(1066,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Sue Doyle, Los Angeles Daily News','Port of L.A. to be home for Disney cruise ship','disney_wonder_cruises_694200588.jpg','2009-04-02 01:29:00','<p>HOLLYWOOD - Disney Cruise Lines announced Monday it will relocate a family cruise ship to the Port of Los Angeles beginning in 2011, a move that city officials said will boost the region\'s flagging hospitality industry. </p><p>Disney officials were joined by &quot;Captain&quot; Mickey Mouse and city leaders for the announcement of the agreement, expected to generate 2,600 new jobs and $7 million annually in tax revenue for the region. </p><p>&quot;The path to (economic) recovery sets sail in Los Angeles,&quot; said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at a news conference at the landmark El Capitan Theatre. &quot;(The year) 2011 can\'t come soon enough.&quot; </p><p>Expected to be ratified Thursday by the city Harbor Commission, the two-year contract includes an option for a three-year extension. </p><p>Company officials did not announce the itinerary for the 83,000-ton Disney Wonder liner. </p><p>They estimate that as many as 50,000 passengers will travel aboard the family-themed ship each year, visiting Disneyland and seeing other sights in Southern California. </p><p>&quot;Any kind of tourist activity creates many jobs to support,&quot; said Geraldine Knatz, executive director of Port of Los Angeles. </p><p>She estimated that half the new jobs will be filled by residents of San Pedro, Wilmington and other harbor-area cities. </p><p>Now based in Florida, the relocation of the Wonder is part of the doubling of Walt Disney Co.\'s cruise line business, from two to four ships by 2012. </p><p>Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will be anchored at Port Canaveral, Fla. <br />Those will join Disney Magic, the cruise ship that tested the West Coast waters for business in the summer of 2005 and 2008 with seven-day trips to Mexico. </p><p>The success of those trips led to the company\'s decision to relocate Disney Wonder to Los Angeles. </p><p>But travel, even during treasured holidays, is not immune to today\'s free-falling economy. Last Christmas marked the first drop in family travel during the holiday since 2002. </p><p>To keep rooms filled, cruise ships have discounted rates, and cash-strapped consumers are filling them on bargain getaways. </p><p>Cruise prices have dropped 50 percent to South America and up to 30 percent to Alaska, according to Mike Driscoll, editor of the Chicago-based industry journal Cruise Week. </p><p>Cruise trip costs have dipped 15 percent to Europe, 10 percent to the Caribbean and about 6 percent to Mexico, Driscoll said. </p><p>&quot;The decision was to lower the rates versus keeping the rates steady and going at 70 percent occupancy,&quot; Driscoll said. &quot;It\'s a big decision.&quot; </p><p>Driscoll said Disney\'s cruise from the Port of Los Angeles will draw local residents seeking affordable escapes without the sting of high airfare costs they would otherwise pay to fly to Florida and other states with cruise connections. </p><p>Jay Rasulo, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman, said the Disney lines are thriving because they are niche lines that provide family-oriented vacations. </p><p>&quot;We\'re in a bit of a unique segment of the cruise industry and are 100 percent family-focused,&quot; Rasulo said. &quot;It has fared us well.&quot; </p><p>Santa Clarita-based Princess Cruises already sails out of the Los Angeles port, but a spokeswoman said the companies serve different markets. </p><p>Though Princess Cruises offers family-focused trips and has youth centers on their ships, they tend to draw older passengers because they offer longer vacations than other lines. The average trip length is 10 days on Princess Cruises. </p><p>&quot;We don\'t market that extensively to the first-time cruiser,&quot; Julie Benson said. &quot;The cruisers coming to Princess tend to be experienced, so the product is well-suited for them.&quot; </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-23 14:44:00',260,1,2,NULL,NULL,751,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0);
INSERT INTO `Articles` VALUES (1067,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Tampa Bay Business Journal','S&amp;P cuts ratings on cruise lines Carnival, Royal Caribbean','1219stocks_994593385.jpg','2009-04-02 01:32:00','<p>Shares of Carnival Corp. and PLC and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. were down in morning trading after Standard &amp; Poor&rsquo;s Rating Services hit the cruise lines with a double whammy &mdash; credit rating downgrades and negative outlooks for 2009 and 2010.</p><p>Carnival (NYSE: CCL) was dropped to a BBB+ from an A- rating, while Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) dropped to BB- from BB. The existing debt of both companies also was lowered one notch.</p><p>S&amp;P credit analyst Ben Bubeck said in a media release that he is looking for an earnings decline &ldquo;in the mid- to high teens&rdquo; for Carnival &mdash; even with a 5 percent capacity increase this year &mdash; and an earnings decline in the mid-teens for Royal Caribbean.</p><p>The downgrade wasn&rsquo;t a complete surprise, as S&amp;P had put Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s ratings on its CreditWatch list with negative implications on Jan. 30. That followed the company&rsquo;s fourth quarter results and its forecast of 9 percent to 13 percent revenue declines during 2009.</p><p>The negative rating outlook reflects S&amp;P&rsquo;s continuing concerns that the weakened state of the economy and the pullback in consumer spending will challenge Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s ability to fill its ships at profitable rates.</p><p>The rating anticipates that the company will be able to secure financing for the first of two Oasis-class ships on order but raises concerns about securing the about $1 billion financing commitment for the second one.</p><p>The negative outlook is somewhat offset by RCL\'s solid brands, according to S&amp;P, as well as its relatively young and high-quality fleet of ships, the high barriers to entry in the cruise industry and an experienced management team.</p><p>Carnival executives were in flight, returning from a California meeting, and were unavailable for comment.</p><p>Royal Caribbean did not return a call for comment.</p><p>Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have cruise ship departures from Tampa.</p><p>Carnival shares were down 48 cents to $22.66 in late morning trading. The 52-week high was $43.54 on April 2. The 52-week low was $14.85 on Nov. 21.</p><p>Royal Caribbean shares were down 38 cents to $8.93 in late morning trading. The 52-week high was $35.98 on April 1. The 52-week low was $5.40 on March 3.</p>','2013-01-22 22:10:04',417,2,2,NULL,NULL,753,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1068,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Statement from RSSC Regarding Seven Seas Voyager Drydocking','regentsevenseasvoyager_perr_727816300.jpg','2009-04-02 01:36:00','Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) confirmed today that it is necessary to cancel the upcoming April 18th and May 8th cruises of the 700-guest Seven Seas Voyager in order to make the necessary repairs to one of its pod propulsion units.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />The starboard propulsion unit became entangled with a fishing net on or about March 18th after departure from Singapore and subsequently experienced a mechanical failure which resulted in the shutdown of the pod. While this in no way compromises the ship&rsquo;s safety or seaworthiness, the damaged propulsion unit substantially reduces the vessel&rsquo;s cruising speed, thus impeding the ability to operate its scheduled itineraries. <br />&nbsp;<br />Following thorough inspections in Cochin, India and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it has been determined that the extent of the damage is greater than originally anticipated and the ship must be dry-docked to facilitate the necessary repairs. Seven Seas Voyager will now be withdrawn from service upon arrival in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on April 18. Arrangements will be made to transport all guests back to their city of origin, including the shipping of luggage, from Rome. <br />&nbsp;<br />Guests on the April 18th voyage from Istanbul and the May 8th voyage from Fort Lauderdale and are being informed of these cancellations, along with their travel agents. <br />&nbsp;<br />All guests will be offered a variety of options which may include re-accommodation on an alternative RSSC voyage or voyages or a full refund. Travel Agent commissions are being protected for all affected sailings. <br />&nbsp;<br />Specific re-accommodation details and refund offers for each sailing will be sent in a separate letter to guests and their travel agents and dedicated team of Regent Seven Seas cruise specialists will be contacting all affected guests and agents. A special toll-free number, 877 505 5632, has been established to answer questions and provide details to those guests and agents with reservations on these sailings. ','2013-01-11 04:21:47',380,1,2,NULL,NULL,755,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1069,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Costa Plans Luminosa and Pacifica Christenings','4_costa_pacifica_733457409.jpg','2009-04-02 01:38:00','Today marks the beginning of the official countdown for the simultaneous christening of the Costa Luminosa and the Costa Pacifica, the latest ships to join the Costa Cruises fleet, to be held in Genoa, on Friday, 5th June, during an event involving the entire city.<br /><br />This is the first time in the history of Italian seafaring that two cruise ships will be christened at the same time, in the same place: an extraordinary event that Costa Cruises, Italy&rsquo;s largest tourism group and Europe&rsquo;s no. 1 cruise company, has applied to Guinness World Records for verification.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />This unique event, that Costa Cruises dedicates with pride to Italy and to the Italian tricolour, will be held in Genoa, where the Company has been operating on a permanent basis since 1856, again confirming its close ties with the area. Recognising the importance of this event, the City of Genoa and the Liguria Region have invited the entire city to celebrate with a public exhibition of the National Aerobatic Team, to be held on 5 June in the skies above Corso Italia, as a tribute to the two new ships.<br /><br />The show created for this exceptional christening, &ldquo;An Italian Portrait in Music and Light&rdquo;, will pay tribute to the all-Italian ability for making dreams come true. Starting from the inspirational theme of the ships - music for the Costa Pacifica and light for the Costa Luminosa &ndash; the show will re-propose a journey through the best Italian talents and artists known around the world. This will include the musical and artistic performances by some of the most important figures in the Italian and international scene, such as Mauro Pagani, a renowned Italian musician with thirty years of experience who composed the sound track for the Costa Pacifica, the first &ldquo;ship of music&rdquo;. The evening will end with a show involving the entire city with lights, music and fireworks.<br /><br />Friday, 5th June, the Costa Pacifica and the Costa Luminosa will be berthed at Ponte Andrea Doria, in the Port of Genoa, thereby creating an absolutely original amphitheatre that will be the venue of a huge stage and stands for 4,000 guests, including, for the very first time, the cruise Guests of the two ships.<br /><br />&ldquo;The christening of the Costa Luminosa and the Costa Pacifica is a very important event for our company: it is the tangible result of the success that comes from our constant commitment to innovate and renew the concept of travel and hospitality, factors that make Costa Cruises&rsquo; international leadership so distinctive &ndash; declared Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman and CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A. - A unique event that celebrates an all-Italian business tradition, that Costa Cruises has decided to celebrate in the Port of Genoa. I&rsquo;m delighted that the public institutions have recognised the real importance of this event that celebrates and gives prestige to the city and the area, and I thank them for deciding to make our day of festivities even more significant with another exceptional event, a symbol of Italian pride. It will be an honour to receive the Frecce Tricolori&rsquo;s tribute: an aerobatic show for the entire city.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;The simultaneous christening of two ships from the Costa Cruises fleet &ndash; states Genoa mayor Marta Vincenzi - renews Genoa&rsquo;s old seafaring tradition, strengthens the image of its strategic role as the gateway of Europe on the Mediterranean, and enhances the international dimension of its port. I&rsquo;m certain that the Costa Luminosa and the Costa Pacifica will help to present and enhance the image of Genoa, along with all its tourism and cultural aspects. 5th June will be a festive day for the entire city, also thanks to the Frecce Tricolori that after a five-year absence, has returned to paint the Ligurian sky with its spectacular acrobatic feats.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;It is truly significant that this event is taking place in Liguria, in the port of Genoa, confirming the bond between Costa, its cruise activities and Ligurian ports &ndash; declared the president of the Liguria Region, Claudio Burlando. And this is a particularly important sign during the present-day crisis. Cruise ship activities are important because of the jobs it creates in the shipbuilding industry and for its contribution to the development of tourism traffic. We are counting on this synergy to increase the number of visits to and enhance the distinction of Ligurian destinations where there is such a wealth of environmental, historical and artistic resources.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;What today should be celebrated with pride &ndash; declared Alessandro Repetto, President of the Province of Genoa &ndash; is not only the extraordinary record of christening two cruise ships at the same time in the same location, an outstanding achievement of the great entrepreneurial talents of Costa Cruises, that honours Genoa as the lcoation for its company headquarters. What today we must also be proud of is the fact that this is an all-Italian operation in which two new ships of a group under Italian management, flying the Italian flag and built entirely in Italian shipyards is backed by the skills of a general staff of officers, including young cadets who have been trained and graduated from the Italian Academy of the Merchant Marine. This school for cadet fficers was established in Genoa, also thanks to Costa Cruises, that has been working with us since the foundation of this project, offering real job and career opportunities to young people who, in ever increasing numbers, are rediscovering the sea as a viable profession&rdquo;.<br /><br />The two new ships, both flying the Italian flag, just like all the other 12 vessels in the Costa Cruises fleet, are the symbol of Made in Italy: commissioned to Fincantieri, their construction required the professional expertise of 6,000 workers from Fincantieri and roughly 500 linked industry companies, the majority of which are Italian, for a total investment of more than &euro;900 million. The 2 new ships are part of the world&rsquo;s most ambitious fleet expansion plan, with 5 new ships to be delivered by 2012 for a total investment of &euro; 2.4 billion.','2013-01-05 21:08:36',241,1,2,NULL,NULL,752,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1070,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Long Beach Welcomes The Carnival Splendor','123_185092553.jpg','2009-04-30 01:29:00','<p>During a reception commemorating the Carnival Splendor\'s inaugural voyage from Long Beach, the city\'s Mayor Bob Foster presented Carnival Splendor Captain Claudio Cupisti with a key to the city this past weekend. </p><p>The 3,006-passenger vessel - the largest ship in the Carnival fleet- commenced its year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises April 5. The inaugural cruise set sail for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas shortly after the ceremony.</p><p>Representing a new class for the line, the Carnival Splendor offers a host of innovations, including a 21,000-square-foot health and wellness center - the largest in the fleet - and the line\'s most elaborate children\'s facilities to date. Other features include 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, and a massive LED screen on Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.</p>','2013-01-05 21:03:51',208,1,2,NULL,NULL,758,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1628,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jaclyn Giovis, Sun Sentinel','Port Everglades busy building world&#039;s largest single-ship cruise terminal','/48376024_931499109.jpg','2009-07-31 00:31:00','<p>Port Everglades is 80 percent of the way through a giant task: building one of the world\'s largest cruise terminals.<br /><br />Terminal 18 will be the doorstep to Royal Caribbean\'s Oasis of the Seas, set to debut in December as the world\'s biggest cruise vessel. The $1.2 billion ship will board and discharge more than 5,400 passengers simultaneously at the 240,000-square-foot terminal.<br /><br />Port and cruise line officials say the $75 million terminal is designed to get each cruiser from the curb through check-in procedures and onboard the Oasis within 15 minutes, once all departing passengers have been cleared . Many cruise industry observers are skeptical the process will run that quickly, at least initially.<br /><br />Preparing for record terminal crowds has required careful planning and forecasting, Port Director Phillip C. Allen said. Planners used a computer program that simulates passenger foot traffic to determine how to maximize efficiency and avoid bottlenecks.<br /><br />After passing through a security check-point, cruisers will proceed to one of 90 check-in counters. Then they\'ll go to the second-floor waiting area or proceed directly onto the ship.<br /><br />The Oasis and her sister Allure of the Seas, which is set to launch next year, each will bring about 600,000 passengers per ship annually, Allen said. The Terminal 18 expansion will be paid for with per-passenger port fees and ancillary revenue such as parking.<br /><br />The first phase of construction ended in January. The rest of the project is on-schedule and slated to be complete at the end of September, port officials said. If the ship\'s construction and transatlantic journey go according to plan, Oasis will arrive in Fort Lauderdale for the first time on Nov. 11.<br /><br />\"We\'re very happy with the progress that they\'ve made,\" said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Adam Goldstein. \"They\'ve been terrific partners all the way through.\"<br /><br />More refined than other Port Everglades cruise terminals, Terminal 18 boasts a 4,000-square-foot skylight, frosted-glass accents, and TVs to direct passengers to security and check-in areas. Soft tropical colors add to the ambience and artwork includes a green and blue terrazzo floor designed to evoke ocean waves and a bronze sculpture of a globe with lines of latitude and longitude.<br /><br />Much like the Oasis is creating buzz in the cruise industry, Terminal 18 is \"already setting a standard\" for new terminal construction worldwide, Allen said.<br /><br />The building\'s amenities include: acoustic panels that absorb interior sound, about 3,000 seats, a lounge area for Oasis passengers in cabin suites, plasma screen TVs offering news and sports channels, wireless Internet access and a children\'s play area.<br /><br />About 1,000 parking spaces are next to the terminal. As many as 14 buses can park at the facility\'s entrance. And taxis will pick up and drop off passengers from a separate area. Disembarking passengers will pick up checked baggage in a 70,000-square-foot holding room, before proceeding to U.S. customs. Officials say unloading the ship after a sail could take several hours.<br /><br />Terminal 18 will be the largest facility in the world to serve one ship at a time. It will be more than double the size of Terminal 2, which at 100,000 square feet is currently the biggest facility at the port.<br /><br />Goldstein said the company has proven itself capable of advancing its shore operations to manage larger and more complex ships.<br /><br />\"We expect to have turnaround day be a very positive experience for people.\"</p>','2013-01-19 06:33:19',230,1,2,NULL,NULL,813,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'The 240,000-square-foot building will be home to $1.2 billion Oasis of the Seas','Michael Laughlin, S-S / July 28, 2009',NULL,'2009-07-31 00:37:11',0),(1626,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Royal Caribbean, Carnival dip after results','/dollarvalue_551300799.jpg','2009-07-31 00:27:00','<p>CHICAGO (AP) -- Shares of cruise line companies sank Wednesday after Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. told investors it lost a worse-than-expected $35 million in the second quarter and lowered its outlook.</p>\r\n<p>Stifel Nicolaus &amp; Co. analyst Steven Wieczynski said the company\'s announcement that swine flu could cut as much as 27 cents per share from profits for the year showed a more severe impact from the virus than expected.</p>\r\n<p>That sent shares of the Miami-based company down $2.45, or 15 percent, to $13.94 in midday trading.</p>\r\n<p>Meanwhile, shares of competitor Carnival Corp. dipped $1.25, or 4.4 percent, to $27.18.</p>\r\n<p>Royal Caribbean said its second-quarter loss amounted 16 cents per share. That compares with a profit of $84.7 million, or 40 cents per share, during the same period last year.</p>\r\n<p>Revenue fell 15 percent to $1.35 billion from $1.58 billion a year ago</p>\r\n<p>Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a loss of 13 cents per share on revenue of $1.36 billion.</p>\r\n<p>The swine flu virus hurt earnings by 5 cents in the quarter and was expected to cut results by 18 cents per share in the third quarter and 27 cents per share for the year.</p>\r\n<p>The company also said it expected to earn between 70 and 80 cents for the year, down from its previous estimate of $1.35 per share profit.</p>','2013-01-05 08:45:53',156,1,2,NULL,NULL,811,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Shares of cruise companies dip after Royal Caribbean posts Q2 loss, cuts outlook \r\n',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1627,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','International Cruise Victims Association, Inc.','House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Moves Forward with Cruise Ship Safety Bill','/cruise_ship_in_antarctica_408867095.jpg','2009-07-31 00:28:00','<p>WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Cruise Victims Association, Inc. (ICV), a not-for-profit corporation formed by victims and families of victims of cruise crimes, applauded the unanimous passage of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, introduced by Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA). Currently, cruise ships operating under foreign flags of convenience are not required under U.S. law to report crimes occurring outside of U.S. territorial waters. H.R. 3660 would ensure that crimes committed while aboard cruise ships do not escape the jurisdiction of American law enforcement.</p>\r\n<!--- Insert the sidebar information --><!-- Article Related Media -->\r\n<p>&ldquo;This issue was originally brought to my attention by a constituent of mine, and in the past three years, I have met far too many American families which have incurred tragedy during what ought to be a relaxing vacation,&rdquo; said Congresswoman Matsui. &ldquo;For far too long, American families have unknowingly been at risk on cruise ships. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 will ensure the safety and protection of millions of Americans who embark on cruises each year.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 incorporates the recommendations of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV), as well as many of their partner organizations. Kendall Carver, President of ICV, declared today&rsquo;s hearing as a &ldquo;historic step in starting to improve the safety for all passengers on cruise ships. Congresswoman Matsui and Senator John Kerry&rsquo;s efforts have made the difference in moving this legislation forward. Their efforts are appreciated by myself and all other victims and their families that are members of International Cruise Victims Association.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Congresswoman Matsui has taken the lead on this very important issue and has helped raise awareness about crimes on cruise ships all over the world,&rdquo; said Laurie Dishman, Rep. Matsui&rsquo;s constituent who was raped on a cruise ship in 2006, and has testified on the need for this legislation before Congress. &ldquo;I cannot thank my Congresswoman enough for&nbsp;not only answering my letter, but for helping to make it safer for passengers when taking a cruise. She truly is my &lsquo;hero&rsquo; and has stood by my side for the past 3&frac12; years.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>As this crucial legislation moves forward, it serves as a sign to many among the ICV&rsquo;s community of followers that progress is being made toward ensuring the safety of Americans abroad. The Senate Commerce Committee passed similar legislation just a few weeks ago, and now both chambers are ready to consider the legislation on the floor.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Final passage of this bill would be proof to the world that our small group of volunteers with limited funds has been able to make a difference in the safety of Americans,&rdquo; Carver said. &ldquo;When the Cruise Safety bill is signed into law, it will serve to protect Americans across the nation during what ought to be relaxing vacations.&rdquo;</p>','2013-01-05 09:00:46',125,1,2,NULL,NULL,812,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1625,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Opinions','Guests of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises enjoy more options, peace of mind with New Choiceair','/royal_caribbean_cruise_line_666841568.jpg','2009-07-31 00:24:00','<p>Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises today announced ChoiceAir, a convenient new way for guests to purchase air transportation to and from their cruise. With ChoiceAir, guests will enjoy greater peace of mind; be able to select their preferred airline and a specific itinerary; and shop for the best prices among published fares and exclusive ChoiceAir specials. Unlike traditional programs, guests will know their airline itinerary as soon as they are ready to choose it, and - as with traditional air programs - there is a support team available to support guests before, during, and after they travel. ChoiceAir will be available to guests from the U.S. and Canada beginning August 3, 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\"The new ChoiceAir is a best-in-class program that will provide guests with convenience, flexibility, value, and support when it comes to the air transportation portion of their vacation,\" said Doug Santoni, senior vice president of Revenue Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. \"Our guests and our travel partners have told us they value the support we provide as part of our traditional air programs, but that they would also like a full choice of competitive air fares and schedules, and to be able to select their itinerary at the time they book their cruise. With ChoiceAir, we are responding to our customers\' wishes.\"</p>\r\n<p>Guests will be able to purchase ChoiceAir through a travel agent, directly from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises contact centers, and online through a new ChoiceAir website. Travel agents will be able to purchase ChoiceAir for their clients through CruisingPower.com, the three cruise lines\' dedicated site for travel professionals. A cost of $15 per person for domestic and $25 per person for international air travel will apply to ChoiceAir bookings, and will include access to the ChoiceAir support desk, aid in cases of flight delays, and assistance in making alternative flight arrangements in the event of missed embarkation. Guests\' cruise and air arrangements will both be present in a single consolidated booking record, creating greater convenience for travel agents, who would no longer need to manage two separate and independent bookings.</p>','2013-01-08 15:24:27',150,1,2,NULL,NULL,810,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1624,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Final Interior and Exterior Outfitting','/dream_waterworks_558317528.jpg','2009-07-31 00:22:00','<p>With less than two months before delivery, final interior and exterior outfitting is taking place aboard the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the line&rsquo;s largest ship which is slated to debut in Europe September 21.</p>\r\n<p>Work continues at Italy&rsquo;s Fincantieri shipyard on the wide range of stunning public rooms and areas aboard the 3,646-passenger vessel, including a spectacular 11-deck-high atrium and a sprawling Carnival WaterWorks aqua park &ndash; the largest, most elaborate facility of its kind at sea &ndash; pictured here.</p>\r\n<p>Other innovations aboard the Carnival Dream include Ocean Plaza, a magnificent indoor/outdoor caf&eacute; and live music venue; a half-mile wrap-around promenade; cantilevered whirlpools that extend out over the sides of the ship; a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa &ndash; Carnival&rsquo;s largest &ndash; and new five-berth, two-bathroom staterooms that should have particular appeal to families.</p>\r\n<p>Following a series of inaugural 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia), Carnival Dream will reposition to New York for two eight-day Caribbean cruises followed by a special nine-day Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship launches year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral Dec. 12.</p>','2013-01-05 08:57:12',136,1,2,NULL,NULL,809,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1623,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival’s New ‘Behind the Fun’ Tours Offer Unique Insight Into Line’s Shipboard Operations','/123_210830964.jpg','2009-07-24 01:46:00','<p>For those who want to get an insider&rsquo;s look at the inner-workings of a Carnival &ldquo;Fun Ship,&rdquo; the line has created Behind the Fun, a guided tour that provides guests with a unique insight into the company&rsquo;s shipboard operations.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>Currently available on the Carnival Valor and Carnival Conquest, the program will be rolled out to all 12 of the line&rsquo;s ships operating voyages of seven days or longer by the end of September.</p>\r\n<p>The informative three-and-a-half-hour tour offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at a wide range of shipboard venues that are normally off limits to guests.&nbsp; During the tour, key shipboard personnel, including the captain, chief engineer, chef de cuisine and other department heads, share their vast knowledge in their particular area of expertise.</p>\r\n<p>Behind the Fun begins with a stop backstage in the main show lounge where participants can see exactly what goes into creating Carnival&rsquo;s award-winning revues.&nbsp; The tour then moves on to normally restricted areas such as the laundry room, crew galley and dining room, crew gym, and crew training center.</p>\r\n<p>Next it&rsquo;s on to the expansive main galley where talented culinary artists prepare upwards of 12,000 meals and snacks a day for Carnival&rsquo;s guests.&nbsp; The tour also includes a visit to the ship&rsquo;s bridge and engine control room and informative Q&amp;A sessions with the captain and chief engineer, respectively.</p>\r\n<p>In addition to a comprehensive overview of Carnival&rsquo;s shipboard operations, Behind the Fun participants receive a number of commemorative gifts, including a custom-made Behind the Fun baseball cap and lanyard, a Team Carnival Picture Perfect book with stunning photographs of Carnival ships and destinations taken by the line&rsquo;s employees, and complimentary photos with the captain on the bridge.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Behind the Fun tours can be booked through the ships&rsquo; shore excursion desk.&nbsp; The cost is $95 per person and capacity is limited to 16 guests per tour. Guests must be 13 or older to participate.</p>\r\n<p>A version of the Behind the Fun tour is planned for Carnival ships that operate itineraries of less than seven days in length.</p>','2013-01-19 05:15:50',247,1,2,NULL,NULL,808,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1622,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Aspiring Bartenders Can Showcase Their Talents in Carnival’s ‘Mixology’ Competitions','/123_966000945.jpg','2009-07-24 01:44:00','<p>Calling all aspiring bartenders!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Would-be mixologists now have the opportunity to showcase their bartending skills during new &ldquo;Mixology&rdquo; competitions taking place aboard the Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>The new activity, which takes place on Lido Deck, involves five guests who volunteer to create their own custom-made cocktail which is then evaluated by a panel of judges from the ship&rsquo;s food and beverage department.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The winning cocktail earns a spot as one of the ship&rsquo;s featured beverages for the rest of the voyage and is available for purchase in the ship&rsquo;s bars and lounges.</p>\r\n<p>Since being introduced earlier this month, dozens of guests aboard the Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom have participated in the Mixology competitions, which are proving extremely popular. &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Plans are in the works to eventually expand the activity to other vessels in the &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet.</p>','2013-01-17 01:17:18',124,1,2,NULL,NULL,807,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1620,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line to Add New High-End Staterooms to ms Prinsendam in Early 2010','/ms_prinsendam_large_807875022.jpg','2009-07-20 22:07:00','<p>SEATTLE, July 10 /CNW/ -- As part of the continuing Signature of Excellence enhancement program, Holland America Line has announced the addition of 22 new staterooms to ms Prinsendam, the Elegant Explorer, in early 2010. The drydock will occur in Freeport, Bahamas, from January 4 through 13, 2010.<!-- Article Related Media --></p>\r\n<p>\"Prinsendam continues to be a ship with one of our most loyal followings,\" said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. \"The new staterooms will mostly be verandah cabins. This will also allow us to create some other very special additions.\"</p>\r\n<p>With the addition of staterooms aft, the pool deck will expand with more space and many more deck chairs for guests to enjoy. A new sea-view bar will be created to enhance the ambiance further.</p>\r\n<p>Sixteen of the new staterooms will be deluxe verandahs and two will be slightly smaller verandahs. Four will be standard inside staterooms. As customary with all Prinsendam staterooms, appointments will feature elegant bathrooms and recently redesigned closet space. Amenities feature Mariner Dream Beds, 250-count linens, Elemis spa bathroom amenities, large vanity mirror, stainless steel fruit basket, flat panel television and DVD player, quality shower head, and more. Guest capacity of the Elegant Explorer will increase from 793 to 837.</p>\r\n<p>New staterooms will be fully finished while under way and ready to book for the 54-day Quest of the Argonauts voyage, sailing March 24 roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale to the Mediterranean, Black Sea and back. The ship sails a leisurely eastbound course across the Atlantic for an extensive Mediterranean exploration with calls at ports in more than 10 countries, including Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Russia, Georgia, Greece and Turkey. The cruise includes overnight stays in Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal and Istanbul, Turkey, as well as late-night departures in Athens and Santorini, Greece, and Lisbon, Portugal. Prinsendam will visit Bermuda and New York City before returning to Fort Lauderdale.</p>\r\n<p>Other standard maintenance and technical service will take place along with upgrading laundry and galley equipment.</p>','2013-01-13 21:07:59',101,1,2,NULL,NULL,805,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1621,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Enters 2010 With Most Diverse Alaska CruiseTour Program Yet','/alaska_whale_tail_lg_318929337.jpg','2009-07-20 22:09:00','<p>SEATTLE, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For travelers wishing to see the beauty of Alaska and the Yukon, Holland America Line features 31 CruiseTour itineraries in 2010 exploring Southeast Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula, Arctic, Denali and the Yukon Territory. All CruiseTours combine an Inside Passage sailing with in-depth land tours, designed to show guests the best of Alaska\'s wilderness, wildlife, native culture and history.</p>\r\n<p>Ranging from 10 to 20 days in length, the ever-popular Great Land and Glacier Discovery CruiseTours explore Alaska and the Yukon by land and sea. Twenty Holland America CruiseTours feature a Double Denali option - two nights at a classic wilderness lodge near the gates of Denali National Park. Many tours also feature Canada\'s Yukon Territory, with its Klondike Gold Rush heritage and pristine national parks.</p>\r\n<p>\"More than sixty years of experience in the region is wrapped up in each of our cruise tours,\" said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. \"These are comprehensive tours. Holland America has always sought to provide guests with in-depth wilderness experiences.\"</p>\r\n<p>The new 2010 itineraries and optional excursions offer a choice of 14 national parks and wilderness areas including less visited gems such as Kluane National Park and Tombstone Park along with popular Glacier Bay and Denali National Parks.</p>\r\n<p>Holland America\'s comprehensive CruiseTours combine a variety of transportation adventures to explore Alaska and the Yukon. Guests travel by five-star cruise ships; luxury, domed McKinley Explorer&reg; railcars; intimate vessels such as the mv Yukon Queen II; and comfortable custom-built highway Explorer Coaches(TM) on Great Land itineraries.</p>\r\n<p>Great Land CruiseTours</p>\r\n<p>The core of the company\'s extensive Alaska tour program consists of 10 Great Land CruiseTours, combining a southeast Alaska cruise with an in-depth tour of the vast interior. The cruise sails for three or four days between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Skagway.</p>\r\n<p>Great Land Klondike CruiseTours offer 11- to 15-day adventures to Denali National Park; Dawson City; Fairbanks and Whitehorse. Four Great Land Wilderness CruiseTours range from 10 to 13 days and provide a more affordable wilderness experience with travel along the most scenic stretch of the famed Alaska Highway.</p>\r\n<p>Glacier Discovery CruiseTours</p>\r\n<p>Guests who prefer a longer Inside Passage cruise with added glacier viewing can choose among 18 Glacier Discovery CruiseTours. Ranging from 11- to 20-days, these CruiseTours include a seven-day sailing and most offer two-night Double Denali stays and the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour.</p>\r\n<p>New Expedition CruiseTours are designed to provide more off-the-beaten-track wilderness experiences. Three itineraries highlight uncrowded, authentic wilderness experiences in the Kenai, Denali and the Yukon. Two tours include accommodations at small, exclusive lodges in remote locations.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-18 04:46:54',199,1,2,NULL,NULL,798,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1619,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','ms Oosterdam Completes 300th Voyage','/oosterdam_198402826.jpg','2009-07-20 22:04:00','<p>SEATTLE, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- - Sailing the Mediterranean from Venice to Barcelona, ms Oosterdam recently celebrated a milestone with her 300th cruise. The sailing came a few weeks after extensive upgrades in Fincantieri\'s Palermo Shipyard in Italy to add new guest staterooms, dining options, public areas and a specialty wine bar.</p>\r\n<p>\"The Oosterdam\'s recent enhancements are just one more example of Holland America Line\'s commitment to delivering our Signature of Excellence,\" said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. \"Our guests will delight in new choices such as the Pinnacle Bar and the Canaletto Restaurant along with enjoying great, panoramic views in the newly located Explorations Cafe -- powered by The New York Times.\"</p>\r\n<p>From the creation of new eateries -- including the addition of Canaletto, a dedicated complimentary Italian restaurant -- to the addition of 34 new staterooms, Oosterdam reflects spectacular and subtle additions from stem to stern. Also among new enrichment programming are the Digital Workshops powered by Windows. Led by Microsoft-trained \"techsperts,\" the innovative and complimentary digital workshops teach the latest computer skills, digital photography and social media applications in a dedicated space with laptops.</p>\r\n<p>Oosterdam also added the Explorations Cafe -- powered by The New York Times -- in the Crow\'s Nest, a larger Pinnacle Grill restaurant and a Pinnacle Bar with a focus on specialty Northwest wines. To reduce waste behind the scenes, the ship installed an environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art \"wet cleaning machine\" (for dry cleaning).</p>\r\n<p>The 1,916-guest Oosterdam continues to offer several popular Holland America Line features: the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &amp; Wine Magazine, the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft.</p>\r\n<p>Additional Refinements</p>\r\n<p>To add to the cruising pleasure of her guests, the Oosterdam now has an expanded and updated shopping arcade, featuring the exclusive, chic jewelry shop, Merabella. A new high-end home theatre-style screening room has also been added for small group audio-visual presentations, to view videos and DVDs, and to accommodate private parties.</p>\r\n<p>Amenities</p>\r\n<p>Amenities aboard Oosterdam represent the cruise company\'s focus on providing an elegant ambiance and premium cruise experience. Staterooms include Elemis Aromapure specialty soaps, shampoo, conditioner and lotion and feature plush Euro-top Mariner\'s Dream Beds, deluxe waffle/terry-cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat-panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional-grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets.</p>\r\n<p>For the remainder of 2009, Oosterdam will sail alternating 12-day eastern and western Mediterranean departures between Venice and Barcelona, a 16-day transatlantic crossing, one 19-day Panama Canal voyage and six 7-day Mexico roundtrip San Diego cruises.</p>\r\n<p>Signature of Excellence Defines the HAL Experience</p>\r\n<p>Oosterdam\'s enhancements are part of the comprehensive Signature of Excellence product enhancement program totaling more than $525 million. Signature of Excellence features and amenities are evident in every aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience.</p>\r\n<p>For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit <a href=\"http://www.hollandamerica.com\">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at <a href=\"http://www.hollandamerica.com\">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]</p>\r\n<p>Holland America Line\'s fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship is scheduled to join the fleet in July 2010.</p>\r\n<p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &amp; Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner\'s Dream Beds.</p>','2013-01-05 08:58:44',124,1,2,NULL,NULL,803,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Holland America Line&#039;s Vista Ship Sailing Europe with Exciting New Enhancements ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1618,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruise Line','CELEBRITY CRUISES LAUNCHES NEW CAPTAIN&#039;S CLUB AS MEMBERS BECOME THE &quot;CENTER OF ATTENTION&quot;','/infinity_buzios_158237125.jpg','2009-07-20 21:56:00','<p>Celebrity Cruises\' Captain\'s Club - the top-rated premium brand\'s three-tiered recognition and benefits program designed exclusively for its most loyal guests - has been redesigned and relaunched based on a series of member-inspired enhancements. Several of these new features are rolling out across the fleet on sailings beginning in July, while others will be introduced in intervals over the course of the year.</p>\r\n<p>\"Our most loyal guests deserve our loyalty in return, so we�re thrilled to offer them a vastly improved program,\" said Celebrity Cruises President &amp; CEO Dan Hanrahan. \"Our new Captain�s Club gives them greater recognition, exclusive benefits, and a number of enhancements designed to make them feel like the center of our attention every time they sail with us.\"</p>\r\n<p>New features launching in July include the Captain�s Club Celebration, a one-of-a-kind social and entertainment event available to all members; significantly improved Internet and laundry benefits for Select and Elite tier members; and a new onboard lounge exclusively for Elite members. The brand has even introduced a new theme for Captain\'s Club, which doubles as its ongoing commitment to members: �The center of our attention.</p>\r\n<p>But these improvements are only the beginning. During the second half of 2009, Celebrity will expand the Captain\'s Club with a variety of other new features, all of which will be announced prior to taking effect.</p>\r\n<p>\"Our new Captain\'s Club was designed based on a tremendous amount of research, feedback from our members, and advice from our travel partners,\" said Hanrahan. \"We want to ensure that we deliver every aspect to our guests\' utmost satisfaction, so we�re choosing to roll out the enhancements in intervals, beginning with improvements to the member experience onboard.\"</p>\r\n<p>A highlight of the onboard experience is likely to be the Captain\'s Club Celebration. Soon available across the fleet, with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition, all members will be invited to this exclusive event once per sailing. Redesigned to be a highlight of every cruise, the spirited affair will provide the perfect opportunity to meet fellow members, chat with the Captain and senior shipboard officers, experience interactive cooking demonstrations, and enjoy the unique \"CC Jams\" performance by a variety of shipboard musicians.</p>\r\n<p>For members interested in a quiet haven of their own, Celebrity is pleased to introduce the Captain\'s Club Lounge at Michael�s Club, exclusively for Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions each morning and early evening. The new Lounge will offer a casual coffeehouse-style experience from 8AM to 10AM, with complimentary espressos, teas and other menu items, a variety of reading materials, and, on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, wi-fi access.</p>\r\n<p>Every evening from 4PM to 6PM, Captain\'s Club Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions can return to the Lounge to enjoy socializing with fellow members, participate in a wine tasting event, or simply relax and enjoy a quiet, complimentary drink before dinner.</p>\r\n<p>In recognition of their desire to stay in touch with family and friends while vacationing, Elite members will now receive complimentary Internet packages, while Select members will receive a significantly discounted rate on any Internet package. Also within the new program, Captain\'s Club Select- and Elite-level members can now enjoy new laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing benefits, based on the length of their cruise.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity also is extending its pledge to make members the center of attention by engaging many in the entirely new Captain\'s Club Advisory Board, to ensure its most loyal guests always have a voice in shaping the program. Participation on the Advisory Board will offered online on a rotating basis to a selection of members across all tiers.</p>\r\n<p>In addition to focusing on effectively delivering the new features of Celebrity\'s Captain\'s Club, Celebrity will continue to ensure that members enjoy all the program benefits currently available as well, and that they continue to have more opportunities to achieve higher-tier status.</p>\r\n<p>\"We will continue to provide members in every tier of the Captain\'s Club with the recognition and rewards they\'ve come to expect, while adding several new enhancements over the course of this year,\" said Hanrahan. \"We also want to ensure that our members have the opportunity to quickly advance to the next tier. That\'s why we count tier credits versus purely counting cruises. Tier credits are earned simply by sailing with us, but we also award additional credits for cruises of 12 or more nights, and for booking certain stateroom and suite categories. As a result, members can more quickly advance to the next tier.\"</p>\r\n<p>\"What we�re rolling out today, combined with everything we\'ll be adding to the program over the course of this year, will add up to what I\'m confident will be the best loyalty program at sea,\" Hanrahan added.</p>\r\n<p>Prior Captain\'s Club benefits and new enhancements available at launch include:</p>\r\n<p>For Classic members (1-4 tier credits): Access to the loyalty desk and loyalty host; a premium onboard discount booklet; access to the new Captain\'s Club Celebration event; a complimentary custom air request; pre-cruise specialty restaurant reservations; member reunion cruises; one-category upgrades; and an online newsletter.</p>\r\n<p>For Select members (5-9 tier credits): All of the benefits of Classic membership, plus priority embarkation, a complimentary wine seminar, priority status to shore excursion waitlist, an invitation to the senior officers\' cocktail party, 25% off any Internet package, complimentary pressing of two clothing items, and discounted laundry on cruises of 12 nights or more.</p>\r\n<p>For Elite members (10 or more tier credits): All of the benefits of Select membership, plus a private shipboard departure lounge with continental breakfast, priority tender service, priority waitlist for dining room seating, elegant tea service, complimentary use of Thalassotherapy pool use on Celebrity Mercury, complimentary access to the Persian Garden (port days only), access to the new Captain\'s Club Lounge at Michael\'s Club, 90 free Internet minutes, one free item of dry cleaning, a complimentary bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) and additional discounted laundry on cruises of 12 nights or more.</p>','2013-01-22 20:00:32',126,1,2,NULL,NULL,802,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1616,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','MSC Cruises','MSC FANTASIA WELCOMES MSC SPLENDIDA TO THE FLEET','/5664_445737920.jpg','2009-07-20 21:48:00','<p>FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (July 10, 2009) - MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, the newest ships in MSC Cruises\' fleet, met July 9 in Mallorca, Spain, as MSC Splendida sailed to her christening in Barcelona on July 12.</p>\r\n<p>This was the first meeting between the two 137,936-gross registered ton sister ships, the largest ever commissioned by a European owner, since late last year when MSC Fantasia sailed from the STX Europe shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, where both were built.</p>\r\n<p>MSC Fantasia, calling in Mallorca during her regular 7-night summer Mediterranean cruise itinerary, welcomed her soon-to-be-christened sibling MSC Splendida to the MSC Cruises family during their joint visit to the Spanish port.</p>\r\n<p>The sister ships sailed from the port together, escorted by two tugboats. MSC Fantasia set a course for Barcelona, where she will call before continuing her cruise to Marseille and Genoa. MSC Splendida will sail to Marseille before embarking on the final leg of her journey from the shipyard to Barcelona for her christening by legendary film star Sophia Loren, who is godmother to both the MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia. Spanish operatic lyric tenor Jose Carreras will also join in the celebration, entertaining guests from throughout the world with his internationally renowned voice.</p>\r\n<p>The MSC Splendida, like her sister MSC Fantasia, epitomizes the elegant style, traditional European service and innovative features that have established MSC Cruises\' reputation for excellence. Each ship gives guests their choice of four distinctive restaurants serving outstanding cuisine and a remarkable array of recreational, shopping and entertainment venues featuring the best entertainment at sea to enhance the cruise experience. Both ships also feature the exclusive MSC Yacht Club where guests enjoy the ultimate in luxurious suite accommodations, amenities and service in a private enclave.</p>','2013-01-23 03:47:43',105,1,2,NULL,NULL,800,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1617,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruise Line','Celebrity Cruises&#039; Celebrity Equinox to raise a few eyebrows','/0316cruise3_424086214.jpg','2009-07-20 21:49:00','<p>Miami - (July 01, 2009 ) - When Celebrity Cruises\' newest Solstice-class ship, the 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox, sets sail for the first time this summer, her sleek exterior and critically acclaimed interior design won\'t be the only features raising eyebrows among cruise and travel enthusiasts. Playing off the success of the launch of her sister ship, Celebrity Solstice, the newest vessel in Celebrity\'s fleet will also offer AquaClass staterooms designed to offer a soothing, spa-focused ambiance, as well as several indulgent new offerings in the onboard spa.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity\'s AquaClass veranda staterooms, introduced as a Solstice-class exclusive feature last year, are located in close proximity to the ships� two-story spa, known as \"AquaSpa by Elemis.\" AquaClass is the only stateroom category in Celebrity\'s fleet that offers no third and fourth guest berthing, making the area quieter and more exclusive for guests wishing to relax in an utterly serene environment.</p>\r\n<p>Guests in Celebrity\'s AquaClass enjoy a host of spa-inspired amenities and perks. These include unlimited access to the AquaSpa�s Persian Garden aromatherapy steam room, featuring heated ceramic loungers, and the Relaxation Room, which offers stunning vistas from comfortable loungers and a peaceful ambiance. AquaClass guests also enjoy unlimited, complimentary access to the ship�s exclusive, \"clean-cuisine\" and Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant, Blu. The dinner menu features savory appetizers along the lines of roasted beet salad with goat cheese; Mediterranean chopped salad with pita chips and pomegranate vinaigrette; and entrees including blackened ahi tuna, pan-seared filet mignon, and herb-crusted rack of lamb; Blu is also open for breakfast, exclusively for AquaClass and suite guests.</p>\r\n<p>AquaClass guests enjoy in-stateroom amenities that include a pillow menu featuring Swedish Isotonic, body and hypo-allergenic pillows; carafes of unsweetened iced tea; soothing, calming lavender oil in a reed diffuser; and a five-jet shower by Hansgrohe, designed to invigorate and relax. AquaClass guests on Celebrity Solstice have been enjoying the convenience of accessing free, exclusive, on-demand video programming that introduces them to wellness-themed activities such as meditation, yoga, etc., in the comfort of their stateroom. AquaClass will comprise 130 of the ship\'s 1,426 staterooms. A full 85 percent of all staterooms on Celebrity Equinox will have verandas, and all staterooms will be equipped with flat-screen TVs, smarter storage and closet space, spacious bathrooms, and plush European bedding. The ship will offer wireless Internet access throughout.</p>\r\n<p>All guests on Celebrity Equinox are welcome to treat themselves to indulge in the ship�s AquaSpa by Elemis, which will offer its standard line-up of revitalizing, restorative experiences for individuals and couples. Renowned for its exotic therapies focused on beauty and wellness, Celebrity\'s AquaSpa - offering full service on all ships except the 92-guest mega-yacht, Celebrity Xpedition, which offers limited options - will offer new treatments on Celebrity Equinox, including an opulent, restorative new treatment: \"4-Karat Gold Facial.\" The treatment, which uses an alchemy of expert touch, medicinal plants, Rose Quartz and a pure 24-karat gold leaf mask, speeds up cell renewal and results in a rebalanced, nourished, brighter and more clarified skin texture and complexion. The new ship will offer \"red carpet make-up\" application after every facial in its line-up, featuring a natural touch of Colorscience mineral powder and lip gloss to keep skin and lips glowing.</p>\r\n<p>Guests who experience the 24-Karat Gold Facial on Celebrity Equinox will also be able to enjoy a special cocktail inspired by the treatment itself. The \"Golden Kiss Martini\" will feature Golden Supreme vodka, cucumber juice, agave syrup and lemon juice, muddled with fresh mint.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity Equinox will also offer a \"lash and brow bar,\" where guests can add glamour to their look by selecting from a variety of eyelash enhancements, offered in three styles: Natural Lashes, Evening Eyes or Ultra Glam, which features a sparkling touch of glitter. Brow sculpting will be offered by expert aestheticians who carefully shape and define the eyebrows to give the face an instant lift and a polished appearance. Brow tinting, which can cover gray hairs or enhance one\'s natural look, will be available in various shades. Lash tinting, ideal for guests whose eyelashes are light in color, will also be available. Celebrity Equinox\'s AquaSpa will offer a full slate of massages, wraps, couples treatments, rituals and facials. The ship also offers men�s barber services, including traditional barber shaves.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity also presents a comprehensive slate of \"medi-spa\" offerings onboard. As the first cruise line to offer onboard acupuncture, Celebrity will continue to offer this popular treatment on Celebrity Equinox, in a space located within the AquaSpa. Celebrity Equinox will also offer BOTOX Cosmetic treatments, which soften fine lines and wrinkles to result in a more youthful appearance; Restylane and Perlane treatments, Elemis Oxydermy facials and teeth whitening.</p>\r\n<p>A full-service fitness center, located in the AquaSpa area of the ship, will offer guests the option to exercise on state-of-the-art equipment at their own pace or participate in group fitness classes. An outdoor walking/jogging track gives guests the opportunity to take in the sea air while staying healthy. Celebrity also offers guests the option to purchase personal training services onboard. The 122,000-gross-registered-tons Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to enter service July 31 from Southampton, England, on an eight-night cruise through the majestic Norwegian Fjords, followed by a series of romantic Mediterranean sailings from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, beginning August 8.</p>\r\n<p>Like Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox will present guests with brand-defining, industry-first features, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; a glassblowing show and studio developed and presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 unrivaled dining venues, and widely varied entertainment, including shows with breathtaking aerial acts. Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale vacation experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 \"Top Cruise Ships in the World\" in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler (February 2009 readers\' poll), Celebrity\'s fleet - including the new Celebrity Solstice - will be joined by Celebrity Equinox this year, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information call a travel agent 1-800-738-8837.</p>','2013-01-08 13:26:48',142,1,2,NULL,NULL,801,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'New 2,850-guest ship to feature AquaClass staterooms, indulgent spa offerings including &quot;24-Karat Gold Facial&quot; and &quot;Lash and Brow bar&quot; ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1615,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Epic Float Out Ceremony','/new_float_sea4_920554294.jpg','2009-07-20 21:47:00','<p>MIAMI July 13, 2009 - In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 11, Norwegian Epic made her first journey on water, cruising out of her construction quay at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France where the 153,000-ton ship has been under construction since October 2007. Beginning at approximately 7 am, the massive 4,200 passenger ship was accompanied by a fleet of six tugboats and taken a short distance down the Loire Estuary. Within about one and a half hours, the ship was moored at the outfitting dock. Norwegian Epic�s float out represented a major milestone in the vessel�s construction as it indicates that the ship has now moved into the final phase of construction and work will begin immediately on the vessel�s interiors.</p>\r\n<p>\"Watching Norwegian Epic make her first journey on the water was a very moving experience,\" said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line\'s chief executive officer. \"Norwegian Epic epitomizes our continued commitment to innovation and represents the next generation of Freestyle Cruising, so we are thrilled to be celebrating her float out and looking forward to her delivery in less than a year.\"</p>\r\n<p>On hand for the occasion were Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of the board of directors for Norwegian Cruise Line and chairman, president and chief executive of the Genting Group; Norwegian Cruise Line executives: Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer; Roberto Martinoli, president and chief operating officer; and Andy Stuart, executive vice president, global sales and passenger services, as well as Sang-Ho Shin, president and chief executive officer, STX Europe; and Jacques Hardelay, general manager, STX Europe, France.</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic is scheduled to be delivered in late May 2010, and will take part in inaugural events before beginning her Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from her year-round homeport in Miami. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and the ship�s alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are scheduled through April 2011.<br />Norwegian Epic�s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship�s Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Guests can make a reservation by contacting a travel professional at 1-800-738-8837. More information about the ship, her itineraries and offerings can be found at epic.ncl.com.</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic\'s Innovations &amp; Features<br />Norwegian Epic is changing the face of cruise line entertainment. In another industry first, Blue Man Group will perform in the ship�s 685-seat Epic Theater. Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience and will be seen for the first time ever at sea only on Norwegian Epic.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic will have multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues throughout the ship so that guests can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise. No longer will entertainment be focused on two nightly shows in one large main theater. Norwegian Epic will offer a number of entertainment options in specially-designed venues, some offered for the first time ever at sea, with choices to appeal to a broad audience.<br />On this ship, guests will find the only \"big top\" at sea. In this intimate 265-seat theater-in-the-round, famed producer/director Neil Goldberg will present Cirque Dreams and Dinner. This one of a kind interactive theatrical dining experience will be performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses, with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. During this two-hour show, guests will marvel in amazement and become part of a celebration of spectacle and fantasy. The entire experience will be unlike anything else at sea.</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices - the most at sea - and 18 bars and lounges. The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar at sea and Spice H20 with non-stop entertainment day and night; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids\' and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea.<br />Norwegian Epic incorporates several new types of accommodations - the curved New Wave staterooms; the largest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; a new category of inside staterooms for the value-conscious traveler - The Studios and Living Room; and spa and family-friendly accommodations.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 08:58:44',123,1,2,NULL,NULL,799,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1610,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  19. Memories go On',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:51:00','<p>After completing its scheduled cruise, the ship returns to it&rsquo;s home port and the passengers disembark. But, the journey isn&rsquo;t over&hellip;. The crew scurries to spruce the ship up and ready it for the next group of passengers, who will embark in a few, short, hours. Then, the ship sails, once again, bringing fun and excitement to a whole new compliment of passengers.</p>\r\n<p><br />My story, so far, is like the ship which has returned to port. My past memories have disembarked, and the &lsquo;ship&rsquo; has been spruced up, and ready for the new memories to embark. The journey isn&rsquo;t over&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />Yet, the old memories aren&rsquo;t gone, and the ghost of them remains, just as the ghosts of all its past passengers remain on a ship, forever.</p>\r\n<p><br />From the classic ocean liners, in New York Harbor, which instilled a love of ships, and the sea, in me; to the first cruise ships I sailed, the converted liners that served the early cruise industry so well; onward to the early &lsquo;super-liners,&rsquo; at an unbelievable 45,000 grt; and, finally, the 100,000+ grt &lsquo;mega-liners.&rsquo; What an astonishing transformation in so short a time.</p>\r\n<p><br />I often wonder if cruising was better, in those early days. I have come to the conclusion that it wasn&rsquo;t better, it was merely simpler. The ships were smaller, and the passengers and crew became a &lsquo;family&rsquo; at sea. The food was prepared for less people and, generally, the quality and service were better. The entertainment options were few. During the day, pool games, the calypso band poolside, napkin folding, and so on. At night, the production show, perhaps a single small lounge, a disco and, somewhere, karaoke. You had to have karaoke.</p>\r\n<p><br />You were completely cut off from the world. No TV; no phone; no Times Fax; nothing! If WWIII began while you were at sea, there was time enough to find out about it when you got back to Miami&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p><br />Today, we have so much to do, on a ship, so many choices. Rock wall climbing; ice skating; roller blading; miniature golf; why you might not even think you&rsquo;re on a ship.</p>\r\n<p><br />Turn on the TV in the cabin, and you can catch CNN, via satellite. Wake up in the morning, and there&rsquo;s a Times Fax under the cabin door. Pick up the room phone, and dial home; or, e-mail home from the internet caf&eacute;.</p>\r\n<p><br />&hellip;&hellip;..and, that&rsquo;s my personal little problem with some of today&rsquo;s ships. Don&rsquo;t get the wrong idea. Some of the changes have most definitely been positive, and cruising, today, is better than it was in the early years, for most people. Having cruised in the early dats, I feel that I take a cruise to be on a ship. If I wanted to stay at a resort, I could fly to an island, and do so.</p>\r\n<p><br />On the other hand, some of the mega-liners, like the Grand Princess and the Carnival mega&rsquo;s, maintain the &lsquo;feel&rsquo; of a smaller ship, yet offer all the options only a very large one can offer. I must admit I also enjoy these ships, very much. I do, however, feel the passengers and crew are impersonal towards one another, and I miss the old camaraderie.</p>\r\n<p><br />Sadly, there\'s only one classic ship still doing regular cruises, Imperial Majesty\'s \"Regal Empress.\" She sails a two-night from Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau. If you want to experience classsic cruising, before it\'s gone, thgiis is your last chance. And, starting at $149.00 p.p., ($129.00 for Florida residents) she\'s a bargain.</p>\r\n<p><br />So, big ship, small ship, new ship, old; a cruise, is a cruise, is a cruise&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p><br />Cruises are like sex; At worst, it will be good, and it only gets better from there!</p>\r\n<p><br />Wishing you many, tranquil days at sea; and warm, soothing, breezes to carry you to exotic ports of call.</p>\r\n<p><br />HOLIDAY 09-16-89<br />BRITANIS 03-30-90<br />CARIBE I 05-19-90<br />DISCOVERY I 06-13-90<br />DOLPHIN 08-17-90<br />MARDI GRAS 01-20-91<br />BRITANIS 03-22-91<br />BRITANIS 04-12-91<br />SUNWARD II 09-20-91<br />NORDIC EMPRESS 11-18-91<br />BRITANIS 01-04-92<br />BRITANIS 02-09-92<br />BRITANIS 05-01-92<br />TROPIC STAR 05/15/92<br />BRITANIS 06-26-92<br />DOLPHIN 09-25-92<br />FANTASY 11-16-92<br />TROPIC STAR 12-05-92<br />COSTA ALLEGRA 01-23-93<br />BRITANIS 02-26-93<br />ROYAL MAJESTY 04-02-93 <br />BRITANIS 06-04-93<br />DISCOVERY I 07/24/93<br />BRITANIS 08-27-93<br />MAJESTIC 11-18-93<br />DISCOVERY I 12-24-93<br />ZENITH 03-12-94<br />BRITANIS 04-01-94<br />TROPIC STAR 05-15-94<br />SEAWARD 07-01-94<br />BRITANIS 08-05-94<br />SEAWARD 11-11-94<br />TROPICANA 05-28-95<br />SENSATION 10-20-95<br />DISCOVERY I 01-12-96<br />SCAND. SUN 04-03-96<br />NORWEGIAN CROWN 10-19-96<br />SOVEREIGN of the SEAS 06-16-97<br />NORWAY 12-06-97<br />SCAND. DAWN 04-02-97<br />SCAND. SUN 03-31-98 <br />NORWEGIAN WIND 12-06-98<br />LEEWARD 04-09-99<br />LEEWARD 07-12-99<br />TRIUMPH 12-11-99<br />IMAGINATION 07-15-00<br />MAASDAM 12-10-00<br />GRAND PRINCESS 10-01-01<br />NORWEGIAN STAR 11-16-01<br />HORIZON 12-14-01<br />CENTURY 04-06-02 <br />MAJESTY of the SEAS 07-23-02<br />FASCINATION 11/22/02<br />VICTORY 03/30/03<br />FASCINATION 06/19/03<br />REGAL EMPRESS 02/27/04<br />FASCINATION 04/02/04<br />REGAL EMPRESS 04/10/05</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 08:57:11',115,1,1,NULL,NULL,795,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1609,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  18. When the Ship Stops',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:50:00','<p>Since my first sailing, I have always felt that the ship was the ultimate destination, and the ports which it visits were a secondary diversion to the cruise itself. The amount of time spent in each port does not allow the passenger to get any real feel for the island, it&rsquo;s people, it&rsquo;s culture or much else.</p>\r\n<p><br />Suppose a foreign visitor was on a ship which stopped in New York, as a port. The visitor hops a Circle Line boat and takes a tour around Manhattan Island. The tour guide gives detailed descriptions of all the sights they pass; the United Nations building, the Empire State, Washington Heights, Harlem, Grant&rsquo;s Tomb&hellip; The tour ends; the visitor returns to the ship; and, he tells everyone that he has seen America!</p>\r\n<p><br />OK, it&rsquo;s a little bit of a stretch, but you get the thought.</p>\r\n<p><br />I have been fortunate enough to visit quite a few Caribbean islands a number of times, and have become familiar with them. I have probably spent a total of several weeks in Jamaica, Mexico, Grand Cayman, St.Thomas/St. John, St. Maarten and a few others, one day at a time&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />In some ports, you need not bother with Shore Excursions. In ports such as Nassau and San Juan, the ships dock right in the center of town and a first-time visitor can easily take a walking tour of the area, covering all of the sights by foot.</p>\r\n<p><br />I am going to break down this section into two parts. The first will list walking tours, and other non-Shore Excursion trips, you can take. The second is a description of some of my most-remembered Shore Excursions which I felt were well worth the cost. I am not including the &ldquo;activity&rdquo; excursions, such as snorkeling, horseback riding, parasailing, and such, because these are quite the same no matter which port they are done in.</p>\r\n<p><br />JAMAICA</p>\r\n<p>Most of the ships stop at Ocho Rios (Ochie) with a few going to Montego Bay (MoBay). If you decide to take a &lsquo;walking tour,&rsquo; make sure you stay on the main streets, where it is perfectly safe. It is the same in any port, and more essential in others. Ochie and MoBay are two ports where this should be kept in mind. I am sure that there are areas in your town, or city, where you would not feel safe to be on foot.</p>\r\n<p><br />You will find the locals &lsquo;aggressive,&rsquo; as they try to hawk their wares. A big smile and a, &ldquo;No thanks, mon,&rdquo; will usually do the trick. The secret is to be polite.</p>\r\n<p><br />There are several Shore Excursions that I have, particularly, enjoyed.</p>\r\n<p><br />One of my favorites is river rafting on the Martha Brae, or Rio Grande, Rivers. The thirty foot bamboo rafts hold the Raft Captain, who guides the craft down the slowly moving waters, and one couple. You glide tranquilly past the tropical foliage and native birds, in a setting out of a novel.</p>\r\n<p><br />If you&rsquo;re a Bob Marley fan, the tour to Nine Mile, his birth and burial place, is a MUST. The trip to Nine Mile takes about an hour, and the bus (a 1960&rsquo;s model, with artificial fruit on the roof&hellip;) has an audio-visual system that will entertain you with Bob&rsquo;s music all the way up. Halfway through the journey, the bus pulls over and they serve complimentary soft drinks and Rum Punch.</p>\r\n<p><br />As you pull up to the gates, and disembark, you are met by a rag-tag group of Rastas, offering the holy ganja for a small donation.</p>\r\n<p><br />The grounds of the homesite, Mt. Zion, are inspiring to a Marley fan.</p>\r\n<p><br />On the return, the bus stops for complimentary Jamaican Patties, also included in the price, and when you reach town, a meal of jerk chicken, jerk pork, peas and rice and plantains.</p>\r\n<p><br />Although I&rsquo;ve only done it once, and probably wouldn&rsquo;t repeat it, a favorite memory of mine was walking up Dunn&rsquo;s River Falls. Every visitor to Jamaica must accomplish this, once. A good first-time Shore Excursion is the town tour/Shaw Park Gardens/Dunn&rsquo;s River Falls excursion.</p>\r\n<p><br />COZUMEL</p>\r\n<p>A short, three dollar, taxi ride will take you right to the heart of San Miguel, the island&rsquo;s only town. A walk through town, with a stop at Carlos and Charley&rsquo;s, or Senor Frog&rsquo;s, and a little shopping is the order of the day. One rule: Never (almost) pay the price that is asked. The local merchant&rsquo;s expect you to barter and are disappointed if you don&rsquo;t&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />My favorite place to go, in Cozumel, is Parqeo Chankanaab, about ten dollars from the dock. Chankanaab is a complex built around Chankanaab Lagoon. It has an archeological park with Mayan, Aztec, Olmec and other pre-Columbian artifacts, all along a path that winds through a &lsquo;tropical jungle.&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />There is a beach, where you can rent snorkel gear ($6.00-U.S.) and go snorkeling at one of the best sights in any of the ports, located just a few feet offshore. There&rsquo;s a botanical garden, and a path around the lagoon from which you can view the reef fish, without even getting your feet wet. Admission is ten bucks, American.</p>\r\n<p><br />GRAND CAYMAN</p>\r\n<p>This is my least favorite port, and I usually do not do much on the island. As a rule, I take the tender into shore, go to the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory, where I have a slice of Rum Cake and a cup of coffee. A slow walk back to the tender and a return ride to the ship.</p>\r\n<p><br />One thing I totally enjoyed, in Grand Cayman, and I have done it twice, is the Atlantis Submarine. It travels a hundred feet down the Cayman Wall, and the views are spectacular.</p>\r\n<p><br />On my first visit, I did take the tour to the Turtle Farm, Hell and Seven Mile Beach. I did not find any of it all that interesting, but I wasn&rsquo;t bored, either. It was an OK trip.</p>\r\n<p><br />ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN</p>\r\n<p>This is one of the islands where I do recommend an island tour. However, I suggest that you skip the ship&rsquo;s excursion, and wait until you&rsquo;re in town to book it on your own. There are dozens of sightseeing &lsquo;trucks&rsquo; which offer a full tour of the island. They&rsquo;ll take you to Magen&rsquo;s Bay, Mountain Top and all the other sights.</p>\r\n<p><br />Shopping in St. Thomas is not as good as it used to be. In fact, if your ship stops at St. Maarten, also, do your shopping there! If not, you can still find some bargains in St. Thomas. Just remember to stick with the larger stores, such as Columbian Emerald&rsquo;s International, H. Stern, A.H. Riise, and the ship recommended stores. Many of the smaller shops have been taken over by less-than-scrupulous entrepreneurs.</p>\r\n<p><br />My usual course of action, when I arrive in St. Thomas, is to grab the ferry to St. John, about twenty minutes away. It is an unspoiled island, two-thirds National Park, which still has the feel of the islands before the invasion of the cruise-ship masses.</p>\r\n<p><br />SAN JUAN, P.R.</p>\r\n<p>The ship docks right in the heart of the &ldquo;Old City,&rdquo; and you canwalk the entire town, from El Morro, the fort that guards the entrance to the harbor, to San Cristobal, the fort at the far end of town. The cobblestone streets are lined with Mediterranean-style houses, all with wrought iron balconies and decorated with live flowering plants.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Visitor&rsquo;s Bureau runs a free trolley which tours the town. You can get on, and off, at any of the clearly marked stops.</p>\r\n<p><br />NASSAU, BAHAMAS</p>\r\n<p>Although, technically, not in the Caribbean Sea, Nassau is a frequent stop for cruise ships. It is another location where you can do a walking tour. The Water Tower, Queen&rsquo;s Staircase and Fort Fincastle are all located in one locale, a short walk from the ship. A few blocks away is Government House, where, if you are lucky, you may catch the Changing of the Guard. A short hop brings you back to Bay Street, and the shopping. Watch the prices! If you do not know for sure that you are getting a bargain, don&rsquo;t buy it.</p>\r\n<p><br />One &ldquo;fun&rdquo; thing to do in Nassau is to take a ride on one of the horse-drawn surreys. The ride is only about twenty minutes, which works out to a dollar a minute, but it is a relaxing way to get to see a bit of the town, and its romantic.</p>\r\n<p><br />If you&rsquo;re adventurous, go to Bay Street, just near the Straw Market, at George Street, and take the #10 jitney to cable Beach, and the Crystal Palace Casino. The ride is one dollar, and you pay as you exit. Ask the driver to let you know when you reach Crystal Palace, and he will be happy to do so. The hotel is fantastic, and has an indoor shopping mall. There are several nice restaurants that overlook the beach.</p>\r\n<p><br />AND ALL THE REST&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p>It would TAKE, AND HAS TAKEN, entire books to discuss the major Caribbean ports. What I have attempted to do is to give the first-time cruiser a brief overview.</p>\r\n<p><br />The best advise I can give you is to read about the ports before you get there. In fact, do it before you get on to the ship. Make it part of your cruise planning. There are copious site on the internet, books and magazines, all geared to the island tourist.</p>\r\n<p><br />Once you decide, in general, what you would like to do, study the shore excursions offered very carefully and make sure the one(s) you choose is exactly what you want. Remember, you only have a few hours in port and you want to enjoy them.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-11 20:54:58',104,1,1,NULL,NULL,794,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1608,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  17. Something Old, Something New',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:49:00','<p>The best part of all of my cruise memories is the fact that I create new ones with each new cruise! Something that happens on a cruise, which has only a little meaning to me, when it happens, may become a wonderful memory, years from now. The &ldquo;upgrade&rdquo; story that recently occurred on the Century, may, or may not, qualify, somewhere down the road (or is it somewhere down the gangplank?). If it makes it, I&rsquo;ll tell it to you, some day&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />What things that are commonplace, now, will disappear from cruising, and become only fond memories? The Midnight Buffet is disappearing as quickly as the magician&rsquo;s bunny. What next? Will we lose ice carving, or napkin folding, demonstrations? Oh, horrors! Will we have to face a night of starvation, because there is no longer a piece of chocolate on our pillow? Heaven forbid! And, what of pool games? Have you noticed a decline in that riotous bit of frivolity, lately? Will our bathing suits finally lose the little dimples they developed from the 87 ping-pong balls we stuffed into them? Hmmmmm&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />People ask if cruising was better, ten years ago, or if the new, bigger, ships are superior. Another question to which I cannot supply an answer&hellip; (You&rsquo;d think that, after all of my cruises, these would be easy questions. Well, I&rsquo;m blond, &frac12; Polish and a man&hellip;)</p>\r\n<p><br />I can say, without question, that it is, most definitely, very different! The changes have been radical, and sudden, and have made a huge impact on the cruise experience, in general.</p>\r\n<p><br />The major change has been the increased size of the ships, and all that goes along with it. As the ships got larger, they could offer more varied public areas, atriums, and additional amenities.</p>\r\n<p><br />Let&rsquo;s begin by pointing out that the increase in the size of ships was not the result of the cruise lines wanting to give the passengers more of anything! The driving force behind the mega-liners was profit.</p>\r\n<p><br />The single largest expense of any cruise is fuel consumption. A 100,000 grt ship does not use twice the fuel of a 50,000 grt ship. It uses only a little bit more. Therefore, the &ldquo;per passenger&rdquo; cost of fuel is reduced.</p>\r\n<p><br />Likewise, a production show that cost a set amount to produce, costs the same whether watched by 500 passengers, per sitting, or 1,000. Cost reduced by 50%.</p>\r\n<p><br />The same goes for many other items, such as food cost. More volume means lower cost. On, and on, and&hellip;.well, you get the picture.</p>\r\n<p><br />It is only a coincidental bonus that we get more variety, in many areas, and other things that many consider a plus.</p>\r\n<p><br />Is it better now? Wasn&rsquo;t it &ldquo;real&rdquo; cruising then? Don&rsquo;t you miss&hellip;. Aren&rsquo;t you glad&hellip;. The answer is yes, and no, to all of these questions.</p>\r\n<p><br />When the nineteen-eighty&rsquo;s turned into the nineteen-nineties, cruising hadn&rsquo;t changed much since its inception, thirty years before. The ships were small, compared to todays. You have to keep in mind that the Titanic was about the same gross tonnage as the Holiday, which was a behemoth among cruise ships!</p>\r\n<p><br />The early ships I sailed on were, almost, all under thirty-thousand gross registered tons, and held fewer than a thousand passengers. These included the Britanis (18,000grt/935 passengers); Dolphin (13,000/600); Mardi Gras (27,000/900); Caribe I (23,000/875); among others.</p>\r\n<p><br />Cruising on these small ships, during the 1960&rsquo;s, was a unique experience. There were a number of areas where the cruises, then, differ markedly from today&rsquo;s product.</p>\r\n<p><br />&ldquo;Traditional&rdquo; cruises were specifically geared toward offering an artificial environment, insulated from the real world; the &ldquo;grown-ups&rdquo; answer to Disneyland. A place that existed for, only, a short time, but was never to be forgotten. Reality disappeared as the ship pulled away from the dock.</p>\r\n<p><br />Most ships did not have television in the cabins. Those that did, could only offer &ldquo;in-house&rdquo; programming. This was pre-satellite broadcasting, and while cable was available, 2,000 miles of wire would be unwieldy, and very expensive. So, we were stuck with whatever programming was brought aboard, plus the tapes taken during the cruise. We were lucky enough to be able to watch (over, and, over, and, over&hellip;) the Port And Shopping Lectures, the Shore Excursion Talks and, my particular favorite, the Disembarkation Speech&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />There was no daily Times Fax, and finding a newspaper, even in port, was an almost impossible feat. Occasionally, but seldom, you would be in a town where you could find a three-day-old copy of U.S.A. Today.</p>\r\n<p><br />The telephones in the cabins got you about as far as the Purser&rsquo;s Desk, and Room Service. If you needed to make a ship-to-shore call, you had to go to the Radio Room, during, limited, specified hours.</p>\r\n<p><br />You were totally immersed in the cruise experience, both while onboard and in port.</p>\r\n<p><br />Much of the staff came from the islands. With their brightly-colored Caribbean shirts, they brought a bit of the sense of the Caribbean aboard. Steel pan, or calypso played, constantly, and you were totally immersed in the cruise experience, both while onboard and in port.</p>\r\n<p><br />The real world melted away, and became, Irie&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />When you traveled on these smaller ships, with far less people aboard, everything seemed to take on a pleasant atmosphere, friendly and affable. After only a few days aboard ship, most of your fellow-passengers appear familiar; you have spoken to many of them, either a passing, &ldquo;hello,&rdquo; or a short conversation while standing on a buffet line.</p>\r\n<p><br />The crew, in particular the Cruise Director, Assistant Cruise Director and the C.D. Staff, often spent a considerable amount of time mingling, and interacting, with the passengers.</p>\r\n<p><br />If you passed one of them on deck, or in a passageway, they always stopped to chat, for a moment. Other than Shannon McKee, whom I&rsquo;ve discussed earlier, and who had a special gift for remembering names, almost all of the other Cruise Directors made an attempt to learn as many of the passenger&rsquo;s names as they could.</p>\r\n<p><br />Another &ldquo;special&rdquo; person was an Assistant Cruise Director, Joyce Gleeson, of the Britanis, who more than made up for the presence of the &ldquo;most annoying&rdquo; C.D. I&rsquo;ve come across, Tommy Van.</p>\r\n<p><br />There would be times when you might be in a port, looking over something you were tempted to splurge on, for yourself, when one of the crew members from the ship walked in. You&rsquo;d be holding the item, and the crewmember would give a little smirk, and, unobtrusively shake their head yes, or, no.</p>\r\n<p><br />Lunch and dinner were served at the assigned times, Main Seating and Late Seating. Most ships served a Lunch Buffet, also, but it usually attracted less than half of the passengers. Dinner was served in the Dining Room&hellip;. No buffet, no alternative restaurants,</p>\r\n<p><br />You shared your dinner hour with the same waiter and bus boy, and your table with the same fellow-passengers, for the duration of the cruise. The waiter and bus boy got to know your likes, dislikes and wishes after only a few meals. If you ordered ice tea, the first evening, the bus boy, usually, brought it, again, every evening, without you asking. Sometimes, it took twice. You learned all about your tablemates, and, by proxy, their families. Friendships may not have been long-lasting, but they were formed quickly, and added to the enjoyment of the cruise.</p>\r\n<p><br />I have found that many of the people I have met have been interesting and friendly. They may not have been the type of people with whom I would have socialized with, normally, but it was very different on the ship.</p>\r\n<p><br />On those rare occasions when you were seated with someone who made you, for whatever reason, feel &ldquo;uncomfortable,&rdquo; you could always have the maitre d&rsquo; change your table. However, I have done this only twice, which represents 3% of my cruises. I think 97% nice tablemates is a pretty good average.</p>\r\n<p><br />Activities on the, now, historic ships were, also, distinctive to cruising. While it was Carnival that had the &ldquo;Animal House&rdquo; reputation, all of the lines promised you loads, and loads, of &ldquo;fun.&rdquo; Unfortunately, Carnival had copyrighted the word, &ldquo;fun,&rdquo; for their &ldquo;fun ships,&rdquo; and &ldquo;fun cruises,&rdquo; so the other lines couldn&rsquo;t tell you about all of the fun you would have; therefore, Commodore became the &ldquo;Happy Ships,&rdquo; etc;</p>\r\n<p><br />Now, what was that fun all about?</p>\r\n<p><br />All of the lines presented a daily array of raucous fun, such as the ever-popular Pool Games, during which the passengers would make absolute fools of themselves. Of course, after a few Pina Coladas, this is really riotous fun!</p>\r\n<p><br />Each day, also, brought a full array of waiters showing you how to turn an ordinary napkin into a fan, or candle; a chef showing you that a turnip, a carrot, and a cantaloupe can be cared into a beautiful dolphin; a Cabin Attendant folding a towel into an octopus; and many more useful bits of information, which you will forget before dinner&hellip; I can&rsquo;t think of any other situation where I would find myself watching someone carve produce into flora and fauna, except on a cruise&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />Likewise, to the best of my recollection, I don&rsquo;t remember playing Bingo, since I was very young, and played it with friends. Yet, Jacki and I will play Bingo, on the ship, at least once during the cruise. Not only playing, but actually enjoying folding down those stupid little number tabs. Just once, though, we&rsquo;d like to have the opportunity of yelling out, &ldquo;Bingo!&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />When was the last time you saw a group of people standing around watching someone chip away at a block of ice until it was an eagle?</p>\r\n<p><br />One of my favorite activities was the Skeet Shooting, off the stern of the ship. Unfortunately, the cruise lines, for the most part, have discontinued this particular variety of fun, under pressure from the U.S.P.C.S. (United Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Skeets&hellip;.).</p>\r\n<p><br />My real, number one, favorite was poolside Horse Races!!!! The brighty-colored, wooden, horses would gallop down the boxes painted on their canvass track, in accordance with the numbers shown on the three little dice, trapped in their steel cage.</p>\r\n<p><br />After a few rolls of the dice, everything would stop&hellip;.and the Cruise Staff members running the game would begin the rhythmic clapping&hellip;.soon, everyone would join in&hellip;clap, clap, clap, clap&hellip;faster and faster&hellip;until, finally, the M.C. would shout the odds into the microphone, in tempo with the beat, &ldquo;One pays 4; 2 pays 6; 3 pays 7&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />At the end, cheers! The race continues, and the excitement builds. Then, one of the stallions crosses the finish line, and the passengers go wild! Clutching the winning tickets in their hands, the victors push forward to collect their three, or, four, dollar winnings. What could be more fun?</p>\r\n<p><br />It was fun, and interesting, to watch even the, so-called, &ldquo;sophisticated passengers,&rdquo; and &ldquo;older&rdquo; passengers, not only participating in, but, actually enjoying, in all of this foolishness.</p>\r\n<p><br />I guess people acknowledged the fact that they were with a group of people that they would, probably, never see again in their lives. So what if you let you hair down, and made a fool of yourself? After all, think of all the fun you can have stuffing fruit down your bathing suit!</p>\r\n<p><br />Add in the Trivia Contests, lectures, shuffleboard, and a host of other activities, and you have a really full day.</p>\r\n<p><br />Or, you could it all, and just relax by the pool, with a good book.</p>\r\n<p><br />The evenings brought good, but simple, entertainment. The show rooms, and so their stages, were much smaller, and could not accommodate large, lavish Broadway and Las Vegas reviews. The shows were more of the &ldquo;cabaret&rdquo; style. Many, however, were excellent, and the performers each, individually, exceptional. There were often a number of &ldquo;novelty&rdquo; acts. These shows were often more entertaining than the big productions of today.</p>\r\n<p><br />Most of the ships, after the early seventies, had a disco. They usually had one, or two, intimate clubs/piano bars, and, somewhere, always, Karaoke! Such amusement watching some fool, who can&rsquo;t carry a tune, sing out as if he was the &ldquo;fourth tenor&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />It was a very different kind of cruise experience. It was friendlier, warmer and much simpler. No complications; no major choices; total isolation from the world&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />You distanced yourself from telephones (computers weren&rsquo;t popular, yet), newspapers, television, and everything else that might bring negative news. Nothing will spoil this vacation! You found amusement in simple things, and stuff that you would not, ordinarily, do. The hardest choice you faced was which appetizer to order; and, even then, if you didn&rsquo;t want to make the decision, you could order both.</p>\r\n<p><br />That was then&hellip;&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />With today&rsquo;s mega-liners, things are very different. Alternative dining, &ldquo;Personal Choice,&rdquo; &ldquo;Freestyle Cruising,&rdquo; giant dinner buffets, multiple restaurants, you need never see the same waiter, or bus boy, twice, or sit with the same fellow passengers more than once.</p>\r\n<p><br />After dinner, choose from a dozen clubs! Disco? Rock? Big Band? Yup, we got it! It&rsquo;s busy, bright and noisy&hellip; It&rsquo;s a whirlwind&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />We&rsquo;ve also got Art Auctions, Ice Skating, Rock-wall Climbing, golf&hellip;busy, busy busy.</p>\r\n<p><br />Yes, today&rsquo; cruises are great! We love them. The variety of food they offer can be mind-boggling! More people, more choices. You may loose some of the quality, as the numerical demands increase, but the variety and quantity makes up the difference.</p>\r\n<p><br />Two exceptions we have found are Celebrity, and Princess, which have kept the quality at their usual high levels.</p>\r\n<p><br />While cruising has undergone a huge transformation in the past decade, it has retained many of the basics which make it the vacation value it has always been. An average cruise, today, costs about the same as it did when we began to cruise. The fares have not increased much, if at all. And, you get more for your dollar than a decade ago.</p>\r\n<p><br />I&rsquo;m just not sure that, in this case, more is really better.</p>\r\n<p><br />After completing the above, I had the opportunity to tracel through a time tunnel, ans (sort of) return to the days of cruising past....</p>\r\n<p><br />The old \"Caribe I,\" originally the \"Olympia,\" is still sailing, today, as the \"Regal Empress.\" She does a two night cruise from Miami to Nassau, and back. Very little has changed, other than her name, since I sailed her almost a decade-and-a-half ago. What has changed is my perception of the question of \"old versus new.\" It may be related to the way we view nostalgia, and, in retrospect, the slant we place on past experiences.</p>\r\n<p><br />What I did find was that I, now, lean towards the new cruise experience a bit more, as opposed to \"classic cruising.\"</p>\r\n<p><br />I did have a very positive cruuise on the Empress, and I would, in fact probably will, cruise on her again. However, the gilt is gone from the lily.</p>\r\n<p><br />The ship is still fantastic! Highly lacquered wood and highly polished brass surround you, as does the very nautical feel all around. The ship still has that warm, small-ship, friendliness, and not the lost-in-a-crowd feeling.</p>\r\n<p><br />The dinners are still served \"old-style...\"</p>\r\n<p><br />But, the cabaret-style shows have gotten \"worn\" and tacky; the lack of multiple activities at night is a negative; and, in general, I think the balance between the old-style and modern cruising has tipped in favor of the new.</p>','2013-01-10 20:36:06',110,1,1,NULL,NULL,793,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1607,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  16. Does the Cruise Director Live On Board?',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:47:00','<p>One of the most important members of the crew is the Cruise Director. He, or she, also has one of the most difficult jobs on board; keeping the passengers busy and happy, while creating onboard revenue for the cruise line.</p>\r\n<p>The Cruise Director actually has several jobs.</p>\r\n<p>Responsible for most of the activities on the ship, and making sure they are run on schedule, and properly. Who else could get you to stuff fruit down your bathing suit, trying to see how many pineapples can fit in a Speedo? Watch in awe as a block of ice is whittled into the shape of a dolphin? Get you to bet money on little wooden horses whose moves are controlled by three dice in a cage? Play Bingo, when it&rsquo;s something you never do at home? And, when was the last time you whirled a hula hoop around your waist?</p>\r\n<p>The Cruise Director is also responsible for the entire CD staff, which can consist of over a dozen people. The CD must train and supervise the entire staff, and make sure they properly carry out their duties.</p>\r\n<p>But, it is as a performer that the Cruise Director must shine. Whether live, or over the P.A. system, the Cruise Director is, most of all, an entertainer! What would the &ldquo;Newlywed, And Not-So-Newlywed Game&rdquo; be without a good CD? And, what about &ldquo;Talent Night?&rdquo; Most of the time, the CD is the only &lsquo;talent&rsquo; on the stage&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>Who else could deliver the &ldquo;Ten Stupidest Questions Passengers Ask,&rdquo; that you&rsquo;ve heard so many times, and still make you laugh?</p>\r\n<p>If you&rsquo;ve been on a cruise, you have probably heard a variation of &ldquo;The Ten Dumbest Questions Passengers Ask.&rdquo; Every cruise director has their own personal favorites, for this list, and there are slightly more than ten. Sometimes, they are a simple, self-explanatory questions, and, sometimes, they involve a situation. Many cruise directors also have a list of replies they do, or would like to, respond with.</p>\r\n<p>The questions which follow, and the responses, if any, are among some of my favorites.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Does the crew sleep on board, at night?&rdquo;<br />(&ldquo;No, Ma&rsquo;am, a helicopter lands on Lido deck and takes them home.&rdquo;<br />&ldquo;Oh, that&rsquo;s the noise that kept me up, all night.&rdquo;)<br />&ldquo;So, that&rsquo;s what all that noise was, last night&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Does this elevator go to the front of the ship?&rdquo;<br />(&ldquo;No, sir, you have to take the Wonkavator on the Empress Deck.&rdquo;)</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;What religion are those people with the little pathes behind their ears?&rdquo;<br />(&ldquo;I think they&rsquo;re Apaches&hellip;&rdquo;)</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;How do we know which photos are ours?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Do you have generators on board, in order to produce electricity?&rdquo;<br />(&ldquo;No, Sir, we have a long extension cord that reaches back to Miami&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Excuse me, but what altitude are we at?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;How long will the 30-minute massage take?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Is the water in the pool fresh water or ocean water?&rdquo;<br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s ocean water Ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;<br />&ldquo;No wonder it&rsquo;s so rough&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Excuse me, does this stairway go up, or down?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Does the water go all around that island?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Will I get wet if I go snorkeling?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;I went over my liquor allowance, but drank it. Do I have to declare it with Customs?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>From time to time, situations can be the source of humor.</p>\r\n<p>Cruise Directors also have their own, personal, stories that they like to tell. And, like the &ldquo;Dumbest Questions,&rdquo; they usually swear that it actually happened to them, or someone they know.</p>\r\n<p>A favorite of mine is that of a young honeymoon couple, who wanted everything to be perfect. They booked a beautiful suite, with a large balcony, and were looking forward to sitting and enjoying the view.</p>\r\n<p>Immediately upon embarking, and prior to sailing, the young groom went to the Purser&rsquo;s Desk, and was obviously very agitated. &ldquo;May I help you?&rdquo; asked the young Assistant Purser. &ldquo;And how,&rdquo; replied the groom, &ldquo;I reserved a special suite, and paid a lot of money, for an oceanview, and all we have a view of is a parking lot!&ldquo;</p>\r\n<p>Let&rsquo;s not forget the Port Lectures. Disguised as informative talks about the ports you are about to visit, and promising all sorts of inside information, these sales pitches result in a financial windfall for the cruise line. Every shop pays a hefty fee, each time the ship pulls into the particular port, whether the passengers actually visit the shop, or not. Therefore, it is the CD&rsquo;s job to get as many of us as possible to visit. The CD uses a combination of charm, wit, humor and free t-shirts to accomplish this goal.</p>\r\n<p>One final duty the Cruise Director has is to emcee the final Disembarkation Talk. During this lecture, the CD goes over the various things you will need to know when you disembark. The dialogue covers importation restrictions, baggage pick-up information, and a host of valuable things you will need to know. At some point, the CD comes to instructions as to how to complete the Customs Declarations Form. Almost all of the CD&rsquo;s start with a line something to the effect of, &ldquo;Now, folks, this is the most important part of my talk, the Customs Declarations Form. One form MUST be completed by the head of the household, so, ladies, listen carefully&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>Being a successful Cruise Director means working a minimum of eighteen hours a day, seven days a week, in order to accomplish all of these tasks, and having to maintain a big smile and cheerful attitude, for a very, very, small salary.</p>\r\n<p>Yet, they play such an important role. The best Cruise Directors can make all the difference in the cruise experience. Hit a few days of bad weather, or other unexpected Disappointment, and you will know what I mean.</p>\r\n<p>I have three particular favorites, whom I will always remember affectionately.</p>\r\n<p>Of course, Shannon McKee, on the Norwegian Crown. I&rsquo;ve already told you about her. By the way, her Assistant Cruise Director, Soozy Atkins, was no slouch, and had the promise to be as good as her mentor.</p>\r\n<p>Another favorite was. actually, he Assistant Cruise Director. The CD on my favorite ship, the Britanis, Tommy Van, was one of my least favorites. However, on many of our trips on her, the Assistant was Joyce Gleeson, was all the things that Tommy wasn&rsquo;t. She more than made up for her &lsquo;boss&rsquo;s&rsquo; shortcomings, and made every cruise a pleasure.</p>\r\n<p>Joyce ran the best damn poolside horse racing, ever!! Hands down. As you pulled away from the dock, in Miami, the frenzy began. The big sail-away party, with horse Racing as the main attraction. We&rsquo;d all flock to the table, dollars clutched in our fists, scrambling to bet on a wooden horse, on a stick. Six numbered equines, with the strangest names you&rsquo;ve ever heard. Most a bit &ldquo;off color.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>There was Joyce, standing with the mike in her hand, egging us on. Then, as one of the Cruise Director&rsquo;s staffers twirled the chuck-a-luck cage, and the dive came to rest, Joyce would call out the numbers. As she did so, with her own special flair, the corresponding numbered horse was moved forward one space.</p>\r\n<p>All the way down Government cut, past Star, Palm and Hibiscus Island; past the Fisher Island ferry, and, then, the island itself; and, finally, leaving South Beach behind, Joyce kept us all excited, laughing and, somewhat, poorer.</p>\r\n<p>Rich Clesen, of &ldquo;NCL fame,&rdquo; was the absolute king of the &ldquo;Dollar Wine.&rdquo; Nobody could, &ldquo;Gimme&rsquo; dollar, gimme&rsquo; dollar&hellip;&rdquo; better than Rich! Actually, we had sailed with him a few times before he become the &lsquo;Big Guy.&rsquo; It was on those cruises that we got to know, and love, him. So, you can imagine how thrilled we were when he med Head Honcho. This, however, led to a small disappointment. As the Cruise Director, he left the &ldquo;Dollar Wine&rdquo; to his Assistant. I was able to overcome this handicap by threatening, at the outset of the cruise, that I would give him, and his staff, &ldquo;bad checkmarks&rdquo; on my Comment Card, if he didn&rsquo;t do it, at least once, during the cruise&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>I guess I&rsquo;ve been lucky; I have never had a bad Cruise Director. While the three I&rsquo;ve talked about as &ldquo;special,&rdquo; were truly out of the ordinary, all of the rest did an excellent job, faced with the enormous task they had before them.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 09:00:46',155,1,1,NULL,NULL,792,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1606,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  15. People with No Names',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:46:00','<p>In addition to the &ldquo;Wine Lady,&rdquo; there are a number of fellow-passengers I have encountered, aboard ships, who have made an unforgettable impression on me, yet I have no idea what their names are. I either never knew their names, or just in no way cared to remember them. People with no names.</p>\r\n<p><br />Actually, that isn&rsquo;t exactly true. I have given these people their own singular names, in order to have a point of identification when I bring to mind the incidents surrounding these particularly memorable travel companions.</p>\r\n<p><br />One, in particular, truly stands out; &ldquo;The Parisian.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />On the first night of one particular cruise, I was were seated, for dinner, at a table for eight. One of the couples was from Paris, and, for most of the meal, we all seemed to get along well. The conversation was light, as most first-nighters are, but interesting and enjoyable.</p>\r\n<p><br />At one point, we were discussing Miami, my home town, and the subject of &ldquo;bilingualism&rdquo; came up. I explained that we very often make use of &ldquo;Spanglish,&rdquo; obviously a mix of Spanish and English.</p>\r\n<p><br />Our gentleman, friend from France, suddenly went into this serious discussion about how, &ldquo;&hellip;this sort of thing, this mix, can never happen in France. We have laws to protect our language&hellip;. French is a beautiful language, and we have to protect it against being corrupted by English, and other languages&hellip;Why, if you have a sign on a store, in France, the sign MUST be in French. If you want to put an English translation, and the French is so-many centimeters, then the English must be one-quarter the centimeters&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />I was totally confused. I could not make any sense of what this man was saying. Of course, I never did understand metrics, and have no idea what a centimeter is. But, I did get the idea, and I knew he was spouting anti-American crap.</p>\r\n<p><br />I wasn&rsquo;t the only one who realized this. As &ldquo;The Parisian&rdquo; went on-and-on, I noticed one of the other men at the table doing a slow burn. You could see him squirming, just ever so much, and his face took on just a tinge of red. After several minutes of listening to &ldquo;The Parisian&rsquo;s&rdquo; tirade, my fellow passenger turned to him and, in a quiet, but firm tone, said, &ldquo;Excuse me, Sir, but don&rsquo;t you realize that, twice in this century, if it weren&rsquo;t for us you &amp;^%(^0&rsquo;ers would be speaking German?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />The rest of as laughed, at first, and then had a &ldquo;patriotic discussion&rdquo; with &ldquo;Mr. Parisian,&rdquo; showing the best of our nationalism and pride.</p>\r\n<p><br />It was no surprise to us that our friend, and his wife, never appeared at our table, again, for the entire cruise. However, a positive circumstance came out of all of this. We three remaining couples had formed a bond that lasted for the rest of the cruise. We became good shipboard friends, and enjoyed each others&rsquo; company for the full seven days..</p>\r\n<p><br />It was during embarkation on one particular cruise that we met the &ldquo;Linebusters.&rdquo; As we all waited, patiently, to have our Welcome Aboard photo taken, prior to boarding the ship, Mr. And Mrs,. Linebuster worked their way towards the front of the line, along the wall. Passing those that were waiting patiently, the Linebusters made their way past the crowd and to the head of the line. I would imagine that they thought they were being very clever, and that nobody noticed. In actuality, we all noticed, but didn&rsquo;t bother to say anything.</p>\r\n<p><br />Our next encounter was a few days later, as I was eating breakfast at the buffet. The line was closed precisely at 10:30 am, as it was scheduled to do. A hostess was standing near the end of the line, advising late-arriving passengers that the buffet was closed, but breakfast would be available, poolside, until noon.</p>\r\n<p><br />At about 10:40, Mr. and Mrs. Linebuster arrived and attempted to get onto the line. This, in and of itself, seemed to be monumental. Mr. Linebuster actually appearing to be willing to stand on a line! However, they were, shortly, going to show their true colors.</p>\r\n<p><br />As they tried to get into line, the hostess informed them that it was closed. The Linebusters appeared to comply, and left the line, only to work their way towards the front in an attempt to cut the line and get their breakfast. Just as Mr. Linebuster had grabbed a plate, and was about to begin filling it, the hostess went over to him, and repeated that the buffet was closed, and he needed to go to the pool area if he wanted breakfast&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />During the course of the week, I stumbled upon the Linebusters several times, each on with some negative association. Nothing major, or truly aggravating, but annoying just the same.</p>\r\n<p><br />The final blow came at disembarkation. While the pink tags were called to leave the ship first, there were the Linebusters, with their blue tags, rushing off he ship with the first wave of passengers. Pushing and shoving their way to the front, one last time, in a hurry to go nowhere.</p>\r\n<p><br />I usually take my time disembarking. I live close to the port, so what&rsquo;s another few minutes? I let everyone else leave, and then work my way, leisurely, to the terminal to pick up my luggage, which is a lot easier to find when the warehouse is two-thirds empty.</p>\r\n<p><br />This particular day, I left the ship about forty-five minutes after the initial group, and the Linebusters, had embarked. When I arrived at the warehouse, most of my fellow-passengers, and their luggage, were gone. There was one noticeable exception. There, with a security guard, were Mr. And Mrs. Linebuster. Apparently, one of their pieces of luggage had been misplaced, and couldn&rsquo;t be found.</p>\r\n<p><br />I would imagine that the Linecutters spent quite a bit more time until their luggage was found, if it ever was&hellip;. Perhaps, all the time they saved, during the entire cruise. A verification that, often, &ldquo;what goes around, comes around.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Another favorite of mine was the Hogg family. Oh, you&rsquo;ve seen them on a cruise, but I actually got to meet them on a personal basis.</p>\r\n<p><br />Arriving poolside early, at about nine-fifteen one morning, I looked forward to a beautiful day at sea. It was the last day of a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise, and the weather had not been great during the first part of the cruise. All of the passengers were looking forward to a predicted gorgeous, sunny, day. Due to this fact, almost two-thirds of the poolside lounges were occupied, already.</p>\r\n<p><br />As I looked for two empty lounges, I noticed four that had only towels, very neatly placed on them, which appeared to be &ldquo;saved.&rdquo; Of course, this is a no-no, as printed in the daily newsletter, announced often, and posted poolside. As we all know, very few lines actually &ldquo;enforce&rdquo; this rule, and a number of inconsiderate passenger, always see fit to &ldquo;reserve&rdquo; seats, both poolside and in the show lounge.</p>\r\n<p><br />Luckily I was able to find two empty lounges in the second row, directly behind the four vacant chairs with the towels. I sat next to, and began a conversation, with another couple next to us.</p>\r\n<p><br />About an hour later, at ten-thirty, or so, a couple walked by and asked if the four lounges were &ldquo;taken.&rdquo; I told them that the towels had been there for an hour, but I hadn&rsquo;t seen any people. The couple next to us said that they had been there since eight-thirty, and had seen nobody.</p>\r\n<p><br />The newly arrived couple went over to a pool attendant and told him what we had said. He came over and asked us if we had seen anyone using the four lounges. We all told him what we had told the young couple, the lounges had, indeed, been unused since before breakfast. Upon hearing this, the pool attendant removed the four towels and threw them into the towel hamper, whereupon the young couple placed their towels on two of the lounges, and got comfortable.</p>\r\n<p><br />Of course, the remaining two lounges did not remain that way very long. Another couple came along, saw the two empty lounges, and made very good use of them.</p>\r\n<p><br />It was after noon, approximately, twelve-thirty, that Mr. And Mrs. Hogg, and their two little Hogglets, arrived and the saga began. Mr. Hogg began talking to the two couples in the first row, and told them that he believed that they were in his chairs. The two couples explained that the lounges were, indeed, empty when they sat there. Mrs. Hogg placed her foot, not so gently, into her mouth as she started to yell, &ldquo;My husband came up here a while ago and put four towels on these chairs!&rdquo; How long ago, she was asked, since we all knew it had to be, at least, four hours.</p>\r\n<p><br />As this was going on, a pool attendant came over to investigate the &ldquo;trouble.&rdquo; The situation was explained, and the attendant explained to The Hogg&rsquo;s that it appeared that Mr. Hogg had placed the towels there, four hours earlier, and that doing so was improper, since so many people were eager to sit poolside. He went on to say that, after an hour, or so, the towels would normally be customarily removed by one of the attendants, as the lounge would be considered abandoned. This was more true if, as in this case, there were only towels on the chaise, and no personal belongings.</p>\r\n<p><br />After some arguing, and bickering, the Hogg&rsquo;s moved on, in a vain attempt to find a vacant lounge. Score one for the rule-following passengers.</p>\r\n<p><br />Perhaps you think this little tale is done, but it isn&rsquo;t quite finished yet. Those of us that remained had a good laugh when I reminded them that, not only had the Hogg family been thwarted in their sinister lounge-saving attempt, but, in addition, they would be charged twenty-two dollars for each of the four towels they &ldquo;lost.&rdquo;</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:42',95,1,1,NULL,NULL,791,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1605,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  14. Attitude, Attitude, Attitude',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:45:00','<p>If the slogan of the Real Estate business is, &ldquo;Location, Location, Location,&rdquo; then the catchphrase for having a great cruise should be, &ldquo;Attitude, Attitude, Attitude.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Most of the things I recommend, for getting the most enjoyment out of a cruise, could apply to any vacation, but they are, particularly, important on a ship.</p>\r\n<p><br />The most important rule has two parts;<br />1) Don&rsquo;t sweat the small stuff.<br />2) Everything, short of sinking, is &ldquo;small stuff.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Stuff happens.</p>\r\n<p><br />It, also, seems that the attitude of the passenger is reflected by the crew. A friendly, happy attitude is usually returned.</p>\r\n<p><br />For reasons a little complicated to go into, we cruise with a small, stuffed, raccoon. His name is &ldquo;Browie,&rdquo; short for &ldquo;Broward.&rdquo; Browie usually stays in the cabin, and seldom ventures out.</p>\r\n<p><br />When we sailed on the Caribe I, we had an assigned table for six, but only five people at the table. One day, at lunch, I decided that Browie would join us, and sit in the empty chair. I walked into the dining room carrying Browie, walked over to the table and sat him in the chair.</p>\r\n<p><br />The maitre d&rsquo;, Dean, had apparently spotted me as I walked in, and was right behind me, when I reached the table. After placing Browie in his seat and getting comfortable in mine, Dean handed me a lunch menu, and put a children&rsquo;s menu in front of Browie&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />Because the Britanis&rsquo; 5-day cruise visited Mexico, the on-board band was comprised of 4 Mariachis, instead of the usual steel pan or calypso band.</p>\r\n<p><br />One of the &ldquo;nice touches&rdquo; was the band roaming through the dining room, at dinner, and serenading the passengers at their tables. They took requests, and, of course, accepted tips.</p>\r\n<p><br />On one of my earlier Britanis cruises, the Mariachis reached my table, and asked if we had any requests. Without thinking I said, &ldquo;Do you know Hava Negilah?&rdquo; Everyone at the table began to laugh at the preposterous remark. The laughter not only continued, but became even more raucous when the Mariachis busted into one of the most unusual versions of Havah Negilah I have ever heard, lyrics and all, done in Mariachi style&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />Of course, they earned a very nice gratuity that evening! So nice, that every time I sailed on the Britanis, and the Mariachis would recognize me in the dining room, they would walk over and, once again, explode into a rousing Havah Negilah.</p>\r\n<p><br />One of my cruises was aboard the Zenith. I boarded the ship, and went to my cabin, to check it out. On the way to our cabin, I passed a woman, in the passageway, who was carrying a bottle of wine. I nodded, and smiled&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />I got to the cabin, and sat down to relax. I had left the door open, for no particular reason. A few moments later, the &ldquo;Wine Lady,&rdquo; from the passageway, walked into my room, and began yelling at me, in French. I recognized it as French, but, unfortunately, did not speak it.</p>\r\n<p><br />I soon gathered that she thought, for some reason, that I was in her cabin. I took out my ticket, pointed to the Cabin Number on the ticket, walked over to the door and pointed to the number there. To no avail! The screaming did not abate.</p>\r\n<p><br />I, calmly, picked up the phone, and called the Purser&rsquo;s Desk. A young man, named Gabriel, answered the phone. I explained the problem, and he told me that he spoke French, was on his way to the cabin, and that I should stay calm. I told him that I was perfectly calm, but the poor Wine Lady was going ballistic&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />Gabriel arrived shortly, and sorted out the whole mess. It seems that Wine Lady had the right cabin, on the wrong deck. Her husband had come looking for her, and found her in our cabin, with Gabriel. He had his ticket with him, and it revealed that his cabin was two decks above ours. Mr. And Mrs. Wine Lady walked out of our cabin, in a huff, as if I had done something wrong&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />In any event, Gabriel turned to us, and said, &ldquo;I am amazed at how calm you were. Weren&rsquo;t you concerned?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />I explained that I wasn&rsquo;t the least bit concerned. We were already sailing, and I had paid my fare, so I wouldn&rsquo;t be thrown off the ship. If the Wine Lady was mistaken, which, it turned out, she was, &ldquo;no harm/no foul.&rdquo; Everything would be as it was before. If it turned out that Celebrity had made an error, and double-booked the cabin, they would either have to upgrade me, to the best available, or downgrade me, and refund my fare. I&rsquo;d never be upset with a free cruise. Gabriel shook my hand, smiled, and said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d tell you to enjoy your cruise, but that seems unnecessary&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Every day, for the remainder of the cruise, a little token gift would mysteriously appear, with a card, which said, &ldquo;Compliments of the Hotel Manager.&rdquo; Somewhere, I still have Celebrity pens, key chains, and other ship stuff. But the best &ldquo;gift&rdquo; I got was what happened every time I passed Wine Lady, on the ship. Every time I passed the Wine Lady in a passageway, I would chuckle, inside, over the entire affair. Meanwhile, Wine Lady was getting ulcers, giving me dirty looks.</p>\r\n<p><br />But, the story isn&rsquo;t quite done, yet. That evening, at dinner, the Wine Steward came over to the table, and asked me to sign for the bottle of wine, that had been left in my cabin, sent by my travel agent. I told him that I hadn&rsquo;t received any wine&hellip;. wait a minute&hellip;.Wine Lady. Obviously, if she thought my cabin was her cabin, then, my wine&hellip;. I told the Wine Steward to track down the Wine Lady, and gave him her cabin number. The next evening, as I entered the Dining Room, the Wine Steward was standing nearby, and flashed me a &ldquo;thumbs up,&rdquo; as I entered, and I laughed, again.</p>\r\n<p><br />I could have gotten pissed off, over this whole thing, as it unfolded, and screwed up a seven-day cruise just as we were leaving Port Everglades. A whole week shot. Why? It&rsquo;s just not worth it.</p>\r\n<p><br />It&rsquo;s like when the air conditioning went out on the Britanis. They did everything they could, until they could fix it, to make the passengers as happy as possible.</p>\r\n<p><br />There will always be a few people on the cruise who look for things to go wrong, so they have something to complain about. Sometimes, if they don&rsquo;t find any, they invent them. These are the kind of people who complain that they have nothing to complain about. The secret is to avoid them as if they carried the Black Plague!</p>\r\n<p><br />You can easily recognize them.</p>\r\n<p><br />They are leaving the Dining Room, after having consumed three appetizers, two soups (a hot and a cold; couldn&rsquo;t decide); sampling all six entrees and all eight desserts. Mr. Large turns to Mrs. Large, and in a voice meant to be heard in a one-hundred foot radius, booms, &ldquo;Boy, the food on this ship really stinks! Worst food I&rsquo;ve ever had on a cruise&hellip;&rdquo; This, from a guy whose big Saturday night out is Bennigan&rsquo;s, or Denny&rsquo;s.</p>\r\n<p><br />This is the same guy who goes into the show lounge, falls asleep before the lights dim, awakes at the final applause, and mutters, &ldquo;Lousy show. My dog sings better, in the shower&hellip;..&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />You&rsquo;ve seen them, and know them. Stay as far away as possible.</p>\r\n<p><br />I love the petty arguments that some cruisers have. One is the &ldquo;Formal/Jeans&rdquo; debate. Some cruisers are of the &ldquo;old school,&rdquo; where Formal Night meant a Tuxedo, or dark suit, solid dress shirt and tie. Almost all of the passengers dressed according to the &ldquo;code,&rdquo; and stayed that way all evening.</p>\r\n<p><br />It was fun to &ldquo;dress up,&rdquo; and most of the women truly enjoyed putting on their gowns, and fancy dresses, getting all &ldquo;made-up,&rdquo; and sporting their best jewelry.</p>\r\n<p><br />Little by little, Formal Night has eroded, and, even many who dress for dinner, change afterwards.</p>\r\n<p><br />There are a lot of passengers who feel that the &ldquo;rules are the rules,&rdquo; and those who do not dress, and stay, formal are rude and inconsiderate. I tend to agree. However, so what? Who is being hurt? If you want to wear a tux, and the guy next to you is in a t-shirt and jeans, big deal! You have the option of taking an upscale, &ldquo;fancy-shmancy,&rdquo; cruise where they dress for dinner every evening, if you so desire. Me, well, maybe the day will come, in the near future, when I pack a brand-new pair of jeans, instead of my tux.</p>\r\n<p><br />As I&rsquo;m driving to the ship, I go into &ldquo;cruise mode.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s a mental attitude, which I adopt. It&rsquo;s the same attitude that you find throughout the Caribbean; &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry; be happy;&rdquo; &ldquo;No problem, Mon!&rdquo; &ldquo;Every little &lsquo;ting gonna be alright&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Sometimes, situations arise that are not within anyone&rsquo;s control. The weather can be a major factor.</p>\r\n<p><br />My first cruise took me to the Western Caribbean, as Hurricane Hugo was whipping through the Eastern. We kept our distance, but did encounter a couple of days with sixteen to eighteen-foot, plus, seas. Needless to say, we had our share of rolling and pitching.</p>\r\n<p><br />Being that we were on a &ldquo;fun&rdquo; ship, a lot of the passengers had been knocking back a few tropical concoctions, which I later learned are, technically, called &ldquo;frozen thingees.&rdquo; You could tell which of your fellow-commuters had been availing themselves of the ship&rsquo;s grog; they were the ones who were walking down the center of the passageways, with no problems. Those who hadn&rsquo;t consumed the tropical blends were bouncing off the wall. (Funny. After all this time, the Spell check still hasn&rsquo;t figured out that &ldquo;thingee&rdquo; is a real word&hellip;.)</p>\r\n<p><br />On one cruise I encountered high winds, and resultant high seas, for the first several days. The first two days, at sea, were so windy that you could not sit out on the pool deck. The ship did not have a covered pool, and, even if it did, it would have been useless. The pitch, and roll, of the ship was actually producing large waves in the pools, splashing all over the deck&hellip; It was a beautiful, sunny, day, but not of any use for pool time. Despite this, I had a great time, and the cruise rates among my most favorite.</p>\r\n<p><br />When it comes to cruising, my attitude is that of the ultimate optimist! When asked if the glass is half full, or half empty, I reply, without the slightest hesitation, &ldquo; The glass is neither half full, nor half empty. It&rsquo;s completely full; half with water, and half with air&hellip;&rdquo; A perfect cruise: half air (warm; sunny; with a salty breeze; perfect) / half water (a blue that cannot be described; calm; shimmering; serene).</p>','2013-01-07 21:38:39',83,1,1,NULL,NULL,790,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1604,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  13. &quot;This &#039;n That&quot; Stuff',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:44:00','<p>I have often said that, of all the cruises that I have been on, I have enjoyed each and every one, some, OBVIOUSLY, more than others. I have never come off a cruise feeling that I had received anything less than more than my money&rsquo;s worth.</p>\r\n<p><br />The thing to remember is that all of the elements that make up the &lsquo;cruise experience&rsquo; are subject to personal taste. Food, entertainment, service, activities, and such, are all subjective. So, the comments that follow are based on my personal taste&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />Additionally, some of my observations go back a decade. Things change so rapidly, in cruising, that a year can make a big difference; and a decade can be a lifetime..</p>\r\n<p><br />I&rsquo;ve been on many cruises where I&rsquo;ve overheard a particular comment about the food, or service, or d&eacute;cor, and looked at my companions, or tablemates, in amazement. More than once, my tablemates and I were leaving the dining room, so stuffed that breathing came in short bursts; clothes bursting; giant, satisfied, smiles on our faces; only to hear someone saying, &ldquo;That was the worst food I&rsquo;ve ever had in my life&hellip;..&rdquo; Familiar? Or, vice-versa&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />To prove a point, I&rsquo;ve only been on Royal Caribbean four times. Nordic Empress was one of my most favorite cruises, while the Sovereign of the Seas (I gave her two chances&hellip;) was one of my least favorites. Same line, two cruises&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />Similarly, Carnival&rsquo;s Mardi Gras was, in all probability, the least favorite of all of my cruises. Yet, I have sailed on Carnival a number of times, since the Mardi Gras, including several a recent cruises on the Triumph, Victory and Fascination, which ranked among my most favorite! Opposite reactions on the same line.</p>\r\n<p><br />Several other lines, such as Costa and Holland America, provided a very nice cruise experience. I have sailed on each line once, had a very nice time, but found that they didn&rsquo;t offer as much of what I was looking for as much as other lines. However, I have a very good friend who swears by, and will only sail on, HAL. When she talks to me about her cruises, I can&rsquo;t believe we&rsquo;re talking about the same line. Did I hit one &ldquo;bad&rdquo; sailing? Perhaps.</p>\r\n<p><br />I, personally, was not overly impressed with the food, on Costa. Too much pasta, not enough variety.</p>\r\n<p><br />My cruise aboard the Costa Allegra did, however, provide me with something unique, and very different; my first, and only, experience with Toga Night!</p>\r\n<p><br />One day, after lunch, I returned to the cabin and found two, neatly-folded, crisp, white sheets on the dresser; next to them, a sheet of paper, with instructions as to how to fold, and wear them, as togas; and a few safety pins.</p>\r\n<p><br />The daily program listed the evening\'s suggested dress as, \"Toga or Casual.\" Right! This was a new ship, only three weeks in service, and was sailing the Southern Caribbean. It had a slightly \"upscale crowd,\" and these people were going to prance around in sheets, all night!</p>\r\n<p><br />Part of me really wanted to do the \"toga thing,\" but I didn\'t want to look like a complete fool. After all, I am, always have been, and hope to remain, a partial fool for the rest of my life. I was really torn, but, finally, common sense won out, and I wore a nice sport shirt, and Dockers. I was a little surprised, as I walked towards the dining room, at how many people were actually wearing togas! However, my surprise turned to shock, and, I must admit, a little embarassment, when we entered the dining room and saw that 98% of the passengers, and all of the crew members, resembled the Roman Senate, while a very few of us stood out like sore thumbs....</p>\r\n<p><br />Just as the Toga Nights are disappearing, and, for the most part, are gone, another old favorite (???) is Masquerade Night. Oh, the lengths that some passengers went to to win a bottle of mediocre champagne, or two t-shirts!</p>\r\n<p><br />Once, aboard the Zenith, we decided that it might be fun to participate. After all, following the toga thing, I didn&rsquo;t want to be a party pooper.</p>\r\n<p><br />Masquerade Night was on Thursday. In Wednesday&rsquo;s daily program, there was an announcement that &ldquo;supplies&rdquo; would be available, in the library, that afternoon, for anyone who hadn&rsquo;t brought a costume aboard and needed to come up with something.</p>\r\n<p><br />My companion and I dutifully went to the library, and found one small carton, with very little of anything in it&hellip; We decided we&rsquo;d just have to skip the dress-up.</p>\r\n<p><br />To put this story into its correct context, I have to let you know that this was in 1994. The importance of that will soon become evident.</p>\r\n<p><br />Well, Thursday came, and I had just about forgotten the masquerade thing. That is, until late in the afternoon. I decided to have a hot dog, to hold me over until dinner. As I waited for my snack, I had a brainstorm.</p>\r\n<p><br />Now, you have to remember that this was late in the afternoon; a day at sea; and, after several frozen thingees.</p>\r\n<p><br />I asked for, and got, an uncooked hot dog, which I, promptly, took back to the cabin and placed into the ice bucket. I went to the desk, and got hold of two blank pin-on name tags. That evening, at dinner, I snuck a knife into my pocket. All was ready.</p>\r\n<p><br />That night, at the Masquerade Party, my companion and I proudly marched across the stage; me in a slightly crouched position, and she carrying the hot dog in one hand, and the knife in the other!</p>\r\n<p><br />There were several people who had come very well prepared for this event. One passenger was dressed in a full clown suit, make-up and all; another was dressed as a fairy, complete with wand and wings. These fellow passengers were very well prepared for the party!</p>\r\n<p><br />However, the Cruise Director, who was hosting the event, and the audience, all chose us for first place. The CD explained to the others, who were visibly upset, that the daily program did state that the contest would be judged, for the most part, on, &ldquo;originality and humor&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />If you doubt the veracity of this story, I&rsquo;ll be more than happy to show you my, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m A Celebrity &ndash; Celebrity Cruise Line,&rdquo; t-shirts. Sorry, but I drank the champagne a long time ago and can&rsquo;t share it with you. First prize!</p>\r\n<p><br />Sometimes, almost everything is near-perfect, on a cruise, and, sometimes, you feel like you&rsquo;re sailing on the s/s Murphy&rsquo;s Law&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />While reflecting about this bit of nostalgia, I remembered little, random, stories that highlight the best, and worst, we&rsquo;ve encountered. They don&rsquo;t really fit anywhere else&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />I&rsquo;ve already filled you with Britanis stories, but, having sailed on her a dozen times, I have had the most experiences on her&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />Being that she was 60 years old, you had to expect that things would not always run as smoothly as they do on a newer ship. Maybe, that was a part of her enchantment; the mystery of not knowing what would go wrong next&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />On one voyage, I had barely left Miami, when it seemed that the ship was beginning to get a bit on the warm side. Not a good sign, in an enclosed area, where the windows don&rsquo;t open.</p>\r\n<p><br />Soon, the Captain came over the loud speakers. He announced that there was a &ldquo;problem&rdquo; with the air conditioners. It could not be repaired until we reached a port, either Nassau, the next morning, as scheduled, or returning to Miami, and canceling the cruise. He had made the decision to continue on, so as not to ruin our cruise.</p>\r\n<p><br />In the meantime, the air conditioning was in &ldquo;zones,&rdquo; and a portion was operating correctly. The engineering crew was redirecting the cold air to the cabins, in order that we could have a nice cool place to sleep. The public rooms would be a little uncomfortable, but all of the bars would remain open, and the drinks free.</p>\r\n<p><br />Most of us greeted the news with cheers! Our cruise wouldn&rsquo;t be cancelled, the cabin would be nice and cool (for sleeping, or whatever&hellip;) and the drinks free! After all, what more could they/we do?</p>\r\n<p><br />There were a few passengers, on the other hand, who grumbled and fussed. One, in particular, was a real pain&hellip;. &ldquo;You think they&rsquo;d carry spare parts&hellip;.why can&rsquo;t they take better care of this tub?&hellip;.bet an American engineer could fix it&hellip;&hellip;&rdquo; We all had just about enough, including me. Finally, with a big smile on my face, I said, &ldquo;Hey, buddy, why don&rsquo;t you just run down to Home Depot, get the busted part, give it to the Chief Engineer and have him fix the A.C.?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />I made a bunch of new friends, that night, and one enemy. Not a bad average!</p>\r\n<p><br />In 1994, I sailed on the Seaward, with another couple. Although we were friends, we didn&rsquo;t know each other all that well.</p>\r\n<p><br />He was a real &ldquo;health nut;&rdquo; gym every day; watch what you eat, all that stuff&hellip; At breakfast, he&rsquo;d have fresh fruit, some sort of healthy cereal, and herbal tea. Meanwhile, Jacki and I were busy wolfing down all the &ldquo;wrong&rdquo; things. I was almost starting to feel guilty.</p>\r\n<p><br />After breakfast, he excused himself, and went off to the gym.</p>\r\n<p><br />I had left something back at the table, so I returned to the breakfast buffet&hellip;&hellip;..where I saw Mr. Universe filling a plate with bacon, eggs, home fries, and, well, just imagine it.</p>\r\n<p><br />I was on the Fantasy in 1992. I spent a week marveling at how gigantic she was. Until then, the largest ship I had been on was the Holiday, at less than two-thirds the Fantasy&rsquo;s size. Most of the ships I had been on had been considerably smaller than the Holiday, which was, then, considered a &ldquo;Mega-ship.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />The Fantasy was mind-boggling. The atrium took your breath away. Neon, chrome, glass elevators going up-and-down a multi-level arcade!</p>\r\n<p><br />One surprise after another. This ship was absolutely amazing! Knowing better, I thought that this was about as big as a ship should be&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />It was less than seven years later that I sailed on the Triumph, and had the same feelings I had when we cruised on the Fantasy. Amazed by her size, d&eacute;cor, and all the innovations. But, mostly, by her size.</p>\r\n<p><br />However, the strange part came less than seven months later, when I was on the Imagination. Although it was the same size as the Fantasy, and Sensation, both of which had impressed us with their size, I found myself walking around the Imagination, saying, &ldquo;This ship feels so small&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />NCL has fallen out of favor, with me lately. Yet, my first, or second, favorite cruise was on the Norwegian Crown, in 1996. The fact that everything, the food, service, entertainment, everything, was excellent, the Cruise Director, and her staff, were fantastic.</p>\r\n<p><br />NCL&rsquo;s upscale, but defunct, Royal Cruise Line, where she sailed as the Crown Odyssey, a luxury ship. But, the real charm of the cruise was Shannon. The ship was &ldquo;small,&rdquo; and held about 1,000 passengers. Shannon, and her staff, made it a point to mingle with the passengers, and make small talk. Around the pool at sail-away; visiting the lounges; walking the passageways; there they were.</p>\r\n<p><br />By the third day of the cruise, Shannon knew the first name of 80% of the passengers, and where most of them came from. Imagine participating in a pool game, or trivia, or, whatever, and, at the end, the Cruise Director, not asking you name, but saying, &ldquo;And, this is Jeff, from Miami&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />The ship, itself, was perfectly designed, and the food &amp; service were excellent. This was, as I said, one of our most favorite cruises.</p>\r\n<p><br />One line of questions I am often asked, by people who know I have been on a number of cruises, is &ldquo;Which is the best cruise line?&rdquo; &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the best ship?&rdquo; &ldquo;Which cruise was your favorite?&rdquo; and so forth.</p>\r\n<p><br />The truth is, I don&rsquo;t have an honest answer to these questions; no single cruise, or ship, was the best. In fact, my favorite cruise, with a few exceptions, is my most recent! A few do stand out as least favorites, while others, clearly, were truly memorable.</p>\r\n<p><br />There is a difference, in my mind, between my favorite ships, and favorite cruises&hellip; My favorite ship was, as is very obvious, the Britanis. I always had a warm feeling, when aboard her, and mourn for her, still. However, she had many shortcomings, which I must admit to, and, while I loved sailing on her, and have many fond memories, my favorite cruises have been on other, newer, ships.</p>\r\n<p><br />To get them out of the way, there were a number of cruises which delivered less than I had anticipated. These were chalked up to experience&hellip; I wonder if I would have become so enamored with cruising, had any of these been my first cruise.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Mardi Gras was old, and tired, when I sailed her. The food was mediocre, at best, and the service a bit on the sloppy side. However, the entertainment was top notch, and the Cruise Director, &amp; Staff, excellent. It was a very decent experience, and we had a good time.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Costa Allegra was another not-so-hot. The ship had been stretched, a little too long an narrow, and we spent the week rolling.</p>\r\n<p><br />One final ship that was not among my favorite&rsquo;s was Premier&rsquo;s Starship Majestic. If Starship conjures up some modern, futuristic, space transport vehicle, like the Enterprise, forget it! This Starship was beat up, battered and worn. She was, apparently, something in her day; but, her day had come, and gone. The food, service and entertainment were fair&hellip; And Premier went out of business, why?</p>\r\n<p><br />That&rsquo;s about it, for the poor experiences. Three out of fifty (actually 56, now) amounts to 6%. Not bad!</p>\r\n<p><br />In addition to the Norwegian Crown, which I&rsquo;ve already described as a favorite, and the Holiday, as our first cruise, there are a number of others which stand out in my mind as special.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Zenith was my first Celebrity Cruise, and was excellent, in every way. I sailed her in 1994, and, then, tried a number of other lines. I, somehow, forgot how much pleasure I had aboard the Zenith, as I tried, and enjoyed, other lines. However, I did, eventually, come back to Celebrity and a recent cruise aboard the Century was more than I could have anticipated!</p>\r\n<p><br />I had an excellent time aboard the Norway, in 1997, and several other NCL ships from 1994 to 1999. They were interspersed with several other, but, at that time, NCL became a favorite line. NCL began to change, for the worse, prior to the acquisition by Star Cruise Lines; then, it began to deteriorate a lot faster&hellip; Previously, I had, also, enjoyed the Seaward, before stretching, and the Leeward, and sailed on both, twice.</p>\r\n<p><br />In 1999, I sailed on the Triumph. It was an eye-opening experience. Carnival had improved the quality of their food, vastly, and everything was good to very good! I&rsquo;ve already discussed the Triumph, but had to include it with my favorites.</p>\r\n<p><br />When I sailed on the Grand Princess, in October, 2001, I came back with the feeling that this had been my best cruise. The food was excellent, the entertainment fabulous, the ship magnificent, etc; etc; etc;</p>\r\n<p><br />The feeling didn&rsquo;t last long, because I sailed on the Horizon, two months later. This, immediately, became a favorite. The food and service were fantastic! I cannot say enough about the catering. The entertainment rivaled Carnival and NCL. The ship was an older design, and a little out of date, but well maintained, and in excellent shape.</p>\r\n<p><br />No surprise, a few months later, I booked the Century. I cannot say enough about this, my fiftieth cruise! It fulfilled, and exceeded, of my expectations in every single way.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:43',96,1,1,NULL,NULL,789,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1603,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  12. Dirty Dancing at Sea',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:43:00','<p>There are countless histories of cruising, found in numerous sources. Yet none, that I am aware of, tell the authentic &lsquo;pre-history&rsquo; of the cruise industry, which occurred many mile from sea and high above sea leve, in the Catskill Mountains, of New York State, in the late 1930&rsquo;s.</p>\r\n<p><br />Just a few hours north of New York City, in one of those new motor cars that just about everyone was buying, the area offered a cool, quiet, country respite from the hot, noisy, summer city. The area spawned its own breed of hotels, the &lsquo;all-inclusive resort.&rdquo; Scores of city-weary families would drive, up on a Friday night, to spend a week-end, or a week, or two. Some visitors even spent the entire summer, with &lsquo;dad&rsquo; departing for &ldquo;The City&rdquo; on Sunday night and retuning to the hotel on Friday night.</p>\r\n<p><br />The mere mention of the names of these resorts , now long gone, evoke loving memories; The Concord; Grossinger&rsquo;s; The Raleigh; The Nevele; Kutsher&rsquo;s; Brown&rsquo;s; on and on, not counting scores of smaller, less famous, hotels. The basic rate included your accommodations, and three meals a day. Meals were served at scheduled times, at assigned tables, with the same waiter and bus boy. What meals they were! The breakfast menu looked like that of a local Diner; with no prices! Order as much as you wanted; it was all included. Lunch was a multi-course repast, but, it was dinner that was the feast. Appetizer, soup, salad entr&eacute;e, dessert, a cheese tray, fresh fruit. Try the lamb, or the steak, or both, or&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />It also included the use of all of the amenities, the pool and nightly entertainment.</p>\r\n<p><br />There were several &lsquo;common rooms,&rsquo; such as as card rooms, a library, and a very large room called the &ldquo;Casino.&rdquo; I have never figured out why they called it that, since there was no gambling at the hotels, but the &ldquo;Casino&rdquo; it was.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Casino was used as a show lounge, at night, and for bingo, and other entertainment, during the day.</p>\r\n<p><br />The big attraction was always the pool. And, a common sight around the pool, all day, was the Social Director. In a large hotel, he would have one, or two, assistants. He would hang out at the pool area, talking to, and entertaining, the guests. In the afternoon, he would organize pool games. A good Social Director could run a mean Simon-Says! At night, during the week, he would host various shows; none all that good. On rainy days, it was Bingo, in the Casino, and other activities.</p>\r\n<p><br />The big shows were on the week-end, and Saturday brought same real, big name, talent. Then after the Saturday night show was the big, complimentary, Midnight Buffet&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />The similarities go on, and on, but you get the idea. So did a young man, named Aronson, who thought that if you put the pool on the hotel roof, and got the whole thing to float from island-to-island, you just might have something&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p><br />These hotels were the origins of Carnival Cruise Lines, and, soon thereafter, NCL (which was then Norwegian Caribbean Lines); the floating Grossinger&rsquo;s. In the early seventies, when this occurred, the basic formula for cruising was very simple. Give your guests a chance to get away from it all. No telephones, television, newspapers, or any contact with the &ldquo;real world.&rdquo; Provide lots of entertainment, with a fantasy approach. And, feed them, feed them, feed them.</p>\r\n<p><br />For the first decade, little changed, including the number of people who cruised. Despite mass marketing, and a push from &ldquo;The Love Boat,&rdquo; fewer than five-percent of Americans had been on a cruise.</p>\r\n<p><br />Then, competition started to get fierce, and the cruise lines began to offer more and more. Bigger ships meant more options for passengers, from numerous entertainment venues to multiple eating choices.</p>\r\n<p><br />Ships grew larger, and, soon, held several thousand passengers. Choices in dining became vital, and the &ldquo;Personal Choice&rdquo; of Princess joined NCL&rsquo;s &ldquo;Freestyle Cruising.&rdquo; The Lido Buffet was soon joined by smaller stations, elsewhere on the ship, where you could get pizza, hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of other food.</p>\r\n<p><br />Ships began to offer more and more entertainment; rock-climbing, golf, ice skating, and I can&rsquo;t imagine what next. Maybe skiing, on artificial snow, or skydiving, from the top of the funnel to the lido Deck; perhaps REAL horse racing around the pool; and, who knows, maybe a double loop roller coaster.</p>\r\n<p><br />Yet, even with all these changes, the formula remained the same: Give your guests a chance to get away from it all. Provide lots of entertainment, with a fantasy approach. And, feed them, feed them, feed them.</p>\r\n<p><br />And so, we wound up with &ldquo;Dirty Dancing at sea.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-22 07:02:19',99,1,1,NULL,NULL,788,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-07-17 15:54:31',0),(1602,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  11. Dolphin Encounters',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:42:00','<p>I have an &ldquo;older brother,&rdquo; with whom I share no true blood relationship. Alan and I grew up together, in Sea Gate. His wife, Nancy, also grew up in the seaside community. We have all known each other since 1955&hellip;. (and, what year were you born in?)</p>\r\n<p><br />Alan and Nancy have a son and a daughter that mesh, in age, with my two youngest sons. A number of years ago, we all took a cruise on the Dolphin IV.</p>\r\n<p><br />Those of you who have sailed on the Dolphin know that the cabins tended to be on the small side. A typical outside had two portholes (there&rsquo;s that funny word again&hellip;), two lower and two upper bunks. It was so tight that you had to leave the room to change the expression on your face&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />A converted freighter, she was &ldquo;tiny,&rdquo; at 13,000 grt, and she held less than 600 passengers. But, like the Britanis, she was a ship with a soul.</p>\r\n<p><br />As has become my routine, we went to the cabin, checked it out, and headed to the buffet. It was a bit more extensive than the others we\'d been to. We filled our plates, and sat down to eat. I commented that I was very surprised, but hadn\'t seen any cakes, or fruit, or any dessert.</p>\r\n<p><br />Well, we began to eat, and the food was excellent! Considering this was just the &ldquo;Welcome Aboard Buffet,&rdquo; we couldn\'t wait to see what dinner would bring! We didn\'t know, at the time, but the food was also done by Apollo.</p>\r\n<p><br />Halfway through our meal, a man walked by with a tray of desserts. I asked where he had found them, and he said, \"Oh, right over there, in the dessert room....\" YES, LISA63, A WHOLE ROOM FULL OF DESSERTS, with two waiters scooping out ice cream. I knew, right there, that I was in a lot of trouble... and I was right.</p>\r\n<p><br />It was my sons&rsquo; first cruise, and they were young teen-agers. Hormones racing through their veins, I didn&rsquo;t see them for the entire cruise, &hellip; except for dinner (a rule) and back in the cabin at 2:00 am (another rule).</p>\r\n<p><br />On the next-to-last night, they served frog&rsquo;s legs. My sons had never had them, tried them and loved them. They each gobbled up two orders, and on order escargot, another first. Then, came the lobster.</p>\r\n<p><br />When the waiter took our orders, he started with Alan and Nancy&rsquo;s daughter, who ordered lobster, and asked if she might have two&hellip; My older son, next, also asking for two lobsters&hellip;. The waiter just turned to all of us, and asked if we were all having lobster. We told him that we all were, and he nodded, smiled and walked away.</p>\r\n<p><br />After the appetizers, soup and salad, the Bus Boy began to clear the center of the table, as the Waiter placed a tray, with a dozen lobsters, in the middle of the table. &ldquo;Let me know if you need seconds&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />It was on this trip that I was first introduced to Blue Lagoon Island, and got to meet Dry Bread&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />The ship docked in Nassau, early Saturday morning. Several &ldquo;party boats,&rdquo; all called The Calypso (I, II, II, etc;) made the trip from Nassau harbor to Blue Lagoon Island.</p>\r\n<p><br />On the way over, live entertainment kept us amused, during the twenty-minute journey.</p>\r\n<p><br />I was on the upper deck, and the entertainer was on the lower. The music started, and I turned to Alan and said, &ldquo;This guy is really great!&rdquo; It was hard to keep still, and all of the passengers were rocking with the beat. I started down the stairs and it suddenly struck me; &ldquo;Hey, that sounds like Dry Bread!&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Sure enough. It was a performer I had never seen, but had several cassettes of&hellip; I love island music; soca, calypso, reggae, zook, steel pan&hellip; I had picked up two, or three, of Dry Bread&rsquo;s tapes on a previous trip to the Bahamas.</p>\r\n<p><br />We approached the island, and entered the lagoon. Back then, the hurricane had not split the island in two, and the foliage was extremely dense. After the storm, the owners decided to keep it as two islands, add a dolphin encounter, and, generally, ruin it!</p>\r\n<p><br />On our first visit, it was one large island, with a number of beaches. I believe there were seven. As you got further from the dock, the beaches became less populated and the bathing suits more scanty. By the time you got to the sixth, it was topless, and by the time you got to the seventh&hellip;. Well, let&rsquo;s just say that I have some great videos!!</p>\r\n<p><br />But, it was the hammocks&hellip; Hundreds of extra large hammocks, in tropical wooded areas, along the beaches, everywhere. We&rsquo;d always try to get one close enough to the main beach, so we could just hear the live calypso band, but far enough away to be out of the crowd&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />On a subsequent trip, I was traveling with friends, Eddie and Millie, from Miami. We decided to do a little shopping, in town, after breakfast, and then catch the last Calypso to Blue Lagoon Island, at 11:00 AM.</p>\r\n<p><br />At about ten, I told Eddie and Millie that it was time to head back to the ship, drop off my packages, and head for the Calypso. Millie told Eddie that they should be going, but Eddie said, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got lots of time. I just want to get one more thing.&rdquo; They said they&rsquo;d be right along. We told them we&rsquo;d meet them on the Calypso&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />At eleven, sharp, I was sitting in the Calypso, waiting for Eddie and Millie. The hands were untying the lines and the engines beginning to rev. We began to pull, slowly, away from the dock. Just then, we saw Eddie and Millie, running down the dock, with Millie screaming, &ldquo;Blue Lagoon&hellip;..Blue Lagoon&hellip;..Blue Lagoon&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />To this day, I wonder if, perhaps, this incident was part, or, possibly, all, of the reason that Eddie and Millie were divorced, several months later.</p>\r\n<p><br />We stayed overnight, in Nassau, and, on Sunday, did the Nassau sightseeing thing.</p>\r\n<p><br />Back on the ship, excitement was beginning to build on the pool deck&hellip;. No, not the Bon Voyage Party! A young man, a local Bahamian, had, obviously, paid off a few crew members, and been allowed to &ldquo;sneak&rdquo; onto the ship. This was when Security was fairly lax, and I later learned that this was a regular occurrence.</p>\r\n<p><br />The one boy, on the ship, would stand on the railing, and collect dollar bills from the passengers. Meanwhile, a cohort, on the dock, would do the same. When they had collected thirty, or forty, dollars, the fellow on the ship would stand-up on the rail;<br />&ldquo;One&hellip;..&rdquo; (pause) &ldquo;Two&hellip;..&rdquo; (pause) &ldquo;Three&hellip;..&rdquo; and off he&rsquo;d go! A perfect dive, right into the water. Gasps, screams, applause and cheers! Then, about ten minutes later, our little friend would reappear on deck, only to begin all over&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />That was a Sailaway Party!</p>\r\n<p><br />It was August 24, 1992, and Hurricane Andrew was battering south Florida with all its Category 4 force. I was too busy, running from room-to-room, dodging the sixty-foot Dade County Pines to think about my cruise, on the Dolpin IV, scheduled for less thans than a week away. It was no fun being a Single Digit Midget, even if I had never heard of the term.</p>\r\n<p><br />Puggsley, my little fourteen people-year-old mixed breed (Cocker Spaniel/Terrier), was in a panic. I held him on my lap, and felt his little heart beating so fast that I thought it would break. After several hours of this assault, Puggsley stopped shaking, forever&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />By morning, we had lost our roof, all of our windows and, saddest of all, little Puggsley&hellip; No time to think about a cruise.</p>\r\n<p><br />A few days later, when the roads were clear and the National Guard gave the, &ldquo;OK,&rdquo; I was able to drive to work, and get to a telephone. It was, now, only a few days before the sailing. I called Dolphin, to see if I could salvage something; maybe a credit of some type, on a future cruise. After all, every crusie line clearly tells you that there will be no refunds given for cancellations made less than thirty days prior to sailing.</p>\r\n<p><br />I called Dolphin Cruise Lines and spoke to a Customer Service Representative. &ldquo;Hi,&rdquo; I started, my name is Jeffrey Stern and my wife and I are scheduled to sail on the Dolphin IV, this Friday.&rdquo; &ldquo;Just a moment, please, Mr. Stern,&rdquo; she said. After a short wait, the woman got back on the phone and said, &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Stern, when would you like to reschedule your cruise for?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />I was amazed. Imagine a cruise line that hires psychics to work in their Customer Service Department. I hadn&rsquo;t told this person why I was calling, yet she knew, immediately! Now, that&rsquo;s what I call service.</p>\r\n<p><br />I asked how she knew why I was calling, and she explained that they had programmed their computers to show the reservations by zip code, noting the codes in the main hurricane-damage areas.</p>\r\n<p><br />Optimistically, I re-booked the cruise for September 25, 1992, a month later. It was then that we took our second cruise on the Dolphin IV.</p>\r\n<p><br />By the time a month had passed, I really needed to get away. Even if it was only a three-night cruise, it was well appreciated. You see, I was the Claims Manager for a local insurance company, and had just spent a month in Insurance Hell! I didn&rsquo;t even have time to handle my claim for the damage to my house, I was so busy at work.</p>\r\n<p><br />It was on this cruise that I set an all-time record! I won&rsquo;t get into specifics, and the exact number is a not-to-be-revealed secret, I gained more weight on this three-night cruise than on any cruise I&rsquo;ve been on, including all the seven-nighters!!! Apollo strikes again!</p>\r\n<p><br />Even worse, I was scheduled to sail aboard the Fantasy about six weeks later, barely enough time to lose the weight from the Dolphin, and start the cycle over again!</p>\r\n<p><br />I guess losing the little cruise lines, and smaller ships is a lot like losing the old mom-and-pop stores. I doubt that today&rsquo;s mega-cruise lines can offer the personal service that the Dolphin Cruise Line did after Andrew.</p>\r\n<p><br />The super markets, and department stores, offer more variety and selection, at less cost, and are extremely efficient. But, you have to sacrifice the service, friendliness, and other amenities that the small, local, stores used to offer. You can&rsquo;t grab a loaf of bread off the shelf, yell, &ldquo;Hey, Bob, catch you tomorrow,&rdquo; and run out the door. Well, I guess you could, but you wouldn&rsquo;t get far.</p>\r\n<p><br />Anyway, the same fate has befallen the cruise industry. We have gigantic ships, all sorts of activities and entertainment, round-the-clock food, ice skating, rock wall climbing, full-size eighteen hole golf courses&hellip;..OK, not yet, but&hellip;. Even with all of this, the increased size of ships has allowed the cruise lines to keep fares level.</p>\r\n<p><br />It&rsquo;s just a trade-off.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-12 02:43:27',113,1,1,NULL,NULL,787,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-07-17 15:55:31',0),(1601,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  10. Olympus, to Caribe I, to Regal Empress',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:40:00','<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">My next adventure, following the Britanis, was on another \"oldie but goodie,\" Commodore Cruise Lines\' Caribe I. </span></p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Originally the Olympus, doing the New York to Europe run, she was a small, very comfortable ship, and, like the Britanis, very nautical. Due to her small size, and long, narrow, hull, she was nicknamed, &ldquo;The Rollympia.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>She was a diminutive ship, operating in the &ldquo;budget&rdquo; category. There were a number of ships operating in this category, operated by several lines, such as Chandris Fantasy, Commodore, Dolphin, and others. They all delivered a very decent product, and each had it&rsquo;s own area of expertise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On the Caribe, it was the entertainment that was surprisingly good. It was also more than just a little bit on the offbeat side.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One of the entertainers, Steve Hart, was a member of the &ldquo;crew,&rdquo; and was part of the Cruise Director&rsquo;s staff. Steve left a wife, and son, in California, to pursue a career as a puppeteer aboard a cruise ship. He worked with life-size dummies, which were reproductions of old-time stars, such as Jimmy Durante and Carol Channing. He also did various comedy routines without the puppets, and a number of audience participation entertaining.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>During the day, Steve mingled with the passengers, ran the trivia games and other activities.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I didn&rsquo;t take notice, at the time, that Steve always wore long-sleeved shirts and slacks. He never wore a t-shirt and shorts. It wasn&rsquo;t until several years later that I learned the reason&hellip;. I was talking to someone else who knew Steve, a local videographer who had filmed Steve&rsquo;s video, and he told me that Steve had tattoos from the base of his neck, to ankles, and down to both wrists. Had this been twenty years earlier, he could have gotten a job at the Coney Island Freak Shows; &ldquo;Come see the tattooed man!&rdquo; I don&rsquo;t mean to offend Steve, in any way, though. He is a fantastic person, with a great personality, and I will never forget him. He made the cruise a lot of fun!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Also aboard was a group called &ldquo;The Four Guys.&rdquo; They were, basically, a &lsquo;country&rsquo; group, based in Nashville, and entertained at Grand Ole&rsquo; Opry. They had a six-month contract on the Caribe. Their talents were, hardly, limited to country music. The also did fantastic 50&rsquo;s doo-wop.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One night, they performed several numbers that were made famous by the Temptations. This was a regular part of their act. Ironically, the &ldquo;original&rdquo; Temptations came aboard, at one of the ports, to perform a one-night show. Unfortunately, the group was past their prime. While the show was nostalgic, they had, clearly, passed their peak. Many of the passengers joked that, &ldquo;The Four Guys did a better Temptations than the Temptations&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As I previously mentioned, this is the ship upon which I learned to shoot craps! The casino was small, and got crowded, but, the dealers, and fellow passengers, were always cheerful and considerate. It was one of the nicest shipboard casinos I&rsquo;ve been in.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As was the case of so many ships, back then, the catering was done by Apollo, and, therefore, was excellent. Our maitre d\', Dean, was one of the best I have ever had, as was the entire staff.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Our itinerary took us to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Once in port, I hired a local young man, Miguel, to show me around. Prior to touring with Miguel, he and I had set a price of five-dollars per hour. Little tip: In ANY port, make sure you set the price of a tour, taxi ride, etc; BEFORE you begin. It will avoid the tribulations that, unfortunately, many cruise passengers have had in the past.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Upon beginning the expedition, I was appalled to see the poverty in this small town. The sewage ran through open trenches, on either side of the street, and you crossed them on small, wooden, boards. The houses were, mostly, open shacks with shutters, but no windows, and \"bead curtain\" doors. Several generations shared the small huts.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Miguel showed me around the town, took me to the fort, and conducted a pleasant tour. After two hours, we returned to the ship. I handed Miguel the ten-dollars we had agreed upon, plus an extra five&hellip; I thought he was going to drop to his knees, and kiss my feet! \"Oh, senor,\" he said, \"it takes my papa a whole week to earn fifteen-dollars&hellip;..\"</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Miguel asked me how I had liked his town, and I told him that, in all honesty, the town made me gloomy. I had never seen such poverty, and felt badly that the people had to live under such conditions. \"It\'s not so bad, here, senor; you should see how bad it is on the other side of the island (Haiti).\" Like so many Caribbean people, he accepted his circumstances, and pointed out that it could be worse. We could learn quite a lesson from him.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>That evening, I had trouble eating dinner. I kept thinking about Puerto Plata, and the people who had so little. I began to feel a little guilty about all the abundant food on the menu. Our bus boy asked what was wrong, and I told him. &ldquo;Senor,&rdquo; he said, &rdquo;do not feel so bad. I&rsquo;m from Puerto Plata, and I have found a way out of the poverty. Many others could, too, if they really wanted to. Enjoy your dinner.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I took his advice, and enjoyed my dinner, and the rest of my cruise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The maitre d&rsquo; was one of our most memorable. His name was Dean, and he worked for Apollo. He was always walking through the dining room, making sure everything was perfect. And, for the most part, it usually was.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>For reasons that we&rsquo;ll skip, right now, I always travel with a little stuffed raccoon, named, Broward. He usually stays in the cabin, and, seldom, ventures out. Since we had an odd number of people at the dining room table, as a joke, one day, I brought Broward to the dining room, and sat him in the empty seat. Without missing a beat, Dean, who had spotted little Browie at the table, walked over and placed a Children&rsquo;s Menu in front of the little guy. Now, there&rsquo;s one maitre d&rsquo; that knows how to earn his tip!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Unlike the poor Britanis, the Caribe I is enjoying a new life.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After serving so well for Commodore, she was taken over by Regal Cruise Lines, and sailed as the Regal Empress. Following the failure of Regal Cruise Lines, she was bought by Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines, and is sailing three day cruises from Miami to Nassau.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I was recently fortunate to cruise her, once again, thirteen years after my initial voyage. Not too much has changed, with a few exceptions.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The food is no longer catered by Apollo, and it shows. While the food is still good, it tends to be uneven, and the variety and abundance of the fare has sharply decreased. Some dishes are really superior, while others are merely OK. I had no trouble finding more than enough very good chow to keep me happy on a short cruise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The entertainment is nowhere near what it was when Commodore ran the show (pun intended). The entertainers are all from eastern Europe, and while they are excellent performers, their accents can be disconcerting. I found it to be an assault on my ears to hear, &ldquo;I vant to be dere, New Yoruk, New Yoruk.&rdquo; Oh well, the dancers were pretty good.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The casino staff is still top draw! While the casino is being managed by a new firm, they are every good as the one aboard the Caribe.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The general service, including the cabin pttendants, dining room staff, buffet staff, information desk personnel, and so forth down the line, are excellent.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>But, the ship is still THE ship! The library has been turned into a conference room, and kept locked, but little else has changed. She has been refurbished and is excellently maintained. The wood that surrounds you, all over the ship, remains as it was in all its lacquered beauty, and the brass is kept polished round-the-clock.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The enclosed promenade, with it deeply cushioned loveseats, provides a mood of relaxation and contentment that can only be found on the older ships. Unfortunately she is only one of a very few still in operation. The lido pool deck, at the rear of the ship, is still the center of activity. Completely open to the sea on three sides, it is the heart of the ship.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I don&rsquo;t know how many years this lady of the sea has left, after fifty-plus years of service, but she certainly is not showing her age. My advice: Hurry, before it&rsquo;s too late. The Regal Empress is the last converted ocean liner/cruise liner operating from a U.S. port!</p>','2013-01-09 13:02:50',72,1,1,NULL,NULL,786,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1600,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  9. Bon Voyage to a Real Lady',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:39:00','<p>There is a reason that I have devoted much of my chronicle discussing the Britanis. In addition to the personal bond I developed with her, and she truly was very special to me, she was the epitome of the typical ocean liner/cruise ship of her day, in every way. As a result, most of my discussion of shipboard life on the Britanis would be appropriate for so many others, including, but not limited to, the Dolphin IV, Emerald Seas, Caribe I (now, the Regal Empress), Mardi Gras, and most of the ships up until the Holiday.</p>\r\n<p><br />I was lucky enough to have sailed on the Britanis over a dozen times. My last voyage was only a few weeks before she sailed off onto her final voyage. Her final voyage was a short trip; from Miami to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; only a few hundred miles away. There, this dignified lady was converted to serve as as a floating military barracks for the overcrowded base. A shameful end for such a noble ship. But, that wasn&rsquo;t how it ended&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />This wasn&rsquo;t the first time she had served the military. She had served as a troop carrier, in World War Two, and it was during this time that she became a heroine, and, at the same time, made history.</p>\r\n<p><br />While serving in her in her military capacity, she had an anti-aircraft gun mounted at the stern, where the pool deck would eventually be located. At one point, she came under attack, by an enemy plane. As the plane got closer to the ship, it was shot down by one of her gunners, and she became the only cruise ship, ever, to have brought down an enemy aircraft.</p>\r\n<p><br />I was fortunate enough to be aboard her when she performed another act of heroism!</p>\r\n<p><br />The last day of the cruise, a day at sea, is supposed to be a quiet, tranquil, lazy day with no cares and no worries. We were sailing from Cozumel, home to Miami. It was a perfect day at sea, with blue skies, bright sun and calm seas. It was a day to wind down, and enjoy, for one last time, the sun and the sea and the breezes. No cares; no worries; no excitement. A day to relax, and chill out.</p>\r\n<p><br />This particular day started out just as normal as could be. It was just after lunch, and I was relaxing on the Lido Deck, reading. The Britanis Five was &lsquo;on stage, entertaining us with excellent renditions of island music. It was a welcome change from the Mariachi&rsquo;s who, also, entertained on this 5-night Miami/Cozumel/Key West run. It was a perfect afternoon. The sun was bright, in a blue sky; the temperature nice and warm and there was a beautiful breeze. Of course, there was always a breeze on the stern pool deck.</p>\r\n<p><br />We were headed northeast, through the Straights of Florida, that 90-mile wide body of water that connects the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Atlantic, and which, barely, separates Cuba from Key West. Suddenly, the entire ship was bustling and buzzing; word flying through the ship as quickly as the desserts fly off the Midnight Buffet. &ldquo;Rafters&hellip;.they&rsquo;ve spotted some rafters and we&rsquo;re heading back to get them&hellip;.must be Cubans&hellip;&rdquo;&rdquo;nah, could be Haitians&hellip;&rdquo;&rdquo;no, too close to Cuba&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />When you live in Miami, you tend to become complacent about Cuban rafters. They come ashore so frequently that you don&rsquo;t give it a second thought. They arrive, they are processed and, usually within twenty-four hours, they are released to waiting relatives. It just seems like a simple process. It didn&rsquo;t seem like such a big deal, until that incredible day.</p>\r\n<p><br />As I looked out, I saw that, surely enough, our wake was clearly forming an arc, and we were, unquestionably, turning, sharply, to port. By now, many of the passengers had lined up, along the rail, and I joined them. I was upset that I had stopped bringing my binoculars on our cruises. But, they were bulky, and heavy, and, even when I had brought them, seldom used them. Now, peering out, and seeing nothing, I promised myself that I would buy an inexpensive pair of small, lightweight, travel binoculars, and bring them on every cruise. I, later, kept that promise, love my new binoculars and use them all the time.</p>\r\n<p><br />Unfortunately, without them, I could see nothing. I thought I saw a small, black, spot, very far away, appearing, and disappearing, and reappearing, but I wasn&rsquo;t sure.</p>\r\n<p><br />By now, almost everyone on the ship, passengers and crew, were leaning over the portside railings, trying to get a glimpse of the impending rescue. The ship developed a decided list to that side. It seemed like it took forever, and many miles, to make our circle. In actuality, it did take close to an hour. If only sidethrusters had been invented, then.</p>\r\n<p><br />The far-away smudge started to take shape, and we continued our loop. The raft, and its occupants, were very, very tiny in a vast ocean. Even as we got closer, and closer, I was stunned by how tiny this vessel, carrying its three, desperate, passengers was. A few inner-tubes, some discarded lumber, and some rope&hellip; How desperate they must have been to have risked their lives on a contrivance that looked about as seaworthy as&hellip;.well, inner tubes and lumber, held together by worn ripe.</p>\r\n<p><br />A &ldquo;typical&rdquo; raft used by Cuban refugees&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />They finally were close enough to make out details. Two men and one woman on a &ldquo;raft&rdquo; that was about eight-by-eight. I thought the woman appeared to be pregnant, but I will never know for sure. What I do know is that they were very lucky to have been spotted by us. Sad to say, many of the rafters who leave the Cuban shores are never heard from again.</p>\r\n<p><br />The raft bobbed in the six-to-eight foot seas, and it was a difficult task to get the raft and the ship close enough to secure the craft to the ship. Finally, the raft was close enough so that a rope could be thrown to the rafters. It took several tries, but one of the men grabbed the rope, and hung on for dear life. The two men on the raft tugged on one end of the rope, while a number of crew members hauled in the other. After an eternity, the tiny craft was, finally, secured to the ship. A ladder rope was dropped from an opening on the port side of the ship, and the crew members helped the rafters aboard. Their last act was to cut the raft loose.</p>\r\n<p><br />All through the entire operation, all of the passengers were cheering, and shouting, and applauding and, generally, going nuts. As the rafters made it aboard, we all, spontaneously, broke out into singing, &ldquo;God bless America; land that I love&hellip;&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />We never saw the rafters again. They spent the rest of the day in the crew&rsquo;s quarters, and ate in the crew&rsquo;s mess. The evening after the rescue, our waiter, at dinner, told us they were fine. They had relatives in Miami, and felt like they were headed home. Perhaps they were&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />The next morning, we were in Miami, and, my guess, is than I.N.S. took them to the Krome Avenue Detention Center, for processing. In most cases, they would be released within 24 hours. However, I&rsquo;m not sure how our &ldquo;wet foot/dry foot policy&rdquo; works in cases of rafters picked up at sea, by a cruise ship.</p>\r\n<p><br />Anyway, it was an unusual cruise and an experience that I will never forget. One that still gives me goosebumps every time I think about it. Yes, God bless America,,,,,</p>\r\n<p><br />A few years following the raft incident, and subsequent to her stint at Guantanamo, I was surfing the net, and, quite accidentally, found pictures someone had taken of the her at Berth 26, at the Tampa port. She had been renamed the Belofin, but was destined never to sail again.</p>\r\n<p><br />She had been sold to an investment group, named AG Belofin Investments of Liechtenstein, which had purchased her with the intention of turning her into a hotel, in San Francisco, similar to the Queen Mary, in San Diego. They had covered the name, &ldquo;Britanis,&rdquo; on the stern of the ship, with white paint, and had painted the name, &ldquo;Belofin I.&rdquo; She looked to be in pretty decent shape, for a woman her age, but would definitely need full refurbishing. It was a little sad, looking at those pictures, but not nearly as sad as what was to come.</p>\r\n<p><br />A few months later, I came upon a news story which said that the plans to turn an old ship, the Belofin I, into a hotel had fallen through, and she was going to be towed to a scarp yard. However, while being towed, she began to take on water and she sank. The article had a link, to some pictures of her sinking.</p>\r\n<p><br />I clicked onto the link; the photos began to download; and, feeling very foolish, felt a tear running down my cheek. I tried to tell myself that she was better off at the bottom of the sea, that was the home she loved, than as a toaster or soda can. But it wasn&rsquo;t much comfort.</p>\r\n<p><br />While that thought offered little solace, I decided to look at things a different way. I took a thought from on of my favorite movie lines, &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t the airplanes that got Kong, it was beauty killed the beast,&rdquo; and decided that it wasn&rsquo;t the Britanis that sank, it was the Belofin I that went down.&rdquo;</p>','2013-01-13 12:58:04',89,2,1,NULL,NULL,785,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1599,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  8. Apollo Wasn&#039;t Just a Greek God',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:37:00','<p>The single most noteworthy aspect of cruising; the one that is most attractive to the passengers; the drawing card; was, always, the food!</p>\r\n<p><br />When the major &ldquo;entertainment&rdquo; consisted of doing the Dollar Wine, Hula Hoop Contests, and stuffing fresh fruit into your bathing suit, there was always the food for compensation..</p>\r\n<p><br />Most of the cruise lines, in the 1970&rsquo;s, with the exception of Carnival, used a Miami company to furnish the complete food service. The company supplied all of the personnel involved in food, from the preparers and chefs, in the kitchen, to the maitre d&rsquo;. They supplied, and prepared, all of the food served onboard.</p>\r\n<p><br />&hellip;..That company was Apollo Ship Chandlers, of Miami.</p>\r\n<p><br />They operated the food services on the Britanis, and provided the same for a majority of the cruise lines, such as Chandris, Commodore, Dolphin, Majesty, Renaissance and a host of others. Each line prepared its own menus, and had a different budget, per passenger, so the food did vary from line-to-line and ship-to-ship. The one thing that did not vary, was the quality. It was always tops.</p>\r\n<p><br />One thing that hasn&rsquo;t changed, in the world of cruising, is the emphasis on food. The theory is, that if you keep the passengers well-fed, with good food, and keep it coming until they burst out of their clothing, they will have a good time. Thus it was in the beginning, and thus it is today. Amen.</p>\r\n<p><br />The last holdout was Celebrity, which finally went in-house a few years ago. The only place you can sample their special food is on Discovery Cruise Lines day cruises, from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama. Apollo owns the ship and uses it to train its staff&hellip;</p>\r\n<p><br />However, this is the exception to the rule that good food makes the cuise, and nothing else matters. The cruise is not a nice experience, despite the food!</p>\r\n<p><br />As I said, Apollo catered the Britanis. Considering the fact that the Britanis was a budget ship, the food was, surprisingly, excellent. Starting with the Elephant Ear cookies on the Welcome Aboard Buffet, through the breakfast croissants, wonderful sandwich breads at lunchtime, to the basket of rolls at the Captain&rsquo;s Farewell Dinner, the baked goods were superb&hellip;the best I&rsquo;ve ever had on any cruise line, from budget to upscale. All of the baked goods were prepared aboard, and every item had a distinct texture and flavor. Strudels and croissants were flaky; rolls were soft, with crunchy crusts; and the various different cakes all were made from different batters.</p>\r\n<p><br />Today, ships tend to use a prepared, &ldquo;basic,&rdquo; cake and add strawberries and topping, and call it Strawberry Short Cake. Take the same basic cake, put some cr&egrave;me in the middle and encrust the top with chocolate and, voila, Boston Cream Pie. You know what I mean. They look terrific, but all have a common texture and flavor.&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p><br />Dinner, the traditional &ldquo;Main&rdquo; and &ldquo;Late&rdquo; seatings, was a special affair. The menus were much like todays, but the food was less neuveau and more &ldquo;hearty.&rdquo; When you ordered the entr&eacute;e, it came without any side dishes.</p>\r\n<p><br />The bus boy, now called the Assistant Waiter, in todays&rsquo; politically-correct world, would come to the table with a tray of potatoes and vegetables, and serve as much, or as little, as you wished. Not two asparagus, draped over a baby yellow squash and two small chunks of non-descript potato, or a small puddle of rice, affectionately called risotto, but mounds of mashed potato, or a large baked potato, with all the fixin&rsquo;s, and a pile of veggies, or two. &ldquo;More, sir?&rdquo; &ldquo;Sure! Pile it on!&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />The bus boys were able to do this because they only had one waiter to work with; a team; four or five tables; one waiter; one bus boy; great service. Nowadays, the Bus Boys have become Assistant Waiters, and are spread a bit more thinly; usually, one Assistant for each two Waiters. And, the waiters have to service more tables.</p>\r\n<p><br />Friday night was always my favorite, aboard he Britanis. Dinner, for me, was always the churrasco steak. Living in Miami, I am exposed to Latin food all the time, and believe I have discerning taste. Therefore, it is quite a compliment that I looked forward to the Friday dinner so much. However, it wasn&rsquo;t the dinner steak that truly thrilled me; it was the Linguini, at the midnight buffet that was the winner!</p>\r\n<p><br />About 11:45, the entire ship would begin to fill with the aroma of the olive oil, garlic, spices and herbs.&hellip; By midnight, when the dining room doors opened, the passengers followed their noses, like lemmings to the sea&hellip;. Down the stairs, and straight to the waiters, with their giant pans, browning the garlic, adding the linguini and herbs, and, gently, mixing it all up&hellip;. A fresh, crunchy, roll and&hellip;.oh, well, what&rsquo;s another pound, or two?</p>\r\n<p><br />I have heard people, lately, complain that we expect too much of cruise ship food; after all, they&rsquo;re cooking catering-style for so many people; let&rsquo;s accept mediocre food; etc; etc; Well, it&rsquo;s a myth! Apollo proved then, on all of the lines they catered that you don&rsquo;t have to settle for less than excellent food and service. Even the smallest details were taken care of.</p>\r\n<p><br />Celebrity has done a decent job of continuing the &ldquo;Apollo way&rdquo; of doing things, and has hired a number of former Apollo employees. They still put linen liners on all the buffet trays, so you don&rsquo;t get a wet tray, and the silver and dishes don&rsquo;t rattle or slide&hellip; No paper cups, plastic &ldquo;silverware,&rdquo; (By the way, they still have cushions on the lounges on the lido deck, around the pool!) Other lines, like Princess, that do their own catering, are a close second. They do an excellent job, even though it is &ldquo;banquet style.&rdquo; You cannot prepare true gourmet food on a scale that large.</p>\r\n<p><br />Now, don&rsquo;t get me wrong. I&rsquo;m not complaining about the present quality of the food/service. I&rsquo;m only saying it could be better. For the most part, nearly all of the cruise lines serve food, and serve it well, that is as good as many restaurants back home. Better, in fact, than the very popular chain restaurants, such as Bennigan&rsquo;s, Cheesecake Factory, and such. Better quality, in fact, than many land-based restaurants.</p>\r\n<p><br />I&rsquo;m just saying they could do better&hellip;..OK, the ships are a lot larger, and there are three-to-four times the number of passengers to feed.</p>\r\n<p><br />On the other hand, I sometimes find the food and service to be the source of entertainment, around the dinner table&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p><br />As you get to know your tablemates, just a bit, you will realize that these mavens of exotic victuals; these connoisseurs of epicurean delights; spend their Saturday evenings having dinner at Bennigan&rsquo;s, Friday&rsquo;s, a local Chinese restaurant or a pizza parlor. Yet, they complain that the escargot could use a little more (less) garlic, the brie is a bit sharp (dry&hellip;bland&hellip;) and the cr&egrave;me brulee just a tad on the runny side. Yeah, and their Jell-O instant pudding, back home, was just right&hellip;.said the Baby Bear.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-21 16:19:58',82,1,1,NULL,NULL,784,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1598,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  7. A Love Affair at Sea',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:34:00','<p><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">In the early days of cruising, the gangway from the terminal did not lead directly into a grand atrium. You stepped off the boardwalk onto the deck of the ship, where you were greeted by a row of white-jacketed Cabin Stewards and a young woman, in a stiff, blue, jacket. </span></p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>This was how I met her; That ship that was to become a very special part of me.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>A young lady, a member of the Cruise Director&rsquo;s staff, handed me the usual daily program, and diagram of the ship, and told me that they were serving a buffet lunch on some deck, somewhere. She then asked to see my ticket, and took note of the cabin number. Simultaneously, the first Cabin Steward in line stepped forward, smiled and took my carry-ons. The young lady told him the cabin number, and (I think) he said, in one of the few English phrases he knew, \"Follow me, please.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As I walked along the deck, I took note of the ship, for the first time. Teak floorboards! The decks were actually made of real wood, genuine teak. The handrails were mahogany, newly varnished and highly polished, and layers and layers of white paint covered everything else. I think that there were some parts of the ship that were actually held together by the paint.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I arrived at the cabin, and stepped inside, and I let out a, barely, audible, &ldquo;Wow&hellip;..&rdquo; Facing me were two portholes; not a big picture window, but those little round things that you saw in the movies. The furnishings were only slightly frayed, but not annoyingly so. One thought kept running through my head, &ldquo;This is a real ship!&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The moment you boarded her, you felt as if she had a soul&hellip; A ship that was more of a living being, than an object. If you speak with anyone who has sailed on her, whether as apassenger or member of the crew, they will tell you that you could &ldquo;sense&rdquo; her.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>She was built in 1932, only a short twenty years after the Titanic! She was already thirty-years old when the Norway entered service, as the France. An all American, built in the Bethlehem Shipyards; she served her Country well, in World War Two, and even shot down an enemy plane! A true war hero! Yet, once she retired from active service, and was refurbished, she became a Lady, once again, and remained that way until the very end.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The Britanis was born as the Monterey, designed and built for South Pacific sailing. She cruised from California to Hawaii, and the South Pacific. Sporting a classic liner shape, with two funnels, she was a beautiful ship.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Although she was re-named, refurbished and refurnished, several times, parts of the ship retained a South Seas influence. From the Monterey, to the Matsonia, to the Lurline; finally, she spent her last four decades as the Britanis, sailing the Caribbean and South America.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>At the very stern of the Main Deck, just below the pool deck, was the &ldquo;Quiet Deck.&rdquo; Protected from the elements, by the pool deck, and open to the sea on three sides, it housed a cluster of brass instruments, including a compass and wheel, that could act as an auxiliary bridge.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The d&eacute;cor was Polynesian Tacky; rattan furniture and a &ldquo;garden&rdquo; of fake tropical foliage. Very few first-time passengers learned of its existence, due to the fact that it had to be entered from either the library or gym. Even a number of &ldquo;regulars&rdquo; took several voyages before realizing it was there! It was usually deserted, or close to it.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I enjoyed many hours on the Quiet Deck, not really worrying about having to truly be quiet. A book, a small &ldquo;boom box,&rdquo; and the sea&hellip;. On one trip, several of my sons brought guitars along. They found that the spot was perfect. Deserted, surrounded by the sea, a perfect place to play their music.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One deck up, on either side of the ship was a covered deck, open to the sea. This is where the welcome-aboard buffet was set up. Anyone who has sailed on her will tell you about the unbelievable Elephant Ear Cookies on the welcome-aboard buffet&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The remainder of the buffet was far less bountiful than today&rsquo;s feasts. The usual fare was hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, sandwiches and cookies/cakes/pies/pastries&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Despite the fact that she has been refurbished several times, a few of the original decorations, from her days in the South Seas, remained. The Polynesian d&eacute;cor of the Quiet Deck was only one example.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Tiki gods guarded the rear entrance of the dining room. They were, apparently, very effective in keeping the bad spirits out of the dining room, and galley.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The pool was at the stern of the ship, as was traditional, then, and was open on all sides, from horizon-to-horizon-to-horizon&hellip; This was the &ldquo;center&rdquo; of the ship&rsquo;s activity. It bega with the Bon Voyage Sail-Away Party. Almost all of the passenders gathered at the Lido Deck, along with the Cruise Director and his/her staff. The band was in high gear, and passengers were dancing in ever corner. Others stood at the rail and threw streamers and confetti of the stern of the ship. It was a scene out of &ldquo;Love Boat.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The show lounge was a tiny affair, with a small stage. Performers stood in the Smoker&rsquo;s Bar, just outside the ballroom, waiting to make their entrances. Yet, the shows were, surprisingly, fairly large-scale, &ldquo;scaled-down&rdquo; productions. Chinese dragons dancing across the stage; showgirls in Las Vegas costumes, with high feather crowns that nearly touched the low ceiling; dancers constantly keeping an eye on the edge of the tiny stage; it was the talent of the performers that made the show.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>And all around the ship, portholes&hellip;&hellip;. Although I was excited by the portholes (it doesn&rsquo;t take much to please me&hellip;), my favorite cabin was an inside, number 108. Due to the odd configuration of cabins, a small number of cabins, numbers 102 to 109, were outrageously large. They were holdovers from her earlier days, when she had several &lsquo;Classes.&rdquo; These particular cabins were the equivalent of &ldquo;steerage.&rdquo; We once had a group of 14 people in our cabin! It was just a little tight, but not claustrophobic&hellip; We always tried to book cabin 108 for the week-end cruises, but took an outside for the five-nighters.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>When I boarded her for the third time, my Cabin Steward recognized me, immediately, stepped out of the middle of the line, and walked over to me; &ldquo;Good afternoon sir.&rdquo; And, without another word, lead me to one-oh-eight!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The last time I sailed her, it was shortly before she was taken out of service. All of us aboard her, that trip, knew that this was, most probably, our last voyage on this lady of the sea&hellip; One night, I &lsquo;borrowed&rsquo; a knife from the buffet, went back to the cabin and began to unscrew the small metal plate, with the &ldquo;108,&rdquo; from above the door. BUSTED! As I was committing this major felony, the Cabin Steward came around the corner. He passed behind me, without slowing; &ldquo;That&rsquo;s OK, sir, you deserve it&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Once you&rsquo;ve sailed on the same ship a number of times, you get to know a number of crew members, and they get to know you.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>We have always had the Late Seating, on all of our cruises. On one sailing of the Britanis, we decided to try the Early Seating. During the first evening&rsquo;s dinner, we decided we really didn&rsquo;t like the Early Seating and would change back to Late. As we were leaving the dining room, I walked over to the maitre d&rsquo;, my buddy from Jamaica, and said, to him, &ldquo;Ivan, we have a minor problem&hellip;.&rdquo; &ldquo;No problem, mon&hellip;.&rdquo; he replied, as he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a Late Seating card, with our name on it, &ldquo;I knew you wouldn&rsquo;t like the Early Bird&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>A little tip from the Wine Steward has saved me a lot of money on my cruises. Wine must be kept in a cool, dry, motionless place. If this is not done, even the most expensive wines suffer a loss of quality. For some unexplained reason, less expensive wines tend to hold up better if these conditions are not perfectly maintained. Even if a ship keeps its wines in a cool, dry, place, which not all do, there is nothing they can do about the movement, which disturbs the sediment. Therefore, according to the Sommelier, it is a waste of money to buy an expensive wine and you are far better off enjoying the &lsquo;bargain&rsquo; brands.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After a number of visits to the Casino, I was &ldquo;comped&rdquo; by the Casino Manager, Raj. This is the only ship I&rsquo;ve ever had this honor on. Of course, when Raj comped me he didn&rsquo;t realize that all I drink, while gambling, is club soda, with a twist. However, I always grabbed a freebeie on the way out of the Casino.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>But, above everything else, was the food. Although this was a budget cruise, Chef Michelle Roux, yes, the one from Celebrity, did not stint on the food&hellip; In fact, the food deserves a chapter of its own, which follows&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;</p>','2013-01-13 12:14:11',94,1,1,NULL,NULL,783,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1597,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  6. Catching Cruise Fever',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:32:00','<div class=\"sectiontitle\">6 &ndash; CATCHING CRUISE FEVER</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Your first cruise is like a first love; everything about it is fresh, and electrifying; As long as you live, you will never forget it! No matter how many times you may put out to sea, again, there will never be a voyage quite like your first&hellip;and, every time you think about it, your heart will beat just a little more rapidly.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>My experience on the Holiday was no different. Just about every major element of the cruise was the opposite of what I had expected it to be. Although, I&rsquo;m not precisely sure what I actually expected. Maybe I had seen just one too many episodes of &ldquo;The Love Boat.&rdquo; On the other hand, nothing I experienced during my adventure was in any way disappointing. In fact, nearly everything I encountered exceeded my expectations.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I have already spent substantial time discussing the food, so I will only add that I was surprised at how much, and how often, you were fed. Of course, that was a dozen years ago. If anything, the sheer volume of food, and its overall quality, have increased. Carnival has made a considerable effort in this area, and has done so very successfully.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I was, unexpectedly, and pleasantly, surprised by the quality of the entertainment, and, specially, the production shows. The &ldquo;Broadway&rdquo; and &ldquo;Las Vegas&rdquo; reviews were excellent. A little on the &lsquo;corny&rsquo; side, sometimes, but, very entertaining. The entertainment in the smaller venues was of equal high-quality.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One of the female lead singers was, particularly, exceptional. At that particular time, I had no particular motivation to remember her name. However, I subsequently did learn that it was Elvee Rose. In December, of 1998, I was aboard the Norwegian Wind, and, while watching one of the production shows, I was particular taken by a very talented singer. I just thought, at the time, that a lot of the entertainers aboard the ships are similar, and that was the reason for the familiarity. Then, I checked the program, and saw the name Elvy Rose, which meant rang the smallest of bells in my head. As I sat, and listened, it gradually came to me, and I realized that she was the same singer I had enjoyed so much on a previous cruise. Damned if I remembered which one, but, no doubt, I had seen her on another ship.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Being the ultimate &lsquo;pack rat,&rsquo; I have saved every daily program, from every cruise I have been on. It didn&rsquo;t take very long to check the daily program from the Holiday and verify that it was the same Elvee/Elvy Rose.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The cabin was larger than I expected, until we checked out the bathroom, but that&rsquo;s another story. It was pleasantly decorated, and more restful (less gaudy) than the rest of the d&eacute;cor aboard the ship. I have learned that, for the most part, a cabin is a cabin. As far as I am concerned, they are all pretty similar. Sure, some have a bit more room, than others; several have more closets, or may be a little short of drawer space; and a number may have more, or less, amenities. I have found them all to be fairly, comfortable.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Admittedly, the few times I have had a suite, or mini-suite, I have truly enjoyed them. Likewise, whenever I have had a balcony, I made a lot of use of it. One suite (cat. 9A), aboard the Victory, was particularly nice. The balcony was approximately 30 feet long, had 2 lounges, two chairs two tables, and wrapped around the stern of the ship onto the starboard side. On the other hand, on a very few occasions, I have been left with no choice but an &lsquo;inside.&rsquo; The cruise was no less fun!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Unless you really get claustrophobic, I believe that the cabin is the least important aspect of the cruise. When I&rsquo;m in any &lsquo;standard,&rsquo; inside/oceanview, cabin, it serves as &ldquo;home base.&rdquo; I use it for sleeping, showering, changing, and spending some, but not a lot, of time there.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Other than Cabin 108, on the Britanis, an inside cabin which I always specifically requested, I have taken two other cruises with an inside cabin. I did not find that being in an inside cabin detracted from the entire cruise experience in any way. Admittedly, I missed looking out in the morning, and checking the weather; seeing the sunshine, the sea, or a port. In addition, I found that I spent less time in the cabin, but I was quite comfortable, and found that there was very little difference between an inside and an oceanview.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On the opposite end of the scale, I have had a balcony, several times, and have truly enjoyed, and made a great deal of use of it. I derived a great deal of pleasure on the balcony, watching the sea sprint by as we had coffee and cake. Yet, I have only paid extra, for the balcony, once and I don&rsquo;t think I would be inclined to do so again. At least, not if it was considerably more. I&rsquo;d rather save the money to lose in the Casino.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On the other hand, when I have something nicer, I tend to make full use of it. I&rsquo;ll sit on the balcony, entertain in the cabin, and, generally, spend more time there.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As with so many facets of cruising, this is strictly a personal decision. If it&rsquo;s important to you, make sure you book the right cabin. There are some people who will not consider going on a cruise if they can&rsquo;t get a balcony, or some other specific amenity. Me? I&rsquo;d stay in a lifeboat, if it had a private bath.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>There was so much about cruising that made it so attractive. Everything I&rsquo;ve talked about, so far, and so much more. There was one aspect of travel by sea that was unique to cruising. Something which added, immensely, to its attractiveness. You were totally &ldquo;isolated&rdquo; from the outside world.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The ships, then, did not have regular ship-to-shore telephone service; you had to go the Radio Room, during specified hours. The TV was all &ldquo;in-house.&rdquo; No satellite dishes, no news&hellip;only videotapes that were brought onboard. In fact, you were totally cut off, and shielded, from the outside world. Your ship was truly a lonely atoll in the middle of the sea&hellip; You didn&rsquo;t get a Times Fax, every morning, and had no idea what was going on in the world. The only news you ever received was when you spotted a USA Today in one of the shops in port. And, that was a rare occurrence.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As the end of the cruise approached, I came to a number of realizations&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The first was, simply, that I did not want to get off the ship! I felt as if I could spend another month, on board, without any problem. Perhaps, I might run out of clean clothes, or gain 40 pounds, but, otherwise, I could do it very easily.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I also knew that this was going to be, not just a first cruise, but, the first of many. I had found a vacation that was totally stress-free, hassle-free and affordable.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Finally, I knew that I needed to book another cruise, as soon as possible.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As I said, before, I was very lucky in the Casino, on our first cruise. We got off the ship with several hundred dollars more than we had left with.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I came off the ship with something more. It was as if I had stuck a needle into, my arm, pushed the plunger and injected my veins with something as addictive as cocaine or heroin&hellip; Yes, I had received a direct infusion of cruise fever, and soon learned that there is no cure. I was, already, suffering from PCDS, post-cruise depression syndrome. You can obtain temporary relief, by, immediately, booking another cruise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The dangerous combination of a few hundred dollars in the pocket of an addict, and a case of Post-Cruise Traumatic Stress Disorder (newly recognized by the medical profession as a legitimate syndrome), is extremely volatile&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After gathering our luggage, I went to the long term lot and got my car. I loaded the bags into the hatch, and off \\I drove. South through Coral Gables and South Miami, to Kendall. We went, directly, to see Mike, the travel agent who booked my first cruise. I handed him the Casino winnings, and told him to book me a week-end cruise. Mike asked for details; what ship? What line?</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I told him we really didn&rsquo;t care, and left the choice up to him. After all, he was the expert and I only knew that I had fallen in love with cruising.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I left Mike&rsquo;s office and drove home, pulled into the driveway, schlepped the luggage in, and collapsed on the couch. I put my video into the VCR, and relived the cruise, over-and-over-and-over, which brought minor, temporary, relief to my PCDSD (Post-Cruise Depression Stress Disorder)..</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I subsequently learned that PCDSD is a very common ailment, following any cruise, which has no known cure. Temporary relief, nevertheless, may be attained by. Immediately, booking a future cruise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Over the course of the week-end, and well into the week, I thought, and talked, about was the cruise. Towards the end of the week, Mike called and told me he had booked a week-end cruise, and would have the tickets, and all (the docs, as I later learned they are called), shortly.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>He had booked me on an older ship, and one which had none of the modern amenities. However, Mike told me, the food is excellent and the ship is very nautical. She was called the Britanis, and was built in 1932.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Still filled with the glow of the cruise we had just taken, my enthusiasm was a little less than I would have expected. Also, I was a little hesitant about a ship that was built only 20 years after the Titanic.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Little did I know what was about to happen; no inkling that something was about to occur that would change my life. Little did I know, but, shortly, I was to fall in love. I was about to begin an affair that would fill my spirit until this very day&hellip;.. Not with a woman, but with a lady&hellip;&hellip;a lady of the sea.</p>','2013-01-10 02:57:04',78,1,1,NULL,NULL,782,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1596,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  5. Places to Visit, People to See',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:31:00','<div class=\"sectiontitle\">5 &ndash; PLACES TO VISIT, PEOPLE TO SEE</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After a rollicking day at sea (after all, this was a &ldquo;fun ship&rdquo;), we arrived at our first port, Cozumel, Mexico; a quiet little island, off the Yucatan, with one, small, town, San Miguel. It wasn&rsquo;t quite the clich&eacute;d, &ldquo;sleepy little Mexican village,&rdquo; but, neither was it the bustling, teeming town it is today.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Only a small number of cruise ships called on this quiet little port each week, with well under 1,000 passengers, each. This little village was ready to explode with tourists, three to six ships, each day, with over 2,000 each, but that would still take a few years. The only &ldquo;hot&rdquo; spot in town was, everyone&rsquo;s favorite, Carlos &amp; Charlie&rsquo;s. The rest of the town was, fairly, quiet, except for the hustlers and beggars. We did not, however, begin our tour in town.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I had wanted to visit a Mayan ruin for a number of years, so we took the tour of San Gervasio, the small ruin on the island. The Mexican Government had not yet spent the money, or time to conduct any major restoration, at the time, and it was, truly, in ruins. Not much to see, unless you were a scholar of archeology, or student of Mayan history. Even today, after many years of effort, and some expense, it&rsquo;s not much to see. I don&rsquo;t recommend it to a first-time visitor to the area. There&rsquo;s a lot more to see on the island.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In its glory days, San Gervasio was a very minor, though important, Mayan Center. There were no massive pyramids, at the site, and only a few buildings. The significance of the site rested it the fact that it was built to honor Ix Chel, the Mayan Fertility Goddess, and every virgin maiden was required to pray at Her altar, before marrying. Today, very few, if any, of the women who visit could meet that requirement.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I then went shopping, in town. Then, like now, you could leave the ship with fifty-dollars, and have to make 2-3 trips back, to drop off all the junk you&rsquo;ve accumulated; Blankets at 3 for $10.00; giant sombreros at $5.00 each; and, of course, the ever-popular onyx chess sets! Has anyone ever visited Cozumel and not come home with a genuine, hand-carved, onyx chess set? In every port there are certain &ldquo;must-buys!&rdquo; In Cozumel its onyx crap and blankets.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>When I was in town, I priced them around, and the lowest price I could get was fifteen dollars. I am an Insurance Adjuster, by trade, so my negotiation skills are a match for the local merchants.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Not wanting to carry the chess set all over town, since onyx is very heavy, I decided to wait until we were back to the shops at the port to purchase one. There was a dark grey and pink that matched our color scheme perfectly. It was just one of over a dozen &lsquo;standard&rsquo; color combinations. The shops near the dock, in those days, were no more expensive than the ones in town&hellip; There were very few ships, and they carried less than 1,000 passengers, so the merchants didn&rsquo;t pay exorbitant rents, which they would have had to pass on to the passengers.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I went into the shop, and found the chess set, marked, &ldquo;$25.00 U.S. Dollars.&rdquo; I recognized a fellow passenger from the Holiday, though not by name, looking at a turquoise and black set, and ready to walk over to the owner and pay $25.00. he turned to me and said, &ldquo;Wow! This is real onyx! It&rsquo;s all hand carved&hellip;. What a bargain at twenty-five bucks. Back home you&rsquo;d pay sixty or seventy&hellip;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s see if we can make a better bargain,&rdquo; I said to him, &ldquo;Just trust me and don&rsquo;t say anything.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I called the owner over and explained that I had seen the same sets, in San Miguel, for fifteen dollars. My friend and I each wanted one, so I figured he could let us have them for ten dollars, each. He gaped at me, with that painful, salesman, gaze and said, &ldquo;But, Senor, if I do that I will lose money&hellip;.&rdquo; We went back-and-forth for about five minutes, and, at the end of our dialogue my &ldquo;friend&rdquo; and I were the proud owners of, you guessed it, genuine, hand-carved, onyx chess sets. Mine with Mayan-shaped playing pieces and his with &lsquo;traditional&rsquo; playing pieces, two for twenty-five dollars!! Now, that&rsquo;s a bargain&hellip;and, to this day, it sits in the closet where I put it when I got home,</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In those days, the streets were crowded with school-age children, selling chiclets, trinkets and nothing&hellip;. I think it&rsquo;s called, &ldquo;begging.&rdquo; It was worse than the street hawkers in Ocho Rios! Soon after my first trip to Cozumel, and on several subsequent trips, I noticed that little signs began to pop up all over town, &ldquo;Please, don&rsquo;t give the children money. They belong in school. Gracias.&rdquo; The merchants realized that the children accosting the tourists, on the street, could potentially keep the passengers on board. Well, to be honest, it worked, and, today, you don&rsquo;t too many children in the streets.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Other than a huge increase in the daily number of cruise ships who assault San Miguel every day, very few things on the island have changed and remain the same, today.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On my first visit, in 1989, the &ldquo;street merchants&rdquo; were selling, among other things, small, handmade wooden puppets. I thought my youngest son might like one, so I began the usual round of bartering. After a few minutes, we arrived at a fair price of five dollars. It seemed like a reasonable price, and Pedro was packed away for his trip to the United States. Last December, when I found myself back in Cozumel, for the umpteenth time, I was looking for some presents for my grandchildren. Lo, and behold, there were the puppet-merchants, on the street, still. I picked out several puppets and, after the appropriate haggling, reached a price of&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;. five dollars each.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The hand woven, cotton, blankets, however, have skyrocketed, in cost, over the past dozen years. They&rsquo;ve gone from four for ten bucks, to three&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Next, was Grand Cayman. It&rsquo;s the one port that was, then, and remains, now, my least favorite port. If you are not a diver, or snorkeler, there is little to see, or do. It&rsquo;s a flat, coral, rock with no topography to speak of. It has no natural beauty, no mountains, no caves, no rainforests, little tropical vegetation and second-rate beaches.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I will say, however, that my first visit was interesting. I went to the Turtle Farm, and played with all the cute, little, turtles, which turned out to be not-so-cute, after all.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The tour was informative, and a worthwhile stop. One word of caution. No matter what they tell you in the Gift Shop, it is illegal to bring any products containing any part of the turtle back to the States! If found, they will be confiscated, and you could be subject to a fine.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Then I went to Hell. Yes, the town of Hell has a natural formation of coral, which has been exposed for a quadzillion years and turned black. Not very impressive, but you can buy t-shirts that say, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been to Hell,&rdquo; and have your post cards postmarked from, &ldquo;Hell, Cayman Islands, BWI.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Next stop, Seven-Mile Beach. The beach was obviously named by a man, since it&rsquo;s only 5 &frac12; miles long&hellip; It&rsquo;s a very nice beach, if you&rsquo;re a &ldquo;beach person.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s not a Class A beach, but it&rsquo;s great for people who don&rsquo;t live near a beach, at home.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Living in South Florida, less than a half an hour from South Beach and an hour from mm 100 in Key Largo, the number one dive/snorkel destination in the world, beaches and snorkeling do not excite me, on a cruise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>However, one thing that truly impressed me, on Cayman, and, in fact, was one of the most memorable things I&rsquo;ve done on a cruise, was an expedition on the &ldquo;Atlantis.&rdquo; The company operates a fleet of subs, scattered around the Caribbean, but the one at Grand Cayman is preeminent. This true submarine dive a hundred feet down the Cayman wall, revealing fantastic sights all the way down. Although it&rsquo;s a bit expensive, it is well worth the price. In fact, I&rsquo;ve done it twice.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Shopping in Grand Cayman is a joke, since the prices are higher than back home in the States. The local economy is based on &ldquo;offshore secret&rdquo; banks and insurance companies. There is little, if any, poverty on the island, and the Cayman dollar is the only currency in the Caribbean hat in worth MORE than the U.S. dollar.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On subsequent trips to Cayman, all I do is take the tender into town; stop for a cup of coffee and a slice of Tortuga Rum Cake (it MUST be Tortuga Rum Cake, at the factory. The others do not come close!); and head back to the ship.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>My final stop was Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This port instantly became, and has always remained, my favorite port. I know this is open to heated debate, but I have developed a certain fondness for the island.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On my first visit I complied with the local statutes, regarding the conduct of first-time visitors, and I did the obligatory Dunn&rsquo;s River Falls climb. It turned out to be a lot of fun.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>We I had two guides on the Jitney that took us to the falls, and about 24 passengers. We all arrived at the falls, and walked down the stairs to the beach. Stopping, several times, along the way to look at the water rushing down the rocks, through thick, beautiful, tropical foliage.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>When we got to the bottom, one guide began to lead us up the falls, while the other took all of our cameras. A few of us thought we&rsquo;d never see those babies again! However, the guide was an absolute marvel. He knew not only knew which camera(s) belonged to which climber, but how to operate each one. As a result, I have some nice photos, and videos, of my climb up Dunn&rsquo;s River Falls. It&rsquo;s an experience that every one who visits the area must try, once.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Remember; it&rsquo;s a local law: Every tourist must climb Dunn&rsquo;s River Falls, once, before they can leave the country. If you check all of the Shore Excursions, you will see that they all include a stop at the falls.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On subsequent visits to the island, I discovered the &ldquo;river rafting,&rdquo; on the Martha Brae, and Rio Grande, Rivers. A relaxing ride down the peaceful river, on a bamboo raft, with your Raft Captain. Maybe, he&rsquo;ll sing a reggae song, or two, if you &ldquo;induce&rdquo; him to. This has become one of my favorite things to do, in Jamaica, and I repeat it every third, or fourth, visit.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>If you&rsquo;re a Bob Marley fan, you must take the tour to Nine Mile, Bob&rsquo;s birthplace/final resting place. The tour is limited to 24 guests! The ride to the town of Nine Mile takes you into the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and is gorgeous. The bus stops along the way for complimentary liquid refreshments, soda and Rum Punch.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Be forewarned; when you arrive at the homestead in Nine Mile, several local Rastas will greet you, and attempt to sell you a &ldquo;spliff&rdquo; for ten dollars. Three warnings! First, it is, technically, illegal in Jamaica, just as it is in the U.S. While the law is seldom, if ever, enforced in this area of the mountains, it is a law. Second, this ganja is very potent. It is not your run-of-the-mill stuff. Finally, and take this warning seriously, do not buy a spliff for ten dollars. With a little friendly discussion, you can get it for five&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Of course, I always leave time for shopping in the local craft market&hellip; It&rsquo;s an experience! I&rsquo;ve learned to laugh with the locals, and check out some local lingo; &ldquo;Hey, honey, tell me sumptin&rsquo; I wanna hear&hellip;&rdquo; instead of, &ldquo;How much is this?&rdquo; It works wonders, and is a lot of laughs. Yes, the locals can be very aggressive and forceful, but the right attitude will overcome that.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The Jamaicans are a very proud people; proud of their history, their freedom and, most of all, Bob Marley. They have been handed a double-edged sword which is difficult to handle.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On one hand, their economy, as most of the islands, is not in very good shape and they desperately need U.S. tourist dollars. On the other hand, many of us fit the image of the &ldquo;Ugly American,&rdquo; when we visit these islands. The natives see these rich Americans getting off the big, fancy, expensive ships, invade their towns by the thousands and treat to residents like crap.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>It is only natural, especially for a proud people like the Jamaicans, for the defense mechanisms to go up and &ldquo;give back what you get, Mon.&rdquo; The &lsquo;secret&rsquo; is to treat the locals as if it we were visiting their home&hellip;.which we are. That goes for ALL of the ports.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One of my fellow-passengers told me a story, that I have every reason to believe, is 100% true! I&rsquo;ll repeat it in the &ldquo;first person,&rdquo; just the way he told it to me&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;I was walking down the main street in Ocho Rios, when I was approached, for the umpteenth time, by a very young boy, eleven or twelve, at most, with the usual, &lsquo;Hey, mon, want some smoke? Ganja? Marijuana?&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Curiosity got the best of me, and I said, to myself, &lsquo;What the Hell; why not.&rsquo; To my new, little, buddy I said, &lsquo; OK.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>He led me into a restaurant and had me sit down. The restaurant was empty, except for a fellow, behind the counter, who &ldquo;disappeared&rdquo; into the kitchen.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The boy was back in 3 minutes, and led me to the men&rsquo;s room. He pushed a little baggie at me, and started saying, &lsquo;hey, put in your pocket, mon&hellip;&rsquo; I asked the price, and he said it was thirty bucks. I laughed, and offered him six! Told him that all I had was a wet six dollars, and pulled a soggy one and five out of my pocket. He grabbed the six dollars and shoved the baggie into my hand.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I hightailed it out the door, and took a few steps, when another young man, same age, in a yellow shirt, stopped me and said, &lsquo;Hey, mon, I was the lookout. You owe me a tip.&rsquo; Without a pause, I looked at him and said, &lsquo;Get it from your partner; I just gave him thirty-bucks!&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I jumped onto the jitney, back to the ship, and dumped the little baggie, on the way; laughing, all the way back to the ship, about these two little kids arguing for the rst of the day as to whether I paid six dollars, or thirty.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Personally, I have a better way of handling these situations. Whenever a little stranger comes up to me, with the, proverbial, &ldquo;hey, mon, marijuana?&rdquo; I look around, suspiciously, and then reply, &ldquo;Sure, how much do you need?&rdquo;</p>','2013-01-05 20:23:04',82,1,1,NULL,NULL,781,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1595,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; - 4. Shooting the Dice',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:31:00','<div class=\"sectiontitle\">4 - SHOOTING THE DICE</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I am not a gambler. Other than a regular poker game with the guys, in my youth, and an occasional &ldquo;Las Vegas Night&rdquo; at a local charity, I had never gambled at all. I used to go to Jai Alai, and play the $3.00 quinella, once in a while; and there were the office World Series, and Super Bowl, pools; and the lottery&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>That first night, as I entered the Casino, the lights and sounds were mind-boggling, and the machines and tables all called out, &ldquo;play me&hellip;play me&hellip;play me...&rdquo; I walked from table to table (&ldquo;&hellip;play me&hellip;play me&hellip;&rdquo;) watching, totally fascinated, as chips went back and forth, mostly forth.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I stopped at a game which had just come from Aruba, where it was born. At the time it could only be found in its native land and on Carnival ships. It was called Caribbean Stud, (&ldquo;&hellip;play me&hellip; play me&hellip;&rdquo;) and was on the ships on a trial basis.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The roulette table was familiar, (&ldquo;&hellip;play me&hellip;play me&hellip;) since I had played it with my kids, for jellybeans, when they were little. I really didn&rsquo;t enjoy losing my jellybeans, so I figured I&rsquo;d like it even less if I lost real money&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I, then, came to the blackjack tables, and succumbed to the call&hellip;.&rdquo;play me.&rdquo; I did. Beginner&rsquo;s luck, I guess, and a few hours resulted in a nice, little, net gain.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I haven&rsquo;t mentioned the crap table, yet, which eventually became my favorite table in the house, because it wasn&rsquo;t until several cruises later that I mastered the basic intricacies of the game. All in due time.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>A few days into the cruise, during a day at sea, the Casino was practically empty. In order to stimulate some type of action, they opened a $2.00 blackjack table. Boy, it was like playing with a group of friends.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>With $2.00 stakes, there was lots of kibitzing at the table, and we all became fast friends. We all joked, back and forth, and were, generally, having a great time. It didn&rsquo;t hurt that the dealer could do nothing right, for himself, and after an hour, or so, we were all, a minimum of, fifty-dollars, or more, ahead. This is quite a feat, at a $2.00 table, where the players really played only the $2.00, with an occasional double-down or split.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>At one point, I was dealt a pair of jacks, to the dealer&rsquo;s eight. Someone at the table began to laugh, and said, &ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you split them, Jeff.&rdquo; By this time, most of us were on a first-name basis. Another player prodded and teased me, and, laughing along with them, I split the jacks&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>An older woman, at the table, sucked in her breath, and began a tirade, &ldquo;Sir, I&rsquo;m a serious player&hellip; this is no place to be fooling around, since you destroy the odds for serious players&hellip; this is a serious game, and it&rsquo;s no place to be playing games&hellip;&rdquo; On and on she went, without exaggeration, for a full three or four minutes. The other players, and the dealer, were looking at her in utter incredulity! Eyes were rolling like marbles spilling out of a broken bag. She ranted, and raged, on-and-on-and&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I could not believe her outburst, at this very friendly two-dollar table. One minute, we were all goofing around, having a great time, and winning some money; the next, Ms. Serious Two Dollars was throwing a tantrum. Finally, I turned to her. &ldquo;Look, lady, if you&rsquo;re such a f***ing serious player, what are you doing at a two-dollar table?&rdquo; (Sorry, I used the &ldquo;F&rdquo; word, but it wasn&rsquo;t the first time it was heard in the casino, that night, and not the last. After all, this was Carnival in the 70&rsquo;s&hellip;). Turning red, and not saying a word, she grabbed her chips, and left the table. I turned, and was about to apologize to the others at the table, when the dealer, with his very proper British accent, and all, looked at me and said, &ldquo;Thank you, sir. She&rsquo;s been a bore this entire cruise&hellip;.(actually, he used a different &ldquo;B&rdquo; word, but we&rsquo;ve had enough profanity for one reading).&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>To this day, I swear that the thing that really annoyed her, most, was that I pulled two &ldquo;twenties,&rdquo; the dealer &ldquo;busted,&rdquo; and everyone at the table won, except you-know-who, who also &ldquo;busted&hellip;..&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One of the dealers taught me a very important lesson, on that first cruise. These three &ldquo;rules&rdquo; have probably kept me &ldquo;ahead&rdquo; more than anything else, with the exception of being very lucky!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The first is based on a very simple premise. When you are ahead, the winnings are your money! That money, once it&rsquo;s on your side of the table, belongs to you. It is not the &ldquo;house&rsquo;s money,&rdquo; &ldquo;their money,&rdquo; or anyone else&rsquo;s. If you pick it up, and walk away, nobody can stop you. You can cash in the chips, put the money in your wallet, and spend it any was you wish. When you play with the money you&rsquo;ve won, you play it no differently than the money you took out of your wallet.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The second is just as easy. When you walk up to the table, set a &ldquo;high-low&rdquo; limit. Decide, in advance, how much you are willing to lose, and purchase only that amount in chips. If your luck is running bad, and you lose that stake, walk away. Don&rsquo;t ever reach into your pocket for more. Consider it the cost of an evening&rsquo;s entertainment. Conversely, set a &ldquo;winnings&rdquo; limit. Usually, a good number is twice your original stake. You can adjust it, but stick to it. When you hit that number, walk away and cash in.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Finally, is the &ldquo;three play&rdquo; rule. Whether at a table, or a machine, if you don&rsquo;t win one hand, in the first three, walk away.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>These suggestions have done well for me. In all of our cruises, I lost one two hundred dollars, once; fifty-dollars, twice; broken even, twice; and have come out ahead on all of the rest. It might have been ten-dollars, over a seven-day cruise, but it was a win. Several times the figure went over the thousand dollar mark, but I won&rsquo;t say by how much. It&rsquo;s my secret &lsquo;lucky charm.&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On this first cruise, I was fortunate enough to walk off the ship with a nice few hundred dollars in winnings. My money!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The favorite lesson I ever got, in a casino, was the session where I first learned the basics of the crap table. And, things would never be the same, again&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I was in the Casino aboard the Caribe I, on the afternoon of a day beautiful at sea. The casino was practically empty, and the dealers were visibly bored. I was standing near the crap table, looking at all the funny boxes, and circles, with their attendant hieroglyphics, totally and completely bewildered.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Suddenly, I heard the dealer&rsquo;s voice, &ldquo;Would you care to play, sir?&rdquo; I looked up and responded, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have the slightest notion, in the world, of how to play this game.&rdquo; Without missing a beat, he replied, &ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t stop the most of the people who play this table every night.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>OK, I figured, it was time to learn. He asked if I had fifty dollars I was willing to risk, and I bought fifty dollars worth of chips. He started with the simple bets, the Pass Line and the Odds bet. I threw the dice, until my arm was sore, going up and down for the first few minutes. He then showed me how to &ldquo;cover the six and eight,&rdquo; and admonished me to always play the six and eight separately, and not play the &ldquo;6/8&rdquo; on the corners. Most tables have removed them, but the odds are lower, for the same bet, if they are still there and you play them.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After a short while, when I was very comfortable with the initial three bets, he showed me how the play the &ldquo;Come Line.&rdquo; It turns out it&rsquo;s really not all that complicated.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>So, now I knew how to play the Pass Line, Odds bet, Come Line and cover the six and eight. What&rsquo;s next? &ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; he tells me. Once I had those basic bets down pat, he showed me a modified &ldquo;system,&rdquo; using a combination of the four plays. The other bets from the Horn Bet to the C &amp; E, including the &ldquo;hard ways,&rdquo; are ALL house bets! Playing any one, or a combination, of those bets only increases the house&rsquo;s odds of winning and, obviously, you chance of losing. Technically, you don&rsquo;t even know what they are, how they work, or what they are called. Act as if they are not even on the table.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Once I had those basic bets down pat, he showed me a modified &ldquo;system,&rdquo; using a combination of the four plays.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Speaking of losing, it took me about an hour to lose my fifty-dollar investment, and it was fifty-dollars well spent. First of all, I learned the rudimentary play of the game which has become my favorite. Second, the dealer&rsquo;s sense of humor turned out to be as amusing as his opening line, and we had a great time.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Although the crap table has become my destination of choice, I wonder if that would be the case if I had come back, that evening, and lost another fifty, or hundred, dollars. In any event, that wasn&rsquo;t how it turned out. I was fortunate enough to win back the fifty I had lost, during my afternoon lesson, and an additional fifty.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>One other important thing to remember is to always &ldquo;toke&rdquo; (tip) the dealer. Placing a one-dollar bet, for the dealer, at the blackjack table, throwing a dollar chip down onto the Pass Line, for &ldquo;the boys (and girls, nowadays),&rdquo; at the crap table, or tossing a chip to the dealer at other tables is more than a nice gesture.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Many players, myself included, play a modified &ldquo;system,&rdquo; at the crap table. Very often, the action gets hot and heavy, and a regular bet is not placed, in the frenzy of the game. On more than one occasion, I have had a dealer remind me, &ldquo;Sir, did you want to place a &lsquo;come bet?&rsquo;&rdquo; Yes, the forgotten bet gets placed, and, more often than not, pays off! All for a little toke.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The dealers appreciate the tips very much, and tend to remember the &ldquo;generous&rdquo; players. Very often, they will ask your name, and, whenever you return to the Casino, they will address you, by name. It just makes for a friendlier atmosphere.</p>','2013-01-05 20:23:06',73,1,1,NULL,NULL,780,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1594,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  3. First, There&#039;s the Food',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:28:00','<div class=\"sectiontitle\">3 - FIRST, THERE&rsquo;S THE FOOD</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The food wasn&rsquo;t exactly what I had anticipated, although I&rsquo;m not sure what it was that actually expected. At it&rsquo;s best, it was pretty good, and, at its worst it was still all-right. It was the sheer quantity, and variety, of food that that was astounding, and the presentation was absolutely astonishing. Every dish, every buffet, every meal was an edible work of art. The dramatization of the food gave new meaning to the old clich&eacute;, &ldquo;It looks a lot better than it tastes&hellip;.&rdquo; The one thing that you could rely on was, with that sheer volume of food, you were going to find oodles of things you could enjoy and, for sure, you wouldn&rsquo;t go hungry. Just the opposite, in fact; you were going to put a few pounds on, despite your best efforts. As they sya, you board the ship as a passenger, and disembark as cargo. Carnival, since then, to their credit, has made huge strides in the quality of their food. I&rsquo;ll get to that later&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Before the days of the &lsquo;cutbacks,&rsquo; there was a Midnight Buffet every night of the cruise. The array of food was breathtaking and the production was magnificent. Intermingled among the food, there were fruit and vegetable carvings that belonged in a food museum. At 1:30 a.m., they downsized the entire buffet, and made it into a mini-buffet, which stayed open for another hour. The Grand Buffets of today are barely a match to the every night buffets, of old, and the scaled downed, 1:30 am buffets, of those days, were as elaborate as the Grand Buffets of today.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The Captain&rsquo;s Grand Midnight Buffet, was usually held on the next to the last night of the cruise. It was everything that the nightly midnight buffet was, except on an even larger scale. There were extraordinary ice carvings, spotlighted with colored light from all sides, above and below; trays of lobster; music playing&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Passengers began to line up at eleven o&rsquo;clock, for the Grand Buffet. Not to partake, but to participate in the photo shoot that took place from eleven-thirty to midnight. They allowed the passengers to walk through the buffet and take photos, and videos. Classical music played through the speakers while, in the background, the maitre d&rsquo;s voice droned, &ldquo;&hellip;.and in a single week&rsquo;s cruise&hellip;,&rdquo; as you passed tray after tray of &lsquo;mystery meat&rsquo; and &lsquo;some kinda stuff,&rsquo; &ldquo;&hellip;.we use approximately a gazillion eggs, 740 cows,&hellip;&rdquo; past some more fruit carvings, and some salad things, &ldquo;&hellip;.enough wine to fill 1.45 swimming pools,&hellip;&rdquo; and then to the chafing dishes of hot food(?). Finally, tables full of deserts. It was absolutely mind-boggling. Never mind that it all tasted pretty mediocre&hellip;.the presentation is what counted. After all, when you showed those pictures, and videos, to friends, they could only see the food, not taste it.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>It was also a way to check out the buffet, beforehand, so you could save room on your plate for something extraordinary towards the end of the line. Of course, if you were smart, you grabbed two plates.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>At 1:30 am, they reduced the size of the buffet, brought our fresh dishes of food, and had a 1:30 &ldquo;mini-buffet.&rdquo; You had to make sure that you had enough to eat at this buffet, because they wouldn&rsquo;t be serving food again until 6:00 am&hellip;.and, room service can be such a pain!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Dinners were more than meals; Each and every evening was an amalgamation of food and entertainment.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After all of the entrees were served, and seconds (&hellip;thirds, fourths&hellip;) taken care of, the dining room lights would flash, once or twice; some sort of mysterious signal. The waiters and bus boys would inexplicably disappear. After a few minutes, lights would dim, and, suddenly, music would start playing and the performers, formerly the servers, would sing the song de jour.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On Italian Night, it was &ldquo;O Sole Mio;&rdquo; On U.S.A. Night, &ldquo;God Bless America,&rdquo; and so forth. With flaming Baked Alaska, to the tune of &ldquo;Hot, Hot, Hot!&rdquo; they&rsquo;d march and dance across the dining room.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Carnival was the master of the &ldquo;after-dinner show,&rdquo; with a different theme, and production number for the wait staff, every night.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>What a kick, when the lights were turned low and each waiter and bus boy held a lit Bic over his head, as he sang, &ldquo;God Bless America.&rdquo; Forgetting the somberness of the song, and its deep meaning to many of us, you just had to smile, knowing that a number of the members of the choral group did not speak very much English, and had no idea what they were singing about.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>And, let&rsquo;s not forget the little table shows. At dinner, one evening, one of the appetizer choices was Frog&rsquo;s Legs. After serving the appetizers, the waiter folded a little Origami frog, and then assisted it across the table with a flick of his finger. Someone looking for a tip?</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The dining room entertainment was a large component of the cruise experience, but the food was the main act. It still is.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Once again, an area that has undergone an extraordinary transformation.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>While the midnight buffet may be a memory, it has been replaced by some awesome alternatives.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Princess keeps it&rsquo;s buffet open twenty-four hours, changing with the time of day. From 11:00 pm to 6:oo am, half the buffet area is closed off and serves as a full-seRvice restaurant.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Carnival has a &ldquo;late night buffet.&rdquo; Same food as the old midnight buffet, with no ice carvings and fruit and veggie animals&hellip; Oh, they&rsquo;ve added 24-hour pizza, Stromboli and Caesar salad.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In fact, all of the lines have added more food options than would have been imagined even five years ago.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The new wave looks like it will be more along the lines of the alternative dining, now offered on many lines, &ldquo;Freestyle Cruising,&rdquo; NCL&rsquo;s entry and Princess&rsquo; &ldquo;Personal Choice.&rdquo; I have very mixed feelings about this particular revolution.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The one concern you hear most often, about &ldquo;traditional dining,&rdquo; is the worry that you&rsquo;ll be trapped, for seven days, with the tablemates from Hell. I&rsquo;ve found that just the opposite is true. While I have not made too many lifelong friends over dinner, I have met, and enjoyed the company, of a great number of interesting people. Some were much younger, and some more elderly, but all very interesting. Only once did I have a real problem.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>My cruising companion and I were seated at a table for six, with a woman and her two children, a son and a daughter. The children were not well behaved, at all, and spent the entire meal squabbling, arguing and fighting. Mother was not only no help, but actually added to the problem.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>This behavior was already in full swing when we arrived at the table, and continued unabated. The children were baiting each other, and both were bickering with mom, who was as bad as the two children. At one point, mom rolled her eyes, huffed, or puffed, and sat silent for a few seconds. The daughter finally turned to her and asked what was wrong. The mother looked at her, paused for the proper amount of time, and, then, in that tone that only a mother is able to produce; the one that says that everything in the whole world has gone wrong and nothing can fix it, replied, &ldquo;&hellip;.nothing&hellip;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>While this would all be annoying under almost any circumstances, the fact that the two children were in their mid-to-late twenties made it even more sufferable. Of course, there was no question in my mind, based upon their behavior (particularly, mom&rsquo;s!), as to why two young, attractive, people of their age had to take a cruise with Mommy.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In my own &ldquo;special&rdquo; style (some would call it &lsquo;obnoxious&rsquo;) which surfaces, occasionally, in circumstances like this, I decided to play my &ldquo;&hellip;don&rsquo;t get angry, get even&hellip;&rdquo; game. Somewhere about half way through the soup, I turned to my companion and said, &ldquo;Boy, this sure is some f***ing good soup. Them @#(*&amp;%&amp; in the kitchen can sure make some $#*% good food&hellip;&rdquo; That shut &ldquo;mom and the kids&rdquo; up for no more than ten seconds. As they carried on their squabbling, I continued my potty mouthing. Each time, I could see mom cringe, just a bit.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>At the end of the meal, we asked the maitre d&rsquo; to please find us another table. I explained that the waiter and bus boy were excellent, but we did not enjoy the company of our tablemates. The next morning, at breakfast, he advised us that he had reassigned us to another table, with the same waiter. More important, we were seated with six charming fellow passengers and had wonderful mealtimes for the remainder of the cruise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As I looked over to the table where he had dinner the night before, with mom and the kids, I noticed it was empty. I guess we were not alone in our table-changing request.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I have always enjoyed &ldquo;traditional dining,&rdquo; at a large table. I feel that you get to know six, or eight, new people, intimately, during the course of the cruise; your waiter and bus boy (now Assistant Waiter) learn your preferences and meet them; and there is a general friendliness in the dining room. We never minded the &ldquo;timetable,&rdquo; and automatically adjusted our schedule accordingly.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>It was just something that was a part of the cruise. In fact, I never even gave it a second thought. I figure most people eat dinner about the same time, every night, at home, so why should it be different?</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Even more important, it was unheard of that you would have to pay for dinner! You took a cruise and knew that your meals were included. Now, they&rsquo;re going to tell you that dinner in the dining room is only mediocre, but if you want a good dinner, try our &ldquo;Twenty-Dollar-Extra Caf&eacute;.&rdquo; Nonsense!!! It will never work.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The only exception was that I did love to have dinner in Le Bistro, aboard the NCL ships. I was not the least bit concerned over the &ldquo;suggested five-dollar per person gratuity.&rdquo; In fact, I never left the waiter less than fifteen dollars, for two of us. It wasn&rsquo;t as if I was paying the cruise line for my dinner, I was recognizing the very special service that the waiter and bus boy provided. It was always superb. The fact that the food was excellent was an added bonus.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Our first, and only, experience with NCL&rsquo;s &ldquo;Freestyle&rdquo; was a nightmare.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>First of all, there were far too many &ldquo;alternative&rdquo; (spell that &ldquo;extra charge&rdquo;) restaurants. Not only did you have to pay, but it was imperative that you made a reservation, far in advance. Well, if you have to commit to dinner at a certain time, the next day, what makes it &ldquo;Freestyle?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The alternative bistros aside, there were problems with the &ldquo;regular&rdquo; dining rooms. If you didn&rsquo;t have a reservation, the minimum wait was 20-30 minutes. It could be up to an hour! I&rsquo;m sorry, but I don&rsquo;t want to waste that type of time on my cruise. I&rsquo;d rather be losing my money at the crap table. Then, once you were seated, they rushed you, due to all the people waiting.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On the other hand, if you have to make a reservation, in order to avoid the long wait, then you lose the entire concept.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I have heard, from fellow cruisers, that NCL has, in fact, made significant strides, in this area, and have overcome most of the problems. I&rsquo;m considering giving them a second chance.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Princess, I must say, got their &ldquo;Personal Choice Dining&rdquo; right and, if other lines adopt a similar program, and run it as efficiently, I could get used to it.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Most of the time I was seated almost immediately, and never waited more than ten minutes. I always opted for a large table. Once seated, the service was excellent, and the food was admirable. The only food which I feel is better than Princess is that served on Celebrity. I enjoyed the freedom that PC allows; maybe staying in a port an extra hour, or grabbing a pre-dinner nap. All-in-all a positive experience.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Now matter how many transformations cruising goes through, some things will always remain a constant. A good cruise is measured not in stars, or points, in a guide to cruising, but pounds gained.</p>','2013-01-07 22:04:52',81,1,1,NULL,NULL,779,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1593,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; -  2. And So it Begins',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:21:00','<p>My bags were all packed; their little Carnival baggage tags filled out and attached. They were in the car, just waiting, patiently for me. My dog was in &ldquo;puppy jail,&rdquo; for a week, and someone, I think, stayed with the kids. All the little forms and papers were filled out; the camcorder battery was charged; and, so was I!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I got in the car; started the engine; put in an Bob Marley cassette (&ldquo;Legend,&rdquo; of course&hellip;), and I was all set. One of the advantages of living here, in Miami, is the fact that I&rsquo;m only a short drive from the Port, yet long so that you have ample time for the excitement to build.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After about fifteen minutes, I was headed east on the Dolphin Expressway; I went up and over the I-95 overpass, which, at the time, was the highest point in Miami. You can see everything from the crest of the roadway, from downtown Miami, the beaches, and the port, and, when it&rsquo;s very clear, even the tops of the buildings in Fort Lauderdale. It was from here that I got my first glimpse of the ships lined up in the Port of Miami. What a line-up it was! A fleet of liners, each one different from the other in size, shape and color. On the funnels, everything from a smiling dolphin to the red, white and blue. It was no time at all before I was exiting the highway into downtown Miami, and getting close to the port. Just a few blocks, and that very long, last, red light, and I turned onto Port Boulevard. I don&rsquo;t pretend to understand why, but that light has always been red, in all of the times I was leaving for a cruise. Just one more little obstacle on the path to fun. Yet, whenever I&rsquo;m leaving the port, at the end of a cruise, and want to stretch just a teeny bit more time in the port, that very same light, now in the opposite direction, is always green.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>By the time you make the turn, past Bayside, and onto the bridge that connects downtown Miami to Dodge Island, and the cruise terminals&hellip;.. and, as you get to the top of the port bridge onto Dodge Island, and see all the ships in formation&hellip;.. your heart is pounding and your breath a little hard to catch. Entering the Port of Miami, more correctly the Dante Fascell Port of Miami, is breathtaking. As you climb higher up the bridge, the views of Bayside Market Place, and it&rsquo;s marina, on the right and the ships on your left, act to add to the excitement.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>From the top of the bridge, you can also see the &ldquo;million dollar islands,&rdquo; Star, Palm and Hibiscus Island; home to the rich and famous, and even glimpse South Beach. It&rsquo;s my favorite drive!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Even with all there is to see, your attention suddenly focuses on the procession of cruise ships, gleaming in the Florida sun, all with that classic ocean liner profile. Some had one funnel; some had two. But, they all looked liked ships. All, that is, except one. One looked like a cross between a ship and a hotel. It was more modern, sleeker, and a lot larger than the others. In fact, it dwarfed them. She was a behemoth, a giant, a monster, big! At over 45,000 gross registered tons, she was larger than the Titanic! One of the largest cruise ships afloat, and our destination, the m/s Holiday.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The baggage handler took my belongings, at the pier, and was over-tipped, as he loaded our bags onto the cart. What the heck, I was on vacation, and going on a cruise. I drove to the parking lot, locked the car, and, practically ran to the terminal entrance. Check-in went very smoothly, and, in no time, I waswalking across the gangway and onto the ship&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I expected that the interior of a ship would be brass, teak and mahogany, with little portholes; not chrome, neon and mirrors. I anticipated that the interior colors would be subdued, and the furnishings leaning toward elegant; not screaming colors and impressionist settees. But, this ship was very special!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Not because she was bright and modern; not because she was among the first ships designed, and built, specifically for cruising; not because she &hellip;.. well, let&rsquo;s not worry about the, &ldquo;not&rsquo;s&hellip;.&rdquo; The one thing that made this ship so very special was the fact that she was about to change the face of cruising, forever.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I do not intend to describe any of the ships I have been on in any great detail, nor give any particular ship, or cruise line, a rating. There are several reasons for this.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>First, there are many places where this information is available, including www.CruiseCrazies.com, ######, and a number of cruise boards; \"Cruise Reviews,\" a multitude of cruise guides, Cruise Travel and Porthole magazines and the cruise lines\' brochures.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In addition, a particular cruise line, or individual ship, can change drastically, over time. It wouldn&rsquo;t be fair for me to review a cruise taken years ago, not knowing how, or what, changes, have been made. A prime example of this is the fact that one of my most favorite cruises, and two of my least favorite cruises, were both on the same line.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>What I do want to try to convey are my feelings, memories and experiences; things that cannot be found elsewhere. That being said, let\'s get back to the Holiday, before it sails without us&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As I stepped across the threshold, from the edge of the gangway and into the atrium, I, suddenly, felt like Alice stepping through the looking glass. For the next seven days, I would be leaving reality behind and entering the fantasy lands of Wonderland. Never Never Land and Times Square, all combined together.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>My eyes were assaulted by the bright colors, reflections and glare; neon; chrome; mirrors; yet, not in an unpleasant way. The d&eacute;cor, while unexpected, seemed to add to the excitement of being on a ship. Looking around, you could tell that most of the passengers were fellow-first-time cruisers. Eyes wide open, in a blank stare, with jaws slightly dropped. A general look that is a combination of surprise, amazement and excitement. Passengers clutching a copy of Carnival Capers in one hand and a map of the ship in the other. Despite the years that have passed, some things will never change.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>For the very first time, I did the, now, traditional, self-guided, tour of the ship. I started with my cabin, which was slightly larger than I expected, until I checked out the bathroom. But, that\'s another story&hellip; The picture window looked out at Watson Island, a familiar sight for a \"local.\" Yet, it looked more exotic, magical and tropical through a ship\'s window than it did through my windshield, driving to work.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After checking out the cabin, I began exploring the entire ship from bow to stern and port to starboard. Of course, I had no idea what those terms meant, other than the fact that they were \"nautical.\" It was later that I learned that port is the left side of the ship, facing the front. An easy way to remember is, \"We leave the PORT going FORWARD.\" As far as bow and stern are concerned, I always remember that my name is the same as the back of the ship. The problem with that is, if I forget and call them the bow and the Jeff.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The various rooms, clubs and lounges, along with the walkways and other public areas, added to the excitement, but it was the pool area that was alive and jumping. The public rooms all had a &ldquo;theme,&rdquo; but they all were done with glitz, incredible color, bright neon lights, sparkling/twinkling things; the effect was mind-boggling.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The ship was so ahead of its time, that it still holds up very well today, against the new behemoths. She may be &ldquo;small,&rdquo; at a mere 45,000 grt, but she has enough public rooms to keep all, except the fussiest passengers, happy, and she has a certain intimacy that is lost on the larger ships.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>As I got to the pool area, there was an island band playing a new song, which started in Jamaica, swept through the Caribbean and had made its way to \"The States.\" The original was recorded by \"Arrow,\" and, has since, become the unofficial theme song of cruising. People were dancing, clapping and, generally having one heck of a time, as the band sang, \"All the people, all around me, feelin\' hot, hot, hot&hellip;\"</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Bar waiters with trays of frozen thingees, in fancy, tulip-shaped, glasses on their heads, moving to the beat of the music&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;.\"hot,hot,hot\"&hellip;.The photographer shoving a camera in your face&hellip;&hellip;..\"me mind on fire, me soul on fire\"&hellip;..a video camera, suddenly in front of your eyes&hellip;\"feelin\' hot, hot, hot\"&hellip;..</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Although some people can find this initial assault annoying, I find that it is one of the most exciting parts of the cruise. Throw in the Welcome Aboard Buffet, and you have begun to discover what cruising is all about.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>A few hours after getting onto the ship, I watched as the ropes were dropped, the ship began to pull away from the dock. I, kind of, expected Kathie Lee Gifford to be dancing across the deck, singing, &ldquo;If They Could See Me, Now,&rdquo; but, had to settle for a very bad rendition of &ldquo;Anchors Aweigh,&rdquo; blaring out of the crummy on-board speakers.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Most of the passengers were standing at the rails, towards the stern of the ship. People were waving from the ship, and passers-by on the MacArthur Causeway were honking their horns, and waving back. A group of well-wishers stood along the shore and waved and yelled. In fact, I had been one of those well-wishers, just one week earlier, when I drove to South Pointe Park to shoot some videos of the Holiday, leaving the Port, which would become the opening shots of the video I was now taking, from the opposite perspective.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I sailed past Star Island, Hibiscus and Palm Islands, and South Beach; watching the, now, distant lights of Miami fade away against the backdrop of the spectacular South Florida susnset, and, then, out to the open sea.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The pilot boat pulled alongside, shortly afterwards, and the Pilot hopped off our ship, onto his boat, and headed back to Miami. This is another part of the cruise that will never lose its excitement. When the Pilot hops off the ship, onto the Pilot Boat, you know your cruise has officially begun; you are on our own and the adventure, truly, about to begin&hellip;&hellip;</p>','2013-01-17 03:33:50',88,1,1,NULL,NULL,778,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-07-17 15:28:32',0),(1592,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','(Copyright @ 2004-Jeffrey R. Stern, All Rights Reserved.)','&quot;A Sea of Memories&quot; - 1.  Introduction:  The Seed is Planted',NULL,'2009-07-17 15:01:00','<div class=\"sectiontitle\">DEDICATION:</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>To my two Lisa&rsquo;s, who encouraged me to put pen to paper (or, fingers to keys&hellip;.) and write about my cruise memories&hellip;. And, to www.CruiseCrazies.com, whose message boards, and the wonderful friends I made on them, helped me through some tough times.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<div class=\"sectiontitle\">PROLOGUE</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In May, 2001, I posted a message, on a cruise-related Message Board, about the s/s Britanis. A very short post. One of the replies, from Lisa63, simply said, &ldquo;Jeff, I&rsquo;d love to hear more about Britanis.&rdquo; I wrote back, with the following:</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Lisa63: She was built in 1932 and was what you think of when you think of a \"ship.\" She was showing her age, and could have used a refurbishing, but had a special feel to her. If you meet almost any one who ever sailed on her, passenger or crew, they get a little dreamy-eyed and sigh... After our first few sailings, we\'d run into passengers we\'d sailed with before on her. She had a very loyal following of people who sailed on her several times a year. She did a week-end cruise from Miami that was very inexpensive. Food was great (same caterer as Celebrity, Apollo). Could write a book about her.....but, above explains why so many of has had a tear in our eye when she sank last year, as the Belofin I.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>And, so, I took the first step of a journey that would lead me down a new path. I was not, however, aware of the fact that the trek had begun.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Then, on a rainy Saturday, in February, 2002, I was in a nostalgic mood, and wrote a post, once again, about the Britanis. This one was a bit more detailed, than the one above, and filled a full page.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>About a month later, Lisa63 entered a post, directed to me, asking if I had any more cruise reminiscences. Well, having, as all men do, an enormous ego, and lots of memories, this prompted me to write about the s/s Dolphin IV, another favorite.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I was, completely, amazed at the number of posts, and e-mails, I received, from people who, apparently, enjoyed my memories. After all, I was the one that had the fun of reliving those moments, by recalling them, and writing them down; so much fun, in fact, that I seem to have gotten carried away.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>And, so, what follows, is just a small part of the memories which and I have pull together.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<div class=\"sectiontitle\">INTRODUCTION</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>It wasn&rsquo;t TOO long ago, on September 16, 1989, I took my first cruise. However, it could have been a lifetime ago. An industry that had changed very little, in over three decades, was about to undergo, a sudden, drastic transformation.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Up until the early nineties, almost all of the cruise ships were converted ocean liners. They were refurbished, reconfigured, and remodeled. All first, second and steerage class distinctions disappeared, and they became one-class. Pools were inserted, usually on the stern of the upper deck; casinos were inserted and other minor changes made.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>However, most of the wood, mahogany, everywhere; teak decks; remained. As did the, polished, brass handrails; brass portholes, in the outside cabins (no picture windows on these ladies!), bras, bras, brass. Also retained were the original fixtures, such as chandeliers, wall lights, and such. When you boarded one of these marvelous old ladies-of-the-sea, you felt as if you were entering the glamorous world of make-believe.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Of course, there were some drawbacks&hellip;. Because the ships had originally been designed to transport three classes of passenger, the First Class areas were not, always, accessible to the Second Class sections. Likewise, Third Class was completely cut off from the rest of the ship. When the ship was reconfigured to be a one-class craft, all of the areas had to be available to all of the passengers. Unfortunately, this, sometimes, made it difficult to navigate around the ship. To get from one place to another, you might have to walk up a flight of stairs, towards the stern, go forward to another stairway and go up two flights, and go back to the stern and go down a flight. This didn&rsquo;t occur often, but it did happen.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Carnival was the first to devise, and build, a ship designed solely for cruising. It was the beginning of the &ldquo;Cruise Era.&rdquo; But, the basic design continued to follow that of the classic ocean liners. The hulls retained their sleek, pointed, shape, and the general configuration was similar. The major differences were that they were built as single-class ships, so you had easy access to all of the public areas. Pool decks were larger, to accommodate more people. While they were all &ldquo;cruise ship,&rdquo; they still maintained a part of the sense of the old &lsquo;ladies.&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The cruise experience was pretty traditional, also. You had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the main, or late, seating. You could have breakfast and lunch at a buffet area, but most people didn&rsquo;t. Dinner was dinner; no options.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Formal night was something that almost all of the passengers observed, and tuxedos or dark business suits, for the men, gowns for the ladies, were the norm. And, you kept them on all evening&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Daytime entertainment consisted of bingo, horse racing, and ice carving demonstrations. There was also fruit &amp; vegetable carving, trivia and napkin folding.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Let&rsquo;s not forget the pool games! Ah, the memories of stuffing pineapples, and other assorted fruit, into my Speedo&hellip;. Or, guzzling a bottle of beer, eating a cracker and trying to whistle, &ldquo;Dixie!&rdquo; They&rsquo;re right; travel is broadening.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Of course, you could always choose to just sit by the pool and read a good book.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Then, the explosion happened! New ships, holding twice as many passengers, and designed specifically for Caribbean cruising began to appear. Bigger and bigger they got! A mega-liner at 45,000 grt soon became small, compared to the 70,000 grt super-liners. Finally, the floating cities, at 100,000 grt+, came on the scene.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Cruising was changed forever! I&rsquo;m not going to take a side as to whether it has changed for the better, or worse. I could probably argue either side, effectively. In fact, as I relate my stories, you will see that I have had wonderful experiences on the tiny Caribe I as well as the Triumph and Grand Princess.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I have equal, but very different reasons, for enjoying a cruise on a small ship and doing so on a large ship. Each offers a different, but still great, experience.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In the same vein, I&rsquo;m not going to rate the ships, or cruise lines, or describe the ships in any great detail. If that is what you need, I highly recommend the Berlitz Guide To Cruises. It&rsquo;s probably the best of all of the many I have read.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>What I do want to do, is to convey some of my experiences, with cruising, and to share some memories of the old time, traditional ships, and cruises, of, oh, so long, ago&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>That &ldquo;..oh, so long ago&hellip;,&rdquo; for us, began on September 16, 1989. That was when I first sailed, and began the odyssey that has led me to fifty-five cruises, on sixteen cruise lines; all to the Caribbean, eastern, western and southern. All, with one exception, sailing from the Port of Miami, or Port Everglades. The single exception was the time I left from San Juan.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>My story, however, starts many years before &ldquo;distant past&rdquo; of 1989&hellip;&hellip;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<div class=\"sectiontitle\">1 &ndash; THE SEED IS PLANTED</div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Although I didn&rsquo;t realize it at the time, the seeds of my love of ships, the sea and cruising were planted in my early childhood.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I lived in a community, at the tip of Coney Island, called Sea Gate, which jutted out into Gravesend Bay and Upper New York Harbor. My room was on the upper floor of a house that was directly across the street from the Norton&rsquo;s Point Lighthouse; the beacon that guides ships in and out of New York Harbor, to this day. For years, I didn&rsquo;t know that it was not everyone&rsquo;s bedroom that glowed red&hellip;then, white&hellip;then, red&hellip;then&hellip;well, you get the idea.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>What I did know was that I never tired of sitting at my window and watching the classic liners come into, and, then, leave the harbor. And, what an amazing list of ships it was; the United States and America; the Queen(s) Elizabeth and Mary; Cristoforo Colombo; Isle de France, and later the France; the Independence and Constitution; and, oh, so many more.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>When we watched the floating palaces leave for Europe, from the beach, there was no problem. However, when they returned, they threw a wake to the port (right) side of the ship that would take about ten, or fifteen, minutes to make its way to shore; just enough time for the lifeguards to clear everyone out of the water and direct them to the rear of the beach. Then the wave would hit, and work its way up the beach. Then three, or four, more. It wasn&rsquo;t the wave that was a large problem, but the undertow it created. Quite a feat for something a mile, or so, away&hellip;. Power, to match the beauty.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Then, there were the Sunday drives, to visit relatives in the Bronx, or New Jersey, when my dad would drive up the West Side Highway, and past the New York Piers. Driving above the streets of Manhattan, on the elevated grandstand, with a clear view of the classic liners, close up. So close, that they each filled your entire field of view, as you passed. Giant buildings; part of the New York skyline; but, these floated and moved&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After having spent the better part of my life on the beach, I reached a point where the beach, itself, held no special allure for me. For many years, now, I have seen no reason to go to the beach, put on suntan oil, have sand blow all over you, and wind up looking, and feeling, like a baked breaded veal cutlet.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On the other hand, I have to live close enough to the ocean so that I can see it any time I want to. Never, under any circumstances, more than a half-hour drive away&hellip;.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>This held true, many years later, when we moved to Miami. Only now I had, not only ocean, but palm trees, and all the things that make this a tropical paradise.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I worked on Miami Beach and had to take the McArthur Causeway to work every day. For those of you who don&rsquo;t know, and that&rsquo;s close to everybody, the McArthur Causeway is the roadway that parallels the Port of Miami and connects downtown to Star Island, Palm Island, Hibiscus Island and, ultimately, South Beach.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>It is obvious that, as clearly as you can see the causeway from the ships, you can watch the ships from the causeway.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Ships, and the sea, have always been a part of my life. Like so many things, they were so close that I didn&rsquo;t, really, see them.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Times and circumstances changed. Cruising had, suddenly, reached the point where it was probable to think that, someday, It would be me, on the deck of a ship, sitting on a lounge chair and drinking a frozen thingee. Of course, I didn&rsquo;t know they were called &ldquo;frozen thingees, at the time.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>(Y&rsquo;know, &lsquo;spell-check&rsquo; can be a real pain in the butt; It never heard of a &ldquo;thingee&hellip;.&rdquo;)</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>I would drive to-and-from work, passing a line-up of one ship after another&hellip; My heart would beat just a little bit faster, as I thought, &ldquo;Someday, I will be looking down at the causeway, from the deck of one of those ships, and be waving to the poor guy driving to, or from, work.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>And so, the stage was set. I was about to break down and take the plunge, not figuratively (hopefully).</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>For years, my travel agent had tried to talk me into taking a cruise. Living in Miami, I thought that was a stupid idea. After all, if I wanted to spend my whole vacation lying by a pool, feeling trapped and confined, I could stay home, lie next to my pool and not leave the house.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Fate, however, had other plans for me. A &ldquo;super special deal,&rdquo; from Carnival, for a September sailing, in 1989, and I had no choice. With the travel agent in one ear, and Jacki in the other, I found myself booked on the Holiday, for a seven-day cruise to the Western Caribbean.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Great! A week, trapped on a tiny ship, in the middle of the Caribbean. Nothing to do, but listen to some island &ldquo;locals&rdquo; beat on old steel oil cans&hellip;. And, dress up, every night, for dinner, and then go to some stuffy lounge and see some crappy show, with off-key singers and clumsy dancers. Worst of all, I had to pay or this!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>And, so, it began&hellip;.</p>','2013-01-20 09:05:35',98,1,1,NULL,NULL,777,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-07-17 15:15:17',0),(1591,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','RCI&#039;s Oasis of the Seas Loses Test Balloon','/oasisoftheseas_zipline_498971483.gif','2009-06-15 22:13:00','<p>Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s Oasis of the Seas lost its trial balloon during sea trials off the coast of Finland. The helium-filled, blimp-like craft, called an aerostat, was being tested for possible rides above the ship. The aerostat was tethered to the back of the ship by a stainless steel cable. &ldquo;The aerostat producer, Lindstrand Technologies Ltd., was conducting an unmanned test flight when a failure occurred and the aerostat separated from the ship and drifted away over open water,&rdquo; Royal Caribbean said in a statement. &ldquo;No one was injured during this incident and no damage to the ship occurred. The aerostat landed in the water and we are in the process of retrieving it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />In his blog, Chairman and CEO Richard Fain wrote, &ldquo;something happened and the balloon broke free. It ended up in the water and we are now taking steps to recover it and determine what happened. This is precisely why we do such tests (and why I don&rsquo;t take credit until we know whether or not they are successful).&rdquo; Fain also said the ship performed well. &ldquo;Overall, the sea trials were a great success, and we are excited to see how well the ship performed.&rdquo; For more information, visit www.oasisoftheseas.com.</p>','2013-01-06 08:57:13',422,1,2,NULL,NULL,776,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1590,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Kari Reinikainen, Cruise Business Review','MSC Splendida to feature two mini bowling alleys','/msc_splendida1_678224151.jpg','2009-06-15 22:09:00','<p class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\">The countdown is on to the official launch of </span><a href=\"http://www.msccruises.co.uk/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span style=\"font-family: helvetica; color: #800080;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MSC Cruises</span></span></span></a><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\">&rsquo;s 137,000 gross ton flagship, <em>MSC Splendida</em>, on 12 July in Barcelona. \"</span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\">In an exciting first for MSC Cruises &ndash; and the first time this has featured on a European cruise ship - <em>MSC Splendida</em> will feature two innovative mini-bowling alleys in its high-tech Sports Bar,\" the company says.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\">Every aspect of these ten-pin bowling alleys has been carefully designed to provide the maximum entertainment, including a traditional-looking bowling surface that is actually made of a tough phenol compound which allows guests to join in the fun without having to change into special bowling shoes. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\">The alleys are scaled down to work perfectly in a bar environment, to encourage people to mix and mingle. The bowling balls have been sized slightly smaller than usual, so they are manageable for youngsters while still presenting a challenge to older players.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\">Increasing the fun, there are two large LCD electronic screens featuring interactive videogame animations, with a choice of Ten Pin Tour and Turkey Shoot. And of course, surrounding the bowling alleys, you&rsquo;ll find all the feature-rich facilities of the sports bar itself, with big screen TVs and a wealth of interactive sports games for solo and group play, making the Sports Bar the ideal place for a change of pace to meet friends old and new.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"></span><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;\"><em><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\">MSC Splendida</span></em><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;\"> is the twin sister to <em>MSC Fantasia</em> which was launched in December 2008. Together, they are the largest cruise ships ever commissioned by a European owner and set new standards in spaciousness, comfort, facilities, design innovation and refinement. Despite being sister ships, their themed areas feature many differences, such as the bowling alleys, which are unique to <em>MSC Splendida</em>.</span></span></p>','2013-01-13 12:56:01',186,2,2,NULL,NULL,775,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1589,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Corporation &amp; plc','Carnival Corporation &amp; plc Statement on Reinstatement of Fuel Supplements','/dollarvalue_653541758.jpg','2009-06-15 22:04:00','<p>At the time we suspended fuel supplements for our six North American brands, we reserved the right to reinstate them if the price of light sweet crude oil, according to the NYMEX, should increase above $70 per barrel. While we have now exceeded that threshold, in light of the economic crisis and resulting consumer weakness, we presently have no plans to institute a fuel supplement. We will continue to monitor the situation in the markets and review our position as the situation warrants.</p>','2013-01-05 20:23:10',192,1,2,NULL,NULL,774,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1588,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Update: Laser Tag Added to Three Additional Carnival Ships','/123_228412387.jpg','2009-06-15 22:02:00','<p>Following the tremendous success of a laser tag pilot program on the Carnival Valor earlier this year, the line has expanded the attraction to two additional ships &ndash; Carnival Elation, which sails from San Diego, and Carnival Conquest, departing from Galveston. Another laser tag installation is scheduled for the Carnival Victory, which operates year-round from San Juan, beginning next week.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>The inflatable laser tag arena, which operates at various times throughout the day and evening in the ship&rsquo;s main lounge, has been met with outstanding response from guests sailing on the Carnival Valor.</p>\r\n<p>Each session allows four players at time &ndash; either individually or in teams of two &mdash; to battle it out against each other in a fog-filled dome for an exciting five minute session. The cost is $5 per person.</p>\r\n<p>The attraction is planned for other Carnival ships in the future.</p>','2013-01-05 20:23:07',170,1,2,NULL,NULL,773,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1587,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Royal Caribbean Modifies 16 Oasis of the Seas&#039; Western Caribbean Sailings','/pooldeck1_732890_209051062.jpg','2009-06-07 19:56:00','<p>Royal Caribbean International today announced an itinerary change to 16 Western Caribbean sailings of Oasis of the Seas, the cruise line&rsquo;s highly anticipated cruise ship to begin service in December 2009. From May through November 2010, Oasis of the Seas will call at Mexico&rsquo;s port of Costa Maya, instead of the originally planned call at Falmouth, Jamaica. Oasis of the Seas&rsquo; Western Caribbean itinerary also will include calls at Cozumel, Mexico, and Labadee, Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s private beach paradise on the northern coast of Haiti.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;We look forward to bringing Oasis of the Seas to the well-established destination of Costa Maya in 2010,&rdquo; said Craig Milan, senior vice president of Land Operations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. &ldquo;We continue to look forward to calling at Falmouth on a regular basis with Oasis of the Seas and her sister ship Allure of the Seas. The completion of the port is going to take longer than we had hoped, but Falmouth will be outstanding when it is completed.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;On the modified itineraries, Oasis of the Seas will dock at Costa Maya&rsquo;s recently restored pier, providing guests easy access to shore without tendering. In Costa Maya, guests have a wide variety of shore excursion options, which can help make a memorable day in port. For example, guests can choose a sailing along the virgin coast of Costa Maya before diving in search of undersea life on Catamaran Sail &amp; Snorkel; enjoy the natural beauty and magic of hidden Mexico atop an all terrain vehicle before stopping to relax on a secluded beach on ATV Jungle &amp; Beach Adventure; or explore the virtually unexcavated Chacchoben Mayan ruins in the jungle near the Belizean border on the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.</p>\r\n<p>Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Western Caribbean itinerary with an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, which will include calls at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship is now scheduled to resume the original Western Caribbean itinerary and make its maiden call at the historic port of Falmouth during the ship&rsquo;s December 11, 2010 sailing.</p>\r\n<p>When it launches in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, it will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line&rsquo;s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at <a href=\"http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ed0000; font-size: x-small;\">www.oasisoftheseas.com</span></strong></a>.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;Shore excursions are available for an additional charge.</p>','2013-01-12 17:55:03',302,1,2,NULL,NULL,771,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1586,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Princess Cruises','Princess Celebrates 40th Anniversary Sailing Out of San Francisco','/123_550814437.jpg','2009-06-07 19:47:00','<p>SAN FRANCISCO (June 5, 2009)&nbsp; To commemorate Princess Cruises 40th anniversary sailing from the City by the Bay, Rodney Fong (left), president of the San Francisco Port Commission presents a proclamation from Mayor Gavin Newsom declaring \"Princess Cruises Day\" in San Francisco on June 3 to Steve Nielsen (right), vice president of shore operations, Princess Cruises. Fitting to the celebration, Nielsen also celebrates his 40th anniversary with Princess Cruises this year.</p>\r\n<p>Princess Italia first sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge on June 3, 1969, for her first voyage to Alaska. Since that inaugural voyage, Princess has made approximately 1,000 port calls at the Port of San Francisco and carried well over 1 million passengers.</p>','2013-01-05 21:08:43',207,1,2,NULL,NULL,769,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1585,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Lines International Association','CRUISE LINES ENHANCE SCREENING PROTOCOLS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH','/article_1176349_04C71215000005DC_765_468x286_605127019.jpg','2009-06-07 19:44:00','<p>The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that its member lines have adopted and begun employing enhanced screening procedures on a global basis to help prevent the introduction and/or spread of Influenza A (H1N1) on board cruise ships. Under the new CLIA health screening protocols, all passengers will be required to complete and sign a written questionnaire prior to boarding a CLIA member cruise ship anywhere in the world.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;The health and safety of all cruise passengers is of utmost importance to all Cruise Lines International Association member lines,&rdquo; said Terry Dale, CLIA president and CEO. &ldquo;The cruise industry is taking these proactive steps out of an abundance of caution to identify, isolate and treat any suspect Influenza A (H1N1) cases as appropriate. We will continue to review these protocols and the need for any further actions as necessary.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>All passengers scheduled to board CLIA member line cruise ships will be required to complete the new public health questionnaire prior to boarding at any port. Under the enhanced screening protocols, CLIA member lines will perform a secondary screening if a passenger reports on the questionnaire flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat, or contact with a confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case. Medical personnel at each cruise line will make case by case decisions regarding the boarding of these passengers. Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they exhibit influenza-like-illness or meet the suspect case conditions for Influenza A (H1N1) as defined by CDC (<a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm\">http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm</a>). All other passengers will be permitted to travel. The industry instituted similar global screening protocols in the past during the outbreak of SARS in Asia.</p>\r\n<p>Dale noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Influenza A (H1N1) is already widespread and that the public health priority today is to mitigate the further spread of the virus. He said that the enhanced health screening protocols announced today were designed to do just that while protecting passengers, crew and ports of call.</p>\r\n<p>Further, medical staff will isolate and treat passengers and crew with flu symptoms, if such a situation arises while the cruise ship is under way. CLIA member lines that operate internationally will maintain appropriate medical support equipment and medications, including anti-viral medications that are effective in treating flu, including Influenza A (H1N1).</p>\r\n<p>The new screening protocols augment comprehensive vessel sanitation and public health surveillance procedures already employed by the industry, and subject to inspection by CDC in the U.S., that reduce the potential for transmission of contagious diseases including Influenza A (H1N1). These practices include the use of recommended disinfectants, surveillance and treatment of illnesses like influenza, isolation of sick passengers, food safety sanitation protocols, and consultation with public health authorities.</p>','2013-01-15 05:50:54',148,1,2,NULL,NULL,768,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1584,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Shows Aboard New 130,000-ton Carnival Dream Set New Standard in Shipboard Entertainment','/3119163234_649feaab9a_o_653787252.jpg','2009-06-07 19:40:00','<p>The massive scale of Carnival&rsquo;s newest and largest &ldquo;Fun Ship,&rdquo; the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, combined with recent technological advancements and the incredible imagination of the line&rsquo;s entertainment team, have created the most spectacular shows at sea that raise the bar on shipboard entertainment.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>In addition to three spell-binding production revues that will feature elaborate sets and costumes, state-of-the-art video technology and sophisticated special effects, Carnival Dream will offer a multitude of entertainment choices, everything from solo singers, comedians, and live bands to &ldquo;Fun Force,&rdquo; the line&rsquo;s high-energy acrobatic team, which will perform in different areas throughout the ship.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;The first production show, titled &ldquo;Dancin&rsquo; in the Street,&rdquo; is a dramatic departure for the line, combining a gritty, urban feel with the latest in special effects, including groundbreaking neon lighting and video projection technology, to create a truly spectacular and memorable show. &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Dancin&rsquo; in the Street&rdquo; makes maximum use of the Carnival Dream&rsquo;s talented cast &ndash; particularly the &ldquo;Fun Force&rdquo; team which takes center stage in the show and entertains guests with break-dancing numbers, acrobatic Chinese pole routines and even a high-flying trampoline segment to leave audiences breathless.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Realistic sets with city scenes &ndash; exposed brick walls, street lights, and more &ndash; along with recognizable songs that run the gamut from pop and R&amp;B to hip-hop and hard rock, make &ldquo;Dancin&rsquo; in the Street&rdquo; a truly one-of-a-kind show.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The second show, &ldquo;Get Ready,&rdquo; takes a musical look at various professions through a variety of styles and genres, from classic tunes of the Motown era to recognizable R&amp;B hits and songs from some of the greatest vocal artists of all time, with elaborate production numbers themed to different occupations.&nbsp; Showcasing the Carnival Dream&rsquo;s highly talented singers and dancers, the 50-minute show is sure to have audiences singing and dancing in the aisles.</p>\r\n<p>In &ldquo;Get Ready,&rdquo; legendary hits such as &ldquo;Midnight Train to Georgia&rdquo; and &ldquo;Mustang Sally&rdquo; are playfully employed to highlight transportation workers, while crowd-pleasing songs like &ldquo;Please Mr. Postman&rdquo; and &ldquo;Signed Sealed and Delivered&rdquo; offer a unique homage to mail carriers. Popular contemporary tunes including &ldquo;Sledgehammer&rdquo; and &ldquo;Work to Do&rdquo; are featured in the construction segment while &ldquo;Rescue Me&rdquo; and &ldquo;Hold On, I&rsquo;m Coming&rdquo; round out a high-energy number focusing on rescue workers.</p>\r\n<p>Like the name implies, the third show, &ldquo;Xtreme Country,&rdquo; is a toe-tapping salute to country and western music with a unique Carnival twist. The show opens, appropriately enough, with a visit to a rodeo with singers and dancers donning 10-gallon hats for a clap-along line-dancing number, followed by a stop at a ranch and a raucous saloon, with authentic western-themed sets and costumes.&nbsp; The show culminates in a memorable finale showcasing the U.S.&rsquo;s familiar red, white and blue, ending with a magnificent fireworks flash.</p>\r\n<p>In addition to these three lavish revues, Carnival Dream will offer a diversity of entertainment venues to suit every mood or taste.</p>\r\n<p>These include the new Ocean Plaza which will not only offer a unique venue place for guests to relax and unwind but will also feature a wide variety of different entertainment options that will vary throughout the day and night.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Also offered on the Carnival Dream will be the line&rsquo;s legendary comedy revues with hilarious comedians who have appeared on network talk shows and comedy clubs across the country. &nbsp;Carnival Dream will also feature Carnival&rsquo;s Seaside Theatre, a massive LED screen on Lido Deck that will display movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.</p>\r\n<p>Other options include solo singers along the Dream Street promenade, a dedicated karaoke lounge, rollicking sing-a-longs in Sam&rsquo;s piano bar, steel drum and Calypso bands on Lido Deck and live bands playing everything from rock to country to disco.</p>','2013-01-12 17:40:49',170,1,2,NULL,NULL,770,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-06-07 19:43:57',0),(1583,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival’s ‘PokerPro Challenge 2009’ to Offer $50,000 in Cash Prizes','/tri026_w600_782187238.jpg','2009-06-07 19:38:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines, the world&rsquo;s largest cruise operator, is hosting its 2009 PokerPro Challenge, a series of No Limit Texas Hold&rsquo;em poker tournaments, which will take place during each voyage of the line&rsquo;s 22 ships now through October.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The winners of the preliminary tournaments will face off for a cash prize of $25,000 in the &ldquo;Grand Final&rdquo; during the Carnival Freedom&rsquo;s January 24, 2010, six-day voyage from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All games will be played on state-of-the-art PokerPro tables, which clearly and quickly display players&rsquo; commitments and table stakes, pot amount and community cards. PokerPro tables also identify the winners at the end of each hand and immediately add the winnings to the player&rsquo;s table stakes.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First place winners of the preliminary tournaments will automatically be entered to participate in the Grand Final, as well as receive a certificate towards a cruise on the Carnival Freedom&rsquo;s January 24 voyage. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The tournament entry fee is $150 per person. Guests can register for the tournaments on the first night of their cruise at the casino cashier cage, subject to availability.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 &ldquo;Fun Ships&rdquo; operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda and Europe. &nbsp;&nbsp;The line has two new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.</p>','2013-01-20 08:52:35',207,1,2,NULL,NULL,772,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1582,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Dream to Feature Line’s First Two-Level Serenity Adults-Only Retreat','/123_983514606.jpg','2009-06-07 19:37:00','<p>The new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream &ndash; Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; largest ship set to debut Sept. 21 &ndash; will offer a host of innovations, including the largest adults-only retreat in the line&rsquo;s fleet.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;Created as an oceangoing oasis for relaxation, the Carnival Dream&rsquo;s 11,250-square-foot Serenity area will encompass two levels &ndash; a first for the line &ndash; and accommodate up to 200 guests who can select from seven different styles of seating, from plush chaise lounges and chairs to shaded sun loungers and even hammocks. &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;Carnival Dream&rsquo;s Serenity area will also feature a full bar on the lower level in a shaded area, while the upper level will offer two whirlpools providing magnificent sea views.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Design-wise, Serenity will offer a decidedly understated theme with decorative latticework, teak-style decking, and other contemporary features, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort.&nbsp; The Serenity experience will be enhanced by a series of custom windscreens specially created for this area.</p>\r\n<p>Spanning the forward section of Sun Deck 14 and Sky Deck 15, Serenity is accessible via a glass elevator within Carnival Dream&rsquo;s expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, as well as by two staircases.</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Dream is set to debut Sept. 21 with a series of 12-day Mediterranean cruises followed by a trans-Atlantic crossing and two eight-day voyages from New York.&nbsp; Carnival Dream will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day cruise then launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.</p>','2013-01-05 20:25:05',179,1,2,NULL,NULL,767,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1580,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Guests Have &quot;Gotta Dance&quot; on a Royal Caribbean Vacation','/royalcaribbean_dancing_283531192.jpg','2009-05-23 03:43:00','<p>A new Hip Hop dance adventure that transcends all ages, languages, and skill  levels is taking Royal Caribbean ships by storm. Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s  new Gotta Dance program is offering guests the opportunity to let loose, chase a  dream, and &lsquo;wow&rsquo; their cruisemates with cool new dance moves. Based on the  documentary film by Dori Berinstein, award-winning director and producer of  film, theater and television, the guest-participatory Gotta Dance experience is  being exclusively offered by Royal Caribbean International and will be offered  fleetwide in summer 2009.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Gotta Dance is the newest Royal Caribbean International program that offers  guests an opportunity to try something different on their vacation regardless of  age and experience,&rdquo; said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment, Royal  Caribbean International. &ldquo;Every age is welcome and no experience is necessary.  As with many of our onboard programs, Gotta Dance helps bring families closer  together and build lasting relationships among guests for an unforgettable  cruise vacation.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s Gotta Dance is inspired by the award-winning documentary  film of the same name, which will hit the big screen across the United States  beginning in July 2009. Gotta Dance (www.GottaDanceTheMovie.com) chronicles the  first-ever senior-citizen, hip-hop dance troupe for the New Jersey Nets  Basketball Team. Just like the film, Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s Gotta Dance program will  offer guests, from the young to the young-at-heart, a chance to grab their  moment in the spotlight.</p>\r\n<p>Kicking off each cruise will be a special screening of the film. Guests  sailing on select ships before the nationwide roll-out of the movie will be  treated to an advanced viewing of Gotta Dance. Participants will then be divided  into teams and, over the course of their vacation, will learn choreographed  routines with a member of the Royal Caribbean dance team in rehearsals during  sea days. The program will culminate with the main event &ndash; a farewell show on  the last evening of the cruise, whereby each of the teams will perform their  routines in the ship&rsquo;s main theater.<br /><br />Each of the groups will perform a  different routine, all of which were choreographed by New Jersey Nets Dance  Coach Kimberlee Garris, who also appears in the Gotta Dance film. For each song  an easy and more complex choreography has been designed, and Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s  Gotta Dance instructors will have the option of tweaking these versions further  based on group skill level.</p>','2012-12-08 17:05:12',227,1,2,NULL,NULL,766,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1579,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','European Cruise Industry Strengthens Its Position','/europe_cruise_162284663.jpg','2009-05-23 03:41:00','<p>The European cruise industry continues to increase its share of the global  cruise market with 21.7 million passengers visiting a European port, 4.7 million  joining their cruise in Europe and the industry generating &euro;32.2 billion of  goods and services in 2008, according to&nbsp; figures released today by the European  Cruise Council (ECC).<br /><br />David Dingle, chairman of the ECC and chief  executive officer of Carnival UK said in a prepared statement that: &ldquo;These  latest figures show the cruise industry continues to play a major role in the  economy of Europe. The total value of goods and services generated has increased  by a staggering 69% in the last three years to more than &euro;32 billion. We have  also seen an increase in the amount passengers spend - at turnaround ports it&rsquo;s  &euro;106 while at ports of call passengers spend on average &euro;57 per visit. In 2008,  total passenger onshore spend was &euro;2.7 billion, a 69% increase over  2005.&rdquo;<br /><br />Dingle continued: &ldquo;Europe has acted as a magnet, drawing cruise  ships from North America, which together with European fleets has led to a  significant increase in the number of passengers joining their cruise from a  European port &ndash; a 68% increase since 2005 to 4.7 million passengers. The  European cruise industry contributed &euro;14.2 billion in direct expenditure with  cruise lines spending &euro;5.1 billion on services, supplies and equipment. Despite  the present economic challenges, the ECC anticipates further growth in Europe;  not at such a frenetic pace but with the introduction this year of new ships  dedicated to the European market we are confident of continued passenger  growth.&rdquo;<br /><br />The ECC commissioned the 2008 economic impact report together  with Euroyards, MedCruise and Cruise Europe.&nbsp; Key results  include:<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21.7 million passengers visited a European  port<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.7 million passengers joined their cruise at a European  port<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The number of cruise ships operating in Europe in 2008  rose by 35% over 2005, to 192<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Europe is the world leader in  building cruise ships and during 2008, the industry spent &euro;5.2 billion on&nbsp;&nbsp;  construction, repair and maintenance of cruise ships&nbsp; <br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The  European cruise industry generated 311,512 jobs in 2008, a 66% increase over  2005<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The typical European cruise makes calls at four or more  ports on any given itinerary<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Italy and Greece competed in  popularity of destination, with the roles reversed in 2008. Italy took 23% total  share and Greece 19.6%; Spain retained its third position with 16.6%&nbsp;  <br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Led by Naples, Civitavecchia and Livorno, Italian ports hosted  nearly 5 million cruise passenger visits <br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Greece was the second  leading destination with nearly 4.3 million cruise passengers.&nbsp; Santorini,  Mykonos and Rhodes were the most popular islands.</p>','2013-01-22 04:00:38',162,1,2,NULL,NULL,765,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1578,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Costa Cruises','Costa Presents a Guinness World Record Event on June 5 with Simultaneous Christening','/costa_pacifica_308263232.jpg','2009-05-23 03:38:00','<p>The countdown has begun to Friday, June 5 when Genoa will be hosting the big  event with the joint christening of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, the  two new members of the Costa Cruises fleet: this Guinness record breaking event  will involve the whole city in a spectacle of light and music dedicated to  Italian-made excellence. <br /><br />A highlight of the celebrations will be an  extraordinary display by the Frecce Tricolori national aerobatic team &ndash; another  ambassador for the &ldquo;Made in Italy&rdquo; label &ndash; in the skies of Genoa.<br /><br />For the  first time in the history of Italian shipping, two cruise ships will be  christened together at the same time in the same place.&nbsp; This is a unique event,  not only for Costa Cruises, which has been synonymous with cruising in Italy for  over 60 years, but for the country as a whole; accordingly, the Genoa-based  Company, whose ships all fly the Italian flag, is staging the day as a tribute  to the nation.&nbsp; It comes as no surprise then, that the Event has obtained the  official Patronage of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the  Republic of Italy.<br /><br />&ldquo;An Italian Portrait in Music and Light&rdquo; is the name  of the show that will be staged as part of the christening celebrations, in a  tribute to the all-Italian ability for making dreams come true.&nbsp; Starting from  the inspirational themes for the ships &ndash; music for the Costa Pacifica and light  for the Costa Luminosa &ndash; the production will be a journey through the finest  Italian talent, acclaimed and appreciated worldwide.&nbsp; This will include musical  and artistic performances by some of the most important figures on the Italian  and international scene, accompanied by Maestro Mauro Pagani, a professional  musician with a highly successful career spanning 30 years; Pagani, who is the  founder of Premiata Forneria Marconi, composed the sound track for the Costa  Pacifica, the first &ldquo;ship of music&rdquo;.&nbsp; The climax of the soir&eacute;e will be a  spectacle involving the entire city and featuring special lighting effects,  music and a fireworks display.<br /><br />The event will be broadcast live on the  Internet from 10.00 pm at www.rai.tv and www.worldofcosta.com<br /><br />On Friday,  June 5 the Costa Pacifica and Costa Luminosa will be moored in the Port of Genoa  at Ponte Andrea Doria Dock, forming a highly original amphitheater with &ndash;  arranged inside &ndash; a big stage and a grandstand with seating for 4000; for the  first time at such an event, the audience will include the cruise Guests  traveling on the two liners.</p>','2013-01-12 22:07:28',145,1,2,NULL,NULL,764,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1577,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','France24.com','Greece starts fuel cleanup of sunken Sea Diamond ship','/123_884660573.jpg','2009-05-23 03:37:00','<p>Greece on Saturday began a clean-up operation of the remaining fuel in a  cruise ship that sunk near the Aegean island of Santorini in April 2007,  according to the merchant navy ministry.</p>\r\n<p>It will see up to 113 tonnes of fuel being pumped from the Sea Diamond by a  special ship with the held of three remote controlled robotic submarines, public  NET television reported.</p>\r\n<p>Merchant navy minister Anastasis Papaliguras arrived Saturday in Santorini to  inspect the work, the station reported.</p>\r\n<p>The ship\'s owner Cyprus-based Louis Hellenic Cruises (LHC) will pick up the  4.4 million euros (5.9 million dollars) bill for the work, which is expected to  last more than three weeks, NET added.</p>\r\n<p>The Sea Diamond sank near the Aegean island of Santorini after hitting a  reef. Two French passengers, a man and his daughter, are missing assumed dead,  but some 1,600 other passengers and the crew were evacuated safely.</p>\r\n<p>The ship sank to a depth of 140 metres (450 feet) with much of its fuel still  on board, raising fears of lasting pollution.</p>\r\n<p>But the government said after the incident that at least two-thirds of the  400 tonnes of fuel onboard had been pumped out of the ship, eliminating any  major pollution risks.</p>\r\n<p>Its owners paid for a surface clean-up operation but refused to raise the  ship because of the depth, warning that the wreck could fall apart and spill the  remaining fuel over a wider area.</p>','2013-01-23 04:01:56',174,1,2,NULL,NULL,763,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'This picture taken on board marine research vessel Phylia shows the hull of the sunken Sea Diamond cruise ship at a depth of 107 meters, filmed by a remote operated vehicle, off the island of Santorini in 2007. Greece on Saturday began a clean-up operation of the remaining fuel in a cruise ship that sunk near the Aegean island of Santorini in April 2007, according to the merchant navy ministry.','Thanassis Stavrakis',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1576,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','South Florida Business Journal - by Bill Frogameni','Celebrity Cruises to sail year-round from Miami','/celebrity_century_383266819.jpg','2009-05-23 03:35:00','<p>Celebrity Cruises will be sailing year-round from the Port of Miami for the first time.<br /><br />The cruise line will begin its new schedule in December, when the 1,814-passenger Celebrity Century will sail four- and five-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.<br /><br />&ldquo;We are proud to announce that, for the first time, Celebrity will sail year-round to the Caribbean from Miami,&rdquo; port director Bill Johnson said in a news release. &ldquo;This new itinerary is an upgrade from seasonal to year-round for the Celebrity Century. Total annual amounts will be nearly 290,000 passengers and an estimated $ 2.8 million.&rdquo;<br /><br />Of 290,000 annual passengers expected at the port, 186,000 will come as a result of the new schedule, port spokeswoman Andria Muniz said. Celebrity&rsquo;s extended schedule translates into an additional $1.7 million for the port, she noted.<br /><br />Earlier this year, the port predicted that the number of cruise passengers would be flat or slightly down from last year&rsquo;s record 4.1 million cruisers. Now, however, the port expects another record year in 2010, Muniz said.<br /></p>','2013-01-05 20:23:09',213,1,2,NULL,NULL,762,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1611,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan Progressing on Schedule','/123_161823064.jpg','2009-07-20 21:34:00','<p>Guests sailing aboard the Carnival Valor, Carnival Legend and Carnival Glory will soon be able to enjoy all the conveniences and amenities of the stunning new $62 million Mahogany Bay cruise center on Roatan in the Bay Islands.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>Construction continues on the 20-acre project which is expected to welcome its first cruise ship, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend, November 19.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;Mahogany Bay &ndash; Roatan encompasses two cruise ship piers, a welcome center with a retail complex housing a variety of shops, bars and restaurants, along with a transportation/car rental hub, and a pristine private beach.&nbsp; A separate excursion pier will dispatch water-based tours.</p>\r\n<p>In its first year of operation, Mahogany Bay &ndash; Roatan expects more than 520,000 passengers and more than 200 cruise ship calls, including 100 by Carnival Cruise Lines vessels.</p>','2013-01-21 12:37:27',203,2,2,NULL,NULL,796,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1575,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','P&amp;O Cruises','P&amp;O Cruises launches first website for children in the holiday market','/po_613270283.jpg','2009-05-23 03:33:00','<p>P&amp;O Cruises has launched a website dedicated to children and teenagers. &lsquo;The  Cyber Reef&rsquo; www.pocruises.co.uk/reef is the first of its kind in the holiday  industry, a fun and interactive base for those aged 17 years or under.  <br /><br />The site has dedicated sections for each age group, with relevant  content and use of information: <br /><br />&bull; Splashers &ndash; for two to four year  olds<br />&bull; Surfers &ndash; for five to eight year olds<br />&bull; Scubas &ndash; for nine to 12  year olds<br />&bull; H2O &ndash; for 13 to 17 year olds<br /><br />The site encourages  &lsquo;edutainment&rsquo;, bringing together a collection of written content and use of  video to engage and inspire children to play ocean-themed games and learn about  more than 200 destinations around the world, all visited by the ships in the  P&amp;O Cruises fleet.<br /><br />There is also a &lsquo;beat your parents&rsquo; section with  interesting facts and the ability to send a page on to parents telling them that  their child knows the answer &ndash; but do they?<br /><br />P&amp;O Cruises, head of  brand marketing, Philip Price, said: &ldquo;The Cyber Reef has games, activities and  information for each age group and will be updated regularly to keep it fresh  and current, with daily jokes, photos, and destination information supported by  Google Maps. <br /><br />&ldquo;No other cruise line has a dedicated website aimed  directly at its younger passengers and the great thing about the site is that  it&rsquo;s engaging for children of all ages, and equally entertaining for those who  have cruised many times before as those who have yet to step foot on  board.<br /><br />&ldquo;Children yet to start their P&amp;O Cruises adventures will be  able to see an example of a typical fun-packed day and meet some of the Reef  Rangers who might be looking after them throughout their holiday,&rdquo; continued  Price. <br /><br /><br />&ldquo;We know that this will also be welcomed by parents who want  to know what their children will be up to while they are relaxing by the pool,  in the spa or in one of the many bars and restaurants on board. <br /><br />&ldquo;Our  ships are the most family friendly sailing from the UK and we have consistently  excellent feedback from The Reef youth programme. This new site has been  designed to develop the service after the holidays have finished &ndash; or before  they have begun.&rdquo; <br /><br />To find out more visit www.pocruises.co.uk/reef</p>','2013-01-10 06:32:21',173,1,2,NULL,NULL,761,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1574,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Blue Man Group To Headlines Norwegian Epic&#039;s Entertainment Offerings','/blue_man_group_704745385.jpg','2009-05-23 03:30:00','<p><span>Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced it is changing the face of cruise  line entertainment on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian  Epic. In another industry first, the company will welcome Blue Man Group,  performing in the 685-seat Epic Theater. Blue Man Group is best known for their  wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and  multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The  blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark  of a Blue Man Group experience and beginning in the summer of 2010 will be seen  for the first time ever at sea only on Norwegian Epic.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>\"Norwegian Cruise Line has spent 42 years breaking the boundaries of  traditional cruising and redefining what it means to be innovative. Now, with  Norwegian Epic, we are re-inventing cruise ship entertainment by offering  multiple entertainment options for every taste and age,\" said Kevin Sheehan,  Norwegian Cruise Line\'s chief executive officer. \"Having a world-class creative  organization like Blue Man Group headline the entertainment on Norwegian Epic  will provide our guests with a sensory experience unlike any other at sea.\"</span></p>\r\n<p><span>More Entertainment Venues, Offerings</span></p>\r\n<p><span>Norwegian Epic will have multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues  throughout the ship so that guests can choose from a wide variety of  entertainment each evening of their cruise. No longer will entertainment be  focused on two nightly shows in one large main theater. Norwegian Epic takes  Freestyle Cruising to the next level by offering a number of entertainment  options in specially-designed venues, some offered for the first time ever at  sea, with choices to appeal to a broad audience.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><strong>Spiegel Tent</strong>: On Norwegian Epic, guests will find the only \"big top\"  at sea. In this intimate 265-seat theater-in-the-round, famed producer/director  Neil Goldberg will present Cirque Dreams&reg; and Dinner. This one of a kind  interactive theatrical dining experience will be performed in the air, while  juggling dinner courses, with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. During  this two-hour show, guests will marvel in amazement and become part of a  celebration of spectacle and fantasy. The entire experience will be unlike  anything else at sea.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><strong>Headliners Comedy Club</strong>: This 280-seat comedy club will feature the  hilarious improvisational comedy of The Second City, as Norwegian continues its  exclusive partnership with the famed troupe. For nearly 50 years, The Second  City has honed the skills of comedic legends such as Bill Murray, Chris Farley,  Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Gilda Radner and John Belushi. The ensemble will perform a  special customized comedy revue of satirical skits, hilarious songs and  inventive improvisation. The venue\'s design centers on a show lounge format with  a small raised stage, concrete floors and brick walls with a full bar.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><strong>Fat Cats</strong>: Guests on board Norwegian Epic can sit back and relax  listening to the cool vibes of jazz and blues in this 200-seat jazz club. Fat  Cats will feature nightly live blues and jazz performances by world-class  talent. The urban setting creates a hipster vibe complete with full bar and  comfortable leather sofas and chairs.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><strong>Epic Casino</strong>: This appropriately named casino is Norwegian\'s largest  casino at sea, spanning more than 13,000 square feet. It features an elegant  Monte Carlo inspired design theme and is open to Taste, the Atrium restaurant  below, and to the excitement of Bar Central above. Here, guests will find many  opportunities to try their luck including 340 of the latest slot machines; along  with gaming tables featuring poker, black jack, roulette and craps. And, with  the most rewarding Players Club Program at sea there will be something for  everyone, from the novice to the high roller. Cascades Bar, with a grand central  crystal chandelier, serves as the casino\'s centerpiece.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><strong>Epic Theater</strong>: In addition, the theater will be home to another  featured show which will be announced later this year.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>A special online video presentation of all Norwegian Epic\'s entertainment  offerings is available for viewing on demand at <a href=\"http://epic.ncl.com/the-latest/webcasts\">http://epic.ncl.com/the-latest/webcasts</a> and features renderings and video clips of the world-class entertainment.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><strong>Epic Goes On Sale</strong></span></p>\r\n<p><span>Starting May 21, 2009, Norwegian Epic\'s 2010 inaugural sailings are open for  sale, with cruise fares starting at $699 per person. The first Eastern Caribbean  sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and the ship\'s alternating  Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are available through April 2011.  Norwegian Epic\'s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St.  Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship\'s Western  Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roat&aacute;n, Bay Islands,  Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Guests can make a reservation by contacting their  travel professional or Norwegian Cruise Line at 866-234-7350. More information  about the ship, her itineraries and offerings can be found at epic.ncl.com.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic incorporates many innovations including  several new types of accommodations  the curved New Wave staterooms; the  largest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas  on two private decks at the top of the ship; a new category of inside staterooms  for the value-conscious traveler  The Studios and Living Room; and spa and  family-friendly accommodations. The ship also boasts unique nightlife options  with the first Ice Bar at sea and Spice H20 with non-stop entertainment day and  night; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at  sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights  including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first  ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two  venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight  different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids\' and teen activity  areas and the first squash court at sea. In addition, Norwegian Epic will offer  the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices  the most at  sea  and 18 bars and lounges.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">About Norwegian Cruise Line</span></span></p>\r\n<p><span>Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year  history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with  the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by  allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built  Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed  cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>NCL is presently building Norwegian Epic, a third generation Freestyle  Cruising ship, for delivery in 2010.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>High resolution, downloadable images are available at <a href=\"http://www.ncl.com/pressroom\">www.ncl.com/pressroom</a>. For further  information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit <a href=\"http://www.ncl.com/\">www.ncl.com</a>, follow us on Facebook and Twitter  @NCLFreestyle or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 866-234-7350.</span></p>\r\n<p><span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">About Blue Man Group</span></span></p>\r\n<p><span>Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and  concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a  totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at  their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience.  Currently, their theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las  Vegas, Orlando, Berlin, and Tokyo.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>Blue Man Group\'s satirical rock concert Megastar World Tour has toured arenas  across the United States, and has played extensively in Canada, France, Mexico,  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Korea. In fall and winter, Blue Man Group MegaStar  World Tour continued its international travels in Austria, Belgium, Denmark,  Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Portugal, and is currently headed to  England and Israel.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>The company has applied its unique creative process to a wide variety of  projects, including the recording of five albums: the Grammy-nominated Audio,  The Complex, Live At The Venetian &reg; &not;- Las Vegas, How To Be A MegaStar Live!,  and Canta Conmigo.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>Blue Man Group has ventured into toy development (with their Keyboard  Experience and Percussion Tubes, produced by ToyQuest), film and TV scoring (The  Jury, Robots, and Space Chimps), commercial campaigns, television programs  (including Scrubs and Arrested Development), and a children\'s museum exhibit,  Making Waves, which is currently touring the U.S.A.</span></p>\r\n<p><span>As the company grows, it remains true to its vision of providing exciting  experiences in a variety of media, which appeal to a broad range of age groups  and cultural backgrounds.</span></p>','2013-01-08 12:55:37',177,1,2,NULL,NULL,760,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Company continues legacy of innovation by revolutionizing cruise ship entertainment with world-class brands and acts in specially designed venues only on Norwegian Epic',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1573,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','The Herald and Weekly Times','Pensioners &#039;fought off pirates with chairs&#039;','/hi_114637769.jpg','2009-05-23 03:21:00','<p>FEISTY pensioners used deck chairs to fight off Somali pirates who tried to  hijack their cruise ship on the Indian Ocean, passengers and the vessel\'s owners  say.<br /><br />&nbsp;They sprang into action when pirates tried to board the <em>MSC  Melody</em> off the Seychelles on April 25. <br />\"Some passengers saw the pirates  approaching and sounded the alarm. But the security guard had seen them already.  The passengers were taken to their cabins, with lights off,\" Sarah Longbottom of  MSC Cruises said.<br /><br />\"Mr and Mrs Rowlands were on the deck. Beryl Rowlands  threw deck chairs at them,\" she said, adding that the ship had about 1000  passengers and 500 crew on board.<br /><br />There were 74 Australians on the ship  at the time.<br /><br />No-one was injured in the incident, which came amid a surge  in piracy off the coast of Somalia, where ransom-seeking pirates attacked more  than 100 ship in 2008 and another 114 so far this year.<br /><br />The owner of MSC  Cruises, Gianluigi Aponte, praised the way the ship\'s crew and passengers dealt  with the attack. \"We are very proud that our crew proved to be able to promptly  tackle the emergency,\" he said.<br /><br />\"At the moment of the attack, the ship  was 600 nautical miles (1111 km) from the Somalian coast, in an area that is not  considered dangerous, and 180 nautical miles (333 km) from Seychelles.\"  <br /><br />Ian and Jessie Moakes from Mansfield, central England, were on the MSC  Melody to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.<br /><br />\"Some holidaymakers  threw tables and chairs to repel the pirates,\" Moakes, 62, a retired police  officer, told the <em>Sun</em> newspaper.<br /><br />\"It could have been much  nastier. There were bullet holes in the ship.\" <br /><br />Australia\'s Department of  Foreign Affairs and Trade said 69 passengers and five crew members were  Australians, some of whom may be dual citizens and travelling on other  passports.</p>','2013-01-05 21:08:40',189,1,2,NULL,NULL,759,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,'Hijack averted ... the MSC Melody is escorted by the Spanish grigate Marques de la Ensenada / AP / News Limited picture',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1612,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Introduces Severe Weather and Job Loss Protection Under It’s Cruise Vacation Protection Plan','/valor034_937774164.jpg','2009-07-20 21:39:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines has enhanced its Cruise Vacation Protection Plan (VPP) to include severe weather watch/warning protection, as well as job loss protection.&nbsp; The enhanced features apply to plan purchases made July 15, 2009 and after.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The severe weather watch/warning protection provides reimbursement in the event the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and/or National Weather Service issues or maintains a severe weather watch or warning within 48 hours of a cruise departure.&nbsp; Should the watch or warning affect either the cruise departure city or the guest&rsquo;s route to that city, the plan will allow for cancellation and reimbursement up to the full amount of the cruise cost.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Another new weather protection feature provides that if a guest is traveling to the cruise departure port via a common carrier (airplane, bus, train, etc.) and inclement weather ultimately causes the guest to miss 50 percent or more of&nbsp; the cruise vacation, the guest may receive reimbursement up to the total cost of the cruise.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The new job loss protection will provide reimbursement up to the total cruise cost if individuals who have booked a cruise and purchased the plan are subsequently terminated by their employer and have worked for that employer for at least one continuous year.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The above enhancements will further strengthen the current plan which offers a variety of other benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, emergency medical evacuation, medical, baggage loss and baggage delay.&nbsp; The program also provides a 24-hour emergency assistance hotline.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;These enhancements to the Cruise Vacation Protection Plan are designed to provide consumers with an assurance that their vacation investment will be protected in the unlikely event severe weather or job loss occurs &ndash; important factors given both the unpredictability of Mother Nature and the current economy,&rdquo; said&nbsp; Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival&rsquo;s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Carnival&rsquo;s Cruise Vacation Protection Plan is administered by BerkelyCare, a recognized leader in travel insurance.&nbsp; The plan must be purchased at least 14 days prior to the cruise departure date.&nbsp; Prices begin at $49 per person and vary by cruise length.&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 08:58:43',113,1,2,NULL,NULL,804,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1613,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Interactive ‘FunHub’ to Debut on New Carnival Dream','/123_177780673.jpg','2009-07-20 21:41:00','<p>The new Carnival Dream will take seagoing technology to an entirely new level with the introduction of the FunHub, a comprehensive shipboard intranet portal featuring the cruise industry&rsquo;s first on-board social network, along with access to a wide variety of information on the ship&rsquo;s services, facilities and daily activities.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The 130,000-ton vessel, Carnival&rsquo;s largest ship, is set to debut Sept. 21.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Access to the FunHub will be available via 36 state-of-the-art stations located on decks 3, 4 and 5, including 12 within Ocean Plaza, Carnival Dream&rsquo;s spectacular indoor/outdoor caf&eacute; and entertainment venue.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The FunHub locations will provide guests with free and convenient access to an informative ship-specific intranet portal, and an exclusive shipboard social network, both of which will be available on a 24/7 basis.&nbsp; Guests may also access the sites via their personal laptops or via 10-inch netbooks which are available for rent and can be used anywhere on board. &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Carnival Dream&rsquo;s on-board social network mirrors the experience one finds on other social networking sites.&nbsp; Guests can create a personal profile and use the application to meet and interact with others on board, send and receive private messages, create groups based on interests, and invite friends to attend shows or participate in on-board events. Guests can also create their own private or public discussion group, inviting others in their traveling party or friends they meet on board to participate.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Designed as a convenient resource for wide-ranging information specific to the Carnival Dream, the intranet portal details the ship&rsquo;s numerous on-board activities, including entertainment options, daily events and youth programs. Carnival Dream&rsquo;s extensive food and beverage offerings are showcased with sample menus, hours of operation and more. A filtering application is available to assist guests in planning their day.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The portal also includes weather updates for that day and the next port of call; the latest news and sports scores; biographies of key shipboard personnel; ship and cruise director announcements; fun, interactive polls; helpful three-dimensional ship maps, and a frequently asked questions section.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A year-long collaboration involving Carnival&rsquo;s hotel operations, marketing, IT and guest experience departments, the Carnival Dream&rsquo;s on-board social network and intranet portal are available on any guest computer or Wi-Fi enabled device free of charge.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Internet access to sites outside the FunHub also is available through all FunHub locations. Netbooks are available free of charge when purchasing a special Internet package on board.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cell phone service, along with bow-to-stern wireless access where guests can check e-mail and surf the Web from any shipboard location, including their staterooms, will be available, as well.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To showcase its newest and largest ship, Carnival has created a new micro-site at <a href=\"http://www.carnival.com/dream\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Carnival Dream Homepage\"><span style=\"color: #00367e;\">carnival.com/dream&nbsp;</span></a>with exclusive images, video, interviews and blogs highlighting the ship&rsquo;s many on-board innovations and features.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The line&rsquo;s largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 &ndash; Nov. 12.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3.&nbsp; Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean.</p>','2013-01-18 07:30:01',122,1,2,NULL,NULL,797,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1614,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Introduces Self-Service Check-In Kiosks at Port of Miami','/123_763738392.jpg','2009-07-20 21:42:00','<p>As part of an ongoing effort to streamline the embarkation process, Carnival Cruise Lines has installed self-service&nbsp;check-in kiosks&nbsp;at its&nbsp;Port of Miami cruise&nbsp;terminal.</p>\r\n<p>The&nbsp;state-of-the-art kiosks provide guests with a fast and convenient&nbsp;way&nbsp;to check in for their &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruise.</p>\r\n<p>To use Carnival&rsquo;s&nbsp;self service kiosks, guests must&nbsp;have pre-registered online and&nbsp;be a U.S. or Canadian citizen, or from a Visa waiver country.&nbsp;&nbsp;To access their booking information&nbsp;and check in&nbsp;via the kiosk, guests&nbsp;simply&nbsp;swipe their passport&nbsp;or the credit card&nbsp;used&nbsp;to pre-register online. Additionally, the kiosks&nbsp;accept cash deposits for&nbsp;guests&rsquo; shipboard Sail &amp; Sign accounts.&nbsp;Once&nbsp;guests&nbsp;have&nbsp;successfully checked in,&nbsp;the station prints a receipt confirming that their registration process is completed and&nbsp;directs them&nbsp;to pick up their stateroom keys at a nearby&nbsp;desk.</p>\r\n<p>The kiosks are part of a pilot program at the Port of Miami and, if met with positive response from guests, will be expanded to the line&rsquo;s other year-round homeports.</p>','2013-01-08 14:42:38',131,1,2,NULL,NULL,806,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1629,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Search launched for missing cruise ship passenger','/090803_zaandam_578498908.jpg','2009-08-04 00:09:00','<p>ANCHORAGE, Alaska &ndash; The Coast Guard has launched a massive search in frigid Alaska waters for a cruise ship passenger who is believed to have fallen overboard.</p>\r\n<p>The Coast Guard says the 45-year-old woman was reported missing by a friend at 10 a.m. Monday when the ship Zaandam was in Glacier Bay National Park about 75 miles northwest of Juneau.</p>\r\n<p>The woman was last seen after she ordered room service about midnight, when the vessel was near Douglas Island.</p>\r\n<p>Coast Guard spokesman Paul Webb says the search is focusing on the glacier-fed waters between the two points, which are 80 miles apart.</p>\r\n<p>The waters in the area are 57 degrees.</p>\r\n<p>Taking part in the search are Coast Guard aircraft and cutters as well as civil air patrol pilots.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-23 14:44:02',214,2,2,NULL,NULL,814,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,1,2,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1630,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Port of San Diego to Break Ground on New Cruise Terminal','/yacht430_607652063.jpg','2009-08-04 00:13:00','<p>The Port of San Diego will break ground for a new cruise ship terminal Aug. 4 on Broadway Pier. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. and will include remarks from Board Chair Stephen P. Cushman; Luis Ajamil, the architect who designed the new terminal; and Carlos Torres de Navarra, director of strategic planning and port development for Carnival Corp. &amp; plc. Carnival Corp. is the parent company of Holland America Line, which has operated seasonal cruises from San Diego since 1998. It is also the parent company of Carnival Cruise Lines, which operates the port&rsquo;s only year-round ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation.</p>\r\n<p><br />Carnival Corp. loaned the port $12 million to help pay for construction of the 52,000-square-foot, two-story terminal. The terminal will be able to accommodate 2,600 passengers and will include space for U.S. Customs &amp; Border Protection. The facility will be the port&rsquo;s first &ldquo;green&rdquo; building and is being designed to meet silver-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, meaning it would use less water and energy and produce fewer pollutants.</p>\r\n<p><br />Some of the construction elements that will help qualify for LEED certification include use of a photovoltaic system that will provide at least 12 percent of the building&rsquo;s energy. The project also may incorporate highly reflective roof paint and low-flow toilets, urinals and faucets that will help keep water and energy costs down.</p>\r\n<p><br />The new terminal will also include space for private and public events on days when cruise ships aren&rsquo;t in port. A public space will be open in the back of the building, with an open pavilion area that will provide views of the bay. Another event area will be located on the second floor.</p>\r\n<p><br />Jaynes Corporation, a construction company with offices throughout the southwest, is the contractor for the project. Construction is estimated to cost $21.1 million and is scheduled for completion in December 2010.<br />Last year, there were 297 cruise ship calls to the Port of San Diego, bringing nearly a million passengers. Each cruise ship that stops has an economic impact of about $2 million. That number is calculated from passenger spending and the businesses that serve the cruise lines, including florists, food suppliers, linen companies, cleaning companies and bus and transportation services. Passengers also visit local attractions such as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. The port&rsquo;s cruise business continues to grow and has outgrown its main terminal at the B Street Pier. That terminal can service two ships at a time. On days when three or four ships are in port, Broadway Pier is used as a temporary terminal, and passengers have been processed in a tent structure. For more information, visit www.portofsandiego.org.</p>','2013-01-13 12:13:18',192,1,2,NULL,NULL,815,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1631,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Oasis of the Seas to Move Life Vests from Rooms to Deck','/3230487441_1cefab4c7f_186529846.jpg','2009-08-04 00:15:00','<p>In his blog about the new Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain said the life vests on the ship will be moved from staterooms to mustering stations on deck. He notes that lifeboat drills that occur at the start of every cruise is &ldquo;a good safety protocol&rdquo; but one that &ldquo;is a royal pain in the ass -- an important pain, but a pain nonetheless.&rdquo; Under the current system throughout the industry, guests must go back to their staterooms to get their lifejackets before heading for their muster stations. &ldquo;The lifejackets are uncomfortable and bulky and many guests leave the belt hanging,&rdquo; Fain wrote. &ldquo;After the drill, they have to take their lifejackets back to their staterooms. It&rsquo;s also a time-consuming and difficult process for the crew. All in all, it&rsquo;s a laborious, uncomfortable, manual process that can actually distract from the important safety purposes for which it was designed.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />On Oasis, Fain said, it was decided to work to improve the process. An automated record-keeping system was designed to track which guests were at muster stations. &ldquo;The team, however, did not stop here and ended up with a dramatically new process that greatly improves the effectiveness and convenience of the drill,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;The team quickly realized that the biggest issue was making the guests return to their staterooms to get the life jackets. But there really is no benefit to making them do this and we intend to get away from this practice. On Oasis, they decided to store the lifejackets at the mustering stations instead of the staterooms. This takes up more space at the mustering stations (lifejackets are very bulky) but we have the space. It also frees up a smidgen more space in every stateroom. The advantages are so overwhelming that you have to wonder why we haven&rsquo;t done this before.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Fain said the system is being tested. &ldquo;Just to make sure this is as big an improvement as it seems, we&rsquo;ve been running extensive testing on other ships. The universal reaction is that this is a dramatically better system. Among other benefits, it is safer -- the guests can go directly from wherever they are to their muster stations, and we don&rsquo;t have all of the cross traffic with guests wearing bulky lifejackets. Of course, now everyone wants this on all the ships and we intend to do so as quickly as we can.&rdquo; For more information, visit www.oasisoftheseas.com/chairmans-blog.</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:50',303,1,2,NULL,NULL,816,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1632,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Tickets are Officially on Sale to the General Public for the ‘VH1 Best Cruise Ever’ Hosted By 3 Doors Down Aboard the Carnival Inspiration','/inspiration02_704631622.jpg','2009-08-11 00:01:00','<p>VH1 Best Cruise Ever, the first official VH1 entertainment cruise presented by the music channel and Sixthman and taking place aboard the Carnival Inspiration, is now on sale to the general public at <a href=\"http://www.vh1bestcruiseever.com\">www.vh1bestcruiseever.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;This music festival at sea, hosted by 3 Doors Down, is scheduled to sail April 15-19, 2010 on the 2,052-passenger vessel Carnival Inspiration.&nbsp; The four-night cruise features a visit to the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman and sails round-trip from Tampa, Florida.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;VH1 Best Cruise Ever will feature performances from 3 Doors Down, Lifehouse and Shinedown, as well as by special guests Finger Eleven and VH1&rsquo;s &ldquo;You Oughta Know&rdquo; artists Carolina Liar and SAFETYSUIT, to name a few.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;Guests will also enjoy a number of VH1-themed onboard activities and contests aboard the Carnival Inspiration which features 12 bars and lounges, a number of formal and casual dining options, a water park, an adults-only retreat and a resort style pool area.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;Cabins for the VH1 Best Cruise Ever start at $799 per person based on double occupancy plus taxes and fees. For more information, visit <a href=\"http://www.vh1bestcruiseever.com\">www.vh1bestcruiseever.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-20 09:04:04',131,1,2,NULL,NULL,817,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1633,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean to Allow Waiters to Take Drink Orders','/london_dining_room_lg_201573794.jpg','2009-08-11 00:02:00','<p>Royal Caribbean International is making a change in its dining room service that will allow waiters to take orders for alcoholic beverages. Until now, bar servers roam the dining rooms, averaging about one bar server per 150 guests. Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein wrote in his blog that allowing waiters to take drink orders would reduce that ratio to one server per 24 guests. He said the change would take place fleetwide by the end of August.</p>\r\n<p><br />&ldquo;We are confident from our testing of this change that our wait staff will greatly improve the flow and timeliness of beverage service during the dining experience,&rdquo; Goldstein wrote. &ldquo;This program further increases guest satisfaction by enabling the waiter to place all cocktail and wine orders on one check. As with many changes, this initiative requires support and training that takes time, and there will be inevitable hiccups. We are implementing a core competency wine and sprits training program and ensuring it is available to all restaurant crew via the Internet. The training encompasses Gold Anchor Standards developed for this initiative. After we overcome the initial learning curve and culture change, we believe this new approach will boost guest satisfaction.&rdquo; For more information, visit <a href=\"http://www.nationofwhynot.com/blog\">www.nationofwhynot.com/blog</a>.</p>','2013-01-08 09:31:38',207,1,2,NULL,NULL,818,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1634,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Corporation &amp; plc','Arison Family to Sell up to 8.5 Million Shares of Carnival Corporation','/OAU8_266404701.jpg','2009-08-16 19:53:00','<p>IAMI, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carnival Corporation &amp; plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced today that members of the Arison family and certain related entities, including trusts organized by members of the Arison family, have advised Carnival Corporation that they plan to sell up to 8.5 million shares of Carnival Corporation Common Stock in market sales, representing up to approximately 1% of the total combined voting rights of Carnival Corporation &amp; plc.</p>\r\n<p>Of the shares planned for sale, up to 5 million shares are held either directly or indirectly by Micky Arison, the company\'s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. If all the shares covered by the sales plan are sold, the Arison family and related entities will remain beneficial owners of approximately 220 million shares, constituting approximately 28% of the total combined voting rights of Carnival Corporation &amp; plc.</p>\r\n<p>The sellers have advised Carnival Corporation that they are selling for tax planning, estate planning and diversification purposes. In connection with the sales, the sellers are expected to enter into one or more sales plans under Rule 10b5-l. Rule 10b5-l permits the creation of written plans for buying or selling stock at a time when insiders are not in possession of material non-public information. Once a plan is established, the insider does not retain or exercise any discretion over sales of stock under the plan and the preplanned trades can be executed at later dates as set forth in the plan, without regard to any subsequent material non-public information that the insider might receive.</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Corporation &amp; plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&amp;O Cruises and P&amp;O Cruises Australia.</p>\r\n<p>Together, these brands operate 92 ships totaling approximately 177,000 lower berths with 13 new ships scheduled to be delivered between September 2009 and June 2012. Carnival Corporation &amp; plc also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation &amp; plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&amp;P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.</p>','2013-01-07 11:37:25',144,1,2,NULL,NULL,819,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1635,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Spirit Earns Perfect 100 Score on Health Canada Inspection','/Carnival_Spirit_663166241.jpg','2009-08-16 20:04:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit, which operates the line&rsquo;s seasonal Alaska program, has earned a perfect 100 score on its most recent Health Canada inspection which took place in Vancouver.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>The 2,124-passenger vessel received perfect marks on all items that comprise the agency&rsquo;s comprehensive vessel sanitation program checklist.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The unannounced inspections, which are required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a Canadian port, evaluate vessels in a wide variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness.&nbsp; Ships&rsquo; potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well.</p>','2013-01-11 00:01:38',147,1,2,NULL,NULL,820,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1636,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Susan Lazaruk, The Province','Whale was dead before cruise ship impaled it','/fin_whale_impaled_Saphire_Princess_427352334.jpg','2009-08-16 20:38:00','<p>VANCOUVER - A whale that rode into Vancouver\'s downtown harbour impaled on the bow of a cruise ship was dead before the Sapphire Princess struck it somewhere between Alaska and Vancouver.</p>\r\n<p>Scientists determined by the \"red-orange coloration\" of the fin whale\'s skin and the lack of bleeding that it wasn\'t killed on impact.</p>\r\n<p>\"The necropsy indicated the animal had been dead five to seven days,\" said Paul Cottrell of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.</p>\r\n<p>The whale remained on the bow of the ship for most of the day on July 25, in full view of tourists in the area.</p>\r\n<p>The 17.3-metre whale, a pre-adult female, weighed about 40 tonnes and may have been sick before death, scientists said, noting that its \"general body condition was poor, indicating the animal was emaciated.\"</p>\r\n<p>It wasn\'t determined how the whale died or whether it was picked up in American or Canadian waters.</p>\r\n<p>The animal was towed out to sea, courtesy of Princess Cruises, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, where it will provide a \"smorgasbord\" for other marine life, Cottrell said.</p>\r\n<p>Cottrell noted such collisions are uncommon and this was only the second one in 10 years.</p>\r\n<p>Some fin whale populations are endangered.</p>','2013-01-11 00:54:41',159,1,2,NULL,NULL,821,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1637,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Princess Cruises','Princess Cruises Adds New South Pacific and Hawaii Sailings in 2010-11','/Hawaii_437163368.jpg','2009-08-19 21:23:00','<p>SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 17, 2009) &mdash; Princess Cruises has added seven new sailings to its fall 2010 to spring 2011 schedule aboard Sapphire Princess, including two leisurely Pacific crossings between California and Sydney, plus additional Hawaii cruises.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Due to the enthusiastic response to our 2009 Trans Pacific sailing we wanted to offer additional opportunities to experience this unique itinerary,&rdquo; said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. &ldquo;The two new month-long sailings visiting 13 tropical ports of call will give cruisers a true taste of the idyllic South Pacific.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>Swartz added that increased interest in roundtrip Hawaii sailings prompted Princess to add several more of these sailings to its west coast lineup as well.</p>\r\n<p>The new Sapphire Princess voyages include:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>2-day Pacific Coastal (Vancouver to San Francisco) &mdash; September 20, 2010 </li>\r\n<li>30-day Hawaii, Tahiti &amp; South Pacific (San Francisco to Sydney) &mdash; September 22, 2010 </li>\r\n<li>29-day Hawaii, Tahiti &amp; South Pacific (Sydney to Los Angeles) &mdash; October 23, 2010 </li>\r\n<li>10-day Mexican Riviera (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) &mdash; January 5, 2011 </li>\r\n<li>14-day Hawaiian Islands (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) &mdash; January 29, 2011 </li>\r\n<li>14-day Hawaiian Islands (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) &mdash; February 26, 2011 </li>\r\n<li>14-day Hawaiian Islands (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) &mdash; March 26, 2011 </li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>The new sailings are currently open for sale, with fares starting at $199 per person for the new two-day coastal cruise. Hawaiian Islands sailings begin at $1,995 per person, and Pacific crossings begin at $4,195 per person.</p>\r\n<p>To accommodate the new cruises, which were added as a result of shifting demand in the west coast cruise market, Princess has cancelled 15 previously scheduled Mexican Riviera sailings. An additional 17 Mexican Riviera sailings are still available during this time period.</p>','2013-01-23 14:44:00',130,1,2,NULL,NULL,822,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1638,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Encourages Children to Dream Big With the Virtual Book of Dreams Contest','/123_150295858.jpg','2009-08-19 21:24:00','<p>NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Carnival Cruise Lines\' newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the company today announced the Virtual Book of Dreams contest, inviting residents in the U.S. and Canada to participate in a call for entries. Children between the ages of 7 to 12 have the opportunity to share their awesome dreams online at <a href=\"http://www.carnivalbookofdreams.com\">www.carnivalbookofdreams.com</a> for a chance to become the world\'s first-ever cruise ship waterslide Godchild, and travel to New York City to christen the spectacular Carnival WaterWorks aqua park on the Carnival Dream. The winning family will also receive a cruise on the Carnival Dream when the ship makes its North American debut in November.</p>\r\n<p>At Carnival we value dreams and fun, and we know that no one excels at dreaming and having fun more than kids,\" said Carnival Cruise Lines Chief Marketing Officer Jim Berra. \"The Virtual Book of Dreams is a terrific way to capture and share the fantastic dreams of children as we introduce the Carnival Dream -- our most spectacular \'Fun Ship\' yet.\"</p>\r\n<p>In an effort to remind people why it\'s important to dream, Carnival Cruise Lines also announced it will make a $2 donation to St. Jude Children\'s Research Hospital for every entry received and $1 for each vote on the Virtual Book of Dreams web site <a href=\"http://www.carnivalbookofdreams.com\">www.carnivalbookofdreams.com</a>, with a maximum contribution of $25,000 donated to St. Jude. St. Jude is one of the world\'s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.</p>\r\n<p>\"Through the Virtual Book of Dreams, Carnival Cruise Lines has created a wonderfully unique way to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude,\" said David L. McKee, chief operating officer and interim CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. \"Carnival Cruise Lines is encouraging kids to dream while also inspiring hope in our precious patients and their families in the battle against cancer and other catastrophic diseases.\"</p>\r\n<p>Dream Big, Win Big</p>\r\n<p>To enter the Virtual Book of Dreams(TM) contest, children must complete the thought \"I\'m always dreaming up fun stuff. Wouldn\'t it be awesome if ... \" in 250 words or less. From August 18, 2009 until September 18, 2009, parents or legal guardians of children between the ages of 7 to 12 can submit their child\'s written dream entry and corresponding hand-drawn illustration online at <a href=\"http://www.carnivalbookofdreams.com\">www.carnivalbookofdreams.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>Dream submissions will be judged upon creativity and originality of the dream, expression and emotional content. In late September 2009, Carnival will announce four finalists chosen by a panel of judges, in addition to one Wild Card finalist who will be selected via public online voting at <a href=\"http://www.carnivalbookofdreams.com\">www.carnivalbookofdreams.com</a>. Each of the finalists will be featured in a final round of public online voting that will run through the beginning of October.</p>\r\n<p>The Virtual Book of Dreams Grand Prize Winner will be chosen via the voting process in mid-October, named the Godchild of the Carnival WaterWorks water slide aboard the Carnival Dream and invited to participate in a ship christening ceremony in New York City in mid-November 2009. The winning family will also receive a two-night cruise aboard Carnival Dream. All other finalists will receive digital cameras and other prizes from Carnival.</p>\r\n<p>About Carnival Dream</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Cruise Lines\' newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, is a new class of vessel for the line and ushers in an exciting new era in \"Fun Ship\" cruising. The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream will offer a host of innovations including a stunning indoor/outdoor cafe and entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza, a two-level Serenity adults-only retreat, a wrap-around promenade encircling the ship, the cruise industry\'s largest water park that features the Carnival WaterWorks waterslide, and a 23,750-square-foot health spa - Carnival\'s largest to date. Several new accommodation categories, including five-berth, two-bathroom staterooms that will hold particular appeal for families, will also be offered on the Carnival Dream.</p>\r\n<p>About Carnival Cruise Lines</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation &amp; plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 \"Fun Ships\" operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Europe and Bermuda. The line currently has two new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011. The first of those, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009. For additional information or reservations on the \"Fun Ship\" vacation experience, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.</p>\r\n<p>About St. Jude Children\'s Research Hospital</p>\r\n<p>St. Jude Children\'s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family\'s inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit <a href=\"http://www.stjude.org\">www.stjude.org</a>.</p>\r\n<p>NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win. See <a href=\"http://www.carnivalbookofdreams.com\">www.carnivalbookofdreams.com</a> for rules and details.</p>','2013-01-11 20:55:26',108,1,2,NULL,NULL,823,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Carnival to find world&#039;s first official cruise ship waterslide Godchild; Donation to help kids battling cancer at St. Jude Children&#039;s Research Hospital(R) for every online entry and vote ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1639,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Expands Group Advantage Program Features','/hal_475243987.jpg','2009-08-19 21:29:00','<p>Holland America Line&rsquo;s 2010 Group Advantage Program (GAP) has added two new amenity packages and two award classes. New features include &ldquo;Girls&rsquo; Night Out&rdquo; and &ldquo;Guys&rsquo; Night Out&rdquo; package amenities as well as an option to select personalized martini classes for a group. &ldquo;As guests continue to seek more personalized and interactive experiences, we&rsquo;re expanding the variety of amenities offered in our GAP program for more customized group experiences,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president-marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. &ldquo;Group business is a great way for travel sellers to increase revenue, and we&rsquo;ve designed our incentives to offer more unique and appealing ways to market to groups.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />Holland America provides incentive amenities based on GAP points established by the cruise destination, date and length. Travel sellers can then select amenities to customize a group&rsquo;s cruising experience. In addition to the new packages, the premium line also offers custom GAP packages tailored for weddings, family reunions and culinary groups.</p>\r\n<p><br />In the Girls&rsquo; Night Out package, one complimentary lunch or dinner is included at the Northwest-inspired Pinnacle Grill restaurant. Each guest receives a traditional pedicure or manicure in the Greenhouse Spa and Salon with a maximum of five people at one time. A glass of champagne accompanies the selected spa service. Five booked staterooms are required to receive the package amenities.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Guys&rsquo; Night Out package features a casino credit of $25 for each guest in the shipboard casinos. An additional $25 alcoholic beverage card per guest is included for use at any outlet on board. Five booked staterooms are also required to receive package amenities.</p>\r\n<p><br />As a new group amenity for travel sellers to select for qualifying groups, guests can learn to create and taste various martini beverages, such as the Peartini, Rum Sundae, High Tide Martini or Holland America Line&rsquo;s signature martini, the Yellow Tulip. The 45-minute martini class offers guests the chance to make three to six beverages, with six guests limited to each class. Additional items on the 2010 GAP menu include beverage cards, a shipboard credit of $75 per stateroom, three types of vitamin water per stateroom, a set of five Holland America Line wine charms or a cake for private functions. Travel sellers also can now arrange for their guests to learn to recreate towel designs with a complimentary 88-page &ldquo;Towel Creations&rdquo; book and 45-minute towel-folding session. GAP points are based on a per-person value and vary by the cruise region and length. GAP selections must be selected 90 days prior to the cruise departure. For more information on creating cruise groups and GAP amenities, Holland America Line offers the free guide &ldquo;Developing Group Business.&rdquo; To download or order a printed copy, visit <a href=\"http://www.travelagentheadquarters.com\">www.travelagentheadquarters.com</a>&nbsp; and look under the Sales Tools tab or call 800-544-0443. Polar Online can be accessed at the web site as well.</p>','2013-01-21 02:35:24',214,1,2,NULL,NULL,824,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1640,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','South Florida Caribbean News','New Cruise Incentives Bill Offers Opportunities For Bahamians','/gazebo_diningcpoin_j_157704861.jpg','2009-08-19 21:34:00','<p><strong><em>NASSAU, Bahamas</em></strong> - Bahamas Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko C. Grant urged Bahamians to take full advantage of &ldquo;the many income generating opportunities&rdquo; that new cruise incentives legislation offers.<br /><br />&ldquo;I encourage all concerned who are catering to cruise visitors to be creative and innovative,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Take advantage of the many opportunities it is intended to create.&rdquo;<br /><br />Mr. Grant was speaking in support of a Bill for an Act to amend the Cruise Ships (Overnighting Incentives) Act in the House of Assembly, June 29.<br /><br />He highlighted some of the opportunities this Bill will provide for Bahamians.<br /><br />&ldquo;It should encourage the return of Bahamian night clubs with native shows,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />&ldquo;I am saddened when I visit Bay Street in the evening when a number of cruise ships are docked,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Bay Street is in darkness; shops are closed. There is nothing for our visitors to do. We must change that.&rdquo;<br /><br />Hours cruise ships spend in Freeport and Nassau harbors, with a larger amount of passengers, will allow taxi drivers, tour operators, straw vendors, shops and restaurant operators to earn additional income, said Mr. Grant.<br /><br />The casino in Freeport will also benefit because cruise passengers would prefer to spend an enjoyable evening off the ship, he said.<br /><br />&ldquo;However, we must make them want to disembark by providing a memorable experience,&rdquo; he added.<br /><br />Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association research revealed that in this region a cruise passenger spends an average of $100 at some visiting ports and $150 at others, noted Mr. Grant.</p>\r\n<p><br />&ldquo;In the Bahamas, the expenditure is less than $70 per passenger. We are allowing each passenger to take back to the ship $30 to $35 that they could spend with us.<br /><br />&ldquo;If we can increase the average passenger expenditure by $30, we would be able to generate an additional $45,000,000 in revenue by persons and businesses catering to our cruise passengers,&rdquo; he said.</p>','2013-01-18 05:51:41',131,1,2,NULL,NULL,825,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1641,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Dream’s Ocean Plaza Coming Along!','ocean_plaza_construction_images2_573919191.jpg','2009-08-23 23:17:00','<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream debuts in September it will feature a number of new facilities and lounges, including Ocean Plaza (pictured here during final outfitting), a stunning caf&eacute; and live music venue.<span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Designed as the ideal spot for guests to relax and people watch, this breathtaking indoor/outdoor facility will feature a bandstand where a variety of musical genres will be showcased, along with a large circular dance floor. A massive floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall will separate the room, creating comfortable and seating areas offering magnificent ocean views.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guests at Ocean Plaza can also enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, espresso and other specialty coffees, along with sweets such as baked-on-board cakes, pies, cookies &ndash; even freshly made milkshakes. Full bar service specializing in martinis, mojitos and other popular cocktails, will be offered, as well.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ocean Plaza will also offer full Wi-Fi access, along with 12 stand-alone kiosks where guests can access an exciting new concept in shipboard technology &ndash; the FunHub, Carnival Dream&rsquo;s comprehensive portal and exclusive on-board social network.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ocean Plaza is among the many innovative features and facilities available aboard the spectacular &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; when it debuts in Europe Sept. 21.</p>','2013-01-10 06:29:07',168,1,2,NULL,NULL,826,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1642,7,3,'vivvo@localhost','Sailin Sue','Cruising on a Budget!',NULL,'2009-08-30 15:09:00','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 4;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Cruising on a Budget</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">I&rsquo;m back, and yes I know it&rsquo;s been a while since I&rsquo;ve written. Did you miss my musings?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp; </span>I really wish I could say I&rsquo;ve been on a world cruise but unfortunately not. I&rsquo;ve been traveling primarily on business, and taking the fastest way- planes. But now I&rsquo;m busily planning my next vacation and that of course includes a cruise. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">While times may seem tough, and taking a cruise seems like an unnecessary luxury, think of it as some well deserved mental health days. Cruise lines are practically giving away vacations, and with a little planning anyone can well afford it.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">The Lines don&rsquo;t make money on the sales of staterooms/cabins. The real money is made when you come aboard and spend. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span>The idea is to get you onboard and feeling good. Happy people buy drinks, massages, shore excursions, and roses. They rent tuxedos and book over-priced excursions.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">I&rsquo;m here to help you look at the options and not come home broke. My motives aren&rsquo;t to put the cruise lines out of business or even cramp your style. When the going gets rough it&rsquo;s time to get savvy. The money you save could go to your next cruise. So why not think thrifty, think smart, and think future cruising. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">Think bargain when you&rsquo;re shopping for the next cruise! <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span>If you&rsquo;re paying $50.00 or more per day (before taxes) you&rsquo;re paying way too much, and if you&rsquo;re on the bottom of the ship then you have only yourself to blame. Booking directly with the cruise lines can save you. Many specials come with a guaranteed upgrade, and as the saying goes if you don&rsquo;t ask you don&rsquo;t get. So be sure to ask what&lsquo;s the best category your money will buy.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">Onboard, look for opportunities to save in every area. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span>Start day one of your cruise. That noisy Bon Voyage party where everyone is in good spirits, and the waiters are pushing drinks in fancy glasses is a good place to begin. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span>What you&rsquo;re actually paying for are those colorful fancy glasses that you&rsquo;ll never use again, not even around your pool. Plus why give the cruise lines an additional three to four dollars? If you must have one of those drinks tote that glass around for the rest of your trip. Refills are a lot less expensive than buying another concoction.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">Now do you really need those specialty desserts that cost extra money? Do you have to have reservations at restaurants with a surcharge? Is it necessary to buy those paintings at the art auction?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp; </span>And those of you who play bingo know those cards aren&rsquo;t cheap. Must you pay extra for the yoga and spin instructor? Rent that tuxedo? Buy that much booze in Duty Free? Throw away your money on lotto cards? Spend every evening in the casino &ndash; losing money? </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">As for buying alcohol on board, compare prices when you get ashore. Sometimes duty free isn&rsquo;t all that it&rsquo;s cracked up to be. And those shore excursions &ndash; yes I know there is safety in numbers- but there are also pitfalls... sitting on a bus waiting for stragglers to show up&hellip;. being forced to listen to people complaining&hellip; not able to come and go as you choose. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span>Tours are ridiculously over priced. So if you&rsquo;re not the only one traveling it might make better financial sense to hire a taxi (establish a fixed price in advance) or rent a vehicle. There are many advantages to having your own wheels or driver. You can spend as much or as little time as you want at a destination. You are in control of your comings and goings. Plus drivers will often show you a side of their country most tourists will never see.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">If you enjoy being pampered, make your appointments for facials, massages, and salon services when the ship is in port. The salons run specials when most passengers are off the ship because business is slow. A pedicure or massage could turn out to be quite the bargain.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">Let&rsquo;s talk tipping. A tip is given in appreciation for good service and shouldn&rsquo;t be mandatory. In most cases you&rsquo;ve pre-paid your tips so why provide an additional reward for less than extraordinary service? You should never feel pressured to give anyone you&rsquo;ve not interacted with (including the Maitre d) a tip unless they&rsquo;ve provided outstanding service. Don&rsquo;t ever get badgered into coughing up additional funds when there is no reason too. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">Drinks already have tips figured in, and that&rsquo;s something we often overlook. If the bartender or waiter is simply doing his/her job they shouldn&rsquo;t be given anything extra. I mention that only because there are so many bartenders who just shove a drink at you, and don&rsquo;t even smile.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">And that brings me to those over priced photographs. I am guilty of over spending in this area. But when I see a photograph of me that I actually like, I willingly pay whatever they&rsquo;re asking.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp; </span>Bring a digital camera or even a disposable one. Buy only those that speak to you. And remember to get a letter from the photographer authorizing you to make copies.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">On an ending note, don&rsquo;t buy anything that you can get cheaper at home. That includes souvenirs friends and relatives will never use. Just keep saying to yourself the money you save will keep you cruising another day.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">You&rsquo;ll find that with these cost savings you&rsquo;ll still be able to enjoy your vacation. So keep sailing away!</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;\">Best,&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: \">Sailin\' Sue </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: \">p.s. write me at <a href=\"mailto:susiesails@yahoo.com\">susiesails@yahoo.com</a>&nbsp;</span></p>','2011-01-02 06:22:04',260,6,1,NULL,NULL,827,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-08-30 15:29:19',0),(1643,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Comedy Club Concept to Debut on New 130,000-ton Carnival Dream','/cl_dr_rend_aft_lounge_scarlett1_981961528.jpg','2009-08-31 22:01:00','<p>Building upon its reputation for offering the most diverse entertainment choices at sea, Carnival Cruise Lines will introduce the line&rsquo;s first comedy club on its new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. The club will feature six comedy shows on four different nights during each voyage.</p>\r\n<p>The new 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream &ndash; the line&rsquo;s largest ship &ndash; is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009.</p>\r\n<p>Presented in the 425-seat Burgundy Lounge, Carnival Dream&rsquo;s comedy club will highlight a wide variety of comedians offering both family-friendly and adult-only performances each night.</p>\r\n<p>Six 35-minute shows will be presented nightly, with show times at 6, 7:15, 8:30, 9:45 and 11 p.m., and 12:15 a.m. The last two performances will be R-rated adult-only shows.</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Dream&rsquo;s comedy club will showcase the talents of both the line&rsquo;s established comedians and up-and-coming performers, many of whom have appeared on television specials and in comedy venues throughout the country.</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Dream&rsquo;s comedy club is one of several entertainment options aboard the spectacular &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; that will offer guests an unparalleled mix of entertainment and activity choices from early in the morning to late at night.</p>\r\n<p>These include three high-energy revues &ndash; &ldquo;Dancin&rsquo; in the Street,&rdquo; &ldquo;Get Ready&rdquo; and &ldquo;X-Treme Country&rdquo; &ndash; each of which will feature elaborate sets and costumes, state-of-the-art video technology and sophisticated special effects to keep audiences enthralled and entertained.</p>\r\n<p>Offered for the first time on Carnival Dream, Ocean Plaza is a stunning indoor/outdoor caf&eacute;/live music venue with activities and entertainment planned from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m.&nbsp; Here, guests can relax with specialty coffees and sweets while enjoying a variety of live music, from rock and roll bands to a Latin trio, classical pianists, solo singers and more.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Located on Promenade Deck 5, Ocean Plaza will also serve as the venue for activities ranging from scrapbooking classes and trivia contests to karaoke, and art, spa and photo seminars.&nbsp; Jugglers and magic shows also will be presented, while the Fun Force, Carnival&rsquo;s energetic acrobatic troupe, will amaze guests with their high-flying antics.</p>\r\n<p>Other diversions on Carnival Dream will include solo entertainers along the Dream Street Promenade, a karaoke lounge, rollicking sing-a-longs in Sam&rsquo;s Piano Bar, steel drum and Calypso bands on Lido Deck and live bands playing everything from rock to Latin to disco. Carnival Dream will also feature Carnival&rsquo;s Seaside Theatre, a massive LED screen on Lido Deck showing movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Dream debuts Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York Oct. 27 &ndash; Nov. 12.&nbsp; Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23 from New York.&nbsp; The ship will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, 2009.</p>','2013-01-18 06:04:38',155,1,2,NULL,NULL,828,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1644,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Disney Cruise Line','Disney Dream Begins to Take Shape','/48934231_393602614.jpg','2009-08-31 22:06:00','<p>PAPENBURG, GERMANY (August 26, 2009) &ndash; Today, Disney Cruise Line celebrated the keel laying of the Disney Dream, the first of two newly-designed ships destined to expand family cruise options to more people in more places around the world.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Since our inception, families have come to know and love Disney Cruise Line, and they are looking for additional ways to enjoy all that we have to offer,&rdquo; Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz said during the ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. &ldquo;Our fleet expansion will allow us to satisfy demand on both the East and West coasts of the United States while also giving us the flexibility to explore additional global destinations for our Guests.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>The keel laying ceremony is the first time the Disney Dream will begin to take shape after many years of design work. In the maritime industry, the ceremony marks a momentous occasion when the first block &ndash; or section &ndash; of the ship is lowered into the building dock and a coin is placed under the keel for good fortune.</p>\r\n<p>Doing the honors of placing the coin was Captain Tom Forberg. With a distinguished maritime career aboard Disney Cruise Line, Forberg was the first crew member hired and the captain who launched the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Recently, Forberg was named as the future Master of the Disney Dream.</p>\r\n<p>The ship will continue to take its form through a block construction process in which pre-fabricated complete hull sections are joined together in block units and are then brought together to form the ship. The Disney Dream will be made up of 80 blocks, with the first block weighing in at approximately 380 tons.</p>\r\n<p>Designing the Disney Dream</p>\r\n<p>The Disney Dream is scheduled to join the current fleet in 2011, followed by Disney&rsquo;s second new ship, the Disney Fantasy in 2012. Together the two new ocean liners will more than double the capacity of Disney Cruise Line, each having 1,250 staterooms and a tonnage of 128,000.</p>\r\n<p>Bringing together innovation in superb shipbuilding and creativity in imaginative storytelling, Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering, along with the Meyer Werft shipyard have created a truly distinctive design. Like the existing ships, these ocean liners were designed to deliver a unique vacation that every member of the family believes was created just for them. Design details will be revealed later this fall.</p>\r\n<p>Synonymous with its name, the Disney Dream will evoke the unique heritage of the company&rsquo;s ideals in creating enchanting places and stories where families&rsquo; vacation dreams come true.</p>\r\n<p>Homeports</p>\r\n<p>Both new ocean liners will call Port Canaveral, Fla., their home, where expansion efforts are underway to accommodate the larger ships and additional guests. In addition to an extension of the dock and enlargements to the one-of-a-kind Disney terminal building, a new multi-level parking structure will be built, complementing the design and storytelling elements of the ships. The new enhancements will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea during their vacation experience.</p>\r\n<p>Disney Cruise Line also recently announced that the Disney Wonder will operate from the Port of Los Angeles starting in 2011.</p>\r\n<p>Future Itineraries</p>\r\n<p>In addition to the new ships, Disney Cruise Line continues to expand itineraries, with plans to once again sail the Mediterranean region aboard the Disney Magic during the summer of 2010. In addition to the popular ports in Spain, Italy and France, the ship will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta and Corsica. Disney Magic will also visit the historic cities of Northern Europe for the first time calling on Warnemunde, Germany, the gateway to Berlin and St. Petersburg, Russia. Enchanting Scandinavian ports like Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm, will also be a first for Disney.</p>\r\n<p>Holz noted that the company will begin to announce some itineraries for 2011 in September during the D23 EXPO, the ultimate fan experience where the entire world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.</p>','2013-01-12 18:41:27',134,1,2,NULL,NULL,829,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,'Disney Cruise Line and shipbuilder Meyer Werft hold a keel-laying ceremony in Papenburg, Germany, for the Disney Dream. The cruise ship is expected to begin sailing out of Port Canaveral in early 2011. (DISNEY CRUISE LINE / August 26, 2009)',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1645,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line’s Cancellation Protection Plan Allows Guests to Cancel for Any Reason','/2622595456_916e591601_966624062.jpg','2009-08-31 22:07:00','<p>Seattle, WA, August 26, 2009 &ndash; Holland America Line guests who purchase the line&rsquo;s Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) can cancel their cruise for any reason whatsoever to receive a refund of up to 90 percent of the cruise fare paid. Two variations of the plan allow cancellation of a cruise up to 24 hours prior to the cruise or cruisetour departure for Standard CPP and right up to departure for CPP Platinum.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;With Holland America Line&rsquo;s Cancellation Protection Plans, guests can rest assured they don&rsquo;t have to have specific reasons to be protected,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &ldquo;It provides added peace of mind in today&rsquo;s environment to know that whatever might be affecting a guest&rsquo;s travel plans, they can receive a refund if needed.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>For most sailings, Holland America Line&rsquo;s standard cancellation policy allows guests to cancel in writing without penalty up to 76 days prior to the departure date.</p>\r\n<p>Two Levels of CPP<br />Standard CPP reimburses 80% of eligible amounts paid for cancellations for any reason up to 24 hours prior to the cruise or cruisetour departure. Plus, the plan provides an additional $500 liability (for a total of $600) for lost, damaged or delayed baggage.</p>\r\n<p>CPP Platinum features a 90% refund upon cancellation for any reason prior to departure. Other benefits for the expanded plan are increased baggage protection for lost or damaged luggage up to $1,600 total, delayed baggage coverage up to $1,100, trip interruption protection if a guest must return home unexpectedly and trip delay coverage.</p>\r\n<p>Medical coverage under the plan provides for emergency medical expenses for illness or injury first occurring during the voyage, emergency medical evacuation and 24-hour emergency hotline assistance for legal, passport, cash transfer, medical and documentation assistance.</p>\r\n<p>Standard CPP and CPP Platinum are available to U.S. and Canadian residents and must be purchased at the time of deposit. The cost varies by cruise fare and is non-refundable. For example, CPP pricing for a guest paying up to $1,000 per person for a seven-day Caribbean cruise would be $79 for Standard CPP and $99 for CPP Platinum. For more information and specific plan details, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit <a href=\"http://www.hollandamerica.com\">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>','2013-01-17 12:29:41',162,1,2,NULL,NULL,830,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1646,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Epic’s Transatlantic Sailing Waitlist Opens','/Norwegian_Epic_artist_2_518412520.jpg','2009-08-31 22:09:00','<p>Norwegian Cruise Line announces it is now offering guests the opportunity to book a waitlist reservation on Norwegian Epic&rsquo;s first transatlantic cruise. Guests on the waitlist will have first priority to secure their booking once the sailing date, itinerary, and pricing are announced. Guests can call their travel agent or Norwegian at 866-234-7350 to be put on the waitlist.</p>\r\n<p><br />Norwegian Epic&rsquo;s 2010 inaugural sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami are open for sale. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and the ship&rsquo;s alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are available through April 2011.</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic&rsquo;s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands</p>\r\n<p>and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship&rsquo;s Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roat&aacute;n, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel , Mexico. Guests can make a reservation by contacting their travel professional or Norwegian Cruise Line at 866-234-7350. More information about the ship, her itineraries and offerings can be found at epic.ncl.com.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:33',154,1,2,NULL,NULL,831,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,2,6,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1647,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Reuters','Cruise ships tap into electricity','/princesscruise_P_O_751097439.jpg','2009-08-31 22:11:00','<p>VANCOUVER (British Columbia) - CRUISE ships docking in Vancouver, a popular hub for tourists bound for Alaska, can now plug into the city\'s electricity grid - cutting their engines and their diesel air emissions.</p>\r\n<p>Port Metro Vancouver, Canada\'s biggest port, on Monday unveiled a shore power facility for cruise ships while in harbour, a first in Canada and only the third of its kind in the world.</p>\r\n<p>Cruise ships can now plug into the electrical grid of the provincial utility, BC Hydro, which says that its mostly hydroelectric-generated power is 90 per cent nonpolluting.</p>\r\n<p>\'This project will significantly improve local air quality by reducing air emissions from cruise ships in downtown Vancouver throughout the cruise ship season,\' said Andrew Saxton, a member of Parliament for North Vancouver.</p>\r\n<p>Long-term exposure to diesel engine exhaust likely causes lung cancer in humans and can trigger other lung and respiratory ailments, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.</p>\r\n<p>Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have outfitted several of their fleet with onboard shore power equipment. Four Princess ships and one Holland America ship will use shore power in Vancouver during the 2009 Alaska season, which runs from May to September. -- REUTERS</p>','2013-01-20 09:00:39',142,1,2,NULL,NULL,832,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,'Princess Cruises (left) and Holland America Line have outfitted several of their fleet with onboard shore power equipment. -- PHOTO: P &amp; O',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1648,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel','Island happy Disney unveils Castaway Cay additions','/48854870_576964310.jpg','2009-08-31 22:12:00','<p>CASTAWAY CAY, Bahamas - Disney Cruise Line is preparing for a population surge on its private island.<br /><br />The upcoming doubling of its fleet entails bigger ships and thus more passengers waiting to play for a day on the shores of its 1,000-acre resort.<br /><br />The expansion plan calls for more than just setting out hundreds of additional lounge chairs and extending the dock.<br /><br />\"We\'re out here undertaking the improvements for the new ships,\" says Mark Cole of Walt Disney Imagineering. \"There\'s no reason we shouldn\'t step back and say \'What opportunity do we have to make this one of the most magical experiences at sea?\'\"<br /><br />Among the amenities on tap for Castaway Cay: an expanded family beach, more water-based recreation, more convenient eating options and 20 private cabanas &mdash; from which guests literally can flag down a bartender.<br /><br />Guests here currently have many relaxation options &mdash; snorkeling, bicycling, hiking, a ray-interaction experience, massages and welcoming beach umbrellas and chairs. The Flying Dutchman ship used in the filming of <em class=\"i\">Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man\'s Chest </em>rests in the lagoon. Another unique-to-Disney amenity is that passengers walk straight from the ship to the dock &mdash; no tendering necessary. The atmosphere maintains a natural island theme with only low-key references to Disney characters.<br /><br />One of the goals of the construction, set to be finished by next summer, is to spread out the guests, who usually hit the first patch of sand they see.<br /><br />\"It\'s just human nature when you go to the beach,\" Cole says. \"They want to claim their place so the kids know where they\'re coming back to.\"<br /><br />Disney is adding a tram stop farther down the coastline from its current hub to encourage folks to settle there. A new eatery, bar, bathrooms and merchandise outlets, similar to those already in existence, are being built nearby. To complement the current food outlet named Cookies, another restaurant with the same menu is planned. Its name will be Cookies Too.<br /><br />\"If I\'m going to go from 2,700 guests to 4,000 guests, transportation is a critical piece,\" says Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz.<br /><br />The expansion of the 1,000-foot family beach by 700 feet will be achieved by the relocation of the stingray experience and teen getaway area.<br /><br />The majority of the private cabanas will face the family beach, with a handful at Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach<em class=\"b\">.</em> The floored structures will have covered areas, decks, refrigerators, dining tables and chairs, lounge chairs, lockable storage and outdoor fresh-water showers. They\'re designed to hold six people.<br /><br />Cabana rental rates have not been set, Disney officials say, but there will be at least three tiers of service available, including one with a personal host.<br /><br />\"On the front of the cabana is a flagpole,\" says Ozer Balli, vice president of hotel operations for the cruise line. \"You can actually raise a flag &mdash; depending on your package purchased &mdash; to get the attention of your bartender.\"<br /><br />Several new island elements sport water features:<br /><br />&bull; Pelican Plunge will be two corkscrew slides floating on a deck in the lagoon, just a short swim away. \"The beauty of Pelican Plunge is that it\'s for all ages: 6, 16 or 60,\" Balli says.<br /><br />&bull; Disney storytelling will be evident with the Spring-a-Leak area, an all-ages play area designed to look like an island structure blown away by a \"strong island breeze.\" (\"Hurricane\" might be too strong a word.) Amid all the fountains and water jets will be the leaning remains.<br /><br />&bull; A 200-square-foot wet deck with geysers &mdash; shaped like a captain\'s wheel &mdash; will be added to Scuttle\'s Cove, the area for children\'s activities.<br /><br />About 10 percent of the island has been developed.<br /><br />\"I think we\'ve taken full advantage of the island where we think it makes sense,\" Holz say. \"This is our intent, to be very responsible in terms of developing the island and making sure we do that in an environmentally friendly manner.\"<br /><br />\"You want to preserve the local fauna and flora, it\'s an important thing.\"</p>','2013-01-22 18:59:19',187,1,2,NULL,NULL,833,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,'The Disney Magic sits at the dock at Castaway Cay. Amenities on the island are being adjusted in preparation for more ships (and bigger) being added to the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The Disney Dream debuts in 2011, followed by the Disney Fantasy. (Walt Disney Co.)',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1649,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Regent Seven Seas','Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces The Addition Of Canyon Ranch&#039;s Renowned Spaclub To Its Luxury Cruise Fleet','/600x400_QM2_CanyonRanchSpa_514148505.jpg','2009-09-06 20:44:00','<p>FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. September 1, 2009. Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) announced today that world famous Canyon Ranch, the leading operator of destination health resorts, will soon operate the spa, beauty salon, wellness and fitness facilities on board the line\'s fleet of all-suite ultraluxury ships.</p>\r\n<p>\"It gives us great pleasure to welcome the world\'s leading luxury spa brand aboard our ships,\" said Mark Conroy, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. \"Canyon Ranch\'s unique approach to lifestyle perfectly complements our brand and the lifestyle of our guests,\" he added.</p>\r\n<p>Aboard Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, from the Canyon Ranch at Sea division, will feature a state-of-the-art spa, wellness and fitness facility, plus a luxurious full-service beauty salon. SpaClub will offer the most desirable spa amenities available: massage, body and skin-care treatment rooms, a gym and weight room with cardio and weight training equipment, a juice bar, men\'s and women\'s locker rooms, thalassotherapy, sauna and steam rooms.</p>\r\n<p>Canyon Ranch SpaClub will be installed on each ship in December 2009, with the first cruises featuring this luxurious facility being December 18 for Seven Seas Voyager, December 20 for Seven Seas Mariner, and December 28 for Seven Seas Navigator.</p>\r\n<p>Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also feature a full range of culinary offerings from Canyon Ranch\'s incomparable Spa Cuisine, which is both nutritious and created with the highest gourmet standards.</p>\r\n<p>This array of healthy cuisine will be available starting in the spring of 2010 at breakfast, lunch and dinner in each of the ships\' main dining room, Compass Rose; for breakfast and lunch in the more casual dining venue La Veranda; at the Pool Grill, and on the 24-hour Room Service menu for in-suite dining.</p>\r\n<p>\"Canyon Ranch shares our passion for fine and healthy cuisine and our culinary teams will be working together to create a unique and diverse array of healthy, gourmet meals,\" added Conroy.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>More Than a Spa, A Lifestyle<br />Canyon Ranch certified fitness instructors will conduct daily group and private fitness, yoga and tai chi classes for guests. In addition, on select voyages Canyon Ranch healthy living experts will offer onboard presentations and workshops addressing lifestyle change, healthy living, stress managementand a variety of other topics.</p>\r\n<p>The Canyon Ranch SpaClub Beauty Salon will offer complete beauty services for women and men.</p>\r\n<p>The extensive Salon menu will feature hair design and nail care treatments, including luxurious spa manicures and pedicures, makeup consultations and makeovers.</p>\r\n<p>The facility will offer an array of rejuvenating spa treatments, some created specially for Regent guests, include massages and therapeutic bodywork, mud, aromatherapy, ayuvedic and seaweed treatments, facials and masks featuring Canyon Ranch\'s award winning Your Transformation skincare products, conditioning body scrubs and therapeutic body cocoons.</p>\r\n<p>\"Canyon Ranch is thrilled to be expanding its \'at Sea\' division aboard the ultra-luxury ships of Regent Seven Seas Cruises,\" stated Chief Operating Officer Peter Smith. \"We share Regent\'s passion for unparalleled service and look forward to bringing our highly acclaimed amenities to our mutual guests.\"</p>\r\n<p>About Canyon Ranch<br />Canyon Ranch pioneered the evolution of wellness lifestyle and has been an industry leader for nearly 30 years. Operating the world\'s most celebrated collection of life-enhancement properties, Canyon Ranch has destination health resorts in Tucson, Arizona and Lenox, Massachusetts, and SpaClub facilities (spa, wellness and fitness facilities designed to give guests a taste of the full immersion resort experience) at The Venetian/The Palazzo hotel in Las Vegas, Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, and onboard cruise ships. In addition, the company recently opened Canyon Ranch Living and Canyon Ranch Hotel &amp; Spa in Miami Beach, the nation\'s first luxury wellness hotel and residential community. The only 11-time recipient of the Conde Nast Traveler Best Destination Spa Award, Canyon Ranch has also been named the \"Healthiest Spa in America\" by Health magazine as well as the \"Best Spa for Food\" by Gourmet magazine.</p>','2013-01-17 18:22:41',170,1,2,NULL,NULL,834,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-09-06 21:13:15',0),(1650,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Princess Cruises','Princess Ships Start Plugging Into Shore Power at Port of Vancouver','/the_emerald_princess_cruise_ship_759759252.jpg','2009-09-06 20:46:00','<p>SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 31, 2009) - Today Island Princess helped inaugurate the Port of Vancouver�s new shore power facility by turning off its engines and instead \"plugging in\" to clean hydroelectric power from shore.</p>\r\n<p>The new shore power technology at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal enables Princess Cruises� ships, and other equipped vessels, to use power from the city\'s grid instead of the onboard diesel-powered engines, reducing emissions when docking in Vancouver.</p>\r\n<p>The port becomes the third in the world where Princess Cruises\' ships can take advantage of this innovative technology. The new shore power installation is the very first use of this technology in Canada and is the result of a $9 million cooperative partnership among Port Metro Vancouver, Transport Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, British Columbia Hydro, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.</p>\r\n<p>\"We\'ve been committed to shore power for many years, so we\'re pleased we can now \'plug in\' our ships at Port Metro Vancouver,\" said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. \"We know that local air quality issues are important to the community, and we�re proud to join with all those involved in realizing this important environmental initiative.\"</p>\r\n<p>Princess\' shore power program made history when it debuted in Juneau, Alaska in the summer of 2001. It expanded to Seattle in summer 2005 and is planned to roll out in other ports that have made commitments to the technology, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Currently nine of the line�s ships are outfitted with the capability to \"plug in\" to a shoreside power source.</p>\r\n<p>Four Princess ships will use shore power in Vancouver during the remainder of the 2009 Alaska season. The vessels - Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Island Princess and Sapphire Princess - sail on seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises.</p>\r\n<p>To create this unique power system, Princess has outfitted its ships with custom-built connection cabinets that connect the ship\'s electrical network to the local electrical system ashore. Since 2001, Princess has invested nearly $7 million in equipment alone to enable its vessels to connect to shore power. The ships currently equipped with this technology include:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Coral Princess</li>\r\n<li>Dawn Princess</li>\r\n<li>Diamond Princess</li>\r\n<li>Golden Princess</li>\r\n<li>Island Princess</li>\r\n<li>Sapphire Princess</li>\r\n<li>Sea Princess</li>\r\n<li>Star Princess</li>\r\n<li>Sun Princess </li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Also known as \"cold ironing,\" shore power uses electrical power transmitted from a landside transformer to the vessel via four 3.5-inch diameter flexible electrical cables. The actual cable connection on a vessel is a traditional, though quite large, plug and socket. The length of time needed to connect a ship to shore power and shut down the vessel\'s diesel generator is approximately 40 minutes. Once connected, the ship\'s engines are powered down and, simultaneously, the necessary amount of power, provided by BC Hydro, will be used to run the ship\'s services while in port.</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:54',134,1,2,NULL,NULL,835,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1651,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Look, Up In The Sky! Carnival Dream to Offer Amazing High-Energy Laser Shows','/cl_dr_rend_main_lido_03_491118839.jpg','2009-09-06 20:49:00','<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will introduce the line&rsquo;s first outdoor laser shows that will combine the latest in laser technology with rock music to provide guests a unique and exciting nighttime entertainment option.&nbsp; Carnival Dream&rsquo;s laser shows will be the first ever for a North America&ndash;based cruise ship.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 15-minute nighttime laser shows will feature choreographed lasers projecting brilliant aerial patterns of blue, red and green set to music by popular artists such as Styx, Rush, Van Halen, Boston and Pink Floyd.&nbsp;<span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Smoke machines will be used to enhance the laser light effects in the starry, moonlit sky, creating an ideal setting for guests to relax on Carnival Dream&rsquo;s expansive open deck.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Four all-weather LaserNet ScannerPro lasers will be positioned high atop Carnival Dream&rsquo;s Lido Deck. Each high-wattage laser will be independently computer controlled using Pangolin Laser Designer software that synchronizes the lasers in perfect time with the music, which will be amplified by the 70,000-watt sound system of the ship&rsquo;s Seaside Theatre LED screen. &nbsp;The Seaside Theatre&rsquo;s jumbo-sized monitor will also display custom-designed graphics and original music videos of the various artists played during the show.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Dream&rsquo;s new laser shows are just one of a wide range of entertainment choices available aboard the magnificent 3,646-passenger vessel.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Last week, the line announced that Carnival Dream will house the fleet&rsquo;s first comedy club, with comedians performing 24 shows each voyage in the 425-seat Burgundy Lounge.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Other options include three lavish production shows in Encore!, an elegant 1,400-seat theater, along with solo musicians on Promenade Deck and a host of live music venues.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Dream guests are sure to enjoy Sam&rsquo;s, a lively piano bar featuring rollicking sing-a-longs, and Caliente, a pulsating dance club &nbsp;with a high-tech sound and lighting system.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Exclusive to the Carnival Dream will be Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor caf&eacute;/entertainment venue that will showcase bands playing a variety of music genres. Ocean Plaza also will host art, photo and spa seminars, scrapbooking classes, magicians and jugglers, trivia contests and more.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Dream also will feature an acrobatic troupe called Fun Force, which will entertain guests in Ocean Plaza and at various venues around the ship.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Dream is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 &ndash; Nov. 12.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, 2009.</p>','2013-01-12 17:30:27',212,1,2,NULL,NULL,836,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1652,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Splendor’s Cloud 9 Spa Named ‘Best New Contemporary Spa Concept’ by CruiseOne and Cruises Inc.','/123_475034871.jpg','2009-09-06 21:00:00','<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Splendor&rsquo;s Cloud 9 Spa was named &ldquo;Best New Contemporary Spa Concept&rdquo; by travel agent consortia CruiseOne and Cruises Inc, which recognized the 21,000-square-foot facility as one of their &ldquo;Top 5 Onboard Spa Innovations of 2009.&rdquo;&nbsp;<span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">CruiseOne and Cruises, Inc. recognized the Cloud 9 Spa for its variety of innovations, including 68 exclusive spa staterooms accessible via private elevator, a Thalassotherapy Pool, and an elaborate Thermal Suite.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Cloud 9 Spa also features 17 private treatment rooms, two VIP couples treatment rooms, a beauty salon and a full gymnasium featuring expansive workout areas.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor also boasts a wide range of health-conscious dining options, including an extensive salad bar and 24-hour frozen yogurt in the Lido restaurant and Spa Carnival Fare, gourmet-style selections in the main dining rooms that are lower in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival Splendor operates year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages from Long Beach, Calif., calling at three of Mexico&rsquo;s most popular seaside destinations:&nbsp; Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:44',194,1,2,NULL,NULL,841,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1653,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Silversea Cruises','Silversea Unveils An Abundance Of Dining Options For New Ships Silver Spirit','/123_368311081.jpg','2009-09-06 21:08:00','<p>Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Sept 2: In less than four months, on December 23, the world&rsquo;s newest ultra-luxury, all-suite ship, Silver Spirit, will take to the seas on her maiden &ldquo;Holiday Spirit&rdquo; voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon. Construction of Silver Spirit is progressing according to schedule at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The 540-guest ship successfully completed a preliminary set of sea trials on Sunday and has repositioned to Trieste for a week in dry dock before undertaking a more rigorous set of sea trials starting on Sept 5. As the structural elements of Silver Spirit take shape, the plans and details for an expansive array of dining options are also emerging.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Recognizing the fundamental importance of the culinary experience for the luxury traveler, we have added more dining alternatives aboard our newest ship,&rdquo; said Rudi Scholdis, Silversea&rsquo;s culinary director. &ldquo;Our beautiful Silver Spirit will feature two new dining options for a total of six venues in addition to in-suite service, which includes dinner served course by course. It&rsquo;s revolutionary for a ship this size to offer so many distinctive dining choices.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>A MENU OF CULINARY ARTISTRY<br />In the exclusive world of small-ship cruising, Silversea&rsquo;s newest ship raises the bar in fine dining experiences, offering an unmatched variety of creative culinary options designed to suit the most discerning palates. Guests will enjoy the uncommon luxury of open seating &ndash; dining when, where, and with whom they wish. Woven through this experience will be the promise of subtle service and an unspoken anticipation of the guest&rsquo;s needs. The meal itself will be artfully prepared from the finest quality fresh ingredients by master chefs with a taste for innovation. With the convenience of complimentary wines, spirits and sodas and the comfort of an extensive stock of additional rare vintages, the perfect complement to the meal is always at hand.</p>\r\n<p>THE RESTAURANT<br />Situated midship on Deck 4, The Restaurant features sumptuous culinary fare in an atmosphere of elegance. It is elegant but not at all stuffy &ndash; the perfect stage for a dining experience guests want to savor. Open most of the day, The Restaurant serves open-seating breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features contemporary international cuisine, complemented by La Collection du Monde, signature dishes created by Relais &amp; Ch&acirc;teaux in partnership with Silversea&rsquo;s own master chefs.</p>\r\n<p>LA TERRAZZA<br />The far aft location of La Terrazza on Deck 7 allows for 180-degree views of the horizon. It is open for casual, buffet-style breakfast and lunch with indoor/outdoor seating available. For dinner, La Terrazza offers an authentic a la carte experience with only the finest elements of Italian cooking, melding together fresh and flavorful ingredients &mdash; in the finest Slow Food tradition. Reservations are required for dinner.</p>\r\n<p>LE CHAMPAGNE<br />Savor the delights of outstanding champagnes and wines paired to perfection with regional fares in the intimate atmosphere of Le Champagne, situated aft of The Restaurant on Deck 4. This innovative Wine Restaurant by Relais &amp; Ch&acirc;teaux features some of the world&rsquo;s rarest vintages, carefully chosen to highlight a most memorable and exclusive culinary experience. There is a fee to dine and reservations may be made on board.</p>\r\n<p>SEISHIN ** NEW DINING VENUE<br />Taking its name from the Japanese word for &ldquo;spirit,&rdquo; this intimate restaurant specializing in Asian fusion cuisine is situated aft of The Restaurant on Deck 4. Seishin features a large, round chef&rsquo;s table as its centerpiece. Guests at surrounding tables can watch the chef at work sculpting fresh sushi and sashimi. The varied menu ranges from exquisite bento (boxed meal) lunches and a la carte specialties of seafood salad, lobster and Kobe beef to a nine-course degustation dinner. There is a fee to dine and reservations may be made on board.</p>\r\n<p>STARS SUPPER CLUB ** NEW DINING VENUE<br />The warm and inviting Art Deco-inspired decor of this dining venue elegantly recalls the supper clubs of the 1930s. Located just forward of La Terrazza on Deck 7, Stars Supper Club offers a modern twist with trendsetting menus showcasing regional and seasonal delicacies to be enjoyed in a succession of small courses. Guests can arrive early for cocktails and stay late as the mood is transformed by live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. Reservations are required for dinner.</p>\r\n<p>POOL GRILL<br />On Deck 9 adjacent to the pool area is the Pool Grill. In addition to a medley of salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs offered for lunch in a casual outdoor setting, the Pool Grill on Silver Spirit will introduce a wellness breakfast designed to complement morning poolside fitness classes. Here guests can start the day energized with a menu of light and delicious fares &mdash; from nutrition-packed fresh fruit smoothies and organic cereals to egg-white omelettes and spinach and artichoke frittatas. Also set to debut at the Pool Grill is a unique cooking concept for dinner that lets guests cook healthy fare on their own heated volcanic rock plate.</p>\r\n<p>24-HOUR IN-SUITE DINING<br />Complimentary 24-hour room service is available on all Silversea voyages. Selections from The Restaurant menu are served course by course during regular dining hours, utilizing the same fine china, linens and accessories as enjoyed in The Restaurant.</p>\r\n<p>Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper &mdash; and launching in December, Silver Spirit &mdash; all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company&rsquo;s itineraries encompass all seven continents. For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent.</p>','2013-01-21 17:10:34',136,1,2,NULL,NULL,837,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1654,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean Presents Unparalleled Entertainment &amp; Activities Onboard Oasis of the Seas','/oasis_of_the_seas_2_260270605.jpg','2009-09-06 21:10:00','<p>MIAMI, September 2, 2009 &ndash; When she makes her debut in December 2009, Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas, will introduce the most unique and varied collection of entertainment and activities ever offered for guests of the global cruise line. From Broadway shows and heart-pounding diving and acrobatic exhibitions, to side-splitting comedy acts and popular theme nights and parades, the world&rsquo;s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship will truly offer something to entertain all ages, interests and personalities.</p>\r\n<p>With so many exciting entertainment options and venues to choose from, Royal Caribbean is making it easier than ever for guests to plan accordingly so as not to miss any of the onboard thrills, spills and chills. For the first time show schedules will be available pre-cruise at <a href=\"http://www.royalcaribbean.com\">www.royalcaribbean.com</a>, allowing guests the opportunity to customize their cruise experience by pre-booking all shows in advance of boarding. Under the Cruise Enhancements page of the Royal Caribbean website, guests can view all show schedules by show name, day and time and make reservations as far out as three months prior to the sail date for shows at venues including the Opal Theater, Studio B ice-skating rink, Comedy Live and the AquaTheater. Utilizing the latest technology, all reservations booked online will be recorded to each guests&rsquo; Seapass card, which will be scanned upon arrival to the selected venue at show time and will serve as the show &ldquo;ticket.&rdquo; While guests are encouraged to take advantage of this new pre-booking ability, a traditional Box Office and a ticketing system via the in-stateroom television also will be available for onboard reservations.</p>\r\n<p>Following is a snapshot of the not-to-be-missed headlining shows and entertainment offerings taking center stage onboard Oasis of the Seas.</p>\r\n<p>Opal Theater: As the cruise line&rsquo;s most dramatic and spectacular theater yet, the Opal Theater features a thrust stage and a proscenium extending into the audience to create a more interactive environment. Seating 1,350 guests, the Opal Theater will present three different shows, each performed several times throughout each sailing. Behind-the-scenes videos of the auditions and rehearsals of the productions can be viewed at <a href=\"http://www.OasisoftheSeas.com\">www.OasisoftheSeas.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>Hairspray: The eight time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical will no doubt be one of the star attractions onboard Oasis of the Seas. Licensed exclusively to Royal Caribbean, the show is set in 1962 and follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big aspirations who wins a spot on the local TV dance program, &ldquo;The Corny Collins&rdquo; show, and finds herself transformed into an overnight teen sensation. Boasting an incredible cast of talented performers, who were selected during a four city audition tour in London, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, this fabulous 90-minute show will be performed four times throughout each cruise and will thrill audiences with original costumes, sets, lighting designs and the hottest, high-energy numbers of the Broadway version produced with Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s unique stamp.</p>\r\n<p>Come Fly With Me: Guests will be taken on a journey of soaring heights, interactive video and powerful singing and dancing during this spectacular 45-minute show, which will be performed four times during each cruise. Bringing the Opal Theater to life, this visually stunning show combines the unique aerial, dance, gymnastic and vocal talents of Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s incredible cast, coupled with the immense talent of the cruise line&rsquo;s award winning costume, video and scenic designers.</p>\r\n<p>Headliner Showtime: Offered three times throughout each cruise, guests will be delighted by the fabulous acts taking the stage at the Opal Theater, including world class singers, musicians, and magic and juggling acts.</p>\r\n<p>Studio B: The popular Studio B ice-skating rink will continue to awe guests with spectacular and vibrant ice shows and serve as the locale for a variety of themed events.</p>\r\n<p>Frozen in Time: Marking the 11th ice show Royal Caribbean has produced for this unique venue, Frozen in Time will bring to life the works of Hans Christian Andersen, the acclaimed author most notable for his children&rsquo;s stories. Classic tales such as &ldquo;The Snow Queen,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Red Shoes,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Ugly Duckling,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Little Mermaid&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Emperor&rsquo;s New Clothes&rdquo; will take the ice during a breathtaking show of spectacular choreography, theatrics, costumes and music. Performed by The Oasis of the Seas International Ice Cast, which features top-rated figure skaters from around the world, this not-to-be-missed ice show will be available seven times during each cruise.</p>\r\n<p>AquaTheater: As the first theater of its kind, this dazzling oceanfront amphitheater-style venue will be home to the most incredible, jaw-dropping shows ever seen at sea. Seating 600 guests and boasting the largest and deepest pool at sea, AquaTheater will host a variety of entertainment, including live music, fun themed events, fountain shows and cabarets, with the most anticipated attractions being two elaborate dive shows that will take place each day and night.</p>\r\n<p>Oasis of Dreams: Set against the backdrop of the ocean beneath the twinkling nighttime sky, this breathtaking dive show will leave audiences wowed after every performance. The most professional and talented cast of Olympic and NCAA champion athletes from around the world have been selected for this show, including divers, synchronized swimmers and gymnasts. Set to an original soundtrack and synchronized with fountain shows, lighting and special effects, the all-star cast will perform a heart-pounding, dramatic spectacular, making this majestic venue come alive and bringing guests to their feet.</p>\r\n<p>Splish Splash: Performed five times each cruise, this light-hearted and humorous dive show provides fun and surprises the whole family will enjoy. The AquaTheater&rsquo;s cast of divers will showcase their comedic sides, combining crazy poolside antics with exhibition Olympic-style diving, all performed to an upbeat and dramatic soundtrack.</p>\r\n<p>Comedy Live: Located in the Entertainment Place neighborhood, Comedy Live is one of the signature after-dark venues onboard Oasis of the Seas. The adult comedy club is a fun and intimate space with d&eacute;cor inspired by a New York subway station.</p>\r\n<p>Comedy Shows: Nightly performances by talented stand-up comics will provide side-splitting laughs and antics. Two comedians will take the stage each night during one-hour long shows performed two to three times nightly.</p>\r\n<p>Theme Nights and Parades: With a Royal Promenade almost double the width of those found onboard Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, Oasis of the Seas will continue the tradition of Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s signature theme nights and parades, and make them even bigger and better! The Royal Promenade Parade will transform this neighborhood into a fantastical wonderland, with sights and sounds inspired by popular fairy tales.</p>\r\n<p>Disco Inferno Street Party: Throughout the Royal Promenade on the Atlas Bridge, Rising Tide Bar and the mezzanine, guests will dance to the music of the 70&rsquo;s in this Disco-themed street party.</p>\r\n<p>When she launches in December 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line&rsquo;s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.</p>','2013-01-10 06:40:18',279,1,2,NULL,NULL,842,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1655,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire-FirstCall','Oasis of the Seas Presents Largest, Dedicated Coach Store at Sea to Top Off Variety of Merchandise Offerings','/1313335516059831724S425x425Q85_487051822.jpg','2009-09-06 21:16:00','<p>MIAMI, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delivering the very best in overall guest experiences is the central motivator behind the design of Royal Caribbean International\'s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. When she debuts in December 2009, the most cutting-edge amenities and activities ever seen at sea will be complemented with a variety of retail venues - 13 stores, including open-air shopping that cover more than 10,000 square feet. With many products exclusive to Oasis, the shopping experience will be one of a kind in terms of both the items offered and the setting on the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. Guests of all ages and styles will find their retail therapy of choice in outlets that range from children and teen-favored shops to jewelry and duty-free stores for adults.</p>\r\n<p>Not only will Oasis of the Seas provide the broadest selection of boutiques and shops industry wide, but several international brands also will be making their debut. Perhaps the most eagerly awaited store onboard will be Coach. Located in the Central Park neighborhood, the iconic maker of luxury leather goods will unveil its first dedicated store at sea. Custom built to the brand\'s standards, the Coach store will showcase the signature line of beautifully crafted designer handbags, leather goods, sunglasses and scarves. Among the recognizable jewelry and clothing designers establishing a presence at sea for the first time are Breitling, watches that are instruments for professionals, and Italian jewelry designer Pianegonda, as well as apparel companies including Lucky Brand, Eileen Fisher, DC Apparel and Forest &amp; Fauna, makers of 100% organic t-shirts and garments. Oasis of the Seas also will carry a number of brands never before seen in the Royal Caribbean fleet, including elegant jewelry from Roberto Coin, Charriol and Yvel, as well as offer long-time favorites, such as cosmetics by iconic brands Chanel and Christian Dior, among many others.</p>\r\n<p>The next generation of cruise enthusiasts will have their choice of stores throughout the Boardwalk neighborhood to satisfy anything from clothing and gadget needs to a sugar fix. Star Pier will be an interactive, hybrid shop touting an electronics wall adorned in the latest technology, tween and teen apparel by Roxy, Quiksilver and DC Apparel, as well as a DJ station and Nintendo Wii game area making it a truly innovative shopping experience. Younger cruisers will be drawn to Pinwheels featuring everything from clothes and toys by kid-favored brands, such as Crayola, to impromptu playtime in the store\'s dedicated area equipped with LEGO stations and a number of other popular games. Candy Beach will be the ultimate boardwalk candy store, offering more than 72 varieties to mix and match into a customized candy grab bag, as well as vintage candy treats from the \'50s, \'60s and \'70s.</p>\r\n<p>\"We are consistently pushing the envelope with the retail selection offered on our cruise ships, and with Oasis of the Seas we sought out to fully transform the shopping experience at sea by introducing new brands and new concepts,\" said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. \"We\'ve been fortunate to gain the support of a number of iconic brands that are eager to be part of the Oasis experience and are pleased that we can deliver upon guest feedback to offer more shopping opportunities onboard.\"</p>\r\n<p>Following is an overview of the new shopping options guests can take advantage of while onboard Oasis of the Seas:</p>\r\n<p>Central Park</p>\r\n<p><br />Coach - Located in the Central Park neighborhood, Coach is one of the most exciting additions to the retail lineup on Oasis of the Seas. Coach will debut its largest location at sea with an assortment of chic handbags and accessories, allowing shoppers to appreciate the variety, detail and quality of the Coach offering while getting an overview of the company\'s lifestyle approach. To celebrate the grand opening, Coach will offer a special gift with purchase - an exclusive leather luggage tag in luxe parchment, embossed with the iconic horse and carriage logo in gold.</p>\r\n<p>The Royal Promenade</p>\r\n<p><br />Prince &amp; Greene - With a trendy fashion boutique vibe, Prince &amp; Green offers urban apparel and accessories for men and women alike, all with an electric urban edge. Labels include Betsey Johnson, Calypso and Kenneth Cole for women and Fred Perry, Ed Hardy, Marc Jacobs and Ben Sherman for men. <br />Regalia - Regalia is one of Oasis\' most opulent boutiques. Home to some of the most iconic names in fine jewelry and timepieces, Regalia brands include Tag Heuer, Roberto Coin, Pianegonda, Olivia and more. <br />Solera - Oasis of the Seas is home to two duty-free stores along The Royal Promenade, with Solera existing as the official go-to retail store for guests\' cosmetics, skincare and fragrance needs. Featured brands include Chanel, Dior, La Prairie, Lancome, Shiseido, as well as cutting-edge \"doctor-brand\" regimens.<br />Willow - In contrast to the high-fashion finds at Prince &amp; Green, Willow features casual sportswear for guests, ideally suited to the cruising lifestyle. Natural linen and organic clothing options for men and women are offered, as well as brands including Eileen Fisher, JMP, and Forest &amp; Fauna. Willow also will offer products from the World of Good line whose proceeds benefit non-profit organizations around the world, as well as socially responsible artisans. The store also will feature ethnically sourced gifts and products that are supported by the World of Good organization.</p>\r\n<p>Boardwalk</p>\r\n<p><br />Candy Beach - A boardwalk isn\'t complete without a candy shop. And Candy Beach is the ultimate candy store, offering more than 72 varieties of candy for mixing and matching. Vintage candy treats from the \'50s, \'60s, and \'70s are also available. <br />Carousel Cart - The hand-carved carousel onboard Oasis is undoubtedly one of the most unique features on the ship. After paying the carousel a visit, guests can browse the selection of apparel, accessories and souvenirs that celebrate this nostalgic pastime and popular Oasis attraction. <br />Pinwheels - Younger cruisers can head to Pinwheels to find a range of clothing and accessories for children of all ages. Kid-favored brands such as Crayola as well as Royal Caribbean merchandise in tyke sizes are all offered. Pinwheels also hosts a play area equipped with LEGO stations and a number of other popular games for children. <br />Star Pier - Star Pier is a hybrid of all things tweens and teens adore. From clothing labels including Roxy, Quiksilver, and DC Apparel to an electronic games and accessories outpost alive with a DJ station and Wii game area, this is not the average teen clothing store.</p>\r\n<p>The Pool and Sports Zone</p>\r\n<p><br />Breeze - An open-air shop located on the pool deck, Breeze is conveniently stocked with all the fun-in-the-sun must haves that make for a perfect lazy, or not-so-lazy, day in the sun. Light reads, sunglasses, tote bags, and sun care products are all offered here.</p>\r\n<p>When she launches in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line\'s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center and Entertainment Place. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at <a href=\"http://www.oasisoftheseas.com\">http://www.oasisoftheseas.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.</p>','2013-01-21 03:44:08',251,1,2,NULL,NULL,838,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Royal Caribbean International Announces Diverse Retail Lineup',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1656,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America&#039;s Zaandam to Sail Hawaii in Fall 2010','/Hawaii_601709013.jpg','2009-09-06 21:20:00','<p>Holland America Line&rsquo;s Zaandam is set to discover the Hawaiian Island chain in 2010 with Circle Hawaii itineraries that offer guests relaxing days at sea and islands to explore. The 1,432-passenger ship will sail five 14-day roundtrip San Diego, Calif., cruises and one 15-day voyage from Vancouver, British Colombia, to San Diego. The sailings are from October through December. Scheduled between two stretches of sea days are back-to-back calls at Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui &mdash; plus a call at Ensenada, Mexico &mdash; before the ship returns to San Diego. Included in the Hawaii cruise roster is a holiday sailing departing Dec. 19.</p>\r\n<p><br />Departing Sundays from San Diego, guests will have several days at sea before arriving at Hawaii. During this time, they can enjoy a day at the Greenhouse Spa, visit the Culinary Arts Center for a hands-on cooking class or attend a Digital Workshop powered by Windows to learn how to share memorable photos taken on the voyage. The Speaker Series offers insights into upcoming ports and includes destination-related topics such as Polynesian music and dance traditions. The first port call is to Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii where guests can visit one of Hawaii&rsquo;s best-known landmarks &mdash; Kilauea Volcano. Other highlights include botanical gardens and the Akaka Falls. As Zaandam makes it way to Honolulu, the state capital, guests can enjoy an evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center or whale watching, a traditional Hawaiian luau, a stroll down Waikiki beach or surfing. Guests also can visit the USS Arizona Memorial from World War II.</p>\r\n<p><br />On route to Nawiliwili, Kauai, guests can get spectacular views as Zaandam sails along the island&rsquo;s Na Pali Coast. Upon reaching Nawiliwili they can visit Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) or get an aerial view of the island on a helicopter tour. They can book a zipline tour through the forest canopy for a unique perspective of the island&rsquo;s inspiring natural setting. At Lahaina, Maui, guests can explore the beaches and a volcano, or spend the day shopping at chic boutiques and galleries.Those sailing on the 15-day voyage departing Oct. 2 have an added call at Kona, once known as the playground of Hawaii\'s royalty. Kona is synonymous with the famous coffee that grows on the slopes of dormant Hualalai volcano. Another highlight of this longer voyage is an evening scenic cruise past the Kilauea volcano. Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person for the full 14-day Circle Hawaii and $1,699 per person for the 15-day voyage.</p>','2013-01-05 08:47:44',207,1,2,NULL,NULL,839,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1657,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruise Line','Celebrity Cruises Introduces &#039;Celebrity Select&#039; Flexible Dining Option','/sanmarco5_951461927.jpg','2009-09-06 21:24:00','<p>First cruise line to add pre-cruise reservation benefit to a flexible dining<br />program</p>\r\n<p>MIAMI, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From the first spa at sea to an<br />innovative category of accommodations bridging the gap between stylish<br />staterooms and luxury suites; from the first tableside cooking and carving to<br />the first lawn of real, growing grass at sea, Celebrity Cruises has long been<br />an industry leader when it comes to putting guests at the center of attention.<br />Today, Celebrity Cruises introduced Celebrity Select Dining,(SM) a new<br />flexible dining option that allows guests to choose when they dine in the main<br />dining room onboard, on a day-by-day basis, which includes the industry\'s<br />first pre-cruise day-by-day flexible dining reservation system.</p>\r\n<p>\"Celebrity Select Dining gives our guests the flexibility to spend their days<br />any way they like,\" said Jacques Van Staden, Vice President of Culinary<br />Operations, Celebrity Cruises. \"Whether they wish to enjoy more time in a<br />specific port of call one day and dine later that evening than another, or<br />whether they wish to keep a traditional set dining time, they will receive the<br />same amazing service and enjoy the same menu. It\'s all about our guests, and<br />it\'s all about choice.\"</p>\r\n<p>No other cruise line that offers a flexible dining option also offers<br />pre-cruise day-by-day reservations. Through this industry-leading technology,<br />Celebrity\'s guests can go online to choose their desired dining time - anytime<br />between 6 and 9:30 pm - for each day of their cruise, up to four days prior to<br />boarding. Reservations also can be made onboard with the main dining room\'s<br />Maitre d\'. Pre-cruise reservations are strongly encouraged in order to ensure<br />the best possible dining experience. Guests can pre-book their dining times<br />online at <a href=\"http://www.celebritycruises.com\">www.celebritycruises.com</a>. All dining times are subject to<br />availability, and guests who elect Celebrity Select Dining must pay<br />gratuities.</p>\r\n<p>During the booking process, guests will choose either Celebrity Select Dining<br />or traditional dining. Guests will be accommodated on a<br />first-come/first-served basis. Guests who choose to customize their onboard<br />dining times through Celebrity Select Dining also will have the choice to<br />either dine with only their own traveling companions or with other guests on<br />the cruise, and Celebrity will work to accommodate this choice.</p>\r\n<p>Guests sailing on Celebrity\'s newest ship, the 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox,<br />beginning with the September 26, 2009 sailing, will be the first to experience<br />Celebrity Select Dining. Online booking for pre-cruise day-by-day dining<br />reservations for this sailing opened today. Guests who are already booked on<br />Celebrity Equinox\'s sailings taking place on or after September 26 can choose<br />to switch to Celebrity Select Dining.</p>\r\n<p>With the exception of sailings on Celebrity Xpedition, the 92-guest mega-yacht<br />sailing year-round in the Galapagos Islands, the option to choose Celebrity<br />Select Dining is available today for all other participating ships beginning<br />with the sailing dates noted below and continuing through all cruises<br />currently open for sale. Celebrity Select Dining\'s online day-by-day dining<br />reservations will be available for all participating ships as of October 15,<br />for sailings beginning with those noted below and continuing for at least two<br />months from those sailing dates.&nbsp; For sailings not available for booking<br />day-by-day online reservations as of October 15, guests will be able to place<br />their day-by-day reservations no less than 30 days prior to their sail date.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Solstice - January 10, 2010 sailing<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Constellation - January 17, 2010 sailing<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Century - January 23, 2010 sailing<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Millennium - February 1, 2010 sailing<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Summit - February 13, 2010 sailing<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Mercury - February 15, 2010 sailing</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --&nbsp; Celebrity Infinity - February 28, 2010 sailing</p>\r\n<p><br />Guests planning to experience Celebrity Eclipse, the third ship in Celebrity\'s<br />new Solstice Class, which will enter service in April 2010, will be able to<br />elect Celebrity Select Dining on a date that will be announced later.</p>\r\n<p>Guests can visit <a href=\"http://www.celebritycruises.com/celebrityselectdining\">www.celebritycruises.com/celebrityselectdining</a> to see a more<br />comprehensive list of sailings for which Celebrity Select Dining\'s day-by-day<br />reservations will be available for booking, and what the booking dates are.</p>\r\n<p>Individuals who elect to take advantage of Celebrity Select Dining before<br />cruising will be required to pay (before cruising) Celebrity\'s recommended<br />gratuity amounts for their waiter, assistant waiter, dining room management<br />and stateroom attendants.&nbsp; If guests wish to choose to change from traditional<br />dining to Celebrity Select Dining after they have boarded, they can do so<br />within the first 24 hours of their cruise, on a space-available basis. Guests<br />who choose Celebrity Select Dining while onboard or who are otherwise not<br />eligible to be charged prior to sailing will automatically have gratuities<br />added to their onboard portfolio account.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity Select Dining is subject to availability. Only groups of 20 or less<br />can be seated at one time.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity ships that offer specialty restaurants in addition to the main<br />dining room already offer online pre-cruise reservations that can be made up<br />to four days prior to boarding. Guests who dine in Celebrity\'s specialty<br />restaurants are charged a per-person reservation fee.</p>\r\n<p>Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale vacation<br />experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and<br />extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California,<br />Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, the Pacific<br />Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour<br />vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the<br />top 10 \"Top Cruise Ships in the World\" in the large-ship category, as voted by<br />the readers of Conde Nast Traveler (February 2009 readers\' poll), Celebrity\'s<br />fleet - including the new Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox - will be<br />joined by Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and<br />a fifth in 2012.</p>','2013-01-18 04:46:01',238,1,2,NULL,NULL,840,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1658,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines To Operate First Year-Round Cruise Program from Charleston in 2010','/fantasysea2_585843273.jpg','2009-09-19 21:49:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines, the world&rsquo;s largest cruise operator, will introduce the first year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C., with the deployment of the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in May 2010.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to The Bahamas and Key West, Fla., from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston beginning May 18, 2010.</p>\r\n<p>On Carnival Fantasy&rsquo;s new Charleston-based cruises, Carnival is expected to carry more than 140,000 passengers annually from the port.&nbsp; Including Charleston, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 20 North American homeports in 2010, with 12 year-round departure points &ndash; the most in cruising.</p>\r\n<p>The new year-round departures from Charleston dramatically expand upon Carnival&rsquo;s decade-long relationship with the port. Previously, Carnival has operated seasonal voyages from Charleston, including two five-day departures on the Carnival Triumph this year and two on the Carnival Glory next year. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Charleston&rsquo;s centralized location within the southeastern U.S., as well as the city&rsquo;s strong appeal as a tourist destination, were key factors in the decision to launch year-round service aboard the Carnival Fantasy.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Charleston is an extraordinary city within easy reach of millions of U.S. residents who will now have convenient access to Carnival&rsquo;s fantastic and affordable cruise vacation options year-round,&rdquo; said Gerry Cahill, Carnival&rsquo;s president and CEO.&nbsp; &ldquo;Our past experience with the Port of Charleston, which has a very efficient and conveniently located cruise terminal, has been outstanding.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Carnival and this vessel fit perfectly with the internationally acclaimed Charleston tourism market, which draws cruise passengers from across the Southeast and beyond,&rdquo; said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority.&nbsp; &ldquo;We have enjoyed a successful, long-standing relationship with Carnival, and we are very pleased to significantly expand that relationship with a year-round calendar.&nbsp; This commitment by Carnival underscores Charleston&rsquo;s cruise development potential.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><strong>New Year-Round Departures from Charleston</strong></p>\r\n<p>On its new Charleston-based program, Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages on a variety of departure days beginning May 18, 2010.</p>\r\n<p>Five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. Six-day voyages departing Saturdays will visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West, Fla.&nbsp; Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.</p>\r\n<p>Each of these tropical destinations has a character all its own and offers a wide range of snorkeling, fishing and water sports opportunities, as well as beautiful beaches and a distinctive island ambiance.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p><strong>Carnival Elation to Mobile </strong></p>\r\n<p>Carnival Fantasy is currently based in New Orleans and is scheduled to transfer to Mobile for a program of four- and five-day cruises that will operate from that port from Nov. 10, 2009 through May 10, 2010. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Replacing the Carnival Fantasy in Mobile will be its sister ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, which will reposition from San Diego to launch year-round service from that port May 15, 2010.&nbsp;&nbsp; In addition to four- and five-day cruises from Mobile, Carnival Elation will operate a series of seven-day Western Caribbean voyages in spring, summer and fall 2010.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Prior to the start-up of its new Mobile-based program, Carnival Elation will sail on a 15-day Panama Canal cruise departing from San Diego April 30. Guests will have the option of debarking the vessel in Tampa on May 14 or in Mobile on May 15. &nbsp;&nbsp;Featured ports will include Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, Mexico; and Puntarenas, Costa Rica; followed by a Panama Canal transit; and visits to Cartagena, Colombia; and George Town, Grand Cayman.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Truly a &lsquo;Fun Ship&rsquo;</strong></p>\r\n<p>The namesake vessel in Carnival&rsquo;s 70,000-ton Fantasy-class, the Carnival Fantasy offers a host of on-board amenities and facilities:&nbsp; a 12,000-square-foot health spa, extensive children&rsquo;s facilities for kids in three age groups &ndash; Camp Carnival (2-11), Circle &ldquo;C&rdquo; (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17), a variety of formal and casual dining options and 12 lounges and bars.</p>\r\n<p>Also featured is Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive, all-ages aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, 82-foot-long dual racing slides and a splash zone.&nbsp; Carnival Fantasy also offers Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat, and a resort-style main pool area.</p>\r\n<p>An Internet caf&eacute; with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are also available.</p>\r\n<p>The ship also offers a variety of spacious accommodations, all of which feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.</p>','2013-01-22 18:54:59',99,1,2,NULL,NULL,843,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1659,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','By MARY PEMBERTON, Victoria Advocate','Cruise ship association challenges Alaska head tax','/alaska_cruise_review_glacier_bay_2_128779381.jpg','2009-09-19 21:54:00','<p>ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) &mdash; An association of cruise ship companies filed a lawsuit Friday challenging Alaska\'s head tax on the approximately 1 million cruise ship passengers who arrive in the state each year.</p>\r\n<p>The Alaska Cruise Association filed a federal lawsuit Friday seeking relief from the $50 fee imposed on each passenger arriving aboard large cruise ships. Alaska voters approved the fee in 2006.</p>\r\n<p>\"We feel that the entry fee as implemented is illegal, and that Alaskans are being hurt by the tax, and that the court system is the best venue to resolve the issues,\" said John Binkley, Alaska Cruise Association president.</p>\r\n<p>He said that the per-passenger head tax has contributed to the decline in cruise ship passengers visiting Alaska.</p>\r\n<p>The association argues that the head tax far exceeds the expenses the state incurs to provide services and facilities to cruise ships, and in some cases the money is going to fund projects that do not directly benefit cruise ship passengers.</p>\r\n<p>The association\'s members include nine cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.</p>\r\n<p>Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan said the state will fight the lawsuit.</p>\r\n<p>\"The cruise ship industry has been threatening to sue the state ever since Alaska citizens voted to require passengers to pay their fair share of the costs of services and facilities provided to host them,\" Sullivan said. \"The Department of Law will vigorously defend the state in this lawsuit.\"</p>\r\n<p>The lawsuit was filed against Patrick Galvin, the state\'s revenue commissioner, who is responsible for collecting the fee. It alleges the fee violates federal constitutional and statutory protections limiting permissible charges to a vessel or its passengers.</p>\r\n<p>The association is seeking relief from $46 of the $50 per passenger head tax. The tax passed by voter initiative in 2006 includes a $4 fee to operate an environmental monitoring program that put observers aboard ships.</p>\r\n<p>Joe Geldhof, the Juneau lawyer who helped craft the 2006 initiative, said the cruise ship industry\'s lawyers and lobbyists decided not to participate when the Legislature was deciding how to spend the head tax money.</p>\r\n<p>\"Now they hire a bunch of high-toned lawyers to grumble and complain about this,\" he said.</p>\r\n<p>The lawsuit is not about the legality of the head tax but how the Legislature is spending the money, Geldhof said.</p>\r\n<p>The lawsuit says Alaska voters were sold the head tax as a way to make out-of-state visitors pay for government projects not directly related to cruise ship visitors &mdash; an idea it says was not lost on the Alaska Legislature.</p>\r\n<p>Projects funded with head tax money include constructing a dock in Valdez to accommodate smaller cruise ships, whose passengers aren\'t charged the tax, and reconstruction of the Saxman Community Hall, the lawsuit says.</p>\r\n<p>It says money went to state parks and road and sidewalk improvements in eight communities, as well as to the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, the Alaska Zoo, a bear education awareness research sanctuary, an exhibit gallery at the visitors center in Fairbanks, a railroad station in Wasilla and convention centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks.</p>\r\n<p>The suit says there were other projects unrelated to large cruise ships that also would have been funded by the head tax, but they were vetoed by the governor.</p>\r\n<p>The suit alleges that the head tax also ignores substantial additional charges imposed on cruise ships in Ketchikan and Juneau and is imposed without regard to specific services being provided by cruise ships.</p>','2013-01-18 04:33:03',94,1,2,NULL,NULL,844,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1660,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Port of San Diego Urges Ship Speed Reduction','/PortSanDiego_338473425.jpg','2009-09-19 21:57:00','<p>In March, the Port of San Diego began a voluntary vessel speed reduction program as part of its Clean Air Program to reduce air pollution around San Diego Bay and the tidelands. The period from April to June marks the first complete quarter since the program was implemented. During this time, 27 cruise and cargo vessels called on the port and 69 percent traveled within the voluntary speed limits during both inbound and outbound trips. The voluntary limits are 12 knots for cargo ships and 15 knots for cruise ships. Vessel operators are asked to observe these speed limits when traveling in an area that extends 20 nautical miles seaward from Point Loma. The difference in the speed limits is based on differing engine fuel efficiencies. Of all the cruise ships that visited the port during this quarter, 86 percent were compliant with the speed limit. Cargo vessels were 53 percent compliant. During the first reporting period, three cruise operators achieved 90 percent compliance -- Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, and Wilhelmsen Ship Management Ltd., USA. During this first quarter, the voluntary vessel speed reduction program has resulted in an estimated 10 percent reduction in emissions from participating vessels. For more information, visit www.portofsandiego.org.</p>','2013-01-18 00:37:09',160,1,2,NULL,NULL,845,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1661,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','MSC Cruises','Culinary Cruise with Italy’s Buon Ricordo Association on MSC Poesia October 17','/n917200941890_660051276.jpg','2009-09-19 22:00:00','<p>Limited-edition, Italian Plates Handcrafted by Vietri Available in L\'Obelisco</p>\r\n<p>FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (September 17, 2009) - MSC Cruises is hosting a culinary cruise for dining epicureans onboard MSC Poesia during a 7-night cruise departing October 17 and sailing throughout Turkey, Greece and Croatia.</p>\r\n<p>MSC Cruises is partnering with Italy\'s renowned Buon Ricordo Association to offer guests seven fabulous culinary specialties. Guests who dine in L\'Obelisco and order the Buon Ricordo specialty meal of the day receive a limited-edition, collector plate handcrafted by Vietri. Each plate carries an inscription on the back, \"Crociera del Buon Ricordo - Nave MSC Poesia - ottobre 2009\" (Cruise Buon Ricordo - Ship MSC Poesia - October 2009).</p>\r\n<p>Every night, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a different meal from one of the seven Buon Ricordo\'s restaurants located in Paris, France; Kanagawa, Japan; and in various regions of Italy including MSC Poesia\'s L\'Obelisco during this Mediterranean cruise.</p>\r\n<p>This special event takes place on MSC Poesia\'s 7-night \"Turkish Treasures &amp; Croatian Coasts\" itinerary. Sailing roundtrip from Venice, the ship calls at Bari, Italy; Katakolon, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Rates begin at $599 per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional.</p>\r\n<p>Savor Tuscany\'s famed truffle soup Ribollita, a creamy polenta and Montasio cheese dish from Friuli; grouper escalopes with citrus fruits from Sicily; lamb with juniper from Calabria; or a succulent dish of pigeon, mushrooms, and potatoes from France.</p>\r\n<p>On the final day of the cruise, guests will indulge in L\'Obelisco\'s specialty dish of king prawns tossed with sweet garlic on a bed of fresh spinach, pine nuts and capers.</p>\r\n<p>There\'s more than just fine dining as guests will also have the opportunity to participate in wine tasting and cooking courses.</p>\r\n<p>Master oenologist Genuino Del Duca will lead a wine-tasting demonstration. Special red and white wines sampled at the tasting will be served with regional Buon Ricordo specialties. These include vintages from the Vino della Pace, a unique Friulian cellar with wines from five continents and 600 varieties of grapes.</p>\r\n<p>Buon Ricordo\'s award-winning Chef Paolo Teverini will welcome and oversee the cooking classes where guests will be taught how to prepare the daily specialty. Participants will receive an Italian cooking certificate from the Buon Ricordo chefs.</p>\r\n<p>The Buon Ricordo Association was founded in 1964 to safeguard and promote local Italian cooking traditions. MSC Cruises and Buon Ricordo Association have been partnering together since November 2008.</p>','2013-01-14 01:39:26',157,1,2,NULL,NULL,846,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1662,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Port Everglades to Host Two Ship Christenings','/1_564096804.jpg','2009-09-19 22:05:00','<p>This cruise season, Port Everglades will host naming ceremonies for the world&rsquo;s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s 5,400-guest Oasis of the Seas, and one of the world&rsquo;s most luxurious ships, Silversea Cruises&rsquo; new flagship, the 540-guest Silver Spirit. &ldquo;It is always an honor for a cruise port to host the naming of a new cruise ship, and this year we are doubly honored to host new ships that are already making headlines,&rdquo; said Port Everglades Director Phil Allen. Oasis of the Seas will be named in November and Silver Spirit in January. In addition, three new cruise ships will make their U.S. debuts at Port Everglades this winter cruise season, including MSC Cruises&rsquo; MSC Poesia, Seabourn Cruise Line&rsquo;s Seabourn Odyssey, and Celebrity Cruises&rsquo; Celebrity Equinox.</p>\r\n<p><br />Port Everglades will also welcome another Seabourn ships, the Seabourn Spirit, for the first time on Nov. 27. In addition, Royal Caribbean is replacing Enchantment of the Seas with the larger 73,817-ton Grandeur of the Seas on April 19.</p>\r\n<p><br />When it begins seven-night cruises on Dec. 5, the 225,282-ton Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks and carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship with the new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. Oasis of the Seas will sail from Port Everglades every Saturday year-round. The second Oasis-class vessel, Allure of the Seas, is scheduled to begin sailing from Port Everglades every Sunday year-round beginning in fall 2010. Port Everglades has expanded a passenger terminal specifically designed to accommodate cruise ships of the size and scope of these Oasis-class ships. The new Cruise Terminal 18 is slated to open on Nov. 4.</p>\r\n<p><br />The Silver Spirit, built at Fincantieri\'s Ancona shipyard, will be named at Port Everglades on Jan. 21. The 540-guest, 36,000-ton vessel is being designed by Italian architect Giacomo Mortola. Silver Spirit&rsquo;s interiors hint at a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience. There will be several enhancements from the line&rsquo;s other ultra-luxury ships, including a new supper club, an Asian-themed restaurant and an expanded spa facility. With a total of 270 ocean-view suites, the new ship will increase the number of accommodations in the most popular suite categories -- 26 Silver Suites and 222 Veranda Suites. There will also be six Grand Suites and two Owner&rsquo;s Suites. All but 14 suites will have verandas.</p>\r\n<p><br />Port Everglades expects to welcome more than 3.4 million passengers in 2010. Sixteen cruise lines and 49 ships will sail from the South Florida seaport this season, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebration Cruise Line, Celebrity, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Discovery Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE), MSC Cruises, P&amp;O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Silversea. For more information, visit www.porteverglades.net.</p>','2013-01-14 01:39:39',186,1,2,NULL,NULL,847,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1663,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','sfexaminer.com','Crystal Symphony to homeport in San Francisco','/crystal_symphony_10_243381073.jpg','2009-09-19 22:12:00','<p>In a boon for The City\'s waterfront tourism industry, Crystal Cruises plans to homeport its Crystal Symphony cruise ship in San Francisco during the summer of 2011.</p>\r\n<p>The ship will take as many as 922 guests on 12-day tours of the Alaskan shoreline and on a 19-day cruise into the Panama Canal, according to a statement by the Port of San Francisco.</p>\r\n<p>The company used San Francisco as the homeport for one of its cruise ships until 2005.</p>\r\n<p>The Port&rsquo;s Maritime Director, Peter Dailey, said he was thrilled that the company has agreed to return to San Francisco, where the ship will generate economic activity by stocking up on supplies and bringing visitors to the waterfront before they embark on their voyages.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;It means that there&rsquo;s more work for the longshoremen that have to load and unload the bags,&rdquo; Dailey said.</p>\r\n<p>Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises, said the company is &ldquo;delighted&rdquo; that the Crystal Symphony will return to San Francisco.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;By 2011, we will not have had a summer series of Alaska cruises for six years,&rdquo; Michel said in a statement. &ldquo;These itineraries add a fresh mix to our cruise repertoire.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>In other good news for the waterfront tourism industry, Disney Cruises will make its first ever call in San Francisco in 2011, according to Dailey.</p>','2013-01-24 11:47:29',216,2,2,NULL,NULL,848,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1664,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Norwegian Launches Incentive Awards Program','/pride_20of_20america_20smokestack_20logo_473927422.jpg','2009-09-19 22:14:00','<p>Norwegian Cruise Line today officially launched its new Incentive Awards by Norwegian Cruise Line program providing companies and organizations the opportunity to purchase individual cruise awards for a variety of programs including motivating employees or recognizing top performers, fundraising and promotional purposes, among other things.&nbsp; In addition, travel partners have their own incentive with commissions paid at the time of booking.<br /><br />Incentive Awards by Norwegian Cruise Line offers three tiers of pricing -- Ultimate, Preferred and Value &ndash; updated on a quarterly basis allowing for attractive pricing with the availability to choose from balcony, ocean view or inside staterooms on most of Norwegian&rsquo;s Freestyle Cruising ships, including the new Norwegian Epic set to launch next summer, to a variety of destinations including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mexican Riviera and Hawai&rsquo;i. &nbsp;<br /><br />&ldquo;A cruise is not only a memorable and enjoyable vacation, but it can also be a highly motivational incentive.&nbsp; With our Incentive Awards program, we now provide freedom and flexibility for businesses and organizations that want to reward their people with a cruise vacation, and at the same time the award recipient is given the freedom and flexibility to select the ship and sailing date that is most attractive to them,&rdquo; said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of global sales and passenger services.&nbsp; &ldquo;Travel partners who supply their clients with our Incentive Awards will also be rewarded with a commission making the program a win-win for all involved.&rdquo;<br /><br />As part of the program, once staterooms are purchased, special cruise certificates are generated and sent to the purchaser who can award them at their convenience.&nbsp; Norwegian handles the fulfillment and redemption of the cruise certificates<br /><br />making it an easy and seamless program.&nbsp; Upon receiving a certificate, recipients can simply call Norwegian&rsquo;s Incentive Awards desk to book the cruise of choice.&nbsp; To add to the flexibility, award recipients can purchase accommodation upgrades and add additional guests to the same stateroom for a nominal rate.<br /><br />Incentive Awards by Norwegian Cruise Line cruise certificates are for two guests per stateroom and include the cruise fare, government taxes and fees and pre-paid service charges. Certificates are valid for up to 18 months from the date of purchase and no minimum purchase is required.&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-22 23:32:18',176,1,2,NULL,NULL,849,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1665,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Epic&#039;s Transatlantic Crossing Set For June 24, 2010','/Norwegian_20Epic_201_867070770.jpg','2009-09-19 22:16:00','<p>Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Norwegian Epic, the company\'s largest and most innovative ship to date currently under construction in France, will make her inaugural transatlantic seven-day cruise on June 24, 2010, departing from London (Southampton). The 4,200 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship will arrive in New York, her first port of call in the United States, on July 1, 2010. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise has been added to Norwegian Epic\'s inaugural season, departing Miami on July 10, 2010, one week earlier than previously scheduled.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\"In true maritime fashion, Norwegian Epic will make the non-stop crossing from the U.K. to New York in just one week,\" said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian\'s chief executive officer. \"This seven-day voyage gives our guests the opportunity to be the first to immerse themselves in all of the innovative and varied activities, world-class dining and spectacular entertainment that will be offered on Norwegian Epic.\"</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>After an unprecedented response to a waitlist for Norwegian Epic\'s transatlantic last month, Norwegian Cruise Line will give those guests on the waitlist first priority to confirm their booking on the transatlantic today and tomorrow. A special guest services team will be contacting those guests so that they can choose from Norwegian Epic\'s wide range of accommodations from the innovative new Studios to the largest suite and villa complex at sea. On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, members of Norwegian\'s past guest program, Latitudes, will have a special preview sale day to book the cruise. The much-anticipated transatlantic sailing will officially open to the public for booking on Thursday, September 17, 2009.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic\'s new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas, will go on sale to the public on September 28, 2009. Guests currently booked on Norwegian Epic\'s July 17, 2010 Eastern Caribbean cruise will have priority to switch to the new sailing date if they so choose by calling Norwegian at 866-234-5609 by September 25, 2009.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In addition, Norwegian Epic\'s 2010/11 inaugural season sailings from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean are currently open for sale. The ship\'s alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, available as seven-day individual sailings or 14-day combined sailings, are available through April 2011.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Guests can make a reservation on Norwegian Epic by contacting their travel professional or Norwegian Cruise Line at 866-234-7350. More information about the ship, her itineraries and offerings can be found at <a href=\"http://epic.ncl.com/\">http://epic.ncl.com</a>.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Norwegian Epic\'s Innovations &amp; Features</span></p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic is changing the face of cruise line entertainment. In an industry first, Blue Man Group will perform in the ship\'s 685-seat Epic Theater. Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience and beginning next summer will be seen for the first time ever at sea only on Norwegian Epic during a 90-minute show customized specifically for Norwegian Epic.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic will have multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues throughout the ship so that guests can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise. No longer will entertainment be focused on two nightly shows in one large main theater. Norwegian Epic will offer a number of entertainment options in specially-designed venues, some offered for the first time ever at sea, with choices to appeal to a broad audience.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>On this ship, guests will find the only \"big top\" at sea. In this intimate 265-seat theater-in-the-round, famed producer/director Neil Goldberg will present Cirque Dreams&reg; and Dinner. This one of a kind interactive theatrical dining experience will be performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses, with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. During this two-hour show, guests will marvel in amazement and become part of a celebration of spectacle and fantasy. The entire experience will be unlike anything else at sea.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 20 dining choices and 20 bars and lounges. The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar at sea, Spice H20 and Posh, exclusive open-air hotspots; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids\' and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Norwegian Epic also incorporates several new types of accommodations  the modern, curved New Wave staterooms where all outside staterooms have balconies; the largest Villas complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; a new category of inside staterooms, The Studios with exclusive access to the Living Room; and spa and family-friendly accommodations.</p>','2013-01-22 18:59:15',185,1,2,NULL,NULL,850,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'New seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise added to inaugural season ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1666,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Princess Cruises','Princess Continues to Give Behind-the-Scenes Peek at Ship Refurbishment with Sea Princess Drydock Journal','/Sea_Princess_26_Apr_2008_397515021.jpg','2009-09-19 22:17:00','<p>SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 14, 2009) -- The enthusiastic following for Princess Cruises\' recent online drydock journals for Golden Princess and Dawn Princess, has prompted yet another installment for Sea Princess\' current drydock. Visitors to www.princess.com can follow along through September 25 as the ship receives new interior furnishings and finishes, fresh hull paint and exterior refurbishment, plus the addition of the line\'s adults-only Sanctuary.</p>\r\n<p>The Sea Princess Drydock Journal features regular updates of the work in progress at BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair at Pier 70 in San Francisco. The journal can be found on the Sea Princess page in the website\'s \"Ships\" section, and it will be regularly updated throughout the ship\'s two-week drydock. The photos will also be posted to Princess\' Twitter feed, Facebook page and Flickr photostream.</p>\r\n<p>\"We\'ve received great feedback from passengers who have enjoyed following along with these drydock journals, and have gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining our vessels,\" said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. \"Viewers love watching how quickly ships are transformed when in drydock.\"</p>\r\n<p>When Sea Princess emerges from the drydock, the ship will feature the opportunity to get away from it all in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess\' signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks or listen to a relaxing playlist of music.</p>\r\n<p>Other changes viewers will see throughout the drydock include a remodeled photo gallery area, the installation of new carpet and upholstery, plus a rare view of the bottom of the ship\'s hull as it receives several new coats of silicone paint.</p>\r\n<p>Once out of drydock, Sea Princess will transit the Panama Canal on her way to the Caribbean to begin a series of 14-day cruises from Barbados.</p>','2013-01-11 00:54:35',183,1,2,NULL,NULL,851,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Latest Ship Remodel Chronicled with Daily Online Updates ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1667,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','MSC Cruises','MSC Cruises to Offer Latin Dancing under the Stars','/Yv_20in_20Spine_20blue_20WSO_2007ab_153615078.jpg','2009-09-19 22:20:00','<p>MSC Cruises is offering Latin dance theme cruises on select trans-Atlantic sailings of MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Armonia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica in October through December. Passengers can learn the tango, mambo, salsa, samba, and cha cha during daily dance lessons that cover beginners to more advanced/intermediate levels. Workshops highlighting the origins and features of the dance techniques, as well as dance shows, will be featured. Upon completion of the dance lessons, guests receive a commemorative certificate. Regular dance competitions showcasing the dancers&rsquo; skill will be held. Dancers can get dressed up for costumed evening dancing. For more information, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com.</p>','2013-01-11 04:22:07',158,1,2,NULL,NULL,852,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1668,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Takes Delivery of Its Newest and Largest Ship, 130,000-ton Carnival Dream','/Carnival_Dream_791539433.jpg','2009-09-19 22:21:00','<p>In a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, earlier today, Carnival Cruise Lines officially took delivery of its newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream.</p>\r\n<p>Following the ceremony, Carnival Dream departed for Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, for its inaugural cruise, a 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyage departing Sept. 21 &ndash; the first of three voyages within the region.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The ship will then sail a trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York followed by a special two-day cruise and two eight-day Caribbean voyages from the Big Apple.&nbsp; Carnival Dream will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day voyage Dec. 3 before launching year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;With some truly unique spaces and amazing entertainment options, Carnival Dream is dramatically different from any other ship we&rsquo;ve introduced and ushers in an exciting new era in &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruising,&rdquo; said Gerry Cahill, Carnival&rsquo;s president and CEO.&nbsp; &ldquo;Value is&nbsp; more important than ever and the Carnival Dream &ndash; with its unique public spaces and exciting on-board innovations &ndash; provides the type of quality, affordable vacation experiences that today&rsquo;s consumers are seeking,&rdquo; he added.</p>\r\n<p>Representing a new class of vessel for the line, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream offers a host of innovations, including Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor caf&eacute; and live music venue; The Lanai, an outdoor area featuring a wrap-around promenade and cantilevered whirlpools that are suspended over the ship&rsquo;s side; a host of new accommodation categories, including two-bath, five-berth staterooms that appeal to families and cove balcony cabins located closer to the water line; a sprawling Carnival WaterWorks aqua park featuring the longest water slide at sea; and a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, the largest in the fleet.</p>\r\n<p>Exciting new entertainment choices, including a comedy club offering 24 performances per voyage and outdoor laser shows on Lido Deck, are also featured.&nbsp; Also new is the &ldquo;Fun Hub,&rdquo; a comprehensive intranet portal and the first shipboard social network that provides a variety of helpful information on the vessel and allows guests to interact and connect with their fellow passengers on board.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Dining options include two formal restaurants with extensive menus and wine lists nightly, an expansive Lido-area eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, Indian tandoori and new Italian pasta bar, an elegant steakhouse serving USDA prime dry-aged beef, a sushi bar, a patisserie and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>A host of bars, lounges, nightspots and live music venues &ndash; all bearing the unmistakable design stamp of Carnival&rsquo;s renowned interior architect Joe Farcus &ndash; are also featured.</p>','2013-01-12 19:56:26',218,1,2,NULL,NULL,853,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1669,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','The Race is On! Carnival CEO, Senior Cruise Director First To Ride Carnival Dream’s Spectacular Water Slides','/cahill_heald_1_617960077.jpg','2009-09-24 00:33:00','<p>Carnival&rsquo;s President and CEO Gerry Cahill and Senior Cruise Director John Heald couldn&rsquo;t wait for the Carnival Dream&rsquo;s inaugural cruise to check out the ship&rsquo;s spectacular new WaterWorks aqua park.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>During a special three-day repositioning cruise from Trieste to Rome (Civitavecchia) this weekend, Cahill and Heald spent an afternoon &ldquo;test riding&rdquo; every slide in the expansive facility &ndash; from the DrainPipe featuring a unique funnel-style design to the 303-foot-long Twister water slide, the longest in cruising.&nbsp; The highlight of the day was a race down the 82-foot-long dual-lane racing slide, which Heald was declared the winner.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>It was all in good fun and an excellent way to showcase the many innovative facilities and features of the spectacular 130,000-ton &ldquo;Fun Ship,&rdquo; the largest in the Carnival fleet which embarked on its maiden voyage earlier today. &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Carnival Dream will operate a series of 12-day European voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia) through October then reposition to New York for a pair of eight-day Caribbean voyages.&nbsp; The ship will then reposition to Port Canaveral for a special nine-day before launching year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.</p>','2013-01-22 15:42:34',225,1,2,NULL,NULL,854,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'2009-09-24 00:38:24',0),(1670,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Cruising From Jacksonville on the Carnival Fascination','/fs_1yr_jax_port3_204845990.jpg','2009-09-27 15:54:00','<p>The one-year anniversary of the Carnival Fascination&rsquo;s cruise program from Jacksonville, which began September 20, 2008, was marked with a recent reception attended by shipboard and embarkation employees.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The festivities, held in the JAXPORT cruise terminal, included a stunning cake custom-made for the occasion. Pictured with the cake are the ship&rsquo;s Hotel Director Andrew Mace and Guest Services Manager Clare McNicholas, along with JAXPORT Terminal Manager Linda Moore.</p>\r\n<p>The 70,000-ton Carnival Fascination operates four- and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from JAXPORT year-round, carrying an estimated 170,000 passengers annually.</p>\r\n<p>The ship will soon feature 98 new balcony staterooms that will be incorporated during a multimillion-dollar renovation in January 2010. Other enhancements will include a new Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only retreat and resort-style main pool area.</p>','2013-01-23 00:43:46',160,1,2,NULL,NULL,855,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1671,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean&#039;s Radiance Of The Seas Arrives In San Diego','/2844364610037912873S500x500Q85_738661676.jpg','2009-09-27 16:10:00','<p>Miami (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 26, 2009 -- Royal Caribbean International\'s Radiance of the Seas today arrived in its new seasonal homeport of San Diego to offer West Coast vacationers more options for a memorable Mexican Riviera cruise. Radiance of the Seas will embark on a total of 29 Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego, ranging from four- to 12-night itineraries. In addition, vacationers also can choose a 13-night Ultimate Alaska itinerary sailing on May 8, 2010. Adding to Mariner of the Seas year-round sailings from Los Angeles, Radiance of the Seas offers vacationers a second choice of a Radiance-class ship from an alternative embarkation port, and a wider breadth of itinerary options sailing from the West Coast.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />The arrival of Radiance of the Seas also marks the launch of the cruise line\'s military appreciation campaign. In recognition of the contributions made by members of the U.S. military and the amount of time they spend away from their families to serve their country, Royal Caribbean is making a donation of $10,000 to Wounded Warriors Families Support, an organization that provides support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. In addition, the cruise line is offering special cruise pricing to active and retired U.S. and Canadian military personnel and their families to share a cruise vacation aboard Radiance of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas for sailings between October 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />\"Royal Caribbean is appreciative of the contributions and sacrifices made by all members of our military services,\" said Betsy O\'Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. \"Our contribution to the Wounded Warriors Family Support organization is our way to help give back to those who have given up so much already. And we\'d like to invite our heroes in the military to share a memorable vacation with their families by offering super-special fares on Mexican Riviera cruises aboard Mariner of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.\"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Radiance of the Seas begins the season with 12 short cruises from San Diego, four- and five-night itineraries with calls at Cabo San Lucas and, on the longer itinerary, Ensenada. Vacationers can choose among 15 longer sailings starting in November, ranging from nine- to 11-night roundtrip itineraries that include ports of call such as Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Huatulco, Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Manzanillo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Vacationers also can avoid the stresses and messes this holiday season on Radiance of the Seas\'. A special nine-night Thanksgiving cruise, sailing on November 21, 2009, will feature a call at Manzanillo on Thanksgiving Day, the cruise line\'s first return to the port since 1999. Holiday revelers also can choose a 12-night holiday cruise departing December 21, 2009, when guests will celebrate Christmas and herald in the New Year onboard on the same cruise.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Deployed to Los Angeles in February 2009, Mariner of the Seas offers vacationers a seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary year-round as the largest and most innovative cruise ship to be based in the Pacific Ocean. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Mariner of the Seas recently won the silver award in Travel Weekly 2009 Magellan Awards for \'Overall Contemporary Ship\' and is among Royal Caribbean\'s Voyager class of ships, known for revolutionizing the cruise industry in the \'90s by introducing an onboard rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and the Royal Promenade - a boulevard running nearly the length of the ship that is lined with lounges, stores and restaurants, including a Ben &amp; Jerry\'s scoop shop.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Guests of both ships will enjoy Royal Caribbean\'s award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, multiple onboard bars, lounges and discos throughout the ship, and Vegas-style gaming in the Casino Royale. The ships\' onboard Day Spa also offers a full range of rejuvenating treatments, and the adults-only Solarium pool provides a more relaxing environment. On international sailings, guests also enjoy select popular food, beverage and entertainment options found in the region of their cruise.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Younger cruisers will laugh and learn in the line\'s award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program, while teens 12 and older have more appropriate activities in the ships\' teen-only spaces. Families also can stay in and order room service and catch a popular on-demand movie. Throughout their stay, every guest will enjoy Royal Caribbean\'s renowned Gold Anchor Service of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.</p>','2013-01-22 07:06:32',183,1,2,NULL,NULL,857,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Cruise Line to Donate $10k and Offer Military Appreciation Fares for West Coast Sailings ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1672,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','U.S. Ports Get $150 Million in Security Grants','/DHS14_2_774200306.jpg','2009-09-27 16:16:00','<p>U.S. Department of Homeland Security is releasing $150 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for port security, stating that the stimulus grants &ldquo;will enhance the resiliency of our critical infrastructure and improve our emergency response capabilities by supporting risk-based initiatives integral to our national security.&rdquo; Kurt Nagle, president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), said the stimulus grant funds will further enhance the ability of America&rsquo;s seaports to protect their critical infrastructure while creating jobs and stimulating the economy at a time when the nation needs it. &ldquo;As our lifeline to world trade and part of our nation&rsquo;s &lsquo;water borders,&rsquo; seaports must be secure,&rdquo; Nagle said. &ldquo;These grants help protect America&rsquo;s ports as well as provide jobs and aid our economic recovery.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p><br />The grants will be used for improvements at 103 U.S. ports, including $1 million for the Port of San Diego. It will be used in San Diego toward the ongoing effort to provide a fiber optics communications network that will ultimately ring the entire harbor of San Diego Bay. In the past seven years, the Port of San Diego has received more than $30 million in security grant funding. The money has been used to enhance physical security, improve surveillance capabilities, expand communications and strengthen security infrastructure throughout the port. San Diego port officials are working to secure additional grant funding to complete the fiber optic ring and continue enhancements to the security and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org &nbsp;or www.portofsandiego.org.</p>','2013-01-20 09:02:48',129,1,2,NULL,NULL,856,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1673,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','USA Today Cruise Log','Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise ships collide in Cozumel','/6a00d83451b46269e20120a5b094a4970b_444622909.jpg','2009-10-02 00:42:00','<p>(9:04 pm ET) -- A Carnival cruise ship pulling out of Cozumel late Wednesday collided with a Royal Caribbean ship docked nearby in an incident that has left both vessels damaged.</p>\r\n<p><br />Carnival says the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend had just untied from its berth at the popular Mexican resort town when it was caught by heavy winds and pushed into the 2,446-passenger Enchantment of the Seas.</p>\r\n<p>\"Extremely strong winds pushed the vessel up against the side of Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s Enchantment of the Seas,\" the line says in a statement to USA TODAY. \"The (Royal Caribbean) ship was at dock when the incident occurred. The Carnival Legend sustained broken glass and other minor damage to some open deck areas.\"</p>\r\n<p>A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman tells USA TODAY the Enchantment suffered what appears to be minor damage to the stern of the ship and some railings.</p>\r\n<p>Spokespeople for both lines say they have received no reports of injuries on board their respective ships resulting from the incident, which occurred at about 6:15 pm central time.</p>\r\n<p><br />Both lines say the damage to the ships is not serious and the vessels will proceed with their current itineraries. The Enchantment of the Seas is on a five-night Caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. The Carnival Legend is on a seven-night Caribbean cruise out of Tampa.</p>\r\n<p>\"All appropriate authorities have been notified,\" Carnival says in its statement. \"Following an examination of the vessel by Mexican authorities, the Carnival Legend was cleared to sail on to Belize, its next scheduled port of call.\" The Enchantment, as it happens, also is heading to Belize.</p>\r\n<p>A passenger on the Enchantment of the Seas posting on a personal blog site shortly after the crash said he and some friends watched the incident unfold from the pool deck.</p>\r\n<p>\"As we\'re watching (the Legend), it\'s getting closer and closer. It looked like the wind was pushing the other ship toward us,\" writes the passenger, who goes by the pen name TheOneBob. \"I looked down and saw a tug boat try to get between the two boats, but it was too late. Then the collision became inevitable. There was some crunching and breaking glass noises and the ship rocked to one side a little.\"</p>','2013-01-10 03:47:09',612,1,2,NULL,NULL,862,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,3,1,4,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1674,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jaclyn Giovis, South Florida Sun-Sentinel','Oasis of the Seas is fetching premium cruise prices amid sunken economy','/oasis_of_the_seas_aqua_theater_682146640.jpg','2009-10-02 22:07:00','<p>Cruise passengers anxious to invoke bragging rights for sailing on the world\'s largest cruise ship, the <em>Oasis of the Seas</em>, are paying more than double what they\'d pay to sail on another ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.<br /><br />Cabins on Royal Caribbean\'s 5,400-passenger vessel are running over $1,000 per person for an inside stateroom to around $4,500 and up for a suite. That\'s expensive for a weeklong Caribbean cruise, especially considering cruise lines have slashed prices across the board to stir demand during a weak economy.<br /><br />Demand for the vessel, set to arrive at Port Everglades Nov. 11 or 12, is strong enough that people without reservations can forget about sailing on the 7-night inaugural voyage in December, travel agents say. Most cabins are booked through spring 2010, they say.<br /><br />Consultant Rod McLeod of Coral Gables-based McLeod Applebaum &amp; Partners says the massive ship is likely eating away at sales of other Royal Caribbean vessels and chomping into those of competing brands.<br /><br />\"With the brand awareness around this ship, I would be dumbfounded if it weren\'t taking away some sales,\" McLeod said.<br /><br />The premiums that <em>Oasis</em> is commanding bodes well for the entire industry, which can hope to raise its prices, he said. But rivals will still price below the top of the market, offering more perceived value to consumers, McLeod said.<br /><br /><em>Oasis</em> is fetching $140 more per day than other ships in the Royal fleet, said Steven Hattem, vice president of marketing for CruiseOne and Cruises Inc.<br /><br />How? Because with seven distinct neighborhood themes, <em>Oasis</em> will offer passengers a number of \"firsts\" at sea: loft suites, an amphitheater with elaborate poolside performances, zip-lining, an artisan carousel and a Coach store bigger than those at some major malls.<br /><br />\"Consumers are asking for the ship by name and they are willing to pay the extra price to get on,\" Hattem said.<br /><br />As the arrival of the ship draws near, agents say they\'ve also seen an uptick in interest.<br /><br />\"In the past three months, we\'re seeing twice as many bookings and leads than in the previous three months,\" said Uf Tukel, co-president of WMPH Vacations in Delray Beach.<br /><br />Tukel said his company is trying to spur sales and interest in <em>Oasis</em> through social media Web applications such as Facebook and Twitter.<br /><br />\"Any time we do a Twitter update or a Facebook update about <em>Oasis</em>, people get really excited,\" he said. \"We\'re trying to jump on the Royal Caribbean bandwagon\" to get buzz going, and help to generate business for other Royal ships and for other brands.<br /><br />Jeffrey Sherota, vice president of CruisesOnly in Fort Lauderdale, said the ship is generating more talk than some of the most-anticipated cruise ship debuts to come to Port Everglades in recent years, including Cunard\'s Queen Mary 2.<br /><br />\"There\'s really nothing comparable,\" Sherota said. \"It\'s hard to articulate the uniqueness of the ship -- and I haven\'t even seen it yet.\"<br /><br />Jaclyn Giovis can be reached at 954-356-4668 or jmgiovis@sunsentinel.com.</p>','2013-01-18 05:02:58',2257,1,2,NULL,NULL,858,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,1,5,'Cabins start at more than $1,000 per person, filling up quickly',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1675,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','P&amp;0 Cruises','P&amp;O Cruises assists Samoan relief effort','/samoa_20tsunami_419942429.jpg','2009-10-02 22:13:00','<p>P&amp;O Cruises has assisted the Red Cross in relief efforts for earthquake and tsunami victims in the South Pacific by donating 740 pillows with the promise of mattresses, more pillows and hundreds of light bulbs to come.</p>\r\n<p>Pacific Sun crew handed over the first drop of bedding supplies in Port Vila, Vanuatu, where the ship was docked as relief efforts got underway.</p>\r\n<p>A local shipping company has offered to carry the supplies from Port Vila to Samoa free of charge.</p>\r\n<p>Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&amp;O Cruises, said the cruise line has strong connections with the people of the South Pacific.</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;The devastation caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami is heart breaking, and as regular visitors to the South Pacific region, including the islands of Samoa, we want to assist and support those affected,&rdquo; Ms Sherry said.</p>','2013-01-11 00:18:55',267,1,2,NULL,NULL,861,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1676,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Port of Los Angeles to Add Cruise Ship Facility','/hess_ref_LosAngeles_Hafen_01_1_489454244.jpg','2009-10-02 22:15:00','<p>The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a major development at the Port of Los Angeles that will include a new, outer harbor cruise ship terminal designed to accommodate the largest ships that will call at the port in the coming decades. The project is expected to take 10 or more years to complete. The port anticipates funding approximately $900 million, largely for public infrastructure. An additional $300 million will be raised through private investment through the board&rsquo;s entitlement of up to 300,000 square feet of commercial-retail redevelopment and an additional 75,000 square feet of conference center space. For more information, call 310-732-7678 or visit www.portoflosangeles.org.</p>','2013-01-10 23:24:36',187,1,2,NULL,NULL,859,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1677,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Opens First Children’s ‘Fun Zone’ At Port of Miami Cruise Terminal','/funzone1_865534215.jpg','2009-10-02 22:17:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines wants to make sure kids always have a good time &ndash; even while they&rsquo;re waiting to board their &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruise.<span></span></p>\r\n<p>In keeping with its reputation as the family cruise leader, Carnival Cruise Lines has installed the&nbsp;first-ever &ldquo;Fun Zone&rdquo; at the Port of Miami cruise terminal, providing a welcome diversion for families with a host of toys, games and activities.</p>\r\n<p>Located on the upper level of the facility, the &ldquo;Fun Zone&rdquo; includes indoor playground equipment, video game consoles, board games, coloring books and more.</p>\r\n<p>The line plans on adding &ldquo;Fun Zones&rdquo; to other year-round homeports in the future.</p>','2013-01-11 00:13:08',179,1,2,NULL,NULL,860,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1678,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line&#039;s ms Rotterdam to Sail 30-Day South America Explorations in Spring/Fall 2010 and Winter/Spring 2011','/hal_ship_16kb_297587134.jpg','2009-10-06 21:45:00','<p>SEATTLE, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line\'s ms Rotterdam will sail three 30-day South America adventures in 2010 and two more in 2011, allowing guests to visit the remote site of Machu Picchu and explore the mysterious and exotic Inca civilization.</p>\r\n<p>With Rotterdam\'s \"Incan Empires\" voyages departing Feb. 6, April 10 and Oct. 23, 2010, and again on Feb. 2 and the \"Secret Civilizations\" voyage departing April 17, 2011, these voyages sail round-trip from U.S. ports on the East and West coasts, making a cruise to Central and South America more convenient for North American travelers.</p>\r\n<p>\"Having these itineraries sail round-trip from a U.S. port is ideal for our guests looking to take an exotic cruise, but who don\'t want to travel extensively to get to the port of embarkation,\" said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. \"These cruises offer a premium onboard experience, overnight calls, late-night departures and opportunities to explore many different ports and countries.\"</p>\r\n<p>Rotterdam\'s \"Incan Empires\" voyage spends 30 days exploring 15 ports along the west coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. Extended calls at Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, give guests extra time ashore to enjoy the culture, history and local attractions of that region.</p>\r\n<p>A highlight of the itinerary is a two-night call at Callao (Lima), Peru, enabling guests to take an excursion to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most mysterious archeological locations in the world. Because of the extended three-day call, guests will still visit all the ports and can easily rejoin the ship in Callao after their adventure. An overnight call at Fuerte Amador, Panama, the gateway to Panama City, is another highlight of the itinerary.</p>\r\n<p>Cruise fares begin at $2,799 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day \"Incan Empires\" cruise. Fifteen-day segments to and from Callao also are available with fares starting at $1,599.</p>\r\n<p>On April 17, 2011, Rotterdam returns to Central and South America, setting sail on a 30-day \"Secret Civilizations\" round-trip Fort Lauderdale, Fla., cruise that visits 14 ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.</p>\r\n<p>The itinerary features a double transit of the Panama Canal on the way to and from Callao. The daylight transits allow guests to observe the intricate passage through the lakes and locks of the man-made engineering marvel. This voyage also has a two-night call at Callao, making it possible for guests to take an excursion to Machu Picchu, as well as an overnight call at Fuerte Amador and an extended stay at Cozumel, Mexico.</p>\r\n<p>Cruise fares begin at $3,299 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day \"Secret Civilizations\" cruise. Fifteen-day segments to and from Callao also are available.</p>\r\n<p>When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse shore excursions including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring and exclusive Medallion Collection excursions.</p>\r\n<p>For a cruise brochure or for more information on Holland America Line\'s Central and South America Voyages, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.</p>\r\n<p>Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.</p>','2013-01-13 14:12:15',137,1,2,NULL,NULL,863,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Convenient sailings from U.S. ports',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1679,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Reuters','Mega-ship, mountain fort could boost Haiti tourism','/haiti_731677304.jpg','2009-10-06 21:50:00','<p>LABADEE, Haiti (Reuters) - An ultramodern ocean liner and a 19th-century mountaintop fortress built by a slave rebellion leader figure prominently in Haiti\'s plans to revive tourism in the poorest nation in the Americas.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>A key element of the hoped-for renaissance may be close to fruition. Haitian Tourism Minister Patrick Delatour said the government recently signed a deal with Venezuela for an international airport, Haiti\'s second, in Cap-Haitien, its second-largest city.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Starting in December, Royal Caribbean Cruises will send its new Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, to a weekly stopover at the northern beach resort of Labadee, another important step forward for a tourism economy that crumbled under years of political turmoil.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>The next move could be to build a road between Labadee and Haiti\'s World Heritage Site, a park containing the massive Citadelle Laferriere fortress and the Sans Souci palace built by Henri Christophe, a leader of the slave revolt that freed Haiti from French rule in 1804.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"In 2011 we will be able to say that Haiti is back on the world tourism map,\" Delatour told reporters last week.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Boosted by what is being seen as Haiti\'s most stable moment in a generation, President Rene Preval\'s government has set in motion a bold plan to lure tourists to northern Haiti, far from the dilapidated capital Port-au-Prince and its teeming slums.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>The mystique of its voodoo culture, a thriving art scene and Caribbean beaches made Haiti a popular destination years ago. Club Med once operated a beach resort here.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>But successive years of political violence took its toll. A popular uprising that ousted the Duvalier family dictatorship and its dreaded Tontons Macoute gangster militia in 1986 was followed by the army\'s overthrow of priest-turned-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the early 1990s.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>A U.S.-led military intervention restored Aristide in 1994. More than 9,000 U.N. peacekeepers now patrol the streets.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Grinding poverty also discourages tourism. Some 70 percent of Haiti\'s 9 million people live on less than $2 a day and malnutrition is rampant.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>FROM BEACH TO FORTRESS</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Delatour said Haiti was now finalizing a $30 million loan from Venezuela to build the terminal and tarmac of a new airport in Cap-Haitien. The road from Labadee to the Citadelle and the town of Milot, home of Sans Souci, could be next.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>The minister envisioned thousands of wealthy tourists from cruise ships making the trek from Labadee, where Royal Caribbean is spending $55 million to build a cruise ship pier and attractions, to one of the largest forts in the Caribbean.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Oasis of the Seas, which begins visits in December, can disgorge 6,000 onto Haitian shores each trip, officials said.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"One day we hope that our guests will have the opportunity to go to the Citadelle and Milot, when all the conditions are right for that,\" RCL chairman Richard Fain said as he toured Labadee with former U.S. President Bill Clinton last week.</p>\r\n<p>Clinton, the U.N. special envoy to Haiti, talked up tourism at an investor conference he hosted in Port-au-Prince last week and also in a previous speech in Miami. He suggested the impoverished nation could lure 4 million visitors a year.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>That would put Haiti on par with the giants of Caribbean tourism, Cancun, Mexico, which last year drew 4.7 million, the Bahamas, 4.3 million and the Dominican Republic, 4.2 million.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Haiti currently receives 900,000-950,000 yearly visitors, but about 600,000 of those come on cruise ships and don\'t stay over, occupy hotel rooms or eat a lot of meals in restaurants. Many of the other 350,000 are believed to be Haitians living abroad and returning to visit family.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Tourism officials expect more than 1 million next year.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>GOOD ART, BAD INFRASTRUCTURE</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Clinton, who ordered the 1994 military action that restored Aristide, has been visiting Haiti since the 1970s and said political risk here is at its lowest point in his lifetime. He encouraged foreign investors to look toward Haiti.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>On his tour of Labadee and Sans Souci last week, he even had suggestions to showcase artists from Haiti, who are world renowned for their colorful, naif painting style.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"There are some really good shops in Port-au-Prince for art of all kinds but there should be a few centers around the country,\" said Clinton, who was greeted with cheers and applause by Haitian workers as he toured.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Clinton promised to look into the possibilities for easing U.S. government travel warnings for Haiti.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Eddy Labossiere, secretary-general of the Association of Haitian Economists, said Clinton\'s effort could produce \"significant results\" for the economy, but only if the government improves the legal framework and infrastructure.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"If they fail to do so, Clinton\'s mission will be in vain,\" he said.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Roads are poor, port costs are high and the electricity service is sporadic. Labossiere said the public grid provides only 80 megawatts of a needed 300 megawatts to Port-au-Prince and the price per kilowatt-hour is the Caribbean\'s highest.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"Hopefully they will be able to get the infrastructure to a point where persons will feel comfortable going back to Haiti and visiting,\" said John Maginley, Antigua\'s tourism minister and chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"UNIVERSAL SYMBOLS\"</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>UNESCO declared the Citadelle and the nearby Sans Souci palace a World Heritage Site in 1982, saying they serve as \"universal symbols of liberty, being the first monuments to be constructed by black slaves who had gained their freedom.\"</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>But with its remote location and Haiti\'s poorly developed tourism industry, the fort receives few visitors.</p>\r\n<p>\"The Citadelle is just standing there doing nothing and it is the most important building of that time in all of the Caribbean,\" said Jean Lionel Pressoir, president of Fondestha, a foundation working to develop tourism.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>Pressoir said the fort sees about 40 visitors a day now but needs work to make it more accessible, including guardrails. It is reachable only on foot or horseback.</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>\"We hope to get 500 visitors a day eventually,\" he said. \"But if we do 100 a day next year, I will be very satisfied.\"</p>\r\n<p><span></span></p>\r\n<p>(Additional reporting by Tom Brown; Writing by Jim Loney, Editing by Pascal Fletcher and Cynthia Osterman)</p>','2013-01-19 23:24:05',229,1,2,NULL,NULL,864,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1680,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival and M&amp;M’s Month-Long ‘Frightfully Fun’ Halloween Promotion is Back','/frightfully_fun_09_mm_740700686.jpg','2009-10-13 00:18:00','<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Carnival and M&amp;M&rsquo;S&reg; have teamed up once again for their annual &ldquo;Frightfully Fun&rdquo; promotion aboard all &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; voyages departing between Oct. 17 and 31, 2009.<span></span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">During the &ldquo;Frightfully Fun&rdquo; promotion, guests sailing with Carnival can enjoy a variety of fun-filled activities, everything from costume contests and Halloween-themed giveaways to scary movies, and, of course, trick or treating, with candies and other goodies from M&amp;M&rsquo;S&reg;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">All guests sailing during the period are encouraged to bring their costumes and participate in the costume contest and parade.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Guests up to14 years of age are also invited to go trick or treating along the ship&rsquo;s promenade and through various public areas to stock up on M&amp;M&rsquo;S&reg; signature candies, including MILKY WAY&reg;, SNICKERS&reg;, SKITTLES&reg;, STARBURST&reg; and TWIX&reg;.</p>','2012-12-24 22:07:58',138,1,2,NULL,NULL,865,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),