Historic Snowstorm Predicted

The Northeastern part of the United States has already had some major snow accumulation this year, but those storms may pale next to the one that National Weather Service is predicting for the Midwest.    Light snow has already begun falling over the region, but that is only the first wave according to predictions.

NWS Forecast:   Potentially Historic Snowstorm Expected through Wednesday

The storm is being called "historic" and comparisons are being made to a major storm in late January, 1967.   Some areas of the region are expected to get almost two feet of snow from this system.

I'd rather be sailing ...

Municipalities, like Chicago, are preparing for the worst, rolling out emergency snow removal plans and encouraging residents to prepare now for the storm.   All but essential travel will be recommended if the storm reaches the expected levels.

Airlines and airports are also bracing for what will become a logistical nightmare as air traffic comes to a halt and snow removal crews battle to stay ahead of the storm.   The most dangerous aspect of the storm will be the high winds which will accompany the snow, making it virtually impossible to see.

Cruise passengers may be impacted by the storm as travel delays and cancellations have a ripple effect across the country.   For those traveling, be sure to call ahead to your carrier to see how the storm impacts you.

Major weather events like this are perfect commercials for travel insurance.  Be sure to read your policy and know what coverage and assistance you can expect from your carrier and insurance company.    It might be too late to get ahead of the storm, but that too should be considered.

Here are some resources that can come in handy as the storm intensifies.

NWS - Local Weather

• Multimedia Weather Briefing (Updated 5:00 AM)
•  Winter Weather Briefing Page

National Weather Hazards

Airport Delays

Updated Crown & Anchor Society Program

Royal Caribbean International

Modifications to

Crown & Anchor Society

Loyalty has its rewards...  You've probably heard that before.  This is true for many businesses that you may frequent, including airlines, hotels, and even cruise lines.

Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty Program

The Crown & Anchor® Society is Royal Caribbean's way of recognizing and rewarding their  most loyal guests. As a member, you’ll receive exclusive benefits and privileges to make your cruise experiences with Royal Caribbean International® even more spectacular.

Four New 2011 Member Enhancements

• Cruise Points - earn 1 point for every night you cruise (double points in suites)
• New Level of Recognition - Emerald and Pinnacle Club levels added
• Upgrade Preferences - should an upgrade become available, you'll have first choice
• Member only Website - a new website experience with offers and exclusive information

As of January 21, 2011, existing cruise credits were converted into cruise points.  Existing members didn't lose their current status and will continue to receive all the existing benefits at their previous tier level.

The Emerald Tier was added between Platinum and Diamond and provides some new benefits including higher balcony and suite discounts and a personalized welcome gift/amenity onboard.

The Pinnacle Club Tier was added to recognize a unique group who have reached the highest status, Diamond Plus.  Those Diamond Plus members who are being invited to join Pinnacle Club, as of the date of this announcement, will have completed a minimum of 100 cruise credits.*

*Moving forward, achieving Pinnacle Club status will require 700 points.

PLUS - BRING A FRIEND PROMOTION

Now for a limited time, you can enjoy an exclusive reward, when bring your friends along to experience their first Royal Caribbean International® cruise vacation.

Receive $25 to spend onboard for each stateroom your friends reserve on your cruise.

Learn more (click here)   Existing members should visit the website for complete details and to update their profiles.

Video:  Loyal to the Royal - learn all about the enhancements introduced in 2011





ROYAL CARIBBEAN SALES EVENT (click here)

Egypt Travel Alert Impacts Cruises

Classic Egypt Cruises - Photo Courtesy Uniworld River Cruises

Updated February 14th 

MSC Cruises has cancelled all the upcoming calls of MSC Magnifica and MSC Splendida at Alexandria for the rest of the season.  They will continue to follow the situation very closely and in case the situation would stabilize again would change the itineraries back to their original deployment. You will find all the latest updates on this page.

Updated January 31st - Additional Cruise Cancellations Announced

Political unrest in Egypt has prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a Travel Alert for Egypt effective from now until the end of February.   Cruise lines have been monitoring the situation and, in the wake of the alert, have made modifications or cancellations.

Travel Alert, January 28, 2011

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to ongoing political and social unrest in Egypt.  Violent demonstrations on January 28 took place in several areas of Cairo and other parts of the country, disrupting road travel between city centers and airports.  Disruptions in communications included the interruption of internet and mobile telephone service.  The Government of Egypt has imposed a curfew from  6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez until further notice.  Given this situation, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time and advises U.S. citizens currently in Egypt to defer non-essential movement and to exercise caution. This Travel Alert expires on February 28, 2011.    (Read more)

UNIWORLD Cancels Cruises

At this time Uniworld is canceling upcoming tours due to arrive in Egypt up to and including February 12, 2011, and customers may choose alternative tours or a full refund.

Clients who plan to travel on our Egypt tours from February 13 through February 28, 2011 have the option to cancel and rebook any 2011 Uniworld program.  The full value of the canceled booking will be applied toward the new booking.  Guests must re-book by March 31, 2011.
(Read more)


Viking River Cancels Cruises

Viking River Cruises' Egypt cruises are canceled through February 28 and guests booked on an affected sailing can rebook with no penalty or choose full refunds. (Read more)



Avalon Cruises also Cancelled


Avalon Waterways has canceled its cruises through February 28. Passengers booked on those sailings have the option of rebooking on an alternative sailing or receiving full refunds. (Read more)


MSC Cruises Alters Itineraries

MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica were expected to call at Alexandria over the next few days, but they're being diverted. Magnifica will now call at Limassol, Cyprus, and Haifa, Israel, on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Splendida will call at Izmir, Turkey, on Monday.

Norwegian Cruise Line Alters Itineraries

Norwegian Jade was due to overnight in Alexandria on Sunday. It will now call at Istanbul.

Tour Operators Monitoring Conditions

All tour operators are monitoring the situation and it's safe to assume the majority of land-based excursions in the immediate future will be cancelled.   Contact your travel provider directly for updates if your cruise or tour isn't mentioned here.

Cruise Lines Pull Out of Mazatlan

Mexican Riviera

Itinerary Changes

Prompted by

Recent Violence

Three cruise lines: Holland America, Princess, and Disney Cruise Line, have announced modifications to their Mexican Riviera cruises in the wake of recent violence against cruise passengers.

Update January 31st - Some cruises returning to Mazatlan, but situation is still being monitored.
Norwegian Star, Carnival Spirit and Holland America's Oosterdam will call there this week.

Disney Wonder's scheduled calls in Mazatlan, now through April, have been replaced with extra time in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   The ship will not stay overnight, but rather will leave port and then return in the morning for a second day in picturesque Cabo San Lucas.

HAL Oosterdam in Mexican Riviera

The incidents over the past two weeks involved passengers and crew from the Azamara Journey and Holland America's Oosterdam.  News reports indicated a necklace and a laptop were stolen.   There wasn't any mention of injury related to the attacks, but cruise lines have taken these steps as a precautionary measure to keep passengers and crew safe.

Perhaps this is the final nail in the coffin for the region as cruise lines had already begun pulling out of the Mexican Riviera sighting decreased demand.   At a panel discussion, during our National Conference last October, cruise line executives had reported the decreased interest causing them to redeploy ships.   West coast agents, as well as those across the country, expressed disapproval but the executives reiterated their decisions had been made, and would that they would not be reassessing the situation in the near future.

For those traveling to Mexico, please consult the U.S. State Department's Travel Warnings at:

Mexico Country Specific Information

At the time of this article's publication, there were no updated bulletins specifically addressing violence in Mazatlan, but there has been increasing drug-related violence in the region causing travel companies to keep a close eye on changing conditions.

Radiance OTS 2011 Makeover

2011 - The Year of the Makeover

For Royal Caribbean Fleet

Last November we reported that Royal Caribbean International® had scheduled dry-dock make-overs for five of their 22 ships.   When unveiling the the new enhancements to their fleet for 2011, Royal Advantage^SM was announced.   The program would expand their most popular innovations to select ships, giving more to see, more to do, and more to love, to more guests than ever before.

The five ships being updated are as follows: Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Splendour of the Seas.     Read more:  Introducing Royal Advantage

Exciting News for the Solo Traveler

If you travel much, you are familiar with the term "double occupancy".    It has been the pricing standard in the travel industry (including cruises) for as long as I can recall.   Hotels and cruise lines provide pricing based on two people occupying a room / cabin.   If you are traveling alone, you still pay the price that two people would pay, and in some cases, even more.

In the cruise industry, even though pricing is double occupancy,  quotes are provided on a per person basis.    For the solo traveler, the pricing includes what's called "single supplement".   Over simplified, this is a fancy way of saying that you pay the same price as two occupants or even more.   Sometimes there are lower rates during a promotion, but that is fairly rare.  

Obviously this makes traveling alone quite expensive and quite frankly turns many potential cruisers away, which is quite unfortunate.   What about the married couple that has cruised for years and their mate is now too sick to travel or is no longer alive?    Does that mean they have to now give up one of their favorite pastimes?    In many cases, unless they could find someone to travel with them, that was indeed what happened.

Good news ...    Last year Norwegian Cruise Line was the first to introduce cabins specifically designed for the solo traveler, and more importantly, priced for the single traveler.    No more paying the price for sailing alone.    Photos:  Norwegian Epic Studio Cabins

goes into dry-dock this May, and will emerge in June in time for the Alaskan cruise season.   In addition to the previously announced addition of the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, there will be three inside cabins added for solo travelers.   This will be the first for the Royal Caribbean fleet.    We suspect that Royal Caribbean is testing the waters to see how well the cabins are received. 

We see this as a positive step in accommodating  a segment of the public that has been unable to purchase a cruise vacation due to the penalty pricing for solo travelers.   It's only three cabins, which is dwarfed by the 100 cabin offering on Norwegian Epic, but it is a start.    Norwegian Cruise line has two new ships on order which will further expand the solo studio offerings.      I suspect this is only the first of many more changes for the solo travelers in months and years to come.

Radiance of the Seas Sails from Seward to other adventurous Alaskan cities, including Juneau and Skagway.

Azamazing Europe

EXPLORE EUROPE WITH ASTOUNDING SAVINGS

NUMEROUS ITINERARIES FOR EUROPEAN VALUES Which European sea is your favorite? Aegean? Black? Adriatic? Baltic? Mediterranean? Azamara Club Cruises® touches all shores of Europe in 2011, so no matter your favorite waters, a voyage beckons. With 45% of port visits in 2011 featuring overnight or late night stays (8pm or later), the 2011 Destination Guide, now available to explore electronically, is filled with itineraries in Europe, Asia and the Americas that offer plenty of time to explore the culture and experience the value that is Azamara destination immersion. While voyages around the world are available to book, European voyages booked by March 31 receive $2,000 in early booking savings as well as up to $2,000 in ChoiceAir credits on top of our 2-for-1 values. In addition, save 50% on all Land Discoveries® in Europe booked online before departure.

Sorrento's on the Royal Promenade

Made-to-order Pizza by the pan or slice

What's Your

Favorite Pizza?

Allure of the Seas - Sorrento's Pizza

New York Pizzeria

Experience an authentic New York pizzeria onboard Allure of the Seas.   Located on the Royal Promenade, Deck 5, this pizzeria is the perfect spot for lunch or even a late night snack since it is open to the wee hours of the morning.

Enjoy made-to-order pizzas by the pan or slice.   Select from a list of your favorite toppings to create your own personal pizza or, if you don't have time to wait, select one or more slices that are already made.  

106 Drink Choices

Pizza Goes Better with

Coca-Cola freestyle

While waiting for you pizza creation, put your creative juices to work some more by creating a made-to-order glass of your favorite Coca-Cola beverages.    There are 106 combinations of drinks that can be made in this specially designed beverage vending machine outside Sorrento's Pizzeria.

It's easy as 1-2-3 ...    Start with a glass of ice, add your favorite base Coca-Cola product, and add one or more additional flavors.   Enjoy combinations like Cherry Coke, Raspberry Diet Coke, or Strawberry Sprite to name a few possibilities.  

There's no charge to have pizza your way and if you have added the Coke beverage package, there is no additional charge for the that either.    Stop by Sorrento's anytime you want to have some fun creating your snack.

NFL Football EPIC Sized

Norwegian EPIC Wii Wall Converts to Football Stadium

Watching NFL Football Playoffs

vs.

Caribbean Cruise Vacation

And the Winner is .... why not BOTH

Best seat in the house to see game

There's nothing like a good football game to get some excitement brewing. This Sunday, fans will be gathering together to cheer their favorite team on to victory.  Where will you be?

Some fans will be at the game weathering the cold winter breezes while, others will be on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, and still others will be at friends' houses or their neighborhood bar & grill. 

If you can't be at the game a Big Screen is the next best thing...

Besides football, another popular game is the Wii.    Cruise ships have embraced the rage and many have added game consoles to their entertainment suite.   Contests are held throughout the cruise.

Norwegian Epic has taken Wii to a new level by introducing it's Wii Wall which is a two-story screen with plenty of room for cheering fans.   What's this have to do with the football playoffs?

Two-Story Football Screen

In the picture above, I'm sitting at a counter in O'Sheehan's Bar and Grill on the Norwegian Epic. What you can't see is that if I turn around and face forward, I'm looking down on the big screen Wii Wall. This will be the best seat in the house to watch the NFL football playoffs, or any sports game for that matter.    O'Sheehan's will be buzzing this Sunday as the teams take the field.    You can enjoy the game while drinking your favorite beverage and having some comfort food.

These photos (click for more) were taken by us during our National Conference on Norwegian Epic last October.  There was plenty of excitement onboard as football fans gathered to watch the game.  I can just imagine the increased level for the playoffs.  

It's cold and snowy here today, a perfect setting for the playoff game tomorrow.    I can only dream about being on Norwegian Epic in the Caribbean and watching the game on the big screen.

There's always next year...

Would you like to watch the NFL Playoffs on Norwegian Epic next year?   Send us an email if you are interested.   If we have enough interest, we can form a group for one of the playoff games next year.

Enjoy the Playoffs - may your favorite team win !!!

Azamara Club Golf Cruises

AZAMARA TEES UP AT THE 

WORLD’S FINEST COURSES

HIT THE LINKS AT OLD HEAD IN IRELAND


Azamara Club Cruises® is taking destination immersion a step further with the new Azamara Club Golf Cruises in partnership with PerryGolf. These unique and exclusive packages let guests play exquisite, championship-caliber golf courses in Asia and Europe while traveling in the comfort and style of Azamara Journey® or Quest®.

Let Azamara coordinate tee times, cart rentals, luxury transfers to the course, range time, golf balls, club storage and gratuities at .each course as well as plan special cocktail parties and socials for golfers. Play a round at Old Head, Portmarnock, Oitavos Dunes, Montgomerie Links, Mission Hills, Four Seasons Provence, Sperone or another world-class course knowing that Azamara’s personal touch service is taking care of you.

EACH PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Pre-voyage golf program with  overnight in specified hotel	Greens fees, confirmed tee  times, carts or pull carts
Caddies on request at  additional cost	Luxury, air-conditioned transfers  to and from golf courses
Golfers socials, cocktail parties  and Hors d’oeuvres	Two group dinners, one in  a specialty restaurant
Standard beverage package  for duration of the voyage	Casual tournaments with awards  and prizes for all participants
Bag and club handling  and storage Full-time Azamara Golf Manager	Selected special event  for non-golfers such as the  Spa Experience, culinary  classes and wine tastings

14 NIGHTS: HONG KONG – SINGAPORE

AZAMARA QUEST®  EMBARKS MARCH 28, 2011

11 NIGHTS: BARCELONA, SPAIN – NICE, FRANCE

AZAMARA JOURNEY®  EMBARKS MAY 15, 2011

4/5 NIGHTS (9 COMBINED): 

NICE, FRANCE – NICE, FRANCE / ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY

AZAMARA JOURNEY® EMBARKS MAY 26 & MAY 30, 2011

10 NIGHTS: DUBLIN, IRELAND – LISBON, PORTUGAL

AZAMARA JOURNEY® EMBARKS AUGUST 29, 2011

9 NIGHTS: LISBON, PORTUGAL – NICE FRANCE

AZAMARA JOURNEY®  EMBARKS SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

7 NIGHTS: NICE, FRANCE – NICE, FRANCE

AZAMARA JOURNEY®  EMBARKS SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

10 NIGHTS: NICE, FRANCE – ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY

AZAMARA JOURNEY®  EMBARKS SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Carnival Splendor Heads North for More Repairs

Carnival Splendor after fire in November, 2010

Carnival Splendor Sails to San Francisco for Further Repairs

Many of you have been checking back for updates on Carnival Splendor.  As we mentioned back in mid-December, the Splendor would have some repair work done in San Diego and then sail to San Francisco to have work completed at a dry dock.   That was scheduled for mid-January. 

Today marks a major milestone in the long journey back to service for the Splendor.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2, 2011 (click following link for latest)

Carnival Splendor to Leave San Francisco and Return to Service

Carnival Splendor Sails North Today

It's hard to believe it's been two months since the Carnival Splendor was towed into San Diego following the engine room fire.   The ship will leave the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal today and sail under its own power to a dry-dock facility in San Francisco, where repairs will be completed.

Carnival Splendor has been out of service since Nov. 8, when a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room during a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. The 952-foot vessel was left without power while offshore of Ensenada. With more than 3,000 passengers aboard, Splendor was towed by tug boats into San Diego Bay on Nov. 11, led by the U.S. Coast Guard. Passengers disembarked at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal and the ship was then moved to the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal on Nov. 18 for the industrial portion of the repairs.

“It’s really a testament of how San Diego came together, including the Port of San Diego, to assist an important customer, Carnival Cruise Lines,” said Joel Valenzuela, director of the port’s maritime operations. “It required working with all of our partners, and our customer base at the cargo terminal to coordinate shipments of goods and space allocation for imports while the Splendor was under repair.”

Carnival Splendor will be accompanied by two tugs as a safety precaution during its multi-day voyage north, according to Coast Guard officials.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Carnival Cruise Lines is still saying that  Carnival Splendor  will return to service February 20, 2011.  It operates year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages from Long Beach.  Since Carnival Splendor is one of the last ships in this market, this is very important to the West Coast economy as well as tourism in the Mexican Riviera.

Related Blog Posts:

Carnival Splendor Cruise Cancellations Extended
Carnival Splendor Repair Status
Carnival Splendor Fire Investigation 
Assisting Carnival Splendor 
Carnival Splendor Without Power After Engine Fire
Carnival Splendor Cruises Cancelled until January 16

Unrest in Tunisia Prompts Cruise Changes

 

Costa Magica Location courtesy of Costa Cruises / Google Maps

Updated March 10, 2011     Travel Alert  Tunisia 

A travel alert remains in effect for Tunisia, due to the ongoing social and political unrest. Unrest has diminished and public order has returned in many areas; however, spontaneous and unpredictable events, such as work stoppages and demonstrations, have recently occurred. (click link above for US Dept State alert)

Costa Cruises drops Tunisia, Egypt, Israel for rest of year due to unrest in region 

On Mediterranean 7-day cruises including a one day call at Tunis (Tunisia), this call has been replaced by a one day call at Palma de Mallorca (Spain) Malta or Cagliari (Italy).
 

Update: February 14, 2011

Additional cruise cancellations have been made by MSC Cruises.  The following ships are affected: 

• MSC Fantasia from the 16th of April to the 15th of October 2011 
• MSC Splendida from the 10th April to the 06th of November 2011 
• MSC Lirica from the 18th of April to the 07th of October 
• MSC Sinfonia from the 04th of June to the 15th of October 

In case that the situation gets back to normal, the original itinerary will be respected and the call at Tunis will be operated as usual. Updates will  be posted on MSC's website.

Related Blog Post:
SeaDream II Skips Tunisia


Costa Magica Skips Tunisia

Costa Magica's scheduled port of call to Tunis on Monday was cancelled and replaced with Ajaccio due to the political unrest in Tunisia.  Fortunately this is low season for Europe cruises so this is the only impacted cruise ship.    There were several cruises scheduled to call in Tunis over the next few weeks.   Passengers will be informed of additional changes.

Travel Warning for Tunisia

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the current political and social unrest in Tunisia and recommends deferring non-essential travel to Tunisia at this time. A state of emergency was declared in Tunisia on January 14.

The civil unrest has recently spread to Tunis and all major cities, including popular tourist destinations. These spontaneous and unpredictable events have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in multiple deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage.

Travel Summary for Tunisia
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia. 

A State of Emergency was declared on the afternoon of 14 January under which it is illegal for more than two people to congregate in a public place, including in cars. Parliamentary Speaker Foued Mbazaa has taken over as interim president. It was announced on 17 January that a Government of National Unity had been formed.

The situation overnight (18-19January) in Tunisia was quieter but incidents of violence and looting are still possible. There were further demonstrations in a number of cities across the country yesterday and these are expected to continue today (19 January). The risk of sporadic violence and looting remains.

Consult either the UK or US sites for additional information.

Travel advice by country (UK)
Country Specific Information for Tunisia (US)

Watch Disney Dream Christening Live Today

Images and Logos Courtesy Disney Cruise Line © Disney

  Watch the Disney Dream Come True!Watch Live Webcast at 10:30 ET   
Disney Cruise Line® is proud to welcome the Disney Dream™ to its fleet. And, you can be a part of the excitement by watching a webcast of the official Disney Dream christening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan.19, 2011.

Today another dream comes true as Disney Dream™ is officially christened.  It's an event you won't want to miss, filled with magic, enchantment and a few surprises along the way—including Honorary Godmother, Academy Award® winning performer, Jennifer Hudson, whose own dreams of stardom began back in 2003 when she was a performer on Disney Wonder®.

Video clip from Disney Dream Christening webcast

Accommodating up to 4,000 guests, the 130,000-ton Disney Dream takes Disney’s special brand of family cruising to a whole new level with industry firsts. All of the ship’s new features – combined with Disney quality entertainment, unique dining experiences and age-specific areas for children, teens and adults – create an unforgettable cruise experience for the entire family.

See More Photos (Click link):  Disney Dream Christening

 

 

Sweets for the Sweet on Allure of the Seas

The Cupcake Cupboard - Allure of the Seas

What's Your Favorite Cupcake Flavor?

What do you have a taste for?

Perhaps you would like  one of the standards...

 
Vanilla?  Chocolate?  Vanilla & Chocolate?  or Banana? 

Perhaps you want to try something different...

Orange Creamsicle?  Red Velvet?  Turtle? PB&J?  German Chocolate? or   Manly Whisky?

The Cupcake Cupboard

Is Sure to have Your Flavor

Orange Creamsicle

Enjoy a daily menu of freshly baked cupcakes reminiscent of Grandma's kitchen. For a nominal charge, $2.50 when we were on the Allure,  you can select your old favorite cupcake or try one of the daily creations.

The cupcakes are very rich, so you might want to share one with someone you love.    You can always go back for more - that way you can try different flavors.  My husband and I split an Orange Creamsicle, pictured here.   It tasted just like the frozen treats with same or similar names.

The shop also is available for private cupcake decorating classes and private celebrations such as weddings and birthdays.

Stop by the Cupcake Cupboard on Royal Promenade, Deck 5 for something sweet to hold you over until your next meal.

January Azamazing Offers

Azamazing Values

OFFERS AND SAVINGS TOUCH EVERY CONTINENT

Europe, Asia, West Indies

EUROPE 2011 VOYAGES

• 2-for-1 savings

Azamara Journey

• Gratuities included

• 50% savings on pre-booked Land DiscoveriesSM

(shore excursions) beginning April 11 on Azamara Journey® 

and May 6 Azamara Quest®

BOOK BY MARCH 31, 2011 AND RECEIVE

– $2,000 early booking savings per couple

– Up to $2,000 ChoiceAir credit per couple 

depending on stateroom category

ASIA SELECT VOYAGES

Jan 22, 2011 | Mar 17, 2011 | Apr 12, 2011 | Apr 24, 2011

Asian Delights

• 2-for-1 savings

• Gratuities included 

BOOK AN OCEANVIEW STATEROOM OR HIGHER AND RECEIVE

– $2,000 per couple ChoiceAir credit

– $500 onboard spending credit per booking

WEST INDIES, PANAMA CANAL, 

SEA OF CORTEZ SAILINGS

Mar 11, 2011 | Mar 23, 2011

• 2-for-1 savings

• Gratuities included 

BOOK AN OCEANVIEW STATEROOM OR HIGHER AND RECEIVE

– Free or reduced air 

– Club Veranda stateroom for the price of a Club Oceanview stateroom

– Open bar

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, for individual bookings, cruise only, in USD, and subject to availability. Rates may vary by ship, departure 

date, and stateroom category.  All rates, offers and itineraries are subject to change without notice. Offers may be withdrawn at any time.  Government taxes & 

fees are additional.

Solarium Bistro Indulgences

Solarium Bistro

Indulge your taste buds with a meal that's just as good as it is good for you.  This contemporary bistro offers health-conscious breakfast and lunch buffets in a casual setting.   The bistro is located in the Solarium, Deck 15 on the Allure of the Seas.

Healthy Main Entrees

The lunch selections on this particular sailing day included Starch Fava Bean and Chick Peas Stew with Root Vegetables, Brown Rice, Crepes Sauteed Shrimp, Mushrooms, Baby Spinach and Roasted Garlic, Crepes Vegetarian, Roasted Onions, Garlic, Mushrooms, Wilted Spinach and Thyme.

Miso Soups, Salad Bar, Fruits & Healthy Desserts

In addition to the main entrees, the bistro features a selection of Miso soups which are traditional Japanese soups consisting of a stock which has miso paste and other ingredients added to it.

Varieties available on this particular day were Chicken Noodle, Baby Shrimp and Brown Rice, and Vegetarian Miso soups.

Healthy Deserts

  Healthy Dessert Selections

The desserts included a selection of various fruits as well as Soya Panna Cotta, Lemon Cup Cake, Sugar-free Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and Fig Bars. 

There is a salad bar that includes various types of lettuce and healthy toppings.   Even the salad dressings are of the healthy variety.

Additional Solarium Images (Click Here)

We've often said that just because you go on a cruise, you don't have to depart from you healthy eating style.   The Solarium Bistro makes it easy for you to eat healthy while still enjoying a relaxing day in the sun.    Just put on your cover up and stroll from the whirlpool to the bistro for breakfast or lunch.   

As night falls,  the Solarium Bistro converts into Samba Grill, a starlit Brazilian-style dining experience, featuring specialty caipirinhas along with rotisserie-roasted meats and seafood, straight off the grill and carved table-side.   There is an additional charge for the dinner.

Floating on Air in Allure of the Seas Solarium

 Solarium - Allure of the Seas

The adults-only Solarium on the Allure of the Seas gives the sensation of floating on air from the two-deck high, glass-paneled enclave designed with seating on various "islands" surrounded by water.

Enjoy a tranquil fresh water pool, four serene whirlpools and two cantilevered whirlpools suspended 136 feet above the ocean.

Additional Solarium Images (Click Here)

The Solarium is just one of the possibilities within the Pool and Sports Zone.   
Also enjoy:

• H2O Zone aqua park for kids
• 4 pools and 10 whirlpools
• 2 Flowriders®, sports courts, mini-golf and Zip line
• Solarium Bistro, Wipe Out Café and Bar

We'll take a closer look at the Solarium Bistro in another blog post.

Electricity at Sea

Ship's power cord stretches behind the ship all the way to Miami

Does the Ship Make It's Own Power?
If you have been on a few cruises I'm sure you've heard at least one Cruise Director go through his Top 10 list of Passenger Questions.  This question typically makes the list.   The response is usually, "No, we have a long electrical cord that stretches behind the ship all the way to Miami".

Where Did You Hide The Electricity in my Cabin?
Perhaps that's a more up to date question that should be on the Cruise Director's list and it deserves an answer.   On most ships you'll find a limited number of electrical outlets in your cabin.   There may only be one 110v and one 220v along with one special outlet in the bathroom that can only be used for your electrical razor.  Often you need to hunt for the outlet which might be under a desk or behind something on a shelf.

Cabin outlet on Allure of the Seas

Allure improves on Oasis of the Seas Design
We've all heard about the two inch difference between the Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas.   What you might not have heard is that the Allure learned many lessons from its little sister, Oasis.   One of those lessons was that the electrical outlet needs to be visible and it needs to accommodate more than one appliance.

In this day and age where every gadget comes with its own charger, and for who knows why, they all have to have different connectors, it is typical for a traveler to arrive at the hotel room or ship cabin with a bag full of chargers.  With a limited number of outlets, one must "timeshare" to get all their devices charged.

Allure of the Seas has a unique new design.   Three outlets are in a round housing that is mounted on one side of the counter.   While this is an improvement, it still offers a challenge which we've demonstrated in the included image.  Many chargers have oversize plugs (eg. transformers) which take up more room.   Unless you prepare in advance, you could be limited to one or two usable outlets.

In this picture we have three devices plugged in:  the hairdryer that is in the cabin, my extension cord for my PC, and my cell phone charger.    The cell phone charger and the hairdryer are both devices that have over-sized plugs.   We solved that problem by traveling with short extenders that have a normal plug on on end and the outlet on the other.  They are about three inches long and can fit nicely in your bag of chargers.   We travel with three of those typically.   My set of 3 were purchased at Big Lots for $3 and they have more than paid for themselves.

iPod Charging / Playing Station on Allure of the Seas

iPod Docking Station 

Another new feature that Allure of the Seas adopted from her little sister's experiences was the addition of an iPod docking station in the cabin.    When its time to retire to bed for your long (or short) nap,  plug in your iPod for some of your favorite tunes.    The timer will turn the device off after its played for awhile if you like.

If you just need to charge your iPod, dock it on the other side and you don't need any extra wires.    This helps free up one of those precious plugs on the opposite end of the counter top.

Some Devices Should Stay Home

The final point that I want to make is each cruise line has their list of electrical devices which are not allowed on the ship.   They ban devices such as irons which could cause a fire if left unattended.   Fire is the worst enemy at sea so it is very important that you heed the guidelines the cruise line provides.   Each cruise line has the list posted on their website in the FAQ and may also include it in the embarkation documentation.   If you aren't sure about a device, leave it home.

Stay Plugged in at Sea, but Stay Safe