The Cruise Report With Cruise Specialists Cruise Reporter Ralph Grizzle

A sailing on SeaDream leaves many indelible images, but one of the most memorable for me, oddly enough, takes the form of a Tabasco bottle.  

After placing on my table a plate of sunny-side-up eggs and link sausage, Brian, the ever-smiling waiter, asked if I would care for anything else. When I requested Tabasco sauce, he returned with the bottle, then did something I was not expecting. He twisted the cap and gently placed it and the bottle on my table.  Read more... (361 words, 3 images, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

An urgent note to the owner of SeaDream Yacht Club: Joel Katz has taken command of one of your yachts.

There’s no need to panic, Mr. Brynestad. The vessel is in good hands, I assure you. The ever-gracious Mr. Katz has even promised to return SeaDream I at the end of the week.

With all due respect, Mr. Brynestad, the fact that Mr. Katz could take charge of your fine vessel can be blamed on no one but you.  Read more... (529 words, 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

View from SeaDream 1, anchored in Soper’s Hole, Tortola.

The call for European cruises must be ringing loud in the ears of cruise execs, who seem to be dedicating more and more resources to that market. Royal Caribbean, for instance, is planning to deploy eight ships in 2010 for a broad assortment of European itineraries. Royal Caribbean will offer 57 unique Europe itineraries, visiting 22 countries and 55 ports.  Read more... (321 words, 1 image, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

Six Princess Cruises ships will make 96 European departures next year as the premium line looks to add more variety. A total 130 ports will be visited, including seven new ones, for those of you who are collecting. These include: Iteá, which leads to Delphi’s archeological site in Greece; the largest of the Greek Ionian islands, Cephalonia (Argostoli); a Greek isle off the Turkish coast, Khios, noted for medieval villages and an eleventh century monastery; Eidfjord, a picturesque Norwegian village; Koper (Slovenia), gateway to the capital city of Ljublijana; and Nice (France), the French Riviera beach resort town near Monte Carlo and Cannes.

Here at Soper’s Hole, in the British Virgin Islands, it’s hard to believe it’s Friday, a workday mind you. The tiny harbor is bustling with leisure boats, coming and going, some setting sail under the gentle breeze. It is a playful and carefree atmosphere, with dolphins frolicking astern of SeaDream I, one of the few passenger vessels able to get into this secluded bay in Tortola.  Read more... (161 words, 1 image, estimated 39 secs reading time)

Debuting in June 2009, Seabourn Odyssey will provide the most exclusive all-suite accommodation available at sea, with 225 suites in total, 90 percent of which have private verandas.  Read more... (175 words, 1 image, estimated 42 secs reading time)

What’s big and green and occupies one third of Stockholm’s total land area? Parks.  Read more... (296 words, 11 images, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

Today, on my SeaDream sailing, I hiked to the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. No, I’m not geographically challenged. The Netherlands, as anyone knows, is as flat as a stroopwafel, but within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, situated in the Netherlands Antilles, is Saba, a rugged island rising abruptly from the sea to a height of more than 3,000 feet.  Read more... (208 words, 19 images, estimated 50 secs reading time)

I’d never been to Nevis until this morning, and while it was a pleasant stop, Nevis was not nearly as beautiful as Virgin Gorda, where SeaDream I called yesterday.

The great thing about yachting, however, is that you don’t need to feel guilty if you decline to disembark. “We’re past the point of ticking off a list of destinations that we’ve visited,” one passenger told me. He and his wife slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, hit a few balls at the golf simulator and stretched out in a couple of sun loungers admiring Nevis from SeaDream I’s pool deck.  Read more... (172 words, 16 images, estimated 41 secs reading time)