Win a Cunard Vacation from The Luxury Cruise Company

The Luxury Cruise Company (formerly White Star Cruises) is running a contest and the prize is a Cunard cruise. Here are the details:

"Win a luxury Cunard cruise for two people with White Star Cruises. Simply tell us your thoughts about any recent luxury cruises you've taken and whether you'd recommend White Star Cruises VIPs to follow in your wake by submitting a luxury cruise review.

The prize is a short round-trip cruise from Southampton on one of Cunard's 5-star liners, departing in 2012 and worth in excess of £2,000. The competition closes on 31 December 2011, so you have plenty of time to add multiple reviews to increase your chance of winning.

The winner will be picked on the number of votes, tweets and likes as well as on the views of our representatives on the White Star Cruises Judges panel. The winner will be announced in January 2012 and notified by email."

 Sharpen those pencils, write your review, and enter to win. Good luck!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Porthole Cruise Magazine Annouces 12th Annual Readers' Choice Winners

Porthole Cruise Magazine has been running its annual Readers' Choice Awards for the past 12 years and the 2010 results are now in.

The survey includes dozens of categories, but the awards are mainly geared to the mass market cruise lines. Still, luxury favorites like Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea, and Paul Gauguin Cruises get nods, as do premium cruise lines Oceania Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

And the winners are...

Best Small Ship (fewer than 500 passengers)
Seabourn Odyssey—Yachts of Seabourn

Best Medium-Sized Ship (between 500 and 2,000 passengers)
Azamara Journey—Azamara Club Cruises

Best River Cruise
Viking River Cruises

Best Luxury Line
Yachts of Seabourn

Best Expedition Cruise Line
Lindblad Expeditions

Best Eco-Friendly Cruise Line
Holland America Line

Best Shore Excursions
Holland America Line

Best Private Island
Half Moon Cay—Holland America Line

Best Megaship (at least 2,000 passengers)
Oasis of the Seas—Royal Caribbean

Best Tall Ship
Royal Clipper—Star Clippers

Best Value-for-the-Money Line
Carnival Cruise Lines

Most Family-Oriented Line
Disney Cruise Line

Most Romantic Cruise Line
Windstar Cruises

Best Short-Duration Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best One-Day Cruise
Discovery Cruise Line

Best Adventure Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean

Best Onboard Activities
Royal Caribbean

Best Main Dining Room Cuisine
Celebrity Cruises

Best Casinos
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Spa Facilities
Royal Caribbean

Best Medical Facilities
Holland America Line

Best Service
Silversea Cruises

Best Onboard International Experience
MSC Cruises

Best Adults-Only Onboard Options
Celebrity Cruises

Best Accommodations
Yachts of Seabourn

Best Onboard Educational Programs
Cunard Line

Best Alternative Restaurants
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Computer Facilities
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Onboard Shopping
Princess Cruises

Best Children's Programs
Disney Cruise Line

Best Entertainment
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Theme Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Web Site
Carnival Cruise Lines
Best Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers
Holland America Line

Best Caribbean Itineraries
Royal Caribbean

Best Mexican Riviera Itineraries
Carnival Cruise Lines

Best Central America Itineraries
Holland America line

Best South America Itineraries
Oceania Cruises

Best South Pacific Itineraries
Paul Gauguin Cruises

Best Trans-Atlantic Itineraries
Cunard Line

Best Africa/Middle East Itineraries
Costa Cruises

Best Bermuda Itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Canada/New England Itineraries
Holland America Line

Best Alaska Itineraries
Holland America Line

Best Hawaii Itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Mediterranean Itineraries
Costa Cruises

Best Northern Europe Itineraries
Holland America Line

Best Asia/Pacific Itineraries
Silversea Cruises

Best World Cruise Itineraries
Cunard Line

Best Australia/New Zealand Itineraries
Princess Cruises

To subscribe to the magazine, visit Porthole Cruise Magazine's website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Logo courtesy of Porthole Cruise Magazine

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

I admit that I've got a few obsessions in life... two of which are rock concerts and cruise vacations. In my younger days I worked for Musician magazine and spent more time at concerts than in the office. These days I'm more selective about the shows I see, but still love being in the middle of the crush as a band plays to fans who know every word of every song on the set list.

On the cruise front, I love trying new ships and have a checklist that keeps track of which ships and ports of call I still need to visit. It's little wonder then that I was daydreaming earlier today and came up with a wish list of rock concert that would be amazing if they were staged aboard luxury cruise ships.

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

1. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers aboard Paul Gauguin Cruises' m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia
   
   
2. U2 aboard the Yachts of Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn in the Norwegian Fjords
   
   
3. Jackson Browne aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit in the Mediterranean
   
   
4. Martin Sexton aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Explorer in Hawaii
   
   
5. Daniel Lanois aboard Windstar Cruises' Wind Star in Costa Rica
   
   
6. Brian Setzer Orchestra aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth for a transatlantic crossing
   
   
7. John Mayer aboard Oceania Cruises' Marina in the Caribbean
   
   
8. Jimmy Buffett aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II in the Caribbean
   
   
9. James Taylor aboard Regent Seven Seas' Voyager in New Zealand and Australia
   
   
10. Nora Jones aboard Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony in New England and Canada

Note: THIS IS JUST A DREAM LIST; these concerts (sadly) will never happen. It's just something fun to think about. Which bands would be on your cruise wish list?

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Linley Marquee Commissioned for Cunard's Forthcoming Queen Elizabeth

When you think of the grand ocean liners in Cunard's fleet, you no doubt conjure images of the gorgeous sweeping staircase that greets you upon arrival. The cruise line's forthcoming Queen Elizabeth will be no different and that sweeping staircase and central arched space challenged interior designers to find just the right piece of art to accent this important area of the ship.

"We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, a 'wow' factor in an area already full of 'wow', but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials," noted Cunard's president and managing director, Peter Shanks.

"After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a 5.6-metre (18 ft 6 in) high marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

"Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn't take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned."

To put this in perspective, the wood panel will span two-and-a-half decks and is being constructed of nine panels that include Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird's eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut, and Macassar ebony.

David Lindley, chairman of Lindley's, was proud to take on this project and said, "Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past, this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale - it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made - but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him—and others—equally proud."

Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage embarks on October 12,2010 from Southampton, England.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Cunard.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Artwork image courtesy of Cunard

January 27: Cunard Queen Victoria Day in San Francisco

This news is just in from Cunard...

Wrapping up her Expedition of the Americas segment, a part of her current world voyage, Cunard Line's Queen Victoria made her inaugural visit to San Francisco today. Welcoming her to this historic maritime port was the honourable Mayor Gavin Newsom, along with travel agents, media and local dignitaries—including the British Consul-General of San Francisco, Julian Evans. In addition, by official order of proclamation, Mayor Newsom declared today as "Cunard Queen Victoria Day" in San Francisco.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Cunard

South Africa Says "No" to QE2

Dubai World's QE2 won't end up in Cape Town, South Africa after all. That's the word this morning from an article in Maktoob Business, a Middle East news service.

Originally, the former Cunard "queen" was to have been berthed in Dubai where it would be retrofitted into a top-tier luxury hotel. When the bottom dropped out of Dubai's economy, Dubai World looked for other ways to monetize the ship. They considered sailing the ocean liner (without passengers) to Cape Town where she would welcome guests during this summer's 2010 World Cup.

South African authorities nixed the idea however when it was discovered that Dubai World actually wanted to leave the ship in country long after the end of the World Cup.

It will be interesting to see where QE2 ends up now. Stay tuned.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Nakheel

QE2 Saga Continues; Dubai World to Sell Off the Ship

Britain's Times is reporting today that Dubai World, current owner of the former Cunard QE2 will sell off the ship as part of its debt reorganization plan.

Dubai World had previously planned to turn the ship into a luxury hotel as part of its resort complex in Dubai. However, the company's $22 billion debt has put a kabosh on that plan.

There's no word yet on if potential buyers have already been lined up or not. Dubai World will also try to sell other assets, like the high-end clothing chain Barneys.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

One Year Until Maiden Voyage of Cunard's New Queen Elizabeth

The countdown has begun! In just one year Cunard's newest ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth, will set sail on her 13-night maiden voyage out of Southampton, UK. This cruise has been sold out for quite some time and there's a hefty waitlist. Cunard fans are thrilled to welcome a new Queen to the family.

Maiden Voyage Itinerary

1. Southampton, UK
   
2. At Sea
3. Vigo, Spain
   
4. Lisbon, Portugal
   
5. Cadiz, Spain
   
6. At Sea
7. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
   
8. Tenerife, Canary Islands
   
9. La Palma, Canary Islands
   
10. Madeira, Portugal
    
11. At Sea
12. At Sea
13. At Sea
14. Southampton, UK
    

Queen Elizabeth will be much like her sister ship, Queen Victoria. There will be four categories of accommodation: Britannia Stateroom, Britannia Club Balcony, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill. The Princess Grill and Queens Grill—with their private lounges, dining rooms, and priority embarkation/disembarkation—are the best bets if you're used to sailing the top luxury cruise lines. The Britannia categories are more akin to a mass market experience.

All About the New Queen Elizabeth

• Passengers: 2,092
• Guest Decks: 12
• Gross Tonnage: 90,400 tons
• Length: 964.5 feet
• Width: 106 feet
• Draft: 25.9 feet
• Height: 179 feet
• 85 % of staterooms are outside
• 71% of staterooms feature balconies
• 12% of the accommodations are Grills Suites

For more information about Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, talk with your travel agent or contact Cunard at 1-(800)-7-CUNARD.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Scattered Across the Globe: Where Are My Favorite Ships Today?

I was lucky enough to sail quite a bit this summer but as we approach the end of the season, I've still been wishing I was back at sea. That got me to thinking about where my favorite ships are right now...

American Safari's Safari Spirit is in... Juneau, Alaska

Azamara's Journey is in... La Rochelle, France

Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony is in... Invergordon, Scotland

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is in... Brooklyn (New York), NY

Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Endeavour is in... Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands

Oceania's Regatta is in... Stockholm, Sweden

Regent Seven Seas Mariner is in... Cruising Tracy Arm in Alaska

Seabourn's Odyssey is in... Venice, Italy

SeaDream's SeaDream I is in... Monte Carlo, Monaco

Silversea's Silver Cloud is in... London, England

Windstar's Wind Surf is... at sea between Dubrovnik, Croatia and Venice, Italy

Where in the world is your favorite ship? Have a terrific Labor Day weekend!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

QE2 in Dubai Dry Dock Before Heading to Cape Town

The beloved ocean liner QE2 is currently in dry dock in Dubai. She's getting a fresh coat of exterior paint as well as upgrades to her plumbing and air-conditioning systems. This is all in anticipation of her move to Cape Town, South Africa's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where she'll spent 18 months as a floating hotel.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup (soccer) games are being held across South Africa and the country has worried about a hotel room shortage. QE2's move to the area will help alleviate those concerns.

Nakheel, a Dubai real estate developer, purchased the ship from Cunard and the original plan was to station her in Dubai. The shaky economy put a temporary hold on that plan.

QE2 will remain in dry dock a bit longer as her seaworthiness is tested and other upgrades are completed. Due to the sales agreement with Cunard, the ship cannot carry passengers during her transit to Cape Town but there's no doubt she'll happily welcome friends—old and new—once she arrives.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Nakheel

Celebrity & Azamara Added to Amex Platinum Cruise Privileges Program

This week I'll be posting more about the new Solstice-class luxury cruise ship from Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Equinox. The ship's naming ceremony last week in Southampton, England was fantastic and Equinox is sure to become a favorite with cruisers from both the United States and Europe.

I personally look forward to sailing aboard Celebrity Equinox again in the future so I was very happy to hear that both Celebrity Cruises and her sister line, Azamara Cruises, are now part of American Express's Cruise Privileges Program exclusively for Platinum cardholders.

New Cruise Privileges Benefits

• Celebrity Cruises: a two-category upgrade or up to $300 per suite shipboard credit (depending on ship and category booked), complimentary dinner for two, and a bottle of champagne
  
  
• Azamara Cruises: a stateroom credit of $300, a behind-the-scenes ship tour, and a complimentary bottle of champagne

To take advantage of these benefits, you must be an American Express Platinum cardholder. You may book your cruise directly through Platinum Travel Service at 1-(800) 443-7672 or book through your travel agent and he or she will arrange for the Platinum Cruise Privileges benefits on your behalf (you will receive a written confirmation of the benefit in your stateroom upon boarding the ship). While you must have an Amex Platinum card, you do not have to pay for your cruise with that card.

Other cruise lines also taking part in this program include Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, The Yachts of Seabourn, Uniworld River Cruise Collection, and Windstar Cruises. Benefits vary by cruise line and stateroom category booked.

For more information, call Platinum Travel Service at 1-(800) 443-7672 or talk with your travel agent.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

QE2 to Call Cape Town Home?

In 2010 South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup and tourism is expected to soar. Dubai World, owner of the Queen Elizabeth 2, is hoping to take advantage of the increase. In 2007 the company bought the storied transatlantic ocean liner from Cunard with the idea that it would be turned into a museum/hotel at Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island.

But you know what they say about the best laid plans. The economy faltered and tourism to Dubai fell off the charts, leaving plans for the QE2 uncertain. That's when Dubai World approached South Africa with an idea. What about making a home for the vessel at Cape Town's Victoria and Albert Waterfront? The plan calls for the QE2 to be turned into a luxury hotel.

For more on this story, read the Financial Times' piece "Cape Town Possible Permanent Berth for QE2" by reporters Richard Lapper and Robin Wigglesworth.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Video: Happy 4th of July! Plus Fireworks & Cunard's QE2

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you and your family are enjoying this wonderful long weekend! Celebrating the 4th is always bittersweet for me. My grandfather, an Italian immigrant who—at the age of 14—sailed to the United States to find a better life, always loved this holiday. He's been gone several decades now, but I still miss him very much...especially this time of year.

One of his favorite pastimes on the 4th was enjoying fireworks displays so, in his honor, here's a video of a fantastic fireworks extravaganza shot by Rob Lightbody of Glasgow, Scotland.

In this segment, he captured Cunard's QE2 and her final departure from the River Clyde on October 5, 2008. Fifteen-minutes of fireworks sparkled above one of the best-loved ocean liners of all time.

Cunard's new luxury ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth, will set sail on her maiden voyage to the Canary Islands from Southampton, England on October 12, 2010.

Have a festive and safe Fourth of July!

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Luxury Cruise Reviews Now Online

If you read this blog on a regular basis, I hope you're also visiting the companion website: Luxury Cruise Bible.

You'll find...

• Luxury cruise line overviews
  
  
• Cruise ship descriptions
  
  
• Photo galleries
  
  
• Trip planning articles
  
  
• A comprehensive links pages
  
  
• Cruise reviews

The "Cruise Reviews" section is quickly becoming the most visited area of the website and new reviews, written by travelers just like you, are being uploaded every day. I invite you to submit a cruise review.

It's easy to submit a luxury cruise review. Simply fill out the form at Luxury Cruise Bible. Sharing your thoughts with other cruisers is important. You'll help others make decisions about which cruise lines and ships to try and you'll encourage others to share their opinions as well.

Write a cruise review today! —Andrea M. Rotondo

Interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased cruise reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth Maiden Voyage: Sold Out in 29 Minutes

Brand loyalty can accomplish some amazing things... like sell out all the staterooms on a ship's maiden voyage. That's what happened last week when berths for Cunard's Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage went on sale. The entire ship sold out in a mere 29 minutes. That's pretty astonishing, considering the QE2's farewell itinerary set the previous record when it sold out in 36 minutes in June of 2007.

But that was then and this is now and we're dealing with a global recession. While cruise industry insiders expected Cunard's Queen Elizabeth to draw a lot of attention, I think some eyebrows were raised at the speed at which cabins sold out. And, it wasn't just for the maiden voyage. In two hours, six itineraries—half of Queen Elizabeth's maiden season—also sold out.

For more information about Queen Elizabeth, talk with your travel agent or contact Cunard. —Andrea M. Rotondo

Interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Cunard Queen Elizabeth Voyages On Sale April 2

Six inaugural voyages aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth go on sale April 2. Now's the time to decide which itinerary has your name on it.

Maiden Voyage
October 12–25, 2010, 13-nights
Roundtrip out of QE's homeport of Southampton, visiting Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz/Seville, Las Palmas, Tenerife, La Palma, and Funchal.

Mediterranean Premiere
October 25–November 8, 2010, 14 nights
Southampton roundtrip, calling on Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome), Capri (Naples), Cartagena, and Gibraltar.

Aegean Introduction
November 8–26, 2010, 18 nights
Southampton roundtrip, making stops at Malago, Valletta, Venice, Dubrovnik, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Pireaus (Athens), Alicante, and Gibraltar.

Gallic Debut
November 26–December 1, 2010, 5 nights
Southampton roundtrip, calling on Amsterdam, Bruges/Brussels, and Cherbourg.

Iberian Discovery
December 1–14, 2010, 13 nights
Southampton roundtrip, calling on Vigo, Lisbon, Seville (Cadiz), Las Palmas, Tenerife, Las Palmas, and Funchal.

Festive Debut
December 14, 2010–January 5, 2011
Southampton roundtrip, calling on Funchal, Tortola, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigue, and Ponta Delgada.

Call your travel agent for more details or visit Cunard's website.


Are you interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

KrooozCam.com Bridge & Port Cams

Here's a link you've got to bookmark! KrooozCam.com. It's a very cool, handy site if you feel like "stalking" some of your favorite cruise ships or ports.

The site links to various cruise ship bridge cameras, including Crystal Cruises, Cunard, and Oceania Cruises.

You'll also be able to see live pictures from cams located at various ports around the world.

KrooozCam.com is a fantastically fun time-waster!


Interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased cruise reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Cunard Names QE Suites After Knighted Commodores

Did you know that during Cunard's 170-year history, six of its senior officers have actually been knighted by the monarch of the United Kingdom? I didn't know that either!

It's considered an honor to become a Knight of the British Empire and invitations are generally reserved for individuals who have contributed to the good of the nation. Contenders include British actors, musicians and writers; doctors, nurses, and scientists; philanthropists; athletes; and business moguls. (You don't need to be British to be knighted, but the title "sir" or "dame" will not be conferred to you. You may, however, append "KBE" to your name.)

As I mentioned, six Cunard employees have been honored thusly in the past:

• Commodore Sir James Charles (1865–1928)
• Commodore Sir Arthur Rostron (1869–1940
• Commodore Sir Edgar Britten (1874–1936)
• Commodore Sir James Bisset (1883–1966)
• Commodore Sir Cyril Illingworth (1883–1958)
• Commodore Sir Ivan Thompson (1894–1970)

Now Cunard and the new Queen Elizabeth will honor these gentlemen once again. The six high-end suites aboard the QE will be named after these men.

Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard will lay the keel for this new ship in June and she'll make her inaugural voyage in October 2010.

For more information about Cunard and the new Queen Elizabeth, talk with your travel agent or visit Cunard's website.

Video: Cunard QM2 Balmoral & Windsor Penthouses

Check out this wonderful video tour of the Balmoral and Windsor Penthouses aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2.



For more information about suite accommodations aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2, talk with your travel agent or visit Cunard's website.

James Taylor to Perform Aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2

In my younger years, I was a music journalist and wrote for many publications including the venerable Musician magazine, Billboard, Mix, Pro Sound News, and others. During that time, I spent my days (and nights) interviewing high-profile musicians in the rock and pop categories. It was my job and I never got flustered meeting these talented individuals—except once. That was the day I met James Taylor. I had loved his music for years—"You've Got a Friend," "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "Carolina in My Mind"—and had seen him in concert a handful of times. He always made singing look so effortless; I suppose it is for him.

Sony was opening a recording studio in Manhattan and I was invited to the party. So was JT. He blew into the room and a friend introduced us. I just looked into his eyes and completely blanked out! That's the first and last time that ever happened to me and I still smile when I think about it.

To be honest, it's been many years since I last saw James Taylor in concert but a recent announcement from Cunard may change that. Mr. Taylor will be the featured artist aboard the Queen Mary 2 on her June 19 eastbound transatlantic crossing. The musician plans to perform in the ship's Royal Court Theatre twice during the six-day voyage.

What brought these concerts about? According to Taylor, "I've always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe. It's such a civilized way to go, and the Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel. It was a dream to use the passage to transport and rehearse our summer tour: band, crew and family; kit and caboodle. I'm looking forward to the pair of concerts at the end of the trip and, hallelujah, no jet lag."

At rates starting at just $925 per person, this is a tempting summertime getaway.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Cunard's website.

Photo courtesy of Cunard.