Archive for the ‘Caribbean Cruises’ Category

Fifty Cruise Specialists guests with a thirst for new adventures, good wine, and giving back recently set sail on the 2011 California Winemasters Association cruise which helped raise $10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (the association’s official charity).  Cruise Specialists donated a portion of each guest’s reservation to the worthy cause.  This year’s cruise is hosted by Justin Baldwin of JUSTIN Vineyards and is sailing on the new Celebrity Eclipse to the Eastern Caribbean.  Guests are enjoying private wine tasting events, exclusive winemaker luncheons and much more.

An unforgettable sunset on seldom visited Bequia

By WALLACE IMMEN for The Avid Cruiser

All right, so you’re an experienced Caribbean cruiser.

You’ve docked in places like Phillpsburg and Bridgetown so many times you qualify for frequent visitor status. You’ve slathered yourself in sun lotion on more palm-lined beaches than Columbus ever claimed. But I bet there are still big gaps in your Caribbean life list; places that hardly ever show up in cruise itineraries. Maybe it’s time to look into some islands off the well-churned cruise routes that are places that can only be visited by smaller ships. The experience is sure to be one that won’t have our friends saying “been there, done that.”

The Suite Life Comes To the Caribbean On Celebrity’s Solstice-Class Vessels

This winter, Celebrity Cruises has sent not one but all four Solstice-class ships to the Caribbean, offering sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida aboard Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox; Miami aboard Celebrity Eclipse; and departures from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey aboard the new Celebrity Silhouette.

Celebrity’s Solstice-class vessels are truly remarkable ships, and we feel they are some of the best ships afloat for cruising any destination. More than 85 percent of all accommodations feature private balconies, but Solstice-class goes so much further.

Cruise Specialists is offering a variety of theme cruises this fall for travelers looking to explore and indulge in their favorite passion while cruising.  Taste distinct wines from all over the world on our wine lovers cruise through the Mediterranean, play 10 days of Bridge on your way to and from Hawaii, dance your way through the Caribbean or the Panama Canal, and get in tip top shape on your way to Mexico on our new Zumba Fitness® Cruise.

Being sailors ourselves, we were looking forward to our 7-day cruise on the Star Clipper.  She is one

Star Clipper

of three ships in the Star Clippers fleet.  As soon as I laid eyes on her I fell in love… she was docked in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, just across on another pier was a large Carnival Cruise Lines ship which made the Star Clipper look quite small and made me feel quite special to be going aboard. A four masted sailing vessel, she stood out and stood proud.

My daughter & I boarded the luxurious, all-inclusive, Seabourn Sojourn in Ft. Lauderdale at the

Lisa and Guest (Seabourn Sojourn in the background)

Port Everglades cruise terminal (it’s not too far from the airport). We arrived around 2pm and embarkation was quick & easy. At the gangway we were met by smiling staff offering warm hand towels, Champagne & Bellini’s. As we boarded, we were met by a line of staff waiting to take our bags and lead us to our cabin. Nothing better than white glove service!

Disney Dream Celebration

The Ceremony
Tom Baumann, President of Cruise Specialists, recently had the opportunity to attend the christening and inaugural sailing of the new Disney Dream cruise ship.  The celebration and spectacular show took place in Port Canaveral, Florida at the Disney Cruise Line Terminal and featured classic Disney music, dancers, fireworks, and their beloved Disney characters.

In December 2010, my husband Bill and I were lucky enough to travel to the Caribbean

Marriott Beach Place Towers

aboard the luxurious, six-star Seven Seas Voyager. Regent Seven Cruises is a spectacular, upscale cruise line with many wonderful included amenities.

Prior to our cruise we had an overnight stay at the Marriott Beach Place Towers in Fort Lauderdale. This beautiful hotel offered wonderful views of the water and beach. We had a nice lanai to sit and have our morning coffee and since we were so close, We walked on the beach and had breakfast at an outdoor restaurant.

ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Once a year Holland America Line brings together Senior Management and its top agency producers for an opportunity to interact, share thoughts and suggestions and to enjoy the onboard amenities that are available to all guests. So we packed our bags and headed to Ft. Lauderdale this November for 7-days sailing through the Caribbean aboard the all-new ms Nieuw Amsterdam.

Day one – At Sea

Atrium Chandelier

Hamilton & ms Veendam

We just got home from our 7-day Bermuda cruise aboard Holland America Line’s ms Veendam. In spite of Earl and Fiona, we had smooth seas and good weather.  Bermuda was a new destination for us and we regret waiting so long to visit this colorful island.  One of the smallest territories in the world at 22 square miles, Bermuda’s population of 67,000 makes it the 3rd most densely populated place on earth.