Lindblad's Nat'l Geographic Explorer Charts European Adventures This Summer

Sven-Olof Lindblad, president of Lindblad Expeditions, writes compelling letters. Like many of you, I'm on Lindblad's mailing list and every so often I receive a brochure with a letter penned by Mr. Lindblad himself. His missives are always persuasive and he crafts the letter to dovetail with a special offer that makes it really difficult to say "no" to an upcoming expedition adventure.

His May 15th letter introduces us to the 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer and her summertime European itineraries. He talks about visiting Europe "through the front door" from the sea. I agree when he says that it's a magical way to see Europe.

"It's different sailing into a harbor, watching a city's skyline unfold in front of you, than entering by bus from the airport."

That is so true!

Lindblad goes on to say that "at the end of the day, what's perhaps most important is the camaraderie that so naturally develops on the National Geographic Explorer between, frankly, the most intersting guests on the planet, a most engaging staff of historians, naturalists, and just plan raconteurs, and a crew that is really enjoying their new ship and would love to have you join them."

If only I had some more time to devote to vacations this year! Lindblad is promoting two excellent European itineraries right now that include free air and $2,000 in cruise fare savings.

European Odyssey: A Passage Through Centuries of Culture & History
September 27, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer

• 9/27: depart the U.S. for Copenhagen, Denmark
• 9/28: arrive in Copenhagen
• 9/29: Lubeck, Germany
• 9/30: Transit the Kiel Canal
• 10/1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 10/2: Oostende, Belgium (Bruges)
• 10/3: Bayeux, France
• 10/4: Cherbourg, France (Normandy D-Day Beaches)
• 10/5: St. Malo and Mont-St. Michel, France
• 10/6: at sea
• 10/7: Ile D'Aix and La Rochelle, France
• 10/8: La Cote Basque, France
• 10/9: Bilbao, Spain
• 10/10: La Coruna/Santiago De Compostela
• 10/11: Islas Cies and Bayona
• 10/12: Oporto, Portugal
• 10/13: Lisbon, Portugal

Exploring the Baltic's Historic Waterways
September 5 and 13*, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer
*travels from St. Petersburg to Copenhagen

• Day 1: fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
• Day 2: Copenhagen
• Day 3: Lubeck, Germany
• Day 4: Christianso & Bornholm Islands, Denmark
• Day 5: Gdansk, Poland
• Day 6: at sea
• Day 7: Riga, Latvia
• Day 8: Visby, Gotland, Sweden
• Day 9: Stockholm, Sweden
• Day 10: Stockholm Archipelago
• Day 11: Tallinn, Estonia
• Day 12: Helsinki, Finland
• Day 13–15: St. Petersburg, Russia
• Optional Moscow extension is available

If you book the September 5th Baltic voyage, you'll sail with Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society, and his wife Wiley.

For more information about these voyages, talk with your travel agent or contact Lindblad Expeditions at 1-(800) 397-3348.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and copyright Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

Want to Learn Italian?
Enter to Win a Rosetta Stone Language Program

Rosetta Stone offers programs to help you learn 31 languages, including Italian, French, German, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, and many others. Rosetta Stone is giving away one language program, Italian Level 1, to one lucky blog reader. Enter to win here.

Check Out Crystal Cruises' Redesigned Website

Crystal Cruises launched its redesigned website yesterday. If you haven't already visited, please do so soon.

You'll find a lush design that's accentuated with gorgeous photography of Crystal's ships and ports of call.

The cool blues and greens are easy on the eyes and you'll find yourself clicking to all sorts of information, including:

• in-depth destination information
  
  
• shore excursion descriptions
  
  
• tours of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony
  
  
• live webcam views—bridge, port, starboard, and computer lab—from both ships
  
  
• Crystal Guidebook that includes all the pre-cruise planning information you'll need

Visit Crystal's website, call them at 1-(888) 722-0021, or follow them on Twitter.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Want to Learn Italian?
Enter to Win a Rosetta Stone Language Program

Rosetta Stone offers programs to help you learn 31 languages, including Italian, French, German, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, and many others. Rosetta Stone is giving away one language program, Italian Level 1, to one lucky blog reader. Enter to win here.

Menu: Prime 7 Steakhouse—Regent Voyager & Mariner

If you're sailing with Regent Seven Seas Cruises this summer aboard either Voyager or Mariner, you'll be one of the first to sample the new dining venue Prime 7. This intimate steakhouse serves USDA Prime dry-aged beef, along with seafood, lamb, pork, and chicken.

With its muted tones and rich leather chairs, you'll feel as if you're dining at an exclusive club.

The restaurant is only open for dinner and you'll need reservations.

Appetizers

• Ahi Tuna Tartare—Haricot verts, black olives, tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, and herbs
• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail—Fresh poached, chilled shrimp served with citrus cocktail sauce
• Jumbo Lump Crab Cake—Lump blue crab meat with Southwest slaw and roasted pepper sauce
• Foie Gras Slider with Rhubarb Chutney—Port wine jus, onion basil roll
• Oysters Rockefeller—Spinach, Morney sauce
• Combination of Three Steak Tartare—Classic, oriental, and veal
• Portabella Mushrooms—Roasted red bell pepper and fresh goat cheese

Soups and Salads

• Clam Chowder—Smoked bacon and Massachusetts clams
• French Onion Soup Gratinee—Gruyere cheese
• Hearts of Romaine Caesar (prepared table side)—Anchovies, herbed croutons, and Parmesan cheese
• Chop House Salad—Mesclun greens, bumber, tomato, bell pepper, sweet onion, fresh bacon, and hearts of palm
• Beefsteak Tomato and Red Onion—Fresh basil and aged balsamic

Featured Prime Steaks

• USDA Prime New York Strip (12 oz.)
• USDA Prime Porterhouse Steak (32 oz.)—carved table side for two people
• "Cote de Boeuf" USDA Primte Bone-in Rib Steak (18 oz.)
• American Wagyu Chopped Beef Steak (10 oz.)—with smothered onions and mushrooms
• USDA Prime Filet Mignon (6 or 10 oz.)
• Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef—with fresh grated horseradish
• "Our Signature" Surf and Turf—6 oz. filet mignon with one of your favorite seafoods (6 oz. of lobster tail or Alaskan king crab legs)

Sauces

• Bearnaise
• Steakhouse Barbecue Sauce
• Shallot-Red Wine Bordelaise
• Armagnac and Green Peppercorn

Lamb

• New Zealand Double Cut Lamb Chops (10 oz.)

Pork

• Double cut "Kurobuta" Berksheire Pork Chop (14 oz.)—Natural, hormone-free Berkshire pork

Veal

• Center Cut Milk-Fed Veal Rib Chop (16 oz.)

Poultry

• Oven Roasted Organic Half Chicken—cooked in a cast iron skillet

Seafood and Fish Specialties

• Alaskan King Crab Legs (2 lbs.)—served with drawn butter
• Whole Main Lobster—served with lemon and drawn butter
• Dover Sole—Caper and lemon sauce
• Day Boat Special

Main Course Salad

• Salad Monte Cristo—Lobster, asparagus, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, hearts of Boston lettuce, mustard-mayonnaise

Side Dishes

• Twice Baked Potato—Sweet butter, sour creatm, crumbled bacon, and scallions
• Sauteed Potatoes Lyonnaise
• Cheddar Yukon Gold Mash
• Truffle Fries
• Vegetable Rice
• Creamed Spinach
• Baked Sweet Corn Casserole
• String Beans with Onions—sun-dried tomatoes and bacon
• Sauteed Wild Mushrooms
• Asparagus with Truffle Butter
• Steamed Broccoli with Lemon Aioli
• Crispy Onion Rings

For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises, talk with your travel agent or visit Regent's website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo of Prime 7 courtesy of Regent Seven Seas. Special thanks to Marcie of LuxuryCruiseTalk.com for posting this menu.

Looking for More Cruise Ship Restaurant Menus?

LuxuryCruiseBible.com archives menus from many restaurants aboard luxury cruise ships. Click here for more restaurant menus and feel free to send us any that aren't already listed.

Want to Learn Italian?
Enter to Win a Rosetta Stone Language Program

Rosetta Stone offers programs to help you learn 31 languages, including Italian, French, German, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, and many others. Rosetta Stone is giving away one language program, Italian Level 1, to one lucky blog reader. Enter to win here.

8 New Windstar Foremast Club Sailings in Europe

If you've sailed Windstar Cruises before, you know the line offers some generous discounts to alumni. Right now they've reduced the cruise fare for eight additional European cruises. These fares are excellent so if you haven't yet made plans for this summer or fall, you may want to consider these:

July 4, 2009 aboard Wind Star
Athens (Piraeus), Milos, Rethymnon, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, at sea, Venice
From $999 per person

July 18, 2009 aboard Wind Star
Venice, Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, at sea, Katakolon, Gythion, Athens (Piraeus)
From $999 per person

July 18, 2009 aboard Wind Spirit
Venice (overnight), Koper, Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, at sea, Venice
From $999 per person

August 15, 2009 aboard Wind Star
Istanbul, at sea, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Bodrum, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens (Piraeus)
From $1,199 per person

September 20, 2009 aboard Wind Surf
Rome (Civitavecchia), Ischia, Amalfi, at sea, Livorno, Monte Carlo (overnight), Nice
From $1,199 per person

October 24, 2009 aboard Wind Star
Rome (Civitavecchia), Ischia, Porto-Vecchio, Adaccio, at sea, Mahon, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona
From $999 per person

October 31, 2009 aboard Wind Spirit
Rome (Civitavecchia), Ischia, Porto-Vecchio, Ajaccio, at sea, Mahon, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona
From $999 per person

November 2, 2009 aboard Wind Surf
Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Almeria, Malaga, Gibraltar, at sea, Lisbon
From $999 per person

Yes, Windstar has been in the news lately because it's selling off its non-Windstar assets. And yes, the company did acknowledge that they are working hard to infuse cash into Windstar Cruises. They've also disclosed that April was a terrific month for bookings and they are aggressively marketing their itineraries to eager travelers.

I personally love the Windstar brand and would not hesitate to cruise with them this summer. I would, however, purchase travel insurance. (My feeling is if you buy insurance, nothing bad will happen!)

To book any of these Foremast Club discounts, talk with your travel agent or call Windstar Cruises at 1-(800) 258-7245.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo of Gibraltar courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

Want to Learn Italian?
Enter to Win a Rosetta Stone Language Program

Rosetta Stone offers programs to help you learn 31 languages, including Italian, French, German, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, and many others. Rosetta Stone is giving away one language program, Italian Level 1, to one lucky blog reader. Enter to win here.

Last Chance to Sail Antarctica With Crystal

In April I wrote about possible upcoming limits on cruise itineraries to Antarctica. The cruise lines are taking this seriously and many are taking the region off their schedules in 2011. Crystal Cruises has announced that the Symphony's December 20th sailing will be the last chance to sail this line to Antarctica.

Antarctica Holiday

• December 20—Buenos Aires, Argentina
• December 21—Buenos Aires, Argentina
• December 22—Montevideo, Uruguay
• December 23—Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean
• December 24—Puerto Madryn, Argentina
• December 25—Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean
• December 26—Falkland Islands/Port Stanley, U.K.
• December 27—Cruising the Drake Passage
• December 29–30—Cruising Antarctica
• December 31—Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean
• January 1—Cruising Cape Horn / Ushuaia, Argentina
• January 2—Ushaia, Argentina
• January 3—Punta Arenas, Chile
• January 4–5—Cruising the Chilean Fjords
• January 6—Puerto Montt, Chile
• January 7—Cruising the South Pacific Ocean
• January 8—Valparaiso, Chile

This is an interesting itinerary since you embark in South America where it's summer and then cruise to the land of snow and ice that is Antarctica. In addition, you'll experience Crystal's holiday decorations, celebrations, and special dinners. (Over $100,000 worth of seasonal decorations will adorn Crystal Symphony during the holidays.)

Cruise fares start at $8,995 per person, double occupancy.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Crystal Cruises' website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Seabourn Odyssey: Cruise Booklet Arrives & We Start Planning

When we returned from Maui on Monday night, there was a huge stack of mail waiting for us. I dug right in because I knew there must be something from Seabourn buried in the pile: our personalized information booklet for our Seabourn Odyssey cruise!

Prior to leaving for Hawaii, we booked the July 18th sailing from Istanbul, Turkey to Athens, Greece. This will be Odyssey's third voyage of her maiden season and we are really looking forward to making her acquaintance!

What intrigues me about Seabourn Odyssey is the fact that, at 32,000 tons, she will cater to 450 guests in a space that could easily hold many more passengers. The guest-to-space ratio is excellent.

Toss in her spacious suites—90 percent with balconies—and the all-inclusive/no-tipping-necessary policy and it starts to add up to something special.

The itinerary for the Aegean Odyssey cruise is:

• Istanbul, Turkey
• Dikili, Turkey
• Kusadasi, Turkey (for Ephesus)
• Bodrum, Turkey
• Santorini, Greece
• Amorgos, Greek Isles
• Navplion, Greece
• Piraeus, Greece (for Athens)

We're ironing out plans for our pre- and post-cruise stays in Turkey and Greece now. I'll report more on our trip as our plans are finalized. —Andrea M. Rotondo

Contest: Win Rosetta Stone Italian Language Program

One day you're at the office working and the next you’re cruising the Italian Rivera. While some jetsetters may only know how to ask “where is the bathroom?” in a variety of different dialects, wouldn't it be helpful if you could converse more fluently in a foreign language?

Luckily, you no longer need to sit through hours of classes or struggle with an English-to-Whatever translation dictionary to grasp a solid understanding of a new native tongue.

Offering 31 different language options, Rosetta Stone provides an immersive environment that recreates the instinctive language learning experience in which we learned our first language Additionally, the easy-to-use software and addictive quality of Rosetta Stone helps users stay engaged and facilitates success. Rosetta Stone easily expands a person’s knowledge of the country’s native tongue and enhances the overall travel experience.

Between the time the trip is booked and bags are packed, Rosetta Stone software will teach you key phrases in the foreign language of your choice and add a whole new layer to your upcoming adventure. Or, for the ambitious cruise aficionado, Rosetta Stone and it’s Audio Companion for iPod can fit in between sunning on the deck and dancing in the evening for great on-the-go practice.

Enter to Win Rosetta Stone's Italian Level 1 Language Program

One lucky reader will be randomly chosen from all entries to win Rosetta Stone's Italian Level 1 language program. Contest starts midnight May 21 and ends Sunday, July 5 at 11:59 pm. Contest is restricted to residents of the United States.

How to Enter

There are three ways to enter to win:

• Simply subscribe to the e-mail feed of this blog by typing your e-mail address in the 'Subscribe' box at the upper right of this blog's homepage. (You must confirm and activate your subscription in order to be considered a "subscriber.") OR...
  
  
• Add a comment to any post. If you decide to leave a comment, you'll need to include your e-mail address so I may make contact if you are the winner. OR...
  
  
• Follow me on Twitter: @luxcruisebible

So, take a chance and enter today! I'll remind you to enter again between now and the contest end date of July 5 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

And, if you just can't wait to see if you're a winner, you can order Rosetta Stone language programs now.

Crystal Cruises Invites Young Artists to Perform This Summer

Crystal Cruises has always been a staunch supporter of the arts but they've just gone a step further by partnering with the Music Center—Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County. The new program is dubbed the "Emerging Artists Experiences of Discovery."

This summer, in conjunction with the Music Center's Spotlight Awards program, select Crystal Cruises voyages will feature performances by this year's grand prize finalists. According to the Music Center's website, the mission of the Spotlight Awards is "to provide a supportive environment in which high school students can develop the skills needed to pursue their artistic dreams, with an emphasis on self-esteem, preparation and perseverance."

Over 2,000 high school students audition each year for this coveted award that includes ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental, and jazz instrumental. These young artists, most still just teenagers, specialize in music and dance of all types. Three performers per voyage will entertain passengers.

This summer's lineup includes:

June 30, Crystal Symphony—Stockholm to Copenhagen

• Garret Lang, Jazz Bassist
• Kelsey Porter, Vocalist
• Melinda Sullivan, Tap Dancer

July 28, Crystal Serenity—Venice to Athens

• Athena Sterig, Contemporary Dancer
• U-Jung Jung, Classical Pianist
• Anna Schubert, Soprano

September 14, Crystal Serenity—Istanbul to Venice

• Julia Metzler, Mezzo-soprano
• Phillip Golub, Jazz Pianist
• Timo Nunez-Bellamy, Flamenco Dancer

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with The Music Center and Spotlight Awards to present such an astounding caliber of talent aboard Crystal Cruises,” says Christopher Escamilla, senior production coordinator, entertainment. “With the world’s most fascinating cultural centers as a backdrop, Crystal guests will be introduced to some of the best as-yet-unknown talent.”

Crystal’s Europe Celebration cruise fares begin at $4,245 per person, double occupancy, plus up to $1,000 per person shipboard spending credit to customize one’s vacation.

For more information or Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent or call (888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Need a Visa for Travel This Summer? Delta Will Give You 1k SkyMiles

Many of us have international travel plans this summer that will require a visa. (I'll need one for my pre-cruise land tour of Turkey prior to boarding Seabourn Odyssey in July.)

Consider CIBT if you're planning on using a visa/passport service to process your paperwork. By clicking to their website through Delta's special link, you'll receive a 30 percent discount on visa services plus 1,000 Delta SkyMiles.

Don't forget to enter your Delta SkyMiles number on the online order form in order to receive your bonus miles. —Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Lunch at Mama's Fish House on Maui's North Shore

When you next visit Maui's North Shore, you absolutely must dine at Mama's Fish House. It's been a family-owned island institution since 1973 when the Christenson family set up shop. It's truly one of the finest restaurants we've encountered in our travels around the world. We love this place because the food is spectacular (the freshest of ingredients are served), the setting is gobstoppingly gorgeous (right on a white sand beach), and the service is attentive and friendly. (The family also operates an inn on the same premises.)

Executive chef Perry Bateman fuses ethnic Hawaiian recipes with German, Tahitian, and Asian influences to create something unique. While the menu at Mama's changes daily, here are a few favorite dishes that may be available when you visit:

• Ono & Ahi in a Coconut—Tahitian Style
  Ono and ahi marinated in coconut milk, lime, tomato, Maui onion, cumber, and cilantro served in a coconut with breadfruit crisps
  
  
• Seared Beef Polynesian
  With tomato, Maui onion, garlic, and cilantro and served in a grilled ripe papaya with olive oil and Kula lime juice
  
  
• Mahimahi
  Caught by DeWitt Lickle along the North Shore of Maui, the mahimahi is stuffed with lobster, crab, and Maui onion and is based in a macadamia nut crust
  
  
• Crispy Kalua Duck
  With Mango-mui glaze and baby bok choy
  
  
• Polynesian Black Pearl
  Chocolate mousse and Liliko'i cream in a pastry seashell

Mama's is not inexpensive, but it certainly is worth it. We highly recommend Mama's on Maui!

Here are some photos of the veritable feast we enjoyed last week at this excellent restaurant:

Ginger Bisque

Seared Ahi Tuna

Shrimp Wontons

Kula Tomato and Maui Onion Salad

Macadamian Nut-Crusted Pork and Grilled Shrimp

Opa

Mango Sorbet and Vanilla Ice Cream

Polynesian Black Pearl Chocolate Dessert

Polynesian Black Pearl Chocolate Dessert

Where: Mama's Fish House is located at 799 Poho Place in Paia, right off the Hana Highway near Kalholo Place.

When: Mama's is open for lunch daily, 11:00 am to 3:45 pm. Dinner is served from 4:15 pm to closing.

Reservations: Call (808) 579-8488 between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm HST, or reserve your table online.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photos courtesy of Leonard Hospidor

Feast at Lele: Fantastic Luau on Maui

Last night we enjoyed dinner at one of the best luaus on Maui: Feast at Lele. Leonard and I attended this luau the last time we were on Maui and really enjoyed it. The setting on Lahaina Beach is stunning at sunset, the multi-course meal highlighting the food of Polynesia was scrumptious, and the dancing was beautiful.

Unlike some of the other popular luaus on Maui that have "mat" seating (yes, you sitting on a mat on the ground), Feast at Lele features all table seating. The experience is akin to a supper club. A bit more expensive than other options, but perfect for honeymoons and those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. This luau is geared more toward adults. Young families may be better off at the Old Lahaina Luau.

Menu

• Traditional Polynesia Staples
  Banana, taro, and sweet potato chips served with a tropical ginger and ogo seaweed salsa
  
  
• First Course from Hawaii
  Imu roasted kalua pig, pohole ferns and heart of palm salad, fresh island fish with mango sauce, and poi
  
  
• Second Course from New Zealand
  Sea bean duck salad with poha berry dressing, kuku patties (Maori fishcake with mussels, salmon, and scallops), and haror kumara (roasted mushrooms, sweet potato, and garlic)
  
  
• Third Course from Tahiti
  Fafa (steamed chicken and taro leaf in coconut milk), E-iaota-Poisson Cru, and baked scallops on the shell
  
  
• Fourth Crouse from Samoa
  Supasui (grilled steak), Palusami (breadfruit with taro leaf and coconut cream), and shrimp and avocado with lilikoi
  
  
• Fifth Course: Desserts
  Carmel Mac nut tart topped with fruited cocout pudding (Haupia), Hawaiian chocolate turffles, and exotic fruits

Feast at Lele Bar Menu

• Mai Tai—light and dark rum with orange and pineapple juise
• Pina Colada—light rum, coconut cream and pineapple juise
• Banana Madness—rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, banana, and Irish liqueur
• Lava Flow—a pina colada with banana and strawberry swirl
• Island Iced Tea—mango iced tea with juices and orange liqueur
• Blue Hawaii—light rum, orange juice, sweet and sour, and soda with dark rum float
• Beers—Heineken, Steinlager, Hinano (Tahitian beer), Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, O'Doul's (non-alcoholic)
• Wines—chardonnay, white zinfandel, sauvignon blanc, cabernet, merlot, pinot noir, sparking wine
• Liquors—Smirnoff vodka, Gordons gin, Jose Vuervo tequila, Grants scotch, and Jim Beam whiskey.

Where: On the beach at 505 Front Street, Lahaina.

When: Nightly. Start time changes depending on the time of year but you usually sit down to dinner around sunset.

Reservations: Call 1-866-244-5353.

Photo courtesy of Leonard Hospidor

Kahana Village on Maui's West Side

Maui continues to astound us as we travel from one side of the island to the other while updating Thomas Cook's Travellers Hawaii and HotSpots Hawaii guidebooks. The work is not as glamorous as you might think. A lot of time is spent visiting attractions, restaurants, and shops—checking hours of operation, prices, specialties, and more. There is a LOT to see and do here on Maui so I apologize for not blogging more often.

After departing the Sheraton Maui, we checked into Unit 22 of Kahana Village. This two-bedroom oceanfront condo has exceeded our expectations. It's one of the few condos (anywhere) that we've booked that looks even better in person than in the photographs.

This is a terrific location with direct beach access, a nice (shallow) pool, and cabana area with gas grills. I'll tell you more about this excellent property in future posts, but for now I'll leave you with these photos of the unit itself:






Photos courtesy of Leonard Hospidor

Seabourn Odyssey Heads to Her Sea Trials

If you aren't following Seabourn's blog, visit today to read about Odyssey's upcoming sea trials. She moved from the Mariotti fitting-out berth to dry dock in Genoa, Italy. From there, she'll begin her sea trials to make sure she's ready for her maiden voyage.

Odyssey, I look forward to making your acquaintance on July 18. Meet me in Istanbul!

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of the Yachts of Seabourn

Don't Miss Our New Contest!

Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn. Simply comment on any post in this blog (include your e-mail address), subscribe to have blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail in-box, or follow me on Twitter. Learn more about the contest here.

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.

Hula & Cliff Diving at Sheraton Maui Resort

This morning we checked out of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. While we only spent a few days at this property, we really enjoyed it. The West Maui location—at Black Rock—is hard to beat. The beach here is excellent for snorkeling and you'll be constantly entertained by the cliff divers who are drawn to Black Rock itself.

Saturday nights at the Sheraton are laid back with Hawaiian music and dance followed by the sunset cliff diving ceremony. The official cliff diver scaled the rocks, lit torch in hand, and then threw his torch and lei into the sea as an "offering." Then, he executed a perfect dive into the water below.

Immediately after he jumped, a group of locals did a "domino" jump...one after another jumped off the cliff in quick succession. Loads of applause from all us beachcombers followed! For so many, cliff diving is an invigorating pastime here in Hawaii. It would be my worst nightmare! I don't think I would want to climb Black Rock itself... much less jump off it!

For those who don't want to spend all day on the beach, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa also has a wonderful pool and whirlpool.

We enjoyed our stay and would definitely return. —Andrea M. Rotondo

Photos courtesy of Leonard Hospidor

Don't Miss Our New Contest!

Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn. Simply comment on any post in this blog (include your e-mail address), subscribe to have blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail in-box, or follow me on Twitter. Learn more about the contest here.

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.

Book a Mother's Day Cruise for 2010

The gift of travel is one of the most thoughtful ways to show Mom how much you love, respect, and admire her. Family travel allows for downtime to reminisce about the past while creating new memories to share. From relaxing transatlantic voyages to active treks to the Galapagos, consider booking a cruise for Mother's Day 2010 and surprising Mom with the good news today. (Mother's Day falls on May 9 in 2010.)

Here are some luxury cruise itineraries that would be a perfect Mother's Day gift:

Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
April 26–May 12, 2010
Singapore • Cruising the Strait of Malacca • Phuket (Thailand) • Cruising the Andaman Sea • Yangon/Rangoon (Myanmar) • Cruising the Andaman Sea • Cruising the Bay of Bengal • Cruising the Indian Ocean • Cochin • Cruising the Arabian Sea • Mumbai/Bombay (India) • Cruising the Arabian Sea • Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Endeavour
May 7–16, 2010
Guayaquil (Ecuador) • Floreana • Isabela • Fernandina • Santa Cruz • Bartolome • Santiago • Espanola • Baltra (Galapogos) • Guayaquil (Ecuador)

Paul Gauguin Cruises
m/s Paul Gauguin
May 8–16, 2010
Papeete, Tahiti • Moorea • Bora Bora • at sea • Aitutaki • Rarotonga (Cook Islands) • at sea • Vava'u (Tonga) • at sea • Savusavu • Savu • Malolo Island • Lauotoka (Fiji)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Mariner
May 4–14, 2010
Istanbul (Turkey) • Mykonos (Greece) • Kusadasi (Turkey) • Santorini • Katakolon • Corfu (Greece) • Dubrovnik • Korcula (Croatia) • Koper (Solvenia) • Venice (Italy)

SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream II
May 7–15, 2010
Malaga • Valencia • Barcelona (Spain) • Sete • Cassis • St. Tropez • Antibes (France) • Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Silversea
Silver Shadow
April 28–May 13, 2010
Fort Lauderdale • at sea (two days) • Santa Marta • Cartagena (Colombia) • Panama Canal (Panama) • at sea • Puntarenas (Costa Rica) • at sea (two days) • Acapulco • at sea • Cabo San Lucas (Mexico) • at sea (two days) • Los Angeles

Yachts of Seabourn
Seabourn Odyssey
May 8–15, 2010
Piraeus (Athens) • Mylos • Rhodes • Patmos • Khylos (Greece) • Kusadasi (Euphesus) • Cruising the Dardandelles • Istanbul (Turkey)

For more information, visit each cruise line's website or talk with your travel agent. Happy Mother's Day!

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Video: Checking In to Sheraton Maui Today

Well, we've got our bags packed. Our puppy sitters have arrived and our car service to JFK should be here in a moment. This morning we're heading for Maui, Hawaii. I'm on assignment updating Thomas Cook's Travellers Hawaii and HotSpots Hawaii guidebooks for the European market. I'll also be writing a few articles for some of my regular magazine and website clients. I'll post more about that after our trip.

We've booked award seats on American Airlines and the flights are packed. Let's hope for clear, safe skies and an uneventful trip to Hawaii!

Upon landing this evening we'll grab a rental car and make our way to Lahaina and the Sheraton Maui Resort on Kaanapali Beach.

Click below to watch a video about the Sheraton Maui.

We won't arrive to the hotel until late this evening, but I hope to post then. Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter this week as I'll be tweeting throughout our Hawaiian trip.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Don't Miss Our New Contest!

Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn. Simply comment on any post in this blog (include your e-mail address), subscribe to have blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail in-box, or follow me on Twitter. Learn more about the contest here.

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.

Seabourn Summer: Greece & Turkey with Odyssey

While I'm packing my bags for Maui today, my mind is already on my next scheduled cruise. We'll be sailing Seabourn's newest ship, the 450-passenger Odyssey. We won't be on her two-week maiden voyage—our dogs will never forgive us if we keep leaving them for several weeks at a time! Instead, we're awaiting confirmation on reservations for a 7-night Istanbul to Athens run in July.

I'll be blogging and tweeting each day from ports of call including:

• Istanbul, Turkey
• Dikili, Turkey
• Kusadasi, Turkey
• Bodrum, Turkey
• Santorini, Greece
• Amorgos, Greece
• Navplion, Greece
• Athens, Greece

In addition, I'll post extensive photo albums and video clips from photographer Leonard Hospidor. I'll blog more about our Seabourn plans after returning from Maui. But if you'd like to learn more about Seabourn, talk with your travel agent or visit Seabourn's website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo of Istanbul's Blue Mosque courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

Don't Miss Our New Contest!

Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn. Simply comment on any post in this blog (include your e-mail address), subscribe to have blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail in-box, or follow me on Twitter. Learn more about the contest here.

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.

New Seabourn Odyssey Pictures

Surf over to Seabourn's blog for some new photos of the soon-to-be sailing Seabourn Odyssey. She's a beauty!

In addition to the photos, they've got a great countdown clock for those of you who are sailing on the maiden voyage.

You can also find a photo slideshow featuring Odyssey at CruiseCritic.com. It's paired with an interesting article by CC's UK correspondent, Sue Bryant.

For more information about the ship, visit Seabourn's mini-website devoted to the Odyssey.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo of Odyssey's penthouse suite courtesy of Seabourn

Contest: Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn

Ready for another contest giveaway? Here it is. Do you love truffles? How about popcorn? Well, Susan Rice Truffle Products has found a way to combine the two in a salty gourmet snack called, you guessed it, truffled popcorn.

Charlie's Truffled Popcorn is available at the Susan Rice Truffle Products website and select Whole Foods stores (call 512-477-4455 to determine the store nearest you). A 1-ounce bag costs $5 and a 3-ounce bag is $8.

This snack starts with air-popped white corn and then it's sprinkled with black Perigord truffles (fungi). While most Perigord truffles grow in France, Susan Rice is actually growing them right here in America on a farm in North Carolina. Rice, owner of the Black Diamond French Truffles, Inc., in Pinehurst hopes to make the truffle a less expensive and more mainstream food experience. French Perigord truffles can cost $90 an ounce. With U.S. cultivation, Rice hopes to bring that cost down so more Americans can enjoy these aromatic delicacies.

In addition to Charlie's Truffled Popcorn, other products available for purchase include truffle oils; salts and seasonings; truffle pasta; fresh, frozen, and canned truffles; and gift baskets.

Enter to Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn

• One lucky reader will be randomly chosen from all entries to win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn.
• Contest starts midnight May 4 and ends Tuesday, May 19 at 11:59 pm.
• Contest is restricted to residents of the United States.

How to Enter
There are three ways to enter to win:

1. Simply subscribe to the e-mail feed of this blog by typing your e-mail address in the 'Subscribe' box at the upper right of this blog's homepage. (You must confirm and activate your subscription in order to be considered a "subscriber.") OR...
   
   
2. Add a comment to any post. If you decide to leave a comment, you'll need to include your e-mail address so I may make contact if you are the winner. OR...
   
   
3. Follow me on Twitter: @luxcruisebible
   

So, take a chance and enter today! I'll remind you to enter again between now and the contest end date of May 19 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

And, if you just can't wait to see if you're a winner, you can order Charlie's Truffled Popcorn now.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Susan Rice Truffle Products

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.

Video: Active Cruises for Nature Lovers

When I think back on my favorite vacations, most tend to be the ones that focused on viewing animals or enjoying the great outdoors. Yet, if you know me, you know I'm a "princess" type that—when traveling—requires fairly spacious accommodations and excellent meals that end with a slice of chocolate cake.

It's lucky for me then that so many luxury cruise lines offer adventures that get up-close to wild animals—safely and comfortably.

Here are some videos that show off just a few luxury cruise options with a focus on nature:

American Safari Cruises
Sailing Alaska's Inside Passage and Mexico's Sea of Cortez

Lindblad Expeditions with National Geographic
Sailing Alaska, Antarctica, Artic, Baja California, Egypt's Nile River, Europe, Galapagos, and the Mediterranean

Orion Expedition Cruises
Sailing Antarctica, Australia's Kimberley Region, Melanesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia

If any of these cruises piqued your interest, talk with your travel agent or call the cruise line. Do not be afraid to go out there and experience nature and far-flung destinations. You will not be disappointed!

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Silversea Expands Its $1000 Onboard Credit

Despite all the hullabaloo about pirates in the Indian Ocean, I have a strange compulsion to visit the exotic and beautiful Seychelles. Silversea is making it really tough to resist its December 13, 2009 Mahe to Mahe itinerary. That's because the cruise line has expanded its onboard spending credit of $1,000 per cabin and it's stacked with the 50% cruise fare savings. This unusual itinerary is going for less than $2,500 per person.

Silversea had previously announced its $1000 (per cabin) onboard credit for certain summer sailing but they added an additional 37 itineraries today. They include:

• Silver Cloud: Voyages 1924, 1926–1931
  
  
• Silver Wind: Voyages 2927, 2929–2931, 2934–2938
  
  
• Silver Shadow: Voyages 3924–3931, 3933
  
  
• Silver Whisper: Voyages 4920–4923, 4925, 4927, 4928, 4933, 4934, 4936–4938

For more information, visit the "Enticing Offers" page at Silversea's website. From there you can learn about the onboard credit and 50% off promotions.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Silversea


Win a 33oz Tortuga Rum Cake. Simply comment on any post in this blog (include your e-mail address) or subscribe to have blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail in-box. Learn more about the contest here.

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.