The area surrounding the casino is always buzzing with activity. The Fairmont Monte Carlo is just steps away from here.

The easiest way to get to Monaco from Nice airport is by taxi. Cost is 80 to 90 euros and the trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour. A more economical yet easy option is the bus, which has drop off points throughout Monaco. Cost is 19 euros per person one way and is about 45 minutes long. Both taxis and buses are just outside the terminal doors.

Car aficanados, make sure you put this city on your bucket list if you haven’t been there yet! In Vancouver, nice cars aren’t rare, but quite honestly, I don’t know much about cars (I prefer a scooter myself) and can’t tell one Mercedez model from another. The vehicles we saw here, however, are rare in the streets of Vancouver.

Entrance of the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

To give you little background, Monte Carlo is the capital of the principality of Monaco, a sovereign state that’s less than a square mile. In 1309, Genoa sold the principality to the Grimaldi family, the reigning monarchs to this date. Present day Monaco exudes luxury, peace and stability.

We didn’t have a chance to head to the old town (about a 20 minute walk from the casino), but here you will find the Royal Palace and the cathedral.

Our hotel was located literally steps from the famous casino. As mentioned earlier, we arrived in Monte Carlo in the early evening and even though Sharl and I freshened up, we still felt underdressed when we went exploring. The casino area was buzzing with activity and is the place to be and to be seen at night. We looked for a quaint place to have dinner, somewhere with a view, but weren’t successful, so we kept walking with a map in hand and 10 minutes later…

We found ourselves at a quiet restaurant at the pier that offered a romantic view of the harbor. Sharl and I didn’t expect then there would be so many more breathtaking views we’d see together the rest of our trip.

Sunday morning came along and it was time for us to embark Oceania Riviera, the beautiful ship we’d be sailing for the next nine nights; we were so excited to get onboard!

Drop by again on Monday as we revisit the cruise embarkation day of this unforgettable trip.

Upon embarkation, you can expect a smooth and relaxed process. After security, you enter directly onto the ship go to the Riviera Lounge where smiling faces are there to greet you and check you in to your cruise vacation. Meanwhile, patient Oceania staff members wait until we are ready to proceed to our stateroom, handling our luggage while we have the task of enjoying our champagne. This is a great start to the vacation.

Most of our days are spent roaming or relaxing in well-appointed common areas. The details in the art and décor create an environment of elegance with comfort.

The focus on the culinary aspect is a treat. Every meal, in every restaurant is a delight. The casual ambience sets the tone for you to enjoy every course leisurely with spectacular service.

My absolute favourite part of the ship is the culinary art center. Chef Kelly creates a relaxed informative session. Lots of fun while learning practical techniques and recipes to take home. I will be purchasing a paella pan and trying my newly acquired skill at home!

All of these components are tied together eloquently with the staff onboard. They are cheerful with warm smiles and friendly greeting every time they pass you. It does not take them long to learn your name and your personal preferences. When you leave the ship you feel as if you are leaving part of your family behind.

VANNY: “I don’t want to leave,” I whimpered to Sharl on our last night.

I was sad that our time aboard Riviera would come to an end the next morning. As reality started trickling back into our lives though, I couldn’t be happier that I got to experience an Oceania cruise.

Oceania Riviera impressed me with the attention to detail in everything from the subtly decorative vases containing fresh flowers to the seating in public spaces to the handrails of the stairs. The arrangements, the artwork, and the sculptures – all were elegantly appointed. Especially in public spaces, I didn’t feel like I was on a cruise ship most of the time. The library contained nooks that offer seclusion from passersby, a place I could spend hours consumed by a book. The martini bar was a gathering place for after dinner cocktails, where friends would meet and share a few laughs before retiring or heading off to Horizons for some dancing.

And it’s true. Oceania is the cruise line for Epicureans. A lot has been written about this, and I certainly will again in a later post, but I want to make sure I give credit to the onboard staff.

Their level of service and engagement has completely resonated with me. As soon as we stepped onboard, we were welcomed with smiles. We exchanged our carry-on luggage for a glass of sparkling wine and were then escorted to check-in at the Riviera lounge and later to our stateroom. The embarkation process on Oceania Riviera couldn’t have been any easier or more enjoyable.

The rest of our time onboard, warm smiles always wished us good morning, good afternoon or asked how our day was. Staff members often initiated conversations, ones that led to a connection that friends have as we shared bits about our lives.

Oceania’s reputation encompasses a familial spirit and I certainly experienced this while onboard Riviera. Engaging staff quickly made me feel at home. I just finished nine nights on Riviera, and I’m already thinking about when my next Oceania cruise will be.

With all the positive feedback, how much better can Riviera get? We were told there are in fact 727 differences between the two. Here are just a few of them.

The interiors of showers in the staterooms have been redesigned to include a shower head to provide an alternative to the rain shower. On both ships, all staterooms, except insides, have a shower stall and full bathtub. On Riviera, however, a shower head and rod has been added to the bathtub.

The layout of restaurants changed so that wait stations are not in the middle. This allows for better flow of wait staff and more space.

Back in the stateroom, power outlets on both sides of the bed have been added, accommodating those who like their charged phones within reaching distance from their beds.

This is a change I appreciate and most women would say the same: a light has been added to the vanity!

And the biggest change as Avid Cruiser discovered was replacing the two jacuzzis found on Marina with a larger Thalassotherapy pool on Riviera.

As I wait for the photos from our photographer on this trip (aka Sharl), here are some taken with my iPhone of the details in the decor that make this ship breathtaking.

Tomorrow, we return with what resonated most with us about Oceania Riviera and our embarkation day.

Oceania Riviera sails 10 night itineraries this year and one 14 night Transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Miami in November. Interested in cruising on this beautiful ship? Call 1-800-565-2784.

Dreams really do come true.

Back in March, I wrote about how Oceania’s cuisine rivals the finest shoreside restaurants and I revealed that because I’m a foodie, wine enthusiast and avid traveler, an Oceania cruise is now on my bucket list!

The forces of the universe must’ve been working in my favor.

Shortly after, I was asked by our President and COO to represent the company alongside Sharl on Oceania Riviera’s christening cruise! I am beyond excited about this opportunity.

Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises

At 66,084 tonnes and 785 feet long, Riviera is an elegant mid-sized ship. She has 15 decks total, of which 11 are guest decks. With a guest capacity of 1,250 and staff size 800, the guest to staff ratio is 1.57 to 1.

Riviera, like her sister ship Marina, is designed for foodies. In fact, do you want to guess who the godmother of Riviera is? Cat Cora!

For those who aren’t familiar with this name, Cat Cora is the first female chef on Iron Chef America. She is also the co-host of a new show called Around the World in 80 Plates.

Back to the ship, Riviera is equipped with nine restaurants.

1. Grand Dining Room
2. Jacques – Named after world renowned chef and their executive culinary director, Jacques Pépin and offering French cuisine.
3. Red Ginger – Asian Fusion
4. Polo Grill – steakhouse
5. Toscana – Italian cuisine
6. Terrace Café – casual dining buffet with option to dine alfresco
7. Waves Grill – casual dining buffet
8. Privée – private party for up to 10 guests. Can be reserved for $250 per evening.
9. La Reserve – seven-course wine pairing dinner with a maximum of 24 guests. $95 per guest and 18% gratuity.

Terrace Cafe. Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises.

On this trip, Sharl and I have plans to dine in the Grand Dining Room, Red Ginger and Toscana. We will likely try Terrace Café and Waves a couple of times, too.

Is there a restaurant you’d like to learn more about? I’ll get impressions from others and report back!

Starting this Sunday, follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates. The gala ceremony is on May 11; be sure to visit our Twitter feed for pictures of this special occasion!

I called her this morning to give her the good news!

Allison and her mom will be sailing the Norwegian Epic later this year starting in Barcelona, with visits to Naples, Rome, Livorno, Cannes, Provence and then back to Barcelona.

The prize also includes:

It’s going to be a fantastic trip, no doubt!

Thank you, everyone for participating and voting!

Amy, Cruise Experts Travel account, looking stylish and comfortable, while staying cool in the Mediterranean heat. Replace the flips flops with one of the flat shoes below and you've got yourself a church friendly outfit.

Visit our Pinterest board for more shoe styles. Pinterest.com/cruiseexperts/pack-some-flats/

A light cardigan or scarf will come in handy if you'd like to visit the inside of churches.

If visiting churches isn’t on your list one day or ever, then whatever you wear out on a hot day will be just fine at Mediterranean ports!

Photo source: Oceania Cruises

Epicureans rejoice! Oceania Cruises and Bon Appétit magazine have partnered for a Wine & Food Festival at Sea. A team of culinary stars and wine experts will be onboard for this “palate-pleasing” 10-night sailing on October 14, 2012.

Hosting is Chef Stephen Lewandowski, the Executive Chef for Myriad Restaurant Group and Tribeca Grill in New York. Experience culinary seminars and hands-on classes in addition to these exotic destinations!

Sunday: Athens (Pireaus), Greece
Monday: Kusudasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Tuesday: Monemvasia, Greece
Wednesday: Argostoli, Greece
Thursday: Taormina (Sicily), Italy
Friday: Sorrento/Capri, Italy
Saturday: Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Sunday: Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Monday: Provence (Marseille), France
Tuesday: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Wednesday: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

So, are you a foodie? Are you interested in this hosted sailing? As a bonus for booking with us, we’ll pay for your gratuities. Find out more by calling 1-800-565-2784.

It’s estimated that more than one-billion people will tune in for this year’s Olympic Games in the host city of London, and Celebrity Cruises has arranged the rare opportunity for guests sailing on its modern luxury fleet to be among them.

From the eagerly anticipated Opening Ceremony July 27 to the celebratory Closing Ceremony August 12, Celebrity will broadcast ‘live’ via satellite the swimming, diving, gymnastics, rowing, cycling, athletics, and basketball events, in addition to airing daily compilations of highlights from all 26 sports featured in the Games of the XXX Olympiad. On Celebrity ships sailing in North America, the events initially airing live also will be re-broadcast during more convenient times of day for guests to enjoy.

Whether sailing on Celebrity Constellation in Scandinavia and Russia; in Iceland and the Fjords on Celebrity Eclipse; in the Eastern Mediterranean on Celebrity Equinox; in the Adriatic on Celebrity Silhouette; in the Mediterranean from Venice on Celebrity Solstice; in Bermuda on Celebrity Summit; or in Alaska on Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Century, Celebrity’s guests can stay on top of the Games while vacationing.

Celebrity’s guests will be able to view the Olympic Games within the comfort of their stylish staterooms and suites, or in several hip bars and lounges on every Celebrity ship (with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition, which sails year-round in the Galapagos Islands). The specific locations and event times will be listed within each Celebrity ship’s daily newsletter.

Celebrity Cruises guests this summer can watch the Summer Olympic Games this year from the comfort of their staterooms or in one of the many chic lounges on every ship.

This, however, does not mean that Celebrity Cruises has exclusive rights to air the Games. They are the first and only cruise line so far to make a public announcement. Wonder if the line you’re cruising this summer will be airing the Olympic Games? Stay tuned.

Photo courtesy of Norwegian.

Launching tomorrow on Norwegian Jewel is the cruise line’s new youth program.

Splash Academy for Kids
Kids will enjoy Cirque du Jour where they’ll learn cool tricks to perform in the family circus show! Interactive workshops are also offered working on arts and crafts projects. They can also hang out at the Kids’ Center with lots of activities and games that’ll keep them entertained.

Kids will be hanging out with others in their age group.
Guppies: 6 months to 2 years old
Turtles: 3 to 5 year old olds
Seals: 6 to 9 year olds
Dolphins: 10 to 12 year olds

Entourage for Teens
Designed for 13 to 17 years old, teens can take part in sporting activities as well as theme events and parties that take place nightly. There’s also a separate teen lounge center with flat screen TVs, pinball and air hockey machines and video games.

Photo courtesy of Norwegian.

The program will roll out on the rest of the fleet as follows:

Norwegian Star on May 6
Norwegian Dawn on May 25
Norwegian Epic on May 27
Norwegian Pearl on June 17
Norwegian Jade on June 30
Norwegian Sky on July 16
Norwegian Sun on July 24
Norwegian Spirit on August 14
Pride of America on August 25

It will also be available on the Breakaway launching April 2013!

Statue of Christopher Columbus pointing out to the sea in Barcelona.

Having this in mind, Cruise Experts Travel has created a package for cruisers looking to get acquainted with Barcelona pre- or post-cruise.

Starting at just $723 per person (at the time of publishing), this 8-night package includes:

• a 7-night cruise aboard the Norwegian Epic,
• one night hotel in Barcelona with a complimentary breakfast the next morning and
• a Hop On Hop Off city tour of Barcelona.

What you can expect…

Las Ramblas

Saturday: Check into your hotel located in the heart of the city, just blocks from Las Ramblas, the city’s main boulevard frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Sunday: After a complimentary breakfast, explore the city on the Hop On Hop Off bus. Be sure to take in the eclectic work of renowned architecture, Antoni Gaudi, sprinkled throughout the city. When you’re done touring, embark on your 7-night Mediterranean cruise.

Monday: Relax on your day at sea. Or maybe you just can’t resist all the activities offered onboard the Epic: Blue Man Group, wall climbing, the largest spa at sea, three waterslides, the list goes on…

Be a kid again and go down the water slides - the only tube and bowl water slide at sea. Photo from Norwegian.

Tuesday: Docked in Naples for the day, you can choose to explore the city or head to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Maybe you’d like to spend a day on the island of Capri instead? The choice is yours.

Wednesday: Docking in Civitavecchia, most people will choose to explore Rome. Take a shore excursion in Rome or go into the city on your own by train. When visiting Rome, a visit to the ancient Colosseum and Forum ruins are imperative!

Thursday: When your cruise ship docks in Livorno, you can choose to visit Pisa, home of the Leaning Tower, and/or visit Florence, a pretty 15th century city ideal for walking about. Another option would be to take a shore excursion to the beautifully rugged region of Cinque Terre, where four of the five villages spill into the Mediterranean Sea. One of the villages, Corniglia, is perched on top of a tall cliff.

View of Cannes from aboard!

Friday: Welcome to the French Riviera! Cannes is a picturesque resort town best known for its International Film Festival every May. This is another pedestrian friendly city with shops, cafes and major attractions all accessible on foot.

Saturday: In Provence, the place to visit is Marseille, a multicultural French city with prominent Middle Eastern and African influences.

Sunday: Back in Barcelona, your Mediterranean cruise comes to an end.

Interested in this package? Phone 1-800-565-2784 to speak with a Cruise Specialist and get started on planning your dream European vacation.