FOOTSTEPS Around the World

from Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises is proud to announce that it has ordered two more ships in the Viking Longships class for delivery in 2012, bringing the total of new vessels to six.  This will mark an unprecedented number of ships launching in a single season, an accomplishment that eclipses Viking’s own record of four ships christened into the fleet in 2001.

“Ever since we announced the introduction of the Viking Longships earlier this year, the response has been overwhelming,” stated Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking River Cruises.  ”To accommodate the demand, we have decided to accelerate the new builds schedule and bring two more Viking Longships into the fleet in 2012.”

How Suite It Is
A Viking suite is a true suite: two full-size rooms of luxury.  Our two lavish Explorer Suites are situated at the aft of the ship, each with spectacular 270° views.  Seven Veranda Suites are ideally located on the Upper Deck.  Both categories of suites feature a full-size veranda off the living room, plus a French balcony in the bedroom.

Verandas and French Balconies
Travel is not one size fits  all. Your journey should fit you precisely, so Viking continues to provide ways  to personalize your cruise experience.  Veranda Staterooms feature a full-size room with a full veranda.  French balconies provide fresh air and floor-to-ceiling views.  There is something for every taste, every pocketbook,
every traveler.

The Aquavit Terrace
Our state-of-the-art design allows floor-to-ceiling windows to be rolled aside, creating an area that combines the
comfort of the indoors with the exhilaration of the outdoors.  Step out from the lounge to the Aquavit Terrace to enjoy views while sampling its namesake, Aquavit.  This Scandinavian beverage gets its name from “aqua vitae,” Latin for “water of life.”

The Viking Longships will sail these popular itineraries in 2012:
Danube Waltz, Grand European Tour, Romantic Danube & Tulips & Windmills

from Holland America

For the comfort of all of our guests, based on an increased desire expressed by the majority of our guests, we are changing our smoking policy as of January 15, 2012.

Presently, all indoor areas are designated non-smoking with the exception of:

• Casino
• Northern Lights Disco (ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)
• Seaview Bar (except ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam & ms Statendam)
• Sports Bar
• Crow’s Nest (except ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam)

All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances.

There are selected areas of the outside decks where smoking is allowable. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the outside decks.

Our ships do not currently have “nonsmoking” staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests

 For all cruises departing on or after January 15, 2012

For the comfort of all of our guests, based on an increased desire expressed by the majority of our guests, we are changing our smoking policy as of January 15, 2012.

All staterooms will be non-smoking areas, in addition to the other areas that were already defined as non-smoking. Smoking will continue to be permitted outside on stateroom verandahs. There are designated areas available for smoking both inside the ships and on outside decks as detailed above.

by Travel Leaders

The distinctive bouquet of wine has hovered over Northern California’s Napa Valley since the mid-1800s, when settlers discovered that the area’s Mediterranean climate and rolling hills were ideal for growing grapes.  Local vintners made the leap from commercial to premium wine production in the 1960s.  In 1976, a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley beat many fine French labels in a blind tasting in Paris, putting Napa Valley firmly on the map as a destination for serious lovers of wine.

The fabulous flavors of the valley are not limited to wine – Napa is also prized as a fine dining destination. Local chefs use fresh produce and seafood, rich artisanal cheeses, free-range meats and locally produced olive oil to create dishes that complement Napa’s wines.

This year, the food and wine experiences of Napa Valley will be showcased in a new event, Flavor! Napa Valley, to be held November 17-20.  The weekend’s events will include tastings with wine experts; culinary demonstrations by accomplished chefs; a dinner with local vintners and sommeliers; and a Sunday lunch where growers will introduce guests to the tastiest and freshest local foods.

Most events will take place at the valley’s Silverado Resort and Spa and the Culinary Institute of America. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund at the institute.

While fall is harvest season and the wineries are in full production mode, Napa Valley is ready to welcome visitors all year long. Summer is the busiest season, when visitors enjoy sunny skies and warm-to-hot weather tempered by breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Spring is quieter and very lovely as the countryside comes into bloom. Winter can be rainy, but the valley is still beautiful and a perfect location for a quiet sojourn – and some serious wine tasting.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO DELIVER BEST ONBOARD OPTIONS TO GUESTS FLEETWIDE THROUGH EXTENSIVE REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

Award-winning vessels across cruise line’s fleet being enhanced through 2014

MIAMI, July 11, 2011 – Royal Caribbean International today announced that it will invest approximately $300 million to bring the latest innovations to the cruise line’s ships across the fleet and introduce the highest guest-rated programs from its award-winning Oasis-class ships. The revitalizations will offer guests a greater variety of new onboard dining and entertainment options, pervasive Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, and many more amenities, to deliver even more of the “WOW” aboard all Royal Caribbean ships sailing worldwide. Planned through 2014, the revitalizations are yet another example of why Royal Caribbean has been voted Best Cruise Line Overall for eight consecutive years in Travel Weekly’s Readers’ Choice Awards. These fleetwide enhancements build on Royal Caribbean’s best-in-class global vacation offering and deliver to guests the Royal Advantage – the industry’s most innovative cruise ships, combined with exciting itineraries and destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. “The Royal Advantage revitalizations takes many of the best features that we have created in recent years and introduces them across our fleet, offering our guests enhanced vacation choices around the world,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “We never stop trying to make the experience even better, and no other cruise line can offer the same high quality vacation experience with such an array of choices that cater to every guest.”

The Royal Advantage revitalizations began with Radiance of the Seas in May 2011, and will be followed by Splendour of the Seas in November. In 2012, revitalizations are scheduled for Vision-class ships including Rhapsody of the Seas (March 2012) and Grandeur of the Seas (May 2012), as well as Radiance-class Serenade of the Seas (November 2012). Each ship will enter dry dock for approximately a month and re-emerge as even better versions of the ships that guests love, complete with new dining venues, entertainment options, technology enhancements and more.

“We are thrilled that the ongoing Royal Advantage revitalizations will result in a virtually brand-new fleet that offers the most contemporary experience, no matter which ship or itinerary vacationers choose,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “From new dining concepts to cutting-edge entertainment to technological advancements, we are raising the bar across the fleet to offer guests our signature Gold Anchor Service and the world’s most innovative cruise ships that sail to exciting destinations worldwide.”

With the cruise line’s recently announced 2012-13 deployments, vacationers have the opportunity to enjoy new and unparalleled onboard experiences and itineraries. Revitalized Grandeur of the Seas will offer vacationers seven-night Western Mediterranean or 10- and 11-night Greece and Turkey itineraries from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Venice, respectively, in summer 2012. Moreover, the newly revitalized Rhapsody of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will offer vacationers additional dining and entertainment options for a cruise or cruisetour in awe-inspiring Alaska in summer 2012 or rugged Australia and New Zealand in winter 2012-13.

Among the revitalizations and enhancements to the Vision-, Voyager- and Radiance-class ships throughout the next three years, will be:

- New Technology: Guests will enjoy pervasive Wi-Fi, interactive flat-panel televisions in staterooms, and electronic mustering.

- Digital Wayfinding Systems: Onboard activities, real time updates, customized directions and routing, as well as ship factoids will all be at guests’ fingertips with new plasma and LCD touch screen signs prominently placed throughout each of the ships.

- Outdoor LED Video Walls: Oversized video screens will be installed on the pool decks to liven up outdoor entertainment and programming, day and night.

- Royal Babies and Tots Nursery: Safe, fun and interactive vacation environments will be available in nurseries designed for babies and tots ages six through 36 months.

- New Staterooms: New levels of accommodations, including staterooms ideal for families, will be added to suit a variety of guest needs and requirements.

- Additional Dining Options:

o Chef’s Table: An exclusive experience co-hosted by the Executive Chef and Sommelier for an intimate wine pairing dinner of five courses.

o Izumi: A pan-Asian cuisine restaurant featuring mouthwatering flavors and a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking.

o Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse featuring a menu of prime cuts prepared a la minute.

o Park Café: A casual dining venue featuring gourmet salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries.

o Rita’s Cantina: A casual yet vibrant restaurant offering traditional Mexican fare, comprehensive selection of margaritas and live evening entertainment.

o Boardwalk Doghouse: A casual eatery for guest to enjoy a range of brats, links, wieners and dogs.

In 2013 and 2014, additional Royal Advantage revitalizations will take place on Vision-class ships, including Legend of the Seas and Vision of the Seas, four Voyager-class ships – Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas – and the Radiance-class Brilliance of the Seas. Royal Caribbean also will deliver the Royal Advantage through less extensive enhancements planned for Freedom-class Independence of the Seas, Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas, and Vision-class Enchantment of the Seas.

Radiance of the Seas’ recent revitalization doubled the ship’s onboard dining options among other enhancements, and is now alternating seven-night South- and North-bound Alaska itineraries this summer before repositioning for its first winter season in Australia and New Zealand. The final and most extensive revitalization this year will be Splendour of the Seas in November, which afterwards will offer two-, three- and four-night Brazil cruises, as well as seven- and eight-night Argentina & Uruguay Cruises from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In early 2011, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas had received popular enhancements and programs that were introduced aboard the newly launched Allure of the Seas, such as the DreamWorks Experience. Having previously undergone extensive revitalizations in recent years, both Sovereign-class Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas are currently delivering the Royal Advantage to guests on short Bahamas cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., respectively.

MILEAGE PLUS TO BE THE LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR THE NEW UNITED AIRLINES
Mileage Plus to be the loyalty program for the New United Airlines. Members of Continental’s Onepass to be auto-enrolled for 2012.

CHICAGO, June 29, 2011 -
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced that Mileage Plus will be the loyalty program for its wholly owned subsidiaries United Airlines and Continental Airlines beginning in 2012.  Moving to a single loyalty program is a significant milestone in the integration of the two airlines and will provide a more consistent travel experience for customers.  United will announce complete details of the Mileage Plus program – including elite levels, qualifications and benefits, lifetime benefits, and other program developments that will take effect in 2012 – in the coming months.

Continental’s OnePass loyalty program will end on Dec. 31, 2011. United will automatically enroll OnePass members in Mileage Plus and deposit into Mileage Plus award miles equal to their OnePass award miles balance.  OnePass members’ 2011 OnePass elite qualifying activity will be recognized fully in their 2012 Mileage Plus elite status. Chase OnePass credit cards, including OnePass Plus and Presidential Plus, will continue to earn miles and benefits in the Mileage Plus program.

In the meantime, United and Continental customers who are currently enrolled in both Mileage Plus and OnePass may link their accounts, enabling them to combine their miles and earn awards faster this year.

Launched in 1981, Mileage Plus is the world’s most rewarding loyalty program, with a wide array of travel, credit card and retail partners.  Mileage Plus members may earn elite travel benefits, including Premier Access airport services, and have access to one of the most extensive merchandise redemption programs in the industry.  With the new United’s leading global route network, no other airline offers more destinations for award travel.

Mileage Plus received the Frequent Traveler award for best airline elite program in 2011, the second year in a row.  In addition, readers of Global Traveler magazine voted Mileage Plus best frequent flyer program in 2010 for the seventh year in a row.

by Arvid Olson

Tendering in Parintins

Boi Bumba show

Boi Bumba show

Boi Bumba Show Hummingbird

After tendering back to the ship after the spectacular show, we opted to go to the casual Colonnade restaurant for dinner. They were featuring a Tuscan dinner buffet style experience. Singer Laura Ratcliffe was featured in “All That Jazz” at the Club at 10pm but we were exhausted and opted for bed.
Tomorrow, March 6, we are visiting Santarem.
March 4

Holland America Line has announced the Culinary Council Dishes to debut this summer on the line’s 15 ships. The six Culinary Council chefs will provide recipes for signature entrees and desserts that showcase their specialties.

“Our Culinary Council is a ‘dream team’ of chefs from around the world, and the exceptional dishes they have shared are unique expressions of their cultural backgrounds, skills and passion for the culinary arts,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guests programs. “We continuously strive to provide our guests with exclusive experiences, and offering them the chance to enjoy the delights of these celebrated chefs during their cruise is an incredible opportunity.”

The Culinary Council chefs and a selection of their signature dishes are:
Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has created a seared Cajun tuna steak with plum tomato confit and horseradish rösti potatoes, as well as a veal chop with creamy Porcini sauce served with baby vegetables and spätzle.

Jonnie Boer is the head chef of De Librijie in Zwolle, the Netherlands. He has invented a beef strip loin with Hache sauce served with carrot and celeriac-bacon purées and roasted Parisian potatoes. For dessert, he brings brioche toast with caramelized apricot served warm with clove ice cream.

David Burke has prepared roasted chicken with sausage cornbread stuffing served alongside roasted vegetables with bacon, green beans and apple cider chicken gravy. He also has a spice-crusted prime rib accompanied by whipped potatoes, sautéed asparagus and baby carrots.

Marcus Samuelsson brings grilled salmon with miso, garlic, sesame and cilantro, served in a spiced tomato broth with kale. For dessert, there is a chocolate cake accented with bourbon- and blueberry-infused whipped cream.

Jacques Torres, renowned chocolatier and pastry chef, has created a chocolate platter featuring chocolate cornflakes, creamy white chocolate mousse and a bittersweet chocolate slice. The dessert menu will also feature Torres’ crepes with caramelized pears served with warm raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Charlie Trotter is the winner of 10 James Beard Foundation awards. He has created sautéed opakapaka on a bed of bleeding heart radishes, served with baby turnips stuffed with black trumpet mushrooms, sautéed morel mushrooms and basil-thyme oil. He also brings grilled venison loin with dates served with seasoned quinoa, salsify purée and broccoli rabe.

“When we came together on the Culinary Council, it was our vision to bring unique dishes to our guests that would expose their palates to new and exotic flavors,” said Sodamin. “All of the chefs developed outstanding dishes that our guests are going to be talking about long after their cruise is over.”

The chefs of the Culinary Council will also consult on Holland America’s Culinary Arts Center enrichment program, which creates new learning experiences for guests.

by Arvid Olson

March 4 and we spent the day exploring the ship, checking out the gym and organizing our suite.  I walked into the town that morning to take photos and explore the area near the docks.  Pat elected not to go due to the heat.  She enjoyed the comfort of the Seabourn Odyssey instead.  There are lots of shopping opportunities close to the docks.  Just opposite the cruise terminal is the largest church in Manaus, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral surrounded by park like grounds.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral interior

The seat where John Paul II sat on his visit to Brazil is proudly exhibited in the cathedral. This was his last stop in Brazil, July 11, 1980.

Souvenir Shopping

Many interesting street vendors were located just outside of the church grounds.

Manaus Waterfront

Tonight the ship put on a Gala Reception in the Grand Salon where we met Captain Mark Dexter and the Senior Officers of the Seabourn Odyssey.   Needless to say the Champagne was flowing and there was plenty of caviar with all the trimmings.  We dined in the main restaurant which featured a superb menu, actually every evening the restaurant had a superb menu prepared to perfection.  I have saved copies of the menus for anyone that is interested.

Showtime was called ‘Vocalize’.  It was put on by the four Seabourn Singers and the Ballroom Dance Couple.  It was a very entertaining show, especially their rendition of the Blues Brothers.  It was nice to actually visit with the performers during the cruise as they socialized with the guests in the various lounges when they were not performing or doing some other duties.

The Seabourn Odyssey departed for Parintins at 11pm
March 3

Project Breakaway is the working name for the NCL’s pair of 144,017-ton, 4,000-passenger new-builds slated to launch April 2013 and April 2014.  Norwegian presented the designs of the ships’ standard balcony cabins and mini-suites to thousands of cruise consultants via a Webcast.

Project Breakaway’s cabins represent a dramatic change from accommodations found on Norwegian’s newest ship, the 155,873 ton, 4,100 passenger Norwegian Epic, which launched in June 2010. Much of what made Epic’s cabins unique, curved walls, beds, in-room bowl sinks and a split bathroom design featuring see-through doors, has been bypassed in favor of a Scandinavian design and a more traditional layout.  The cabin design on Norwegian Cruise Line’s two new ships will be “modern boutique hotel meets the sea,” NCL CEO Kevin Sheehan said today.

Balcony Stateroom

New-to-Breakaway touches include recessed storage spaces behind the bed  for keeping magazines, books, tablet computers and Kindles.  Other balcony and mini-suite standards include king-size beds set against a chestnut leather headboard, which can be separated into twins and sofa beds with built-in storage.  There is a 26-inch, flat screen TV mounted on the wall which can be tilted toward the sofa or the bed.  Underneath the television is another recessed nook to hold cruise information, books and magazines.  There is a built-in vanity area with shelving and lots of storage space.  There is also a full-size closet that is easily accessible with sliding doors.  LED lighting surrounds the perimeter of the ceiling to give the room warmth.  The staterooms are energy efficient, utilizing key card access to control lighting in the room. 

Balcony Bathroom

The mini-suites are essentially a roomier version of the balcony stateroom with a larger bathroom that incorporates a double sink with two faucets and a mosaic glass tile backsplash.  Besides the extra space, the real high point may be the spa-like shower.  The large stall features a rain style shower head and multiple body spray jets, along with a separate handheld shower head.  Square footage information for either cabin category is not available at this time.

Mini-suite Bathroom

The two Project Breakaway ships will have 1,024 balcony cabins and 238 mini-suites.  The line will be revealing a steady stream of Project Breakaway details over the next few months on their FaceBook site.  Bookings will open in October.