Allison-Shane's Blog Archives

Bûche de Noël compliments of Viking River & Ocean Cruises & AllThingsCruise

November 29, 2018February 6, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

This grand dessert is a descendant of the medieval subtlety—food disguised to look like something else. Here, chocolate cake masquerades as the traditional yule log for a long winter’s night. Although making the log look realistic can be challenging, even a simple approach is great fun to make and delightful to serve on a holiday evening. Ingredients CAKE: Unsalted butter for greasing Confectioners’ sugar for dusting 5 lg eggs, separated 1 C (192 g) sugar, divided …

A Sneak Peek at the Gorgeous Regent Suite- Coming to the Seven Seas Splendor February 2020

February 7, 2019February 5, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

I wanted to share a sneak peek of this gorgeous Regent Suite, scheduled to premiere aboard the Seven Seas Splendor in 2020. This beautiful space will be the most luxurious suite at sea! To book a cruise with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, click here. -Heidi Step into a stunning escape designed with the utmost taste in style, the finest materials and the most extraordinary craftsmanship when you enter The Regent Suite — the most exclusive address at …

Virgin Voyages- Hot Tubs, Guitars, Vinyl Record Players and Jaw-Dropping Service

January 22, 2019January 22, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

Massive Suite- Three rooms and a terrace fit for rock & roll royalty define this suite, with an outdoor hot tub, music room, runway table, Peek-a-View shower and enough space for a party to rival a Sir Richard Branson soiree. Take all the time you need to get ready, the champagne on the terrace is only getting colder. Virgin Voyages- launching in 2020, stay tuned for details.

11 Fantastic Reasons to Sail with Riviera River Cruises

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

Images courtesy of Riviera River Cruises

If you are searching for the ultimate European cruise, be sure to read up on Riviera River Cruises! This cruise line prides itself on attention to detail in every aspect of its offerings, and guests say a voyage “feels like coming home”. Below are 11 great reasons to sail with Riviera River Cruises: 1. Solo river cruises: For a number of Riviera River Cruises sailings, there is no single supplement charge. Every sailing has double cabins set aside with no single supplement. …

A Visit to Magical Morella, Spain

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

I recently got this travel diary from my friend, Richard Joseph, who took a trip to a historic area- Morella, Spain. What adventures did he discover on this trip of a lifetime? Read on for his impressions of this lovely area. – Heidi. There is a beautiful hill in Spain where every six years something that seems almost magical happens. That town is called Morella, you should be able to find it on a good map somewhere …

The Galapagos, a Celebrity Flora Itinerary

January 8, 2019January 2, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

The Celebrity Flora- this evolutionary new ship arrives in 2019 and will feature extraordinary creature comforts. Here is an example itinerary, from the May 26, 2019 sailing. This itinerary makes stops in: Baltra Island Daphne Major Gardner Bay (Espanola) Punta Suarez Cormorant Point Post Office Bay Moreno Point Urvina Bay Espinoza Point Vicente Roca Point South Plaza (Santa Cruz Island) Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) Puerto Ayora Baltra Island For more information on this itinerary, please visit: …

Queen Mary 2 Travel Diary- Moments Of Sophistication and History

January 16, 2019January 1, 2019 by Heidi Allison-Shane

Cunard never disappoints; their ships are unfailingly beautiful, luxurious and complete with amenities, yet they capture a glamour of days gone by. I have been lucky enough to sail on this line several times, and am posting a travel diary I wrote during one of my voyages- a six-day sailing on the QM2. I hope you enjoy my notes of a ship with the flair of a bygone era.- Heidi Wednesday – A Stroll in Olde Londontowne …

Celebrity’s Fantastic New Galapagos Ship the Celebrity Flora

January 9, 2019December 30, 2018 by Heidi Allison-Shane

Image courtesy of photographer Daniel Allen

Celebrity’s newest ship, Celebrity Flora, has a capacity of 100 passengers and will offer travelers awe-inspiring views. providing floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows for 360-degree views. In order to protect the sea floor, an anchor less holding system is exciting new technology which provides the opportunity for the ship to remain motionless. Other features aboard the Celebrity Flora provides private cabanas, indoor and outdoor lounges, two restaurants: Seaside Restaurant, and The Ocean Grill. Celebrity has made eco-friendly plastics onboard …

Cruise Lines and Ships Offering Sailings to the Galapagos Islands. When is the Best Time to Visit?

January 9, 2019December 29, 2018 by Heidi Allison-Shane

Image courtesy of photographer Kurt Soderling

There is no “wrong” time to visit the Galápagos Islands. Different times of the year have different things to see and do. The birds, tortoises and dazzling marine life are always there, waiting for their photos to be taken.

For A Complete Experiential Tour, The Galapagos Islands Offer Twenty Ports

January 9, 2019December 27, 2018 by Heidi Allison-Shane

Photo courtesy of photographer Kurt Soderling

Galápagos Ports Include: Chinese Hat Island (officially Isla Sombrero Chino) is one of the smallest Galápagos Islands, located close to the Santiago Island and shaped like a Chinese hat. Santiago Island consists of two overlapping volcanoes. Champion Island is a popular cruise port destination for snorkeling, scuba diving and wildlife watching. Genovesa Island (aka “Tower Island”) is one of the minor islands, named after Genoa, Italy. Floreana Island is named after the first president of Ecuador, …