JAMES TAYLOR ANNOUNCED FOR 'QUEEN MARY 2'

Credit: James O'Mara

Cunard has announced legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor will help commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Mary 2 next year. Taylor will perform two concerts during the August 27 Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton, England, via Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Over the course of his career, Taylor has sold over 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for classics ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to October Road in 2002.

From the release: “I’ve always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe, and in June 2009 we got the chance to do that. It’s such a civilized way to go, and Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel,” Taylor said. 

PRINCESS SETS 'TAILGATE AT SEA' PARTIES

Are you ready for some football? (Credit: Princess)

If you love football -- and who doesn't, right? -- Princess Cruises has some good news for you. How about a tailgate party at sea? Today Princess announced they'll be showing all Monday Night Football games on its "Movies Under the Stars" screens and throwing a tailgate party each week to celebrate. Since we will be sailing on Royal Princess soon, expect a first-hand account direct from the ship. (At least, from one of us. Pam may choose to visit the spa.) Here's more from their release:

"Passengers will now be 'ready for some football' while sailing through the balmy waters on a Caribbean cruise or enjoying cruising from the West Coast, with the game showing on a giant LED screen above the pool.

"Each Monday, ships are serving up the first-ever Tailgate at Sea parties, bringing the best of the American football experience on deck. Passengers can enjoy their favorite nibbles such as hot wings, burgers, hot dogs, chips and salsa, pizza (voted best pizza at sea by USA Today), and other party foods football fans would enjoy during a BBQ in a stadium parking lot or while hosting a football get-together. Beer buckets and team-inspired drink specials will add to the tailgate experience.

"Fans will also enjoy Princess’ exclusive in-game entertainment, including live commercial break commentary, Fantasy Football stat updates, onboard half-time show and fun-filled contests with prizes.

"Games will be shown on U.S.-based departures aboard Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, and Star Princess.

"The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size, with a 69,000-watt sound system and have sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed – offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater."

WIN A TRIP TO TAIWAN

CheapOair, in conjunction with the Taiwan Tourism Board and China Airlines, is giving away two round trip tickets and accommodations for a seven day, six night stay and a customized itinerary in Taipei. Between November 11-24, fans of CheapOair on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cheapoair) can enter to win and explore:

• Taipei
• Sun Moon Lake
• Fo Guang Shan Monastery
• Kaohsiung City
• Kenting National Park
• East Coast National Scenic Area
• Taroko National Park

If you win, send us a postcard!

FLORIDA KEYS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The holidays are upon us, and towns up and down the Florida Keys are gearing up with a whole slate of festivities. Check out this lineup:

Now through Sunday, Dec. 22
Holiday Photos with a Dolphin at Dolphin Research Center (Marathon)
At Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 59 bayside on Grassy Key, visitors who participate in the Meet the Dolphin program also can pose with the dolphins for a holiday photo. Visitors can bring their holiday-themed props to pose with, and DRC's experienced photographers will shoot the pictures using high-resolution digital cameras. The program is offered several times each day on a walk-in basis and costs $25 per person in addition to general admission prices. The photos are supplied on a flash drive for $20 for one person or $35 for multiple people in the same shot. Group size is limited to four people. Contact: 305-289-1121 or www.dolphins.org

'GETAWAY' UNDERWAY IN ANOTHER MILESTONE

Credit: Norwegian

Norwegian Getaway has began her 24-hour long conveyance along the Ems River in Germany, another key milestone in the ship’s toward its official debut. Sailing backwards, Getaway left the MEYER WERFT shipyard and made a narrow passage through the ship yard’s locks, with only 1.6 meters clearance separating the ship from the “bumpers” that were specially installed along the starboard side of the locks. "This very tedious maneuver took approximately 1.5 hours at a maximum speed of only 0.2 knots." Maybe it would have been less tedious if they didn't sail backwards, you think?

AMTRAK CRUISING TO NYC

We meet, see and hear the most interesting people when we travel by air, land and sea.

Sometimes we feel so fortunate to have an opportunity to expand the friendship ring to include fascinating folks from around the world.

However, there are times when we look at each other, scratch our heads and wonder why people step into the world of travel armed with, seemingly, scant information.

An example?

A recent round-trip jaunt from the West Palm Beach station to Penn Station in New York City.  Twenty-four hours of clicking.

A fabulous alternative to flying, but train travel means you have limited space, and this should come as no surprise.

A roomette for two with a view.

If you are not prepared to be  very close and personal with your travel companion, may I suggest you book your own compartment for an extended trip.

Train travel suits us, but we accept that a Sleeper Car is only so big.

Photos-Cruising Squared

Riding the rails up the Eastern Seaboard is a wonderful adventure, but we suggest you check your large luggage and step inside with only a small bag of personal essentials, electronic or old-school entertainment tools, an appetite for good food and an open mind for meeting new faces.

All aboard the Silver Meteor from South Florida to New York City! -- Pam

THE NEWEST SHIP DESIGN TOOL: 3-D

At first glance it resembles the newest video game innovation from X Box, or maybe the Holodeck of Star Trek fame. But it's neither. Instead, it's the latest thing in cruise ship design: Virtual reality. Royal Caribbean engineers are using it to construct their newest ship, the Quantum of the Seas. Grab your 3-D glasses and join them in this week's video:

A MINI-YACHT FROM ITALY

The Jet Capsule (from their website)

Gizmodo calls it "the tiny luxury cruise ship you might actually be able to afford." It's the "Jet Capsule," an Italian mini-yacht that accommodates up to seven people. It also features, according to their website, "transformable bed solutions, photochromic windows, personal transforming sunbathing, completely customizable from 120Hp to 800Hp with hydro jet propulsion system." No word about the price, but it does look like a stylish way to cruise around the Greek Isles, or right here off Palm Beach. 

'GETAWAY' ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEBUT

(Credit: Norwegian)

Norwegian Getaway is one step closer to her debut early next year After 12 months, she was floated out of MEYER WERFT’s covered building dock II on Saturday in Papenburg, Germany where the 146,600-ton ship has been under construction. "The ship’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction as it denotes that the ship has now moved into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place on January 10, 2014." Following inaugural events in Europe, New York and Miami, Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday from Miami beginning on Feb. 8, 2014. 

AMTRAK EXPECTS BUSY THANKSGIVING

The holidays are coming, and Amtrak is encouraging Thanksgiving and holiday travelers to plan ahead and book their tickets early for best availability and pricing. Thanksgiving is Amtrak's busiest travel week of the year, peaking on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. They note that other than Thanksgiving Day, morning trains typically have more available seats than those in the afternoon and evening. Last year, Amtrak carried a record 737,537 passengers during the 2012 Thanksgiving travel period, up 1.9 percent over the previous year and the prior record set in 2011.

TOP 10 FINE DINING RESTAURANTS

The UK's Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons -- no. 7 (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor readers have chosen their Top 10 fine dining restaurants worldwide, and it's no surprise the number one spot belongs to France. It's Maison Lameloise, located in Chagny. France also claimed number three with Le Cinq, in Paris. America did have have one entry -- Colicchio and Sons in New York. You can find the complete list here. Personally, we know of several cruise ship eateries that could easily make the list. Bon appetit! -- Gerry