Scenic Tours launched its newest European river ship, the Scenic Crystal, in April 2012.
I sailed a section of the Rhine River on the ship and enjoyed the entire experience, especially the spacious cabins with their innovative balconies that can be transformed into a cozy sun room with the flip of a switch.
Even Americans who have taken a European river cruise may not know much about Scenic Tours. The Australian travel company has done land tours for many years, and introduced river cruises to its portfolio in 2008. Scenic Tours markets its river cruises under the Scenic Cruises name in the USA. Scenic has rapidly expanded its river cruise business, adding six ships in the past five years. The company plans to add another ship, Scenic Jewel, in 2013. All the ships (except the Scenic Emerald, which sails in France) will be retro-fitted to include most of the innovative features found on the Scenic Crystal and Scenic Jewel.
The company has also planned a major change in its cruise fare structure for 2013. In addition to the new builds, Scenic Tours and Scenic Cruises will be the first in the industry to make its river cruises truly all-inclusive. In addition to drinks, transfers, and tips, this all-inclusive policy will include special shore excursion adventures such as an evening tour and dinner at Rastatt Palace in Germany. I love touring palaces, and they look so much more elegant at night! And, who doesn't love a candlelit dinner, followed by a concert in a grand ballroom?
Tipping on a cruise ship has to be one of the most discussed topics about cruising. When do you tip? How much do you tip? Whom do you tip? These questions baffle most travelers, but cruisers are particularly challenged since tips are handled differently than in hotels or restaurants.
Cruise lines either have a no tipping policy, add a suggested tip onto your bill, or provide suggestions to passengers on how much gratuity to give to the staff. It is important to know that on most ships, tips represent a large portion of a crew member's salary, and you need to factor in this cost when planning your cruise. Let's take a look at tipping in general and tipping on cruise ships.
The Flying Dutchman pirate ship from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean used to be one of the first things seen at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, since the ship was a movie prop, the weather took its toll, and the old ship had to be removed. Many fans of Castaway Cay hope it will someday be replaced by a similar ship.
The Seabourn Odyssey is the first in its class of ships for The Yachts of Seabourn. She has two sister ships, the Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.
The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey is over twice as large as the other ships in the Seabourn fleet, but the company has managed to continue the exceptional service, delicious cuisine, and casual onboard atmosphere that past Seabourn cruisers love and expect.
I sailed a 7-day Adriatic cruise itinerary from Venice to Athens on the Seabourn Odyssey and loved everything about the ship. Join me on a tour of the suites, dining venues, and public areas of the Seabourn Odyssey.
Cruise ships sailing the western Mediterranan and docked at La Goulette, Tunisia often include a tour of Tunis as a shore excursion option.
These tours include a walk around the Medina and one of the enclosed souks (shopping areas).
The city tours also will travel to the Bardo National Museum, which has the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics. Tourists might also choose to visit Sidi Bou Said, a small town near La Goulette and the remains of Carthage.
The Oasis of the Seas has wonderful indoor public areas, but the outside decks really are special and different.
Its size allowed the designers to be very creative in their use of the space. And, since the Oasis of the Seas is based year-round in the sunny Caribbean, it makes sense that the cruise ship would have spacious outdoor areas and plenty of activities for guests to enjoy in the sunshine and fresh air.
Two of the most talked about areas are the Boardwalk and Central Park. However, these photos demonstrate some of the many other fascinating outdoor deck areas on the Oasis of the Seas.
When in Alaska, I took two memorable shore excursions that involved new methods of transportation for me.
The first was a helicopter ride over the Juneau Ice Fields and the Mendenhall Glacier, and the second was a float plane ride from Campbell River on Vancouver Island where we delivered the mail to the residents of the some of the outlying islands of coastal British Columbia. Both were exciting activities, and neither was as scary as I feared they would be! We were cruising on the marvelous Seven Seas Mariner, but these two shore excursions are offered by many Alaska cruise ships.
Don't I look like a competent co-pilot in this photo at the right?
You can't miss Table Mountain when you visit Cape Town. It's the large plateau overlooking the city that can be quickly covered with a table cloth of fog.
Cruise ships sailing into Cape Town are treated to a spectacular sight, with the city nestled at the foot of the plateau and the mountains continuing south towards Cape Point. Viewing Cape Town from the summit of Table Mountain provides the ultimate view of the city, its beaches, and Robben Island.
Happy Mother's Day! If you are looking for a special treat for your mom, why not plan a cruise with her?
Since cruises offer activities for all ages and interests, cruises make wonderful multi-generational vacations.
My mother and I took our first cruise together to the Mediterranean in April 2000, and since then we have sailed Australia, the South Pacific, China, Japan, Europe, South America, Africa, SE Asia, Alaska, and the Caribbean together. We have built some lifetime memories that I will always cherish. Isn't this a great photo of our family (my brother, sister-in-law, mom, and I) enjoying lunch ashore in Florence, Italy? (We left Ronnie the About Fishing Guide at home for this Mother's Day cruise.) Cruising with Mom
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