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| << September22, 2003 - 7 Seas Cruise News |
October20, 2003 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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Hello, Cruise Fans, I can hardly believe that so much has transpired since we blissfully left for the Baltic just 6 weeks ago. After we returned, our fast trip to Florida resulted in a job offer for me and an instantaneous relocation for us to Boca Raton. Now, along with Bob-the- dog, we are settled in a rented house in this beautiful city. I am writing for Bluegreen Inc. Most of the boxes are unpacked (ok. Some of the boxes are unpacked) and best of all, 7 Seas Cruises is back in business- full steam ahead. We have cable Internet access again, genuine telephones, real fax machines-in short, everything Pat needs to actually help you plan and purchase a cruise. We would like to apologize to all of you who waited patiently and stood by helplessly while we unraveled- first in the Baltic, then on the road, and finally, during the move. We are all put back together again! Thanks for your words of encouragement. I want to talk a little about another Baltic port of call tonight, but first, some cruise news??¦ Royal Caribbean International has joined with the State of Louisiana to offer travelers a unique opportunity to enjoy the tastes, sounds and history of the state. The Official Cruise Line of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Celebration, Royal Caribbean is wrapping up the anniversary year with a special sailing timed to correspond with the state's official re-enactment of the Louisiana Purchase signing. Guests onboard the special, Dec. 13 commemorative cruise will enjoy performances by local legends Irma Thomas and Harry Connick, Sr., as well as Zydeco master Terrence Simien. Cruisers will also have a chance to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the state during the Mardi Gras Under the Stars celebration and Louisiana Film Festival. In addition, Royal Caribbean's team of international chefs will offer special menu items throughout the week that reflect the region's world-renowned cuisine. Cruisers return to New Orleans on Saturday, Dec. 20, in plenty of time to head to the Cabildo - the historic site of the Louisiana Purchase ceremonies in 1803 - where VIPs and dignitaries will re-enact the historic transaction that reshaped the nation. What fun! If you'd like to know more, give Pat a call at the toll-free number, 1-866-424-1090 or send him an e-mail at cruiseplanners7seascruises@ msn.com Royal Caribbean International has announced that Jean Driscoll - world-class athlete, Olympian, Paralympian and international advocate for persons with disabilities - will serve as godmother to the line's newest ship, Mariner of the Seas, which debuts later this year. As godmother, Driscoll will officially give the ship its name during ceremonies in Port Canaveral, Fla., on Nov. 14, 2003. Driscoll's achievements range from winning the women's wheelchair division of the prestigious Boston Marathon eight times - the only person in Boston Marathon history to achieve that feat - to victories in both the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games. She was recognized by Sports Illustrated for Women as one of the top 25 female athletes of the 20th century and is also a world record holder in the 10,000-meter track event as well as the 10K and marathon road racing distances. Born with spina bifida, Driscoll is actively involved with organizations for athletes with disabilities both in the United States and abroad. Driscoll joins a distinguished list of Royal Caribbean godmothers, including Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Katarina Witt, Stefanie Graf, Whoopi Goldberg and Queen Sonja of Norway. Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, the Vancouver International Airport Authority, Air Canada, and Alaska Airlines today announced the successful completion of a 10-week pilot program called "Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet." The innovative program allowed participating cruise guests to conduct their airline and luggage check-in for their return flights home while still onboard their cruise ship. The program allowed guests to bypass the traditional check-in process at the Vancouver International Airport, adding convenience and saving time. Results show that Onboard Check- in and Luggage Valet saved guests 45 minutes to two hours, compared to the traditional airport check-in process. 2, 170 passengers participated in the pilot program, which ran from July 13 to September 21, 2003. Canadian authorities and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration approved and oversaw the program. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has named Pat Catanzarite of South Bend, Ind. and Anton Mallard of Denver, Colo. as first round winners of its new "Star Seekers" passenger talent competition, which offers NCL guests the opportunity to wow their fellow cruisers and possibly win a full-time entertainment contract aboard an NCL ship! Judges include the ship's hotel and cruise directors, plus a musician and a performer from the ship's professional entertainment staff. First-round winners such as Catanzarite and Mallard, receive a complimentary NCL cruise during which they serve as a featured entertainer in a 45-minute cabaret show. Catanzarite, a barber, cruised as a stand-up comic on the Sept. 28, 2003 Bermuda cruise on Norwegian Majesty out of Boston. Meanwhile, Mallard, a shipping manager, will be sailing as a singer on the Nov. 1, 2003 Western Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Wind out of Miami. As part of its new seven-day "exotic" western Caribbean cruise program from Galveston launched late last month, Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,052- passenger Elation offers a comprehensive golf program featuring top Caribbean courses. Managed by Sunrise, Fla.- based Elite Golf Cruises LLC, the program includes professional instruction both aboard ship and during golf excursions. Featured courses on the Elation's new seven-day cruises include: Cozumel Country Club (Cozumel), and Caye Chapel Golf Resort ( Belize). Shipboard lessons, which are available in 30- and 60- minute increments, are conducted by a golf professional who utilizes state-of-the-art V1 teaching computers featuring side-by-side comparisons with top tour players and sophisticated video analysis. Golfers can continue their lessons at home with a take- home video recap, which is available for purchase on board. Lessons take place in a covered and lighted "practice range" which protects golfers from the elements and allows for both daytime and evening instruction. The "practice range" also serves as the venue for putting contests and various group clinics taking place throughout the voyage. All- inclusive golf excursions include professional golf escort, priority tee times, round-trip transportation between ship and course, and cart and green fees. Equipment rental, including top-of-the-line Callaway clubs and Adidas golf shoes, is also available. All- inclusive packages, which include professional instruction, begin at $140 per person for 18 holes. Professional on-board lessons range in price from $25 for a "swing check" to $80 for a complete one-hour video analysis with an instructor. The Elation's golf offerings are part of the line's fleetwide golf program, which is featured aboard all 19 "Fun Ships" and includes courses throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, New England and Bermuda. The second Baltic port of call we visited on the Oosterdam in August and September was Arhus, Denmark. This is Denmark's second city in terms of population. It's an interesting place, part modern-part Middle Ages. The Oosterdam berthed downtown, just steps from the city and alongside a city wharf that was hosting an international festival of wooden ships. This brought the crowds out and gave our time in port a very festive air. Downtown Arhus was also hosting a festival which lined the canal and seemed to combine music, food, arts and interesting vendors. Genuine Peruvian sweaters, for example, were spread out on blankets alongside Russian amber and nesting dolls. As for Pat and I, we wanted to visit Den Gamle By-a Danish folk museum where houses and stores from throughout Denmark have been assembled to create a sort of make-believe market town. It is quite charming and a brief cab ride from downtown. We were convinced we could master the city buses to get ourselves back to the ship, but we failed to account for the kinds of crowds the two festivals would draw. Every bus that passed going the right way was filled to beyond-capacity. We reverted to plan B-find a cab, and after walking to where we thought the cabs would be, just gave up and went to plan C-a long, long walk back to the ship. About 5 miles. I can't complain. We survived and it gave us a chance to really see and enjoy the festivals. The shore excursion everyone seemed most excited about on board the ship was the visit to the Lego factory and Legoworld, where everything is literally made of those little plastic blocks that always seemed to be all over the floor when the girls were little. Although the Legoland tour is expensive and requires an all- day commitment, people who went thought it was great fun. If you are a kid or are traveling with one or just like Legos, don't miss this opportunity! Otherwise, a stroll around Den Gamle By and a walk through town is just about the perfect way to spend a day in Arhus. Incidentally, it's pronounced "R-hoooose." That's it from sunny Florida. The weather is marvelous and so far, at least, we're not missing the multi-colored beauty of Indiana in the fall. Until next week, smooth sailing. Teri |
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| << September22, 2003 - 7 Seas Cruise News |
October20, 2003 - 7 Seas Cruise News >> |
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