ABOARD OCEANIA RIVIERA, DAY TWO –– Today we are docked at our first stop: Nassau. A Disney ship is on one side of us, soon to be joined by Carnival Liberty and Norwegian Escape. It’s going to be a busy day at the port. If you are a late riser, as we often are, Riviera offers a very nice continental-style breakfast in the Horizons lounge. Tucked away in one corner is a selection of bakery items, cold …
ABOARD OCEANIA RIVIERA, DAY 2 — Today we are docked at our first stop: Nassau. A Disney ship is on one side of us, soon to be joined by Carnival Liberty and Norwegian Escape. It’s going to be a busy day at the port. If you are a late riser, as we often are, Riviera offers a very nice continental-style breakfast in the Horizons lounge. Tucked away in one corner is a selection of bakery items, cold …
Read moreToday’s main event on the Oceania Riviera is dinner at La Reserve
ABOARD OCEANIA RIVIERA, DAY 1 — The weather in Miami suits the name of this voyage: “Sunny Celebrations.” Our ship, Oceania Riviera, is docked at Terminal J and waiting for our arrival. For Pam and I, this cruise marks a couple of firsts: Our first cruise on Oceania, and our first holiday cruise. For the next 13 days, spanning Christmas and New Years, we’ll be sailing to seven different Caribbean islands. The first order of business is …
This week we “un-decorated” our house and starting packing our bags. That’s because on Christmas Day we expect to be cruising the Atlantic Ocean aboard Oceania Riviera, headed for Antigua. We excited about going. First, because it’s our inaugural holiday cruise, spanning both Christmas and New Years. Second, it’s our first time on Oceania, and we are looking forward to seeing how it compares to Azamara. Both are smaller ships catering to an upscale audience. Our trip …
Read morePreparing for a holiday cruise through the Caribbean aboard Oceania Riviera
Since I just made a post about all the wonderful things that Princess is doing on their ships for the holiday season, I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t pass along the fact that they are also running a fantastic holiday cruise sale. This new “Season of Savings” sale is on cruises that runs from December 13 to 21, and it allows passengers to take advantage of savings up to $1,000 per perso, n plus up …
Thinking of taking a holiday cruise in 2013? Here are are some fantastic reasons to consider it! 1. Truly festive atmosphere– After Thanksgiving, the cruise lines get in the holiday spirit by decorating their ships from bow to stern. Some cruise lines spend in excess of $100,000 annually on holiday decorations. Christmas trees, lights, garlands and even artificial snow bring the festive season alive at sea. Hanukkah customs and celebrations also are observed. Religious services of all …
I love a holiday cruise. There’s something magical about being at sea, celebrating on beautifully decorated ships, with special cuisine and activities devoted to the occasion. The absolute best part, I must say, is being able to relax and enjoy the holiday with my loved ones without the stress that often goes with being a host. One thing that can be tricky, however, is gift-giving; you have to put a little extra thought into the gifts for those …
Read moreThe Top 7 “Wow” Gifts To Give On Your Holiday Cruise
Holiday cruises appeal to many different types of travelers. There are those who want to get away with family for a calmer and fun celebration, rather than the sometimes chaotic goings-on at home. There are those who don’t want all the work making meals and hosting guests but would rather be served and pampered. There are those who want to explore holiday traditions in other parts of the world. Some are singles or empty-nesters who would rather …
It could be just wishful thinking brought on by the heat of the summer, but it seems that the holidays are beginning to be on people’s minds. More than one person I’ve spoken to recently is planning ahead, thinking of holiday traditions and perhaps a holiday cruise. I came across this blog by Christoper Kyte, President of the American Queen Steamboat Company (see the original blog here) and found it so interesting, I just had to pass …
Read moreHoliday Cruising With the American Queen Steamboat Company
I’ve noticed that the cruise community as a whole is really putting in an effort to provide more options for the solo traveler- a great thing for both singles and those who simply enjoy vacationing alone. I only wish my mother had known about the solo cabins……….. For example, P&O’s Azura, which launched in April 2010, has 18 single cabins designed for solo cruisers. NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Epic, features 128 studio cabins targeted at and priced …
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
