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5 Ultimate Shore Excursions for Thrill-Seekers 

5 Ultimate Shore Excursions for Thrill-Seekers 
An adventurous shore excursion offered by Norwegian Cruise Line lets you rappel a series of waterfalls in Maui, Hawaii.

Certain destinations just beg for you to take the plunge and try a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or shore excursion experience. 

That plunge could be into deeper waters or deeper into your wallet. That’s because some of these extreme activities might push your limits on bravery, and they definitely cost a bit more than the average cruise excursions. 

Check out five shore excursions that look totally awesome and are worth considering adding to your bucket lists. 

Celebrity Cruises’ “Pure Adrenaline” on the French Riviera 

Car and race enthusiasts might be willing to drop nearly $800 to drive a Lamborghini or Ferrari along the famous Moyenne Corniche Road when you visit Nice on the French Riviera during your Celebrity cruise. The high-performance, high-horsepower vehicle brought to you at the Villefranche cruise port, and a guide sits in the passenger seat as you take the wheel. Imagine the rush as you punch the pedal and zoom along the coast with unforgettable views of Monaco Bay. 

Silversea’s “Scuba Diving” in Senegal 

Silversea offers a range of adventurous excursions as part of its Silver Shore program of activities as well as on the line’s expedition itineraries. How about scuba diving in Dakar? You’ll be sure to own bragging rights among your wanderlusting friends. On Silversea cruises that visit the capital of Senegal, you have the chance to book a day of underwater exploration at either Goree or Madeleine Island, which are located off the coast. 

A 90-minute guided dive explores vibrant coral beds teeming with tropical fish and other marine life.  

Crystal Cruises’ “Antarctic Expedition” 

As part of the Crystal Boutique Adventures shore excursion program, you’ll never forget this experience. On voyages that visit Punta Arenas in Chile’s Patagonia region, you can choose an extreme day trip to an Antarctic base on King George Island for a hike and exploration 

The 12-plus-hour expedition starts with a flightseeing plane trip over the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego Island and the Darwin Mountains. Expect to see plenty of glaciers and several penguin species during your day in this harsh and pristine environment.  

Disney Cruise Line’s “Dog Mushing in Alaska” 

Dog sled racing in a native sport in Alaska, and cruises to the Last Frontier on Disney Cruise Line offers the chance to mush a team of four-legged athletes. 

This excursion is available in Juneau, and you start with a helicopter ride that offers views of the Juneau Icefield on the way to Norris Glacier, where you will drive a team of Iditarod sled dogs. The outing includes a tour of the sled dog camp, and your flight gives you a rare bird’s-eye massive green forest, icefalls and alpine lakes. 

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Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Waterfalls Rappelling in Hawaii” 

Learn the ropes on this adventure that sends you over the falls on the island of Maui. The tour starts in Kahului and with a one-hour ride on the scenic Hana Highway to a botanical garden, where you gear up to take the plunge. After a hike into a gorgeous canyon filled with waterfalls (30- to 60-feet high), adventurers get to experience rappelling over a series of falls and rock faces, as well as swimming in exhilarating pools at the bottom of the rushing falls.  

Finish with a hike along a jungle trail and a well-earned lunch overlooking the valley and ocean. 


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Holland America’s Music Walk Changes the Game for Cruise Ship Night Life

B.B. King's Blues Club on Holland America's Nieuw Statendam
The B.B. King's Blues Club on Holland America's Nieuw Statendam is one of four vibrant night spots on the Music Walk.

Holland America’s newest ship, Nieuw Statendam, debuted in late 2018 as the second in the fleet’s Pinnacle Class, joining sister Koningsdam. 

Nieuw Statendam carries up to 2,666 passengers sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. And these cruisers get to enjoy a spacious ship that offers elegant spaces filled with whimsical art work, as well as world-class dining experiences in eateries like Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Canaletto and Tamarind. 

This new cruise ship also refines Holland America’s revolutionary Music Walk concept, which first was fully realized on Koningsdam. Music Walk offers a nightly entertainment experience unlike anything else in the cruise industry. 

While cruise ships typically offer live music acts in various lounges scattered throughout the ship, Music Walk offers a highly coordinated experience along a long stretch of Deck 2 on Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.  

Cruisers get their fill onboard nightly to a range of music stylings that suit all tastes. Most cruisers we have sailed with love all the genres and make sure to get an ample taste of all of them each night 

B.B. King’s Blues Club is the place to enjoy awesome shows. The band belts out rhythm and blues classics, as well as other popular songs that you can easily bop to in the comfort of your chair or lounger. However, you will inevitably be drawn to the dance floor as you soak in the vibrant atmosphere.  

This venue is also enjoyed from seats that wrap around the atrium style opening that rises to the third deck. The acoustics and environment are fabulous for these performances. The space is used for B.B. King’s and Lincoln Center Stage, with a quick change of the stage’s decor to accommodate either program. 

Lincoln Center Stage on Nieuw Statendam
Lincoln Center Stage is your place to catch performances of classical music.

Lincoln Center Stage on Nieuw Statendam features a string-and-piano quintet playing classics – or classic takes on modern hits.  

Rolling Stone Rock Room is located a few strides away from here, and the music does not clash because the Music Walk design incorporates a set of doors in between that keep the sounds separated. 

The Rock Room house band jams out to covers of rock-and-roll favorites in a dark and moody setting that evokes the feel of a hip night club. It also offers a small dance floor.  

Billboard Onboard on Nieuw Statendam
The dueling pianists draw a big crowd for fun sing-a-longs.
Billboard Onboard on Nieuw Statendam
All of the music attractions are located right off a main corridor on Deck 2.

Billboard Onboard is packed nightly as cruisers fill in around the dueling pianos honoring requests and playing a lineup of energetic sing-a-long hits. The husband-and-wife piano-playing duo on our sailing was delightful 

All of the venues are wide open to the main corridor, so passengers can hear the music and easily slide into the action, whether taking a seat or hitting the dance floor. 

Rolling Stone Rock Room on Nieuw Statendam
The Rolling Stone Rock Room Band plays fantastic renditions of classic hits.

Rolling Stone Rock Room on Nieuw Statendam

B.B. King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room are usually packed till late with cruisers enjoying the night life. Drinks service is easily available throughout, with staffers roaming the clubs. You can also pull up a stool at the lively bars located at Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room. Whiskey aficionados are wowed by the selection of more than 100 whiskey varieties at Notes, a small bar and impressive wall of whiskey bottles that sit tucked into the Music Walk next to Billboard Onboard. 

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Several other ships in the Holland America Line fleet give a flavor of Music Walk, with two or three of the music venues onboard. It all comes together on the newest ships, though, as Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam offer all four spots.  

The result gives cruisers on these ships the chance to enjoy a kind of music fest onboard each night. It creates a night feel of community and camaraderie as the area fills up each night as passengers either plan out an evening of musical entertainment or just wander the Music Walk and follow their ears to find the rhythm and style that suits their moods. 


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Port St. Maarten Reports Over 1.5 Million Cruise Passengers in 2018

Port St. Maarten
Port St. Maarten
Port St. Maarten welcomed a total of 1,597,101 cruise passengers on 489 cruise calls in 2018, reflecting a 29% increase in visitor arrivals year-over-year. The acclaimed cruise port saw a 30.3% increase from May through July, when cruise visitations to the island are typically a bit slower.
“St. Maarten’s cruise port has always been one of the best in the Caribbean. These arrival numbers don’t only reflect that fact, but also highlight how quickly the island has bounced back,” said the Director of Tourism of St. Maarten Ms. May-Ling Chun.
The latter half of 2018 also brought about the return to pre-Irma cruise arrival numbers. Port St. Maarten welcomed 646,431 passengers from September to December, indicating a 17.87% increase in arrivals from the same time period in 2016, a full year before Hurricane Irma.

“St. Maarten as a tourism product is set to come back even stronger and better than ever,” stated Stuart Johnson, St. Maarten’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication. “We look forward to continuing to welcome cruise passengers back to our shores with classic St. Maarten warmth and hospitality throughout 2019.”

Though 2017–2018 numbers year over year showcase a positive path of progression for Port St. Maarten, 2017 was generally a slower year for the port as it was not operational for the months of October and November.

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St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations – Kingdom of the Netherlands and France – creating a destination with European charm and Caribbean flair. Located at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, the island’s 37 square miles have 37 breathtaking beaches and are home to many historical and family-oriented attractions. Direct air service is available to Princess Juliana International Airport from major U.S. and Canadian cities. For additional information on St. Maarten, visit the official site of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau at www.VacationStMaarten.com.


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Viking Takes Delivery of Their Sixth Ocean Ship, Viking Jupiter

Viking Star - Winter Garden
Viking Star - Winter Garden

Viking® has announced it took delivery of Viking Jupiter®the company’s sixth ocean ship. The delivery ceremony took place this morning when the ship was presented at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. On February 16, Viking Jupiter will be the first in Viking’s fleet to sail the Journey to Antiquities itinerary, a new itinerary sailing between Athens and Rome offering guests the chance to experience the Mediterranean during the quiet season. During its maiden season, Viking Jupiter will sail itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and then Scandinavia. The ship will officially be named in Oslo, Norway on June 6 by her ceremonial godmother, Sissel Kyrkjebø, the acclaimed Norwegian soprano.

 “It is always a proud moment when we are able to welcome a new ship to our fleet,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Viking Jupiter is our sixth ocean vessel in just four years– a clear sign of the positive response to our approach to ocean cruising. We are different because we focus on the destination, and that resonates with our guests. We are pleased that with continued growth we have the opportunity to introduce even more travelers to the Viking way of exploration.”

Viking Jupiter

Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking Jupiter is part of Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships, which also includes Viking Star®Viking Sea®Viking Sky®Viking Sun®, and Viking Orion®Ten additional ships are also planned for delivery starting in 2021, which could bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.

The Explorers Lounge
The Explorers Lounge

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. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences on shore and on board. And only The Viking Way® of exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

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In addition, 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; alternative restaurant dining; free Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.

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Booking Details

From now through February 28, 2019, Viking is offering U.S. residents special cruise fares on select 2019, 2020 and 2021 ocean itineraries, as well as on select 2019 and 2020 river cruises, with additional discounts on air. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.


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Carnival’s Hub App Expands With Pre-Cruise Check-In and Much More

Celebration Key
A guest onboard Carnival Vista slides down Kaleid-O-Slide, a water tube attraction situated amid WaterWorks, the ship's onboard water park. The largest and most innovative cruise vessel in Carnival Cruise Line's fleet, Carnival Vista measures 133,500 tons, 1,055 feet long and has a guest capacity of almost 4,000 passengers. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

The Cruise Industry’s Most Popular App with 5.1 Million Downloads

Who knew an App on your phone could make cruising so much better? Well, Hold on to your phones. The already popular Carnival Cruise Line Hub App is getting better. It will now allow for pre-cruise purchasing functionality and online check-in for its North American-based ships.  The app’s popular “Pizza Anywhere” on board function is now available on 11 ships with a fleetwide rollout expected to be completed later this year.

“At Carnival, we want to help our guests Choose Fun from the moment they book their cruise.  The new features on the Hub App bring their vacation planning to the palm of their hand in ways that consumers have come to expect from great technology,” said Ron Dillehay, vice president of booked guest e-commerce and guest experience for Carnival Cruise Line.

New Pre-Cruise Functionality 

With the Hub App’s new pre-cruise capabilities, guests can now manage their booking, complete their online check-in, and conveniently purchase a wide variety of items and experiences before departure, including shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty dining reservations, Wi-Fi packages and Fun Shop orders for stateroom delivery.

Expanded ‘Pizza Anywhere’ Feature

First available on Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista, the Hub App’s popular “Pizza Anywhere” feature has been added to nine other ships, including Carnival Victory, Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Glory, Carnival Ecstasy, and Carnival Liberty.

With the “Pizza Anywhere” function, guests can satisfy their cravings at any time with the touch of a button.  To place an order, guests simply click on the ship’s map to mark their location, take a selfie to identify themselves and select their desired pizza and toppings. Five hand-tossed pizzas are available: margherita, funghi, prosciutto, pepperoni and quattro formaggi.

Pizzas are cooked to order and delivered hot to the guest’s location on board. Cost is $5 per pizza and automatically charged to guests’ Sail & Sign shipboard accounts. With pizza delivery well in hand, Carnival is now working towards a pilot to expand “Pizza Anywhere” deliveries with the addition of beverages.

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Launched in 2015, Carnival’s Hub App has become the leading app in the cruise industry with a 4.6+ rating in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and more than 5.1 million total downloads. Hub App is designed to serve as a one-stop-shop for making the Carnival vacation experience seamless and convenient from beginning to end, allowing guests to track daily happenings on board, view food, beverage and entertainment offerings, chat with family and friends, follow the ship’s route in real time, and access their Sail & Sign account.

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL


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Carnival’s #ChooseFun AirShip Hosts First-Ever Wedding in Las Vegas

Amanda, a bartender originally from Allen Park, Mich., and Jason, stay-at-home dad and karaoke host at Karate Karaoke, live with their three children in Las Vegas. The two met at a karaoke night two years ago, and it was love at first sight.

Taking advantage of an “only in Vegas moment,” Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip hosted its first-ever wedding for Amanda Robertson, 32, and Jason Gerken, 37, from Las Vegas who tied the knot aside the colorful, 128-foot-long blimp.

With close family and friends in attendance, Las Vegas’ own Henry Sneed of Lucky Little Wedding Chapel officiated the memorable ceremony with an appearance by “Elvis Presley” who sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as Amanda, her father and son walked down the aisle and “Viva Las Vegas” after the two shared their first kiss as a married couple. After all, it couldn’t be a true Las Vegas wedding without “the King.”

Carnival Cruise Line's #ChooseFun Airship Hosts First-Ever Wedding in Las Vegas
Amanda, a bartender originally from Allen Park, Mich., and Jason, stay-at-home dad and karaoke host at Karate Karaoke, live with their three children in Las Vegas. The two met at a karaoke night two years ago, and it was love at first sight.

And since there’s no better way to “Choose Fun” than actually sailing on a Carnival cruise, the couple and their family were invited to spend their honeymoon on Carnival Panorama when she debuts from Long Beach, Calif., this December.

Amanda, a bartender originally from Allen Park, Mich., and Jason, stay-at-home dad and karaoke host at Karate Karaoke, live with their three children in Las Vegas. The two met at a karaoke night two years ago, and it was love at first sight.

“We always dreamed of having a memorable wedding, but this day was far beyond what we could have imagined. Getting a free cruise for our entire family on what will be the new Carnival Panorama and having our loved ones by our sides have made this one of the best days of our lives,” said Amanda.

After completing its wildly successful month-long tour of California to celebrate the arrival of the new Carnival Panorama to Long Beach, Calif. in December, Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip is touring Las Vegas through Saturday.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the AirShip will arrive in Phoenix for a five-day flyover of the city’s hottest areas and venues through Sunday, Feb. 17.

In conjunction with the AirShip’s extended West Coast tour, Carnival is hosting a sweepstakes where consumers have a chance to win a free cruise as well as additional prizes each week when they enter at carnival.com/choosefun.

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And there’s never an end date to raising money for a great cause – continuing the charity component of the AirShip’s month-long flyover, for anyone who takes a picture of the AirShip and posts it on social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun, Carnival will make a $2 donation to its longtime charity partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® up to a maximum donation of $20,000.

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To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.

See a lot of new casino sites.


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How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station

How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station
How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station

The iconic view in Venice can be described in one word as amazing, so the entire popularity revolving around this Italian area is understandable. Travel enthusiasts from all over the world are choosing to explore what Venice has to offer, and in most cases, people are pleasantly surprised by the beauty and romance of the city. Canals and gondolas, unique views and a captivating atmosphere, you can say that Venice has it all, and you will not be disappointed in choosing the city as your next travel destination. Entering this island city will provide you with a once in a lifetime view, so you can expect to be enchanted as soon as you get there.

 

Considering this is not your regular European city, as soon as you get to the Venice cruise port or train station, you will find yourself in need of adequate transportation in order to actually arrive in the heart of the city or to St. Marks square, from where all the city’s main attraction can be reached more easily. You may be tempted to follow the example of many other tourists who wait to book their shore excursion, believing that this is the only accessible solution. Well, you should know that you have several transportation options available, and getting around can be manageable in different ways. Things can get a bit confusing for first time Venice travelers, so doing a bit of research first, and knowing your options well enough is recommended. Here are the transportation options you can choose from, and a bit of information about each one – looking into these factors will allow you to make an informed choice that suits your needs perfectly:

 

Walking – from Venice port to a vaporetto point

Let’s start with the most budget-friendly option there is. If you are the more athletic type, and a long walk doesn’t scare you, you have the possibility of getting to a vaporetto point by foot. Walking is chosen many tourists who want to keep their expense to a minimum. In order to get access to public transportation without spending any more money, start walking from the Stazione Marittima Venice cruise terminal by Piazzale Roma on the Venice Grand Canal. A nice walk will also give you the opportunity to get a glimpse of the surroundings, so it might just be the ideal option to kick-start your entire Venetian experience. This is, however, not recommended, if you are travelling with children.

How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station
Public transportation water buses, also known as vaporetti, are the most popular transportation method for tourists.

Cruise ship organized water buses – public transportation water buses

Public transportation water buses, also known as vaporetti, are the most popular transportation method for tourists, who want to arrive to their final destination promptly and in an affordable manner. Just like as any other classic form of transportation in other regions around the world, these travel in an organized manner and have fixed schedule, so if you do choose a vaporetto to get from the port to Venice, you should check their schedule first. These cruise buses will take you to where you need to arrive, with minimum walking involved. A vaporetto can be regarded as a bus on water. There are mainly two major companies operating this public transportation option, and these are Alilaguna and ACTV. While the first is mainly used for connecting travelers between the airport and the cruise point, the latter is used for traveling around the islands.

Connect with locals for transportation assistance via a mobile app

Wither you aren’t exactly sure how to easily get to the nearest vaporetto point, you want a more rapid solution for arriving in the center of Venice, or some more extensive transportation assistance would come in handy, nowadays, you have a great mobile application for that. When you are googling How to Get to Venice from the Venice Cruise Port, you will come across the popular mobile app Prontopia. Using this application, you can connect to friendly locals, who will help you cover all your transportation requirements, and get to your points of interest in a rapid and convenient manner. More tourists are choosing this personalized approach to Venice traveling, and are benefiting from a more enjoyable experience. Whether it’s finding your AirBnB easily or getting to your tour meeting from the train station, you’ll find a local ready to step in and help via this app.

How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station

Water taxis

The difference between a vaporetto and a water taxi is that the first one is regarded as public transportation, while the latter provides you with increased privacy and comfort. So the last option you have the possibility of looking into is the common water taxis. You and the people you are traveling with – friends or family – can benefit from a personalized transportation solution around Venice by choosing this particular option. This isn’t, however, the ideal choice if you are on a budget, considering you will have to get quite a high amount of money out of your pocket. In terms of comfort and convenience, if money isn’t an issue here, this might be the most appealing possibility. Usually, water taxis have the capacity of taking a maximum of 12 people, so when you are splitting the costs, the price paid will become a bit more reasonable. In order to stick to your itinerary, you need to book your taxi in advance, just to make sure you are covered once you arrive at the port.

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Experiencing the entire Venetian vacation can be quite thrilling, especially if this is the first time you are traveling the area. However, planning a trip there needs to be done with attention and care, in order to stay organized, and prevent small inconveniences from affecting your trip. Getting to Venice from the Venice cruise port is one of the challenges you will be faced with initially, so being aware of all your options from the start can be necessary. This way, you can know for sure which transportation solution suits your needs, and you will be able to start off your vacation on the right foot. Whether you decide to resort to the Prontopia app, to water taxis or vaporetti, these are the possibilities you can access at the moment.


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Oprah Winfrey Officially Names Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam

Holland America Line Celebrates Dedication of Nieuw Statendam with O-Mazing Ceremony Featuring Godmother Oprah Winfrey
Holland America Line Celebrates Dedication of Nieuw Statendam with O-Mazing Ceremony Featuring Godmother Oprah Winfrey

In an event rich with inspiration and tradition, Holland America Line held a dedication ceremony for Nieuw Statendam Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FloridaOprah Winfrey officially named the ship in a ceremony on board in the ship’s World Stage.

During the daytime celebration, Winfrey was joined by Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line; Stein Kruse, Holland America Group and Carnival UK chief executive officer; and Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation.

“We are deeply honored to have Oprah Winfrey serve as the godmother of our newest ship in a celebration of our shared belief that travel has the power to open minds, build connections and inspire shared humanity across cultures and people,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Oprah’s magnetic energy and astounding ability to inspire others is admired around the world, and today was the perfect culmination of a memorable few days together on Nieuw Statendam and our ongoing partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine.”

Nieuw Statendam‘s dedication ceremony followed the three-day Girls’ Getaway cruise to the Caribbean that celebrated the power of female relationships. Gayle King, editor-at-large of O, The Oprah Magazine and Winfrey’s best friend, joined her on the cruise, along with several other senior editors from the magazine.

During the ceremony, Ashford highlighted the connection between Nieuw Statendam, the legacy of the ship’s name and the stories of life-changing travel experiences for the officers and crew, travel professionals and guests, saying: “Nieuw Statendam represents our highest aspirations for connection and understanding in our world. She is a vessel for exploration and adventure across countries, languages, cultures and peoples, and — we hope — a source of joy for our guests for many years to come.”

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Winfrey reflected on the Girls’ Getaway cruise that had just concluded, saying “It’s been an incredible experience to see people from across the world come together with one mind and celebrate themselves, honor themselves and honor each other. Everybody gathered, made friends and connected to people they didn’t know because they felt like they had met themselves on some level. I have never seen anything like it.” She then officially dedicated the ship as its godmother with the traditional statement, “I name this ship Nieuw Statendam. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” The ceremony concluded when Winfrey triggered the release of the traditional bottle of Champagne that broke against the ship’s bow.

Holland America Line Celebrates Dedication of Nieuw Statendam with O-Mazing Ceremony Featuring Godmother Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey reflected on the Girls’ Getaway cruise that had just concluded, saying “It’s been an incredible experience to see people from across the world come together with one mind and celebrate themselves, honor themselves and honor each other.

Following the ceremony, a Gala Dinner was held on board. During the evening celebration, guests were invited to participate in a maritime tradition of pouring Champagne over the ship’s bell as a blessing.  This ceremony was a recreation of the bell ceremony on Holland America Line’s s.s. Statendam IV on January 23, 1957, when a then-18-year-old Dutch Crown Princess Beatrix poured Champagne over the bell to officially dedicate that new ship as it sailed in the North Sea. Nieuw Statendam is the sixth ship in the company’s history to bear the name.


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5 Questions with Holland America’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin 

Chef Rudi Sodamin
Holland America Line Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has his name on another restaurant on the new cruise ship Nieuw Statendam.

Chef Rudi Sodamin has spent more than three decades in the cruise and hospitality industry, and he says he has as much passion for food and life as ever. His work in recent years also includes authoring several books on the tastes of the world, as well as a colorful and creative coffee table book showcasing his “Food Faces” art work. 

His status as a leading culinary figure on the oceans has been recognized through his role as the chairman of Holland America’s Culinary Council and with the establishment of Rudi’s Sel de Mer on the newest HAL ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, which debuted in late 2018. 

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Cruise Addicts sat down for a chat with Sodamin during a recent sailing on Nieuw Statendam to learn what drives the chef and to learn about how he views his role in making cruisers well fed and happy. 

Cruise Addicts: How special is it to have your name on the Rudi’s Sel de Mer Restaurants? What does that mean to you, personally? 

Chef Rudi SodaminFor any chef, to have your own restaurant with a corporation or a cruise line is an accomplishment. I’m very pleased with the progress of what I have achieved at Holland America Line 

It’s flattering, but it’s also a lot of work. I’m known as a visionary guy and hard-working and a perfectionist. So, I want to make an impact in whatever I do in life. 

Cruise Addicts: Cuisine and the dining experience is a huge part of what HAL cruisers look forward to on their trips. Is there any pressure — or do you consider it a pleasure that food has such an important role in defining Holland America cruises? 

SodaminThere is always a pressure, regardless, for any chef out there. But it’s also a pleasure to provide great food and great quality to our guests. 

It always starts with quality. There is a lot of hard work behind the entire culinary team, and management understands this. I always assemble the best team available. I have always been spearheading culinary excellence in the last 30 years in the cruise industry, and I have always set new levels.  

I always try to assemble the best team available and work to foster them with inspiration and creativity, so we can achieve what we do.  

Cruise Addicts: What role does the Culinary Council play in this? (The council is a collection of seven world-renowned chefs who collaborate to curate the restaurants and menus on HAL ships.) 

SodaminThe Culinary Council came to fruition from an idea to use talent from outside to promote our culinary happenings onboard our ships. We meet yearly, and we involve them (in creating specialty items) … and we have occasional times when we feature them (on Food & Beverage Aficionado Cruises). We cooperate with them, we ask them for ideas. 

They often are also impressed from our kitchen operations onboard our ships and like to bring ideas back to their establishments on shore. 

So, every cruise line likes to say they have food in their DNA. But I think we have a singularly good product.

Rudi Sodamin and his plates featuring Food Faces
Chef Rudi Sodamin shows off two plates in the restaurant Rudi’s Sel de Mer on Nieuw Statendam. The chef has a book available that features 150 “Food Faces” that he created and photographed.

Cruise Addicts: Can you tell us a little about the origin of your artwork that we see on the plateware? 

SodaminAs a chef, you’re always an artist. And a warrior in many ways. An accountant. An organizer. 

Every chef is different. I was always ahead of my time with presentation. It’s work and passion and having fun at the same time. 

So, I created as an artist “Food Faces.” I don’t plan every dish. When I see something, I assemble the food. My camera is with me, so I photograph it. It might take about 20 minutes. 

It’s really spontaneously put together. I have done almost 400 images.  

Wherever I go, in Spain, in France, in England, in my kitchen at home. If I see something, I photograph it. 

Some people say “It’s a little bit over-creative.” (Laughs.) 

I like to photograph, and I even photograph other food pictures. “Food Faces” is just a new way of thinking. 

It ties perfectly into Rudi’s Sel de Mer (and the plates on the tables). Every guest who dines here says “Wow!” and every guest takes a picture. 

Cruise Addicts: What do you like to do in your free time away from the kitchen and food? 

SodaminAway from the kitchen? There is not much time. Food is life; life is food.  

I like to play golf. I have a lot of sport interests. I like to ski.  

I like to cook in my home. I’m well-balanced. I’m happy. 

And if you’re happy with what you’re doing, I think that’s a blessing. Creativity is the intelligence of having fun. 

Life is a race without a finish line. 


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How Cruise Casinos Differ from Traditional Casinos

Everyone should experience a cruise vacation at least once in their life. There’s lots of excellent foot and fun activities. One favorite source of entertainment is the cruise line’s on-ship casino. It’s nearly impossible for most people to resist the temptation to check the casino out for at least an hour or two. After all, how much time can a captive audience spend at the buffet or in the pool.

Before visiting the cruise ship’s casino, some level of caution is warranted. There are differences from what someone might have already experienced in a land-based traditional casino in places like Las Vegas. The following information is being provided to help people understand the differences and how it might affect the live casino gambling experience. Some of these differences would also pertain to an online casino like Casumo.

Atmosphere

On the positive, cruise ship casinos have windows that expose the outside. Vegas style casinos are notorious from trying to keep customers from having any sense of place and time. Cruise ships already have a captive audience with no other gambling alternatives. Therefore, there really is no good reason to “keep people in the dark.”

On the negative, bettors best not expect any kind of free drink service life you find in land-based casinos. Alcohol sales are a primary income source for the cruise lines. They simply are not motivated to give away that which makes them profitable. They aren’t in the casino business. They are in the business of generating revenues from selling spirits and souvenirs. Note: There are some exceptions. Additionally, ocean-bound ships do not operate under land-based laws. Maritime laws permit smoking anywhere. Therefore, there’s a reasonable expectation the cruise ship casino might be a little smoky.

Logistical Issues

Unlike land-based casinos in major gambling meccas like Macau, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, cruise ship casinos have restricted hours of operation. Gambling cities operate 24/7/365 with no regard for the weather, religious holidays or time of day. Cruise ships are not allowed to operate while in a port. This most likely has to do with local regulations. They are also closed for a prescribed timeframe upon departure from any given port. Usually, they open late morning or early afternoon and remain open until the early morning hours of the following morning.

Cruise Compete

Table game players had best be patient. There’s usually a limited number of gaming tables and dealers available. If the casino is busy, players have to wait until a spot opens up. While they are waiting, there’s usually a lot of slot machines available for play. Land-based casinos can employ more dealers and have more space to allocate for table games.

The good news is no matter which port a ship leaves out of, maritime law dictates that the universal minimum gambling age is 18 years old. The minimum age in Las Vegas is 21 years old.

Gambling Issues

On the positive side, most cruise ships offer a nice variety of games. Aside from the requisite video slots, video poker, Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps and Roulette options, it’s always possible games like Pai Gow Poker, Texas Hold’em Poker and Sic Bo might be available. What makes all these gaming options all the more appealing is the fact the come with low betting limits. Remember, the ship is not really in the casino business. The casino is more a means to an end. For that reason, they prefer to make sure the casino is available to novice bettors who might otherwise be reluctant to wager on high limit tables. In some cases, it’s possible to find cruise ship games that are normally difficult to find in Vegas or Macau.

On the downside, cruise ships are not very generous. They have no competition, which is the perfect reason not to offer bettors fair payouts. Blackjack and Craps have notoriously bad odds when compared to the odds being offered in online casinos casinos or when playing at land based establishments. When patrons do when, they are going to have to wait in line to cash out. Players aren’t going to get access to modern-day voucher-drive cash out machines.

By taking advance notice of these differences, you should be able to avoid going into the cruise ship casino with inflated expectations. The whole point is to use the cruise ship casino as intended, just another form of on-ship entertainment.


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