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Cruising with all-inclusive Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a very comfortable, social experience. You get the luxury of space to hang out sans crowds, lots of perks and fancy accouterments, but it's all on a pleasingly subtle scale — as we learned on a recent cruise in the Mediterranean on the all-suite, all-veranda 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner. 
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Guests sailing on Windstar Cruises' Costa Rica & Panama Canal itineraries have a new way to celebrate: The Canal Celebration, a deck side festival, invites guests to experience the sights and sounds of the Panama Canal while enjoying amenities and activities that highlight the Panamanian culture. New for 2015 and 2016, Windstar guests can enjoy a nighttime passage through the Panama Canal, during which lights illuminate the inner workings of the waterway, during the Canal Celebration. As the ship approaches the first locks in the early evening, a speaker from the Panama Port Authority comes on board to introduce guests to the complex lock system. As the yacht navigates the passage, guests can drink local beverages, beers, and cocktails from a mobile drink cart while listening to local festive music from various regions around the country. In the evening, guests can dine on a custom-made Panamanian menu, curated by Windstar’s Executive Chef Michael Sabourin. Upon completion of the passage, guests find in their stateroom a certification of The Order of the Ditch, a Navy tradition that recognizes “sailors” who have passed through the Panama Canal.
Walter Christen's insight:
Windstar Cruises is really making a Panama Canal transit very intriguing. Looks like this luxury cruise would be fun and very informative cruise. In addition to the Panama Canal transit, Windstar stops at some of the most beautiful areas in the region where you will see sloths, howler monkeys and other wildlife that make this part of the world their home. Windstar also has some pretty amazing land packages for either before or after your cruise.
Cruise guests will have a rare opportunity to attend the Festival of Akwasidae in Ghana next March as part of Silversea Cruises’ latest land tour. Offered as part of a new six-day, pre-cruise ‘Accra & the Ashanti Kingdom’ land tour before Silver Cloud’s 16 March 2016 West Africa voyage, the centuries-old festival is held within the walls of the royal palace in Kumasi. It is presided over by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th ruler of the Ashanti people. During the ceremony, griots tell stories of past Ashanti rulers while drum and ivory horn players accompany traditional dance performances. “In addition to being an amazing journey, this unique programme provides our guests with the exclusive opportunity to participate in the Akwasidae Festival in Kumasi,” said Darius Mehta, Silversea’s vice president of air and land programmes. “Like all of our overland adventures, this exciting programme has been hand-crafted to enhance our guests' experiences ashore, and to provide them with cultural immersion opportunities that would simply not be possible otherwise.”
Walter Christen's insight:
This pre cruise land tour being offered by Silversea looks to be a unique and once in a lifetime experience. This is a six day land tour before boarding the Silver Cloud on it's West Africa itinerary.
Looks like Crystal Cruises is serious about being a player in the river cruise market. The luxury line on Monday said it would have five river vessels in Europe by 2017 -- three more than originally announced just three months ago. The line also said it would begin river cruise operations in Europe in 2016 -- a year ahead of schedule. Citing strong interest from consumers and travel agents since the July announcement that it would get into river cruising, Crystal said it has ordered four newly built river ships instead of two for delivery in 2017 from the German shipyard Lloyd Werft.
Walter Christen's insight:
Crystal Cruises, the luxury cruise line, is moving full steam ahead with their river cruises. Not only have they increased the number of ships they originally planned from three to five, they will start with one ship (Crystal Mozart) in 2016. The remaining four ships will be delivered in 2017. Known for a true luxury experience, Crystal Cruises will do well in this market.
Seabourn Cruise Line has been awarded the 2015 Good Taste Award for “Finest Cruise Line Dining” by culinary magazine Saveur. The inaugural Good Taste Awards were celebrated by the magazine at a reception in New York City on Oct. 13, and Seabourn — along with all of the other winners — will appear in the October issue. This is not the first award Seabourn has won from Saveur, either, as the company was also named the "Best Culinary Cruise Line" in the magazine's Culinary Travel Awards in 2013 and 2014.
Walter Christen's insight:
This is a well deserved award for Seabourn Cruise Line. They do know that the dining experience on a cruise is very important.
A Baltic Sea cruise to St. Petersburg, Russia’s historic showplace, offers wonders galore, punctuated by breathtaking onboard views of dramatic Nordic coastlines. But I had a specific mission in mind for the seven-day voyage my wife, Eileen, and I took there this August — one that began with an excursion to Berlin. As a former U.S. Army cold warrior 45 years ago, briefly based in what was then West Germany, I aimed to make some sense of the vast changes in Europe since the Soviet Union’s collapse. Thanks to cultural insights gleaned in Germany’s stately gem of a capital, and in Russia’s glittering “second city,” with its ornate czarist palaces filled with artistic treasures, we returned to the United States feeling far more knowledgeable about the country that Winston Churchill famously called “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” For this, we also give a nod to our local tour guides as well as the ship’s lecturers.
Walter Christen's insight:
A Baltic Cruise is on my bucket list and after reading this article, I may have to bump it up in priority. This cruise aboard Crystal Cruise Lines Symphony cruise ship seems like the ideal way to see this region in a immersive way.
When the ship enters service next April, Holland America Line’s Koningsdam will feature a venue where passengers can blend their own bottle of wine to take to dinner. The venue, called Blend by Chateau Ste. Michelle, is an expansion of the cruise line’s partnership with the winery. The two Seattle-area companies announced the partnership at a luncheon on Monday at the Chateau Set Michelle headquarters in Woodinville, Wash. Guests will choose to blend their wines from five vintages: two cabernet sauvignons, two merlots and a cabernet franc.
Walter Christen's insight:
I found this concept by Holland America to be very intriguing. I do not drink very often but do enjoy a nice glass of merlot with a special meal (almost always while cruising). My wife and I like to attend wine tasting events on cruises and this looks like the next step to enjoying and learning more about wine.
More than 20 years ago, I spent several weeks in Budapest. It was part of a seven-month ad-hoc journey that I made around parts of Eastern Europe, which was then not long out of communism. Every day I spent in Budapest was defined by journeys either alongside or over the river Danube: to go anywhere in that sternly grand city was to encounter the river constantly. In those weeks more than two decades ago in Budapest, I do not recall seeing one cruise boat on the river. Earlier this year, I returned to the city to join a week-long river cruise that started there, and was to end in Passau, in Germany. The taxi driver got lost en route from the airport, and so we travelled pretty much the entire length of the Danube from the Pest side, searching for the right dock. I spent the time staring out the window at a riverside I hardly recognized. It was studded with river cruise boats, docked all the way along. I don’t know why I was surprised. The Rhine was being cruised long before commercial river cruising came to Hungary.
Walter Christen's insight:
The popularity of river cruising in Europe has dramatically increased. Reading this account aboard Uniworld's luxury river cruise boat Beatrice. I can understand why.
Apple fans, your ship has come in. Literally. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will headline a Panama Canal cruise in December on luxury line Seabourn's 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey. Seabourn says the computer pioneer will be a speaker on a 20-day voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles that kicks off on Dec. 15.
Walter Christen's insight:
Being a computer geek and being old enough to remember the beginning of the personal computer revolution, I think this cruise would be great fun and entertaining. Steve Wozniak is a great speaker.
More premium cruise news: After the recent Fathom "social impact cruise experience" due next spring, and the Crystal announcement of new ultra-luxury sea and air transportation, we can now anticipate another exciting upscale launch due in 2016. Seabourn has revealed design renderings of the luxurious all-suite, all-veranda accommodations on Seabourn Encore, the line’s newest, ultra-luxury ship. Like everything on board the Seabourn Encore, the suites are envisioned by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, who blended modern design elements and innovations consistent with understated elegance. In 2014, Seabourn began phasing out the three original ships that started it all, more than two decades before. Their departure, and the arrival of Seabourn Encore in 2016 and Seabourn Ovation in 2018, prepares a new era. The ship will feature 300 suites with private verandas. The majority range from nearly 300 square feet for the standard veranda suite, plus a private veranda that is up to 74 square feet, to upwards of 1,300 square feet for the Wintergarden suites, which also feature verandas of nearly 200 square feet. "As on every one of our ships, guests will feel right at home when they enter their suite aboard Seabourn Encore," said Richard Meadows, Seabourn’s President. "The suites will offer many thoughtful amenities and personal touches that we are known for, and will be designed with the style and elegance our guests have come to love and expect."
Walter Christen's insight:
Ultra luxury cruise line Seabourn has unveiled design renderings of their newest ship Seabourn Encore due to arrive late in 2016. The amenities of this 300 suite all veranda ship are impressive.
I recently had the chance to experience a 5 star European river cruise for the first time and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Stepping aboard the ‘Space-Ship’ like boat that was docked in Amsterdam, I was about to glide through Amsterdam’s remarkable network of canals, in river cruising luxury – if you want to explore European destinations at a gentle pace, river cruising is certainly one of the best ways to do this. Imagine yourself sipping sparkling champagne, whilst listening to nothing but the calm, gentle sounds of the river lapping against the bows.
Walter Christen's insight:
River boat cruising is becoming more and more popular. The cruise lines such as Viking Cruise Line have been upping their game to appeal to a greater audience. What a perfect way to explore a region or country where you only have to unpack once. The ships are smaller and more intimate with personalized service and the food is what you would expect of a Luxury cruise line..
Cruise vacations no longer are just about lounging poolside and enjoying ocean views. In recent years, cuisine has taken center stage on many cruise lines that offer celebrity chef-inspired menus and dining venues, and shoreside excursions that immerse passengers in local foods and customs. Oceania Cruises, an upper premium line, has been a leader in culinary vacations at sea for several years. French Master Chef Jacques Pépin is executive culinary director for the line's six ships, and Oceania is well known for its culinary tours while in port. This week the cruise line unveiled a collection of multi-day pre-, post- and mid-cruise land tours called Culinary Creations Land Tours. Available starting in spring 2016, the new tours will be offered in Rome, Barcelona, Provence (Monte Carlo), Tuscany (Rome/Civitavecchia), Greece (Athens), London and Argentina (Buenos Aires) during select sailings aboard Nautica, Marina, Riviera and the newest ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet, Sirena.
Walter Christen's insight:
Oceania Cruises new Culinary Creations Land Tours. look to be a interesting way to immerse yourself into the culture and customs of different parts of the world. French Master Chef Jacques Pépin is one of my favorite chefs. I even have a few of his books.
Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, and the 88-guest m/v Tere Moana, offers exotic fall Fiji sailings on The Gauguin that feature optional shore excursions celebrating the destination’s culture, history, and traditions.
Walter Christen's insight:
Specialty cruise line Paul Gauguin announced new 10 ,12 and 13 night sailings to exotic Fiji in the South Pacific on the M/S Paul Gauguin. Also the list of optional excursions at the various ports of call are quite interesting.
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Star Clippers has announced it will offer complimentary yoga and meditation classes aboard select sailings on all three of its ships in the Mediterranean in 2016. The classes will be open to all fitness levels and will be conducted in English as well as various other languages based on the instructor’s fluency. Yoga classes will be open to all guests and will be available in the mornings and afternoons, contingent on the port schedules.
Walter Christen's insight:
What a great way to decompress and relax on your Mediterranean cruise. Nice to see that Star Clippers will have classes for all fitness levels as I would be a rank beginner although would love to give thisa try.
Looking for something out of the ordinary for your next cruise? Our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, offers a deck-by-deck look at one of the most unusual and alluring small ships afloat, upscale line Windstar's Wind Spirit. As can be seen in the tour, the 148-passenger Wind Spirit is a motor sailing vessel that can operate on both wind and diesel power -- one of three in the six-ship Windstar fleet. Originally built in 1988, it recently received a major makeover in dry dock that brought significantly revamped public spaces and cabins, and it now sails year-round in the South Pacific (a nearly identical sister ship, the Wind Star, operates in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).
Walter Christen's insight:
I have always loved the looks of the Windstar cruise ships that can also use sail power in addition to the more traditional diesel. Windstar's Wind Spirit and sister ship Wind Star only have capacity for 148 passengers while the bigger Wind Surf can have up to 312 passengers. Windstar also has three traditional cruise ships, Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride each with a capacity for 212 passengers. Windstar is known as a luxury cruise line that feels more like your on a yacht. Smaller ships mean they can go to smaller and often more interesting ports of call.
I am gazing onto the bright blue Caribbean Sea aboard the luxurious and oh-so-pretty Crystal Symphony cruise ship en route to Willemstad, Curacao. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Crystal long has epitomized gracious living at sea for the seasoned and well-heeled traveler. With only two ships (for now), Crystal has been voted "World's Best" more than any other cruise line, resort or hotel in history.
Walter Christen's insight:
Crystal Cruises Crystal Symphony is a wonderful ship backed up by the luxury and service Crustal Cruises is known for. I can see why they have such a high returning guest percentage. The Sushi Bar, serving world-famous sushi by Nobu Matsuhisa sounds fantastic.
Can affordable luxury cruising get any better? We’re splashing out in a suite – all 106 staterooms are outside suites that come with huge picture windows or balconies plus living areas (where we can order multi-course dinners if we wish). There’s even a walk-in closet. We have deluxe L’Occitane bath products, his-and-hers sinks and a full-size bathtub too in the marble bathroom. And, oh, the food! How are we going to zip up our pants with the food being this scrumptious? Welcome to the Star Pride – the first in a trio of Windstar Cruises’ new “star class” yachts. Windstar prides itself on their ports-of-call being the chief attraction. We fondly recall our Tahiti and Amalfi Coast cruises on Windstar’s tall ships – intimate enough to nose into hidden bays and secluded villages the big ship contenders can only dream about. But if the new Star Pride is any indication, the “star class” yachts can boast star power themselves. Until recently, Windstar was known for its three motorized, tall-ship yachts (Wind Surf, Wind Spirit and Wind Star). The line then acquired the 440-foot Pride from the luxury Seabourn fleet, which set sail as the Star Pride under the Windstar flag in 2014. Two sister ships were also plucked from Seabourn, and after a multi-million dollar transformation (double the upgrades of the Star Pride), the Star Legend and Star Breeze were launched by Windstar in May, 2015. The three “star class” yachts offer a new level of luxury for port-hopping Windstar guests.
Walter Christen's insight:
Windstar "Star Class" ships are small luxury ships that can go to ports of call that the large mega ships cannot go to. I especially like the concept of casual elegance and the lack of need for a jacket or tie. You can read more about these three fantastic ships right here on Cruiseable: Star Pride Star Legend Star Breeze
Luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises is getting even more all-inclusive with the addition of free unlimited WiFi access for every passenger. Regent on Wednesday announced the new perk would be available fleetwide starting in late 2016. The company currently offers free unlimited WiFi only to passengers in top suites. Passengers in lesser cabins get 200 to 500 minutes of free WiFi access per cruise, with the time depending on the voyage length. Regent's move comes just six months after the debut of Viking Ocean Cruises, a new upscale line that has been making waves in the industry with a "no nickel-and-diming" mantra that includes the promise of free Wi-Fi for every passenger. Viking's free Internet offering is similar to Regent's in that there is no time limit for any passenger.
Walter Christen's insight:
When I first started cruising, one of the benefits I saw was that I would be totally unplugged from work and could relax completely. Unplugging is not stress reducing anymore as more as more of our lives require the internet. Sometimes you just need to check in to make sure everything is OK at home or work. Just last year I had to purchase a internet package for my son on a cruise we took because he was taking a online class and could not afford to not keep up with the work involved. I imagine within the next few years, internet access will be free or very inexpensive on all the major cruise lines. Congratulations should go out to Regent Seven Seas and Viking Ocean Cruises for offering free Wi-Fi to all their passengers.
Oceania Cruises is planning two new eateries for the ship it's taking over from Princess Cruises in April. The 684-passenger Sirena will feature a new-for-the-line Italian restaurant called Tuscan Steak that will serve steaks and seafood with a Tuscan flair. The line says it'll be inspired by the traditional steak house Polo Grill and Italian eatery Toscana that are found on other Oceania ships. Also new on Sirena will be a version of the contemporary Asian-inspired restaurant Red Ginger that's found on Oceania's two newest ships, Marina and Riviera. In addition, Oceania plans to transform the Sirena's Grand Dining Room into a Jacques Bistro for lunch. The French eatery created by famed chef and Oceania executive culinary director Jacques Pépin also is found on Marina and Riviera.
Walter Christen's insight:
Oceania is planning many new dining venues to the Sirena as it is remodeled and overhauled before going into service next year.
Luxury line Silversea plans another epic sailing from Florida to South America and back for 2017. The 63-day voyage on the 540-passenger Silver Spirit will kick off Jan. 16, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale and feature a complete circumnavigation of the continent. Highlights of the trip will include a crossing of the Panama Canal; two days cruising Chile's majestic fjords; a two-day stopover in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during Carnival; and multi-day calls in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Callao, Peru (gateway to Lima and Machu Picchu).
Walter Christen's insight:
Silversea's circumnavigation of South America in early 2017 will be a fantastic voyage and will be making ports of call in some great destinations. I especially like the stopover in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. Silversea cruise line also has a similar cruise for early 2016
The fun doesn't stop just because the sun has set. That's the idea behind Crystal Cruises' itineraries that will pass by some cities during the day and overnight in key ports, where passengers might take in local entertainment or dine in a top restaurant. "Crystal’s itineraries will also intentionally deviate from traditional river cruise routes to avoid congestion of other vessels in port," a company statement said about its itineraries, which will start in March 2017. Crystal also plans to add more active excursions for passengers who want to explore cities by bicycle or Segway. Passengers also will have access to a tender to seek out more private destinations, an unusual feature for a river ship.
Walter Christen's insight:
Crystal Cruise has a great idea here. I can see, especially on a river cruise that some destinations would warrant a overnight stay. Taking in the nightlife at these ports can be a important part of the total cruise experience.
Want to travel from New York to Australia and back without ever getting on an airplane? It'll be doable in 2017 for those willing to hop on a Cunard ocean liner. The storied line plans to send its flagship Queen Mary 2 on an epic, 132-day voyage from the Big Apple to Australia that also includes stops in Africa, Asia and Europe. The unusual itinerary will kick off Jan. 3, 2017 with a trans-Atlantic crossing to Southampton, England followed by a trip down the west coast of Africa to Namibia and South Africa. From there, the ship will head east across the Indian Ocean to Australia for an extensive stay that includes 14 port calls.
Walter Christen's insight:
This is a epic cruise. I for one would be able to tick off many of the destinations on my bucket list with this one cruise on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. 2017 may seem quite a way off but I would imagine that there would be many plans and details to work out to be able to cruise for 132 days.
Crystal Cruises today announced a new perk for repeat customers: Free Wi-Fi. The two-ship line says members of its frequent cruiser club, the Crystal Society, will receive 60 minutes a day of free Internet access starting this fall. The new policy will take effect on the line's Crystal Serenity starting with the ship's Sept. 19 sailing in New England and Canada. It'll kick off on the Crystal Symphony with the Oct. 15 sailing to the Panama Canal.
Walter Christen's insight:
Crystal Cruises has upgraded their Wi-Fi systems on both of their ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Crystal Society members are eligible for the free Wi-Fi time. You automatically become a member after your first Crystal Cruise. In this day and age it is getting harder and harder to disconnect completely. This is a welcome upgrade.
Royal Caribbean Cruise line is stepping up their luxury game with a brand new set of offerings for guests looking for that extra special touch on their cruise vacation. When vacationing in one of a range of innovative accommodations, guests will enjoy an experience like no other featuring a wide-range of benefits and amenities that they expect from a world-class luxury vacation. Along with well-appointed accommodations, Royal Suite Class will offer a range of exclusive amenities based on three tiered service levels. Premium features include a Royal Genie, certified by the British Butler Institute to meet guests every need; free VOOM, the fastest internet at sea; complimentary specialty dining; an ultimate beverage package; inclusive gratuities; preferred seating at select onboard venues, and upgraded room amenities. The Royal Suite Class will be available for sailings beginning May 2016 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis- and Quantum-class ships, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas, as well as Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas when they debut in spring 2016.
For the first time, Windstar Cruises offers solo travelers the chance to experience the trip of a lifetime with waived or reduced rates on select voyages booked by September 18, 2015. Windstar extends this more affordable style of single cruising on more than 130 voyages including itineraries in Panama, Costa Rica, Tahiti, , the Caribbean, and the
Walter Christen's insight:
Windstar Cruises has waived or reduces the single supplement on many of their most popular cruises. Windstar's ships are smaller having a private yacht feel and offer gourmet cuisine and exceptional service.
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Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas although more expensive than the mega ships do offer a lot more for the money spent. All inclusive means just that. Drinks, specialty dining, airfare and transfers, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi are just the start. The cabins are suites and provide more room to spread out in than normal. In addition, the ships are smaller and can go to smaller ports of call which can provide a more immersive experience. Less crowding and interesting places to visit.
With all the amenities and perks, a cruise on Regent Seven Seas Seven Seas Mariner may be the perfect way experience luxury cruising.