CRUISING AMTRAK IS FIRST CLASS

There is much to share with you about our recent land-cruise from West Palm Beach to New York City, and share I will.

Of course, there is the dining experience (specifically the food offerings), the lounge car, the in-car attendants, climate control in the roomette and much more.

But, something really unexpected occurred when we arrived at Penn Station for our return trip.

Penn Station, First Class Lounge, New York City.
(Photo: Gerry)

Naturally, there was semi-chaos in that busy station as I hovered over our luggage as Gerry zipped around trying to find the exact spot for luggage check and track assignment.

My first tip at Penn Station?

MARTINI-TESTING IN NEW YORK

Martinis in New York (Photo: Pam)

In our continuing effort to find the best French Martini on the planet (somebody has to do it!), Pam and I dropped by the bar at the Grand Hyatt in New York. Located in Midtown, overlooking 42nd Street, it offers a glitzy yet elegant respite from a full day of shopping, dining and exploring the Big Apple. The window-side table offered a bird's eye view of the hectic pace of people and taxis moving up and down 42nd St. But back to the French martinis. On a scale of four stars, we would have to say two-and-a-half. And very pricey. But it's New York, right? To be continued ...  -- Gerry

WIN A CRUISE IN PARADISE

How does an all-expenses paid trip to the South Pacific aboard a luxury cruise ship sound? I thought so. That's the prize some lucky person will claim in the Ensemble Travel Group South Pacific Experiences – Tahiti Dreams Travel Contest. As an added incentive, we understand Paradise is beautiful this time of year - or any time. Good luck!

 Here's the release with all the details:

"The online contest offers the chance to win a seven-night cruise for two on the m/s Paul Gauguin, including roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui, plus all oceanview accommodations and shipboard meals, complimentary select beverages/wines, use of all sports-related equipment and facilities, and gratuities for the ship's staff. Air Tahiti Nui, which offers 8-hour nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Tahiti, is Conde Nast Traveler's No. 3 Top Small Airline.

NEW CRUISE OPTIONS FOR CELEBRITY CENTURY

For breathtaking scenery, it's hard to beat the coastline that stretches from California to Washington. Add some vintage wine to the mix and what's not to like? That's the idea behind Celebrity's just-announced "Sale of the Century," which features new cruise options on Celebrity Century. Those include:

• A four-night getaway departing San Diego April 18, with visits to Santa Barbara and Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.
• A five-night escape departing San Diego April 22, with visits to Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Ensenada, complete with a day at sea.
• A new eight-night Coastal Wine Cruise departing San Diego April 27, with visits to Santa Barbara, Monterey and an overnight stay in San Francisco, along with a day at sea, prior to visits to Astoria, Oregon and Victoria, British Columbia, ending in Vancouver, Canada.
• Celebrity Cruises has expanded Celebrity Century’s Alaska season, adding two new seven-night sailings departing roundtrip from Vancouver May 5 and May 12.

HORROR FANS INVITED ON 'SHIP OF FEAR'

Attention movie horror fans: Your cruise has arrived. Dubbed "Ship of Fear: A Horror Cruise," it features shock rocker Alice Cooper plus directors and actors from such fright films as Child's Play, Candyman, Phantasm, Fright Night, The Lost Boys, Gremlins, Friday the 13th, The Howling, Pet Sematary and others. It's planned for October 28, 2013, chartered aboard Carnival Victory out of Miami. The cable channel Chiller is a presenting sponsor, and the host is writer/director Tom Holland. Reservations and information at www.ShipOfFear.com or calling 855-770-1313. Special rates available until December 31, and start at $729 per person. More from the press release:

ON REFLECTION, IT'S 'GAME ON'

Celebrity Reflection (Celebrity)

When Celebrity's newest ship, Reflection, makes her debut later this year, it will be "Game On" for passengers who enjoy board games, both classic and interactive. That's the name of their game room, redesigned and upgraded to include "a brand new interactive gaming experience." Passengers can compete on six new, 32-inch touchscreen display tables, choosing from eight different digital games for up to four players. Of course, they can also enjoy the more conventional gaming experience as well.

Game On's options include:

CELEBRITY 'POPPING UP' AT SAN FRAN CAFE

From the Stable Cafe website

You ever popped in to a "pop-up restaurant"? If you happen to be in San Francisco Nov. 14-15, you'll have a chance. That's when Celebrity Cruises will debut the "first ever" pop-up restaurant from a cruise line. Celebrity’s Director of Culinary Operations, Chef John Suley, and his team, will present "a very special menu rich with unexpected flavors, delicate textures, and of-the-moment culinary techniques. Artful, decadent dessert and locally inspired beverages will complete the experience."

The setting is the Stable Cafe, and attendees will be entered into a giveaway to win a 7-night Alaska cruise for two on the Celebrity Solstice in 2013. Tickets are available online at http://celebritycruisespopup.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited. Proceeds from tickets go to the Celebrity Cruises Scholarship at The Culinary Institute of America. -- Gerry

PRINCESS SHIPS IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Princess will have their holiday finest on display (Princess)

It may not be Halloween yet, but Princess is already in the Christmas spirit. Their holiday sailings include indoor snow, strolling carolers and plenty of holiday cheer with the Caribbean Sea as a backdrop. Choices include two Christmas cruises – one through the Panama Canal on Coral Princess departing December 15 and the other to the Southern Caribbean aboard Emerald Princess departing December 17. New Year’s choices include sailings to the Panama Canal aboard Coral Princess and Island Princess on December 29 and 30. And the best part? They'll do all the cooking and cleanup. -- Gerry

FOOD ROYALLY FIT FOR A KING

We all know cruising is FUN, and visiting new ports FANTASTIC, but maybe above all else, there's the FOOD. So many choices, so little time! Like most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean takes its food seriously, and so do their world-class chefs. You can feel their passion in this week's video:

NORWEGIAN A 5-TIME WINNER IN EUROPE

Congrats go out to our friends at Norwegian, who had a "five-peat" by being named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year. The 19th annual awards recognize travel companies for "delivering an outstanding customer experience and are voted by travel agents and consumers worldwide."  Norwegian has four ships that offer cruise vacations through Europe ranging from seven to 14 days. -- Gerry

AMTRAK REPORTS RECORD RIDERSHIP

Like us, more people are choosing to travel by train. The stats bear it out. For the 2012 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, Amtrak carried more than 31.2 million passengers, the highest annual ridership total since America's Railroad started operations in 1971 and the ninth ridership record during the last ten years. In comparison to 2011, passengers grew 3.5 percent, ticket revenue jumped 6.8 percent ($2.02 billion) and system-wide on-time performance increased to 83 percent, its highest level in 12 years.

"People are riding Amtrak trains in record numbers across the country because there is an undeniable demand to travel by rail," said President and CEO Joe Boardman in their press release. "Ridership will continue to grow because of key investments made by Amtrak and our federal and state partners to improve on-time performance, reliability, capacity and train speeds."

To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Railroad iron is a magician's rod, in its power to evoke the sleeping energies of land and water." -- Gerry

COG RAILWAY OFFERS SCENIC FALL VISTAS

The Mount Washington Cog Railway

Who doesn't like fall foliage? The first appearance of red, yellow or orange and an army of "leaf peepers" will take to the woods. If your plans take you to the Northeast, consider a ride on The Mount Washington Cog Railway, located six miles from Bretton Woods, NH. Billed as the world's first mountain-climbing Cog Railway, built in 1869, and using "eco-friendly, vegetable-based fuel," The Cog offers a three-hour excursion on the Northeast¹s tallest peak. "The alpine rail ride includes about one hour at the 6,288-foot summit that overlooks the dramatic fall colors of The Mount Washington Valley. Cog tickets also give passengers free admission to The Mount Washington Observatory at the summit and the Cog Museum at the base Station."

Passengers can save $5 off the Cog¹s full price tickets ($62) on the last train of the afternoon (excluding Columbus Day weekend) through November 4th, 2012. For more info visit www.thecog.com or call: 603-278-5404. -- Gerry