FLAVORED VODKA AND STORMY WEATHER

While Issac was lashing Florida and drenching us over the weekend (and causing several cruise ships to be re-routed), Pam and I opted to break out the hurricane kit and search for that most important of necessities for any approaching storm: Vodka. We've found a martini and a board game will get you through just about any weather situation.

Always up for something new, we took a friend's advice and tried one of the new flavored vodkas that are so much in vogue these days. In this case, the flavor is Whipped Cream, made by Pinnacle, from France. While I can't know for sure, Pinnacle has to one of the brands offering the most variety of flavors. Would you believe 30! The list includes: Atomic Hots, Berry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cake, Cherry, Cherry Lemonade, Cherry Whipped, Chocolate Whipped, Citrus, Coconut, Cookie Dough, Cotton Candy, Cucumber Watermelon, Grape, Gummy, Kiwi-Strawberry, Le Double Espresso, Mango, Marshmallow, Orange, Orange Whipped, Peach, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Vanilla, Whipped Cream, and Whipped Key Lime.

Our drink of choice was the French martini, a delicious combination of vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord liquor. The Whipped flavor definitely made it sweeter, but in a very nice way.   Cruising Squared rates it two thumbs up! -- Gerry

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek
(Photo: Gerry)

Back in October, 2011, the Allure of the Seas played host to the movie premiere of the DreamWorks animated movie, "Puss in Boots, 3D." Among the stars who attended the first red carpet at sea were Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. They were just as charming in person as the characters they voiced in the film. -- Gerry

NORWEGIAN OFFERING 'SIGNATURE TRIO'

Credit: Norwegian

You know when you book your cruise you're going to want to try the specialty dining restaurants aboard the ship -- the ones that have a surcharge for a more upscale dining experience. Brand new from Norwegian is their "Signature Trio" package that bundles three specialty restaurants into one price. Guests can try the steakhouse, the French bistro and the Italian restaurant on any Norwegian ship for $47 per person, pre-purchased.

Norwegian says "guests with a current cruise reservation can either pre-purchase the package by logging into their “myncl” account on www.ncl.com or by contacting Norwegian reservations at 888-NCL-CRUISE. The offer is not available for purchase on board." -- Gerry

CELEBRITY DINING BEHIND-THE-SCENES

Having taken the behind-the-scenes kitchen tour on several occasions, it's simply amazing to think about everything that goes into feeding thousands of people on a 24/7 basis. From sourcing and stocking to working out the menus to the time a dish arrives at your table, it's overwhelming. Here's a video from Celebrity that gives you a "taste" of what it's like. Bon appetit! -- Gerry

QM2 TO FEATURE GARBO AUCTION, LECTURE

No one loves classic Hollywood movies more than Pam. And who is more classic than film legend Greta Garbo? Movie fans will have a rare chance to view and buy Garbo memorabilia and learn about her life on the Queen Mary 2's Transatlantic crossing set for Nov. 20, 2012.

Julien’s Auctions of Beverly Hills will feature "several of her most photographed belongings, including her iconic cashmere turtleneck and vintage umbrella, used to shield herself from paparazzi. Relics from Garbo's world travels, including her vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase, travel watch and a luggage tag bearing her travel alias, will also be on display" as well.

Additionally, Garbo’s great nephew, Derek Reisfield, will headline Cunard's on board enrichment program, Cunard Insights, "where he will provide a personal account of her life and iconic Hollywood career." Reisfield "will recall personal stories from the actress’ life, learned during his weekly, childhood gatherings with her. Topics will also include career highlights, Garbo’s personal relationships with dignitaries and celebrities such as President John F. Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill and William Randolph Hearst, and will highlight her lesser-known historical contributions to American and British military intelligence during World War II."

Remembering her classic "I want to be alone" scene from "Grand Hotel":

CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM'S OLYMPIC, TIME TRAVEL

Even if you aren't a history major, like two of these diners, the Olympic restaurant aboard Celebrity's Millennium gives you a profound appreciation for sailing with nautical history.

Millennium contains original wooden panels used in the RMS Olympic (sister ship to the ill-fated RMS Titanic and HMHS Britannic). Removed and preserved when Olympic was sold for scrap in 1936, they remain beautiful and timeless.

Dining amongst history is simply the icing on the gourmet cake. The menu offerings,  presentation and service are flawless.

If aboard this lovely vessel, reserve a table and let your mind travel back in time. You won't regret it. -- Pam

PRINCESS SETS ENTERTAINER AWARD CRUISE

Carlos Oscar  was the first "Entertainer
of the Year" (Princess Cruises)

Attention passengers on the Crown Princess: Get ready to laugh. And vote. Princess just announced guests aboard the February 9-16, 2013 Valentine’s Day cruise on Crown Princess will be voting for the line's second "Entertainer of the Year" award. Last year's winner was comedian Carlos Oscar, who was named the top entertainer across the Princess Cruises fleet.

Highlights from the first Entertainer of the Year cruise are captured in this overview video:



More details from the press release:

CUNARD ANNOUNCES 2014 WORLD VOYAGES

Today Cunard announced its 2014 World Voyage program for its three "Queens" -- Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2, which also is celebrating her 10th anniversary in 2014 as well. Guests have the option of taking the entire cruise, or choosing a segment (in case you don't have 120 days of vacation). Either way, it's no doubt an unforgettable experience.

Here are all the details from Cunard:

Queen Mary 2
"Flagship Queen Mary 2 will celebrate her 10th anniversary season with an exciting 119-day World Voyage, commencing from Southampton and visiting 30 ports of call in 19 countries. Guests have the option to return to Southampton, or to New York via an iconic Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing.

'FLOATING RAMP' GETS FIRST TEST

When a cruise ship can't physically dock at a port, passengers have to disembark by tenders -- basically passenger ferry boats from the ship to shore and back. Now there's another way: the SeaWalk. The SeaWalk, built by a company in Norway, is a motorized, flexible, floating walkway that extends from the shore to the cruise ship. The manufacturer says it can move 4,000 passengers in an hour. Read more here, or view the company video. Pretty neat idea! -- Gerry

JOIN BARBIE AND FRIENDS ON A PARTY CRUISE

Happy Monday, fellow cruisers! Today the topic is -- are you ready? --  Barbie dolls. So, you may wonder, what do Barbie dolls have to do with cruising? Don't tell me you've never heard of Mattel's "Barbie Party Cruise." For Pam, who happens to be a collector of all things Barbie, it's the most fun you can have without actually being on a ship. It's described as "Barbie Party Cruise and play on this luxurious getaway! The water slide folds open and make a splash in the Poolcuzzi. Fold the slide over, and a disco ball comes out, plus music and lights for a dance party. Set up the rotating buffet with aquarium and luxurious suite for Barbie doll to relax in. Sounds include 2 disco songs with lights activation, 1 cruise ship horn, and 1 water-and-dolphin play. Folds up for on-the-go and easy storage." Sounds like all the fun of a real cruise ship, right at your fingertips! Of course there's also this disclaimer: "Barbie doll not included." I think Pam can take care of that one, right Pam? -- Gerry

HOW ABOUT A TOUR OF DRACULA'S CASTLE?

CruiseCompete notes that Scenic Tours, which specializes in river cruising, offers some unique excursions, including Bucharest’s Bran Castle. "Guests journey by coach to the rumored home of Count Dracula, where they enjoy an 'active-paced' guided tour of the ancient castle before returning to Bucharest."

And this is cool: "Beginning in 2013 Scenic will also offers 'TailorMade' excursion option, which features a series of self-guided tour enhanced by GPS-activated directions and commentary. (Once aboard the ship, a free Scenic Tailor-made app can be downloaded to your Apple IPhone or IPad, or you can choose to take one of the line’s pre-loaded devices.)" I can just hear my tour unit talking to me: "No, no -- I distinctly said turn right here, left." -- Gerry

NORWEGIAN ANNOUNCES NEW ISLAND ATTRACTIONS

Stingray Encounter (Norwegian)

Norwegian continues to announce new features for their private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. The latest additions include two interactive experiences, Stingray Encounter and "Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure," plus the new Lighthouse Beach Bar, presented by Patron. In all, Norwegian is spending $30 million on enhancements there.

From the press release:

Stingray Encounter. "Located inside Bertram’s Cove, on the right hand side of the main beach, the Stingray Encounter invites guests to interact with 18 specially-trained stingrays in an enclosed area. Each of the stingrays has a name and its own unique personality, and guests will enjoy feeding, watching and holding them, for the perfect photo opportunity. Also included in the Stingray Encounter experience is use of a mask, snorkel and snorkel vest so that guests can peer below the surface to examine the rays up close. The hour-long excursion includes 45-minutes of interaction with the rays and is $29 per adult and $19 per child."