Category Archives: Disney Cruise

Upcoming Events and Entertainment 2-4

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329898170 72 Upcoming Events and Entertainment 2 4

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

 

Walton County Coastal Branch Library will offer free coupon classes with Julie Kline of Coupon for Dummies from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 11 in the community room of the library. No registration is required. Call 267-2809.

The Destin United Methodist Women will host its Ninth Annual Chocolat’ Fare from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Atrium Room at the church. A variety of chocolate items for sale include cakes, pies, cookies, candy and more — all homemade. The group’s handmade jewelry will also be on sale.

Mike Kay, saltwater fish expert, will present a program on aquaculture and its influence on the conservation of coral reefs, at 11 a.m. Feb. 11 at the E.O. Wison Biophilia Center in Freeport. Standard admission rates apply. Call 835-1824.

Florida Trail Association

• Feb. 11: Eight-mile hike at 8 a.m. on Eglin near Crestview.  Eglin recreation permit required.  Call 683-0803.

  1. Call 492-8258 or 865-7075.

• Feb. 25: Annual awards banquet at 11:45 a.m. at Bear Lake in Santa Rosa County.  Call 654-1172.

• Feb. 28: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Ed’s Hometown Seafood & Steaks in Niceville. Call 654-1172.

SunQuest Cruises will host Valentine’s dinner cruises from 5:15 p.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 11 and 6:15-10 p.m. Feb. 14 aboard the Solaris. Cost is $150/couple and includes a 3-course meal, cruise and live entertainment. A full service bar and appetizers are available for purchase onboard. Casual cocktail dress, suit not required. Seating is limited. Make reservations at SunQuestCruises.com or call 650-2519.

Geana’s Art Gallery & Custom Framing, at City Market east of Bass Pro Shops on U.S. 98 in Destin, will host a date night, Hearts and Art, from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 14. Spend the evening with your loved one and paint a canvas together and share wine and refreshments. Reservations required at 650-0779. Cost is $50/person and includes supplies.

The Walton County Health Department and the University of Florida IFAS Extension are working together to offer interactive and tasty cooking demonstration classes from 6-7 p.m. at the Walton County Extension office, 732 N.9th St. in DeFuniak Springs.  The cost is $5 per class or $20 for the series. Pre-registration required at 892-8172.

• Feb. 14: Sizzling Stir Fry

• March 13: Super-Packed Salads

• April 10: Quick and Easy Casserole

• May 8: Mexican Fiesta

• June 12: Perfect Pizza Party

Walton County Coastal Branch Library will host published author Budh-Aditya Roy for a book signing from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 15.  He will be available for an open discussion session with titles of his books on hand. His latest is “A Bend in the River of Life”. Call 267-2809.

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

The 2011-12 season at Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville includes the following. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Call 729-6000 or visit the Box Office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday for ticket information.

• Feb. 15; Brigadoon

• Feb. 24: Monty Python’s Spamalot

• March 10: Andy Gross

• May 10: Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein.

The John Horton Senior Center, 194 County Hwy. 393, will offer Tai Chi exercise classes taught by an instructor for Seniors at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15, 22 and 29. Tai Chi is designed for seniors regardless of physical capabilities. Senior Center hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 622-0917.

Walton County Coastal Library Winter “Prime Time Programs” will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesdays until March 7. Call 267-2809.

• Feb. 15: ACT4 Murder presents “The Mystery of ACT4 Murder: 10 Years and Counting of Killer Success!”

• Feb. 22: Attorney J. Mark Fisher

• Feb. 29: Novelist, Barbara Nowell

 • March 7: Margaret Rogers, weaver

Duncan Baird and Cetin Oguz, two Cleveland, Miss.-based artists bring a decidedly contemporary two-man show to the McIlroy Gallery at Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville through Feb. 17.

In the Holzhauer Gallery, Elizabeth Austin will display her cassetinas, Italian for “little boxes.” These small-scale works, some of which display Austin’s signature style of reverse painting evoke magical, otherworldly scenes, and have often been compared to jewel boxes or reliquaries.

Classical Connections

Presented by Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Rosemary Beach Foundation and The Merchants of Rosemary, Classical Connections features Grammy Award winning Parker Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and 18 at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Tickets are $35 and available at sinfoniagulfcoast.com or call 269-7129.

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra 2011-12 concert season includes the following. Call 729-6000 for ticket information.

• Feb. 17: Annual Stars of Tomorrow, with guest artists from some of the finest young talent the area has to offer as well as the orchestra’s tribute to the Old West in a performance of Copland’s Billy the Kid.

• April 28: Season finale will feature three giants of classical music, Franz Josef Haydn and his two most talented students, Mozart and Beethoven.

The Florida Chautauqua presents their production of “Steel Magnolias” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 18, 24 and 25 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26 at the Florida Chautauqua Theatre. Tickets are $15 for general admission/ $12 for seniors and students. Call 892-9494 for tickets.

Gulf Place Mardi Gras

The First Gulf Place Mardi Gras Street Party begins at noon Feb. 18 in the street at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach. There will be food, drinks, beads, costumes, parades, face painting, arts and crafts, and live New Orleans music, beginning at 2 p.m. The Barkus Pet Parade begins at noon, followed by a Bike and Golf Cart Parade and costume contest. To participate, call 622-0400, email or pick up application at Artists at Gulf Place, Restaurant Fire, or Furry Fanatics.

The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library will host a used book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Library, 437 Greenway Trail. Most hardback books will sell for $1 with some specialty or large coffee table books up to $5.  Paperback books are 50 cents. To donate books, take them to the Library before Feb. 17.  Members of the Friends are invited for a preview or presale from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 17.

The Freeport Relay for Life will host a spaghetti dinner and bingo night from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Freeport Community Center. The dinner is $7. Carry out meals available. Bingo players can purchase cards for $1 each in order to play for a variety of prizes. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Call 259-8871.

The Delta Delta Delta Alumnae of the Emerald Coast will meet at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at Sandestin Beach Club. For reservations, gate code and directions, call 654-5008 or email .

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

Take a birding and photography walk Feb. 18 with Walt Spence on the nature trails of the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation near Freeport. Meet at the Bluewater Bay Winn-Dixie at 7 a.m.; Freeport City Hall at 7:30 a.m.; or at the Biophilia Center at 8 a.m. Call 678-3965.

Sandestin Gumbo Festival

The 23rd annual Sandestin Gumbo Cook-off will be held Feb. 18-19 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf and includes fun, food and live entertainment. Guests can sample gumbo and Bloody Marys, voting for their favorite as People’s Choice. Celebrity judges will hold blind judging contests for the “Area’s Best” awards for gumbo. The award for Best Display, which goes to the business or restaurant with the most innovative booth, will also be announced.

Sean Dietrich and his group play Wednesday nights at Christiano’s Ristorante on U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-2185.

 

Singer/guitarist Bill Evett performs from 7-11 p.m. Fridays at Marie’s Bistro on 30A in Blue Mountain Beach. DJ Vladi begins DJ-ing dance music and fun at 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; Karaoke takes center stage on Wednesdays; Kelsey Ann performs Thursdays; and Danice Lowery on Tuesdays.

 

Storytelling workshop

Coastal Library Storytelling Workshops will be held at 4 p.m. every Monday in the community room for elementary age children grades 3 and up. Storyteller Susie Arnold will present the art of storytelling with puppets and props inviting young people to “tell” stories. Call 267-2809 or email for more information.

Thursday thread therapy

Needlers, knitters, crocheters and others come for free therapy from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays on the porch at Yards N Yarn, 3770 Co. Hwy. 3280 in Freeport. Call 880-6404.

Seaside Farmers Market

Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, native plants and other unique offerings during Market on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.

Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums

All performing and student bagpipers, former and current marching band snare, tenor, and bass drummers are welcome to join the Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. The group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church in Niceville, 214 Partin Drive, for beginner bagpiping classes and 6:30 p.m. for rehearsals for performing players. Email or call 243-2879.

The Chautauqua Amateur Radio Club of DeFuniak Springs/Walton County meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of every month at McLean’s Restaurant near I10 and 331 South. This club welcomes new and old Ham Radio operators. There are no business meetings on these Tuesdays. We have classes and a great time together. Call 892-2562 or email .

Rotary Club of South Walton

The Rotary Club of South Walton meets for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. each Thursday morning at the Embassy Suites, Scenic Hwy. 98 in Miramar Beach. Visiting Rotarians and their guests are welcome. Call 267-2929.

Herman Lodge #108 Free and Accepted Masons will meet at 7 p.m. first and third Tuesdays of each month on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.

The Order of the Eastern Star #281 meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Fridays of each month at Herman Lodge on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.

Pianist Hilda McDonald plays mellow melodies at 6 p.m. Fridays at Christiano’s in Santa Rosa Beach.

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through May 31. Admission is $5/person, $2/children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

A Society of Human Resource Management Chapter in Walton County will meet at 8 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at TJ’s Table in Freeport. The group is open to all individuals involved in any aspect of human resources. Email or call 892-8668, ext. 215. 

JobsPlus Mobile stops

Stops for the JobsPlus One-Stop Centers will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Freeport City Hall; from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Wednesday at Silver Sands Outlet; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Thursday at the South Walton Library. Jobseekers will be able to register in the EmployFlorida Marketplace database enabling them to search and apply for open positions and apply for unemployment compensation.

The Town Planters of Freeport will meet at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Blount House on Kylea Laird Road. Call 835-5611.

The Modern Bridal Expo will be held from 12:30-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at Sandestin’s Baytowne Conference Center, giving brides the opportunity to experience a day full of designer wedding trend ideas, vendors and destination wedding experts.

Mardi Gras Dog Parade

The ninth annual Mardi Gras dog parade will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 at Baytowne Wharf. This year’s theme is Cruisin’ Canines: Fetch a Wave! The streets will be filled with costumed dogs, themed convertibles, small floats (especially pulled by masters), golf carts, bicycles, and decorated wagons and Mardi Gras music will fill the air. Proceeds from this event will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade

“Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) with the 10th annual Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 rolling through Sandestin. Unique and colorful floats, golf carts, and pick-up trucks roll down the streets and marchers dressed up in all their Mardi Gras best shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies, and other trinkets.

The post-parade celebration continues into the night with street performers, “throws” tossed from balconies on Main Street, and parties at various Baytowne establishments.

Shirley Simpson performs on stage as Gracie Allen at 5 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Sandestin Hilton Coral Ballroom. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the benefit performance for Billy Gray Ministries. Call 502-548-5311 or 582-4986.

The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties and its JobsPlus One-Stop Career Centers will host the 2012 Spring Seasonal Hiring Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. The job fair is free and individuals from students to seniors are invited.

Shelter House presents the Carrabba’s Italian Grill Cooking Class from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at Carrabba’s in Silver Sands Factory Stores. The $40 registration includes a glass of wine and recipes to take home. Seating is limited. Call 243-1201.

The16th Annual Taste of the Bayou and Charity Auction, sponsored by Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Mary Church in Fort Walton Beach. The event features local restaurants presenting samples of their delicacies. The silent charity auction features a trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, autographed sports memorabilia, resort vacation getaways, golf packages, fishing trips, Disney World tickets and more. Advance tickets are $12/adults and $5/children 5-10. Call 833-9330, ext.202, for purchase locations. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Miss Freeport pageants

The Town Planters Society of Freeport will host the Miss Florida 2012 Pageants at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Freeport High School Auditorium. Signs up from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21 and 28 at The Blount House, Kylea Laird Dr. Age groups are K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 16-21. Miss Freeport 2012 receives a $1,000 scholarship to school of her choice. All others will a savings bond. Call 835-5200 or 830-2389.

The 18th annual WZEP Taste of Home Cooking School will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Walton High School auditorium. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Culinary expert Michelle Roberts will demonstrate new recipes, and gift bags include an assortment of products and coupons including a cookbook with the show’s recipes. Attendees should bring non-perishable items for the Matrix Outreach Center in DeFuniak Springs. Tickets are $10 and available at WZEP AM 1460 Radio in DeFuniak Springs, or on-line at wzep1460.com. Call 892-3158. 

IHOP invites guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 28. In return, guests are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or another local charity. 

Music in Pictures, a free educational art exhibit, will be held through Feb. 28 at The Hidden Lantern Gallery and Amavida in Rosemary Beach, Wells Fargo Redfish Village. More than 900 students from 13 Walton County schools listened to and visually interpreted works by 20th century American composer Aaron Copland. 

MARCH 2012

 

Wine, Women & Shoes

A weekend of Wine, Women & Shoes to raise funds in support of local PBS television station, WSRE, will be held locally March 2-4. Wine lovers, men and women, will meet some of the country’s top winemakers, savor dinners prepared by top chefs, bid on auction packages and shop the latest trends in a designer marketplace.

• March 2: Patron Dinners featuring world-class wines and a private chef, all held in Destin residences. Tickets are $250 per person.

• March 3: The Fourth Annual WSRE “Recipe for Success” Wine Dinner and Live Auction complete with wine stroll, gourmet dinner and a live at the Emerald Grande Ballroom. Tickets are $150 per person.

• March 4: Wine, Women & Shoes Signature Event at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Magnolia Ballroom. Enjoy a wine tasting, shopping market of designer shoes and accessories, a silent auction and a fashion show. Tickets are $65 each.

To purchase tickets, visit wsre.org/WineWomenShoes or call 484-1054.

 

Saint Agatha’s Episcopal Church, 150 Circle Dr. in DeFuniak Springs, will host a breakfast, Cooked To Order, from 7-11 a.m. March 3, April 7 and May 5. Cost is $4.50 adults and $2.50 children under 10. Proceeds benefit the building and grounds fund.

 

The 30A Wine Festival is a two-day event in Alys Beach March 3 and 4, featuring seminars, a wine symposium, and tastings along with food pairings from local restaurants, live music and dancing. Tickets are $300 and include entrance to all events throughout the weekend. Funds will be used for on-going operating funds to sustain the Children’s Volunteer Health Network.  To purchase tickets call 622-3200 or visit 30awinefestival.com

 

America’s Boating Course

A 5-week public boating course, America’s Boating Course 3, will be conducted from 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday nights beginning March 5 at the Anchorage building, 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach. Tuition is free, with a $45 charge for materials.

The course covers safe boat handling, good seamanship, rules of the road, aids to navigation and piloting, tips about local waters, and more. Call 863-0874.

Wednesday Night Concert Series

The Village of Baytowne Wharf presents a free concert from 6-8 p.m. March 7 in the Events Plaza. Call 267-8186.

Nicole Paloma will offer new sessions of free sewing classes for beginners or pros from 9-11 a.m. March 9. Bring your stylish self, sewing machine and a project you are working on. The store is in the Shops of Grayton, 26 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach.

Antique & Vintage Car Show

The 11th Annual Rt. 30A Antique & Vintage Car Show, sponsored by Hilltop Productions, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 on the lawns of Rosemary Beach. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on North Barrett Square for any car 30 years and older. Awards will be presented in various categories. Entry fee is $20/advance and $25/day of event. Proceeds benefit various charities on the Florida Emerald Coast. There will be entertainment, gift bags for participants, commemorative posters, and demonstrations. Call 951-2148.

APRIL 2012

Northwest Florida Ballet’s 2011-2012 season serves up three major productions at the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center, including an epic romance, a beloved favorite, special new guest artists and a touch of magic. Call 664-7787 for ticket information.

• Romeo and Juliet: 7:30 p.m. March 30 and 2:30 p.m. April 1.

• Starlight Ballet: June in Rosemary Beach.

MAY 2012

Country music performer Darius Rucker will headline a charity concert at 7 p.m. May 13 on the North Park lawn at the Grand Boulevard at Sandestin as an exciting finale to the inaugural ANNIKA & Friends at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. General admission tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at AnnikaandFriends.com.

Travel has always made it simple for me to judge what is the best travel packages. You may have to have your travel agent performance tested. World Ventures maintains office space in Plano and employs a corporate staff has over 165 people. The Cuevas de los Tiburones (Caves of the Sleeping Sharks next to Las Brisask dive sight): shark sightings are rare since the famous arch fell into the Caribbean after the last hurricane), but it is still the largest attraction on this tiny island. In fact, "What's good for the goose is good for the gander." whenever they wince at the thought. This groove is also an ordinary viewpoint to put forth in this context. International sculptors Jose Luis Cuevas and Vladimir Cora donated their underwater work to the island. In choosing where to go and stay, if you book your hotel directly by telephone, email the hotel and ask them to confirm your booking by sending you a booking confirmation reference code.

Couples embrace tying knot at 20 knots

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329883750 95 Couples embrace tying knot at 20 knots

Wedding ceremonies aboard cruise ships are increasing at a surprising rate, according to theCruise Line International Association, the trade group for 25 major cruise lines.

More couples, including same-sex pairings, are going that route, buying packages for weddings orcivil unions and getting built-in honeymoons.

Carnival played Cupid last year to more than 2,000 couples who purchased its varied weddingdeals. And the line expects that figure to increase by 10 percent this year, spokesman VanceGulliksen said.

As for gay ceremonies, Gulliksen said the cruise line performs same-sex weddings in waters wherethey are sanctioned.

Same-sex marriages are now sanctioned in seven states — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, NewHampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington — as well as Washington, D.C.

An onboard marriage or civil ceremony can range from as little as $725 to $2,500, depending onthe cruise line and package selected.

The $725 package on the Italian MSC cruise line buys the service of a cruise officer, use of adecorated private room, recorded wedding music, a floral bouquet for the bride, a sponge cakedecorated with chocolate hearts and the names of the bride and groom, a bottle of sparkling wine, aphotographer for one hour and a symbolic wedding certificate.

On Princess vessels, $2,250 (which includes the $450 marriage license fee) covers use of awedding coordinator, a candlelit ceremony officiated by the ship’s captain in the wedding chapel,live music, floral arrangements plus a rose bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom,a photographer’s services and selection of photographs, a wedding cake, champagne, two glasses anda keepsake wedding certificate.

Aside from the prices, the details of wedding packages are mostly similar on Carnival, Disney,Holland America, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.

If you’re interested in a ceremony at sea or at a port, shop around. And, above all, beforesealing the deal with the required advance payment, make sure the wedding will be legal and notjust a symbolic exercise.

Los Angeles lawyer Kelly Chang Rickert, who specializes in family law, says that the law inCalifornia and other states requires a marriage to be solemnized by a properly licensedindividual.

“Select a reputable cruise line,” she suggests, “and conduct research on their procedures.”

Lewis Kapner, a former Florida circuit court judge whose specialty is marital and family law,put it this way: “I believe that the flag of the ship determines the country, so, for example, ifsomeone got married on a Norwegian ship, it would be governed by Norway law. And if the marriagewas under Norwegian law, then it would be valid here. It would be as if the parties got married inNorway.”

Many couples nail down arrangements six months to a year in advance.

Most large cruise lines also offer vow renewal ceremonies for married couples. Prices range fromPrincess’ $205 limited frills deal to Disney’s $1,500 package.

Because of legal limitations, only captains of Azamara, Celebrity and Princess cruise lines areallowed to perform wedding ceremonies. Whether a captain may officiate depends on where the vesselis registered.

A variety of a la carte options are available for a price, such as an open bar, hors d’oeuvresand sit-down dinners for guests.

On Cunard and smaller luxury lines such as Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea, wedding ceremonypackages are not offered.

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All aboard for cruise Magic…

Posted by on February 21, 2012 No comments

1329838150 23 All aboard for cruise Magic...

Several new mega-ships are among the newest vessels of 2012, including the Celebrity Reflection (debuts in October,) the Oceania Riviera (debuts in April) and the Carnival Breeze (debuts in June).

• Disney Cruise Line has announced that it will move the Disney Wonder from Los Angeles to Miami for winter 2012-2013, before sailing from Vancouver to Alaska in the summer of 2013. The Disney Magic will return to Europe next year, offering 12-night cruises with stops in Venice, Italy, the Dalmation Coast in Croatia, Turkey, the Greek Isles and Athens. All Magic itineraries depart from Barcelona, Spain. Before heading back to Europe, the Magic will sail to the western -Caribbean from Galveston, Texas, from fall 2012 to May 2013. The Disney Dream and the cruise line’s newest ship, the Disney Fantasy, will sail Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries from Port Canaveral, Fla.

• Chef Nobu Matsuhisa will host a Foodie Cruise on the Crystal Serenity in May. He will give cooking instruction, interact with guests and act as executive chef in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar. This 12-day European/Mediterranean cruise departs May 24. (Go to CrystalCruises.com for more information.)

Crystal Cruises is also undertaking a $15 million refurbishment and enhancements of the Crystal Symphony in dry dock this summer. The work is expected to be conducted at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, from June 1 to 16.

• Cunard Cruise Lines is now offering a Feel Famous Sale, sailing the Mediterranean, northern Europe or a trans-Atlantic cruise at significant savings. (To book or for more details on the sale, go to Cunard .com.)

• Norwegian Cruise Lines’ new Norwegian Breakaway will sail from New York City to the -Bahamas and Florida and the -Caribbean starting in the fall of 2013. This 4,000-passenger ship will spend its inaugural summer season sailing from New York to Bermuda, and then begin a series of seven-day cruises to the Bahamas and Florida in October 2013.

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Cheap Holiday Deals: Cheap Holiday Deals – The Budgeting Side

Posted by on February 20, 2012 No comments

1329773357 49 Cheap Holiday Deals: Cheap Holiday Deals – The Budgeting Side

Disney Cruises are a great way of getting the Disney experience whilst sailing to some of the most exotic locations in the world. Just like other cruise ships, guests can expect a wide choice of activities to keep them entertained whilst travelling, children can take part in the many youth clubs with all the characters from the Disneyland Paris park, watch the latest Disney 3D movies, live entertainment shows, a variety of pools suitable for children and adults, spa facilities and nightclubs and adult only bars.

There are currently three Disney Cruise Line ships and there are plans to make a forth next year, providing more excursions to the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Alaska. Because the popularity of family cruises has increased in recent years, Disney now want to expand in to the UK cruise market. Having only launched in 1998, the Disney Cruise Line has become a leader in the cruise industry in the US. Below is a brief description of what you can expect on some of the cruise lines.

Once you have that money in mind, you need to make sure to save at least two hundred dollars extra. Sound ridiculous? Perhaps, but you never know when you’ll need a few extra dollars and you never know when an emergency will pop up. By saving that amount, you ensure that you have enough to cover yourself. Next, you need to get a rough estimate of how much you will spend on souvenirs. You never know how much souvenirs are going to cost, so you may want to ask the travel agency that you are hiring or you may want to look online and see if you can get a rough estimate.

Setting sail from Barcelona in Spain, the Mediterranean cruise stops off at some of the most famous and oldest cities in the world. Guests can learn about a cities ancient heritage, spending all day sightseeing and experiencing a wonderful array of cultures, then come back to their cosy cruise room to relax. Some of the destinations included in the Europe cruise are Cannes, Naples, Rome, Florence, Gibraltar and Malta. Look in awe at the magnificent Colosseum and famous Sistine Chapel in Rome, learn about the 2,500 year old city of Pompeii in Naples, and visit the beautiful French Riviera, and the city favoured by the rich and famous, Cannes. Unfortunately a trip to Eurodisney Paris isn’t included in this trip.

Then, start looking into where you can cut corners just a tiny bit. This doesn’t mean take your kids out of soccer and stuff like that-instead, try brown bagging your lunches, or skipping the Friday night take out. This may save you up to two hundred dollars a month, depending on how many people are in your family. After all, if you can put that money towards c Cheap Holiday Deals , including authentic French, Italian, Chinese, Chilean, etc cuisine, then why would you waste it on food that you get every day? Once you have done this, you should have a plan. Make sure that you have planned your trip, have enough money, and most of all, have a good time!

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Sherborn 11-year-old gets a Make-A-Wish break from his battle with leukemia

Posted by on February 20, 2012 No comments

1329749356 66 Sherborn 11 year old gets a Make A Wish break from his battle with leukemia

HOPE FOR HEALTH: Since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last March, Stephen Broderick , 11, of Sherborn, has endured painful medical procedures, what he calls the “hazy, whole-body sensation’’ of chemotherapy, radiation, pneumonia, appendicitis, and a virus that drove his temperature to 105 degrees.

Even though his cancer was declared in remission last summer, Stephen must undergo chemotherapy for the next three years at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In the coming months, he hopes to rejoin his fifth grade classmates at Woodside Montessori Academy in Millis more regularly. He is also looking forward to taking a vacation, a Disney cruise to the Bahamas in May, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Stephen, whose iPod is filled with Beatles songs, said he debated whether to ask the group for the cruise or to meet Paul McCartney. The cruise won out because it is something he can share with his parents and 8-year-old sister, Alexis.

“One thing everybody should know,’’ Stephen said, “is how lucky you are to have your family.’’

Janet Ruggieri, Stephen’s mother, said he was hit hard by the recent death of a close family friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer just one month after Stephen learned he had cancer.

“Stephen is still in therapy, but he’s a lot healthier than he was,’’ said Ruggieri. She expressed her gratitude to Make-A-Wish, Cops for Kids With Cancer, and the many other organizations and individuals who support pediatric patients like her son.

“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel,’’ she added, “and we’re hoping for a better year than last year.’’

RECYCLED JEWELRY: Industrial designer Ben Gould of Waltham has been working with reclaimed materials for the last decade. Now he is relying on the public to help his new company turn scrap metal into fine jewelry.

According to Gould, the average bike shop each month produces 25 to 40 pounds of discarded chain, adding up to a lot of metal that often ends up in landfills.

He is working to establish a network of bike shops nationwide that will ship discarded chains to him (at his expense) for repurposing.

Gould’s bracelets, for example, are available in a range of colors, stainless steel, and electroplated chrome, silver, and 10-karat gold. He cleans the links with biodegradable degreasers, and then cold-forges the material into an accordion-like loop that expands over the wearer’s hand.

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Cheap LG 55LW5300 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz Cinema 3D LED-LCD HDTV with 3D Blu-ray Player and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses Deals Price Drop very fast 2012

Posted by on February 20, 2012 No comments

1329744553 67 Cheap LG 55LW5300 55 Inch 1080p 120 Hz Cinema 3D LED LCD HDTV with 3D Blu ray Player and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses Deals Price Drop very fast 2012

Wow … ordered from AMZN 10/16, they shipped 10/20 and I received it at my UPS store mail box on 10/26 … just set it up in my RV yesterday 10/28(lots of broken Styrofoam damaged packing inside the box so I was initially worried but the set is undamaged, those transport folks are rather ruff on fragile electronics!) and my room mate did the set up while running the extras from an older movie DVD in 2d to 3d and I was just amazed, then we put in non 3D BD “Avatar” and I was blown away, it was like the Col. was sitting with us! … then last night we watched Disney’s 3D BD “Beauty & the Beast” and it was everything I was expecting. Very sharp and Very clear, No Bleed at the edges. Watching full screen content is evenly lighted. The movie rendering on screen is Beautiful! The 4 pair of “PASSIVE” glasses are great with NO PROBLEMS like other “Active sets!” For Background: NOTE: I will update this review as we watch more content!I live full time in a small RV and move every 2 weeks between parks. Vibration on CA roads is a problem and a factor in our choices. I have had a 42LG70 LCD mounted on my dining table for 2.5 years (it lost the memory function for settings at 2 years so I did opt for the LG 5 year service with this Excellent AMZN Value Package!) and was pleased that the new set also has a pre-made hole at the center rear of the heavy duty swivel stand base for a bolt to connect to my table or a shelf, great pre-earthquake thinking! I also use a Velcro strap when moving the RV from park to park.We only bought 6 3D BD movies: Disney “Beauty & Beast”, “The Lion King”, “Tangled” plus: “Thor”, “Pirates: Stranger Tides”, “Resident Evil: Afterlife” so I will add comments after we watch them all BUT the big deal is I have around 100 BD movies and around 900 DVD movies most of which will look so much better with this amazing depth (2D to 3D conversion) so this new system will truly be a whole new experience for my extensive movie library, which was the main factor in this upgrade for me!I might ad that the BD 645 that comes (free) with this 3D TV can adjust 2D-3D conversion level from 0 to 20, the Panasonic I was looking at adjusts from 0 to 10! Interesting. We found between 10 to 15 a fun level and our distance from screen to eyes is at 6′. We have not seen any Distortion. Also coming from a Sony S350 BD player the buttons on the LG BD player are very nice (multi-selector large rubber arrows with enter in center), excellent spacing, keys do not light up, there is no blue led on player front when displaying BD content. Today (11/1) I updated the firmware via LG.com to my USB stick, unzipped the file on the stick and stuck into the LG BD, very easy!The screen on this new set is a bit more reflective than the non-reflective matte screen of the older LCD, but with movie content running we see no reflections; note: I do not have lights on at night watching movies. This is a shiny matte screen that I suspect has something to do with the 3D technology. Going from 40k:1 contrast ratio on the old set to 4mil:1 on this one is a noticeable improvement! Don’t get me wrong, the 42LG70 is an excellent TV!Of course the older LG LCD was connected to my 7 yr old Denon AV via HDMI then HDMI from that to the TV. Now I have a new HDMI 1.4 cable connecting this new LG 3D BD to the 3D TV and I am using an analog digital connection from the LG 3D BD to the AV. Works perfectly, my 7.1 speaker system sounds just as good as it did before in my RV. The built in stereo speakers sound great for both music and voice as the LG sound is connected to our gaming computer and only low vol level is needed!So far the 2D and 3D PQ is superb, the 2D to 3D conversion is amazing, we use the set all day for laptop internet stuff but mostly for games, my room mate was up all last night: games are no problem running from my custom gaming computer system via HDMI 1.3 to TV, and watching the evening movie DVD or BD is perfect. I could not be more pleased.By the way, I did not want a TV to connect to the internet, I did not want a BD player to stream video. I have a fine Laptop that connects to the screen via RGB and it does all that (connects to the net via a LG Ally smartphone using Verizon 3G) and we find the LG BD 645 3D player that comes in this package to be quiet, fast, adjusts the screen image, both remotes work for both TV and BD so is your choice as which one U want to use, this is very cool.I think this is the very best value on the market today. If U want to go 3D this is it. What a great package! The 3D glasses (4 pair) that come in this package are light and work well over my prescription glasses (although I will order a couple of clip on type). I will make more comments after we have had this for awhile. If U have a question, ask and I will try to respond. This is a good value for sure! Looks Great! Update 10/31 I have now watched “On Stranger Tides” BD 3D and it was outstanding. Then next night watched the BD Bonus Extras non 3D disc and it was so crisp I was amazed noticing the black sweater worn by Jerry Bruckhelmer was so much a deep true black! Then I put in the non BD non 3D DVD movie disc to see those extras and in all formats this TV outperforms anything I have ever seen!Update: 11/09 Is this the Best TV on the market for all uses? NO. I wanted a NON-INTERNET PASSIVE 3D LED HDTV of 42″ (RV has limitations a house or average apartment would not) and bundled with a fine 3D BD player and 4 sets of 3D passive glasses THIS IS THE BEST VALUE. If one plays action games and wants perfection then one needs to get a PLASMA HDTV and that means ACTIVE 3D and all the problems with that. If one wants an internet connected wi-fi TV and same on a BD player, this is NOT the choice. BUT if all U want is what I was looking for then this is a great value! We cruise the internet about 3 – 4 hours a day; play games 4 – 6 hours a day and watch a movie every night for a couple hours, so we really put a screen through its paces!Update: 11/16 My room mate has played her Wii on this TV for several days now and so far playing the shooter game: “4 Resident Evil” = no screen lag problems playing in “game” mode. Keep in mind the Wii outputs 480 NOT 1080!Update: 11/16 My thoughts about purchasing this item from Amazon … the thing about a high ticket item is that Amazon for some odd reason prices their products like a day trader handling penny stocks. The price dropped $70 in less than 3 weeks of my getting this set and they won’t even give me a credit. $70 is pretty close to 10% and a brick and mortar store in CA would be forced (in CA) to refund the difference, during a 30 day period! I asked for a partial credit toward something else from Amazon and they ignore me. Ya, I could package the whole thing up and return it then order the same item at a $70 savings (the return and shipping costing AMZN more than the price difference!!) but at the moment I am very ill and can barely get off the couch. Seems like pretty poor customer service and a bad 14 day pricing from the day of shipping which, in my case, took a week!!! So U may want to think about WM superstores … more customer friendly service, longer return period, with stable values and price matching!Update: 11/25 watched “Resident Evil: Afterlife” BD 3D and we we jumping on the couch trying to avoid being hit by the flying bullets and debris of this terrific action flick, the 3D was truly awesome and my LG snap on 3D glasses over my prescription glasses is a huge improvement! Great HDTV PQ!Update: 12/01 Regarding the LG 3D BD that comes with this 42″ package deal (that I see is no longer listed here at AMZN!?) when I was doing some research this past summer about 3D BD players with dual HDMI I found that many customers were upset with many of the BD players that did NOT recall their last location of watching a movie when they stopped the player and turned it off and then returned later only to find they had to start all over again! Well the Player that comes in this package recalls where U last were just fine, even if U remove and re-insert the disc!!! Great value package!.

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GeekMom » Blog Archive » Geeking Out with the Disney Dream, Part 7: The Shipboard Charge Account

Posted by on February 20, 2012 No comments

1329714603 36 GeekMom » Blog Archive » Geeking Out with the Disney Dream, Part 7: The Shipboard Charge Account

For this final installment of my series about my Disney cruise, I’m going to bare my soul just a little and discuss a taboo subject when taking a cruise: the shipboard account. You know I’m a numbers girl, so I’m going to “go there” with the readers.

The results of the shipboard account will appear on a form slipped under your door just before you depart the ship. If you were really enjoying the cruise, truly relaxing, perhaps you weren’t accounting for every charge during the cruise.

I wish I had, though. Only so that things weren’t quite as shocking.

This is only the second cruise I’ve taken in my life. The first cruise was shorter, we only had one child with us (although my mother-in-law came along and we covered her account also), and I was pregnant so I didn’t consume any alcohol. Also, I’m more inclined to buy Disney souvenirs than I ever would with Carnival.

I know many readers will come forward and say “On my cruise I only bought a trading pin and that’s it.” I guess I’m not that well-disciplined.

When you book your cruise, you will be effectively paying for the stateroom and meals. That’s it.

That ubiquitous Key to the World card will serve as your onboard charge card during the cruise. Not only will it work for charges on the ship, but also on Castaway Cay for drinks and souvenirs. A certain number of days before the cruise (depending on whether you’re a first-time customer or a “Castaway Club” member which is afforded to veteran DCL customers), you will have the opportunity to set up an onboard charge account. Disney prefers you to set up a credit card ahead of time, and daily charges will flow from the onboard account to that authorized credit card. This is not required. You can also set up cash accounts and even put daily spending limits on your cards. Just pay a visit to Guest Services either in the cruise terminal or as soon as you board the ship to put down a cash deposit. If you don’t put down a cash deposit or credit card, Disney will allow you to charge up to a certain point ($300, I believe) before they freeze your account.

CRUISE TIP: Check whether your kids’ Key to the World cards have charging privileges. The adult who booked the cruise has the option to grant charging privileges to kids’ cards, or to remove them. Adults can also set spending limits on the cards. Beware of 11-year-olds who head over to the smoothie bar to buy smoothies for all of his/her new friends! My kids’ cards defaulted to not having charging privileges and had large letters “NC” printed on them.

Consider that these items are able to flow to your Key to the World account:

Don’t forget some other things that will sneak into your vacation budget:

  1. Parking at the port cruise terminal.  At Port Canaveral, this was $15 per day.  There are several discount parking companies nearby, do your research.
  2. Gratuities for your off-shore excursions.  We tipped our boat crew from our snorkeling trip.  Here’s some generic guidance about tipping a boat crew. For our one-hour trip that cost about $140 for the family, we tipped $20.
  3. Gratuities for those who will help with your luggage at the cruise terminal.  It’s customary to tip about $1-2 per bag.  We tipped $5 for our four bags in both checking in and disembarking.
  4. Luggage fees if you’re flying.
  5. Might you need a hotel before or after your cruise? That expense might sneak up on you. Many of the nearby hotels have deals where you may keep your vehicle parked at the hotel for the duration of the cruise.  The hotel shuttle will deliver you/pick you up from the cruise terminal.  This is a good setup for many families.

When all is said and done, these things can really add up.  Here are some tips for keeping your room charge costs down:

Boy, I hope I don’t come off as a cheapskate.  But I hope I DO come off as sensible.  I want to enjoy myself on vacation, and not have to worry about the costs of stuff. However, I personally can’t stand having to buy something on vacation that I *know* we have a home.  My husband makes fun of me for how I will stuff my suitcase with things we “might” need “just in case” we’re encountered with assorted “situations”.  Three swimsuits per person.  Just in case someone has a spill, a rip or some other tragic accident.  That way I don’t have to buy a gift shop swimsuit.

I hope I’ve inspired some outside-the-box ideas so families can save money not just on a Disney Cruise, but on a family vacation in general.  Happy travels!

Patricia Vollmer is a geeky meteorologist mother of two emerging geek sons, ages 6 & 9.  She spent 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and has been an AF Reservist since 2005.  Hobbies include crocheting, running, cooking, and exploring the world with her boys.  Ask her why the sky is blue at your own risk. She blogs about her Air Force family life at Ground Control to Major Mom.  The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the United States Air Force.    

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Fantasy becoming close to reality for Disney

Posted by on February 19, 2012 No comments

Mike Kelly, a travel writer from Fremont, Ohio, and a friend to Goofy about Disney, had the rare opportunity to tour the Disney Fantasy cruise ship during the later stages of its construction in Papenburg, Germany. Here is his report:

By MIKE KELLY / SPECIAL TO GOOFY ABOUT DISNEY

PAPENBURG, Germany — Taking a hard-hat tour of the still-unfinished Disney Cruise Line’s Fantasy is a tricky proposition. It’s not easy to take in the soon-to-be-ornate surroundings while stepping over, under and around the cables, hoses, power saws and piles of construction material littering nearly every open space and passageway.

The newest addition to the Disney fleet has been under construction here in northwest Germany for nearly three years, but there seems to be so much undone that it’s almost inconceivable that the ship will be completed in time for its scheduled christening in New York City on March 1.

10467352 large Fantasy becoming close to reality for DisneyDisney Cruise LineThe massive bow portion of the Disney Fantasy is swung into position at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

But that’s no fantasy, said Peter Hackmann, spokesman for Meyer Werft, the massive German shipyard that has been turning out tankers, ferries and ocean liners since the late 18th century. The company also built the Fantasy’s sister ship, the Disney Dream, which was launched in January, 2011.

“It’s never easy,” Hackmann said, “but we’ve done it before.” In addition to its own 2,500 employees, the shipbuilder also has 3,500 subcontractors working round the clock on the Fantasy — electricians, carpenters, plumbers, plasterers and more — all under the watchful eyes of Disney’s own Imagineers from the United States, some of whom have been overseeing the project in Papenburg for years.

10467359 large Fantasy becoming close to reality for DisneyMike KellyMany of the public spaces aboard the Fantasy were little more than construction zones just a few weeks ago.

Assembling a cruise ship is a little like piecing together a model, with each vessel made up of 70 or 80 “blocks,” some the size of an automobile, others as large as an apartment building.

“It’s just like making something out of Legos, only a little bigger,” Hackmann said. After its hull was deemed watertight, the Fantasy was “floated out” of its cavernous construction shed Jan. 8 and moored at Meyer Werft’s fitting-out pier.

Last week, it was escorted by tugs 25 miles down the River Ems to the North Sea, where interior work and systems testing will continue during sea trials. The cruise line is scheduled to take possession of the ship Feb. 9, and a week or so after that, it will cross the Atlantic, bound for New York.

Like Disney’s three other ships, the Fantasy is designed to look like a classic 1930s ocean liner, with an elongated hull and sleek lines from bow to stern. And like the Dream, the 14-deck Fantasy weighs in at 130,000 tons, half again as large as the cruise line’s first two ships, the Magic and the Wonder, both of which began sailing in the late 1990s.

10467385 large Fantasy becoming close to reality for DisneyMike KellyA steady stream of workers moved on and off the Fantasy around the clock as the shipyard worked toward its deadline of completing the ship.

Each of the newer ships has 1,250 staterooms, which can accommodate up to 4,000 passengers (With families aboard, Disney figures 3.2 passengers per stateroom).

While very similar to its sister ship, the Fantasy includes differences as well. Some were prompted by passenger experience on the Dream, while others came about because the ship will be taking seven-day cruises, instead of the three- and four-day trips taken by the Dream. With more time at sea, passengers are expected to want more shipboard activities.

“We wanted something different, but we also built on the success of the Dream,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line, who helped lead the shipyard tour.

Lysa Migliorati, senior development manager for Disney, explained that while the Dream’s design was art deco, characterized by bold, geometric forms, the Fantasy will lean more toward art nouveau, with its more subtle colors and more natural stylized forms.

10467392 large Fantasy becoming close to reality for DisneyMike KellyDisney Cruise Line president Karl Holz helped lead a tour through his company’s newest ship.

The Fantasy will include some of the same features that have proven popular on the Dream, such as the AquaDuck water coaster ride, “virtual portholes” in its 150 inside staterooms, an adult entertainment district, and “enchanted art” that comes to life throughout the ship.

The adults-only entertainment district on the Fantasy, called Europa, will include lounges inspired by night spots in Italy, France, Ireland and London. The only carryover from the Dream is the Skyline bar, whose windows provide video views of European cityscapes.

Among the new offerings aboard Fantasy are:

() A water play area for families called AquaLab, which includes pop jets, geysers, and bubblers;

() Two new Broadway-style musicals, “Wishes” and “Disney’s Aladdin”;

() An Animator’s Palate feature that brings passengers’ own drawings to life, having them dance with Disney characters and appear in scenes from Disney movies;

() A shipwide interactive adventure game featuring the Muppets;

() A miniature golf course;

() The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirates League, where young girls and boys can get makeovers as Disney princesses and anyone can be made into a pirate.

The Fantasy’s maiden seven-night voyage in the western Caribbean will leave Port Canaveral, Fla., on March 31, with stops at the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.

It will then alternate that itinerary with eastern Caribbean cruises, with stops at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay.

For more information, phone 800-951-3532 or visit disneycruise.disney.go.com.

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World’s largest online cruise community reveals top cruise ships : Beach Maniac

Posted by on February 19, 2012 No comments

1329674948 86 World’s largest online cruise community reveals top cruise ships : Beach Maniac

Cruise Critic, the leading cruise reviews site, has released the winners of its 2012 Cruisers’ Choice Awards — the cruise awards based entirely on ratings and reviews submitted by cruisers. The Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards highlight the best cruise ships in three ship classes according to passenger capacity — small (1,199 passengers or fewer), mid-sized (1,200 to 1,999) and large (2,000+). Awards are presented to the top 10 ships in each class in the following categories: Overall, Cabins, Dining, Embarkation, Entertainment, Fitness, Public Rooms, Service, Shore Excursions, Value-for-Money and Family. This year, for the first time, awards are also given to the best ships by destination and by the regions from which they sail.

Select 2012 Winners

LARGE CRUISE SHIPS – The 2,850-passenger Celebrity Equinox took the overall top spot in the largest class of cruise ships, beating Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, which claimed the number-one spot last year. Celebrity Equinox is also the highest-rated large ship in the Value-for-Money and Public Rooms categories, while Oasis of the Seas held on to its title as the Cruisers’ Choice for Entertainment.

For a complete list of winners in all categories for large ships, please visit:cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?category=Overall&sort=large

MID-SIZED CRUISE SHIPS – The 1,506-passenger Thomson Dream, which is owned by the UK-based line Thomson Cruises, was awarded first place in the Best Overall Medium Ship category, also winning the Best Entertainment and Best Service awards. Oceania’s Marina was also a favorite in this class and came first for Dining, Fitness and Public Rooms.

For a complete list of winners in all categories for mid-sized ships, please visit:cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?category=Overall&sort=medium

SMALL CRUISE SHIPS – In the small-ship class, 694-passenger Azamara Journey won Best Overall Small Ship along with Best Fitness and Best Service. Crystal Symphony also achieved exceptional ratings from cruisers and came first for Dining, Embarkation and Public Rooms.

For a complete list of winners in all categories for small ships, please visit:cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?category=Overall&sort=small

This year, Cruise Critic introduced awards in destination categories to highlight the highest-rated ships sailing to the most popular destinations, as well as those sailing from some of the busiest cruise regions.  Winners include:

Best Alaska Cruise                   AmsterdamHolland America LineBest Bahamas Cruise                Disney DreamDisney Cruise LineBest Caribbean Cruise                Celebrity EclipseCelebrity CruisesBest Mediterranean Cruise          Azamara QuestAzamara Club CruisesBest Cruise from Florida               Celebrity EquinoxCelebrity CruisesBest Cruise from the Northeast      Celebrity SummitCelebrity CruisesBest Cruise from the West Coast     AmsterdamHolland America Line

For the complete list of 2012 Cruisers’ Choice Awards winners in all categories, please visit cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm.

“The most important opinions about cruises and cruise ships are those of the passengers who sail on them,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “With these awards, we give cruisers center stage and highlight the reviews they’ve submitted on Cruise Critic. Overall, the cruise lines do a fantastic job of keeping their customers happy, and the reviews on Cruise Critic reflect a very satisfied group of travelers who continue to cruise year after year.”

Cruise Critic boasts the largest online cruise community in the world, with 800,000 registered members and more than 90,000 cruise reviews, covering approximately 400 of the most popular cruise ships. Awards are based on ratings and reviews submitted for cruises taken in 2011. It is necessary to register to submit a review. Cruise Critic membership is free of charge and requires a simple online registration. Members are asked to provide comprehensive reviews with details of where and when they sailed.

For the complete list of 2012 Cruisers’ Choice Awards winners, please visit cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm.

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Reader Services

Posted by on February 18, 2012 No comments

1329598147 50 Reader ServicesJacobs Nierenberg Wagster

DAYTONA BEACH — With five hours of interviews and a wine-and-dine reception, the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau could have found its new president — but with one candidate yet to be interviewed, that won’t be clear until later this month.

In the extensive interview process Thursday afternoon at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club, members of the bureau’s supervisory Halifax Area Advertising Authority asked three candidates for the position about their thoughts on Daytona Beach’s brand, their management styles, strategies for consensus-building, and the spending of public money.

The candidates also attended a welcome reception afterward with drinks and hors d’oeuvres with local officials and community members.

The three candidates who attended were Howard Jacobs, principal at Portland, Ore.-based Continuum Consulting; Bruce Nierenberg of Davenport, Fla., who owns a business called Seabridge Ferry Services Inc.; and DeSales Wagster, vice president of strategic alliances for Speedway Motorsports Inc. in Charlotte, N.C.

A fourth candidate, Jeffrey Hentz, executive director and CEO of Destination Yosemite and the Mariposa County Convention & Visitors Bureau in Mariposa, Calif., was unavailable but will be interviewed Feb. 20.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau operates with more than $5 million collected from taxes on short-term rentals, and has been without a president since July, when the HAAA board fired former CEO Janet Kersey by a 6-5 vote.

Wagster was the first interviewee. She emphasized her view of Daytona Beach as a destination with marketable niches and an existing tourism infrastructure.

“You are first, a visitor destination,” she said. “That’s huge.

“Second, you’re a group destination now. Like it or not, that’s the business you’re in. Third, you have a cluster of motorsports.”

Wagster had a number of specific ideas for the destination. She compared the Convention & Visitors Bureau to similar bureaus in other markets, and said the other bureaus spent more on staffing and less on advertising. She suggested the bureau should have its own building in a more central location to be a one-stop shop for visitors.

Jacobs took his experience running and marketing hotels, as well as sitting on tourism boards in Oregon, and described how it would serve him as the bureau’s president.

Jacobs felt the bureau should switch to more online advertising, as well as improve its search engine optimization and social media presence. To board members who asked how his entrepreneurial skills would translate into running a quasi-governmental organization, he noted his experience on governmental tourism boards.

He cited a relevant example from serving on a board in Portland: finding a way to overcome the hurdles faced planning conventions in a center that didn’t have an attached convention hotel.

“I see this role, frankly, from the very first day of the assignment has to be immersed in talking and listening and consensus building,”he said.

Nierenberg, a former top executive for cruise lines such as Norwegian and the founder of former official Disney cruise line Premier, said he wanted to turn Daytona Beach into a new kind of destination.

Specifically, he suggested the area could become an all-inclusive destination with hotels and businesses partnering together to offer an entire experience for a set price.

“Nothing works better than success,” he said. “And if you can make something get traction and people start to see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel … it really helps a lot.”

Nierenberg, as a former high-powered chief executive, acknowledged that some board members might be wondering why he wanted the job. He said he wanted to keep working for 10 more years before he retired, and saw Daytona Beach as a rewarding challenge.

After the interviews, HAAA board members said they didn’t want to rank the candidates out of respect for the fourth candidate, Hentz.

They expressed some dismay that only six of the 11 board members were present at the interview session, but came to a consensus that whoever they choose needs to be someone who can innovate and bring in new ideas.

Blaine Lansberry, a longtime area hotelier, said she knew some members felt like she was against change, but said emphatically she felt something had to be done to bring tourists back to the area.

“We have got to move forward from this point in a dramatic fashion so Daytona Beach doesn’t die,” she said. “I’m behind any change that can help us not only survive but thrive.”

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