Updates from Tom Baker RSS Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Tom Baker 11:50 am on April 15, 2011 COMMENT  

    Le Boreal: C’est Magnifique! 

    borealAttention luxury travelers! If you haven’t heard about this exciting cruise line, I am going to gleefully shout about it from the mountaintops.

    Compagnie du Ponant is a lovely small-ship cruise line that has 5 intimate yacht ships in its fleet. Decidedly French in flair, décor, staffing and cuisine, make this one of the most interesting offerings in the cruise business today.  I just returned from a preview cruise to the Bahamas on the elegant new Le Boreal. This ship just returned from Antarctica  and South America where she has been sailing for the last few months.  Compagnie du Ponant refers to their unique fleet as ‘Your Yacht…Your Crew’.

    Le Boreal is the same size as Seabourn’s smaller ships at 466 feet long, 10,000 tons, and carries a maximum of 264 passengers in 132 lovely cabins and suites. She rarely sails at full occupancy since it has favorable single occupancy fares for solo-travelers and 28 of the double cabins can be combined into elegant suites!

    While she is smaller than the current mega-ships sailing the globe today, Le Boreal and her twin sister L’Austral (coming into service in a few short weeks) offer unique port-intensive itineraries. The emphasis is on ports, service, lectures, all within a yacht like experience. These gorgeous vessels are individually decorated in exquisite décor with Le Boreal having a monochromatic color scheme of Red, white, and gray tones. Her newer sister L’Austral is decorated in Gourmet caramel, whites, and beiges. The décor is exquisite, appealing, contemporary, and of the highest quality.  Both ships feature Swarovski Crystal rain tower sculptures in the lobby as well as chandeliers in the dining rooms. She is stable with a double hull (required for her Antarctica cruising) and she has an anti-heeling system as well as being fully stabilized. There are a number of elevators, large wide stairwells, and she is fully ADA compliant. This vessel also maintains the highest Green Classification by European shipping standards. It doesn’t get ANY better!

    Cabins average 246 square feet for a standard balcony cabin. These are elegant rooms with large closets, all white leather panel fronting for the drawers, closets, and headboard. They offer a flat screen TV, iPod docking station, 24-hour room service, gorgeous bedding, sitting area, a spacious balcony, and a bathroom that offers a sliding panel so you can watch the sea while you shower. The toilet is contained in a separate unit altogether which I particularly liked. Amenities are L’Occitane or Carita Spa depending on your cabin type.

    Service onboard ranges from French officers, management, Filipino cabin attendants, and Mauritian dining room servers. This ship has a number of bars, lounges,  dining areas (both indoor and outdoor), shops, full Carita Spa, gym, large swimming pool and hair salon. There is no casino. The service is personalized and more like a yacht without the structure of a larger cruise ship. This means if you are enjoying a particular port, the Captain can stay longer for guests enjoyment.  Service ashore is via a myriad of zodiac’s that depart from the ships aft marina.. They are high speed and offer up-close sightseeing in places like Antarctica.

    The cuisine is masterfully prepared by French Chefs and offers a limited menu with 2-3 entrée choices. The desserts are divine and frankly, some of the BEST I have ever had. Lovely French wines and complimentary beverages accompany lunches and dinners. Alcoholic beverages, mini-bar, and soft drinks otherwise are additional. The onboard currency is in Euro and gratuities can be added electively to the guests account at $15 a day.

    Le Boreal sails to Northern Europe, The Mediterranean, South America, and Antarctica in 2011. Both sister ships sail the World in 2012 but will spend the winter in Antarctica.  Compagnie du Ponant offers US cruise pricing as low as $2401pp for a 7-day cruise on L’Austral sailing roundtrip from Venice, Italy to Croatia this Summer. This is very affordable luxury!

    I don’t want to forget the other three ships in the Ponant fleet. They include the 32 cabin Le Ponant, 45 cabin Le Levant, and Le Diamant (formerly Song of Flower) with 113 cabins. All are special and unique in today’s cruise industry.

    If you have cruised on smaller ships like Windstar, Seabourn, Silversea, and are looking for something exciting and NEW, check out Compagnie du Ponant.  C’est Magnifique!

    Share
     

  • Tom Baker 6:00 pm on April 1, 2011 COMMENT  

    Something new to most (American) gay cruise fans: Swan Hellenic Cruises 

    Most of us are familiar with the major cruise brands owned by Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean, and NCL, but there are many smaller brands that haven’t been gobbled up by the biggies…yet. British cruise company Swan Hellenic is one of them, and Ship Expert Tom Baker says a sailing on their Minerva is a great experience. – Ed.

    Swan Hellenic Minerva

    Swan Hellenic Minerva

    A cruise aboard Swan Hellenic’s 320 passenger Minerva is a unique experience, perfect for the gay who has been everywhere! The Minerva’s interior is designed to reflect a British Manor House, and she offers port-intensive itineraries that are planned and meticulously executed (discovery) cruising.

    With more than 50 years’ experience this British company has perfected the art of small ship discovery to perfection. This is a British product designed for well-traveled clientele looking for rewarding port itineraries, intimacy, a cerebral learning experience while touring, and the atmosphere of a private Country Club.

    A Swan Hellenic cruise also represents excellent value for money in today’s many choices of cruise offerings, with so much included in your fare:

    • Itinerary to fascinating ports of call that includes evenings in port and overnight stays
    • An exciting array of shore excursions hosted be renowned historians and expert lectures on the ports-of-call
    • A stimulating Guest Speaker series
    • A Swan Hellenic on-board crew that is trained to take care of every detail for the most discriminating traveler.
    • All onboard gratuities, soft drinks, bottled water, and wine with diner are also included on board.

    While most of the Minerva’s passengers are British, North Americans will feel at home in this elegant—but not stuffy—British Manor House. The staterooms are quite a bit smaller than most contemporary ships but that is overlooked by guests who are enamored with the brilliant onboard experience. This ship has a 95% perfection rating among its valued travelers. That is amazing!!! The ship was recently refreshed and updated to maintain the ultimate in guest comforts and luxury. Dining onboard is open seating and offers gourmet international fare (not British cooking), even though Minerva’s heritage is decidedly British…

    Minerva is a small ship, offering a truly unique cruising experience:

    • Travel in country house-style comfort with around 320 like-minded passengers
      Discover the history and culture of civilizations ancient and modern
      Enjoy a tailor-made program of inclusive escorted shore excursions worth up to $900
      Travel with eminent Guest Speakers, who bring you closer to each destination
      Dine in the restaurant of your choice in the company of your friends
      Exceptional value for money, including all tips on board and ashore
      Travel with an experienced British company established in 1954

    Swan Hellenic offers a very special cruise experience in today’s huge cruise offering. It has exceptional value for example you can travel to the Mediterranean in 2011 on Minerva, a small luxury ship including your gratuities, many beverages, and all excursions for under $200 per person a day-Now that’s value!!!

    Happy Cruising

    Share
     

  • Tom Baker 5:46 pm on March 4, 2011 COMMENT
    Tags: , MSC, Splendida   

    MSC Yacht Club: A ship-within-a-ship 

    MSC Splendida

    MSC Splendida

    I just returned from a 4-day cruise that sailed from Athens, Greece to Genoa, Italy. It was aboard a relatively unknown product for the US cruise marketplace but one that promises to become a household name in years to come…  MSC Cruises is now the third largest brand behind Carnival corporation (and its multiple brands) and Royal Caribbean International (and its brands).  MSC is owned by MSC container company, the 2nd largest private shipping company in the World based out of Naples, Italy. It is owned by the Aponti family of Geneva and is Europe’s favorite contemporary/premium brand.

    MSC sails seasonally from the U.S. Due to it’s unknown status they have had a rough go of it because they have had to offer the lowest price points in our market to attract passengers and has suffered by largely not attracting the right customer on its ships.  Lower price points attract a lower caliber of traveler in most cases. This is not a judgment statement but a known fact.

    MSC Ships offer a solid 4-Star (contemporary) cruise experience with premium and luxury elements (yes, please read-on). They offer a great European style cruise experience that is fun filled,  great entertainment, and an affordable onboard experience.  Drinks and other onboard facilities are less expensive than other competitive US based brands. The MSC fleet of ships are among the cleanest in the World. Each ship goes into dry-dock every 2 years to ensure it is not only spotlessly clean but “eco-green”. BTW, no other cruise line goes to this extreme measure.

    MSC has one of the newest fleets of ships that I would compare to traveling to Europe and staying in a fine European hotel. The staff all speak English but guests come from a myriad of countries across the board. There is only one public announcement made each day at 4:30pm but is made in 5 languages. This is truly a United Nations travel experience.

    I just sailed on the 1.5 year old MSC Splendida christened  in July of 2009 by MSC godmother, Sophia Loren. This 135,000 ton mega ship has gorgeous lines and looks like a huge yacht. She is gorgeous inside and out. There are 1636 cabins and suites and she sails year round in the Mediterranean along with her slightly 7 month older sister, the MSC Fantasia. These two ships are gorgeous masterpieces filled with exciting Italian décor, style, and sparkle inside and out. They are superb reflections in modern shipbuilding, design, and Italian style!

    MSC Cruises is on a fast track to build new ships and will invest nearly $5 billion dollars in new builds over the next few years but has a very special niche product that I am going to introduce today. It is called the MSC Yacht Club and is found only on the Fantasia and Splendida (twin sister ships and MSC’s biggest ships). It is a special ship-within-a-ship. The Yacht Club consists of 72 suites found on decks 16 and 17 (and 3 panoramic suites on Deck 12)  in an enclave that is a card access area for guests in the Yacht Club suites. These are very special accommodations and offer something unique in today’s cruise experience. All of these suites range around 300-600 square feet and give guests intimate butler service (all butlers are trained in Holland and are true professionals). Door-to-door welcome service for meet and greet on the pier and a quick whisk to the guests lovely suite along with luggage-no waiting in lines here-EVER! This key only access enclave for Yacht Club members offer an ALL-INCLUSIVE cruise experience with beverages, alcohol, mini-bar, private restaurant for all meals, private large concierge lounge called the panoramic over the bow view Top Sail Lounge that has its own bar, continuous elegant snack, meal service, daily high tea, and so much more. The Yacht Club entrance is flanked by a large 2 story spiral staircase made of gold colored Swarovski crystals valued at $3000 Euro per step. There is private access to the Aurea Spa with priority spa appointments, free access into the Thermal Suites and Turkish Sauna, and there is The One Pool on Deck 17 that offers Yacht Club an oasis of a gorgeous private pool, Jacuzzi’s, sunning, area, bar with complimentary beverages, and meals-all with incomparable butler service! It was great to have this amazing enclave of elegant services in supreme style and luxury but have the ability to “Go Downtown” to enjoy the ships other venues, entertainment, and activities.

    The suites are all decorated in rich jewel tones and have a smart retro Italian design. They are spacious and have a flat screen interactive Samsung TV with Nintendo, walk in closets, Masciano sheets and bathrobes, fine Delorean mattresses and pillow, 24-hour room service, complimentary fully stocked mini-bars, spacious marble bathroom, nice sized balconies and 24-hour butler and concierge service.

    THE BEST PART

    The butlers may seem a bit much for some guests but this is truly where MSC Yacht Club shines. I encountered the most gracious butler service ever! My assigned butler was Titan, a gracious Indonesian man who was trained at the Butler’s Academy in Holland and has been providing this type of service for 12 years. He was kind, sensitive, and never overbearing. I always looked forward to seeing his smiling face and being escorted around the ship to my reserved showroom seats, or going to the gift shop to pick my up some Excedrin when I had a headache. He also escorted me on and off the ship through any possible lines or delays. I was surprised to see him at the gangway waiting for me to take my parcels of shopping items back to my suite after a shopping spree in Palermo, Italy! MSC provides this service to all Yacht Club members including a private arrival and departure area where you and your luggage are delivered to your suite in tandem – this never happens even on the most luxurious of ships. I am now a fan of this NEW 5-star product and will come back time and time again as it is quite affordable compared to booking a suite on almost any other line. Please note that the Yacht club with butler service is only available on MSC Fantasia, Splendida, and the NEW Divina coming in May 2012.

    So, I just gave you a thumb nail sketch about these amazing ALL-INCLUISVE services that are available for a very reasonable price compared to other cruise lines and are only 10-15% higher priced than MSC’s standard suite accommodations. The latter do not have Yacht Club access. This exclusive enclave can be had for 7-days in the Mediterranean from just $3999 per person for a MSC Yacht Club suite including airfare, All-Inclusive beverage program, private transfers to and from the ship, full amazing butler service, all private facilities, dining, lounge, and pool, a day prior hotel departure with hotel stay, and a $100pp onboard credit. No other cruise line can touch this luxury value.

    MSC Yacht Club (a solid 5-Star+ Experience) is perfect for any cruiser who is sailing on a contemporary or premium class ship in higher accommodations but looking for something extraordinary. It is great for small ship luxury guests who are taking their multi-generational family members on a cruise who want exclusivity but still can “Go Downtown” to enjoy the ships other activities, incredible entertainment, and other facilities that are more contemporary and offer a (4-Star Experience). I highly recommend this one-of-a-kind cruise experience in the MSC Yacht Club!

    Share
     

    • ANDREW THOMPSON 10:57 pm on June 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      HELLO I WOULD LIKE A MSC YACHT CLUB SUITE IN APRIL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE INFORMATION. ALSO I WILL BE COMING FROM LOS ANGELES AND THE OTHER PERSON WILL BE COMING FROM PARIS. PLEASE ADVISE HOW THIS WORKS WITH THE AIRFARE. THANKYOU

  • Tom Baker 12:42 pm on February 9, 2011 COMMENT
    Tags:   

    What should cruisers know about the situation in Egypt? Our expert agent weighs in 

    Egyptian scene from the Nile River

    Egyptian scene from the Nile River

    Things are changing very fast in Egypt. My comments are specifically about the tourism situation in Egypt, which is integral to Egypt’s overall well-being as a major source of income to the country. This is not a political statement.

    I am reticent to comment too much because I understand the political landscape of Egypt and understand what is transpiring in Egypt today.

    Cruise specific: The situation on the Nile Cruise run between Luxor and Aswan is very quiet compared to the city(s) situation. The boats have been moving — visiting the great temples with tens of thousands of tourists in this area of Upper Egypt. There seems to be a “business as usual” mode. Most of the tourists here will be flown from Luxor back to Europe and beyond for flights home. Many tourists to Egypt are currently in this area.

    Non-cruise specific: All major tour companies and airlines have suspended tours and sightseeing for the next few weeks (during the first 2 weeks of February) and are allowing cancellation without penalty. Beyond that, some companies are allowing guests to postpone or move their trip to a later date. Please know the story of tourism is VERY strong and the fine tour operators are working to care for their guests.

    My understanding is that there are nearly 400,000 international tourists in Egypt. While many are flying out of Egypt and being evacuated when possible, no tourists are being targeted in this request for government change. This event is political and not a terrorist attack. While the hotels in downtown Cairo have asked guests to remain in place and their tour operators are working to transfer them to the airports for flights home (as best possible), there are tourists seeing the pyramids today, tourists have been out sightseeing, and seen walking the streets of Cairo. One American couple said they went to the Islamic Quarter yesterday and the Citadel.

    This speaks volumes in itself, but having said this, there are tens of thousands of demonstrators in a city of nearly 20 million inhabitants. The scene is not wide scale mass chaos as the media would prevail. I spoke to an Egyptologist friend this morning who rode the bus to see the state of the Cairo Museum which did incur some damage. Several of King Tut’s exhibits were damaged and some were broken. Two mummies had their heads removed. This is a travesty but likely the work of hooligans.  The museum was not widely looted, however, and exhibits seemed to be specifically targeted by these hooligans.  As you have likely heard, there is a military and human chain around this treasure to protect the great antiquities of Egypt. My guide friend said it was quiet as he crossed through the city but businesses were opening, street vendors were out on the streets, and there were families walking together in mass. It was not all chaos… He said is  was oddly quiet until he reached the museum and downtown area where most of the protesters were today.

    The situation for tourists is delicate but knowing the ability of the many fine tour operators in Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo, will do their best to accommodate every tourist as comfortably as possible until The Cairo International Airport is able to accommodate the many flights (most of the International flights arrive and depart during the nighttime hours) in newly accommodated flight schedules.

    Lastly, a lot will change in coming days. While there are travel warnings by many countries to eliminate all essential travel until the end of February, I hope this country can return to a level of tourism “business as usual” in short order. The vacuum of tourism leaves the economy in further dire straits. Egyptians will want to get themselves back on track in short order.

    I am planning to travel with a large group at the beginning of May and hope all returns to a level of normalcy where the amazing antiquities, history, and charm of the Egyptian people can be experienced once again in an environment of peace and hospitality.

    Share
     

  • Tom Baker 4:54 pm on January 1, 2011 COMMENT
    Tags: bargain cruise, Cruise News, , price increases, value   

    Tom Baker's Crystal Ball: predictions for the cruise industry in 2011 

    Happy New Year!

    2010 was exciting for the entire cruise industry with excellent profits and bookings. While the cruise lines want higher prices and more profits, I predict that 2011 will bring the following:

    Overview for 2011

    • 2011 will remain a great value for most cruise travelers.
    • Exotic and longer cruises continue to remain popular and sell out quickly.
    • Best buys are still the Caribbean and Mexico.
    • Those waiting for last minute bargains may be rewarded with lower prices, however, they will be the for the lowest priced cabins, airfare may be harder to achieve, and dining preferences may not be confirmed due to the status of booking closer to departure.

    I believe cruising remains the BEST VALUE in the travel industry, a safe vacation (despite a few heavily exposed issues with the Carnival Splendor fire and Brilliance of the Seas Mediterranean Winter Med cruise storm). It is still the safest form of transportation, has the highest customer satisfaction, and remains an affordable luxury for most travelers.

    Contemporary 4-Star Rated Brands (Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and NCL)

    Prices will continue to remain affordably low in the North American markets for cruises departing from the USA.

    The caveat: to generate additional  revenues there will be a constant push for guests to purchase onboard the ships with:

    • Increased bar prices
    • More shore excursion options
    • More art auctions
    • Dining options with a fee
    • Consumers beware! But complaining will not change this behavior.

    The Exception: Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Allure of the Seas will continue to command the highest prices for Caribbean itineraries. The novelty of these exciting ships is unheralded and demand continues to keep pricing high. It’s important to remember that while these ships have set a new standard of offering, they are still a 4-star contemporary product and you will still pay for all the added amenities and push for onboard revenue discussed above…

    The contemporary brands are pushing for more overseas guests paying in Euros to help offset the lower prices being driven by the US market. This potentially lessens cruise availability for US travelers for US ports to the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and other popular North American destinations. The cruise industry is also extending the European cruise season for the prior stated rationale.

    Premium 5-Star Rated  Brands (Celebrity, Holland America, Oceania, Azamara, and Cunard)

    These brands will continue to suffer in North American markets due to heavy competition in price sensitive markets—the Caribbean, Alaska, Canada/New England, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and Mexico. As a result, these brands may be the “best buy.” These are not “fun” ships, they generally offer a higher-caliber cruise experience and are a better value for today’s consumer. These brands also suffer from competition from the Contemporary brands. It is a shame that brand lines have diminished due to low premium cruise prices.

    The Premium Exception: Europe continues to be the driving force for premium brands and European travelers (paying in Euros) have become very attractive to the cruise lines. They can command higher revenues by keeping these higher quality ships away from the price sensitive US markets.

    Luxury 6-Star Rated Brands (Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises)

    Prices remain quite high (compared to the other brands) for these exceptional cruise lines which offer the highest-caliber product. There are, however, some incredible value points available in the market, especially with Seabourn and Silversea where all-inclusive 7-day cruises start at $2,199pp. This is value!!!

    Share
     

    • Scotty Arnold 1:44 am on January 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Excellent review Tom!! Thanks for the information!!

  • Tom Baker 10:21 am on December 15, 2010 COMMENT
    Tags: Seabourn, Seabourn Sojourn   

    The Amazing Seabourn Sojourn 

    © Photo by Sebourn

    © Photo by Sebourn

    Having recently spent two days aboard the new Seabourn Sojourn, it has become apparent to me why this small ship cruise line is the pinnacle of luxury and has the highest standards in today’s competitive cruise industry.

    This new ship is some 30,000 tons, 600 feet long and caters to only 450 guests in all-suite accommodations. Seabourn refers to the Sojourn as a yacht but she is a cruise ship albeit a small one. As the unabashed winner of Conde Nast’s annual Readers Choice Awards as the ‘Best’ small ship line, I will agree that this company sets the standards for higher levels of food, service and accommodations. The staffs attitude is to always please the guest, to never say no, and to go the extra step to provide a guests every need. The training that takes place for Seabourn staff must be nothing less than remarkable as they are unfailingly polite, courteous to every request and go that extra mile.

    I am sitting in my spacious suite which is nearly 365 square feet, including my balcony, a comfortable living room, two soft plush leather tub chairs and a dining table. The bedroom is separated by sliding silk curtains and there is a full bar with the guests choice of premium alcohol. The smallish flat screen interactive TV has more pre-programmed movies and TV shows than one could possibly watch. Room service is among the best I have ever encountered anywhere. After a late night in the ships Club where the band played with a lively crowd until at least 2 am, I retreated to my suite and ordered a delicious Caesar shrimp Salad and crisp fries – served to absolute perfection!

    The touches of quality are everywhere! This ship has abundant marble and granite, fine art and has the look of a plush country club. Simply elegant but not pretentious. My room stewardess Monika was waiting in the hallway to greet us on embarkation day with two glasses of champagne and some salmon hors de oeuvres’.  She kindly offered us a choice of elegant bathroom soaps while discussing the benefits of the luxurious suite. The suite had a stunning masculine bathroom adorned in brown marble and grey granite, a large walk-in closet and plenty of storage space for a significant wardrobe. Monika is perfectly adorable. On our final night she left us a sweet note on the bed with a red rose. The entire staff was just delightful!

    I am going to add that Seabourn has dropped its enforced dress code to far fewer formal nights and has even adopted a primarily elegantly casual dress code. I think this is wonderful and falls in line with the needs of today’s traveler. The food onboard has been nothing short of marvelous. The meals are as close to gourmet as one could find onboard a ship and service unfailingly professional and superb. It truly does not get better than this. For around $400 a day per person- you too can have an all-inclusive (truly) luxury experience in a suite. I doubt seriously that anyone could match this value on a large mass market cruise ship where you pay for all the extras including tips, alcohol and many other services that Seabourn includes.

    If you have sailed on Seabourn, I would love to hear your thoughts.

    Share
     

    • Donna Hull 7:34 am on December 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      My husband and I just completed a 21-day cruise on Seabourn Sojourn as she made her first Atlantic crossing. I was impressed with the intimate spaces that we found both inside and on the decks of the Sojourn. Seabourn Square is like a living room at sea, including your own coffee bar. We like formal nights and were pleased with the way Seabourn handles the formal optional policy. Those who want to dress up go to dinner in the main restaurant, while those who don’t still have plenty of dining options to choose from. We are expert luxury cruisers, with over 200 nights spent on small luxury cruise ships. Seabourn Sojourn far surpassed our expectations.

    • Josh Friedman 8:14 pm on December 31, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I also spent a couple of days luxuriously sailing aboard Seabourn Sojourn in November — right after Donna disembarked in Ft Lauderdale. I worked for Seabourn in the early days when there was no competition, and I can tell you that Seabourn is still the gold standard by which other ships and lines should be judged. And that’s after 15 years, and having been purchased by Carnival. The ship, staff and cuisine beat Silversea’s new Silver Spirit, and Regent Seven Seas hasn’t launched a new ship in a while. If you’d like to read more of my comments, please visit my blog at http://blog.joshfriedmantravel.com/2010/11/19/seabourn-sojourn-review/

  • Tom Baker 12:32 am on November 14, 2010 COMMENT
    Tags: , , Norwegian Dawn   

    Sex & The City: The ship? 

    Kim Catrall christened the Norwegian Dawn back when Sex & The City was in its heyday. Until recently, I had not been onboard this

    Norwegian Dawn, a gay-friendly ship. Image: NCL

    Norwegian Dawn, a gay-friendly ship, sails from NYC...Sex & The City's Kim Catrall christened her. Image: NCL

    ship since godmother Kim Catrall christened her in New York City nearly 9 years ago, and on a recent voyage I enjoyed the Dawn again very much!

    Nine days on Dawn was a very pleasant experience. This 92,000 ton 2,300 passenger ship offers a fun-filled cruise experience at a very affordable price. She is a spacious and never terribly crowded ship. While she rates in the 4-star category, the Dawn offers NCL’s innovative Freestyle cruise experience with some 13 restaurants and no enforced formal dress code – a plus!

    This ship is spotlessly maintained except for worn balcony railings which needed sanding and varnishing quite badly but otherwise looking very good for her age. She will undergo a major rebuild in the late Spring of 2011 wherein the incredible Spinnaker (observation) Lounge will be replaced by 44 deluxe suites and cabins. The ship will reconfigure a number of public spaces and undergo a major overhaul. I am mixed in my feelings about eliminating the lounge as it adds more capacity to the ship and reduces some public space.

    Nonetheless, I really liked the layout of the ship, it’s flow, and offerings for lively, exciting entertainment options and plenty of

    Dining on Norwegian Dawn. Image: NCL

    Dining on Norwegian Dawn. Image: NCL

    unique restaurant like dining options. Cabins are a bit smaller than other lines but bathrooms have significantly more space and are separated into the 3 part set up with the toilet on one side, the sink in the middle, and an extra large shower on the other. The three compartments have sliding glass doors to give a little more privacy. The average cabin is 150 square feet inside/ocean view, and 201 square feet for a balcony.

    While many guests complained about the non-stop hustle for onboard revenue, this has become standard on the contemporary and premium brands to offset reduced pricing to attract customers during this recession. I understand the need for the lines to draw profits to stay afloat, however, the push has become annoyingly aggressive and offensive. This is not unique to NCL but prevalent on all lines except for luxury cruise lines.

    The service staff onboard Norwegian Dawn were quite pleasant from my perspective and always greeting with a smile. The bar staff never failed to learn guests names and preferences–kudos NCL!

    The Norwegian Dawn rotates a 9 and 5 day Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerary which can be piggy-backed for a 14-day VERY economical cruise… Our incredible 9-day itinerary from Miami included: Samana, Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, and St. Kitts.

    I have spent a lot of time on Norwegian Cruise Line ships this year and have escorted a number of groups on their ships … It has been a rewarding experience overall.

    Share
     

  • Tom Baker 5:24 pm on September 23, 2010 COMMENT
    Tags: Baltic Cruises, , , , , Scandinavian Cruises   

    Sublime Scandinavian Sailing: gay "small group" cruise in Baltic finds great value on NCL 

    I recently accompanied a gay group of 52 cruisers to Scandinavia and Russia on the Norwegian Sun. Many friends and clients have asked how the trip was.

    View of Copenhagen Port from a Cruise Ship. Image courtesy Tourism Copenhagen.

    View of Copenhagen Port from a Cruise Ship. Image courtesy Tourism Copenhagen.

    In a nutshell: it is one of the most-exciting cruises you can take in Europe.

    The Trip. We sailed from Dover (London’s major port) on board the 3-star Norwegian Sun. 12-day Baltic Cruise sailed to Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany (for Berlin); Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg (for 2 very short days, 3 would have been perfect); Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and returned to England.

    Sailing in mid-summer allowed us to experience the season called “White Nights,” so-called because the sun is up almost 24-hours. “Night” lasts only a few short hours and really is just a long twilight that gives way to sunrise—gorgeous and breathtaking sunset-sunrises. Weather in mid-summer is generally great!

    Sitting on my balcony at midnight with the moon on one horizon and the sun on the other was sublime. The sea was ablaze with brilliant light and had an inky black shimmer…amazing.

    NCL Norwegian Sun is great for gay group cruises

    NCL Norwegian Sun is great for gay group cruises. Image courtesy NCL.

    The Ship. The Sun is nearly 10 years old. She has not been refurbished but is impeccably maintained and clean. She was well-painted, clean, and although her furnishings are outdated, not a bad cruise choice. This is one of NCL’s two oldest ships and was one of the first purpose-built “Freestyle Ships”.

    This ship is going to get an overhaul in the near future although nobody can give me a straight answer as to when. The Norwegian Sun could use some updated color schemes and furnishings-she would surely shine!

    The Sun does not have the excitement of maritime architecture of newer NCL ships. But, she offers great value. You cannot beat the prices offered for this ship. She is almost 80,000 tons, carries 1,900 passengers, and is easy to get around barring a couple of specialty restaurants high atop the ship and a lousy-designed Garden Café (the ship’s one downfall).

    I love the freestyle concept as it allows a more resort like atmosphere. I am not one to eat at the same time every night, am not ritualistic, and enjoy a relaxed dress code… This part is for me!

    NCL Norwegian Sun Balcony Stateroom

    NCL Norwegian Sun Balcony Stateroom

    My stateroom. I had a balcony stateroom on Deck 10. It was nearly 250 square feet with a nice-sized, well-maintained balcony. There was more than adequate storage with a double door closet, six full drawers, 11 shelves, storage under the bed, a full six-foot sofa bed (could convert for 3rd passenger), and a spacious bathroom with plentiful storage. Guests in some cabins complained about the shower stall and curtain wrapping itself around them, but I never had that problem. The water pressure was superb, and Elemis shampoo, body soap was replenished by my two cabin attendants. Anyway, the room was decorated in kitschy little boy bedroom decor with anchors abounding on fabrics and carpets and a TV that was a vestige from the past. This all needs updating but it was in great ship. The bed was very comfortable but NCL has upgraded all bedding on all ships with new pillows and thick foam mattress covers for a more comfortable guest rest.

    NCL Gay Friendly. NCL was the early-adopter of Friends of Dorothy (GLBT) gatherings. They are a GLBT friendly cruise line all around and host these gatherings on a daily basis. They are also the first cruise line to use a GLBT godmother with comic icon Rosie O’Donnell being the gal who christened NCL’s beautiful Norwegian Pearl.

    My room stewards had no issues with my partner and I requesting the beds being put together as one bed. We were always made to be felt as welcome guests on this GLBT friendly ship

    The Service. My cabin attendants were “oh so friendly” but sometimes inefficient Indonesians. Delights as they were, they always forgot my special requests.

    The service throughout the ship was good to adequate. I found the bar staff incredibly good although drinks are now very expensive. Costs have increased some 25% in the last year. I predict this is due to cruise pricing plummeting after the market crash last year. This is a chance for them to increase revenues. The dining room service was a little lackluster but food was delivered quickly and warm. The food ranged from average to quite good. I was baffled at this factor but never went hungry. I thought the poorly designed Garden Cafe (24 hour eatery) has great food, selection, and always replenished. It just isn’t big enough for this size of ship. Freestyle worked well too. I never saw any lines or experienced drama about waiting for a meal anywhere. It was also easy to get a reservation in any of the fee based restaurants (where the food is all cooked to order and better than the dining room). I particularly liked these venues as it felt more resort like to me than going to a large convention style dining hall. The food program worked quite well I just think the staff could use a little “up with the people” training in personality and finesse.

    Entertainment. The shows were pretty good but activity seemed to lack. The art auction seemed to be the main event onboard. I felt a few cultural lectures might have made us all feel a little better. A shopping talk for each port is not telling the story of Russia! The lines were long at shipboard art auctions but I think the guests were going for the free art giveaways and champagne rather than buying “Art.”

    Overall While I am a luxury traveler and prefer to surround myself with the best, the 3-star Norwegian Sun did not leave me with any bad taste in my mouth. She offered incredible value, efficient cruise experience, the best embarkation, disembarkation, and luggage delivery I have had in years… Even the pickiest guy or gal can be happy on a ship that makes you feel welcome.

    What / when is Value for this itinerary? I have so many friends who talk about saving money and want to go when the price is “right.” To save money, some of them have travelled to Scandinavia in the early-season when the weather can be nasty. I say: make the most of your experience, shell out a little bit more, and travel during the PEAK season which is June-August. Enough of the commercial about when to go. It is true though… This season is incredible…

    This is in thanks to being in the Baltic during the peak Summer White Nights. If you are going to take this cruise, please go from mid-late June to mid-August… I don’t think you will be disappointed…

    Happy Cruising. Tom Baker

    Share
     

  • Tom Baker 9:29 am on July 1, 2010 COMMENT  

    Luxury Cruises for Gay Travelers: Crystal Cruises Review 

    Crystal Cruises luxury balcony staterooms are popular with gay passengers

    Crystal Cruises luxury balcony staterooms are popular with gay passengers

    We gays love quality, style, and pampering—Crystal Cruise Line offers all of this and more.

    I am always surprised how many of my friends and clients have not heard of or know very little about the amazing Crystal Cruises.

    Crystal Cruises is the highest rated line by Conde Nast Traveler readers for 15 years, the same for Travel & Leisure for 14 years. Crystal actually is the only travel company or hospitality company to rate so high in the history of Conde Nast ratings! We gays love quality, style, and pampering-this cruise line offers all of this and more.

    The ship I am on is Crystal Symphony. She is the #2 rated ship in the world, according to Conde Nast readers, and just a fraction behind her leading newer sister Crystal Serenity.

    This 15-year-old ship is old by cruise ship standards, however, she has undergone repeated refurbishments, upgrades, and has had $50 million in overhauls over the last three years. Honestly, I can promise you there is no other aging ship out there that looks this good. This ship is spotless. The attention to cleanliness, detail, and passenger comfort is amazing. Does she look perfect? No. There seems to be a hodge podge of décor in some places but overall, she is pretty amazing. A decorator might raise his eyebrow in a few place but we all know that style is personal.

    People ask what makes this company unique, my answer is simple: The attention to detail and service are remarkable. The staff are incredibly friendly, amazing, eager to learn your name, and the experience very special…

    This is so far different from any contemporary or premium cruise product that they don’t even exist in the same universe. That is not a snobbish comment but one that exudes what luxury is. Attention to detail, extensive onboard programming that exceeds expectation, service extraordinaire, and a large ship (50,000 tons) that carries a maximum of 900 passengers. There is one crew member here for every two guests! The current industry average is 1 crew for every 3-4 guests… This 7-day sailing from Dover, UK, consists of a wide age group. There are many younger couples with children,  gay couples, middle aged, and elderly clients. The average age is likely mid 50’s. It is a well traveled group and one that seeks the finer experiences in life…

    Sometimes I struggle to explain the value proposition of true luxury cruising such as Crystal provides. Luxury is cherished by those who want and can afford the best. To me the difference is clear. I suppose the same goes for the 50% of guests who repeat frequently with this cruise line and also seek the best experiences when they travel. It is spoiling to have a very personalized cruise where you are not “nickeled and dimed” along the way, where you can enjoy truly superb food, service, and entertainment. It is a pleasure.

    For you cruisers who feel cruising has become mediocre in the premium category and the value proposition has been compromised for a list of personal reasons, come try this line. I seriously doubt you will be sorry and will likely be a fan as I have for the last 20 years this company has been in business.

    Share
     

    • Andrew Lewis 12:42 pm on July 2, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      The Crystal Symphony is definitely my favorite ship. I have logged over 100 days onboard her, including a circumnavigation of South America last winter. She is truly a classic ship and is just the right size to sail comfortably anywhere in the World, while being small enough to be intimate. I especially love their low single supplements which allow me to sail on a true luxury ship for little more than I would pay on a lesser line. The service is outstanding and the cusuine divine!

    • TammieJAMES 10:45 am on March 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Do not a lot of cash to buy some real estate? Worry not, because it is real to take the home loans to resolve such kind of problems. Thence take a short term loan to buy everything you want.

    • Lu Larry 8:54 am on July 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      My partner and I have been on many cruises in the past few years. We have been on numerous different cruise lines but out of all of them nothing compares to Crystal Cruises

      . If you haven’t cruised with them you should check them out! We have never had a more enjoyable experience!

  • Tom Baker 6:43 pm on June 9, 2010 COMMENT
    Tags: , , gay-friendly cruise, , new ship, ship review   

    Ship Preview: NCL Norwegian Epic 

    NCL Norwegian Epic features many innovations in the mega-ship category.

    NCL Norwegian Epic features many innovations in the mega-ship category. (Image courtesy NCL).

    Overview

    NCL is reinventing the Freestyle concept to a whole new level and taking it a notch more upscale too when its newest ship, Norwegian Epic is launched next month. She is going to be one-of-a-kind.  Most new ships are simply sister ships (copies) of existing vessels. While interiors are slightly different, one sees most of the same.

    Norwegian Epic will be different. Highlights:

    The Gay Cruise Innovator

    NCL has been and is the cruise industry innovator of firsts, including many things that especially appeal to gay passengers. NCL has welcomed and respected its Gay community travelers for many years long before its main competitors Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

    • Innovator of the now-expected “Friends of Dorothy” get-togethers for GLBT travelers!
    • Introduced the largest ship in the World in 1980,
    • First company to produce full Broadway musicals at sea
    • Created Freestyle Cruising and dining (now copied by almost all lines)
    • NCL has dedicated 2 full-pages to the GLBT community in its Welcome Aboard “Freestyle” books found in each stateroom throughout the fleet.
    • Invited gay icon, Rosie O’Donnell, to be godmother of the magnificent Norwegian Pearl in 2005. You may remember, Rosie chartered many NCL ships under her R’ Family Vacations venture with her former-partner.

    The Impressive Facts

    • 153,000 tons
    • 1,080 feet long
    • 153 feet wide
    • Carries 4,228 passengers
    • Crew of 1690!

    Cabins

    The decor of all staterooms is more attractive and palatable than the last fleet of NCL ships; Epic is definitely going upscale.

    Epic will set a new standard with "studio" staterooms for one person. (Image courtesy NCL)

    Epic will set a new standard with "studio" staterooms for one person. (Image courtesy NCL)

    First of its kind “studio” stateroom: The Epic has a first of its kind single stateroom called the “studio”. This 99 square foot cabin is sold to single travelers and has a private lounge for single travelers to enjoy each others company. The design is unique with mood lighting, an innovative porthole into the corridor for more light, pull-down shades for privacy, and even padded walls. It looks quite space ship like and will be a first for single travelers to be able to avoid paying a high single rate…Go NCL!

    Standard cabins are primarily balcony rooms called “New Wave Staterooms”. Each room has a curved figure in the design. The look is impressive with taller than usual ceilings. The bathroom is broken into two distinct areas with frosted glass walls for privacy. One side holds the toilet, the other the shower stall. The flooring around and between is wood; the sink is in the cabin itself. This innovative design creates 20% more living space.

    Suites and penthouses are mostly housed in a private key access area called the Courtyard Villa. This enclave of suites has its own gym, restaurant, nightclub, shop, concierge, and gorgeous pool for those willing to pay for it. It is a ship-within-a-ship and one of the hottest most sought after type of accommodations in the entire cruise industry. I have stayed in this Courtyard Villa area on other NCL ships but on Epic the space goes to a whole new level.

    Dining

    Freestyle 21st Century. The most innovative cruise line has also updated Freestyle to more choices of options to do or not do. 20 dining options and many with a surcharge keep the venues capacity controlled and actually create a restaurant like atmosphere. The Freestyle “free” (included) dining choices will be many too so guests who do not want to pay extra won’t need to t worry.

    Entertainment

    Entertainment options will be unbelievable with the Blue Man Group, Las Vegas Legends In Concert, Second City Comedy Troupe, and a new Cirque Dreams dinner theatre with offers a dinner show with circus performances and lasts 110 minutes-this NEW venue comes with a $20 per person fee attached.

    Planned itineraries

    This unique ship will spend her first season sailing roundtrip out of Miami on 7-day junkets to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the Spring of 2011, The Epic moves to Europe’s Gayest Mediterranean city, Barcelona, for a long season of 7-day Mediterranean Cruises.

    Who will want to cruise on this ship? Anyone looking for innovation, excitement, and options. It is really going to be more like a Las Vegas resort floating at sea than a conventional cruise ship due to the options for dining and entertainment. I will be spending a week on her on September 4th and am excited to give a full first-hand report.

    Share
     

    • Bruce 11:19 am on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Am booked to sail on her September 18, 2010 – in one of the Studios

    • Dic Stouffer 11:28 am on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Am booked to sail on her January 2011 in one of the new studio cabins. Can’t wait to see what it is like. Hope it is the answer for those of us who are single cruisers.

      • Brad 6:05 pm on December 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        I am as well booked in one of those studio rooms. Do the rooms sound tiny or it just me? lol

        • Brad 6:06 pm on December 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply

          its the 1/15/10 cruise date

    • Chuck 11:36 am on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      On it Sept. 25! Ready to go. Sounds great!

    • Barry Goody 11:56 am on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I am still not comfortable sailing on NCL after they turned down a “bears” group I have been sailing with for years. NCL thinks all “bears” are alike I guess since they blamed “us” for things that happened on a ship we hadn’t sailed on. Our group has never had any problems blending with the other passengers.

      NCL claims they are so gay-friendly because they don’t want to lose our travel dollars but it will take a long time for me to forgive and forget. Plenty of other ships in the sea!

    • jonathan 1:25 pm on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      am booked for the pre-inaugural sailing 21 june one night Rotterdam-Southampton. Am meeting up with another M.M.O.B subscriber from Germany. will post a review as soon as back

      • Kevin & Lawrence 11:41 pm on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Hi

        We join the epic from Southampton to Rotterdam & back to Southampton, mabe we can meet up

    • George 5:40 pm on June 17, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Anyone booked on Oct. 9 sailing studio cabin?

      • Neil 9:17 pm on August 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        I’ll be on the Oct. 9 eastern carribbean cruise. My first cruise ever — looking forward to it!

      • Marcus 2:54 pm on September 12, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        I will be as well on the October 9 cruise!

    • Steven 8:13 pm on June 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      We are booked on the August 28, 2011 Med cruise from Barcelona. Managed to snag one of the Penthouse courtyard suites, so we’re anxious to read any reviews to see if we made a good decision! Different is better, especially with the curved walls in the balcony suites.

    • Jeroen 11:46 am on July 3, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I love the solo studio’s. Booked for the 28th of august. Can’t wait!

    • Ben 11:26 pm on July 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for this nice and informative post. I liked this very much. All about mood lighting. I bookmarked your site.

    • Ben Dicosta 12:52 am on July 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I would like to thank you for the efforts Verano leather covers the electrically adjustable cabins seats,

    • Darren 7:54 am on April 23, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Single guy travelling on the 5th June on the epic,great to see solo studio’s arriving on this new ship. Hope to meet up with other single people..

← Older posts

Newer posts →

c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
esc
cancel
 

© 2009-12 Meet Me On Board, LLC. All rights reserved.

About Us | Latest News | FAQ | Terms Of Service | Privacy Policy | Bugs | Abuse | Comments | Contact Us | Shop Our Store | Advertise With Us