Thinking of going on a Theme Cruise? Check these out!

Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

 
Recently, I wrote about my excitement for the Biggest Loser Cruise coming up this November.  I wanted to take some time to showcase some other themed cruises that are approaching.  There are themed cruises for all ages, hobbies, and some great ones on wellness and living healthy.  Don’t forget, along with the benefits below you will get all that comes along with your normal cruise vacation!

Carnival
Richard Simmons' Hooray for Hollywood Cruise to Lose 2011: Carnival Splendor - October 23 to October 30
A week of healthy, motivating fun with Richard Simmons’

Backstreet Boys Cruise: Carnival Imagination - December 2–5 2011
Backstreet Boysl!  I would love to be there to sing-a-long to all their songs! 
Find more theme cruises on Carnival here.

Celebrity
Savor Your Destination – Multiple Sailings  
A renowned guest chef or wine maker is invited aboard select cruises. 

Crystal
Crystal Wine & Food Festival – Multiple Sailings
These cruises will offer insight into the tastes and cultures of the region.

MSC Cruises
Wellness Cruise:  MSC Magnifica – December 2011
This cruise is an opportunity to get in great shape including using the onboard fitness equipment, attending informal talks on health and wellness, sports activities, nutritional tips and health consultations at sea.
Find more theme cruises here including Chess, Hobby, and Card Game Cruises.

Royal Caribbean
Ante Up Poker Cruise: Monarch of the Seas - August 29 - September 2, 2011
This cruise showcases a variety of multi-table tournaments with contestants playing “poker no limit hold'em, limit hold'em, pot-limit Omaha, HORSE or HORSE limit.”  

Dancing with the Stars: Freedom of the Seas -  January 15 – 22, 2012
Chelsie Hightower, Tony Dovolani, and Elena Grinenko will be onboard for a week of dance classes, parties, photos, autograph sessions, Q & A sessions, and activities.

  
Check back on frequently on the news section of my website to see the latest announcements.

FreshCruiser Tip: Always ask if there are any events or themed cruises to the travel agent or cruiseline when booking your travel - as you may not want to be on a SuperBowl themed cruise if you are looking to escape it for the weekend !

Final Countdown for Princess Cruises' Bucket List, what’s on yours?

 
Princess Cruises recently posted the 41th experience on its blog, “50 Essential Experiences: The Travel Bucket List.”  The 41th article is titled “In Step with the Dutch Life,” written by District Sales Manager, Megan O'Toole, who describes a trip she took to find out more about her heritage, as she tells us the story of meeting with a side of her family that she’s never met while on a trip to the Netherlands.

 “We think our blog has resonated with so many because it inspires readers to consider their own travel bucket lists, and what experiences they dream of having. Hundreds of people have commented that our blog has given them ideas about their next travel destinations, and now we’re only 10 away from completing the full list of experiences that our Princess experts consider to be essential,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

According to Princess Cruises, since the debut of the blog last October, it has received over two million page views and over 4,000 comments from readers. As the posts near the end, the final nine posts will be revealed each week with the last one on October 4, 2011.

Do you have a travel bucket list?  This past October, while cruising on the Celebrity Equinox, I was able to cross a few things off my bucket list which included seeing the Acropolis and having a delicious gyro in Athens!  Seeing the Parthenon and walking around the Acropolis was breathtaking, and it was something I had always wanted to see after taking a class on Ancient Greece in school.  

Photo Credit: Princess Cruises

After reading the experiences on Princess Cruises' bucket list, I’ve added dog sledding in Alaska to mine. Royal Princess’s Cruise Director, Peter Roberts, recounts his experience of “Dog Mushing on a Sunlit Glacier” in Skagway, Alaska.  On my next Alaskan cruise, it’s something I’d love to do.  The excitement of the helicopter ride to meeting the dogs to being surrounded by such nature, it sounds like a great adventure! 

Click here to visit the Princess Cruises - 50 Essential Experiences: The Travel Bucket List blog. 

 FreshCruiser Tip:  Don’t know where to start with your own travel bucket list? Or, where to take your next trip? Read through the posts to see if anything inspires you.

Want a cheap cruise? How to get the best deal on your next cruise!

Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

If you’re like me, you wish you were always cruising. Or, maybe you’ve never been on a cruise before. Whatever your circumstances may be, it’s always good to look for a deal before you cruise.

Here are my tips for finding a cheap cruise:

-    Don’t be picky about your cabin type or location
Ask for what’s called a “Category Guarantee" for your date of sailing. By doing this, you are guaranteed the category you booked; however, there is a good chance you will receive an upgrade to a better category cabin.  Even though you have the option to select your actual cabin number, as long you’re not picky, you could end up paying less for a better cabin. 

-    Just ask! Cruise Discounts are out there especially for you!
Tell the agent some quick information about yourself and who you are traveling with as there are all types of discounts offered by cruises. You can receive discounts for where you reside, your age (55+), and if you are a past-guest.  Also, there are discounts for different professions including military, firefighters, EMTs, police, and teachers.

-    Travel at the beginning or end of a season
Take one of the first or last cruises to Alaska, normally a little cooler temperature which means a less in demand time to cruise

-    Be willing to embark and disembark from different ports
If a cruise ship is transitioning to a new location, commonly known as a repositioning cruise, many times you can get a good price on the cruise because it’s not always the most desirable ports or involves a lot of days at sea.

-    Be ready to go last minute
Cruise lines want to sail with a full ship every time, so if you can be flexible, you can get some great last minute deals

-    Be flexible with when you want to go, have a few weeks in mind
If your dates aren’t set, it will give you more flexibility to finding a deal

-    Go during off times – hurricane season, colder weather, holidays, etc
Try to avoid cruising during peak times like Christmas, New Years, and Spring break.

-    Check with different travel agents and online resources
By checking a few sources, you can see what’s being offered as they might be offering different incentives including on board ship credit, cash back, and hotel credits

-    Sign up to receive special offers from cruise lines
Keep updated on offers from cruise lines by subscribing to receive promotion e-mails.  It’s a great way learn first about discounts.

Freshcruiser Tip: A little time and research will save you money!

Fun and healthy summer salad from on board the Disney Dream

Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

Looking for a new salad to make this summer?  Why not make one that’s served on the Disney Dream!

I love salad but sometimes I get a little bored and need a new twist.  The recipe below is for an Avocado-Citrus Salad which is served at the Royal Palace restaurant on the Disney Dream. The restaurant is inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.”

The citrus dressing is fresh, super healthy and easy to make with ingredients that are available at any grocery store.  My favorite part of the salad is the avocados as they not only taste good but include over 20 essential nutrients. Jazz the salad up a little more by adding slivered almonds to give it a little crunch and protein.

According to the Disney Cruise Line website, “At Royal Palace, guests feast on world-class continental cuisine. The menu includes dishes fit for a monarch, including lobster and jumbo shrimp, escargot, Dijon-roasted rack of lamb and beef tenderloin with lobster medallions. The wine list features an excellent selection of Old World wines. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at this restaurant.”

Click here and click on the Menu tab to see a sample menu from the Royal Palace restaurant.


Avocado-Citrus Salad from the Disney Dream
Serves 4

Citrus Dressing
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 lime, juiced
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Avocado-Citrus Salad
4 navel oranges
3 ripe Hass avocados, halved and pitted
6 cups mixed baby lettuce

For the citrus dressing:
1.    Combine orange juice and lime juice in a medium bowl. Slowly drizzle in oil, salt and pepper, whisking vigorously until combined. If making in advance, re-whisk before serving.
For the avocado-citrus salad:
1.    Cut peel, including the white pith, from the oranges with a small knife. Cut segments free from membranes; set segments aside and discard membranes.
2.    Cut avocadoes into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
3.    Divide mixed greens among 4 salad bowls. Top with 5 avocado slices and 5 to 8 orange segments; drizzle lightly with dressing. Serve immediately.
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Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

Looking for a little indulgence?
Click here for the Strawberry Cheesecake recipe, served at the Enchanted Garden on Disney Dream. The Enchanted Garden is described as a “casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles. It features a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.”

To make the cheesecake a little healthier, switch to low fat or fat-free cream cheese which will reduce fat and carbohydrates and shouldn’t affect the taste that much. And, try to find a low-fat version of graham crackers for the crust.

FreshCruiser Tip: Have a dish that you absolutely loved while cruising?  Write it down and search online for the recipe when you get back.

Bon Voyage Gifts! Surprise someone on their next cruise with a gift delivered to their stateroom

 
Need help on how to purchase a gift for someone who is going on a cruise?
Is someone you know taking a cruise for birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon and you want to surprise them?

Often called Bon Voyage gifts, you can purchase an on-board credit that can be used for anything or purchase the credit for something more specific like to the spa, photography, casino, or for excursions.  Other gift ideas include logo clothing, flowers, and a bottle of wine.   Offerings depend on the cruise line but most offer a variety of options, even chocolate covered strawberries!  It's a great way to surprise someone! 
 
You can contact the cruise line directly, giving them the name of the person and the sail date and the reservation number would help but usually isn't necessary.  The gifts are normally delivered on embarkation day to the stateroom. 

Click on the links below to go directly to a specific cruise company's gift page:

Azamara Club Cruises
Carnival Cruises
Celebrity Cruises 
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard
 Disney Cruise Line
Holland America
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
P&O Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Seabourn
Silversea
  Uniworld River Cruises 

Viking River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

I surprised my parents with an onboard credit on their first cruise, as I knew my mom would want to buy a lot of pictures and would be a constant battle with my dad who would try to limit her to 1-2 total. For my good friends who are going on their honeymoon in October on the Carnival Glory, we gave them an onboard credit as part of their wedding gift.  I hope they will use it for something fun able to splurge a little!  The picture above are flowers that my parents sent my husband and I on our honeymoon, it was a total surprise and a fun way to start off the cruise!

FreshCruiser Tip: Cruise lines have gifts for any budget, so make sure to search thoroughly through the website to find the perfect fit!

Ever wonder how much you’re walking on a cruise ship?

I’ve often wondering how much I walk in a day on a cruise ship, and on my next cruise I plan on bringing a pedometer to really find out if it’s as much as I think it is. But in the meantime, I did some quick research of the cruise ships out there.

Most of the newer ships average around 1050 feet which equals .2 miles if you were to walk from end-to-end of the ship. Depending on where your cabin is or what locations on the ship you like, that mileage could add up.  Two of the longest cruise ships, are Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, both at 1181 feet long.  It depends on where your cabin is located but in general, by going to from your cabin to breakfast, lunch, dinner and maybe a show, you’re already over a mile!

Of course, most ships have a track to walk around the deck, which is a nice way to be outside while adding some additional miles.

Definitely pack a good pair of walking shoes!

FreshCruiser Tip:  Walk each floor of the ship, you’ll gain your bearings of where things are located and also burn some calories walking from end-to-end! 

Roll Call! Connect with your Fellow Cruisers

Source: Princess Cruises Facebook page

Have your next cruise planned?  If so, it’s time to join a Roll Call for your sailing date!   

A “Roll Call” is a place where you can find other people sailing on your same voyage.  It’s a great way to gain excitement as well as meet new people, gather information, and ask questions.  The cruise industry website, CruiseCritic.com, has a Roll Call section on their website for all sailings, organized by Cruise line and date of sailing.
 
Princess Cruises recently introduced its own Princess Roll Call™ section on its Facebook page.  The facebook page gives the ability for passengers to connect with other passengers before and after their cruise.

I’ve joined the Roll Call on Cruise Critic for many cruises that I've been for advice on excursions and what to do in certain ports.  The information that I’ve learned has been extremely valuable in planning my trips.  On one of my most recent cruises, I learned from another passenger that we would be in the port of Haifa, Israel during a Jewish Holy Day.  This meant that most of the city would be closed.  My first plan of spending the day trying out different hummus and falafel joints around town changed to more of a site-seeing day.  I think it’s really fun to interact with people from all around the world who are all looking forward to the same thing! 

On another cruise, I thought that the port of Messina, Italy was going to be a day of just relaxing on the ship.  There wasn’t a lot I wanted to see in the town and was the port that I was least excited sailing to.  But after joining Roll Call for my cruise, there were posts about how you MUST go to Taormina and how beautiful the scenery is around that area.  I ended booking a shore excursion through the cruise ship that went to Taormina.  I have to say, “Taormina is not to be missed”!
 
Many cruise lines will host what’s called a “Meet & Mingle” party for Cruise Critic members. You’ll get the chance to meet the other passengers that you’ve been talking to leading up to your sailing date!   It’s usually held in a lounge or other area of the ship and refreshments are served. 
 
If you're looking to meet new people, it's a great way to get started before you even get on the ship.  Furthermore, Princess Cruises plans to keep each sailing's page available after the cruise, so cruisers can keep share photos and keep in touch on facebook.
 
The Princess Roll Call can be reached directly here or by logging onto Princess' Facebook page at facebook.com/PrincessCruises and clicking on the "Roll Call" tab on the left.
 
Cruise Critic Roll Calls can be reached directly here.  You will need to sign up for a free membership before accessing the boards.  

FreshCruiser Tip: Join a Roll Call, it’s a great way to get excited! There's absolutely no risk as you can participate as much or as little as you want! 

Day at Sea? Ideas on what to wear on your upcoming cruise

lucy

During a day at sea will probably find yourself doing a combination of being inside, participating in a dance class or trivia as well as outside, maybe sitting by the pool or an outdoor activity.  The key is to layer your clothes and find an outfit that will fit your plans for the day.  Your outfit should be comfy as well, after all you’re on vacation and there to relax! When you're packing, trying to bring clothes that can be mixed and matched to provide you with options.  

The style above is perfect for a morning jog or walk around the track and works great for heading to the lunch buffet.  Since I typically start my mornings at sea by going to the fitness center, the above outfit is one you’d definitely see me in.

Outfit ideas for the Caribbean or Mediterranean cruises

Bloomingdales

This cover-up will let you be comfortable and summery where ever you are on the ship

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Athleta

When visiting the Athleta website, you can sort by adventure/travel to find a bunch of outfits, this one is great for any activity
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lululemon

Lightweight and vented, great for hot days at sea

Outfit ideas for Alaska or Baltic cruises

Eileen Fischer available at Nordstrom

Cozy, comfortable outfit for a cooler day at sea

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Ann Taylor Loft

Versatile outfit, great for inside and outside 

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Banana Republic

Layered look, ready for warm and cooler temperatures

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FreshCruiser TIP:  Don't forget, it can feel a lot cooler on deck than the forecast may say.  Depending on the direction the boat is headed relative to the wind, it can feel chilly so dress accordingly!