Once again, Princess is getting creative. This time they are enhancing their upcoming cruises to New Zealand with all kinds of programs.

Now, New Zealand is one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips for most people. It is a long flight to get there, particularly from the East Coast, and it is pricey. And a trip there will often take 2-3 weeks, particularly if you add a pre- or post-stay, which is well worth doing.

Maori performers in New Zealand

So it is really important that the trip be memorable in every way. And its looks as if these Princess Cruises are going to be just that. Take a look at what they are doing:

Princess Cruises will introduce a distinct Kiwi flavor on its upcoming season of cruises to New Zealand, with passengers experiencing a taste of the local cuisine, entertainment and culture as they explore the North and South islands.

Passengers on Sun Princess and Dawn Princess’ New Zealand cruises will be able to feel the spirit of Aotearoa the “Land of the Long White Cloud” throughout their voyage, enjoying features such as Maori dance performances, local cuisine and seminars on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park.

The new programs and menus will be featured on 18 New Zealand sailings, beginning on Sun Princess October 13 and starting on Dawn Princess December 8.

“Our goal is for passengers to feel the essence of New Zealand throughout their time onboard,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We hope our passengers will gain a deeper understanding of what makes New Zealand so special.”

Highlights of Princess’ New Zealand cultural program include:

New Zealand Cuisine – New Zealand’s cuisine will be a focus on each sailing, with Kiwi dishes marked on the menu with the country’s iconic silver fern. Dinner will include items such as Braised New Zealand Lamb Shanks on Lentil Ragout, while lunch menus will feature the country’s Colonial influence with Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s Pie. Passengers can even start their day with a new breakfast selection – famous NZ Bacon & Egg Pie.

Wine and Beers – Bars will feature local Steinlager and Rheineck beers, while the wine lists will include a selection of New Zealand’s acclaimed wines.

New Zealand Island Night – This festive evening will feature a New Zealand theme, with local food (Lolly Log Cake, for instance) and drink selections (Kiwi Caipirinha among them).

Chef and Bartender Challenge – A new activity debuting on New Zealand sailings, this TV-style challenge features the ship’s chef and bartender facing off in a competition to make two dishes or five drinks with a secret New Zealand ingredient in just 30 minutes.

Enrichment and Education – Destination experts will travel with each ship to give passengers information about ports of call, while a park ranger will provide narration as the ship sails through Fiordland National Park. Princess is also working with Tourism New Zealand to present an onboard exhibit where passengers can learn more about local history and culture.

In Port Cultural Programs – In select New Zealand ports, Maori cultural performers will offer afternoon presentations demonstrating aspects of their culture and heritage. Maori masters will offer workshops in Kapa Haka dance traditions, tiki warrior rituals, Waiata chants, and lessons in Maori language.

Entertainment – While the ships are in port in Tauranga and Auckland, passengers can enjoy performances from local entertainers. Maori bands and other local performers are also being added to the lineup. The ships’ movie and TV screens will be showing films with a local twist, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Piano as well as NZ documentaries and sporting events.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

There are all kinds of cruises. Most of the time when we think of cruising, we think of the big ocean liners that visit the Caribbean, Alaska, the Med and the Pacific.

We don’t necessarily think of a cruise in Chicago. But there are river cruises in the city of Chicago that should be considered by anyone visiting during the warm weather months.

The official Chicago Architecture Foundation  river cruise season opened May 1 and new this year are two “date night” cruises every Thursday and Friday evenings at 5:30 pm starting in June.

Seeing the city from the vantage point of the river gives a whole new feel to appreciating the city. The architecture river cruise is offered aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises luxury cruising yachts, with open-air decks as well as air conditioned interior seating.

Chicago Architecture Foundation – volunteer docents provide the fact-filled and enjoyable commentary on Chicago’s architecture during the 90-minute tour.

“People from as far away as Australia and Argentina or as close as the south loop enjoy the cruise,” said Jason Neises, Chicago Architecture Foundation VP of Tours. “The experience is always new because our docents keep up-to-date with new construction along the river and include all the news in their commentary.”

The cruise highlights 53 historic and architecturally significant sites including: the Trump Tower, Merchandise Mart, 333 W. Wacker, the Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower, the Sears Tower, River City, and Marina City. The cruise also includes the North Branch of the Chicago River with buildings such as The Montgomery, formerly the world headquarters for Montgomery Ward; the Chicago Tribune printing press plant; Goose Island; Kinzie Park development; Riverbend and the clustered glass River Cottages.

All Chicago Architecture Foundation cruises depart from the lower level and southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. The staircase to the ticket window and dock is marked by a blue awning. The 2010 Tour Schedule runs through November 21. The Chicago Architecture Foundation sells advance tickets on www.architecture.org.

The print-at-home option allows quicker check-in for passengers at the dock. Tickets are $32/person and are also available at the Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop, 224 S. Michigan Avenue, at the Chicago’s First Lady ticket window at the dock or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

The fleet of Chicago First Lady Cruises has been the official partner of the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise since 1993, operating more than 1,600 tours annually to the general public.

One of my favorite small ship cruises lines is American Safari Cruises. These ships are really small, 10-20 passengers, and they offer a wonderful experience.

Thirteen years ago my husband Chet and I sailed on the Safari Quest during its first season. The story that I wrote about that trip appeared in newspapers all over America. It was so much fun…tucking into small bays all around Alaska. There were only 16 of us on that trip.

Kate Winslet and daughter

Chet’s brother Carl and his wife Vicki sailed with us and they liked it so much they returned two more times, bringing more friends with them.

It is nice to know, these many years later, that the company has managed to survive and branch out. It has offered its small ship cruises in Los Cabos and in 2011 is introducing an Hawaii program.

A press release arrived today telling us that young actresses Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson and their extended families have twice chartered the ship. The fact that these women allow their quotes to be in a press release speaks very highly of the company. Obviously, they would not have their names attached to anything but a superior vacation experience.

Here’s what they said:

“Our success has a lot to do with the degree of satisfaction of our guests,” said Tim Jacox, executive VP of sales and marketing. “They often rate us above expectation in all areas, and that’s especially true of two recent charters by two well-known actresses – Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson – and their children and extended families.”

The 10-person, multi-generational one-week charter in Alaska was aboard American Safari’s 105-foot, 12-guest luxury yacht Safari Spirit. The cruise roundtrip from Juneau spent two full days in Glacier Bay National Park to hike, explore glaciers, follow wildlife and learn from the onboard naturalist. An all-American crew of six ensured that guests saw the real Alaska close up in kayaks, motorized skiffs and from the comfort of the yacht.

In a letter to the crew, Winslet described the trip as one to be treasured, remembered and never forgotten. “We have been utterly overwhelmed by this wonderful experience,” she wrote. “Thank you for introducing us to an unbelievable new world. Every second of this trip has been mind-blowing. It far exceeded my expectations and every little detail was thought-out and wonderful. This is the kind of holiday that leaves a foot-print on your soul.”

Thompson called the yacht “bliss, utterly gorgeous and so comfortable.” She remarked on the crew’s enthusiasm and the harmony they created. “ ‘Thank you’ is inadequate,” she said, “and our gratitude is boundless, like the beauty of this trip.”

True testimonial comes in the form of traveling again with the same company. Such is the case with these two busy actresses as they were able to fit a second cruise on the same yacht within seven months of the first – this time to Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. Praise was equal to the first adventure with hopes of cruising again.

Here are the details:

American Safari Cruises offers luxury in the pursuit of adventure. The company’s three yachts have high-end amenities including on-deck hot tubs, private bathrooms with heated floors, staterooms with Tempur-pedic mattresses, a 2-to-1 guest-crew ratio, and complimentary bar with premium liquors, fine wines and microbrews. Two of the yachts have saunas and one offers complimentary massages from an onboard massage therapist.

The company has five itineraries: Alaska’s Inside Passage, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Columbia and Snake rivers, Washington wine country, and the islands and fjords of the Pacific Northwest. Inter-island Hawaii explorations begin October 26, 2011, with visits to tradition-steeped islands such as Molokai and Lanai for an authentic step back in time. Eight-day, seven-night or 11-day, 10-night active adventures are slated for the 36-guest Safari Explorer through May 11, 2012.

The newly formed sister brand of American Safari Cruises, InnerSea Discoveries, has just started accepting bookings, especially group and charter business, for small-ship experiential adventures slated for Alaska’s Inside Passage from May to September 2011.

American Safari Cruises pioneered yacht cruises in Alaska’s Inside Passage 13 years ago. Information: sales@americansafaricruises.com or (888) 862-8881; sales@innerseadiscoveries.com or (877) 901-1009. Their website is www.americansafaricruises.com.

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The item below comes from Mark Tre, the Cruise Examiner. I have already written about the new single cabins on the Norwegian Epic and here is more information on the same topic.

A Move Back to Single Cabins

While Fred Olsen Cruise Lines have included a number of single cabins in all of their ships for some time, P&O and NCL are now joining them with the new Azura and Norwegian Epic, and others such as Voyages to Antiquity are joining as well, while several lines continue to offer no single supplements on certain departures.

P&O’s Azura enters service today with 18 single cabins, 6 inside and 12 outside, These singles are so popular that they are sold out for all of 2010. But Norwegian Epic will far outstrip this, with 128 single cabins out of a total of 2,100. These so-called “studio” cabins are all inside and measure about 100 square feet each, smaller than the 120 square feet of first generation cruise ships but big enough for one person, and certainly a good way of using less desirable inside space to generate additional revenue from a singles market that has been clamoring for such accommodation for decades. The cost of a single cabin is usually more than the per person charge in a double, although on Norwegian Epic there will be no surcharge and studio customers will also get their own exclusive singles lounge.

Until the Norwegian Epic, the Saga Ruby claimed the largest number of single cabins, with 70 (Saga Rose, now retired, had 60). Fred Olsen’s Balmoral was next with 63, while the Black Watch and Boudicca have 42 each and the Braemar 27, for 174 single cabins in a single fleet. In 2009, Fred Olsen booked 7,700 single passengers, almost two-thirds of which were female, and they accounted for 8% of their passenger carryings. This compares to about 3.5% for P&O.

Voyages to Antiquity has also joined the movement with 16 cabins on board their new Aegean Odyssey out of a total of 198. The little Hebridean Spirit, however, has the highest ratio of all, with 11 single cabins out of 30, or more than a third.

Until now, many lines have been charging single supplements of 75% or even 100%, which has just pushed away the business in favor of couples. The feeling that a single might spend only half as much as two in a cabin now seems to be giving way slowly to an attitude that catering to the singles market might indeed bring them some revenue that they did not have before. After all, although each cabin must be serviced, a studio cabin occupies only about 55% of the space of a more standard 180-square foot cabin, which has been the norm on some lines for many years now.

This is far different from the attitude that prevailed ten years ago, when the Queen Mary 2 was designed with nothing but double cabins despite the fact that her predecessor Queen Elizabeth 2 had offered 125 single cabins. The reason given at the time was shipbuilding methods and prefabricated cabins but singles now seem to be gaining some favour again in the cruise market.

The cruise industry has been recovering steadily from the poor results of 2008 and 2009 and many at the recent SeaTrade convention were predicting more good news. So it was sad to see this item today:

According to Cruise Industry News, the Nanaimo Port Authority Board of Directors has suspended the $22-million floating cruise ship terminal project because, as of April 1 it had not received the federal environmental assessment permits required to proceed with tender and construction of the terminal. Nanaimo is centrally located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada.

“It’s with a profound sense of disappointment that we’ve been forced to make the decision to suspend this project that’s been six years in the planning,” said Bob Bennie, Board Chair of Nanaimo Port Authority.

The cruise ship terminal project was announced in August 2009 when the Port Authority was successful in securing $8.5-million of federal stimulus funding that requires expenditure of the funds and completion of the terminal by March 31, 2011.  He added that tenders have to be called “without further delay” in order for construction of the terminal to be completed within the federal deadline of March 31, 2011.

The environmental assessment requires approvals from three federal ministries (Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans; Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities) in consultation with Snuneymuxw First Nation.

For the past six years the Port Authority has been working with the Snuneymuxw First Nation and, in 2007, together signed a protocol agreement to guide collaborative relationships for projects such as the cruise ship terminal and future projects.

Since 2006 the Port Authority has committed $5-million of its own funds for the project, secured $5-million from the provincial government, and obtained funding commitments of $3.5-million from the Island Coastal Economic Trust and $8.5-million from the federal government.

The original plan for a fixed dock at the Assembly Wharf was changed to a floating dock because it meant a substantial reduction in the dredging requirements.

The new design incorporates a 300-metre long floating dock that will be able to accommodate the largest cruise ships to ply the west coast and could attract 30 to 40 large cruise ship visits a season, compared to the eight in 2009.

Compagnie du Ponant, a French company that recently opened a U.S. office, is introducing a new $150 million mega-yacht, the 264-guest Le Boréal, this spring. The 466-foot mega-yacht was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. A sister ship, L’Austral, will debut in spring 2011.

Le Boréal will have a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:2. Public spaces include a theater for performances and lectures, the Main Lounge with a dance floor and live music, the Panoramic Lounge for live entertainment and Internet access, a library, two open-air bars and two restaurants. Serving French and international cuisine, La Licorne will offer three meals a day in an elegant setting. At the more casual La Boussole, guests can dine inside or in the open air on lighter meals for breakfast, buffet lunch and themed dinners. The yacht also provides 24-hour room service.

The vessel will have a Carita spa with a hammam and a hydrotherapy room. The fitness center will be equipped with treadmills, bicycles and kinesis equipment. The ship also has an expansive Sun Deck with a swimming pool and terrace with panoramic views. Le Boréal has will carry a fleet of Zodiac rubberized rafts that allow guests to explore as well as a marina platform that allows access to the water for swimming or water sports.

All but eight of Le Boréal’s 132 suites and staterooms have verandas. Measuring between 484 to 200 square feet, the suites and staterooms have king or twin beds, bathtubs or showers, L’Occitane amenities, flat-screen satellite TV, DVD, CD and iPod players, satellite telephone and Wi-Fi. Suites also have Nespresso machines and Carita amenities. Le Boréal has the flexibility to reconfigure 40 staterooms into 20 suites, making a total of 24 suites and 88 staterooms. Read the rest of this entry »

I am heading over to Miami today for SeaTrade, the Cruise Shipping convention, in Miami. This is always a very intense few days of being updated on everything going on in this fascinating industry.

Tomorrow morning the convention kicks off with its annual “State of the Industry” panel, where the presidents of several cruise companies talk about what happened the past year and what they forecast for the upcoming year. I will report back to you what they say.

Then there are a lot of press conferences where we journalists learn even more about what is new in cruising.

It is nice to have a chance to hob-nob with my fellow cruise journalists and to meet officials from so many cruise lines who often become valuable sources for future cruise stories.

The publisher of AllThingsCruise.com, Heidi Allison Shane, will be there with me.

Stay tuned for my SeaTrade reports.

Cunard Line has announced that  its majestic Queen Mary 2,will be based in Australia in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory. The Queen Mary 2’s Royal Circumnavigation of Australia is a first for Cunard.

Queen Mary 2 in Sydney, Australia

The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays, as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.

Passengers will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options – a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on 14 February 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on 8 February 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on 11 February 2012.

In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.

The Australian deployment will mark the longest period of time that Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.

Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line, said “Cunard has strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years.”

“Recognising the enduring appeal and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to offer this series of legendary voyages for our flagship Queen Mary 2 in Australia in 2012,” he said.

The Royal Circumnavigation of Australia will go on sale this spring as part of the announcement of the 2012 World Voyage programme.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com. For best prices, go to www.cruisecompete.com.

Today Cunard announced the return of its popular Literature and Liners series. This program allows guests sailing on certain Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings the opportunity to interact with some great best-selling authors.

John Berendt

Of the list just announced, I have heard two of these authors speak — John Berendt and Bill Bryson — and they were sensational. Both of them were keynote speakers at the national convention of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) in which I have long been an active member. So I know that being on board a ship with them for several days offers some great chances for interaction.

Here are more details:

Scheduled to sail as part of this year’s programme are Kate Atkinson, John Berendt, Bill Bryson and Joanne Harris. Guests can look forward to engaging Q&A discussions, lectures, book signings and readings with select titles to be featured in the Cunard Book Club

Kate Atkinson: Novelist Atkinson, known for her award-winning Case Histories and Behind the Scenes at the Museum, is scheduled to sail on the 15 April eastbound Crossing. Atkinson, who was born in York, England, recently released When Will There Be Good News? – a follow-up to the “Jackson Brodie” character from Case Histories.

John Berendt: Berendt is an American-born author known for writing the best-selling non-fiction book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 1995. Prior to writing the overnight success story, Berendt wrote for Esquire and New York magazines. He is also the author of The City of Falling Angels. Berendt will be sailing on the 7 June eastbound Crossing.

Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson: Best-selling American author Bryson is scheduled for the 1 October westbound Crossing. He is well known for his humorous books on travel, including A Walk in the Woods and The Lost Continent. Bryson also has penned a number of other bestsellers on the subject, as well as those on the English language and scientific subjects. In addition to being an author, Bryson also spent many years writing for The Times and The Independent while living in England.

Joanne Harris: The British writer is best known for her acclaimed novel, Chocolat, which was made into an Oscar®-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is also the author of The Evil Seed, Sleep, Pale Sister and seven other novels, most recently The Lollipop Shoes and Runemarks. Harris’ other works include Jigs & Reels, a collection of short stories, and two cookbooks. Her books are now published in more than 40 countries. She will be joining the 1 October westbound Crossing, as well as the 12 October eastbound Crossing.

In 2010, Cunard offers guests more choices of Transatlantic Crossings between April and November, sailing six- and seven-day voyages between New York and Southampton, as well as new extended seven-, eight- and nine-day Crossings to Cherbourg, France and Hamburg, Germany.

Widely considered the definitive ocean travel experience, a Transatlantic Crossing offers guests a myriad of opportunities for intellectual interaction, leisurely pursuits, health and wellness activities, and gourmet dining. Unique Cunard amenities found aboard Queen Mary 2 include the famed Princess and Queens Grill accommodation, the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea and the first Todd English restaurant at sea.

For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen Mary 2, consult your travel professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.

Princess Cruises is still the premier cruise line in Alaska, at least as far as large ships are concerned. They have been there a very long time, own their own lodges and run great pre and post cruisetours.

They also run excellent shore excursions and this year they are offering 20 new ones…so if you have been to Alaska before, you are going to have many new ways to see that beautiful part of our country.

Among the 20 new options is a unique opportunity to join a scientific expedition while in Juneau to help study climate change and wildlife behavior patterns.

Passengers can also get closer to the dramatic glaciers of Tracy Arm, pilot their own zodiac on a tour of Ketchikan or enjoy the opportunity for animal encounters at a film trainer’s wildlife park. These new options join Princess’ extensive shore excursion program, which currently offers 215 different Alaska tour options for passengers starting in May.

“Alaska offers so many thrilling experiences for visitors – there’s beautiful scenery nearly everywhere you turn, great opportunities to encounter wildlife, an intriguing Native culture, and of course the towering glaciers,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “These new excursions showcase some of the many wonders available throughout this amazing state, and offer visitors a number of ways to get a very personal Alaska vacation.”

New tours available to Alaska passengers this summer include:

Whales & Glaciers Citizen Science Adventure (Juneau) – This unique tour will give participants a taste of what it’s like to be a research scientist in the wilds of the Last Frontier. Passengers join a science-based excursion giving them the opportunity to participate in a GPS time-lapse photo project at the Mendenhall Glacier that documents the effects of climate change on the Juneau Icefield. Citizen scientists can also collect water samples, net plankton and record humpback whale and other marine wildlife behavior. This observational data will improve scientists’ understanding of the many variables that affect Alaska’s marine ecosystem. In addition, passengers will enjoy a whale-watching cruise, with guaranteed whale sightings. Read the rest of this entry »