Luxury Cruise News - Page 11 of 13

Viking River Cruise & Downtown Abby

Fans of the award-winning British drama, Downtown Abby are in for the thrill of a lifetime. If you follow Viking Cruises, you already know of the company’s connection to the celebrated MASTERPIECE series that aired on PBS. For years, Viking has offered a host of ways for guests to experience life at Highclere Castle, the great English estate where the show is filmed. Now Viking offers even more exciting opportunities to explore the set, including Highclere Castle and an eight-day river cruise!

To kick off the of the premiere, Viking unveiled a new Pre/Post Cruise Extension; Great Homes, Gardens & Gin. This fantastic tour gives you exclusive access to some of the country estates featured in the acclaimed productions. “Many of our guests were introduced to both Viking and Highclere Castle while watching the Downton Abbey series. For this reason, we are linked in the minds of many Downton Abbey fans,” said Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking. “Partnering for the release of the new film is a natural extension of our close relationship with Highclere Castle and our close personal friendship with the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon – with whom we proudly created Viking’s highest-rated cruise extension.”

Beginning in 2023, the new five-day extension will be available on Viking’s Rhine Getaway river cruise itinerary and British Isles Explorer ocean cruise itinerary. The extension awards you the opportunity to explore Oxford and truly dive into English country life.

Expect amazing experiences such as ‘Viking’s Privileged Access® tour of Highclere Castle, a visit to Broughton Castle, home of the influential Fiennes family (the renowned British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and actors Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes) and the setting for the MASTERPIECE series Wolf Hall. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit Chavenage House in the Cotswolds, best known for its appearance in the MASTERPIECE series Poldark – and stroll the gardens of Highgrove House, the private home of Charles, The Prince of Wales. While visiting Highclere Castle, you will have an opportunity to taste the recently-launched Highclere Castle Gin, a super-premium London Dry Gin inspired by botanicals from the ‘castle’s gardens. The extension even includes a visit to the nearby Bombay Sapphire Distillery to learn the history and production of gin.

But that’s not all. In addition to the new Great Homes, Gardens & Gin cruise extension, Viking also offers Oxford & Highclere Castle – its highest-rated Pre/Post Cruise Extension, which is available for guests on select river and ocean cruise itineraries. The extension provides guests with an exclusive three-day experience in the rolling hills of England’s countryside with a champagne welcome and a tour of the castle and estate.

As part of the exciting launch, Viking is giving U.S. residents a chance to win a trip to Highclere Castle, with the grand prize including roundtrip international Business Class air for two, an 8-day Paris & the Heart of Normandy river cruise and the 3-night land extension program visiting Oxford and Highclere Castle. For more information and to enter by October 31, 2019 visit: Viking Cruises.

Cruise Shopping 101

From designer duds to specialty shops, cruise ships boast a spectacular shopping scene: and they have a captive audience, you! We’re giving you a first-hand look into cruise shopping, so the next time you set sail you can easily navigate the world of retail; alleviating merchandise mayhem!

What types of shops are onboard?

The better question may be: what shops are not onboard a cruise ship? Most major cruise lines offer just about anything and everything you may need (or want). Boutique shops, kids clothing, luxury jewelry, souvenirs, fragrance, games, even artwork are available to satisfy your retail wishes. Shops vary among cruise lines, but most ships encompass a large variety of luxury retailers including, Chanel, Michael Kors, TAG, Gucci, Furla and more.

Bonus! These items are duty-free!

What is duty-free?

Bottom line? Better prices. Not to be confused with tax-free, duty-free means that the usual taxes imposed on imported items (cigarettes, alcohol, perfume, fine jewelry) are exempt from the payment of individual local taxes(or duties). Meaning, if you are buying items internationally, you are essentially paying taxes twice; once in the country where the items are purchased and again when you bring your merchandise back to the U.S. When you shop duty-free, you are exempt from taxes (VAT) on the items bought internationally. Remember, shops are only open when the ship is in international waters, 50 miles after leaving port. Shops close when the ship is in port.

Is there a limit to how much I can bring back?

Yes. You can bring up to $800 worth of duty-free goods back to the U.S. without paying additional fees. The $800 allotment is per person. So if you’re traveling with kids, they also can bring back $800 worth of merchandise.

How do I know if I am getting a good deal?

By knowing the average retail price of the items you are interested in before you set sail, you will immediately be able to discern if your duty-free items are a good deal. A helpful travel website; Duty-Free Addict, compares duty-free prices online.

Watch for sales listed in the daily cruise newsletter and “trunk sales” as well — these flash sales offer great prices, especially on gemstones and fine jewelry. The best part about shopping onboard a cruise ship is the price you see is the price you pay. There are no additional taxes added on.

What duty-free items should I buy?

Now is the time to buy those rare gemstones or that fancy watch you’ve been eying. Fragrance, cosmetics, designer handbags, alcohol, and cigarettes are the most purchased duty-free items.

Cruise companies profile passengers. Most likely, the stores on board already fit your personality. Couple this with great prices and duty-free merchandise and savvy shoppers can typically score some great deals.

Royal Caribbean Adds Vegan Options to Ships

When you have unique dietary restrictions, it can be more of a challenge to eat while traveling. Trying to avoid all animal products when on a cruise can feel impossible for many vegans. Luckily, some cruise lines are taking steps to offer more diverse food options for travelers who have restrictions. Vegans will be happy to know that Royal Caribbean now has vegan menu items in their main dining room.

Royal Caribbean introduced these menu offerings starting on August 1. Some of the vegan eats include: vegan spaghetti Bolognese, orzo pasta stew, edamame-stuffed Portobello mushrooms, and toffee cheesecake. The food selection will rotate. Guests must ask for the vegan menu as it’s separate from the regular dining menu. These items give vegetarians and vegans more food choices while onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise.

For buffet-style dining, Royal Caribbean has other options for vegetarians and vegans. Their Windjammer Cafe is a buffet-style dining option with a variety of food choices. Items that are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free are marked as such to make it easier for travelers to find approved foods. The cruise line will continue to feature vegan and vegetarian items at their buffets.

Sailing with Royal Caribbean isn’t your only option as a vegan. Take a look at the list below if you’re wondering what other cruise lines are accommodating vegetarians and vegans:

Regent Seven Seas has a new vegan menu will start at the beginning of October.

Costa Cruises features both vegan and vegetarian menus aboard their ships.

Oceania Cruises has a vegan menu, which they’ve continued to improve upon over the years.

SeaDream Yacht Club has a “Raw Food” menu which features raw, organic, vegan dishes.

It’ll be interesting to see what other cruise lines choose to upgrade their menu offerings to meet the needs of travelers with unique dietary needs. Will you be giving the new Royal Caribbean menu a try soon?

8 Services and Amenities You Can Request on a Luxury Cruise

Taking a luxury cruise is a great way to reward yourself for hard work, take a much-needed vacation, and be treated like royalty. When you choose to book with a luxury cruise line, you’ll get to enjoy extra touches that make your trip even better. Did you know that you can make special requests, too? Here are some extra services and amenities you can request to make your next luxury cruise amazing:

Re-Stock Your Mini-bar with Your Favorite Beverages

Go ahead and drink all you want! When you book a luxury cruise with cruise lines like Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, and Seadream, you’ll get to enjoy delicious drinks at no extra cost. You can request your favorites to be stocked up, and when you need a re-fill, staff will be ready to replenish your fridge.

Request the Perfect Pillow

If you’re particular about your pillows and your sleep, you’ll love that you can request specific pillow types when cruising luxury style. When you cruise with Silversea, you’ll get to choose between goose down, therapeutic, or hypoallergenic pillows for added comfort.

Ask for a Special Meal or Recipe to Be Made

Do you have a favorite dish that you love? You can request that it be made onboard! All you have to do is give some notice, and the chef will make it happen. This is a great way to satisfy any cravings that you get while cruising!

Pack or Unpack Your Luggage

You probably want to jump right into your vacation and have fun as soon as you board the ship. When you sail with Silversea, your butler is ready to help you unpack your bags! They’ll also clean your luggage and re-pack your bags for you at the end of the cruise.

Make Reservations and Schedule Excursions

You can easily make reservations and schedule excursions while on your cruise. The staff will take care of all of the details for you!

Have Your Bath Water Drawn For You

Are you looking to retreat to your cabin for a relaxing bath? Let your butler draw the bath up for you. When you book a luxury cruise with Seabourn, you’ll have a personal suite stewardess who is ready to help out. Have a scented bath of your choice drawn so you can enjoy a stress-free night in.

Dine-in Your Cabin

You may want to settle in for the evening instead of having dinner in the dining room. You can order your dinner in with room service! This service is available at no extra cost to you when cruising with companies like Princess Cruises, Holland America, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas.

Pair Your Wine to Your Meal

Searching for the perfect wine pairing for your meal? Just ask! Luxury cruises have sommeliers who are trained to do this for you. This can make your whole dining experience even better.

These extra services and amenities are a great way to make your cruise even more magical. You’ll feel like royalty when you set sail on a luxury cruise!

6 Can’t-Miss Restaurants Near the Port of Rio

Rio is bursting with a vibrant culinary scene thanks to a myriad of fresh produce, carnivorous creations, and savory pastries. If you’re lucky enough to be in the port of Rio, a world of culinary delights await. Here are our top 6 favorite eateries in the port of Rio.

Marius Degustare

Av. Atlantica, 290 Copacabana, RJ

Recognized worldwide, the gastronomical gem offers a sophisticated selection of the freshest seafood and meats around. Fine champagnes and wines, live oysters, caviar, salmon roe, specialty meats, and delectable artisan truffles make this worth the visit. Located on the beautiful Copacabana beach, Patricia Shultz includes Marius Degustare in her book, “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”

Oro

General San Martin Street, 889 Leblon RJ

Flanked with a number of awards, including two years of Michelin star rankings, Oro highlights two menus. The first, Creativity, features daily specials with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The second, Affectivity, appeals to those who desire only one dish. With sharable eats and a wood-burning oven, Chef Felipe Bronze continues to amaze. There’s a reason he’s one of the most awarded chefs of his generation.

Estrelas da Babilonia

Ladeira Ary Barroso

This Latin favorite offers a perfect reprieve from the busy metropolis. Located in Babilonia, you’ll find vegetarian and vegan-friendly options in addition to chicken skewers, excellent service, and artisanal beers. You do need to travel through the favelas, but the local favorite offers spectacular views of the Copacabana and lively sambas. Estrelas da Babilonia is the authentic Rio.

Bar Urca

Rua Candido Gaffree, 205 Urca

This unpretentious neighborhood hotspot has been serving locals and visitors for over 80 years. We love Bar Urca for its icy cold beers, pasteles (pastries stuffed with beef), fish and shrimp stew and palmitos and of course unprecedented views of Guanabara Bay and Rio Niteroi Bridge.

Bar Astor

Av. Vieria Souto, 110 Rio de Janeiro

Not your typical beachfront eatery, Bar Astor favors fancy booths over flip flops and sophisticated ambiance over sandy bar stools. Craft cocktails, stylish sandwiches (salmon sandwich club), high-end cuts of filets served with robust, flavorful sauces and fun snacks like ceviche Miraflores (with fresh coconut, orange, cashew, ginger, and cilantro) make this gastronomical treasure a must.

Mil Frutas

Rua Garcia d Avila, 134A Ipanema

Meaning “A thousand fruits,” Mil Frutas draws a large crowd looking to cool down with tropical sorbets and exotic ice cream flavors. Step out of the box and try unique creations such as brownie and green fig, custard apple ice cream or raspberry and cheese.

5 of the Best Holiday Cruises

Hopping aboard a cruise can make for an incredible way to celebrate the holiday season. No matter which holiday you plan to celebrate while on vacation, there’s likely a cruise option for you. You’ll want to make sure that you book a great cruise so you can enjoy time away from work and everyday life. Check out our favorite holiday cruises.

Uniworld Classic Christmas Markets

Europe is lovely during the winter months, and many top destinations have Christmas markets that worth making the trip for. Uniworld’s Classic Christmas Markets cruise is an 8-day holiday adventure. You’ll make your way from Frankfurt to Nuremberg, and you’ll check out the best Christmas markets along the way. Get ready to enjoy the cobbled streets, wintery weather, and savory treats.

Family Holiday Fun with Disney Cruise Line

A Disney Cruise Line trip is a great option for families with kids. Their Very Merrytime Cruises are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. This cruise heads to various locations, depending on the itinerary booked — Nassau, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel are some examples. Families can expect to enjoy exclusive holiday-themed fun like story time with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread house building, and of course character meet and greets. There is holiday fun for all ages. Disney is well known for extra magical touches, and that’s true for their cruise experiences, too.

Blissful Holidays with Oceania Cruises

Why not celebrate the Holiday season and a brand New Year while on a cruise? The Oceania Cruises Blissful Holidays cruise is your best choice! You’ll leave from Miami and make your way throughout the Caribbean as you celebrate the holiday season. Port highlights include Oranjestad, Aruba, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, and St. John’s, Antigua. Take your winter break to the next level and soak up the sun and sand on this adventure.

Have a Happy Hannukah with Holland America Line

Holland America Line has several incredible holiday cruise options, but we suggest the 14-Day Australia and New Zealand Holiday cruise. You’ll get to visit some of the most incredible destinations — like Wellington, Port Authur, and Sydney. In addition, when you choose to cruise over the holiday season, you can enjoy Hannukah activities and celebrations. There will be candle lighting each night, and rabbi-led services during your cruise.

No Snow and All Sun in Hawaii with Norweigan Cruise Line

For many, the holiday season means cold, snowy weather. Perhaps you want to escape that and spend your holiday in paradise. You can do that when you book a Norweigan Cruise Line Christmas cruise. We recommend the 7-Day Hawaii, Round-trip Honolulu experience. You’ll see some of the very best of the Hawaiian islands while celebrating the holiday season without all the snow! Don’t worry — festive activities and events will be happening while you’re aboard the ship.

Take advantage of extra time off during the holiday season and book an unforgettable cruise experience.