COUPLE 'TRIP FLIPPED' WITH CRUISE VACATION

Kreischer
(Travel Channel)

"Trip Flip" is a show on the Travel Channel hosted by "professional fun-seeker, comedian, and travel expert Bert Kreischer." The idea is to surprise travelers on vacation with an experience they never saw coming. On the Sunday, May 5 episode, a couple from Austin on holiday in Miami's South Beach suddenly find themselves aboard the Carnival Breeze for a six-day cruise. That's the kind of surprise we would all like. Airtime is 8 p.m. EST. -- Gerry

REPORT: CRUISE LINE INSURES AGAINST 'NESSIE'

Jacobite Cruises (Credit: Jacobite website)

When a cruise line takes out an insurance policy against the Loch Ness Monster, it gets our attention. According to a report on The Daily Mail's website, "Cruise ship company Jacobite Cruises, based in Inverness, is in line for a six-figure payout if one of its boats is damaged by the Loch Ness Monster. Jacobite Cruises owner Freda Newton now hopes Nessie will keep away from the firm’s boats if she makes another appearance so she doesn't have to make a claim on her £1million insurance package." The announcement is apparently timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the first sighting of the legendary beast. Regardless of any future sightings, it should keep tourism going strong for the next 80 years or so. -- Gerry

WHAT'S YOUR ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP?

What would get your vote as a "Once in a lifetime" trip? Maybe an around-the-world cruise? Or a trip into space aboard one of those new private rocket ships? TripAdvisor has their own "10 once-in-a-lifetime trips." They range from a Bora Bora bungalow to the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu to a trip aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway (wasn't there a music group by that name?). What would get your vote for a once-in-a-lifetime trip? -- Gerry

CELEBRITY CHEF FEATURED ON CRUISE

Chef Cat Cora (Credit: Holland)

Holland America is featuring celebrity chef Cat Cora as part of their Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine magazine. She is scheduled to sail on ms Nieuw Amsterdam’s 12-day Mediterranean Empires cruise departing July 2, 2013.

The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food and Wine magazine offers guests on their 15 ships to "experience cooking shows, wine tastings and question-and-answer sessions in a full show kitchen. Also offered are hands-on classes conducted by top chefs, wine experts, noted culinary specialists and leading cookbook authors."

Here are more details provided by Holland:

NEW APPS FOR MUSEUM LOVERS

Attention, museum lovers. There are three new apps to help you locate hundreds of famous museums in the UK, France and Italy. Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, you can search museums close to your location and get exhibit information. Each app is free to download and use; the $1.99 upgrade enables the features for public transportation, turn by turn directions and a the GPS-enabled location search feature which identifies museums within 1 mile, 5 miles, 10 miles etc.

Other fully enabled features include color maps, museum opening hours, admission prices, address and telephone, search by city/town name, search by museum name and keyword, search by exhibit and find the location, public transportation information to the museum, distance and maps from your location to museums. Offered by Up With Apps, you can find them in the iTunes store. Here are some screen shots:

HOLLAND MARKS 140TH YEAR WITH TULIP

Holland "Signature" Tulip (Credit: Holland America)

What better way to mark the 140th anniversary of Holland America than with a tulip? That's how the cruise line decided to celebrate that milestone.

Here's the details in their press release:

"In celebration of its 140th anniversary, an official christening of the new Holland America Line “Signature” tulip took place in the Netherlands on Friday, April 19 at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. President and CEO of Holland America Line Stein Kruse participated in the ceremony along with the President of the Board of Directors of Keukenhof Walter Jansen and Master Grower Jan Pennings.

A white-petal variety with delicate fringed petals was chosen to honor the company that was founded at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April 18, 1873, as a trans-Atlantic cargo and passenger shipping company. Today the company’s fleet of 15 premium cruise ships sails more than 500 cruises on all seven continents.

TOP 10 DESIGNER HOTELS

The latest "Top 10" from TripAdvisor is all about hotels. Specifically, "extraordinarily designed hotels." Among the ones that made the list: The Venetian in Las Vegas, 40 Winks in London, Berlin's modernistic nHow and the more traditional Saint James Paris in France. Another U.S. hotel that made the list is the The Roxbury (no, not the night club in LA) in the Catskills. Have you stayed in a hotel that would rate extraordinary? -- Gerry

'CONSTELLATION' GETTING NEW FEATURES

Celebrity Constellation (Credit: Celebrity)

Celebrity Cruises has announced Constellation will enter a scheduled drydock period to add "the full complement of Solstice Class-inspired features." In 2010 Constellation was the first of the four Millenium-class ships to be "Solsticized," with the addition of "the specialty restaurant Tuscan Grille, new staterooms, renovated bathrooms, new bedding, new flat-screen TVs, entirely refreshed public spaces, and new color schemes throughout the ship." When the ship re-enters service May 5, 2013, these new features will be added:

'QUANTUM'S' MULTI-PURPOSE MUSIC HALL

Our last stop on the Quantum of the Seas tour is the Music Hall, a multi-purpose performance space featuring music acts, shows, dance lessons and more. Designed, as the Beach Boys might say, to have "fun, fun, fun til Daddy takes the T-Bird away." -- Gerry

'QUANTUM'S' TWO70: ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE

Continuing with the magical mystery tour on Quantum of the Seas, if you go aft you'll come into Two70: a large "living room" by day and a state-of-the-art theater by night. Much like the fictional Holodeck on "Star Trek," its 270-degree view can transform into just about anything Royal's imagineers can conjure up. See for yourself. -- Gerry

STATEROOMS BOAST ''VIRTUAL BALCONIES'

Along with all its other innovations, you have to figure the new Quantum of the Seas would have to boast something new for its staterooms as well, right? Besides being 9% larger than the staterooms on Oasis, every inside stateroom has a "virtual balcony," with the sights and sounds of the sea. Check it out: -- Gerry

GET YOUR FUN ON IN THE 'QUANTUM' SEAPLEX

Another feature being introduced on Quantum of the Seas is called the SeaPlex. This large, enclosed indoor space will host all manner of entertainment options, including basketball, roller skating, bumper cars and dance parties, complete with a DJ booth floating above it all. I just hope there aren't any age restrictions. -- Gerry

'QUANTUM' TO OFFER SKYDIVING AT SEA

You want innovation? How about skydiving at sea? That's yet another feature coming on Quantum of the Seas. Thrill-seekers and others who want to experience what it's like to jump from an airplane at 10,000 feet will don a jump suit and enter a wind tunnel for Ripcord by iFly. You might want to have your family snap a picture -- otherwise your friends may not believe you went skydiving on your cruise! -- Gerry

'NORTH STAR' WILL OFFER BIRD'S EYE VIEWS

As details emerge for Quantum of the Seas, you can tell the execs at Royal Caribbean can hardly contain their excitement. Any why not? We expected Oasis of the Seas to be a hard act to follow. But guess what? The cruise line known for innovation has delivered another "WOW" in spades with this ship. 

Before we get to the features, a few basics:

-- Quantum will sail out of New York harbor and home port at Cape Liberty.

-- Initially, she will offer 7 to 12-night voyages for the late 2014/2015 season

-- It has 18 decks, 2,090 staterooms and will accommodate 4,180 guests

-- It's 167,800 gross tons

-- Reservations open to the general public June 4, 2013.

Now check this out:

North Star. Ever wonder what the view is like from high over the ship? Now's your chance. North Star is a glass-enclosed observation capsule that lifts passengers 300 feet above the ship for a view even the captain doesn't have. Roll video:

'QUANTUM' DETAILS RELEASED

True to their word, Royal Caribbean has released details on their newest ship, Quantum of the Seas. Does it live up to the hype? You be the judge. -- Gerry

FIRST LOOK AT 'QUANTUM' COMING APRIL 16

Prepare to be "Wowed" April 16. That's the message of a new video from Royal Caribbean that promises a first look at their new ship, Quantum of the Seas. Okay, you've got our attention! -- Gerry

BATH B&B SCORES NUMBER TWO ON LIST

Bath scores the number 2 B&B (Credit: TripAdvisor)

Readers of this blog know about our special contributors from the UK -- Brian and Mo. They make their home in Bath, a city of some 84,000 people located almost 100 miles west of London, famed as the site of Roman baths in the First Century. Now, also famous for scoring the number two Bed and Breakfast on TripAdvisor's Top 10 B&B list for the Athole Guest House, which garnered a load of rave reviews. We're going to see if Mo and Brian can give us a first-hand account direct from the scene. -- Gerry

HUGE DEMAND AS BRITS QUEUE UP FOR 'OASIS'

Ziplining on Oasis of the Seas (Photo: Gerry)

News that Oasis of the Seas is coming to Europe for the first time has set off a reservations frenzy, as reported on the Incentive Travel and Corporate Meetings website:

"Following last week’s announcement that the world’s largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, would embark on its first ever European season and transatlantic sailing out of a UK port of call, thousands of holiday hungry Brits have pre-registered their interest to be first in the queue to make a booking when it makes its debut in autumn 2014. The unprecedented demand is the highest ever volume of pre-booking registrations ever seen by Royal Caribbean International."

The article also includes this quote: "Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager, Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland, explains: 'The thousands and thousands of pre-registrations to be one of the first to book Oasis of the Seas’ European cruises are simply mind-blowing and the ship really is living up to its incredible reputation as being a game changer for the industry.' "

The Brits and other Europeans "queue-ing up" for cruises won't be disappointed. Just be sure and send it back our way afterwards, okay? -- Gerry

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SHIP PIT STOP

We never cease to be amazed at how big ships like Oasis and Allure unload 5,000 passengers and in a manner of hours, are ready to set sail with the next group of 5,000 (plus 3,000 crew!). How do they do it? It's not pixie dust and magic wands, or even Samantha's twitchy nose. It's lot of hard work and precision, as this week's video from Royal Caribbean details. Take a look. -- Gerry

AMTRAK MARCH RIDERSHIP SETS ALL-TIME RECORD

The Coast Starlight (Credit: Amtrak)

Judging from the numbers, travel by train is more popular than ever. Amtrak reported March set a record as the single best month ever in its history. In addition, October, December, and January each set individual monthly records. Their release noted that dispite service disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy, "Amtrak ridership grew 0.9 percent in the first six months of FY 2013 as compared to the same period the prior year. In all, 26 of 45 routes posted ridership increases and Amtrak expects to end the fiscal year at or above last year's record of 31.2 million passengers."

Also, "Routes with notable ridership growth in the first six months of FY 2013 include: Palmetto (+10.5 percent), Coast Starlight (+10 percent), Illini/Saluki (+9.8 percent), San Joaquin (+8.9 percent), Piedmont (+8.6 percent), Wolverine (+8.2 percent), Vermonter (+6.7 percent), Carolinian (+6.3 percent), Keystone Service (+5.2 percent), Springfield Shuttles (+5.2 percent), Downeaster (+4.8 percent), Pacific Surfliner (+4.3 percent), and Pennsylvanian (+4.3 percent). --Gerry

DUCHESS WILL NAME 'ROYAL PRINCESS'

The Duchess of Cambridge
(Credit: Princess)

Who better to name the new Royal Princess than a Royal? Princess announced that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will name the new ship at Southampton on June 13, culminating a week-long inaugural celebration. The traditional British ship-naming ceremony includes the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards. Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on June 7, prior to her  maiden voyage on June 16. She will sail Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn. More information and video previews of the ship are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

HOLLAND ADDS MULTILINGUAL SHORE TOURS

Rondleidingen. Visitas. Führungen. They all mean "tours" -- in Dutch, Spanish and German. That's what Holland America will be offering for their new multilingual shore excursions, which will cater to their Dutch, Spanish and German guests. The cruise line notes these new tours were developed for European travelers who may "opt to book a less traditional tour — offered in their own language — such as a hiking adventure, biking through town or visiting the countryside. However, for European guests who still want to visit popular landmarks, tours also will be available in the three languages to those destinations. Foreign language tours are offered when 30 guests who speak a common language are booked on a voyage."

They also note: "Tours offered in Dutch include Hiking Ft. Floien in Bergen; an excursion from Monaco to the city of Villefranche-sur-Mer or a relaxing Kayak along the Aurlandsfjord in Flam. German-speaking tours include a visit to the ancient city of Iliada from the port of Katákolon, Greece or a beer cruise on the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. Spanish-speaking guests might enjoy a 4x4 expedition to the village of Cámara de Lobos in Portugal or a beach tour in Valencia, Spain. The program is expanding and select excursions are offered in German and Spanish throughout South America." -- Gerry

YOUR BLOGGER AT WORK

When your job is to write about a cruise, you not only need a

 good work space, but also a setting that provides some inspiration as well.

 Here I am working on my daily blog posts on Azamara Quest.

 It is a tough job, but someone has to do it. (Photo by Pam). 

COMPETE FOR THE MIRROR BALL ON HOLLAND

So you think you can dance? If so, you have your chance as part of Holland America's "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" program. It features a dance competition in which 15 guests (one for each ship in the Holland's fleet) receive a free cruise and a chance to compete for a Mirror Ball Trophy on the “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champions Cruise on ms Nieuw Amsterdam Jan. 12, 2014.

Continuing through Nov. 25, sailings feature a “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” program that includes complimentary dance lessons with the ship’s dance professionals and a dance-off competition.

The Champions Cruise next January will feature professional dancers and celebrities from the hit ABC show. Following preliminary rounds on each cruise, "finalists will be paired with a Holland America Line dance professional to perform one of the show’s routines and compete against their fellow guests center stage in the ship’s main show lounge." 

NATIONAL TRAIN DAY IS MAY 11

"Trains matter" is the theme for the sixth annual National Train Day, set for Saturday, May 11, which celebrates the importance of trains to towns across America. Amtrak notes more than 200 communities are expected to host events at local train stations, railroad museums and other locations. Event offerings vary to include train equipment displays, family-friendly activities and local dignitaries. For more details on National Train Day events and information on how to host a National Train Day event, go to NationalTrainDay.com. --Gerry

HOW ROYAL BUILDS THE 'WOW' IN THEIR SHIPS

I had just had a friend return from her first cruise on Allure of the Seas, and all she could say was "WOW." Both she and her family were totally blown away by the "awesomeness" of the ship, saying the cruise was "worth every penny." Of course, Royal's marketing mantra is "delivering the WOW," and it's working. But what goes into creating the "Wow?" This week's video goes into that, narrated by Royal's resident design guru, Harri Kulovaara, executive VP of Newbuild and Fleet Design. The technology is tops, but the real "secret sauce" is the culture of innovation that exists at the company. We can hardly wait to see the next generation of their ships, already on the way. -- Gerry

MARCO ISLAND WINS TOP 10 AWARD

Last week we reported on TripAdvisor's top 10 islands. We are sending a shout-out this week to Florida's Marco Island, which ranked third in the category of Top U.S. Islands in the 2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards. It's located on Florida's west coast, just south of Naples. Their release also notes that earlier this year, "Marco Island also received national recognition when it was the only Florida destination featured in the National Geographic book, “100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life: From Your Backyard to the Ends of the Earth.” Congrats all around. -- Gerry

PASSENGER COMPLAINS 'SEA IS TOO LOUD'

When it comes to customer complaints, I'm sure cruise lines have heard it all at the Guest Relations desk.  But an article on the Irish Independent website details a few that will give you a chuckle, such as the woman who complained "the sea was too loud" and another who wanted a refund from Celebrity Cruises because "there weren't enough celebrities on board." No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. -- Gerry