It’s a Friday afternoon at Port Everglades and dockworkers are busy off-loading containers from a huge CCNI cargo ship that has just arrived from South America. Trucks are lined up to deliver and pick up freight. Cruise passengers are toasting on the pool deck of the Regent Seven Seas Navigator before departing for a week-long tour of the Caribbean and Mexico.
The hustle and bustle is palpable, as the growing Broward port leaps ahead to rank as the largest container cargo port in Florida in 2007, and — it expects — become the No. 1 cruise port in the world in 2011.
‘We have basically opened our eyes and said `Why not be the biggest and the best?’ ” said Port Director Phillip C. Allen.
Port Everglades is coming off one of the most successful years in its history and has big plans, despite facing challenges on economic and environmental fronts.
Topics: 'Navigator'
The organizers of the famous European Elvis Tribute Artist Championships and the website http://www.elvis.co.uk present the Elvis party cruise; the first European Elvis cruise, sailing on Royal Caribbean’s new US$450 million Freedom Class ship, the
Independence of the Seas.
Guests and performers for the Elvis Party Cruise now include:
- Ed Bonja - Elvis’ tour manager and photographer
- Karen Sue Presley - Elvis Presley’s first cousin
- Paul Larcombe - UK winner for Graceland’s search for the Ultimate Elvis and top ten world finalist in Memphis.
- Rob Kingsley - Winner of the 2008 European Championships, recently signed to Sony BMG
- Colin Paul - A dynamic Elvis vocalist and performer, a Memphis regular and highly regarded with all fans.
They are also holding the first Elvis Tribute Contest at sea. The winner receives a cash prize and a reproduction of Elvis Presley’s world famous International Gold Belt, made by the highly acclaimed Elvis costumers B & K Enterprises.
As well as the Elvis competition, showcases and special guests, the cruise also features Elvis theme nights, discos and cocktail parties, plus the chance for fans to take their vows in the presence of the King using our on-board Las Vegas style wedding chapel. The Elvis Party Cruise sails from Southampton to Cork and back, departing May 17, 2008.
Photo by gaintravel.co.uk
“Tauck World Discovery has announced a season of new itineraries. The new Tauck at Sea brochure highlights 18 itineraries covering the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Alaska and Galapagos Islands, Peru and Ecuador. And you can take your pick from Tauck’s sailing/motor yachts, expedition vessels, luxury “mid” ships and grand ocean liners.
Cruise Istanbul and the Black Sea for 11 nights, spending four nights in Istanbul and seven nights on Le Levant motor cruising yacht. Le Levant accommodates just 90 passengers offering superb dining and personalised service. Tours depart Istanbul on July 20 and 27 and August 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2007. See the Mediterranean by voyaging from Monte-Carlo to Athens for 11 nights. Spend two nights in Monte Carlo and Athens and seven nights cruising on the Regent Navigator. Destinations along the way include Sorrento, Sicily, Turkey and Greece.
Other Tauck at Sea itineraries for 2007 include a 15-night cruise/tour of Antarctica and the Falkland Islands aboard the Clipper Adventurer expedition vessel. See Alaska on the 14-night Grand Alaska cruise/tour featuring a seven-night cruise onboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner or experience the Treasures of the Aegean on a 13-night cruise/tour, which includes a seven-night cruise of the Greek islands and Turkish ports of the Aegean Sea on board Wind Star or Wind Spirit.”
Photo by TraveltheWorld
Infants and Toddlers
Disney Cruise Line
The fully equipped nurseries are a dead giveaway: Disney’s ships outperform every other major cruise line in offering services for children who are at least 12 weeks old and less than 3 years old. It’s the little details that count. Each Disney stateroom has a bathroom with a bathtub, for instance. And, as every parent knows, a bathtub is easier to use than a shower when caring for infants and toddlers.Carnival Cruise Lines
This is one of the few lines whose youth counselors change diapers when necessary. Carnival also stands out because its youth programs accept kids starting at age 2. In contrast, most programs elsewhere require that children be age 3 and fully potty trained. An added plus is that after 10 P.M. Carnival’s ships offers group babysitting for children under age 2. You can even rent strollers.Children Ages 8 to 11
Royal Caribbean
This fleet of ships offers rock walls (as opposed to boulders). The kids are harnessed in, and trained staff members hold the ropes for kids when they need to climb down. Non-climbing options include miniature-golf courses and ice-skating rinks on Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships.Princess Cruises
Older grade school children enjoy Princess’ hands-on science program, run with the help of the California Science Center. Some fun projects include dissecting squid and constructing replica roller coasters (as part of a lesson on centrifugal force). The youth program also offers plenty of group games and crafts that aren’t tied to science.Teenagers Ages 12 to 17
Royal Caribbean
The staff on this fleet wisely splits teens into two groups: ages 12 to 14 and 15 to 17. Each ship has a dedicated teen room. And six ships (Freedom, Liberty, Mariner, Navigator, Sovereign, and Majesty of the Seas) have as many as three teens-only areas: Fuel nightclub, Back Deck for outdoor sunning, and Living Room for hanging out. Activities include high-energy teen programming, such as scavenger hunts and a mock assassin game, plus outdoor facilities (especially on the cruise line’s largest ships) for surfing and playing basketball. A new popular activity is on-board surfing.Carnival
Over the past few years, this cruise line has revamped its programs for kids ages 15 to 17. As a rule, each of its ships has a dedicated room for teens called Club 02. The 1,000–1,800-square-foot room boasts high-tech sound and lighting equipment. The room also features video games and movies on large-screen plasma TVs.
Singles Travel International proudly announces their 2008 luxury cruise calendar, offering an incredible variety of travel adventures for single adults who love to travel and explore. This year’s schedule includes a transatlantic cruise on the prestigious Queen Mary 2, and trips to the Caribbean, Alaska, Norwegian Fjords on Cunard’s elegant new Queen Victoria, Greece, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey and more.
2008 Cruise Schedule:
- Double Holiday Cruise on the Queen Mary 2 (December 20, ‘07-January 3,’08) Starting at $1,999*. Cruise the holidays like a star aboard the grandest vessel afloat, visiting ports of Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas.
- New Years Eve Caribbean Cruise on the Royal Caribbean’s NEW Liberty of the Seas (December 29, ‘07-January 5, ‘08) Starting at $1,849*. Set sail from Miami, and visit RCCL’s private island in Labadee, Haiti; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
- Eastern Caribbean Cruise for those 50+ Singles on Mariner of the Seas (January 6-13) Starting at $839.00*. 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise visiting San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas.
- Cozumel Weekend Getaway Cruise for Singles in their 30s - 40s aboard the Navigator of the Seas (January 24-28) Starting at $419 including all taxes. Enjoy this 4-night, 5-day long weekend aboard the luxurious Navigator of the Seas departing from Fort Lauderdale, FL.
- Baja Weekend Getaway Cruise for 30s - 40s Singles aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas (February 29-March 3) Starting at $319 including all taxes. Set sail from L.A. aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas to Ensenada, Mexico.
- Western Caribbean Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel (March 2-8) Starting at $639*. Set sail from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Jewel sailing to Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Belize City.
- Real Estate Investor’s Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas (May 2-5) Starting at $349 including all taxes, with a FREE UPGRADE to an ocean-view cabin for the first 10 bookings! Set sail from Miami and visit RCCL’s private island of Coco Cay and Nassau, Bahamas.
Four of the best luxury romantic cruises? The following four ships have exclusive romantic getaways for taking your favorite person on a romantic cruise.
“1. SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club operates two small, all-inclusive yacht-like ships for about 110 passengers. These ships don’t have balconies, but they do have wonderfully romantic Balinese dream beds outside on the deck, which is never far from your cabin. The
SeaDream ships also have resort casual dress and a fun water sports marina. The ships are well suited for warm weather cruising, and the ambience is intimate and relaxed.
2. Silversea Cruises
The four Silversea Cruises’ ships are small, ranging in size from 296-382 passengers. Silversea features a great passenger space ratio and crew to passenger ratio, insuring lots of quiet, intimate space and great service. All the cabins are suites, and they are spacious enough that you could easily just stay in your suite the entire cruise. Like SeaDream Yacht Club, all drinks are included on the Silversea ships.
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC)
All the cabins on the Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner are suites with balconies. Like Silversea, the cabins are spacious and perfect for hiding away for a romantic cruise. The smaller Seven Seas Navigator and smaller yet Paul Gauguin also deliver the same high quality and excellent service. Although the RSSC ships are larger than the other “top romantic” cruise lines, the spaciousness and quiet atmosphere are very conducive to romantic cruising.
4. Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates three romantic sailing ships that sail the Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer. The cabins do not have balconies, but they do have wonderful beds and terrific service. These small, modern sailing ships have computerized sails and do not roll as much as traditional sailing vessels. The ships do not have much entertainment, but who needs it when you have the “love of your life” along?”
Photo by steenbeke
“As the luxury cruise market becomes an increasingly attractive investment, rumors about which lines may be up for acquisition are becoming rampant in the cruise industry. The fact that Regent Seven Seas Cruises is ripe for just such an acquisition may be one of the worst-kept secrets. Now, the rumors seem closer to reality — a report on cfo.com says
that Apollo, a private equity firm based in Purchase, New York, won an auction to acquire Regent from Minneapolis-based Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, one of the travel industry’s largest hospitality companies.
Apollo, which invests heavily in hotel organizations such as Wyndham International and Miraval (an upscale spa destination), made its first foray into the cruise arena when it acquired Oceania for $850 million in February of this year. Even more recently, it made a deal with Star Cruises to acquire half of NCL.
Regent was formed in 1992 as a result of the merger between two one-ship lines — Radisson Cruises, which contributed Radisson Diamond, and Seven Seas Cruises, which operated Song of Flower (both vessels have since been retired from the fleet). Since then, the line has grown steadily, adding Paul Gauguin in 1997, Seven Seas Navigator in 1999, Seven Seas Mariner in 2001 and Seven Seas Voyager in 2003. The cruise line was known as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises before being re-branded last year as Regent Seven Seas Cruises.”
Photo by Pierre Lesage
“Regent Seven Seas Cruises has scheduled nine Circles of Interest enrichment programs focusing on food and wine for 2008. Circles of Interest feature exclusive onboard and shore-side experiences delivered by lecturers, instructors and authorities from the fields of art, cuisine, history, environmental conservation, photography and wellness. Regent’s
food and wine Circles of Interest will be offered aboard select winter, spring, summer and fall voyages of the 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager and the 490-guest Seven Seas Navigator. Chefs from the French culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu will host “Classes Culinaires des Croiseres” programs on seven departures between Jan. 16 and Sept. 18.
Walter Scheib, White House executive chef from 1994 to 2005, will share “Presidential Secrets under the Mediterranean Sun” during a cruise to Greece, Italy and Turkey departing June 6. Cindy Pawlcyn, chef and owner of Napa Valley hot spots Mustards Grill and Cindy’s Backyard, will host a “Mediterranean Food Odyssey” departing June 21.”Presidential Culinary Secrets under the Mediterranean Sun” include “Kitchen Table Chats” that demonstrate how Scheib makes favorite presidential midnight snacks and popular items from state dinners. Scheib will also host a luncheon at the Michelin-starred Torre del Saracino restaurant in Vico Equense. Departure date is June 7 on the Seven Seas Navigator’s cruise from Piraeus to Monte Carlo.
The “Mediterranean Food Odyssey” featuring Pawlcyn will include a cooking demonstration of Mediterranean cuisine and a tasting of Italian and Corsican cheeses. Pawlcyn will also host a dinner with Chef Vedet Basaran at his Feriye restaurant in Istanbul. Departure date is June 21 on the Seven Seas Navigator’s cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Istanbul. The food and wine Circles of Interest programs cost $255 to $450 per person, exclusive of cruise fare.”
Photo by katiew
Theme cruises continue to gain in popularity, but no one perhaps does it any better on the high seas than ultra-luxurious Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The line’s enrichment programming - dubbed Circles of Interest - offers guests exclusive onboard and shore-side experiences, featuring world-class lecturers, instructors and authorities from the realms of art, cuisine, history, environmental conservation, photography and wellness.
Some of the line’s 2008 winter and summer world history offerings will be unveiled aboard the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner and the 490-guest, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator.
British naval hero Commodore Jamie Miller, will host “The Falklands Conflict,” a 19-night South America voyage departing Jan. 16 aboard Seven Seas Mariner, while Emmy Award-winning journalist and network news producer Elyse Weiner hosts “Barcelona and Florence Revealed” aboard Seven Seas Navigator’s June 14 and Aug. 16 Mediterranean departures.
Also, look for nutrition and wellness expert Dr. Oz Garcia to provide guests with customized fitness regimens and therapeutic healing techniques on two summer 2008 European departures of the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager.
“Our 2008 Circles of Interest programs continue to offer unparalleled experiences for Regent guests as they gain insight and enrich their lives through the pursuit of a wide variety of personal interests,” said Sophie Vlessing, Regent’s vice president, marketing and guest strategy.
As the luxury cruise market becomes an increasingly attractive investment, rumors about which lines may be up for acquisition are becoming rampant in the cruise industry. The fact that Regent Seven Seas Cruises is ripe for just such an acquisition may be one of the worst-kept secrets. Now, the rumors seem closer to reality — a report on cfo.com says that Apollo, a private equity firm based in Purchase, New York, won an auction to acquire Regent from Minneapolis-based Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, one of the travel industry’s largest hospitality companies.
Apollo, which invests heavily in hotel organizations such as Wyndham International and Miraval (an upscale spa destination), made its first foray into the cruise arena when it acquired Oceania for $850 million in February of this year. Even more recently, it made a deal with Star Cruises to acquire half of NCL.
Regent was formed in 1992 as a result of the merger between two one-ship lines — Radisson Cruises, which contributed Radisson Diamond, and Seven Seas Cruises, which operated Song of Flower (both vessels have since been retired from the fleet). Since then, the line has grown steadily, adding Paul Gauguin in 1997, Seven Seas Navigator in 1999, Seven Seas Mariner in 2001 and Seven Seas Voyager in 2003. The cruise line was known as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises before being re-branded last year as Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
