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utorak, 06.10.2009.

Teeing Off in Hawaii; Cruise Ship Ports and Cruising Regions

By Kuki, Cruisemates Cruise Director
July 15, 2004
Within the relatively small land masses of the Hawaiian Islands, there are probably as many quality golf courses per square mile as almost anywhere on earth.
All the major cruise lines offer golfing shore excursions on their Hawaii cruises, but on this trip we chose to do some research beforehand and decide which golf courses to play, rather than leaving the selection to the cruise line.
Of course, booking these golf outings as cruise line shore excursions offers some comfort level. The line provides ground transportation to and from the golf courses, and the excursions are escorted by a golf professional.
By choosing to arrange our own tee times, we also had to make arrangements for car rentals where necessary, to get to the courses. Thus we had to allow time to get to the rental offices, pick up the vehicle, and find our way to the golf courses. And, of course, we had to allow enough time to get back to the pier before the ship sailed.
Our itinerary aboard Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas included Honolulu, Kauai, Maui (with an overnight and 2 days), Hilo, Kona, and then on to Vancouver.
We decided to spend a few days in Honolulu pre-cruise, considering the long flying time to get there. After a day to recover from the long flight, we booked our first round of golf at the Ko'olau Golf Club (
; rates including cart are $130 per person, though discounts may be available).
I had played this course four years earlier, and was very interested in revisiting what bills itself as "the most challenging golf course in the world." This golf course is built into a mountainside near the north shore of Oahu, about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki Beach.
The last time I played this course it was in pristine condition, and even though it lived up to its billing of being a mighty challenge, it was fun to play, even if just for the scenery and its high degree of difficulty. Unfortunately, on this visit we found the course to be less well maintained, almost to a point of neglect. The golf course may be suffering from lack of financial support from its current owners. Too bad, because we had enjoyed our previous experience here so much.
Fortunately, the next day we found a golf course gem: Turtle Bay Golf Club, also on the north shore, about an hour's drive from Waikiki Beach. This is a part of the Turtle Bay Resort, and has two 18-hole championship courses to pick from. We played the Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer
( ; rates including cart are $160 per person).
In sharp contrast to Ko'olau, the Palmer course at Turtle Bay was a golfer's joy. The lush green fairways welcomed us from the road as we approached. On most golf courses, one might find one or two "signature holes" whose layout and design will awe and inspire avid golfers. On the Palmer Course at Turtle Bay, at least half the 18 holes would qualify as "signature holes" anywhere. The fairways were like plush carpet, manicured to perfection, and most of the greens were large and inviting. The course features wide fairways, and if you can avoid the many sand traps, even the casual golfer can enjoy the challenge and the magnificent scenery.
In Kauai we pre-booked to play the Kauai Lagoons Kiele Course at the Marriott Resort (rates including cart are $170 per person). The ship docks in Kauai, and Marriott offers a free shuttle to the resort, which is only a few minutes from the pier. Here I recommend trying to book an early tee time; you can finish before lunch, and spend the rest of the day visiting more of the sights or finding a beautiful beach to relax on. One of the men in our foursome still had time to do a helicopter excursion in the afternoon.
The Kiele Course at the Marriott presents a picture post card image of what one would dream of when thinking about golfing in Paradise. Everything here is impeccable, from the service at the bag drop, to greens that looked like they had been hand-cut with scissors.
The ocean is in view from most of the holes, and on several you'll get the feeling you have hit the ball over it to rch the green. This is another truly enjoyable course to play, and you can use the majestic ocean views as an excuse if you're not playing well.
The ship is at anchor off of Maui, and it's necessary to tender passengers in, so if you're golfing here you have to allow some extra time to deal with that. There is also a 15-minute shuttle ride to get to the all car rental locations. The ship overnights in Maui, and tenders run on a fairly continuous schedule. As a result, it's easier to plan your golf for Day Two in Maui.
For Day One, we booked to play at Wailea Golf Club (rates including cart are $175 per person). Wailea Golf Club is home to the Wendy's Seniors Skin Game. There are three 18-hole courses here. We played the Blue Course, and though it didn't have the majestic scenery of the Kauai Lagoons, it was fun to play. The course maintenance is excellent, and the surroundings tropical.
This is a true "resort course" -- challenging, but forgiving enough to allow one to relax and enjoy a leisurely round of golf.
The only drawback to playing Wailea while on a cruise is the travel time. We left the ship at 8 a.m. and didn't get back to the pier until 4 p.m., leaving no time to do anything but return to the ship.
In Lahaina there are several parking lots within a block or two of the tender pier where you can leave your rental car overnight for $15.
On Day Two in Maui we had the pleasure of playing at the Kaanapali Golf Club (www.kaanapali-golf.com; rates including cart are $130 per person). The Kaanapali Golf Club is about a 10-minute drive from Lahaina; after picking up our rental car at the nearby parking lot, we were able to tee off at 8:30 a.m.
There are two courses at Kaanapali -- the Tournament North Course and the Resort South Course. We played the Resort South Course, and enjoyed each of many swings. The course is beautifully maintained, with a layout forgiving enough to enjoy, yet challenging enough for every level of golfer. The course is lined with a wide variety of native flowers and tall Norfolk Pines, which come into play on several holes. The golf carts here have GPS systems that provide data on yardage to the hole, which we found very helpful.
Our round went smoothly, and we were able to finish in three and a half hours. Then we drove across the road and met our wives and friends at Whaler's Village for lunch, followed by an afternoon on the beach. This was probably a golfer's idea of a perfect day -- a round of golf on a great course, food and drink, and an afternoon on the beach.
We tendered from the ship at anchor in Kona, and all the major car rental companies had shuttles available to their airport locations. For our golf day in Kona, we chose the Waikola Golf Club's Kings' Course. Waikola also offers the championship Beach Course (
; rates including cart are $165-$175 per person).
The Kings' Course is quite different from any other course in the world. The fairways on almost every hole are lined on each side with mounds and mounds of black lava rock, making for beautiful visual contrasts to the brilliant green fairways and rolling putting greens. The day we played, the course was in almost perfect condition; it provided one of our most enjoyable rounds of the cruise, until the trade wind picked up a bit and drove our scores up with it.
Once again our round went quickly, and we had time to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the comfortable club house before heading back to return our rental car, and shuttle back to the ship.
Of the six courses we played, I would love to play all of them, except Ko'olau, again! Ko'olau would be on my list because it is so difficult and so different, if only they would improve its condition. My personal favorites, which I highly recommend to any avid golfer, are Kauai Lagoons on Kauai, Kaanapali on Maui, and Turtle Bay on Oahu.
And by the way, on the sea days after you leave the islands, there's always the mini-golf onboard the ship.

Cruise Complaints: Service and Tipping

CruiseMates' reader Todd De Haven opines the high expectations of perfection in food and service on cruises ships.
Experienced cruisers or even those who have never cruised themselves, but do so vicariously through sites such as CruiseMates, continue to be surprised by some of the complaints of cruisers. There was the first time cruiser who was absolutely infuriated when he discovered that he had to pay for soft drinks. Other incidents such as having to pay $8.50 for a cocktail or being served lukewarm cold french toast illicit negative complaints and comments.
People making what a lot of us would consider trivial complaints actually become indignant that they had to suffer such lapses. Are such complaints grossly unfair? Probably, but they are not in the least unusual. While similar complaints might be expected from an uninformed first time cruiser, probably more whining comes from seasoned cruisers.
As Catherine Donzel, author of the magnificent book "Luxury Liners," writes, "The same conditions applied on the Queen Mary as on all the other super liners; a grueling eighteen hour work day and a pampered, demanding clientele who were impossible to please. Mr. Bruschi, Cruise Manager of the France summed it up by saying, 'on board ship....everything that is perfect, unique or exceptional is taken for granted as normal by the great majority of passengers....If their breakfast were wafted to them by miniature helicopter they would probably not be particularly impressed....the slightest imperfection, by contrast, is taken as a personal insult, an intolerable omission.'"
Most of the passengers traveling First Class in the days of the luxurious transatlantic liners were equivalent to those flying First Class and who dine in expensive restaurants today.
Nonetheless a lot of the ambiance and perks afforded those on transatlantic sailings from that era are still available to today's cruisers even though many of us (and by that I am including myself) couldn't dream of flying First Class nor of dining at Sardi's. Yet we often find ourselves behaving the same way. Most all of us at one time or another have, as we tend to say in the South, "Gotten a bit above our raisin'."
Another thing hasn't changed all that much and that is the working hours of the crew and staff and in this I'd like to debunk a growing myth. Probably most crew work 12 and often up to 18 hours a day. Many may go weeks without a full day off. And many do it for what the average American would consider abysmal wages. But that certainly is not a recent phenomenon. It has always been the case on passenger liners since passenger ship service began. I have even read where some believe it a crime that what they refer to as worker abuse, should be allowed to exist. They feel that the cruise industry should pay the same wages as here in the United States and afford it's employees similar benefits if ships sail from American ports.
When you tote it all up, a crew member on a cruise ship may in many ways, have it far better than a lot of those in this country who toil at equivalent low paying jobs.
One pundit complained that it was unconscionable that a crew member on a cruise ship should be separated from his/her family for so long. Excuse me, but such has always been true of all those who have chosen a career at sea.
Is such a hue and cry against wages and conditions aboard most cruise ships reasonable? Not really when you think about it. For instance, the Federal Minimum Hourly Wage for a waiter or waitress in this country is $2.15. Yet while certainly not in the majority, there are nonetheless tens of thousands of waiters and waitresses across the country that if given the chance of trading in their $2.15 an hour plus tips for $10 - $12 an hour and no gratuities, would be appalled at the prospect. This is simply because there are more than a few wait staff in this country that make more in one month than many Americans make in six. Although the amounts earned by service personnel on cruise ships undoubtedly don't approach those amounts, their proportionate earnings back in their home countries and because of the low cost of living in many of those countries, ofn are favorably comparable.
Let's compare tips say, on what dinners at an upscale restaurant on land that is comparable to the gorgeous dining rooms on most cruise ships would cost. Those who dine out understand fact most diners leave a tip ranging from 18 to 20% of the total bill and that tip could easily amount to $20dollars for a dinner for two. That us just one meal. Yet the weekly tip left a waiter following a seven day cruise may be less than the tip left for two evenings of dining out at home and at a level of service that often exceeds that found at home! And don't forget, while cruise ship wait staff work often work all three meals supplying that extremely high level of service at each, the majority of their American land based counterparts at restaurants of a commensurate level usually only work maybe two and usually only one meal a day.
Thousands of Americans are also employed in the cleaning of hotel rooms and bathrooms. While they may very seldom if ever work the long hours as do cabin attendants; in many areas of the country, the pay for this type job when everything is factored in is often not as much as that on a cruise ship.
While the crew on cruise ships may work much longer hours than their counterparts on terra firma, they addtiionally receive the not insignificant benefit of free room and board. Cruise ship crew members also have their own well appointed recreation areas, dining areas and nightclubs right on the ship. They receive free medical care while aboard and most come from countries that don't have income tax.
When I last cruised in June of ???06 (which my wife and I intend to repeat again this June), I made it my point to seek out crew members to learn if they actually did enjoy their jobs and if the fruits they harvested were worth their labor. By reasons of the profession from which I'm retired, I can pretty much tell when someone is trying to pull the wool over my eyes. Yet to an individual, they all said that while yes the work is extremely hard and the hours very long and of course they did so miss their families, their jobs often afforded their families back home a standard of living far higher than the average person. Many in fact, because their expenses are negligible after they complete several contracts (which in the lower paying positions run from six months to as long as a year), can save enough money to actually open their own businesses back home. Such a prospect would have been completely unrealistic had they not obtained their employment on a cruise ship.
Which all boils down to hoiw much to tip. I wouldn't even begin to try to answer that one because the subject is so subjective. In any event, the cruise line will provide a suggested amount. I personally believe that were the service that I received when last I cruised any indication, the amount recommended by the cruise line is to the low side, occasionally even significantly so. But that's me and everyone is different.
When all is said and done however you can be sure of a few things.
1. Crew and staff do work extremely hard at far longer hours than do most of us and are away from their loved ones and family for often six months and sometimes longer.
2. They often are well paid for their efforts when compared to the average wage of their countrymen who may work just as many hours for far less money in surroundings and under conditions that in understatement, are far less favorable than any on a cruise ship.
3. They more than earn even what some would refer to as an extravagant tip.
The level of service one receives on a cruise ship is unparalleled. And that's not just my opinion but the opinion of millions of cruisers everywhere.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises - Cruisemates Reader's Cruise Reviews

by Geoff Hamilton - July 16, 2007
by Karen Jones - October 7, 2006
by LJP - July 12, 2006
by Judy F Gordon, DVM - June 21, 2005
by Greg "Pepe" Giese - January 11, 2003
by PSP - March 14, 2008
by John - March 30, 2007
by Daniel Holleb - November 7, 2005
by Michael Bragg - September 20, 2004
by Ron Carr - September 10, 2003
by Darrell Deming - July 12, 2002
by Bob - November 8-15, 2001
by John - March 14, 2008
by Yvonne Stephens - October 7, 2006
by cara - May 20, 2004
by Count_Florida - April 21, 2002
by A J Theodore - March 15, 2004
by Paula Loguda - August 27, 2004
by stan wu - October 15, 2003
by Kuki - August 19, 2003
by Tom Giusto - August 19, 2003
by Jeff Helicher - August 12, 2003

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Cruisemates; Cruise Reviews, Message Boards and Bargains.

As a gay person, I behave according on my comfort level in my surroundings and the person I'm with. Translation: is the environment
gay friendly? For example, I'm more apt to hold my boyfriend's hand In the middle of a Pride parade, than at the super market in Pocatello, Idaho. The theory is safety in numbers. Aboard a cruise ship, public behavior also depends on how comfortable you feel in that environment. Keep in mind that cruising attracts a huge number of gays and lesbians who can be found aboard ships ranging from budget to the most exclusive afloat.
"Gay Identified" people have become more a part of main stream American consciousness -- the general public knows we exist. We can credit much of this to television, e.g. "Ellen" and "Will and Grace." (I think the only real Gay Identified character in this case is not gay, but is a fag hag???why cant Grace find a straight guy anyway?).
Aboard a cruise ship, you probably don't have to worry about getting punched out when holding hands in a public area. Everyone is on vacation, in a good mood and international maritime laws do not cite holding hands a crime, punishable by being thrown overboard. In fact someone may approach you and query "aren't you Will's funny gay side kick on the "Will & Grace" show?
Seriously though, I have been on a number of cruises and without fail, have met at least one or two other couples or gay friends traveling together. It also seems to me (could be wishful thinking on my part) half the staff is gay or gay friendly, common in most hospitality industries. However, If being demonstrative and showing affection in public is important to you, your best choice may be a full gay/lesbian.
Bob Allen, President of Ocean Voyager Cruise Consultants, Inc.
in Miami, who specializes in small gay cruise groups, passes along his observations on proper -- and improper -- etiquette aboard cruise ships.
Photography: Gay couples always seem ready for a 'close-up' onboard when the ever- present ship's photographer wants to snap their picture. Posing affectionately comes quite naturally for welcome aboard pictures and shipboard photos.
Special Celebrations: It is quite common to request a cake, fancy wine or champagne to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary. The festivites take place at the end of the meal in the dining room, and waiters will always join in for a song of congratulations.
Holding hands: this is becoming more common by the pool or on deck during the day and during moonlight strolls in the evening.
Hugging, Kissing: acceptable during greetings or celebrations and as a
goodnight gesture. Heterosexual couples have been seen passionately making
out on deck or in the pool. Gay or Lesbian couples do not do this, except on
a full gay charter.
Dancing: Same sex disco dancing is quite common. Very few gay couples slow dance, although it does occasionally occur. Just be ready for a lot of straight stares. If you are ok with it than do it -- you will not be thrown in the ships brig!
Drag: Leave your wigs and leather at home. Costa Cruise Lines has a "Toga Party" one night during every cruise. W certainly gave that ship a fashion show, walking into the dining room awash in white sheets and pillow cases, potted plants lifted from the cabin atop our heads.
Cruising the Crew: Hands off the staff unless you like to flirt with big problems. Ship staff member caught in a passenger cabin (unless they are cleaning it) is immediately fired. However, there are no rules against meeting them during a port visit.

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Cruise Message Boards - Cruisemates Cruise Forums :: View topic - Windstar Cruise Review & Link to Pictures

August 22, 2009
We only booked about a month and half in advance. When I booked there was only one cabin available which was all the way aft. I grabbed it but then a couple weeks before sailing I was able to change the cabin to something more midship.
We booked air with Delta out of Atlanta. It was actually the least expensive option. Our flight to Athens was non-stop (B-767) and the return from Istanbul required a stop in JFK (also B-767). All the flights went without a hitch, which was a good thing. I was surprised on both International aircraft there was no in-seat video, yet on the JFK/ATL segment there was. Go figure.
If you opt for paper cruise tickets (still an option with Windstar), they will arrive in a nice navy blue canvas zippered pouch. The feeling is very nautical and quite fitting for Windstar.
We pre-arranged private transportation from the airport to our hotel, followed by a full day city tour of Athens. I used the services of Nikos Loukas and I highly recommend him. He was fantastic and I could not have asked for a better guide or transportation around Athens. Our pick-up from the airport and the city tour was in a Mercedes Mini-bus, which was extremely comfortable. Nikos made sure we hit all the major sights in Athens and had free time in Plaka for lunch as well. If you would like to use the services of Nikos, he can be reached on the web at
or by email at nikosloukas@privategreecetours.com
In Athens we stayed at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, which was wonderful. It??™s one of those grand European classic hotels and probably the best in Athens. The location is very central and service was impeccable. One evening we enjoyed dinner at the rooftop Garden restaurant. The food was delicious, service was excellent, and the nighttime view of the Acropolis was to die for.
On Saturday it was time to transfer to WIND STAR, which was docked in Piraeus. Once again we arranged the transfer through Nikos and his driver was right on time. It??™s only about 30 minutes from the hotel to Piraeus.
We were dropped off at the main passenger terminal, where the CELEBRITY SUMMIT was docked. WIND STAR was actually around the corner. Windstar Cruises??™ representatives were visible the minute we were dropped off, and crossed us off a manifest while porters took care of the luggage. We went through the terminal and a quick security check, then outside for a short walk along the dockside to WIND STAR. You could have taken a shuttle bus if you wanted, but I enjoyed the walk much more. We presented our tickets at the gangway and up we went. Once onboard we were directed to the lounge where champagne was offered and check-in formalities took place. Passports are collected; a couple forms to fill out, cruise cards distributed, and then you are escorted to your cabin. Embarkation was about as seamless and stress free as you could hope for. Sailing on a ship that only carries 152 passengers certainly has its advantages.
We were assigned cabin 238, which was midship. Although no cabins on WIND STAR have balconies, I very much enjoyed the space. The entire cabin had a nautical feel, from the wood paneling and overhead bins, to the teak flooring in the bathroom. There are twin portholes, which accentuated the nautical ambiance. The bed was extremely comfortable with fine linens, extra cotton blankets, and an abundance of pillows. Amenities included a mini-bar, hair dryer, flat panel TV, DVD player, and an iPod docking station. DVD??™s and a loaded iPod can be checked out from the reception desk. I really loved the bathroom. I think I would go as far to say it??™s the best designed standard ship bathroom on any ship I have sailed. There is a large modern sink, tons of shelves, and two alcoves, one for the shower and one for the toilet. The shower had amazing pressure and the two Grohe shower heads where were fantastic. I liked these so much I just ordered a Grohe showerhead for my house! As mentioned before, the flooring was teak, which was a nice touch. Bath products were by L??™Occitane.
This cabin had absolutely no noise from above or below, no vibration from engines, and was very quiet. The only thing you could really hear were the waves outside the portholes, which I enjoyed. The air conditioning worked very well, and I was always able to get the cabin as cold or warm as I desired.
The Ship, Food & Service
WIND STAR was built in the 80??™s, but based on my observations the ship was impeccably maintained and updated. The crew seemed to take great pride in ???their??? ship. There is not a whole lot to the ship as far as public areas. The dining room, a small library with internet, a main lounge and bar, the aft deck and pool, a small gym, a small casino, a small gift shop, a small spa/beauty salon, the main foyer, and the Veranda Restaurant. The ship is very comfortable and easy to get around but keep in mind there are no elevators. The style onboard is very casual and not stuffy. The crew gets to you know quickly and in no time will be calling you by name. It??™s almost like a small family. I thought the service was excellent and very friendly. It??™s not formal or stuffy, even in the main dining room. I also enjoyed the food. Almost everything I ordered was well prepared and presented. I especially enjoyed all the fish dishes, as the fish seemed fresh instead of frozen as on the mega-ships. Breakfast and lunch are served in The Veranda, and dinner is in the dining room or at Candles, which is the alternative outdoor dining area each evening that specializes in steak and seafood. We actually ate at Candles three times and very much enjoyed it. Advance reservations are required, but there is no additional charge. My favorite part of Candles was eating outside under the sails and stars, or while leaving port. One evening dinner is served outdoors by the pool. It??™s beautifully done and delicious. Grilled steak and lobster tails are in abundance, along with all the trimmings, appetizers, salads, and a beautiful display of deserts.
My fellow passengers were all very nice and interesting. There were only a few children onboard as there are no facilities for children. I think the average age was early 40??™s for the most part. Most everyone seemed well traveled and many had traveled Windstar before. I think the repeaters must enjoy the low-key atmosphere just like I did. There are no announcements, no bingo, no photographers, no inch-of-gold, no Vegas shows, no hunting for deck chairs, no assigned seating or set times in the dining room (ie: early/late), and best of all ??¦ no lines! Evening entertainment consisted of a single piano player/singer in the lounge or on deck. The real entertainment was meeting new people, great conversation, a drink (or two) on the open deck, and of course the ports. Windstar did bring aboard some Greek dancers in Rhodes and belly dancers in Bodrum, which were a lot of fun. There was plenty of passenger participation!
Windstar has an open Bridge policy so long as the ship is at sea. It??™s seemed to odd to walk the open decks and the Bridge doors were always open. I very much enjoyed my chats with the Navigation Officers during my visits. I really liked going up there at night, sometimes before bed around midnight. It was cool to see how fast we were going, sometimes by sail alone. In fact upon departure from Athens we sailed all the way to Milos under sail only. Speaking of the sails, watching them unfurl as we departed Athens was quite an event. A Windstar tradition is to play Vangelis ???Conquest of Paradise??? as you depart each port and the sails unfurl. It can be quite moving.
I was somewhat concerned my partner might get seasick on such a small ship, but WIND STAR was quite stable and moved no more than the mega-ships. There are anti-heal tanks and stabilizers to ensure minimal roll and heal. I have to say they worked, at least on this cruise.
Unfortunately our scheduled port of Mykonos was too windy, so the Greek island of Milos was substituted. I was disappointed but I??™ve never been to Milos so at least it was something new. Like most Greek islands, I found Milos to be very charming and picturesque. We did not take a tour and just walked around the island.
For me Santorini was a highlight. Ever since seeing the movie Summer Lovers as a kid, I have wanted to go to Santorini. It did not disappoint. We took a tour that started with a special launch that took us to the far side of the island. From there we boarded a motorcoach to the highest point on the island. We were dropped off in Oia for a few hours to shop, take pictures, and grab a bite. Oia was about as picture perfect as it gets. From Oia it was off to Fira, which is the main town and where the ship actually anchors. Fira is also quite picturesque but larger and more commercial than Oia. Eventually we made our way back to the ship via the cable car from Fira down to the port area. You can also take a donkey ride if you prefer, or even walk. We were lucky as WIND STAR and one other very small ship were the only two ships in port, so crowds were not an issue.
I have been to Rhodes before but it??™s been almost 20 years. It??™s very much how I remember it except perhaps more crowded. There were several ships in port, as well as the overnight tourists and ferry??™s dropping off even more tourists from Greece and Turkey. We did not take a tour but just walked on our own, traversing the small streets in the old city and touring the Castle in the center of town. We had lunch at one of the charming rooftop restaurants and purchased some Greek art to take back home. Back onboard we washed up, had dinner at Candles, and then went back into Rhodes for a walk around town at night.
In Bodrum we enjoyed another tour organized by Windstar. There were only five of us plus the tour guide (who was excellent and met up with us again in Kusadasi), so it felt like a private tour. We started off by touring the ancient fortress then boarded a local Gullet, which is a beautiful wood boat crafted in Turkey. We sailed to a secluded swimming spot and took a dip in the beautiful waters right off the boat. Back onboard we enjoyed a traditional homemade Turkish lunch prepared by the two crewmembers onboard. It was great fun, delicious, and again seemed like we were on a very private tour. The Gullet moved to a different swimming spot and eventually we headed back to the main port of Bodrum. All and all a pretty amazing day that ended with our sister ship, WIND SPIRIT, circling us under full sail. It was quite spectacular.
Ephesus and the Virgin Mary??™s house are the two main attractions in Kusadasi. We took a tour that encompassed both. Our guide from Bodrum once again met us, and our small group first stopped at the Virgin Mary??™s house. This was a short stop before moving on to Ephesus, which was the highlight of the day. Ephesus is a must see, but it was VERY crowded with cruise ship passengers (from Kusadasi and Izmir) and VERY hot. Nonetheless I??™m glad we went. The tour ended at a local carpet producer, where we were shown how silk carpets are made then given an elaborate show of the fine carpets they produce. It was very enjoyable but alas we were not willing to shell out $4-6K for a new carpet. If I were in the market for a new carpet, I would not hesitate to purchase one from this establishment. It was first class all the way. After the carpet shop we had time to walk around town, shop, etc. before returning to the ship.
Basically this day was spent lounging by the pool and enjoying the sights of the Bosporus Sea. The weather was perfect and it was nice to have a day to do nothing.
We pulled into Istanbul in the early morning hours. It??™s well worth getting up early to watch the arrival as the sun rises over the city. Just like embarkation, disembarkation was a breeze. Luggage that you would like off-loaded is kept inside your cabin, and picked up in the morning by your cabin steward. As we headed down the gangway, several of the ship??™s staff were waiting at the bottom to give us a hug goodbye. It was a nice touch and the hugs were sincere, as you actually get to know the crew and staff on such a small ship. We purchased a transfer to our hotel (The W) from Windstar and like all the tours we purchased, it was handled very well and with ease. Windstar will actually transfer you to any hotel in Istanbul for $15 per person. Our transfer coach made a couple hotel stops before reaching The W.
I fell in love with The W Hotel Istanbul. It??™s situated in a very old building that has been completely modernized. The W is located off the Bosporus in the ???new??? part of the city. I loved the location as well, as it??™s near a lot of excellent shopping. The room itself is very modern and high tech, with all the comforts of home and then some. We did the usual in Istanbul. Sightseeing, shopping, eating. It??™s an amazing city and I highly recommend spending time there if you can. The one thing about Istanbul and Turkey in general that I found a little unsettling is all the flags and pictures of their leader hanging from buildings. Not small flags, but huge flags that drape over entire buildings, and they were everywhere. Also, the Turkish flag is very red so you can??™t miss it. My partner and I both thought it reminded us of all those pictures we have seen in the history books of Nazi Germany, where Nazi flags were draped over buildings everywhere. We could not help but make the comparison.
All good things must come to an end, and so it was time to head home. We took a taxi to the airport, which was not expensive and about a 35-40 minute drive. Istanbul airport is modern and easy to get around. Our flight left on time and 11 hours later we landed in NY. JFK airport actually felt more foreign then Istanbul airport, and the Delta terminal is pretty poor and in major need of an overhaul. Not a great first impression for those seeing America for the first time.
I really loved my Windstar experience. I honestly thought nothing could top Silversea but in many ways I preferred Windstar. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere onboard, and it was so small with only 138 passengers that it honestly felt like a private yacht. Two things I missed were a private balcony and more evening entertainment. When I say evening entertainment I don??™t mean a Las Vegas show, but more musical variety besides the single piano player/singer that performed every night. Frankly he wasn??™t that entertaining.
I look forward to sailing on Windstar again. I would like to try the larger WIND SURF as I know I will enjoy the additional amenities of the ship, but I worry the small, yacht-like atmosphere might be compromised. I will just have to find out!

Holy Land Cruises - Cruise Ports

For older families and retirees, Holy Land Cruises can be a great way to take in the Middle East and surrounding areas. Such Middle East cruises are usually at least a week in duration, but most last 10 or more days. A typical cruise to the Holy Lands may span Istanbul, Turkey to Athens, Greece, or Athens to Rome, Italy. There are several types of 10, 12 and 14 day cruise packages, with even more Holy Land tours and excursions to choose from once you're off the dock.
From museums and mosques in Turkey to libraries and catacombs in Alexandria, Egypt, you'll find many tours, historical explorations and excursions to give you a unique taste of each land. Cruise prices vary, not only between cruise lines, but also for the type of stateroom you choose. Obviously, you will pay more for a suite with a balcony than an interior room. Your itinerary all depends on what you want to see and for how long. Perhaps you'd like to take an Israel cruise, stopping at Haifa to see the
Baha'i World Centre, featuring the golden Shrine of the
Ancient Kamiros, built in the 7th century.
at Piraeus, the Port of Athens. A must-see here is the
Temple of Olympian Zeus, an ancient temple in the center of Athens. While there, head to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, showcasing
artifacts from all over Greece.
Whatever Middle East cruises or Holy Land tours you select, you're sure to get a healthy dose of each destination's religion, culture and historical significance to take home with you.

My Crystal Symphony Review

I just returned from a wonderful 10 day cruise on the Crystal Symphony and would like to share my voyage with you.
The Crystal Experience - Outstanding!
For those of you who are not familiar with Crystal Cruises, allow me to provide some background information.
Crystal Cruises is part NYK Cruises, who are the largest shipping company in the world.
They currently have a fleet of 3 ships: The Harmony, The Symphony and The Serenity
The Harmony was retired at the end of November 2005 and Crystal is currently looking for a shipyard to build another vessel.

I strive to be a "Princess" and I must say this voyage fulfilled that need. From the moment I arrived at the pier for embarkation, I realized this was going to be a different voyage from any I have taken before.
There were no line ups for embarkation. I was greeted, checked in and aboard the ship in approximately 5 minutes.
I was welcomed aboard and escorted to my stateroom by a white gloved steward. The stateroom was beautiful and spacious. The room was inviting with colors that were soft and warm.
Having traveled many hours to arrive in port, I decided to explore the ship.
My first stop was the Trident Grill. This casual dining area by a covered pool, had tables with comfortable wicker chairs. The itinerary was Canada/New England and the weather was chilly.
Crystal Cruises anticipated this and supplies beautiful wool blankets that are draped on the backs of the chairs. How wonderful to wrap up in the blanket to keep off the chill in the air while indulging in a delicious lunch. The waiters were attentive and welcoming.
After lunch, I took a stroll around the ship to become familiar with the layout. I arrived back in the stateroom to unpack and settle in. The stateroom was exquisite.
Plenty of closet space to put all your belongings. The attention to detail from Crystal was evident. The closet lights up when the door is opened. An umbrella is in the room in case it is raining in port.
The bathroom was lovely with tiled walls, two sinks, two hair dryers and a luxurious bathtub with shower. Bath products by Aveda, plush terrycloth robes and slippers are provided. A fresh fruit bowl arrived and was replenished daily.
Crystal Cruises provides non alcoholic beverages at no charge and the stateroom has a mini fridge stocked with sodas, Perrier water and bottled water (replenished daily). The cupboard came complete with ice bucket, corkscrew, and crystal wine and water glasses.
The beds have plush duvets, Egyptian cotton sheets and two pillows (chosen from a pillow menu). Getting into bed was a shore excursion in itself! What a comfortable place to retire after a day of sightseeing.
The balcony was spacious with two chairs and a table. Mohair blankets are placed in the room to provide additional warmth required while enjoying the fresh air and views of the sea.
A highlight of the trip was sitting on my balcony, wrapped up in my terry cloth robe and mohair blanket and sailing past the Statue of Liberty!
My room stewardess, Sarmite, came to greet me and asked if there were any desires or wishes I had, to please let her know. The desire to serve is evident wherever you go on the ship.
The first evening arriving in the dining room, I was unexpectedly escorted to my table by a very handsome waiter. What a nice touch to be guided to your dining place on the arm of a well attending staff member.
This service continued every evening and I must say it was hard to come home and walk into the kitchen myself.
The food on the Symphony was excellent and the service even better. Each evening, provided a culinary experience that was memorable.
My favorite place (and the hub of gathering on the ship) was The Bistro. This beautiful cafe provides daily snacks such as bagels, smoked salmon (capers and onions for garnish), assorted cold cuts, fresh fruit, muffins, pastries, cookies, cheese and crackers throughout the day.
Cafe lattes, cappuccinos, espresso or just regular coffee and tea are available in beautiful china cups (no charge). This lovely spot was a great meeting place for people to come in the morning for a light snack before going ashore and also for gathering after the day to share a snack and discuss the adventures you had in port.
If you just want to have a coffee and read, a variety of magazines filled the wall of The Bistro. I found myself at this spot many times during the voyage. The staff is also ready to make your beverage "to go" if you prefer to relax elsewhere on the ship.
Entertainment for the evening consisted of full production shows as well as singers and pianists. The entertainment was top notch. If movies are more to your liking, the Hollywood Theatre had a great selection of evening movies and matinees for your viewing pleasure.
Crystal Cruises even provides warm fresh made popcorn to guests watching movies.
If you just want to relax and have dinner and a movie in your stateroom, this can also be done. Dinner can be ordered and delivered to your room, course by course, from the dining room. DVD players are provided in each stateroom and there is a library where you can choose from a large variety of DVD's.
If some enrichment is needed on your cruise, guest lecturers, bridge classes, dance lessons, language classes, piano lessons and computer classes as well as yoga and pilates classes are available at no charge.
I took two computer classes and enjoyed the ability to learn on vacation. (by the way, no charge for any of the classes).
The spa facilities on the Crystal Symphony are fabulous. There are a wide variety of treatments to pamper yourself with relaxation and tranquility.
Available for passengers to use (again, no charge) is the steam, sauna and showers. Just stop at the desk to get a key from the friendly staff and you will be given a locker to use complete with robe, towels and slippers. The shower in the spa consists of 5 water jets. Elemis products are available for use!
I must say, having a shower here is an experience. Bottled water and Perrier are of course available in the locker rooms to replenish you after your shower or steam.
For days in port, Crystal offers numerous shore excursions. However if you prefer to explore on your own, Crystal offers free shuttle buses into the cities (if they are not within walking distance).
Our itinerary was port intensive with only 3 sea days on the 10 day voyage. As we approached Ft. Lauderdale, the weather warmed up enough to sit outside comfortably. Blankets on the deck were removed and were replaced with towels on the deck chairs.
I decided to enjoy the sun by the pool one afternoon and the pool attendants watched me as I choose my chair and quickly came to spread out the towel and adjust the chair to my desired position. Beverages were offered. As the day progressed and the heat increased, the pool attendants came around with chilled wash cloths to help cool me down.
It's as if the staff can read your mind and they jump to meet your needs even before they are spoken.
I could go on and on for pages about the dining, service and entertainment onboard this spectacular ship but that would take too long and is not the purpose of this review. I wanted to share with you my experience and let you know how much I loved it.
A hundred times during the voyage, I heard myself say
"WOW" .
Crystal provides a level of pampering and service that is excellent and it is no wonder they have received the award for the World's Best Large Ship Cruise Line 10 years in a row by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.
Accredited Cruise Counsellor

Repositioning Cruises, Repositioning Cruise, Reposition Cruises, Reposition Cruise, Cheap Repositioning Cruises

Rock-bottom prices, varied itineraries and a large number of relaxing days
at sea are all unique characteristics of a Repositioning cruise. Usually
offered in the fall and spring months, this interesting cruise option allows
you to journey to uncommon and even exotic ports of call as a cruise ship
relocates to a new region.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler looking to visit new ports of call or a
cruise novice interested in an unbelievable deal, a Repositioning cruise will
give you a unique opportunity to embark on an out-of-the-ordinary journey to
see multiple destinations and sometimes different continents of the world. The
most common itineraries feature sailings from Alaska to Hawaii or Transatlantic
voyages from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean in the fall, or the reverse in
the spring, although there is an endless combination of itineraries periodically
offered throughout the year as ships move from region to region around the globe.
Spend days relaxing onboard resort-style ships as you cruise to or from seasonal
cruise regions like Bermuda, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the
Panama Canal, Hawaii and Asia, stopping to explore ports of call along the way.
Repositioning cruises primarily operate during the spring and fall months
when ships are relocating to and from major cruise regions, although these
cruises are offered periodically throughout the year.
Repositioning cruises vary greatly in length. Most are longer than a week,
lasting at least 10 nights.
Repositioning cruises leave from major departure ports all over the world,
among them are Miami, London, Rome, Buenos Aires and Anchorage. You will
have to arrange one-way air to the port of embarkation and from the port
of disembarkation. If you must fly a very long distance to reach your port
of departure, we suggest that you arrive at the port city at least one or
two days in advance of your Repositioning cruise. This will give you time
to rest and get oriented before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines offer
pre-cruise hotel packages.

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