Jewel River Cruises, a new company that aims to revolutionize the world of river cruising. The ms Jewel Imperial Blue debuts on May 15 as the first all-suite, boutique-luxury river cruise ship designed exclusively for the most discerning travelers.
Jewel River Cruises is the boutique-luxury brand of parent company Jewel River Cruise Line, an innovative new river cruise venture comprised of independent brands -&endash; each aiming to provide the highest quality river cruise experience within their respective markets. For 2008, the five ships within the premium and contemporary brands will be based in central Europe and are already chartered to European tour operators. The line will grow with the addition of two new all-suite luxury ships in 2009 and 2010.
Chairman and CEO Albert Peter appointed luxury cruise veteran Jacques Wulffaert as President, COO and Member of the Board. Drawing upon their extensive experience in both luxury travel and small ship cruising &endash; Peter is former CEO of Silversea Cruises; Wulffaert held senior executive positions with Celebrity Cruises and ResidenSea &endash; the two have assembled a team of industry professionals to create a distinctive new boutique-luxury hotel style of river cruising.
"The river cruise market is experiencing a tremendous boom and our goal is to be the dominant player in the industry," says Peter. "We see the potential of river cruising as so much more than a means of transportation from one beautiful port to another, but rather, a truly experiential way to explore some of the world's most fascinating destinations," Peter explains.
In May the ms Jewel Imperial Blue will debut with a 10-day maiden voyage along the River Seine to Rouen. Cruising between Paris and Rouen, the ship will offer 22 voyages of seven and ten-days with the last sailing November 20. Seven-day cruises start at $5,129 per person.
As the world's first all-suite river cruise ship, the Jewel Imperial Blue will accommodate 80 guests in 40 suites with an impressive 2:1 guest-to-crew ratio. The three categories of suites -&endash; ranging from 215 square feet to 473 square feet -&endash; are among the largest of any river cruise ship and rival those found on luxury ocean liners.
Distinguishing characteristics will include multiple dining venues, intriguing shore experiences providing an exceptional level of exclusivity and access, a dedicated wellness spa, unrivaled service, and co-branding with internationally-renowned luxury partners.
The world's only all-suite boutique luxury river cruise will offer travelers a sophisticated onboard ambience combined with authentic discovery ashore reflecting its guests' own lifestyle &endash; privileged access, exclusive events and customized service. Amenities not found on other river cruise ships include: a specialty restaurant, cigar lounge and wine bar. Two Owners Suites will each be an expansive 473 square feet. The 14 Marquise Suites will measure a spacious 322 square feet and the 24 Jewel Suites will be 215 square feet. Private behind-the-scenes tours of the Louvre and Opera Bastille, a personal culinary class with a Michelin-3-star chef, private vintage wine tastings with master winemakers, a day at the wheel of a vintage Cabriolet or a helicopter ride over the Champagne countryside &endash; these are only a few of the "Lifestyle Experiences" Jewel River Cruises has designed for its guests.
For reservations and information, please contact Jewel River Cruise Line US, LLC, at 866/342-7607 or http://www.jewelrivercruises.com.
If you enjoy islands, consider an "On the Edge" adventure cruise that explores the outer reaches of the United Kingdom and Eire, visiting compelling places that are difficult or impossible to reach by land.
This comprehensive 15-day/14-night tour is offered by Scotland Experience, a new division of The Great Canadian Travel Company. For more than a quarter of a century, the company has provided a unique window to the "Top of the World." It has built an enviable reputation as the specialist on travel to northern climes, sending travelers on programs across the length and breadth of Scotland .
The adventure begins at Dartmouth, England , where you'll board M/V Polar Star, your floating home for the next two weeks. Your visit to the Isles of Scilly include a stop at the sub-tropical Abbey Gardens of Tresco bordered by white sandy beaches and aquamarine water (yes, this is England!). Then, sailing northwest to the coast of Eire , you'll cruise around the rugged Skelligs, with rare views of abandoned monasteries and time to explore the Dingle peninsula.
You'll cruise alongside the Cliffs of Mohar before going ashore at Inishmore Island for a trip through stonewalled fields to Dun Aengus, a Bronze Age fort set atop cliffs 90 meters high. Then it's on to Donegal Bay , perhaps the most spectacular area of Ireland , known for its jagged peninsulas and the highest sea cliffs in Europe , Rocky Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland is ideal for bird watching from its lofty cliffs. It is rich in Viking and early Christian history and, according to legend, Robert the Bruce hid here before his victorious return to Scotland. St. Kilda is the home to the largest gannet colony in the world as well as fulmars, puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. Peaceful Iona, from where Christianity spread to northern Europe, has a grand abbey and burial ground for 52 Scottish kings. Time permitting, there is an after-dinner visit to Tobermory on Mull to stroll the seafront of this lovely town and perhaps visit one of its famous pubs.
Canna and Rum provide spectacular bird watching and a visit to eccentric Kinloch Castle. Throughout the day you'll watch for gold and white tailed eagles; in the evening, you can expect to see thousands of Manx shearwaters coming in to roost.
Next stop is the Isle of Skye, known for stunning mountain scenery. You'll land at the beach of Loch Scavig where a seal colony is located. After lunch, you'll go Zodiac cruising along the shores of the pretty island of Soay.
On the shores of Loch Ewe, you'll visit tranquil Inverewe Gardens, home to exotic specifies which flourish due to the nearby Gulf Stream. You'll sail the wildlife-rich waters of the Minch and round Cape Wrath, the UK mainland's most northwesterly point with its Stevenson Lighthouse.
You'll wind up your cruise with visits to the Shetland Islands and the Orkneys, For some pretty small islands, Scotland 's northern archipelagos have an incredibly wide variety of attractions and have been the scene of momentous historic events. These 200 or so islands, only about 40 of which are inhabited, are at the northern extremity of Great Britain . In fact, with the typical British penchant for curious names, the lighthouse that mark's UK 's northern tip is known as Muckle Flugga.
Once part of Norway , these islands are rich in Viking history. In more recent times, warships of the Imperial German Fleet were scuttled off the coast off Orkney following World War I. Foodies enjoy fresh lobster, crab, scallops and prawns, while bird watchers find millions of birds&emdash;from hawks to puffins&emdash;among which more than 300 species have been identified. With their "top of the world" locale, these islands enjoy more than 18 hours of midsummer sunshine.
You'll disembark in Leith for independent travel to Edinburgh or to begin your journey home.
Cost is from US$4,870 per person (based on double occupancy), with 14 nights' accommodation onboard the MV Polar Star, plus all meals. Also included are all shore excursions and activities as indicated in the itinerary. Departure date is May 9, 2008 .
Built in Finland , the M/V Polar Star takes up to 105 passengers on expedition cruises to remote destinations. For shore excursions, the ship is equipped with 10 16-person Zodiacs. They'll transport you to remote areas where you'll see thousands of seabirds, nesting and in flight&emdash;the likes of puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills and guillemots.
Passenger amenities include a spacious bridge (with an open bridge policy) and large observation lounge/lecture hall with seating for all passengers. The M/V Polar Star offers one of the best standard cabins for a ship of its class and provides a superior outdoor viewing area. Common areas include well stocked library, bar, fitness facility and dining room that seats all passengers in one sitting.
Reservations, copies of the full-color "Scotland Experience" catalog and additional information are available from Scotland Experience, 333 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 712 , Chicago , Illinois 60601 , 800-661-3830, www.scotland-experience.com.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has scheduled six Circles of Interest enrichment programs focusing on food and wine, featuring onboard and shore-side experiences delivered by world-class lecturers, instructors and authorities from the realms of art, cuisine, history, environmental conservation, photography and wellness.
Regent's food and wine Circles of Interest will be offered aboard select spring, summer and fall voyages of the 700-guest, all-suite, all balcony ships Seven Seas Mariner® and Seven Seas Voyager® and the 490-guest, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator®. Accomplished chefs from the legendary French culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu, Walter Scheib, and Pawlcyn, chef and owner of Napa Valley hot spots Mustards Grill and Cindy's Backyard, will host programs on seprate cruises.
Regent's food and wine Circles of Interest provide rare opportunities to explore the culinary cultures of diverse regions. World-class chefs share unique insights into their cooking techniques, and also host cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, shore-side trips to local markets and informative discussion on the unique cuisines of the regions visited.
"Regent's 2008 culinary Circles of Interest offer another outstanding example of our ability to provide guests with enriching experiences through personal discovery," said Sophie Vlessing, RSSC's vice president, customer strategy and marketing. "These enlightening journeys provide rare perspective from international experts, plus the added enjoyment of a core group of travelers sharing similar interests. RSSC's food and wine-themed Circles of Interest will deliver truly memorable experiences throughout 2008."
Regent's 2008 schedule of food and wine Circles of Interest cruises includes:
€ Le Cordon Bleu "Classes Culinaires des Croiseres" &endash; Launched in Paris in 1895, Le Cordon Bleu has been dedicated to preserving and passing on the mastery and appreciation of the culinary arts. Together with Regent, the school created "Classes Culinaires des Croiseres" - programs of no more than 20 guests combined with shore-side market visits. Regent and Le Cordon Bleu have also partnered to offer Signatures, the first and only permanent Le Cordon Bleu restaurants at sea, aboard Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager. Dates include: May 27 (Vancouver, B.C. to Seward, Alaska, Seven Seas Mariner); June 9 (Monte Carlo to Dover, Seven Seas Voyager); September 9 (Southampton to Monte Carlo, Seven Seas Voyager) and September 18 (Seward, Alaska to Osaka, Seven Seas Mariner).
€ "Presidential Culinary Secrets under the Mediterranean Sun" featuring Walter Scheib &endash; Chef Scheib served America's first families for 11 years, conducting hundreds of state dinners. His tenure was highlighted by the creation of a distinctly American culinary repertoire at the White House. Chef Scheib will be joined by co-host Alan Tardi, former chef, current wine writer and winner of the 2007 James Beard Foundation Award for his book Romancing the Vine. Onboard activities include "Kitchen Table Chats" which demonstrate how Chef Scheib makes favorite presidential midnight snacks and popular items from state dinners. Chef Scheib will also host an exclusive luncheon at the Michelin-starred Torre del Saracino restaurant in Vico Equense. Departure date: June 7 (Piraeus, Greece to Monte Carlo, Seven Seas Navigator).
€ "Mediterranean Food Odyssey" featuring Cindy Pawlcyn &endash; Chef Pawlcyn studied at Le Cordon Bleu and opened Mustards Grill after moving to California's Napa Valley in 1980. Today she also operates Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in Napa Valley. Pawlcyn has been inducted into Who's Who in Cooking in America and is currently working on her third cookbook. Chef Pawlcyn's co-host is wine authority Lyn Farmer, senior editor of The Wine News magazine and executive director of the Miami Wine and Food Festival. Onboard activities include a cooking demonstration of Mediterranean cuisine and a tasting of Italian and Corsican cheeses. Chef Pawlcyn will also host an exclusive dinner with Chef Vedet Basaran at his Feriye restaurant in Istanbul. Departure date: June 21 (Civitavecchia, Italy to Istanbul, Seven Seas Navigator).
Regent's 2008 food and wine Circles of Interest programs are available at rates ranging from $255 to $450 per person, exclusive of cruise fare. Further details on these programs can be found on Regent's website, www.TheRegentExperience.com
Expansive children's water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the Serenity adults only deck area will be part of a dramatic transformation of the open decks of Carnival Cruise Lines' eight Fantasy-class ships.
The new features are just part of Carnival's $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" program, the cruise industry's most ambitious ship refurbishment and product enhancement initiative, which focuses on the line's eight Fantasy-class vessels. These "extreme makeovers" are part of an overall initiative to upgrade all of the unique guest-pleasing features and design style of the Fantasy-class vessels in addition to providing guests with new and exciting shipboard amenities.
"The Fantasy-class vessels are the most successful series of cruise ships ever introduced, as well as the industry leader in three- to five-day vacations, carrying nearly 1.6 million guests annually," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "'Evolutions of Fun' represents a multi-million-dollar investment designed to build upon these vessels' tremendous appeal with vacationers by incorporating a host of new and exciting facilities and features," he added.
The expanded outdoor recreation areas will initially be incorporated onto the 2,052-passenger Inspiration and Imagination during upcoming month-long dry docks this fall and added to other "Fantasy-class" ships in 2008 and 2009 during scheduled drydock periods.
The updated pool and deck areas on the Inspiration and Imagination are just one component of extensive ship-wide refurbishments to these vessels that initially began in 2005 and include renovations to virtually every guest area. Among the new features are fully remodeled staterooms and suites including new bathrooms, flat-screen televisions in staterooms and select public areas, atrium lobby bars, updated sound and lighting systems in various lounges and clubs, coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf courses, new art and photo galleries, New York-style delis in the Lido restaurants, and purpose-built conference facilities.
With Carnival expected to carry a record 575,000 kids this year, particular emphasis is being placed on family friendly amenities, with new and expanded play areas, part of the line's top-rated "Camp Carnival" program, and new facilities for the "Club O2" teen program. Custom-designed spaces geared toward 12- to 14-year olds are also planned and more than 50 interconnecting staterooms are being added to several Fantasy-class ships &endash; perfect for large families or family gatherings.
The "Evolutions of Fun" initiative is also responding to the changing needs of health-conscious consumers with a complete overhaul of 12,000-square-foot spa facilities. The spa makeovers include new private treatment rooms, state-of-the art exercise equipment and a host of cosmetic enhancements.
The addition of new sound and lighting systems in the main show lounges takes Carnival's legendary revues to another level, with several new dazzling productions that make maximum use of video projections, pyrotechnics, lasers and elaborate sets and costumes.
Many aspects of the "Evolutions of Fun" enhancements have already been completed on the Fantasy, Ecstasy and Fascination and partially executed on the Sensation, Elation and Paradise. By 2009, the entire Fantasy-class fleet will be completed including the fabulous new transformation of open deck areas.
Other upgrades, incorporated fleetwide, include the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high-quality linens and pillows, a variety of cuisine enhancements, as well as "Wi-Fi" Internet access in virtually all public areas, and cellular phone service.
"Carnival has always recognized the need to be a pacesetter in the overall vacation industry. With our extensive research in consumer vacation preferences, we're able to anticipate vacation trends and tailor our product to the needs and desires of our guests, who are the driving force behind this initiative," Dickinson said. "'Evolutions of Fun' is just the latest example of our commitment to guest satisfaction and our continued efforts at making the 'Fun Ship' vacation experience the best it can be," he added.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.