The third of five in Celebrity Cruises’ stylish, $3.7-billion Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Eclipse yesterday made her first departure from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, to embark on what is very likely the most challenging ride of her life: an event known as the “conveyance.”

At the tightest points along the way, there are as few as two feet between each side of the 1,040-foot-long, 121-foot-wide Celebrity Eclipse and the locks. The depth of the river and the draft of the ship allow for mere inches – or less – beneath the ship. These factors and others led Celebrity Cruises and Meyer Werft to essentially create a science all their own, carefully monitoring the position of the moon and tidal conditions to identify the precise moment when the depth of the river is ideal for the ship to set sail from the shipyard.

“Cruise ship captains generally do not expect to encounter the challenges the conveyance presents,” said Celebrity Eclipse Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis. “Although I am accustomed to docking in tight ports, I prefer to be chasing sunshine in the open sea. Celebrity Eclipse is only a few feet slimmer than the narrowest lock we have to navigate, which isn’t much room, particularly when the president of the company is onboard, keeping a close watch! But we’ve done this twice before, and I am entirely confident of another smooth and successful passage.”

Charges have been filed against Phillip John Struble, 30, for burglary involving controlled substances and possession of a controlled substance A Federal affidavit accuses Mr. Struble of broking into the medicine supply area of the Carnival Paradise on Valentine’s Day. A subsequent search of his cabin allegedly turned up the pilfered morphine as well as hundreds of Percocet tablets and drug known as Dilaudid, according to federal authorities. Vials of phenobarbital and Xanax pills were also reported missing after the break-in.

The ship’s captain called for a search of the entire vessel after the substances were reported stolen that morning. Stewards stated they had noticed the suspect near the medical center before the break-in. And the ship’s physician said he had given Struble painkillers after he complained of pain the evening before.

The suspect, who was traveling with his fiance on the Long Beach-to-Mexico cruise, was locked up in the ship’s brig for the rest of the trip.

Queen Mary 2’s Royal Circumnavigation of Australia is a first for Cunard.

The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays, as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.

Australians will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options – a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on 14 February 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on 8 February 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on 11 February 2012.

In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.

The Australian deployment will mark the longest period of time that Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.

The Royal Circumnavigation of Australia will go on sale this spring as part of the announcement of the 2012 World Voyage programme.

Following the magnitude 8.8 quake that hit central Chile in the early morning hours of Saturday February 27, 2010, Santiago International Airport suffered structural damage to the passenger terminal. No damage was reported to the runways and taxiways. All incoming and departing flight operations were suspended until authorities evaluated the situation in order to guarantee maximum safety for passengers. Turismo Chile would like to communicate the latest update regarding operations at Santiago International Airport provided by the airport authority, SCL Aeropuerto de Santiago, on March 2, 2010 following a meeting with Chile’s National Civil Aviation Authority and airlines operating at the airport.

Flight operations will resume in two phases:

Phase 1 – March 2 to 5, 2010 – Domestic flights will gradually resume operations with a limited schedule between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and international flights also with a limited schedule will be operating between 8.pm and 8 a.m. A temporary makeshift terminal has been set up in tents in order to process departing passengers. All arriving international flights during this period will stopover in another Chilean city prior to landing in Santiago in order for passengers to clear Chilean customs and immigration formalities.

Phase 2 – March 5^th onward – Domestic and international flights will be operating 24 hours. All domestic flight arrivals and departures will be operating out of a makeshift terminal set up in tents located to the east of the airport’s old terminal. International flight departures will move to the domestic flights sector of the current terminal. International arriving passengers will clear Chilean customs and immigration formalities in a makeshift facility set up in tents to the west of the current terminal.

All passengers should contact their airline for updated information on flight schedules and changes.

Celebrity Eclipse

The brainchild of Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations, Chef Jacques Van Staden, Qsine presents guests with an unexpected, modern approach to familiar dishes from around the world.

Van Staden says Qsine will further validate Celebrity’s leadership position in offering world-class dining experiences, as evidenced in the brand’s stunningly designed, guest-inspired Solstice Class specialty restaurants including Tuscan Grille, Blu, Murano and Silk Harvest, not to mention the series of intimate venues on Celebrity’s Millennium Class foursome. Qsine’s menu design alone – a large, backlit square filled with words and phrases designed to engage guests in the experience – implies that Qsine is an unusual place. And the cuisine makes it abundantly clear, with most of the selections so unique that nearly all of the dishes and plating have been designed exclusively for Celebrity.

Among the selections are spring rolls nestled in vertical springs, “Sushi Lollipops” (Nigiri sushi with soy center, wasabi mayonnaise and pickled ginger-radish salad), “Meatball Trilogy” (Kobe beef with cheddar and marinara sauce; veal with mushrooms and marsala sauce; and turkey with cranberry and sage gravy), “Chitinis” (Chinese selections served in martini glasses), “Tresviche” (tiger shrimp and bay scallops with lemon juice, tequila, cilantro, tomatoes and jalapeno oil), “Popcorn Fish & Chips” (Boddington’s-battered codfish and chips served with malt vinegar or aioli), “Slider Party” (mini-grilled Kobe beef patties with aged Wisconsin cheddar served on brioche buns with “Qsine’s original slider sauce” and garnishes), “Taco Royale” (Black Angus sirloin steak, homemade taco shells, caramelized onion-poblano, and do-it-yourself fresh guacamole, with a stone mortar and pestle), and “Lava Crab” (Alaskan King crab, sweet yellow corn and scallions with Hataifi and Old Bay sauce, served in glasses over heated red stones).

Libations to accompany the cuisine range from approximately 100 varieties of primarily organic, contemporary wines, to a vast array of creative cocktails.

And, for the first time on a Celebrity ship – just one week after announcing the hip, new “Celebrity iLounge” – Celebrity has designed a means for guests to capitalize on technology to easily review and order wines via the latest touch-screen devices. Even the uniforms of the wait staff illustrate the venue’s unique nature. Designed by Van Staden and custom-made exclusively for Celebrity, the jackets are decidedly asymmetrical and sport square buttons, and are intended to illustrate that the wait staff also are considered chefs, offering guests a highly interactive and personalized dining experience.

Capping the Qsine experience is a series of desserts whose menu is as sweet and surprising as its selections: A hinged, twistable cube presents options ranging from candied apples to popcorn to individual cookie jars.

Qsine will be open nightly on Celebrity Eclipse from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., for a cover charge of $30 per person. There are no age restrictions for dining in Qsine, and the dress code is smart casual and above.

Guests booked to sail on Celebrity Eclipse can plan their unique evening in Qsine right now, by making dining reservations on the Celebrity web site. Designed for cruisers who appreciate online options, the Celebrity site offers Celebrity Select Dining, the industry’s first pre-cruise, day-by-day flexible dining reservation system. The site also presents guests with the option to book pre-cruise AquaSpa reservations, specialty dining reservations, shore excursion bookings, and online documentation, or “e-docs.”

hile suffered an 8.8 quake in the early morning hours of Saturday February 27, 2010. The cities closest to the epicenter, including Concepcion, Talcahuano and Temuco as well as a number of small towns along Chile’s central coast were most affected by the quake.

The five different tourism regions promoted by Turismo Chile are reporting the following updates:

Desert – The north of Chile was not affected by the quake and has not reported any damage.

Easter Island – Easter Island, which lies 2,300 miles off the cost of mainland Chile, a 5.5 hour flight from Santiago, was not affected by the quake. Initial tsunami warnings have been lifted and all operations are normal.

Santiago and Central Region – Santiago’s airport suffered structural damage to the passenger terminal, however no damage was reported to the runways and the airport is expected to reopen later this week. Electricity and phone lines have been restored in Santiago and the city’s public transportation including its metro is fully operational. Valparaiso and Viña del Mar have also reported damage. The annual Viña del Mar International Music festival which was underway has been suspended.

Lakes and Volcanoes – The northern part of the Lakes and Volcanoes region, around the city of Concepcion and the Bio Bio River, was most affected by the quake. Authorities are still working on assessing the full damage. Basic essential services including water, electricity and telecommunications are gradually being restored. The southern part of the Lakes and Volcanoes region was not affected by the quake. Operations in popular tourist towns including Pucon, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt are normal.

Patagonia – The far south of the country was not affected by the quake and has not reported any damage.

Chile is a country with a history of seismic activity. The country’s preparedness, including its strict anti-seismic building codes, the rapid emergency response from the government as well as the help from a number of organizations can be credited for managing the situation and help minimize the damage. The country’s tourism infrastructure has, overall, fared well, reporting little damage.

It seems like just a couple of days ago, Michael and I were chatting on the podcast about the efforts in Haiti and talking about everyone doing there part.  Well, while I thought my part would be to write a check in support — Michael found out that his part involved him being deployed as part of the effort, though for now he will be assisting with the coordination efforts stateside.

We here at the Mail Buoy are super proud of Michael’s job and what he will be doing, but since he is the technical support recording master of the podcast, I need to let you all know that the podcast is going to be on hold until his return.

I will do my best to keep things updated here and on the Facebook page and keep you updated on Michael’s doings as I can.  Please send him good thoughts as he heads out.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to returning to podcasting regularly as soon as we can.

This week – NCL gave us more details about their Studio cabins – most importantly they’re going to be singles and shouldn’t include a single supplement!

NCL also announced a partnership with Nickelodeon to bring Nick themed entertainment to some ships.

The keel of Carnival Magic was laid this past Tuesday, and Royal Caribbean and Rolls Royce have kissed and made up over Celebrity’s Mermaid Pods.

The situation in Haiti also touched the cruise industry and we talk about Royal Caribbean’s aid efforts and their return to Haiti as well as some of the other things going on to help out those in need.

What are your thoughts about Royal Caribbean’s quick return to Labadee?  We want to know, and you can leave your thoughts over on the Facebook page…

These rates are only good for new bookings, but are certainly a way to ward off the winter blues for another few weeks.

When first designed and implemented, podded propulsion was a significant technological advance over traditional shaft propulsion, but there were a number of technical issues in the early years of use.

Mermaid pods are installed on four Celebrity ships, Millennium, Summit, Infinity and Constellation. Over the years, a number of cruises were disrupted or canceled due to pod issues.

Royal Caribbean filed a $300m lawsuit against Alstom and Rolls-Royce in 2003, alleging pod defects. Alstom subsequently settled with RCL for $38m.

In late 2008, Carnival Corp. & plc sued Rolls-Royce and Converteam (Alstom Power Conversion) seeking $100m in alleged damages related to the Mermaid system on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2.

Compared to her sister, the new vessel will have a larger number of cabins – 1,845 – plus 746 for the crew, giving a total capacity of more than 6,000.

The Monfalcone shipyard is also building Azura for P&O Cruises due for delivery in April, and Queen Elizabeth arriving this autumn. The order book also includes a recent order for a third Dream-class ship which will enter service in spring 2012.

Beginning in April on Norwegian Jewel and this summer on Norwegian Epic, Nickelodeon NCL experiences will include character meet and greets and game shows. The exclusive three-year partnership also entails Nickelodeon-themed cruises featuring Nickelodeon TV stars, show premieres and continuous themed-entertainment on board.

Nickelodeon at Sea will launch on Norwegian Jewel when the ship begins sailing from New York in late April, and on the new Norwegian Epic in July. Each cruise will feature live Nickelodeon-themed interactive shows, including ‘SlimeTime LIVE!’ with Nick’s signature slime, ‘Nick Live!’ poolside entertainment, character breakfasts and meet and greets, Nick-themed dance parties and more.

Nickelodeon-themed elements will also be incorporated into NCL’s Kids’ Crew program.

In addition to the year-round programming on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Epic, Nickelodeon theme cruises will be offered annually, the first scheduled for Norwegian Jewel later this year.

We’re also seeking information on the status of Agent Edelette Methelus, of the Haitian Coast Guard. She may have been in either Gonaive or Port Au Prince.

UPDATE:

“All is fine in Labadee. No one is hurt and we believe there are no issues with our new pier,’ RCCL’s Craig Milan, svp land operations, told Seatrade Insider. He added that Cap Haitien is, by all accounts, in relatively good shape, too.

Engineers will assess the pier today, ‘but we do not think there are any issues,’ Milan said.

Some of the features include:

• Priced for single occupancy
• Full-sized bed and contemporary décor
• Unique bathroom layout with separate sink and shower
• Many Studios are connecting, offering both privacy and togetherness with a fellow traveler
• Exclusive keycard access to Studio Lounge
• 128 Studios

Anyway in the luxury segment, Crystal is expanding it’s luxury hotel partnerships and Cunard will be showcasing Julliard School students during many trans-Atlantic sailings on QM2.

Disney is revamping their youth programs by adding some unique Disney twists, sadly they’re also bringing back fuel supplements for some too…

Finally, cruise ship Norovirus outbreaks were down significantly in 2009 even though more people were cruising in 2009 than in previous years…

Celebrity plans to incorporate iconic Solstice Class attributes across the fleet, most notably through a significant revitalization of all four Millennium Class ships. Celebrity Constellation will be the first to receive the new enhancements during scheduled drydock in April of this year.

Among the Solstice Class features to be introduced on the Millennium Class ships:

• More opportunities to relish Celebrity’s world-class cuisine with the addition of Tuscan Grille, the Napa Valley-meets-Italian-steakhouse venue found on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox
• Bistro on Five, the vibrant, popular creperie introduced on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox
• A Solstice Class-inspired, ice-topped Martini Bar paired with Crush, whose ice-filled table presents a selection of chilled, top-tier vodkas
• The cool Café al Bacio and Gelateria, replacing the former Cova Café
• As introduced on the Solstice Class, an Enomatic wine bar, the state-of-the-art, Italian designed wine serving system allowing guests to select and serve, at the touch of a button, the wines of their choice by the glass
• More sumptuous suites, on a par with those in the most modern hotels in Europe, with all new furniture, flat-screen TVs, upholstery, bedding and carpeting
• Restyled staterooms, with entirely new carpeting, flat-screen TVs, upholstery and bedding
• New color schemes, carpeting and upholstery reflective of Solstice Class in every public venue, from the Celebrity Theater to Seaside Grill, from the main dining room to Michael’s Club

The revitalization is just part of Celebrity’s full Designed for You platform, which – when combined with the brand’s Celebrity Life onboard experience, more robust, well-received Captain’s Club, and multiple other brand enhancements– represents a nearly $200-million investment.

Disney says passengers on voyages departing between now and March 31 who booked between May 28 and Dec. 1, 2008 — a period when the line was collecting a fuel surcharge fee in advance at the time of booking — will no longer get refunds of the money in the form of on-board credit due to oil’s rise above $70 a barrel.

Disney first implemented an $8 per person, per day fuel surcharge in 2008 as oil prices soared to nearly $150 a barrel. Falling oil prices prompted the line to eliminate the charge on Dec. 1, 2008 for all new bookings, and the line said at the time that customers who already had paid the fee for an upcoming voyage would get a refund in the form of an on-board credit when they sailed. The promise of a refund, however, came with a caveat that the refunds would end if oil prices went back above $70 a barrel, something that has occurred in recent months.

The line has not brought back a fuel surcharge for new bookings, and nobody who booked after Dec. 1, 2008 is subject to the fee.

Still, Disney’s decision to stop refunding pre-paid fuel surcharges is in sharp contrast to its major competitors. Rival Royal Caribbean and Celebrity also said they would end refunds of pre-paid fuel surcharges if oil rose above $65 a barrel but has not followed through with the plan.

Industry giant Carnival, which initially said it would stop refunding pre-paid fuel surcharges if oil went above $70, also backed off its plan as did sister lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America and Cunard. The brands all suspended fuel surcharges on Dec. 17, 20

Just as important, the decline came even though the number of people cruising continued to rise. The Cruise Lines International Association says the industry carried 13.2 million passengers in 2008, the last year for which data is available, up from 12.6 million in 2007 and 12.0 million in 2006.

Cruise ships that visit U.S. ports must report all cases of gastrointestinal illness treated by on-board medical staff to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program division, and there is a separate notification required when the number of cases exceeds 2% of passengers and crew. When the number of cases exceeds 3% of passengers and crew the CDC issues a public report.

Of the 13 outbreaks, shockingly six were on Holland America  ships  — the line has had a disproportionate share of the industry’s gastrointestinal illness outbreaks for several years. Only two other lines had more than one outbreak: Princess Cruises (3) and Celebrity Cruises (2). Two other lines — Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival — each had a single outbreak.

Holland America has led the industry in gastrointestinal illness outbreaks reported to the CDC for four straight years with six in 2008, five in 2007 (tying with NCL) and seven in 2006, according to the CDC data.

Notably, there were a number of major lines in 2009 — including Royal Caribbean, Disney and Cunard — that did not report a single outbreak to the CDC.

The number of outbreaks recorded by the CDC in 2009 was lower than in any year since 2001, when there were just four outbreaks.

Exciting new youth activities and dedicated children’s spaces are available now on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder and are coming to the Disney Dream beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage in January 2011.

Customized Experiences On Disney Cruise Line, children can personalize their cruise vacation by selecting activities and events, regardless of age. Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are open to children age 3 to 12 on the Disney Wonder and age 3 to 10 on the Disney Magic.

While Disney Cruise Line will continue to recommend activities that appeal to specific maturity levels and ages, the entire menu of offerings is open to every child. With this evolutionary approach to shipboard youth activities, children and parents choose programs based on the specific interests of each child to create a customized and very personalized experience. Best of all, children of different ages — siblings, extended family and friends — can participate in youth activities together throughout their cruise.

The majority of children’s events and free-time activities occur within dedicated youth spaces on the ship and on Castaway Cay. As always, Disney Cruise Line youth activities are supervised by specially trained, experienced counselors.

Specific program information is available to guests on the day of check-in at the Youth Activities registration desk located in the Disney cruise ship terminal building prior to boarding, or onboard in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab.

A World of Youth Activities With more than 100 activities, events and programs, and with all youth activities open to all ages, children have more choices than ever before on Disney Cruise Line.

Many experiences draw inspiration from classic Disney stories and popular Disney characters: • During the new Cinderella’s Royal Ball, young guests can feel like royalty as Cinderella shows them how to be a prince or princess. • So You Want to be a Pirate offers adventurous tales of the high seas, pirate training for young buccaneers, swashbuckling fun and a special appearance by Captain Hook. • Children are immersed in the world of Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story” during Toy Story Boot Camp. Led by Corporal Green, toy recruits participate in interactive activities.

Hands-on activities appeal to children’s sense of creativity and invention: • The next great celebrity chef could be discovered at Ratatouille Cooking School, where children work together to bake tasty chocolate chip cookies. • During the new Animal Tracking Series, children discover that conservation can be fun as they learn about endangered animals, create an animal tracking device and locate (plush) cotton-top tamarin monkeys using telemetry tracking on Castaway Cay. • In Flubber, one of the most popular youth activities on Disney Cruise Line, children join Professor Goo in creating magical green goo and other interesting concoctions.

Other onboard youth activities include playful programs such as Mouseketeer Training and Little Einsteins for preschoolers; challenge-and solution-games like Stitch’s Great Adventure and Detective School with Goofy; high-action group activities such as Kim Possible: Cruise Control and The Challenge of Davy Jones; and unstructured free time to enjoy the youth areas, play on computers and spend time having fun with new friends.

The Most Family-Friendly Cruise Along with this evolution in youth activities, Disney Cruise Line continues to provide the most family-friendly cruise experience available.

While children are enjoying the most extensive youth activity areas at sea, parents can enjoy the ship “worry-free,” thanks to an onboard paging service that allows kids to contact their parents anytime and anywhere on the ship. Plus, Disney Cruise Line has the industry’s longest operating hours for children’s activities, providing greater flexibility for parents and even more fun for kids.

Recently introduced, Dine and Play allows families to enjoy dinner together, then gives kids more time to enjoy youth activities while parents relax at the end of the meal. With Dine and Play, parents may check their children (age 3 to 12) into evening youth activities during second seating in all of the main dining rooms. Families enjoy dinner together, then youth counselors whisk children away to play so the grown-ups can savor some time together in the adult-exclusive areas of the ship.

Disney stage productions, family activities, special events, first-run films in digital 3-D, poolside movies, deck parties, a family club and the Castaway Cay Family Beach provide even more opportunities for families to experience a memorable cruise vacation together.

This year marks the introduction of extended Crossing options. Now, in addition to classic six-day Crossings between New York and Southampton (UK), a seven-day option also is available. Additionally, extended seven-, eight- and nine-day Crossings are offered to Cherbourg (France) and Hamburg (Germany).

Juilliard performers are scheduled for the following Transatlantic voyages (*denotes a Juilliard Jazz faculty member):

15 – 22 April

Brandon Lee* – Trumpet: One of 18 students admitted to the inaugural class of the Juilliard Institute of Jazz Studies, thus forming the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra. In the fall of 2008, Lee became the youngest member of the Juilliard Jazz faculty as an assistant to the Director of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra. After spending one year as the Assistant, he has been named the Director of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra for the fall of 2009.

Kris Bowers – Piano: Currently a bachelor of music student at The Juilliard School. Since his arrival in New York, Bowers has shared the stage and/or recorded with artists such as Terell Stafford, Mulgrew Miller, Terence Blanchard, Clarence Penn, Carl Allen, Ben Wolfe, Ron Blake, Rodney Jones, Benny Green, Bobby Watson, Kurt Elling, Duane Eubanks, EJ Strickland, Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith and Ingrid Jensen, to name a few.

Philip Kuehn – Bass: As a member of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, he will appear this year at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall. In September 2006, he performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for John Coltrane’s 80th birthday celebration. He also has performed with Dr. Billy Taylor’s Jazz and the New Generation II at the Kennedy Center and the White House.

Aaron Kimmel – Drums: Currently a bachelor of music student at The Juilliard School, where he studies with Billy Drummond, Kenny Washington and Carl Allen. While in junior high, Kimmel was selected for the Mellon Jazz Festival’s “Swing into Spring All-Star Student Big Band” for three consecutive years. In high school, he was selected for the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz Ensemble in 2005 and 2006.

21 – 28 May

James Burton – Trombone: A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Jackie McLean’s Institute for Jazz Studies and the Juilliard Jazz Studies Artist Diploma program. Burton recently completed a master of music degree in jazz studies from The Juilliard School, studying with trombone icon Steve Turre. He currently is the Director of Jazz Studies at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.

7 – 14 June

Rodney Jones* – Guitar: Hailed by guitar master George Benson as “a legend among musicians,” Jones continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz guitar playing, while at the same time, working with many notable artists, including Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Ruth Brown and Dizzy Gillespie. He currently is the professor of Jazz Guitar Studies at The Juilliard School.

6 – 13 July

Jeremy Viner – Tenor Saxophone: Recently completed his master of music degree at The Juilliard School. Since moving to New York in 2004, Viner has had the honour to work and perform with many popular musicians in the jazz and new classical music communities.

Chris Burbank – Trumpet: Since beginning his studies at The Juilliard School, he has been fortunate enough to study with the great Eddie Henderson. Burbank has been honored to share the stage with such jazz icons as Terence Blanchard, Maria Schneider, Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller and Benny Golson.

8 – 22 August

Michael Cottone – Trumpet: Recently completed his master of music degree at The Juilliard School in New York City. Cottone’s performance experiences include the Downbeat Award-winning Eastman Jazz Ensemble, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, The Grand Hotel Orchestra on Mackinac Island and the Broadway Production of Hair.

Andrew Gutauskas – Alto Saxophone: Attended the Artist Diploma program at The Juilliard School, where he studied with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra baritone saxophonist, Joe Temperley. During his short but impressive career, Gutauskas has shared the stage with such artists as Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Michael Buble, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Antonio Hart, Jon Gordon, Tom Harrell, Carl Allen and many others.

12 – 19 September Juilliard Jazz Faculty Ensemble

Eddie Henderson* – Trumpet: Has been on the faculty at The Juilliard School since 2007. Henderson received his first few trumpet lessons at the age of nine from Louis Armstrong and went on to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Eddie first got worldwide recognition for his jazz-trumpet playing from the popular recordings he made with Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi group during the early 1970s.

Frank Kimbrough* – Piano: Currently on the Jazz Studies faculty at The Juilliard School and previously taught at The New School University and New York University. Kimbrough has been active on New York’s jazz scene for more than 25 years. He currently is a Palmetto Records artist, with previous recordings as a leader for OmniTone, Soul Note and Mapleshade, and nearly 50 more as a sideman.

Ben Wolfe* – Bass: Currently on the teaching faculty at The Juilliard School: Jazz Division. Early on in his career, Wolfe performed with Harry Connick, Jr., the Wynton Marsalis Septet and Diana Krall’s touring band. He recently released his fifth album.

Carl Allen* – Drums: Currently Juilliard Jazz Artistic Director. With more than 200 recordings to his credit, Allen is a drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur and educator. He has toured and recorded with a number of notable artists, including Freddie Hubbard and The Brecker Brothers. His latest release on the Mack Avenue label is “Work to Do” with co-leader, bassist Rodney Whitaker.

12 – 19 October

Randall Haywood – Trumpet: Recently received his master of music degree in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School. At age 15, Haywood joined the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, becoming the youngest member in the prestigious organization. He also has shown his multi-talented skills by performing as a drummer with great artists such as jazz vocalist Nneena Freelon, saxophonist Bill Pierce and pianist/actor Johnnie Oneal.

Queen Mary 2 offers an array of accommodation combining classic Cunard touches with a stylish, refined elegance. The liner’s legendary Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites afford guests spacious five-star accommodation and dedicated single-seating dining in the famed Grills Restaurants, along with a private sun terrace and cocktail and concierge lounges. Guests sailing in Britannia category accommodation enjoy gourmet dining prepared by world-class chefs in the Britannia Restaurant, the liner’s grand three-tier dining venue. As an added bonus, guests can experience the culinary creativity of celebrity chef Todd English in the first restaurant at sea bearing his name.

Nights are filled with themed Royal Balls and Galas, where guests can dance the night away to a live orchestra in the Queens Room, the largest ballroom at sea. Days are filled with such activities as perusing a vast selection of 8,000 books in the largest library at sea, enjoying traditional afternoon English tea or exploring the cosmos in the only planetarium at sea.

Queen Mary 2’s Transatlantic Crossings reflect the pinnacle of civility in ocean travel and refinement. The only company offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service, Cunard is sailing 21 crossings in 2010, singularly offering the New Golden Age of Ocean Travel through such unique Cunard experiences as Cunard Insights, the line’s award-winning enrichment programme. The Crossings afford guests opportunities for leisurely pursuits, ranging from wellness in the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea to wine tastings with a world-class sommelier.

Other noted hotel partners for 2010 include the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte Carlo and Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, as well as several Four Seasons, Ritz-Carltons, and InterContinentals.  In Athens, Barcelona, Dubai, London, Rome and Venice, Crystal offers a variety of shoreside options.

Each property in the Crystal Adventures Hotel Program is carefully selected for its location, level of service, ambience and attention to detail.  Many are destinations unto themselves with rich histories, famed architecture, and storied pasts of noted guests and celebrities.

The Crystal “Classic” Hotel Program includes meet and assist arrangements at the airport; transfers from the airport to the hotel; all hotel tax and porterage; a Crystal hospitality desk at the hotel; and transfers from the hotel to the ship for special priority embarkation.  The “Classic Plus” Hotel Program also offers upgraded accommodations, full breakfast daily, and private car transfers between the airport and hotel.

Crystal Adventures Hotel Program pricing begins at $225 per person, double occupancy, for the first night of stay, depending on city and property selected, with reduced rates available for second and third nights.

So we shake up our Magic 8 Balls and give it a go for 2010, and sadly things look just as cloudy for 2010 as they were looking to us going in to 2009.

Finally, a special thanks to Rob for sharing his 2010 predictions – don’t forget we still want to hear your predictions for the New Year, be sure to share them with us either here or over on our Facebook page.

Cunard’s president and managing director, Peter Shanks, will be joined by 79-year old Florence (Dennie) Farmer who will be guest of honour at the event. Dennie’s husband, Willie Farmer, joined Cunard in September 1938 and served as chief engineer on both Queen Elizabeth and QE2 until retirement in October 1979. Since her husband’s death Dennie has sailed with Cunard many times and her link the two previous Queen Elizabeth ships is unparalleled. In recognition of this Cunard has bestowed on Dennie the honour, in Italian tradition, of being ‘madrina’ to the third Queen Elizabeth.

The first ceremony will involve the welding of significant coins beneath the mast of Queen Elizabeth for good luck. Three coins have been chosen – a half crown dated 1938 (the year the first Queen Elizabeth was launched), a sovereign dated 1967 (the year QE2 was launched) and a sovereign dated 2010 to acknowledge the fact that the new Queen Elizabeth is being floated out in 2010.

After the coin ceremony, the focus will move to the dockside where the ship will be blessed, and a bottle of Italian prosecco will be smashed against the hull by the madrina. The valves of the drydock will then be opened so the ship meets the water for the first time.

Considered one of the most luxurious ships afloat, the intimate, all-suite vessel sports a sophisticated new décor, with rich fabrics and furnishings, much like those found in an elegant estate home.

Highlights at a Glance: Prime 7 – a new restaurant – features a rich palette of green and gold, with supple leather seating, granite and burnished woods. The menu features prime-aged steaks and chops as well as poultry and fresh seafood. Compass Rose – the ship’s main dining room – has undergone a dramatic update with new window treatments, carpets and plush cranberry and camel armchairs. New signature china, silver and glassware complete the redesign. La Veranda – with both indoor and al fresco seating – replaced Portofino’s restaurant. New furniture, carpeting and draperies create an elegant ambiance. Food stations have been redesigned and enhanced for guests to enjoy lavish breakfast and lunch buffets. In the evening diners select from a menu of regionally themed specialties.

A New Pool Grill features a hot and cold buffet, panini sandwich station and coffee and dessert area in addition to a state-of-the-art barbecue grill. The Pool Bar, at the other end of the pool deck, was expanded and enhanced with a new ice cream station, fully equipped with machines for milkshakes and frappes.

Star’s Lounge received a masterful makeover. A ruby-red carpet running the length of the entryway sets the stage for this glamorous club with furnishings that exude a classic Hollywood elegance.

Galileo’s sports bold new interiors, window coverings and a sleek new bar area. An outdoor lounge has been added with stylish sofas and chaises overlooking the sea.

Navigator Lounge features rich hues of cappuccino, camel and navy accented by apple-green. The card room and library were redecorated and all public spaces throughout the ship were refreshed.

Canyon Ranch SpaClub: Last, but certainly not least, the former health club and an observation lounge have been transformed into the ship’s new Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The serene and stylish wellness center has body and skin-care, massage and thalassotherapy treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite. Added is an aerobics studio and new gymnasium with cardio and strength-training machines, both affording forward-facing, panoramic ocean views. Locker rooms, including his and hers sauna and steam rooms, have been updated as has the full-service beauty salon, which features new wood cabinetry and granite accents. A juice bar and relaxation lounge are additional SpaClub amenities.

Seven Seas Navigator will operate seven- to 11-night cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America this winter, followed by a summer series of seven-night Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Anchorage. Upon completion of the Alaska season, the ship embarks on a 96-night Grand Asia Pacific cruise.

Please do not arrive at the pier before 6:00pm. For the most current information and to avoid any unnecessary waiting, Princess encourages passengers to call the local Princess ground handler, Destination Management Chile, at the below before you depart for the ship.

Calling from an international number: 56 2 3431 334 Calling in Chile from a regular phone: 3431 334 Calling in Chile from a Chilean mobile phone: 02 3431 334

OR

Calling from an international number: 56 9 7 897 27 85 Calling in Chile from a regular phone: 09 7 897 27 85 Calling in Chile from a Chilean mobile phone: 7 897 27 85

At 36,000 tons, and accommodating just 540 guests, this intimate ship has the largest suites in the Silversea fleet — with 95% featuring a private veranda — and one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea today.  The onboard décor lends a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambiance to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring over 8,300 square feet (770 square metres), a resort-style pool, four whirlpools, and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, showcasing Asian-fusion cuisine, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, offering trendsetting menus and all-night entertainment.

Last week was a mess along the Gulf Coast with fog causing delays all along the Gulf of Mexico.

Crystal announces who will be joining their 2010 Presidents Cruise and also is inviting kids to sail free on two European itineraries.

NCL will be celebrating 10 years of Freestyle Cruising next year and we have some details on Queen Victoria’s maiden call to San Francisco next month.

We also have more details about Oceania’s newest ship Marina.

Veendam apparently has some issues with Hamilton Bermuda…

Signature of Excellence upgrades began with new fixtures and soft goods in staterooms and bathrooms. New Lanai accommodations were added along with several additional staterooms on the aft portion of each ship. Additional highlights feature a resort pool called The Retreat, the Showroom at Sea, Canaletto Italian restaurant and the new Mix lounge midship.

Public Spaces Pulse with Latest Innovations The most visible and engaging alteration is to the aft of Rotterdam, allowing for a new resort-style pool area on Lido deck called The Retreat. With a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs and dip their toes in the water, the new pool invites guests to relax and enjoy a new pool bar, an upscale pizzeria called Slice, and a giant LED screen for evening movies. A new canopy and wind screens provide additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant, too.

In the Lido restaurant, Canaletto comes to life for dinner when a section is transformed each evening into the complimentary specialty restaurant with glass partitions and an Italian ambiance. Dishes range from putanesca to penne alla vodka. Although reservations are encouraged for this casual dining venue, walk-ups will be accepted. Canaletto is open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The latest Signature of Excellence enhancements include several other public areas. Notably, the Casino and Piano bars were reconfigured into a multi-themed area called Mix with three separate bars — Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales — serving their namesakes. Next door, the high-energy casino was redesigned and the main show lounge was transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambiance of a glamorous nightclub and a new slate of shows. Carpets were replaced in most public areas.

Staterooms Receive New Look and New Lanai Category All staterooms received new décor, carpeting and soft goods and bathrooms saw an “extreme” makeover with new vanities and cabinetry. Rotterdam now has an additional 44 staterooms with additional verandah, new Lanai and inside availability.

On Rotterdam, 23 staterooms near the spa (on Verandah deck) will become “spa staterooms” featuring a variety of enhanced spa amenities. On Lower Promenade Deck, 39 new Lanai staterooms will be created by replacing existing windows with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding a few additional rooms in this category.

Three Additional Ships Schedule for Enhancements ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam and ms Statendam will receive Signature of Excellence enhancements beginning in early 2010. ms Veendam received all enhancements last April.

Future enhancements will be completed in two phases. First, in a series of drydocks in 2010 and 2011, the three additional ships will receive the addition of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements, and stateroom upgrades. The second series of drydocks in 2012 and 2013 will add The Retreat and new staterooms on the aft portion of the ships, as well as forward verandah and spa staterooms.

Signature of Excellence tops $525 Million The industry-leading Signature of Excellence initiative announced nearly five years ago in November 2003 has evolved into an ongoing and comprehensive review of every aspect of the Holland America Line experience and exceeds $525 million. Signature of Excellence features and amenities are evident in every aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience, offering guests more luxurious accommodations, more enticing destinations, enhanced dining experiences, more creative activities and even higher levels of service.

Like its widely acclaimed sister ships – Celebrity Solstice, which was named “Best Premium Ship” and “Best Rookie Ship” in Travel Weekly’s annual awards gala just last week; Celebrity Equinox, which set sail in July 2009; and Celebrity Eclipse, which will enter service in April 2010 – the 122,000-ton Celebrity Silhouette will offer the series of brand-defining, industry-first attributes that guests, travel agents and press have praised about Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass, unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, and widely varied entertainment. Like its sisters, the 2,850-guest Celebrity Silhouette will have larger staterooms – 90 percent outside, and 85 percent with verandas – and spacious bathrooms, as well as several categories of accommodations, including Celebrity’s ConciergeClass and spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms. “Countless guests and travel partners have asked us to reveal the ship’s name over the past few months, which is yet another indicator of the widespread interest in these stunningly designed ships,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “The enormous response to our unique new sweepstakes is a powerful indicator, too.”

The stunning Lalique Grand Staircase will feature double curved staircases and balcony with balustrades of crystal medallions and scrolled iron. Six crystal pillars rising from the landing adorn the two-story, glass elevator surround. A brass banister is complemented by a mahogany handrail.

At the base – as a dramatic centerpiece – is Lalique’s highly prestigious Cactus table surrounded by etched crystal screens and flanked by newels capped with prominent crystal finials. An exquisite and striking Lalique vase, with fresh flower display, will sit atop the table.

Lalique sculptures and crystal accessories will also be displayed throughout the ship as part of Marina’s multi-million dollar art collection.

Oceania Cruises previously announced that its palatial Owner’s Suites would be furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home. Additional design elements will be unveiled over the next month.

The 1,258-guest Marina has been purposefully designed to carry discerning travelers to the world’s most alluring ports in elegance and style. Crystal, rich woods, marble and granite, wool carpets and lustrous leathers adorn public rooms. Facilities include 10 dining venues – six of which are open-seating gourmet restaurants, an array of bars and lounges, a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs.