Archive for April, 2010

All Eyes Izzy, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

There’s been a great deal of interest from Avid Cruiser readers about whether the Mekong is a good cruise for kids. The short answer is yes. Take them and venture forth! For more explanation, read on.

Isabel Karst, age 17, and Britton, my daughter, age 14  Read more... (808 words, 8 images, estimated 3:14 mins reading time)

Forget pizza parties and ping pong tournaments, Crystal is raising the bar on teen activities with cool new stuff to do this summer, from sushi making classes — the Junior Activities Directors teach teens the techniques practiced by Nobu-trained chefs in the ships’ Silk Road and The Sushi Bar — to group dance lessons taught by the ships’ onboard dance professionals and dance parties hosted by the ships’ DJ. Teens can also take a golf lesson with the PGA pro instructors onboard or attend the ships’ Berlitz language classes.  Read more... (238 words, estimated 57 secs reading time)

From gazing at a lone bald-head eagle perched in a tree in Sitka to admiring calving glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska cruise vacations create memorable moments that last a lifetime.

MISSED YOUR CHANCE TO CRUISE IN ALASKA THIS YEAR? Perhaps not.

While Alaska cruises fill fast for the summer months, you can often find space available during the spring and late summer.

There are a number of reasons to cruise Alaska during the off-peak season.  Read more... (169 words, 1 image, estimated 41 secs reading time)

On a Cruise West “D Tour” we go deep into Denali, 90 miles from the National Park’s Entrance and up close and personal to Denali itself. Want to get away while getting close? Take a look.

From moose to porcupine to caribou to eagles, Cruise West guests saw lots of wildlife in Denali.

Disney Cruise Line will combine technology-infused innovations and imagination to create a whole new level of magical experiences for families sailing on its newest ship, the Disney Dream.

Throughout their cruise vacation, guests will encounter unexpected magic – such as a restaurant that transports guests under the sea, artwork that magically comes to life and youth clubs filled with immersive gaming environments and personalized character encounters.  Read more... (432 words, 4 images, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Disney Cruise Line debuts Remy, its first-ever premier dining option.

With French-inspired, gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs, Remy melds classic and contemporary styles in a sophisticated new dining concept exclusively for adults on the Disney Dream.

Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise, a Michelin two-star restaurant just outside Reims, France, and Chef Scott Hunnel from award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World Resort, are collaborating to create a French-inspired menu featuring superior products and seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world.  Read more... (164 words, 1 image, estimated 39 secs reading time)

Research shows that most people planning a trip to Alaska want to see two places: Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. You can get to Glacier Bay aboard a cruise ship and admire the national park’s stunning scenery from the comfort of your balcony stateroom. But to get to Denali (a.k.a. Mt. McKinley), you’ll have to get off the ship, lace up your hiking boots, and trek inland. That’s where a cruisetour comes in.  Read more... (513 words, 6 images, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

On many cruise ships there are alternative dining venues, most of which have a surcharge, but are often well worth the extra cash. Celebrity has just come out with Qzine for its new ship, Eclipse. We hear that $30 will get you an unbelievably unique dining experience.

You may want to dine in a reservations-only restaurant on one night of your cruise, and take advantage of the no-additional-charge restaurants for your other meals. Following are a few suggestions for making those dining experiences extra special.  Read more... (401 words, 2 images, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)