Carnival Launches Sweepstakes and #ChooseFun AirShip Sighting Social Media Campaign to Benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off a year-long celebration welcoming the new Carnival Panorama to the West Coast. They are taking things to extreme heights today – literally – as its popular Carnival AirShip makes its aerial debut in Southern California.
Inviting everyone to “Choose Fun,” the 120-foot-long AirShip will fly over and visit culture and entertainment locations across the state throughout January including The Rose Parade: A Showcase of Floats on Jan. 2 as well as sporting events; local schools; Carnival’s homeports in Long Beach on Jan. 5, San Diego on Jan. 13 and San Francisco on Jan. 25; travel agent viewing parties; and select Sky Zone trampoline park locations, Carnival Panorama’s newest all-ages attraction, starting with the Anaheim location on Jan 11.
In conjunction with the AirShip’s California tour, consumers have a chance to win a free cruise as well as additional prizes each week throughout the month of January that give them a taste of Carnival fun when they enter the AirShip Sweepstakes at carnival.com/choosefun.
This past summer, the AirShip made its inaugural journey in the southeast U.S. to celebrate the arrival of new ships in multiple homeports. It proved to be popular on social and news media channels as well as with thousands of cruise fans who posted photos on their own social media platforms.
“The Carnival AirShip was so well received when she debuted earlier this year, and we’re delighted to bring her back to the West Coast to kick start our year-long celebration of Carnival Panorama. It’s officially go-time!” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival is the number one cruise line from Southern California. Our AirShip is a great way to let everyone know about the many exciting choices for guests to Choose Fun from the West Coast.”
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled "Come Sail Away" float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Modeled after the New, California-Based Carnival Panorama, the Line’s First-Ever Parade Float Named by Rose Queen Louise Siskel in Fun-Filled Ceremony
Carnival Cruise Line tapped royalty to christen its newest vessel earlier today as the queen of the 2019 Rose Parade officially named the cruise line’s first-ever Rose Parade float in a naming ceremony near the Pasadena, Calif., parade route.
Following time-honored maritime tradition designed to bring good luck to ships – whether they’re the floating or floral variety – Rose Queen Louise Siskel smashed a confetti-filled bottle across the “bow” of the colorful ship-shaped float, officially naming the float “Come Sail Away.”
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Nancy Newman Photography
(714) 317-1518
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Nancy Newman Photography
(714) 317-1518
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Nancy Newman Photography
(714) 317-1518
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Nancy Newman Photography
(714) 317-1518
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Nancy Newman Photography
(714) 317-1518
Carnival hosts the naming ceremony of their new ship, the Carnival Panorama, as their entry float entitled “Come Sail Away” float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is assembled at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale on December 28, 2018
Nancy Newman Photography
(714) 317-1518
After the event, guests also had the opportunity to help decorate the float and put on the finishing touches to bring the floral masterpiece to life.
The float, which will make its debut in front of more than 700,000 onlookers along the parade route and an estimated 80 million television viewers as it cruises down the five-mile parade route on Tuesday, Jan. 1, is a detailed replica of Carnival’s first new ship on the West Coast in 20 years, Carnival Panorama, scheduled to enter service in December 2019.
Comprised of tens of thousands of flower petals from more than 100 countries representing Carnival’s diverse team of employees, the float showcases several of the line’s signature design features including the iconic red and blue funnel, water park and Lido Deck party. The float will also include a new feature debuting on Carnival Panorama, Sky Zone, the first trampoline park at sea, with a working trampoline and jumpers in the front of the float. Additionally, the float will salute the brave members of the Armed Forces with a special appearance by former Miss USA and Carnival Vista Godmother Deshauna Barber.
Crystal Cruises is a luxury cruise line that elicits a high level of loyalty among cruisers who return to the ships again and again for long all-inclusive voyages. The line’s two ocean ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, are especially beautiful and have long had plenty of features, entertainment and amenities to please travelers seeking an upscale cruising experience.
Longtime Crystal Cruisers probably will continue to call the main dining room, The Crystal Dining Room, by its old name. But this open-seating restaurant that seats about 500 people is now Waterside, with a whole new look.
The venue serves international classic and modern cuisine, paired with unlimited fine wines, spirits and beers. Menus change daily, and cruisers don’t have assigned dining times. Waterside now features more intimate seating — with tables for two and four — as well as contemporary finishes, integrated lighting, a new ceiling feature and “tile” panels that cut down on noise and creates a cozier atmosphere.
The focus is on offering a more flexible meal experience throughout the ship. Passengers can eat when they want and where they want with additional eateries now on the ship.
The ship buffet, formerly called Lido Café is now The Marketplace. This venue becomes Churrascaria at night, a Brazilian steakhouse with unlimited choices of meats and buffet options. It’s open seating, and you don’t need a reservation.
Also, on Deck 12 in the ship’s Trident Area adjacent to the pool area is a new restaurant called Silk Kitchen & Bar. This eatery replaces Tastes and now serves lunches and dinners offering Asian-inspired dishes, primarily Chinese comfort food. Reservations are required for dinner, which is served family style.
Umi Uma (rebranded and replacing the former Silk Road) is the magnificent restaurant and sushi bar in collaboration with celebrity chef Nobu. Umi Uma is one of the great culinary delights at sea, with Nobu creating his popular Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes. The menu offers numerous courses and choices. I ate with a group of eight, and we shared items like lobster tacos, Wagyu beef rib-eye steak, stir-fried shrimp and scallops, grilled Chilean sea bass and udon noodles until we could eat no more – even though we wanted to.
Crystal Serenity features its usual lineup of enrichment talks from a wide range of expert speakers who touch on all kinds of topics of interest, such as history, photography, politics, finance, nature and geology.
The ship also offers several live-music performers who play in the lounge venues of the ship, rotating among The Cove, Stardust Club, Palm Court and Avenue Saloon. Crystal also has added a bold new production show to Crystal Serenity. “Crystal on Broadway” is a three-part musical that combines songs from “Something Rotten,” “West Side Story” and “Rent.”
Extra Space
With the ship redesign and refurbishment, Crystal Serenity’s capacity dropped to 980 passengers from 1,070. The crew complement stayed the same, however. This means you get a higher crew-to-passenger ratio (for even better service) and more space per person on the ship.
There are 36 new Crystal Seabreeze Penthouse cabins on Deck 10.
More Cabin Choices
Crystal Seabreeze Penthouses (36 cabins) and Crystal Seabreeze Penthouse Suites (two cabins) are new stateroom categories located on Deck 10. These staterooms feature butler service and contemporary design touches, with gemstone-colored velvets, natural materials and brushed brass finishes with marble details. The Seabreeze Penthouses also feature unique entry vestibules shared between two suites and recessed from the corridor. This allows cruisers two connect two suites for traveling with family and friends. In-room specialty dining and unlimited reservations at specialty restaurants are among the enhanced services enjoyed by Penthouse guests.
The Seabreeze Penthouse cabins offer large walk-in closets and huge walk-in showers with three water-flow settings, including rainfall.
The Palm Court lounge and bar has been redesigned to add new furniture and add a culinary area.
Fresh Looks
The redesign touched almost all the public areas, with fresh carpeting, furniture and finishes throughout Crystal Serenity. The most-notable changes took place in Palm Court and the Stardust Club.
Palm Court has a lighter and more-spacious setup, with a new bar and the stage area now set up for an “in-the-round” concept next to the dance floor. This space located at the top of the ship on Deck 12 also has new lighting, carpeting and furniture with a more intimate configuration. The former stage area is now a culinary space for serving pastries and snacks. Palm Court now offers a more dramatic feel for its daily afternoon tea time and music event.
Stardust Club has been reworked with a new dance floor and updated bar. The club now offers a special Stardust Supper Club events on black-tie-optional nights onboard. This is a dinner with live music and dancing that is available by reservation and seats just more than 100 people.
Pulse, the ship’s disco, and Resorts World Casino at Seas also received new modern warm-toned carpets and finishes.
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Holland America Line's High Dive Burger from the Dive-In
It’s a meal that’s unpretentious and basic in its conception.
But when done right, the classic burger can highlight your day.
Maybe that’s why so many cruise lovers are also burger aficionados. Nothing quite beats biting into a hearty juicy cheeseburger when hunger strikes after your day of exploring on excursions ashore or when it’s lunchtime after a morning spent playing and sunning by the pool.
I’ve researched over the years, downing dozens of ground beef patties slathered in everything from bacon and cheese to chili and jalapenos.
Here are the seven best burgers you can get on a cruise ship. These are taste-tested and Cruise Addicts-approved.
Salty Dog Gastropub on Princess Cruises
The Ernesto at Salty Dog Gastropub on Crown Princess.
This eatery serves up comfort food in a bar setting for casual dinners on select Princess Cruises’ ships. The highlight of the menu (cover charge) is The Ernesto, a gourmet creation named to honor celeb chef Ernesto Uchimura who created the Salty Dog menu. The Ernesto is a juicy ground steak and pork rib patty cooked to perfection and stacked high on a brioche bun with gruyere cheese, caramelized kimchi, breaded jalapenos and an onion aioli spread.
Just try to walk past without grabbing a burger and fries. The smell wafts across the lido deck on Carnival Cruise Line ships and beckons to cruisers who form long lines to snatch up a variety of great burgers available because of Carnival’s tasty partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The nearby toppings bar lets you customize your burger with chopped-up bacon, fried mushrooms, and caramelized onions, plus condiments like Cajun ranch dressing and barbecue sauces.
Trident Grill on Crystal Ocean Cruises
A cheeseburger with chili and a side of sweet potato fries on Crystal Serenity.
The burgers are made fresh to order and served up with bacon, cheese and sides of either french fries or sweet potato fries. I customized mine with a dollop of meaty chili for one of my lunches while onboard Crystal Serenity. I loved these burgers so much, I lunched on them three times in one week.
Pool Grill on Viking Ocean Cruises
The Viking Burger on Viking Orion.
This eatery features a menu with an all-star lineup of burger creations. Go for the classic Viking Burger with cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and sweet red onion marmalade, or try varieties like the Pancho Villa burger (with blue cheese, jalapeno mayo and guacamole) or the Pastrami King (black angus, pastrami, double American cheese and chili fries).
These burgers are calorie bombs jam-packed with flavor.
Dive In on Holland America Line
7 Best Cruise Ship Burger Restaurants 34
Dive In has you covered with amazing burgers on select Holland America ships when hunger strikes. The Cannonball features a juicy beef burger, chopped lettuce, sliced tomato, applewood bacon, sweet caramelized onion, and Gouda cheese stacked high on a toasted brioche bun. The basic but satisfying High-Dive has American cheese, lettuce, and tomato. The eatery also offers one of the best veggie burgers at sea. The Freestyle is a grilled portobello mushroom that you can customize with your favorite toppings.
Waves Grill on Oceania Cruises
You can order poolside table service at Waves Grill to get gourmet burgers on Oceania ships.
This comfy al fresco venue is set up just steps from the pool on Oceania ships and offers a way to get a quick delicious meal before you head back to the relaxation of your lounger and swim time.
Waiters will take your order tableside and deliver a fresh, gourmet burger made to your liking. Waves Grill has a deep roster of burgers, including the Classic with Swiss or American cheese, the Texan with grilled onions, bacon, and bourbon barbecue sauce, the Swiss with sautéed garlic mushroom buttons, and the Romano with provolone, roasted peppers, and pesto sauce on Ciabatta.
Sometimes, you want the reliable taste of a familiar American comfort food when you are traveling on the rivers in Europe. Crystal River Cruises delivers a fantastic burger that is a nice change of pace from your meals of pork schnitzel, duck confit, Hungarian goulash, and beef Wellington.
The Bistro offers made-to-order burgers any time of day. I went with the standard cheeseburger, and it was delivered with a steak knife in order to cut the towering, cheesy creation down to size. Be sure to order the basket of fries, too.
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Carnival Panorama’s exterior completion was celebrated at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, during which a commemorative coin was welded to the ship’s mast in a time-honored maritime tradition.
And just like the ship will take its guests on memorable journeys, the coin itself took a memorable journey throughout the state of California before winding up at the Fincantieri shipyard, as captured by the celebratory video released by Carnival Cruise Line.
The coin ceremony – whose origins can be traced back to the ancient Romans who believed that attaching coins to a ship provided divine protection – signifies the successful completion of Carnival Panorama’s exterior outfitting.
Benoit Clement, Carnival’s senior vice president of newbuilds, represented Carnival at the ceremony with Antonella Cazzin, an employee of Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera for more than 35 years, serving as godmother for this event.
The 133,500-ton Carnival Panorama – the third in the highly successful Vista-class that includes Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon – is set to debut from Long Beach Dec. 11, 2019, marking the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years.
As part of the year-long celebration welcoming the new Carnival Panorama to the West Coast, the Carnival AirShip will return with a month-long journey across California, launching on Dec. 31 in conjunction with the line’s first-ever Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day.
The Carnival Airship floats over Carnival Vista
The 120-foot Carnival AirShip will journey throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties flying over major cultural moments across California as well as visiting schools, Carnival’s home ports in Long Beach and San Diego, travel agent viewing parties, and select trampoline park locations of Sky Zone, Carnival Panorama’s newest all-ages attraction.
Carnival Panorama will offer many of the innovative indoor and outdoor dining, bar, entertainment and activity options featured on Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, including a suspended course, and a massive WaterWorks aqua park with corkscrew slides, a tipping bucket and other attractions promising lots of splash-tastic fun. Smokehouse Brewhouse with BBQ favorites from Food Network star and longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri, along with craft beers brewed on board, will be offered, as well.
A wide range of accommodations will also be available, including spa staterooms with exclusive privileges at the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa, extra-roomy staterooms in Family Harbor, and tropical-inspired Havana staterooms and suites with exclusive daytime access to a Cuban-themed bar and pool.
Carnival Panorama will make a special three-day voyage on Dec. 11, 2019, followed by the launch of year-round Mexican Riviera cruises beginning Dec. 14, 2019. Voyages will depart from the newly renovated Long Beach Cruise Terminal and feature stops at popular destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visitCarnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.
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What could be better than setting sail on the open sea on a luxurious cruise ship with food, entertainment, shopping, and exciting shore excursions at your fingertips?! Cruises are pure adventure, and it’s easy to see why many people get addicted to them.
To help minimize any discomfort or hassle, we have put together this toolbox of suggestions so you can sail confident and happy no matter what happens.
Too Good to Be True Cruise Rates
It seems like everyone you know has a story about someone who has been scammed by a deal that sounded “too good to be true.” There are plenty of nefarious types offering discounted rates on cruises that don’t exist or are not what they were advertised to be.
When spending your hard-earned money on a well-deserved vacation, the last thing you want is to lose money or be swindled. Using a trusted travel agent is a great option to avoid any these types of illegitimate deals. By spending a little more now using an agent, you save in the long run.
Not only will your travel agent help book your cruise and take care of all the little details but they can also help out in a big way if anything goes wrong. If you miss your flight, get caught in bad weather, or lose your luggage, they have a built-in customer care team at your disposal ready to jump in and assist. They can even advise you on whether or not you need a visa or any special inoculations when visiting specific countries.
“Of Course the Offseason is a Fine Time to Visit”
The land-loving vacationer might think you crazy for wanting to take a cruise during hurricane season. However, modern cruise ships are well-equipped with very high-tech equipment to alert the crew of any dangerous weather. Plus, a cruise ship can move to avoid a hurricane, unlike land-based vacation destinations which must hunker down and get through it.
Cruising offseason is a great way to save some money. Additionally, the cruise lines have passengers best interests’ at heart and do all they can to ensure the safety of everyone. Even in severe storms, cruise ships are so large and well-built, they can weather most anything gracefully and safety.
There is always a contingency plan for bad weather when cruising. Before you leave port, talk to your travel agent and the cruise company to find out how they handle bad weather and emergencies. You should also ask how family members can get in touch with you while you are on board, should anything arise at home or someone be worried about you.
Dealing With Local Authorities
It’s exciting exploring other countries and cultures during stops along your cruise. However, just like at home there is a risk of injury or crime while on vacation. If you get hurt or have your wallet stolen, you should immediately contact the U.S. Embassy in the country you are visiting to find out all the ins and outs.
They also remind you to stay within a “sanctioned tour booked through the cruise.” If you don’t know the area well, the risk of injury or victimization could increase, and you want to have specialists on-hand to help with anything you need. Offshore excursions add some adventure to cruise vacations, but you also want to be cautious.
SCUBA Diving and Finding Treasure on Shore Excursions
Want to take your SCUBA diving adventures to the next level? Consider purchasing an underwater metal detector to look for buried treasure while SCUBA diving off the coast of whatever romantic country you are visiting while on your cruise.
You will have to choose between a couple of different types. First, apulse induction metal detector works great for finding precious metals in deep water. However, this one can’t discriminate between junk and real treasure. However, a very low frequency (VLF) metal detector can rule out junk easier and is perfect for coins and jewelry. Pulse induction models are best for saltwater diving.
You will want to check with local authorities before taking home any treasures you find. Regardless of the make and model you choose, imagine finding rare coins or fabulous gold jewelry once lost at sea on your diving adventure while on vacation. That sure would make your cruise memorable!
Other Ways to Stay Safe and Find Adventure on Your Cruise
Cruises are great fun, but you will want to take a few necessary precautions, so nothing interferes with your good time. First, have your passport with you at all times, even if they tell you that you won’t need it. Do a little research on the countries you will be visiting so you can ensure you know all about the food, accommodations, laws, and local customs.
Before leaving, check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered if you get sick or hurt while on vacation in another country. You might also want to consult your doctor if you have any medical issues and need to bring special equipment. Some prescription medication is illegal in other countries; you will want to check on that also.
A few other common-sense items are: Always lock your doors while on vacation. Don’t drink too much alcohol, so you can remain vigilant about your whereabouts and what is going on around you. Use the ship’s safe to store any valuables. Keep a paper copy of your passport photo and prescriptions with you at all times. Be sure to comply with all local laws in foreign countries. Contact the U.S. Embassy or the ship’s security personnel if you are the victim of a crime and most of all, remember to have fun!
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Carnival's Mardi Gras Will Feature World's First Roller Coaster At Sea
BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, Will Feature an Exhilarating, Adrenaline-Rush At Speeds Up to 40 Miles Per Hour
Carnival Cruise Line’s has announced that Mardi Gras™ will feature the first-ever roller coaster at sea when it debuts in 2020. The unique open-air thrill ride on the line’s newest ship will provide thrills and excitement for all ages.
Built by Munich-based Maurer Rides, BOLT™: Ultimate Sea Coaster™ is a heart-pounding rush of adrenaline offering nearly 800 feet of exhilarating twists, turns and drops with riders reaching speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.
Taking cruise industry innovation to new heights, BOLT is an all-electric roller coaster that allows two riders in a motorcycle-like vehicle to race along a track 187 feet above sea level, enabling guests to experience the sea in an exciting new way with breathtaking 360-degree views.
Watch Video:
BOLT begins with an action-packed launch where riders can achieve race car-like levels of acceleration and culminates with a high-powered hair-pin turn around Carnival’s iconic funnel. Riders’ speeds are posted after the race, and just like land-based roller coasters, guests have their photo taken during the ride for a memorable keepsake. And since guests choose their own speed, each ride is unique.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said that BOLT is the cornerstone of innovations and features being designed for Mardi Gras, which will be the ultimate playground at sea for fun seekers of all ages.
Eden is a unique, multi-sensory experience that fuses iconic design, culinary and entertainment. Spanning three decks at the aft aboard Celebrity Cruises new Celebrity Edge with almost 7,000 sq. ft. of outward-facing glass, everything about Eden was designed to excite the senses.
The new National Geographic Venture sails toward Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Lindblad Expeditions welcomed the 100-passenger ship to its fleet.
The Lindblad Expeditions story starts with a family that has long had a sense of wanderlust imbued with a passion for the environment.
Lars-Eric Lindblad started Lindblad Travel in 1958 and is widely known as the “Father of Eco-Tourism.” His son Sven-Olof Lindblad traveled extensively as a youngster with his dad and later as a wildlife photographer in Africa for six years.
In 1979, Sven Lindblad started the company that is now Lindblad Expeditions, with a focus on marine adventures. He insists he had never set out to be a businessman but became interested when he realized it was possible to create a successful business venture out of a passion to explore while still having a caring approach to conserving nature.
Lindblad Expeditions is infused with a culture that puts the environment at the forefront and aims to operate in a way that delivers once-in-a-lifetime trips for passengers while spreading the word about the precious resources we share with animals and those who call exotic and remote destinations their homes.
Lindblad Expeditions welcomed its newest ship, National Geographic Venture to the fleet with a christening ceremony November 30 in San Francisco. In true Lindblad Expeditions style, CEO Sven Lindblad kept his remarks brief and to the point. The festivities were unpretentious, with many passengers and attendees wearing jeans and other casual apparel and the master of the ship, Capt. Andrew Cook, mingling with guests. Senior Vice President Pamela Fingleton did the honors breaking the Champagne bottle on the hull of the sleek new vessel, and we all set off for the inaugural two-day sailing in San Francisco Bay for a mini city expedition.
christening ceremony for National Geographic Venture.” width=”740″ height=”416″ /> Lindblad Expeditions founder and CEO Sven-Olof Lindblad speaks during the christening ceremony for National Geographic Venture.
Here is what you need to know about Lindblad Expeditions:
National Geographic Partnership
Lindblad Expeditions has had an alliance with National Geographic since 2004, with Lindblad operating nine of NatGeo’s ships (Venture, Quest, Endurance, Explorer, Orion, Sea Bird, Sea Lion, Endeavour II and Islander) that carry between 48 and 148 people. Some of the vessels are specifically designed with strengthened hulls to sail in icy polar passages year-round.
Speaking in the ship’s lounge, National Geographic Venture Capt. Andrew Cook welcomes passengers on the inaugural voyage.
Open-seating dining rooms offer gourmet meals loaded with healthy choices and reflecting regional tastes — with a buffet-style breakfast and lunch and plated dinners.
NatGeo Venture has a large dining room with a buffet for breakfasts and lunches. A carving station is available at lunch time.
Lounges have a coffee station and fridge with included sodas and snacks, as well as a bar serving cocktails, wines and regional craft beers. Cabins are built for function, with open shelving to store all your gear and personal items, and well as comfortable beds, small desks and large closets with dressers and drawer space.
Ships also feature a marine sports deck (fantail) from which the water activities and skiff tours are launched. On the new NatGeo Venture, the ship offers an impressive Mud Room with lockers where passengers get geared up for their activities and drop off their life vests, boots and other items after their excursions so mud, dirt and wet clothes aren’t dragged back into the ship.
Cruisers are provided with metal water bottles to use during the trip, and they can fill them at water stations. Ours were in the Mud Room and the gym on National Geographic Venture.
Lindblad Expedition ships feature exciting excursions that might require wetsuits. Binoculars are always at the ready, too, as you’ll have many chances to spot interesting wildlife.
Expert expedition guides lead the itineraries, taking passengers out for daily adventures such as hiking, kayaking, Zodiac tours, snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. Onboard, field staff and naturalists give talks about the regions you are visiting and the activities you are about to undertake. They also might give recaps of what you have just seen.
Learn More:
The focus could be on history, animals, geology or other topics of interest during your voyage. Guides also conduct photography classes, as these cruises offer amazing photo opportunities. National Geographic Venture even has a locker filled with top-notch equipment like lenses and cameras available for loan to use on your sailing.
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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is resuming daily departures from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama
Returns Friday, December 21 – Offering Sail Away Your Way Promotion
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL) is pleased to announce that Grand Celebration will return to her homeport, the Port of Palm Beach, and resume a two-night sailing schedule beginning on Friday, December 21. Grand Celebration was chartered for the past two months to assist with restoration of service to communities impacted by the Massachusetts gas incident. With Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line resuming daily departures, there is still time for families to plan an affordable, convenient and unforgettable cruise to celebrate the holidays or kick off the new year.
Not only do kids 12 and under sail free with two paying guests, but adults will enjoy being treated to two of four free entertainment options, all part of the Sail Away Your Way offer- valid for sailings through Feb. 12, 2019 when booked by December 12, 2018. Cruisers can try their luck in the casino with $25 match play credit, lose themselves in bliss with a $25 spa credit, capture picture-perfect moments with a $25 photo credit or choose a $25 onboard credit for use on everything from tropical drinks to delectable dining to unforgettable shore excursions. With cruises beginning at just $139 per person, families can plan a flexible and affordable winter getaway full of adventure, relaxation and non-stop fun that everyone will enjoy.
In conjunction with the AirShip’s California tour, consumers have a chance to win a free cruise as well as additional prizes each week throughout the month of January that give them a taste of Carnival fun when they enter the AirShip Sweepstakes at carnival.com/choosefun.
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