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September01, 2003 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Greetings, Cruise Fans Welcome to another edition of the 7 Seas Cruise News. In this issue, we'll look at some upcoming South American cruises and some changes in the industry. By the time you receive this, Pat will have closed 7 Seas Cruises and hung out the "Gone Cruisin'" sign. Tomorrow morning, we're off to Paris, then London, then Harwich where we'll catch the new Oosterdam on Wednesday. We're both so excited about this trip, since the Baltic countries have been on the "must see" list for a long time and the chance to sail on a brand new ship is always a thrill. In next week's newsletter, I'll tell you more about the ship and itinerary. But, now, for some news??¦ So long, Flower Radisson Seven Seas Cruises has sold its 180- passenger Song of Flower. The ship, whose last voyage banner will begin on October 15, has been acquired by a European firm that plans to market the vessel outside the U.S. RSSC has retained the "Song of Flower" name-just in case they want to give another ship that curious name. Popular for its small size and elegant intimacy, Song of Flower has been the company's pathfinder - a term for ships that sail more exotic itineraries. The 8,282-ton Song of Flower was built in Norway in 1974 as a cargo vessel and sailed under the name Begonia. Then, it was overhauled and converted into a cruise ship in 1986 and operated as part of Exploration Cruise Lines. When Exploration folded, the ship was once again refurbished to become the Song of Flower. New Alaska Cruise Ports for '04 For 2004, Norwegian Cruise Line has added Prince Rupert as a destination for its Alaska cruises. Norwegian Sky will make 18 calls at Prince Rupert throughout the summer season. The port city of Prince Rupert is located at the mouth of the Skeena River on the north coast of British Columbia, and is about 70 miles south of Ketchikan, the northern opening of the Inside Passage. Other ports on Sky's itinerary, which is a roundtrip seven-day cruise from Seattle, include Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Prince Rupert is known for many of the same style attractions found in mainstream Alaska ports like Skagway and Ketchikan - with primary activities including sport fishing, whale-watching, a grizzly bear sanctuary, and a very rich native heritage. Among its premier sites is the Museum of Northern British Columbia, which has one of the world's top collections of north coast native art and artifacts in the world. The port also has unique shops, boutiques and restaurants. City developers are establishing a new train tour operation that will take travelers through the rugged Skeena River valley. British Columbia has become quite committed to promoting other possible alternatives to the usual Skagway-Ketchikan- Juneau "Inside Passage" route. Among them include Victoria (already on some itineraries), Nanaimo, and Campbell River. In other Alaska switcheroos, Princess Cruises announced recently that it would replace Seward with Whittier next year on all 72 of its Gulf of Alaska voyages. Whittier, which in the past had lost out to Seward, won the coveted turn-around-port position as a result of significant infrastructure development, like a new port terminal and construction of a new highway into an existing railway tunnel that shortens the trip to Anchorage to a reasonable 65 miles. Up for Adventure? For the first time, Holland America is featuring a unique cruise roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale through the Caribbean to Brazil and up the Amazon River. The 28-day "Amazon Explorer" cruise has just one departure -Nov. 20, 2004 - aboard the 794-passenger Prinsendam. This smaller, more intimate ship is able to call at some of the more secluded Caribbean ports and navigate far up the Amazon River. Guests on this special cruise will sail into secret rain forests where ocelots prowl, piranhas rule the river and gold miners still search for treasure. The Prinsendam visits such exotic ports as Santa Barbara de Samana, Dominican Republic; Gustavia, St. Barthelemy; Kingstown, St. Vincent; St. George's, Grenada; Pigeon Point, Tobago; Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; and St. John's, Antigua, while cruising the Caribbean to and from Brazil. The ship sails along the Brazilian coast, crosses the equator and cruises up the Amazon River, calling at Santarem, Boca da Valeria, Parintins; and an extended two-day stay at Manaus. Returning, the Prinsendam spends a full day at intriguing Devil's Island, French Guiana, and Half Moon Cay, Holland America's award-winning private island. Note: this one requires both a passport and shots, so plan ahead. Sounds like it would be worth it! NCL Takes the Crown to South America Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)'s Norwegian Crown will continue the company's exotic journeys to South America in 2004 and 2005, with a series of 14-day sailings between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, Chile highlighted by optional flyovers of Antarctica and scenic cruising through Chile's stunning fjords. The 1,104- passenger Norwegian Crown will offer five 14- day Chilean Fjords/Strait of Magellan voyages from Dec. 28, 2003 to Feb. 22, 2004. The series resumes on Dec. 19, 2004 when Norwegian Crown launches the first of six 14-day South America departures through Feb. 27, 2005. These 14-day cruises visit Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; and Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt, Chile; before docking in Valparaiso (Santiago). Along the route, guests will enjoy scenic cruising through Cape Horn, the Beagle Channel ( featuring the Channel's majestic glaciers), the Strait of Magellan, the Chilean fjords, the Patagonic Channel and Canal Moraleda. Passengers can opt for an Antarctica flyover while in Punta Arenas, and the itinerary also features three relaxing days at sea. During her February refurbishment, Norwegian Crown underwent dramatic changes that transformed the vessel into a Freestyle Cruising ship offering guests all the flexibility and choice synonymous with the concept. The changes include the addition of three new restaurants: NCL's signature Le Bistro; Pasta Cafe, an Italian pasta café; and Chopsticks, an Asian- themed restaurant, bringing the number of restaurants onboard the ship to six. Norwegian Crown's Crown Club Casino was completely rebuilt, and a new center for children and teens was added. Also new is the Mandara Spa, Beauty Salon and Fitness Center. The Norwegian Crown is a charming ship. It has the most distinctive china in the dining room! That's about it, news-wise. I think I have managed to avoid packing long enough. Watch for next week' s "special edition" newsletter live from the Baltic Sea (assuming the satellite cooperates!) with observations about Oslo and the new Oosterdam! The office will reopen on September 11. Teri Although Pat hates it when I experiment in the kitchen, I just love new recipes! That's why I like this ezine so much. If you like to cook, and unlike my husband, do not like the same thing over and over, then check out this free ezine!. Love to cook? Love to laugh? Join us at A to Z Recipes! We offer a menu PLUS many reader recipe submissions daily. There's something to make you laugh and think in EACH issue. From cooking Acorn squash to Zucchini, join us at A to Z Recipes! Subscription email: 62028- subscribe@zinester.com Maggie Blackwell - Publisher |
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