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Book  your next cruise with Cruises Only: http://www.cruisesonly.com/

I have enjoyed reading Ralph’s Avid Cruiser reviews and watching his videos.  Here’s a special video feature Ralph produced about “What Silversea Cruises Does Differently”.

I think you’ll enjoy the video.  If you do, hit the “Like” button or follow us on Facebook.  You may even want to “Follow” this blog so you don’t miss any of our updates.

• Italian Stallion Part One
• Italian Stallion Part Two
• Italian Stallion Part Three
• Italian Stallion Part Four

This is an unprecedented Virtual Cruise Experience following the continuing adventures of The Cruise Journalist, Barry Vaudrin, on a voyage and a journey to offer a unique perspective on cruising.  Hopefully this video series will make you laugh, offer inspiration, educate, give you travel advice, and entertain.  Follow this particular blog, subscribe to our Youtube Channel, and listen to our audio talk show segments.  Stay in-touch with us here at Cruising Authority and let us know what what you think of our special video series filmed aboard the MSC Poesia.

For those seeking cruise deals right now, The Cruise Journalist recommends you visit: http://www.cruisesonly.com/

The contest runs from today through February 13, 2012 and the winners who name the new kids or teen program will receive a seven-day Caribbean cruise for a family of four. Those who submit the winning names for the six age groups within the new programs will receive a $100 American Express gift card.  Norwegian announced earlier this month that it is revitalizing its current youth program and will implement a new best in class program fleet wide beginning on Norwegian Gem in mid-February and rolling out to all of the line’s Freestyle Cruising ships subsequently.

            “We want to ensure that we have the best youth programs at sea for the more than 150,000 children and teens that sail with us each year,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “In the spirit of Freestyle Cruising, we thought that the parents and kids who utilize the programs would be the best to suggest names for them.  We are looking for lots of originality and creativity along with names that really speak to today’s kids and teens.”

            To enter, contestants should head to Norwegian’s website, fill out the online entry form and submit name options for one, any, or all of the following:  the new Kids program; the new Teen program; and the six new age groups:  six months to two years old; three to five years old; six to nine years old; 10 to 12 years old; 13-14 years old; and 15-17 years old.

There is no maximum amount of entries per person. The contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) 18 years of age and older or, for entrants who are younger than 18, their entries can be submitted by a parent or guardian on the entrant’s behalf.  For more information on how to enter and for the official rules and details on the prizes, visit Norwegian’s website.

Norwegian’s New Youth Programs

The line’s current program, Norwegian’s Kid’s Crew in place since 1999, is being redefined to better address the skills and interests of children. The new fully developed and enhanced curriculum tailored to each age group is being produced in conjunction with The King’s Foundation and Camps, a United Kingdom-based organization that provides high quality sport and activity programs designed to make a positive impact on children. More focus will be placed on sporting activities, arts and crafts, theater and technology.  Activities will change every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the age group and will be set within blocks of programming time in the morning, afternoon and evening.

More details of the new youth and teen program will be released in the coming months.  Further information on Norwegian’s family offerings can be found on the line’s website.  Families wanting to book a cruise on Norwegian to a variety of family-friendly destinations such as the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Europe and more, should contact a travel professional, call 866-234-7350 or visit www.ncl.com. 

MSC Poesia Docked in Cozumel

In a North American cruise market there are numerous choices and flavors of cruise lines intricately managed and fine-tuned to appeal to American vacationers, however; MSC Cruises offers something different.  All the cruise lines have a bit of culture to offer, but most of these cruise companies based in the U.S. are distinctly “Americanized” and cater primarily to Americans and the North American market.  MSC Cruises appears seasonally in U.S. waters and during the winter months of 2011 and 2012, the MSC Poesia gallops across the Caribbean like a strong and graceful Italian stallion at sea.

MSC Cruises is a family-owned company with it’s roots in container shipping and a fleet of nearly five hundred container vessels making the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) the second largest carrier in the world.  In 2003 MSC Cruises invested 5.5 Billion Euros into a massive ship-building project to create an ultra-modern fleet, and today the line has twelve stylish cruise ships, including the MSC Poesia which debuted in 2008.  The owner and his wife are intimately involved in the interior design of their ships, and aboard the MSC Poesia, it is very clear to see that a great deal of care went into the fabrics, the colors, materials, artwork, and layout of the ship’s interior spaces.  The “feeling” onboard the MSC Poesia is exciting with sharp, contrasting design materials like brass, glass, marble, indirectly lighting and colorful carpet details.

On deck at sea aboard the MSC Poesia

I took my ten-year-old son on a December cruise aboard the MSC Poesia to the Western Caribbean, so both my son and I were particularly interested in the quality of the kids programs.  I’m happy to report that my son had an excellent time during this cruise.  The ship had a large complement of families with kids, and I noticed the pools and pool deck areas were very popular on our days at sea.  Of course we had excellent weather during our cruise.  The MSC Poesia was full, however; because of the excellent configuration of the lounges, restaurants and deck areas, the ship didn’t feel too crowded.

I’ll have to admit that prior to my cruise onboard the MSC Poesia, I was expecting more Italian crew and staff, but it soon became clear that gone are the days when ships employed single-nationalities.  I was not disappointed, and enjoyed the international mix of crew and staff from many nationalities, including Canadians, Europeans, and Indonesians.  The passenger complement also included many Italians, Germans, French and Americans.  This mix of passenger nationalities is a specific element that creates the international “feeling” onboard the MSC Poesia.  During the cruise throughout the ship and during the shows, announcements were made in several languages, so it’s important to be tolerant and flexible, a trait which Americans tend to lack sometimes.

A tasty chicken pastry

The dining was exquisite.  I was impressed with the menu choices each night and the quality and taste of the cuisine.  In our consumerism culture we have today, it can be easy to not fully appreciate the exceptional thought and planning that goes into preparing thousands of fine-dining experiences every day and night, however; the amazing Chefs onboard the MSC Poesia are able to make it happen with apparent ease.  A big winner during our cruise was the lobster and Filet Mignon.  When I cruise, my usual menu choice is the fish, and I was very pleased with the taste and quality.  The salmon was from Norwegian waters and prepared just right.  A common American impression of European cuisine is that the food is bland, but I did not experience this on the MSC Poesia.  This is a cruise line with a strong Italian heritage so you can expect some great pasta, and those who love Italian food will feel at home onboard the MSC Poesia.  The two main restaurants are on Decks Five and Six aft, and if I were to cruise again on the MSC Poesia, I would choose the restaurant on Deck Five because of the curvy passage from one end to the other.  The restaurant on Deck Six had a straight passage from one end to the other that seemed to share traffic with the waiters more than the curvy passage.  The cafeteria restaurant on Deck 13 aft was laid out well, however; if you arrive at certain peak times, you might experience lines.   On one of the final evenings there was a delightful late-night buffet, and the lines were very slow as passengers took pictures.  A tip for those wanting the chocolate and to see the ice and butter carvings, skip the long lines and make your way further aft where the sugary goodies are.

Because of the many languages represented among the crew and passengers, the design of the entertainment is filled with visual and musical acts.   The shows were packed each night because passengers thoroughly and consistently enjoyed the entertainment.  When the topic at the diner table is how great the show was the previous night, it’s clear MSC Cruises is doing something right with planning great entertainment and hiring talented performers.  The acts included juggling, acrobatics, dancers and opera singers, and I particularly liked the show lounge with it’s purple decor and high-tech stage.

When you cruise on the MSC Poesia, be sure to reserve a balcony stateroom, so you can enjoy the ocean breezes.  Our stateroom 10124, was comfortable and efficient.  The cabin stewardess was friendly, and always said hello when she saw us passing through the corridor. Our room was spotless, the bathroom was always clean with fresh towels.  My son actually discovered how the stewardess knows if we are in the room or not, there’s a tiny light outside the door near the ceiling panel that indicates the room is occupied.  Your room key card is used to turn on the lights in the room, so when you leave the room and take your card, the lights turn off saving power.

How does the MSC Poesia compare to other cruise lines in the Caribbean?  Keep in-mind that the MSC Poesia is a high-volume passenger vessel, yet MSC Cruises does a classy job of making sure everyone onboard is treated with white-glove service.  There is an aura of Italian culture onboard the MSC Poesia that even the well-traveled individuals will appreciate.  Considering the fine dining, classy décor, excellent entertainment and attention to details, a vacation on the Italian Stallion at Sea, the elegant MSC Poesia, will offer an experience that will delight the senses. Contact iCruise at www.icruise.com to book your next cruise vacation and check out the great deals MSC Cruises has to offer on any of their beautiful ships.

Below is the first episode in a series of Four videos featuring the MSC Poesia.  The Host of Cruising Authority, Barry Vaudrin, recently embarked on a Caribbean itinerary and hid the wooden carved wand in one of the ports.  Watch the following video to learn more about this exciting Treasure Hunt.  Another interesting element to this first episode, in a series of four, is a music video expressing a little cruise etiquette with a suggestion to smile more on your next cruise.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (December 29, 2011) – Princess Cruises has once again received top honors as the “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” in the annual Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the fifth year in a row, and the eighth time, that the company has been recognized with this distinction by the respected magazine’s travel agent readers for its Alaska cruises and cruisetours.

“We’re delighted and honored that the true travel experts – travel agents – continue to recognize our Alaska cruise program each year,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We’re passionate about the Great Land and sharing it with visitors, and this award acknowledges that we offer the best Alaska vacation experience in the industry.”

Drawing upon more than 40 years of experience cruising the 49th state, Princess Cruises offers Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage sailings and an extensive selection of cruisetours, with accommodations at five Princess-owned and operated, scenic wilderness lodges. The company’s immersive Alaska experience is created by combining a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise, including two distinct glacier viewing opportunities, with a land tour ranging from three to nine nights, along with travel by glass-domed railcars.

In addition to experiencing the state’s charming port towns, spectacular scenery and marine life while on a Princess ship, passengers who extend their vacation with a land tour will explore Alaska’s dramatic interior including at least one night among the wilderness of Denali National Park, one of the state’s top attractions. And only Princess offers Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail travel to give visitors more time in the Denali area.

Princess’ 2012 Alaska cruise season features seven ships, including a fourth ship added to the Gulf of Alaska route, and three ships sailing the Inside Passage. They will depart on 122 voyages, and travelers can choose from more than 20 different cruisetour options.

Additional information about cruises to Alaska and Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Listen to our Thanksgiving Surprise episode on Cruising Authority where we interview Titanic Historian Daniel Butler about his inspiration for producing these Titanic Rivets. Order your Titanic Rivet today before the media frenzy about Titanic’s one hundredth year anniversary…supply is limited and once these highly collectible rivets are gone, you’ll be glad you have one in your hot little hands.