Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so.
When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite.
For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance.
I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.
This is an image caption enim ad minima veniam
DEMO POST TITLE IN UPPER CASE
When I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless lorem ipsum dolor indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath. One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back.
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In a free hour, when our power of choice is untrammelled and when nothing prevents our being able to do what we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided. But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters.
[penci_blockquote align=”none” author=”Norman Vincent”]CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD[/penci_blockquote]
If several languages coalesce, the grammar of the resulting language is more simple and regular than that of the individual. The new common language will be more simple and regular than the existing European.
POST TITLE NEXT TO IMAGES
It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt.
Nullam quis ante. Etiam sit amet orci eget eros faucibus tincidunt. Duis leo.
The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators.
The European languages are members of the same family. Their separate existence is a myth. For science, music, sport, etc, Europe uses the same vocabulary. The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words. Everyone realizes why a new common language..
[penci_blockquote align=”left” author=””]Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else.[/penci_blockquote]
It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. She packed her seven versalia, put her initial into the belt and made herself on the way.
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so.
When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite.
For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance.
I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.
This is an image caption enim ad minima veniam
DEMO POST TITLE IN UPPER CASE
When I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless lorem ipsum dolor indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath. One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back.
The List for doing things
Start International News & Magazine Websites
Installing Themes
Purchase PenNews on Themeforest
In a free hour, when our power of choice is untrammelled and when nothing prevents our being able to do what we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided. But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters.
[penci_blockquote align=”none” author=”Norman Vincent”]CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD[/penci_blockquote]
If several languages coalesce, the grammar of the resulting language is more simple and regular than that of the individual. The new common language will be more simple and regular than the existing European.
POST TITLE NEXT TO IMAGES
It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt.
Nullam quis ante. Etiam sit amet orci eget eros faucibus tincidunt. Duis leo.
The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators.
The European languages are members of the same family. Their separate existence is a myth. For science, music, sport, etc, Europe uses the same vocabulary. The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words. Everyone realizes why a new common language..
[penci_blockquote align=”left” author=””]Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else.[/penci_blockquote]
It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. She packed her seven versalia, put her initial into the belt and made herself on the way.
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so.
When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite.
For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance.
I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.
This is an image caption enim ad minima veniam
DEMO POST TITLE IN UPPER CASE
When I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless lorem ipsum dolor indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath. One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back.
The List for doing things
Start International News & Magazine Websites
Installing Themes
Purchase PenNews on Themeforest
In a free hour, when our power of choice is untrammelled and when nothing prevents our being able to do what we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided. But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters.
[penci_blockquote align=”none” author=”Norman Vincent”]CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD[/penci_blockquote]
If several languages coalesce, the grammar of the resulting language is more simple and regular than that of the individual. The new common language will be more simple and regular than the existing European.
POST TITLE NEXT TO IMAGES
It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt.
Nullam quis ante. Etiam sit amet orci eget eros faucibus tincidunt. Duis leo.
The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators.
The European languages are members of the same family. Their separate existence is a myth. For science, music, sport, etc, Europe uses the same vocabulary. The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words. Everyone realizes why a new common language..
[penci_blockquote align=”left” author=””]Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else.[/penci_blockquote]
It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. She packed her seven versalia, put her initial into the belt and made herself on the way.
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences.
When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite.
For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance.
I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me.
This is an image caption enim ad minima veniam
DEMO POST TITLE IN UPPER CASE
When I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless lorem ipsum dolor indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath. One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back.
The List for doing things
Start International News & Magazine Websites
Installing Themes
Purchase PenNews on Themeforest
In a free hour, when our power of choice is untrammelled and when nothing prevents our being able to do what we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided. But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters.
[penci_blockquote align=”none” author=”Norman Vincent”]CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD[/penci_blockquote]
If several languages coalesce, the grammar of the resulting language is more simple and regular than that of the individual. The new common language will be more simple and regular than the existing European.
POST TITLE NEXT TO IMAGES
It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt.
Nullam quis ante. Etiam sit amet orci eget eros faucibus tincidunt. Duis leo.
The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators.
The European languages are members of the same family. Their separate existence is a myth. For science, music, sport, etc, Europe uses the same vocabulary. The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words. Everyone realizes why a new common language..
[penci_blockquote align=”left” author=””]Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else.[/penci_blockquote]
It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. She packed her seven versalia, put her initial into the belt and made herself on the way.
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections.
Fall Foliage cruise vacations offer a unique sailing opportunity for a very short period of time. Each fall, a variety of cruise lines take travelers on voyages around the coast of the United States and into Canada as well as along the waterways of inland rivers. For those accustomed to sailing in the Caribbean or the Bahamas, a Fall Foliage sailing can bring unique experiences and serve as a stepping-stone to full blown international travel.
Unlike travel to Europe, everyone they meet along the way will speak English, breaking down the language barrier that keeps many would-be international travelers from making the leap. Better yet, if a lifetime dream travel destination is France, perhaps romantic Paris, there will be plenty of people along the way in Canada that speak French to practice on.
Travel via cruise ship does not do anything for getting over the fear of international flight. For that a similar baby step travel experience would be a sailing that begins in Alaska, which takes a long travel day to begin, no matter where you live. Still, travelers on fall foliage cruises like Crystal’s Autumn’s Palette will get accustomed to another common element of another popular element of European sailings: a more inclusive experience.
A logical next step for those accustomed to the inclusive nature of a cruise vacation is to do the same thing in international waters. Viking River Cruises sources their passengers mainly from North America and offer a total package that includes airfare, transfers and a more inclusive onboard experience on the rivers of Europe. A sampling of river cruising can be had right here at home too on an American Cruise Lines riverboat.
Sticking with the familiar for many, Princess Cruises also offers a number of fall foliage sailings. Two ships sailing from the East Coast in September and October. Regal Princess will sail on seven-day voyages round-trip from New York to the New England ports of Newport, Boston and Bar Harbor, and the Atlantic Canadian ports of Saint John and Halifax. Caribbean Princess will sail on the line’s popular 10-day itinerary between New York and Quebec, including an overnight in Quebec and calls to the charming seaside villages of Gaspé and Ville Saguenay, Quebec in addition to the ports of Newport, Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax.
Also called “Canada and New England” sailings, Royal Caribbean International has their versions too. Ranging from 7- to 12-nights, bringing cruise travelers up close and personal with the unmistakable charm, history and natural beauty of New England and eastern Canada.
It’s that focus on history that is also typical of a big element found in European sailings where so many historic events occurred. Every fall foliage cruise gives passengers a taste of what is a big part of Euro river cruises and big ship sailings in the Mediterranean, common first-time international traveler destinations.
One bucket-list trip you want to be sure to document with sensational photography is the Galápagos Islands. INCA – International Nature & Cultural Adventureshas created a new 11-day program, the Galápagos Photo Safari, that partners with Frozen Hiker Photography to help guests get the most from their cameras. Scheduled for July 5 to 15, 2018 on the luxury yacht INTEGRITY, the photo safari is for an intimate group of 14 guests who travel with two expert photographers, Don Tredinnick and Bruce Norman, plus two of INCA’s premier Galápagos naturalists. With that high level of personal coaching and support, INCA’s guests will return home with fantastic images of a memorable adventure.
The possibilities are endless with the luxury of expert guidance – and time. One photographer might want to explore the perfect Sally Lightfoot crab composition. Another will be able to wait for two Waved Albatrosses to begin their mating dance of “fencing” with their beaks. Lingering for a Blue-footed booby chick to hatch will not be a problem. And there is nothing more joyful than capturing a raft of puppy-like sea lions somersaulting around you.
The professionals can give advice on the best settings for photographing giant tortoises plodding along a field on Santa Cruz and help with depth of field and angles to succeed in snapping an iguana munching on a pear cactus. Unlike other Galápagos photography trips, INCA’s safari with Frozen Hiker Photography is a hands-on teaching experience. Don and Bruce include coaching and lessons on digital image management and processing (Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop and others) as well as image capture techniques.
After the first night in Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or Guayaquil a city on Ecuador’s coast, guests fly to the Galápagos where they overnight on Santa Cruz, visit the Darwin Research Station and the lava tubes, hike to see giant tortoises in the wild and explore the town of Puerto Ayora. The next day, they board the 141-foot INTEGRITY, known as the “finest yacht” in the Galápagos Islands to follow INCA’s carefully-crafted itinerary.
On the eight-day cruise, guests wake with the equatorial sun and hop in a zodiac for an island visit. Other mornings may begin with breakfast, followed by an island excursion and then snorkeling or kayaking. After lunch, guests will hear a lecture or have a photo workshop. On some days, there may be time for a kayak or snorkel before an island excursion to catch the late afternoon light. After dinner, Don and Bruce will review the day’s images, and the naturalists will go over the next day’s itinerary.
INCA’s 11-day Galápagos Photo Safari starts at $9,195 per person, double occupancy and includes round-trip flights to the Galápagos from Quito or Guayaquil; hotels in Quito or Guayaquil and on Santa Cruz; all yacht accommodations; all meals, non-alcoholic beverages and draft beer while on the yacht; all guides, activities, tours and sightseeing arrangements; use of kayaks and snorkel equipment on the yacht; round-trip airport transfers, Galápagos Transit Tax and all arrangements as specified in the itinerary selected. Not included are international airfare, airport taxes and fees; Galápagos National Park fee; Wi-Fi aboard the yacht; tips for yacht crews, guides or naturalists; wetsuit rental and other items of a personal nature.
Europe’s river cruise industry continues its growth path, with 1.36 million cruise passengers sailing on Europe’s rivers in 2016, up 2.7 percent from the previous year. Almost 39 percent of last year’s guests came from the US and Canada: “North America turns into an ever more important source market for Europe’s river cruise operators, as does the UK with a spectacular eleven percent leap in terms of passengers last year”, says Frederik Erdmann, European River Cruise Correspondent for Seatrade.
With the growth of overseas guests, Europe’s rivers also see the arrival of new ships – and new concepts. Last year, 22 new riverships entered service in Europe (out of a global orderbook of 31), another 17 will follow this year. “We are seeing new visions, new ideas and new concepts arriving, with Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler being inaugurated late this summer as two spectacular examples. Technologically, the successful return of paddle wheel propulsion has made new destinations available – particularly along rivers with a shallow or seasonally varying water level”, Erdmann continues.
The safety and security of river cruise passengers has never been tighter, and Lucas Sandmeier, General Manager Operation, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, gives an insight on how to marry up the increase in demand with levels of security: “The challenge is to find ways to not compromising the very arguments that lead to the success of river cruise. Combine this with the ever increasing demands to provide security to its travellers, the equally increasing number of regulations and desires from authorities, regulators, governments and unions as well as the introduction of technology to deliver a guest experience, and the mix may produce a product that has little resemblance to the so successful river cruise of today”.
Monic van der Heyden, Commercial Manager Cruise for Port of Amsterdam, also offers a statement on the topic of security for river cruise ports: “Security is a joint responsibility of the industry, port authorities, but also of crew and passengers. The topic is at the focus of all parties involved. Some river cruise companies are working individually on security guidelines and regulations”.
Still, while challenges are lurking in different fields, Europe’s river cruise industry is not at all short of optimism. Perspectives for the years ahead look altogether promising: “It’s a great time to be in river cruising, with new ships, new destinations and new concepts keeping the industry fresh and innovative”, comments Ben Wirz, Managing Director, GRC Global River Cruises GmbH, “here at Uniworld, we’re particularly excited about the launch of a new concept in 2018 aimed at capturing the millennial market – U by Uniworld. As our guests become more independent, design innovations ensure we keep on exceeding their expectations, while advances in technology allow us to continue to reduce emissions and work towards a more sustainable future for the rivers we sail”.
As river cruising in Europe is fluctuating, ocean-going cruise lines are now looking to expand into this market, including the prominent example of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines who launched their new dedicated river cruise programme for 2018 onboard the 156-guest rivercruise ship Brabant. Justin Stanton, sales and marketing director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, is excited to see the new offer taking off next year: “We are proud to be bringing our many decades of expertise and rich sailing heritage to the river cruise market for the very first time”.
These opportunities and challenges of river cruising in Europe will be subject to debate at Seatrade Europe 2017, taking place in Hamburg from 6 – 8 September. There will be dedicated conference sessions focusing on two major river cruise topics: The “Identifying river innovation” session will concentrate specifically on new designs, new ships and innovative concepts, and it will also look at trend changes and the evolution of passenger requirements. The second session, “Shore activities and turnarounds – a security risk for Europe’s rivership guests?” concentrates on another aspect of the business – the need to provide a secure environment for passengers exploring some of Europe’s major capitals and cities during the course of their river cruise.
Daniel Buchmüller, Chief Services Officer, River Advice AG and President, IG RiverCruise, will be one of the executive panellists taking part in the conference. Says Buchmüller: “The transformation to modern, more comfortable river cruise ships consistently pursued over the last years. On the other hand, environmental and societal challenges will continue to grow. Innovation is a key to attract new passengers – and to surprise repeaters. Security is a key to maintain the passenger’s confidence. Both River Cruise Sessions cover these topics that move the industry these days”.
Join Kevin Lieber, host of YouTube channel Vsauce2, as he takes to sea aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. In the video he’ll take you along on his journey and you will learn more about solar eclipses.
See how science communicator Kevin Lieber, host of YouTube channel Vsauce2, experienced his first total solar eclipse onboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.
Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed some amazing features and amenities for Norwegian Bliss, the line’s sixteenth ship, which has been designed for the ultimate cruising experience and will sail to Alaska and the Caribbean with select voyages to the Mexican Riviera beginning in June 2018. Custom-built for the spectacular, Norwegian Bliss will boast many firsts at sea for the global market including the largest competitive race track at sea and an open-air laser tag course. The ship’s exciting new features will join the brand’s signature elements of freedom and flexibility that Norwegian is known for across the globe including a myriad of mouthwatering dining options and a vibrant onboard atmosphere fueled by dynamic intimate spaces and a multitude of bars and lounges, award-winning youth programs and more. Many of the ship’s amenities were announced today by Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer, at an exclusive event at Virtuoso Travel Week at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, where media and travel partners were able to Imagine Bliss through interactive 3D virtual reality experiences of the ship’s race track, Observation Lounge, The Waterfront, pool deck and a waterslide.
At approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating 4,000 guests, Norwegian Bliss is currently being constructed at MEYER WERFT in Papenburg, Germany and is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2018.
Imagine Exhilaration
Norwegian Bliss will boast excitement around every corner and delight guests with thrills, with activities spanning the entirety of the ship’s top deck. Following overwhelming popularity aboard Norwegian Bliss’ sister ship in China, Norwegian Joy, guests will be able to put the pedal to the metal for the first time aboard a North American-based cruise ship with a two level electric-car race track. The competitive track, the longest at sea at nearly 1,000 feet, will rev up the hearts of all who race around her many twists and turns with four speed settings accommodating novice, intermediate and advanced drivers, reaching up to 30 miles per hour — with a special “turbo boost” available on each lap. The electric cars run silent so as to not disturb those seeking to enjoy the serene environment. But guests will have the full racing experience while they channel their inner Andretti, as the sounds of a race car engine are piped in through speakers located in the car’s headrest.
After burning rubber at the race track, guests can test their agility at the open-air laser tag course. Themed as an abandoned space station, the course comes to life both day and night as guests go into stealth-mode and compete against family and friends with state-of-the art laser guns.
After working up a sweat, guests aboard Norwegian Bliss can cool down at the ship’s expansive pool and sundeck featuring two spacious pools and six infinity hot tubs that scale the side of the ship. The ship’s Aqua Park also includes two multi-story waterslides. Not for the faint of heart, the high-speed Ocean Loops free fall slide includes two exhilarating loops, one that extends out over the side of the ship and a second see-through loop that stretches down to the deck below, sure to offer a wet and wild ride. The tandem Aqua Racer slide allows guests to race side-by-side on inner tubes for more than 360 feet, with a translucent section that provides stunning ocean views as guests twist and turn to the finish line.
Junior cruisers can splish, splash and have a blast at the Kids’ Aqua Park, a watery wonderland of splash pads, water cannons, tipping buckets and slides. The little ones will also have a blast at Splash Academy, the fleet’s award-winning complimentary youth program. Centrally-located on Deck 5, Splash Academy will offer age-appropriate supervised activities for children aged three to 12 with fun and energetic programming including games with the conservation-minded Officer Snook, a circus spectacular celebration, jungle-themed nights and more. Teens aged 13 through 17 will enjoy their own space aboard Norwegian Bliss on deck 5, Entourage, adjacent to the ship’s arcade. The exclusive teen space features plush lounge furniture, gaming stations, foosball, air hockey and a dancefloor with neon lighting, as the space transitions to the hottest teen nightclub at sea in the evening hours. Even tiny cruisers, ages six months to just under three years old, will have an dedicated space to enjoy aboard Norwegian Bliss with the fleet’s largest Guppies playroom, where Early Years Coordinators will host sensory-play activities for parents and babies including messy play, exploration, music and movement. In line with its youth programming across the fleet, Norwegian Bliss will offer a wide range of family-friendly activities for guests to enjoy including family balloon twisting, interactive games and the Family Glow Party.
Imagine Delectable
Foodies and cocktail connoisseurs will be able to dine, sip and savor to their heart’s delight with a breadth of dining and bar options aboard Norwegian Bliss, including signature Norwegian favorites as well as exclusive new concepts that will debut aboard the line’s newest ship.
Modern décor and premium ingredients will meet southern flavors at the all-new Texas Smokehouse, Q, where guests will be able to tap their boots to the beat of live contemporary pop country music each night as they indulge in authentic Texas barbeque in a sleek urban setting. The new à la carte specialty restaurant will infuse an explosion of flavors in every bite with a selection brisket, ribs, chicken and sausages and more freshly smoked over hickory, oak and pecan woods. Q will offer generous portions of sides and starters including deviled eggs with natural air cured ham, pickled jalapeños, fresh cheddar and breadcrumb-crusted mac-n-cheese, baked sweet potatoes smothered in pecan honey butter and cinnamon and more. Guests can round out their meal at Q with a mason jar of fresh banana pudding or indulge in bread pudding in whiskey sauce.
The flavors aboard Norwegian Bliss will travel south-of-the-border with Los Lobos, an outpost of the brand’s new restaurant serving elevated Mexican cuisine that made its debut in 2016 aboard Norwegian Dawn during her extensive dry dock enhancement under the Norwegian Edge, the brand’s investment program that encompasses the entire guest experience. Los Lobos will offer an upscale, modern take on traditional favorites like fresh guacamole prepared tableside, al pastor tacos, enchiladas de mole, handcrafted margaritas featuring private-label Patron Barrel Select, Norwegian’s own tequila blend, and more. Featuring indoor and outdoor seating located on deck 8 aft, Los Lobos will be adjacent to Cagney’s steakhouse, Norwegian’s incredibly popular signature American-style steakhouse that serves up choice cuts of Hartley Ranch Premium Black Angus Beef including the larger-than-life 20 oz. Porterhouse, an incredibly tender 8 oz. filet mignon and signature ribeye. Between Los Lobos and Cagney’s Steakhouse, The A-List Bar, named for Norwegian President & CEO and 30-year veteran Andy Stuart, will serve handcrafted cocktails, wines and premium spirits.
Sweets and treats will be served up day and night at Coco’s, a completely new à la carte dessert venue located on deck 6 in the heart of the ship, 678 Ocean Place, where liquid chocolate in an enclosed oversized chocolate fountain will adorn its entranceway, delighting kids and kids at heart. The chocolate-themed dessert restaurant will feature handmade pralines, truffles, crepes and other decadent treats paired with fine coffees and teas.
In a nod to the ship’s homeport of Seattle, guests aboard Norwegian Bliss can warm up for their glacier walk with a Caramel Macchiato or grab a Teavana® Shaken Iced Green Tea Lemonade to sip on while lounging on a pristine Caribbean beach with a full service Starbucks® storeon board. Guests can start their day with Starbucks®coffees, teas and bites available à la carte.
Norwegian will bring together the best of its specialty dining experiences aboard Norwegian Bliss with signature à la carte restaurants including French cuisine at Le Bistro; the tastes of Tuscany at La Cucina; the finest fresh seafood at Ocean Blue; global fusion cuisine featuring sushi, dumplings, handhelds and more at Food Republic; Cheeseburgers in Paradise® at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville® at Sea; and handmade cupcakes and macarons at The Bake Shop. Teppanyaki, the brand’s family-favorite Japanese hibachi steakhouse will also be onboard at cover charge pricing.
Norwegian’s original beverage concepts will round out the ship’s culinary offerings. The District Brew House will serve 24 beers on tap and more than 50 bottled beers, along with bites from the adjacent Food Republic. Local favorites on tap at The District will include craft beers from Red Hook Brewery and Elysian Brewery in Seattle as well as Wynwood Brewery and M.I.A. Beer Company in Miami. The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar will offer a curated wine list featuring 35 grape varietals including top selections from Washington-area vineyards, Tuscany and Michael Mondavi’s own Napa Valley Estate, as well as light bites from La Cucina. Wine will come to life at The Cellars with interactive educational seminars and tastings daily. Paying homage to her homeport cities, Norwegian Bliss’ beverage program will also feature a selection of local craft cocktails developed by Seattle-based celebrity mixologist and chef Kathy Casey as well as Miami-based Gabe Orta, one of the master curator’s behind the city’s ultra-popular BarLab concepts.
Imagine Tranquility
After glacier trekking in Alaska or discovering hidden caves and sea pools at the Baths of Virgin Gorda in the Caribbean, Norwegian Bliss guests will be able to revive, refresh and recharge at the ship’s Mandara Spa. Located on deck 16 aft, the Mandara Spa will offer the ultimate pampering experience with 24 treatment rooms, a full-service salon and barber shop, fitness center and thermal suite. The Fitness Center will offer latest state-of-the-art TechnoGym® cardiovascular and strength training equipment, as well as personal training and group fitness classes including TRX, Norwegian Fight Club, RYDE Cycle and more. The ship’s expansive thermal suite will be an exclusive enclave of relaxation where guests can soothe aching joints in the vitality pool and heated whirlpool; rinse off and clear mind and spirit in special experience showers; reduce inflammation and improve respiratory functions in the salt room; cleanse the body in the steam room or sauna; cool down in the snow room; or catch up on their latest reading on one of the 17 heated stone loungers. Passes to the exclusive enclave of relaxation will be available for purchase for a limited number of guests each sailing. In addition to the luxurious spa, adults will be able to unwind in two private lounge spaces while cruising aboard Norwegian Bliss at Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O.
Imagine a New Scene
During her inaugural summer season, Norwegian Bliss will sail weekly seven-day Alaska cruises each Saturday from Pier 66 in Seattle, where she will be the largest and most innovative ship to ever seasonally homeport on the West Coast. Unlike any other ship sailing the West coast, Norwegian Bliss will feature the brand’s most celebrated elements of freedom and flexibility including 678 Ocean Place, a three-deck central hub where the pulse of the ship’s action takes place with restaurants, shops, entertainment and guest services all conveniently located in one area. Also a first for a ship on the West coast will be The Waterfront, a popular feature that debuted on Norwegian Breakaway in 2013; the outdoor promenade is designed to enhance guests’ connection to the ocean with al fresco dining, bars and lounge spaces and offer spectacular views of Alaska’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife or the Caribbean’s stunning turquoise waters.
Norwegian’s vibrant nightlife scene will be taken to the next level aboard Norwegian Bliss with live entertainment, electrifying deck parties at Spice H2O and an expansive casino featuring hundreds of slot machines and table games to suit the likes of novice and pro gamblers alike. In a first for Norwegian, the casino will now offer a smoking and a non-smoking casino to cater to all guest preferences.
Norwegian Bliss’ custom design will offer guests the freedom and flexibility to “imagine Bliss” and create their ideal experience at sea, with a wide variety of accommodations including luxurious suites in The Haven by Norwegian®, Studio staterooms for solo travelers with virtual ocean views, and new connecting staterooms ideal for large groups and families traveling together. Norwegian Bliss will also feature an incredible lineup of entertainment offerings including the Tony-Award winner for “Best Musical” Jersey Boys and two observation lounges, including the exclusive Horizon Lounge for guests of The Haven®, perfect for whale watching in Alaska or taking in sunsets in the Caribbean, and more. Continuing its tradition of featuring original artwork on its ship’s hulls, Norwegian Cruise Line has commissioned Wyland, one of the world’s premier marine life artists, to design the hull art for Norwegian Bliss.
The ship’s itinerary will feature calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia, along with scenic glacier cruising. Norwegian Bliss will sail her inaugural Winter season beginning in November 2018, sailing seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday from PortMiami, featuring calls in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. For more information on Norwegian Bliss, please visit bliss.ncl.com.
