So you know those times when you have these great plans ready to put right into action – only nothing goes like you expected and instead your plans completely fall apart?
Well, that was what happened with the last few weeks… We had a grand plan to record shows and check out some new ships – and everything fell apart. But we’re back with a new show now and aren’t expecting any interruptions for a while… So there’s that…
What we talked about this week:
Cruise West introduced a “free-flowing” itinerary, while Celebrity continues embracing technology. Crystal is revising it’s 2011 West Coast plans. Royal Caribbean is testing a “new” extended stay program in Fort Lauderdale – but is it really all that new?
Shopping on Queen Elizabeth will be decidedly British, and work continues on Seabourn Quest. Princess looks after their Australian passengers on Dawn Princess, and once again we bring you a story of passengers behaving badly…
Cruise West announced a new 5-night itinerary, Wild Alaska Seafari, dedicated to showcasing Alaska’s wildlife like never before.
The new Wild Alaska Seafari was designed to provide guests with the experience closest to a true explorer. While the major ports and places have been identified, the sequence and timing will be determined by Mother Nature and the captain of the Spirit of Alaska. The captain will have the authority to adapt the timing to ensure that guests experience each sight at its most spectacular. On select journeys, there will be professional photographers onboard, for those guests who would like guidance on how to capture the “ultimate shots” of these magical locations. Highlights:
- Programming has been designed for the more active traveler, so inflatable raft excursions have been planned during the day and evening, to maximize the adventure experience.
- Routes will be carefully timed to ensure that the ships’ location is designed for the best possible light, a photographer’s dream.
- Guests will visit Pelican, a town that is only accessible by ship. This small fishing village is a quiet boardwalk experience with no roads.
- Guests will enjoy a journey to the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness, a pristine wonderland.• The Icy Strait represents more than 13 unique shore opportunities along the more than 100 miles of coastline. Each cruise experience will differ depending on the whims of the wildlife and the captain’s instincts for the best guest experience.
- Overnight anchorages will highlight ‘Quiet Places of Solitude’ and allow guests to reflect onboard, away from the glitz and glamour of the city.
- Pre-night package includes a presentation by local photographers and an early morning photo shoot at stunning Eagle Beach.
Wild Alaska Seafari can be combined with an optional 5-night land tour within Denali National Park and Preserve, home to Mount McKinley, North America’s largest mountain. The Denali experience provides guests with a plethora of choices to customize their experience, including a visit to the home and kennel of Mary Shields, the first woman to run the Iditarod, a Tundra Wilderness Tour of spectacular landscapes, and optional excursions like rafting or flightseeing.
The Wild Alaska Seafari dates include June 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 2011, July 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31, 2011, and August 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 2011.
It was a pretty quiet week this week – so we took the opportunity to make a minor change to the website – and add some pretty big functionality. By clicking on the “Other Travel” link at the top of the page you can now book flights, hotels, and rental cars RIGHT FROM OUR SITE!!! We’re extremely excited with this and hope that you will take advantage of it in the future.
In the news this week – Crystal is now offering Windows and Mac classes in their Computer University @ Sea program.
Queen Elizabeth will have a resident theater company onboard.
All eyes in the Caribbean are on St Thomas after gang violence there takes the life of a 14 year old cruise ship passenger. Our thoughts if you’re headed to St Thomas on a cruise in the next few months – don’t cancel your cruise, but you may want to consider staying onboard the ship.
This week we also chat a bit about getting online during your cruise. There are a few options and a few things to keep in mind.
Cruise West announced two new itineraries sailing on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers, starting in March, 2011. These inaugural voyages will take place aboard the Spirit of America, formerly the Spirit of Glacier Bay.
Known to many as America’s Great River Road, the Mississippi is North America’s longest river. For centuries, it has played a major role in commerce as a vital transit route for passengers and freight of every description – including cotton, timber, food, and Appalachian coal. The writings of Mark Twain turned the river into a cultural icon as well. So today, a cruise on the Mississippi is an adventure through history and literature, as well as spectacular vistas.
“This market has been underserved since 2008 with the departure of Majestic Cruise line,” commented Dietmar Wertanzl, Cruise West’s President and CEO. “We are proud to be the only cruise line offering overnight cruises on these great American Rivers.”
Guests will enjoy the iconic South, while sailing the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis, taking in the sights of white mansions, lush gardens, historic plantations, and poignant civil war monuments. In addition to exceptional scenery around every bend, guests on this 7-night itinerary will enjoy all of the following:
- Stopping in Vacherie to visit Oak Alley Plantation, the most photographed plantation in the South.
- Visiting The Myrtles – “America’s Most Haunted House.”
- Discovering the spectacular antebellum and Victorian architecture of picturesque Natchez, Missouri.
- Touring Vicksburg National Military Park, scene of the Civil War battle that gave the North control of the Mississippi.
- Strolling through Helena, Arkansas – one-time home to no fewer than seven generals of the confederacy.
The second new river voyage – a 7-night excursion further up river – begins and ends with two hotbeds of American music, Memphis and Nashville. Guest will follow the Mississippi north to Cairo, at the confluence of the Ohio River. They will cruise on upriver to the Tennessee and the narrow Cumberland River. On this journey, guests will enjoy:
- Exploring the charming and historic town of New Madrid, Missouri.
- Taking in numerous galleries and the Center of Maritime Education in Paducah, Kentucky.
- Walking through Fort Smith – a Civil War staging area once occupied by Ulysses S. Grant.
- Touring Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Dover, Tennessee, site of the first major Union victory.
- Discovering Clarksville, Tennessee, one of the South’s most historic cities and home to memorable architecture and attractions.
Between these itineraries, guests may choose from 8 departure dates with prices starting at $3,499 before savings and include all excursions and hotel nights as listed. The New Orleans to Memphis (reverse dates noted with asterisk) dates include March 19, April 9April 16, and May 7, 2011. The Memphis to Nashville dates include March 26 and April 2, 23, 30,2011. Guests can save $600 per person by paying in full by July 30, 2010.
Cruise West is revitalizing the overall guest experience this spring with several significant enhancements collectively called ‘Spirit Of Distinction.’ ‘Compass,’ a more robust enrichment program guided by a world class Board of Advisors, will be introduced for the enjoyment of all guests. The launch of ‘Palate’ Wine & Food Program will include an updated, award-winning wine list with food pairings and United States Sommelier Association certification for onboard servers. Several vessels will also offer the option to dine “alfresco,” and all sailings will enjoy new menu items. The well-appointed new Explorer Class cabin category, replete with upscale, eco-friendly amenities, will be added to three of the lines’ nine ships.
Designed to enhance the overall guest experience through meaningful and topical presentations, the renewed onboard enrichment program, Compass, will be introduced on all Cruise West itineraries. Four tenants comprise the points of Compass: science, culture, history and immersion. The Board of Advisors that will guide the new program includes world-renowned Oceanographer Dr. Don Walsh and noted Naturalist Brent Nixon. In addition, leading experts in diverse fields will serve as guest lecturers to complement the on-board Exploration Leaders’ provided narratives. Enrichment doesn’t end onboard. Guests will have additional opportunities to be immersed into the natural environment through an increased number of zodiac excursions on select itineraries. A hallmark of the Cruise West experience is engaging and thought-provoking presentations aboard every sailing. The Exploration Academy, a component of Compass, will serve as an enhanced training program for Cruise West Exploration Leaders, further developing their knowledge base and skills. Tools include an e-based Enrichment Program of power point presentation modules that cover such diverse subjects as the culture, history, wildlife and geology of region(s) visited.
Guest won’t whine about the wine list or refreshed menu items! Following the theme of exploration, Cruise West introduces Palate, designed to help diners discover the synergy between wine and food. All Cruise West ships will feature a delectable culinary experience through distinctive food and wine pairings with menu selections that highlight the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. A tempting wine list featuring bottles selected by Chairman Dick West will include wines from Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines of the World” and Seattle Wine Awards 2008 “Gold Medal Winners.” Additionally, in affiliation with the United States Sommelier Association, onboard servers will participate in a certificate course to ensure service delivery is up to the highest standards. Lastly, guests will have a choice of three distinct dining options at lunchtime. Alfresco dining will be offered on the Spirit of Oceanus, Spirit of Yorktown, Spirit of Endeavour and Spirit of ’98, weather permitting, in addition to regularly scheduled lunch in the Dining Room and Light Fare luncheon served in the Lounge. Menu items will include fresh grilled favorites, salads, and a carving or taco bar.
The new Explorer Class cabins, formerly AAA cabins, are intended for guests accustomed to a higher level of creature comforts. The “eco-friendly” amenities, a natural extension of the company’s motto of good environmental stewardship, include ultra soft Bamboo (a sustainable resource), fiber linens and towels, cotton waffle weave bathrobes, water conserving Speakman “Easy Jet” adjustable stream showerheads, and hypoallergenic down duvets. In addition to special amenities, guests traveling on Alaska itineraries will receive a copy of the book Mr. Alaska, written by Cruise West’s founder Chuck West. Explorer Class cabins will be rolled out in spring 2009 onboard the 96-guest Spirit of ’98, 102-guest Spirit of Endeavour, and the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown.
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