline by Dutch artist Harald Vlugt. The room also features sculpture and decorative accessories from New York's early Native American and European inhabitants. Lower Promenade also includes a fully equipped Casino, offering 116 slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and a variety of poker games. Located adjacent is the Casino Bar, highlighted by a display of large-format contemporary and classic photographs of New York City (NYC) street scenes, sports icons, and American and Dutch celebrities. The NYC-centric decor is continued in the nearby Piano Bar, which also features live keyboard music.

Nieuw Amsterdam's soaring Atrium (pictured above in an artist's rendering) is highlighted by a majestic telescoping chandelier designed to honor New York City's iconic skyline. The LED-equipped chandelier is lit in an ever-varying spectrum of rich colors.

Built at Fincantieri's Marghera yard near Venice, Italy, the 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam will sail its maiden voyage July 4, 2010. After several 12-day Mediterranean sailings, Nieuw Amsterdam embarks on a fall crossing of the Atlantic for the warmth of the Caribbean with 7-day eastern and western island itineraries from Nov 2010 through March of the next year. For more information on Nieuw Amsterdam, visit HollandAmerica.com.