Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for cruise travel
Perfection Evolves at Celebrity Cruises
By Linda Tancs
Celebrity Cruises made clear that it doesn’t want you thinking of its ships as a concrete and steel jungle when it inaugurated a real grass lawn aboard Solstice. With the recent unveiling of Silhouette, they’ve taken the concept of the great outdoors a step further. Like outdoor grilling in the new, interactive Lawn Club Grill. You can also rent a cabana on the lawn for a private retreat, or take art lessons from resident experts. Sailing to the Caribbean and Europe in modern luxury, the fourth ship in the Solstice class also offers sweeping veranda views in 85% of her staterooms, or take in the sights from the observation lounge. Now you’ll always have a room with a view.
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Ship Enhancements at Royal Caribbean
By Linda Tancs
Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas now sport various enhancements to suit your cruising tastes. So what will it be: the DreamWorks® Experience, a 3D movie theater, puppet show, nursery or even more dining options? Check out your favorite ship and see what’s new. Other fleet enhancements are promised soon.
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Melting Off the Pounds at Sea
By Linda Tancs
You’ll need to do lots of laps around the exercise deck to work off all those gourmet delights you know you can’t resist on your cruise. There’s a better–even fun–way to lose weight. On Princess Cruises, get ready for the fleet-wide roll-out of Zumba, a fitness program combining rumba-like moves with choreography designed to melt off those stubborn pounds. Best of all, the workouts are complimentary once or twice a week. Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
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A Boatload of Religion
By Linda Tancs
When the friendly skies are not so friendly, passengers often take to prayer. On the high seas, it’s likely the same scenario, particularly so if you happen to be on a religious-themed cruise. One example is the upcoming Music Boat tour on Carnival’s Imagination. Featuring today’s top Christian artists, the cruise beginning on 7 November promises to be inspirational. But don’t take it on faith, check it out for yourself.
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An Epic Voyage
By Linda Tancs
Epic means, among other things, to extend beyond the ordinary. Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship, Norwegian Epic, takes that definition seriously. Consider The Studios, the first cruise accommodations designed for solo travelers. There’s also the first ice bar and the largest bowl slide on water–an Epic Plunge, indeed. Not to mention the largest spa at sea. Sounds pretty extraordinary.
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Cruise Safety Measure Signed Into Law
By Linda Tancs
Thanks to a new U.S. law recently given effect, cruise travel will get even safer for its vast constituency. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act imposes new requirements regarding onboard video surveillance, medical personnel qualifications, railing heights and peepholes in cabin doors. In particular, the law requires 42-inch railings (already a staple on many lines) and mandates that medical personnel meet American College of Emergency Physicians guidelines. Peepholes are required on cabin doors for passengers and crew as well as key and lock systems to further bolster security. In addition to the safety measures, the act demands that carriers provide more transparency in the reporting of cruise ship crime by maintaining crime logs, a move no doubt welcomed by the International Cruise Victims Association.
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African Queen, Revisited
By Linda Tancs
In the 1951 movie The African Queen, Katharine Hepburn’s character convinces Humphrey Bogart’s scruffy old Charlie Allnut to sail a rusty 12-foot boat called The African Queen down the Ulanga River. Hardly a luxurious jaunt. Today’s African Queen is a much better appointed Zambezi Queen, charting the Chobe River in search of the Big Five sporting 14 cabins with picture windows and a top-deck whirlpool. Take a smaller launch to view game in their natural habitat or a 4×4 excursion to a local village for some cultural immersion. This is a redux even Charlie would no doubt enjoy.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Paris Your Way
By Linda Tancs
Writer Ernest Hemingway famously remarked that Paris is a movable feast. Those who live aboard les péniches (the houseboats) are apt to agree. Perhaps it’s the striking views of the city’s landmarks from the plank or the exhilaration of plying the Seine at one’s own pace in rhythm with the waterway that drives folks to riverboat living. In any event, it’s a great opportunity to experience Paris your way. Why not rent one the next time you visit the City of Light?
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Magic Returns to Barcelona
By Linda Tancs
For the first time, Carnival Cruises will homeport in Barcelona with the return of the 130,000-ton vessel Magic in 2011. The ship will offer 7-, 9- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises from its adopted port, May through October. As reported in 2008 for Carnival’s Dream liner, Magic will keep the kids happy. Adults may find their inner Zulu at the Serenity spa. Today marks the last day for previous Carnival guests to cash in on pre-sale pricing as part of the line’s celebrated return to Europe. Newbies can view the full fare menu beginning on 26 January.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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A Suite Makeover
By Linda Tancs
Haven’t you always wanted your cruise cabin to feel more like home sweet home? Crystal Cruises has updated its Symphony suites to include floor-to-ceiling windows, dining space, tech gadgets and–the pièce de résistance–an all crystal pedestal sink in the powder room. Let’s be crystal clear–this is high luxe on the high seas.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 