Build-A-Bear on a Carnival Cruise

Build-A-Bear Workshop is a fun-filled shop where kids of all ages can create their own teddy bears or other stuffed animals. They can be found in malls in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, France and the United Kingdom…and by next summer you will be able to find Build-A-Bear Workshops fleetwide aboard all 25 Carnival ships!

Carnival Cruises are synonymous with family fun, so the exclusive partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop is a natural fit! Guests can select among several different types of furry friends to stuff, dress and accessorize. Each critter comes with its own "birth certificate" with its name and date he or she was created, as well as a logo drawstring bag.  Additionally, the stuffed animals have their own "voice" via a recordable sound chip with kids recording their own special message. The end result is a one-of-a-kind creation and a very special souvenir of their Carnival Cruise vacation!

Become a Winemaker Onboard the Holland America Koningsdam

All cruise lines offer wine tasting seminars, but did you know that if you cruise aboard Holland America’s new Koningsdam, guests are given the opportunity to become winemakers! That’s right, you can blend your own wine at the only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea!

Koningsdam will feature a new venue called BLEND – an intimate wine tasting setting that will host up to 10 guests at a time. The program will operate in collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, the oldest winery in Washington State. The ship’s wine expert will lead participants in a blending session to create their own blend of red wine from a selection of five single-vineyard Chateau St. Michelle wines.

What Can a Butler Do For You On Your Next Cruise?

I have only been acquainted with two butlers in my lifetime; Alfred, the tall, gray haired, bespectacled gentleman in the employ of Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) and the loyal and devoted Mr. Carson of Downton Abby.  So when I see various cruise lines including the services of a butler when booking one of their luxurious suites, (CelebrityCruises offers butler service when booking the Reflection, Penthouse, Royal, Signature, Sky and Celebrity Suites), it’s rather intriguing…and intimidating! If I have a butler, what am I supposed to do with him?

I am told that a dutiful and diligent butler generally picks up where the cabin steward leaves off (CelebrityCruises offers European-style butler service).  Maybe it’s easier to think of him or her (yes, her) as your personal assistant! There are many services a butler can provide that will make your cruise vacation all the more extraordinary. All you need to do is ask!  

Strolling Along the Halifax Waterfront

Halifax, the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, is a delightful port of call on a Canada / New England cruise! And there’s no better way to spend an afternoon then a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk.  This charming foot path is always buzzing with people and activities! It

stretches along the waterfront for 10 city blocks from the Casino Nova Scotia to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. You can meander from one end to another in under half an hour, but with all there is to see and do, it may take you the entire day to fully explore all it has to offer! 

The north end of the boardwalk starts at Casino Nova Scotia. The casino has 650 slots and table games as well as several drinking and dining facilities.