Category — Current Cruise News

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

Want the chance to meet a real American hero?  It’s a simple as cruising in the Mediterranean.

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords will be accompanying her husband Mark  Kelly on Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, for a luxury Mediterranean voyage sailing from Lisbon to Rome on July 25. Kelly is scheduled to speak to guests about the power of the human spirit, with wife “Gabby” joining for a special appearance and photo opportunity at presentation’s end.

The couple quickly gained fame in January 2011, when Arizona Representative Giffords was the victim of an assassination attempt—just months before Kelly’s scheduled command of the final Space Shuttle Endeavour flight.  Following more than a year of her intensive rehabilitation for a gunshot wound to the head, and his 17-day trip into earth’s orbit, the heroic husband-wife team have now retired from their government positions while Giffords continues to recuperate. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime gourmet dining experience by introducing the Chef’s Table fleet-wide. Guests who attend the Chef’s Table dining experience will marvel in an incredible culinary adventure as they feast on a nine-course, upscale menu consisting of unique and contemporary creations using the highest quality ingredients, sophisticated cooking techniques, flavor compositions and captivating presentations. All courses are accompanied by wines that are specially paired by the line’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson.

The two-and-a-half hour Chef’s Table dining experience begins with an intimate reception where guests enjoy a glass of champagne as they mingle with the ship’s Executive Chef, Food and Beverage Director, Restaurant Manager, Assistant Maître d’ and Head Wine Steward. Following the reception, guests are invited to take a group photo before sitting down to begin their gourmet culinary experience in a luxurious and intimate restaurant setting that provides privacy and exclusivity. The Executive Chef welcomes the group and then goes on to describe the first two courses: an Amuse Bouche ‘Molecular Gastronome’ consisting of Spherical Mango, Vodka & Jalapeno Ravioli and an Orange-Wasabi Glazed Ahi Tuna Tartar with freshly-baked Sesame Crisp. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises.

Oceania Cruises continues to demonstrate its commitment to create the finest cuisine at sea by honoring Food Network’s only female Iron Chef, Cat Cora, as godmother of their newest ship Riviera.

Cora will name the ship in Barcelona at a lavish, invitation-only christening ceremony on May 11, which will culminate with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of champagne, custom-made by Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, commemoratively breaking against the hull of the 1,250-guest ship.

Riviera is the second new ship launched by Oceania Cruises in under 18 months. Designed for epicureans, Riviera features 10 dining venues – six of which are gourmet restaurants – plus a Bon Appétit Culinary Center for hands-on learning and La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a professional facility for wine tastings and pairing dinners.

“Cat Cora’s passion for fine cuisine and her focus on the dining experience captures the essence of what we do every day,” stated Kunal S. Kamlani, Oceania Cruises’ president. “We are all excited to have her christen our newest ship and are proud to welcome her to the Oceania Cruises family.” [Read more →]

By The Cruise Web, Inc.

The Cruise Web is pleased to announce the addition of two new preferred cruising partners, Avalon Waterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. The Cruise Web’s preferred partnerships mean that The Cruise Web can offer you, our client, the best values for both of these excellent river and small-ship cruise lines. Continue below for more information on our two new cruising partners.

Avalon Waterway’s 80+ years of experience offers river cruises like no other. With larger, luxuriously appointed staterooms, locally inspired cuisine, and more educational opportunities than any other line, Avalon will inspire, enlighten and engage all of your senses. Avalon’s exclusive Panorama Suites await you, with 360-degree views of the countryside as you travel through Europe.

Additional itineraries in Egypt, Asia and the Galapagos Islands allow you to explore some of the world’s most fascinating destinations up-close and personal, with all the contemporary amenities you desire. With the youngest fleet in river cruising, Avalon’s 120 all-inclusive itineraries have been designed to meet the needs of luxury and budget-minded travelers, boomers and young families looking to take in the sights, smells and sounds of some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, not accessible by traditional cruise ships.

To learn more about Avalon Waterways, please visit: http://cruiseweb.com/Avalon-Waterways-River-Cruises.htm

Uniworld River Cruises, the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line, offer voyages to Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. With an average guest size of 130 guests per voyage, Uniworld is able to offer anticipatory service that is truly sublime. Uniworld’s guests enjoy complimentary wine and beer at each of their gourmet dinners, free WiFi access, and access to cultural enrichment programs.

Offering both “Go Active” and “Gentle Walking” tours, Uniworld caters to discerning guests of all fitness levels, who desire the opportunity to experience the interior of some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating destinations, delivered with the charm of old world style that makes them the hallmark of luxury.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s unique partnership with Red Carnation Hotels – an award-winning collection of five-star luxury boutique hotels – results in an uncompromising guest experience. With exquisite boutique design, superb service and world-class cuisine, Uniworld creates memories that will last a lifetime.

To learn more about Uniworld River Cruises, please visit: http://cruiseweb.com/Uniworld-River-Cruises.htm



The Cruise Web, Inc.
reply@cruiseweb.com
1-800-377-9383

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

For those for whom football fever lingers well after the Big Game, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is offering a showdown of gridiron greats during a spring “NFL Legends”-themed voyage.  The May 8, port-packed Trans-Atlantic sailing from New York to Dover features a football-focused “Ocean Views” panel discussion and each  guest individually sharing inspiring personal stories from decades on the field, as well as hard-won tools for success in any field, since everyone faces teams, competition, and occasional losses and victory dances in work and life.  Scheduled motivational speakers include:

Coach Don Shula: Hall of Famer who holds the most wins in National Football League history as coach of the only undefeated NFL season record-holders, the Miami Dolphins, as well as the Baltimore Colts. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean International’s new brand campaign is targeting New York-area commuters, both above and below ground, by taking over the 42nd Street line in Manhattan this February. As commuters are transported between Times Square and Grand Central Station, the award-winning cruise line is giving them a taste of the Royal experience with fully-branded shuttle cars supporting the cruise line’s new messaging. First rolled out in December 2011, the campaign is focused on reawakening consumers to the sights and sounds of the sea by communicating the decree, “The Sea is Calling. Answer it Royally.”

[Read more →]

Courtesy of Princess Cruises.

Princess Cruises marked Valentine’s Day by unveiling the maiden season itineraries of its highly anticipated Royal Princess debuting in June 2013, as well as some additional features of the ship’s signature, and greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship.

Preceding the ship’s inaugural program of 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Venice beginning on June 23, Royal Princess will sail on her inaugural voyage, a seven-day Iberia cruise from Southampton to Barcelona departing June 16.

The Royal Princess maiden season cruises will open for sale on March 15, 2012. There will also be two three-day preview cruises sailing roundtrip from Southampton on June 10 and 13 that will be available for booking at a later date.

“It’s fitting that our new ship will cruise on our most popular Europe itinerary, the Grand Mediterranean,” said Jan Swartz, executive vice president for Princess Cruises. “And the shorter preview cruises prior to the Mediterranean season certainly offer a unique opportunity to sample the new Royal Princess experience our passengers are eagerly awaiting.” [Read more →]

The Cruise Web: How many river cruises have you been on?

Nancy: I’ve been doing this for 11 years and I go on between 10 to 12 river cruises a year so 100 plus.

TCW: Do you have a favorite itinerary?

TCW: Aside from the special Christmas time itineraries, do you have a preferred cruise that is offered more frequently?

[Read more →]

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Now celebrating 20 years as a luxury innovator, Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduces a new Voyage Collection features cruises to the world’s most exotic destinations, including Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and the Americas on the all-suite Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator.
 
The 234-page Voyage Collection provides information on each cruise, highlighting the number of free unlimited shore excursions offered on each sailing, a hallmark of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxury offerings. In a dedicated section, guests can read descriptions of a selection of complimentary tours, ranging from cycling through the Konvale Valley in Croatia and wine tasting in the south of France to a jeep ride through the Tijuca Forest in Brazil and riding an elephant in Phuket. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises.

 

A 10-member cast of singers and dancers will perform music from many of Webber’s best-known shows, including CATS, The Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar.