Dynamic Ship Hull Art

Norwegian Cruise Line

click images to enlarge

Extraordinary Artwork

Most cruise ships relegate their artwork to the inside. Norwegian Cruise Line takes art one-step further by featuring dynamic images on the hull of their vessels.

 Norwegian Dawn

The artwork, depicting Norwegian Dawn's itinerary, runs on both sides of the hull with the starboard side featuring dolphins playing in Technicolor waves reflecting the ship's Caribbean itinerary from the port of Miami. The port side featured New York City's leading lady, the Statue of Liberty, signifying the ship's Bahamas and Florida itinerary from the port of New York.

Norwegian Pearl’s 
decorative hull artwork is splashed along both sides of the hull featuring dramatic strands of colorful pearls and streamers running from the bow of the ship almost to the middle of the ship.

Pearls naturally come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from creams and roses to greens and golds. The hues on Norwegian Pearl’s hull  showcase a colorful palate including green, plum, cranberry and sapphire blue.

Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway’s signature hull artwork designed by pop icon and America’s most popular living artist, Peter Max, covers approximately 40,000 square feet of the hull.

This was the first time Norwegian Cruise Line  commissioned a well-known artist to paint the hull artwork on one of their ships.

Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic’s hull artwork, designed by the company’s internal marketing team, was painted on both sides with free form rolling waves of varying sizes that run through a modern color spectrum of lime, aqua, red, and purple and are dotted by silver circles.

The hull design was a departure from the rest of the line’s signature hull artwork which typically is inspired by the ship’s name or the destination the ship sails from. Instead, the hull artwork on Norwegian Epic took on the characteristics of the ship’s interior features including controversial New Wave staterooms.

#FriFotos #ART Theme

We've brought you this selection of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships in honor of the popular Twitter photography forum's theme of #ART this Friday.   We can only imagine the thrill for the fortunate artists that were handed a blank canvas of this size on which to share their vision for the brand new cruise ship.   Also see Hull Art Norwegian Escape for the latest entry in the series of hull artwork.

@frifotos_  

Every #Friday #FriFotos brings you a new theme so share your #photos with us all & enjoy! #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Photo #Pics #TTOT Run by @alexpublicity

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O'Sheehan's Pub Perfect for Big Game

Where Will You Watch The Big Game Next Sunday?

Home?  Bar?
Friend's House?
Cruise Ship?

Norwegian Cruise Line introduced O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill on Norwegian Epic, about three years ago, and also included it on the new Breakaway-class ships as well.

Coming Soon to Entire Fleet

This central point gathering spot has become so successful that the line will be expanding the option fleet-wide.

Speaking at a news conference onboard the line's newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, in Southampton, U.K., Kevin Sheehan said:

"O'Sheehan's has proved to be such a center point of the ship, for people to gather and socialize, that we have decided to put it on all the ships." 

Big Game Meet Big Screen

With it's two story big screen TV, it is the perfect spot on the ship to gather for the Big Game or any other broadcast entertainment throughout the cruise. No doubt it will be filled to over flowing this coming Sunday as the Broncos and Seahawks meet on the football turf to do battle.

Food and drink will be flowing as fans cheer on their favorite team.  After the game there's plenty of entertainment so no need to head off to another venue if you don't want to.  Of course, since this is centrally located on the ship, you can easily get around.

Comfort Food & Beverages

Select from a menu of comfort food options along with your favorite beverage for the perfect meal any time during your cruise.   Shown here was our selection of Fish 'n Chips and Chicken Pot Pie which were both very good.  The menu might change from time to time, so be sure to find your own favorites and let us know what you ate.

Entertainment

We've included images from both Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Breakaway here.   Common to both are billiards and bowling as well as various video arcade games.   There are tables spread around along with additional TV screens so that you can enjoy some entertainment and not miss the action of your favorite sports team.

The addition of O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill on the entire fleet will be a fantastic improvement.  In addition, the line plans to relocate Moderno Churrascaria,the popular Brazilian Steakhouse, adjacent to Cagney's, the lines popular steakhouse.

Two additional Breakaway Class ships – Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss will be delivered in 2015 and 2017.  They will be similar to the already sailing ships, with some unique features. We will share details once they are unveiled in the months ahead, along with their home ports and itineraries.  Learn more about these new ships on our micro-site:

Click for Norwegian Breakaway

Click for Norwegian Getaway

Another First for Norwegian Epic

My European Vacation on Norwegian Epic 

Begins in What Port?

It Depends on You

Next summer when Norwegian Epic begins her 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise schedule there will be Three Embarkation Ports instead of the traditional One. Passengers will for the first time be able to choose where they embark on their 7-Night Mediterranean cruise.

EPIC Now Sailing the Mediterranean from  

Barcelona |  Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) | Marseille

Norwegian Cruise Line, known for their "Freestyle Cruising" experience, has taken that to a new level with this announcement.  Now, you can not only decide when and where to dine, you can also decide where you will begin and end your 7-Night Mediterranean cruise.

As you might expect, this is a North-American cruise line first.  Italian cruise lines MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises already use the multiple embarkation port model in the Mediterranean. 

With the multiple embarkation port model, everyone still has a 7-Night cruise, but the "first" and "last" night concept no longer exists.   That might take a little getting used to for those that have cruised before.  For example, a cruise leaving Barcelona, Epic's summer homeport, on July 1 will embark some passengers in Barcelona, some on July 4 in Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and yet more in Marseille on July 7. 

Benefits to Multiple Embarkation Ports 

2011 saw the highest airfares in recent times from the U.S. to Europe.  Those that follow our column on a regular basis know that we did a 12-Night Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise this year.   Seeing the Mediterranean by cruise is the best way to go.   Your ship is your floating hotel with meals and entertainment included onboard, saving you from those expenses on land.  Fortunately, we had air miles which we were able to leverage, otherwise the relatively inexpensive cruise fare would have been dwarfed by the cost of air transportation.  The high airfare would have potentially put the whole trip in jeopardy.
 
2011 also saw record ship deployments in Europe, as the cruise lines responded to the increasing demand.  With the soaring air prices, the cruise lines had to find ways to entice passengers to cruise Europe.   Next year the cruise lines will maintain or exceed current capacity levels in Europe.   Unless there is a silver bullet in the airline industry, we don't see prices reducing to pre-2011 levels any time soon.

So, Norwegian's move couldn't be more timely.   It puts the passenger in the driver's seat on naming the cost of the air transportation.   They might be able to find cheaper airfare to Rome instead of Barcelona for example.   Perhaps they will be able to extend their cruise vacation with pre-cruise or post-cruise stays in the embarkation city.  We always suggest flying early to your embarkation port to avoid the hassles of same-day arrival and to help with jet lag.

The multiple embarkation ports of call should have a ripple effect benefit to the entire tourism industry in those embarkation cities.  The carriers involved in moving all those passengers to/from their destination should benefit also.  Instead of having several thousand passengers in port at the same time, from several ships, that load is disbursed to several different points in time and destinations.  Passenger satisfaction should increase, as less drain is put on the infrastructure making for a more pleasant embarkation / disembarkation process.

Norwegian Cruise Line began a re-branding campaign in Mid-October this year.   I'm sure you have seen the "Cruise Like a Norwegian" commercials and other advertisements. Assuming that this program is successful, we're thinking many people will want to "Cruise Like a Norwegian" to the Mediterranean.

The success of this program will be one thing to watch this coming year.   If it works out as Norwegian expects, I'd expect other cruise lines to jump on the band wagon after that.  

What do you think about this new program - do you like it?

Fun Photo Journal of Norwegian Epic in Costa Maya

Photo Journaling
Your Cruise Vacation

Norwegian Epic

Costa Maya,

Mexico

Here I am in Costa Maya, Mexico, posing in front of Norwegian Epic.   Without any words being spoken, you can tell that I'm enjoying myself..   You can also see that it is sunny since my glasses have turned dark.

In the picture to the right, passengers are being taken from the ship by tram to the end of the pier where the resort is located.  The resort includes an administration building, several bars, swimming pool, beach, and souvenir shops.

Your Cruise in Pictures

Telling a story through pictures is known as photo journaling.  A cruise vacation provides many opportunities for story telling.  We join this photo journal in the port of Costa Maya, Mexico.   To tell this story, we begin with arrival in the port and continue with activities, the people, and the sights.

To add interest to the story, we have chosen to apply borders and effects to the images.   Thanks to the digital age, modifications to photos can be accomplished in the digital darkroom using Adobe Photoshop or other photo editing software.

The Plugin Site  offers various resources for Photoshop, Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro, Photo-Paint, After Effects, Premiere and other applications.  We utilized effects from Edge & Frame Galaxy, Harry's Edges, and Harry's Actions in these images.

Arriving at the Costa Maya resort, the first building you see is the administration center.  You can obtain information, brochures, and obtain phone cards if you need to phone home.

To add interest to this photo, we have applied "Waterpaint3" effect to the image. The edge covers a portion of the image framing the photo and helping to call attention to the main focal point.

Costa Maya Resort is Colorful

Explore the many shops at your leisure, looking for local souvenirs.   Wear your swimming wear and you can pause for a dip in the pool.   Swim up to the bar if you like and enjoy your favorite beverage, or simply lounge on one of the chairs that line the pool area.

This photo was enhanced by applying the "Torn1" edge using Photoshop 6.0.

Colorful buildings and souvenirs can become more interesting when they are distorted.   Compare the original photos to their modifications.  Would you be able to determine what the original picture looked like?    We applied a Photoshop action which twirled the images to create these new images.

We applied a texture effect in the following two images.  The image on the left is an archway which we have framed with the "door5" effect.   The local liquor store becomes more interesting after the "canvas10" effect was applied.

These digital effects can be easily applied to your favorite cruise vacation photos to assist in developing a fun photo journal to share with family and friends.  You are only limited by your imagination.

Double the Fun

In this final image, we've used a Photoshop action which we found on About.com's Graphic Software pages.   The action was part of Sue's Symmetry Action collection.  The tool actually applied both vertical and horizontal symmetry to the original photo, but we then cropped the picture in half.   At first glance you might think this was an actual panoramic picture, but look closely.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas on how to take your digital images, which to some might be pretty boring, and breathe new life into them creating an intriguing photo journal.   Have fun creating your documentary of your next cruise vacation.

Norwegian Epic Teppanyaki

Dinner With Flare

Teppanyaki is an old favorite among passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line's ships.  This Asian dining venue on Norwegian Epic is the largest one in the fleet.     Reservations are required since only 8-10 guests can sit at a table at one time.

Fried Rice

Love Some Fried Rice?

The multi-course meal starts with a cup of traditional Japanese soup and some freshly made fried rice.   Our chef formed it into a heart before slicing some vegetables.

While the main course is cooking, the chef serves a cup of fried rice to everyone and also a helping of vegetables.   

Chicken & Steak

Main Dish - Chicken, Steak, Shrimp?

What do you have a taste for?   Perhaps some Chicken, Steak, or Shrimp?    If you can't decide, have one of the combos that are on the menu.   Regardless of what you select, it will be cooked to order right at your table.

As you can see, there is plenty of food to go around.   There were extra vegetables and fried rice for anyone that wanted a second helping.

Additional Photos:  Teppanyaki Album

Complete your meal with some ice cream or fresh fruit.   We had a newly wed couple at our table and the servers brought them a cake and sang to them.    

There is an extra charge for this dinner experience.  We had an enjoyable time at Teppanyaki and would do it again.   We suggest you put it on your short list for your Norwegian Epic cruise.

Moderno Churrascaria

Norwegian Epic Moderno Churrascaria

Tableside Carving on Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic dining has a wide array of tastes to satisfy the most serious foodies' palate.  There are 20 dining options, each offering a unique atmosphere so you can have upscale and elegant one night, laid-back and casual the next.

Green Means Go ... Your Plate will Fill up Fast

Norwegian Epic's Churrascaria

A churrascaria is a Brazilian steakhouse.
Churrasco is the cooking style, which translates roughly from the Portuguese for 'barbecue'.

Save Room for Picanha

Passadores (meat waiters) come to your table with knives and a skewer, on which are speared various kinds of meat, be it beef, pork, filet mignon, lamb, chicken, sausage, fish, or any other sort of local cut of meat. A common cut of beef top sirloin cap is known as Picanha.   This prized cut of   sirloin is know for it's rich flavor.

Moderno's Meat Selections

Advice: Pace Yourself

If you've never been to a Churrascaria before, you could quickly find too much food on your plate.    In Moderno, just like in other traditional Churrascarias, there is a sumptuous salad bar which is typically where you start.    

Your table setting will include knife, fork, spoon, and two important items unique to a Brazilian steakhouse:   tongs to grab the meat selections and a card with red on one side and green on the other.    Turn your card to green and you'll be swarmed by servers displaying various cuts of meat.   Chose as many as you like to fill your plate.

Red = Stop

Tip #1:   Don't fill up on the salad, there's too much other food to savor coming up next.  You will be tempted because there are many of the great selections.
 
Tip #2:  Take a break and savor your meal.   The waiters aren't going to chase you out of the restaurant.   You want to enjoy your meal, and experience all the different meat selections.  

Tip #3: Communicate your likes and dislikes to your servers.   When the passadores bring a meat selection, they will usually have more than one meat doneness.  If you like your meats a particular way, let them know and they'll be happy to bring your choice to you. 

Tip #4: Leave room for dessert.   We couldn't decide what to have, so we chose them all.

Moderno Churrascaria is the best kept secret on Norwegian Epic.   It is well worth the extra service charge.   A restaurant like this on land would cost you around $50 or more per person not including beverages or dessert.

More Pictures on our FB Fan Page: Moderno Churrascaria Album

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.

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 !!!

New Legends on Norwegian Epic

Janet Jackson, Neil Diamond, and Aretha Franklin

Appearing on Norwegian Epic

There have been reports this week that famous entertainers have booked passage on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Epic.  They are scheduled to arrive for the January 22nd sailing and rumor has it that Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, and Michael Jackson will be leaving the ship then.

"Britney Spears" Manhattan Dining Room

Michael Jackson?   That's not possible.   OK, you got me - they aren't the actual performers but look alikes that are part of the Legends in Concert show that has been thrilling audiences for years in Las Vegas and other venues.  With the introduction of the show on Norwegian Epic, passengers have been able to see the "legends" without even paying any theater charges.

"The Legends in Concert shows in both the Manhattan Room and in the Epic Theater are extremely well received by our guests,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "With the arrival of these three new legendary entertainers, we are offering Norwegian Epic guests fresh and exciting performances from some very talented and well-known performers."

Legends in Concert is a live musical celebration featuring the world's greatest celebrity tribute artists. Legends in Concert on Norwegian Epic features three celebrity tribute performers taking the stage in the Epic Theater for six 45-minute shows over three days during a seven-day cruise. In addition, a Legends “Unplugged” show is performed on three additional nights in the Manhattan Room, the ship's New York-inspired supper club, providing an unprecedented dining and entertainment experience. The celebrity performers change every four months, keeping the show fresh and exciting. The initial performers were Madonna, Tina Turner and Elvis.

Karin Lawson, DeNita Asberry, and William Paul are the new "Legends"
Read more in the Legends in Concert Press Release

NCL Caribbean Deployment 2012/2013

Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Dawn

Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Jewel

Norwegian Star

  Norwegian Sun

Caribbean Deployment

2012 / 2013

Miami, New Orleans, Tampa

Five Norwegian Cruise Line Ships will be deployed to the Caribbean in the 2012/2013  season.

Out of Miami, you can chose from Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Sun.  The Sun will sail 10 and 11 day Southern Caribbean itineraries while the Epic and Jewel will sail alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerarires.

• Saturdays from November 3, 2012 to April 13, 2013 (Norwegian Epic)
• The Eastern Caribbean cruises call on Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands with an optional tour to St. John; and Nassau, Bahamas. 
• The Western Caribbean cruises stop in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras. 

• Sundays from October 14, 2012 to April 14, 2013 (Norwegian Jewel)
• The Eastern Caribbean cruises call on Samaná, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands with an optional tour to St. John; Tortola, British Virgin Islands with an optional tour to Virgin Gorda; and Nassau, Bahamas. 
• The Western Caribbean cruises visit Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. 

• October 14, 2012 to April 10, 2013 (Norwegian Sun)
• The 10-day cruise calls on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands with an optional tour to St. John; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.  
• The 11-day cruise calls on Cartagena, Colombia; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands with an optional tour to St. John.
• One seven-day Western Caribbean cruise from Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral) on April 14, 2012 with stops in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas.   

Out of Tampa, the Norwegian Dawn replaces Norwegian Star sailing 23 seven day Western Caribbean itineraries

• Sundays from November 11, 2012 to April 14, 2013 (Norwegian Dawn)
• The 7-day cruises call on Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. 

Out of New Orleans, the Norwegian Star will sail seven day Western Caribbean itineraries

• Sundays during Winter and Spring (Norwegian Star)
• The 7-day cruises call on Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras. 

Completing the Deployment

Limited Time Offer (click)

Norwegian will also offer 11 repositioning cruises ranging from a four-day Pacific Coastal to a 17-day Panama Canal from April 15 to October 26, 2012 departing from Miami, Tampa, New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Quebec. For the first time, the cruise line will offer a 16-day Colonial America cruise on Norwegian Dawn sailing from Quebec City, Quebec to Tampa, Florida on October 26, 2012 calling on Portland, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; Miami and Key West, Florida.

In addition, two-day Quick Getaways will be offered from Miami on board Norwegian Jewel on October 12, 2012 and from New York on board Norwegian Gem on September 28, 2012

Search (here) for Norwegian Cruise Line Itineraries

NCL's Boss Goes Undercover

Watch CBS Tonight

Norwegian Cruise Line

CEO Goes Undercover

Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, is the latest "Undercover Boss" to be featured on the popular CBS television show.  The NCL episode airs tonight at 9 PM Eastern.

Sheehan says it was "an eyeopening experience for me as I got to see firsthand how hard our crew works each and every day to make memorable Freestyle Cruising vacations for our guests".

The show was filmed on Pride of America and Norwegian Epic.  To find out what he learned during his various assignments, you'll have to watch the show.

NCL is also giving away a 7 Night Caribbean cruise in conjunction with the show.   Check out their Undercover Boss tab for details.  Watch the trailer below for a sneak peak at tonight's episode.




Cruising Entertainment Like You've Never Seen Before Aboard Norwegian Epic!  (learn more)


Ask me how you can get up to $150 in onboard credits now through January 3rd

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Norwegian Epic - Main Pool

HAPPY
THANKSGIVING

 

Where is Chris?

Treetops - Vancouver, Canada

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here already. Where did 2010 go? As has become my tradition, I'd like to share with you some of the things that I'm thankful for and highlight some of my adventures this year.

I hope that you, your family, and friends have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. I know that I have plenty of things to be thankful for, including my health, family, and friends and the ability to share my love of cruising with all of you. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to explore new worlds with family and friends again this year.

While this has been another tough economic year, it appears that the cruise industry has weathered the storm once again. Just this month, we have been highlighting the introduction of Allure of the Seas. Just a year ago, her sister ship was added to Royal Caribbean International's fleet.  The two ships are the largest ships afloat.

The value of cruising has never been stronger. Even in these tough times, more and more families have taken to the seas.  Indications are that the record discounts offered the past two years will be coming to an end.  In the meantime those discounts have made cruising an even better value, and consequently we have seen a surge in first-time cruisers.

The photos above are from some of our cruises this year.  Cruises Inc. and Cruise One held their National Conference on the brand new Norwegian Epic and we were fortunate to be able to attend.  Just like the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, several new innovations were introduced on the Epic.   Although it isn't quite as large as the RCI ships, it is no small ship.   The entertainment and food on the Epic take center stage along with the studio suites, which allow solo travelers their own haven at a price point to match. The Epic has much to offer cruisers.

Norwegian Epic alternates between Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.   Our conference was on the latter itinerary which included stops in Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel.   The picture of me in front of the Epic was in Roatan where we hired a local cab driver to take us around the island after we did a bit of shopping near the pier.


In June this year we attended Cruise3Sixty, CLIA's annual conference.  This year it was held in Vancouver, Canada.  We extended our stay following the formal conference which allowed for touring of some of the local attractions, which despite many trips there in the past, we had not had time for.  I'm pictured here hiking through Treetops at the  Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Boardwalk

The highlight of the year is yet to come.   We will be sailing on Allure of the Seas for one of the pre-inaugural sailings.   The final cruise of the year will be on Azamara Club Cruises Journey.   We will tour the West Indies on that cruise.

We wonder what the Pilgrims, who came to the New World in Tall Ships, would think about the Allure of the Seas.  Their ships measured 110 feet, held 150 passengers at most, and took months to cross the Atlantic.  The Allure is more than 10 times that length (1182 feet), holds almost 8000 passengers and crew, and took just a couple weeks to cross the Atlantic.

Thank you for making our blog column a part of your lives in 2010.   I hope that the information we share helps you to dream about future cruises of your own. I'd be honored to help you plan those trips. I have the best job in the world - helping make dreams come true. For that, I'm truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to All