WE'VE MOVED

Cruising Squared is back ... but in a new wrapper.

Pam and I have officially launched NorthPalmBeachLife.com, "celebrating the South Florida lifestyle." While it will cover a much broader spectrum of topics, travel and cruising are still new and dear to our hearts. So look for our travel coverage to continue there, and please like our new Facebook page.

Safe travels and thanks for reading. -- Pam and Gerry

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO OUR READERS

To our readers: After over three years and 900-plus posts, Cruising Squared is taking a break. You may see us on one of those beautiful Florida beaches, like the one below, teaching Cate how to throw a shell into the sea. Stay safe and to paraphrase one of our favorite British comedies, "CRUISE ON!"

SINGER ISLAND MARRIOTT FACEBOOK CONTEST

One of Cruising Squared's favorite happy hour haunts -- Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa -- has launched the Singer Island Discover Scuba Sweepstakes on Facebook. The winner and a guest will spend four days "dining, sunbathing and discovering sunken treasure at Singer Island, where spectacular shipwrecks and lush coral reefs attract divers year-round." Here are the details:

"The trip includes a four-day, three-night stay for two in a luxury suite, a personalized dinner at the hotel’s on-property restaurant 3800 Ocean, massage treatments at the resort spa, and an underwater day trip in the Atlantic to swim with reef life all around the island. Jim Abernathy Scuba Adventures, Palm Beach’s leading diving shop, will provide full equipment and an instructor-led dive excursion for those just getting their flippers wet, or arrange a two-tank dive for certified divers."

You can enter through July 17 by visiting the “Discover Scuba” tab on Palm Beach Marriott’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PalmBeachMarriott. You can earn a bonus entry by sharing on Twitter. And by sharing the sweepstakes with their Facebook network, they will receive a bonus entry for every friend that enters as well.

The travel prize is good through July 31, 2016, and subject to availability and blackout dates. Prize does not include transportation and entrants must be over the age of 21. Scuba participants must be at least 10 years of age.

And if drop by the bar at 3800, say hello to Jay and Holly. They have it going on. -- Gerry and Pam

HISTORY OF CUNARD: 'AQUITANIA'

Here is another chapter in the history of Cunard, cdelebrating its 175th year in 2015.

From Cunard

In 1915 the British Government War Office requested that Mauretania and Aquitania be made available to transport three divisions of troops to the Mediterranean where the Allied armies were heavily involved in the ill-fated Gallipoli expedition.

Painted black (including her funnels) Aquitania left Liverpool on 18 May 1915 for Mudros with over 5,000 troops of the 13th Division. She left Liverpool again on 3 July, again with over 5,000 troops, including much of the 11th (Northern Division) and two days out Aquitania was fired upon by a submarine, possibly Austrian, but fortunately the torpedo missed by some fifty feet astern. Aquitania reached Mudros on 10 July. During the next three months she made a number of trooping voyages between Liverpool and Mudros and conveyed around 30,000 troops. The troops delighted in the “ample accommodations” found on Aquitania and recalled adequate breakfasts of porridge, eggs and bacon and a whole pint of coffee as well as sports and parades on deck being the order of the day.

CARNIVAL LAUNCHES fATHOM: SOCIAL IMPACT TRAVEL

This week Carnival added a new brand to its portfolio: fathom -- a new category they describe as "social impact travel." You might call it the "Peace Corps of the waves."

It will offer consumers "authentic, meaningful impact travel experiences to work alongside locals as they tackle community needs." The first destination will be the Dominican Republic, where "the average household income is approximately $6,000 a year and more than two million Dominicans do not have access to piped water."

Beginning in April 2016, fathom will embark on seven-day voyages from PortMiami aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel. "Depending on their passions, interests and skills, travelers will have the opportunity to choose from a range of social impact activities and experiences both onboard and onshore."

Here are more details from Carnival:

AZAMARA SHIPS GETTING MAJOR UPGRADE

One of our favorite cruise lines -- Azamara -- is giving their two ships a major upgrade.

Here's the announcement:

"Azamara Club Cruises announced that its two ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest – will undergo 'major upgrades' while in dry dock in early 2016, reinvigorating the onboard guest experience. The mid-size ships that accommodate up to 686 guests will be outfitted with new venues, public spaces and technologies to bring fresh services and amenities to guests. From bow to stern, there is no area on the line's ships that will be untouched. The upgrades include all staterooms and suites, dining, spa and entertainment.

The Azamara Journey will enter dry dock in January 2016 in the Bahamas, and the Azamara Quest in April 2016 in Singapore.

You can read about our trip on the Azamara Quest here.

'ANTHEM'S' COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTER

'ANTHEM'S' REALLY BIG SHOWS

Passengers aboard Anthem of the Seas may be asking themselves, "Am I in Las Vegas or out to sea?" That's because of all the entertainment options aboard this Royal Caribbean ship. Here's a video that gives you a taste of what to expect, with a tip of the headline hat to Ed Sullivan:

CUNARD MARKS 175 YEARS AT LIVERPOOL

Today was truly a red letter day for Cunard. The three Queens, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, gathered in Liverpool to mark the cruise line's 175th anniversary. From Cunard:

"At midday on 25 May, Cunard’s current fleet will become the largest ships ever to sail in formation on the Mersey when all three Queens perform a meticulously planned series of manoeuvres to mark the company’s 175th anniversary and to salute Liverpool, its spiritual home, where the company began in 1840. The ships will perform a ‘river dance’ against the backdrop of Liverpool’s Three Graces, a world heritage site which includes the Cunard Building, the company’s headquarters from 1916-1967. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to gather on both sides of the river to watch."

Here's the video, and congratulations to Cunard. Here's a toast from Cruising Squared for another 175 years!

'CRUISE CONTROL' DETAILS SHIP RECORDS

This week the website ProPublica debuted a new site devoted to cruise ship health and safety records, Cruise Control. On it, users can search a "database of over 300 ships that make port in the U.S. You'll be able to see their health and safety records going back as far as 2010, as well as their current position and deck plans." Worth checking out.

FOOD TRUCK NIGHT AT THE PALM BEACH ZOO

This way to the tacos! (All Photos/Cruising Squared)

Cruising Squared made a return trip to the Palm Beach Zoo on Saturday May 24 for the Braman Motor Cars Food Trucks at the Zoo event. Not only was a chance to sample some of Palm Beach's best mobile meals (we opted for the tacos), but also an opportunity to view some animals up close and personal,including a cockatoo, a tortoise, a reptile and a python. If you haven't been, you should go. It's well done and both people and animal-friendly.And thanks to Braman for providing another memorable outing. -- Gerry and Pam

A lemur has his own private food truck

These lemurs are just waking up

This reptile says "Stop and be friendly."

And here's a cockatoo that knows what to do when the camera is rolling:

'WORLD CLASS BAR' DEBUTS ON 'ECLIPSE'

World Class Bar on Eclipse  (Celebnrity)

Cruising Squared is always in search of the perfect cocktail. Somebody has to do it, right?

That search may soon lead us to the new World Class Bar aboard Celebrity Eclipse (where we fondly remember the French martinis from the launch party). Celebrity Cruises and Diageo Global Travel Americas have partnered to launch the world’s first permanent World Class Bar. It debuts on Eclipse, and will soon be a fixture on the four other Solstice-class ships.

Committed to delivering a high-end drink experience, it will featured exclusive drinks, such as:

· MYSTIC KETEL ONE – a unique ritual serve, this tropical cocktail is made with Ketel One Vodka. A specially designed kettle cools the mixture of strawberries, pineapple, aloe vera, lime juice, ginger liqueur and Ketel One and releases a vapor.

· ZACAPA OLD FASHIONED – rich Zacapa 23 Rum is mixed with angostura bitters and a dash of chocolate mole for a twist on one of the classics, as Zacapa elevates the “Old Fashioned” to the next level.

· CELEBRITY No. TEN – a refreshing cocktail made with unique Tanqueray no. Ten gin, fresh raspberries, a dash of bitters, lemon juice and crème de violette and topped off with ginger ale.

You can stop now ... you had us at vodka.  --Gerry

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE KEY LIME FEST

We have found the best key lime pie anywhere in -- where else? -- the Florida Keys. If you too are a key lime fanatic, get ready for the annual Key Lime Festival. Here are the details from this delicious press release:

"Fans of sweet Key lime pie can salute the Florida Keys' signature dessert and the tiny fruit that inspired it Thursday through Saturday, July 2-4, during the annual Key Lime Festival. Events include a Key lime pie-eating contest, a wacky talent show and samplings of Keys-distilled rum flavored with the tangy lime.

"Believed to have originated in Key West in the late 1800s, Key lime pie was designated Florida's official pie in 2006 by the state legislature. Its primary ingredients are condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of the tiny yellow Key lime, with the creamy filling typically nestled in a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream or meringue.

PASSPORT SCANNERS MAY SPEED EMBARKATION

Name the three parts of cruising you like the least. For me, it's getting on the ship, getting off the ship and the dreaded safety drill. Something that may ease the process for the first two are new automated passport scanners, now deployed at the Vancouver cruise terminal. You can read more about it here. Let's hope they will be coming to a cruise terminal near you soon. -- Gerry

BEHIND THE SCENES OF 'DEVINLY DECADENCE'

The restaurant is called "Devinly Decadence," taking its name from celebrity chef Devin Alexander, known from the TV show "The Biggest Loser." You can experience her "flavor-first" cooking aboard Anthem of the Seas. This week's video has more. My question? Why do I watch these right before lunch?

10 SURREAL DESTINATIONS

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano, Japan (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor is out with their "10 of the most surreal places on earth" list. Sorry -- nothing from Florida qualified, even if we do produce some of the weirdest news in the country. But check out the list and you may find some additions to your own bucket list, like a trip to see Japan's snow monkeys. Brrr. I bet that water is c-c-c-cold. -- Gerry

'WE WILL ROCK YOU' FEATURED ON 'ANTHEM'

British rock is alive and well, thank you very much, on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. The long-running show, "We Will Rock You," has taken center stage on Royal's newest cruise ship. As Lionel's father might say on the BBC show, "As Time Goes By," -- "Rock on!"

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF 'CARNIVAL VISTA'

Carnival's newest ship, Carnival Vista, is set to begin service in just about a year: May 1, 2016. But if you want a sneak peek at what's coming your way, come aboard this virtual tour. After it's over, you won't want to leave.

AND THE WORLD'S BEST ISLAND IS ...

TripAdvisor is out with their Top 10 Islands in the World, 2015 Edition. The good news is you don't have to go that far to experience their number one rated island paradise. It's right in our Caribbean neighborhood: Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos. It has the usual suspects: Miles of sugary white sand, turquoise waters, upscale resorts ... so what are we waiting for???

AVALON EXPANDS RIVER THEME CRUISES

By popular demand, Avalon Waterways has expanded its offerings of theme river cruises. Here's the latest lineup of what's available:



Wine Appreciation Cruises:
Travelers learn what to look for in a good wine with help from distinguished wine authorities, visits to wine villages and tastings galore.

· Burgundy & Provence – March 21 and October 23 & 27, 2016 departures
· Grand France - March 21, October 18 & 22, 2016 departures
· Rhine & Rhône Revealed – October 22, 2016 departure
· Canals, Vineyards & Paris – October 25, 2016 departure
· The Blue Danube Discovery – October 30, November 2 & 5, 2016 departures
· Grand Danube Cruise – October 26 & 28, 2016 departures

Beer Cruises:
A visit to Europe is even better when it includes a discovery of their famous beers.

· Danube Dreams – March 30, 2016 departure
· Essential Holland & Belgium – April 12, 2016 departure
· The Blue Danube Discovery – November 9, 2016 departure

Culinary Cruise:
Travelers will enter a food lover’s paradise in northern France on this foodie-themed departure.

· Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches (or Grand France option) – March 22, 2016 departure
· Grand France – March 22, 2016 departure

PETS ON TRAINS: MAKING PROGRESS

Reggie finds the whole idea of
train travel very exciting

The idea of taking your pet on a train trip is making progress. A test program in Illinois has been made permanent. One small step for owners, and a giant step for pets. Here's the full release from Amtrak:

"Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois DOT) are officially continuing a service that allows travelers to bring their small pets along on trips to and from Chicago and Downstate Illinois. An extended trial was set to expire this month, but due to positive customer response, the program is instead being made permanent with no changes in the provisions that were piloted.

'ANTHEM OF THE SEAS' VIRTUAL TOUR

Royal Caribbean's second Quantum-class ship, Anthem of the Seas, has hit the waves. Click on the video below and take a virtual tour of this technology and entertainment marvel:

CRUISE3SIXTY: AVALON ADDS EXOTIC CHOICES

Lots of cruise news coming out of Ft. Lauderdale this week, where hundreds of travel industry professionals have gathered for the industry's only official cruise conference, put on by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Here's an announcement from river cruising line Avalon Waterways:

View from an Avalon suite. Beds are designed to
face windows, not walls.  (Avalon Waterways)

Avalon Waterways’ 2016 cruise season is shaping up to be memorable with new ships and new exotic cruises.  On the heels of announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe, the company is also expanding its exotic cruise offerings, including announcing a return to the Nile River aboard the MS Mayfair and a new ship partnership on the Amazon River via the Amazon Discovery.  Further, Avalon is providing travelers two new, intimate 36-passenger Suite Ships on the Irrawaddy and Mekong Rivers – The Avalon Siem Reap and Avalon Myanmar – as well as small-group discovery (maximum of 20 guests) experiences on the Yangtze River. -- Gerry

'ANTHEM' NAMING CEREMONY HELD IN ENGLAND

Royal Caribbean staged the official naming ceremony for Anthem of the Seas, the second Quantum-class vessel, in Southampton, where a 27-year-old British travel agent, Emma Wilby, was honored as the newest Godmother in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Anthem boasts the same cutting-edge technology and features of Quantum. Here's a video from the ceremony and more about the ship:

NEW MSC MEGASHIP ON TRACK FOR 2017

MSC executives at the steel cutting ceremony (MSC)

MSC Cruises marked an important milestone when work officially started today on their new Vista-class megaship, MSC Meraviglia, due to launch in 2017.

Here's the release and more details from MSC:

"MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company, marked a key milestone in its $5.4 billion growth plan today as the first steel for its new Vista generation of megaships was cut at STX France, during a ceremony in Saint-Nazaire.

"At the steel-cutting ceremony, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago told assembled press and dignitaries that the cutting-edge 4,500 guest (double occupancy), 167,600-GRT ship — due to be delivered in May 2017 and open for bookings from June 2015 — will be named MSC Meraviglia. She will spend her first summer sailing the western Mediterranean, and will be the first to have three homeports: Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona.

CRUISING MEANS $BILLIONS FOR FLORIDA

When it comes to cruising, Florida is king. That's what Associated Press reported recently in the Orlando Sentinel:

"A business-oriented research group says the 9 million cruise passengers that came through Florida in 2013 accounted for $7.3 billion in direct spending. Florida TaxWatch said in a report released last week that Florida has three of the most-visited cruise terminals in the world: Port Everglades, Port Miami and Port Canaveral. The report says that Florida is responsible for more than a third of all cruise-industry direct spending in the United States."

More sunny news for the Sunshine State. -- Gerry

'VIKING STAR' EMBARKS ON MAIDEN VOYAGE

Viking Star in Venice (Credit: Viking)

Viking's first ocean ship, Viking Star, has embarked on her maiden voyage from Istanbul to Venice. From Venice, she will make her way through the Mediterranean on her way to be officially christened in Bergen, Norway during a citywide celebration on May 17 – Norwegian Constitution Day. 

Viking Ocean Cruises also has two additional sister ships on order – Viking Sky and Viking Sea – which will sail itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

In contrast to the newer behemoth-sized ships, Star is smaller, with a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons. She will accommodate 930 passengers in 465 staterooms – each with its own veranda.

Engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports, guests have an easy and efficient embarkation and disembarkation, allowing them more time to spend enjoying each destination.

Here are more details from Viking:

TAKE A VIRTUAL CRUISE ON AZAMARA

They call it virtual reality for a reason -- it's the next best thing to being there. If you want to virtually experience a cruise on Azamara, go over to Azamara 3DI. Azamara is the first cruise line to introduce Destination Immersion 3D -- and no, you don't have to wear special glasses.

Among the experiences: Touring the onboard amenities, zip lining through a Costa Rican rainforest, taking a moonlit carriage ride in Cartagena, or sailing through the Panama Canal. Azamara partnered with digital marketing agency VERB Interactive and Total Cinema 360 to produce the Azamara 3DI virtual reality video experiential series. The new virtual reality experiences featured can be shared on social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+).

Of course, you can also read about our cruise on the Azamara Quest here. And as good as it looks on 3D, being there in person is so much better. -- Gerry

AMTRAK TRYING NEW DINING OPTION ON THE STAR

Amtrak is trying out a new dining option for passengers on their Silver Star service between Miami and New York. It's a route we know well: Every year we take the companion train, the Silver Meteor, to the Big Apple. Results should be interesting (but I'm pretty sure we would vote to stay with dining car service).

The details from Amtrak:

"Amtrak will offer passengers a lower-cost option for travel in our popular sleeping cars on one of our routes between New York and Miami. This offer will be available for travel between July 1 until the end of January 2016 on the Amtrak Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92), which operates daily between New York City and Orlando/Miami, via Washington, D.C., Columbia, S.C., and Tampa, Fla.

"Traditionally, Amtrak has bundled the cost of dining car meals into its charge for the sleeping car. Under this pilot program, these costs will be un-bundled to allow passengers to travel at a lower cost between the northeast, mid-Atlantic and Florida.

CARNIVAL EXPANDING AT PORT CANAVERAL

Carnival Magic (Carnival)

Carnival Cruise Line announced it is increasing its commitment to Port Canaveral, Fla., "expanding capacity on three- and four-day Bahamas cruises by 34 percent and deploying its newest class of ship on seven-day Caribbean voyages in 2016."

Among the changes: Carnival Magic will reposition to Port Canaveral in December 2016 to offer two different seven-day Caribbean itineraries. Here are all the details from Carnival:

BOSTON, HEART JOIN CARNIVAL CONCERT LINEUP

Credit: Carnival

Prior coverage: "Olivia Wows Them in Carnival Concert."

Carnival Cruise Line unveiled the roster of artists for its upcoming Carnival LIVE concert series. The Band Perry, BOSTON, Lionel Richie and Heart are all set to perform on board this summer and fall. The spring series kicked off last month and includes performances by Journey, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Smokey Robinson and Styx.

Concerts are held in the ships’ main theaters -- ranging in guest capacity from 900 to 1,300 -- and performed on Carnival vessels while they are docked in one of three ports of call: Cozumel, Nassau and St. Thomas. Here's more from Carnival:

"The Band Perry will perform July 28-29-30 on Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Magic, respectively, while those ships are docked in Nassau. During these shows, guests can enjoy up-close-and-personal performances by this award-winning trio who recently won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Gentle on My Mind at the 57th Grammy Awards.

"Fans will get 'more than a feeling' as they enjoy four shows this summer by rock superstars BOSTON which has sold more than 31 million records worldwide, including 17 million copies of their self-titled debut. BOSTON brings their high-energy performances to four Carnival ships in Nassau – Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy – Aug. 19-22.

"Multiple Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer Lionel Richie will have audiences 'dancing on the ceiling' on Carnival Freedom Oct. 14 and Carnival Pride Oct. 15 while those ships are docked in Nassau. One of the most popular recording artists of all time, Richie has sold 100 million albums worldwide and is only one of two songwriters in history to have a number one record for nine consecutive years.

Credit: Carnival

"Rounding out the series is Heart, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 and have sold more than 35 million records during their accomplished musical career that spans more than 35 years. Guests can enjoy three shipboard performances in Cozumel by these rock legends: Oct. 20 aboard Carnival Paradise, Oct. 21 aboard Carnival Ecstasy and Oct. 22 aboard Carnival Breeze.

"Carnival LIVE tickets for 2015 range from $35 to $75 for general admission, significantly less than land-based venues. VIP tickets are available for $125 to $250 and offer seating in the first four rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.

"A full listing of the 2015 Carnival LIVE concert series is available by visiting www.carnival.com/CarnivalLIVE."

NORWEGIAN ASIAN DINING NOW COMPLIMENTARY

Food news from Norwegian:

"Norwegian Cruise Line announced that many of the line’s popular Asian dining venues can now be enjoyed on a complimentary basis across the fleet.

"Guests cruising aboard Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising ships can indulge in favorites like fried rice, spicy seafood udon noodles, steamed pork dumplings and more free of charge at the following venues:

• Orchid Garden, Norwegian Gem • East Meets West, Pride of America
• Lotus Garden, Norwegian Pearl • Shogun, Norwegian Spirit
• Chin Chin, Norwegian Jewel • Bamboo, Norwegian Dawn
• Jasmine Garden, Norwegian Jade • Ginza, Norwegian Star
• Shanghai’s, Norwegian Epic • Shangai’s Noodle Bar, Norwegian Epic
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway

"Norwegian’s popular Teppanyaki restaurants will continue to provide guests with the showmanship and culinary delights of Japanese iron-griddle cooking for a per guest cover charge, and Sushi venues across the fleet will retain nominal à la carte pricing."

MIXING IT UP WITH ROBOT BARTENDERS

Yes, those robot bartenders "manning" Royal Caribbean's Bionic Bar are amazing, but can they empathize with a sad story? That's probably coming next.

MEET GIGI THE GIRAFFE

Gigi is a four-ton giraffe that calls Deck 15 on Anthem of the Seas home. What else do you want to know? Glad you asked ...

GRAND FUNK AT KEY WEST MUSIC FEST

They're still an American Band, and they are coming to the Keys. Grand Funk Railroad, whose concerts I reviewed for a newspaper in another lifetime) will be the headliner at Key West's Truman Waterfront Saturday, May 2, at the annual Keystock Music Festival.

Here's more from the release:

"Formed in 1969, the band was at the forefront of rock history. During its early years Grand Funk played renowned venues including the Atlanta Pop Festival, Madison Square Garden, London's Royal Albert Hall and Shea Stadium, and ultimately earned 13 gold and 10 platinum records.

Cruising Squared
blogger sporting
Grand Funk shirt
in his rock music
reviewer role
(Circa: A while ago)

"The band's current incarnation features two of the three founding members as well as veterans of classic rock bands KISS, 38 Special and Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.

"Opening acts include Liza Jane Catana & the Unknowns and 'trop rockers' Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band. Local favorite Livingston and his band are best known for Blame It On the Margaritas and Livin' On Key West Time -- and for the Johnson outboard motor 'blender' they use to mix margaritas onstage during performances.

"Keystock is presented by Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Howard Livingston, Homes for Veterans Inc. and the Rotary Club of Key West. Gates are to open at 4:30 p.m. with the first act scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.

"Tickets are $25 per person for general admission and $100 per person for VIP admission. General admission is free for active military members and veterans as well as their spouses. General admission also is free for children under age 17. For VIP and general admission tickets, call Lazy Lakes at 305-745-1079. For general admission tickets only, visit www.keystix.com. Concert profits benefit Homes for Veterans Inc."

12 WEIRD AND QUIRKY HOTELS

Sun Cruise Resort - South Korea (TripAdvisor)

A cruise ship on a mountaintop? Sleep capsules in Japan? Suspended in a forest? These are just a few of TripAdvisor's "12 fantastically weird hotels." And did we mention hotel rooms in what looks like a construction crane in the Netherlands? They say the view is to die for. We'll take their word for it! -- Gerry

VIKING TAKES DELIVERY OF OCEAN SHIP

Rivers run to the ocean, and one cruise company will be in both places as Viking Ocean Cruises has taken delivery of Viking Star, marking the company’s official arrival into the ocean cruise industry. The delivery ceremony took place March 28 when the ship was presented at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard outside of Venice, Italy. On April 11, Viking Star will set sail from Istanbul on her way to be officially christened on May 17 in Bergen, Norway.

PRINCESS, 'SOUND OF MUSIC' CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

Question: What do Princess Cruises and the movie, The Sound of Music, have in common? 

Answer: They are both celebrating a 50th anniversary.

Here's the release:

"Beginning mid-April, Princess Cruises will partner with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to screen the biggest movie musical of all time, The Sound of Music, onboard all 18 of its cruise ships and feature sing-a-longs, trivia games, and other movie-themed experiences throughout the year. The offerings celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both the cruise line and the musical and are part of a year-long campaign to honor the classic film.

TAKE A 'SONIC ODYSSEY' ABOARD 'QUANTUM'

An earth harp that takes three hours to set up is among the instruments creating the unique sounds in the show "Sonic Odyssey," aboard Quantum of the Seas. Go behind the scenes in this week's video:

CAPTAIN TURNS RAPPER FOR SAFETY DRILL VIDEO

This story on the UK Mirror website is about that part of the cruise we all love to hate: The dreaded but necessary safety drill and demo. But whatever you think of the execution, we give them big points for creativity!

Quoting from the story:

"This video could be the most embarrassing safety demonstration to ever exist.

"Everyone knows that safety demonstrations can be a bit dull - and people are not always inclined to listen to something they have heard countless times before.

"So Condor Ferries set out to create a video that would make people sit up and take note, and this one certainly does that."

CELEBRITY EXTENDS 'TOP CHEF' PROGRAM

More news from Celebrity:

"Celebrity Cruises and Bravo Media have extended the popular 'Top Chef at Sea' program through 2016, and will offer 'Top Chef' fans and food lovers the opportunity to vacation with a new lineup of cheftestants on the exclusive 'Top Chef Signature Sailing' in 2015. Setting sail November 14 onboard Celebrity Reflection, the one-of-a-kind Eastern Caribbean cruise vacation will give guests an up-close-and-personal culinary experience with six former 'Top Chef' competitors, including:

IT'S OFFICIAL: CARNIVAL ADDING 9 NEW SHIPS

The rumors about the new Carnival ships had it almost right. Instead of 10, Carnival announced it will be adding nine new ships to its fleet. Here's the official release:

"Carnival, the world's largest travel and leisure company, today signed two strategic memorandums of agreement that will add a total of nine new cruise ships to the company's industry-leading fleet over a four-year period from 2019 - 2022. The shipbuilding agreements, which include options for additional ship builds in the coming years, are subject to several conditions, including satisfactory financing.

"Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A and German shipbuilder Meyer Werft will each build new ships based on Carnival Corporation's next-generation ship designs, which will produce the most efficient ships in the company's history. The new ships are expected to serve established cruise markets in North America and Europe, as well as newer markets, including China. Each new ship will be specifically designed and developed for the brand and guests it will serve, and support the company's overall goal of exceeding guest expectations and further elevating every aspect of the guest experience.

"Fincantieri, the world's largest cruise ship building company, will develop and construct five ships at its shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy.

"Meyer Werft, a leading global shipbuilder founded in Germany in 1795, will build its four ships at its shipyards in Papenburg,Germany, and Turku, Finland. Now in its seventh generation of family ownership, Meyer Werft has become well known for constructing large, modern and sophisticated cruise ships, including 39 luxury ships the company has built for its customers around the world."

RUMOR CENTRAL: 10 NEW SHIPS FOR CARNIVAL?

Various sources are reporting Carnival will soon announce 10 new ships. What have you heard?

CELEBRITY ROLLING OUT 18 NEW SHOWS

"It's showtime!" That's the word around Celebrity Cruises these days, as the cruise line prepares to unveil 18 shows in 18 months – all in partnership with some of today's biggest recording artists and awarding-winning theatrical and television productions. Here's more from the release:

"The 18 leading-edge shows, created exclusively for Celebrity, feature elements of drama, dance, comedy, musical theater and concert-style performances – blended in a way that has never been seen before at sea. Shows will include Elyria, an energetic, late-night production, where guests are transported to a witty, mischievous, dreamlike world. The new production will launch onboard Celebrity Constellation in April. iMagic, available onboard Celebrity Summit, is a modern luxury interpretation of the wonder of illusions, innovative, groundbreaking and uses incredible technology such as holograms, lasers and iPads, to tell the story.

"Celebrity has attracted and collaborated with some of the best names in entertainment to produce the 18 shows. These include William Baker, who has created and directed global tours and music videos for some of the biggest names in popular music; and Steve Anderson, a musical director, producer and writer for world-renowned artists.

"Celebrity will offer up to 10 engaging entertainment experiences on every ship. Side Show is an interactive and vintage circus theme party. Reigning Rocks will blend the elegance of royalty with the glam of Brit Pop, and Night of the Dragon will feature the delicate beauty of Asian culture mixed with pop music, resulting in a high-energy celebration of culture.

"All entertainment is created and perfected at 'The Studio,' Celebrity's production headquarters inside a newly built, 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility – a unique partnership between Florida International University (FIU) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL), Celebrity's parent company. Located on the FIU Biscayne Bay campus, the production and rehearsal facility, which can accommodate more than 460 cast members at one time, was officially opened Friday, March 20."

LIFT, STRETCH, HAVE FUN

Who knew exercising could be so much fun ...

CUNARD TIMELINE CELEBRATES 175 YEARS

As part of Cunard's 175th anniversary year, they have put together a timeline video that showcases key moments from its illustrious past, including "Charles Dickens declaiming his 1842 cabin as a ‘profoundly preposterous box,’ to Cunard’s carriage of all the horses which charged with the Light Brigade in 1853, to the first time that the monarch’s wife is heard on the radio when Queen Mary was launched in 1934. The five minute video also explores Cunard’s impact on key moments in world history: From Cunard’s small ship, Carpathia, and her rescue of the survivors from the White Star Line’s Titanic, to Sir Winston Churchill’s words of esteem in thanking Cunard for the troops carried on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, which, in his words, helped shorten World War II by at least a year."

'ANTHEM' HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Royal Caribbean's second Quantum-class ship, Anthem of the Seas, has left the building. Literally. Take the journey with her in this newest video:

10 STUNNING HOTEL VIEWS

Atlantis, The Palm - in Dubai (TripAdvisor)

In real estate it's "location, location, location."

For hotel rooms, it's "view, view, view."

The list-builders at TripAdvisor are busy again, this time with their "10 stunning hotel views." Not sure anyone will argue that these don't qualify. -- Gerry

PALM BEACH ZOO OPENS NEW TIGER HABITAT

Zoo guests gather for the official "untying"
(All photos by Cruising Squared")

Saturday was a special day at the Palm Beach Zoo. Thanks to the generosity of donors like Braman Motorcars, the zoo's four Malayan tigers have a lot more room to roam. The official ribbon "untying" was held for the expanded tiger habitat, which encompasses 13,000 square feet. Guests were each given a tiger mask and a group picture was taken in an attempt to break a world record for tiger mask wearing. Of course we joined in.

It's amazing to see these magnificent animals up close, especially since the number of these endangered tigers remaining in the wild is estimated at 250. 

The ribbon is untied

Catherine Barker wears a tiger mask

A Malayan tiger roams the new habitat

Below is more information about the exhibit from the Palm Beach Zoo website.

"The Zoo’s tiger habitat expansion doubled the size of the original exhibit as well as the amount of behind-the-scenes space for tiger housing. This project is financially supported through a multi-year commitment from corporate sponsor Braman Motorcars Palm Beach & Jupiter. The company’s sponsorship has helped continue the Zoo’s commitment to providing high quality care for its tigers.

"The habitat expansion has allowed the Zoo to make tiger history by housing four adult tigers all at once, a feat that was not possible before the new habitat was built."

DO YOU KNOW THESE BEAUTIFUL PLACES?

Aitutaki, in the Cook Islands, South Pacific (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor is taunting us again with their list of "10 amazingly beautiful places you may not know." Just what we need -- more entries for our bucket list! -- Gerry

'CARNIVAL JOURNEYS' LAUNCHING THIS FALL

One of the major appeals of cruising is discovering new places and new cultures. Both of those are highlighted in a new initiative from Carnival called "Carnival Journeys."

Described as a "unique collection of nine- to 15-day seagoing adventures that kick off this fall," it will feature ports throughout the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii and Mexico, "along with unique shipboard experiences created especially for this one-of-a-kind cruise program."

Here is more from the release:

"Carnival Journeys is designed to provide guests with exciting new itinerary choices that will feature less traveled, more exotic ports of call. Carnival Journeys itineraries have been specifically designed for guests who are looking for a longer cruise vacation that will provide the opportunity to visit a wide variety of great destinations and more time to fully enjoy all of the features and facilities available on a selection of the line’s newest and most innovative ships. Carnival Journeys cruises will also include exciting shipboard activities to provide a truly unique Carnival vacation experience.

SKYDIVING AT SEA ABOARD 'ANTHEM'

If you are a thrill-seeker, how about skydiving on your cruise without a parachute? Welcome to Anthem of the Seas' RipChord, the virtual skydiving experience from iFLY. Passengers get a 15-minute orientation before entering a 150-mph vertical wind tunnel. If it feels like you are floating on air, that's because you are floating on air. Check it out:

'ANTHEM OF THE SEAS' BY THE NUMBERS

Here's a fun "info-graphic" video from Royal Caribbean on the float-out of Anthem of the Seas.

'ZOOMINATIONS' DAZZLES AT TAMPA ZOO

Photo slideshow by Cruising Squared

TAMPA -- It's called "Zoominations -- A Chinese Lantern Festival of Lights," which had its official opening at Tampa's Lowery Park Zoo on Saturday. Scores of Chinese artisans from the Sichuan Province have spent months constructing this 26-acre fantasyland of light and magic. The result is dazzling, as visitors experience the ancient art of Chinese lantern making, as well as food, onsite artisans and acrobats.

Persons attending the Friday night preview party were greeted with giant lighted temples, multi-colored walkways, dragons, dinosaurs and neon-colored plants and animals, including of course pandas and tigers.

The exhibit will be at the Zoo through May 31. Don't miss it. You may not have another chance unless you journey to China. You can find out more by visiting the zoo's website or the event's Facebook page. -- Gerry and Pam

...

THE HISTORY OF THE CUNARD BUILDING

Editor's Note: As Cunard marks its 175th year, here's another chapter in their history. This one is about the history of the Cunard Building in Liverpool, posted here from their press release:



"Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Cunard Director Angus Struthers hoisted a specially-commissioned 175 Flag above the Cunard Building at the Pier Head in Liverpool on Feb. 20.

Cunard Director Angus Struthers and
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson

"Cunard celebrates the 175th anniversary of the departure from Liverpool of its first ship in 2015 and the Cunard Building, its former Headquarters from 1916 to 1967, will play a key role in the celebrations planned to mark this milestone anniversary. The Building, one of the famous “Three Graces” on the Pier Head waterfront, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will mark its own 100th anniversary in June 2016.

"Angus Struthers, Cunard Director, comments:

“The Cunard Building was designed to convey gravitas as a land-based representation of the Cunard ships themselves: solid, reliable, elegant and impressive. For almost 100 years the Building has remained just that and although Cunard moved to another home in 1967, the Building has remained a true statement to the shared history of the company and Liverpool. It is therefore very fitting that the Three Queens of the Cunard fleet will salute the Cunard Building when they gather on the Mersey on 25 May 2015.”

"The Cunard Building, now one of the “Three Graces” on Liverpool’s magnificent World Heritage Site Pierhead, was built on the site of George’s Dock. Divided into three sites by the extension of Water Street and Brunswick Street, it was destined to become one of the most famous waterfronts in the world.