The Avid Cruiser

THE BEVERLY HILTON, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA — Perhaps the biggest surprise announced last night during the Viking Ocean Cruises’ reveal: lead-in per diems at just under $300 per person with included WiFi, an included tour in each port of call, overnight stays in embarkation and disembarkation ports, and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and The post Open For Bookings: Nearly All-Inclusive, Viking Ocean Cruises’ New Viking Star appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

After I posted Seven Reasons Why Europa 2 Can Command The Luxury Cruise Segment’s Highest Prices — For Now, a few people wrote to me to ask if I liked the new ship. In my first post, I tried to be as objective as possible, withholding my opinions. But because you asked, yes, I do The post Photo Tour & Five Things I Like About Europa 2 appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

by guest contributor, Roderick Eime Now that the era of cruise ships, indeed heavy shipping in general, will soon be a thing of the past in Darling Harbour, that’s no reason to discount any of the great hotels that offer top notch accommodation in this alternative to the sometimes pricey, often fully-booked CBD The post Pre/Post Cruise Hotel: The Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

With average per diems of 600 euros per person, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new Europa 2 is attempting to command some of the industry’s highest cruise fares. Its cruises will cost an American couple — the U.S. is one of Europa 2′s target audiences — around US$12,000 for the privilege of spending six nights/seven days in a The post Seven Reasons Why Europa 2 Can Command The Luxury Cruise Segment’s Highest Prices — For Now appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

The gourmet dining concept on EUROPA 2 features eight dining venues, including a sushi bar and three speciality restaurants. With a total capacity of 266, the largest restaurant on EUROPA 2 is the “Weltmeere,” offering both international and refined vegetarian menus. The “Yacht Club,” the second largest restaurant on EUROPA 2, provides specialities fresh from The post Photo Tour: EUROPA 2 Restaurants appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

It was a picture-postcard morning when United Airlines’ flight 928 began its descent to London’s Heathrow Airport this morning. I’m here, courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, to step aboard the new EUROPA 2, which will dock Monday in Southampton, about two hours from my hotel here at London’s Victoria Station (see Boarding Next Week: Hapag-Lloyd’s New The post Good Morning London! Boarding EUROPA 2, Your Questions Answered appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises positions EUROPA 2 as a casual luxury ship. What's "casual" luxury? We'll find out when we step aboard the new EUROPA 2.The post Boarding Next Week: Hapag-Lloyd’s New EUROPA 2 appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

At the Cruise Europe AGM in Le Havre, cruise line execs spoke about 2014/15 deployment patterns and itinerary trends for cruising Europe.The post Cruise Europe: Fuel Costs, Family & The Beauty Of Being Foreign appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Monday afternoon, I’ll step ashore in Le Havre, France, along with many of my industry colleagues. We won’t be landing by boat on the beaches of Normandy, however. Rather, most of us will be arriving via wheeled transportation — motor coaches, automobiles, and who knows, if our friends from Amsterdam are up for a good The post This Week, Reporting From France: Cruise Europe Meets In Le Havre appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

In 1989, Swedish-born Mikael Krafft founded Star Clippers, fulfilling a lifelong dream of reviving the golden age of tall ships. Today, his company operates three tall ships, the 170-passenger Star Flyer, a four-mast sailing ship; sister ship, Star Clipper; and the 227-passenger Royal Clipper, the world’s largest square rigger in service. “We offer an The post A Sailing Man, Mikael Krafft, Founder Of Star Clippers: Ready To Set Sail? appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Silver Explorer could be my favorite among the vessels in the Silversea fleet. There, I’ve said it. I love this tiny expedition vessel and the experiences it offers, both on board and ashore. “It’s expedition on the outside, and Silversea on the inside,” Hotel Director Marcus Path said to me one evening in the Panorama Lounge. The post An Avid Cruiser Favorite: Luxury Expedition Cruising On Silver Explorer appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Headed to Stockholm on a cruise? Be sure to visit ABBA The Museum, which will open May 7, 2013, and will become the home of ABBA’s collected works. ABBA remains Sweden’s most successful band of all time, with sales of 378 million albums around the world. ABBA The Museum will span the band’s career all The post ABBA, The Museum Opens In Stockholm appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Having just returned from a hard-hat tour of Royal Princess at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, I’ve concluded that there are at least six types of people who would enjoy a Royal Princess cruise. Which defines you? Movie Lover. The new Royal Princess will feature Princess Cruises’ largest-ever “Movies Under The Stars.” Movies at The post Six Types Of People Who Would Enjoy A Royal Princess Cruise: Are You One? appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Oasis of the Seas, and its sister Allure of the Seas, are so large that the only way designers could think of to help consumers conceptualize them was to divide the vessels up into neighborhoods. Imagine, ships so big that they can have a Central Park, with more than 10,000 living plants, plus The post Floating Cities At Sea appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

In a past installment of Avid Cruiser Voyages, we told you about the magical experience that is the Transatlantic Crossing. But the Atlantic isn’t the only way to cross. In fact, one of the most adventurous ocean crossings you can make begins on the opposite side of The post Avid Cruiser Voyages: The Transpacific Crossing appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

I’ve just returned from Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Thanks to Princess Cruises, I was part of a press trip that visited the shipyard to witness the float out of the Regal Princess, and to tour the Royal Princess, in the final phases of construction in the Italian town situated on the coast of the Gulf of The post 51 Royal Princess Photos & The Regal Princess Float Out appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

After a wonderful stay at the Gritti Palace last night, this morning, along with a group of travel journalists, I’ll visit the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, where Royal Princess is under construction. Here’s how our day looks: 9 am Depart Gritti Palace for Monfalcone 11:15 am Arrive Monfalcone 11:30 am Regal Princess Float Out Ceremony 12:30 The post In Venice To Meet A Royal Princess appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Last night and tonight, I am enjoying a wonderful stay at the Gritti Palace, courtesy of Princess Cruises. The company has brought me, and a dozen or so other journalists, here for a shipyard tour of the new Royal Princess, entering the final phases of construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in nearby Monfalcone. Dinner this evening will The post Recommended In Venice: La Fenice Theatre appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Along with a dozen or so other travel writers, I am in Venice, Italy, at the gorgeous The Gritti Palace. We’re here to visit the shipyard where Royal Princess is in the final stages of construction, but this evening is far from a shipyard visit, thanks to the fine folks at Princess Cruises. The post In Photos: The Gritti Palace In Venice, Italy appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Following a naming ceremony here last week, I am just now concluding my stay in Amsterdam, where the bar was raised for maritime records: In Photos: 10 Ships Christened In Amsterdam, A World’s Record. One of the challenges that some have with this country is what to properly call it. It’s not Holland. There is no The post Let’s Get It Right: There Is No Country Called Holland appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Monday and Tuesday nights, a dozen or so journalists along with reps from Princess Cruises will be laying their heads on pillows at Venice’s legendary Gritti Palace. We’re in Venice to tour the new Royal Princess, entering the final phases of construction in nearby Monfalcone. After a night’s rest at the Gritti Palace, I’ll be reporting on The post Two Unbelievable Nights At The Gritti Palace In Venice, Italy appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

The notion of cruising Europe on winter cruises is finally gaining traction in the minds of the traveling public. What's the appeal?

Though you may be excitedly packing for your cruise in Europe this year, the cruise lines have been looking ahead and rolling out itineraries for Europe Cruises 2014. Here’s a sampling of what to look forward to next year as an armada of ships plies the oceans (and seas) of Europe. Stay tuned: In the The post Planning Ahead: Sampling Of Europe Cruises 2014, Celebrity, Cunard, Royal Caribbean & Princess appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Cunard Line has updated its dress codes, while at the same time encouraging the loosening of ties on its less formal nights onboard its classic liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. Research with existing passengers and luxury travelers suggests they want formal dress codes three times a week on Cunard’s Transatlantic Crossings The post Put On Your Best 007: Cunard Dress Code Revised appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Last week, at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, Carrie Finley-Bajak (who runs Cruise Buzz here on Avid Cruiser) attended a Princess Cruises press conference. The team from Princess Cruises did a fun presentation featuring “20 Things You Don’t Know About Royal Princess.”   Check out Our Favorite Royal Princess Innovations on Cruise Buzz. The post Our Favorite Royal Princess Innovations appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Some of the most rewarding travel that I’ve experienced was presented to me on small ships, and specifically, small expedition ships. A couple of years ago, I spent nearly two weeks on Silver Explorer, which showed me a side of the Caribbean I had never seen, despite numerous trips to the region during the The post Toward Further Enrichment: Silversea Partners With Renowned Geographers appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Just announced: a new cruise and land program that even Charles Darwin would have approved. Silversea Expeditions is introducing new multiple-day land excursions to complement voyages to the Galápagos Islands aboard Silver Galapagos, the luxury expedition ship set to debut in late September. The land extensions have been “carefully curated to showcase the breathtaking landscapes and intriguing cultures The post New Land Adventures For Silver Galapagos appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

In our previous installment of Avid Cruiser Voyages, we wrote about the natural spelendours that awaited cruisers in New Zealand.  But it’s impossible to mention New Zealand without mentioning another country, equally as fascinating and diverse, located just a short cruise away. We’re talking, of course, about the The post Avid Cruiser Voyages: Australia appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

I’ve been in motion for more than five decades, a journey that began with my father driving my mother, sister and me around the southern United States to explore all that our region had to offer. Along the way, we stopped at Stuckey’s for sugar-packed Pecan Logs, stayed at cheap hotels and visited relatives The post Where To Cruise Next? Avid Cruiser Voyages Provides Inspiration appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.

Guest post by Sarah Treleaven Our butler was from India. Our hostess was from the Philippines. Our waiter was from Indonesia. The front desk attendant was Azerbaijani. And the Coke in our mini fridge was exclusively for sale in Vietnam. Welcome to the international world of cruising. Last year, on my very first cruise, a The post First-Time Cruiser: Discovers The World At Sea appeared first on Cruise Reviews, Ship Reviews by The Avid Cruiser.