Oceania Cruises’ Riviera sets sail on her maiden voyage in May 2012.  Riviera will showcase a museum-worthy collection of fine art focusing on the works of some of Latin America’s most accomplished and admired contemporary artists. More than 1000 works will adorn the mid-size ship.

The world-class collection is a nod to the Cuban heritage of Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman and CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. More curator than collector, Del Rio ensured that “every inch of the ship was designed to showcase paintings, glassworks and sculpture that will spark conversation and contemplation among our guests.”

The ship’s collection includes original and highly expressive works by renowned artists from Cuba’s Vanguard Movement, from 1927 to 1950. During this period artists such as Wifredo Lam, Cundo Bermudez, René Portocarrero and Servando Cabrera were celebrated with exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and in private galleries in New York and abroad. These seminal works are displayed side-by-side with contemporary Cuban artists, including Julio Larraz, Carlos Luna, Humberto Benitez, Manuel Mendive and José Grillo. Works by French painter Pierre Boncompain, Mexican painter Luis Zesatti, Peruvian artist Daniela Wicki and Catalonian master, Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, are also featured.

The works will be prominently featured throughout the ship, but also “tucked in the most unexpected places to promote a sense of discovery,” says Del Rio. Wherever guests roam, from the Bon Appétit Culinary Center to the restaurants to the onboard Canyon Ranch SpaClub, they will find the ship’s rich woods, abundant marble and granite and fine wool carpets complemented by Del Rio’s “evolving collection.”

Del Rio commissioned José Grillo to create a painting inspired by the title, “Yellow Submarine,” which will be displayed outside Jacques restaurant. “El Caretas,” another Grillo work, occupies a prominent place by the reception desk. Carlos Luna has several paintings throughout Riviera, including “Lovers” at the entrance to the Riviera Lounge. Renowned Miami artist Humberto Benitez was commissioned for several pieces in Horizons Lounge and for his sentinel piece, “The Feast,” fittingly enough hanging in La Reserve, the ship’s gourmet dining venue.

Like her sister ship Marina, the centerpiece of Riviera is a Lalique Grand Staircase, designed by the French artists of jewelry and crystal. It features double-curved staircases and a balcony with balustrades of crystal medallions and scrolled iron with a brass banister topped by a mahogany handrail. Six crystal pillars rising from the landing enhance the two-story, glass elevator surround.

To learn more about Riviera, contact a travel professional, visit OceaniaCruises.com or call toll-free at 800-531-5658.

Viator, a leading resource for researching and booking tours and activities around the world, has unveiled a new website specifically designed to help cruise passengers find and book shore excursions with savings up to 60 percent off typical rates offered by cruise lines.

The new website – shoreexcursions.viator.com – features more than 500 shore excursions in over 80 of the most popular ports around the globe, including new destinations Juneau, Monaco and Mykonos.

The site has been designed for the complex nature of shore excursion bookings and will offer only relevant tours and activities, based on the specific itinerary of the cruise ship, with itineraries available from the world’s leading cruise companies including Carnival Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

All passengers need to do is select the cruise line, ship name and departure date, and Viator will instantly load the cruise ship’s itinerary and present only those excursions that can specifically work for each port of call based on arrival and departure times, and availability.

Specific features of the Viator Shore Excursions website include:

Easy search and booking, based on cruise ship’s itinerary. Just select a ship’s itinerary from thousands of options, and Viator will instantly sync and reveal only available shore excursions in their ports-of-call that match allowed shore times. For travelers who haven’t chosen their cruise yet, Viator enables searches by region and port as well.

Unique and more personalized experiences. Small group and private options or skip-the-line privileges, as well as exclusive, customizable tours led by Viator Private Guides let cruise travelers bypass large throngs of their shipmates and enjoy more private and customized experiences.

Multiple unique itineraries for a single group. Perhaps your parents would like a different experience than scuba diving – no problem. You can now create and book multiple itineraries for each member of your group – adults, kids, etc. – tailored to their interests in one transaction.

Viator’s Worry-Free bookings. Worried about missing your ship if you don’t book your excursion directly with the cruise line? Don’t be. If a passenger misses the ship because of a Viator excursion, Viator will transport them to the next port of call at no cost to the traveler.

Guaranteed best prices in multiple currencies. In addition to savings up to 60 percent off, all shore excursions qualify for Viator’s low price guarantee. If you find a lower price, Viator will refund the difference. All tours can be booked in USD, AUD, CAD,  GBP, and EUR.

Last minute availability. Whether from an estate room on an iPad or a mobile phone call to Viator’s call center, many of Viator’s excursions are available for purchase as late as the night before arrival in port.

Unbiased cruise traveler reviews, photos and star ratings. Browse hundreds of cruise traveler reviews and photos from actual Viator users that provide valuable first-person insights like this one from Bo, October 2011, regarding the Civitavecchia Rome in One Day Private Tour, “People on our cruise couldn’t believe all that we were able to do and see. Don’t miss this tour!”

From now through April 30, , all bookings through the new Viator shore excursions website will receive a 10 percent discount off the already low prices. Cruise passengers simply enter the code SHOREX10 at checkout for this special Viator value. For more information, travelers can follow Viator Shore Excursions on the Viator Travel Blog as well as Twitter and Facebook.

Paul Gauguin Cruises operator the m/s Paul Gauguin, offers oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program on several voyages this summer.

Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, and his Ocean Futures Society created the Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program, which is a unique program that introduces young travelers to the natural wonders of French Polynesia through direct, hands-on, interactive learning. The mission of the Ocean Futures Society is to explore our global oceans, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for their protection.

Under the guidance of expert Ocean Future Society naturalists, young Ambassadors (ages 9-17) will explore coral reefs, learn about volcanic islands and forest ecology, experience Polynesian culture, hike rainforest trails, visit marae (ancient Polynesian temples), and more. Parents have an option to join their children on eco-excursions and other activities aboard and ashore.

The Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program is available on summer voyages and is also available on select holiday cruises for a fee of $299 per child.

Summer Voyages Featuring Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program:

• 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands Cruises: June 2, 9, 16, 23; July 21, 28; August 4 and 11, 2012
• 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands Cruise: June 30, 2012
• 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus Cruise: July 11, 2012
• 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands Cruise: August 18, 2012

Holiday Voyages Featuring Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program:

• 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands Holiday Cruises: December 22 and 29, 2012

The Great American Steamboat Company‘s Culinary Director, Chef Regina Charboneau, is putting the finishing touches on the American Queen menus as the crew prepares to welcome its first guests. A native of historical Natchez, Mississippi, one of the steamboat’s stops on Mississippi River voyages, Charboneau will often be onboard overseeing the multiple dining venues, sharing stories of the region’s rich culinary history and holding court with chef friends from New Orleans and other port cities.

Drawing inspiration from America’s heartland, Chef Charboneau’s dishes will take advantage of the bountiful Mississippi River region, which offers an abundance of ingredients to work with including sustainable fish and seafood, farm-raised quail, free-range chicken, artisan cheeses, wild pecans, rice, honey, and stone-ground grits.

“My vision is to re-create many American classics using the best seasonal ingredients and what our location on the river has to offer,” explains Culinary Director Chef Regina Charboneau. “I also want to create new dishes that become synonymous with the American Queen.”

Menu highlights include:

• Andouille Hash; savory sausage hash topped with poached egg and sharp cheddar served with corn cake
• Bananas Foster Stuffed French Toast; cream cheese stuffed French toast topped with sautéed bananas, brown sugar and cinnamon
• Crabmeat Beignet; petite beignet topped with crabmeat in a classic Mornay sauce
• Salmon Salad; seared salmon on seasonal greens laced with bacon-molasses vinaigrette
• Grilled Catfish or Shrimp Poboy; shredded lettuce, tomato and jalapeno tartar sauce
• Peppered Brisket of Beef; tender brisket in savory gravy with cracked black pepper served with mash potatoes and creamed spinach
• Pompano En Papillote; local pompano topped with julienne of spinach, sweet red peppers and carrots, lump crab meat, caper-lemon butter encased in parchment paper
• Classic Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce

The largest steamboat ever built will offer multiple onboard dining options with the centerpiece being the J.M. White Dining Room. The Front Porch of America will be open 24- hours.  The River Grill will offer alfresco dining. Classic cocktails, enjoyed by such authors as Mark Twain and Tennessee Williams, will be served in the Lounge and the Engine Room Bar. Regina’s Jazz Brunch will be a part of each voyage and her Southern Tea will be offered every afternoon at 4 PM.

Mississippi River Water in Her Veins

Great American Steamboat Company Culinary Director Chef Regina Charboneau is a seventh generation Natchezian with a passion for Southern hospitality. Her career has taken her from a “camp cook” in the bush of Alaska earning money for Paris culinary school to becoming the first woman hired by Club Corporation of America as an executive chef at the Tower Club in Anchorage.

A fixture in the San Francisco culinary scene for many years her restaurants included the theater district’s  Regina’s at the Regis, Chi Chi Beignet and Biscuits & Blues nightclub along with Regina’s Sonoma in the wine country. During this time, Regina was the Chef de Cuisine for Uncommon Journeys two vintage rail cars, The Los Angeles and The Houston.

In mid 2000 Regina came full-circle to her hometown of Natchez to be a part of the prestigious Monmouth Plantation. Regina and her husband then purchased and restored historic Twin Oaks, circa 1832 where they reside. She is the author of “Regina’s Table at Twin Oaks” cookbook and a contributor to The Atlantic Monthly.  

Authentic Steamboating

The American Queen will offer an All-American experience. A variety of voyage lengths, ranging from three nights to ten nights, and fares beginning at $995 per guest are available. A pre- or post-cruise luxury hotel stay, all bottled water and soft drinks, wine and beer at dinner and complimentary shore adventures are included in each port of call.

For additional information and reservations, kindly contact the Great American Steamboat Company at 888-749-5280, visit online at www.GreatAmericanSteamboatCompany.com or call your professional travel agent

COLUMBUS, Miss. - Behind a glass frame on the wall of the Tennessee Williams Home is a treasure that was almost tossed in the trash.

Faded with time, the laurel wreath once lay on the famed playwright’s body at his 1983 funeral. “It was saved and given to us by Tennessee Williams’ assistant,” a tour guide said.

This home is where Tennessee Williams spent the first three years of his life

It seems only right that the funeral wreath is displayed in the home where Williams spent the first three years of his life. Born in Columbus, Mississippi, on March 26, 1911, Thomas Lanier Williams grew up to win two Pulitzer Prizes – for his plays “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

“Many of the lines in his plays came from here, from his hometown,” said local historian Jack White. “Even though his family moved away from here, Tennessee Williams returned to visit often because his grandfather lived here.”

When the Blount cruise ship Grande Caribe stopped in Columbus, passengers were offered a tour of the Mississippi city with a stop at the Tennessee Williams Home and at Waverly Plantation. I’ll save Waverly for another story.

A big tour bus with Jack White as guide arrived at the dock for the three-hour shore excursion. We left shortly after breakfast and would get back about lunchtime. That is one of the benefits of traveling with Blount – they know the stops along the rivers and have scouted out the best shore excursions and tour guides.

This poet's laurel wreath rested on Williams' body at his funeral

Columbus is a lovely Old South city with tree-lined streets and antebellum mansions. Once the rectory for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the colorful Victorian home where Williams lived has been renovated and is now the city’s Visitor Center.

NEW BABY ARRIVES

The story goes that Williams’ grandfather, the Rev. Walter Dakin, rector at the Columbus Episcopal Church, was preaching the Palm Sunday sermon while his grandson was being born at the local clinic. An ornate Bishop’s Cross displayed at the home was once worn by Dakin.

Williams’ parents, Edwina and Cornelius Coffin Williams, already had a daughter named Rose when they brought their baby son home from the clinic. They later would have another son named Dakin.

The Bishop's Cross once worn by Williams' grandfather

Rose was a delicate girl prone to bouts of mental illness. Years later, her parents had a pre-frontal lobotomy performed on Rose. The operation was a failure and Rose was left incapacitated for the rest of her life. Tennessee Williams never forgave his parents for allowing the operation.

A traveling shoe salesman with a penchant for drinking, Cornelius Williams often left his family to live with his wife’s parents. That seemed to suit young Tom just fine. When the boy was seven years old, however, his father was promoted to a job at the home office of the International Shoe Company in St. Louis and moved the family there.

Tom was unhappy in St. Louis, especially when his father forced him to withdraw from school and go to work in a shoe factory. But it was in the factory that the budding writer met a man named Stanley Kowalski who would later be immortalized in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” (Marlon Brando played the role in one movie version.)

“At the age of 14, I discovered writing as an escape from a world of reality in which I felt acutely uncomfortable,” Williams wrote.

 ’TOM’ BECOMES ‘TENNESSEE’ WILLIAMS

Moving to New Orleans in 1939, Tom changed his name to “Tennessee” – a nickname given to him in college because of his southern drawl. In 1947, Williams met and fell in love with Frank Merlo who would become his partner for 16 years. When Merlo died of lung cancer in 1963, Williams fell into a deep depression that lasted a decade.

Williams himself died on Feb. 24, 1983, at the Hotel Elysee in New York City. According to official reports, he choked to death on a bottle cap. He was buried in St. Louis.

For the funeral, Williams’ longtime assistant John Uecker searched for a simple casket that would reflect the world-renowned writer’s humble beginnings. “All the other coffins were so overly ornate and in such bad visual taste we did not want Tennessee to rest in one,” Uecker wrote.

Instead of large bouquets of flowers, a poet’s laurel wreath was placed on Williams’ body for the funeral. “People touched the wreath as they walked by to pay their last respects,” Uecker said. “After the viewing of the body was over, the doors were closed and locked to finalize the last public pass-by of the body. I remained there with a few people for our own final moments.”

Paying his final respects, Uecker noted a funeral home employee who had come into the room to clean. “He started to look at the wreath,” Uekcer wrote. “He then looked at the waste paper basket. I interrupted him and asked what they were planning on doing with it. He told me he was going to throw it into the trash.”

Instead, Uecker asked if he could keep the wreath. He presented the touching memento to the Tennessee Williams Home in 2010.

“I knew I would be keeping this wreath for a long time,” Uecker said. “And that eventually this wreath would find its own resting place, so far away from the waste paper basket for which it had been inadvertently intended.”

***

For more information: Contact Blount Small Ship Adventures at (800) 556-7450, www.BlountSmallShipAdventures.com or the Tennessee Williams Home at (800) 327-2686, www.columbus-ms.org.

March 28, 2012

Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

Viking River Cruises yesterday christened the first four of its new Viking Longships at an event in Amsterdam. Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of the PBS series “Masterpiece,” which includes the hit show “Downton Abbey,” and Joanna Lumley, the British actress famous for her role as “Patsy Stone” on “Absolutely Fabulous,” joined the celebration as the ceremonial “godmothers” for the Viking Freya and Viking Odin. Renowned Harvard physicist Dr. Lisa Randall and Viking’s most traveled passenger, Gail Wiswedel, served as godmothers for Viking Idun and Viking Njord.

“As we celebrate our 15^th anniversary in 2012, we’re proud to say this is the biggest day in our company’s history. The christening of four new Viking Longships is the first step toward an exciting new horizon in our future,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “By the end of 2013, we will have launched an unprecedented 12 new Viking Longships in two years, and today we are thrilled and honored to have had such an eminent and sophisticated group of women helping us christen the first four of those vessels.”

The christening of the four new Viking Longships represents the first time in modern history that four cruise ships have been christened at once, with Viking Odin and Viking Idun christened in Amsterdam and Viking Njord and Viking Freya christened via satellite from the Neptun shipyard in Germany.

Guests at the christening ceremony enjoyed remarks by each godmother and presentations by Hagen and Yran & Storbraaten, the celebrated maritime architects and Viking Longship designers. The ceremony concluded with an onboard dinner and maiden voyage cruise around the Amsterdam harbor.

Viking Godmothers

Each of the four Viking Longships was appointed a godmother who represents a key pillar of Viking River Cruises’ heritage: Eaton represents culture and heritage; Lumley represents inspiration; Randall represents discovery; and Wiswedel represents journeying.

Emmy, Peabody and Golden Globe winner and Academy Award-nominee, Rebecca Eaton, has been the executive producer for “Masterpiece” for 25 years. Under her influence, the series has presented some of its most popular and enduring dramas, including “Prime Suspect,” “Bleak House,” “Sherlock” and the Emmy-award winning “Downton Abbey.” Eaton’s commitment to enriching, high-quality programming perfectly complements Viking River Cruises’ cultural offerings. Eaton was listed in 2011’s “TIME 100,” TIME Magazine’s list of the year’s most influential people, and was profiled in the January 2012 issue of Vanity Fair. “As executive producer for ‘Masterpiece,’ I’m proud to have Viking River Cruises as our sponsor,” said Eaton. “And what an honor to be asked to participate in the christening of the new Viking Longships.”

Actress Joanna Lumley is best known for her work on the BBC hit comedy “Absolutely Fabulous,” which was recently re-introduced to the air. She has also fronted several television travel documentaries, starred in multiple theatre productions, and has written several books. Lumley’s creativity, humor and skill have made her an icon, and reflect the value placed on inspiration in all Viking cruises. Awarded an OBE in 1995, Lumley is also recognized for her human rights activism and charity, and she has campaigned on the behalf many important causes. “What an honor to serve as godmother to a ship that will sail through the heart of Europe on its most historic waterways,” said Lumley. “I’ve always been inspired by experiencing new destinations, and what better way to do so than on a modern cruise ship named for a Viking god!”

Dr. Lisa Randall is a professor of physics at Harvard University, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is one of the most influential and highly cited theoretical physicists. Revered as a leading expert on particle physics and cosmology, Randall is the author of two bestselling books on the nature of the universe, including the recent “Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World.” She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions, including being named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. “River cruising is about observation and inquiry—learning about places from the inside out. As a particle physicist, these are goals that very much resonate with me. I’m delighted to be associated with this launch, and the appreciation of physics expressed by all involved,” said Randall.

Gail Wiswedel, of Saugatuck, Michigan, is a longtime honorary member of the Viking River Cruises family. As Viking’s most-traveled guest, Wiswedel is an invaluable source of insight and inspiration. When asked for her reaction to being named godmother, Gail exclaimed, “I’m so honored. I honestly feel like the Viking staff are part of my family…they care; they truly care.” In addition to serving as a Viking godmother, Wiswedel already has two Viking cruises planned for later this year.

 New Viking Longships

Viking Longships integrate patent-pending* design and new technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends, such as:

• Two Explorer Suites, which will be the largest river cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet, each featuring a separate living room, bedroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.
• Seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom.
• Thirty-nine Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas.
• Twenty-two French Balcony Staterooms.
• A revolutionary new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, which reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing guests to enjoy the scenery and dine al fresco.
• New premium in-cabin amenities that include heated bathroom floors and mirrors, Sony HD TV’s and premium bath products.

• Sustainability upgrades, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines that reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.

Accommodating 190 passengers, the ships are scheduled to sail four of Viking’s most popular European itineraries, including the 10-day Tulips & Windmills, 8-day Romantic Danube, 15-day Grand European Tour and 8-day Danube Waltz. Each of the new Viking Longships will be 443 feet (135 meters) long and feature 95 staterooms per ship.

Just last week, Viking announced it has commissioned six additional Viking Longships for delivery in 2013, bringing the total number of new ships to be launched in two years to 12. With the six additional vessels, Viking will have invested more than $400 million in its fleet development program over three years.

Paul Gauguin Cruises operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, unveils 2013 itineraries for the cruise line’s second ship—the 90-guest m/v Tere Moana—which will offer voyages in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

In the tradition of Paul Gauguin Cruises, cruise fares for The Moana are all-inclusive with gratuities, soft drinks, select wines and spirits included. Also, with superior dining options, a luxury spa and a staff of 54 serving just 90 guests, the experience aboard The Moana will be nothing short of first class.

After undergoing a multifaceted renovation to be completed in December 2012, The Moana will set sail under the Paul Gauguin Cruises’ banner on December 29, 2012, on a gala seven-night Caribbean voyage with chairman Richard Bailey aboard.

The Moana will sail 13 itineraries in 2013. Like The Gauguin, The Moana will specialize in warm-weather destinations, with an emphasis on delivering unique voyages that larger ships cannot offer and exploring hidden ports throughout these regions. The ship will sail during the summer months in Europe and winter in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Moana’s European Itineraries:

Seven-night voyages from Barcelona, Spain, to Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, visit Sète, France; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; Florence (Livorno), Italy; and Elba (Portoferraio), Italy. Departures: April 20 and August 17, 2013, with cruise fares from $3,295 per person.

Seven-night voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, to Venice, Italy, visit Lipari, Italy; Taormina (Giardini Naxos), Italy; Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Hvar, Croatia. Departures: May 11 (Chairman’s Cruise) and August 24, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages from Venice, Italy, to Athens (Piraeus), Greece, visit Zadar, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Delphi (Itea), Greece; Corinth Canal, Greece; and Hydra, Greece. Departures: May 18, July 6, and August 31, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages between Athens (Piraeus), Greece, to Istanbul, Turkey, visit Delos, Greece;  Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; and Canakkale, Turkey. Departures: May 25; June 8; and July 13, 27; and September 7, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages roundtrip from Istanbul, Turkey, visit Nessebur, Bulgaria; Constanta, Romania; Odessa, Ukraine; Yalta, Ukraine; and Sinop, Turkey, with one day at sea. Departures: June 1; and July 20, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages between Athens (Piraeus), Greece, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, visit the Corinth Canal, Greece; Ithaca, Greece; Fiskardo (Kefelonia), Greece; Taormina (Giardini Naxos), Italy; Lipari, Italy; and Sorrento, Italy, with one day at sea.  Departures: June 15; August 3; and September 21, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyage between Rome, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, visits Elba (Portoferraio), Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Nice, France; Cannes, France; Bandol, France; and Sète, France. Departure: October 19, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyage between Lisbon, Portugal, and Barcelona, Spain, visits Portimão, Portugal; Seville, Spain; Ceuta, Spain; Motril, Spain; Ibiza, Spain; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Departure: November 2, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $2,995 per person.

Seven-night voyage from Barcelona, Spain, to Malaga, Spain, visits Valencia; Cartegena; Almeria; Motril; and Ceuta, Spain, with an overnight in Malaga, Spain. Departure: November 9, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $2,995.

The Moana’s Caribbean Itineraries:

Seven-night voyages roundtrip from St. Martin, F.W.I., visit Tortola, B.V.I.; Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I.; Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; Basseterre, St. Kitts/Nevis; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; and St. Barts, F.W.I. Departures: December 29, 2012 (Chairman’s Cruise); March 9, 16, 23; November 30; and December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $2,595 per person.

The Moana’s Latin America Itineraries:

Thirteen- and fourteen-night voyages between St. Martin, F.W.I., and Puerto, Caldera, Costa Rica, visit St. Barts, F.W.I.; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Columbia (overnight); Panama Canal, Panama; Isla de Coiba, Panama (January 5 sailing only); Marenco, Costa Rica; and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, with three days at sea. Departures: January 5 and February 24, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $4,995 per person.

The Moana’s Transatlantic Itineraries:

Fourteen-night voyage from St. Martin, F.W.I., to Lisbon, Portugal, offers nine days at sea and visits Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain; and Madeira, Portugal.  Departure: March 30, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $2,995 per person.

Fourteen-night voyage from Malaga, Spain, to St. Martin, F.W.I., offers ten nights at sea and visits Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; English Harbour, Antigua; and St. Barts, F.W.I.  Departure: November 16, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $2,995 per person.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is currently offering 50% off standard cruise fares for 2013 voyages on The Moana. 5% Paul Gauguin Society Savings are available to past guests of the m/s Paul Gauguin on all Moana sailings with 10% Paul Gauguin Society Savings available to past guests on select Moana sailings (January 5; March 30; April 20; July 6; August 17; November 2, 16; and December 7, 2013) when booked by September 1, 2012.

 *All rates are person based on double occupancy, in U.S. dollars, are available on select sailings only, reflect promotional savings, and are for new bookings only in category C, subject to availability, may not be combined with other offers and are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Port, security and handling fees of $280 – $490 per person are not included. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

For river cruisers in Europe, this will be a year for boning up on stories about Viking gods, goddesses, and heroes.

Viking River Cruises, largest of the many companies that operate long and low vessels on the busy rivers of Europe, is introducing six identical boats this year, all named for famed Vikings.

The Odin was floated out on March 21

You might recall that that Odin is the god of wisdom, Freya the goddess of love and fertility, Njord the god of wind, Aegir the god of the sea, Idin the goddess of youth and rejuvenation, Embla the mother of the human race.

Vikings Odin (pictured in Kinderdijk, The Netherlands) and Idin floated out of Amsterdam this weekend on their inaugural voyages.

The new 190-passenger vessels, longer than a U.S. football field, flaunt an innovative modern design that includes a large indoor/outdoor café at the bow, heated bathroom floors and sophisticated big screen TVs, 39 cabins with private outdoor balconies, and nine suites – real suites with separate rooms.

The new indoor/outdoor cafe in the bow

In the old world of Europe’s shallow rivers and canals, where new boats may not be wider, higher or lower than the existing ones because of bridges and locks of immovable cement walls, designers managed to introduce outdoor sitting balconies by offsetting center hallways and turning some of the cabins sideways.

The picture below is of the side of Viking Odin with suites on the top cabin deck. You can see two outside sitting balconies, which are from different suites. Each suite has an outside balcony of about three feet wide (room enough for two chairs and cocktail table) and, also facing the outside, a French balcony for its bedroom. The windows on the deck below are from cabins with a French balcony.

The six riverboats – all of which will be floating in Europe by June – were expected to be a big hit in North America, where Viking River Cruises draws 85 percent of its passengers.

According to the cruise line, the six new boats are 88 percent sold out for 2012. So, already it’s time to think about Vikings for 2013.

New suites on the upper cabin deck

Godmothers to the Viking gods

Vikings Odin and Idin were christened last week, along with Freya and Njord, which remained in the Neptun shipyard undergoing finishing touches in Rostock, Germany. The river cruise line said the occasion was the first in which four vessels were christened at the same time, though the record claim was tarnished slightly by the two missing vessels, visible to the crowd only by satellite television. Most companies wait until their ships are complete for passengers before officially naming them. Freya and Njord will be ready for the rivers in April, the company said. Vessels Aegir and Embla are to join the fleet in June.

All four godmothers to the first four boats, however, were on hand in Amsterdam for the ceremony on Wednesday, March 21, despite the two missing hulls for the traditional splash of champagne.

The godmothers included Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of the PBS Masterpiece series with the hit show “Downton Abbey;” Joanna Lumley, an actress known for her role as Patsy Stone on “Absolutely Fabulous” on British television; Harvard physicist Dr. Lisa Randall, author of “Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World,” and Gail Wiswedel, of Saugatuck, Mich., reported to be Viking’s most traveled passenger with 11 river cruises.

An innovative herb garden on board

The new vessels will sail this year on cruises of 8-15 days. They are 443 feet long, with three cabin decks and an open deck on top, a restaurant that can accommodate all passengers at dinner, and a lounge that opens to the indoor/outdoor café at the bow.

An herb garden separates the mini-golf and shuffleboard on the top deck.

Viking River Cruises has announced six more river vessels for 2013 and has an option to build six more for 2014. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises at (877) 668 4546.

More Viking gods to consider:

Viking River Cruises, which was founded in Russia, has renamed its four vessels on Russian rivers in honor of the Rurikid Dynasty, begun by Viking leaders and in charge of Russia for 700 years. Vikings Rurik, his brother Truvor, son Ingvar, and hero Helgi each have a Russian story to tell.

Photos by David Molyneaux

The Grande Caribe sails for Blount Small Ship Adventures

I’ve never met a boat I didn’t like. From huge ocean liners to historic paddle wheelers, if it floats on water, I’ll probably enjoy it. Each vessel seems to have its own charms and I always leave a voyage ready to take another one.

So I was curious to try Blount Small Ship Adventures. Someone described it as sort of like having a friend who has a wonderful yacht and invites you on a cruise. A talented chef prepares delicious meals. An attendant cleans the cabin. A friendly person organizes fun activities. And, best of all, a skilled captain carefully maneuvers the ship into small places where big ships can’t go.

It’s a wonderful way to travel America’s rivers and discover cities and towns from a water viewpoint.

So here we are.

This ship has a very low profile.

My sister Elaine and I are on the maiden voyage of Blount’s Grande Caribe from New Orleans to Nashville. Billed as “Southern Traces,” the 12-day cruise starts off on the mighty Mississippi River and ends up on the Cumberland River. It stops at such historic places as Mobile, Ala.; Columbus, Miss.; Pickwick, Tenn.; Kuttawa, Ky. and Nashville.

“It’s a beautiful part of the country,” says Capt. David Sylvaria. “Our cruises are very laid back and casual. That’s what our passengers like.”

In fact, many of the passengers we talked with our first day on the ship have taken multiple cruises with Blount and plan to take many more. Vern and Karen Taylor of Costa Mesa, Ca., have signed up for a month of cruising on the Grande Caribe, starting with our New Orleans to Nashville trip.

“When you watch the river and the scenery along the way, you feel like Lewis and Clark,” Karen says. “It doesn’t seem like it has changed much with time.”

Cabins are small but comfortable

What do repeat cruisers like best? Comfort and friendliness are most often described. No need to pack fancy clothes, suit coats and ties. Dress aboard a Blount ship is casual. It’s a no-frills cruise.

Children under 14 are not allowed. Most passengers are mature, well traveled, inquisitive and adventurous.

SMALL SHIP AMBIANCE

Built in 1997, the Grande Caribe is 184 feet long and has 48 cabins, plus a dining room and 180-degree vista view lounge. Cabins are small, ranging from 72 to 96 feet with twin or queen beds, private baths with separate showers and individually controlled air conditioning. Smoking is permitted only on the outside decks. Décor is simple and nautical.

Meals are one seating. On our trip, breakfast is at 8 a.m., lunch 12:30 p.m. and dinner 6:30 p.m. – unless a shore excursion means a change in dining time. On our first shore stop at Mobile, breakfast was served at 7 a.m. so we could take morning shore excursions before the ship departed at noon.

Dining is open seating. Sit wherever you like and switch off to meet more of the passengers, cruise director Jenn McDanieladvises. With a maximum capacity of 96 passengers, it is possible to quickly become acquainted with everyone. Fresh flowers on the tables and walls of windows with water views make it a pleasant place to eat.

Food is surprisingly good for such a small galley and staff. The menu is posted on a bulletin board every morning. No choices. As one traveler at our table said on the first day, that makes it all the easier because he doesn’t have to decide what he is going to order. The chef decides. However, anyone who has a special diet or food preference can alert the chef to make something else if the posted choices aren’t sufficient.

Studying the ship's route

Our cruise has just started but I’ve been very happy with the dining choices. Dinner last night was beef filet, mashed potatoes, salad, asparagus and key lime pie. Breakfast this morning was a huge buffet of maple oatmeal, cold cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt and stewed prunes. Then, when we were seated at our dining tables, servers brought big platters of scrambled eggs and bacon to go with the baskets of blueberry scones and toast for family-style dining.

Lunch was sausage and spinach soup – which sounds yucky and something I would never have ordered but was so good that it alone could have been my lunch – along with club sandwiches, pasta salad and brownies for dessert. Fruit and snacks are available 24 hours a day in the dining room and lounge.

UNUSUAL DRINK POLICY

The Grande Caribe wins major points with me for its drink system. It always irks me when a cruise ship charges extra for fountain soft drinks and the price is usually terribly inflated for a small cup of Coke. A shame but many of the ships will do that, especially the higher priced cruise lines.

Not the Grande Caribe. Coke products, juices, coffee, hot chocolate and tea are available 24 hours a day from self serve stations in the dining room and lounge.

The Grande Caribe also has a policy I have never seen on any ship. The Grande Caribe does not sell alcoholic drinks. Instead, passengers are invited to bring their own bottles, store them in the bar area or the ice chest of the lounge and help themselves whenever they want. The Grande Caribe offers all the mixers and garnishments necessary for most drinks. Cocktail hour is always the hour before lunch and dinner.

That way, cruise director Jenn points out, no one walks off a Blount ship owing a large bar bill. Plus, one or two nights on a cruise are complimentary open bar for passengers. The Grande Caribe really puts out a spread of appetizers plus bourbon, rum, vodka, gin, beer, wine, liqueurs and cocktails on those free drink evenings.

Those are just some of the things we’ve discovered on our first day on the ship. But it’s time to go to bed. In upcoming reports, I’ll share more about shore stops, shipboard activities, our fellow passengers and the man who created these unusual cruise ships that can go where others cannot.

That is a fascinating story in itself. Good night for now.

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

Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

Viking River Cruises, the world’s leading river cruise line, announced today that it has commissioned six more Viking Longships for delivery in 2013. The six vessels will be joining Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Njord, Viking Odin, which will be christened on March 21, 2012, and Viking Embla and Viking Aegir, which will be delivered later in 2012.

“The new orders reflect the great interest in Viking River Cruises and its revolutionary Longships,” said Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen.

Viking Longships integrate patent-pending* design and new technology with amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends, such as:

• Two Explorer Suites, which will be the largest river cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet, each featuring a separate living room, bedroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.
• Seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom.
• Thirty-nine Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas.
• Twenty-two French Balcony Staterooms.
• A new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, which will bring the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing guests to enjoy the scenery and dine al fresco.
• New premium in-cabin amenities that include heated bathroom floors and mirrors, Sony HD TV’s and premium bath products.
• Sustainability upgrades, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines that reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.

The Viking Longship series has been designed by maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten and Los Angeles based Rottet Studios. They are all being built at the Neptun Yard in Germany, part of the Meyer Neptun group.

“At Viking, we are proud of our Norse heritage. The ancient Vikings were the ultimate explorers, and that tradition lives at Viking River Cruises today. For that reason, we have honored our new Viking Longships-and our beautifully refurbished Russian fleet-with names of celebrated Viking gods and heroes,” said Hagen.

With the six additional vessels, Viking will have invested over $400 million in its fleet development program over three years.