Luxury Cruise Bible

Has Costa Concordia's Accident Changed How You Think about Cruising?

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I cruise a lot; it's one of my favorite ways to travel. Over the years, I've sailed on many ships, including intimate yachts, masted sailing ships, and mid- to large-size cruise ships. Some itineraries were ultra-popular routes in the Mediterranean and Caribbean while some—like our recent Borneo cruise—were definitely off the beaten path. I never once questioned my safety and instead put my trust in the ships' officers and crew and the cruise lines as a whole.

Today, with the sad news that several passengers and crew of Costa Concordia have been lost at sea, I must reexamine the faith I put in others while traveling.

I am saddened by the Costa tragedy and all the families of those lost and those who survived a horrific experience are in my thoughts.

It's difficult to second-guess the situation when hard facts are still being determined but these questions definitely come to my mind...

Why did the captain wait so long before issuing a mayday?
Why didn't the captain and executive officers communicate more effectively with fellow crew and passengers in the early moments of the disaster?
Why didn't the captain order all passengers to go to their cabins to put on warm clothes, grab their passports and medication, and then head to their muster stations?
Why did the crew seem less than prepared for evacuating the vessel?
Why did the captain leave the boat before making sure all passengers and crew had been evacuated?

We'll learn more in the days and months ahead, but how will this accident change the way you think about cruising?

As I said earlier, I love this method of travel and it would take a lot for me to shun the industry. Despite this accident, cruise travel is historically a very safe way to travel. (Check out Cruise Junkie's excellent website that details cruise ship accidents and illness reports.)

However, I will think more carefully about the cruise lines that I trust my safety to and why. I'll also be more cognizant of my own personal emergency plans (i.e., always carrying a copy of my passport on my person along with some cash and a credit card).

It's troubling that this incident causes us to question the faith we put into our ship's captain, executive officers, crew, and cruise line home office. There are so many well-trained and caring cruise ship employees.

I can only hope that this incident sparks conversation and that cruise companies make a renewed commitment to ship safety and training protocols. What happened aboard Costa Concordia is a wake-up call and it's up to each of us to press cruise lines to improve safety practices.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Sign Up for Paul Gauguin Cruises Webinar on January 10

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've sailed with dozens of cruise lines over the years and one of my most memorable voyages was in French Polynesia aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin with Paul Gauguin Cruises.

If you've been dreaming about cruising the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, et al, you'll want to sign up for the PGC-hosted webinar at 7pm EST on Tuesday, January 10.

Register for the January 10th Paul Gauguin Cruises webinar now.

PGC is offering 50% off cruise fares in 2012 plus free airfare from Los Angeles. Additionally, webinar attendees sometimes receive other incentives after the event.

Here are just a few reasons why I'm looking forward to sailing with Paul Gauguin Cruises again...

the islands—the South Pacific is the most beautiful part of the world I've ever visited (and I travel a lot)
the locals—French Polynesian culture is fascinating and we met so many engaging people
onboard lectures and shore excursions—PGC works with the best lecturers and guides, including anthropologist Mark Eddowes and marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole
the cuisine—dinners were especially scrumptious and we enjoyed the themed buffet lunches

To learn more, read my

Paul Gauguin review for Cruise Critic

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Vacation Planning Resource: Cruise Line YouTube Channels

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, you're taking some time off during the holidays to relax with friends and family. Part of this downtime includes planning vacations for 2012 and beyond. So far, we've booked reservations for getaways to Mexico, Fiji, Switzerland, France, and Thailand. We'll see what other adventures we settle upon for the year!

As we search for new vacation ideas, we're reviewing the YouTube channels of various luxury cruise lines and resorts. If you've got some time to view videos and plan your next trip, check out these YouTube channels:

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seabourn

Silversea | Luxury Cruises

Windstar Cruises

There are some fantastic videos posted by these travel companies and you'll also find links to videos taken by fellow travelers. The combination of marketing videos and real-world experiences will help as you plan your next great escape.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Lindblad Adds Undersea Divers to Alaska Itineraries

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Lindblad Expeditions came up with an incredibly cool addition to its 2012 Alaska voyages—an "Undersea Specialist."

Each Lindblad ship already carries three naturalists, an expedition leader, and a Lindblad-National Geographic-certified photo instructor. The Undersea Specialist will join this team to provide an additional facet to cruises in Alaska.

What will this specialist actually do on each cruise? He or she will dive 40 to 80 feet below the surface to take high-definition photos of what lies beneath the ship. The images and video will be showcased during presentations throughout the cruise.

According to Lindblad, images will range from "...the tiniest organisms on the sea floor to giant octopi, to hulking sea lions to the whales that passengers see majestically breaching the surface." This is a very cool development! I'm just glad no one's asking me to dive the chilly Alaskan waters!

Lindblad will offer 8-night (Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness) and 12-night (Alaska, British Columbia, and San Juan Islands) voyages from May–September 2012 aboard the 62-passenger ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion.

Book Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness by March 31, 2012 and you'll receive free roundtrip air between Seattle and Alaska on select May and June departures. Rates for this itinerary start at $5,990 per person based on double occupancy for a Category 1 cabin, and $7,690 for the Alaska, British Columbia, and San Juan Islands cruise.

Lindblad's been sailing Alaskan waters for 30 years, so they really know what they're doing in this region. I love the addition of the Undersea Specialist to its itineraries and hope to explore with the company soon.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Lindblad at 1-(800)-EXPEDITION.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

What Luxury Cruise Lines Should Say to Lure Younger Travelers

2011-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's been five years since I first set foot on a luxury cruise ship. I was still in my thirties then and was struck by the fact that my husband and I were the youngest travelers on board the ship. We couldn't understand why.

The itinerary was fantastic—visiting unusual ports of call—and the value was clear. We enjoyed a spacious, well-designed suite, attentive service, inclusive food and wine, and a cadre of entertainment options for less than a comparable vacation at a five-star resort on land.

Since that first experience, we've been on dozens of luxury cruise ships and yachts and we're still often among the youngest cruises aboard. All the cruise lines are reaching out to a younger crowd, and here's what they need to be saying to all those professional thirty- and forty-something's who've yet to set sail...

Our itineraries fit perfectly within the structure of your vacation time. Many luxury lines are now offering more 7-, 8-, and 9-night sailings. This makes it easier for a young professional to commit without tapping out his or her allotted vacation time. SeaDream Yacht Club has excellent offers in this regard as does Azamara Club Cruises.

We go to the destinations you want to visit. From close-to-home regions, like the Caribbean and Mediterranean, to more exotic locales such as French Polynesia and Southeast Asia, luxury cruise lines program compelling itineraries all over the world. Cruises enable the traveler to sample many ports across a region in a relatively short amount of time. For the Caribbean, thirty-somethings should check out Windstar Cruises, Compagnie Du Ponant Yacht Cruises offers excellent options in the Med, Paul Gauguin Cruises is the way to go in French Poly, and Crystal Cruises is excellent for Asia.

We offer active expeditions and wildlife-centric adventures. People often joke that cruises are for the newly wed and nearly dead, but that's just not true. More and more companies are offering expeditions that offer active adventures including hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and more. American Safari Cruises, part of InnerSea Discoveries, has excellent itineraries in Alaska's Inside Passage, Mexico's Sea of Cortes, the Hawaiian Islands, and more. Australia outfit, Orion Expedition Cruises, hits far-flung destinations like Borneo, Papua New Guinea, and Micronesia. And, of course, Silversea's expedition ship, Silver Explorer, is one of the best ways to visit polar bears in the Arctic.

No matter what your age, consider sailing with a luxury cruise line in 2012. It's one of the best vacation values available these days.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Luxury Cruise Bible’s Gift Guide for Cruise Travelers

2011-11-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

This time of year, every blogger posts his or her own “gift guide” for the holidays. Here’s my take on fun—and useful—gifts for cruise travelers…

Must-Have Memberships

Global Entry
My best investment of the year was enrolling in Global Entry. This is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows members to speed through Customs when returning to the United States from overseas. Simply apply, pay a $100 fee (which will be refunded if you use your American Express Platinum card), and attend a short interview at your local airport. After that you’ll spend far less time in line when returning from a cruise. In fact, on our last trip from Singapore, we spent a mere 45 seconds at the U.S. Customs kiosk when we returned to Newark Liberty Airport!

MedjetAssist
I’ve renewed my annual MedjetAssist membership every year for the past five years. Access to competent global travel assistance and medical evacuation gives me peace of mind at a very affordable price. (I had to medevac my father from Jacksonville to Boston last year and it cost $16,000. How I wish I had gifted him a MedjetAssist membership before he went on that trip.) Annual MedjetAssist memberships start at $250 and short-term memberships start at $95. This is the perfect gift for a loved one who travels.

InterContinental Ambassador Membership
We find this annual membership quite useful since we often stay at InterContinental hotels pre- and post-cruise. Benefits include guaranteed room upgrades (no matter what rate code you book), fresh fruit and mineral water upon arrival, one complimentary weekend night (buy one, get one), 4pm late check-out, complimentary pay TV film per stay, instant check-out, and a bonus points “accelerator” (earn 20,000 bonus points for every 15 qualifying nights). Ambassador membership costs $200 per year (or 32,000 Priority Club points).

Just for Fun

Scratch-Off Map of the World
I’ve already ordered a bunch of these from Uncommon Goods for my friends with wanderlust. This 32-by-22-inch world map has a “scratch off” component so you can scratch off the areas you’ve visited in order to “color in” the globe. I've never seen this particular item in stores before so I thought it would make for an unusual stocking-stuffer. $24

Vintage Cruise Ship Posters
Art.com has a nice selection of vintage-style cruise ship posters. I’ve got several of these in my office and they look fantastic.

Cruise Ship Ornament from Kyle Design
This is a nice-looking two-sided, engravable holiday ornament with a cruise-ship motif. This would be a great way to invite a loved-one on a Christmas cruise! $19.95

Cruise-Inspired Jewelry

Sextant Pendant from Dolphin Designs
This sextant pendant with an 18-inch box chain can be made with a variety of semi-precious stones, including lapis lazuli (shown), amethyst, turquoise, amazonite, malachite, aventurine, rose quartz, mother of pearl, onyx, and jade. $113.99

Propeller Cuff Links from Cuff Daddy
These three-blade propeller cuff links come in a variety of finishes, including sterling silver and gold. $28.99–$119.00

Have you stumbled upon any cool gifts for cruise travelers? Let me know! I've got many of them on my holiday shopping list this year!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Pandaw River Cruises Pulls Out of Borneo

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

The latest newsletter from Pandaw River Cruises announces that its ship, Orient Pandaw, will leave Borneo as of March 2012. This is sad news. Borneo is a rich vacation destination with the key draw being the island's orangutan population. Traveling the rivers, as Leonard and I did last month with Orion Expedition Cruises, is an excellent way to see how the Indonesians and Malaysians live and to get as close as possible to the animals, which include the red ape, proboscis monkey, macaques, Borneo bearded pigs, crocodiles, kingfishers, and more.

Here's what Pandaw had to say about its departure from Borneo:

It is with immense sadness that we are pulling out of this fascinating destination. The logistical and operational difficulties of working in so tough an environment have made the project commercially unsuccessful. Despite these challenges the Pandaw Borneo team have a well-run operation and levels of comfort and service on board up to top Pandaw standards. The river and jungle really are amazing and a must for keen river explorers.

There is still some space left between now and March and we highly recommend a stop off in Kuching and even a trip to the Mulu Caves. Visit Pandaw.com for further details.

Despite the challenges of the region (shallow rivers making travel by boat difficult during low tide, the heat and humidity, and availability of Western-style amenities on land), I highly urge you to get to Borneo soon. The people are endearing and the opportunity for animal sightings is amazing!

I'm sorry to see Pandaw leave the region, but hope Orion Expedition Cruises makes a go of it from this point forward.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

$1,000 SeaDream Credit for Just $500

2011-11-26T21:40:00.001-05:00

Sniqueaway, a flash sale site, is currently offering a $1,000 SeaDream credit for just $500.

This credit may be used on one of two cruises:

SeaDream I: 6-Night Caribbean Cruise | Departs December 11, 2011
St. John’s, Antigua -> Gustavia, St. Barts -> Marigot, St. Martin -> Sandy Ground, Anguilla -> Soper’s Hole, Tortola -> Great Harbour, Peter Island -> Jost Van Dyke -> San Juan, Puerto Rico

SeaDream II: 7-Night Caribbean Cruise | Departs December 16, 2011
San Juan, Puerto Rico -> Culebrita Island -> Esperanza, Vieques Island -> Sandy Ground, Anguilla -> Gustavia, St. Barts -> Norman Island -> Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda -> Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Each person can purchase one voucher and a total of two vouchers can be used per stateroom (based on double occupancy). This is an excellent deal if you have time for a quick getaway before the holidays! Act fast because this deal expires in three days.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you and your family the best of everything as we kick off this holiday season! Have a fantastic day, whether you're at sea or on land!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Seabourn Sale with Per Diems from $182 to $442 Ends 10/31

2011-10-22T13:32:00.000-04:00

Seabourn runs some pretty decent sales on a regular basis and they've currently extended their "one week" sale, which now expires on Halloween (October 31). Per diem fares for cruises between November 2011 and May 2012 range from $182 to $442 and even includes Quest's World Cruise segments.

Take a look at the chart below, which lists all of the sale fares. Per diems under $250 per night are highlighted in green.

I just got back from Indonesia, a destination that Leonard and I first fell in love with during a visit in 2010. If we had the time, I'd book Seabourn Legend's Borobudur, Bali & Orchid Isles voyage in January or February 2012. Alas, time isn't on my side and if we book a Seabourn cruise it will have to be a 7- to 10-day itinerary...tops.

See Seabourn's complete list of sale fares. For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Seabourn.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo courtesy of Seabourn

Orion II Cancels Two Sailings

2011-10-13T19:57:00.000-04:00

We're back from our fantastic Borneo voyage with Orion Expedition Cruises. I'll post more photos and info about our final few days at sea once I'm over my jet-lag.

Our time in Bali, across Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo, and Singapore was jam-packed and we feel we did as much as we could in a short ten days. If you love wildlife, especially orangutans and proboscis monkeys, this cruise should be on your must-do list.

For now, however, I need to share the news that Orion II has cancelled two sailings. Here's information from Orion...

Due to a number of latent defects that are adversely affecting our guests' comfort (including air conditioning) and limited availability of suitable technicians and specialists, it has become necessary to cancel the Orion II 10 October and 17 October 2011 sailings. While cancelling a cruise is always the last resort, we do believe that these works are necessary to be able to provide our passengers with the level of product that they have come to expect from Orion Expedition Cruises.

Recognising the last minute inconvenience of these cancellations, we are reimbursing all substantiated non-refundable travel expenses not covered by travel insurance. There is also the opportunity to transfer to a similar 7 night itinerary on a future date.

15th December 2011—Thailand, Temples and the Mekong
22nd December 2011—Gulf of Siam Explorer
27th February 2012—Gulf of Siam Explorer
5th March 2012—Thailand, Temples and the Mekong

While we were on board there were problems with some air-conditioning systems, a transformer blew between two cabins, the elevator broke down, and one of the ship's industrial washing machines needed repairs. The crew masked these issues well and most did not cause any concern or alarm among guests.

I feel badly for those who've had to put their holiday plans on hold. I hope everyone is able to reschedule their vacations.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

(Tom, the orangutan, at Camp Leakey)

Two Island Hideaways: Pulau Senua and Pulau Bawah

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Since our original itinerary shiftedonce we got on board Orion II, our last two days in Borneo were spent as beach bunnieson the Indonesian islands of Pulau Senua, in the Riau Islands Province, andPulau Bawah, at the southern tip of the Anambas Islands (approximately 150nautical miles northeast of Singapore).

Orion II operated in “expedition mode”on both days, which means Zodiacs ran continuously from the ship to the islandwhere guests enjoyed swimming, snorkeling, and a BBQ on Pulau Bawah. We even got to release some baby turtles into the sea!

Disembarking in Singapore

It’s safe to say that Orion’s “CampLeakey: Faces in the Forest” itinerary gifted us with experiences that we neverexpected to have. I knew we’d get close to orangutans, but I had no idea I’d beable to cradle a little baby in my arms or roughhouse with a juvenile!

Sailingthe rivers of Borneo also put so much into perspective with regard to how theIndonesians and Malays live and how conservation can fit into their frameworkfor the future. Many of us talk about planning a “trip of a lifetime” orputting a destination on our “bucket list.” If you haven’t yet researchedBorneo, do it now. Orion makes it possible for average travelers to easilyaccess this enchanting region of Borneo in style and comfort. This cruise is your chance to make close contact with thegreat red ape!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Bako National Park in Sarawak

2011-10-10T00:51:00.000-04:00

Orion II called upon Bako National Park on Friday, October 7. This park is one of the oldest in Sarawak, as it was established in 1957. To that end, the animals are very used to people and it's easy to get great photos here.

The approach by sea is breathtaking as Bako's coastline is one of steep cliffs and sandstone outcroppings.

The morning began with a walk on nearby Pulau Lakei. Leonard did this hike while I stayed aboard to catch up on blogging.

In the afternoon, three walks were offered directly at Bako. Two of them were very intensive and not for the faint-of-heart or the out-of-shape (one was a three-hour hike that included steep inclines). We ended up doing the easiest of the three walks...a stroll along the mangrove boardwalk.

Here we saw proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, Borneo bearded pigs (and piglets), silvered langurs, and a few birds.

The Zodiac ride back to Orion II was beautiful with the setting sun lighting up the water.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

A Visit to Kuching, Semengoh, and Sarawak Cultural Village

2011-10-10T00:17:00.000-04:00

Thursday was a whirlwind as Orion II docked at Kuching, a Malaysian city on Borneo. Guests spent the morning on their own exploring the city. In the early afternoon we all came together at the Riverside Majestic Hotel to catch our bus to Semengoh Rehabilitation Centre for the 3pm orangutan feeding.

I am so glad we had the chance to visit Semengoh. This national park has a very different approach to conservation than Camp Leakey, which we visited earlier in the week. At Semengoh, you can't get as close to the wild orangutans but the setup of the feeding platforms still make it easy to get excellent photographs.

We saw a large cheekpadder male named Ritchie as well as "Hot Mama" and her baby and another mother and daughter. These orangutans looked different than the ones at Camp Leakey...these seemed to be brighter orange and hairier. Their faces also looked more ape-like.

We lucked out and enjoyed amazing sightings before taking part in a ceremony at which Orion announced their long-term adoption of Ritchie.

After this we loaded back onto the bus and headed to the Sarawak Cultural Village. The guide on our bus was fantastic and told us about the various cultures in the area as we drove to the cultural village where we'd enjoy a show and a Malaysian Banquet.

We arrived just about sunset so we didn't get to explore much of the village, but we all donned sarongs and then settled in for the dinner show. Lots of traditional songs and dances and we sat on pillows on the floor.

It was hot and steamy but once the show got started, everyone forgot about that. Orion II's waitstaff was on hand and made sure everyone had plenty of wine, beer, soda, and juice. The meal was buffet-style and consisted of regional favorites.

This was a long day but it was so much fun. I only wish we had spent another half day or day in Kuching. There was so much we left unexplored.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Pontianak: The Capital of West Kalimantan at the Equator

2011-10-07T03:00:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when you're considering an itinerary, there's a port or two that you're ambivalent about. That's how I felt about Orion II's visit to Pontianak, which is at the Equator. I didn't know exactly what to expect and, therefore, wasn't expecting much. It turned out to be a fantastic day!

Orion II is the first ship of its kind to call upon Pontianak. While the Indonesians here have encountered Westerns before, it's usually just a few backpackers on their way to treks within West Kalimantan. This was the first time so many Westerners descended on the city and the first time so many arrived by boat.

It seemed like every local official was on hand at the port, as were the local media. This was a big event! A landing party consisting of the captain and some guests went ashore and took part in a ceremony.

Afterward, everyone boarded modern, air-conditioned buses for a half-day tour of the area. Here's what we saw…

State Museum
Mujahidin Grand Mosque
Equator Monument

The State Museum was interesting and we were treated to Chinese dragon dances. This was a lot of fun and it was made all the more special because a school field trip was also at the museum at the time. It was great fun taking photos with the kids and watching them enjoy the Chinese dragons!

Next to the museum was a lovely craft shop and we were able to browse as a local musician played and a beautiful Indonesian woman danced. Handicrafts included clothing, wood carvings, beaded jewelry, woven bags, and more.

Many of us also stopped into a local candy shop. I purchased several items to try, including fried basil leaves, aloe vera tea, durian candy, and other assorted crunchy and sweet snacks.

We ended up at the mosque during midday prayer so we could only walk around the building but dozens of children came out to greet us. They were so interested in meeting us and having their photos taken. Boys and girls mixed freely and the mosque seemed totally integrated. I'm so glad we made this stop.

Finally, we visited the Equator Monument, where you can stand on the line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres… a great photo op!

While we only spent a short while in Pontianak, it was well worth the visit. This was a challenging call to make due to the river depths (1 meter of clearance and at one point Orion II did touch the muddy bottom of the river). We can't thank Orion enough for scouting such a unique port and finding a way to bring us here.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

A Visit to the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine with Orion II

2011-10-06T23:13:00.000-04:00

Orion's Faces in the Forest expedition doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging. We're up early and fall into bed fairly late. I've got a bit of time today though (I'm not doing the three-hour trek on Palau Lakei this morning) so I thought I'd catch up on explaining what else we've done on this Borneo expedition.

On Monday my group (half the ship) visited the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine, which was established in 1998 by Orangutan Foundation International (Dr. Galdikas is the founder). The facility itself was built for a few hundred orangutans but its resources are being stretched due to the number of animals that are in need of rescue and rehabilitation. The staff is currently caring for 330 orangutans as well as a few sun bears, macaques, and some other animals. Each of these animals will be eventually released back to the wild to live a normal life.

How does an orangutan end up living at the care center? Some have been confiscated from individuals who kept them as pets (that's illegal in Indonesia), others are sick or injured and are being nursed back to health.

The center is located in the village of Pasir Panjang, near the town of Pangkalan Bun in Central Kalimatan. Orion arranged for air-conditioned buses to take us from Kumai to the center. We even had a police escort! (Everyone we go, the local people are happy to see us—the welcome has been wonderful.)

Dr. Galdikas gave us a tour of the 80 hectare facility, which includes an operating room, X-ray room, lab, library, and living quarters for the veterinary staff. There is also a quarantine area for animals suffering from various maladies.

The complex is located within a peat forest, which acts as a "halfway house." Orangutans are released during the day to learn how to forage and build nests and there are even a few wooden structures scattered throughout the forest so the apes and their caregivers can sleep in the forest.

Our tour included some time at the play area for juveniles between the ages of 4 and 7, the training area for older orangutans, and a stop at the nursery.

The Orangutan Care Center is not generally open to the public and so our visit was incredibly special. There is a no camera policy at OCCQ so I unfortunately can't share photographs. The photos accompanying this post are, instead, of the orangs at Camp Leakey in Tanjung National Park.

This was an incredible opportunity o get close to these animals who seem to have close relationships with their human caretakers. In the play area, a young female walked right to me, took my hand, and started to lead me to the forest! I think she wanted some time in the trees! Another orang climbed right into my arms. One bad boy did pull my hair and untie my shoes, but I do believe he was just playing.

I will caution that these are still wild animals and extreme care must be taken. A few people in the group did get bites and scratches… none were bad. The animals are babies and juveniles and, just as a human toddler might bite, so will an orangutan. Most everyone did their best to follow instructions and the experience was well worth it.

Traveling through Borneo and seeing these red apes brings up so many questions. Conservation is an incredibly tough business and a multi-prong approach is necessary in order to save the orangutan from extinction. Please visit the website for Dr. Galdikas' organization, Orangutan Foundation International, for more information on how you can help protect orangutans.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Orion II Quick Tip: Room Service Menu

2011-10-06T05:24:00.000-04:00

Orion Expedition Cruises offers a single seating for dinner with one dining options each evening (The Restaurant on Deck 2 or outdoor dining on Deck 5 aft, weather permitting).

Orion offers a very limited room service menu, but we've sampled a few things already. We were dead tired upon our return from Camp Leakey one night so we ordered up a few sandwiches. Here's what you can expect from in-room dining.

Orion II Room Service Menu

Breakfast

Juice (orange, apple, grapefruit, pineapple, tomato, V8)
Fruit Platter
Cereal (Cornflakes, Weet-Bix, Sultana Bran, Museli, All Brain)
Yoghurt (plain or fruit)
Fresh from the Bakery (danish pastry, croissants, toast: wholemeal, rye, white)
Preserves and Butter (strawberry, orange, apricot, honey, Vegemite, butter, margarine)

Available Noon–9pm

Grilled Fish of the Day with Green Salad
Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Vegetables
Sandwich of the Day with French Fries
Garden Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons and Parmesan

Available 24 Hours

Ham, Cheese, Smoked Salmon or Turkey Sandwich with Potato Chips
International Cheese Plate with Crackers
Fruit Platter
Plated of Cookies

During breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you may also order selections from the daily Restaurant menu.

I'd love to see Orion add a few things to the room service menu, especially grilled chicken, pasta, hamburger, and hotdog entrees.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Orion II Quick Tip: Internet Service

2011-10-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Three cheers for Orion Expedition Cruises! Orion II is the first ship I've been on in a long time that provides fast and reliable Internet service—and we're way out here in Borneo!

Orion doesn't use MTN (one of the main providers of Internet and other communication services at sea). Instead this cruise line is using PatronSoft.

There are two packages—one-hour and two-hour blocks of time—that are reasonably priced. Two hours of Internet service costs $50 (Australian dollars).

Thank you, Orion, for understanding that travelers want—and need—to be in touch via the Internet while on a cruise ship!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Visiting Orangutans at Camp Leakey with Orion II

2011-10-04T03:42:00.002-04:00

Sometimes when you travel, if you're lucky enough, there are moments that are extraordinary… connecting with someone from a culture vastly different from your own, seeing an endangered animal up close for the first time in the wild, or simply watching the sun set in a brilliant blaze of yellow and red. It's rare that one day can hold so many special moments but it happened for us aboard Orion II on Sunday.

Every passenger on this ship was looking forward to visiting Camp Leakey at Tanjung Puting National Park. Dr. Birute Galdikas, who's been onboard lecturing since embarkation in Bali, has fought for and protected Tanjung Puting for the last forty years as part of her effort to study wild orangutans and rehabilitated ex-captive red apes. She put a stop to illegal logging here and made sure the practice of poaching animals was shunned by locals.

This place is incredibly special and worth protecting. The park is home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, gibbons, clouded leopard, wild Borneo pigs, porcupines, Sambar deer, sun bears, crocodiles, monitor lizards, pythons and an incredible number of bird species such as hornbills and kingfishers.

Our day here started early. Half of the ship visited Camp Leakey on Day 1 of our visit to Tanjung while the other half went there on Day 2. This kept numbers somewhat reasonable but it still meant a large group (about 50) visited the camp together each day.

We loaded onto several zodiacs at 6:30am and traveled along the Sekonyer River for two hours.

We stopped along the way within the national park to visit a feeding platform in the forest and saw almost a dozen orangutans, including a large adult male with cheek pads. It was a short, easy walk into the forest to the feeding station and we spent about 45 minutes there. The orangutans that come for the daily feedings are those ex-captive apes that were rehabilitated by Dr. Galdikas and her team and then released into the park. Some orangutans continue to return for the feedings and others disappear into the forest to fend for themselves for the rest of their lives.

It was amazing to stand so close to the orangutans, who didn't seem to mind that we were there. Today's meal was milk and the animals drank up with gusto!

Upon departing the feeding station, local boats called klotoks picked us up and took us upriver to Camp Leakey. The river passage was beautiful and we spotted dozens of proboscis monkeys and macaques along the way. Local guides and Orion expedition leaders were on each klotoks and took the time to point out the flora and fauna and explain more about Indonesian culture.

Orion II's chef packed lunches (two sandwiches, an apple and orange, guava juice, peanuts, cookies, and cake) for guests and we ate aboard the klotoks before going on a tour of Camp Leakey guided by Dr. Galdikas herself. This was an incredible opportunity to learn firsthand about orangutans and the plight of Borneo's ecosystem.

Here we walked along well-trodden paths and saw a gibbon, many orangutans, Borneo pigs, and macaques. The walk to the feeding platform was special since Princess, a longtime resident of Camp Leakey, and one of her offspring accompanied us down the path.

At the feeding station we saw many more orangutans enjoy a lunch of mangoes and play on the platform and in the trees above.

In addition to our group was a handful of Indonesia school children. It wasn't easy to communicate but it was clear both groups were enamored with these beautiful red apes.

By early evening we all loaded back into our klotoks and sailed back down the river. It was a magical evening… the sun set a brilliant red and was the perfect backdrop for photos of those large-nosed proboscis monkeys. As dusk approached, we spotted several owls and hornbills. When night fell around us, fireflies light up trees on both sides of the river… better than any Christmastime lighting spectacular!

The day was very special and makes this itinerary a must-do. In fact, if the cruise ended then and there, it would have still been worth the price of admission! Luckily though, this was just the beginning. Stay tuned for my next post, which will discuss our time at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine in the village of Pasir Panjang, near the town of Pangkalan Bun in Central Kalimantan.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photos © Leonard Hospidor.

Orion II Quick Tip: The Spa at Sea

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Two sea days are part of our itinerary from Bali to Borneo to Singapore and I'm sure many travelers will spend some time relaxing in Orion II's spa. I'm not one for spa treatments but I do like having my hair done before the Captain's welcome reception.

Here's a look at spa options. (Prices are listed in Australian dollars.)

Hairdressing by De Lorenzo

Shampoo, blow-dry, or set is $50–$60, depending on length of hair
Simple comb-up to repair your existing blow dry or set from $27.50
Men's haircut from $41
Haircut with a shampoo and blow dry or set is $68.50–$77.50, depending on length of hair
New hair color, regrowth retouch, gloss color, or highlights starting at $64
Range of hair and scalp treatments to rebalance, restore, and protect from $32

Make Up by Jane Iredale

*natural, chemical-free mineral based make up is used on board

Makeup application is $50
Private makeup lesson is $50
Eyelash tint and eyebrow shaping is $50

Hand and Foot Pampering Therapy

Express manicure (nail file, buff, and polish) is $50
Express pedicure (nail file, buff, and polish) is $68.50
Essential hand indulgence (60 minutes) is $60
Essential food and leg indulgence (60 minutes) is $77.50

Facials

*Jurlique skin care products are used

Anti-Stress Facial (30 minutes) is $64
Aromatherapy facial (60 minutes) is $95.50

Massage

*massage techniques range from Swedish, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, remedial, sport injury, and deep tissue are employed

Relaxing and therapeutic aromatherapy massage is $72.50 for 30 minutes, $112 for 60 minutes, and $160 for 90 minutes
Remedial and deep muscle work out is $82 for 30 minutes, $120.50 for 60 minutes, and $168.50 for 90 minutes

Pampering Packages

Venus Face and Body Experience (90 minutes that combine a massage and a facial) is $150
Antioxidant Body Buff (60 minutes) is $114
Total Body Travel Treatment (90 minutes) is $150
Moor Mud Body Wrap (90 minutes) is $163.50
Orion's Ultimate Top to Tow (120 minutes) is $200

A more complete spa menu can be found aboard Orion II.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Orion II Faces in the Forest Itinerary Change

2011-10-03T05:14:00.001-04:00

Prior to joining Orion II in Bali, I blogged about the trip and explained a bit about our intended itinerary, which takes us to several national parks for wild orangutan sightings as well as a few Indonesian and Malaysian cities. Well, the game plan has shifted a bit so I thought I'd share it with you.

Our Faces in the Forest itinerary now looks like this…

Bali, Indonesia
at sea
Tanjung Putting for Camp Leakey, Indonesia
Tanjung Putting for Camp Leakey, Indonesia
at sea
Pontianak, Indonesia
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
Pulau Natuna Besar, Indonesia
Pulau Pu Bawah, Indonesia
Singapore

So what's changed? Orion II will not call upon Gunung Palung National Park (Kalimantan). This is because the ship had to be very careful with the river tides in order to successfully arrive at Kumai, Kalimantan for our two days at Tanjung Putting National Park. Because of the tides, we wouldn't make it to Gunung Palung until late in the evening and it would be a wasted day. Instead, Orion shuffled the itinerary and added two days at different hideaway islands that offer some fantastic snorkeling: Pulau Natuna Besar and Pulau Pu Bawah.

Everyone seems happy with the change and Orion rolled out the news during our first sea day.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Expedition team leader, Mick Fogg, is shown above as he explains the new Faces in the Forest itinerary to travelers during our first day at sea. Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo

Orion II Quick Tip: Laundry & Pressing Services

2011-10-03T04:37:00.000-04:00

If you take any of Orion's expedition cruises to Borneo, I guarantee that you'll need to use the ship's laundry and pressing service. This part of the world is hot and humid and no matter how many quick-dry T-shirts and shorts you pack, you'll need to freshen them up a few times on the trip. (We're on day 4 of our cruise and have sent out two small batches of laundry to be done.)

Prices are reasonable and are quoted in Australian dollars.

Wash & Press

Socks/hosiery (pair) = $1.50

Underwear = $1.50

Nightgown = $3.00

Pyjamas (Pair) = $4.00

T-shirt = $2.50

Polo/Sports Shirt = $2.50

Blouse = $3.50

Shirt = $4.00

Sweatshirt = $3.75

Slip = $3.00

Skirt = $3.50

Shorts = $3.50

Pants = $4.00

Swimsuit = $2.50

Pressing-only service is also available.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Boarding Orion Expedition Cruises Orion II in Bali

2011-10-01T01:15:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon we departedSt. Regis Bali and headed for Benoa Cruise Port to board Orion II, Orion Expedition Cruises' newly christened expedition ship. We weren't sure what to expect of the Benoa Cruise Port. We knew it would be small with few facilities and that's exactly what it turned out to be.

The boarding process was super informal. Tracy Greiner, hotel manager, greeted us at the gangway and welcomed us on board. At the Reception desk on Deck 3, Jill took our photos and handed us our room keys and ID cards. Within two minutes, literally, we were in our suite. We're on Deck 5 and we've got a small balcony to enjoy when the mood strikes us. Luggage was delivered a few moments later and then we headed back down to the Main Lounge on Deck 3 to enjoy some champagne and light snacks (sandwiches, tarts, and brownies). Orion II's musician, Emilio Madrona, played piano throughout the welcome party.

The rest of the day went by in a flash... from the Sail Away Celebration on Deck 5 Aft to the mandatory life boat drill to an introduction to the crew and expedition team... it was time for dinner before we had much of a chance to explore Orion II.

Dinner is served during one sitting in the Restaurant on Deck 2 (and, occasionally, when weather permitting outdoors on Deck 5 Aft). Friday night's dinner was indoors and the menu consisted of beef carpaccio, seafood risotto, lamb shank (and a select of alternative main courses if you didn't go for the recommended degustation menu), and lemon panacotta for dessert.

Leonard and I still haven't acclimated to the time difference so we were very ready for bed after dinner!

Our first impressions of Orion II are good ones... lovely ship that really makes you feel like you're on a boat and not in some faceless resort at sea. The crew is friendly and knowledgeable and everyone truly seems enthusiastic about these new itineraries to Borneo. The passenger complement ranges from one family with children to several couples in their 40s/50s and the rest are retirees. So far we've met guests from Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

We've got great expectations for this adventure! Saturday is a sea day during which we'll hear more from our expedition team and guest lecturer Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

St. Regis Bali: A Few Photos & Thoughts

2011-09-29T03:34:00.003-04:00

We arrived in Bali on Wednesday afternoon just as several other jets landed. We were getting ready for a long wait for our visa when we were greeted by a representative of St. Regis Bali. She took our passports, customs forms, and money for the visas and told as to stay put while she expedited things for us.

Within minutes she had our visas and we were waiting for our luggage (which took longer than you'd hope, but what can you do). As soon as we grabbed our bags, the rep hustled us through the airport and outside to our waiting car. Our driver provided us with cold towels, two bottles of watter, and two luscious chocolate truffles!

He then proceeded to whisk us to the resort in about 30 minutes. What a relief! After nearly 26 hours of travel, all we wanted was to get to the hotel, have a bite to eat, and go to bed! Check-in was done while sitting in the lobby, sipping tropical drinks.

We're just staying for two nights so we booked the lowest category room, a St. Regis Suite, using the SPG50 rate. For 1,000 SPG points plus $375/night, the rate includes airport transfers and the resort's famed breakfast buffet.

St. Regis Suite at the St. Regis Bali

As Seen Around St. Regis Bali

The resort is lovely and if I were to stay here again I'd definitely book a lagoon suite. These rooms have their own bales as well as direct access to the lagoon pool.

Here are a few of the things we like about this resort...

Airport greeting/expediting service and complimentary airport transfers
Excellent buffet breakfast with many made-to-order options
Lovely and spacious room, even in the most basic category
Helpful and friendly staff

Here are some of the "misses"...

Housekeeping didn't arrive until after 12:30pm
Food and wine prices are higher than they should be when compared to other luxury options in the area
Nearby construction noise could be heard at the pool and some rooms have a view of the work site

Tomorrow we head to Benoa Cruise Terminal to board Orion II. We're looking forward to our Borneo adventure!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Test Driving Cathay Pacific's New Business Class from New York to Bali

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Very, very, very early this morning we'll take off from New York's JFK and head to Bali, where we'll spend a few days at the St. Regis Bali before embarking on our Camp Leakey itinerary with Orion Expedition Cruises.

With the forthcoming changes to British Airway's partner award chart (see The Points Guy's take on the situation), we decided to burn some BA miles and booked two business class tickets on Cathay Pacific.

We've flown the airline's first class product before and loved it (see our review of our Cathay Pacific first class Toronto to Bali transit last year) and so we're eager to test out their new business class seats.

I plan to take some photos of the new business class section but if you can't wait to see more, check out The Brooklyn Nomad's Cathay Pacific business class photo gallery.

On the way home from the cruise we're booked into Cathay Pacific's first class cabin (I can't wait to put on those Shanghai Tang PJs!) so it will be interesting to see how the two classes compare. We'll keep you posted.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Delicious BBQ Dinner Under the Stars On Board Windstar Wind Surf

2011-09-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

I've blogged about my admiration of Windstar Cruises many times. I love the line's three intimate motor-sail-yachts, the adventure-seeking contingent of guests, the calls on ports that the big ships can't get anywhere near, and the warm hospitality extended by every single member of the crew.

My second-ever cruise was a Caribbean itinerary aboard Windstar's Wind Surf. Since that time, it's always been one of my favorite ships. The romance of a ship sailing the seven seas is coupled with Windstar's attention to culinary adventures. All Windstar ships put on some of the best beach BBQs in the Caribbean, but now Wind Surf is also hosting a similar on-board experience with its Deck BBQ Dinner Under the Stars.

Watch this short video to get a peek at this special event presented by Wind Surf:

We were treated to this feast during our June cruise from Civitavecchi, Italy to Nice, France. The crew masterfully transformed the Pool Bar, Compass Rose, and Terrace Bar into a fairytale setting. There was plenty of seating arranged in tables for 2, 4, 6, and even several larger spaces for families and groups.

The event is weather permitting and we lucked out with a beautiful evening as we sailed out of Portofino. As guests were just taking their seats and Top Society and the Souljourn Duo were gearing up to play some fantastic music, a pod of dolphins appeared and decided that Wind Surf couldn't leave Portofino without a choreographed show that included lots of leaps out of the water and fins splashing! It couldn't have been planned any better!

We enjoyed a table for two by the pool and felt more relaxed than we had in months. Wind Surf chefs pulled out all the stops and I tried to carefully select from the buffet so I could try a little bit of almost everything. The focus was on guest favorites like lobster tails and ribs and nothing was fussy...just excellent food that you'd expect at a BBQ.

Sample Menu from Wind Surf

Deck BBQ Under the Stars

roast suckling pig

pork ribs

beef and sausage skewers

grilled chicken

grilled filet of fish

lobster tails

crab legs

shrimp cocktail

corn on the cob

baked potatoes

fruit tempura

a variety of fruit salads

several salads

cheese tray

strawberry tarts

chocolate-covered strawberries

flan

chocolate cake

macaroons

ice cream

fresh fruit

and more

The experience was out-of-this world and just made me like Windstar even more. Everyone having a jolly old time and the waitstaff seemed truly happy to be racing all over the decks to pour drinks, clear plates, and joke with the guests.

That night the crew also put on its once-per-cruise Crew Show. It amazes me how much energy the Wind Surf team has! I can't thank the crew enough for making our Mediterranean cruise so special.

If you've ever thought about booking a Windstar cruise, I say "go for it!" This is not a luxury line but is high-end and it's definitely one of the best values in cruising today. (I've seen per person fares as low as $999 and the line often promotes cruises for an excellent price at Jetsetter.com.)

Windstar is also embarking on a massive $18 million refurbishment project, which will make these three motor-sail-yachts even more special. I'm looking forward to more shaded areas by the pool, improved onboard Internet services, refreshed public areas, and new decor in the cabins.

I'm already thinking about our next Windstar cruise... the Costa Rica itineraries look fun!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Doc Dancing to Bali, Borneo & Singapore with Orion Expedition Cruises

2011-09-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's amazing how much my mood improves whenever cruise documents arrive in our mailbox! I was out running errands the other day when my cell phone rang. It was my husband announcing that the docs for our upcoming Orion Expedition Cruises voyage had arrived! Yay! I couldn't wait to get home and read through all the materials.

If you want to take a peek at Orion's document folder, watch the short video I made. (Note that I misspoke in one section. I refer to Sarina Bratton as Orion's founder and managing editor...she's actually the managing director not editor! Sorry!)

This cruise, Camp Leakey Faces in the Forest, embarks Bali, sails the southern and western coastlines of Borneo, and disembarks in Singapore and it's one that we've been looking forward to for a long time. We fell in love with Bali last September when we visited to celebrate our anniversary and my husband's birthday. We've also had Borneo on our "must visit" list since we are very keen on seeing endangered orangutans in their natural habitat.

I've been enamored with orangutans ever since I read Dr. Birute Galdikas' memoir, Reflections of Eden: My Years with the Orangutans of Borneo. Dr. Galdikas is to the red ape what Dian Fossey was to mountain gorillas and Jane Goodall is to chimpanzees. She is the foremost authority on orangutans and is the founder of the Orangutan Foundation International. She also founded Camp Leakey in 1971 at Tanjung Puting National Park and has been researching the red ape there ever since. This Orion expedition is named after her camp.

Camp Leakey is a place where scientists can research the behavior and ecology of wild orangutans and travelers can visit to interact with these apes as well as many other animals like pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and macaques.

Sarina Bratton, founder and managing director of Orion Expedition Cruises, spent several years researching and developing a series of Borneo cruises. The voyages are unique...mixing the best a luxury expedition ship can offer with calls on very off-the-beaten path destinations. There are five different Borneo-centric voyages and each one of them is special in its own right. They're so unique that some travelers have booked them all back-to-back.

Camp Leakey Faces in the Forest 10-Night Itinerary

Embark from Benoa, Bali (we'll spend a few pre-cruise days at the St. Regis Bali)
Sea day
Two full days at the Tanjung Puting National Park (Kalimantan) for a visit to Camp Leakey
One day at Gunung Palung National Park (Kalimantan)
One day in Pontianak (Kalimantan)
Two days in Kuching (Sarawak)
One day at Bako National Park (Sarawak)
Sea day
Disembark in Singapore (our post-cruise stay will focus on the InterContinental Singapore)

Access to the Internet will be sporadic throughout the trip but I'll be blogging, tweeting, and posting photos whenever I can. In the meantime, I'll spend the next few weeks telling you more about this expedition cruise.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Three Exotic Cruises on My Hit List

2011-08-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite bloggers, Gary Leff of View from the Wing, often talks about aspirational travel. His focus is on frequent flyer miles and back in July he talked about why he loves spending his own miles on first class travel to places like Southeast and Central Asia.

His blog post got me thinking about the cruises I prefer and which are still on my wish list. Many are "aspirational" because they either focus on far-away ports of call, wildlife sightings, or the chance to meet and talk with the great thinkers of our time.

Here are a few cruise itineraries that I'm looking forward to...

Orion Expedition Cruises
Camp Leakey: Faces in the Forest Bali – Borneo – Singapore Itinerary
Orion II
2011: September 30 and December 29
2012: January 8, February 17, August 14 & 24, October 2 & 12
This itinerary travels between Bali and Singapore with seven days spent in Borneo in search of wild and ex-captive orangutans.

Compagnie Du Ponant Yacht Cruises
Male, Maldives Roundtrip
Le Ponant
2012: January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 11, 18, 25, March 3
The Maldives have been calling my name all year and the toughest question has been, which atoll should be home base during our vacation. Compagnie Du Ponant Yacht Cruises has solved that dilemma with its series of cruises that visit the following atolls: Mulaku, Thaa, Dhaalu, Faafu, South Ari, North Ari, and South Male.

Anantara Cruises
Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand
Anantara Dream
In July 2011 Anantara took over Manohra Cruises, a specialty travel company sailing two refurbished 100-year-old rice barges down Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. I'd book the two-cabin Anantara Dream for an ultra exclusive two-night experience.

What cruises are you most looking forward to? I'd love to hear about them!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

10-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise with Crystal Symphony for $1,995

2011-08-09T00:00:00.046-04:00

It's that time of year again... cruise lines are reviewing their fourth quarter bookings and are tweaking rates to spur last-minute bookings. Here's a terrific deal to Mexico's Riviera from Crystal Cruises.

Sun-Kissed Shores (Voyage 1230)

December 11–21, 2011

Crystal Symphony

Rates form $1,995 per person

Los Angeles – at sea (2 nights) – Puerto Vallarta – Cabo San Lucas –

Topolobampo – Loreto – La Paz – at sea (2 nights) – Los Angeles

Despite so many sea days (of which I'm not a huge fan), I like this itinerary because Crystal is offering so many strong shore excursions. My picks include a sea lion encounter, whale photo safari, sea kayaking, and a Mexican fiesta with traditional clambake.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Last Minute 2-4-1 Fares for Orion Expedition Cruises in New Zealand

2011-08-08T00:00:00.056-04:00

Orion Expedition Cruises is still on my "must try" list so I'm always interested in news from this Australian cruise line. This weekend Orion sent out an e-mail offering last-minute 2-for-1 fares on two cruises in and around New Zealand.

Exploration of the Antipodes—Voyage of Discovery 
Departing October 24, 2011
14 nights – Auckland to Hobart 
The Antipodes sub-Antarctic Islands are a tundra eco-region that includes five island groups in the Southern Ocean: the Bounty Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands and Campbell Island groups of New Zealand, and Macquarie Island of Australia. This expedition to the sub-Antarctic islands is designed for nature lovers and photographers alike. The remnants of the old whaling station on Macquarie Island, the high cliffs and numerous caves and arches formed by marine erosion on Campbell Island present dramatic contrast to the prolific bird life, penguins, seals, sea lions, and flora in this remote sanctuary.  

New Zealand and Sub-Antarctic Wildlife Adventure 
Departing December 20, 2011
14 nights – Bluff to Hobart 
Home to over half of the world’s seabirds, some of which exist nowhere else, this wildlife paradise contains 40 percent of the world’s albatross species and 50 percent of the world’s penguin species, including the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, plus hundreds of thousands of other endemic birds—petrels, prions, and cormorants.

For more information, call Orion's reservation department at 1300 361 012 or e-mail info@orionexpeditions.com. Ask for the NZ 2 for 1 offer.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo courtesy of Orion Expedition Cruises

Art at Sea: From Auctions to Appreciation

2011-07-18T00:00:00.034-04:00

My latest contribution to Cruise Critic -- "Art at Sea: From Auctions to Appreciation " -- is now online. The story will interest you if you've ever considered purchasing a work of art aboard a cruise ship. Even if that's not your thing, I also discuss other ways in which cruise lines are incorporating art appreciation into their voyages. I hope you enjoy the story!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Six Best Summertime Cruises Beyond the Mediterranean

2011-07-05T00:00:00.075-04:00

(I hope you all enjoyed the Fourth of July holiday! I spent the long weekend going through my photos from our recent Windstar Wind Surf Rome to Nice cruise. Look for my complete review later this week.)

This time of year, just about everyone who's anyone takes a Mediterranean cruise and with good reason. The ports in the Med are some of the most fascinating. There's history and fine architecture, modern art and fashion, and excellent cuisine! There are so many other itineraries to consider though! Here's a list of my six favorite summertime cruises that go beyond the Mediterranean.

10 Days Discovering Norway's Fjords
Azamara Club Cruises | Azamara Journey
While the Mediterranean is gorgeous all year round, the high temperatures in the summer really do me in. Cruising the Norwegian Fjords is the perfect antidote to the hot and crowded ports of the Med. Azamara offers a knock-out roundtrip itinerary out of Copenhagen, Denmark that roams Norway from Bergen, Olden, and Geiranger to Molde, Alesund, Flam, and Stavanger. You'll be on the trail of Vikings as you're treated to snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and charming, little villages.

10-Night Arctic Circle Exploration
Silversea | Silver Explorer
If the Norwegian Fjords intrigue you but you'd like something a bit more exotic, consider Silversea's Arctic Circle voyages. You'll travel aboard Silver Explorer, one of the most beautiful and well-appointed expedition ships at sea. Voyage highlights include the spectacle of massive glaciers and icebergs while on the lookout for whales, polar bear, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, bearded seal, and puffins.

Intimate Yacht Adventure from Amsterdam to Bordeaux
SeaDream Yacht Club | SeaDream I
SeaDream's a winner in terms of service (top notch and friendly without being over the top or intrusive) and cuisine (hands-down the best meals we've ever enjoyed at sea). This itinerary swings from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to several French ports, including Caen/Normandy, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux. There'll be plenty to keep you busy on this cruise—there's so much history at these ports. But when you want to take a break, head to the top deck, order a drink, and repose on the comfy Balinese beds.

Alaska's Inside Passage with an Overnight Inside Glacier Bay National Park
American Safari Cruises | Safari Spirit
One of our favorite cruises of all time was our week aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Spirit 8-passenger yacht. We hiked, dipped in warm springs, got within mere feet of whales and brown bear from the ship's skiff. Not only that but we met several couples with whom we've remained friends and travel buddies ever since. We love American Safari and their approach to Alaska's Inside Passage is tough to beat. It's you and a few other like-minded travelers aboard intimate ships that are crewed by Americans. The onboard naturalists know their stuff and you'll make plans to visit Alaska again before you've even disembarked the yacht.

A Fortnight in Paradise: South Pacific Style
Paul Gauguin Cruises | m/s Paul Gauguin
Okay, I have to admit that there's no bad time to visit French Polynesia, but summertime is especially beautiful. The seas are calm, the palm trees sway gently in the breeze, and the climate is temperate. I'd opt for the two-week itinerary that calls upon the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands. The highlight of the trip is the beach party at Motu Mahana—Paul Gauguin Cruises' private island off Taha'a.

Wild Australia—Kimberely Region
Orion Expeditions | Orion
Exploring Australia's wild and remote Kimberely Coast with Orion Expeditions is on our to-do list. I've been told that this cruise, aboard Australian-based expedition ship Orion, is like nothing else. Orion's team of expedition leaders will introduce you to inspiring sights like waterfalls, deep river gorges, indigenous rock art, and sandstone cliffs. Embark from Broome in Western Australia and end your adventure in Darwin, Northern Territory.

What's your idea of a perfect summertime cruise? Let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Windstar Cruises Beverage Packages

2011-06-23T07:49:00.001-04:00

In another post, someone asked for information about beverage packages on Windstar Cruises. I thought I'd post it here to make it easy for anyone to find.

On this cruise, Windstar offered two beverage packages:

All-Inclusive Beverage Package
$434.70 US per person/per week
This includes unlimited consumption of premium cocktails except X.O. & Louis XIII; wines by the glass with a maximum price of $11.50; house champagnes; imported and domestic beers; soft drinks and bottled water (in restaurants and bars). Mini-bar items, in-room bottled water, and beverages through Room Service are NOT included.

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package
$144.90 per person/per week
This includes unlimited consumption of non-alcoholic wines by the glass with a maximum price of $11.50; "virgin" cocktails; non-alcoholic beers; and soft drinks and bottled water (in restaurants and bars). Mini-bar items, in-room bottled water, and beverages through Room Service are NOT included.

If one person in your group takes a beverage package, everyone must. For example, Leonard selected the All-Inclusive Beverage Package (since he's a wine drinker) and I picked the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package since I don't drink.

Your key card will be marked with your package selection but you rarely have to show your card. The waitstaff learn your room number quickly and bill the drinks to your package automatically.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Andrea M. Rotondo

Livorno (Pisa), Italy: Day Five Aboard Windstar Wind Surf

2011-06-22T15:04:00.000-04:00

Another gorgeous day dawned and we were up early to meet our Windstar shore excursion to Pisa. We'd never been to the Leaning Tower of Pisa complex so we felt this would be the best use of our time (instead of the super long coach ride to Florence).

The cathedral at Pisa is absolutely stunning! This tour was an excellent value and we look forward to returning and taking even more photos than we did today.

Here's a look at Pisa, Italy:

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor and Andrea Rotondo

Portoferraio, Italy: Day Two Aboard Windstar Wind Surf

2011-06-20T15:52:00.000-04:00

From Civitavecchia, Windstar Wind Surf sailed to Portoferraio on the island of Elba, where Napoleon was exiled twice. We didn’t take a tour here but instead enjoyed walking around the town. Here are a few photos to give you a flavor of this port of call.

Stay tuned for more photos from Windstar Wind Surf's Rome to Nice voyage.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo and Leonard Hospidor

Has the Captain Ever Held the Ship for You?

2011-06-19T08:39:00.000-04:00

Has the captain ever held the ship for you? That's a question I thought I might have to answer on Saturday morning when I made my first major travel blunder. Leonard and I have traveled all over the world from Siberia to South Africa to Indonesia to French Polynesia with nary an incident…no missed flights, no missing luggage, not even any major delays.

Over the years we've been lucky (partly because things have just gone our way and partly because I'm obsessed with details and generally have checklists to guide us through each part of our journey).

With luck being on our side this long, I guess it was time for a travel hiccup and this one was major. After spending a few relaxing days in Rome, we headed for Civitavecchia to join the beautiful Wind Surf from Windstar Cruises. As we sped away from Rome I realized that I'd left our passports at the InterContinental. Oy! We had to backtrack all the way to the hotel and then race to Civitavecchia. (We arrived at 3:30pm for a 4pm all aboard and a sail-away after 5pm.) Phew!

We have to thank our driver from Rome Cabs and owner Stefano Costantini for making sure we got where we had to go…on time! If you ever need transfers in Rome, I highly recommend Rome Cabs. They also offer guided tours from StefanoRomeTours.com.

Things could have been much worse and I'm so glad we swerved around this potential disaster. The thing is, I almost knew that I was going to forget the passports. I never leave them in the room safe but for some unknown reason, I did this time. Never again.

The silver lining of the incident was that it reaffirmed to me why I married Leonard. He's such a calm person and goes with the flow. He could have been angry or at least aggravated when I told him we'd need to go back to the hotel, but he wasn't. He was calm and comforting and said, "Hey, we'll get the passports and hope we get to the ship in time. If not, we'll find a ferry and meet the ship tomorrow. No worries." Not many men would have been so cool-headed about the whole thing!

I'll tell you though,we were both ready for a drink once we finally did board Wind Surf!

Last night was a bit windy as we sailed out of port so dining outdoors at Le Marche and Candles was cancelled. Instead, we had a lovely meal at Degrees. (I'll post some photos shortly.)

Today we're at docked Portoferraia and it's a lovely, crowd-free port. Leonard and I walked to Fort Stella and one of Napoleon's residences. While there are some steep inclines (streets and stairs), it's totally do-able on foot if you take your time. We worked up an appetite and enjoyed lunch at a local trattoria.

Now it's time to relax a bit and get reacquainted with Wind Surf. We haven't been on the ship in four years and we want to look around to see what's the same and what's different.

You can expect more photos as soon as we've had some time to download our chips.

Tonight we'll dine at Le Marche (weather permitting) and tomorrow we anchor off Porto Rotondo on Sardinia. Stay tuned for additional Wind Surf updates.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

InterContinental de la Ville Roma: A Few Photos

2011-06-16T15:39:00.000-04:00

Our first day in Rome was absolutely perfect. It's sunny and in the high 70s with very little humidity so we were able to walk all over the city without exhausting ourselves. I'll write more about what we've seen in Rome later.

Right now, I wanted to share some photos of our deluxe-category room at the InterContinental de la Ville Roma. This is a very solid home base when visiting Rome. The Spanish Steps (pictured) are--literally--just a few steps away and it's an easy 10-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. We've been using some of Rick Steves' suggested walking tours and so many of them can be customized to start or end right here at the Spanish Steps.

The welcome amenity for InterContinental Ambassadors. We were also offered a free pay-per-view movie and late check-out, which we unfortunately can't take advantage of since we'll need to get to the port at Civitavecchia on Saturday.

A small sitting area across from the foyer.

A comfortable queen-size bed.

The work area. (Internet is lightning fast here, unlike a lot of hotels we've been to. You can actually get work done and not tear your hair out because of slow download or upload times.)

The bathroom. It's very pretty to look at but the bathtub is built-up on a pedestal...not the easiest entry for this five-foot Italian!

Before we left home I had a plan for our first evening in Rome...jump-start the vacation with drinks at the Emperor Terrace on the sixth floor of the InterContinental and that's exactly what we did. Here's the view from the terrace.

This was a fun way to work off the jetlag and take in the sights of Rome.

Complimentary appetizers that come with your drink order on the terrace.

So far, we're really enjoying our stay at the InterContinental de la Ville Roma. I'll post a full review upon our return home once I've had some time to write up my notes.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo

Global Entry Makes International Arrivals to the US a Breeze

2011-06-15T06:00:00.031-04:00

If you travel internationally a few times a year, do yourself a favor and enroll in the Global Entry program. Sponsored by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, participation in the Global Entry program allows you to skip the line when returning to designated airports in the United States. No more waiting in that huge line and no more filling out those U.S. Customs forms!

All you need to do is fill out the application at the Global Entry website and pay a $100 application fee. (If you have the American Express Platinum card, Amex will refund the $100 application fee. This is a new benefit of cardmembership.)

Once your Global Entry application is reviewed, you'll be invited to make an appointment at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at an airport near you.

The application process took about four weeks in our case and we went to Newark International Airport for our interview with U.S. CBP. The agents played a short video explaining how to use Global Entry and then took our photo and fingerprints. That was it. We were barely in the office for five minutes.

Now, when we re-enter the United States all we need to do is bypass the huge line and look for the Global Entry kiosks. Insert our passports, type in some information, verify our fingerprints and then we'll be on our way!

Global Entry Airports

Boston – Logan International Airport (BOS)

Chicago – O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)

Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Houston – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Hartsfield – Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

New York – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Las Vegas – McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando – Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

Seattle – Tacoma International Airport Sea-Tac (SEA)

Washington-Dulles International Airports (IAD)

For more information, visit the Global Entry website.

On the Way to Rome, The Eternal City

2011-06-14T07:01:00.000-04:00

Tonight we head to Rome, where we'll stay at the InterContinental de la Ville Roma for a few days before joining Windstar Cruises' 312-passenger Wind Surf motor-sail-yacht in Civitavecchia on Saturday. This seven sail, five mast ship is one of our favorites and we are truly looking forward to traveling with her again!

We're flying a British Airways 777 in Club World to London and hope to sleep a few hours on the overnight flight. Once we land at Heathrow, we have a short layover before connecting on to Italy's capital city.

We flew Delta and Virgin for our last few trips to Europe, so it will be interesting to see how British Airways compares.

I only have two gripes with British Airways so far...

I'm not crazy about the fact that you must pay a per person fee to secure seat assignments in advance. If you don't wish to pay this fee, you must wait until online check-in 24 hours prior to your flight and hope that you're happy with the seat selection that's left. It's $90 per seat on the New York to London and London to New York legs and $30 per seat on the London to Rome segment.

I'm also a bit worried about the seat layout in Club World on the 777. The cabin layout is pictured below. As you can see, seats E/F in the middle of the aircraft look good for a couple traveling together, but you're actually facing backward. That doesn't seem to be much of an issue but on a night flight it looks like you would have to climb over the legs of travelers seated in the D or G seats. The other option is a pair of facing seats (A/B or J/K). We opted for a facing pair to get a little more space between us and our fellow passengers.

If all goes well, Leonard and I will check into the InterContinental in the early evening and head to hotel's Emperor Terrace for cocktails. (The bar has amazing views of the city, including Saint Peter's Square, Piazza Venezia, and the Pantheon.)

If you use Twitter, be sure to follow me this week (@luxcruisebible) since I'll be tweeting messages and photos as often as I can. And, of course, I'll blog from Rome and from Windstar Wind Surf as we sail the Italian Riviera and the Cote d'Azur.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Orion Expeditions Launches Luxury Ship Orion II

2011-06-13T06:00:00.032-04:00

Congratulations to Australia-based Orion Expeditions on the launch of Orion II! This 100-passenger, 50-suite expedition ship spent a few days in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle last week before setting sail on its 24-night inaugural voyage from Vancouver to Otaru, Japan.

Unlike most cruise lines that select a celebrity to act as a ship’s godmother, Orion Expeditions picked three of its most loyal cruisers for the honor. The trio of past passengers christened the ship while it was in Seattle. I’d love to talk with those women about their travels! Imagine the places they’ve explored with Orion!

This year Orion II will visit the Russian Far East, the Inland Sea of Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Borneo, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The ship actually has a very interesting history. She began sailing the seas as Renaissance Four and was later rebranded as Clelia II. In 2009 the ship benefited from a $19 million refurbishment. Orion II complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is equipped with retractable fin stabilizers, an ice-strengthened hull for Antarctic voyages, and a fleet of Zodiacs to enable easy shore access in remote locales.

Orion II was meant to visit far-flung, exotic locations. The ship is small, yacht-like, but built to handle anything the sea throws at her. Each suite has ocean views, twin or queen-sized beds, and a sitting area. A well-trained crew of 70 make this all-inclusive option incredibly compelling.

Orion’s Founder and Managing Director, Ms. Sarina Bratton, had this to say:

“Orion Expedition Cruises is now able to provide exclusive expeditions from Antarctica to Asia, and the Kimberley to Micronesia and New Zealand, with the two ships offering a balance of onboard service and luxury combined with unique personal experiences in environmentally and culturally sensitive parts of the region. Together, Orion and Orion II are two of the most comfortable and capable expedition cruise ships cruising in Australasia.”

If you’d like to learn more about Orion Expeditions, sign up for one of the line’s 30-minute webinars:

Explore South East Asia
June 14 at 8pm EST

Explore Borneo
June 20 at 8pm EST

For more information, talk with your travel agent or Orion Expeditions at 1-(877) ORION US.

Oceania's CEO Frank Del Rio in the New York Times

2011-06-12T06:00:00.030-04:00

There's a nice as-told-to article about Frank Del Rio, chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings in the New York Times. He talks about growing up in Cuba, moving to the United States, working for Renaissance Cruises, and launching Oceania Cruises.

He offers several life lessons he's learned, including this:

...there's no substitute for honesty. If you're honest during good times and bad, people may disagree with you, but they'll always trust you. I'd rather have someone's trust than just about anything else.
—Frank Del Rio

Read Patricia R. Olsen's as-told-to story about Frank Del Rio.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Windstar Last-Minute Deals in Europe as Low as $1,499pp

2011-06-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

I think I've joined the email list for every cruise line and cruise travel agent out there! While the messages and newsletters tend to stuff my mailbox on a weekly basis, I still enjoy getting them so I can keep tabs on new itineraries and last-minute deals.

I just got a message from Windstar Cruises promoting a series of last-minute specials for Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises this summer. Rates range from $1,499 to $2,699 per person.

The most compelling offers are in Northern Europe but there are still some very low priced Med sailings. If you've ever wanted to sample Windstar, this summer may be your chance.

Northern European Coasts

Lisbon to Le Havre (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 2 or August 13
Category B from $1,499pp

Le Havre to Oslo (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 9 or August 6
Category B from $1,499pp

Stockholm to Oslo – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 30
Category B from $2,999pp

Stockholm to Stockholm – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 23
Category B from $2,999pp

Mediterranean Itineraries

Athens to Rome – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
June 11
Category B from $1,699pp

Rome to Nice – 7 nights on Wind Surf (We're sailing this itinerary soon!)
June 18
Category B from $1,999pp

Venice to Venice – 7 nights on Wind Star
July 23
Category B from $2,299

Athens to Istanbul (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Star or Wind Surf
July 2, 9, 16, 23
Category B from $2,499pp

Athens to Venice – 7 nights on Wind Star
July 16
Category B from $2,699

Act fast if you want to book one of these last-minute offers since they expire on June 21st.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or Windstar Cruises at 1-(800) 258-7245.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Tripbase Names Luxury Cruise Bible Best Cruise Blog of 2011

2011-06-09T06:00:00.105-04:00

Thank you, Tripbase, for naming Luxury Cruise Bible one of the Best Cruise Blogs of 2011! I'm thrilled to get this prestigious nod. I've been blogging about cruises since August of 2006 and it's rewarding to know that others enjoy the content that I provide all year round.

www.Tripbase.com

Other sites that also received a Best Cruise Blog designation include:

Choosing Cruising Blog

Cruising Life

All Things Cruise

As the end of the summer nears, I'll be celebrating five years of cruise blogging with some special content, a website redesign, and a few fun giveaways. In the meantime, stay tuned for a new trip report coming next week from the Italian Riviera.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Silversea Surveying Their Fans

2011-06-07T06:00:00.057-04:00

If you're on Silversea's email list, you probably received a request recently to take a survey. If you haven't yet clicked on the link, do so. There are only seven questions and the survey will take just a minute to complete.

I tend to participate in these types of feedback requests because it's always interesting to find out what the cruise lines have on their minds. Question #2 in the Silversea survey was particularly thought-provoking:

2. Which offer would you most likely book for a 7-day Mediterranean cruise?
All-Inclusive - Brochure Fare $14,498 - Now Special 2-for-1 plus Free Air, Free Unlimited Shore Excursions, and Free One Night Luxury Hotel (estimated value $1,800) for $6,299 per person

All-Inclusive - Brochure Fare $13,095 - Now Special 60% off plus - Free Air (value $900), and a $500 per person shipboard credit offer $5,238 per person

It makes me think that Silversea may be entertaining the idea of going the way of Regent Seven Seas Cruises in offering complimentary shore excursions. Generally speaking, I'm not so wild about included land tours since we prefer planning our own days ashore. However, this option is ideal for many travelers. It will be interesting to see if these survey questions hint at things to come for Silversea.

For more information about Silversea, talk with your travel agent or contact Silversea.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Seabourn's Dream Comes to Fruition; Takes Delivery of Quest

2011-06-06T06:00:00.003-04:00

A dream has become a reality for Seabourn. Years ago, Seabourn decided to build a trio of new ships...450-passenger, all-suite mega-yachts that would sail the globe offering the same exceptional service as was available on the line's smaller ships (Legend, Pride, and Spirit).

Odyssey launched in June 2009, Sojourn premiered the following summer, and Seabourn just took delivery of Quest at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy.

Seabourn is known for throwing amazing christening celebrations. Barcelona is the location of Quest's upcoming sunset ceremony on June 20th and actress Blythe Danner will serve as godmother. After the ceremony, the ship will depart on a 14-night maiden voyage to Athens, stopping at idyllic seaside villages in France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

According to Richard Meadows, Seabourn's President, "We are very pleased and excited to take delivery of Seabourn Quest. She is a beautiful vessel, and I have no doubt she will earn as much praise from the experts, and as much affection from our guests as her two sister-ships. Her officers, staff and crew are ready to welcome travelers on board to experience Seabourn-style cruising on our newest ship."

Congratulations to everyone at Seabourn and T. Mariotti who worked so hard to bring this dream to fruition! Seabourn Odyssey is one of our favorite ships and we hope to sail aboard Quest soon!

To learn more about Quest, talk with your travel agent or contact Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

American Safari Cruises Gears Up for Unstructured Yacht Itineraries in Hawaii

2011-06-03T09:00:00.079-04:00

The inaugural season for American Safari Cruises in the Hawaiian Islands begins on October 26, 2011. To celebrate, this small-ship luxury line is offering excellent fares and a $300 per couple value-added travel credit ($150 for solo travelers). This credit will be given on any new booking made between June 1 and July 29, 2011 for travel between October 26, 2011 and May 3, 2012.

American Safari Cruises' 36-guest Safari Explorer is the only small-group expedition yacht offering overnight cruises in the Hawaiian Islands. Guests sail one way—on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands—on an active luxury adventure between Maui and the Big Island that includes exclusive visits to Molokai, Lanai, and Molokini.

These unstructured itineraries—like those the cruise line offers in Alaska's Inside Passage and Mexico's Sea of Cortes—allow plenty of time for wildlife sightings, active adventures (like kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking), and cultural experiences.

ASC offers an inclusive experience, including transfers between the airport and yacht; taxes and port fees; entry fees to parks and preserves; onboard gourmet meals, premium wine, beer, and spirits; onboard naturalists; shore excursions; and "from the yacht" activities (like swimming, fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling).

There are two itineraries to choose from: the 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes and the 10-night Hawaii's Traditional Shores.

American Safari Cruises Hawaiian Island Highlights

humpback whale watching
night snorkeling at Molokini
interact with Big Island Pacific Mantra rays
guided hikes along Molokai's famed Kalaupapa Trail
exploration via kayak, sailboat, paddle board, snorkel, bicycle, and skiff
complimentary onboard massage
opportunities for golf on Lanai, Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island
hands-on cultural experiences in Molokai's Halawa Valley

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact American Safari Cruises at 1-(888) 862-8881.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of American Safari Cruises

10 Ways Newbies Can Leverage Frequent Flyer Miles & Hotel Loyalty Points

2011-06-02T10:54:00.000-04:00

We all have our favorite online pastimes and one of mine is visiting the forums over at FlyerTalk and MilePoint. These are two message boards devoted to helping travelers make better use of their frequent flyer miles and hotel loyalty points.

I joined FlyerTalk in 2007 with the goal of learning how to book award tickets to South Africa. With the techniques I picked up from the boards I was able to redeem my first award tickets: two roundtrip business class seats from JFK to Johannesburg, South Africa on Delta.

After that initial success, I was hooked and managing my loyalty accounts is now one of my favorite hobbies! Since our trip to Africa we've traveled around the world on award tickets—mostly in first or business class. We've visited London, Athens, Maui (twice), Oahu, Tahiti, Hong Kong, Bali, and some more ho-hum domestic cities. We've netted free (high-end) hotel stays in Maui, Tahiti, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Bali, and Rome.

This morning a new FlyerTalker posted a question asking for pointers so he can learn more about award options and frequent fly/stay programs in general. I posted some advice for him and will expound upon it below. I hope you find it useful too! Don't let your frequent flyer miles languish!

Learn about Frequent Flyer Programs

Read the forums (FlyerTalk and MilePoint) religiously. Scan the forums that are devoted to the programs in which you already participate. You'll be amazed at how much you'll learn. It's also useful to read forums for programs that you aren't actively participating in because it will help you decide which programs may be best for you to join in the future. Don't be shy! Post when you've got information to share.

Get Advice from the Pros

Read the blogs. My daily hit list includes:

The Points Guy (Brian Kelly)

View from the Wing (Gary Leff)

Frugal Travel Guy (Rick Ingersoll)

One Mile at a Time (Ben "Lucky" Schlappig)

Read InsideFlyer Magazine

If you prefer a traditional magazine over online forums, subscribe to InsideFlyer magazine (available in print form or online). The magazine runs several features per month offering advice and loyalty program overviews. The deal section in the back features current promotions from airlines, hotels, and credit-card companies.

Go to a Frequent Traveler Seminar

If you can get to one of the frequent traveler seminars, do it! I went to Frequent Traveler University in April and learned quite a bit. Another popular educational event is the Chicago Seminars. There's one coming up on October 29–30.

Track Your Miles and Points

Create a tracking system for your miles and points. You can simply use an Excel spreadsheet or a program like AwardWallet. I use both...a spreadsheet to track pending miles and points and AwardWallet to see my balances across programs at a glance.

To Churn or Not to Churn Credit Cards

Signing up for credit cards that offer large start-up bonuses is one of the most lucrative methods of earning frequent flyer miles or hotel loyalty points. In the past, Chase has offered 100,000 miles for its British Airways-branded Visa card and Citi has offered a variety of bonuses (50,000, 60,000, 75,000, and 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles) for its Citi AAdvantage Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cards. American Express frequently offers bonuses for its Membership Rewards program as well as other cards branded by Hilton, Starwood, and JetBlue. You get the idea.

If you wish to get into credit card churning you need an excellent credit score as well as the ability to keep track of minimum spend requirements, pay off your balance in full each month, and keep track of annual card anniversaries. Churning isn't for everyone. Read all about it at Frugal Travel Guy. He's the guru when it comes to credit card deals. Follow his advice and you'll be fine.

With churning you'll need to study what deals are available and what has been offered in the past. For example, Chase has offered its 100,000-mile deal on its British Airways-branded Visa card twice in the past. Knowing that information, I'd suggest that you wait to get a Chase British Airways Visa until that deal is offered again in the future. (The current offer is a 50,000-mile bonus.)

Not all credit cards are "churnable". Read the credit card forums at FlyerTalk, MilePoint, or FatWallet for more information.

Understand Airline Fare Codes

You'll need to understand airline fare codes in order to successfully snag award seats and upgrades. Knowing about fare buckets will help you effectively search for award and upgrade availability. Threads at FlyerTalk and MilePoint will offer some good background. You'll also want a subscription to Expert Flyer. This website shows flight/seat availability, award and upgrade availability for many airlines, and fare information.

Which Programs are a Fit for Your Travel Plans?

Decide which programs you're going to devote your energies to. That will depend on 1) your home airport and 2) your travel goals. Think about where you want to go in the next few years and research who flies there and what hotels you'd stay at. Then look at airline alliances...which is best suited to get you where you want to go?

I like OneWorld and focus on American Airlines (where I've got Lifetime Gold status) and British Airways. I can then use miles from either of those programs on any OneWorld partner, like Cathay Pacific, LAN, Qantas, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Finnair, etc. Since my husband and I frequently go to Southeast Asia, we tend to burn our miles on Cathay Pacific first class tickets. At only 135,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per passenger, it's an excellent redemption value. (Roundtrip business class is 110,000 miles per person.)

I find it easy to earn miles (butt-in-seat and promo bonuses) on both American Airlines and British Airways. (My Chase BA Visa card nets me 1.25 BA miles for every $1 I spend on the card.)

My secondary program is Continental/United and they are part of Star Alliance. Lots of great partners as well. If you're a Delta flyer, you'll want to learn about SkyTeam.

Transferring Miles and Points

A key strategy in the award travel game is the ability to transfer miles/points to the programs you're most interested in. Check out American Express Membership Rewards, where you can transfer (most often on a 1:1 basis) MR points to your preferred frequent flyer program. Many airlines participate, including (but not limited to) Aeroplan, All Nippon, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, EL AL, FlyingBlue, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. Membership Rewards transfers are instant in many cases.

I love that Membership Rewards often offers bonuses on transfers. For example, transfers to British Airways between now and July 31st receive a 50% bonus. You must transfer in 1,000-point increments so, for example, if you transfer 1,000 Membership Rewards points you'll receive 1,500 British Airways miles. MR also often offers bonuses on transfers to Delta.

Another excellent transfer partner is American Express' Starwood-branded credit card. With this card you can transfer points to miles in many frequent flyer programs. When you transfer 20,000 points, you'll receive 25,000 miles.

Consider All Promotions, No Matter How Small

Oftentimes, companies offer promotions that will net you a few miles and points here or there. For example, Continental often offers 100 OnePass miles for registering to learn more about one of the airline's services. (These particular promos are targeted to flyers who hold a Chase Continental credit card.)

Likewise, TopGuest is a social media tool that allows individuals to earn 50 hotel points in a variety of programs (Best Western Rewards, Hilton HHonors, Choice Privleges, Priority Club, Wyndham Rewards, etc.) for simply doing an online "check in" using FourSquare, Facebook, or other social media platform.

Don't bypass these promotions. It might sound like a waste of time to earn 50 points here or 100 points there, but it all adds up.

That's my advice for today. Take stock of your mileage and point balances and start making travel plans!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

A Few Days in Rome: Links to Plan Your Trip

2011-06-01T09:00:00.100-04:00

Mediterranean cruises couldn't be any more popular than they are this summer. Nearly all cruise lines are deployed in the Med and a variety of excellent itineraries are on offer.

This June we'll sail Rome to Nice aboard Windstar's Wind Surf and, like so many other travelers, we'll spend a few days sightseeing in Rome before embarking on our cruise out of Civitavecchia.

Here are a few excellent resources you should bookmark as you prepare for your own Roman holiday...

Car Services & Private Sightseeing Tours

Rome Cabs—This is the transfer company we're using for our upcoming trip. The company gets consistent high marks from Cruise Critic travelers. I'll let you know how everything goes. Rome Cabs offers straight-up transfers (airport to your hotel, hotel to Civitavecchia port, etc.). The company also offers wine tours, walking day tours of the city, and excursions to the nearby countryside.
Rome In Limo Company—Many Cruise Critic travelers also recommend Rome In Limo. Transfers and tours are available throughout Italy.
Roma Shuttle—Here's another favored vendor among Cruise Critic members. The company offers transfers and private tours.

Luxury Hotels in Rome

InterContinental de la Ville Roma—Via Sistina (This is where we've decided to stay as the location atop the Spanish Steps is convenient to many of the sites we wish to visit.)
Hotel Hassler Roma—Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps
Hotel De Russie Roma—Via del Babuino
St. Regis Rome—Via Vittorio E. Orlando
Portrait Suites—Via Bocca di Leone

Rome Restaurant Recommendations

Chowhound Italy Message Board
eGullet Italy: Dining Message Board
Maureen B. Fant Blog—food writer specializing in Roman cuisine
Parla Food—travel writer Katie Parla's blog

If you've got any recommendations for what's not to be missed in Rome, let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Countdown to Our Windstar Cruise

2011-05-31T09:00:00.058-04:00

On Memorial Day we began the countdown to our June Italian and French Riviera cruise aboard Windstar Wind Surf. We've got our cruise docs in hand and I've already drawn up a list of what we've got to pack. I have a feeling the next few weeks will fly by!

Here's a map of our itinerary...

Some friends have asked why we're sailing with Windstar when it's so soon after the line was bought by Xanterra Parks & Resorts at a bankruptcy auction. Well, my husband and I have been stalwart Windstar fans for years and we want to show our support for the new owners. The crew remains the same as does the executive team based at Windstar's headquarters in Seattle.

Xanterra actually has an interesting history that goes back to the days of the Sante Fe Railroad (Xanterra currently operate several national park lodges and the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia) and I like their corporate message. This is what's posted on the company's homepage:

Life is short.
The world is large.
And your vacation time is too precious to waste on the commonplace.

I couldn't agree more!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Travel Insurance Primer for Cruise Travelers

2011-05-23T09:00:00.036-04:00

Last month I wrote a piece about travel insurance for Cruise Critic and it's now live. If you've ever wondered whether or not to purchase trip coverage, head over to CC and read "Travel Insurance Primer for Cruise Travelers."

You'll read about the disasterous end to one of our Hawaii trips and why we are now much more likely to buy insurance for all future vacations.

We will also never let our annual Medjet Assist medical evacuation membership lapse. In January my father suffered acute kidney failure while vacationing in Florida with my sister's family. It cost over $16,000 to medevac him back to a hospital near his home in Massachusetts.

If he had a MedJet membership, this incident would have been covered and we wouldn't have had to scramble to arrange the medical evacuation ourselves. My husband and I have kept our annual membership for years and we're now making sure all of our friends and family sign up as well. It's worth the price for the increased peace of mind.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

We Did It, Thanks to You! Our Charity: Water Campaign is Fully Funded

2011-04-01T00:00:00.026-04:00

I have some excellent news to share with you. As of March 31st, our charity: water campaign is fully funded! With the help of our friends, family, and colleagues, my husband and I raised $5,460 to build a fresh water project in a developing country.

Now the real work begins! charity: water will start by selecting the location of our project. It will be placed in one of 17 developing countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, or Uganda.

From now through June, charity: water will work with the community to recruit and train a water committee, hygiene educators, and maintenance support teams. Construction for the project will begin in July and, if all goes well, the community will have a new and reliable source for clean drinking water by the end of 2011. Leonard and I hope to spend some time volunteering in this community for a week in early 2012.

The project itself will be named to honor my parents, Theresa and John, and my deceased grandmother. This means so much to me and my family. We’re still struggling day to day with the challenges of my parents’ illnesses but we are comforted by all the support our friends have shown us.

Leonard and I can’t thank you enough for helping us achieve this goal! Together we are providing 273 people with clean, safe drinking water for 20 years. That’s an accomplishment for which we can all be proud!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Party Post: Comment to Win!

2011-03-22T18:50:00.000-04:00

* * * Tonight is Luxury Cruise Bible's first Twitter and blog party. Our special guest is American Safari Cruises. We're chatting live right now—Tuesday, March 22 between 7–8 pm EST—on Twitter and will give away six Frommer's Hawaii 2011 guidebooks by Jeanette Foster and one Barnes & Noble Nook ereader. You can participate without joining Twitter. Read this previous blog post for full party details. Check out these tips for attending Twitter parties. * * *

Questions of the Evening—Answer to Win a Prize

Q1: Would you pick a Hawaiian Island cruise or an itinerary that focuses on Mexico's Sea of Cortez? Why?

Q2: Which Hawaiian Island—Maui, Big Island, Molokai, Molokini, Lanai—would you most like to visit and why?

Q3. Which type of shore excursions do you prefer: beach day/snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding, or a cultural event?

Q4: Have you ever sailed on a small ship with just 40 passengers, like Safari Explorer? What do you love about small ships?

Q5: What worries you about small ship sailing?

Q6: Despite all the airport hassles, possible weather delays, and expense, why do you still love to travel?

Answer each of these questions by commenting on this post on March 22nd between 7 and 8 pm EST for your chance to win a Frommer's Hawaii 2011 guidebook or a Barnes & Noble Nook ereader. (You must include your email address when commenting. Your address won't be published but I'll need it to contact you if you win a prize.)

Get to Know American Safari Cruises

Safari Explorer's nimble design allows the yacht to explore the intimate shorelines of the Hawaiian Islands. Learn more about American Safari Cruises' new Hawaiian Island itineraries.

Safari Explorer bar - wine, beer, and spirits are included in the cruise fare.

Head to the Wine Library aboard Safari Explorer to purchase ultra-premium wines (free pours available elsewhere on the ship).

Meals are prepared by executive chef Craig White and are served in the main dining room (open seating).

Admiral cabins feature king or twin beds, windowed door or view window, TV/DVD, and a bathroom with both a Jacuzzi and shower.

The bathrooms aboard Safari Explorer are spacious and well designed. Some have whirlpool tubs.

For those interested in Mexico Sea of Cortes sailings, here's American Safari's 22-guest Safari Quest.

I love the 12-passenger Safari Spirit. It's so intimate! We sailed aboard the Safari Spirit in Alaska's Inside Passage.

Reminder: American Safari Cruises Twitter Party Today at 7pm EST

2011-03-22T00:00:00.044-04:00

Don't forget about today's Twitter/blog party with special guest American Safari Cruises!

REGISTER NOW to win one of six Frommer's Hawaii 2011 guidebooks by Jeanette Foster or a Barnes & Noble Wi-Fi-enabled Nook ereader! (Prizes can only be shipped to addresses in the United States or Canada.)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011
7 pm Eastern Time
(6 Central | 5 Mountain | 4 Pacific)

We're looking forward to chatting with all of you and giving away some very cool prizes. You'll learn about American Safari Cruises and its yacht vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska.

Read more about this event and register to win prizes!

Click here for Twitter party instructions and tips.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Twitter Party Tips: How to Attend the Luxury Cruise Bible Chat on 3/22 @ 7pm EST. Win Prizes!

2011-03-21T20:22:00.000-04:00

Are you planning on attending the Luxury Cruise Bible Twitter party with special guest American Safari Cruises on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7pm EST (4pm Pacific)? I hope so!

Twitter parties are a lot of fun but they can move FAST. Here are the three ways in which I suggest you virtually "attend" the party.

Attend Via TweetGrid.com—

Recommended Method

1. Make sure you have your Twitter.com login credentials handy. If you don't already have a Twitter account, sign up for one now.

2. Go to TweetGrid.com and click on the "Party" button (circled in red above).

3. Fill out the requested information as follows:

Party Hashtag: #LCB #AMSAFARI

Party Host(s): @luxcruisebible, @americansafari

(be sure to include the comma separating the two Twitter handles above)

Your username: [ fill in your Twitter handle here ]

4. Then click "Join the Party!"

5. Okay, you should now see the TweetGrid panel from which you'll attend the party. All party messages will scroll on the far left panel. Messages from the party hosts — @luxcruisebible and @americansafari — will scroll down the middle panel, and your own messages will scroll down the far right column.

IMPORTANT: Check to be sure that there is a # sign in front of the #AMSAFARI hashtags on the right and left of the screen. (See red arrows. Click on the above image for a larger view.) If the # sign is missing, insert it manually.

You'll now be able to follow the party messages easily.

6. When you wish to tweet, type your message into the white text box at the top of the page (see red arrows above). TweetGrid will automatically append the hashtags #LCB #AMSAFARI to all of your tweets so you don't have to.

Remember, in order to be eligible to win the door prizes you must append #LCB #AMSAFARI to all of your tweets.

Attend Via Twitter

1. Go to Twitter.com a few minutes before the party begins at 7pm EST (4pm Pacific).

2. Log in to your Twitter account, or register for an account if you don't already have one. (See the sign in panel above, circled in red.)

3. Type the party's hashtags — #LCB #AMSAFARI — into the search box at the top of the page (circled in read in the above image, click for larger image).

4. Once you've entered the hashtags and have hit "return," click where it says "Save this search" (see the red arrow).

5. Go back to the Twitter home page and click where it says "Searches" (circled in red above). You'll see the #LCB #AMSAFARI search that you saved. This will make it easier for you to quickly refresh messages during the party.

6. This is how your screen should look if you're using Twitter to attend the party. All messages with the hashtags #LCB and #AMSAFARI should show up in your message window.

7. To respond to a tweet or send a tweet, type in the "What's happening?" box... just be sure to append #LCB #AMSAFARI to all your tweets so they appear in the party stream! You're only eligible to win a door prize if you append those hashtags!

Attend the Party Via This Blog

For Those Who Don't Tweet

For those of you who don't "tweet," you can still take part in the Luxury Cruise Bible / American Safari Cruises party. Just return to the Luxury Cruise Bible blog at 7pm EST (4pm Pacific) on Tuesday, March 22nd, and read the blog post devoted to the party.

You won't have access to the real-time Twitter messages, but you'll see information about American Safari Cruises, their new Hawaiian Islands itinerary, photos and videos, and links to articles about small ship cruising.

Answer the posted questions via the "Comment" button for your chance to win a Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader or one of six Frommer's Hawaii 2011 guidebooks by Jeanette Foster.

If you have any questions about the Twitter party, let me know.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Win a Cunard Vacation from The Luxury Cruise Company

2011-03-21T00:00:00.030-04:00

The Luxury Cruise Company (formerly White Star Cruises) is running a contest and the prize is a Cunard cruise. Here are the details:

"Win a luxury Cunard cruise for two people with White Star Cruises. Simply tell us your thoughts about any recent luxury cruises you've taken and whether you'd recommend White Star Cruises VIPs to follow in your wake by submitting a luxury cruise review.

The prize is a short round-trip cruise from Southampton on one of Cunard's 5-star liners, departing in 2012 and worth in excess of £2,000. The competition closes on 31 December 2011, so you have plenty of time to add multiple reviews to increase your chance of winning.

The winner will be picked on the number of votes, tweets and likes as well as on the views of our representatives on the White Star Cruises Judges panel. The winner will be announced in January 2012 and notified by email."

Sharpen those pencils, write your review, and enter to win. Good luck!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

A Look at How Azamara Quest Handled the Crisis in Japan

2011-03-18T00:00:00.005-04:00

Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, was aboard Azamara Quest in Nagasaki, Japan, when the earthquake and tsunami hit northern Japan. He wrote an excellent and detailed account of how the ship's captain and executive officers handled the crisis along with Azamara's home office.

As Nagasaki is in the southern part of Japan, the ship was never in danger and no passengers or crew were injured.

Read Arnie's minute-by-minute account aboard Azamara Quest here.

And here's his dispatch from March 14 about complications at sea during the crisis. Excellent reading!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Four Seasons Explorer in the Maldives

2011-03-17T00:00:00.005-04:00

Have you traveled to the Maldives? That's one place that's still on my must-visit list. There are two Four Seasons resorts in the Maldives—Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru—and they also offer cruises aboard their yacht, the Four Seasons Explorer.

Now this is one cruise I'd love to take!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Video courtesy of Four Seasons

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Crystal Cruises Cancels November 2011 Call in Libya

2011-03-16T00:00:00.003-04:00

Due to the recent turn of events in Libya, Crystal Cruises will cancel its call in Tripoli and revert to the original itinerary set for its November 16 “Italian Splendor” European cruise from Venice to Barcelona.

The 11-day itinerary through the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas aboard Crystal Serenity will feature a maiden call in Koper, Slovenia, in addition to visits to Dubrovnik, Catania, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno and overnight stays in Venice and Barcelona.

“When Libya relaxed its visa restrictions, we were very excited to offer this exotic call to our fall cruise collection,” said Gregg Michel, Crystal’s president. “Fortunately, we can very easily replace the revised program with our original itinerary, which is rich in European culture, history, and scenery.”

With Crystal’s fall sale, the “Italian Splendor” cruise starts at $4,970 per person, double occupancy. Crystal’s pricing offers free round-trip air transportation from more than two dozen North American gateways (or air credits), $2,000 per couple “All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard spending credits. A Bring-a-Friend and Crystal Family Memories programs provide bonus savings.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises at (888) 799-4625.

—LuxuryCruiseBible.com

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Windstar Offering Up to $1,000 Shipboard Credit for Mediterranean Voyages

2011-03-15T00:00:00.004-04:00

Windstar Cruises has launched what it's calling its "Glitter & Glam" Western Mediterranean voyages and new bookings made now through March 31, 2011 will receive a shipboard credit of u to $1,000.

Windstar’s Selected Glitter & Glam Sailings

7-Day Lisbon to Barcelona voyage on Wind Surf departs April 17, 2011 and visits Tangier, Morocco; Malaga, Spain; Almeria, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; and Ibiza, Spain. Special fares from $2,299 per person, double occupancy.

7-Day Barcelona to Rome voyages on Wind Surf departing April 24 and May 8, 2011, and visits Palma de Mallorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; and Livorno, Italy. Special fares from $2,199 per person, double occupancy on the April 24, 2011, sailing and from $2,499 per person, double occupancy on the May 8, 2011.

7-Day Barcelona to Rome voyage on Wind Spirit departing April 30, 2011 and on Wind Star departing May 7, 2011, visiting Mahon, Menorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; and Livorno Italy. Special fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy.

7-Day Athens to Venice on Wind Star departing July 16, 2011, and visiting Monemvasia, Greece; Pylos, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Trogir, Croatia; and Pula, Croatia. Special fares from $2,999 per person double, double occupancy.

7-Day Venice to Athens on Wind Star departing July 30, 2011, and visiting Pula, Croatia; Trogir, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Pylos, Greece; and Monemvasia, Greece. Special fares from $2,999 per person, double occupancy.

Rates listed are per person, US dollars, cruise only, and include non-discountable amounts. Shipboard credit offer is $600 ($300 per person, maximum $600 per stateroom) for Category B and A staterooms and $1,000 ($500 per person, maximum $1,000 Wind Surf only) for suites. Taxes ($35-$300 per person) are additional. New bookings only.

Offer expires March 31, 2011. Offer may not be combinable with any other pricing or shipboard credit offers. Shipboard credit may not be used towards gratuities or casino, has no cash value, and unused portions will be forfeited at the end of the cruise. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at Windstar’s discretion at any time. Cancellation penalties may apply, please see brochure for details. Certain restrictions apply.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Register for Online Cruise Party & Win!

2011-03-14T00:00:00.005-04:00

This year Luxury Cruise Bible is hosting a series of online parties with our favorite cruise lines. The parties will be held right here on this blog and at Twitter.

American Safari Cruises is co-hosting our first party on...

Tuesday, March 22, 2011
7 pm Eastern Time
(6 Central | 5 Mountain | 4 Pacific)

We're looking forward to chatting with all of you and giving away some very cool prizes. You'll learn about American Safari Cruises and its yacht vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska.

Prizes!

Participants may win one of six Frommers Hawaii 2011 guidebooks by Jeanette Foster or a Barnes & Noble Wi-Fi-enabled Nook ereader! (Prizes can only be shipped to addresses in the United States or Canada.)

There are two ways to "attend" the party: on Twitter and right here at this blog.

Option 1: Attend the Party on Twitter.com
March 22, 2011 at 7 pm EST

This party will primarily take place on Twitter, but we're adding a blog portion for all of you who'd prefer not to join a social networking site.

If you do belong to Twitter, I strongly encourage you to attend the party in real-time. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Here's what you need to do:

RSVP for the party by commenting on this blog post. You must RSVP if you want to be eligible to win a prize!
Go to Twitter.com on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 pm EST and log in. (If you don't already have an account, click on the "Sign Up" button and register.
Make sure you follow @LuxCruiseBible and @AmericanSafari.
Click on this link to bring you to the party's homepage. (You'll want to follow all messages with the tags #LCB and #AMSAFARI.)
The party will begin promptly at 7:00 pm EST on Tuesday, March 22nd. Watch for the six questions of the evening.
Tweet your answer to each question and include the tags #LCB and #AMSAFARI for a chance to win a cool prize. (Your tweet would look like this: "This is the first Twitter party I've ever attended. #LCB #AMSAFARI")
Remember to append the tags #LCB #AMSAFARI to all tweets you send during the party. Tweets without those tags are NOT eligible to win a prize! (The tags allow us to see everyone who's "attending" the party on Twitter.)

Option 2: Attend the Party at the Luxury Cruise Bible Blog
March 22, 2011 at 7 pm EST

Have no fear! You don't need to join Twitter to take part in our party. I'll also be posting to this blog during the party. You'll miss all the person-to-person discussion between party-goers, but you will still have access to all of the questions of the evening along with links to photos, videos, and American Safari cruise-related stories.

Here's what you need to do:

RSVP for the party by commenting on this blog post. You must RSVP if you want to be eligible to win a prize!
Watch for the six questions of the evening by returning to the Luxury Cruise Bible blog at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, March 22, 2011.
Comment on the party post on March 22nd between 7–8 pm EST with your answer to the six questions of the day for a chance to win a cool prize. (You need to sign in with your email address. It will not be posted online but will be available to me when I need to contact you if you win.)

Mark Your Calendar & Attend the Party!

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 22 at 7 pm EST (6pm Central, 5pm Mountain, 4pm Pacific). This party is going to be a lot of fun and if you've ever wondered what an American Safari yacht vacation is like, we'll answer all your questions. Join us!

You can find more Twitter party tips here.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of American Safari Cruises
Prize guidebooks courtesy of Frommers. You may purchase a copy of Jeanette Foster's Frommers Hawaii 2011 here.
Nook prize courtesy of LuxuryCruiseBible.com

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Enter ISLANDS Magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest

2011-03-02T00:00:00.006-05:00

One of the reasons I love blogging about cruise travel is because so many readers email me about their getaways. These sidebar conversations are always a joy and many of you have also shared your vacation photos with me. That's why I know there are some very talented amateur photographers among us!

If you fall into the shutterbug camp, don't forget to enter ISLANDS magazine's 22nd annual photo contest by April 15, 2011.

The grand prize is a seven-night Paul Gauguin Cruises Tahitian voyage (including airfare from Los Angeles). Additional prizes are courtesy of the following companies:

Enter today and let me know if you win!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of ISLANDS magazine

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.
We're 73% of the way to our goal of $5,000!
We've raised $3,655 and need $1,345 more by March 31, 2011.

Consider making a small donation to improve the
lives of 250 men, women, and children in an undeveloped country.

A Tribute to the Woman Who Sparked My Interest in Cruise Travel

2011-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I'd like to take a moment to tip my hat to the woman who first sparked my interest in cruise travel: my grandmother Marie Andracchio.

She was born in 1911 into an Italian family in Brookline, Massachusetts. She was one of nine children and learned the value of hard work at a very early age. She was a waitress most of her life but spent her free time volunteering—especially at the Council on Aging in Hudson, MA—to help others. She also created beautiful ceramic designs, which she sold from her own home studio (oftentimes with the proceeds going to charity).

I remember when she retired. She had saved for years to take a cruise—a treat to herself, she had told me, for the good work she'd done to raise a family. I recall the day she left for the trip. She was wearing a beautiful sundress with a matching hat and colorful handbag. I was just a little girl at the time but I remember thinking that my Nana was the most glamorous person ever and I admired the fact that she was going on this trip as a single traveler. Nothing was going to stop her from fulfilling a promise she had made to herself long ago.

My grandmother was an incredibly strong, kind, and generous woman, but she was not wealthy. That was the only cruise she ever took, but she had a wonderful time and relived the high points many times over the years that followed.

She was always—and will continue to be—an inspiration to me and many other people who were lucky enough to have known her. She passed away last week at the age of 100. I can't thank her enough for her love and for helping me become the person I am today.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo credit: Allan Jung. My grandmother always seemed to get her picture in the newspaper for one reason or another. For a long while we joked that she must be dating the paper's photographer! The thing is, my grandmother's smile and personality was infectious; people were drawn to her because she brightened every room she ever walked into. She's pictured here, dressed to the nines, at a Victorian masquerade presented by the Marlboro Chamber of Commerce.

Nomade Yachting to Once Again Sail in French Polynesia

2011-02-28T00:00:00.009-05:00

If you were to tell me that I could only sail on one more cruise in my lifetime, I'd want the destination to be French Polynesia. While there are dozens of compelling cruise itineraries spanning the globe, I believe there's nothing more inspiring and soul-healing than island-hopping across the South Pacific.

For the past year, there's really only been one luxury cruise option in French Polynesia: the venerable Paul Gauguin Cruises, which sails the 332-passenger m/s Paul Gauguin throughout the Society Islands, Cook Islands, Marquesas, and Tuamotus. (Read my review of a seven-night Paul Gauguin voyage.)

June 27, 2011 marks the return of Nomade Yachting to the equation. Previously the company sailed two intimate yachts in the region. Nomade spent the past year restructuring and will now focus on charters as well as a series of four- and six-night voyages aboard MY Tu Moana. (Nomade sold off sister ship Ti'a Moana, which is now in the Maldives.)

The French-flagged Tu Moana is currently in dry dock. Built in 2003 by Austal Ships/Oceanfast, the yacht is 226 feet with a beam of 45 feet and a draft of 7.5 feet. Her cruising speed is 12 knots.

During dry dock, accommodations on the Bridge Deck and Upper Deck are being completely refitted while general maintenance is performed on the entire vessel. When the yacht goes back into service this June, she'll offer 16 cabins: seven suites and nine staterooms. At capacity, Tu Moana will welcome 32 guests with a crew complement of 35.

The coveted Te Arii Suite (owners suite)—that comes complete with its own dedicated tender—spans the entire Bridge Deck and is a spacious 1,076 square feet. The Upper Deck is home to six suites: two forward Taha'a Suites (about 538 square feet each) and four 323-foot Bora Bora Suites.

The nine regular 172-square-foot cabins on the Main Deck are called Raiatea rooms.

2011 Nomade Yachting Cruise Schedule
June 27–July 3
July 11–15
July 18–24
July 25–29
August 1–5
August 8–14
August 15–19
August 29–September 2
September 5–9
September 12–16
September 19–23
September 26–30

Dates in red indicate six-night itineraries. Dates in black are four-night sailings.

Four-night sailings begin and end in Bora Bora and call upon Taha'a, The Orchid Island, and Raiatea, The Sacred Island.

Six-night sailings embark from and return to The Supreme Island (Bora Bora) and visit Taha'a, Huahine (The Island of Bards), and Raiatea.

This is an ultra high-end, all-inclusive experience. Six-night sailings from 5,950 euros per person (plus 175 euros tax). Four-night itineraries start at 4,000 euros (plus 125 euros tax).

For more information or to book a cruise or charter the entire yacht, talk with your travel agent or contact Nomade Yachting directly at resa@nomadeyachting.com or Tel: +689544505.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Nomade Yachting