Orient Express Sailing Yachts

In addition to warm rays of the sun, sparkling blue coastal waters and the typical snowbird excitement that is often found in Florida amidst winter, there was a notable increase in the level of enthusiasm in Fort Lauderdale the first week of January 2023. That’s because on January 3rd, the Holland America Line Zuiderdam embarked on its maiden Grand World Voyage, about to carry eager travelers on a 128-day adventure around the world. This week’s event was extra special because it was Holland America Line’s first full World Cruise since 2020. People are ready to see the world again! A large contingent of Cruise Specialists clients were among the travelers who came from all over North America, plus Australia and The Netherlands, to take part in this global adventure. Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam Cruise Specialists holds the distinction of hosting World Cruises on Holland America Line for more than 30 years. As part of it, we provide a seamless experience from the time our clients arrive in Fort Lauderdale to when they board the ship. (Not to mention answering lots of questions on a wide range of topics before, during and after the reservation is made!) On board, our friendly and experienced Voyage Hosts nurture an immediate sense of camaraderie among our guests and pay special attention to them throughout each circumnavigation around the globe. Here is a look at how we greeted and assisted our guests before they boarded their home-away-from-home for the four-month voyage. Bon Voyage Event The Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel has served as a lovely venue for our Cruise Specialists Bon Voyage festivities for many years. On January 2, we set up our welcome desk in the newly remodeled hotel lobby, previewed the hotel layout and greeted our guests who had already arrived. The handshakes and hugs were underway! Cruise Consultant Gayle Takashima (seated) greets a happy returning client Our team on site was led by Cruise Specialists Vice President Teresa Tennant and our Voyage and Event Planner, Kassie Walker. They were supported by some of our top World Cruise Consultants: Bridgett Quinn Webber, Gayle Takashima, Gillian Clark and Teresa Skeim, plus Cruise Specialists Senior Vice President Annie Scrivanich. Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultants in Fort Lauderdale: Gillian Clark (standing); and from left, Teresa Skeim, Bridgett Quinn Webber and Gayle Takashima Additionally, five of our Voyage Hosts were ready and waiting to greet guests: our World Cruise hosts Tom Mullen, Alex Tokar and Kirsten Ulmer, along with Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer — who are hosting the Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage that departed the same day as the World Cruise. Voyage Hosts Alex, Kirsten and Tom   Voyage Hosts Steve and Wendy were also on site for the Bon Voyage Event Greeting Our Guests Clients arrived throughout the day, with most flying into Fort Lauderdale and taking the complimentary Cruise Specialists shuttle from the airport to the hotel. We welcomed most guests curbside at the hotel and sorted their luggage to be stored or taken directly to the ship or to their hotel room. As we greeted our clients they received their Cruise Specialists logo items, hand-written bon voyage cards and additional details regarding their stay in Fort Lauderdale. With Holland America Line’s health and safety measures in place for the World Cruise, Cruise Specialists assisted our guests at the hotel with required COVID tests (everyone tested negative) and we assisted with loading their results into the VeriFLY app, along with other steps to ensure a smooth boarding process. Cruise line and destination requirements for health and safety continue to evolve; we are here for our clients to help answer questions and they seemed to appreciate our in-person efforts! The Bon Voyage Celebration The early evening found people enjoying drinks, appetizers and dinner with our staff and hosts at our Bon Voyage event at the hotel. While we have many World Cruise clients who return year after year, we also are proud to welcome a large group of first-time World Cruisers each year, as well as solo travelers. This was the first of many times our clients will have the chance to interact with each other over the next several months, since our Voyage Hosts will also hold regular, informal chat times on board, along with festive receptions and other gatherings. All Aboard! Zuiderdam in Fort Lauderdale On sailing day, we transferred our clients via motorcoach to the pier and they arrived at the ship happy and relaxed. Behind the scenes, the luggage pull (transferring all luggage from the hotel to the ship) is always an enormous task but this valuable service is appreciated by our guests. Cruise Specialists team members at the pier after doing a walk-through of the ship Our Excited World Cruise Clients Whether returning World Cruisers or first-time adventurers on this global voyage, everyone seemed to grasp the historic significance of this bon voyage celebration. One of our clients sent an email from the ship after the cruise was underway, saying: “Thank you, Cruise Specialists, for all your help and patience in making this amazing voyage a possibility for us. The cocktail party and dinner were delightful along with all other Cruise Specialists arrangements. You and your team are greatly appreciated, always!” And another commented, “It was a seamless send-off! Thank you, Cruise Specialists!” When we hear these grateful words and see the smiles of our clients, we are reassured of the influence we have as a travel agency in creating peace of mind for them. The best is yet to come! The Panama Canal: part of the 2023 World Cruise itinerary See additional Cruise Specialists hosted voyages here: www.cruisespecialists.com/hosted-cruises.aspx     ... Read more

The newest ships from Celebrity Cruises, part of the Edge Series, seem to be in a category all their own when it comes to cruise ships. With a capacity of about 3,000 guests each they are considered large ships. Yet, they have successfully crafted a modern and relaxed luxury lifestyle that is geared toward young-at-heart adults: sophisticated yet not intimidating, with varied cuisine, a vibrant lounge scene and cutting-edge entertainment. Another way of describing it: The Edge Series are dazzling ships, where the crew is completely focused on ensuring your comfort and enjoyment at these impressive and spacious resorts at sea. Several of Cruise Specialists team members have cruised on these ships which debuted over the past several years: Celebrity Edge® (2018), Celebrity Apex® (2021) and Celebrity BeyondSM (2022). After attending the inaugural cruise and naming ceremony for Celebrity Beyond, we are happy to report that this ship is elevated and improved to accentuate even more of what cruisers love about Edge and Apex. Naming ceremony for Celebrity Beyond, photo courtesy of Annie Scrivanich   Celebrity Edge, the first in the groundbreaking Edge Series What gives these ships an edge? Innovative features such as the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that floats up and down the side of ship, serving different functions on each deck it visits. It’s thrilling to step into the open-air Magic Carpet lounge and face the ocean in almost every direction while feeling the gentle ocean breeze. The serene Rooftop Garden and stunning, outward-facing Resort Deck, both pioneered on Celebrity Edge, continue to be guest favorites. As far as accommodations, the popular Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda features the latest in design and technology, and it is 23% larger than Celebrity’s award-winning Solstice® Series veranda staterooms. Cruise Specialists cruise consultant Bridgett Quinn Webber has cruised on and thoroughly inspected both Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex and says the Infinite Veranda continues to impress, more so than veranda staterooms on some other cruise ships. “The ability to lower your stateroom’s outside wall with a touch of a button, to create a balcony right within your stateroom, as opposed to it being a separate closed-off space is really something that people will value once they experience it,” said Bridgett. The Magic Carpet is one of the standout features on the Edge Series of ships   Rooftop Garden on Celebrity Beyond   Resort Deck on Celebrity Beyond   Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda, Celebrity Beyond   A relaxation area on board Celebrity Beyond, photo courtesy of Annie Scrivanich Incredible Suite Accommodations Cruise Specialists Director of Strategic Planning Annie Scrivanich and Senior Vice President Teresa Tennant inspected most stateroom and suite categories while on the Celebrity Beyond inaugural voyage. They say the new AquaClass SkySuites are impressive, with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private balconies and complimentary access to the spa’s Thermal Suite. Annie and Teresa also found the Edge Villa suite to be a beautiful space where indoor and outdoor living is seamlessly blended. These two-story luxury residences feature a private terrace with three-foot-deep plunge pool and lounge furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, one bedroom and two full bathrooms (one with a whirlpool tub), exclusive bedding with a king-sized cashmere mattress and generous storage space — not to mention a wealth of pampering amenities and priority treatment throughout the cruise. The Edge Villas on Celebrity Beyond include a private whirlpool for each suite Exclusive Treatment within The Retreat When you book a suite within The Retreat on the Edge Series, you also gain access to a private restaurant with signature dishes created by Daniel Boulud, The Retreat Sundeck, The Retreat Lounge and a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities — including premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, tips included and a bonus onboard credit. The Retreat Sundeck, Celebrity Beyond An Even Better Sunset Bar To improve upon ship features that guests already love about the Edge Series, one of the most exciting differences between Beyond and its predecessors is the expanded, multi-terraced Sunset Bar, located at the ship’s aft. Designed by Celebrity ambassador and icon Nate Berkus, Sunset Bar is twice as large as previous versions on other ships. Its elaborate, open-air Moroccan theme is inspired by Berkus’ travels and international beach clubs in Europe, Mexico and South America. Visitors to Sunset Bar will find timeless materials such as terracotta, bronze, brass and wood with a covered pergola entrance and multiple seating areas. The Cruise Specialists team members who have been on Celebrity Beyond predict that Sunset Bar will be a guest favorite thanks to its almost 360-degree views and because the lavish, travel-inspired space may remind people of other favorite places in the world they’ve explored or still hope to venture to. The multi-terraced Sunset Bar, Celebrity Beyond Insider Tips As always, by reserving your cruise through Cruise Specialists, you will benefit from our first-hand knowledge of ships and many years of experience within the cruise industry. One tip we urge you consider is to download the Celebrity app on your mobile phone. You’ll be able to board the ships much more quickly if you use the app to check in to your cruise. It’s also ideal for booking shore excursions and specialty dining reservations. See Celebrity Cruises upcoming voyages here.   ... Read more

In recent years the Zaandam and Zuiderdam ships have become some of the top choices for Holland America Line for its longer voyages known as Grand and World Voyages. Cruise Specialists had dozens of guests along with Voyage Hosts Keith and Susie Boyland on the 2022 Grand Africa voyage that cruised from Fort Lauderdale around Africa and back on board Zaandam. They spent their days at sea enjoying the warm weather and ceremonial visits from King Neptune by the pool when crossing the equator. The ship carried them in grand style through the Suez Canal, to Jordan (where many visited Petra and Wadi Rum) — and Cruise Specialists guests enjoyed chatting with each other in the lounges and restaurants where they shared many meals together.   The Suez Canal, as seen from the bow of the Zaandam   Friendly service in the specialty coffee bar on board Zaandam, with Voyage Host Susie Boyland Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts Wendy and Steve Bodenheimer also cruised on board Zaandam for two weeks in June 2022 and shared some of their observations about the ship: “Embarkation was super easy for those who did all their paperwork as requested. We arrived about 40 minutes before our scheduled time and were able to board in about 20 minutes without a crowd. And our luggage arrived at our cabin the same time we did! The ship itself is in fabulous condition. She just came out of dry dock and many things are new- carpeting, upholstery, etc. Even the cushions on the deck chairs look new. She looks and feels like a much newer ship. And for those missing the Amsterdam, they will feel right at home. The layout is almost exactly the same. The staff is wonderful as usual. We know the Hotel General Manager, Guest Relations Manager, Shorex Manager, Cruise and Travel Director and Event Manager from previous sailings and they greeted us like family. They are among our favorite people going back to the Prinsendam We were impressed by how smooth the tender procedures were. There is still a library with a reasonable selection of books and games, still computer terminals and still excellent coffee and pastry at the coffee bar. The Crow’s Nest no longer has live music although the dance floor surface is still there. The Ocean Bar has a 5-person band, including a singer, who play all kinds of music every night for three sets. We can be found there, getting in a few dances every evening. There is a popular piano bar entertainer in the Mix lounge, and a Classical Duo in the Explorers Lounge every night. Main Stage entertainment has been very good. The One Step Dance Company has done two amazing shows. We’ve also had a comedian and a male quartet called Cantaré who we enjoyed. Food and service in the main Dining Room have been very good. Dinner at Canaletto was so good, we plan to return twice in our second week. It is still an underappreciated venue. We do love the quiet atmosphere and the great views from every table!   Canaletto is a popular dining venue on Holland America Line ships A few things that are different from prior voyages: There are no longer Wine Stewards in the Dining Room. All wine and drink orders are handled by the wait staff. There have been no port talks or port information distributed on board. Guests should plan to use the Navigator app to gain most information. Overall, we were very pleased with the experience on board Zaandam.” In Person on the Zuiderdam Voyage Hosts Steve and Wendy with the Zuiderdam Captain in Tonga The Bodenheimers also cruised on board Zuiderdam for a 51-day Tales of the South Pacific voyage in fall 2022. Here are some comments about the ship they sent back during the voyage. “One of the things we really like is the unique elevators in the middle of the ship. In addition to the regular interior ones, there are 2 sets of glass-enclosed elevators that run up and down outside the ship. They make some people nervous, as it feels like you are floating almost over the water. But they come more quickly that the others, are never crowded, and are a fun experience. Beyond the lectures, days at sea are filled with a dazzling array of activities. They are still teaching the hula and ukulele. Trivia is played several times a day and has a large and devoted following. Bridge players have classes in the mornings and duplicate bridge in the afternoons. Every afternoon is a big screen movie with popcorn or tea service in the dining room with decadent pastries. Anyone for $1,000 Jackpot Bingo or the designer jewelry showcase in the shops? Try pickleball, shuffleboard, cornhole, or even a sunrise stretch at the pool. Do you knit, crochet, or love Mahjong? There’s an informal group get together for you. The casino is open all day as are the Fitness Center and Spa for your workout or massage. The pools and hot tubs are available for a quick dip or leisurely float. There are at least two jigsaw puzzles in progress at any time up in the Crow’s Nest. And did we mention the movie library — lots of new and old movies on demand on your stateroom TV and this isn’t even a Grand Voyage, where there would be even more going on! And in the evenings on Zuiderdam, there is a broad variety of music venues: Lincoln Center Stage for the classical fans, Rolling Stone Rock Lounge for the rock and rollers, Billboard Onboard for popular piano sing-alongs and the Ocean Bar for dancing. These are in addition to the Main Stage performances of comedians, solo musicians, singers, dance companies and production shows.” The Main Stage, Zuiderdam The Bodenheimers and other guests reported that they struggled with WiFi connectivity throughout this voyage. Our advice is to plan ahead for the bare minimum of internet access you think you will need and consider using WiFi on shore if possible in port from time to time. (Keep in mind that many ports may not have internet access.) Conduct as much important business before you leave home so you do not need to worry about it on board. In Closing Due to their mid-size ship appeal, recent refurbishments that keep the ships feeling luxurious and fresh, and highly experienced staff and crew who excel at catering to the desires of discerning cruisers, Zaandam and Zuiderdam are both excellent choices for a voyage with Holland America Line. Our cruise consultants are well-versed on both ships and available to answer your questions! We’ve also put together a comparison of the two ships with more information about ship size, dining and lounges, amenities and more, which you can read below: Holland America’s Zaandam and Zuiderdam: What Are the Differences?     ... Read more