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Some lucky ones at the Cruise Experts Travel office had the opportunity to sail aboard the Celebrity Silhouette last fall for a few days during her inaugural from New York City. I was told she’s beautiful. It’s obvious looking at the photos they shared, that is no understatement.
ART
PUBLIC SPACES
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Wondering where the Silhouette is cruising in Europe this year? Be sure to look at her itineraries here or call to speak with a Cruise Specialist at 1-800-565-2784.
Europe Cruise Expert Rhonda Parker invites you to join her on a Rhone river cruise from Lyon to Arles France aboard AmaWaterways AmaDagio from September 17-28, 2012.
That includes 3 nights in Paris before the 7 night cruise and 1 night in Nice afterward. This itinerary was made with wine lovers, history enthusiasts and those seeking cultural immersion in mind.
You can listen to her invitation here.
You may have heard Rhonda say “Your Island Connection” and provide a 250 number. That’s because she’s based in Victoria, BC. However, you don’t have to live in Victoria to join her. Call her toll free at 1-800-565-2784.
Want to learn more about AmaWaterways? Watch this interview with Rhonda Parker as she discusses what makes this river cruise line stand out. Make sure you watch to the very end as she outlines exactly what to expect on this trip.
Call Rhonda at 1-800-565-2784 for more info. Remember, there are only 3 staterooms left!
My first time in Europe was in 2005 when I moved there for six months to study in Belgium. I went on day-long excursions and weekend trips to nearby cities and neighbouring countries; and took longer length holidays backpacking. Having experienced many travel styles and now as someone who has the means to afford more options, I fully appreciate what cruising Europe has to offer.
Lisbon, Portugal
See and sample different cities in one trip. During my one week cruise in the Mediterranean last summer, I visited five different cities. I got a taste of each and discovered the cities I’d love to revisit for a longer period. Florence, we’ll meet again and I’ll get to know you more intimately.
Indulge in the luxury of a resort. After a full day of adventures, it’s nice to unwind and know that the crew onboard are there to help me feel as relaxed as possible. The best part is, I decided how active I wanted to be. I could lounge by the pool in the adults only area or if I felt like doing something active, I had a plethora of options that included bowling, wall climbing, playing basketball, or catching a Broadway like show or a comedy. My time onboard was stress free.
Not having to find a tasty place to dine. Before I started cruising, I never knew that dining onboard can be such a gastronomically satisfying experience. I now know this mode of travel is a foodie’s delight. Dining options range from casual spots that served grilled burgers and hot dogs to fine dining that rival world class restaurants on land. Each night, I didn’t have to go “searching” for a place to have dinner, like I would on land. I just had to decide which restaurant I want to try onboard and even better, most of the food is included in the cruise fare. (There’s a nominal fee for specialty restaurants onboard).
Unpack only once. When touring on land, going from one city to the next, there’s a lot of upacking and repacking each time. This isn’t the case with cruising. I unpacked once as I went from city to city.
Save money. After looking at all that I was getting on my Mediterranean cruise (transportation from city to city, food, entertainment, accommodations), it was obvious cruising packs a good punch in value. My one week cruise saved me at least 50% from what I would’ve spent had I done the same itinerary by land.
I look forward to going on my next Europe cruise. Maybe to the Scandinavian countries next… or via the waterways of the continent’s interior on a river cruise?
Have you explored Europe by cruise ship? If so, what did you like or dislike about it?
Everyone wants a special price or discount. And if you’re a senior or have children travelling with you, there may be savings to be had.
Keep in mind, however, the compromises or trade-offs. I explain further below. Here are two of the common questions I get and the answers to them.
Are there senior discounts?
Sometimes. When offered by the cruise line, to qualify for the fare at least one guest in the cabin must be a minimum of 55 years of age. Senior rates are most commonly offered during off-peak travel periods; in the rare instance that they are offered during peak season, they are usually for select categories on select sailings. It is something that a thorough agent will always check into to ensure reservations are being booked at the best possible rate, but does not apply to all cruise vacation reservations.
Are there special prices for my children?
Sometimes. Most of the time though, fares are more simply based on occupancy rather than ages. The first two guests in the cabin always pay the per person based on double occupancy rate, and almost all of the time the third and or fourth guests in the same cabin pay a reduced amount. From time to time the third and or fourth guest fares can be even lower for guests 17 and under, but this does not apply to all cruise vacation reservations.
Have you got a cruise or travel related question? Please leave a comment below, email me at Wes@CruiseExpertsTravel.com or call our office at 1-800-565-2784.
Wes Ewing Cruise Specialist CruiseExperts Travel ————————————————- t: 604.737.8100 –ext. 128 | t: 1.800.565.2784 | f: 604.737.1672 e: Wes@CruiseExpertsTravel.com
Cruise Experts Travel’s President, Denis Lim, released a statement on Wednesday addressing the devastation that happened off the Italian coast a couple of weeks ago, and the concerns that have been raised about the safety of cruising. Here it is in its entirety.
All of us at Cruise Experts Travel are filled with shock and sadness by the recent Costa Concordia accident off the coast of Italy. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. To those coping with the aftermath, we extend our thoughts and prayers.
While investigations continue to unfold the details of the tragic incident, concerns regarding the safety of cruise ships have been put into focus. Each year, millions of people travel by cruise ship. In 2011 alone, more than 15 million people chose to cruise. This tragedy is a rare accident.
Today’s cruise ships are equipped with technologically sophisticated navigation systems detecting the slightest threats. Safety measures in the form of policies are put in place by cruise lines which adhere to and exceed current requirements as set out by International Maritime Laws. Officers and crew are extensively trained on safety drills with Captains going through years of seafaring before they can earn the title and responsibility.
Cruising will only get safer as practices and policies are revised in an effort to prevent such an accident from happening again. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned one, you can be confident you’re choosing to see the world in one of the safest and most comfortable ways possible.
Sincerely,
Denis Lim, President
Cruise Experts Travel
You can read official statements by our cruise line partners:
How does having your travel consultant at your fingertips 24/7 while travelling sound? With our new mobile app, it’s like as if you have Edward, Heather, Raychel, Jay, Kassandra or whoever your Cruise Specialist happens to be with you.
The Pocket Travel Consultant is a free app that provides city information such as things to do, dining, accommodations, and practical information such as hotels nearby.
When you see something you like in the app, you can add it to your “Favorites” for quick access at a different time. And if you need to contact your agent, the “Contact” section contains your travel consultant’s information, including any social networking channels.
The app is available for the Android and iPhone markets. The best part is, you don’t need internet to access the information as city information is downloaded and stored on your phone. That means not having to concern yourself with incurring any data charges while travelling internationally.
Let’s take a quick tour on an iPhone.
What you first see when you first load the app.
Your login information is in the email that invites you to use the app, sent by your Cruise Specialist.
In this example, your itinerary is an 8-Night European Highlights Preview.
Your itinerary is pre-populated on your phone. You can download the information for each city, and the download size for each is provided, too! Let's get info for Barcelona!
Now that you downloaded the information for Barcelona, you can check the City Guide for history and the district guide; Things To Do such as excursions, entertainment, attractions, museums; Dining at restaurants, bars, cafes, and more; Accommodations that we recommend in the City; Practical Information such as transportation, medical or important phone numbers; and Search Guide where you can search what you're looking for by keyword.
If you'd like to download other cities in your itinerary, go back to Home and select View Itinerary. If you'd like to add another city that isn't listed in your itinerary, select Explore a new city. Let's download Venice.
Now that we've downloaded city information for Venice, let's select Dining. Here,you'll have the option to pick Dining and Drinking, Category, Neigborhood/District or Recommended Dining Options. Let's choose Dining & Drinking Guide.
You'll get an overview of the Dining and Drinking scene in Venice. Scroll to the bottom -- Notice "Antico Dolo" is highlighted in blue. If you had internet access, you would be able to use the GPS on your phone to provide you with step by step directions on how to get there from your current location. Without internet, you are still provided with information such as address, phone number, email, opening hours and a summary of the venue.
If the Antico Dolo sounds interesting, save it to your Favorites for quick future reference.
This app is excellent for the pre-travel planning stage and while travelling!
Have you booked your next cruise with us and want to get your hands on this? Contact your Cruise Specialist at 1-800-565-2784.
With seven ships in Europe, large and small, and 57 different itineraries, the traveller who wants to cruise here onboard Princess has a lot of options; 125 in fact.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Ships sail the regions of the British Isles, Scandinavia, Russia, Northern Europe, Greek Isles, Holy Land, and the most popular of all: the Mediterranean.
Princess has sailings lasting from seven to 27 days this year that start in April and end in December. The cruise line’s itineraries include the common and popular port of calls such as Rome, Athens, Barcelona, Santorini, Venice, and St. Peterburg.
However, the most interesting itineraries, in my opinion, include ports that fly under the radar. Don’t get me wrong, the beauty of Barcelona is superb and the waterways of Venice are magical, but these lesser known ports are just as interesting and made even more fascinating for the simple reason they’re on the route less travelled.
Northern Europe
See picturesque Norwegian towns and cities with unpronounceable names, towering mountains and glaciers and mysterious fjords. Nature lovers will adore these first two itineraries.
Spitsbergen & North Cape (14 days)
Sail date: June 23
Land of the Midnight Sun (16 days)
Sail dates: June 17 & July 17
The Black Sea
If you’ve already been to the western side of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea area is another spot for those looking for beautiful white sand beaches. The ports aren’t as glamorous, but nevertheless very interesting and with less westerners in the mix.
Black Sea & Crimean Coasts (12 days)
Sail date: June 29 & August 28 (sails the reverse order from what’s indicated in map and goes to Koper instead of Split)
As you can see, there are only 1 or 2 sailings for each of these itineraries. Because of the limited dates, space fills up fast. Best to reserve your spot as soon as possible if you’re considering any of the less travelled itineraries. After all, you can cancel up to a certain date without any penalty.
Want to learn more about Princess’ itineraries in Europe? Call 1-800-565-2784 and a Europe Cruise Specialist will be happy to help.
Which of these itineraries interest you most? Let us know in the comments below.
Onboard the Celebrity Silhouette.
Imagine yourself at a land resort. What would you wear? Something comfortable, yet presentable. I like to call this look smart casual. Your list shouldn’t deviate much from a Mediterranean land-based vacation.
Our execs, Blaine and Denis in Egypt April 2011.
For formal nights onboard, pack a few nicer items like for women, a cocktail dress or for men, a buttoned up shirt and dress pants.
Here’s a list of clothing we advise clients to pack.
- Light jacket
- Sweatshirt
- Shorts and t-shirts
- Jeans
- Scarf
- Bathing suit
- Comfortable walking shoes (important while exploring at port!)
- Hat
- Gym clothes, shoes, socks
- Poolside/beach shoes
- Shoes that are easily slipped on and off
The Cooler Seasons
Cruising the Mediterranean in the spring and falls months sees cooler weather that averages 70-80F or 20-30C. Although not freezing by any means, it can get a bit chilly out at sea. As such, you’d want to pack long pants, a couple sweaters, a jacket or two. I love scarves, especially the pashmina ones, because for women, they double as a shawl as well, completely changing the look of an outfit!
The Warm Season
The summer months of June, July and August in the Mediterranean experience temperatures as high as 100F or 40C. On land, you’ll want to dress comfortably for the hot weather, but if you want to visit certain sites, mind the local customs. For instance, flip flops, shorts, short skirts and bare shoulders are not permitted in churches.
When out at sea at night, it does get cool, so you’ll still want to pack a light jacket, a cardigan or two, or a sweater because you’ll want to comfortably take in the Mediterranean air out on deck. It’s absolutely serene.
Is there a necessary item you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below.
Cruise Expert Heather Clifton has visited Europe five times, two of which were on a cruise. She’s been to England, Ireland, Germany and the Mediterranean and she blogged extensively about her trip in the Mediterranean last year aboard the Ruby Princess.
If you’re looking to cruise the Mediterranean, I suggest reading her blog posts as well as Edward’s as they provide day-by-day accounts of their experiences. I had a recent conversation with Heather to extract even more insight on the ship and tips for the region. Enjoy!
What did you like most about the Ruby Princess?
It’s an easy ship to find your way around. Even though she’s Princess’ biggest ship along with her sister the Emerald, I found the layout made navigation onboard very easy. All the public areas are centrally located. The piazza is an amazing space with the café, the Vines Wine and Seafood Bar, and all the entertainment is always fun and interesting.
The décor is so European. The Ruby is built for the Mediterranean – the tiling, mosaic on the walls, even the restaurants are named in Italian: Sabitini’s, Botticelli, Da Vinci. Sailing aboard the Ruby is like being at a Mediterranean resort.
What kind of people were onboard with you? What was the passenger demographic?
The majority came from English speaking countries like the US, Canada, England, and Australia while the rest came from 34 other countries including Chile and Syria.
There weren’t any young families as far as I can remember seeing onboard – I sailed in October so kids were in school. Most people appeared to be in my age category 45 to 60. There weren’t too many in the 70’s and 80s because the itinerary was very port intensive.
What should people expect from Princess Cruises?
Excellent service, great food and interesting ports of call.
What are some of your most memorable moments?
Taking a cable car up Santorini, but we walked down. You can walk up the 520 steps as well. Dodging the donkeys and donkey manure was… interesting.
Having lunch at a sidewalk café in Monte Carlo, watching the expensive cars drive by, just watching all that money!
In Venice, taking the water taxis and finding our way around the little lanes and alleyways.
And all the Greek ports we visited were beautiful.
The most unforgettable experience was probably in Naples when we visited Herculaneam. We went to Pompeii on our last trip. There was hardly anyone in Herculaneam, just our tour pretty much and a few other single travellers, but really we had the place to ourselves. It is far more interesting than Pompeii as far as I’m concerned. It’s bigger and it’s a bigger dig. You can really get into the homes and you can see the tiles and really see how they lived, whereas I didn’t really experience Pompeii at that level.
The frescos and tile work that were discovered in the ruins are quite amazing as is the insight into how the people of those times lived.
We liked Herculaneam more and other people I talked to also agreed, my sister said the same thing. They went to Pompeii the first time, because everyone goes to Pompeii, but Herculaneam is far more interesting, I think.
Great tip! That brings me to my last question – do you have any recommendations or tips you’d like to share on cruising the Mediterranean?
I recommend clients to spend extra days either end, because you’re going to go all that way. You don’t want to just fly in and board the ship. There’s so much to see in Rome and Venice, too. If you stay in Venice an extra day or two, you do avoid the cruise crowd because it’s not as crowded as a port day.
Heather can be contacted by email at HeatherC@CruiseExpertsTravel.com or by phone at 1-800-565-2784.
In the wake of the Costa Concordia incident, it is not uncommon for us to get calls and questions following media coverage of such rare events.
I believe that the majority are aware that accidents like this are very rare. This is why it’s news. Aside from current articles now questioning the safety of cruises and the efficiency of evacuation, I have also read stories about how it is remarkable and noteworthy that the evacuation went as well as it did, despite natural panic and confusion in such a sudden emergency. The ship was full with 3000+ passengers and over 1000 crew! Significant credit should be given to the crew and staff onboard (reports about the captain and his own actions notwithstanding).
There are dozens of cruises sailing every day and there have been very, very few serious incidents. Cruising is still one of the safest and most comfortable ways to see the world. And I know avid cruisers will attest to this. Myself, I have never felt unsafe onboard any of my 20+ cruises, whether related to accidents, weather, crime, or terrorism. One’s greatest worry is merely uncertain or inclement weather affecting one’s holiday.
My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those affected by this recent unfortunate event.
Matthew Vaughan Cruise & Travel Specialist t: 604.737.8100 –ext. 116 | t: 1.800.565.2784 | f: 604.737.1672 e: Matthew@CruiseExpertsTravel.com
