AMA Waterways River Cruising on the Rhine & Mosel Rivers

My favorite port of call was Amsterdam.  I wouldn’t mind going back there one day.  We took a canal cruise excursion and it was mesmerizing.  Houseboats of all sizes and shapes moored on either side; colorful, narrow, 3 to 6 story homes built side by side; some leaning dangerously as they are all built on pilings.  The canals are narrow and intertwining.  The locks bring in fresh sea water, so although the water is murky, it is not smelly and has no algae growth.  It’s amazing how the long tour boats navigate through the sharp turns.  We sailed past Anne Frank’s home.

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Sandals & Beaches Resorts

 

How would you like to stay at a “LUXURY” all-inclusive resort?!  Boy, do I have the place for you!  If you want adults only, no children, then it’s ‘Sandals Luxury Included Vacations’.  If you have children and you want adult and children’s activities, then it’s Beaches by Sandals’.

 

 

 

I just returned from Beaches in Turks & Caicos and it was beautiful and relaxing, yet, filled with exciting activities with 16 restaurants to choose from.

  

 

For the adults, they have:  Red Lane Spa, unlimited premium brand drinks & wines, karaoke, nightly entertainment, nightclubs, golf.

 

For the children:  Xbox 360, certified nannies, Kids Camp, Camp Sesame, tween & teen programs, game rooms, movies, dance/nightclubs, night parades, campfires on the beach, talent shows, DJ classes.

 

Watersports include:  scuba diving, waterskiing, ocean trampolines, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boats, swim-up bars (swim-up sodas for the kids).  The land sports include:  tennis, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, shuffleboard, horseshoes, croquet, board games.

 

As far as all-inclusive resorts, Beaches have probably gone the furthest in creating a specialized program to include the teenagers.

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Good things to know about the Oasis of the Seas……

Besides all the exciting & adventurous activities offered on the Oasis of the Seas, here are some special points of interest to know:

  • WOW phones can be rented onboard and..

       -  Used to call other WOW phones, or guest rooms

       -  Used to text message between devices

       -  Retrieve onboard real-time & can locate another member within the traveling party

       - Track your children onboard

       -  View ship activities & events

  • Guests can pre-book online Flowrider lessons for up to 8 people in a group

  • Guests can pre-reserve tickets online for Ice Show, Opal Theatre, AquaTheatre & Comedy Show

  • Adventure Ocean Theatre is the first ever children’s theatre at sea. Children can learn about theatrical productions, take art in talent shows or sign up for hip hop dance classes.

  • Guests will not have to bring life jackets from their cabins before reporting for muster drills.  There will be life jackets there.

  • Digital signage with real-time updates will be communicated easily & clearly for:

       -  Muster drills

       -  Entertainment schedule

       -  Departure information

  • The pier at Ft Lauderdale, built to accommodate this large ship, has 4,000 sq ft of skylight

      -  TVs with security & check-in info are provided

      -  Monitors provide, 15 min easy-in

 

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Oasis of the Seas

The Oasis of the Seas is quite an amazing ship.  This will be the biggest cruise ship ever, at 220,000 tons, accommodating 5400 guests.

There are 7 “neighborhoods” on the ship. 

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New Disney Water Coaster

It is a water coaster which boasts a thrilling 4-deck drop, and because of the clear acrylic tube, it offers breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below. 

 

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Norwegian Epic

Have you heard about the Norwegian Epic yet?  It’s NCL’s newest ship that will debut in May 2010.

        

 
It is 150,000-ton, 4,200-passenger, the largest and most innovative ship ever built by Norwegian Cruise Line.
 
Get ready to be soaked…..

Included are some fabulous activities for the kids and the “kids young at heart”. There will be a sprawling Aqua Park consisting of three waterslides, including one that utilizes an inner tube; a twisty slide, and one just for kids that actually goes right through the rock-climbing wall. The most unusual is "Epic Plunge," the slide that uses inner tubes -- passengers will zip down a 200-ft. channel into a bowl where centrifugal forces will spin them for a bit before they splash down.

There will be two pools with lighting effects produced at night, five whirlpools and a kids' splash pool with water spouting sculptures
 

Sports & other fun-filled activities…..

Epic's rock climbing wall is 33 feet high, 64 feet wide. There will also be a rappelling wall, the first at sea. This is a wall where you work your way down a cliff by rappelling off of it.

There’s a multi-use sports deck which includes a full size basketball court, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope adventure course and a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage called the spider web. Norwegian Epic will also feature the first squash court at sea, located in the fitness center.

The Norwegian Epic will feature six bowling lanes split between two venues.

The kids' area includes a space-themed play area, air hockey table, pinball, foosball, a video jukebox, flat-screen TV's, dance floor, multiple Wii and PlayStation areas, computer games, movie time, private karaoke. These are all age-related activities.

Let’s not forget the arcade!

Dining Options…….

Taste. NCL says "traditional and contemporary cuisine" will be served in this atrium eatery decorated with velvet curtains, white walls and brick accents.

The Manhattan Room. This will be an two-story Art Deco supper club with a dance floor and live evening music.

Cafe Jardin & The Great Outdoors. Wonderful traditional cruise ship buffet

Cagney's Steakhouse & Churrascaria. Cagney's is NCL's signature steakhouse, This time, an Argentinean churrasco will be added - skewered meats presented by tableside passadors. (Surcharge required)

La Cucina. An olive tree and hanging lanterns; a Tuscan-style Italian eatery. (Surcharge required)

Le Bistro. NCL's French bistro, Le Bistro, will feature contemporary and traditional paintings and sculptures. (Surcharge required)

Shanghai's. will serve a mix of Chinese dishes in a noodle bar setting -- noodles, wok fried dishes and dim sum will be prepared in an open kitchen. (Surcharge required)

Wasabi. Located outside the Teppanyaki restaurant, Wasabi is an expansive sushi and sake bar. (Surcharge required)
 
Teppanyaki. This will be NCL's largest Teppanyaki yet, and the largest at sea, seating 115 guests. Up to 24 chefs will cook nightly. (Surcharge required)
 
O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. This 24-hour sports bar, will have three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games.

The Epic Club and Courtyard Grill. Reserved exclusively for Norwegian Epic's suite and villa guests. The Epic Club will feature a large wine display, glass sculptures and pearl drapes. The Courtyard Grill is a casual, outdoor area which serves suite and villa guests breakfast and lunch.

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Wedding Cruises…….Marriage Renewals……

                                     

A cruise ship is a fun and exciting location for your memorable 
wedding ceremony & marriage renewals.  

Five years ago, there were practically no weddings performed on cruise ships; now there are thousands.   According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise weddings have grown at a phenomenal rate the last few years.  

    

This growth rate is not surprising. Wedding cruise packages are available through almost every major cruise line. What better way to say your vows; have your wedding and then sail off on your honeymoon!  No travel time wasted.  This is such a wonderful way to celebrate the big day and enjoy a vacation with your closest friends and family.

Putting together a cruise wedding can actually be a fairly simple process.  With packages available in over 100 beautiful ports of call, you can choose a destination perfect for you and your guests. 

Most packages vary from cruise line to cruise line. They have their own wedding planners who are very familiar with the special needs of a wedding cruise. Packages may include priority check-in for the bridal couple and their sailing guests, Wedding Coordinator, ceremony, officiant, recorded music, bridal bouquet, boutonniere with a matching bloom, keepsake marriage certificate, wedding cake, champagne, photography and one 8" x 10" wedding photograph. These amenities are flexible to the needs of the wedding couple, but just about everything relevant to a wedding can be included in wedding cruise package.

After the ceremony there is no cleanup for the wedding party. Everyone can all simply enjoy the company of one another and continue cruising. For adventurous couples and guests, a number of cruise ship activities can also booked as a group.  Booking as a group can be a good way to get a discounted price on the activities.  

Exclusive wedding service can be provided Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Windstar and HollandAmerica (Europe), as well as select ports for Carnival Cruise Line.

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