posted by admin on May 19
The Newest Treasure at NCL Freestyle — Norwegian Gem
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Norwegian Cruise Lines has announced another dazzling jewel in its fleet: Gem. In the tradition of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel class of ships, Gem is artfully decorated inside and out; specially designed uniquely for NCL Freestyle Cruising with its appealing freedom. Gem will begin with pre-inaugural cruises in the Mediterranean, and will offer seven-day excursions to the Bahamas and Florida.
Aboard Gem
Passengers can feast on delicious cuisine, from French to Asian to Latin and everything in between. Gem has 12 restaurants to choose from, and unique to NCL Freestyle Cruising - dining options with no restrictive schedules or dress codes, so there are no limits to vacation enjoyment. Gem’s unique features include 11 bars and lounges to choose from, offering cocktails from such distinct settings as the basket of a hot air balloon, a martini bar adorned in Art Deco, or an elegant lounge where passengers can savor champagne and wine.
As the sister ship to Pearl, Gem offers the exclusive Courtyard and Garden Villas, experienced only with NCL Freestyle Cruising. Travelers wanting luxurious accommodations will be enchanted with over 4,000 square feet to relax in. The Garden Villas offer a full bath with a whirlpool, and access to the exclusive concierge lounge, including a private courtyard area with pool, hot tub, and sundeck. Butler service and concierge are available to pamper Villa vacationers.
NCL’s accommodations offer the most flexible choices of all cruise lines, with inter-connecting staterooms in nearly every class, making it easy to plan family or group vacations. From lavish Villas to cozy inside staterooms, every passenger will find the perfect stateroom, as affordable as desired, and with all the expected comforts of an NCL cruise. Every stateroom has TV, refrigerator, and hair dryers — and a chocolate on your freshly fluffed pillow each night.
Freestyle Cruising allows family vacations to be enjoyed as never before. A mood lit bowling alley — first ever in the cruise industry; a giant water slide, and arcade. Gem has clubs specially designed so teens can have their own space; and supervised, age-appropriate activities to keep everyone happy.
Passengers planning an enticing vacation for two will have all of the romantic allure of the tropics, casinos, and dancing, or rare, carefree time spent sharing life’s moments. Norwegian Cruise Line anticipates and fulfills passenger desires aboard Gem, with a fitness center, and courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis, as well as an Internet caf , an art gallery, a library, a spa, and a theatre and more - there’s something to entertain everyone.
Itinerary
NCL Gem will be launched with pre-inaugural cruises, from Dover to Barcelona, Rome, Nice, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Gibraltar and Majorca. After crossing the Atlantic, cruises will be available from New York City, New York, with seven-day Bahamas and Florida destinations.
Whether you’re looking for family fun with theme parks in Florida, swimming, and snorkeling in the pristine waters of the Bahamas, or a dream vacation for two relaxing in tropical breezes before an evening at the casinos, NCL Freestyle Cruising allows the freedom to plan it your way, in advance or as you go.
Stops include a day on the private island Great Stirrup Cay where you can enjoy white sand beaches, kayaking, sailing, or simply unwinding in a hammock. Discover charming Key West on a trolley ride, the perfect place to de-stress and relax.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle Cruising lets you create your ideal vacation with its vast choices in staterooms, major dining flexibility, and complete freedom to control your schedule — or to have no schedule at all. Gem’s addition to the fleet is another radiant jewel in this array of ships that are custom designed for passenger delight.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best deals including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/european_cruises.htm"> European cruises</a>.
Buying A Holiday Apartment
Buying a holiday apartment is a decision many of us will make when looking to invest in property, particularly in property abroad, or as we approach retirement. Unfortunately, it is often quite difficult to find the right holiday apartment for your needs at the right budget, and this can often be the cause of hassle and a lengthy search. Estate agents seem less than helpful, and when you’re trying to get to grips with foreign law, it can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task. In fact, there are many ways in which you can make the process of buying a holiday apartment easier, and a more enjoyable experience for you and your family. In this article we will look at what to look for when buying a holiday apartment, and the ways you can ensure it goes as smoothly as possible. When buying a holiday apartment, the first thing to consider is the location. As many in the industry say, location, location, location is the key to finding a property with lasting value, both in terms of the open market and in terms of providing you with the value you require. Location in the first instance requires you to think about where you want to vacation for the rest of your life. After all, with a holiday apartment you’re going to have to go there frequently to make use of your investment. Alternatively, a good way to think about it may be to select a place that is constantly buzzing with tourists, to allow you to generate a revenue stream from your property when you’re not there. There are plenty letting agents abroad that would gladly handle your rental property throughout the year, making it an ideal investment, both financially and in terms of giving you a relaxing retreat. When buying a holiday apartment it is crucial to find an English speaking real estate agent. This shouldn’t be too difficult, given that even in European countries English is spoken widely, and is used as a language of business and trade. By locating an English speaking agent, you will be able to get to the bottom of all your concerns throughout the buying process, to make for a smoother transaction with less unexpected costs at the end of the day. Additionally, you should ensure the agent comes across as being open and honest, and never be afraid to ask pressing questions before you buy. Buying a holiday apartment should be an enjoyable experience for you and your family, and you should be able to find somewhere to relax and unwind in your spare time. In spite of that it can often be a minefield, littered with problems and costly delays, resulting in an awkward, complicated purchase. However, by using the tips in this article, you should be able to find the right apartment for you, regardless of the obstacles that may, and inevitably will crop up through your transaction, and you will also be better placed to deal with those undesirable circumstances as they arise.
The author Majid Siddique writes for <a href="http://www.apartmentretreats.com">luxury apartments</a>. For more information about <a href="http://www.apartmentretreats.com">5 star apartments</a>, vacation apartments and apartments rentals please visit apartmentretreats.com.
Activities for Children under Twelve on a Cruise Ship
This article will help give you information about taking a cruise vacation and having fun with children under twelve. It explains what the children of this age will have to look forward too. Enjoy reading the article. Every year, a great number of folks make the choice to take a cruise. Cruise ships are a wonderful place to have your next vacation. If given the chance, a lot of parents would prefer to take a cruise all by themselves. This isn t due to a lack of love, but because of a common misunderstanding among parents and cruise ships. Many folks, including parents, think that cruise ships are not intended for children, but that is basically not true. If you are the parent of a child under the age of twelve, you may be thinking about whether or not they should go along with you on your next cruise. If you are able to financially afford an extra ticket, you are urged to think about bringing your child along. Not only will a cruise be unforgettable to your child, but it will be thrilling. That is because a great number of cruise lines have customized their cruise ships to kids of all ages, definitely for those under the age of twelve. If you have until now to reserve your cruise ship reservations, you are urged to keep cruise ship activities in mind. The activities for kids, below the age of twelve, will differ from ship to ship. That is why it is imperative that you investigate every ship before making a decisive conclusion. Regardless of the fact that activities will differ from ship to ship, there are a lot of activities geared to kids, below the age of twelve, which can be located on roughly all cruise ships. One of the many well-liked activities located aboard a cruise ship is gaming. Arcade rooms are customary on the majority of cruise ships. They present kids, below the age of twelve, a secured place to have fun and be a child. A lot of cruise ship arcade rooms are employed with cruise ship workers but this should not discourage you from keeping an eye on your child. When leaving them unaccompanied in an arcade room, you are urged to use your finest judgment. So far you have read a little on some cruise activities for children twelve and under. Does it answer your question on whether it makes sense to bring your child or children? Read on and learn more about cruise activities for your children. Another fun activity for kids, below the age of twelve, includes swimming. All vacation cruise ships are outfitted with a swimming pool. Additionally wading pools and an adult sized swimming pool can regularly be located aboard a number of well-liked family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are urged to use your best judgment when letting your children swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; although, they can t always assure the security of your child. In addition to an arcade room and a swimming pool, a majority of cruise ships have an onboard performance stage or a movie theater. A great number of cruise lines present family friendly plays, movies and other performances. Children, below the age of twelve, may notice that these movie showings and performances are fun and exciting. To decide if performances and movie showing are aimed to those below twelve, you are urged to verify a cruise ship s schedule. A ship s itinerary can be inspected with or without earlier booked reservations. Cruise ship dining facilities and restaurants are likely to accommodate children below the age of twelve. A lot of restaurants present children s menus. These menus are likely to contain tasty but kid sized meals. The expense of your children s meals will differ from ship to ship; but many cruise ships present discounts on meals for children below the age of twelve. Cruise ship childcare centers are services that help both parents and their kids. While on a family vacation, even you need to relax. For a small fee or even free, you should be allowed to leave your children in the care of an experienced and trained childcare employee. Because a cruise ship is likely to have travelers of all different ages, a lot of childcare facilities are arranged together by ages. As with a majority of other ship services, you will find that a cruise ship s childcares rules may differ from another s. The above mentioned services, facilities, and activities are just a small number of the many that are aimed at children, aged twelve and below. If you are pleased with the above mentioned facilities, activities and services, you may want to think about arranging your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship. This article should have given you the information you needed for your decision on whether to take your young children with you on your cruise. Hopefully that decision is an astounding YES. You can take your children on a cruise where you and the children will have a lot of fun and no worries.
A cruise can be a luxury vacation without the luxury costs. For more information on budget and cruise traveling visit us at http://www.quickcash2u.com/Cruise.html. K Hoyng is the web master and operator of http://www.quickcash2u.com which is an excellent source of cruise and travel information and much more key financial information.
Travel by the Best- Princess Cruises Posted By : Trent Allan007 Trent Allan007
Travel by the Best- Princess Cruises You can enjoy your holidays with the best cruises offered, and one can make the trip memorable as well.
Cruise Tips For Cruise Travel At Your Ports Of Call
Cruise travel is one of the best vacations you can take. During your cruise vacation you will visit several different ports of call. Your cruise ship will dock at exotic islands or new countries almost on a daily basis. Check out the cruise reviews on line for cruise tips before you visit your destinations to find out what fantastic experience each port has to offer.
During your cruise vacation you will visit ports to shop, explore, beach, sightsee or hike. There are a wide variety of activities in each cruise destination. Or you could just depart the ship for a chance to walk around for a change of pace. Although this is a great cruise adventure, you should realize that you will only get a small sample of what each port of call has to offer. And be forewarned, as you step of your majestic cruise ship there will be hordes of natives trying to sell you a trinket or a tour around the city.
If you take the advice above and search the cruise reviews, you should have a pretty good idea what each destination has to offer. Choose the one that has the most encompassing tour of your port. In exotic ports they have full day tours, including lunch, that will take you to the highlights of the place you are visiting. This is an ideal way to sample the city or island getting ideas for what you may want to come back for at a later date. On island tours you may want to take an organized tour in the morning, go back to the ship for lunch, then light out on your own to explore more fully, shop or just go to the beach.
If you are more adventuresome, skip the lunch on board and dine in the city. You get to experience the local cuisine and soak up the native culture. This is your vacation, learn new and different things. If you chose to do this check with the cruise director for the best places to dine and make sure you know the exchange rate. On of the cruise tips is to put your meal on a charge card so you will be charged the exchange rate on the day the bill hits the credit card company.
A cruise tip that is very useful is to use the brochure that the ship gives you for their organized tour and follow it on your own. Only do this if you are comfortable with the country you are visiting. If it is your first time overseas to a port of call, it is best to stick with the organized tour for safety and convenience. Other cruise tips can be found online about some of the wonderful things to see and do in various ports of call. Be conscious of one thing, if you chose to explore on your own, know what time the ship leaves and how long it will take you to get back on board. If you are not on an organized tour it is your responsibility to get back on time or the ship will leave without you. You then have to meet the ship at the next port of call at your own expense.
If you opt for an organized tour sponsored by the cruise ship, it should cost you anywhere from $20.00 to over $200.00 depending on what you choose to do. It could be just a simple bus ride around town for two hours or a two day trip from St. Petersburg, Russia to Moscow. The options are endless.
Most cruise lines will let you book in advance on their websites. This is very convenient and helpful with tours that sell out quickly. For instances, in the Cayman Islands the Stingray City tour is very popular and will sell out. If you book it in advance you guarantee your spot. The more inexpensive tours also tend to sell out because of some cruisers watching their budgets. So, don’t miss out, check out the cruise lines website to see if you can book your ticket in advance.
It is good to know the game plan that the tour offers. Things you should be aware of is how much the guide will be with you and do they speak English clearly. Mostly the cruise lines have very competent tour guides, but better safe than sorry. Will have any time on your like for shopping or stopping in a caf ©? It is very important to find out how much physical activity is required before you sign on for any tour. If you have limited mobility you don’t want to go on a tour that climbs the Acropolis in Athens or Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. Find out if a snack or lunch is provided, so if it isn’t you can bring along adequate funds to get your own.
There are private touring companies that you can contact on your own if you wish to tour in a more private fashion. Another alternative is to buddy up with some fellow cruisers and share taxi tours to cut your expense in half. Many times you will meet people on a cruise that have similar interests and you will spend a lot of time together on the cruise ship, why not touring also? It’s a way to save money and enjoy other passengers company.
Only hire licensed taxi drivers. Their credentials should be prominently displayed in the front of the cab. With a licensed driver you are ensured a safe trip and a guide who is knowledgeable about the islands or cities background, where to shop, eat or gamble. And of course they will know the best beaches available. Negotiate the price of your tour up front. If you chose to go to a destination where you will be dropped off for a couple of hours, negotiate with the driver to come back and pick you up. Settle on a price and pay half up front and half on the way back. If the driver has been helpful and friendly, please tip him or her.
Some cruisers like to rent cars in their ports of call. It is recommended that you only do this in destinations that you are familiar with and have a good knowledge of where you are going. Be careful when renting a car. Be sure to check out the entire car for any damages that may already be there and note them on your rental contract. If you fail to do this you may be charged for damage that was already done.
Lastly, use common sense when touring. Don’t travel in dark tight alleys, put your money under your clothes, don’t wear expensive jewelry and don’t let yourself be surrounded, especially by children. Always carry identification and the name of the cruise lines agents in the port of call in case you get in trouble.
You are on a cruise vacation make the best of it. Get off the ship at all of your ports of call whether you are touring or are just poking around. Be sure to take lots of pictures so you will have years of beautiful cruise travel memories.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Cruise To The Bahamas - Without Getting Sick
A cruise to the bahamas can prove to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. You can spend time relaxing on gorgeous beaches, visit historical sites and soak up nature’s beauty at numerous locations … all while enjoying the amenities of a four star resort. However, some people do get “traveler’s sickness”. Fortunately, there are different ways to prevent it.
To begin with, it is necessary to know a bit about this medical condition, as it affects at least fifty percent of all tourists who visit third world countries every year. E.coli bacteria that nest in your digestive tract cause it. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition include frequent loose tools, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and bloating. In many cases, people suffer dehydration and need to be hospitalized. Though there are a number of treatments for this travel disease, but none are as effective as the course of time itself.
In order to avoid this medical condition, you need to avoid drinking tap water. Almost everyone in the country drinks tap water and uses it for a number of purposes. Hence, the digestive tracts of the locals are attuned to the bacteria present in the water. But, it is not safe to drink tap water and so, it is better to boil water for at least ten minutes before you drink it. Even a tiny drop can contain the bacteria that can make you sick. Whenever you buy bottled water, make sure the bottle is sealed, as it might be filled with tap water if the bottle is tampered. Avoid eating salads in the restaurants as their leaves are generally washed with tap water.
Eating fruits with a peel or washed with bottled water is another way of preventing Traveler’s Sickness. Besides you can also avoid eating food that is sold by street vendors. The food might appear very tempting, but such food can harm you more than anything else.
The fourth way to prevent this medical condition is to avoid places that serve pre-cooked and preserved food. Bacteria form on food as soon as it cools. However, the re-warming process does not kill the bacteria formed on the food.
Some useful tips are as follows:
- Try to include safe and hygienic items like freshly prepared dishes that are served steaming hot. - Eat meats that have been cooked to order. - Eat only peeled and properly washed fruits. - Enjoy more of breads and baked foods. - Indulge more in hot beverages like coffee and tea. - Drink bottled or canned cold drinks. - Avoid ice, uncooked vegetables or unwashed peeled fruits, cold salads, buffets and roadside food.
Your cruise to the Bahamas can be an experience of a lifetime, provided you follow certain important tips.
We also highly recommend that you checkout the Travel Secrets Guide before you plan your next <a href="http://www.cruise-to-the-bahamas.com">cruise to the Bahamas</a>. This resource will show you how to save hundreds of dollars while getting better service and having a more enjoyable trip. You can find it by going to: http://www.cruise-to-the-bahamas.com In the resource you'll get all the tips and tricks from a veteran traveler. Again, we do highly recommend it and you can check it out by going to http://www.cruise-to-the-bahamas.com
Carnival Cruise Line's Chairman Heats Things Up
by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved
Standing on the deck of the ship Carnivale in 1984, Micky Arison (then president) announced a new direction in the Carnival Cruise Line advertising program. The theme? “We’ve got the fun.” It was the following campaign that released the slogan that is still used by Carnival today: Fun Ships . This shifting of direction - at the leading of Arison - was one element that catapulted Carnival from a line with one 950-passenger ship to the fireball that it is today.
Turning Up the Heat
That’s not surprising when you consider Arison is often associated with heat. He’s turned up the heat on many other lines as he progressed through his merger and acquisition plan over the last several years. Some of his conquests include Princess Cruise Line as well as luxury icon Cunard Line.
At the time he bought Cunard (in 1998), Arison had a vision of taking this once regal line and restoring her to the glory for which she had become famous. In 2004, Arison announced the christening of the largest, longest, highest and most expensive ship ever built: The Queen Mary 2 amid a flurry of worldwide media coverage. With the complete refitting of the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the upcoming addition of the Queen Victoria, Cunard will have three queens ruling the high seas.
But putting the heat on the competition isn’t all Arison is known for. He is also the managing general partner of the Miami Heat basketball team, which he inherited from his father, Ted. Arison will quickly tell you, however, that his management style is anything but hot. Joking about not being exciting, Arison said he purposely does little to draw attention to himself.
Owning the Heat
Unlike other NBA team owners, you won’t see him rushing the court to have words with a referee or launching his own Internet blog to voice his opinion about the state of NBA affairs. His idea of going crazy at a game? Wearing a “Go Heat” t-shirt or glaring with folded arms at a ref he disagrees with. Arison proclaims he simply is not out for attention.
Creating Some Heat
A major contributor to reinventing the cruise vacation, Arison is partially credited for breaking down the previous stereotypes and roadblocks average people faced when it came to cruising. The image of cruising has shifted from one of sheer exclusivity for the upper class to a fun-filled, family outing that is both thrilling and affordable.
Arison has expanded his empire by allowing practically everyone to experience the excitement and adventure cruise vacations offer. By attracting flocks of middle-class people who want to explore the world via sea, Carnival Cruise Line has managed to invent and capture an entirely new customer segment that has rewarded it with enormous growth and profits.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best deals including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/hawaii_cruises.htm"> Hawaii cruises</a> from <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/carnival_cruise_line.htm">Carnival Cruise Line</a> and others.
A Cruise Ship Review Of The New 2006 Cruise Line Offerings For Your Cruise Vacation
If you are a veteran cruiser or just curious about cruising, the year 2006 will be introducing many new cruise ships for you to consider when planning a cruise vacation. Call your travel agent and ask about the cruise lines and their new cruise ships and then book a cruise vacation. Here is a cruise review of the new cruise line additions.
Holland America is introducing the Noordam. This new cruise ship was launched on February 22 and has been getting very good cruise reviews. It will be the last cruise ship of Holland America s Vista-class series.
However, it is the first to be designed for the cruise line s Signature of Excellence program.
The Noordam can accommodate 1,848 passengers. For this new cruise ship, there have been some design changes to enhance the cruise vacation. The new designs were focused mainly on the public areas and staterooms, the meeting point of many cruise travelers.
They have made additions to the very popular Explorations Cafe. As veteran cruise travelers are well aware, it is a coffee bar/Internet cafe, game room, and library.
NCL America s Pride of Hawaii is the newest cruise ship for 2006 by NCL America. It is the sister vessel of the Norwegian Jewel and offers an excellent cruise vacation.
For the cruise line, Pride of Hawaii marks the first new build from the hull up.
It launched was in June. This cruise ship will accommodate 2,224 passengers. It will be another cruise ship in NCL America s Freestyle Cruising concept being offered for your cruise vacation.
The Pride of Hawaii s interior decor will be, of course, Hawaiian.
This cruise ship will be departing weekly on Mondays for your cruise vacation and travel the islands, calling Honolulu home.
In December the Norwegian Pearl is set to sail in the Caribbean in the winter months and Alaska in the summer months for your cruise vacations. One of their innovations is the Bar Central concept. It features a martini bar, a champagne bar, wine bar, and a beer and whiskey pub all connected.
The Royal Caribbean s Freedom of the Seas was launched in May in time for summer cruise vacations. Cruise reviews call it the most innovative cruise ship for RCCL so far.
This 158,000-ton cruise ship has a capacity of 3,600 passengers. It will actually be 10,000 tons larger than Cunard s Queen Mary 2. It will be the largest cruise ship to be built so far.
The Freedom of the Seas has an added feature that other cruise ships do not. It actually has a place to surf on the top cruise deck. This is a new and unique amenity for RCCL s Freedom of the Seas cruise ship. Other cruise lines have virtual golf or movies under the stars but no one has a surf park. The cruise line has built the largest rock climbing wall ever.
Following its launching, the Freedom of the Seas will sail seven-day cruise vacations to the Caribbean from Miami.
The Crown Princess, Princess Cruises christened in June. The Crown Princess is expected to accommodate 3,110 cruise travel passengers with 1200 crew.
Princess Cruises lines redesigned the Skywalker s Disco, which gained popularity from cruise passengers on their cruise vacations. They also have the Lotus Spa which has been expanded on the Crown Princess.
New pastries and snacks will adorn the International Cafe. Crown Princess will have the first ever wine and seafood bar of the entire cruise line.
Expansions were made to other popular features like the Wheelhouse Bar, Sabatini s Trattoria, and the Sterling Steakhouse.
Crown Princess cruise vacations will sail roundtrip from the Red Hook terminal in New York. This cruise vacation will make stops in the Eastern Caribbean, Bermuda and Turks and Caicos.
MSC will launched their new cruise ship MSC Musica on July 01. Musica is an Italian ship that will bring MSC into the ranks of big cruise ships. It is expected to accommodate 2,550 passengers.
One of its outstanding features will be that a full 80% of its 1,275 staterooms will be outside rooms. In addition, 65% of these staterooms will have verandas.
It will also feature a large spa area. The Musica s cruise passengers will also have several dining options. They will enjoy a three deck high waterfall and many different entertainment venues.
Musica will sail the eastern Mediterranean from Venice.
The Costa Cruises new ship the Costa Concordia is owned by Carnival Corporation based in Miami, while Costa cruise lines is based in Italy.
This will be the largest cruise ship to join the Costa Cruises fleet. It will be launched late this year on July 14. It is expected to accommodate 3,000 passengers.
The Costa Concordia will have an European theme for its interior decor. All the room s names will be European inspired. They will have the Grand Bar Berlin, Cafeteria Helsinki, and the Milan and Rome dining rooms.
A unique amenity to the Costa Concordia is a Formula 1 driving simulator for cruise passengers to enjoy on their cruise vacation.
This new cruise ship will sail year round in the Western Mediterranean. For those taking their cruise vacation on this ship, they will make ports of call in Spain, France, Italy, Gibraltar, and Malta.
So much to choose from! Check out other cruise reviews of these new cruise ships to find out on which cruise ship you will spend your 2006 cruise vacation.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com
http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com
and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Holland America Welcomes Guest Chef Jacques Torres
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Chocolatier, pastry chef, candy maker and cookbook author. When it comes to sweets, Jacques Torres has it all wrapped up! This is one of the primary reasons Holland America Line invited Torres to be a guest chef during 2006 at its onboard Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine. Passengers are able to attend cooking classes in a theatre-style demonstration kitchen and also view the classes on large-screen plasma TVs.
With a charming smile and exciting personality, Jacques Torres is a natural with public speaking and teaching. Starting his career at the age of 15, Torres began his apprenticeship at La Frangipane, a small pastry shop in his hometown of Bandol, France. Upon graduating first in his class, Torres began to refine his intuitive sense of creativity and artistry under the direction of two-star chef Jacques Maximin at the Hotel Negresco.
Always a proponent of education, Torres went back to school to earn his Master Pastry Chef degree from 1980 to 1983. Immediately upon completion, he began sharing his wealth of knowledge and his talent with students at a local culinary school in Cannes. In 1986, however, Torres set a record by becoming the youngest chef ever to receive the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France medal: something in which he and his students took great pride.
An ever-growing list of distinctions follows Jacques Torres, including:
participation in the rededication ceremonies for the Statue of Liberty
winning the Japanese Pastry Chef Association’s gold medal
winning the 1986 French Championship of Desserts
guest chef on Julia Child’s Master Chefs program
recognition as James Beard’s Pastry Chef of the Year
receipt of Chefs of America Pastry Chef of the Year award
recognition as Chocolatier magazine’s 10 Best Pastry Chefs and
membership in Academie Culinaie de France
Likewise, his accomplishments are equally amazing. Torres has:
developed two television shows: Dessert Circus with Jacque Torres and Dessert Circus At Home
authored a companion cookbook entitled Dessert Circus At Home (Morrow, 1999)
opened two chocolate and pastry shops in New York: one in New York City and one in Brooklyn
made frequent guest appearances on the Food Network
sailed as guest chef onboard Holland America Line cruises
served as Dean of Pastry Arts at the French Culinary Institute
prepared desserts and pastries for presidents, kings, celebrities and the wealthy worldwide
and much more!
Deeply concerned with giving back to the community, Torres donates his time to a wide variety of notable charities, including the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Gods Love We Deliver, New York’s Hard of Hearing Association, Sloan Kettering Cancer Research Center, the Association to Benefit Children and others.
With a fun, fanciful style, Torres creates delightful confections that look as fabulous as they taste. His goal is to appeal to all the senses, as he engages the eyes with creative presentations, the nose with exceptional aromas and - most importantly - the mouth with textures and flavors that can only be described as decadent.
The guest chef lineup for 2007 includes other amazing chefs. Check with your travel agent or Holland America for details on who will sail on which ships throughout the coming year.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best deals on <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/holland_america_cruise.htm"> Holland America Cruise Line cruises</a>.
Pelorus yacht
Pelorus is one of the largest private yachts in the world at 377 feet 3 inches (115 metres) in length. She was built at the Lurssen yard in Germany and was launched in 2003. She was briefly owned by a Saudi businessman who sold her to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich the following year. Abramovich had her refitted to his own requirements by Blohm & Voss. This included the addition of a second helicopter pad forward, four new zero-speed stabilizers and modifications to the exhaust, mast and stern. Pelorus is powered by two 3,600-hp Wartsila engines. Details about the interiors are scanty as Abramovich is protective of his family’s privacy and highly security conscious, but they were designed by Terence Disdale. Security features include a submarine for detecting limpet mines and a missile-detection system. (1) In 2005 Abramovich lent Pelorus to Frank Lampard and John Terry for two weeks as a bonus for being the two best players at his English football club Chelsea F.C. the previous season. Abramovich owns two other superyachts, Le Grand Bleu and Ecstasea. 32 pictures of Roman Abramovich’s Pelorus motor yacht from around the world
Maximov Andrey
