PANAMA CANAL A 'MUST SEE'

View of a lock at the Panama Canal (Photo: Gerry)

One of the items on our "cruise bucket list" was the Panama Canal. Last year we got to experience it aboard the Queen Victoria. It's every bit as amazing as you've read about. Here is one of the locks -- up close and personal. If you get the chance, don't miss it. It truly is one of the Wonders of the World. -- Gerry

READER WILL LOVE PRINCESS SEAWALK

Faithful reader Don -- the BBQ master of Holy Smoke fame -- wrote to say how cool the bridge photo was -- like "flying over the ocean." Don, you will love what Princess Cruises is offering on their new ship, Royal Princess, which debuts next summer: A glass-bottom "SeaWalk" that extends 28 feet away from the ship and features a bar. Check out this video:

THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

Watch that first step ...While touring the bridge on Cunard's Queen Victoria, we found ourselves in an area with glass inserts placed in the floor. Decision time. Should I stand on that or not? Throwing caution to the wind -- where it can sometimes blow back in your face -- I stood on it long enough to snap this pix. No doubt about it, the crew on the bridge has some amazing observation options! -- Gerry

'ESCAPE COMPLETELY' ON PRINCESS CRUISES

Ever want to "escape completely," as in run away and join the circus? Thanks to Princess Cruises, you can, and without applying clown makeup or watering the elephants. Through Nov. 6, Princess is launching “The Campaign to Escape Completely” complete with chances to win free cruises and gifts.

They describe it as a "light-hearted 'anti-negativity' campaign was inspired by the line’s employees who wanted to play off the current election theme but instead spread some cheer and help people escape from the discouraging headlines. The campaign will feature a series of videos which are cast entirely with Princess Cruises employees who rally to deliver happiness and fun to passengers.

"The campaign offers two ways to win a free cruise:

"Free Cruise Giveaways in Consumer Emails – Consumers who are registered to receive emails from Princess will have a chance to win a free Getaway cruise. Princess will hide a “Golden Ticket” in 10 emails each week of the campaign.

“Ballot Box Trivia Challenge” – In addition, Princess is promoting a sweepstakes for a chance to win a cruise on the new Royal Princess. Play the four different trivia games on princess.com for additional entries. Plus, the first five people who answer all questions correctly will win a gift to use on their next cruise, including a $200 Lotus Spa treatment or Chef’s Table experience for two, among others. More details about “The Campaign to Escape Completely,” can be found here: www.princess.com/campaign."

Now there's a campaign every voter can get behind. -- Gerry

CUPCAKES AT SEA? GREAT IDEA!

If there were a PH.d available for Cupcake Appreciation, Pam and I would qualify. Seriously. Who else do you know who would book a trip to L.A. just to buy cupcakes at Sprinkles in Beverley Hills? Or a trip to New York to pop into Magnolia Bakery? Royal Caribbean appreciates cupcakes, too. In fact, they have a store right on the ship called Cupcake Cupboard, where you can not only buy these delightful little treats but learn how to decorate them as well. Let's roll the tape ... er, video:

ROCKETTES WILL BE BREAKAWAY GODMOTHERS

The Rockettes (Courtesy: Norwegian)

Norwegian promised a New York "icon" as the Godmother for their new ship, Breakaway, and today they didn't disappoint, with the news that none other than the Rockettes, of Radio City Music Hall fame, are the ship's official Godmothers. Here's the complete release:

"Norwegian Cruise Line and MSG Entertainment announced today that the Rockettes, one of New York’s most illustrious and beloved icons, will christen Norwegian Breakaway as the official Godmothers, further strengthening the ship’s strong ties to New York. The christening ceremony will take place in New York City on May 8, 2013 on board Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in New York. The partnership with the Rockettes will include Norwegian Cruise Line as the designated 'Official Cruise Line' of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall, and as the 'Official Partner' of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. As part of their role as Godmothers, two Rockettes will sail aboard the first six sailings of Norwegian Breakaway, beginning May 12, 2013, and the first sailing of each month thereafter, taking part in special events for guests to enjoy.

NORWEGIAN PREPS BREAKAWAY NEWS

Norwegian's PR team is teasing us again when it comes to news about their newest ship, Breakaway:

"We will be announcing some exciting Norwegian Breakaway news tomorrow! Make sure to stay tuned as we reveal who the Godmother is in the early afternoon – she will epitomize New York City!"

Wonder who that can be? Any guesses? I'm thinking the Statue of Liberty -- what lady better represents New York? We will definitely stay tuned! -- Gerry

VIKING'S 'GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR'

Amsterdam (Credit: Viking)

Sometimes the brochure sounds too good to be true. But in this case, I'm pretty sure that's not the case. Viking River Cruises is promoting their 15-day "Grand European Tour" and "grand" is the right word: "From Holland's windmills to Germany's fairytale castles, from the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal to the picturesque vineyards of Austria's Wachau Valley, this epic voyage presents the highlights of Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. . . .Savor a decadent Sachertorte in a Viennese café and panoramic views of imperial Budapest—and along the way, discover the legend of the Lorelei, the ancient art of glassblowing, the music of Mozart and more. Guests who choose this voyage soon see why it is our most popular itinerary."

In case you don't know what a "Sachertorte" is, Wikipedia to the rescue. It is "a specific type of a chocolate cake, or torte, invented by chance by Jewish Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Klemens Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties. The Original Sachertorte is made only in Vienna and Salzburg, and it is shipped from both locations. The only place where the Original Sachertorte is available outside of Austria is in the Sacher shop of Bolzano (Bozen), Italy." Here at Cruising Squared, we look it up so you don't have to.

There's also this icing on the cake: "If you go in November, you can leave the holiday cooking to us and enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. And late November and early December departures will feature Europe's famous Christmas Markets." Plus it's on sale. All the details are here. -- Gerry

CRUISE THE MEDITERRANEAN ON A BIKE

Credit: BikeToursDirect

While most of our cruises occur on the water, we do our share of "land cruising" by car and train as well. We  also know there are a lot of you who cruise on pedals, as in bicycling. This item caught our attention, if only to dream what it would be like to "cruise" the Mediterranean on one of these outings from BikeToursDirect. Here is a sampling of their fall tours:

Undiscovered Cyprus
(Self-guided daily departures - land costs start at $680.)
The Karpaz peninsula of North Cyprus is the most unspoiled and beautiful part of the island. Cycle through traditional villages with churches and mosques standing side by side, passing almond, carob and olive groves. Along the Cyprus coast, beautiful, pristine beaches beckon cyclists to take a swim or walk in the warm sea.

CUNARD VIDEOS TAKE YOU AROUND THE WORLD

Reading about a cruise around the world is impressive; seeing it through the eyes of those who have experienced it first hand is even better. That's the idea behind the debut of a new video series from Cunard. In this first video," Michigan residents Richard and Pat Donahey (Belleville), Dr. Martin and Linda Weissman (Birmingham) and Maryland residents Peggy and Pamela Zirkle (Berwyn Heights) share some of their favorite World Voyage experiences and memories."

The next video in the series "will highlight the travel experiences of these guests, ranging from exploring India’s Taj Mahal and touring the Egyptian Pyramids, to walking on the Great Wall of China and climbing Australia’s famed Sydney Harbour Bridge."

Cunard relates their "2014 World Voyage Season will cover more than 116,000 nautical miles across six continents and visits to 85 unique ports of call in 40 countries. The program features three World Voyages ranging from eight to 133 days aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, with embarkation points in Southampton (England), New York, Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco."

To view the complete 2014 World Voyage schedule, visit www.cunard.com/2014wv.

CRUISING 'ROUND THE OCEAN NEAR HOME

When Autumn begins to edge into South Florida it is subtle and somewhat difficult to feel a seasonal difference.

One especially lovely thing?

Car-cruising and finding a quiet location in Palm Beach to enjoy the cool ocean breezes early on a Sunday morning.

Just a few of your besties and you, because sometimes you don't need a ship to feel the power of the sea.

 

Happy September!

FOUR CHEFS ADDED TO CULINARY CRUISE

Fabio Viviani

Four new "chef'testants" have been added to the "Top Chef: The Cruise," aboard Celebrity Constellation, which sails from Miami April 11, 2013. Additions include "Top Chef All Stars" winner Richard Blais, "Top Chef Just Desserts" season one winner Yigit Pura, "Top Chef: Texas" winner Paul Qui, and "Fan Favorite" winner Fabio Viviani. They will join hosts Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, along with 11 previously announced Alums, on this first-ever culinary journey. More info at www.topchefthecruise.com and http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-9/videos/all-chefs-on-deck. -- Gerry