Oasis of the Seas To Drydock in Europe in 2014

 

SS Norway

Reminiscent of the days when Norwegian Cruise Line used to bring its s.s. Norway back to Europe for drydockings when she was still the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International will be bringing its 5,400-berth Oasis of the Seas back to Europe, where she will drydock in the Netherlands in the early autumn of 2014.

While typically Norwegian used to drydock Norway in Europe, she also performed the odd Transatlantic crossing, remembering her days as the famed s.s. France.

In 1997, for example, she left Miami on August 16 and New York on August 18 for Southampton, where she arrived on August 30, sailing from Southampton on her return voyage on September 2 and reaching New York on September 10 and Miami on September 13.

On some of these crossings, Norway was drydocked for modifications and on one such visit to Europe she was even chartered to a French group TMR for cruises from France. These first Oasis cruises from Europe will also no doubt be remarked upon since Royal Caribbean have ordered a third such ship from STX France.

Oasis of The Seas

In 2001, Norway made her final crossing, leaving Miami on September 2 and New York September 5 to arrive in Southampton on September 18. The events of September 11 occurred while s.s. Norway was still crossing the North Atlantic.

The upcoming dry-docking will allow Oasis of the Seas to offer a brief season of Europe cruises in the late summer/autumn of 2014 before and after a five-year dry-docking in the Netherlands.

The Oasis will offer a total of five cruises, including two Transatlantic crossings and three cruises out of Barcelona, in a short European season. The Oasis, along with sister ship, Allure of the Seas, has been operating alternating eastern and western Caribbean cruises out of Port Everglades since her debut in December 2009.

On September 1, 2014, the Oasis will offer her first Transatlantic revenue crossing (she carried no passengers on her original delivery voyage in 2009) to Europe: a 12-day eastbound crossing from Port Everglades to Barcelona.

A 13-day westbound cruise will return her to Florida from Rotterdam on October 14, and passengers will also be able to embark at Southampton on October 15. When she does so, she will become the largest passenger ship ever to have called on Southampton, not a difficult task, as she is the world’s largest passenger ship.

While in Europe, the Oasis will offer two round-trip five-day Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and a seven-night sailing from Barcelona to Rotterdam, where she will commence her dry-docking. The seven-day Barcelona to Rotterdam cruise will call at Malaga and Vigo while itineraries for the five-day cruises will be announced before April 11.

Cruising in Crystal Serenity

 

On Wednesday, November 28, at 1:30 pm, we boarded the Crystal Serenity at Lisbon for an 11-night cruise to Madeira, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Agadir, Cadiz, Valencia and Barcelona.

Crystal Serenity

While there are many ports on this cruise, we will concentrate instead on the ship and the Crystal experience.

So what does one get with Crystal Serenity?

The answer is a large and very comfortable ship of 68,870 tons, built in the same shipyard as Normandie, France and Queen Mary 2, and carrying a maximum of 1,070 passengers. With a passenger space ratio above 60 tons per guest this is the one of the highest in the industry. And on our voyage, with just 730 passengers, there was space to spare.

If one has cruised with Crystal before, it just changed to all-inclusive a little over six months ago, so the first impression one gets is rather interesting. Rather than the bartenders and sommeliers trying to sell you expensive wines so they can maximize their tips, they now open with an introduction of the wines that are included in the inclusive package. I expected the hard sell again so when our first sommelier finished listing the choice of wines, I thought he was listing the ones that made money for the line, and asked him for the list of inclusive wines.

It takes a little while to get used to the fact that the crew is no longer trying to maximise on board revenue – but once one gets used to that, it is much more relaxing and one is not on guard all the time against such typical cruise line activity as trying to raise your spend well above the ticket price. It is all in the fare unless one wants a particular premium wine. Internet apart of course – to get the price down to 20 cents a minute one has to buy $300 worth.

The entertainment venues include the main show lounge forward and the Palm Court Bar up top forward, with a view over the bows; the piano bar, the Avenue Saloon aft, and another piano bar that also features a string quartet in the atrium. The choice of spirits is international, but the wines take a heavy slant towards American – with wines from California and the State of Washington available in all the bars.

The European inclusive wines, a Cotes du Rhone, a Languedoc and a Chablis from France plus a Pinot Grigio from Italy, offer an excellent selection but are only available in the dining room. One suspects this is because the American wines are from Crystal’s own “C” collection and there may be an element of cost control here, but if one prefers European wines, it is an odd policy when Crystal is trying to expand to a wider international audience, and to be honest, it is disappointing.

If you play around with the bartenders they may be able to bring a bottle of a European wine to their bar but to be honest, they should not be expected to do that.

The music, at least on our cruise in the Avenue Saloon, showed a marked tilt towards American middle of the road – so if you like Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Ritchie, with a little Andrew Lloyd Webber thrown in, the this is the bar for you. Think of a song like “Sweet Caroline.”

But don’t be looking for contemporary American artists such as the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Eagles, Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac, because you are unlikely to hear them unless you can get them by request. The addition of the string quartet from eastern Europe does broaden the choice a bit. To add to the musical background, a tape of “What a Wonderful Life” by Louis Armstrong is played every time a Crystal ship leaves port, but one does not generally hear any Duke Ellington, in fact I heard no blues, jazz or rock, which is a pity.

Possibly in the shows but one shouldn’t have to go to a show to hear a particular kind of music.

The best part of the cruise was the service to our stateroom and the fact that we were upgraded to a 403 sq ft veranda – just as a guide the typical 1970s cabin measured 120 sq ft and Carnival later upped this to 180 sq ft, but there are still plenty of 150 sq ft staterooms, even on relatively modern ships. Our extra large balcony was heaven. There was enough room for two deeply cushioned chairs and stools that could be put together to form a proper chaise lounge instead of perching at a table as is often the case.

There is also a table to that the two chairs can be used for on veranda dining. It was great when not going ashore, or on days at sea, to be able to relax all day in the privacy of one stateroom and have food brought if we didn’t want to go to a dining venue. The penthouses also have the advantage of a butler, who will do pressing for you, make reservations at the alternative restaurants and arrange a goodly supply of free wine for you room, not to mention canapes every afternoon.

As to the food, the jury is still out on this one as the cruise is not yet half over, so we will report its final verdict soon. But for venues there are plenty. As well as the main dining room, there are two alternative restaurants – Prego for Continental dishes and the famous Silk Road by Nobu, with its own sushi bar, for Asian cuisine. The latter is because, although based in California, Crystal Cruises is owned by Japan’s NYK Line. In fact, the original Crystal ship, Crystal Harmony, now sails as Asuka for NYK Cruises in the Japanese market.

On our voyage there were also quite a few groups of Japanese cruisers, as well as Chinese-Americans. There is also the pool area midships on deck 12, which has now become a served restaurant area called Tastes. This area is very popular and there can be times even with just 730 passengers on board, when it is not possible to get a seat. This is partially because Crystal only open the buffet-style Lido Cafe for lunch from noon till 1:30 pm. On deck 6, there is also a small self-serve area and bar called The Bistro, and there is very good room service at no extra cost.

LiveJournal Tags: Crystal Harmony,Asuka,Crystal Serenity

Sunquest’s Transatlantic Programme Now on Sale

English: Cruise ship MSC Poesia IMO Number: 9387073 MMSI Number: 355931000 Callsign: 3EPL4 Length: 293 m Beam: 36 m Deutsch: Cruise ship MSC Poesia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

from travelinfo

SUNQUEST’S 2013 Transatlantic Crossing programme is now available for sale, featuring a choice of a 15- or 17-night cruise plus a choice of four post-cruise options.

Departing on April 20, 2013, travellers fly from Toronto to Ft. Lauderdale on WestJet where they are then transferred to Port Everglades to board MSC Poesia for their cruise. The cruise travels to New York, Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Lisbon, La Coruña and Dover, where the 15-night cruisers disembark, before continuing on to Kiel, Germany as part of the 17-night itinerary.
Option 1 consists of the 15-night cruise plus a two-night post-cruise coach tour in London (17 nights in total). Travellers return to Toronto via Air Transat. Prices start from $2,299.

With Option 2, travellers enjoy the 15-night cruise, disembark in Dover and then embark on a six-night/seven-day coach tour of London, Paris and Rome (two nights a piece), flying back to Toronto with Alitalia (21 nights total). Prices start from $3,199.

Option 3 also starts with the 15-night cruise and is followed by an eight-night coach tour of London (two nights), Sorrento and Rome (three nights each), and their flight back to Toronto with Alitalia (23 nights total). Prices start from $3,199.

Option 4, travellers cruise all the way to Kiel on the 17-night itinerary before embarking on a little post-cruise touring of Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Rome (26 nights total). Their return flight is aboard Alitalia out of Rome and prices start from $3,499.

In addition, when you book now, you will take advantage of up to $800 in savings. Not only will you receive a discount of $400 per couple per stateroom, but you will also receive a free stateroom upgrade – if you pay for an inside stateroom, you will automatically be upgraded to an outside oceanview stateroom; people who book an outside cabin will be upgraded to a standard balcony, and so on. This is a limited time offer, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Solo Fares aboard Crystal This Autumn

Crystal Cruises (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Crystal Cruises already charges one of the lowest rates in the luxury cruise industry for sole occupancy of a double occupancy room, but with a new solo travellers’ sale on fall Mediterranean voyages, guests traveling alone can enjoy even lower fares to vacation in ease through one of the most beautiful cruising areas in the world.  A significantly-reduced solo supplement of just 10% can save individuals up to almost $900 off a private, deluxe outside stateroom (Category C) of their own.

The savings are offered on eight 11- and 12-day Crystal Serenity sailings through the Black Sea, Middle East, Canary Islands, and entire Mediterranean.  The all-inclusive luxury cruises embark in Athens, Istanbul, Venice, Barcelona, and Lisbon from September through November, with overnight visits and more time in both smaller, off-the-beaten-path and favourite, large ports throughout Italy, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Montenegro, Israel, Croatia, Morocco and the Canary Islands.  Attractive air add-ons are offered from more than 200 North American ports.

“A Crystal cruise is a wonderful option for solo travellers who seek luxury and pampering while on vacation and also the fast, easy friendships that are made on board,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president of marketing and sales.  “This is an ideal opportunity for cruisers indulging in a room all to themselves to realize significant savings and value with the World’s Best Cruise Line.”

Among the extraordinary care Crystal provides for solo travellers are Ambassador hosts on every sailing for those seeking a dance partner, assigned seating for dinner in the Crystal Dining Room, and “Table for 8,” which brings individuals together for friendly shared dining in the specialty restaurants at night.  Crystal Cruises’ ocean resort experience always includes fine wines, premium spirits, and gratuities with one’s holiday, as well as a host of other complimentary amenities, from enlightening enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining, featuring the world-renowned cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa.

Crystal’s passion for taking care of passengers in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

Crystal Cruises at The Cruise People, Ltd. – since 1972

CARNIVAL BREEZE Delivered

Carnival Cruise Lines (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Carnival Cruise Lines has taken delivery of the new 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze, the 24^th vessel in the line’s fleet.

            Carnival Breeze will depart on her inaugural cruise from Venice to-day, Sunday, June 3, operating a special 12-day Mediterranean cruise that ends in Barcelona June 15. Following a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona that runs through October 25, Carnival Breeze will reposition to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning November 24, becoming Carnival Cruise Lines’ largest South Florida-based ship.

“Carnival Breeze represents the continued evolution of our product, offering a huge array of branded experiences for our guests and inviting public spaces each with its own personality and character, all enhanced by the spirited fun that makes a Carnival cruise so memorable,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival Breeze is the line’s first ship to feature the Thrill Theater, an immersive multi-dimensional special effects experience that makes viewers feel as if they’re part of the movie.      Other highlights sure to provide fun for the whole family include WaterWorks offering splash-tastic water slides and a 300-gallon drenching bucket, and SportSquare, an expansive recreation area with a suspended ropes course, a miniature golf course, an outdoor fitness area and more.

        New dining options in Carnival Breeze include Bonsai Sushi, the line’s first full-service sushi restaurant, a free open-air barbecue venue called Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ, and The Comfort Kitchen, a casual poolside spot for American-style comfort food.  Other choices range from Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, to the Mexican-themed Blue Iguana Cantina and Cucina del Capitano, a family-style Italian restaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’s captains to the table.

            Carnival Breeze is also the first ship in the fleet to feature all of the entertainment elements of the line’s groundbreaking “Fun Ship 2.0” enhancement initiative, including Hasbro, The Game Show, with larger than life adaptations of the brand’s iconic games, and Playlist Productions, which combine captivating live performances with high-tech LED staging and special effects to set a new standard in seagoing entertainment.  

With a nod to its upcoming Caribbean itineraries, the tropics-inspired Carnival Breeze also features vibrant interiors and inviting public spaces, from the poolside Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Tequila Bar to the sun-splashed Lido Marketplace restaurant and a palm tree-lined indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza. Even the staterooms incorporate a palette of pastel hues and a striking new design inspired by the Caribbean’s cool island breezes and warm sunsets.

            Carnival Breeze joins Carnival Cruise Lines’ 23 other ships which operate three- to 18-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda, South America, Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Norway, the Baltic and the British Isles. 

           For additional information and reservations in Carnival Breeze or any of the line’s “Fun Ships,” call 1-800-961-553682 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca.

LiveJournal Tags: carnival breeze

Salvage Work Begins on Costa Concordia

Costa Concordia Polski: Statek pasażerski Costa Concordia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Work to salvage Costa Concordia, which stranded off the island of Giglio on the Tuscan coast on Friday the 13th of January, taking with her 32 lives (one in every 132 on board), is set to begin in days, it was announced on Friday. Leading the project will be Titan Salvage of Pompano Beach, Florida, part of the Crowley Group, who along with Italian partner Micoperi, were awarded the contract last month to refloat and remove the crippled 114,147-ton ship. Since its founding in 1980, Titan has performed more than 350 salvage and wreck removal projects.

An evaluation team with representatives from Costa Crociere, Carnival Corporation & plc, London Offshore Consultants and Standard P&I Club, along with classification society RINA and shipbuilders Fincantieri selected the final plan. Key to the winning Titan-Micoperi bid was the proposal to remove the wreck in one piece to minimise environmental damage on Giglio.

The project is expected to take about a year and will be divided into four stages. The fuel has already been removed as part of Costa’s commitment to minimize the environmental impact of the shipwreck.

The process will involve the construction of a platform below sea level and attaching watertight caissons to the ship’s side above water. Two cranes attached to the platform will then pull the ship upright, aided by the water-filled caissons. Once the ship is up on the platform, more caissons will be attached to the other side of the hull. The caissons on both sides of the ship will then be drained and filled with air. Once refloated, the wreck will be towed to an Italian port for processing in accordance with Italian regulations.

Finally, the sea bottom will be cleaned and marine flora replanted after the Concordia is removed. The refloating plan prioritises safety and the protection of Giglio’s economy and tourism industry. As well, salvage workers are not expected to have an adverse impact on the availability of hotel rooms for Giglio’s summer trade as the project’s operating base with be located on the mainland.

Also last week, Francesco Schettino, the captain of the ill-fated Costa Concordia, was declared unfit for command by Italy’s top appeals court. In a written explanation of its decision to maintain his house arrest order, the Court of Cassation said he had shown “little resilience in performing command functions or in handling responsibility for the safety of persons under his care.”

Investigators accused Schettino of delaying evacuation and losing control of the operation, during which he abandoned ship before all 4,229 passengers and crew had been taken off the vessel. He has been charged with multiple manslaughter, causing the accident and abandoning ship prematurely.

Finally, concurrent with the latest salvage announcement on Friday, the Italian Maritime Investigative Body presented to the International Maritime Organisation in London the initial findings of its investigation into the Costa Concordia grounding and capsizing. The main problem, according to them, was that it took more than an hour after the ship hit the rocks for the emergency signal to be sounded

In the words of the Financial Times, “Elisa Giangrasso, an Italian coastguard officer, described to gasps from the audience how the vessel set a course to pass close to Giglio, strayed half a mile off course and then ran at speed into a shoal of rocks.”

Half a nautical mile is a little over three ship’s lengths, or perhaps a more revealingly, more than twenty-five ship’s breadths off course.

Kevin Griffin is managing director of The Cruise People Ltd in London, England. This article appeared in cybercruises.com

LiveJournal Tags: Francesco Schettino,Costa Concordia salvage

Cunard Sale until Friday

Cunard Line (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you always wanted to experience a Cunard voyage,  but felt the pricing was out of reach?

Now you can experience Cunard Line at a fraction of the cost.

The Cunard Spring Spectacular Sale starts to-day.

Please take a look at the tremendous discounts its summer and autumn Europe sailings.

Imagine 12-days in Europe in the new Queen Elizabeth for only $CAD1059.99 each of two including taxes and fees.

Please contact us for specifics at 1-800-961-5536 or e-mail at cruise@thecruisepeople.ca

LiveJournal Tags: Queen Elizabeth,Spectacular Spring Sale

Cunard Line Announces 2013 Voyage Programme, Open for Sale on 24 April

 

Highlights include new itineraries, inaugural calls in Italy, Iceland and the Mediterranean, plus overnight stays in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Canada

Cunard Line has announced its 2013 Voyage Programme, offering an extensive range of sailings across its three ships featuring 106 voyages/cruises visiting 99 ports in 35 countries. Highlights include several inugural calls and overnight stays, and multiple departures for its most popular itineraries, including the St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer, Fjords & Waterfalls and Greek Isles & Mediterranean Treasures.

Cunard brings over 170 years of maritime heritage to the youngest, luxury fleet at sea – flagship RMS Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – acquainting passengers with captivating destinations and the Line’s enduring grandeur, glamour and elegance.

RMS Queen Mary 2 will continue to offer her legendary Transatlantic Voyages between New York and Southampton, as well as to Hamburg, while Queen Victoria will spend her full 2013 season sailing Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Atlantic Isles, Iberia and Morocco, with a new 24-day voyage to the Black Sea and Turkey; and Queen Elizabeth will spend much of her season travelling from Southampton to Northern Europe and sailing the Mediterranean from Venice, Athens, Rome and Southampton.

RMS Queen Mary 2
The grandest ocean liner at sea, Queen Mary 2, will sail a total of 17 Transatlantic sailings between New York and Southampton from May 2013 to January 2014. In addition to the flagship’s popular seven-day Transatlantic voyages, Cunard introduces two eight-day crossings. Extended nine- and ten-day Crossings between New York and Hamburg will also be available.

These longer Crossings offer additional time to explore the ship’s extensive on board amenities and activities, including lectures through the award-winning Cunard Insights programme; stargazing in the only planetarium at sea; white-gloved afternoon tea served in the Queens Room or a spin around the dance floor during a Royal Nights themed ball; taking in a performance or workshop by members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; or perusing the 8,000 volumes in the largest library at sea.

Those travelling select European itineraries also may opt to combine their voyage with a Transatlantic Voyage on either side, creating a "Grand" voyage.
Queen Mary 2 will also continue ventures to Northern Europe, plus roundtrip New York departures to New England and Canada – featuring an overnight stay in Quebec – and a visit to the Caribbean just in time for the holidays. First-time calls for Queen Mary 2 include Andalsnes, Norway and Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda.
Fares for the following voyages start from:
* Seven-day Transatlantic: $1199
* Eight-day Transatlantic: $1499
* Seven-day Fjords & Waterfalls: $1699
* Five-day 4th of July Getaway: $1349
* 12-day Autumn Colours (New England/Canada): $2499
* 15-day Northern Highlights: $2999
* 21-day Grand Fjords & Waterfalls: $4399

Those considering travelling with pets should make kennel reservations now as space will sell out quickly for the entire 2013 sailings.

Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria will sail a range of voyages from Southampton to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Isles, Iberia and Morocco, including the popular seven-day Fjords & Waterfalls itinerary (Norway) and the St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer voyage, with an overnight stay in St. Petersburg.
Additionally, Queen Victoria will sail a series of Mediterranean voyages ranging from 12 to 17 days and, new for 2013, a 24-day voyage to the Black Sea and Turkey. Inaugurl ports include Agadir, Morocco; Isafjordur, Iceland; Palau-Costa Smeralda, Italy; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; and Warnemunde, Germany.

Overnight stays include St. Petersburg, Istanbul and Madeira (two nights).
Fares for the following voyages start from:
* 10-day Iberia & Moroccan Highlights: $1499
* 14-day Mediterranean Medley: $3099
* 14-day St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer: $2999
* 15-day Geysers & Glaciers: $3199
* 24-day Black Sea & Turkish Splendours: $5399
Guests sailing aboard Queen Victoria enjoy many distinctive features including the first private theatre boxes at sea (Royal Court Theatre); the classic art of fencing; Cunardia, a museum display of historic artifacts; and nods to HM Queen Victoria including original etchings drawn by The Queen and Prince Albert.

Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth‘s 2013 schedule will take her to Iceland, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles and the Baltic Sea. Later in the season, she will reposition to the Mediterranean and embark on eight voyages from Venice, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Athens (Piraeus). These popular itineraries again include the Greek Isles and Holy Land voyages, and inaugural ports include Akureyri, Iceland; Goteborg, Sweden; Isafjordur, Iceland; Izmir, Turkey; Marseilles, France; Reykjavik, Iceland; Salerno, Italy; Split, Croatia; Valencia, Spain; and Warnemunde, Germany. Overnight calls include St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Copenhagen and Venice.

Fares for the following voyages start from:
* 7-day Fjords & Waterfalls: $1399
* 12-day Greek Isles & Holy Land Explorer: $1799
* 12-day Mediterranean Odyssey: $1799
* 12-day Adriatic & Black Sea Explorer: $2499
* 14-day St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer: $2799

Queen Elizabeth‘s grand art deco interiors and unique art works, which pay homage to both the original Queen Elizabeth and Great Britain’s Royal Family, continue to fascinate and delight guests who sail aboard the Line’s newest Cunarder. The ship’s Grand Lobby prominently displays the 18.5 ft. marquetry piece of the original Queen Elizabeth created by David Linley, only nephew of Her Majesty The Queen; and a specially commissioned portrait of The Queen, created by artist Isobel Peachey particularly for Queen Elizabeth‘s 2010 debut.

All referenced fares are US per person, based on double occupancy.
Reservations for Cunard’s 2013 voyages will open for booking on 24 April 2012. The Cruise People is setting up its Cunard group departures now.  Please let us know if there are sailings of interest to you.

See Cunard’s programmes online.

For more information and to book a voyage, consult The Cruise People, Ltd., toll-free at 1-800-961-5536 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca

LiveJournal Tags: Queen Mary 2,QM2,Queen Elizabeth 2,Queen Victoria,dog travel,travel with pets,group travel

Crystal Adventure Programme

Crystal Cruises (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hike, drive, ride, fish, climb, sail, row, bob, fly or surf in locales from western France up to the Arctic Circle and over to Iceland with Crystal Cruises in Northern Europe from May to September.  The ultra-luxe line has set more than 100 new boutique Crystal Adventures to take maximum advantage of the region’s abundant outdoor opportunities and stunning natural beauty. 

On new outings, outdoor enthusiasts can:

· River Raft Iceland’s glacial Hvitá River (outside Reyjkavik).

· Rock Climb Ireland’s Mourne Mountains (CS Lewis’s Narnia-inspiration) outside Belfast, or rappel down a Dalkey quarry after taking in the view ofDublin.

· Surf in Biarritz, with Quicksilver’s world-class surf school instruction (from St.-Jean-de-Luz).

· Tank-Drive a vintage WWII battle tank for two miles near Portland.

· Helicopter over Paris and Versailles (from Honfleur), Bordeaux wine country, or Iceland’s recently-erupted Eyjafjallajökull volcano (from Reykjavik).

· Olympic Wheelbob down Lillehammer’s Olympic Bob & Luge Track outside Oslo.

· Horseback Ride through the “Garden of Ireland”/County Wicklow outside Dublin, Finnish countryside and forest near Helsinki, or mountains outside maiden call Akureyri, the latter on the back of Icelandic horses descended from the Viking Age.

· Kayak past colourful Copenhagen via its harbour and canals or the natural beauty of coastal northern Norway (from Tromso).

· Hike the chalky Dorset coastline in Portland, England or Norway’s highest mountain, Mt. Ulriken (in Bergen).

· Fish the Finnish Archipelago, Geirangerfjord or near Reykjavik (sea angling).

· ATV or 4×4 Drive through North Cape’s gateway, Magerøya Island(Honningsvåg) or past glacial Icelandic landscape to either a lobster lunch or snowmobile adventure (Reykjavik).

· Boat past Helsinki’s seaside villas and lighthouses by catamaran; discover caves and orkas in maiden call Heimaey, Iceland by RIB or motorboat; spot puffins on a RIB sea safari to Runde Island (near Ålesund, Norway);  or scout for sea eagles by Zodiac in Lofoten, Norway (maiden call).

· Soak weary, post-activity bones in a natural geothermic/volcanic lagoon en route to stunning Godafoss, a.k.a. “Waterfall of the Gods” (from Akureyri).

Other new boutique excursions that focus on the arts and off-beat experiences (and require less adrenalin!):

· Blown Glassmaking near Saint-Malo: Fashion your own blown glasswork at a local studio.

· Venturing Off-the-Beaten-Path in Berlin: Explore living as the locals do, with shopping at the fruit and vegetable market, riding the Underground, and going inside a typical local apartment.

· Painting in St. Petersburg: Take a painting master class at Russia’s largest private modern art gallery.

· Evening Walking with a Night Watchman in Copenhagen: Take a different type of walking tour, at night, with a traditional uniformed, and informed, local “night watchman.”

· “Titanic Experience” in Belfast: Visit the new Titanic museum on the centennial anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

· Gourmet Dining and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: From slow food to Médoc wine, join local experts in exploring the region’s legendary estates, including a gala dinner at Château Haut-Bailly.

Many Crystal Adventures offer new Private Options for couples.  For even more intimate time ashore, guests can also custom-craft a Crystal Private Adventure or take an Overland Adventure, such as a two-day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg.

Until April 30, “Book Now” fares for Crystal’s Northern Europe cruises start at $US2,965 per person/double occupancy for eleven days sailing from London to Hamburg.  Additional savings are available for combining select voyages, groups of six or more, or sharing the experience with someone new-to-Crystal.  Attractive air add-ons are also available from more than 90 North American airports.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures programme, earning the line top ratings for two decades.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact The Cruise People at 1-800-961-5536 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca.

More information on Crystal Cruises.

EUROPA 2

by thecruisepeople

The Elements Asian Restaurant on board Europa 2

The Cathay Lounge on board Empress of Britain of 1931

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new Europa 2 may well prove to be one of the most interestingly decorated ships since the Empress of Britain of 1931 and Normandie of 1935. But to keep things in a modern tone, Sebastian Ahrens, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said, “We are breaking new ground with Europa 2. She will represent a modern and casual interpretation of luxury cruises in terms of her architecture, her restaurants and her entertainment programme.  Europa 2 will offer an international atmosphere for sophisticated, cosmopolitan customers who still have very demanding professional lives and are looking for the greatest possible degree of individuality in their spare time. We have therefore consciously decided to do without cruise traditions such as the Captain’s Dinner.”

“The ship will be positioned internationally.  English-speaking guests will feel comfortable on every cruise on Europa 2. Most of the entertainment on board does not rely on language. The on-board announcements will be reduced to a minimum and made in German and English at all times,” added Ahrens.

Flexibility and individuality will be found in every detail from entertainment to gourmet cuisine on board Europa 2. The routes of Europa 2 will be geared towards working people and families, with one-week itineraries offered. Personalized service will be heightened, with more than 370 staff members for a maximum of 516 guests, as well as butler and travel concierge services offering unsurpassed quality when it comes to catering to guests’ needs. New standards will also be set with regards to environmental protection – Europa 2 will be the first cruise ship equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction, which reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides by almost 95 percent.

Shorter Routes, Ideal for Working People and Families

With 7-day combinable cruises to the Mediterranean in the summer and 13-20 day combination cruises to far-away destinations in the winter, Europa 2 will meet the requirements of working people and families with limited holiday time. The ship will call at 123 ports on 26 different itineraries in 2013. Cruises will take guests to the western and eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Southeast Asia. The size of the ship is a major advantage – with a length of 739 feet and a draught of 20.7 feet, Europa 2 is capable of calling at small, rarely-visited ports such as Bonifacio and Portofino, which is not an option for larger ships. Furthermore, a total of twelve Zodiacs will be carried to take passengers to lagoons and beaches  in remote parts of Southeast Asia where ships can’t dock.

Accommodations On-board, All-Suites

Europa 2 will exclusively offer Veranda Suites with balconies each measuring at least 75 square feet facing the sea, a novelty in the cruise market. In addition, all suites will have a free of charge mini bar, Wi-Fi Internet access (at a charge) and a tablet PC. The 251 suites in seven different categories will measure in size from 301 to 1,066 square feet and will offer their own whirlpools with ocean view in the highest categories. In addition, 16 Spa Suites will have whirlpool tubs and rain showers with steam saunas, providing guests with a private oasis of well-being onboard. For families travelling together, there will be seven family-style suites where parents and children can live in two separate areas, connected by a door and the shared balcony.

Culinary Diversity with Flexible Times and Open Seating

The restaurant concept on board Europa 2 will be synonymous with diversity and flexibility – flexible mealtimes, no assigned seating, and plenty of tables for two. There will be eight restaurants to choose from among them, three speciality restaurants with Mediterranean, French and Asian cuisine, as well as a Sushi Bar. The Asian restaurant Elements provides an interesting comparison with Canadian Pacific’s Empress of Britain of 1931, which as the time was advertised in Germany as “das Luxusschiff der Welt” (“The Most Luxurious Ship in the World”). One of the Empress of Britain‘s chief attractions was the Chinoiserie used in her decorations, particularly in her Cathay Lounge, something that stemmed from Canadian Pacific’s Transpacific ocean liner service between Vancouver and the Orient.

The Tarragon French restaurant on board Europa 2. No extra charge to dine here.

All restaurants will be included in the cruise price (excluding beverages). On special occasions, passengers can book the private dining room, allowing them to dine in a very personal atmosphere. There will also be an on-board cooking school, equipped by Miele, where professional chefs will provide guests with unique insights. In addition to the eight restaurants, six bars are to be found on-board.

Entertainment with Exclusive Productions & Performances

The entertainment programme will reflect the modern concept Europa 2. The theatre will have modern stage technology and a large LED wall extending across two stories – a novelty on a relatively small ship. For the first time for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the entertainment programme will feature spectacular productions, performances and light shows. The shows will have no adaptation of shore programmes, but instead will be exclusively performed aboard Europa 2. Two different shows per week will be offered, ensuring plenty of variety. Passengers who spend 14 days onboard will see four different shows. International guest artists will further enhance the entertainment programme. Many shows do not start simultaneously, allowing passengers to enjoy more than one show nightly.

Wellness and Fitness: 1,000 Square Metres/ 10,000 Square Foot Spa

Guests will also find diversity and plenty of space in the wellness area of Europa 2, which will boast 1,000 square metres/ 10,000 square feet. Treatments ranging from massages, to facials, to Thalasso therapy will be offered in the eight treatment rooms at the Ocean Spa. The extensive sauna landscape grants every guest more space to relax than any other ship of this class. In addition, passengers can book a Personal Spa experience and enjoy the private sauna and whirlpool facilities, as well as massage beds and comfortable relaxation furnishings, by the hour or the day, in an intimate atmosphere. The on-board facilities also include a large fitness area with fitness and cardio equipment, as well as a room where Pilates and Spinning will take place. Upon request, a Personal Trainer is available to counsel guests on their workout, and sports hosts are available to organise shore excursions, for example, bicycle tours or Nordic Walking.

Child Care Available For Toddlers Two And Older

Young cruise passengers are sure to enjoy themselves in the Kids and Teens Club, compiled by qualified child care specialists. For the first time in the German market, child care will now be available for toddlers two and older on board Europa 2 (subject to charge). There will be a special area for the infants called the “Knopf Club,” equipped with cots, changing tables and a lounge furnished with cuddly toys, by the renowned manufacturer Steiff. Steiff is a German-based plush toy company known for its high quality for over 100 years. Children aged 4-10 years old play in the adjacent Kids Club, and children 11-15 years old meet in the Teens Club, where table football, video game consoles, or the disco will await them. Children eleven and under will travel free of charge on board Europa 2, when accompanied by two full-price cruise guests. Shore excursions for children, teenagers, or the entire family are offered on all family cruises.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings or brochure requests please call Gay Scruton at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk  in North America call 1-800-961-5536 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca.

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