Cruising in Asia http://www.cruisinginasia.com Get tips on planning a luxury cruise in Asia Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Norwegian Cruise Line puts Europe on sale http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/norwegian-cruise-line-puts-europe-on-sale/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/norwegian-cruise-line-puts-europe-on-sale/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:16 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/norwegian-cruise-line-puts-europe-on-sale/

Deal watch: Norwegian Cruise Line puts Europe on sale

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

Norwegian Cruise Line today rolled out a three-day sale on Europe voyages that includes a $100 per cabin on-board credit and a credit for airfare to reach the company’s ships.

The Europe Bonus Days on-board credit offer is available for 2012 Europe sailings and fall trans-Atlantic voyages booked by Sunday. The air credit of up to $500 is available on select Europe sailings.

The offer can be combined with Norwegian’s recently announced Little Norwegian’s Explore For Free promotion that gives children free or discounted shore excursions in Europe when accompanied by an adult staying in the same cabin. Read more about the Little Norwegian’s promotion.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships operating in Europe this summer include the 2,018-passenger Norwegian Spirit, which is sailing 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages between Barcelona and Venice; and the 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade, which is sailing seven-day Greek Isles and Adriatic itineraries from Venice as well as 10-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises from Rome.

RELATED:  Next Norwegian ship to have restaurant-lined boardwalk
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside the Norwegian Jade

Also in Europe this summer is Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic. It’s operating seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona.

A fourth Norwegian ship, the 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun, is sailing nine-day Baltic Capitals voyages out of Copenhagen.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/norwegian-cruise-line-puts-europe-on-sale/feed/ 0 George HW Bush sails Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/george-hw-bush-sails-atlantic-on-queen-mary-2/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/george-hw-bush-sails-atlantic-on-queen-mary-2/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:15 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/george-hw-bush-sails-atlantic-on-queen-mary-2/

George H.W. Bush sails the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has had a major VIP on board the past few days: George H.W. Bush.

The former President and former First Lady Barbara Bush arrived in New York this morning after a seven-day crossing from Southampton, England on the 2,620-passenger vessel.

The Bushes were traveling with their daughter, Dorothy, and granddaughter, Georgia, on what was a first trans-Atlantic crossing for all of them.

“Barbara and I have always wanted to make a crossing, and it gives us great joy to be able to do so aboard Queen Mary 2 with our family and close friends,” the former President says in a statement released this morning. “We have enjoyed the voyage from its beginning, and our experience has been made even better by the amazing crew and staff. We will always have fond memories of our trans-Atlantic crossing.”

RELATED:  Longer crossings coming for Queen Mary 2
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside the Queen Mary 2

A Cunard spokesperson says the President and First Lady enjoyed production shows in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre, spent time in its Canyon Ranch SpaClub and attended one of Cunard’s new Apple iStudy enrichment classes. By night, they could be seen dining with the ship’s captain as well as in the Queens Grill Restaurant, which is reserved for passengers in top suites. They also dined in the ship’s Todd English restaurant.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks,” President Bush reportedly said upon embarking in Southampton, to which Barbara Bush replied that he had “been talking about nothing else for months.”

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/george-hw-bush-sails-atlantic-on-queen-mary-2/feed/ 0 Princess to base cruise ship in San Francisco http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/princess-to-base-cruise-ship-in-san-francisco/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/princess-to-base-cruise-ship-in-san-francisco/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:13 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/princess-to-base-cruise-ship-in-san-francisco/

Princess to base cruise ship in San Francisco year-round

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

Princess Cruises plans to base a cruise ship year-round in San Francisco– a first for the line.

The California-based cruise operator late Thursday said the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess would move to the city in May 2013 to sail a mix of voyages to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and the California coast.

“Our Bay Area passengers and travel agents have long been asking for more cruise options from San Francisco, and our new year-round schedule with Grand Princess will now give them a great selection of itinerary,” Princess executive vice president Jan Swartz says in a statement.

RELATED:  Dramatic dry dock transforms Grand Princess
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Princess ship

Princess says the Grand Princess will sail 10-day voyages to Alaska from San Francisco from May 10 to Sept. 7, 2013 that include calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska; a call at Victoria, B.C.; and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm.

The ship then will operate the first of two sailings to Mexico on a new 10-day itinerary that features stops in Loreto and La Paz in Baja California — both new ports for Princess. The itinerary also includes calls at Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Departure dates for the Mexico trips are Sept. 17, 2013 and March 5, 2014.

The plans for the Grand Princess include four California Coastal sailings that include calls at Santa Barbara, Long Beach (for Los Angeles) and San Diego in California; and Ensenada, Mexico. Departure dates are Sept. 27 and Oct. 19, 2013; and March 15 and April 6, 2014.

A dozen Hawaii cruises will be 15 days long and feature calls at the Big Island (Hilo), Oahu (Honolulu), Kauai (Nawiliwili) and Maui (Lahaina); as well as a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. Departures are between Oct. 4, 2013 and April 28, 2014.

Built in 1998, the Grand Princess underwent a dramatic overhaul last year. Read about, see video of the changes.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/princess-to-base-cruise-ship-in-san-francisco/feed/ 0 Next Carnival cruise ship to have sushi eatery http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/next-carnival-cruise-ship-to-have-sushi-eatery/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/next-carnival-cruise-ship-to-have-sushi-eatery/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:12 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/next-carnival-cruise-ship-to-have-sushi-eatery/

Next Carnival cruise ship to have sushi restaurant

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

Add industry giant Carnival to the list of cruise line’s with full-service sushi restaurants on ships.

Carnival today announced that its next vessel, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze, will feature the line’s first full-service, sit-down sushi eatery, to be called Bonsai Sushi. Until now, Carnival only has served sushi as an appetizer at small, take-away sushi bars open for limited hours.

Located along the Carnival Breeze’s Promenade Deck, Bonsai Sushi will offer a wide variety of Asian-inspired items including sushi, sashimi and rolls along with bento boxes, Carnival says. The decor of the eatery will include Bonsai trees, artwork by graffiti artist Erni Vales and colorful koi kites flown during impromptu celebrations, the line adds.

RELATED:  Carnival Breeze to have ’5D’ movie theater
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside Carnival’s latest ship

Prices at Bonsai Sushi will range from $1 for appetizer-sized portions to $15 for a “sushi ship” for two.

Carnival today also revealed that the Carnival Breeze will have a new-for-the-line open-air barbecue eatery. To be called Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ, it’ll also be located on the ship’s Promenade Deck and serve barbecued chicken breast, kielbasa, Italian sausage and pulled pork sandwiches, along with traditional sides such as baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and mini-corn muffins. Passengers will not be charged extra to eat at it.

The new eateries are in addition to a number of other food outlets that Carnival already has announced for the ship, including the Guy Fieri-branded Guy’s Burger Joint and a Mexican restaurant called BlueIguana Cantina.

Currently under construction at a shipyard near Trieste, Italy, the 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze is a sister vessel to the 10-month-old Carnival Magic. It’s scheduled to enter service on June 3. Read about the Carnival Breeze’s new cabin designs.

The Breeze will sail a one-time voyage from Venice to Barcelona on June 3 before beginning a season of 12-night Mediterranean voyages out of Barcelona through Oct. 25. The ship then heads across the Atlantic to Miami, where it will sail six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises year-round.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/next-carnival-cruise-ship-to-have-sushi-eatery/feed/ 0 Luxury line Crystal marks down top suites http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-crystal-marks-down-top-suites/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-crystal-marks-down-top-suites/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:10 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-crystal-marks-down-top-suites/

Deal watch: Crystal Cruises offers ‘rare’ sale on penthouses

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

Luxury line Crystal Cruises has launched what it is calling a rare sale on its most elaborate cabins.

Crystal says customers booking a Penthouse or Penthouse Suite on select fall sailings of the 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity will receive fare reductions of up to $2,000 as well as business class air savings.

Bookings must be made by June 30.

Penthouses and Penthouse Suites on Crystal ships come with a personal butler for complimentary packing and unpacking, pressing, and shoe shine service; daily hors d’oeuvres; a fully stocked champagne, wine and spirits bar; personalized stationery; a walk-in closet; large balcony; and specialty restaurant room service.

RELATED:  Crystal Cruises ships to get new nightspot
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Crystal ship

The sailings included in the new promotion are in the Mediterranean and Black Sea and take place between mid-August and November. They include stops in Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Montenegro, Russia and Ukraine.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-crystal-marks-down-top-suites/feed/ 0 Latest cruise feature: All-vegetarian menus http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/latest-cruise-feature-all-vegetarian-menus/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/latest-cruise-feature-all-vegetarian-menus/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 03:01:08 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/latest-cruise-feature-all-vegetarian-menus/

An all-vegetarian menu? That’s the plan at Holland America

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

Holland America’s latest plan to draw more customers: Serve more vegetables.

The Seattle-based cruise operator on Wednesday announced that it is revamping its food offerings to offer more options for vegetarians and vegans than any other line.

The changes include the addition of a new, all-vegetarian menu that will be available in the dining rooms on Holland America’s 15 ships and the addition of 30 new vegetarian dishes to standard dining room menus.

The all-vegetarian menu will be available upon request at lunch and dinner and include 22 vegetarian and vegan dishes. Among the choices: Portobello Mushroom and Chipotle Quesadillas; Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls; Curried Vegetable Empanadas; Spicy Lentil and Garbanzo Salad; Sweet and Sour Vegetable Tempura; Vegetable Jambalaya; Grilled Vegetable and Tofu Kebobs; and Baked Cheese Polenta with Mushrooms and Artichoke Hearts.

RELATED:  Holland America plans epic cruise to Amazon
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Holland America ship

“Many more people are choosing a vegetarian culinary experience, yet the options can be limited,” Holland America’s executive vice president, Richard Meadows, says in a statement accompanying the announcement. “By offering a complete vegetarian-only menu and the largest vegetarian selection at sea, we are ensuring that all guests can take part in an exceptional dining experience while cruising with Holland America Line.”

Other lines that have expanded vegetarian offerings in recent years include Celebrity Cruises, which also has an all-vegetarian menu available in its main restaurants during lunch and dinner.

The 30 new vegetarian dishes being added to the main dining room menus on Holland America ships also will be available at the vessels’ casual Lido buffets during lunch.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/latest-cruise-feature-all-vegetarian-menus/feed/ 0 Luxury line Regent to overhaul oldest ship http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-4/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-4/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 03:00:56 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-4/

Overhaul planned for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Navigator

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

One of luxury line Regent Seven Seas’ three vessels will be heading into dry dock later this month for an overhaul.

The line says the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator will emerge from the two-week update with a new Italian restaurant as well as completely revamped top suites.

The new Italian eatery will be located at night in La Veranda, the space that by day serves as the ship’s breakfast and lunch buffet venue. It’ll offer an extensive menu of antipasti and Italian specialty dishes available from a buffet or cooked to order, the line says.

RELATED:  Regent to roll out Italian dining option fleetwide
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Regent ship

The 12-year-old ship’s eight Grand Suites and Master Suites will receive a top-to-bottom makeover that includes new built-in cabinetry; custom-crafted furnishings; headboards and bedding; balcony furniture; plush carpeting and designer accessories. Smaller Navigator Suites will be refreshed with new carpeting and wall coverings.

The cabin upgrades also include the addition of illy coffeemakers and other enhanced amenities to Concierge Level suites and other top suites. The upgrades come as the line prepares to roll out new perks for passengers in top suites on the ship, including priority shore excursion and restaurant reservations.

Additional public room enhancements during the dry dock will include the enlarging of Prime 7, the Navigator’s modern American-style steakhouse; the updating of the Galileo Lounge; and the updating of saunas at the ship’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The teak-covered pool area on Deck 10 will be have its flooring renewed.

Seven Seas Navigator is scheduled to emerge from the dry dock on May 30. It’ll spend the summer sailing in Alaska.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-4/feed/ 0 Luxury line Regent to overhaul oldest ship http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-3/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-3/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 03:00:56 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-3/

Overhaul planned for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Navigator

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

One of luxury line Regent Seven Seas’ three vessels will be heading into dry dock later this month for an overhaul.

The line says the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator will emerge from the two-week update with a new Italian restaurant as well as completely revamped top suites.

The new Italian eatery will be located at night in La Veranda, the space that by day serves as the ship’s breakfast and lunch buffet venue. It’ll offer an extensive menu of antipasti and Italian specialty dishes available from a buffet or cooked to order, the line says.

RELATED:  Regent to roll out Italian dining option fleetwide
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Regent ship

The 12-year-old ship’s eight Grand Suites and Master Suites will receive a top-to-bottom makeover that includes new built-in cabinetry; custom-crafted furnishings; headboards and bedding; balcony furniture; plush carpeting and designer accessories. Smaller Navigator Suites will be refreshed with new carpeting and wall coverings.

The cabin upgrades also include the addition of illy coffeemakers and other enhanced amenities to Concierge Level suites and other top suites. The upgrades come as the line prepares to roll out new perks for passengers in top suites on the ship, including priority shore excursion and restaurant reservations.

Additional public room enhancements during the dry dock will include the enlarging of Prime 7, the Navigator’s modern American-style steakhouse; the updating of the Galileo Lounge; and the updating of saunas at the ship’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The teak-covered pool area on Deck 10 will be have its flooring renewed.

Seven Seas Navigator is scheduled to emerge from the dry dock on May 30. It’ll spend the summer sailing in Alaska.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-3/feed/ 0 Luxury line Regent to overhaul oldest ship http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-2/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-2/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 03:00:55 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-2/

Overhaul planned for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Navigator

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

One of luxury line Regent Seven Seas’ three vessels will be heading into dry dock later this month for an overhaul.

The line says the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator will emerge from the two-week update with a new Italian restaurant as well as completely revamped top suites.

The new Italian eatery will be located at night in La Veranda, the space that by day serves as the ship’s breakfast and lunch buffet venue. It’ll offer an extensive menu of antipasti and Italian specialty dishes available from a buffet or cooked to order, the line says.

RELATED:  Regent to roll out Italian dining option fleetwide
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Regent ship

The 12-year-old ship’s eight Grand Suites and Master Suites will receive a top-to-bottom makeover that includes new built-in cabinetry; custom-crafted furnishings; headboards and bedding; balcony furniture; plush carpeting and designer accessories. Smaller Navigator Suites will be refreshed with new carpeting and wall coverings.

The cabin upgrades also include the addition of illy coffeemakers and other enhanced amenities to Concierge Level suites and other top suites. The upgrades come as the line prepares to roll out new perks for passengers in top suites on the ship, including priority shore excursion and restaurant reservations.

Additional public room enhancements during the dry dock will include the enlarging of Prime 7, the Navigator’s modern American-style steakhouse; the updating of the Galileo Lounge; and the updating of saunas at the ship’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The teak-covered pool area on Deck 10 will be have its flooring renewed.

Seven Seas Navigator is scheduled to emerge from the dry dock on May 30. It’ll spend the summer sailing in Alaska.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship-2/feed/ 0 Luxury line Regent to overhaul oldest ship http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship/ http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 03:00:55 +0000 Editor http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship/

Overhaul planned for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Navigator

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Updated

One of luxury line Regent Seven Seas’ three vessels will be heading into dry dock later this month for an overhaul.

The line says the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator will emerge from the two-week update with a new Italian restaurant as well as completely revamped top suites.

The new Italian eatery will be located at night in La Veranda, the space that by day serves as the ship’s breakfast and lunch buffet venue. It’ll offer an extensive menu of antipasti and Italian specialty dishes available from a buffet or cooked to order, the line says.

RELATED:  Regent to roll out Italian dining option fleetwide
PHOTO TOUR:  Look inside a Regent ship

The 12-year-old ship’s eight Grand Suites and Master Suites will receive a top-to-bottom makeover that includes new built-in cabinetry; custom-crafted furnishings; headboards and bedding; balcony furniture; plush carpeting and designer accessories. Smaller Navigator Suites will be refreshed with new carpeting and wall coverings.

The cabin upgrades also include the addition of illy coffeemakers and other enhanced amenities to Concierge Level suites and other top suites. The upgrades come as the line prepares to roll out new perks for passengers in top suites on the ship, including priority shore excursion and restaurant reservations.

Additional public room enhancements during the dry dock will include the enlarging of Prime 7, the Navigator’s modern American-style steakhouse; the updating of the Galileo Lounge; and the updating of saunas at the ship’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The teak-covered pool area on Deck 10 will be have its flooring renewed.

Seven Seas Navigator is scheduled to emerge from the dry dock on May 30. It’ll spend the summer sailing in Alaska.

]]> http://www.cruisinginasia.com/community/featured/luxury-line-regent-to-overhaul-oldest-ship/feed/ 0