cruise

Pinot Lovers' Cruise

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Yachts & Sailing

The second "Pinot Lovers' Cruise" is scheduled for May 31 - June 12, 2009, and combines the wines of August West with Freeman Vineyard & Winery. The 12-day trip on Oceania Cruises' Insignia makes stops in 12 cities, starting in Rome and ending in Istanbul. Oceania only carries 650 passengers and is known for its relaxed, no-tie policy, and gourmet cuisine, overseen by Executive Chef Jacques Pepin. The cruise includes a private winemakers' dinner, wine tastings and discussions, tours of top Italian wine-estates and plenty of Pinot parties.

Freeman has been named as one of the Magnificent 30 "Hottest Pinots" by the Wine Spectator, while the San Francisco Chronicle recognized August West as one of its top 10 wineries of 2005. Both wineries have received multiple 90+ scores from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine.

Cruise prices range from $3,649 - $7,049 per person double, including free airfare from 20 major U.S. airports. Book by September 1 and receive prepaid gratuities, worth up to $300 per cabin.

Tags: August West, AugustWest, cruise, cruises, cruising, Freeman, Jacques Pepin, JacquesPepin, pinot noir, PinotNoir, wine

Prince Albert II Cruise Ship Launches

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

Prince Albert II, the reigning prince of Monaco, recently christened a new cruise ship named after himself, which will be the newest addition to the Silversea line. A gutted expedition ship now completely redecorated and outfitted to suit the most wealthy of customers it is ready for the most rugged of adventures with the most luxurious of accommodations. This 132-passenger cruise ship has adjoining suites occupying the entire top level, an internet center, library, whirlpools on the deck, and a theatre to boot! Rates start at $3,867 per person assuming double occupancy and including shore trips and so far the Prince Albert II plans to visit the coasts of Greenland, Costa Rica, Antarctica, and the Sea of Cortez. Luxury adventures await!

Gallery: Prince Albert II

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Tags: Cruise, Prince Albert II, Prince-Albert-II

Luxury Cruising Fueled by Baby Boomers

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

It seems that baby boomers are loving luxury cruises, and as a result the luxury cruise lines are not only managing to hold their own amidst this country's economic difficulties but are actually doing so well they're looking to expand and grow. They're buying new ships, remodeling existing ships, adding new gourmet foods to the menus, adding new ports to the itinerary ... all with the intent focus on attracting the affluent baby boomer group that is currently spending their money on the less premium cruises like Princess and Celebrity. The "in" cruises now are most likely through Regent or the soon-to-be fleet leader, Silversea.

They say once you go luxury cruising, you never go back!

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Tags: baby boomer, baby boomers, BabyBoomer, BabyBoomers, cruise, cruises, luxury cruises, LuxuryCruises

The Most Expensive Megayachts

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

If having a yacht of your own doesn't work for you then chartering one is the next best thing (or maybe it's better? None of the hassles of ownership!) there are lots of choices out there. What amenities are important to you? Where do you want to go? The options are endless, and if money is no object then the luxuries can be too. Ever had the chance to experience any of these megayachts? They're some of the most expensive out there available for charter, and I think they all sound awesome:

The Christina O $422,000/wk
The O'Mega $446,080/wk
The Alysia $912,079/wk
The Turama $868,644/wk
The Leander $571,200/wk
The Lubecker Flender 40 $868,644/wk
The Princess Mariana $824,840/wk
The Rm Elegant $618,800/wk
The Indian Empress $700,000/wk

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Tags: charter, chartering, cruise, cruises, journeys, megayacht, megayachts, most expensive, MostExpensive, travel, water, yacht, yachting, yachts

Crystal Cruises Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Yachts & Sailing, Wine

How's this for a booze cruise, sampling a nearly impossible-to-get 1961 German Riesling and a 1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac and five other rare wines while cruising from Istanbul to Athens. Crystal Cruises' second Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner will take place on Crystal Serenity's October 6, 2007 voyage from Istanbul to Athens. The seven wines are Krug, Vintage Brut, Reims, France 1990 - Riesling, Auslese, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, J.J. Prum, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany 1961 - Chevalier-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France 1998 - Barbaresco, Angelo Gaja, Piedmont, Italy 1989 - Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France 1959 - Grange Hermitage, Penfolds, South Australia 1986 - Graham's Vintage Port, Portugal 1955. The seven-course menu features warm oriental duck salad; Goutte d'or, coriander and ginger; steamed scallops Maitre Lurkin; risotto al funghi; mignon of angus beef, shallot sauce, market vegetables; vacherin cheese; and mille-feuilles with red berries and cardamom ice cream. Nice pairings but personally I never miss the chance to pair Port with chocolate. The meal costs $1,250 per person.

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Tags: cruise, crystal cruises, CrystalCruises, fine dining, wine

The World's Most Expensive Cruises

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

People who have money and taste are ever looking for different and more exotic ways to relax and entertain themselves, and the world of cruises is no exception. Trips to the Caribbean and the Bahamas are all but mainstream, so luxury cruises are moving towards smaller more personal ships and less common locations. And the world's most expensive luxury cruises are no exception, with popular locations ranging from the Baltic to Africa to Antarctica, and prices soaring upwards of $2,000 per person per day in some cases. Money like that will get you the best rooms, interesting adventure options (like kayaking in the Antarctic), upscale shore excursions with exclusive perks and privileges, and of course travel at the peak of the sometimes short seasons. Where do you want to go? I don't think I could decide!

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Tags: boat, cruise, cruises, expensive, journey, journeys, most expensive, MostExpensive, ship, top 10, top ten, Top10, TopTen, travel, travels, water, world's most expensive, World'sMostExpensive

The World's Most Expensive Fishing Trip

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Love fishing? Book yourself a spot on the luxury ship Atmosphere for a fly fishing trip along the Chilean wilderness coast. Priced at $15,000 - $25,000, it's the most expensive fishing trip in the world and has plenty of fun luxuries to make that price tag worthwhile. Covering Patagonia by air, land, and water, several different kinds of boats and even a helicopter equipped with all the toys will whisk you away to remote rivers and lakes for dream fishing excursions -- or if you're not in the mood for that you can stay on the ship for awesome food, a massage, and maybe a whale watching excursion instead.

Via Gadling

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Tags: atmosphere, boat, chile, chilean, cruise, fish, fishing, luxury cruise, LuxuryCruise, most expensive, MostExpensive, patagonia

Pets Cruise with You on the Queen Mary 2

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Pets

Now going on a luxury cruise doesn't mean getting sad puppy eyes as you book a boarding house for your favorite pet -- the Atlantic cruise liner Queen Mary 2 gives you the option of bringing them along! The amenities of their "Pets on Deck" program include fresh-baked biscuits at turn-down, a variety of bedding and blanket options, and even a little coat with the QM2 logo. All pet guests also receive a complimentary gift pack with a mix of essentials and fun stuff, such as a food dish with scoop, a name tag, a frisbee, and a complimentary portrait with their owners.

As a dog owner I think it's great when vacations are pet-friendly, but in this case I can't help but wonder: do people's pets ever get seasick? That would not be pleasant!

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Tags: atlantic, boat, cat, cats, cruise, cruises, dog, dogs, Mary, pet, pets, Queen, Queen Mary, Queen Mary 2, QueenMary, QueenMary2, ship, vacation, vacations

Whisky School Cruises To Islay

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

Now this is a booze cruise. The Whisky School has put together cruises to the distilleries of Islay. Cruise leader Gordon Wright takes cruisers through three days of whisky adventure with two evenings of tutored whisky tastings on the boat. The cruises cost £895 per person sharing a twin or double cabin and includes food and beverages on board. The boat carries just 10 guests and the price includes to and from transfers from Glasgow to the boat. There are two cruises scheduled each month for May, June and August.

[via Islay blog]

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Tags: cruise, islay, spirits, whisky school, WhiskySchool

Freedom of the Seas' Sickness

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

We spent a bit of time earlier this year covering Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the largest cruise ship currently in operation, but a story has just come to light that highlights the fact that not all cruises are as relaxing as the luxury accommodations seem to make them. About 10% of the ship's passengers and 46 crew members came down with a norovirus brought on board by a sick passenger. Such viruses, which case less-than-pleasant gastrointestinal problems, are spread through contact and a cruise ship is one of the worst places to be when one strikes. The age and size of the ship are not necessarily factors, but since the Freedom of the Seas carries more than 4,000 people, maintaining a completely sanitized environment is much more difficult than it is on board a smaller ship.

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Tags: cruise, cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, FreedomOfTheSeas, norovirus

Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Medium Canvas Tote, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

It looks like Gucci isn't the only designer with a cruise line out now. Yves Saint Laurent has their collection up, too. This Downtown Medium Canvas Tote is one of the more casual bags from the line and it is easy to picture it as an everyday sort of bag. The Italian-made tote has a canvas body with matching leather trim, accented with golden hardware that gives the bag a polished look canvas alone could not provide. It has double top handles and two half-zip closures. It measures 13"H X 19"L X 4"W with a 7" drop from the straps so the tote can be tucked under an arm or carried in-hand. Price: $1,095.

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Tags: canvas, cruise, Handbag, Handbag of the Day, HandbagOfTheDay, tote, ysl, Yves Saint Laurent, YvesSaintLaurent

Gucci Peggy Top Handle Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Gucci has their new spring cruise bags up on their website and while many of them are nice, none are as eye-catching as the Peggy Top Handle Bag. This particular bag comes in a burnished copper python that is sure to make a sun-worshiper's mouth water. It has a removable shoulder strap, a semi-circular bamboo handle and light gold hardware. The large size, pictured, measures 18"L x 1.6"W x 11.8"H. Price: $3,190.

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Tags: cruise, gucci, handbag, handbag of the day, peggy, python, sun, tote

Even Luxury Yachts Can Sink

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Shortly after setting out with their brand new Fairline Squadron 58, a 60-foot luxury yacht, two Norwegian men ran it into some submerged rocks and it sank. The men abandoned the sinking ship in the rubber lifeboat, which also started to sink. The Norwegian rescue crews believe that the men were relying too much on their electronic charts and it was an error in navigation (either an error in reading the charts or in the charts themselves) that caused the boat to hit the rocks. The yacht was valued at $2 million and featured four bedrooms, with room for 10 people.

The lesson learned here is that, while fancy electronic equipment is great in a yacht, it's also good if you know how to sail before you set out. And that it's probably a good idea to check the condition of the life boat, just to be safe.

[Image Aftenposten]

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Tags: boat, cruise, fairline, fairline squadron, luxury yacht, LuxuryYacht, navigation, norway, norwegian, sail, sailing, yacht

Hermes Printed Beach Towels

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Hermes can even make a sandy beach luxurious with their plush, terrycloth beach towels, though it doesn't hurt if that beach is on a remote tropical island, either. Featuring rich colors and bold prints, the towels maintain a sense of the fun, carefree look that a beach towel should have. Designs include schools of fish, an ocean liner and swimming sea turtles. It's hard to say which design is the most attractive, so it's probably best to get them all. Use the ship print while on deck during a cruise and save the animal prints for sunbathing. You'll definitely catch the eyes of everyone on the cruise ship! The towels measure 36x60-inches and are priced at $450 each.

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Tags: beach, beach towel, cruise, hermes, sand, terrycloth, towel, water

Titanic Deck Chair at Auction

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

A deck chair from the Titanic is up for auction at Bonhams & Butterfields. The beech wood chair is one of only six surviving in the world and has the five-pointed star that was White Star's trademark emblazoned onto the headboard. The chair was not snatched off the deck during the last moments of the ship, but was taken as a souvenir by a newspaper photographer, Mr. Thomas Barker, when he did a piece about the ship at its last docking point on April 11, 1912. After the shop sank, Barker wanted nothing to do with the chair and it changed hands several times over the years. It is offered by a private collector. Nothing special in and of itself, as a relic of the Titanic, it is estimated to be worth $75,000 to $100,000.