SeaDream I Late to San Juan Due to Engine Trouble

It's been a tough month for cruise travelers who've had to deal with ships with mechanical difficulties. First Regent Voyager had pod issues in Europe and had to cancel some itineraries, then Celebrity Century had rudder problems causing the cancellation of the October 13th Mediterranean sailing. Now this past weekend, passengers aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I had to deal with a bit of engine trouble aboard the mega-yacht.

The ship was supposed to dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the early morning hours, but didn't arrive until late afternoon. SeaDream assured passengers that the cruise line would pick up charges for airline changes and would cover overnight accommodations and meals for those needing to stay overnight.

Every ship, no matter how well maintained, may at one point or another deal with some type of mechanical failure that impacts an itinerary. Most often, the damage is minor—like arriving in port a few hours late—but sometimes entire itineraries are impacted. That's why the watch words here are "travel insurance."

I'm tackling the issue of travel insurance now for Cruise Critic. I'll let you know when my article, chock full of advice for protecting your cruise travel investment, goes online.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Island Paradise: InterContinental Bali Resort Review

The world is a beautiful place... a very big, beautiful place and it can be difficult figuring out which destinations should top your "must-visit soon" list. I had always wanted to visit Indonesia, but I was more focused on Komodo Island (to catch a glimpse of a real-life dragon) than on Bali. But, when I sat down to plan a special birthday trip for my husband, a game plan to visit Bali and Hong Kong fell perfectly into place. I will admit that it's quite a trek from New York City to Jimbaran Bay, Bali, but it was worth every single mile!

Bali is blessed with many options when it comes to luxury villas, resorts, and guest houses. For this particular trip, we selected the InterContinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran Bay. We'd had an excellent experience with the InterContinental chain in French Polynesia in May. I also had my heart set on staying at the InterContinental Hong Kong on the way home from Bali so we thought, "Why not make it a trifecta!"

The resort is ideal for first-time visitors to the island as it's just a 10-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport and is nestled between Nusa Dua and Kuta. While some travelers feel that Jimbaran Bay is too close to the airport, we liked being within walking distance of the various fish restaurants lining the beach.

See below for some photos and additional trip details. You can also read my comprehensive InterContinental Bali Resort review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com

The Balinese Pool at the InterContinental Bali
There are six swimming pools here, including the Main Pool, private Club InterContinental Pool, and the Balinese Bath Pool (pictured above).

Spa Uluwatu—Treatments Overlooking the Beach at Jimbaran Bay
The lovely on-property Spa Uluwatu also offers massages in bales at the beach's edge.

Mermaids Hold Court at the Main Pool
Several mermaid fountains hold court at the main pool at the InterContinental Bali.

The InterContinental Bali Resort Complex
Spread over nearly 35 acres, the InterContinental Bali offers three levels of accommodation: Resort Classic, Singaraja, and Club International (which also encompasses suites). With 418 rooms and suites, it's one of the larger resorts in Bali.

Unique Flora and Fauna
There's a huge lily pond that attracts birds throughout the day who are hoping to catch a meal.

Dragon Statues Adorn the Property

Beautiful Fountains and Wading Pools are a Highlight of the InterContinental Bali

Club InterContinental Pool
This pool, with a bar and several bales, is for the exclusive use of Club guests. The resort suggests that families with small children use the Main Pool or Balinese Pool instead.

Complimentary Breakfast for Club Guests
Club guests are entitled to complimentary breakfast at five different venues throughout the resort: the Club InterContinental Pool (pictured above), Club InterContinental Lounge, Taman Gita Terrace, Bella Singaraja restaurant, and in-room dining.

The Entrance to the Club InterContinental Pool
A private oasis for Club guests.

The Club Lounge
Club guests check in to the resort right here in the Club Lounge. It's also one of the venues available to them for complimentary breakfast. Drinks and snacks are available throughout the day: 6:30am–noon = breakfast; 11am–3pm = selection of juices, soft drinks, tea/coffee, and a snack menu; 3–5pm = English afternoon tea; 5–8pm = evening cocktails, wines, sparkling wines, and canapes; 8pm and onwards = late-night snacks.

Club Duplex Suite Vanity and Bathtub

Club Duplex Suite Upstairs Bedroom

Club Duplex Suite—Downstairs Living Room and Dining Room

The Club Duplex Suite with Balcony

Club Duplex Suite with a Daybed in the Downstairs Living Room

The Balinese Bath Pool is a Favorite Spot to Cool Off

The Bales at the Balinese Pool

Perfect Spot to Enjoy the Pool

We highly recommend the InterContinental Bali. The staff is friendly and accommodating, the grounds are well-kept, and the restaurants serve consistently delicious meals. This would be a perfect pre- or post-cruise home away from home and we hope to visit Bali and this resort again soon.

For more information about the InterContinental Bali Resort, talk with your travel agent or contact the resort directly at +62 361 701888.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Travel + Leisure Curated Cruises Featured This Week on American Express' Daily Wish

Each week, American Express cardholders have access to special curated sales dubbed the Daily Wish. Sometimes the items on offer are high-end electronics such as digital cameras or flat-screen TVs. This week, American Express teams with Travel + Leisure magazine to present discounted travel packages, including cruises from Windstar and Lindblad Expeditions. Each of these travel companies have received high ranks in the 2010 T+L World's Best Awards.

Here's what you can expect. Cruise fares are for two people sharing a cabin. Some of the deals are fairly competitive:

Windstar Cruises On Sale Tuesday October 5, 2010

7-Night Wind Surf Holiday Voyage
Ports: Bridgetown, Barbados; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe; St. Barts; St. Martin; St. Kitts
$2,298 all-in, cruise-only Category B for two people sharing a cabin
Available dates: December 19, 2010
Note: The total cruise fare for two people is about $950 less than prices I've seen at other online cruise discounters.

7-Night Caribbean Adventure Aboard Wind Surf
Ports: Bridgetown, Barbados; St. Kitts; St. Martin; St. Barts; Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia
$1,932 all-in, cruise-only category B for two people sharing a cabin
Available dates: November 28; December 12; January 2 & 16
Note: The total cruise fare for two people is about $825 less than prices I've seen at other online cruise discounters.

7-Night Yachtsman's Caribbean Aboard Wind Spirit
Ports: St. Martin; St. Kitts; Tortola; Jost van Dyke; Virgin Gorda; St. Barts
$2,298 all-in, cruise-only category B for two people sharing a cabin
Available dates: December 19; January 8, 15, 22, 29

7-Night Costa Rican Adventure
Ports: Puerto Caldera, San Juan Del Sur, Playas del Coco, Quepos, Bahia Drake, Curu, Tortuga Island
$2,149 all-in cruise-only category B for two people sharing a cabin
Available dates: January 15, 29; February 5, 12, 19; and March 5, 12, 19, 26

Lindblad Expeditions Cruises On Sale Wednesday, October 6, 2010

9-Night Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour
Ports: Bartolome, Santiago, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, Espanola, Santa Cruz
$5,690 all-in, cruise-only category 2 for two people sharing a cabin
Available dates: now through March 15, 2011

7-Night Costa Rica & Panama Canal Cruise Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
Ports: Panama Canal transit, Lake Gatun, Gulf of Panama Islets, Isla Coiba National Park, Panama; Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
$6,972 all-in, cruise-only Category 2 for two people sharing a cabin
Available dates: November 1, 2010–March 26, 2011

Be aware that a limited number of cabins are available at the prices listed above and you must pay for the trip with an American Express card.

For more information, visit the Daily Wish website sponsored by The American Express Network.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com