cruises

Luxist Giveaway: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2011

Filed under: Books

Calling all cruisers, this is your giveaway. Berlitz gave us a couple of copies of its massive tome, the 2011 edition of Cruising and Cruise Ships, to give away to two readers chosen at random. This indispensable guide to all this cruise is now in its 26th year of publication. The book is written by cruise-guru, Douglas Ward, who spent 17 years working in the cruise industry before becoming a cruise reviewer. The website for this book states that Ward has logged in over 5,600 days at sea, participating in more than 1,000 cruises, 155 transatlantic crossings and plenty of shipyard visits and maiden voyages.

The book reviews 285 cruise ships and also offer at-a-glance charts compare the major cruise lines for cabin facilities, food and service. The book doesn't just review the ships, the first few sections are devoted to broader issues designed to narrow down what you might be looking for. There is advice on cruising with families, cruising for seniors, nature cruises, river cruises and more. Every conceivable angle of traveling via cruise ship is covered from etiquette to safety concerns and whether or not you can cringe your golf clubs or check email while cruising. Ward is also an incredible compendium of cruise facts. He goes into the history of the various cruise lines and also delivers behind-the-scenes details of the logistics of running a large cruise ship. His knowledge both as an avid cruiser and as a former cruise ship professional gives him a unique point of view.

Tags: berlitz, crime, cruise, cruise guide, cruise ship, cruises, luxist giveaway

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Queen Mary 2's Canyon Ranch SpaClub: Pure Bliss on the Atlantic Ocean (with Video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Perhaps the most decadent, and most relaxing experience one could ever imagine, is time spent at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub while crossing the Atlantic Ocean on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

The Queen Mary 2 is equipped with a 22,000 square foot spa, which is one of the largest ship-based spas in the world. The spa facilities include 24 treatment rooms, a luxurious aqua-therapy facility and a beauty and hair salon. For those seeking exercise, there's a fully-equipped circuit gym with free weights as well as a large cardio facility that is outfitted with state-of-the-art elliptical trainers, stationary and recumbent bicycles, a variety of treadmills and stepping machines. Much of the equipment is equipped with individual televisions and iPod docks. Fitness trainers are available for individual sessions.

While the Canyon Ranch SpaClub isn't quite as elaborate as visiting the world-renowned Canyon Ranch destination locations in Tucson, Ariz. or Lenox, Mass. (and a Luxist Awards' Nominee for Best Extended-Stay Spa), it is extremely impressive nonetheless. And in some ways, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard the Queen Mary 2, which opened in 2004, is even better. Where else can you enjoy the historic and romantic experience of crossing the Atlantic on a beautiful ocean liner while experiencing the healthy lifestyle offered by Canyon Ranch?

Gallery: Canyon Ranch SpaClub on Cunard's Queen Mary 2

Canyon Ranch SpaClub on the Queen Mary 2

Tags: awards-main, canyon ranch, Canyon Ranch Cooking, canyon ranch spa, cruise, cruise ship, cruises, cunard, Cunard Cruise Line, CunardCruiseLine, luxist-awards, ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, spa, spa treatments, transatlantic, transatlantic crossing

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Sea Cloud Cruises Wins the Luxist Award for Best Summer Cruise

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

Sea Cloud's luxury cruise to Turkey and Greece

Some 2,500 years ago, the warm waters between Greece and what is now Turkey were filled with the warring fleets of Persia's King Xerxes and his Greek foes. These days, the ships sailing through the Aegean are of a much more peaceful variety-none more majestic than the vessels of Sea Cloud Cruises, the winner of the Luxist award in the best summer cruise category.

One of Sea Cloud's most popular itineraries takes guests from Athens through the Greek Isles to Turkey and back again. The eight-day trip includes stops at Delos, an entire island designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; Rhodes, where the Palace of the Grand Master still stands; and Bodrum, the Turkish town that was once home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the original seven wonders of the world.

Gallery: Sea Cloud Cruises

Cruising the Greek Isles and Turkey with Sea Cloud

Tags: awards-main, cruise, cruise ship, CruiseLines, cruises, greek islands, luxist-awards, Sea Cloud, Turkey, winners-summer-travel

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Land of the Ice Bears Cruise by Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Land of the Ice Bears with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic

Sea and sun are the hallmarks of most summer vacations, but the Land of the Ice Bears cruise is one of few to offer an unlimited quantity of both. Dreamed up by Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, the getaway features a never-setting sun and plenty of polar bears-just part of the reason it's a Luxist Awards' nominee in the Best Summer Cruises category.

Fly from the United States to Oslo, where you'll spend your first full day taking in the sights and sounds of metropolitan Scandinavia. Then board the fully stabilized ice-class expedition cruise ship that will transport you to Svalbard, a remote archipelago 350 miles beyond Norway's North Cape. This is the farthest that vessels are allowed to travel without an ice-breaker; still, there are plenty of floes bobbing in the icy fjords.

The wildlife, however, is anything but frozen. From the comfort of Zodiac boats and kayaks, you'll observe a plethora of creatures-reindeer, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, and of course, polar bears-frolicking amid the thawing tundra and surrounding seas. In the evening, you'll retire to your ship and its myriad amenities, including a bar, restaurant, gallery, library and lounge.

Spots on the Land of the Ice Bears cruise start at $7,500 per person (based on double occupancy) and run as high as $14,000 for the finest cabins, not including airfare. But for those intent on catching plenty of summer sun and really cooling off, this cruise is hard to beat.

Vote for the Luxury Family Summer Vacation that you think is the best of breed. The winner will be announced on September 1st.

Tags: awards-main, cruises, LindbladExpeditions, luxist-awards, National Geographic, polar bears

Art Auctions to End on Royal Caribbean?

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Auctions, Art

Adam Goldstein, the top dog over at Royal Caribbean, wrote on his blog this week that the cruise line is not renewing its contract with Park West Art Services. It looks as though the future of art auctions on the ships is uncertain, given that the president and CEO says the company is evaluating alternatives.

Writes Goldstein:

"[O]ur contract with Park West Art Services has expired and we have decided not to renew it. There is a wind down period in effect and the art auctioneers will finish on different ships at different times over the next few months. We are evaluating what if any art-related programming we may offer in the fleet in the future beyond Oasis of the Seas where Art Actually is our provider of art tours and art for purchase onboard."

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Tags: art auction, art auctions, cruise, cruise ship, CruiseLines, cruises, royal caribbean, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises

Aboard Silversea's New Silver Spirit: Discordant Design Ahoy

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Staircase aboard Silversea's Cruise Ship Silver Spirit

When Silversea's new boat, Silver Spirit, stopped into New York harbor en route to Europe by way of Boston and Nova Scotia, I couldn't wait to get on board and take a peek. I've become a fan of smaller cruise ships of late, and this boat accommodates 540 guests. I also love Art Deco, which was meant to be the ship's design inspiration. So it was with high hopes that I confidently strode across the gangway for a media tour and luncheon this past Friday.

The Silver Spirit has a lot going for it, but as I reflect on my tour of the boat, I almost wonder whether there were two design philosophies battling for dominance during its planning phases, as I found the ship's feel puzzlingly discordant.

The interior, public areas of the boat have a dark and stuffy feeling that frankly seemed dated -- sort of amazing in a ship that was built in 2009. The plush seating in the reception area actually reminded me of the Holiday Inn, which can hardly be on the inspiration board for a ship designed with these sorts of fares had in mind. (Example: the lowest published fare for a ten day cruise Papeete to Auckland next year: $10,895.) The sitting are of the third-highest highest room category, the spacious Silver Suite, reminded me of a very nicely renovated Motel 6. (See gallery below.)

On the lighter side, literally: the Owner's Suite is a brighter, modern and airy take informed by deco. It's also huge, at 1,292 square feet, including 190 square foot veranda. The less-expensive "Midship Veranda" rooms are small but also aesthetically in line with the Owner's Suite.

Gallery: Aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit Cruise Ship

Tags: art deco, cruises, CruiseShip, silversea, silversea silver spirit

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Hurtigruten Creates Custom Wine For Cruises

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

What do you call a house wine on a cruise ship, the boat wine? The Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten has worked with Portuguese winery José Maria da Fonseca and commissioned two popular Portuguese wines. The two wines one red and one white were chosen from more than 60 possibilities and and the winemaker agreed to some tweaks to make them unique Hurtigruten wines. The red is described as having a balanced flavor with soft tannins and a fruity aroma, while the white is a pale yellow with aromas of lychee and lime and a full fruity flavor.

They will be offered as the house wine on all Hurtigruten ships making the daily sailing along Norway's 1,250-mile fjord-filled west coast as well as aboard the MS Fram on its expedition cruises to Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic island of Spitsbergen.

Tags: cruise wine, cruises, hurtigruten, wine

Sail French Polynesia with Paul Gauguin Cruises

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

I hold large cruise ships in a certain amount of disdain -- floating shopping malls, the all-inclusive resorts of the sea, which seem to me to feature at their heart everything I dislike about vacation activities, the forced gaiety fueled by buckets of alcohol, the faux celebrity of being stalked by cruise photographer and videographer, food more about quantity than quality, casinos.

On these pages, I have speculated that I would likely enjoy myself more on a smaller ship and so I put it to the test a few weeks ago, joining a sailing of the m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia. I found ever so much more pleasant, so much so that I would even go out of my way to repeat the experience. The ship has a maximum capacity of 332 passengers, and one crew member for every 1.5 guests. I'll refrain from a joke about the half-guests, and instead more usefully say that while I was thoughtfully catered to, I never felt hassled, as is possible when there's a profusion of help available. I also found an amazing amount of solitude on the ship's public areas, which I think is absolutely necessary for proper contemplation of French Polynesia, for example, the mountains of Moorea, which were once worshiped by the ancient Tahitians, and seem to be worth the worship.

I also had the agreeable sense that the ship was miniaturized from a larger cruise vessel -- there were three restaurants aboard, although smaller, there was a bar with a teeny tiny dance floor and even the embarrass yourself -- karaoke night provided the opportunity -- and even a small, easily-avoided casino for people that require that.

I think this ship is aimed at an older demographic although I am at the precise mid-point of my 30s, I do consider myself prematurely old, and so enjoyed the Elderhostel-esque programming, a top-notch anthropologist provided fascinating lectures and also the opportunity for a hike in Moorea, nightly entertainment to be taken or left as you prefer, a small boutique that had all the essentials, including kamani oil, a local treatment for sunburn which I really needed after a snorkel with the sharks and stingrays excursion that despite the burn ranks among my favorite experiences ever. The only part of the ship that I found dissatisfying was the fitness center, which could use better ventilation -- although I don't really mind getting a good look at the lifeboats while I'm running on the treadmill.

Paul Gauguin was until recently owned by Regent Seven Seas Cruises and is now owned by Pacific Beachcomber, the largest luxury hotel and cruise operator in the country, and the same group that owns InterContinentals throughout French Polynesia. In fact, I was on the first sail under the new management.

Gallery: Aboard the Paul Gauguin

Tags: cruise, cruise ship, cruises, CruiseShip, french polynesia, FrenchPolynesia

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Introducing Silversea's New Boat: Silver Spirit

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

I've been known to rant a bit about the experience of traveling on a large cruise ship -- basically, they strike me as floating shopping malls/theme parks, neither of which I'd ever choose to spend time on.

Even if I'm surrounded by open ocean, which I happen to adore.

But I put smaller ships in a different category, more like a communal yacht, so I was pleased to learn that Silversea, the small ship cruise ship line, plans to launch a new vessel on December 23rd. I was even more pleased when I found out that the new ship, the Silver Spirit, sports a fabulous Art Deco design, and, among its six restaurants, includes one that offers a slow food concept. Check out the gallery for some interior views.

The boat is all-suite, the suites are larger than any the line has offered to date, including two flatscreen televisions, a pillow menu, Carrera marble bathrooms, and a butler assigned to each suite. The maiden crossing from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale is sold out, but consider signing on for the 91-day inaugural cruise around the Americas departing January 21, 2010, which includes the Christening party and VIP tickets to Rio's Carnival.

Gallery: Silversea's New Boat: Silver Spirit

Tags: cru, cruise, cruise line, cruise ship, CruiseLine, cruises, CruiseShip, silversea, winter-travel-main

Exclusive Scotland Golf Cruises

by Paul Rogers (RSS feed) —

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

Once the final putt is holed at this week's U.S. Open, the golf world will turn its gaze eastward toward the craggy shores of Scotland, where the British Open will be held at Turnberry next month. With all due respect to New York's Bethpage Black, the rugged site of the 2009 U.S. Open, there is nothing like golf on the Auld Sod, and there may be no finer way to experience it than by taking a private cruise: play a majestic links by day, sail by night.

PerryGolf, a well-respected tour operator, is offering two exclusive seven-night voyages aboard the Harmony II, a beautifully restored mid-twentieth-century mega-yacht. Each sailing can accommodate up to 12 guests. The first trip, from July 20–26 (the week following the British Open), begins in the Ayrshire town of Troon on Scotland's west coast and concludes up in the Highlands, in Inverness. The second journey, beginning July 27, reverses course.

Both itineraries feature six rounds of golf at such storied old links as Royal Dornoch, Machrihanish and the Machrie and the brand-new Castle Stuart (above), which will open in July bearing a timeless seaside look. Cultural excursions include exploring the unspoiled Isle of Islay, home to eight working distilleries, and a visit to Cawdor Castle, with its fictional link to Macbeth. The cost is $8,895 per golfing passenger; $8,495 for nongolfers. The price includes all on-board meals and drinks as well as ground transport and all golf-related fees.

Gallery: PerryGolf's Private Scotland Golf Cruises

Tags: Castle Stuart, CastleStuart, cawdor castle, CawdorCastle, cruises, Dornoch, golf, isle of Islay, IsleOfIslay, Machrie, Machrihanish, PerryGolf, Scotland

Ice In Its Natural Habitat, A Cruise To Spitsbergen

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

The 120-passenger MS Expedition is the latest yacht to offer cruises to the remote frozen land of Spitsbergen through Hurtigruten cruises. The MS Expedition is no spring chicken. It was built in Helsingør, Denmark in 1972 but underwent a complete rebuilding and modernization last year. The ship features a panorama lounge, expedition lounge, restaurant, library, bar, fitness room and sauna. All cabins face outside and have their own window. Zodiacs are used for expedition landings as well as for navigating the narrow straits of the arctic landscape for up-close views of the glaciers and wildlife. The frozen ecosystem is rich in natural beauty and supports walrus, polar bears, reindeer, seabirds and geese. Tours of Spitsbergen and surrounded areas are available in nine, 12 and 16-day packages and early booking fares start at $5,686. Dress warm.

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Tags: arctic cruise, ArcticCruise, cruises, norway, spitsbergen

Pricey Cruise To Peep At Penguins

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Think 'luxury cruise' and visions of hot sun and warm blue water probably come to mind, but that couldn't be farther from reality on the latest cruise from Quark Expeditions called "Emperors & Kings: Snow Hill and South Georgia." Leave the sun hat at home and instead grab your ice cleats and arctic gear to sail to Snow Hill Island and South Georgia to see two of the largest and most elusive penguin species, the Emperor Penguins and King Penguins, living in the wild.

The cruise ship, complete with on-board helicopter for shuttling guests to and from the penguin rookery sites, sets sail in November of next year. Prices start at $21,890.

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Tags: cruise, cruises, penguin, penguins, quark, quark expeditions, QuarkExpeditions

Rough Waters Ahead For Cruising? Royal Caribbean Cuts 400 Jobs

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Hard times for the world of cruising? Royal Caribbean Cruises announced today that they have cut 400 jobs and are making other cost-cutting measures to reduce annual expenses by $125 million. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain has named soaring fuel prices and the economic downturn as a factor in the moves. The announcement followed lower-than-expected second quarter earnings. So far though, bookings have been holding up well with no decline in the number of people booking cruises. The last few years have been strong for the cruise industry as the growing number of baby boomers have fueled the upscale cruising market. I suspect that the economic fallout for the cruise industry may be slower to occur since cruises are often booked farther in advance. Royal Caribbean's dramatic cost cutting may be a way to try and head off the storms ahead.

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Tags: cruises, cruising, royal caribbean, RoyalCaribbean

Pinot Lovers' Cruise

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

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

The Amazon's First Luxury Cruise

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

A company called Aqua Expeditions has launched the first luxury cruise on the Amazon, a region previously immune to the charms of 280-thread-count sheets and en-suite air conditioning. Their first ship, the M/V Aqua, resembles a floating boutique hotel with a dining room, indoor and outdoor lounges, an observation deck and boutique.

Accommodation-wise, there are eight suites and four master suites with giant picture windows affording 180-degree views of the river scenery. The trips, which are organized around the Flooded Season (June-November) and Dry Season (December-May), run for three, four and seven nights. They begin in Iquitos, Peru (an hour and 40 minutes from Lima), and center on a visit to the five million acre Pacaya Samiria Reserve, a remote sanctuary for all kinds of exotic wildlife including monkeys, jaguars and pink dolphins. Rates start at $1950 per person.

[via UrbanDaddy]

Gallery: Aqua Expeditions Amazon Cruise

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Tags: amazon, cruises, peru

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