Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces A Specialty Dining Package

The specialty restaurants aboard Norwegian Cruise Line have become such an integral part of the freestyle dining experience that the line wanted to encourage passengers to use them, while keeping the surcharge very affordable. They have done so by introducing a new Specialty Dining Package, “Signature Trio,” that gives guests the unique opportunity to pre-purchase three specialty restaurants prior to sailing at a special rate.

The steakhouse is part of the trio, (depending on the ship, it could be Cagney's or Lazy J) and is as good as any you may have eaten at in a big city. Begin your meal with Oysters Rockefeller, Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, or one of the many other tempting starters. Then face the tough decision of choosing an entrée.  Maybe a succulent grilled steak, a perfectly cooked double cut lamb chops or another delectable steakhouse favorite.

Also included in the group is Norwegian’s signature French bistro (Le Bistro or Jefferson's Bistro). With signature dishes such as coq au vin, bouillabaisse or homard rotis aux beurre, you’ll feel like your dining in Paris!

The third specialty restaurant included in the trio is Norwegian’s traditional Italian restaurant, (La Cucina, Papa's Italian Kitchen, Mama's Italian Kitchen or La Trattoria) , where you can feast on a variety of pastas, made-to-order specialty pizzas, and other Italian favorites such as chicken parmesan and osso bucco in a casual atmosphere.

Guests who take advantage of Norwegian’s Specialty Dining Package can do so at a special package rate of $47 per person. That a savings of $8 pp over booking these same three restaurants individually. The offer is currently available on all ships fleet wide.

The Celebrity Reflection Aqua Spa

Spa vacations are the perfect choice for those that are looking for rest, relaxation and recharging. The best facilities usually provide a program that includes state of the art spa treatments, physical fitness activities, wellness education, as well as healthy cuisine.

A spa vacation aboard a Celebrity cruise can be every bit as comprehensive as a land-based spa vacation. The spas aboard Celebrity ships are some of the most all encompassing and luxurious, afloat!

The Celebrity Reflection, launching in the fall of 2012 boasts expanded facililities, which promises to give guests an ultimate spa experience! The AquaSpa's 883-square-foot Persian Garden has 15 of the in-demand curved, heated tile beds with soothing sea views, and six entirely new experiences:

The Hammam:  A modern twist on a traditional experience, the Hammam is a cool, calm and quiet space designed to loosen muscles and joints while relaxing on a heated stone slab. The relaxing, regenerating experience can be enhanced with a massage or a soothing, custom salt scrub.

Infrared Sauna:  Infrared heat offers distinct advantages over traditional steam heat saunas, as it provides many of the health benefits of natural sunlight without the dangerous effects of solar radiation. The heat within the infrared sauna penetrates deep into guests' joints and surrounding tissue to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation and decrease pain versus purely heat the skin, as in a traditional sauna.

The Royal Caribbean 5K Run

The participation was so good for the last Royal Caribbean 5K run, that the cruise line is bringing it back again. Those wanting to take part in the event will have two opportunities to do so. The first race will take place in Philipsburg, St. Maarten in December 2012 (Oasis of the Seas 12/1/12) and the second in Falmouth, Jamaica in March 2013 (Allure of the Seas 3/10/13).

Guests of either sailing can sign up for the run by booking the race as a shore excursion on the Royal Caribbean website.  The fee for the package is $25 for adults and $15 for children. In addition to the race and the awards ceremony that follows, the entire week will be full of additional related activities. A package highlight is the scheduled seminars and lectures, as well as the private meet and greets with high-profile racing athletes. Experts will be on hand throughout the week to share training tips and give advice. Participants will also have the chance to push their personal best time at speed tests onboard the track of the ship.

Non-racers don’t despair!  The Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas features seven incredible neighborhoods packed with shows and activities the whole family will enjoy.

Jimmy Buffet Performs on the Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic returns to Miami on November 3rd after a season in the Mediterranean. With her she brings a new line-up of performers scheduled for the popular onboard show, “Legends in Concert”. Guests aboard any of the Epic’s weekly Eastern Caribbean cruises can look forward to new and exciting shows by tribute artists Michael Jackson, Donna Summer and Jimmy Buffet.

“Legends in Concert” on the Norwegian Epic features the three celebrity tribute artists in the Epic Theater, for six 45-minute shows over three days during a seven-day cruise.  In addition, a “Legend Unplugged” show is performed on three nights in the Manhattan Room, the ships chic supper club."

Carnival Cruise Line is Hunting For Chair Hogs

Ah, nothing like a sea day. After finishing your breakfast a little after 9, you head out to the pool deck, and there seems to be only a handful of people who made it there before you.  But wait…as you begin scouting out where you’ll park yourself for the next few hours, you notice that things aren’t exactly what they seem!  Each lounger, all 1200 in fact, are draped with a towel or possessively marked with a book!  How can that be?  And where are all the people?  Well, they’re at the gym, eating breakfast, watching the napkin folding demonstration, on line at the shore excursion desk, or very possibly, back in bed!  You see, these “chair hogs” were up on deck hours before you, claimed their spot, and left to do …whatever.  They’ll be back…maybe. Tough luck for you?  Not necessarily.

Carnival Cruise Line is now testing a new program aimed at hunting down chair hogs. Top Carnival cruise director John Herald recently announced that staffers on the line's new Carnival Breeze have begun policing seat saving by placing stickers with the current time on any deck chairs that are being saved with towels, books, shoes and other passenger items. After 40 minutes, if the chair still is reserved but unoccupied, the staff will remove the items and take them to the towel station by the main pool. The staff will leave a note explaining what they have done.  In time the program will be rolled out to the rest of the Carnival fleet. Hopefully, the other lines will take notice!