Posts from — September 2010

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.

Premium vacation brand Celebrity Cruises, employer of one of the world’s largest staff of sommeliers, will illuminate its extensive onboard wine program later this year when it launches its second annual “Wine Harvest Celebration.” Guests on Celebrity’s cruises departing November 1 to December 11, 2010 – the time of year just after the seasonal harvesting of grapes used to produce wine – will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exclusive wine-related events, including those offered year-round through the cruise line’s “Celebrity Life” onboard programming series.

We see a Celebrity cruise and a wine celebration as ‘the perfect pairing,’” said Jacques Van Staden, Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations. “A high percentage of our guests are wine enthusiasts, which is why year-round, we offer up to 480 wines per sailing and a number of wine-focused Celebrity Life activities. Our fleetwide Wine Harvest Celebration is a seasonal event that gives guests yet another way to celebrate their passion as we find even more ways to celebrate wine and its role in modern society.” [Read more →]

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

To jump start New Year’s resolutions, best-selling fitness author and head trainer for “Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge,” Robert Reames, along with guest specialists in Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi and even paddle tennis, will headline Crystal Symphony’s December 5 ultra-luxury Mind, Body & Spirit voyage.  The Experience of Discovery cruise, with comprehensive wellness programming and complimentary instruction throughout, departs round-trip from Los Angeles for Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. [Read more →]

By Jen Crivelli, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

Have you ever wondered how a cruise ship works?  Where do they store all the food?  How do the chefs prepare that much food?  How does all the laundry get done?  How do you navigate a ship that large?

While on a cruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel, I had the opportunity to participate in a backstage tour of the vessel.  After a warm welcome from the Hotel Director, we were escorted to a crew elevator, which took us down to the lowest deck of the ship.  Our first stop was the garbage facility.  Wow, I thought sorting recycling at home was bad, on the cruise ship every single piece of trash is sorted.  Organic waste, paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass – all sorted into color-coded bins.  Some of the trash is incinerated, other compressed for off load. [Read more →]

A compilation from The Cruise Web employees.

This month’s spotlight takes you behind closed doors to provide a glimpse of the mysterious behind-the-scenes operations of cruise ships. Several members of our staff have experienced areas of cruise ships that most passengers never see, including steering a ship and partying with the crew. Continue below to find out which behind-the-scenes operations were most interesting to our employees.

Adam W. – Senior Cruise Consultant
In April 2009, I was invited to participate in a “Behind The Fun” VIP travel agent tour of the ship during the inaugural Carnival Pride sailing from Baltimore, Maryland. During a 2-hour tour on the last sea day of a 6-night Bahamas cruise, I visited many secured areas around the ship not seen by passengers. The tour took us through the engine room, main galley, photo lab, crew and staff quarters, and theatre. The highlight for me was meeting Captain Alessandro Galatto up on the bridge while the ship was sailing.

Tina C. – Senior Cruise Consultant
As a courtyard villa guest, I was able to get a private tour of the bridge. The Norwegian Gem is a very modern ship, and almost every instrument, procedure, and deck role has been automated, streamlined, and digitized. The deck officers, trained in Maritime Academies and their home countries’ navies, often spoke up about how much lower their workload is compared to every other ship they have sailed. For instance, instead of plotting a course on traditional paper maps, LCD moving maps chart their position in real-time and show their projected course. They steer the ship with a trackball and keyboard, yet there is still a traditional helm used mainly for piloting the ship in tight quarters. There are an array of radar sensors, video cameras, and computerized warning systems to alert the crew to any possible danger. According to the ship’s Captain Mikael Hilden, the Norwegian Gem is a “complete joy” to sail; “much better than retirement.” [Read more →]

Courtesy of Cunard Line.

Cunard Line is pleased to announce that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony in Southampton, England on Monday, 11 October 2010.

The naming is a milestone in British maritime history and is a major event of worldwide interest.

“The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner, Queen Elizabeth,” added Shanks.

[Read more →]

Courtesy of  Carnival Cruise Lines.

In a nod to maritime tradition, Miami Children’s Museum and Carnival Cruise Lines recently uncorked a confetti-filled bottle to launch a redesigned cruise ship–shaped exhibit where kids can sail on a sea of discovery and learn the secrets behind one of South Florida’s leading industries.

The two-level 1,850-square-foot exhibit – the country’s only cruise-themed children’s museum attraction – has been completely renovated and now offers a host of new hands-on, interactive activities that promise oceans of fun while educating kids about seagoing travel and maritime careers.

New features on the exhibit’s first level include Puppet Ship Theater, where kids can learn about different maritime careers while putting on a puppet show with a cast of miniature captains, engineers, chefs and other shipboard personnel.  Young visitors also have their moment in the spotlight dressing up and performing as Carnival entertainers with dazzling, sequin-festooned costumes. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Vacationing foodies can now choose from a range of culinary experiences aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean International is partnering with renowned Chefmakers Cooking Academy, a cooking school dedicated to aspiring home cooks of all ages, to bring unique cooking programs to guests, who can share in fond family vacation memories and learn practical skills that can be applied day-to-day. Available now aboard Liberty of the Seas and beginning in the fall aboard Freedom of the Seas, guests, at an additional cost, can choose from over a dozen Chefmakers at Sea classes that are taught in the actual galleys of the ship.

“Royal Caribbean continues to be at the forefront of onboard food and beverage offerings, tempting guests with a diverse and exciting lineup of enriching and delectable programs,” said Frank Weber, vice president of Food and Beverage Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The Chefmakers at Sea cooking experience engages guests of all ages by teaching and honing their skills.” [Read more →]

By Frans Hansen, President, The Cruise Web.

Having just returned from an exciting and successful weekend in Utah, winning the National Auto Sport Association’s National Championship in the BMW SpecE30 class, I have been asked by our Cruise Web newsletter team to write a behind the scenes report about capturing the championship.  Here is a look at the week, key tactics and strategies that led to the title.

Plan ahead, and then have a plan B, and even a plan C!

Plan A for me was to have my local DriveGear racing team bring my sweetly tuned #87 car out to Salt Lake City for the big event. However, team owners Jon and Andrew and their wives, both decided to have babies this very month, and further, refused to ask the stork to hold delivery for another month.

Plan B found last year’s National runner-up, Steve, with a speedy backup red #92 car.  Yet, despite a signed contract, “Little Red” decided to blow a motor three weeks before the dance. Being the thoughtful and honorable man that he is, Steve helped me line up my Plan C ride – a black 1987 BMW 325is from team PFB Performance. [Read more →]

Our President, Frans Hansen, has had plenty of success in life, however he has recently fulfilled his 2010 goal to be a champion on the racetrack!  Just this year, Frans started to participate in NASA (National Auto Sport Association) racing.  For the uninitiated, NASA is an organization dedicated to organizing and promoting racing activities for both the aspiring or accomplished racers. Most people who wind up in the big championship races have been at this level of competition for years, but not Frans. He made his way to the top in less than nine months.

Frans comes from a proud family history of racing.  His father, Jerry Hansen, is the winningest driver (27 time National Champion) in the history of the Sports Car Club of America.  His sister, Courtney Hansen, is an auto industry celebrity, hosting popular auto-enthusiast television shows like Overhaulin’ and PowerBlock.  His brother Jens Scott, a race instructor and part-owner of Summit Point Motorsports Park and Summit Point Kart in West Virginia, was the one who got Frans hooked on kart racing last year, and helped him get into car racing for the first time this year. With racing blood like that, nobody would have been surprised if Frans placed in the top ten, but we had no idea what Frans was capable of. [Read more →]

The Baby Stork has been busy delivering two beautiful new additions to the Cruise Web family. In the past month both Manager Chris Roth and Senior Sales Consultant Corinna Crockett welcomed healthy baby boys one day apart!

Jacob Patrick Roth was the first new addition to The Cruise Web family, born on August 25, 2010, weighing 6 pounds 5 ounces. Chris and his wife were pleased to welcome another healthy, beautiful baby boy to their family. Older brother Ethan is enjoying his time being “the big brother” and  is looking forward to playing with Jacob when he gets older!

Samuel (Sammy) Jeffery Crockett, the second beautiful addition to The Cruise Web family, was born August 26, 2010, weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces. Big sister, Melaina has welcomed Sammy with open arms and gentle kisses. Corinna and her husband couldn’t be happier with the new addition to their family – a happy, healthy, beautiful baby boy.

Both Jacob and Sammy look forward to their first cruise, once they are 6 months old (the minimum age requirement for most cruise lines!)