Owner's Suite On Oceania's Marina

Today, I head to Genoa for a preview of Oceania’s Marina, which will be floated out Friday at 12:15 Central European Time.

Please join the discussion by leaving comments and feel free to ask me questions to ask the Oceania execs.

Ron Mueck's "Boy," at the ARoS Art Museum in Aarhus, courtesy of Ukendt

Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus appeals to so-called “culture vultures.” That’s because for tourists, Aarhus has a number of museums, big and small, that are worthy of a full day’s visit — or longer.

Among the must-see museums:  Read more... (283 words, 2 images, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

Klaipeda is known for its 'Baltic Gold' or Amber

Founded in 1252, Klaipeda began when the Teutonic Knights built a castle called Memelburg, near the junction of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Over time, a town called Memel emerged around the castle . Klaipeda, in fact, was known as Memel from 1252-1923 and from 1939-1945. Since 1945, the city has been known by the Lithuanian name of Klaipeda.  Read more... (607 words, 9 images, estimated 2:26 mins reading time)

Le Havre Leaves Good Impressions

Valerie Dubuc, Cruise Director, Port of Le Havre, France

Le Havre bills itself as the “Gateway to Paris,” and indeed, on the day that I arrived on Oceania’s Regatta, many passengers disembarked for bus transfers to explore the City of Light. (More than half of all excursions sold on ships calling in Le Havre are for Paris). Problem is that Paris is three hours away by bus or train. Within a couple of years, TGV rail service will cut the time between the two destinations to only one hour, but for now, the excursion to Paris makes for a long day.  Read more... (1027 words, 5 images, estimated 4:06 mins reading time)

Reaching The Port Of Perfection: Saint-Malo, France

This past fall, I had the good fortune to visit Saint-Malo, France. Knowing little about the destination before I arrived on Oceania Cruises’ Regatta, I found myself astounded by the region’s rich diversity.

One of France’s most attractive coastal towns, Saint-Malo has something to offer all cruise ship passengers: sublime scenery, bustling bars, trendy restaurants and cafes, cultural attractions, outdoor activities and Brittany’s best beaches.  Read more... (787 words, 2 images, estimated 3:09 mins reading time)

You can't do this from an inside stateroom. Tip # 1. Balconies are better.

It’s one thing to get a great deal, but it’s another to budget so tightly that you extract any possibility for pleasure on your cruise. Yes, inside cabins are cheaper than balcony cabins, but balcony cabins can be much more rewarding.  Read more... (784 words, 1 image, estimated 3:08 mins reading time)

Beautiful Norway: Made For Cruising

[Frommer's writer Heidi Sarna contributed this story.]

I cruised with my family last summer aboard the Costa Atlantic round-trip out of Copenhagen to the Norwegian fjords. In a word: ohmygod.

My boys were six at the time, and the stunning scenery even kept their attention on all-day bus tours and long hikes. The 7-night itinerary called on five ports, with a convenient sea day at the start of the trip. We called on Flam, Hellesylt /Geiranger, Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo, with long 9- to 12-hour stays in each port, with the exception of a five-hour stay in Stavanger.  Read more... (2214 words, 10 images, estimated 8:51 mins reading time)

In June 2010, LEGOLAND California® will open the world’s first LEGO®-themed water park.

Geared toward families with children ages 2 to 12, the 5.5-acre LEGOLAND Water Park will feature wet-and-wild climbing structures, a six-person raft slide, tube slides, body slides, a lazy river, hands-on toddler areas and an area where kids can customize their own soft LEGO® rafts.

For more information, visit www.legolandwaterpark.com.

Silversea Cruises’ new Silver Spirit features six restaurants, including Seishin, an Asian fusion restaurant, where the signature item will be Kobe beef, served with sushi, sashimi, exotic sakes (the rice wine), and more.