WORLD BEST CRUISES

Carnival Breeze - Cabins and Suites

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Wed, 8 Aug 2012 02:05:00 -0700

The 719 interior staterooms are the smallest (and least expensive) on the ship, measuring 185 square-feet. For those looking for something larger and more luxurious, the Carnival Breeze has 54 suites, the largest being the Grand Penthouse Suites. Most travelers on the ship will usually choose one of the 851 Carnival Breeze balcony cabins or one of the 221 oceanview cabins without a balcony.

Although the decor is different, the 1,845 cabins and suites on the Carnival Breeze are almost identical in type and configuration to her sister ships, the Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic.

Carnival has added some innovative cabin categories to this class of ship. Families will enjoy the "quint" oceanview cabins, which sleep five and have two baths. Travelers who like to be closer to the water might request a "cove balcony cabin". These cabins are identical to the standard balcony cabin on the inside, but are lower on deck 2. The covered balcony is partially enclosed, making it more cozy and private. The spa cabins adjacent to the Cloud 9 spa have special amenities, and the guests staying in this class have unlimited access to the spa, priority spa appointments, and complimentary fitness classes.

Guests in all the Carnival Breeze cabins must put their key in a slot right inside the door to activate the lights. The upside of this is that you always know where your key is. The downside is that you have to remember to take it out of the slot before closing the door!

The decor of the cabin deck hallways are different than on any other Carnival ship. The doors have light wood that is painted to make them look louvered. It's very realistic and had me fooled for a minute. The wall panels between the doors have large murals of a very beachy tropical scene.

Carnival Breeze - Dining and Cuisine

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 02:01:00 -0700

Every cruise traveler should be able to find the cuisine and type of food they are craving when sailing on the Carnival Breeze. The ship certainly has enough different places to find a bite to eat, and I managed to try them all on our 12-day Mediterranean cruise. Several of the dining venues are familiar. The Carnival Breeze has two large traditional restaurants--Blush and Sapphire--with fixed and open seating. It also has a large buffet, the Lido Marketplace, and several food court-style fast food dining options nearby like Tandoor (Indian), Pizza Pirate, BlueIguana Cantina (Tex Mex), and Guy's Burger Joint.

Although most of the dining venues on the Carnival Breeze are included in the basic fare, the ship does have a few with either a la carte pricing or an extra surcharge. Those willing to pay a small fee for a la carte dishes that are especially good should try Bonsai Sushi, the first full-service sushi bar on a Carnival ship. The RedFrog Pub serves pub snacks that go great with the beer, and the Ocean Plaza Cafe sells specialty coffees and pastries. Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano serves complimentary pasta from a menu at lunch, but has a surcharge in the evening. It's a fun place for the whole family, and the servings are huge (probably too big). Fahrenheit 555 is the steakhouse restaurant on the Carnival Breeze, and its $35 per person surcharge is identical to that of specialty steakhouses on the rest of the Carnival fleet. This fee may seem steep, but the food is delicious and expertly prepared. I think it's perfect for a celebratory evening either with someone special or for a group.

The Carnival Breeze has one other new casual eatery that is only open on sea days. Fat Jimmy's C-Side BBQ is found outdoors on the Promenade near the Ocean Plaza. The pulled pork and chicken barbecue are excellent. I didn't try the Italian or Kielbasa sausage, but heard good things from my fellow passengers. This new takeaway diner was very popular on our cruise.

California Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 09:18:00 -0700

When in California, why not consider a California cruise. There are several options to choose when planning a cruise vacation, for both Californians and non. The weather makes a year round destination a real time scenario. Some ports such as Long Beach, San Diego, and Los Angeles make these cruises special. These are just to name a few.

San Diego offers Yacht Charters and Bay Cruises. California Cruises offer breathtaking views of downtown San Diego, the harbor, and the beautiful Pacific, while soaking up the San Diego sun! These cruises are also great for weddings, corporate events, parties, and business meetings. They even offer overnight accommodations.

Another cruise option is a Northern California Cruise. Dolphin Charters cruise to Napa and the Petaluma River. Independently owned and operated since the 1970's, this company focuses on the guests and details of California's natural beauty. Passengers on the Delphinius Riverboat cruise the Petaluma River enjoying the wildlife and marshlands in the area.

The Napa Cruise, which departs from Vallejo, will take passengers past old navy ships at Mare Island to the marinas, salt ponds, and backwater homes of beautiful Napa, California. This is a one day trip cruise option with additional options that can be added such as lunch and or tours of Victorian Old Town.

That is not all Northern California has to present. Have you heard of the "City by the Bay"; San Francisco. You can take a very popular day cruise under the Golden Gate and go ashore at the famed Fisherman's Wharf. Get off the boat and ride the historical historic cable cars, or take a walk on the big hill's of the streets in downtown San Francisco, a city brimming with history and tourist attractions.

A cruise that travels to Catalina Island offers a longer itinerary that can include destinations to Mexico and Canada as well. Carnival offers a terrific cruise that first takes you to the sunny playground of Catalina. Located just 22 miles from the mainland, Catalina makes a great get away that is fun and affordable. In today's economy, everyone is looking for a good deal and a way to take a vacation without spending tons of money.

Once you arrive in Catalina, there are many great opportunities to enjoy the island. Window shopping in Avalon. Go snorkeling at Casino Point in Marine Park. Hike the mountain and canyon trails where bison still roam freely. Drive into the interior of the island for beautiful views of the Pacific ocean. Visit the Botanical Gardens or go on a kayaking trip. Catalina also offers Glass Bottom Boat Tours, as well as a Semi-Submersed Vessel Tour. Whale Watching Tours are available between the months of January through March. Witness the glorious gray whales as they migrate to Mexico off the Catalina Coast.

Carnival also offers a four day trip to Baja, Mexico. This trip begins and ends in Los Angeles. Ports of call include Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico. Spend time enjoying the many amenities mentioned in Catalina in addition to Mexico's Bajamar Golf Course, shopping in the port of Ensenada, and the famous La Bufadora, which is a natural water spout. The ship has a family-oriented atmosphere featuring adult and youth activities.

Swim in the large swimming pool or slide down the twisty water slide. Play miniature golf or just relax in the spa. A sauna, gym, and exercise room help keep those extra pounds at bay from all the delicious foods available 24 hours a day while on board the ship.

So as you can see, vacationers looking for a California Cruise have several options to choose from, with many amenities, services, styles, and land excursions to enjoy.

Carnival Breeze

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:55:00 -0700

The 3,690-passenger, 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze is the newest addition to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. Launched in June 2012, she has many new features that past, present, and future Carnival cruise fans will love. The ship's decor is a little softer and more toned-down than many of the other 23 ships in the fleet, but the Carnival Breeze delivers the same fun-in-the-sun (and on the sea) memorable vacations.

The Carnival Breeze is a sister ship to the Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic, and the cruise line has continued many of the popular venues from these two ships. Carnival also incorporated some of the Carnival Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements the company is adding to its fleet. I enjoyed at taste of many of these changes on the newly-renovated Carnival Liberty.

Carnival has introduced 23 different branded experiences as part of the Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements. These experiences include new dining venues, entertainment, and bars. The RedFrog Pub was the first brand introduced, and it's become wildly popular. At bars, part of the branding experience is the addition of special drinks like the Ting Mojito, which is mixed with a popular Jamaican drink, or Thirsty Frog Red beer.

To help distinguish each brand, the staff uniforms are different and they have been specifically trained to work in the branded area. For example, the servers at the Tex-Mex BlueIguana Cantina were very familiar with the different salsas available on the salsa bar. Guests could tell that they hadn't just been randomly scheduled to work there for a few hours one day and then moved elsewhere the next. One of the bartenders at the Ocean Plaza Bar quickly learned my favorite drink and name, making a large ship experience seem much more personalized and intimate. I looked forward to seeing her each day since I felt she "knew" me. Our cabin steward also addressed me by name every time I saw him. When you think about the number of cabins they are responsible for, that's impressive!

Here's some interesting facts about the Carnival Breeze provided by Carnival Cruises.

Achievements in its first year of service:

Carnival Breeze's photographers will snap more than 1.5 million digital images and portraits. Guests will devour 242,000 servings of the cruise industry's most popular dessert, the Chocolate Melting Cake, along with 346,000 pizzas and 145,200 cappuccinos
Approximately 26,600 meals will be served in the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
Galley chefs will use roughly 22,000 pounds of flour
Guests will consume nearly 100 metric tons of pineapples, mostly in frothy tropical drinks
Stateroom stewards will place more than 2 million individual pieces of chocolate on guests' pillows and create more than 663,000 "towel animals"
Guests will indulge in 18,000-plus massages, nearly 9,000 facials, more than 6,000 slimming treatments, and some 2,000 personal fitness consultations in the Carnival Breeze's "Cloud 9 Spa"

The Carnival Breeze was constructed at the Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani, S.p.A. in Monfalcone, Italy at a cost of about $740 million. She's a little over 1,000 feet long and 122 feet wide and has a top speed of 22.5 knots. The ship carries an international crew of 1,386.

Job Description Of A Cruise Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Mon, 9 Jul 2012 04:42:00 -0700

The question as to why needs an event planner is a tricky one but one I answer in two simple answers. Firstly, we are all wired differently and possess certain skills not present in all. Due to this, we are not able to always do the things we want when we need to. For this reason, we hire professionals who have a better understanding of our needs.

Inadequate time for planning is a nightmare to many people. It happens that work is simply too much to do at any given time and hence making it difficult to settle on planning by one self. The belief that if one plans a party for themselves, it may not be as successful as it would have been, were a professional been involved is always larking in our minds.

The question therefore would be as to who qualifies to become this individual. After an online survey, it has come to the attention of many seeking to join this industry that the major boost was entrepreneurial in that, a gap in the market was present and a smart individual seized that chance to harness skills and for money.
Experts in this sector are charged with responsibility of coordination of events, in which they exceed their will to make a name for quality services. In the case of weddings, the grounds needs to be tended, tents arranged, food cooked and served, chairs arranged and more. This may seem hectic for the couple and hence they explore the option of an individual to help out.

For the success of a career in planning, a qualified cruise organizer must possess the following set of skills. He or she must be very articulate in keeping time and organized, both in personal world and business world. Such a person should be in a position to handle stressful situations that come with parties.
Academic qualification is vital for a decent career path. This is not only for this type of trade but all. Consider a degree in hospitality and management and you will be on route. But this is not the only accreditation you need. A certified special event professional or a diploma in certified event planner is worth considering.

Uniworld Super Ship Antoinette - European River Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:32:00 -0700

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises named its newest ship the "Super Ship" Antoinette, and the design and luxurious decor of the S.S. Antoinette demonstrate that its name is not just hyperbole. This gorgeous river boat has features not found on any other river vessel such as a swimming pool and top deck bar and dining area that retract into the boat to allow it to pass under low bridges. It also has absolutely spectacular interiors, and if the 10-foot Baccarat chandelier in the lobby doesn't make you say "wow", the swimming pool or the mosaics and other artwork will.

The innovations seen on the S.S. Antoinette are somewhat surprising, given the size constrictions that European river boats have. Although ocean-bound cruise ships have much latitude in size and configuration, the width and length of locks on the European rivers dictates the size of European river boats. Moreover, their height is constrained by the low bridges that river boats must pass under. So, the exterior of all European river ships looks much the same--narrow, long, and low, with usually only three interior passenger decks and a sun deck. It's the interior decor and innovative features that make the S.S. Antoinette special.

The S.S. Antoinette is named for Antoinette (Toni) Tollman, daughter of the founders of the Travel Corporation and owners of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Ms. Tollman was the visionary of the ship's interiors, and she and lead designer Brian Brennan primarily used an 18th century theme reminiscent of a more famous Antoinette--Queen Marie Antoinette of France. The ship's ornate, formal decor looks much like a French chateau and is certainly more luxurious than I've seen on any other river vessel.

Entering the S.S. Antoinette on deck three, the two-deck marble lobby is dominated by a 10-foot Baccarat crystal and sapphire blue chandelier that once hung at the Tavern on the Green restaurant in New York City's Central Park. In the corner of the reception area is the elevator, and forward is the main restaurant, aptly named the Restaurant de Versailles.

Aft on deck three are cabins, a 24-hour coffee station, and the well-equipped fitness center. The machines in the fitness center are straight from the 21st century, not the 18th.

Down the steps to deck two are more cabins, a boutique, passenger laundry room (no charge), and the movie theater, Le Cinema Pigalle. This 20-seat cinema features comfortable chairs, a lovely carpet, large flat screen, and Dolby surround sound. It will be perfect for watching movies with a bag of popcorn!

Going back upstairs past the reception desk and chandelier to deck four forward, you will find the magnificent Salon du Grand Trianon Bar. The carpet, draperies, numerous mirrors, and furnishings definitely reflect the 18th century French decor. The muted green colors are relaxing, the upholstery and furniture expensive, and the atmosphere elegant.

Moving past the 24-hour coffee station on deck four, be sure to note the interesting artwork that adorns the hallways. The Tollman family enjoys collecting art and furniture, and they incorporate many of these pieces into their boutique ships and hotels. I love the muted pastel colors used on each row of passenger cabins and suites. After you pass the massage room and juice bar, you will find the swimming pool.

Adding this pool was a great challenge to the shipbuilders. Just think of all that extra weight over the engines! The pool is heated, has a depth of five feet, and has water jets allowing those who like to swim for exercise to do by using the strong current. The pool is lined with blue tile, and has underwater music piped in. The indoor pool area is surrounded by large windows on three sides and has a sun roof and very comfortable lounges. The aft wall of windows opens to the outdoors, providing fresh air in addition to the wonderful views of the river scenery. The two back walls feature expensive mosaics done by the same artist as those in the Versailles Restaurant.

Uniworld S.S. Antoinette - River Ship Tour

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Thu, 3 May 2012 21:26:00 -0700

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises launched its newest river ship, the Super Ship (S.S.) Antoinette in March 2011. At the time of its debut, the new ship had the most luxurious decor and innovative features of any river ship afloat. These features include a swimming pool and a second restaurant and bar on the top deck that retract into the ship.

The S.S. Antoinette is named for Antoinette (Toni) Tollman, daughter of the owners of the Travel Corporation, which is the parent company of Uniworld. Ms. Tollman designed the ship with an 18th century France framework, and her inspiration was Marie Antoinette and the Palace of Versailles. The Tollmans had purchased a chandelier from the Tavern on the Green Restaurant in New York City, and the rest of the ship was designed around this spectacular piece.

Uniworld S.S. Antoinette Is Christened in Amsterdam

The Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection's newest ship, the S.S. Antoinette, was christened March 18 in Amsterdam on a gorgeous sunny morning.

Chandelier in lobby of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection ship the S.S. Antoinette

The new ship was welcomed to the Uniworld family by members of the Tollman family (the owners of Uniworld and the Travel Corporation), company executives, Uniworld travel partners from around the world, shipyard executives, and the media.

Mr. Guy Young, President of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, began the christening program by thanking all of the special guests and Uniworld and shipyard employees who had worked so hard towards bringing the ship into service.

Mr. Young briefly discussed how the Travel Corporation first entered the river cruise business with their 2004 acquisition of Uniworld. Over the past several years, the ships have been refurbished to meet the standards expected by the Travel Corporation customers in their luxury boutique hotels, including many personal touches of Mrs. Beatrice Tollman, the founder and President of the company. This year Uniworld has acquired three new ships and is refurbishing three others.

Mr. Young then introduced Ms. Toni Tollman, the principal designer and godmother of the S.S. Antoinette. Ms. Tollman has closely worked on the decor and design of many of the Travel Corporation hotels, and now she is adding her expertise to the river vessels. Ms. Tollman thanked her parents for their confidence in her designs, and said she likes to think of Uniworld's ships as luxury boutique "boatels". Their goal is to give guests a 5-star experience, which means giving them everything they want through knowledge and endless effort.

The concept for the interior design and decor of the S.S. Antoinette started with a 2.5-meter tall chandelier that Stanley and Beatrice Tollman purchased from the famous Tavern on the Green Restaurant in New York City's Central Park. The Tollmans had dined many times under that chandelier, and when the restaurant closed, they purchased it for sentimental reasons, planning to use it somewhere in their company. Their daughter Toni appropriated it for the centerpiece of the new river ship, the S.S. Antoinette, and the spectacular chandelier now hangs in its 2-deck lobby. The ornate chandelier and the name of the ship led to its 18th century French decor. Although the ship is named for Antoinette Tollman (Toni), it also carries the name of a more famous Antoinette--Queen Marie Antoinette of France.

Viking River Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:23:00 -0700

Viking OFFERS A relaxing way to tour Europe, Russia and

China

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Viking River Cruises Profile of Passengers:
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Viking River Cruises Accommodations and Cabins:
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Viking River Cruises Dining Room:
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Viking River Cruises Onboard Activities and Entertainment:
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Viking River Cruises and features:
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Viking River Cruises Spa, Gym and fitness:
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Marina Lounges - Oceania Cruises' Marina Bars and Lounges

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Fri, 9 Mar 2012 10:41:00 -0800

The Oceania Cruises' Marina has numerous bars and lounges. Some also serve food, like Baristas, with its specialty coffees and snacks, or La Reserve, a wine bar with tastings and food and wine pairing dinners. Others, like the Marina Lounge feature live entertainment. Finally, there are the cocktail lounges, which feature comfortable seating and interesting decor for enjoying a drink with new or old friends.

Marina - Casino Bar

The small Casino Bar is often called the "purple bar" because of its purplish lights. The two sections of the casino are on either side, and overflow seating is found in the Grand Bar area.

Marina - Grand Bar

The Grand Bar on the Marina cruise ship of Oceania Cruises is on deck 6 mid-ship near the Casino.

Marina - Horizons Lounge

Horizons is the deck 15 panorama lounge on the Oceania Cruises' Marina. This large lounge has wonderful views of the ocean from its forward-facing windows. It has a large dance floor and music in the evening. Horizons is also used for afternoon tea, and has the only indoor smoking area on the ship, a small comfortable room off the lounge.

For Honest Reviews Online Click Here

Marina Dining - Oceania Cruises' Marina Dining and Cuisine

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Sat, 3 Mar 2012 10:36:00 -0800

The Marina is almost twice as large as Oceania Cruises' three smaller ships, giving the cruise line the flexibility to add several new diverse dining venues, all of which are superb. The Marina has ten dining venues -- six restaurants, two casual eateries, and two special dining experiences with their own venue and an extra surcharge (Privee and La Reserve). None of the other eight dining options on this premium-category ship have an extra fee.

Oceania's goal was to build a ship purpose-built for epicureans, with all of the meals cooked to order, a la minute. Although I was only on the Marina for three nights and did not have an opportunity to try all the dining options, those I did experience were certainly memorable, varied, and delicious.

Those who love Polo Grill, Toscana, the Grand Dining Room, the Terrace Cafe, and the Waves Grill found on Oceania's three smaller ships (the Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica) will not be disappointed since these five dining venues are also on the Marina. However, Oceania has added five new very distinctive venues -- Jacques French bistro, Red Ginger Asian restaurant, Baristas coffee bar, Privee gourmet restaurant, and La Reserve wine tasting dining room -- to the Marina.

All dining venue below are available on the Marina.

Baristas

Grand Dining Room

Jacques

La Reserve

Polo Grill

Privee

Red Ginger

Terrace Cafe

Toscana

Waves

For Honest Reviews Online Click Here

Marina of Oceania Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:31:00 -0800

Elegant Marina Has Terrific Restaurants, Is Great Addition to Oceania Cruises

The Oceania Cruises' Marina is a 1250-guest ship launched in early 2011. The ship is absolutely gorgeous, with elegant, rich furnishings and interesting decor and artwork. Marina is perfect for Oceania's primary market of travelers over 50 who want a country-club-style casual cruise vacation to fascinating destinations, with good food and at a good value.

Since the Marina is about twice as large as Oceania's three smaller ships, she has more dining venues, lounges, public spaces, and cabin/suite categories. However, since the Marina is still a mid-sized ship, she can easily sail to many smaller, more exotic ports of call, which will be very appealing to her well-traveled clientele.

I attended the Marina christening and sailed for three nights on a preview cruise of the new ship. Let me take you on a tour of the Marina.

Marina Cabins and Suites - Oceania Cruises' Marina Cruise Ship

The 1250-passenger Marina of Oceania Cruises has 625 cabins and suites, with four different cabin categories and four different suite categories. The Marina accommodations are found on decks 6 through 12.

All of the Marina cabins are generous in size, and the suites are as large as some apartments! The cabins range in size from the 174-square-foot interior cabins to the 282-square-foot veranda cabins and concierge veranda cabins. The suites range in size from the large 420-square-foot penthouse suites to the humongous 2000-square-foot owner's suites.
The decor of the cabins and suites is elegant and livable. Even the lowest category interior cabins have amenities usually only found on luxury ships such as a refrigerated mini-bar with free and unlimited soft drinks and bottled water, which is replenished daily, and luxurious Tranquility beds and linens.

For Honest Reviews Online Click Here

XXL cruise aboard the Oasis of the Seas

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:36:00 -0800

The Royal Caribbean has been known for its fleet of cruise ships to outsized. The Oasis of the Seas, the largest ship in the world, has become the standard cruise XXL. While excess, this magnificent ship sailing in the Caribbean and stops in the Bahamas and Mexico.

Came into circulation in November 2009, the ship Oasis of the Seas has impressive dimensions. With its 360 meters long and 220 tones, it dominates the fleet of Royal Caribbean. It welcomes a crew of nearly 1200 people and can accommodate up to 5400 guests.

Its cabins are luxurious, like the facilities available on board. True floating city, is divided into seven major areas, each with a separate theme. Shops, restaurants, bars, pools, spas, gyms or performance, nothing is missing on the boat cruise XXL .

The Oasis of the Seas sails the Caribbean in two separate routes. Depending on the chosen cruise, guests will enjoy unforgettable ports of call: Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, St. Thomas and Philippsburg for the Eastern Caribbean and Fort Lauderdale, Falmouth and Cozumel for the Western Caribbean. Departures are held every month from Florida and cruise last week.

Croisierenet.com site lists all the cruises offered by Royal Caribbean. Off promotion, a week of vacation aboard the Oasis of the Seas costs between € 1,574 and € 4,198 depending on the type of cabin selected for a departure in February 2012. However, prices are lower when the booking is made several months before departure.

Dream vacation on a luxury liner

XXL This cruise aboard the Oasis of the Seas will be unforgettable. Everything is included in the price: accommodation, full board, port taxes, access to venues, participating in various activities available as well as the use of all equipment on the boat. Every effort is made to ensure that vacationers can relax and be entertained in a change of scenery.

Honest Reviews On Cruise

AMAWaterways Amalegro Cabins and Suites

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:12:00 -0800

The Amalegro standard cabins are larger than those found on many other river ships--170 square feet compared to about 150-160 square feet. This additional 10 or so square feet doesn't sound like much, but it provides more room at the end of the bed, a larger shower, and space for a chair between the bed and the French doors (large window in cabins on the Piano Deck).

The cabin is quite comfortable and has plenty of hanging and shelf storage space for a one or two-week river cruise. The closet is lighted and has a safe. Robes, slippers, and umbrellas are provided for use on the ship.

Each cabin has a combination television/Internet Infotainment system. The television features English language programs via satellite, along with a selection of complimentary movies. The television doubles as an Internet monitor, and each cabin also has a keyboard and complimentary Internet access. However, most passengers seem to prefer accessing the Internet from the computer provided in the Aft Lounge, which was much faster than in the cabins. Free WiFi is also available in the common areas for those who have brought along their own portable computers. You just have to secure a code from reception.

The cabins also have a telephone and their own climate control. Passengers can call home for a fee--check with reception. One note for American cruisers--the voltage is the standard European 220 volt, so you will need to bring along a converter and adapter for any appliances or battery chargers. A hairdryer is provided in each cabin.

The cabin stewards restock the cabin daily with complimentary bottled water and bathroom amenities (soap, bath gel, shampoo, hair conditioner, and body lotion).

The cabins all have two nightstands, beds that can be made into queen or twin, a dressing table with mirror and chair, and an overstuffed chair. The floor to ceiling French balcony doors open into the cabin and provide wonderful views of the river/canal scenery as it slips by.

Honest Reviews On Cruise

For more Information Regarding Travel Visit Delhi to Shimla

AMAWaterways Amalegro European River Ship

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:34:00 -0800

AMAWaterways has six identical European river ships with musical names--the MS Amalyra and MS Amadolce (2009), MS Amacello and MS Amadante (2008), MS Amalegro (2007) and MS Amadagio (2006). In addition to these six ships, the company has four other owned/leased ships sailing in Europe and Russia and the MS La Marguerite sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. AMAWaterways will be sailing the significantly refurbished Amakaterina on its Russian Waterways cruises starting in 2011. The Amakaterina will be the largest vessel sailing the Volga River and will feature 106 cabins, 76 of which will have full balconies (not French ones).

I sailed on the AMAWaterways Amalegro on a colorful 9-day April Tulip Time cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium and loved the ship, the itinerary, and the onboard and ashore activities. My favorite part of the ship was the 3-jet shower, which was the best I've seen on any cruise ship of any size!

Background of AMAWaterways

AMAWaterways was founded in 2002 as Amadeus Waterways by three people with extensive expertise in the travel business: river cruise industry pioneer Rudi Schreiner, cruise industry executive Kristin Karst, and former owner of Brendan Worldwide Vacations Jimmy Murphy. The company's ships primarily sail the great rivers of Europe--the Danube, Rhine, Mosel, Douro, Saone, Rhone, and Volga.

AMAWaterways also features a Mekong River cruise tour in Vietnam and Cambodia. This fascinating itinerary travels by bus and river boat between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with stopovers at such "bucket list" locales as Halong Bay and Angkor Wat.

AMAWaterways Amalegro

This article provides a tour and information of the Amalegro. These accompanying photo galleries also show off the cabins and both the indoor and outdoor common areas of the Amalegro. The ship is lovely and comfortable, perfect for river cruising.

Honest Reviews On Cruise

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Disney Magic - Cruising with Mickey and All the Disney Characters III

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:18:00 -0800

Disney Magic - Exterior Common Areas on the Ship

Many of the activities on the Disney Magic are centered on the out of doors, starting with the high energy sailaway party and continuing each day around the swimming pools. The ship has three pools, one for adults, the second for families, and the third just for kids. Each pool has attractive features such as the mega-movie screen or the Mickey slide, making them the center of daily life onboard for many guests.

Evening events are also held on the pool deck, the highlight of which is the "Pirates In the Caribbean" party. This party starts with a pirate theme dinner and then moves outside for music, dancing, and fireworks. It's a spectacular ending to a fun-filled night onboard the Disney Magic.

Disney Magic - Dining and Cuisine

The Disney Magic has three main dining rooms, and guests rotate amongst the three rooms during the cruise, always sitting at the same table number and with the same dinner companions. The wait staff also rotates, providing continuity to the dining experience. It's a great idea and works well.

Although these three dining rooms are good, the highlight of dining on the Disney Magic is a dinner or brunch at Palo's, the adults-only alternative restaurant. Palo's sits on the top deck and has wonderful views, exceptional service, and marvelous food. It even has a private room with a large dining table for adult parties.

For families looking for casual fare, the Disney Magic has a large buffet and several take-away food outlets near the pools.

Disney Magic - Cabins and Accommodations

The Disney Magic carries 2700 passengers in 875 cabins, many of which can sleep 4. Of the 720 outside cabins, 388 have private verandas, perfect for some quiet time to enjoy the warm Caribbean weather. The cabins are brightly colored, with plenty of storage space and practicality. I loved the shelves in a vertically-place steamer trunk used as a storage cabinet.

The bath is split into two rooms, one with a sink and toilet and the other with a sink and shower tub. Each bath is tiny, but it is nice to have two separate rooms and two sinks when traveling as a family group.

The room steward was efficient and friendly, and kept the cabin clean. He also left us chocolates and towel animal creations each evening to top off the entertainment.

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Italy cruise ship disaster The new Titanic

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:16:00 -0800

A sixth body has been found in the wreckage of the Costa Concordia cruise ship that capsized off the coast of Tuscany as rescue workers continue searching for survivors in the part of the ship that is above water.

The sixth body to be found on the cruise ship Costa off Giglio is still unidentified, though it has been confirmed by Italian news outlet Ansa that the man was a passenger on the ship. The man was found on the second deck in a part of the ship which was not flooded by water. He had his life vest on.

Sixteen people are still unaccounted for after the Costa Concordia, which was carrying 4,234 passengers and crew, hit rocks Friday evening near Giglio, a small island off the coast of Tuscany. Investigators say the ship was an "incredibly close" 150 meters (roughly 500 feet) from the shore.

The bodies of two passengers found wearing life jackets aboard the ship were identified Sunday, officials said. Both passengers were elderly men -- one Italian, the other Spanish. The bodies were found earlier Sunday near a gathering point in the submerged part of the luxury liner.

Experts are still analyzing the ship's black box, which has already revealed a one-hour lag between the time of the impact on the rocks at 9:45 p.m. local time Friday and the ship's alarm call to the coast guard at about 10:43 p.m. Investigators suspect Schettino tried to maneuver the ship before alerting coast guard, the Italian news outlet Ansa reported.

Schettino is in custody, facing possible charges of manslaughter and abandoning his ship. Schettino reportedly left the stricken vessel at approximately 12:30 a.m., while many passengers didn't get safely off the ship until 6 a.m., Ansa reported.

Ten passengers and six crew members are still unaccounted for. The number was reduced from an earlier estimate of 40 unaccounted for.

The U.S. embassy in Rome estimates 120 Americans were on board the ship, of which 118 have been accounted for.

"Our immediate priority is to account for all passengers and crew, and to secure the vessel to ensure that there are no environmental impacts," Costa Cruises said in a statement. "We have engaged the services of a top specialized salvage company to develop an action plan and help establish a protection perimeter around the ship."

The incident began with a loud bang followed by a blackout just as passengers were having dinner. Minutes later, an announcement from the crew said it was merely an electrical problem. But with the ship tilting, many passengers ignored their orders and scrambled to the deck.

Vacationers reported the crew did not want to lower the lifeboats. Many reported forcing their way on against orders. Some were lowered, but not everyone got on.

Disney Magic - Cruising with Mickey and All the Disney Characters II

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:30:00 -0800

Disney Magic - Lounges and Bars

Although a Disney Magic cruise is centered on families, the cruise line hasn't forgotten how important it is for adults to have private time when on vacation. This factor is very evident on the Disney Magic, with several adult lounges, three of which are grouped together in the Beat Street neighborhood on deck 3. My favorite was the quiet Sessions, with live piano music in the evenings and those marvelous large portholes for ocean viewing. Sports enthusiasts love watching ESPN in the Diversions sports bar, and the Rockin' Bar D provides adult entertainment in the late evenings.

These lounges are also used for adult-oriented activities, such as wine tastings, which were among the most well-run and interesting I've ever been to on any ship.

Disney Magic - Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean Cruise Overview

I cruised the Disney Magic to the eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral on a seven-day itinerary that included two delightful sea days followed by two ports of call in the U.S. Virgin Islands -- St. Croix and St. Thomas. While on St. Thomas, I did a half-day shore excursion to the nearby island of St. John. We then had a final day at sea before spending the day at Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. Although many cruise lines have private islands in the Caribbean, Castaway Cay is one of the best.

This cruise itinerary was a great mix of time at sea and time in port. With so many onboard activities for children, families, and adults, I'm glad we had three sea days to enjoy the Disney experience.

Disney Magic Western Mediterranean Cruise Overview

The Disney Magic is a delightful way for families or adults to see the western Mediterranean. The ship sails roundtrip from Barcelona in the summer months, stopping at well-known ports such as Rome and Naples and those that are not as common such as La Spezia and Ajaccio, Corsica.
This detailed travel log of a Disney Magic western Mediterranean cruise provides an overview of the ports of call along with some of the special Disney port adventures for families.

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Disney Magic - Cruising with Mickey and All the Disney Characters I

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Thu, 5 Jan 2012 08:57:00 -0800

The Disney Magic is an excellent mixture of classic ocean liner beauty and Disney whimsy. She is an exceptional choice for family cruising, but provides enough space, entertainment, and activities to draw couples and adults traveling without kids.

Disney excels at organization and entertainment, and these two elements are key to a successful cruise experience. Throw in the characters and the small Disney touches such as the "When You Wish Upon a Star" chimes, Mickey's voice on the wake up call, and the hidden Mickey heads woven in to the decor, and it's a fun week for everyone.

Disney Magic - A Look at the Outside of the Disney Magic

The Disney Magic was launched in 1998 and has a classic ocean liner look on the outside, with a black hull, shining white top, and two red funnels, both adorned with Mickey heads. There's no doubt which cruise line this ship belongs to!

Most modern ships only have one funnel, and this one is no different--one of the funnels is a dummy and houses the teen center. Keeping with the Mickey theme, the life boats are yellow (rather than the standard orange), making the overall look very Disney--black, white, red, and yellow. A glance at the bow will make anyone smile. The bow has intricate gold scroll-work much like classic tall ships of long ago. Mixed in with this elegant detail is Goofy, dangling from a rope and touching up the paint.

Disney Magic - Interior Common Areas Around the Ship

Much of the interior of the Disney Magic is done in Art Deco style, and the ship artwork includes many special Disney theme pieces. Exploring the ship is like a treasure hunt, as you will find yourself looking for the Mickey logo, which is creatively woven into the decor.

My favorite common areas of the ship were the soaring three-story lobby and the large Walt Disney Theatre. The lobby is the hub of the ship and features a wonderful bronze statue of Mickey Mouse at the helm. Topping off the lobby is a huge, multi-colored chandelier designed by Dale Chihuly.

The theatre seats 977 and has the best shows I've seen at sea. Each production show tells a story and is like a short operetta, filled with singers, dancers, and (of course) characters.

I'll be the first to admit that the Disney Magic far exceeded my expectations. I knew the ship was an excellent choice for families, but never dreamed it would be so much fun for adults traveling without kids. The highlights were the exceptional organization, the amazing Disney entertainment, dining at Palo's, and watching the faces of the children as they interacted with the Disney characters.

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Celebrity Cruises for Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:45:00 -0800

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1989. Its main aim was to provide high-quality cruise cruise vacations at a reasonable price. It merged with Royal Caribbean International in 1997.Now they run 29 cruise ships. Today Celebrity Cruises offers best cruise throughout the world, including several which include the Hawaiian Islands.

Ten-Night Cruise on the Celebrity Century

Among Celebrity Cruises' Hawaii voyages is a 10-night cruise on the 1,814-passenger vessel "Celebrity Century." This cruise begins in Ensenada, Mexico (just south of San Diego), spends five full days at sea and calls at the Hawaiian ports of Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii; and Lahaina, Maui before concluding at Honolulu. Amenities aboard the Century include a full spa, Internet cafe, multiple restaurants and lounges, and a martini bar.

Thirteen-Night Cruise on the Celebrity Century

Another Celebrity Cruise offering aboard the Celebrity Century is a 13-night voyage, beginning in Honolulu and ending in Ensenada. This cruise calls at Nawiliwili, Kauai; Lahaina, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii; and Honolulu before spending six days at sea en route to Mexico. Days at sea give guests an opportunity to enjoy the ship's many features, including a full European-style spa and multiple swimming pools and sun decks.

Fifteen-Night Cruise on the Celebrity Century in October

Vacationers with two weeks at their disposal might consider the 15-day voyage on the Celebrity Century. This cruise begins and ends in San Diego, with four days at sea en route to Hawaii, calls at Hilo, Lahaina, Honolulu and Nawiliwili (Kauai), five days at sea returning, and a call at Ensenada in Mexico. This itinerary is offered in both October and April.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:11:00 -0800

Around a year ago The Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas was launched. It is the world's largest ship. It can carry over 6,000 guests when completely full. It's like a small city when you add in all the crew.

Allure of the Seas Cruise Ship Tour

The Allure of the Seas and her sister ship the Oasis of the Seas are the largest cruise ships in the world. The two ships have much in common, but also have their own distinctive entertainment, dining, and retail options.

Allure of the Seas Dining Options

Those who have sailed on Oasis will find some familiar restaurants. However, this younger sister ship has some interesting additions, such as the Brazilian steakhouse Samba Grill and Rita's Cantina Mexican restaurant. And, Allure even has a Starbuck's!

Allure of the Seas Outdoor Deck Areas

The Allure of the Seas has three outdoor neighborhoods--Boardwalk, Central Park, and the Pool and Sports Zone. Each of these has something to appeal to all ages and demonstrates the diversity and innovation in design of the ship's common areas.

Allure of the Seas Cabins and Suites

The huge Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas has 2,706 cabins and suites, ranging in size from the 149 square foot Q category Interior Staterooms to the 1,724 square foot Royal Suite with balcony. These photos demonstrate all the different cabin categories.

For Honest Reviews On Cruise by Real Travelers Read Honest Reviews Online

Cruise Lines Which are Serving Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:30:00 -0800

Celebrity Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

The Only Cruise for Hawaii which has Seven Days In Port

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Explore & Enjoy Oahu (the most populous Island) Maui (Waterfalls) Kauai (Green island) & KOKO head volcanoes.

Princess Cruises

Best New York City Sightseeing Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Wed, 7 Dec 2011 22:29:00 -0800

For first-time visitors, sightseeing cruises offer a terrific overview and a chance to orient yourself, while learning a bit about New York City's history and architecture. No matter how many times you've visited New York City, New York City sightseeing cruises are also a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the city's skyline and waterways. New York City sightseeing cruises are a great choice for visitors of all ages and can accommodate the needs of most passengers.

Best Overall
If you've got the time, this three hour cruise will take you all the way around Manhattan, offering participants views of all five boroughs and a chance to see 20 different bridges! During the tour, a guide supplements the views with interesting information about New York City.

Since 1945, Circle Line has shown visitors New York City from the city's major waterways. The three-hour Full Island Cruise offers visitors a chance to circumnavigate the entire island of Manhattan, and see many of New York City's popular attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, South Street Seaport and the Empire State Building.

Attractions Featured on Circle Line's Full Island Cruise

· Jacob Javits Center

· World Financial

· Battery Park

· Ellis Island

· Statue of Liberty

· Wall Street

· South Street Seaport

· Brooklyn Bridge

· Empire State Building

· Chrysler Building

· United Nations

· Roosevelt Island

· Gracie Mansion

· Harlem

· Yankee Stadium

· Palisades of New Jersey

· George Washington Bridge

· Grant's Tomb

· Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument

· Passenger Ship Terminal

· The Intrepid

NCL Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Sat, 9 Jul 2011 09:05:00 -0700

The NCL Norwegian Pearl is perfect for NCL's "freestyle cruising" concept. The Norwegian Pearl is a beautiful ship, with contemporary decor. The cruise ship has multiple restaurants of varied cuisines, lively bars and lounges, interesting activities ranging from quiet corners to the industry's first bowling alley, and family-friendly cabins of all sizes and prices.
I attended the naming ceremony for the Norwegian Pearl in December 2006 and then cruised on her for two nights and a day on a cruise to "nowhere". I took many pictures, and this article is based on that short cruise.
Bowling Alley on the NCL Norwegian Pearl cruise ship

Here are a few facts about the Norwegian Pearl:
Length: 965 feet
Width: 125 feet
Draft: 28 feet
Speed: 25 knots
Tonnage: 93,530 GRT
Decks: 15
Passenger Capacity: 2394 (double occupancy)
Cabins: 1197
Number of Restaurants: 12, along with 24-hour room service for all cabins. Villas, suites, and penthouse passengers also have butler and concierge service.
Number of Bars and Lounges: 14
Other Facilities: Atrium, Stardust Theater (1042 seats), fitness center, rock climbing wall, bowling alley, Mandara spa and salon, casino, swimming pools, sports deck, teen center, video arcade, kids club, retail boutiques, art gallery, Internet lounge, meeting rooms, library, card room, life style room, chapel, medical center

New York Best City Sightseeing Cruises

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:07:00 -0700

1. Circle Line Full Island Cruise

Best OverallIf you've got the time, this three hour cruise will take you all the way around Manhattan, offering participants views of all five boroughs and a chance to see 20 different bridges! During the tour, a guide supplements the views with interesting information about New York City.

Cobh - Historical Village on Cork Harbor near Cork, Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (kcg) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:46:00 -0700

Cobh (pronounced "Cove") is a picturesque harbor town just a few miles from Cork, Ireland. Cruise ships dock in downtown Cobh and run shore excursions to Cork, the Blarney Castle, Waterford, Killarney, or the Irish countryside. However, Cobh is a nice place to spend the day if you want to just relax and just enjoy strolling around this pretty little village on Cork Harbor.

Maritime history buffs will know that Cobh was the last port of call on the Titanic's tragic maiden voyage, and the Lusitania was sunk off Cork Harbor during World War I. The Titanic Memorial and Lusitania Memorial are both just a few blocks from the cruise terminal. Cobh was also the emigration point for 2.5 million Irish citizens who left Ireland for the United States or Australia. The first immigrants processed at Ellis Island started their journey to a new life in Cobh.