Carnival Splendor to Leave San Francisco and Return to Service

Carnival Splendor Repaired

Last November, Carnival Splendor experienced an engine fire that would put her out of service for several months and cost Carnival Corporation millions of dollars in repairs and lost revenue.   Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or loss of life in the fire.  Carnival Splendor's comeback journey follows.

After being towed back to San Diego, Carnival Splendor's fire investigation and repair work began.  A replacement engine would be needed, which caused additional down time for the ship. Since the ship was originally built in Italy, it was necessary to have the replacement engine manufactured there and shipped back to California, where it would be installed in a dry-dock facility in San Francisco.  It was necessary to cut a hole in the hull to remove the damaged engine and replace it with the new one.

This brings you up to date... The repair work is now completed and the ship is ready for sea trials and a return to service where it will resume Mexican Riviera cruises February 20th.   The ship will depart San Francisco and return to Long Beach, California as follows:

FEBRUARY 14: CARNIVAL SPLENDOR SEA TRIALS AND VOYAGE TO LONG BEACH

FEBRUARY 19: CARNIVAL SPLENDOR ARRIVES AT LONG BEACH CRUISE TERMINAL

FEBRUARY 19: TRAVEL AGENT FUNCTION

FEBRUARY 2O: CARNIVAL SPLENDOR RE-ENTERS SERVICE

John Heald, Carnival's Senior Cruise Director, will join the ship for the sea trials and host the special event February 19th.  Carnival Corporation officials asked John to do the honors since he was the calm voice that passengers and crew heard that fateful day in November when Alpha, Alpha, Alpha woke up passengers and crew early that morning.

Related Blog Posts:

Carnival Splendor Heads North for More Repairs
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

Mary Hart Christens Oceania Marina

Oceania Marina Arrives in Miami - Courtesy Oceania Cruises

"May God Bless Marina and All Who Sail On Her"

Entertainment Tonight''s host, Mary Hart, was onhand in Miami to do the honors of christening Oceania Cruises newest ship, Marina.  She presided at the ceremony last weekend, saying of the opportunity, "It’s very exciting, and a bit humbling. ... I'm truly honored to serve as the Godmother for Marina -- she will be a very special ship."

The christening, which is part of maritime tradition, was held in conjunction with a lavish invitation-only gala ceremony which culminated with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of champagne, custom-made by Armand de Brignac, crashing against the hull.

Marina, which set sail on its inaugural voyage to Nassau, Bahamas, is a 66,000 ton ship that can carry 1,250 guests. It has 10 dining areas, luxury boutiques and a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub.  It is a ship of firsts, featuring the first Bon Appétit Culinary Center, Master Chef Jacques Pépin’s first namesake restaurant at sea, Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner’s Suites, luxurious accommodations by Dakota Jackson, a Wine Spectator wine program and a Lalique grand stairway.

Watch the video to see what luxuries this mammoth ship has to offer and to find out what special Cartier gift Mary is given!  Spend time with Mary onboard Marina before the actual ceremony.

Click to watch video

Oceania Cruises’ new Marina arrived in Miami on February 4, after her maiden voyage from Barcelona. Following a short preview cruise, on February 8 she will depart on the first of two 18-day Panama Canal transits that visit San Francisco and San Diego, both new ports for Oceania Cruises. Marina then operates a 12-day Caribbean cruise, round-trip from Miami, departing March 16, before sailing along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and on to Europe to begin her inaugural Mediterranean season.

Kids Sail Free to Alaska on Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder begins sailing in Alaska in May, 2011.   This is the first time that Disney has entered the Alaskan market and should prove to be a big success.   Begin with the wonder and magic onboard a Disney ship,  add in the splendor and beauty of Alaska and your family is in for a real adventure they won't forget for years to come.    To start the season, Disney Cruise line has the special offer:

Kids Sail Free on Select Alaska Cruises

Kids age 17 and under sail free when traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same Oceanview or Verandah stateroom on most Alaska cruises from May 3, 2011 to May 24, 2011. Government Taxes and Fees not included.

One of the following staterooms must be booked to be eligible for this offer:

• Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom With Verandah
• Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah
• Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom With Verandah
• Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

Important Details
Offer is only available to U.S. and Canada residents and is valid on most sailings from May 3, 2011 to May 24, 2011 in Verandah and Oceanview staterooms only. Suite, concierge and inside staterooms are excluded. The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Eligible kids will be required to provide proof of age. Offer applies to cruise fare only. Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures are not included. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Additional Terms and Conditions apply.

Subject to Limited Availability - So Book Now Before It's Too Late

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.

Football Action Super Sized at Sea

Princess Cruises Movies Under the Stars

Where will you watch the Big Game?

As the snow cleanup continues in Dallas, TX, before the Big Game tomorrow, Super Bowl fans across the country are preparing for the big day.   Most have stocked up on their favorite munchies and beverages and invited friends over to watch the game on their big screen TV.   Others, will be heading to their favorite watering hole to watch the game on one or more big screen TVs.   While yet others have a very different location for watching the Big Game....  onboard their favorite cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean and ESPN Teamed Up

All the gridiron action of Super Bowl XLV sets sail on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas® for the second annual Super Bowl at Sea on February 3, 2011.   Lucky fans that booked this cruise will have the following special events:

Super Bowl at Sea Viewing Party
Catch the Cowboys Stadium showdown live on the jumbo screen in the Studio B. Besides the main venue, the game will be broadcast at bars and lounges throughout the ship.

"Football vs. Futbol" Events Lineup
Put on your game face for "Football vs. Futbol," when American football and soccer go head-to-head in action-packed events, taking place all cruise long. Winners score prizes, and more importantly, all the glory.

Hang with ESPN hosts, NFL players, and Soccer players
ESPN commentators Robbie Earle, Shaka Hislop, and Tommy Smyth will be onboard to host "Football vs. Futbol" matchups and partake in all the Super Bowl Sunday action.  In addition to ESPN hosts, spend time with NFL players Verron Haynes and Rod Coleman and Soccer players onboard.

HINT:  If this sounds good to you, contact me to learn about next year's third annual event.

Super Bowl XLV to Star on Princess Cruises 
"Ultimate Big Screen" 

Football fans aboard all Princess Cruises ships around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy a super tailgate party at sea this Sunday February 6, with prime viewing of the match-up between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. The "Big Game" will be broadcast fleetwide to passengers, including viewing on the ships' 300-square-foot super-size "Movies Under the Stars" screens.

Passengers will be able to follow the action between the AFC and NFC Champions, plus see the halftime show with a performance by the Black Eyed Peas. Fans can enjoy the game with an array of tailgate treats including specially prepared chicken wings, pizza, pigs-in-a-blanket and other game day "munchies," plus beer specials.

The Super Bowl is one of several special events shown on the Movies Under the Stars screens, which will also broadcast the Academy Awards on February 27. The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size with a 69,000-watt sound system and have sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed -- offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater.

Two-story Screen on Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line will broadcast the Super Bowl

The game will be broadcast on most of its ships on Sunday, Feb. 6. The game will not be shown on the Norwegian Jade in Europe. The game will be shown on the two-story screens on Norwegian Pearl, Gem and Epic. Guests can also enter for a chance to win a jersey provided by MillerCoors Brewing Company when purchasing any Coors Light, Miller Light or Miller Genuine Draft beer during the Super Bowl sailing.

These are just a few of the Big Screens that will be Broadcasting the Big Game at Sea tomorrow.   I suspect that if you are reading this, you are probably not onboard one of those ships.  But, fear not, the Super Bowl is an annual event, so start planning today for next year - call or write me to learn about your options.

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

Tropical Cyclone Yasi

Courtesy: Commonwealth of Australia Bureau of Meteorology

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal and island communities from Cardwell to Ayr, extending west across the tropical interior to the Northern Territory border, including Mt Isa and Longreach.

Courtesy NASA

The Cyclone WARNING from Cairns to Cardwell has been cancelled.

At 10:00 am EST Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Category 2 was estimated to be 150 kilometers south southwest of Georgetown and 385 kilometres east northeast of Mt Isa and moving west southwest at 40 kilometers per hour.

YASI CONTINUES TO WEAKEN, BUT IS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN AND DANGEROUS WIND GUSTS ABOUT THE TROPICAL COAST AND ACROSS THE TROPICAL INTERIOR.

The DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Yasi, with gusts in excess of 125 km/h, will weaken as it continues to move in a west-southwesterly direction. Overnight TC Yasi will be near the Northern Territory border west of Mt Isa as a tropical depression.

DAMAGING WINDS, with gusts above 90 km/h, are occurring along the coast between Cardwell and Ayr and also through much of the tropical interior. These winds are forecast to extend to the Northern Territory border including Longreach and Mount Isa, while easing about coastal parts during the afternoon.

TIDE levels are now falling and are not expected to pose any further threat to coastal areas between Port Douglas and Ayr. However, large waves will continue for the next few hours.

HEAVY RAINS will continue about the coast and will result in a continuation of localised and river flooding.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAINS are also forecast to move with the cyclone and cause localized flooding and possible river flooding across the interior

Tropical Cyclone Resources (click links below)
TC Yasi Forecast Track Map (QLD)	National Hurricane Center
Tropical Cyclone Advice	National Weather Service
Joint Typhoon Warning Center	Hurricane Preparedness
NRL Monterey Marine Meteorology Division  Tropical Cyclone Page	Real-Time Hurricane Information
STORM2K Yasi Community	NOAA Satellites & Information
NASA: Latest Storm Images	WMO Severe Weather Information Centre
(RSMC) Tokyo - Typhoon Centre	The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Real-time Weather Sites	Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking