Dining has always been an important part of the cruise experience, and the past few years have seen an evolution in cruise ship dining. From an emphasis on quality and quantity, the focus has gradually changed to an emphasis on quality and choice.

Delicious food is still available 24 hours a day on most cruise ships, but some traditional options – such as massive midnight buffets – are giving way to different, often healthier choices. For example, Celebrity Cruises’ charming Cova Cafés offer “after-theater” menus beginning at 11:00 p.m., featuring canapés, artisan cheeses and petit fours. Princess Cruises’ 24-hour restaurant, Horizon Court, offers sandwiches, salads, pastas and desserts late into the night.

Traditional dining, with assigned tables and seating times, is still a mainstay on many cruise ships. However, some cruise lines have completely done away with traditional dining in favor of a flexible model in which guests dine when, where and with whom they like. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first to offer this type of flexible dining, with up to 10 onboard restaurants to choose from. Now, many cruise lines offer a combination of traditional and flexible dining.

Some onboard specialty restaurants require reservations and an additional fee that can run from $10 to $30 per person. These are gourmet restaurants that provide an outstanding, memorable dining experience. If you would like to try one, your personal cruise expert may be able to secure a reservation when you book your cruise. If not, call for a reservation as soon as you get on board – they fill quickly.

Other options for cruise ship dining include casual buffets, poolside grills, spa cafes, sushi bars and pizzerias. You can also order from the room service menu at any time.

A trend toward healthier cruise dining is also gaining momentum. Some cruise ship menus are now completely free of trans fats. Most menus feature healthy choices, with a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lighter sauces.

A memorable cruise is about more than the ship and the itinerary – it’s also about what you do on shore. When you’re a member of Cruise Holidays’ Excursion Society, your cruise experience can include a unique, private and complimentary shore excursion.

On Celebrity Cruises’ 12-night “Classical Mediterranean Cruise” departing August 14 from Barcelona, the Excursion Society will provide its members with such an opportunity. After docking in Civitavecchia, Italy, society members will follow the footsteps of the Popes through Rome and Vatican City.

The adventure begins with a ride through the lovely countryside along the Tyrrhenian coast to the Eternal City of Rome. You’ll visit the Lateran area of the city, where the Popes lived before moving to the Vatican district. Your guide will take you to the Cathedral of Rome – the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. There, you’ll be awed by the Scala Sancta – the Holy Stairs climbed by Jesus – and the Sancta Santorum, the private chapel of the Popes.  It’s a powerful experience for visitors of all religious backgrounds.

Then, you’ll be transported to the Vatican, viewing exceptional landmarks such as the Colosseum and Venice Square along the way. In the Vatican district, you’ll be refreshed by an authentic Italian lunch, including fine Italian wine.

After lunch, you’ll visit other magnificent sites that are important in Papal history. The first will be St. Angel Castle, built in the second century as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and used as a fortress by the Popes. You can climb to the top of the castle for a rooftop view of Rome. Finally, you’ll see St. Peter’s Basilica, the grandest Christian church in the world. The beautiful treasures within include Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini’s gilt baldachin over the high altar. You and your companions will have much to discuss as you ride back to the ship.

The Excursion Society’s shore excursions are featured on a number of Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line sailings during 2009.

To join the society (it’s easy), give me a call.
 

The Celebrity Solstice, the highly anticipated new ship from Celebrity Cruises, entered service on November 23 with a Thanksgiving Week cruise of the Caribbean. The ship’s launch was moved up three weeks – an indication of the excitement that surrounded its debut. Guests on the 2,850-guest vessel will enjoy thoughtfully designed staterooms with sophisticated touches. Celebrity designed the staterooms with the help of a team of five women, and their input shows in well-designed storage spaces and more spacious bathrooms. An amazing 85% of staterooms have balconies where guests can relax and enjoy the view in private.

Public spaces on the Solstice feature some incredible industry firsts, including the fresh grass growing in the half-acre Lawn Club on the top deck. Next to the Lawn Club, the Hot Glass Show features a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass.

With 10 restaurants, delicious dining options abound on the Solstice. Dining choices include peppered bison filet at The Grand Épernay; Cesar salad prepared tableside at the Tuscan Grille; the flavors of Asian fusion at Silk Harvest; and mouthwatering specialty crepes at Bistro on Five.

Onboard diversions include the luxurious Boutique C, which will feature a 10-sided diamond with 86 sparkling facets, cut exclusively for Celebrity Cruises by Harding Brothers of London. Another enticing shop is The Artisan Store, where guests can talk with resident artists and browse their creations.

Celebrity has also entered an exclusive partnership with Poet Theatricals for productions that will provide evening entertainment on the Solstice. The curved stage in the ship’s state-of-the-art theater was designed to optimize sight lines and promises to bring guests closer to the entertainers.

During its inaugural year, the Celebrity Solstice will sail in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. For more information about how you can cruise on this stunning new ship, call me today.

A growing number of cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are including ports of call in Australia and New Zealand on their cruise itineraries. Some cruises call on ports "Down Under" as part of a longer South Pacific voyage or world cruise, but some focus specifically on these fascinating Southern Hemisphere destinations.

Australia, an island and a continent unto itself, offers stunning scenery that ranges from the vast inland wilderness of the Outback to world-famous beaches. New Zealand, while much smaller, offers everything from exotic black sand beaches – a result remnant of the nation’s volcanic origins – to rugged mountains swathed in glaciers.

Major ports in Australia and New Zealand include:

• Sydney, a world-class, multicultural city with outstanding shopping, nightlife and attractions. Landmarks include the Sydney Opera House, which watches over the harbor, and the 1,000-foot-tall AMP Tower in the central city, which offers breathtaking views.
• Cairns, a resort town that serves as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living coral formation in the world. Many excursions to the Outback also depart from Cairns. Local artists sell their works at the Pier Marketplace adjacent to Trinity Warf.
• Auckland, a center of yacht racing. The National Maritime Museum exhibits the nautical history of the city, including triumphs in the prestigious America’s Cup competition. Inland, the city of Rotorua is the county’s geothermal capital, complete with bubbling mud pools, geysers and steam vents. Visitors can also learn about the lifestyle of the native people, the Maori.

To start planning a cruise to Australia and New Zealand (winter is a terrific time to go), call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245.