LOVE COCKTAILS? HEAD FOR THE ALCHEMY BAR

Happy Monday, cruisers!

What better way to start the week than a cocktail? As part of Carnival Cruises' Fun Ship 2.0 program, the Alchemy Bar offers guests an out-of-this-world selection of new drink concoctions, including our personal favorite, the martini. We even hear the menu lights up when you open it. Check it out:





And here:

THE AMAZING CELEBRITY SEE-THROUGH SHOWER

Artist's rendering of Reflection suite shower
(Courtesy: Celebrity)

Last April we reported the news about the glass shower on the Celebrity Reflection's "Reflection Suite." Now Celebrity has released a new artist rendering really brings it to life.


Pretty amazing, right?


Here are all the details from the Celebrity press release:

"After revealing in April that the 'Reflection Suite' on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection will feature an all-glass shower extending out over the edge of the ship, the modern luxury brand has received so much interest that it has released renderings of the intriguing space.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Proof positive iguanas can't read (Photo:Gerry)

A CELEBRITY CRUISES WINE PRIMER

A few posts back we shared a video from Royal Caribbean on wine. The folks over at Celebrity Cruises take their wine seriously as well. Here's a video to prove it. And by the way, if you are ever on Celebrity Millennium, don't miss dining in the Olympic restaurant, where the wine and the food -- not to mention the original woodwork from the MS Olympic, sister ship to the Titanic -- are not to be missed! --Gerry

OASIS OF THE SEAS IS OASIS

July is pressing on toward August, and the heat and humidity of South Florida hovers all around and I am longing for an oasis.

Guess what? I found one.

Not that many weeks ago, there I was-smack in the middle of, Oasis of the Seas, catching a sizzling sunset. Perfect oasis, if you ask me.

Actually, I was not in the middle of the ship. Aft was where it was at. The sunset, that is.

Well, I found my Oasis-in-July. What's yours?

~Pam

PRINCESS CRUISERS SHARE THEIR INSPIRATIONS

When I check out Princess Cruises' "Inspired to Cruise" blog, where people share their stories of why they cruise, I am always, well, inspired. First person accounts have a "specialness" to them you just don't get with any other kind of writing, like the post Pam did on first-time cruiser Kathleen Shearer. Princess posts a new inspired reason to cruise every week this year. Among the latest reasons to cruise are:

Story #30: To Celebrate a Mother/Daughter Birthday – Ilene Briscoe of Overland Park, Kansas, shares the story of the cruise in which she and her daughter celebrated their mutual milestone birthdays. Plus, Ilene managed to tie the knot in a secret wedding as well.

Story #29: To Be with My Best Friend … Mom – Nicole Burton of Columbus, Ohio, tells how she chose to share a Mediterranean adventure with the mother who use to be an “embarrassing nuisance” but was now her closest friend.

Story #28: To Please My Girl – David Wenstrom of Redwood City, California, didn’t think he could cruise, but he relented to the pressure from his girl, and then quickly became a cruise convert after he found life onboard more enticing than he ever imagined.

Story #27: To See a Total Eclipse of the Sun – Joan Boyle of Grand Lake, Colorado, shares how she and her husband have found that the best way to reach an eclipse’s line of totality is on a cruise ship.

Story #26: To Sail the Open Seas Again – Gloria Walsh of Camano Island, Washington, shares how her life opened up again after she discovered that with cruising she could still experience her love for the open sea after the death of her husband, with whom she had shared a passion for sailing.

"Also featured on the blog are regular “Escape Inspiration” videos. Each 30-second favorite moment at sea is introduced by a Princess crew member who describes why the scene is meaningful to them."

Now, what's your story??? -- Gerry

TAKING A 'ROYAL' WINE TOUR

Those videographers at Royal Caribbean seem to always hit a Cruising Squared "hot button." They did it again this week with one of our favorite topics: Wine. That's something you'll find in abundant supply aboard Royal's fleet. Pam and I had a delightful, and educational, wine tasting aboard Oasis of the Seas, led by sommelier Eric Larkee, associated with executive chef extraordinaire Michael Schwartz. If you need any "extras" for your next wine video, give us a call. -- Gerry

NORWEGIAN ADVANCES IN SOCIAL COMPETITION

We've talked a lot in this space about social media and cruise lines. One name that crops up again and again is Norwegian. Now comes word they are the winners in the “South Florida #SocialMadness Competition” in the large company category, presented by the Business Journals and Capital One Spark Business. As such, they will be advancing to the national level competition.

Norwegian says in their release: "The #SocialMadness competition highlights companies of all sizes with the best social media strategies in a tournament style challenge. Throughout all three rounds of the South Florida competition, Norwegian dominated the large company category, ending with a winning score of 23,564 versus the runner-up’s score of 12,692.

VISIT 'DOWNTON ABBEY' ON A VIKING CRUISE

If there's anything Pam enjoys as much as cruising, it has to be the PBS Masterpiece series, Downton Abbey. In fact, she has me hooked, too. So when we get a press release that combines both cruising and Downton Abbey, you know that gets our attention. In this case, Viking River Cruises is renewing its sponsorship of PBS Masterpiece for two additional years, through 2014.

Pam took special note of this from their PR release:

"As an extension of its MASTERPIECE sponsorship, Viking also recently announced an optional Oxford & Highclere Castle pre- or post- trip experience for travelers on the Cities of Light or Paris & the Heart of Normandy cruises. On this itinerary extension, Viking guests will spend three days in the rolling hills of England's countryside, with a champagne welcome and special tour of Highclere Castle, known to television audiences worldwide as Downton Abbey."

What a dream excursion that would be. Of course, I would be a little concerned Pam might break away from the tour group and Mrs. Patmore might have an extra helper in the kitchen come season three. -- Gerry

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Oh, this does sound dreamy. But, as much as I love cooking, I don't the kitchen is where I could be found. No, you would probably find me rummaging through the fabulous clothing the ladies wear. Simply divine! -- Pam

SECOND ANNUAL TWEETUP CRUISE SET

Cruisers from the first TweetUp (Courtesy: Norwegian)

We all know how big social media is these days, as usage of sites like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest explode. In recognition of that, Norwegian Cruise Line will host the second annual #SeaTweetup cruise on board Norwegian Sky from October 12-15, 2012.

Says Norwegian: "The interactive cruise, coordinated by influential members of the South Florida social media community, allows enthusiasts to participate in special networking events throughout the cruise including group activities, social media marketing panels and discussions, giveaways and cocktail parties. Guests will also be amongst the first to experience the exciting new enhancements to Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

"The three-day cruise takes networking to the next level allowing social media insiders to share their experiences with followers, as they build and strengthen relationships, as well as create new ones. Participants will have access to the ship’s Internet Café and Wi-Fi network, as well as invitations to in-port events to post, tweet, and blog throughout the weekend to the twitter hashtag #SeaTweetup."

Tweeting, cruising and relaxing with a umbrella-adorned drink. Now that's a hard combination to beat! -- Gerry

PIX OF THE WEEK: A VISIT TO ST. THOMAS

Yes, that's us, on a shore excursion in St. Thomas. Bet you didn't know we were members of the "green" tour group that day. St. Thomas has been a longtime favorite stop for us (Can you guess why? Duty-free shopping, Pam ...need I say more?)

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While shopping in St. Thomas, I found a great hat for $10.00! Bargains are all around, you just have to look and ask for a deal. Even if you don't get a great deal on a hat like I did, it is still so much fun chatting with vendors and looking at their wares.
~Pam

MUSIC FESTIVAL GOES TO SEA

Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises

Big news this week from both the worlds of music and cruising. For the first time, the famed Goldenvoice Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is going to sea. The S.S. COACHELLA is taking place aboard the sleek and beautiful Celebrity Silhouette on two cruises in December.


"Guests can choose from two exotic itineraries: Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas, December 16-19, 2012 or Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica, December 19-23, 2012. Pulp will headline, with performances by Hot Chip, Yeasayer, Girl Talk, James Murphy (DJ Set), Sleigh Bells, Simian Mobile Disco, Z-Trip, !!!, Warpaint, DJ Harvey, El-P, Killer Mike and more." The complete line-up is here.


Reservations for S.S. COACHELLA can be made beginning Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 10 am PDT (1 pm EST) with prices starting at $500 per person. Easy payment plans are available with only $250 due at time of purchase. Reservations and additional details are available at www.sscoachella.com.

Maybe it's time to dust off my rock music credentials and report live from the scene. What do you think? -- Gerry