On a Viking River Cruise, the focus is very much off the ship and on to the iconic destinations visited along the river. On the included tour of the day in Passau, Germany we walked the cobblestone streets just as we had during the summer on a different sailing. But while the route was the same, the experience surely was seasonally different.
With a chill thrown into the air, light rain falling and the aroma of freshly-baked gingerbread rolling around the town center, the hot days of summer became a distant memory as a great local Viking River Cruises guide told us of the city she loves so much.
While most of the area toured was under water after a flood of the likes of which that happens every few centuries, we would have never known it. Locals went about their business. Visitors window shopped, made getting into the holiday season a priority and visited Passau’s Christmas market.
Also included in the tour, a demonstration all about Gingerbread (the aroma of it filled the air as we neared the bakery) and holiday wreath making.
At the market, the aroma of real 18″ German bratwursts (seriously, we know nothing of these things in America), kebabs, fresh roasted cinnamon almonds and more demanded our attention. Never mind a little mustard on the chin here; we are Vikings!
Pack your cowboy hat and sun tan lotion. The 2nd Annual Country Cruise is ready to Set sail on the beautiful Norwegian Pearl on January 12-19, 2014 for 7 music filled days with some exciting country music stars.
Country Cruise Blowout
With 100 concerts and events around the ship, passengers will be in country music heaven. They will enjoy late night dance parties, Q&A sessions, photo opportunities and surprise unplugged performances and jam sessions throughout the seven night cruise.
In the past we have talked about river cruise options; what they are like, difference between river and ocean cruising, who would like them and more. Today we begin a day-by-day account of a Viking River Cruise that sails from Passau, Germany to Budapest Hungary.
Flying from Orlando to Munich via Washington D.C. and a near miss on flights, it was a motorcoach ride through the German countryside that brought us back to Passau. A favorite stop on our August sailing of Viking Odin, I was expecting a bit different scene in December and got it. Colorful flower boxes were replaced with seasonal evergreens. The hot summer day turned cold. The focus of clothing went from shorts with a light shirt to long pants and a coat.
Still, the beauty of Passau in a different season is undeniable as is our initial impression of our next Viking longship, Viking Skadi.Sail where we may, the ship is still our home away from home for a while; the place we lay our heads at night. During the enchanting Christmas season this one looks to be a perfect fit for exploring the Christmas Markets of Europe.
Should you or shouldn’t you book a balcony stateroom? Many cruisers can be conflicted when it comes to choosing a stateroom for their upcoming cruise. The most popular staterooms today are balcony staterooms, which usually make up the greatest portion of stateroom types onboard most modern cruise ships. While balconies definitely have a large fan base, some cruisers might need more convincing on why the higher price is definitely worth it.
Why Book A Balcony Cabin?
Here are the three main reasons why a discerning cruiser should choose to book a balcony stateroom:
Balcony Cabin
#1 The Space
The main reason to upgrade to a balcony stateroom is the privacy and reserved space it offers. Your balcony is your very own reserved relaxation and sightseeing spot. The only chair hogs you will find is your either yourself or one of your cabin mates. This private relaxation area is only steps from your bed and provides a quiet, relaxing place to either watch the waves float by or read a good book while sailing alongside glaciers. On various ships, balconies may not be obstructed by a balcony above, which provides you with direct sunlight, transforming your balcony into a prime sun tanning space. Balconies provide cruisers with an invaluable, private, and convenient relaxation space. Sightseeing, dining, tanning, or sleeping – it’s your choice with your balcony stateroom.
Whether you are sailing past El Morro Fortress in San Juan or glaciers in the Inside Passage – your balcony will provide you with private, reserved railing space available onboard your ship for whale watching and sail-aways. Some may argue that ocean view staterooms also have a view, but keep in mind that balconies are located higher up on the ship and provide more panoramic views than a small window would. The perk of open air, reserved sightseeing space is too enticing to pass up.
Otium Balcony Bliss
#3 The Sun
While it is true that an ocean view stateroom will bring some sunlight into your stateroom, nothing beats the natural sunlight brought into your stateroom from a balcony. Many ships now have balcony staterooms that feature floor to ceiling windows with a door to your balcony. These expanded windows will flood your room with warm, natural light, creating a comfortable and relaxing stateroom environment. This added sunlight will make your stateroom seem much more spacious and bright.
Carnival Cruise Lines 2,052-passenger Sensation cruises off the Bahamas. The ship sails on three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla. Three-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Nassau while four-day cruises depart Sundays and call at Nassau and Freeport. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines.
At some point, most of us have made the ultimate mistake of accidentally leaving the wallet at home. There is nothing quite like the sinking feeling that you get as you reach into your back-pocket (or purse) and realize that all those groceries in your cart will have to be returned to their shelves by the miserable-looking teen-aged bag-boy.
Well, I hate to break it to you, but you will have that same “sinking feeling” if you don’t properly budget for a cruise. Although cruise packages are a great deal, people tend to forget about all the things that go along with vacationing like cocktails, souvenirs, tours, etc. This is why I’m going to help you evaluate your vacation-spending habits and figure out just how fat your wallet should be when you board the ship.
MSC Aurea Spa & Gym aboard MSC Seascape (Photo by John Shallo/Cruise Addicts)
A Semi-All-Inclusive Vacation
While your cruise vacation is semi-all-inclusive (about 70% is covered in your cruise fare), off-the-ship activities, souvenirs, spa treatments, cocktails, and gambling are expenses you’ll want to plan for. You can go on a cruise and spend absolutely nothing extra on yourself; however, I strongly encourage you to have few bucks handy to tip the crew at the end.
So let’s begin the break-down:
An adult who drinks moderately, will want to go on a shore excursion, gambles a little bit, and wants to take advantage of some of the other premium services onboard should budget about $100-$150 per day. Heavy drinkers, spa fanatics, obsessive internet users, and compulsive shoppers should budget a bit (or quite a bit) more.
Non-drinkers who like to spend the day relaxing on deck or on a beach within walking distance of the ship while it is in port and don’t have a lot of need for commemorative refrigerator magnets could get away with about $50 per day.
Self-Service Buffets
How did I figure this out? Let’s take a look at a typical day at sea/no port of call:
Begin by assuming $12 per person, per day for cover customary gratuities for the ship’s crew. These will automatically be added to your account.
Have a beer while sun-bathing on deck ($6.00). Before you know it, that one beer has turned into three and you’re out $18.
Check your email and make your Facebook friends jealous for a few minutes, and 20 minutes later, you’ve spent $7 more (@ $.35 cents/minute).
A spa treatment seems like the logical next step on a lazy day! You decide to get your nails done–$35.
On the way back to your room to change for dinner, you buy a souvenir from the gift shop for the neighbor who’s watering your plants– $10.
Gambling seems like a good night-cap, so you play some slots before turning in for the night–$20.
This fun-filled day leaves an $102 dent in your cash-supply…and it could have been a lot more. We could have chosen an alternative dining option, not included in the cruise fare for up to $50 per person more.
To be safe, it’s a good idea to leave “wiggle-room” for an extra souvenir or a pedicure to go with that manicure, so it’s fair to say $100-$150 per person per day is a good estimate if your vacation routine is anything like the one depicted.
The point is that the ‘other’ travel funds we have available is really going to depend on what we do.
Content with a very low-key vacation? Cruise travelers can get by just paying the suggested gratuities at the end of the cruise. Still, it’s the small indulgences that often make travel memorable, so planning ahead to have those funds available is very much worthy of consideration. Perhaps that $50 upcharge for the fancy specialty restaurant is something we need to budget for…especially when that $50 fee could be triple that if done at a land-based restaurant.
Actually, it is easy to accrue a large shipboard account bill. As easy as forgetting that the inclusive nature of a cruise does not include everything we desire on a vacation—and that is actually a good thing! This focuses the cost-burden of the extra services only on those who use them, keeping packages reasonably priced for everyone.
There are cruise lines that are more inclusive than others. Some include wine and beer with meals, internet access and many of the items listed above that some cruise travelers pay extra for. More-inclusive has it’s price though. More inclusive deals are mostly the dominion of small luxury and ultra-luxury cruise lines that can cost up to ten times more than a major cruise line.
Packing for any sort of travel can be done a number of ways. Some travelers like to plan ahead and carefully consider what they will bring along, based on a number of factors. Others wait until the last minute and get ready on the go, packing list in hand. Regardless of how we go about it, packing for a river cruise is a bit different than other forms of travel.
There Are No Formal Nights
We might as well just get this out of the way right now. Leave the formal wear at home unless off-ship plans include a lovely evening in Vienna for a Mozart concert, a night on the town in Paris or simply dining in some famous restaurant along the way. On Viking River Cruises, for example, there is a Captain’s Welcome Aboard Dinner and a Farewell Dinner as well. No need to dress up.
Unlike their ocean-going counterparts, river cruise ships offer few onboard amenities. Odds are there will not be a pool, whirlpool, fitness center, spa or casino. That would be an ocean cruising ship and there are plenty of them to choose from. On a river cruise, the focus is 80% off the ship as the ship glides down rivers within sight of land at all times.
Survival Gear
Putting the matter to rest easily, the Program Director of Viking Odin, one of Viking River Cruises longships, made it very simple: “If the ship were to ‘sink’, odds are it would only go down a few feet, the distance between the bottom of the ship and the bottom of the river. We would all just go up to the top deck and wait for help.” That statement also explained why there are no lifeboats on river cruise ships…they kinda are one.
The second ship in the new, highly innovative Quantum class of ships from Royal Caribbean International will become the most technologically advanced cruise ship ever to be based in Europe when it is launched in spring 2015. Anthem of the Seas will call Southampton, UK, home in April 2015 and offer cruises to the Mediterranean before being based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the winter months.
Royal Caribbean International is continuing its tradition of stimulating and growing the cruise industry with new ship investments. The first home port for the 4,108-guest double occupancy Anthem of the Seas– currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany – was unveiled at an exclusive event for media and special guests at the iconic Heron Tower in London, UK, today.
“Our business has a long history with the port of Southampton, and over the last ten years we have annually increased the number of cruise opportunities from the port,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We are now eyeing more growth with the introduction of Anthem of the Seasto the UK market in spring 2015. Our commitment to providing unrivalled holiday experiences onboard the world’s most advanced and activity-packed ships is unwavering.”
The Quantum class of ships will take a dramatic leap forward, introducing more game-changing “firsts at sea” such as a skydiving experience and the North Star, an engineering marvel featuring a jewel like capsule that extends 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver 360-degree views for guests.
Cutting-edge transformative venues include the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. These new, larger staterooms enable innovation in design, storage and comfort including the industry’s first virtual balconies.
These innovations and advances follow Royal Caribbean International’s strong tradition of introducing exciting guest experiences to their ships. Previous cruise industry firsts from Royal Caribbean International include rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators and ziplines.
At a cost of €170,000 per berth, Anthem of the Seasalso is one of the most architecturally and technologically advanced ships ever built. It joins its sister ship, Quantum of the Seas, which will debut in fall 2014 and sail out of New York Harbor from her homeport of Cape Liberty.
At 167,800 GRT the Quantum class of ships – Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas – are 1,141 feet (348 meters) long, 134 feet (41 meters) wide, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms and spans 16 guest decks. This is almost the equivalent in length of 32 London buses, 3½ football pitches, or nearly five of the world’s largest passenger airplane, the A380. More information on Quantum class of ships is available at RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.
Holland America Line’s Eurodam extends 2021 Mediterranean cruise season through October and will sail five 12-day itineraries from Italy, Greece or Spain.
Due to the exceptional popularity of its first B.B. King’s Blues Club on ms Eurodam,Holland America Line will expand the experience to five ships in 2014. The concept that debuted in March 2013 will become an integral part of the nightly entertainment experience on Eurodam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdamandms Zuiderdam.
In addition, “Live from BB King’s” headlines one night on the ship’s main stage in the Show Lounge. Enthralling guests with its musicianship and quality, the B.B. King Blues Club Band will return to Eurodam for an open-ended run starting on March 23, 2014, following their current run through Dec. 8, 2013. The Club will be onboard Westerdam now through April 5, 2014, and Zuiderdam now through March 17. Noordam and Nieuw Amsterdam begin open-ended runs of B.B. King’s Blues Clubs, with launch dates of Dec. 16 and April 6, respectively.
Holland America Expands B.B. King’s Blues Club
“The B.B. King’s Blues Club on Eurodam is packed full every night and is one of our highest-rated entertainment offerings,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “By expanding it to other ships in the fleet, more of our guests will be able to enjoy these talented musicians and their engaging performances.”
The music and excitement that comes direct from Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn., thrills guests five nights a week when world-class musicians from the B.B. King Blues Club Band create a dynamic sound to get the crowd energized. The eight-piece band features two vocalists backed by a drummer, bassist, guitarist, sax player, trumpeter and organist.
Each ships’ Queen’s Lounge will be trimmed with portraits of the Memphis Blues legend, illuminating the prominence of Memphis blues and its influence on everyone from Sam & Dave and Otis Redding to The Rolling Stones and Neil Diamond. A special stage will be crafted to resemble a Memphis nightclub with hanging guitars as a backdrop. Exclusive specialty cocktails from the land-based clubs also will be served, featuring the tasty, rum-based Lucille and Rock Me Baby concoctions mixed with different fruit liqueurs and juices.
“We couldn’t be happier that this collaboration will be featured on several ships in the Holland America Line fleet,” said Tommy Peters, B.B. King’s Blues Clubs’ CEO. “We always knew it would be hit on Eurodam, but the guests have embraced the show and its success has gone beyond our expectations.” About B.B. King’s Blues Club
Created and named after the reigning king of the blues and recording artist for more than four decades, B.B. King’s Blues Club is a supper club–style restaurant. B.B. King’s offers a perfect blend of some of the finest live music and a variety of the South’s most delicious comfort foods influenced by flavors from New Orleans all the way to the Mississippi Delta. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bbkingclubs.com.
Cunard Line will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Mary 2 in 2014, and one of the most exciting highlights will be when the flagship welcomes back Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor and his band for two special concerts during the 27 August 2014 Transatlantic Crossing. Passengers on board the eight-day sailing from New York to Southampton, England, via Halifax, Nova Scotia, will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy these legendary performances in the Royal Court Theatre.
“We are thrilled to welcome back James Taylor aboard Queen Mary 2, particularly during her 10th Anniversary year,” said David Dingle, CEO for Cunard Line. “Our guests will be thrilled to enjoy this intimate concert experience with an American music icon, which will make this special eight-day Crossing that much more memorable.”
As a recording and touring artist, Taylor has set a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired. His warm baritone is among the most recognized voices in popular music, and his distinctive style of guitar-playing has been enormously influential. Over the course of his celebrated song-writing and performing career, James Taylor has sold over 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for classics ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to October Road in 2002.
James Taylor has won multiple Grammy awards over his career and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame. Most recently, Taylor was awarded the distinguished Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government and the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony. He was also one of a select few music artists who performed for both of Obama’s inaugurations.
“I’ve always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe, and in June 2009 we got the chance to do that. It’s such a civilized way to go, and Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel,” Taylor said.
He added, “In 2009, we realized a collective dream using that passage to transport and rehearse for our European summer tour: band, crew and family — kit and caboodle. Now, in 2014, I am looking forward to celebrating the ship’s 10th Anniversary alongside her crew, staff and guests by performing two on board concerts as my band and I make our next European passage. Hallelujah, no jet lag!”
James Taylor is part of Cunard’s illustrious history of hosting famed entertainers with peerless cachet. Legendary notables such as Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant and Clark Gable frequently crossed the Atlantic on Cunard’s earlier Queens, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth; and since Queen Mary 2’s debut nearly ten years ago, in addition to Taylor, the ship has welcomed musical notables such as jazz legend Dave Brubeck, Rod Stewart and Lenny Kravitz.
For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, contact your Travel Agent, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-728-6273, or go to www.cunard.com
Guests on board the new Carnival Magic try out SkyCourse, the first-ever ropes course at sea in which participants can traverse suspended cables with views 150 feet to the sea below. The course is part of an expansive outdoor recreation area on the ship called SportSquare. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line in the world, annually sailing more families, more seniors and more everything in-between than any other cruise line on the planet. One of a host of nicely differentiated Carnival Corporation brands, Carnival Cruise Lines recently positioned their latest effort, Carnival Sunshine at the port of New Orleans, adding a second ship sailing from the Big Easy. Right now, across the board, for any cruise traveler, a Carnival cruise is a best value vacation.
Coming Off A Round Of Negative Publicity
A while ago, it was as though Mr Bad Luck had Carnival’s number and was calling frequently. But from technical problems with Carnival vessels has come a comprehensive fleet review and implementation of what will be an industry-leading ship maintenance program that goes as far as pollution scrubbers that have environmentalists drooling.
Also coming off that round of negative publicity: fabulous fares. Don’t expect them to last forever but right now, Carnival has some of the lowest prices offered in recent memory.
Past Guests Almost Always Come Out Better– Carnival almost always has a deal for their VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) passengers that brings a lower price and the maximum in-category upgrade
Military Members Honored Year-Round- What other cruise lines offer from time to time to fill up ships, Carnival has all the time. Discounted rates for those who serve or have served are some of the lowest offered.
Highly- Discounted Third/Fourth guest rates- While all cruise lines discount third/fourth guests in a cabin, Carnival’s discount is more generous. Only Costa Cruises (where kids sail free) discounts more than Carnival.
Everyday Low Prices- Booking at the last minute, cruise travelers can find low rates on a number of lines. Looking at Carnival pricing, day in and day out, we find the lowest fares when looked at on a $ per person, per day view.
Got Kids? Carnival Has You Covered
Carnival Cruise Line’s award-winning youth program that includes branded age-appropriate experiences for different age groups continues to evolve. Camp Carnival offers tons of activities designed for children in three different age groups: 2 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, and 9 to 11 years.
Hate Kids? Carnival Has You Covered
Adults only areas of the ship are quiet or have the sounds of others having fun masked by fountains, walls and location.
On The Verge Of Something Big
Coming up next month, Carnival will launch a new initiative, said to be a follow up to their re-defining Funship 2.0 initiative. Stay tuned on that. A big announcement coming up in December should tell the story and we’ll bring you that information as it happens.
