NEW CELEBRITY SPA FEATURES, PLUS WIN A CRUISE

The Persian Garden (Credit: Celebrity)

The new Celebrity Reflection, launching later this year, aims to offer passengers the ultimate in relaxation in an enhanced and expanded AquaSpa. In fact, Celebrity Cruises is celebrating the new features by launching “The Art of Relaxation” sweepstakes, allowing a winner and guest to experience "all the spa and ship have to offer." The grand prize is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean getaway cruise for two in AquaClass Suite accommodations on Celebrity Reflection, complete with round-trip coach-class air for two, and ground transportation from airport to port and the reverse. Entries can be made from August 16 through September 19, 2012, at http://pages.email.celebritycruises.com/SweepStakesReflection/Register, with more chances to win by referring friends.

The lucky winners are in for a treat. The AquaSpa enhancements start with an enlarged Persian Garden, housing a total of 15 tiled beds, all curved and heated, with views facing the sea. But that's only the beginning of ways you can relax and rejuvenate. Check these out:

NORWEGIAN OFFERING SPECIAL FOR 'BOSS'

Kevin Sheehan

Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan's "Undercover Boss" episode will be aired again on TLC Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. According to the program description, "Kevin Sheehan, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world's largest cruise companies, finds himself in uncharted territory when he's asked to lead nearly 1,000 party-goers in a line dance and is later forced to reveal his true identity." To celebrate the airing, Norwegian is offering a limited time special of up to $200 in onboard credits. Get all the details here. -- Gerry

AUTUMN ON THE QUEEN MARY

The sun is blazing, summer is in full-swing in South Florida.

Yet, all around I am witnessing signs of Fall. Autumn. And, we have not even reached the end of August.

Here in South Florida all the stores are clamoring for attention and dollars with Back-to-School sales and Thanksgiving decorations. Thanksgiving?

What about Labor Day? We are just going to skip right over it?

No, but I decided to join in and bring a little bit of North Atlantic Fall atmosphere to this post.

Can not think of a better way to do so than with a few snaps crossing from New York to South Hampton.

Thank you, Queen Mary 2.

The temperatures and humidity are still raging outdoors, but these make me feel a lot cooler.

I'm still not buying Thanksgiving decorations until after Labor Day! -- Pam

The crossing on the QM2 was truly unforgettable. And I must say Ms. Cruising Squared made quite a fashion statement throughout the trip! -- Gerry

'TOP CHEF: THE CRUISE' SET FOR APRIL, 2013

Fans of Bravo's Top Chef program will love "this just in" news: The first-ever "Top Chef: The Cruise" is set for April 11-15, 2013, on Celebrity Constellation. According to the press release, "During the voyage, guests will have the opportunity to savor events such as interactive 'Quickfire' cooking challenges, culinary demonstrations, question-and-answer sessions, Top Chef menus and more." Staterooms go on sale on Aug. 16 at www.topchefthecruise.com. Additional information can also be found at the site.

Here is more from the press release:

"Hosted by two of 'Top Chef’s' most beloved stars, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, and featuring past 'chef’testants,' the April 11-15, 2013 cruise will sail roundtrip from Miami, Florida, with stops in Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico. Joining Colicchio and Simmons are chefs from past seasons of 'Top Chef,' 'Top Chef Masters' and 'Top Chef Just Desserts,' including Hubert Keller, Tim Love, Jennifer Carroll, Tiffany Derry, Chris Hanmer, Michael Isabella, Spike Mendelsohn, Hosea Rosenberg, Angelo Sosa and Casey Thompson. Additional chefs to be announced shortly. -- Gerry

KIDS AT SEA ENJOY ROYAL RELAXATION AND FUN

As you know, taking a cruise ranks right up there with the best options for a family vacation, and that includes the youngest family members as well. Royal Caribbean's Royal Babies and Tots program caters to the every need of passengers with small children, so both the kids and mom and dad get to relax. Here's more:

'LIKE' HOLLAND AMERICA AND WIN A CRUISE

Holland America invites you to enter to win a 2012 cruise by simply "liking" them on their Facebook page and picking your three dream destinations. That was easy! Good luck. -- Gerry

PUDSEY WOWS 'EM ON THE QUEEN MARY 2

Pudsey and Ashleigh (Credit: Cunard)

It's hard to resist an item that combines cruising and dogs. As you know, its verboten to take your furry friend on the ship with you -- with one exception: The Queen Mary 2. That's the only ship which provides a kennel on board where pets can travel with their owners.

The winners of from the TV show, Britain's Got Talent, Pudsey the dog and trainer Ashleigh Butler, got to show their stuff on the QM2's Transatlantic voyage after performances in the States. From Cunard's press release: "Pudsey and Ashleigh charmed the ship's 2,600 guests as Pudsey danced on his hind legs, jumped through hoops, and spun around as part of their popular Charleston dance routine. Ever the entertainer, Pudsey couldn't resist performing for the crowd on the quayside as they disembarked in Southampton on August 10."

“I've been on a cruise ship before but this is the first time I’ve been able to bring Pudsey along," said Ashleigh, "thanks to Queen Mary 2’s remarkable dog-walking deck. . .we received such a warm welcome. Pudsey loved the fresh sea air and all of the pampering and attention he received from Cunard’s wonderful passengers. I could tell he really enjoyed performing on board - he just loves the limelight!"

Not to be outdone, our own Cavalier King Charles, Reggie, has some pretty amazing talents herself. Check it out:

Reggie and her Pal (in the green scarf)
practicing their ventriloquist act:
"Woof! Woof!"

Talented canines come in many shapes. I wonder how the Cunard passengers would respond to this dynamic-duo?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are ever-so British, right? -- Pam

A VISIT TO THE MONKEY BAR

On a shore excursion to the island of Grenada we made a stop at the Monkey Bar to sample island wares. There was no doubt how the Monkey Bar got its name. Enjoy the pictures! -- Gerry

(Photos by Gerry)

NORWEGIAN LAUNCHES 'PIN TO WIN'

Norwegian Cruise Line is the latest to tap into the rapidly growing audience of the social site, Pinterest, with a new “Pin to Win” contest. Users are invited to upload images that represent their “Dream Cruise on Norwegian” for a chance to win a seven-day cruise for two. To enter, Pinterest members should follow Norwegian at www.pinterest.com/norwegiancruise. 

Heer are the details from the Norwegian release:

"Once logged in, members must create a new pin board under their personal Pinterest profile titled, “My Dream Cruise on Norwegian.” Participants then must re-pin Norwegian’s Pinterest contest announcement image, found on www.pinterest.com/norwegiancruise, five of their favorite Norwegian Cruise Line photos repined from any of Norwegian’s boards or from www.ncl.com, plus at least 10 additional photos that showcase items or experiences that exemplify the user’s 'Dream Cruise Vacation on Norwegian.'

"Once each participant has completed their board, they must submit their contest entry by tweeting a link to their board to @CruiseNorwegian on Twitter using hashtag #NorwegiansPinToWin or by visiting the 'Pinterest' tab on Norwegian’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/NorwegianCruiseLine, by midnight on Wednesday August 22, 2012.
The lucky winner will be announced on Friday, August 24, 2012 via Norwegian’s social media channels - Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @NorwegianCruiseLine."

CELEBRATING THE BRITISH OLYMPICS

Peter Shanks

Have you been following the Olympics? For me one of the greatest aspects of the Games, besides the amazing athleticism, is the enormous national pride on display for the world. And few nations can match the pride and patriotism of the British, who have done themselves proud as the host nation.

This is wonderfully expressed by Cunard Line president and managing director Peter Shanks in his blog post, "Our Wonderful British Olympics." He writes: "The whole experience at the Olympic park is awesome. We took the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to Stratford Station. Everybody on the tube was chatting to each other – that never happens in London – but on this occasion there was so much excitement that we were all going to see the Olympics in our own backyard."

Read all of his first person account here. And to all our friends across the pond -- well done! --Gerry

DEBBIE REYNOLDS JOINING TCM CRUISE

A few posts ago we told you about the upcoming 2013 TCM Classic Cruise. Today we hear about some of the very special guests that will be joining that trip. How special? It doesn't get more special for classic movies lovers than the one and only -- Debbie Reynolds! Plus: Mickey Rooney, Arlene Dahl, Sally Ann Howes and Norman Lloyd. Find out all the dets, as they say, right here.

GET THE ROYAL TREATMENT ON ROYAL PRINCESS

The Lotus Spa (Credit: Princess)

Guests aboard the new Royal Princess, launching in June 2013, can look forward to getting the "royal" treatment. That ship's Lotus Spa will take the art of relaxation to a whole new level.

It will have more treatment rooms than any other Princess spa, plus new features like private Couples Villas and The Enclave – a thermal suite that is triple the size of any existing Lotus Spa. "Here passengers will be able to totally decompress with new relaxing options such as the Hammam (a Turkish-style steam room), the Caldarium (an herbal steam room), the Laconium (a dry heat sauna) and the line’s first-ever hydro-therapy pool."

“The opportunity for total relaxation is one of the key reasons to cruise with Princess,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president in their press release. “So naturally, our signature spa is a popular place for passengers to escape from any stress and tension. With the new Lotus Spa aboard Royal Princess, we’re excited to give our passengers the ultimate place to unwind.”

Watch the video of the end of this post to learn more, and here are more details from Princess: