WIN A CHRISTENING BOOK

Credit: Cruise.co.uk

UK cruise website, Cruise.co.uk, is celebrating the recent excitement over the debut of the Royal Princess with a contest. Five lucky winners will win a Limited Edition Aspinal of London Leather Notebook – "each handmade by genuine craftsmen for the Royal Princess Naming Celebrations." They note, "You only got one of these if you went to the Christening!" Enter through July 14 at Cruise.co.uk or Facebook. -- Gerry

ANOTHER FLORIDA SUNSET

Credit: Gerry

Sunset is no doubt one of the most photographed times of the day, and here in Florida is no exception. The sky is frequently so clear you can experience almost every color of the rainbow, and photos don't do it justice. But we keep trying. -- Gerry

CARNIVAL SETS NEW DEPLOYMENTS FOR 2014

Carnival Sunshine (Credit: Carnival)

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced new ship deployments taking effect in 2014 from Port Canaveral, Fla., and New Orleans. Here are the details from Carnival:

"Carnival Sunshine, which recently completed a massive $155 million transformation, will be repositioned from New Orleans to Port Canaveral beginning in April 2014. This move will allow Carnival to continue to offer attractive new options from Port Canaveral and marks the first time the line will have a ship in Central Florida featuring all of the fantastic Fun Ship 2.0 bar, dining and entertainment innovations.

HOLLAND AMERICA 'PIN TO WIN' CONTEST

A new "pin to win" contest opportunity from Holland America:

"Holland America Line has launched a new 'Scenic South America' Pinterest sweepstakes that will award one randomly selected winner an American Express gift card valued at $500. Participants can visit the Scenic South America tab on Holland America Line’s Facebook page and choose their favorite South America highlight photo from a selection of six beautiful images. Entrants then provide the required information and click submit, which will pin the image to one of their personal Pinterest boards. In order to be eligible to win, entrants must also follow Holland America Line’s Pinterest Board (www.pinterest.com/halcruises). Entries are limited to legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. The sweepstakes runs through July 8, 2013." -- Gerry

CRUISE INDUSTRY AMENITIES WAR HEATS UP

Celebrity Summit

By Bob and Sandy Nesoff
Members: 
American Society of Journalists and Authors
North American Travel Journalists Association
Special to Cruising Squared

Starting in 1492 the hottest route in the cruise market was across the Atlantic and the Caribbean basin. That’s pretty much the same today as it was 521 years ago.

Accommodations back then were somewhat sparse. Bunks were either wooden racks or hammocks strung between two posts. Meals -- when they were served -- gave passengers two choices: “yes or no.”

One of the most looked forward to activities was spending brief periods of the day above deck attempting to breathe in some fresh air and ward off sunlight deprivation. The activities director more often than not was a burly man with a long, leather whip who encouraged crew and passengers to swab the deck, climb the masts to adjust sails and a wonderful array of menial chores.

PRINCESS PARTNERS FOR CUTTING EDGE TV

In this age of smart TVs and "24/7" digital, cruise ships have their share of cutting edge technology. Take for example the just-launched Royal Princess. In partnership with IEvolution, Inc., their Guest Evolution system "delivers the world’s first HTML5-based TV solution to passenger and crew TVs, as well as to digital signs throughout the ship."

It features a browser-based smart TV application on interactive TVs that can be extended to support innovative features such as:

-- Screen shifting live TV, movies and music to the passenger’s smartphone or tablet
-- On-board mapping and routing
-- Information on ship activities, shore excursions and port guides with the ability for
passengers to book from their in-cabin TV, smartphone or tablet
-- Restaurant and wine menus

Amazing. Now if only it could tell me the winning roulette numbers. -- Gerry

A TRIP ALONG THE SAGRANTINO WINE ROAD

News that involve Italy, wine and picturesque travel always catch our attention. Here's something that came across our desk called the Sagrantino Wine Road -- "for travelers who can’t get enough of the Italian countryside and enjoy all the views and local wines Umbria has to offer. An easy day trip from Perugia, the wine road is a relaxing mix of medieval towns and local wineries."

Conjuring sweet memories of a dinner we once enjoyed in a Tuscany wine cellar, it sounds right up our alley. More of the details:

JULY 6 A SPECIAL DAY FOR 'QUEEN MARY 2'

Queen Mary 2  (Credit: Cunard)

July 6 will be a very special day for Cunard. Why? As Cunard's Peter Shanks writes in his blog: "On the 6 July Queen Mary 2 will make her 200th crossing of the Atlantic Ocean – and since 2004 will have delighted over 520,000 passengers. Over the coming weeks we will be celebrating this milestone – not least on the 200th crossing itself."

As two of those 520,000 delighted passengers, Pam and I have our own fond memories of making the Crossing, including the never-to-be-forgotten moment when we sailed out of New York harbor, past the Statue of Liberty, with Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York" over the ship's speakers. Over the next six glorious days, it was truly a cruise like no other.

Peter sums it up best:

"Nine years and 200 crossings later on the 6th July, setting sail from New York will be every bit as special for those passengers lining the upper decks of Queen Mary 2. In our history, remarkably, we have carried over 10 million people to New York on our liners – many of whom have started a new life in North America. The world is a fast changing place – but there are some things in life that never change and some things in life that just get better and better. Queen Mary 2 on a Transatlantic Crossing is one of those things. If you have experienced it – then come and do so again. If you have not – then believe me you should."

We couldn't say it better ourselves. -- Gerry and Pam

B&B IN BEAUTIFUL BATH, ENGLAND - PART 3

By Brian and Mo
UK Correspondenst
Copyright Brian Wilson

BATH --You will find yourself at the right hand side of this photo – just take in the grand expanse of this iconic sweep of Georgian architecture.

You are standing outside No 1 the Crescent- one of the most luxurious houses designed to meet the needs of the Georgian aristocrats who came to “take “the waters”. It is now a museum – so you can see how your ancestors lived in luxury (or, in our case, how our ancestors they served their employers!!)

If you want to get the fullest view of The Royal Crescent, retrace your steps and take a path to your right and walk down until you reach the road that cuts across Victoria Park.

“Vicky Park” was once the pastoral garden for The Royal Crescent – it is now a public open space. Walk until you can see the full panorama – just taking it all in will take some time.

The interior No. 1 at the Royal Crescent

Many of the houses in The Crescent have been turned into flats – but what flats, with such a fantastic view!! You can even stay in The Crescent as The Royal Crescent Hotel can be found at No 16 – prices range from £250 (Classic) to £850 (Master Suite) per night.

Finally – walk towards The Crescent and you will come to a dip in the lawn facing a wall. This is a “haha” – a simple device to keep animals off the well-kept grass in front of The Royal Crescent (this is still private property) – yet, if you looked out from The Crescent you would just see a pastoral scene.


Bath has so much to offer – and the surrounding area is full of “delights”  - the countryside, the buildings – and the people!!

ROYAL HAS HISTORY OF INNOVATION

While all the recent attention has been on the exciting new features announced for Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, innovation has been part of that cruise company's DNA throughout its history, as this video explains:

B&B IN BEAUTIFUL BATH, ENGLAND - PART 2

By Brian and Mo
UK Correspondents
Copyright Brian Wilson

The Circus and the Royal Crescent ...

These are two of Bath’s many beautiful buildings. From the center of Bath walk into The Circus; designed by the architect John Wood, the Elder, who never lived to see his plans put into effect as he died less than three months after the first stone was laid. The whole Circus was completed circa 1766.

The Circus includes three classical Orders, (Greek Doric, Roman/Composite and Corinthian) one above the other, in the elegant curved facades. The Doric frieze is decorated with alternating pictorial emblems, including serpents, nautical symbols, devices representing the arts and sciences, and masonic symbols. The parapet is adorned with stone acorn finials.

In 1800 The Circus residents enclosed the central open space as a garden, now home to a group of old plane trees.

The front

Between 1758 and 1774 number 17 The Circus was home to Thomas Gainsborough and used as his portrait studio. But we must remember that Georgian Bath was a property entrepreneur’s dream – buildings were put up with an eye on a quick sale – everything was designed for show. So if you walk from the Circus towards The Royal Crescent you’ll notice that whilst the front of the buildings were made out of the best stone and festooned with beautiful carvings, the rear of the houses are made out of any old stone – everything was for show – your friends only looked at the front of the house

The back!

Now walk along Brock Street that leads form The Circus to The Royal Crescent – have a meal at one of our favourite restaurants –The Circus Café – and you will find yourself at one end of The Royal Crescent. Take a look at the wide expanse of one of Bath’s gems.

To be continued ....

B&B IN BEAUTIFUL BATH, ENGLAND -- PART 1

By Brian and Mo
UK Correspondents
Copyright Brian Wilson

The Circus, below, leading to
the Royal Crescent

BATH, ENGLAND --Bath is a fantastic City – the city full of Georgian Architecture and Roman Baths – Mo and I are so lucky to live so close to this beautiful World Heritage Site.

As a visitor you can stay in Bath itself – but you may well find parking is not only difficult to find - it can be expensive. So why not stay just outside Bath and drive in – or take public transport?

Only 5 miles from Bath you will find the lovely village of Box, snuggling in the Wiltshire Countryside – and here you can stay at Lorne House.

Guests appreciate the free off-street parking, the recently refurbished interior, beautiful solid oak floors, wonderful soft furnishings and stunning furniture - Lorne House is a stylish Bed & Breakfast providing visitors with an elegant charm and friendly welcome – your center for a relaxing break or a pleasant business trip. As for the breakfasts – they will “set you up for the rest of the day”. Cooking is to a high standard (we know all this as the owners – Fran and Mike Ralli – are personal friends of ours.)

But why choose Box? Well apart from better value and more choice of places to visit – you can freely upon public transport (bus) to take you into Bath, or you can use your own car. Fran and Mike will give you all the local advice and information you will ever need.

If you are a “train fan” then you will find that Lorne House is the place for you. It is just a few yards from the world famous Box Tunnel, one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s masterpieces. It is also the childhood home of the Rev. W J Awdry, author of Thomas the Tank Engine books

What to do in Bath? Well if you only have a short time then make sure you visit The Royal Crescent and The Circus.

To be continued ....

'ROYAL PRINCESS': WELCOME TO THE SEAS

Credit: Princess Cruises

In a ceremony June 13 in Southampton, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge named the new ship Royal Princess when she released a bottle of champagne that smashed against its hull. Standing on the naming platform with the ship’s Captain Tony Draper, The Duchess pronounced, “I name this ship Royal Princess. May God bless her and all who sail in her.” She then cut the rope that sent a giant bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne toward the ship. 

NORWEGIAN OFFERING ANGUS BEEF AT SEA

Credit: Norwegian

Steak-lovers, rejoice. Norwegian Cruise Line announced today "it is now the only cruise line to serve Certified Angus Beef brand steaks." Currently available in Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro French restaurant on ten Norwegian ships, including the new Norwegian Breakaway, they are due to arrive on Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Spirit by August. Guests can choose from a variety of cuts, ranging from a 14-ounce dry-aged center-cut strip loin to an 18-ounce bone-in ribeye, as well as an eight-ounce center-cut filet and a 16-ounce boneless ribeye. Cagney’s Steakhouse serves all of the selected cuts, while Le Bistro offers the eight-ounce center-cut filet. Make mine medium well, please. --Gerry

PRINCESS WILL LIVE STREAM EVENTS

When the Royal Princess makes her debut this week, the whole world will be watching. Here are the details from Princess:

Credit: Princess website

"When Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge christens Royal Princess on June 13, the nearly 2,000 invited guests in Southampton will not be the only ones to enjoy the festivities. Viewers around the world can also watch the celebrations as Princess Cruises will be streaming the ceremony live online at www.princess.com, so everyone can share in the spectacular event, which will formally welcome the new ship into the company’s fleet.

"The live streaming will begin at 11:15 am local time in Southampton, which will be 6:15 am EDT in the U.S. and 3:15 am PDT. Viewers can also choose to play back a recording of the ceremony soon after the event for viewing at their leisure. Social conversation on Twitter will also be featured with a direct feed on the naming page, and viewers can join in as they watch by using the #RoyalPrincess hashtag.

"In addition to the official breaking of the bottle of champagne against the ship by The Duchess, viewers will also be able to follow all the quay-side festivities – including performances by British pop singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield singing her hit, 'Unwritten,' British actress and 'the first lady of London’s West End' Kerry Ellis, and internationally renowned percussive orchestra Mass Ensemble. The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards will open the event with the pomp and ceremony of British ship-naming traditions."

'ROYAL PRINCESS' GETS MUSICAL SALUTE

The Royal Princess (Credit: Princess Cruises)

Ceremonies are shifting into high gear for the inauguration of the new Princess ship, Royal Princess. She was welcomed into Southampton with a musical salute as part of a week-long series of special inaugural events. Princess reported that "British actor, director and writer Simon Callow orchestrated the Southampton University Brass Band to serenade the new Princess Cruises ship with a rendition of God Save The Queen as the vessel sailed into the harbor." In answer back, Royal Princess played the first notes of the theme song from "The Love Boat." Royal Princess will be officially named in Southampton June 13 by The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and according to news accounts, it will be the last public appearance for the Duchess before the birth of her baby. -- Gerry

DISNEY 'AQUADUCKY DERBY' RAISES $14,000

Disney Cruise Line reports "thousands of Disney Cruise Line guests and crew members recently volunteered their time on all four ships to take part in the first 'AquaDucky Derby' rubber duck races in the ships’ pools and famous water coasters to raise nearly $14,000 for Make-A-Wish International." That's a cause Pam knows well, having chaired a campaign that raised over $65,000 for that organization.

Disney crew members and guests "purchased yellow rubber ducks to decorate and then enter in a water-filled race aboard the ships. Races took place in Goofy’s Pool on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, while those onboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy utilized the AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea exclusive to Disney Cruise Line."

This video shares more:

VISITING VIZCAYA, AND A BYGONE ERA

MIAMI -- In the southern end of Miami, just off South Miami Avenue, you can see two massive stone pillars, almost hidden in the plants, that mark the entrance to Vizcaya, the one-time estate of industrial magnate James Deering. Now a tourist attraction, it's a magnificent testament to a bygone area of grand design and Gatsby-like splendor. As described in Wikipedia, Vizcaya "is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deering, of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune, on Biscayne Bay in the present day Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The early 20th century Vizcaya estate also includes: extensive Italian Renaissance gardens; native woodland landscape; and a historic village outbuildings compound." If you are in the area, it's well worth a visit. The Venice-style dock area, the grotto swimming pool, the magnificent gardens, the over-the-top ornate rooms ... you will feel as if you had entered another era. And you have. Here are a few photos from our recent visit. -- Gerry and Pam

SHAKE SHACK LIVES UP TO HYPE

Pam at the Coral Gables Shake Shack (Photo: Gerry)

CORAL GABLES -- While making one of our semi-regular pilgrimages to South Florida's cupcake nirvana, otherwise known as Buttercream, Pam spied another foodie institution that opened its doors in Florida: Shake Shack. Renowned in its home city of New York, where it got its start in 2004, the hamburger chain has since gone both national and international, including three South Florida locations. So we decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Located at 1450 South Dixie Highway, the decor is both contemporary and inviting. There is an outdoor area where pets are welcome -- we like that. Of course we had to try what they are famous for -- burgers and shakes, so we opted for the basic burger, one with cheese, one without, fries, Coke and a vanilla shake. The verdict? Delicious. The condiments were fresh and the meat flavorful and cooked just right. The shakes seemed a little pricey at $5.15, but worth it. Trust me.

A peek inside

One of the cool features of their web site is a real-time "Shake Cam" that shows you how long the line is for their Madison Square Park location in New York. Their other Florida eateries are in South Beach and Boca Raton. Cruising Squared says check it out! -- Gerry and Pam

CELEBRITY'S LAWN CLUB COMING TO BIG APPLE

The Lawn Club Alcoves (Photo by Gerry)

One of the features that make the Celebrity cruise experience unique on their new Solstice-class ships is The Lawn Club -- thousands of square feet of real grass where you can play games, dine, even enjoy a picnic in a private alcove. This month, Celebrity is bringing that same experience -- minus the ocean -- to New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. On June 10 and 11, they are recreating "The Lawn Club Experience" in Vanderbilt Hall. They note local commuters and passersby can participate in various Lawn Club Experience activities, including:

'QUEEN MARY 2' MARKS 77TH ANNIVERSARY

Queen Mary visits New York  (Credit: Cunard)

Today is a special day for Cunard. When the Queen Mary 2 sails into New York harbor, concluding her Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton, it will mark 77th anniversary of the maiden call of the original Queen Mary in New York in 1936. Having cruised on the Queen Mary 2 from the Big Apple, we can imagine it was just as special then as now.

Here's a little of the backstory from Cunard:

"Queen Mary’s Maiden Voyage began in Southampton on May 27, 1936 when she departed to the sounds of gleeful bands and ecstatic crowds. On board were the famous bandleader, Henry Hall, scheduled to give a series of live radio broadcasts during the Crossing; the virtuoso harmonica player, Larry Adler; and well-known singer, Frances Day, who performed a song written especially for Queen Mary by Henry Hall. Interestingly, Miss Day was doubtful of the ship’s ability to provide fresh eggs throughout the voyage, and so brought along her own chickens.

"Seventy-seven years later, flagship Queen Mary 2 left Southampton last Saturday, May 25, for New York. On board to speak is Jeffrey Weinberg, adviser to seven U.S. Presidents; and passengers still enjoy Cunard’s renowned on board entertainment, including presentations from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Today, the eggs – all 45,000 of them – are fresh and plentiful, and the Line’s legendary Transatlantic Crossings live on.

"Queen Mary would cross the Atlantic another 1,000 times during her 31-year career before being retired in 1967. Queen Mary 2 will sail her 200th Crossing on 6 July – from New York – during this, her ninth year on the Atlantic." --Gerry