HERE'S WISHING YOU ....

TAKE A QUICK TRIP TO THE CARIBBEAN

Even though Christmas is only two days away, you still have a chance to make a quick trip to the sunny Caribbean. Well, maybe not in person, but via this new video from Royal Caribbean. It talks about three of our favorite places -- St. Thomas, St. Maarten and the private resort of CoCo Cay. Enjoy, and happy holidays from Cruising Squared!

KEEL LAID FOR 'VIKING STAR'

Artist rendering of Viking Star (Credit: Viking)

The new Viking Star is one step closer to launching. The keel was laid Dec. 18 at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard outside Venice, Italy. It marks the next construction phase of the company’s first-ever ocean product. Viking Star is scheduled to be delivered in early 2015. Her maiden voyages will be in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

TAKE A RIVER CRUISE INTO HISTORY

Uniworld river cruise ship (Credit: Uniworld)

By Bob & Sandy Nesoff

Members: North American travel Journalists Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors

Special to Cruising Squared

A damp mist covers the beach on the shore of the English Channel as a visitor leaves wet footprints in the sand walking to the water’s edge. There’s a chill in the air and visibility across the Channel toward the British coast is obscured.

Waves lap peacefully on the sand as the murmur of visitor’s voices drift across the beach. Looking closely into the mist one can see the outline of scores of ghost ships approaching, silently, ever closer.

VIKING LAUNCHES 'WORLD OF FINSE' BOOKS

Finse and Karine in Bordeaux
(Credit: Viking)

Just in time for Christmas, Viking Cruises has launched a new book series, “The World of Finse,” along with the first two installments titled, “Finse’s First Journey” and “Finse Explores Europe.” Written by Karine Hagen, Viking Vice President and daughter of Viking founder and Chairman Torstein Hagen, these children’s books feature Karine’s yellow Labrador, Finse, who was born at Highclere Castle – the setting for “Downton Abbey.”

Here are more details from Viking:

The books’ water color illustrations, by Suzy-Jane Tanner, provide the backdrop for the stories, in which Finse learns about geography, history and different cultures. The books were created with a nod to the many grandparents who travel onboard Viking ships and who share stories of their trips with grandchildren at home.

‘‘I am fortunate enough to take Finse with me when I am on location filming for Viking, and telling stories of our itineraries through the eyes of a sweet and curious Labrador puppy seemed like a gentle and amusing way to teach children about the world,” said Karine Hagen. “The books will hopefully also give our guests a way to share their travels with the children in their families.’’

PRINCESS NAMES ENTERTAINER FINALISTS

It's that time again. Princess Cruises is getting ready to again crown its top guest entertainer during the cruise line’s third annual Entertainer of the Year competition. Four finalists have been selected to compete for the title during Princess’ upcoming Entertainer of the Year cruise. Passengers will also be able to get in on the act by casting their ballots for their favorite performer aboard Caribbean Princess during the ship’s March 22, 2014 Western Caribbean cruise. The four finalists competing to hold the title of “Entertainer of the Year” are:

Troy Thirdgill – Comedian Troy Thirdgill has not only performed for audiences on cruise ships, but also entertains at comedy clubs, military bases, colleges and large corporate events. His busy schedule has taken him to more countries than almost any comic in the world. His act features witty material and very real characters, evoking laughs by presenting a unique perspective.

Zach Winningham – Vocalist Zach Winningham hails from the Midwest farm town of Belleville, Indiana, where long country drives with his father introduced him to 50s and 60s rock n' roll, country, and bluegrass music. His passion to keep this music alive has driven his musical career and blossomed into a love of performing, which has taken him to stages across America and cruise ships all over the world.

Hawley Magic – Illusionist Jonathan Hawley has performed around the world with his wife, Trisha, by his side as his featured assistant. Together as Hawley Magic they make a powerful team, offering audiences much more than just a few tricks. Their artistic act leaves a lasting impression on audiences of any age.

Walk Like a Man – This dynamic tribute show captures the feel of a live concert performance from one of America's living legends, Frankie Valli. The world-class entertainers who make up the cast have collectively performed on television, in national shows and on major recordings. One of the lead vocalists, Val Martinez, even toured with Frankie Valli himself.

Each finalist will offer several live performances during the cruise, after which passengers vote for their favorite entertainer. The winner will be announced on the final night of the cruise at a celebratory event in Princess’ signature venue, The Piazza.

The finalists have been determined by the Princess Cruises Entertainment department based on passenger surveys and onboard audience response.

The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and will hold the title of “2013 Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year.”

The first two Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year contests named comedian Carlos Oscar and singer Tony Tillman as the top entertainers of 2011 and 2012, respectively.

"GETAWAY' WILL FEATURE WINE MUSICAL

Credit: Norwegian

We all know you can enjoy wine in just about any setting. So why not over lunch and a musical comedy? Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, will feature a "new lunchtime entertainment experience for guests, WINE LOVERS THE MUSICAL." It's an interactive show that combines musical theatre and comedy with a six flight wine tasting and lunch. More details from Norwegian:

"WINE LOVERS THE MUSICAL tells the story of two mismatched students attending a wine class led by an effervescent teacher and their journey of falling in love. Guests attending the show will experience a wine tasting unlike other, as they sample six different wines over lunch all while watching a hilarious musical comedy. The wine selections include varietals such as Estancia Pinot Grigio, Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay, Beringer Founders Estate Pinot Noir and North & South, Norwegian’s proprietary Red Blend from California.

"The musical is directed by Holly-Anne Ruggiero, whose Broadway credits include the international hit Jersey Boys and Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, and features a score written by wine expert Michael Green and award winning jazz composer, Gary Negbaur. The show previously enjoyed Sold Out runs in New York City and New Orleans and is currently available on Norwegian Pearl. The cost of the experience is $25 per person and will be offered twice per cruise in the Illusionarium Theatre."

Credit: Norwegian

Norwegian also recently announced a new partnership with the world-renowned Michael Mondavi Family to enhance the line’s wine selection fleet-wide to include a variety of wines specially-selected by Michael, together with his son Rob Jr and daughter Dina, to showcase the family’s history.


"Additional elements of the partnership include a series of short wine tasting videos featuring members of the Michael Mondavi family that will be shown in staterooms to educate and inform guests. Norwegian’s food and beverage staff will undergo intensive training sessions, so that they can confidently provide knowledgeable wine recommendations to guests who are looking for the perfect wine to complement their meal.

"Viva Vino, Norwegian’s wine packages, offer guests the opportunity to enjoy the new wine offering and save on a variety of high-quality wines, specially selected from the line’s enhanced wine list. Viva Vino wine packages allow guests to choose their perfect package whether they are a novice wine drinker or connoisseur. Each Viva Vino package gives guests the option of choosing four, six or eight bottles to enjoy throughout their cruise – in the bar, lounge or restaurant of their choice, or even in the comfort of their stateroom."

NORWEGIAN ADDS 'BATH BUTLER' OPTION

Credit: Norwegian

In the endless quest to find ever-new ways to pamper passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing the "Bath Butler." Just as it implies, you can order up a luxury bath experience, drawn by a certified butler, and can include a bottle of Dom Perignon and caviar, if that's your wish. Here are more details from their press release:

Norwegian’s Bath Butler Menu features seven different luxury bath packages, each inspired by one of Norwegian’s spectacular destinations. Every package also includes a tasty treat and refreshing beverage selection. Many of Norwegian’s suite bath tubs also have views of the ocean for an even more luxurious experience.

For those guests wanting the ultimate in pampering, Norwegian’s signature drawn bath is the unparalleled Mediterranean Soak. For $499, guests will bask in the French verbena bubbles that surround them, as they block out the world with their eye mask while sipping on a glass of chilled Dom Perignon champagne, poured from the bottle that sits beside them. In addition, guests who indulge in the Mediterranean Soak will enjoy feasting on sturgeon caviar.

Additional Bath Menu options include:

STAYING FIT AT SEA ON 'QUANTUM'

If your daily regimen includes running or hitting the gym (personally, we look for the ice cream machine and deck chairs, but that's just us), you don't have to miss a beat at sea. Most ships come equipped with all the exercise options you have on land, and then some. Royal Caribbean's new Quantum of the Seas is placing a premium on creating the ultimate fitness experience, using the services of fitness guru Dhani Jones. This video will show you more:

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART FIVE

Capt. Dino Sagani on the Bridge (Photo: Cruising Squared)

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – Our last day at sea is here. By this time tomorrow we will be docked at Port Everglades. Hard to believe seven days can go by so fast. Outside our stateroom it’s gray and rainy, but there are prospects of better weather for the afternoon.

Just time for a few final thoughts and observations.

• BRIDGE TOUR. Today we were among a small group invited to tour the bridge. Our host is Captain Dino Sagani, who has commanded four ships in the Princess fleet. As you would expect, Royal Princess sports the latest state-of-the-art technology, and the ship’s control center resembles an airplane cockpit. And about that special “Love Boat” horn greeting – the Captain tells me it was specially built just for Princess.

• SHIP PHOTOS. One nice touch are the photos which line the stateroom corridors. They were all taken and donated by passengers from previous Princess cruises. Whets your appetite for more globe-trotting adventures.

• PRINCESS LIVE. This is a fully operational TV studio which hosts game shows, karaoke, lectures and other audience-participation programs. One event helped me learn about the “Top 10 Art Heists of All Time.”

• THINGS WE LIKED. There is much to like on this beautiful ship. Among them, the friendly staff and the food. From the Horizon Bistro on deck 16 to the main dining rooms, we found the food uniformly good. The specialty venues provide a lot of choice, from gelato to coffee to afternoon tea. Vines caters to wine lovers, and on our last day the Wheelhouse Bar became an English pub serving fish and chips. Not to mention The Pastry Shop in Horizon. Boy, you can gain weight just walking through that place.

• A FEW SUGGESTIONS. It may be just us, but we would like a few more dark and cozy venues to sip a cocktail and listen to jazz or Sinatra. Most of the bars are located along heavy traffic lanes, like Seaview, Vista Lounge and Wheelhouse. Club 6 could be good, but the hours are limited. And seriously, check the programming on those elevators.

• OVERALL: Princess invites passengers to “Escape Completely.” As first-timers, we spent an enjoyable seven days with an objective to do just that. Bottom line? When this “Love Boat” makes another run, we’ll be there. -- Pam and Gerry

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART FOUR

Docked in St. Thomas (Photos: Cruising Squared)

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – We reach our next port of call, St.Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to a mix of sun and rain, typical of life in the tropics. For some it’s a chance to pour into Charlotte Amalie for a shopping blitz; for others, a nice time to relax on board minus the crowds. Having been to this destination numerous times before, we choose the latter.

And what better way to relax than a beautifully prepared cup of cappuccino from the International Café in a cozy window booth by the Piazza. Are they brewing coffee here or works or art?

Speaking of art, they are holding the art auction later, something with which we are very familiar. Several years ago we attended one on a lark as part of another cruise. Several glasses of champagne later, and after a bitter bidding war with another passenger, we found ourselves the proud owners of five new works of art. The cost? Don’t go there.

About the service on board – excellent. Everyone we’ve encountered has been uniformly friendly, helpful and smiling. Quite an accomplishment for a job that demands hard work, long hours and making 3,000-plus customers happy on a 24/7 basis. We did have to chuckle when the woman at the service desk inquired, “Which of the formal nights is more formal?”

In our quest to seek out a nice deck chair to watch the waves go by, we discover the Promenade on Deck 7. We have read that one of the complaints about how the ship was designed is the Promenade deck doesn’t extend continuously around the ship. That is reportedly going to be corrected on Royal’s sister ship, Regal Princess, and retro-fitted on this one at her first dry dock.

But we did find our chairs, albeit without cushions. Not as comfy as they could be, but nonetheless a fine place to watch the world go by.

The Seaview Bar

For the sail-away from St. Thomas, we took a seat at the Seaview Bar on deck 16 – the one that extends 28 feet over the edge of the ship. As the captain played the “Love Boat” theme on the ship’s horn, suddenly the bar patrons burst into singing the song from the 70s TV show. “The Love Boat … will be making another run … the Love Boat ….” It was decidedly off-key but still fun.

The next morning found us dockside in St. Maarten. Beside us was Allure of the Seas, along with Holland America’s Noordam. It was pouring rain, and passengers from all three ships were scurrying like ants waiting for their tours to start. The precip would come and go during the morning hours, but most of the afternoon was sunny and moisture-free.

The Water Taxi at St. Maarten

St. Maarten is actually one of our favorite ports in the Caribbean. A divided island – half Dutch and half French – we are on the Dutch side, at Philipsburg. We recommend catching the Water Taxi at the port. It’s a short ride to the heart of town and a ticket for an unlimited day pass is only $7. There’s even Christmas music to get you in the shopping mood.

A short walk from the pier and you’ll find everything right there: Shopping, restaurants, the beach, water sports. We make a stop for some coffee and free Wi-Fi, and a chance to enjoy the view of the amazing aquamarine waters.

Not to mention, it’s Thanksgiving. While in one sense we miss the traditional family get-together, this is pretty nice. And at dinner later, they have prepared a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. The big plus is they are taking care of the dirty dishes.

This is our last port on this cruise, and we have two days at sea ahead. We’ll have one final dispatch and wrap-up before we reach Port Everglades. -- Pam and Gerry

CRUISING THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN

While Pam and I were cruising the Eastern Caribbean, Royal's new video puts the focus on the Western part of that island paradise. East or West, it's all good. Take a look:

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART THREE

The Sanctuary  (Photo: Cruising Squared)

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – Today is a sea day. The skies have turned sunny and the seas bright blue. The only constant is the wind, which continues to rock us along even as the captain has plotted a course to shelter us as much as possible.

This morning we opted to choose room service for breakfast. It’s great to dine on your balcony. Our only suggestion would be expand the menu. Apart from the usual continental fare, the main event is an egg muffin sandwich. Still, 24/7 room service is nice.

On sea days, you expect the pools to be busy, and this day was no different. There is a regular pool, a kid pool and a splashy “Bellagio-style” fountain on Lido Deck 16. But we especially appreciate the adult-only pool area on Deck 17, which includes The Sanctuary, where you can rent a cabana or a pool chair for half or full days. The cabanas go for $80 for a half day, and include food and beverage service. But you have to act fast. 

The adults-only pool

Reservations are only taken the day before, starting at 8 a.m., and we were told the line is already 25-30 deep when they open. You can also rent deluxe pool chairs by the adult-only pool, as well as smaller cabanas. Also note there are free loungers by the adult pool as well.

If you want an alternative, try the Outrigger Bar at the back of the ship on Deck 16. You can grab one of the tables by the railing and enjoy scenic vistas and an umbrella-infused cocktail at the same time. You forego the pampering, but for $80 you can afford to pamper yourself.

For lunch we try Alfredo’s Pizzeria by the atrium. Here you have lots of choices for a hand-tossed pizza. Add a mixed green salad and finish it off with an apple tart and you are good to go. Delicious.

Bellini's Bar

Mid-afternoon finds us in Bellini's Bar, also by the atrium. A good bellini can rank right up there with a martini, and these were both good and in generous proportions (unlike the birthplace of the bellini – Harry’s Bar in Venice, where the portion is small and price large). Taking place below us was a cha-cha dance class. Pam tells me the cha-cha is so easy even I can learn to do it. One more bellini and I think she might be right.

The Lotus Spa on Deck 5 seemed to be doing a brisk business. While we typically forego spa treatments on cruises, if you are looking to be rejuvenated, reconditioned or revived, this is the place to do it.

For evening entertainment, the Princess Theater hosts a different show every night. This cruise featured a tribute to The Beatles, illusionist David Cats and the ship’s singers and dancers. Over in the Vista Lounge, it was rock and roll from the 50s and 60s. Then there’s “Movies Under the Stars” on the big screen poolside, featuring “World War Z” and “Man of Steel.”

We decide to pay a visit to the Princess Casino. Wish us luck. -- Pam and Gerry

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART TWO

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – We are anchored off Princess Cays and the weather gods aren’t smiling on us. The view from our balcony is gray and rainy, and the forecast is more of the same. The wind isn’t helping matters, and our captain has cautioned we may have to abort this port.

After some deliberation, he decides to let the tenders go ashore, but advises everyone to be extra mindful. Having seen firsthand the hazards of boarding a bobbing tender, we know to take heed.

In the meantime, more time to explore and get to know this crown jewel in the Princess fleet.

Sabitini's, a specialty restaurant (Photo: Gerry)

Uppermost on the minds of every cruiser is food. And as you might expect, Royal Princess has plenty of options, including specialty venues like the Italian-inspired Sabatini’s and the Crown Grill, a steak and chophouse. Passengers have the option of choosing a set dining time, early or late, or anytime dining, which is nice. We opted for late dining in the Allegro.

There are two formal nights on this voyage – Tuesday and Friday. Time to dust off the old tux. It’s an option of course, but it’s nice to “put on the dog” and recapture some of the splendor of old school cruising.

Finding a dark corner for an after-dinner nightcap is something of a challenge. There are a number of bars aboard, but many are located in the brightly-lit areas. The Vista Lounge fits the bill, and also features different music theme nights. There’s also the Seaview Bar on deck 16, but the blow-me-down winds have waved us off so far.

Looks like we have a break in the weather, so we decide to take the tender over and see what the island is about. Unfortunately, by the time the tender arrives, the skies have gotten dark and the rains return. We all wait patiently for a departure, but 20 minutes later, we are still holding.

Well, maybe next time to see Princess Cays. Hopefully we’ll get a break as we make way to our next port, St. Thomas. Wish us luck. -- Gerry and Pam

CRUISE REVIEW: ROYAL PRINCESS

The atrium on Royal Princess (Photo: Gerry)

NOTE: Pam and I just returned from a cruise on the newest ship in the Princess fleet, Royal Princess. We blogged live on All Things Cruise, and now will share that coverage and more here.

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – This cruise marks several firsts for us: Our first cruise on a Princess ship, and our first holiday voyage. We opted for a seven-day Eastern Caribbean excursion in lieu of the traditional Thanksgiving celebration. For once, we’ll relax and let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. Plus, a chance to experience the newest ship in the Princess fleet -- Royal Princess made her debut in June.

We boarded from Port Everglades at Fort Lauderdale, and over the course of the next seven days we will visit Princess Cays, a private beach area on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

Some first impressions from Day One:

The Boarding Process. Smooth, thanks in part because we didn’t arrive until our designated time slot. Why fight the crowds to be first in line for lunch? A nice plus was the helpful crew who pointed us in the right direction all along the way. We also enjoyed the captain’s sounding a few bars from the “Love Boat” theme (remember the 70s TV show that put the Princess brand on the map?) on the ship’s horn as we made our departure.

Our stateroom. We have a balcony room almost all the way to the front of the ship on Deck 9 – designation Dolphin. It’s roomy enough, thanks to a nice layout that separates the bathroom/closet from the bed area. There’s a 37-inch flat screen TV hugging one wall. The color scheme is soothing neutral tones with the occasional splash of color. Very cozy-comfy.

The lights are activated by inserting your stateroom keycard in a slot by the door. It’s an energy-saving measure that takes a little getting used to and might up the chances of leaving your room without your card. And as with just about every ship we’ve been on, there’s a maddening lack of power outlets. Tip: Always pack an extension cord and if you have a lot of electronics, a six-power strip.

The standard balcony is fairly compact; there’s just enough room for two chairs and a small table. There’s a refrigerator, and the safe to hold your valuables is quite roomy.
Around the Ship: The ship is beautiful, with that still-new sparkle and “new car” fragrance. A lot of the on-board activity is centered on the piazza-style atrium, which exudes elegance, starting with the double spiral staircases. In the first 24 hours we’ve seen everything from rock and roll dancing to exercise classes to piano instrumentals. You can eat, drink and be merry without leaving the area.

We still haven’t figured out the elevators. Judging by the comments, a number of other passengers haven’t, either. The bank closest to us has four elevators and two sets of buttons, so you have to make it point to press both if you are trying to catch one. And more often than not, the ones going in your direction don’t stop but zip right past. Doubtless some start-up bugs still to be worked out.

The SeaWalk feature on Deck 16 is a cool addition, if only for the “wow” factor. It’s a glass-bottom walkway that extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship on either side (one side hosts a bar).

If you are reading this, it means they fixed the Internet. The long line at the Internet Café were passengers seeking refunds for the empty minutes online when no one knew the satellite was down. Technology – it’s great when it works.

Next: A stop at Princess Cays.