Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative, new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them “bon voyage” and get a taste of the onboard experience.
The world’s top-rated restaurants are often showplaces for art and design, and beginning April 26, in-the-know food followers can experience a new venue whose cuisine is an engaging combination of both. But they won’t find it through MapQuest, and their GPS will find it tough to track, too…since it’s moving. That’s because the new restaurant, “Qsine,” can be found only on Celebrity Eclipse, the third of five ships in Celebrity Cruises’ stylish, $3.7-billion Solstice Class fleet.
Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announces an exclusive voyage with explorer and environmentalist, Jean-Michel Cousteau, departing May 22, 2010. Mr. Cousteau will join guests of the m/s Paul Gauguin as the ship sails for 16 days to Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook and Society Islands. As the ship’s special guest, Mr. Cousteau will offer a series of lectures with videos of his work in the oceans of the world, as well as accompany several dives from the ship.
Welcome to the MSC Yacht Club, the ultimate luxury cruising experience. MSC Yacht Club adds a whole new dimension in sheer pampering and luxury. This exclusive Club is a quiet haven of privacy and personalized amenities and service complete with your own Butler as well as complimentary premium beverages with all the entertainment and fun of a cruise ship at your doorstep.
Like a “ship within a ship,” MSC Yacht Club’s dedicated VIP areas are available onboard the MSC Fantasia, which debuted in December 2008) and MSC Splendida (which debuted in July 2009). The MSC Yacht Club allows its guests to experience the best of both worlds – more personalized service in a private, intimate setting while also enjoying the full benefits these magnificent vessels have to offer.
The Olympics. The name stirs memories of sporting legends. Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, Dorothy Hamill, Michael Phelps, Dewan and Dave. Dewan and Dave? Well, yes. Last year these two put on a sporting exhibition that will have people talking for years.
While the Olympics and cruising may seem completely opposite at first glance, a closer look reveals the two are quite similar. Both the Olympics and cruising celebrate the world and its many people and cultures. The Olympics celebrate the world by bringing people across the globe together to showcase the skill of highly trained athletes. Cruising celebrates the world by taking a group of people and introducing them to different nations and cultures across the globe.
This year Princess Cruises offers passengers some fresh ways to experience Alaska up close and personal with a variety of new shore excursions for the summer. Among the 20 new options is a unique opportunity to join a scientific expedition while in Juneau to help study climate change and wildlife behavior patterns.
Passengers can also get closer to the dramatic glaciers of Tracy Arm, pilot their own zodiac on a tour of Ketchikan or enjoy the opportunity for animal encounters at a film trainer’s wildlife park. These new options join Princess’ extensive shore excursion program, which currently offers 215 different Alaska tour options for passengers starting in May.
Taking top chefs from kitchens and restaurants all around the world and inviting them aboard Holland America Line ships, the line’s Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, continues to expand in popularity. This year, more than 65 guest culinary experts are participating in the hugely successful program. Culinary notables this season include Bravo-TV’s “Top Chef” contender, Nikki Cascone; Mark Bittman, food columnist for The New York Times and award-winning cookbook author; and Keith Coburn, television personality of the hit series, “Deadliest Catch.”
For travel-savvy golf enthusiasts this summer, Crystal Cruises is introducing an ultra-exclusive opportunity to be a part of the ultimate competition in the birthplace of the game. During the new three-night Extended Land Program from Edinburgh, Crystal guests will be treated to VIP access and the highest level of service at the 150th British Open Championship at famed St. Andrew’s Golf Club, before joining Crystal Serenity’s July 19 Black Sea voyage to Istanbul.
In early February, The Cruise Web found itself in the middle of two record-breaking Maryland snowstorms. The storms, labeled by many as the “Blizzard of 2010” produced over three feet of snow in less than a week and broke several city records for total snowfall in a single winter season.
