posted by admin on Aug 12
NCL Freestyle's Newest Ship - Norwegian Pearl
by Roy Witman © 2006
The youngest fleet at sea. That’s the goal of NCL Freestyle, and they are continuing in their efforts with the call to service of Norwegian Pearl. Purpose-built to deliver Freestyle Cruising, Pearl is currently sailing through the Inside Passage of Alaska and to the southern and western Caribbean.
Shipboard Amenities
Several features set Pearl apart from other ships including her 14 bars and lounges, more than any other cruise line. Making use of an innovative Bar Central concept, Pearl offers a martini bar, champagne and wine bar, and a beer and whiskey pub all connected.
Exclusive to NCL Freestyle Cruising are Garden Villas. With shared access to a private pool, hot tub, sun deck and workout facility, families that opt for the Garden Villas can take advantage of a private staff of five butlers who are at your beck and call.
Families choosing NCL Freestyle Cruising have more options than the Garden Villas. Connecting rooms in almost every class make for family-friendly vacations regardless of budget. For those cruising as couples, other accommodations are available including value-minded inside staterooms that allow you to make the most of your vacation dollars. Each cabin includes TV, refrigerator, safe, duvet and hair dryer.
Another unique aspect of Pearl is her rock-climbing wall - a first on a NCL Freestyle cruise ship. Positioned high atop Deck 14, you can see for miles once you reach the top of the wall. But, the most innovative feature by far is her bowling alley at sea - a first on any cruise ship! Included within an entertainment complex called Bliss, passengers will be able to use the four-lane, 10-pin bowling alley during the day. This sports bar will also feature sporting events via television, air hockey, foosball and other arcade games. At night, however, Bliss will be transformed into a high-energy lounge with videos and music.
Destinations
Pearl is making her way through the frigid waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Sailing from Seattle, Pearl calls on ports including Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska, plus Victoria, British Columbia.
While in the 49th US state, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to participate in excursions, including dogsled adventures, rainforest canopy and zip line exploits, whale encounters and wilderness kayaking.
If warm and sunny sounds more appealing to you than cold and frosty, then board Pearl in Miami for a southern or western Caribbean tour. Spending nine days flirting with the sun in balmy Barbados, Antigua or St. John is the perfect way to de-stress. Five-day cruises to Cozumel or Belize are also available.
Kid-Friendly Vacation
Of course, Pearl has plenty for the kids to do. With numerous age-appropriate group activities, kids of all ages can have a blast while at sea. The Kid’s Crew program provides a t-shirt (for painting), mom and dad’s night out, a chef’s hat (for cooking class), Crew News and more. Junior Sailors (ages 2-5), First Mates (ages 6-9) and Navigators (ages 10-12) all have special, supervised games and activities. Children under 12 are not allowed to leave the area unless picked up by a parent.
Teens also get special treatment onboard Pearl. With their own disco, movie events and teen parties, they’ll have a wonderful time meeting kids their own age.
NCL Freestyle Cruising allows you to choose how you dress, when you dine, who you dine with and what you do. This new freedom in cruising is only expanded with the addition of Pearl to the fleet of the youngest ships at sea.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">Cruise Vacation Center</a>. Visit them online today at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> for the best deals including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/alaska_cruises.htm"> Alaska cruises</a>.
Cruise discounts that will make your dream vacation cheaper
About 60 days before the departure of a ship is the best time to look for a discount. This is the last day when people cancel their reservation penalty free. It is a great opportunity for you to buy a ticket, because the cruise company will offer great discount on these leftover places. You’ll be more likely to find a cruise discount off-season. For example, May is good months for a discount cruise in Alaska, because the peak season is in July or August. However, you might experience bad weather in May. Still off-season Caribbean, Mediterranean or Hawaii is always beautiful, so a cruise is pleasant at all times. You will be offered great scenery and you’ll be able to relax. Look for repositioning cruises, these are a gold mine for cruise discounts. These cruises have changed their itinerary and might have caused some inconveniences for the people who have already made reservations, so they sometimes cancel them. The cruise companies find it sensible to make major discounts in order to fill the ship. You can take advantage of this and buy a ticket. Discount cruises are available for those who enjoy eating and having a great time on board. Most of the times the extra activities spent on shore are expensive. If you are flexible about the time of your vacation, you have great chances of getting a cruise discount. Most cruise lines offer discounts on their last few tickets, so if you take the risk, you may even get peak season discounted tickets. When looking for a cruise discount, you can do research in many places. The Internet is one of the top places to find the best deals. The majority of the cruise lines have a web site and they immediately post their bargains on their web sites. Most cruise lines offer great discounts. Even the luxury ships have discounts; so who knows you might end up spending your vacation in a luxury cruise. If you don’t trust the electronic way, go to your closest travel agent. Make a custom of visiting him/her and always ask for some good cruise deals. Also make sure you ask about the cabin selection, you don’t want to end up in a small cabin when you suffer from claustrophobia. Ask about the travel insurance, if it is included in the price, or if you have to cater for that yourself. Make sure you read all the conditions specified on your cruise discount tickets. You most certainly won’t be able to return them later. An inconvenience that goes along the discounted tickets is that you cannot choose the cabin or the ship of the cruise. Don’t be taken in by the most amazing offers that you find on the Internet. Make sure you trust that cruise line and book only if you are certain you are familiar with all the conditions of that certain cruise. You might have to pay extra taxes or fees that are not specified on the contract, so you might not save money after all. But if you are flexible and patient, you will most certainly find a cruise discount that will suit your needs.
For more resources on <a href="http://www.cruise-heaven.com">cruise vacations</a> or getting a deal on <a href="http://www.cruise-heaven.com/Mediterranean-cruises.php">Mediterranean cruises</a> or <a href="http://www.cruise-heaven.com/Alaska-cruises.php">Alaska cruises</a>please visit Cruise-heaven.com
Lake Tahoe Luxury Rentals ” What to Expect, and Why to get one
When you re looking at Lake Tahoe luxury rentals, you re looking for something that s going to be a little more expensive than just a simple rental. After all, that s where the luxury part comes in, otherwise it wouldn t be Lake Tahoe luxury rentals, but rather Lake Tahoe rentals. There are many benefits to having a Lake Tahoe luxury rental, and there are many different things that you can expect.
When you are shopping around for Lake Tahoe luxury rentals, expect to pay anywhere from $250 a night to, at the highest, $8800 a night. If you re looking at the Lake Tahoe luxury rentals that feature only two bedrooms and a bathroom, expect to be paying anywhere from $250 to $500 a night. Some of those Lake Tahoe luxury rentals will have a hot tub, but most aren t lakefront. If you re looking for three bedroom Lake Tahoe Luxury rentals, you should be in the $300 to $800 a night range. Some of these Lake Tahoe luxury rentals will include a hot tub, but once again, most of these Lake Tahoe luxury rentals will not be on the lakefront. Once you start to look specifically for Lake Tahoe luxury rentals that are on the lakefront, and those that have more bedrooms, you re looking into the more expensive Lake Tahoe luxury rentals. For starters, the cheapest five bedroom Lake Tahoe luxury rental you are going to find is $350 a night, and that s for something that barely compares to the other Lake Tahoe luxury rentals. Generally speaking, you ll find most of these Lake Tahoe luxury rentals in the $600 to $1000 range, but they are by far the premiere Lake Tahoe luxury rentals. The very highest of the Lake Tahoe luxury rentals that you re going to see is going to be nearly $9000 a night, but these Lake Tahoe luxury rentals are on the steep side, and spectacular.
Why would you consider some of the Lake Tahoe luxury rentals? Well, for starters the Lake Tahoe luxury rentals are surrounded by a variety of activities. Some of the Lake Tahoe luxury rentals are close to the ski hills, while other Lake Tahoe luxury rentals are closer to casinos and other night life. All in all, if you choose to go with one of the Lake Tahoe luxury rentals you can t go wrong.
Kevin Rockwell visits and writes about Lake Tahoe and the many wonders of this great area at: http://lake-tahoe-fun.com Find great mountain vacation ideas, real estate information, and fun vacation attractions at Lake Tahoe Fun!
Review: Royal Caribbean Launches Liberty May 2007
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Even amid sluggish profits, the growth in the cruise industry continues to increase. As it does, cruise lines are rushing to create new, more exciting and bigger ships to accommodate the demand. Royal Caribbean, which launches one ship per year, on average, made a royal splash in 2006 with the introduction of Freedom of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to date. However, 2007 holds promise as well - thanks to the pending launch of Liberty of the Seas this May.
Weighing in at 160,000 tons, Liberty will go nose-to-nose with Freedom in many respects, but will offer passengers a wealth of shipboard and shore excitement to choose from.
Accommodations
With something for everyone, Liberty will present a wide range of accommodation options. Economy-class staterooms with ocean views and ample space can be booked for reasonable rates. For those with more elaborate tastes (and wallets), practically every class of cabin is available all the way to the Presidential Family Suite.
With 1200+ square feet of living space, this suite delivers two master bedrooms, two additional bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a living area, a dining area and a private, 800+ square foot balcony - perfect for families or other groups.
Onboard Activities
Liberty has one of the most diverse selections of activities of any cruise ship. With innovations including a screening room, a solarium and cooking classes, guests of all ages can find something of interest. But Liberty also follows in Freedom s footsteps with a first-at-sea rock climbing wall, H20 Zone water park, ice skating rink, boxing ring and more. Of course, the popular favorites of day spa, casinos and pools are available with elaborate upgrades from those found on other ships.
And the kids have a world all to themselves with a tremendous lineup of age-specific fun things to see and do. Of course, activities are supervised by Royal Caribbean staff members to ensure safety at all times.
There s also a Royal Promenade complete with cobblestone streets. Filled with shops and restaurants, the entire family can enjoy this active spot. You ll especially enjoy a stop at Ben & Jerry s ice cream shop!
Destinations
Launching May 19, 2007, for her maiden voyage, Liberty will set sail for the Caribbean. Her lineup of itineraries will eventually include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman Islands; Montego Bay, Jamaica and other well-loved ports of call.
While visiting these popular areas, guests will be able to take part in a world-class selection of land and sea excursions. Horseback riding, mountain bike tours, parasailing, whitewater rafting, flight-seeing tours, golf, water sports of all types and wildlife tours are just a few of the exciting adventures passengers can take part in.
Business At Sea
Lending herself to also accommodate business travelers and those looking to conduct business activities onboard a ship, Liberty will make available a full-service conference center complete with audio/visual capabilities as well as WiFi throughout the ship. Whether you re looking for an innovative place to hold a conference or seminar or just need a way to keep in touch while you re at sea, the business capabilities of Liberty will impress you.
Godmother
Most cruise lines engage a celebrity or other well-known person to be the godmother of each ship they launch. Royal Caribbean, however, takes a new approach by bestowing this honor on everyday people.
Liberty s godmother is a wonderful lady named Katherine Louise Calder. Selected as part of a nationwide search, Calder was given the title due to her service as a foster mom to over 400 special-needs children. What a wonderful representative to have!
Reservations are currently available on Liberty for voyages scheduled for May and after. If you re looking for a massive vacation experience for the whole family, Liberty can certainly deliver!
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/alaska_cruises.htm"> Alaska cruises</a> and <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/hawaii_cruises.htm">Hawaii cruises</a>.
Carnival Elation Cruise Review
The Elation is a ship that was put together in 1998 for Carnival Cruise Lines. It was the primary cruise ship to have the azipod propulsion system. Everything you read about the Elation will include a diminutive blurb about the azipod system. You may wonder which the heck that is so I’ll tell you. It’s much like having front wheel drive on your car. Instead of the energy source pushing the cruise ship it pulls it instead. This makes piloting the cruise vessel much easier so you can be doubtless there won’t be any listing or tipping over of the ship on your cruise. Also it reduces those vibrations that cause nausea in passengers like myself. Enough about mechanics though because Carnival’s got the fun don’t they? Yessirree they do. The Carnival Elation has three swimming pools. One with a 214 ft water slide! This is where the music is and the pool games. Expect it to be overoccupied the beginning few days. My favourite pool is the one at the back of the ocean liner on verandah deck seeing that it takes new passengers about 3 days to find it so for the first couple days of your cruise it is uncrowded. The last pool is the kiddie pool on promenade deck at the mega liner’s aft (back). This pool is a bit like swimming in a toilet with all the babies in their swim diapers-which are not allowed. If gambling rocks your world then head down to the Cassablanca casino. There are more than 200 slots to favor from including several megacash machines that are linked with other Carnival vessels fleetwide. The biggest jackpot that I have seen was over a million bucks won on the now gone Carnival Jubilee. I stick to the slots, I figure it’s the quickest way to lose my alloted gambling coin then I can get on with the rest of the cruise. If you are a more complicated gambler than I there is also roulette, black jack and Caribbean stud poker to play. Free drinks on a cruise, doubtful you think. Not so. You can attend wine tastings or as we do go to check out the art an hour before the famed art auction where they pass out able wine and cheese. If you have been on more than one cruise with the same line you can attend the past guest party. Don’t dismiss this as a waste of time if you like to imbibe the drinks are free and plentiful and all you have to do is watch a short spiel where the cruiseline pats themselves on the back for giving you a great vacation. There is usually one evening where the liquor is able for tasting in the shopping area. If you are into healthier pursuits then you can head up to the jogging track on the Elation’s Sun deck or to the gymon the Sports deck. The Carnival Elation has a half court basketball court for your exercise and they do supply the basketball to play with. Elation has a full service spa onboard. I confess I have never been to the spa but I know they do mete out foot massages for about 20 dollars and everything up to a couples massage for $220. It sounds steep but just contemplate how relaxing it would be to have a message and after you don’t have to massage someone else! For the kiddies there is Camp Carnival. Our son has gone to Camp Carnival on many many cruises and loves it everytime. The kids are categorized by age groups and have activities planned for those ages. I recommend that your offspring goes to the earliest night where you can sign them up for the camp. They are introduced to each other and socialize a little. It doesn’t mean they ever have to go again and there is no extra charge although we usually tip the staff seeing that they can make of break your kid’s cruise experience. kids must be signed up to participate at any time so it is easier to just do it at the start and then they are free to join in at any time minus preamble. Our child went to an activity called swimming under the stars where the pool was not to be used at night except to kids in the program and so they had the pool and slide to alone. You just drop your child off for whatever activities they would enjoy. For small children you will be supplied with a pager so the employees can contact you in case your child wants to leave. Their activitiestake place inside kids’s World which is an area of 2500 sq ft filled with computers and toys and games. Activities for older kids take place in different areas on the cruise vessel-for example pizza preparation takes place in Tiffany’s. On the last night there will be a farewell party For the kids. Get there on time or you may not get in. All the kids receive a parting gift at this party ie a backpack or CD case. As for my personal favourite chunk, the art of gastromony there are a rich vein of choices. The two formal dining rooms on Carnival Elation are the Inspiration and the Imagination named after sister ships in the fleet. You will be assigned one of these with a specific dining time. I frequently check the menu early in the day so I can decide if I want to show up at my appointed time or eat elsewhere at my leisure. The other places to eat aboard the Elation are Tiffany’s which is the buffet restaurant that changes the menu everyday and is different for lunch than dinner or the snack bar on Lido deck where fries and burgers are handy for lunch. Tiffany’s lunch menu’s are called taste of nations where one day may be Mexican food with salsa and chips and another may be American BBQ where fried chicken and potato salad are offered. There was also Indian and Italian that I can recall. At the far back on the right hand side of Tiffany’s you will find Carnival’s famous pizza being made fresh all the time. You can order a whole pizza and choose your toppings of get a slice fresh from the oven. At the same location deli sandwiches are made. This is a wonderful spot to eat early on in the voyage as your fellow passengers won’t know about this yet therefore there will be no lining up for you. Sushi is served on promenade deck every evening. There was no raw fish (sashimi) the week we sailed but many varieties of fresh made before your eyes sushi to select from. Of course wasabi and pickled ginger and soy sauce were all on hand as well. There is also never a sushi line I presume as no one seems to realize that this also is included in your cruise fare. Needless to say we went there every single evening. Tortillas chips and salsa were served on Promenade deck on Mexican day in the night while a mariachi band played for us. Room service, room service how do I love thee, let me count the ways. Room service is able but a tip is in order. Pretzels or chips can come with any sandwich - a tasty midnight snack. Room service was invariably speedy and correct. You can also order cookies, crudites, fruit and salad. At your service 24 hours a day. If you need to keep in touch the Internet cafe offers internet usage at 75 cents a minute and different packages up to 250 minutes for 40 cents a minute. You can bring your own laptop and incorporate it in the cafe but not in your cabin on the Elation. You pay for usage wheather you use theirs or your though. Not sure if that makes it worth lugging it around. Speaking of cabins, we had an ocean view cabin category 6C. We had three people in the cabin and we fit comfortably. This cruise ship has only 26 demi suites (category 11) and twenty eight suites (category 12). It really doesn’t matter to me which deck as there are elevators to take you up and down. Virtual World video game arcade is right beside the Mikado lounge-a perfect spot to let your teen hang out while you catch one of the Las Vegas style shows in the lounge. There are the usual driving games and shooting games. The video games take tokens that are bought right inside the arcade. You can incorporate your sign and sail card to buy tokens. At some point during your cruise there will be a video game tournement For your rugrats in this case the games are free. It is a bit of the Camp Carnival program. The Mikado lounge is where all the shows take palce. There was a comedy show, a magician, a hypnotist, dancing show girls-rated G. There are musical shows too. The week I sailed there was a special guest announced at he end of one musical show. After much preamble Mr Stevie Wonder was brought onto the stage. Persons went running from the lounge theatre to get their peers and family to see Stevie Wonder. There was screaming that I thought only the Beatles could elicit. Being a pale face from Canada I’m not too clear on the likeness of Mr Wonder but I was pondering which cabin would Stevie Wonder stay in On the Carnival Elation. Don’t get me wrong the Carnival Elation is a appropriate ocean liner but someone of this caliber on my ocean liner , how could it be? The lights dimmed, I could hardly see. As I stepped forward to get a better look at our famous vesselmate I fell down the stairs. I tumbled head over heals down several flghts. Not one person turned or helped me up so enthralled were they to catch a glimpse of this celebrity. In the end “Stevie” took his wig off so that it may be revealed that it was only a celebrity impersonator. Everyone groaned that they knew it all along and they were never fooled. The next day I looked like I had a run in with the UFC star Tito Ortiz. The Mark Twain library is a bit of a misnomer. There doesn’t seem to be a convenient way to get at any books so bring your own. It is beautiful and usually quiet. Romeo and Juliet lounge is an elegantly styled room which was used for private parties some nights and for karaoke on others. Salsa dancing was popular night activity here. The Cole Porter lounge has folk and country music playing and dancing. I only passed by here on my way to the ocean facing massaging chairs. Duke’s is the piano bar named after the talented Duke Ellington. It is a jazz club with a striking entrance modelled on the Triumphal Arch from Washington Square park. This is an ideal place for photos around the white baby grand piano. We saw a wedding reception being held here. The Jekyll and Hyde disco is the place to party. Monitors show your fellow cruise mates dancing to the scintillating beat. The giant Jekyll and Hyde heads move to the music too-a bit creepy but cool after you’ve had a couple drinks. The Carnival Elation is a gorgeous ship. Somewhat muted by Carnival standards. It’s decor is of copper and inlaid woods. If you are hesitent to aim Carnival Cruise Lines then this is the mega liner to aspire primary. The service was 2nd to none. The price of a Carnival cruise is frequently reasonable but by booking way in advance, about eight months we got an even better deal some would call it a cheap cruise. Don’t be scared off by Carnival’s old reputation for being a bunch of party ocean liners. They are The Fun vessels after all. There is partying for sure if you want it but there are dozens of places to read or sit quietly on the Carnival Elation. Nothing is more peaceful than sitting on a chair atop the teak deck on the Carnival Elation looking out at the ocean passing slowly by. Whatever your concept of fun is they grant it. Believe them when they say Carnival’s got the fun.
A <a href="http://www.cruise-travel-review.com">Carnival Elation Cruise</a><br> is the experience of a lifetime. With the soft powdery beaches and duty free shopping, Caribbean cruises continue to grow in popularity. In fact, the Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations of all cruises worldwide. To learn more please visit => http://www.cruise-travel-review.com or post your own reviews in our forum at =>http://www.cruise-travel-review.com/forums
Cruise Food: Personal Choice Dining Makes A Big Splash
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
In the golden era of ocean voyages, everyone was called to a single seating of dinner in the main dining room of the ship. Whether you were hungry or not, whether you liked liver p t or not, you came and you ate when and what you were told. Special requests from first-class passengers may have been accommodated, but they were done so at the quiet protest of the chef. Dining aboard cruise ships today has made dramatic improvements in both variety and service.
Cruising is now broadly accepted among the masses as a cost-effective and fun vacation alternative. What was once reserved for only the wealthiest is now available to practically everyone. Catering to the masses, especially families with finicky children, has become the delight of chefs, rather than an insult. Stretching their creativity, most of those on the kitchen staff take pride in developing new dining alternatives that suit their guests.
Options In Cuisine
Princess Cruises is a good example. With the advent of Personal Choice Dining , Princess has not only taken the restrictions off typical cruise ship dining, it has also expanded options for its passengers. With “Anytime Dining,” guests find most of the eight restaurants open all day. Some are open 24 hours. While the main dining room still has two seatings, it is open for Anytime Dining during breakfast and lunch hours. This allows passengers to eat when they are hungry rather than when the cruise line dictates they should dine. But time isn’t the only advantage to Personal Choice Dining .
Options in cuisine have become much more diverse. Making concessions for every age and appetite, Princess offers a little something for everyone. From an onboard, upscale Italian restaurant to a refined steakhouse to burgers, dogs and pizza at the caf , adults and kids alike can enjoy what suits their fancies. In addition, guests can curb those midday (or midnight!) snack attacks with a 24-hour buffet, featuring finger sandwiches, aged cheeses, chocolate-dipped strawberries, ice cream sundaes and more.
For those who prefer a more private way to dine, 24-hour room service is available with a full menu. Simply fill out the card provided in your stateroom, and any cuisine you desire from the dining room - including steak and lobster - will be delivered to you at the time you indicate. If you desire to dine on your balcony, your server will be glad to accommodate.
Dressing For Dinner
While the main dining room does have nights where formalwear is required, other dining options onboard allow passengers to dress in whichever attire they choose. Visit the buffet in your swimsuit and flip-flops, throw on shorts and a tank top for the late-night bistro or don your khakis and golf shirt for the steakhouse and other onboard restaurants.
If you’ve been under the mistaken impression that cruising means tuxedos and entr es with names you can’t pronounce, relax! Those days are long gone. Princess Cruises and other lines now have much more casual options you and your family can take advantage of. Eat when you want, where you want, what you want and make everybody happy!
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/princess_cruise_line.htm">Princess cruises</a>. Visit them today!
