“2011 was our most successful year to date for European river cruising and 2012 is shaping up to be even stronger, states Scenic Tours Managing Director, Glen Moroney.  “Our 2013 forecast and pre-release sales have demanded the addition of a new Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ as guests look for extra special features and all-inclusive luxury.”

Focused on building and launching the finest fleet on Europe’s waterways, Scenic Cruises’ ‘Space-Ships’ continue to be ground-breaking.  Designed and built by leading Dutch specialist river cruise shipyard, Den Breejen, the ships were the first river cruisers to offer luxury suites with private full-size balconies.  And with the launch this month (April 2012) of the Scenic Crystal, Glen Moroney says that the unique Scenic ‘Sun-Lounge’ facility on the Crystal and the Scenic Jewel will be retro-fitted to the rest of the fleet (except Scenic Emerald)for 2013.  “Our private balcony suites are the largest of their kind and now boast state-of-the-art technology to convert the balcony to a Scenic ‘Sun-Lounge.’  This remote-activated, hydraulic-sealed glass window, allows our guests to always enjoy the advantage of extra balcony space no matter the time of day or the weather.”

Renowned interior designer, Heather Buttrose, developed the interiors for both Scenic Jewel and Scenic Crystal.  Her special touches include spacious walk-in showers, larger wardrobes and marble bench tops.  “This project has been immensely rewarding,” she exclaims.  “My aim has been to enhance on board comfort and provide extraordinary finishes and guests can be assured of a truly world class cruising experience.”

Scenic Jewel will also showcase a number of innovative new technical upgrades including a ‘silent drive’ system, which significantly reduces noise and vibration, and the most sophisticated air conditioning system ever fitted to a river cruiser.

“This is a glorious day for the Dominican Republic. It is already being inscribed in the annals of our recent economic history as one of the most significant steps we have taken to assure the transformation and development of Puerto Plata, the northern region, and the entire country.  With this cruise terminal, tourism and economic activity in Puerto Plata and the north region will rise to occupy a preeminent regional position in the entire Caribbean, showing that a combination of natural beauty, a supportive government policy, investment by a world-class company determined to put its trust in our country, and above all the quality of our people, are key factors that can secure present and future generations ample growth opportunities in the tourism sector,” said President Leonel Fernández Reyna.     

Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways

TRAVELSAVERS’ Nicole Mazza served as the godmother of the Avalon Visionary while Canadian travel industry insider Vanessa Lee, acted as godmother to the Avalon Vista.

In the dock, Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer, laid the traditional “lucky coin,” before the 350-ton first block was placed by the 800-ton crane. A special commemorative coin was created to celebrate the day’s activities. A virtual version of the coin will be available tonight at 9 pm ET on the line’s Facebook page for fans to see and share with their friends.

“The anticipation is building for this incredible ship,” said Sheehan. “It’s thrilling to mark the start of the block assembly and realize that in one year we will take delivery of Norwegian Breakaway.  We can’t wait.”

Norwegian Breakaway is the first ship being built by MEYER WERFT utilizing a more efficient construction process which will deliver a ship of more than 140,000 gross tons in less than 12 months.

“We are so proud to begin the process of constructing the ship out of 73 blocks that form the structure of the ship and are looking forward to seeing it take shape over the coming months,” said Bernard Meyer, managing director of MEYER WERFT.  “Norwegian Cruise Line has a reputation in the industry for innovation and we are very happy to continue that with this new ship.”

The 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway will arrive in her year-round homeport of New York City in early May 2013. The ship will begin weekly summer seven-day cruises to Bermuda on Sunday, May 12, 2013.  From October 2013 through April 2014, the ship will offer voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas & Florida and the Southern Caribbean.

To date, the company has revealed the ship’s groundbreaking design, including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place, a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean.  The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

The ship will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 18 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; the re-introduction of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.

For more information on the incredible features and accommodations on Norwegian Breakaway, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com.  To book a cruise on Norwegian Breakaway, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com. Comment on today’s announcement on our Facebook page: www.ncl.com/facebook.

Located on Royal Princess’ deck 7 just aft of the Piazza, Princess Live! will be a flexible, 280-seat venue based on a television broadcast studio. When the ship debuts in June 2013, Princess Live! will serve as a venue for daily broadcasts of “The Wake Show” with a new twist — a daily live audience. This popular daily show staring the cruise director and special guests from around the ship is a staple across the Princess fleet, but is rarely staged live.

The colorful Princess Live! studio will also host a variety of events, including game shows, interactive cooking shows, art house films, enrichment classes, murder mysteries, trivia, and “Meet the Experts” presentations from the crew. Additionally, Princess Live! will serve as a more intimate performance venue for onboard musicians who will offer “unplugged” and “in-the-round” shows, providing an opportunity for entertainers to connect with the audience in a unique environment.

“Princess Live! will be an exciting new experience for passengers,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Not only will they enjoy the high energy of being part of a live television production, but they also will have a new opportunity to see more intimate performances from many of our onboard entertainers.”

The adjacent Princess Live! Café will surround passengers with interactive, wall-mounted screens showing the ship’s position, ports of call, points of interest and even international newspapers. The café will serve up specialty coffees, teas and freshly squeezed citrus juice, plus will offer a selection of fresh-baked croissants and pastries in the morning.

Royal Princess will also feature the line’s largest Princess Theater ever, with unobstructed sight lines from every seat, plus will see the return of an updated Vista Lounge at the aft of the ship to serve as an alternate evening performance venue.

The line has released a preview video showcasing Royal Princess entertainment venues, hosted by Princess Cruises Executive Vice President Rai Caluori and Vice President of Entertainment Martin Hall, available at www.princess.com/royalprincessentertainment.

Additional information about other ship features will be released in the coming months.

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship currently under construction for Princess Cruises. Among the new features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; the dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed enclosed walkway on the ship’s starboard side extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; a dazzling water and light show; more dining options including a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, wine cellar dining area and an expanded Horizon Court with pastry shop. Eighty percent of the ship’s staterooms will feature a balcony. More information about the ship is available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

A new fundraiser to begin in early summer on the MS Fram’s Arctic and Antarctica sailings focuses on helping to “Save the Albatross,” (a project of the Bird Life International Foundation), a much treasured bird that faces extinction mainly due to industrial long-line fishing. “These animals are incredibly elegant when they move. To me, they are one of the most impressive bird species in the world,” said expedition leader Karin Strand, “able to fly thousands of miles.” For further information on the “Save the Albatross” project, please visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/.

This is one of several fund-raisers initiated by Hurtigruten and funded by both the company and its Expedition guests – where guests bid on company items that include the unique nautical chart of the respective voyage and signed by the captain, a Hurtigruten flag, and expedition team jackets.

“We want to give something back to the regions we visit, after the great pleasure of experiencing these magnificent and remote areas,” is expedition team leader Karin Strand’s explanation of the idea behind the fundraising campaigns. “Our guests recognise the privilege of being able to travel to the Antarctic, Greenland or Spitsbergen – and as a thank-you they would like to contribute to the future of these regions.”

Ongoing fundraisers include campaigns run by Antarctica South Georgia Heritage Trust and the Ocean Foundation. A very popular and successful fundraiser is the one focusing on raising funds for the “Association of Greenlandic Children” – yielding more than €140,000 in its first four years solely through the crew-run auctions and generous guests on board.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway’s coast and Europe in the spring. The company’s fleet of 14 intimate ships, carrying 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.

Additional information, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten’s  web site, www.hurtigruten.us; or by phone: (877) 301-3117; fax (888) 524-2145; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day.

Recently, Travelguard published a list of handy travel gadgets that I would like to share with you. Whether you are a gadget guru or just want a more convenient way to travel, here are a few of the latest travel gadgets that may come in handy on your next trip.

SteriPen Ultraviolet Bacteria / Pathogen Killer: If you’ve ever been to a third world country, you know that the water supply can often be contaminated. That’s why there’s the SteriPen. Hold this ultraviolet “magic wand” in a 16 oz glass of questionable liquid for 48 seconds and the water is then considered safe to drink.

The Clear Card: Ever wish you could skip the security line at the airport? You can. It’s called having a “Clear Card”. While it’s only used at 20 airports around the U.S., flashing the card allows you to rush right by the security lines and onto your plane or into the waiting area. Click here to learn more.

Stash Sandals: Picture this: you are on a family vacation and want to do some sightseeing or take a trip to the beach and stop for a bite to eat. What do you do if you don’t want to carry a purse or wallet with you? Purchase a pair of Stash Sandals! These handy sandals have a secret compartment that slides out to stash your cash, hotel key or other personal items.

Powerbag Sling: Smartphones, tablets, laptops… on-the-go gadgets take a lot of power. Fortunately, the Powerbag Sling can charge up devices quickly while you are literally on the move. It’s a sling with an internal battery that charges gadgets on the go. Need a variety of USB or other connectors? No problem. This device has them all.

Swiss Army Knife with USB Drive: So you can’t take this one on a plane, but it’s still perfect for traveling if you are planning a road trip to your travel destination. Even more perfect if you are a tech junky who also likes to get a camping fix. This gadget lets you have a flashlight, USB drive, scissors, pen, knife, nail file and screwdriver all in one.

Hmmm…surely I need one or two of these items!

Then came the 1938 hurricane. By the time the winds quit roaring and the seas stopped churning, E.B. Blount & Sons Oyster Company was devastated.

Capt. Luther Blount on one of his adventure cruises

Studying at Wentworth College in Boston, son Luther Blount suddenly had no family business to return to. Instead, Luther came home and invented a process to steam clams that was so successful it soon was supplying ingredients for Campbell’s Soup clam chowder.

But Luther was troubled by the empty oyster processing plant that still sat untouched since the hurricane. Why not, he reasoned, use the family business site to build an oyster boat? So he did. Then he built another. And another. And another.

By 1964, Luther had built more than 100 vessels. He had even come up with a few boat patents that would lay the foundation for what is now Blount cruise ships.

For my final post on my Grande Caribe cruise, it seemed appropriate to share the interesting history of how the cruise line came to be – and what its goals are in offering cruises.

Over the years, Luther built everything from dinner boats to ships that transported tourists around the State of Liberty in New York Harbor. An avid traveler, Luther also took his family and friends on boating excursions.

“Along the way, some of these people said, ‘Hey, you should start a cruise line.’ So he did,” explains David Sylvaria, fleet captain for Blount Small Ship Adventures. “It just sort of grew from there.”

Blount patented the retractable pilot house

For his new cruise line in 1966, Luther wanted to build smaller ships that could travel to distant places that fit in with his simple motto: “Go where the big ships cannot.”

To make that possible, Luther used his engineering skills for several patented inventions. His patented bow ramp, for example, made it possible to walk directly from ship to shore, instead of being ferried by small ships into port.

His patented retractable pilot house – combined with the shallow draft (less than seven feet) of his ships – made it possible to cruise down narrow waterways, under low bridges and through places like the Erie Canal.

“Nobody runs through the Erie Canal except us,” Capt. David said. “We also travel in some really shallow waters where other ships can’t go.”

Even though Luther’s ships can hold 96 passengers, a crew, engines, glass bottom boats, kayaks and a whole lot more, Blount ships can clear obstacles that would stop other ships in their tracks.

"...to go where other ships cannot..."

After Luther’s death in 2006, his three daughters decided to change the name of the company. Formerly called American Canadian Caribbean Line, it is now Blount Small Ship Adventures. Luther’s daughters Marcia and Julie became president and vice president of the Blount Boats shipyard. Daughter Nancy, who had worked by her father’s side since 1979, took the helm of Blount Small Ship Adventures.

“His daughters wanted to honor their father by using his name for the company,” Capt. David said.

Enjoying his 14th Blount cruise with his wife Judy, Fred Newton of Springhill, Fl.,  said he had the pleasure of meeting Luther Blount on one of his cruises. “He was a very smart man and he loved to travel,” Fred recalled. “This was the way he liked to travel, on a small ship, and he made it possible for so many of us to do it, too.”

Cruising on the Blount ships is very informal and relaxing, Fred said. “That’s why we keep coming back. It’s really enjoyable and we are glad to see Luther Blount’s name living on through the great ships he built.”

For more information: Contact Blount Small Ship Adventures at (800) 556-7450, www.BlountSmallShipAdventures.com

Ship photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

In conjunction with this offer, Norwegian has partnered with kid’s clothing retailer, The Children’s Place, on “A Place in the Sun Sweepstakes,” where participants can enter online at www.childrensplace.com or in retail stores to win a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean or Bermuda for a family of four. In addition, those who qualify for the complimentary shore excursion promotion will receive an e-coupon for 20% off a purchase of $50 or more at The Children’s Place (valid in the U.S. and Canada).

Norwegian’s array of Freestyle Cruising options gives families the flexibility to experience the vacation they’ve always wanted including family-friendly accommodations and a variety of entertainment and dining options. Guests of all ages can enjoy Nickelodeon activities and shows on board Norwegian Jewel’s sailings to Alaska from Seattle; Norwegian Epic’s voyages to the Western Mediterranean from Barcelona or to the Caribbean from Miami; and Norwegian Gem’s sailings from New York to the Bahamas & Florida or the Caribbean.

The line recently announced enhancements to its youth and teen programs, Splash Academy and Entourage. Both Splash Academy and Entourage will feature a different theme every day. Whether it’s ocean-related, pirates, space cowboys, jungle fever or circus, every day will offer a new surprise that is tailored to the individual age groups – Guppies for ages up to 2; Turtles for ages 3 to 5; Seals for ages 6 to 9; and Dolphins for ages 10 to 12. The enhanced curriculum focuses on team building and assisting in developing children’s interpersonal and confidence-building skills. With activities that are tailored specifically to each age group, the new youth and teen programs focus on creative and unique activities, along with more sporting events, through a partnership with King’s Foundation and Camps. A highlight of the program is a circus school in partnership with Hilario Productions’ Cirque du Jour, a New York-based company that specializes in teaching children real circus skills. Splash Academy also offers activities for cruisers under three and their parents who can enjoy sensory play classes which include baby art featuring “Wee Can Too” organic art products.

All shore excursions for adults and children related to this offer must be pre-booked prior to sailing. Guests can reserve shore excursions using their MyNCL account (www.ncl.com/myncl) for each member of the family online once a new reservation is made. The children and teen rates will automatically be deducted in the shopping cart upon checkout.

To book a family cruise vacation with Norwegian during the “Little Norwegian’s Explore For Free” limited time promotion, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 866-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

*Motorized flight tours, golf, Orlando theme parks and Atlantis in the Bahamas excluded.