Join Cruise Addicts as we travel with Viking Cruises along their Romantic Danube itinerary for this special Christmas Markets cruise. Our 8-Day journey begins as we meet the Viking Jarlin Budapest, Hungary. This itinerary is extra special since we’ll be visiting some amazing Christmas Markets along the way with little no crowds.
The Viking Difference
Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light.
Viking offers a compelling value compared to other cruise lines. Every cruise fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; Wi-Fi; and cultural performances as part of the Viking’s Cultural Curriculum® onboard programming.
For more information visit VikingCruises.com or Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.
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Cruise vacations offer an unbelievable array of foods and beverages that tempt you to indulge. Of course, you are on these trips to enjoy yourself, so you’d love to be able to dive right in with no remorse.
But how can you enjoy your cruise without going overboard? It is possible to savor all the flavors, try all the tastes and still come back home without worrying that you’re going to break the bathroom scale.
The best, guilt-free way to be able to dig in to the delicious and plentiful foods onboard is to earn those calories. Your cruise ship gym is probably located on an upper deck area and in close proximity to the spa. Locate it and use it!
Make it a daily ritual to get in 30 minutes or more at the gym and you will earn your extra cocktails or daily desserts.
Use the Stairs
It has been a longstanding policy of mine to avoid the elevators on a cruise ship. Sure, by the end of a busy day or a full week of cruising, my legs and feet might prefer a break. But I figure the fitness benefits I accrue from simply walking up and down the stairs throughout my voyage are worth it.
Taking the stairs as much as possible is a fairly easy way to bank credit for those extra calories. Cruises also offer a few other ways to stay active while having fun. You can head to the disco and hit the dance floor each night and book shore excursions that keep you on the move, such as snorkeling, hiking or biking outings.
This all pays off when you can treat yourself to that buttery lobster, juicy steak and extra sides.
Pre-Cruise Diet
You can game the system. Try a pre-cruise diet to drop a few pounds before you set sail. This way, you can eat your way back to your normal weight during your cruise. I’ve used this strategy several times to drop up to 10 pounds before my voyage. Then, you can really enjoy big meals, poolside beers, fruity drinks and late-night snacks.
If you combine a strategy of shedding some weight before your trip alongside daily workouts and staying active while onboard, you’ll easily stick to your weight-maintenance goals on the cruise.
Watch those Portions
A little willpower goes a long way. You can still enjoy a little bit of everything, but you don’t have to overdo it. Try portion control. Don’t heap on the servings while at the buffet. Instead, take enough to get a satisfying taste of the dishes you like. Don’t stuff yourself. Stick to one soft-serve cone a day, one slice of pizza and a few beers instead of eight or nine.
You don’t have to deny yourself if you can take a more measured approach to your indulgences.
Pick the Good Stuff
If you have a penchant for wellness and really pursue a healthy lifestyle, you might think a cruise will sabotage your fitness. The good news for you: A cruise vacation has plenty to offer a fitness fanatic, as well. As we’ve outlined, there are plenty of opportunities to stick to your daily workout regimen with full-fledged gyms and other opportunities to stay active.
Health nuts can also stick to their diets and avoid weight gain by choosing from the specially marked items on the menus. Both the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants on cruise ships feature a selection of lower-calorie or healthy meal options clearly marked on the menus.
Also, if you want something special to fit your dietary needs or restrictions, all you have to do is ask. The chefs are very accommodating and will craft a meal that makes you happy and meets your goals.
Plus, the buffet is a good place to pick and choose items that fit into your diet, as well, with lean proteins available in chicken and fish options and plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables always on offer.
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Whether or not there is a casino on a cruise ship is solely dependent upon the type of cruise line a customer has chosen. The majority of large cruise ships and even a few smaller ones feature an onboard casino. One exception, however, is Disney Cruise Line which does not permit a casino on any of its cruise ships. In addition, most riverboats and expedition ships do not have casinos present either.
Penn slots are available on every cruise ship casinos, but the downside is that the variations offered are too many. Virtually, at 1 percent variation, the 1 cent bet can easily end up costing a customer more than $2 a go. As for high stakes gambling, only a limited number of cruise ships offer this option. On some ships, for example, if there is a sufficient amount of high rollers willing to play a high stakes game, the pit boss may allow the arrangement of the game. Although for the most part, the tables are limited.
Allowance of Tournaments
Tournaments of some kind are usually offered on most cruise ships that feature casinos. Some of the common ones happen to be slot and blackjack. The majority of the tournaments are buy-ins. This means that you pay a certain amount to enter and then do not actually spend any money in the duration of the tournament itself. You can even benefit from a refer a friend promotion on some of the casino lines. Some cruise lines will even allow you to rebuy during blackjack and other poker tournaments. Hence, the winners tend to be whichever player is willing to keep rebuying. The winners are sometimes enabled to receive a free cruise for two where the final Poker tournament is held. The prize pool for the latter is 100,000$ guaranteed.
Ship Casino Working Hours
Cruise ship casinos are not open full-time. When the ship is out to sea or in port in a few selected countries, casinos open only then. And gambling obviously has to be permitted wherever the ship is stopped. On certain cruise ships, casinos are closed during the day as well. The reason for this is very simple, the owners of casinos know that people may be busy doing other things. Usually, casinos work during the nighttime and stay open until 2-3 AM.
Age Restrictions
The minimum required age, on most cruise ships, tends to be 18. Although, some of the major casinos set the required age at 21. Often times, casinos are located in such a way that kids walking through or passing by will inevitably have a look, although they are not encouraged to linger around. Perhaps, the most effective solution to this problem would be the dislocation of casinos from the main thoroughfares. Checking with the travel agent and the cruise line before applying for gaming is always a good idea.
Options for Money
Finally, most cruises allow customers to use both cash and cruise cards. At the table, however, cash will be turned into chips and the customers can be charged the price of the chips on their cruise cards. Although, most slot machines will only take the cruise card while some allow cash. A few numbers of ship casinos tend to be cash-only and some big ships will feature ATM despite the fee to withdraw being substantially high.
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We returned to the Viking Einar and were greeted by the crew. We have learned to really enjoy these special moments they create as you return from your adventures ashore.
Alaska is such a diverse destination that it requires views from many angles in order to fully appreciate all the natural beauty of its rugged landscapes and vibrant wildlife.
Alaska cruises are special ways to see the coastline, waterways, fjords, glaciers, whales, seabirds and so much more. You also cancome ashore in quirky port cities and villages to learn about the state frontier history and delve into the native culture and seafood delicacies.
To expand your journey, add on a land tour either before or after your sailing so that you can also see incredible attractions in the interior of the state — such as Denali National Park and Preserve — to fully round out your Alaska cruise experience.
Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska
Alaska Cruise and Land Packages
Some cruise lines offer cruise and land packages. The big cruise ships sail itineraries that typically visit ports in southeastern Alaska, plying the waters of the Inside Passage and Outside Passage. These voyages include destinations like Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park and Victoria, British Columbia (Canada).
These are great ways to enjoy whale-watching and spot glaciers, as well as try excursions like salmon bakes, helicopter tours and dogsledding and ice climbing. Passengers also enjoy time in the port towns to take historical tours, spend time in the old saloons and do a little shopping.
The land extensions can range from three to 10 days, and Princess Cruises and Holland America Line (these two lines have long been the leaders in the Alaska cruise experience) have designed their own lodges to give cruisers a him base with rugged and rustic comforts when in the wilderness areas. The cruise lines use hotels for accommodations when you are staying in cities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Princess offers the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Mount McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge and the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Holland America features Alaska Land + Sea Journeys using its McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance of Denali National Park.
These lodges feature restaurants, lounges, outdoor decks, fireplaces, tour desks and guides who help you make the most of your stay while visiting the parks.
Passengers aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam line the forward deck as they view Margerie Glacier Sunday, July 29, 2007, while cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. Cruises to Alaska have become popular with vacationers to experience the natural beauty of glaciers and other scenic, wildlife and cultural aspects of the state. (Photo by Andy Newman/Holland America Line)
Tour directors lead the way, and buses and train rides will be your transportation on your land journey. The rail portion of these tours can be a highlight, as passengers travel by train from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Denali. Be on the lookout for the Big 5 of Alaska (grizzly bear, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and moose) as you look out onto the passing wilderness. Some lines offer rail experiences with glass-domed train cars that allow 360-degree views.
Six MedallionClass® Ships, Including the New Discovery Princess, Sail from Four Departure Ports to the Sought-After “Great Land”
An Active and Fast Paced Option
You should know that the pace can be hectic for these land tours as days are long and packed with activities. You might unpack, repack and move from hotel to hotel to lodge – in order to see as much as possible. Also, many packages don’t cover all of your meals. This is to allow you time to explore local restaurants, but it might disappoint travelers who like the more inclusive nature of a cruise.
Glass Dome Rail Train in Alaska
Wildlife and Spectacular Landscapes
Like a cruise in Alaska, the land tours are all about viewing wildlife and the spectacular landscape scenes, with snow-capped peaks and lush, expansive forests. You also get a nice mix of cultural enrichment options to learn about the indigenous people of Alaska through educational talks or museum visits.
Theme night is a great way to bring together like-minded people with a common interest. We see a number of bars and clubs that host themed nights and people planning themed parties. But did you know that cruise ship companies are one of the latest big corporations to get on board themes this season? Cruise ship companies are providing their passengers with themed cruises where you can enjoy your favourite activities, hob-nob with artists and celebrities or even play bingo games if you want. Here are weird and wonderful themed cruises to try in 2019 and 2020.
The World Poker Tour 2019 Cruise
Enjoy a game of Poker with the biggest names in the arena on The World Poker Tour 2019 Cruise. Attended by some of the most popular personalities such as Vincent Van Patten (commentator for the World Poker Tour), high stakes professional Tony Dunst and world Poker tour anchor Lynn Gilmartin, this cruise offer board games from 8 pm every day. Enjoy the sun and the sea, the great cooking and the lovely cruise atmosphere by the day and enjoy some world-class ambience and competition by night on this cruise.
Throwback to the 80s
A lot of us have loved the adventure and the excitement that is the 80s. Most of us would have loved to live in that era. If you are in love with the 80s and its music, the Throwback: The 80s festival at sea is where you have to be. Starting this October, this is a mid-80s themed party on a cruise ship at sea with eighties karaoke, an eighties street party and plenty of themed nights. Enjoy some great music, some great film screenings and more from the 80s and share your love for the era with people who know the feeling!
At some stage or the other, every one of us has felt our clothes to be cumbersome. If roaming on a luxury cruise without worrying about the dress code or even having a dress on is your dream vacation, you need to immediately sign up for the Big Nude Boat cruise. A haven for nudists in the middle of the big blue sea, realise all your nudist dreams among like-minded people, great food and drinks and even greater ambience at this themed cruise vacation.
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MSC Meravigliamade her North American debut last week and today made her inaugural visit to Quebec City, as part of her first ever cruise from North America. MSC Meravigliais MSC Cruises’ largest ship sailing from the U.S and sets the record for the largest ship to ever port in Quebec City as well as in other Canadian ports: Corner Brook (Newfoundland and Labrador) on October 11, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) on October 12, Saint John (New Brunswick) on October 21, Halifax (Nova Scotia) on October 22 and Sydney (Nova Scotia) on October 23.
MSC Meraviglia North American Itineraries and Experiences Ashore
Designed to sail in all seasons and climates, the glamorous MSC Meraviglia is beginning her North American journey with three sailings from NYC, including two itineraries to New England and Canada and one repositioning to her new homeport in Miami. On her first Caribbean sailing, departing from NYC on October 28, MSC Meraviglia will be the first ship to call on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ new breathtaking private island destination in the Bahamas opening November 9, 2019.
MSC Meraviglia features the longest LED dome at sea
With endless sweeping vistas of crystal blue waters and over two miles of pristine beachfront across eight white sandy beaches, Ocean Cay is the ideal getaway for guests to escape their busy daily lives and discover nature’s pure, untouched beauty. Exclusively for MSC Cruises’ guests, MSC Meraviglia will dock at Ocean Cay from early morning until late evening, giving guests plenty of time to soak up the spirit of The Bahamas and enjoy the day as they wish. Island experiences span a range of activities including shore excursions designed to discover the marine life close up, such as snorkelling, stand up paddle boarding, and kayaking; luxurious spa treatments; shopping areas with authentic Bahamian arts and crafts by local artisans; and one of a kind night events such as traditional Junkanoo parades, lighthouse light shows, and beachside stargazing.
With MSC Meraviglia’s arrival in North America, she will also now feature MSC Cruises’ partnership with home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, which launched earlier in 2019 on all Caribbean sailings. The exclusive Martha Stewart and MSC Cruises partnership includes celebration surprise gift packages, onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes, and specially curated shore excursions featuring some of Martha’s favorite activities and allowing guests to learn the local culture of the destination they are visiting.
From November 10, 2019 through April 5, 2020, MSC Meraviglia will sail two different 7-night western Caribbean itineraries visiting ports in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize, Honduras and The Bahamas. Sample itineraries include:
January 12, 2019: 7-night sailing visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas. Prices start at $629 per person for a balcony stateroom.
February 16, 2019: 7-night sailing visiting Miami, Florida; Isla de Rotan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas; Miami, Florida. Prices start at $639 per person for a balcony stateroom.
Following her inaugural season in Miami, MSC Meraviglia will then return to Northern Europe for summer 2020 (April – October). Upon returning to the U.S. in October 2020, MSC Meraviglia will once again do three 10-night sailings from New York to Canada & New England before then homeporting back in Miami for 7-night Caribbean sailings.
Norwegian Cruise Line Launches Encore Moments To Rewards Everyday Heroes
Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled its Encore Moments campaign to recognize and reward everyday heroes across North America.
Launched in advance of the debut of the brand’s newest innovative ship, Norwegian Encore, the company is encouraging the public to nominate those who deserve an encore – applause – for the positive impact they have on their friends, family and communities.
We’re talking about:
First responders
Police officers
Firefighters
Teachers
EMTs
The woman who goes to the grocery store for an elderly neighbor each week, etc.
No matter how big or small the acts of kindness, compassion and heroism, we believe it is important to acknowledge these every day heroes and help spread goodness.
Leveraging the ship’s festive name for an engaging campaign, Encore Moments will recognize the good works of individuals across the U.S. and Canada by awarding a cruise to one winner from every state and province. This new campaign was developed on the heels of the brand’s wildly successful Giving Joy campaign, which recognized and rewarded teachers who spread joy in the classroom.
“We are in the people business, delivering positive, memorable experiences around the world,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We believe it is very important to make the time to celebrate and thank the people whose acts of kindness and compassion make a difference in the lives of their friends and families, and within their communities. We are very proud and excited to launch Encore Moments and we encourage the public to bring these hometown heroes to the forefront for a well-deserved encore.”
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Encore Moments campaign, which runs from Sept. 18, 2019 to Oct. 18, 2019 will recognize and reward 52 people across the U.S. (one person from each state including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), and one person from each of Canada’s provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). The 64 nominees with the most votes in their state, province or territory will win their choice of a three-to-five-day cruise for two on almost any Norwegian Cruise Line ship. They will also be provided airfare and accommodations for an award ceremony taking place in New York City on December 16, 2019.
Your VOTE could send your HERO on this amazing cruise ship:
To nominate a hero, vote and review the terms and conditions, please visit www.encoremoments.ncl.com.
For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
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Carnival Cruise Line's redesigned Terminal F in PortMiami
Carnival Cruise Line recently expressed appreciation to the Miami-Dade County Commission for approving a proposal for a complete renovation and major expansion of Cruise Terminal F at PortMiami that will be capable of supporting the operations of Carnival’s new Excel class ship – clearing the way for the yet-to-be-named sister ship of Mardi Gras to be homeported in Miami when it is delivered in 2022.
“With today’s approval, we will move quickly on a plan to remodel and expand Terminal F so that it will accommodate the most innovative class of ship to join our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Over the last several months, we have had very constructive discussions with PortMiami and Miami-Dade leaders about our plans for Miami and our goal to enhance and grow our capacity and operations in our hometown. Everyone is very excited about Miami being home to our next liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship in North America and the sister ship to Mardi Gras, which arrives next August and is generating tremendous enthusiasm. Today’s vote assures that the new ship and terminal expansion will both arrive in time for Carnival’s 50th anniversary in 2022.”
Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise operator in Miami with more year-round ships sailing from PortMiami than any other cruise line. The redesigned Terminal F will allow Carnival to continue to be the leader in the market, accommodating not only its largest and newest class of ship, but also allowing the line to bring its next LNG ship to south Florida. Duffy thanked local officials for their efforts to work cooperatively with the company to reach agreement on scope, timing and design work so that construction can be completed in time for the ship’s late 2022 arrival. Mardi Gras, the first Carnival Excel class ship for the line, will be delivered in August 2020 and be homeported at Port Canaveral after inaugural sailings from Europe and New York.
The redesigned Terminal F will allow Carnival to continue to be the leader in the market, accommodating not only its largest and newest class of ship, but also allowing the line to bring its next LNG ship to south Florida.
There is no doubt that a cruise is an efficient and cost-effective way to travel around the world to visit enchanting locations far from home. While sailing, you can also take your taste buds on an exciting and flavorful journey through the variety of dining options offered onboard the ships.
This restaurant is on Oceania’s Marina, Riviera and Sirena and offers a contemporary take on Asian classics. The striking and elegant design of the space is a highlight of the meal. Chairs are covered in red, and décor throughout includes ebony woods, a bubbling waterfall and traditional Asian art.
The menu features delectable items like spicy roast duck and watermelon salad, rock prawn and sushi skewers, Vietnamese summer rolls, chicken satay and lobster pad thai.
The menu includes octopus carpaccio, Nobu-style lobster tacos, soft shell crab spring rolls, stir-fried shrimp and scallops, udon and soba noodles, Nobu-style black cod (marinated in miso with baby peach and young ginger) and grilled Chilean sea bass.
The specialty restaurant features traditional Asian dishes in an elegant venue. The menu has dishes from across all of Asia, with nine regions on display, including Singapore, Mongolia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
You’ll want to try a little taste of everything, digging into items like slow-braised pork belly, pot stickers, peppered beef, chili shrimp, Himalayan basmati fried rice and Kung Pao chicken.
This is a fun family-style restaurant that serves up dishes that can really dial up the spice.
Tamarind
Holland America Line’sTamarind
The creative and diverse menu at Tamarind was created in conjunction with Chef Andy Matsuda, one of the members of HAL’s innovative Culinary Council.
Passengers will love the Far East feast that lets them fill up on specialties like shrimp tempura, chicken lollipops, crispy duck with steamed bao bun, Penang red curry coconut chicken, Mongolian barbecue lamb chops and wasabi and soy crusted beef tenderloin.
Silk Harvest
Celebrity Cruises’ Silk Harvest
Celebrity’s Asian specialty venue offers a warm and hospitable experience while you dine on a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese specialties. This family-style restaurant is operated by staff who all hail from Asian countries and give a modern take on their traditional dishes.
The menu offers favorites like tom yum gai chicken soup, beef and chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce, pork and shrimp pot stickers, pad thai, Hunan beef, crispy orange chicken and roasted duck.
So, which of these restaurants have your mouth watering and ready for a culinary journey?
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