Venice Highlights Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

This is Day Five of our seven-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit. Today we're in Corfu, Greece, but I wanted to backtrack a bit and show you a few of the highlights of our overnight stay in Venice, Italy.

One of Venice's many canals

The exterior of Doge's Palace

Interior courtyard of Doge's Palace

One of the many beautiful ceilings inside Doge's Palace

St. Mark's Square as seen from the Grand Canal

Clock tower at St. Mark's Square

Stay tuned for posts about Trieste, Italy; Hvar, Croatia (a fantastic port of call!), and Corfu, Greece.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Silversea's Hot Rock Grill—Dine Under the Stars on Silver Spirit

Somewhere on route from Trieste, Italy to Hvar, Croatia...

Hello from the Adriatic! We're happily ensconced in our suite aboard Silversea Silver Spirit after a wonderful formal night. On our first evening aboard, we tried the Hot Rock Grill Dinner on the Pool Deck. It was a fun experience, the service was exceptional (thanks Andrew!), and the food was great... so we decided to eat here on the first formal night as well.

So what exactly is a hot rock dinner? If you love to cook or even just play with your food, this place will interest you. The menu is basic: three types of salads are served along with a few different cuts of beef; veal, lamb, and pork chops; as well as fish and shrimp. (The Grill uses Sterling Silver premium meats.)

Your entree is delivered to you on a bamboo platter with a scorching hot rock set within it. Your main dish has been seared and delivered rare. Now it's up to you to cook it to your liking via the rock. The platter will be sizzling and the rock stays incredibly hot during your entire meal.

Some cuts of meat do sizzle and splatter, so bibs are given to guests who order things like rib eye. Main courses are accented with a vegetable skewer and baked potato with sour cream.

There are only three desserts on the menu, but both I tried were very good. In fact, the black and white chocolate mousse cup was the best dessert I've had aboard Silver Spirit all week. (The other two desserts are apple pie a la mode and a fruit cup.)

You'll be dining outdoors on Deck 10, directly above the Pool Grill. Time your meal with sunset and bring your camera... you'll get some fantastic shots! And, don't worry about being cold; there are heaters built into the ceiling for those chilly evenings.

We were told that the hot rock concept came from South Africa. I'm going to do some searching and see if we can replicate this at home. It's fun whether you go to dinner as a couple or with a group.

According to Silversea, this dining concept has proven so popular that it will roll out to the other ships in the fleet soon. You may dine under the stars, weather permitting, between 7 and 9 pm each evening. Seating is limited to 60 guests so be sure to make your reservation as soon as you board the ship.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Shore Excursion Option: Gondola Serenade in Venice, Italy

Here's a quick movie to show you what an authentic gondola ride is like in Venice, Italy. Most gondaliers don't take credit cards so bring cash or book through your cruise line. Silversea offer a private evening gondola serenade tour in Venice.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Video © Andrea M. Rotondo

Day Two in Venice: Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square & a Party in the Grand Suite

Hello from Venice!

Day Two of our Eastern Mediterranean voyage is just about behind us now. Our Silversea-sponsored shore excursion, conversations with engaging crew members, and a terrific cocktail party in the Grand Suite followed by dinner at La Terrazza has set the bar very high for this cruise. I'm confident Silversea will continue to meet our, shall we say, discerning expectations!

Last night after an excellent hot rocks dinner at the Pool Grill, we explored the ship and stayed up late enough to order up a few room service snacks after midnight. Sunday dawned with absolutely perfect weather (low 80s with no humidity and plenty of sunshine). We woke early, skipped breakfast, and headed pierside to join our tour excursion.

We opted for a half-day tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. (Of course, it's Sunday, so the church is closed to visitors during church services though you can enter the church after 2 pm if you prefer to explore the city on your own after the tour comes to an end). This particular tour is an excellent introduction to Venice, but it does require a significant amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water from the ship (or keep a few euros in your pocket so you can buy a refreshing gelato).

The tour begins with a short walk from the ship to the water taxi pickup point. After a short 15-minute ride, we were walking toward the Bridge of Sighs, sadly obscured by some garish billboards from one of the corporate sponsors that is helping to restore the bridge and other historic treasures around Venice. The intention is good, but the execution certainly needs some work.

We then entered Doge's Palace for an extensive tour. we were given earbud radios so we could hear the guide's commentary even if we were not close to her. I learned more about Venetian history in a few hours than I previously thought possible! She was also very good at giving us enough time to take photos.

Next up was a short walk through St. Mark's Square. Since the Basilica was closed to the public, it was really just a walk-through of the square. The tour ended in a Murano glass-blowing workshop/showroom.

After the tour Leonard and I chose to wander through the streets as we made our way back to the cruise terminal. It was on of those perfect port days that blended a solid tour with some independent exploration.

As much fun as the afternoon turned out to be, sail-away from Venice was exhilarating! Sailing the Grand Canal is an experience everyone should have. The setting sun glistened off all the red rooftops and church domes and spires. Truly breathtaking.

We were lucky enough to be invited to a cocktail party in one of the Grand Suites, so we enjoyed the scene from posh digs. Dinner at La Terrazza followed and our group closed the place down. Everyone onboard has been wonderful and we find that while our companions on shore excursions and at dinner may be from all around the world, each one has been interesting and fun to talk with.

We are now sailing toward Trieste, Italy. Stay tuned for more details and photos.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Embarking Silversea Silver Spirit in Venice, Italy

We've spent all of ten hours aboard Silversea Silver Spirit so I can't offer a full report yet, but our first impressions have been very good. The crew is genuine and friendly and many of them already know us by name.

We arrived in Venice on Saturday morning and waited just a few minutes for our luggage and for Silversea's private transfer to the ship via minivan. It was a comfortable ride and we arrived at Terminal S. Basilio around 11:30 am.

Luggage Arriving to the Ship Via Water Taxi

Boarding wouldn't commence until noon and there seemed to be some back and forth between Silversea and the security detail as to exactly when passengers would go through the screening process. A few minutes before noon, four Silversea representatives arrived at the terminal and passed out keycards. Everyone was then allowed on board Silver Spirit, where lunch was being served in The Restaurant and La Terrazza. Our room was ready by 2pm and the luggage arrived by 4pm.


Since we didn't sleep much on the plane, so we took the day easy and explored the ship after a buffet lunch at La Terrazza. (The number and variety of desserts offered was astounding!) We were also able to make dining and shore excursion reservations for the rest of the week.

Our butler, Ricardo, greeted us by name in the hallway before we had even met him! Then it was time for an early "hot rock" grilled dinner on the Pool Deck. I'll post more about this later. Dinner was very good and it will be easier to tell you about it once I download the photos of this inventive dining concept.

Now it's time to get some rest before our first full day in Italy begins. We're booked on Silversea's "Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica" tour.

More details to follow...

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo

Arriving in Venice This Morning for Silver Spirit

We're set to arrive in Venice this morning. Since we're using Silversea's air-sea package, the cruise line has arranged our transfer to Silver Spirit. It's nice to not have to worry about any of the details.

We're on board journey #5016. Here's our full itinerary:

June 5 – Venice, Italy
June 6 – Venice, Italy (sail-away at 6pm)
June 7 – Trieste, Italy
June 8 – Hvar, Croatia
June 9 – Corfu, Greece
June 10 – At Sea
June 11 – Nafplion, Greece
June 12 – Athens (Piraeus), Greece

We hope to post live from the ship once we arrive. Watch this blog and our Twitter messages.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos of the New Seabourn Sojourn

The gorgeous new Seabourn Sojourn from the Yachts of Seabourn has arrived in London for her inaugural festivities! Here are some photos by Steve Dunlop, courtesy of the Yachts of Seabourn.

Several reporters will be on board today, so watch the web and Twitter for additional details and photos. (The following travel writers are on the ship now: Ralph Grizzle of Avid Cruiser, John DiScala of JohnnyJet.com, and Gene Sloan of USA Today's CruiseLog.)

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos by Steve Dunlop, courtesy of Yachts of Seabourn

On the Way to Venice and Silversea Silver Spirit

Where does time go?! I can't believe it's already June 4. We leave tonight to fly to Venice, Italy where we'll board Silversea's new Silver Spirit. This is a ship I've been dying to sail since I watched her christening in Fort Lauderdale via webcam back in January.

My parents, both of whom are 100 percent Italian, are especially happy that I'll be sailing this Italian cruise line! Perhaps we're bias, but we generally love all things Italian...the people, the cuisine, the wine. I wonder if this tendency will cross over to the world of cruising?

The ship has a guest capacity of 540, making it somewhat larger than the m/s Paul Gauguin that we sailed in May (she has a capacity of 332).

What I like about the somewhat larger ships are the variety of public spaces and restaurant choices. For example, Silver Spirit offers five distinct dining establishments—The Restaurant, La Terrazza, Stars, Le Champagne, and Seishin. We hope to give them all a try! I'm also looking forward to spending part of our sea day at the pool!

Snapshot of Silversea Silver Spirit
540 guests
376 officers and crew
270 oceanview suites; 95% with balconies
36,000 tons
642 feet in length; 86 feet wide; 20.3-foot draft
20.3 knots (speed)
8 guest decks
Every suite includes butler service
5 restaurants

Update: My friend Colonel Wes just emailed to remind me that there are actually six restaurants aboard Silver Spirit. Here are the details: "The Spirit actually has six distinct dining venues, including the Pool Grill Under the Stars where you finish cooking your own meat/seafood (veal, steak, prawns). Tip, ask for the surf & turf...also see the Pool Grilll Under the Stars M'd, after you board the Spirit to book a night. The grill is very popular and will book out by day two of your
cruise..more than likely." Thanks, Wes!

Stay tuned all week as we report live from Silversea's Silver Spirit. We embark tomorrow from Venice!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Silversea

Engaged? Win a SeaDream Yacht Club Honeymoon

Are you engaged? Are you feeling lucky? Then enter to win a fabulous honeymoon to the Greek Isles aboard the 112-passenger mega-yacht SeaDream I courtesy of SeaDream Yacht Club.

The seven-day, all-inclusive honeymoon voyage takes place from September 11–18, 2010, and includes romantic ports-of-call like the Greek islands of Sifnos, Itea, Mykonos, and Santorini.

You'll need some luck and the help of your friends and family to win this prize. Use all your social media savvy and ask everyone in your Rolodex to comment on why you should win this $20,000 dream honeymoon.

Entries must be received from May 26 through July 30. The winning couple will be announced early August. Visit Win-a-Honeymoon.com for full details.

Follow the progress of this contest at SeaDream's Facebook page and on Twitter.

SeaDream is one of our favorite luxury cruise lines. The service is excellent, the food rivals that of the best restaurants in Paris or New York City, and the ambiance is relaxed. If I were planning our honeymoon all over again, a SeaDream yacht voyage would definitely be on my radar. Good luck to everyone who enters!

For more information about SeaDream Yacht Club, talk with your travel agent or contact SeaDream at (800) 707-4911.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Andrea M. Rotondo

Three Best Small Ship Cruise Values of 2010

I spend a lot of time reading cruise line brochures, talking with travelers and travel agents, and comparing fares. I spend even more time actually on the road, traveling as much as I can and cruising as often as possible. For these reasons, many people ask me what I consider to be the best value in luxury cruising today.

That's a loaded question because one must make a few basic assumptions about the term "value". When I think of value, I consider the size of the ship, its itinerary, service (both shore side and onboard), the design and condition of the ship, and food and wine.

Since I tend to gravitate to smaller ships, I thought I'd share with you today my three top picks for best small ship cruise values of 2010.

American Safari Cruises
Alaska's Inside Passage • Columbia & Snake Rivers • Hawaii • Mexico's Sea of Cortez • Pacific Northwest/Canada

If you haven't sailed with American Safari Cruises, you are missing out. I love this line for many reasons. The first and foremost being the people behind the cruise line. Dan Blanchard, a captain himself, is CEO of this luxury line. Executive VP of sales and marketing, Tim Jacox, is another pivotal person behind the scenes. The yacht crews are standouts in an industry where it's unusual to find Americans working aboard cruise ships. American Safari bucks this trend and employs Americans who have a passion for both sailing and nature.

The family atmosphere onboard each yacht is probably what brings guests back again and again. The crew puts travelers at ease immediately and that's perhaps why long-lasting friendships are forged between both guests and the crew during each and every itinerary.

These yachts are small—12-passenger Safari Spirit, 22-passenger Safari Quest, and 40-passenger Safari Explorer—and you will feel as if the ship is truly yours. Your every need is catered to and desires are fulfilled almost before you even know you wanted something.

One of the most compelling aspects of American Safari Cruises is the places the cruise line will take you. Forget about queuing up to tender to shore to fight for a spot on a tour bus. With American Safari, you'll just hop into the yacht's skiff to explore glaciers in Alaska, interact with pods of dolphins in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, or visit sea turtles in Hawaii.

Onboard naturalists share their depth of knowledge and introduce you to the flora and fauna of the region you're yachting. On a recent cruise along Alaska's Inside Passage, we saw brown bears (mothers, cubs, and juveniles), orca and humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, eagles, and so much more... and these animals were just a few feet away! No need for binoculars when you're getting this close to the wildlife!

American Safari facilitates extraordinary wildlife experiences and that's why I feel any of these itineraries are excellent values. You can book a stateroom or charter the entire yacht with your friends and family.

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


Paul Gauguin Cruises
French Polynesia

Take my advice and book passage aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia this year. Why? Cruise fares are at a low as the ship's new owner, Paul Gauguin Cruises, reaches out to travelers to get the message out that the popular 332-passenger Paul Gauguin is better than ever—even if it is under new management.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is a Pacific Beachcomber company (an entity with 25 years of experience in French Polynesia's luxury hospitality market). Pacific Beachcomber owns six properties managed by InterContinental Hotel Group (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora) and Maitai Hotels (Bora Bora). Additionally, the company is building "The Brando," a luxury eco-resort located on Tetiaroa, the late Marlon Brando's remote private island.

I just got back from the Paul Gauguin and am already dreaming of returning to the Society Islands. Book a cruise before June 30, 2010 and you'll lock in on a cruise fare that's 45% off the standard rate. Two-for-one or free airfare from Los Angeles to Papeete (depending on the cabin category you book) may also be included. Per diem rates are as low as $325.

The upcoming 14-night President's Cruise is a particularly good value. It embarks Papeete, Tahiti on November 6, 2010 and will call upon ports in the Society and Cook Islands, Tonga, and New Zealand. Paul Gauguin Cruises president Richard Bailey will be on board and plenty of special events are planned. Excellent deals are available for this cruise.

French Polynesia is one of Earth's most beautiful outposts and the history of the region is fascinating. Paul Gauguin Cruises hosts expert archaeologists and marine biologists onboard who give educational and entertaining lectures and take guests on excursions to hike, watch dolphins, and go diving. The cruise line has deep knowledge of these islands and presents the best options to guests. Polynesia is known to be an expensive destination, which is why an all-inclusive Paul Gauguin Cruises itinerary is the ideal way to explore the islands.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Paul Gauguin Cruises at 1-(800) 848-6172.


SeaDream Yacht Club
Caribbean • Mediterranean • Northern Europe

SeaDream Yacht Club is where European chic meets exemplary yet relaxed service. The company tag line proudly proclaims that "It's Yachting, Not Cruising" and there is definitely a difference. There are two 112-passenger yachts in the SeaDream fleet. From the moment you board either ship, you feel like a rock star since every single officer and crew member knows your name. The crew understands how to pamper guests without fussing over them.

The public areas of the yacht are incredibly comfortable and that encourages mingling between travelers. We especially love sunbathing on the Balinese Dream Beds on Deck 6 and nursing a cocktail at the Top of the Yacht bar.

Itineraries blend old favorites with off-the-beaten-path ports of call and shore excursions are not your same-old same-old. (See my extensive SeaDream II Caribbean cruise review to hear about some excursions, including a visit to the Bioluminescence Bay on Vieques.)

The hallmarks of SeaDream are personalized service, beautiful and well-maintained yachts, and innovative itineraries. In 2011, the line is extending its itineraries throughout Northern Europe. There are some especially enticing Norwegian fjords voyages.

Since these ships are relatively small, I encourage you to book your 2010 and 2011 voyages as soon as possible. These new itineraries are proving to be very popular and many dates are already sold out.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact SeaDream Yacht Club at 1-(800) 707-4911.


So there you have it. My three picks for best small ship values are American Safari Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and SeaDream Yacht Club. What small ships do you favor? I'd love to get your feedback.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Silversea Silver Spirit Cruise Documents Arrive!

Cruise document anticipation has become a bit like Christmas Eve in this house. We anxiously await the delivery of the package and then pour over the contents. We've had our Silversea cruise documents in hand for a few days now and I thought I'd share the contents with you.

I know a lot of people could care less about the packaging of their cruise documents, but I like to use some of the items later in our vacation scrapbook so I'm always especially happy to see docs that are packaged in a unique or beautiful way.

Silversea documents arrive in a lovely (and hefty) silver box with their logo embossed on the lid, along with the words "one aim, excellence." That certainly sets the right tone with me.

Silversea Cruise Document Elements
Zip-up leather cruise document carry case
Two leather luggage tags with the Silversea logo embroidered on them
Self-adhesive luggage tags pre-printed with our suite number
Cruise ticket
Air ticket
Bon voyage gifts order form
"Setting Sail" cruise information guide
Silver Shore Journal for the Eastern Mediterranean

We're still deciding which shore excursions we're going to book, but we hope to tie down all the details today. After all, we leave Friday for Venice! Visit this blog each day, starting Friday, June 4, for live coverage of our Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece voyage aboard Silver Spirit.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo

Congratulations, Yachts of Seabourn! Seabourn Sojourn is Delivered

Congratulations to everyone at the Yachts of Seabourn! The cruise line has officially taken delivery of its newest yacht, the 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn. (See new photos of the ship at Seabourn's blog.) This is the second ship in a trio that also includes Odyssey (launched last summer and one of my favorite luxury cruise ships of all time) and Quest (launching next summer).

Sojourn was built at the Mariotti shipyard in Genoa and is now on her way to London where media events, her naming ceremony, and inauguration will take place. British supermodel Twiggy is the ship's godmother and will be at the festivities. On June 5, the ship will host a benefit for nonprofit Breast Cancer Haven before welcoming guests for her maiden voyage on June 6.

I'm a fan of Seabourn Odyssey and expect to cotton to Sojourn as well. Here are some of the things I especially like about the larger Seabourn ships:

• Ship Exterior—Seabourn Odyssey is a gorgeous ship and the spa atrium certainly gives the vessel a unique and sleek line.

• Pool on Deck 8—I could spend an entire cruise lazying by the pool on Odyssey. There is plenty of shade, two whirlpools kept at the perfect temperature, and a large (by cruise ship standards) pool. Service by the pool is also excellent; the watermelon smoothies and ice cream sandwiches are especially refreshing. (There is also a pool and two whirlpools on Deck 5 aft. This is a lovely, quiet spot but a bit too sunny for my liking.)

• Retractable Marina—I am not a strong swimmer so Odyssey's retractable Marina is a dream come true for me. Within the safety of what I like to call the "swimming basket," I can enjoy swimming in the sea without the panic! My husband prefers to spend his time at the Marina by taking out a kayak or going windsurfing.

• The Crew—I always enjoy speaking with Seabourn's affable crew members and the level of service they routinely provide always impresses me.

While plenty of Seabourn loyalist still prefer the smaller triplets—Seabourn Legend, Pride, and Spirit—Odyssey, Sojourn, and Quest will appeal to cruisers who enjoy a midsize ship and a slightly larger crowd.

A few travel agents and travel writers will be reporting live from the new Seabourn Sojourn at the end of this week. I look forward to hearing these "first look" reports as I cruise the Adriatic with Silversea's new Silver Spirit. I'll be departing Venice this Saturday!

Cheers once again to Seabourn! Sojourn looks to be a gorgeous new mega-yacht and I look forward to sailing with her soon!

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Andrea M. Rotondo

Deal Alert: Windstar in the Mediterranean for $1k pp at Jetsetter.com

Jetsetter.com—a travel auction site—is offering a seriously good deal on three Windstar Cruises itineraries in the Mediterranean this summer and fall.


Wind Surf
Venice, Italy (overnight); Rovinj, Opatija, Trogir, and Dubrovnik, Croatia; sea day; Venice

• Per night cruise fare for TWO people: $280 for Category B, $335 for Category A
  
  
• Per night cruise fare for ONE person: $220 for Category B, $250 for Category A
  
  
• Embarkation dates: September 12 and October 17
  
  

Wind Surf
Rome, Livorno (Florence), La Spezia, Portofino, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (overnight); St. Tropez, Nice, France

• Per night cruise fare for TWO people: $320 for Category B, $350 for Category A
  
  
• Per night cruise fare for ONE person: $220 for Category B, $250 for Category A
  
  
• Embarkation dates: July 4, August 8, and September 26
  

Wind Surf
Venice, Italy; Rovinj, Trogir, Dubrovnik, Croatia; at sea; Messina/Sicily, Sorrento, Rome, Italy

• Per night cruise fare for TWO people: $320 for Category B, $350 for Category A
  
  
• Per night cruise fare for ONE person: $220 for Category B, $250 for Category A
  
  
• Embarkation dates: August 1 and October 24
  

The best value is the Venice roundtrip itineraries embarking September 12 and October 17. The cruise fare for two people sharing a Category B stateroom is just $2,065 ($1,960 plus $105 taxes and fees).

No cancellations, refunds or modifications are allowed and payment is charged at the time of purchase. According to the terms of service on Jetsetter's website, these rates include a $100 onboard credit per cabin. A daily hotel service fee of $12 per passenger will be charged to your shipboard account.

You must book these voyages via Jetsetter.com no later than midnight on May 30, 2010.

We love Windstar Cruises and their fleet of motor-sail-yachts. Wind Surf is their largest ship and carries 312 passengers. While not quite a luxury line, Windstar is the perfect choice for couples of any age who are looking for a high-end cruise with a casual vibe. The cabins are very comfortable, service is excellent, and the food gets high marks in our book. This deal is definitely worth considering!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Linley Marquee Commissioned for Cunard's Forthcoming Queen Elizabeth

When you think of the grand ocean liners in Cunard's fleet, you no doubt conjure images of the gorgeous sweeping staircase that greets you upon arrival. The cruise line's forthcoming Queen Elizabeth will be no different and that sweeping staircase and central arched space challenged interior designers to find just the right piece of art to accent this important area of the ship.

"We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, a 'wow' factor in an area already full of 'wow', but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials," noted Cunard's president and managing director, Peter Shanks.

"After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a 5.6-metre (18 ft 6 in) high marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

"Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn't take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned."

To put this in perspective, the wood panel will span two-and-a-half decks and is being constructed of nine panels that include Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird's eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut, and Macassar ebony.

David Lindley, chairman of Lindley's, was proud to take on this project and said, "Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past, this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale - it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made - but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him—and others—equally proud."

Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage embarks on October 12,2010 from Southampton, England.

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

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Artwork image courtesy of Cunard

Anchorage, Alaska Travel Tips at FamilyVacationCritic.com

Mt. McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park & Reserve

If you're traveling to Alaska this summer with your kids or grandchildren, don't miss my Anchorage, Alaska, destination profile at FamilyVacationCritic.com.

The extensive article gives an overview of one of my favorite cities in the West and offers tips on family-friendly lodging, activities, and restaurants. Check it out!

If you haven't yet booked your 2010 Alaska cruise, there's still time to do so.

My Favorite Cruise Lines Sailing Alaska in 2010

American Safari Cruises—The best small ship (yacht) experience in Alaska—hands down!

Silversea—Italian hospitality aboard Silver Shadow, a mid-size vessel accommodating 382 guests.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises—Excellent luxury service is the hallmark of the 490-passenger Navigator.

Celebrity Cruises—Summer 2010 finds three Celebrity ships in Alaska: Infinity, Mercury, and Millennium.

Holland America—HAL has been a leader in Alaska cruise/land tours for years. The line sails eight ships in Alaska this summer: Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam VI, Ryndam, Statendam, Volendam, Zaandam, and Zuiderdam.

Which cruise line are you sailing in Alaska this summer? Let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Zegrahm Expeditions to Offer Circumnavigation of Sumatra

Have you ever heard of Zegrahm Expeditions? I hadn't either until today when I read about their 18-day circumnavigation of Sumatra aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey. This itinerary kicks off Zegrahm's 2011 season on January 3, 2011.

Sumatra, one of the largest islands in the world, is located in western Indonesia and is ideal for the small ship cruising experience aboard Clipper Odyssey. Sailing in a counter-clockwise direction around the island, the ship will visit national parks, remote villages, and other historic sites.

Minangkabau King Palace in Central Sumatra, Indonesia

Highlights of a trip to Sumatra include hiking through the rainforests and visiting Sumatran orangutans at Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Station. Birds are also a draw, including 580 different species. You may catch a glimpse of the blue-masked leafbird, Sumatran drongo, and spot-necked bulbul. And, of course, this trip will introduce you to the Batak people that are indigenous to the area.

Mike Messick, cofounder of Zegrahm, will guide this unusual expedition in the company of naturalists, historians, and scientists. This includes two top wildlife experts: Dr. Jonathan Rossouw and Kevin Clement.

The complete itinerary includes...

January 3–4: depart USA / Singapore
January 5: Singapore / embark Clipper Odyssey
January 6: Malacca, Malaysia
January 7: Belawan, Sumatra / Brastagi
January 8: Gunung Leuser National Park
January 9: Expedition Stop
January 10: Banda Aceh
January 11: Gunung Leuser National Park
January 12: Nias Island / Cross the Equator
January 13: siberut Island, Mentawai Islands
January 14: Padang / Solok
January 15: Bengkulu
January 16: Krui
January 17: Ujung Kulon National Park, Java / Krakatoa Island
January 18: Way Kambas
January 19: At Sea
January 20: Singapore / Disembark Clipper Odyssey

This expedition is sure to be one of those "trips of a lifetime" that we all hope to take one day. For more information, contact Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions at 800-628-874.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Paul Gauguin Cruises Webinar on Tuesday Night, May 18

m/s Paul Gauguin anchored at Vaiare, Moorea, French Polynesia

If you're contemplating a French Polynesian cruise, consider signing up for Tuesday night's Paul Gauguin Cruises webinar. This event will be hosted by presenter Carol Parsons and Richard Bailey, President and CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Dick will talk about the line's inaugural cruise, which took place on January 6, 2010, and the multi-million dollar refurbishment that the m/s Paul Gauguin underwent last year. Carol plans to discuss her favorite itineraries and the special touches that make Paul Gauguin Cruises something a bit out of the ordinary.

I attended a similar webinar earlier this year and learned a lot about the cruise line and French Polynesia. I also received a booking incentive via e-mail a few weeks after the event.

Sign up for the May 18, 2010 Paul Gauguin Cruises webinar now. Then, mark your calendar for Tuesday at 5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central, or 8pm Eastern time.

If you've never attended an event like this don't worry! It's like watching live TV. Once you sign up using the above link, you'll get a confirmation email and instructions for how to watch the webinar. Just follow those instructions on Tuesday at the appointed time, making sure that the volume is up on your computer, and you'll be good to go. See you there!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Paul Gauguin Cruises Dining Experience

For many travelers like my husband and I, the quality of the food and wine aboard a cruise ship is an integral aspect of the vacation. We look for cruise lines that offer a variety of dining experiences from multi-course chef's table menus to a strong main dining room to casual snack options and room service. We especially appreciate cruise lines—Seabourn, SeaDream, Celebrity, and Azamara to name a few—that aren't afraid to use spices and the salt shaker!

As we prepared for our French Polynesian vacation, we wondered about the food that would be served by Paul Gauguin Cruises. I have to admit that we were a bit apprehensive. This ship used to be managed by Regent Seven Seas and we'd been disappointed in the past with the food aboard a Regent ship (too bland and too many repeat menus during a 14-day voyage).

We knew that an entirely new company, Paul Gauguin Cruises (part of Pacific Beachcomber), now owned and managed the m/s Paul Gauguin. But we still were a tad worried that the provisions purveyors would be the same and, perhaps, disappointing. We were more than pleasantly surprised by what we found aboard the PG and were impressed with the overall culinary experience.

Download a pdf of m/s Paul Gauguin dinner menus here.

Executive Chef Mark Bishop held court over the kitchens during our cruise. His menus were varied and included mainstay favorites like chateaubriand and lasagna, mouth-watering low-sodium and vegetarian menus, and dishes that took advantage of regional foods (like moonfish and local pineapple).

He was accessible to guests and presented several cooking demonstrations during the voyage. Visiting Chef James Dean Max of Fort Lauderdale's 3030 Ocean was also aboard and we enjoyed his demos as well.

There are three restaurants aboard Paul Gauguin:

• L'Etoile—a la carte dinner only, no reservations necessary
  
  
• La Veranda—buffet and a la carte breakfast and lunch, a la carte dinner, reservations necessary
  
  
• Le Grill (called Pacific Grill in the evening)—buffet breakfast and lunch, grilled specialties at dinner, reservations necessary

There was only one night for which we couldn't get reservations at the restaurant of our choice (La Veranda).

My husband enjoyed the complimentary wines served throughout the cruise. Here's a short list of a few bottles that were on offer during our itinerary:

Whites
Cantaluna Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile
Pinot Grigio, Bollo Italy
Cycles Gladiator, Chardonnay, Central Coast, California
Mount Riley, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Reds
Seven Deadly Zins, Zinfandel, California
Santa Alicia Reserva, Carmenere, Maipo Valley, Chile
Koonunga Hill Penfolds, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
Cycles Gladiator, Pinot Noir, California

All in all, we were very happy with the cuisine on board. Room service was quick and efficient (although the server did not set the table for us on two occasions). The breakfast buffet at Le Grill was extensive. Lunch was the weakest link with themed buffets featuring French, Pacific, German, Tex-Mex, and Italian specialties. Some lunches, like the German spread, were excellent and others lacked luster. Dinners were uniformly excellent in all dining venues. Portions were just right and the presentation was always impressive. I'm still yearning for more of L'Etoile's Tahitian Wok entree!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

New Private Nile River Cruises from Abercrombie & Kent

I just got word about a new Nile River cruise that actually hearkens back to the days when dahabiehs -- lanteen-rigged sailboats -- were the main method of transportation on this waterway. These sail-powered vessels were used extensively up until the 19th century when steamships made their debut in the area. The popularity of dahabiehs waned as they were slower than steamships and so fell out of favor with many. Today, these sailing ships have been retrofitted for high-end travel up and down the Nile.

Farouk Suite

Abercrombie & Kent is now offering private travel aboard the new luxury dahabieh, Zein Nile Chateau. This ship is part of A&K's Tailor Made Private Travel program. These intimate boats are perfect for small groups. And, since dahabiehs are smaller and more agile than traditional Nile River boats, they can visit more areas than their competitors.

Napoleon Suite

Zein Nile Chateau was purpose-built for the luxury market with two expansive suites and four staterooms. Unlike other dahabiehs, the cabins on this sailboat are air-conditioned. Public areas include the dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, cigar lounge, library, sun deck, oasis pool, and outdoor lounge designed for stargazing.

Travelers may charter Zein Nile Chateau. Seven-night itineraries start at $29,600 for up to 12 people. An experienced Egyptologist travels with all Abercrombie & Kent Nile River tours and with just 12 travelers on this ship, you're sure to enjoy a personalized journey down the Nile.

Upper Deck

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Abercrombie & Kent at 1-(800) 554-7094.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of A&K Egypt - Sarah El Akkad

10 Cruise Blogs I Can't Live Without

This May I'm participating in something called the WordCount Blogathon. It's basically a group of writers who have challenged each other to post each and every day of the month. Today every member of the Blogathon is writing about the same topic: 10 blogs we can't live without. This was an easy post to write! There are tons of excellent blogs devoted to cruise travel. Here are just a few of my favorites.

10 Cruise Blogs I Return to Again and Again

1. USA Today Cruise Log
   Gene Sloan runs the cruise coverage at USA Today newspaper and his blog touches upon everything and anything that's cruise related. He's got quite a following and passionate conversations start on the blog and message board.
   
   
2. Cruise Diva's Blog
   Linda Coffman, aka the Cruise Diva, is someone to listen to when it comes to cruise advice. She's the author of many Fodor's travel guidebooks, including The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, co-author of Fodor's The Complete Guide to European Cruises, and contributes to Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call, Alaska Ports of Call, European Ports of Call, Bermuda, Greece, and Greek Isles guidebooks.
   
   
3. Same Ship Different Day
   Written by Regent Seven Seas cruise director Jamie Logan, this blog shares news from around the globe via text and photos.
   
   
4. Avid Cruiser
   Ralph Grizzle is the Avid Cruiser and he spends more time on cruise ships than he does at home. He blogs, uploads articles, and has a terrific archive of photos, videos, and podcasts.
   
   
5. SeaDream's Blog
   This one is a corporate blog, but I really like the friendly tone. It's a great way to stay connected to the happenings at SeaDream Yacht Club. There's an entire section devoted to SeaDream's captains—Terje Willassen, Bjarne Smorawski, Valter Berg, and Johan Dyrnes.
   
   
6. Silversea Silver Spirit Blog
   Silversea launched Silver Spirit in January and this blog enlightens travelers about every aspect of the ship. I especially like how they upload photos from ports of call that Silver Spirit has visited. Last month she was in my neck of the woods: New York City.
   
   
7. Yacht's of Seabourn Blog
   Seabourn's blog often relies on photos to communicate the essence of a journey on one of its yachts. I like the photos from actual sailings because it helps let me know what to expect on a similar itinerary. For example, who knew you could enjoy afternoon tea in the desert at Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt?
   
   
8. Expert Cruiser
   Anita Dunham-Potter manages this blog/website that often breaks cruise news and reports on controversial topics. You'll also see Anita's byline at MSNBC.com as well as a variety of newspapers and magazines.
   
   
9. The Lazy Sea-Dreamer
   Written by a passenger, this blog will teach you just about everything you need to know about cruising with SeaDream Yacht Club. It's an excellent resource!
   
   
10. This Is My Yacht
    Here's a cruise blog from travel agent Eric Goldring's perspective. He caters to the luxury market and is incredibly knowledgeable about many of the cruise lines you're most interested in learning about. He also runs an informative message board.

There you have it: 10 of my favorite cruise blogs. I'd love to hear about your favorite sites too.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Live Cruise Update: Dolphin Watching in Moorea

Note: This week I'm blogging and tweeting live from the Society Islands in French Polynesia. We're sailing aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin from Paul Gauguin Cruises and will also enjoy overnight stays at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Le Meridien Bora Bora.

On our second day in Moorea (Friday), we spent the morning with marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole. He leads the popular dolphin watching excursion that can be booked while sailing with Paul Gauguin Cruises. It's a three and a half hour tour and we needed all that time since we searched about four different bays before we found a large pod of spinner dolphins. Dr. Poole has a 95% success rate of finding dolphins and he definitely did right by us.

We met up for this excursion at 8:15 am in the Grand Salon and then tendered over to the dock at Vaiare, Moorea. Dr. Poole's boat accommodates about 20 people. It's covered so sun isn't a problem but you will get wet when the boat speeds along the water. Wear a bathing suit and bring a towel!

According to Dr. Poole, the spinner dolphins stick to the lagoons in Moorea so we systematically searched each bay from Vaiare to beyond Papetuai on the northwest coast. We passed many landmarks, such as the Sofitel, Moorea Pearl Resort, Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort, InterContinental Beachcomber Resort, Legends, Le Petit Village, and the old Club Med location.

The scenery was gorgeous so we weren't worried that we hadn't yet seen dolphins. However when we hit the northwest section of the coast, we were surrounded by dozens of dolphins!

This isn't a terrific photo, but it's the only one in which we captured a dolphin actually "spinning".

We love animals of all kinds so this tour was ideal. However, it's important to note that this is not a dolphin petting excursion. Dr. Poole is a scientist and observes these animals in their own habitat. He does not insert himself or his boat into the dolphin's daily routine. He follows them and watches them but there is no interaction between the passengers on the boat and the mammals in the water.

We enjoyed Dr. Poole's presentation so much that we've already decided to go back to Moorea during humpback whale season (July–October) and will go out on one of his whale watching excursions.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor and Andrea M. Rotondo