posted by admin on Jun 14
Emerald Princess: The Newest Grand-Class Ship Sets Sail April 2007
by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved
Spring 2007 holds wonderful things in store for cruise enthusiasts. Princess Cruise Line is currently finalizing all the details in preparation for launching Emerald Princess this coming April. Modern and luxurious, this ship’s theme is all about choices.
In line with other Princess vessels, Emerald Princess will offer Movies Under the Stars, a Princess innovation that began last year with great success. With towering, outdoor, plasma movie screens that feature the latest releases in movies, concerts and sporting events, this feature has become one of the most sought after. Other ship-wide favorites slated for inclusion on the Emerald Princess include Personal Choice dining, Lotus Spa and a very high ratio of cabins offering private verandahs.
Expanded Children’s and Teens Areas
Because kids and teens are an integral part of the family vacation, Emerald Princess will offer expanded children’s and teens areas. With three age classifications, kids and teens will find a wide range of activities, games, crafts, food and parties designed specifically with them in mind. Parents will be delighted to know their children are having the time of their lives while being supervised by the watchful eyes of trained ship’s staff members.
Larger Staterooms With More Verandahs
In keeping with the ship’s theme of choice, Emerald Princess will offer 13 classes of staterooms (including family suites) that are larger than those offered on other cruise ships. Passengers will find greater amenities, including queen-sized beds, refrigerators, walk-in closets, massage showerheads, laundry services and more (depending on which cabin class is booked). Plus nearly 900 staterooms will offer balconies, one of the most popular features requested by guests.
Engagements and Weddings At Sea
As the only major cruise line to offer these features, Emerald Princess passengers have the pleasure of getting engaged or getting married on the open sea with some truly memorable touches.
For those hoping to propose while on a cruise, “Engagement Under the Stars” provides help with making a personalized video to be shown on the big screen during Movies Under the Stars. Once the question is popped, the couple can enjoy a romantic dinner prepared especially for them and receive keepsake items to remember the occasion with.
For those getting married at sea, Emerald Princess has a newly designed and expanded wedding chapel for the ceremony. The captain officiates as the couple enjoys a completely customized day of their dreams.
From flowers and candlelight to musicians, photographers, onboard catering by the ship’s gourmet chefs and even tuxedo rentals, the ship’s staff helps to coordinate every element of the ceremony and reception to ensure this is a day no one will soon forget.
Inaugural and Primary Itineraries
Emerald Princess’s maiden voyage will be a 12-day Greek Isles cruise, which will set sail April 11, 2007. Visiting some of the most scenic spots in the Mediterranean, passengers will thrill at every port, including Venice, Naples, Olympia and more.
Emerald Princess will sail a series of Greek Isles and Grand Mediterranean cruises before docking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October. From here, she’ll take up Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries.
For lovers or families, for those seeking thrills or sheer relaxation, the new Emerald Princess is sure not to disappoint.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center based in Yonkers, New York. Visit them online today at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> for the best deals on <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">cruise vacations</a> including popular <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/alaska_cruises.htm"> Alaska cruises</a>. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.
A Cruise Review To Envision The Cruise Ship Experience
There are many vacation choices but for one with great options why not consider cruise travel. Read this cruise review to envision the cruise ship experience.
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If you want to go on a vacation with great options, you might consider taking a cruise. If you have never been a cruise ship before and you are not sure whether it would be perfect for you, read on. The cruise ship experience will be much clearer after you read this cruise review.
This article will not be endorsing or promoting a particular cruise line, but will just give you some glimpses of what cruise lines are offering to cruise passengers. This includes cruise destinations, various ranges of prices and amenities available.
In some cases cruise lines will proved an option of a pre or post-cruise stay at a hotel in the town where you embark or disembark. This is especially beneficial when you travel great distances to board your cruise ship. By using this option it actually affords you the ability to add on an extra port to explore before your cruise ship experience is over.
For instance, if your departure point is at Los Angeles, and you choose this option you will have time to visit famous places there such as Hollywood (the famous walk of stars) or Venice Beach (a funky hip beach town).
On the day of the cruise departure, you will be brought to the pier where your cruise ship is waiting for you. It will take about 45 minutes to an hour to check in your luggage, get your boarding pass and board the ship. Your room steward will meet you and this is when you should tell the steward if you have any special needs or requests. For instance, I like two bath towels and a bucket of ice each afternoon. They want to make you happy so don t be shy.
It may take a couple of hours for your luggage to arrive so grab some lunch and then tour your cruise ship. Make any beauty and spa appointments now, on some days, like formal nights appointments sell out. Consider making these appointments on port days, especially if you have been to that port before. The salon/spa offer discounts if you book on those days. Roam around the first afternoon to see what delights are in store for you during your cruise ship experience.
You can enjoy several relaxing moments in the spa. Celebrity has what they call a Thalassotherapy pool, Princess has a swim against the current pool and Carnival has the giant slide into the outside pool. If you feel that you want to burn up some calories after all the wonderful meals, go to the fitness center which is equipped with modern state of the art equipment. Or you may feel like strolling around the promenade in that fresh salt air.
There are swimming pools aboard, both for adults and kids. Deck chairs and benches are also provided if you just want to watch your children enjoying the water in the pool.
Entertainment is also present in your cruising vacation. A state-of-the-art theater is provided for on-board entertainment. There will be Broadway like productions and children-oriented programs that are new and different everyday..
In case you are looking for a different entertainment, you can go to several theme bars or disco with live music open until the wee hours of the morning.
If you want to try your luck during your cruise travel, then there is an on-board casino where it features different games similar to what you see in Las Vegas.
There is a shopping center where you can find personal items and other things that you need while you are on-board. Here s one cruise tip, try to pack things like Rolaids, bandages and toothpaste from home; they are expensive on the cruise ship
Library and recreation centers are also found on the cruise ship. Almost all cruise ships have a lending library and most have a room for playing bridge.
Food is one of the vital services offered by cruise lines. The best chefs from around the world are hired to prepare and cook excellent meals to ensure that your on-board dining experience will be truly memorable.
There are formal dining areas, which have a formal dress code on certain nights.
If you are looking for more informal style of dining, there are snack bars, cafeteria, and a pizza parlor on-board, which generally are opened for meals on extended hours. Many times the cruise lines close down one half of their Lido caf © (this is where they have the buffet lunch and dinner) to offer a casual place to dine but they still use a menu and servers. All of the food, no matter which style you choose are covered in the cruise prices.
Cruise itineraries generally include stops at different ports each or every other day, depending on the schedule of the cruise ship you chose. You have the option of either staying aboard the ship or you may disembark to join other passengers on a guided tour. You are also free to explore on your own at each stop, but make sure you know the departure time of the ship.
Booking a cruise is simple. To get the best advice on cruise ships use the services of a travel agency. Read cruise reviews that you can find online to familiarize yourself on what each cruise line offers. Or, if you are already savvy to cruising, log on to the official site of a particular cruise line to check on itineraries and prices.
You will be provided information about destinations and cruise packages that are affordable. Discounts and special offers are also available for passengers.
Hopefully, this cruise review will give you some insight into what delights you will find during your cruise ship experience.
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.
About the Author Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida which allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Gardening, Cruising and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.GardeningHerb.com http://www.CruiseGold.com, and http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com
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
Ways to Move your Appliances Safely
So you’re getting packed for the big move? Packing all the small non-electrical items seemed easy, but now you’re ready for the appliances. You’ll take some appliances with you, and leave some behind. Either way, you should know how to prepare your appliances for safety and protection during your move. Prepare Appliances in Advance Before moving or leaving an appliance behind, clean and dry it thoroughly. It’s important that it remains dry to prevent mildew and unpleasant smells. Also, moisture can cause a problem if the appliance is being moved through extremely cold temperatures due to freezing. Remember: Unplug appliances before cleaning to prevent electric shock. Washing Machine To prepare your washing machine for the move, unhook and drain the hoses. Clean and dry the machine inside and out. Vacuum or dust away any cobwebs or dust build-up at the back of the washing machine or underneath. The metal connectors of the hoses can be wrapped in a towel and placed in the washer after it is clean and dry. If you have a manual for your washer, follow the instructions for securing the tub to prevent swaying during the move. If you don’t have instructions, contact a professional repair man or appliance retailer to find out how to do this. Clothes Dryer To prepare your clothes dryer for moving, unplug it and clean the lent screen. For a gas dryer, contact someone qualified to disconnect it and turn off the gas line. Before connecting the dryer at your new home, make sure the electrical outlet provided is compatible with your dryer plug. Stove and Oven Clean both your stove top and oven thoroughly, giving it plenty of time to vent if using oven cleaner. Remove burners, burner plates and oven racks and store them in a safe place during the move. Don’t forget to remove any baking pans if your range has a storage drawer. If you have a gas range, contact a technician for proper disconnection and reconnection. Dishwasher Clean and dry the dishwasher thoroughly. Then disconnect and drain the hoses. Keep the dishwasher door open for a few days before the move. Wrap the hoses with towels and put them inside the dishwasher. Refrigerator Getting your refrigerator ready for a move will take a little more work than other appliances. First, clear out everything. All perishables should be thrown away as these cannot travel with you anyhow. Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning. Remove drawers and shelves for a thorough cleaning. To keep the refrigerator fresh-smelling and mildew-free during the trip, check with your local hardware store for products meant for this task. Throw out ice and give time for any accumulated ice in the freezer to melt so you can dry it prior to moving. Pack all loose items separately after cleaning. Vacuum the compressor or condenser, and clean and dry the evaporator pan. If your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker or water dispenser, unplug the hoses and allow time for the lines to dry out. For older models, you might need to bolt down the compressor or motor. After arrival, allow your refrigerator to sit unplugged for 24 hours before operating. The oil needs time to settle so there is no damage to the compressor. You might need to contact a technician to reconnect your icemaker and water dispenser. Once operating again, allow the ice maker to run through several cycles before using the ice. The lines may become dirty or dusty during the move. Microwave Ovens A microwave oven can be packed in its own box if you still have the box. If not, you can pack it in a moving carton. Before packing, remove the tray and pack it separately along with any other loose items. Pad wrapping might be necessary if your microwave oven is large. When installing it at your new home, be sure the exhaust vent is not blocked. Appliances are vulnerable when moved out of place, especially for long trips. Taking special care of your appliances before a move can help ensure that you’ll be able to use them when you arrive.
Mr. Nick Ajang is an experienced person in the field of transportation and logistics,and currently manages the online resource related to transportation,shipping,movers,cargo. - www.1iml.com
Four Great Travel Destinations on a Budget Posted By : Diana Neigeborn
Four Great Ideas for Travelers on a Budget
