March 16, 2012 - Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
March 16, 2012

Happy Friday Everyone

Join Us for The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2013, the 10th Anniversary Sailings!
Over the years this cruise has presented hundreds of performers to thousands and thousands of Guests, all in an effort to provide the greatest music cruise experience in the world.

The popularity of the cruise is such that most simply call it, The Greatest Party at Sea. The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2013 will be hosted by David Sanborn and Marcus Miller and Candy Dulfer and Brian Culbertson will undertake some additional hosting duties. Of course, Jonathan Butler will be our Gospel Show host. Alonzo Bodden, our resident comedian, will be front and center again, along with Cruise Director Dane Butcher and Special Host Pat Prescott.

But this cruise is about music, and that is what separates this cruise from other cruise experiences. The Smooth Jazz Cruise has more performers and more talent than any event at sea. Joining David, Marcus, Candy, Brian and Jonathan are such stars as Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Ken Ford, Jeff Golub, Bob James, Brian Simpson (music director), Angie Stone, Steve Cole, Paul Taylor, Ellis Hall, Larry Braggs, Judith Hill, Tom Braxton, Patches Stewart, DW3 and three of the most highly touted bands who will be ready and able to make these artists sound wonderful! No one plays to track!

And, last but not least, we have our very special guest in Cozumel: George Benson!

Where else can you find all of that talent in one place? For those fans of this genre, remember that David Sanborn, Marcus Miller and Bob James collaborated on one of the most iconic albums of all time, "Double Vision." Who knows what the three of them have in store for us on the cruise. Whenever you have Rick Braun and Richard Elliot together, how far away is R 'n R? Brian Culbertson and Candy Dulfer have put together amazing shows of their own, with Marcus Anderson working with Brian Culbertson and Chance Howard running the show for Candy. The mixing and matching possibilities are endless as will be the fun if you join us for The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2013!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2013 ... Everyone Will Be There
Holland America Ms Westerdam - Fort Lauderdale, Belize City, Key West, overnight in Cozumel

Week 1 - January 13-20, 2013
Week 2 - January 20-27, 2013

The Smooth Jazz Cruise is more than just a one-of-a-kind musical experience. It is the chance to meet and get to know the artists personally outside of the spotlight in a unique setting. A variety of events that invite your participation, such as Behind the Instruments seminars, Up Close & Personal Q&A’s and afternoon cocktail parties, along with unplanned encounters aboard the ship, present you with a wealth of opportunities to get to know your favorite artists.

Did someone mention party? The party continues day and night at a variety of events including costume parties, pool games, Star Search, dancing and our all-night jam sessions. Now you know why The Smooth Jazz Cruise is The Greatest Party at Sea and an annual affair for hundreds and hundreds of guests.

2013 Lineup
David Sanborn Marcus Miller George Benson
Jonathan Butler Candy Dulfer Alonzo Bodden
Rick Braun Brian Culbertson Richard Elliot
Ken Ford Jeff Golub Bob James
Brian Simpson Angie Stone Steve Cole
Paul Taylor Dane Butcher Pat Prescott

The 2013 Soul Train Cruise – February 17, 24, 2013
Holland America Ms Westerdam - Fort Lauderdale, Turks and Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay

You’ll be entertained by your favorite stars from the Soul Train era, while enjoying the luxurious facilities aboard Holland America’s ms Westerdam. What a great way to pay tribute to the late Don Cornelius. All Aboard… It’s Gonna Be The Hippest Ship on the Sea!

2013 Lineup
Patti LaBelle The O’Jays
Kool and The Gang Jeffrey Osborne
War The Spinners
Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes • Russell Thompkins Jr & The New Stylistics
Cuba Gooding & The Main Ingredient Gerald Alston of the Manhattans
The Intruders George Duke

Royal Caribbean will sail two ships in Alaska next year
Royal Caribbean International will operate two ships in Alaska during summer 2013. Rhapsody of the Seas will sail seven-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle, calling at Juneau and Skagway in Alaska and Victoria, B.C. The ship will transit Alaska's Inside Passage, and cruise the Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier.

Radiance of the Seas will alternate seven-day itineraries from Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Port calls will include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Skagway. The ship will cruise the Inside Passage for viewing of the Hubbard Glacier.

Norwegian launches dining reservations system
Norwegian Cruise Line introduced a fleet-wide dining reservation system to enable guests to select and pay for their specialty dining choices within 45 days of departure. The line also announced that Moderno Churrascaria, its Brazilian-style steakhouse, is available on more ships. The venue, which debuted on the Norwegian Epic, now is offered on the Norwegian Dawn, Jade, Sun and Pearl.

The Gem will be outfitted with the restaurant in late February, followed by the Jewel in March and the Star in April of 2012. Passengers pay $20 per person to dine at Moderno Churrascaria

NCL is introducing a new oceanfront destination at sea on Norwegian Breakaway
Cruise like never before on a ship built on the idea of bringing to life the romance and allure of traveling on water.
• Step out onto The Waterfront, an open-air boardwalk lined with outdoor restaurants, bars, shops and a quarter-mile of spectacular ocean views.
• Experience 678 Ocean Place, a space that uniquely flows to connect three decks of dining, entertainment, shopping and excitement allowing you to move freely and spontaneously from one experience to another.

Venice produces plan to reroute cruise ships away from city center
Prompted by the increasingly vocal concerns of preservation groups and environmentalists, officials in Venice have put forward a plan to reroute cruise ships away from the city center by dredging a new channel from the Lagoon of Venice directly into the busy Marittima passenger terminal. Such a move would mean that cruise passengers no longer would sail into or out of the San Marco Basin and the scenic Giudecca Canal, within shouting distance of venerable landmarks such as the Piazza San Marco and St. Mark’s Basilica.

Cruise ships currently enter the Lagoon of Venice from the northeast and travel west through the San Marco Basin and the Giudecca Canal to the sprawling Marittima cruise port, in the far southwest corner of the city. Under the channel proposal, cruise ships would enter the lagoon from the south and follow the route that cargo ships use to reach the mainland port of Marghera. Instead of turning left into the cargo port, cruise ships would utilize the new channel and turn right into Marittima, bypassing the San Marco Basin and the Giudecca Canal.

Princess schedules inaugural season for new ship
The Royal Princess' maiden voyage will depart for Barcelona on June 16 from Southampton, England. After the seven-day maiden cruise, 12-day Mediterranean sailings begin June 23 and continue through Sept. 27, operating between Barcelona and Venice.

The maiden voyage and the Mediterranean cruises can be booked starting March 15. Prior to the maiden voyage, the Royal Princess will offer two three-day preview cruises sailing roundtrip from Southampton on June 10 and 13. Princess has not set a sale date for the preview cruises. A sister ship to the Royal Princess is slated to enter service in 2014

Carnival 2013 Europe Program to Include Norway, U.K. Homeport
Carnival Cruise line will launch its first Norwegian fjords itinerary as well as cruises to the Baltic, Mediterranean and British Isles, beginning in spring 2013. The Carnival Legend will operate 12-day voyages to Norway/Western Europe, the British Isles and the Baltic departing from Dover (London), along with 12-day Mediterranean cruises departing from Venice, Barcelona and Dover.
Special Invitation - Let’s Journey to Alaska
One of my clients who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska sent me this priceless photo. This alone is a reason to visit Alaska. Alaska cruises for 2013 are now open for booking.

Out of the Office
I will out of the office traveling with a group on a South Pacific cruise March 22 – April 6, 2012. I will be unavailable by phone, but will have my laptop with me.

Thought for the Month
Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need.

Wishing you a great weekend

Mary Engram,
Your Personal Travel Consultant
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