Sep 21 2012 Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary


Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant

September 21, 2012



Theme Nights onboard the The Soul Train Cruise

The Soul Train Cruise is known for music, performances and fun, which is why the late night parties and evening events are called “Boarding The Night Train”. Sometime around 11pm every night, the entire ship opens up and almost every venue has a different program or event. All “Boarding The Night Train” events are offered on a first come, first served basis. Listed below is a list of the themes for all nights.



Sunday – Fort Lauderdale: Welcome Night: Are You Ready? - Whatever you wore on the ship



MONDAY – AT SEA: SOUL BY THE SEA

Monday is party day and party night. We start in the afternoon with the T-Shirt Party on deck jam and “Pimp-My-T-Shirt” Contest. Always one of the most fun events of the cruise, all you have to do is wear your Soul Train Cruise T-Shirt and you are welcome to join us on the Lido Deck for food, music and drinks. You will receive your Soul Train Cruise T-Shirt in plenty of time to prepare for the “Pimp My T-Shirt” contest. It will be a lot of fun and there will be prizes.



Midnight at Midnight Event - Pa-Jam-A Party so put on your PJs (appropriate and tasteful attire required) and join us on the Lido Deck for some late night dancing and fun at our PJ party. You can stay up as late as you want, for you are already dressed for bed!



TUESDAY – GRAND TURK: ALL WHITE PARTY

The perfect party for the summer breeze of the Caribbean, because lighter colors look cool and refreshing, so whether casual, semi-formal or out-right crazy, we want to see you in ALL White!



WEDNESDAY – SAN JUAN: SOULFUL BEACH PARTY

It’s a beach party on deck – Wear your shorts, sarongs, Hawaiian Shirts, Leis or simply something you are comfortable in at the beach as we enjoy our BBQ on Deck under the stars and shake our hips to the sounds of the local music!



Midship at Midnight will be a late night tribute of the legacy of Michael Jackson with DW3 and friends… You wanna be startin’ something!



THURSDAY – ST. THOMAS: 70’S FUNK NIGHT

Tonight is the night that Midship at Midnight will take you back to the wild days of the 70’s! This is the COSTUME NIGHT of the cruise and we encourage EVERYONE to participate, with flairs, wigs and platforms shoes! Prizes awarded for BEST DRESSED!!!



FRIDAY - AT SEA: DRESS TO THE NINES!

Our most favorite night on the ship, where we all dress to impress with your most fashionable attire on this Formal Night ..The Ladies in gowns and the guys in Tuxes, this night is elegant, stylish and classy!



SATURDAY – HALF MOON CAY: FAREWELL NIGHT

A celebration of the bittersweet feelings that accompany the last night of a wonderful cruise.



Serenade of the Seas to Receive Oasis-Class Amenities

Serenade of the Seas will re-emerge from her dry dock with a new lineup of specialty restaurants, which will include Giovanni’s Table Italian restaurant, Izumi Asian cuisine and the Chef’s Table dining experience. Special dining packages will also be offered.



The Royal Choice Dining Package, which includes dinner at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi for $55 per guest, or the Chef’s Table Dining Package for $130 per guest, which includes all of the specialty restaurants as well as the Chef’s Table.

Serenade of the Seas also will offer additional dining deals at Giovanni’s Table. Groups of four or more can take advantage of the Celebration Dining Deal, which is valid for the first two nights of each sailing and allows groups of four or more to enjoy a delicious meal plus a $30 beverage credit at a cost of $20 per person. Groups of eight or more can opt for the Set Sail Dining Deal which includes dinner on the first night of their cruise for $14 per guest.



Further enhancing its onboard culinary offerings Royal Caribbean is expanding its partnership with renowned wine producer Domaines Barons de Rothschild by offering the exclusive Lafite Wine Tasting Experience onboard. Available for $23 to $25 per person, depending upon ship and itinerary, the experience, which was first introduced onboard Allure of the Seas, offers guests a unique tasting showcasing the renowned vintages from France’s Bordeaux region.



Developed in conjunction with Château Lafite Rothschild, the premier estate under the Rothschild name, and Master Sommelier John Blazon, the Lafite Wine Experience aims to expand guests’ understanding of growing regions within Bordeaux. A Royal Caribbean cellar master leads the tasting, sharing details about the wines and the winemakers and the history and suggestions for food pairings. A souvenir packet allows guests to take a piece of the experience home with winemakers’ notes, recipes and more.



The Lafite Wine Tasting Experience is now available for pre-booking on select ships, including Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas



WEST COAST 2013 SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE - October 12 – 19, 2013 out of San Diego

It is the perfect vacation program for groups, family, social club, reunion, sports club, sorority fraternity, alumni association, or just rends and family wanting to get-together. You’re going to love this cruise.



Itinerary

Saturday, October 12, 2013 Departing from San Diego 5:00 PM

Sunday, October 13 At Sea

Monday, October 14 Scenic Cruising, Bahia Magdalena

Tuesday, October 15 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 8:00 am – Overnight

Wednesday, October 16 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Overnight – 3:00 pm

Thursday, October 17 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday, October 18 At Sea

Saturday, October 19 San Diego, CA 7:00 am Disembarkation



LINEUP

Hosted by Brian Culbertson and Boney James

Featuring - David Sanborn and Marcus Miller

Special Guest - Tower of Power



Candy Dulfer Oleta Adams Jonathan Butler

Richard Elliot Euge Groove Earl Klugh

Kenny Lattimore Alonzo Bodden Rick Braun

Norman Brown DW3 Brian Simpson



Cabin Deposit Amount

$650/person (PS-SZ)

$550/person (VA-VH)

$450/person (C-Single)



Inside cabins start at $1875 pp +$325 taxes & gratuities. Return Guest inside cabin start at $1750 pp



PLEASE NOTE: All payments are non-refundable so insurance is highly recommended.



The Rockettes to christen Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship

The high-kicking Rockettes of Radio City Music Hall fame will christen the Norwegian Breakaway on May 8, 2013. Two dancers from the troupe will be aboard the first six sailings of the ship and the first sailing of the month thereafter, to take part in special events.



The collaboration also includes designating Norwegian as the official cruise line of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall and an official partner of the group's popular Christmas spectacular. An 11-foot model of Breakaway will be on display year-round in the Radio City lobby and Christmas show-goers in 2012 will be able to enter a sweepstakes to win one of two cruises for four aboard Breakaway.



Port of San Diego Opens Cruise Season with Disney Wonder

The Port of San Diego will begin its 2012-13 cruise season on Sept. 21 with the inaugural visit of the Disney Wonder at Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. A ceremonial plaque exchange will take place onboard the vessel at 11:30 a.m. between Capt. Fabian Dib, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Port Commissioner Bob Nelson.

The Disney Wonder is sailing out of Los Angeles to San Diego as part of Pixar-themed voyages. This will be the first of four port-of-call visits that the Disney Wonder makes to San Diego. The vessel returns to San Diego Bay on Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12.



PRIDE OF AMERICA REFURBISHMENT

On March 23, 2013, Pride of America, will enter a 14 day dry dock for major enhancements, including the addition of new luxurious suites and studio staterooms. The ship will receive major renovations including the addition of 24 ultra-luxurious suites, four Studio staterooms and four inside staterooms; Moderno Churrascaria, ship wide wireless internet; new carpeting throughout; flat screen televisions in all staterooms; updated décor; upgrades to the fitness center; new directional signage; as well as renovations to the gift shop, photo gallery and art gallery.



Pride of America will return to her seven-day Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday when she returns to service in early April 2013



Cruise industry implements lifeboat-training program on all ships

The Cruise Lines International Association and the European Cruise Council have announced their adoption of a new training policy on lifeboats. The Life Boat Loading for Training Purposes policy takes effect immediately and requires crew on all member ships to undergo a launching and full-loading procedure for a lifeboat at least once every six months.



Thought for the Month

Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward."

--Victor Kiam, American businessman





Wishing you a great weekend



Mary Engram, CTA/MCC

Your Personal Travel Consultant