Independence of the Seas Revisited

This week, we've updated and expanded our section on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.

Independence was the third and final ship in Royal Caribbean's Freedom class. Until Oasis of the Seas entered service, she was the largest cruise ship in the world. She remains in the upper part of the top ten largest cruise ships.

Because she is big, Independence offers a lot to do. Her glamorous interior is geared to those with an active life style.

Since she entered service in 2008, Independence has been Royal Caribbean's primary entry in the British cruising market. Indeed, before she entered service the crew were schooled to understand some of the language differences between British cruise passengers and American cruisers, which most of the crew were more familiar. Independence has sailed each summer since she entered service from Southampton and has developed a considerable British following.

Although Royal Caribbean experimented with having Independence do winter cruises from Southampton, the ship has spent most winters cruising the Caribbean from Florida. As a result, she also has an American following.

After Allure of the Seas entered service in late 2010, Royal Caribbean embarked on a revitalization program for the rest of its fleet. The idea was to give the rest of the fleet some of the popular features from the Oasis class ships. Because Independence was the last ship built before Oasis, her refit, which took place earlier this year, was less extensive than some of the earlier ships.

Still, there were some significant changes. A giant LED television screen was added to the pool deck. A Cupcake Cupboard took the place of the barber shop on the Royal Promenade and the line up of the shops along the Promenade was changed including the addition of a Michael Kors shop. Family cruising was further facilitated by the addition of a Royal Babies center where the youngest passengers can spend some supervised time away from mom and dad. These and other changes ensure that Independence remains a first tier cruise ship.

We have updated our photo tour of the interior and public areas of Independence to reflect the changes made in the 2013 revitalization. It begins at http://beyondships.com/RCI-IOS-tour.html

We have also added a new menus page presenting a collection of menus from Independence's main dining room and specialty restaurants. http://www.beyondships2.com/independence-of-the-seas-menus.html

Similarly, we have a new daily programs and informationals page. http://www.beyondships2.com/independence-of-the-seas-daily-programs.html I find that a good way of getting a feel for what cruising on a particular ship is like is to browse through the daily programs to see the types of activities and entertainment the ship offers. The informational leaflets distributed aboard can also be helpful in getting a feel for the way the ship operates.

Finally, we have added a slideshow showing Independence docked in Falmouth, Jamaica. http://www.beyondships2.com/independence-in-jamaica.html Independence has good lines for a modern cruise ship and so is a good subject. This slideshow augments our previous photo essays and slideshows of Independence in Southampton, Fort Lauderdale and St. Maarten.

Carnival Magic photos; Royal Caribbean's Labadee profile

I was standing on one of the upper decks of Allure of the Seas, watching the various ships that were calling at Cozumel pull into port. Cozumel is probably the most popular cruise port in the Western Caribbean and so it is usually a good place for watching and photographing ships.

In addition to Allure, Norwegian Jewel, Navigator of the Seas and Norwegian Dawn had already docked. Jewel had taken the landward side of the Puerto Maya pier so it seemed likely that a ship would be arriving to take the seaward side of that pier.

Then off in the distance I could see a white shape emerging out of the mist at the far end of the island. As the mist lifted, I could make out that she was a Carnival Dream class ship. Since Carnival Dream sails out of Port Canaveral and Carnival Breeze had been in Miami only a day before, I concluded that it was the second ship in this three ship class - - Carnival Magic.

Carnival Magic, like her sisters, is the latest evolution of the design that began with Carnival Destiny. However, she is wider and has more decks, which to me, gives her a more substantial look.

The ship is quite popular in Texas where she is based. Having been aboard, I do not find this surprising. Carnival remains the world's most popular cruise line and Carnival Magic embodies all of the line's latest thinking. In addition, the interior layout allows for much better people flow.

On this day, the weather in Cozumel was changing rapidly. In addition, to the fog at the far end of the island, there were sunny intervals, cloudy patches and spots of rain. As a result, as Carnival Magic approached, she went though a variety of lighting, which made her more interesting to photograph.

Using my photos, I have put together a photo essay of Carnival Magic arriving in Cozumel. http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-magic-goes-to-cozumel.html

There is also a video. http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-magic-goes-to-cozumel-video.html These augment our existing profile of Carnival Magic. http://beyondships.com/CarnivalMagic-Profile.html

Earlier in the cruise, Allure had stopped at Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private resort in Haiti. Labadee is perhaps the most extensively developed of the private resorts operated by the cruise lines. For one thing, it has a dock so you do not have to tender to and from the ship to the resort. You simply walk ashore.

Labadee is also known for its zip line. It starts on a hilltop at the far end of the resort, takes the riders over a densely-wooded hillside then out over the sea, arriving finally on the beach not far from the cruise ship dock. It is not something that I do but it is impressive to watch the guests speeding along above the waves.

Although Labadee has been extensively developed for some time, Royal Caribbean continues to make changes. Accordingly, I have updated and expanded our section on Labadee. It now includes even more photos of the resort as well as a recent list of the excursions that Royal has been offering at the resort. We have an overview and then look at the cruise port and getting around, the beaches, the activities and facilities, bars and dining, and the spa and shopping. It begins at http://www.beyondships3.com/labadee.html

Profile and Photo Tour of cruise ship AIDAbella

This week we have a new cruise ship profile. AIDAbella is a 69,000 gross ton ship, which entered service for AIDA Cruises in 2008. As with all AIDA ships, she is instantly recognizable by the Egyptian-inspired mural on her bow and sides.

AIDAbella is an intriguing ship. When you hear that she is only 69,000 gross tons, you may well think that she is a relatively small ship. However, she has her own version of all of the features and amenities that you would expect in a contemporary cruise ship. Still, she does not feel crowded or over packed. This is perhaps due to the very non-traditional open architecture inside.

The ship is also intriguing because of AIDA's non-traditional approach to cruising. Many cruise lines have either done away with or give the guests the option of dispensing with set dining times and assigned tables. However, at AIDA, they have even dispensed with the main dining rooms. Instead, the ship has three buffet restaurants and, of course, they are not your standard buffet venue.

Along the same lines, many ships now have some form of entertainment in the ship's atrium. On AIDAbella, the atrium has become the theater with a stage and very sophisticated theatrical equipment. This is where the production cast and visiting performers put on their shows.

AIDAbella is geared for the German market. However, even for non-German speakers it is interesting to look at what is happening on the Bella. Its club-like approach is clearly non-traditional. However, will the concepts that AIDA has already put into practice be incorporated by the more traditional cruise lines tomorrow?

Our profile of AIDAbella is at http://www.beyondships.com/AIDAbella-Profile.html The multi-page photo tour of the ship begins at http://www.beyondships.com/AIDAbella-Tour-1.html

One night cruise on Norwegian Gem; Cruise destination Nassau

Very short cruises are becoming extremely popular. People want to get away from it all for just r a day or an evening, take a mini-vacation or a memorable night out. On these cruises, the ship is the destination as there are no ports of call.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has been very active in this market. Several of its ships are doing one or two night cruises this winter. The popular Norwegian Gem has a one-night cruise in her schedule each month this winter.

We went aboard Norwegian Gem to experience one of these one-night cruises to nowhere. During the voyage, we spoke with Hotel Director Jenny Lind about one-night cruising on the Gem. That article is at http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-gem-one-night.html

In addition, we have expanded and updated our section on cruise destination Nassau in the Bahamas. We have added an additional page to our photo feature on the attractions of Nassau. http://www.beyondships3.com/cruise-destination-nassau-attractions.html

Also, we have a new slideshow with photos of cruise ships that have called in Nassau. It is a busy cruise port and seemingly sooner or later every ship comes to Nassau. Well, that is probably an exaggeration but we have photographed quite a few ships in Nassau over the years. The slideshow is at http://www.beyondships3.com/cruise-destination-nassau-ships.html

Carnival Splendor Photos; Cruise destination Tortola

This week we cover two topics.

First, we have a new photo feature on Carnival Splendor. It includes both photos and a video of the ship leaving her berth in New York. I hesitated somewhat in publishing this feature because we published a similar feature about Carnival Splendor earlier in the fall. However, it was a fine autumn day and the pictures and the video from this sailing came out very nicely. In addition, since I know from experience that Carnival Splendor has many fans, I thought they would appreciate seeing these photos. The feature begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-splendor-in-new-york-2.html

The second topic this week is the cruise destination Tortola. Visiting Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) is a different cruise experience than visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. (See our Tortola overview page http://www.beyondships3.com/tortola.html ). The topography is similar. Like St. Thomas, Tortola is a mountainous island with many fine sandy beaches. However, that is about the limit of the similarity.

Tortola is an offshore financial center. Some absurdly high percentage of the world's international corporations are BVI companies. Yet, Road Town, Tortola's only urban center, is not full of corporate headquarters buildings. They are essentially there in name only. The corporations get the benefit of the BVI's more business-friendly laws and the islands get a boast to the economy. In fact, Tortola is one of the most prosperous islands in the Caribbean.

As a result, while Tortola is tourist-friendly, it is not in a tourist-mad. There are shops in Road Town but it does not have the shopping frenzy of Charlotte Amalie in nearby St. Thomas. In addition, the island is not as developed for tourism as the USVI.

Another difference is the island's British background. The islanders tend to be polite and more reserved. A conversation is expected to begin with “good morning” or “good afternoon.”

So what is there for a cruise visitor to do in Tortola? First, there is the scenery. While it is possible to hike to the top of Mt. Sage, the island's highest peak, most visitors take a tour along Ridge Road, which runs along the mountainous spine of the island. It is a wild ride, going up and down steep inclines and rounding some sharp turns. However, from the top on a clear day you can see not only the surrounding British Virgin Islands but the U.S. Virgin Islands as well. Our page on Tortola scenic views is at http://www.beyondships3.com/tortola-scenic-views.html

Second, you can spend some time at the beach. In Tortola, the first name people think of when it comes to beaches is Cane Garden Bay. It is a quite pretty horseshoe shaped beach with white sand and palm trees. There are restaurants and other facilities. Of course, because it is the best known and most developed, it attracts the most people. Tortola has some other more secluded beaches but the tradeoff is that they have less facilities. Our page on Tortola beaches is at http://www.beyondships3.com/tortola-beaches.html

Sailing and snorkeling are also popular activities on Tortola. In addition, many visitors take an excursion over to the Bathes on nearby Virgin Gorda.

Our page on the Tortola cruise port with photos of some of the ships that have called in Tortola is at http://www.beyondships3.com/tortola-cruise-port.html We also have a links page with links to cruise line web pages about Tortola and to other sites with information about visiting Tortola. http://www.beyondships3.com/tortola-links.html

Cruising to Rome and Civitavecchia

Cruising to Rome is a voyage to one of the world's great cities. The city combines centuries of history, beautiful art and architecture and an atmosphere that is at once lively and timeless.

It is not possible to cover everything of interest in Rome in just one section of an online travel guide. Therefore, I have concentrated on three aspects of interest to visitors.

First, Rome is a city that lends itself to walking. Yes, you do have to be aware of the Roman traffic, although it does not seem as chaotic as when I first went to Rome but then most people were driving chariots back then. However, many of the major sights of ancient Rome and Renaissance Rome are not located very far from each other.

To illustrate this, I have put together a photo feature about a walk through central Rome. We start at the Piazza Navona and wander our way through the streets and plazas to the Colosseum. There is a lot to see along the way. The article is posted at http://www.beyondships3.com/rome-a-walk-through-rome.html

Next, many people come to Rome and then leave the country for all or part of the day. This is because Rome surrounds the world's smallest country, the Vatican. http://www.beyondships3.com/rome-visiting-the-vatican.html

In addition to being a major religious center, the Vatican has an incomparable collection of fine art. And it is all housed in historic and architecturally important buildings. Our coverage of the Vatican includes a photo feature on visiting St. Peter's Basilica http://www.beyondships3.com/rome-visiting-st-peters.html and information about the Vatican Museums. http://www.beyondships3.com/rome-visiting-vatican-museums.html

Finally, we look at Rome's cruise port, Civitavecchia. This is perhaps the only cruise port with a building designed in part by Michelangelo. It is a busy cruise port and thus is a great place for watching cruise ships. Our page on Civitavecchia is at http://www.beyondships3.com/cruise-port-civitavecchia.html

Cruising to Cobh Ireland; Cobh and Titanic; Visiting the Blarney Stone; Jewel of the Seas video

Brochures for British Isles cruises often list Cork, Ireland as a port of call. This is somewhat misleading in two ways. First, the cruise ships actually dock in Cobh, which is on the body of water known as Cork Harbour but not in Cork City itself. Second, the main attractions in this part of the world are not in Cork City itself but in the surrounding countryside.

Listing the port as Cork rather than Cobh is not a quibble. Cobh is not some industrial port that is occasionally used by cruise ships. Rather, it is a place that is both scenic and historic. (See our Cobh cruise port page http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-cobh-cruise-port.html )

The cruise ships dock near the center of Cobh. It is a pretty Irish town that seemingly has changed little since the 19^th century. You can walk along the harbor and see the fishing boats, the pubs and the well-maintained Victorian/Edwardian buildings. Or you can walk up the hill and visit the town's Gothic cathedral. There are also museums and a fortress in the harbor. But the main thing is to soak up the charming atmosphere.

Cobh is also quite historic. It was the last port of call for the Titanic. It was also the place where the survivors and victims of the Lusitania disaster were brought. (The sinking occurred not far from the harbor entrance). These two events are remembered in Cobh with memorials and museums. In addition, because the town still looks much the same, it is easy to imagine what it must have been like for those passengers who disembarked Titanic at Cobh as well as for those who embarked. (See our article on Cobh, Titanic and Lusitania http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-cobh-titanic.html ).

In those days, Cobh was known as Queenstown and was a frequent stop for ocean liners making transatlantic crossings. The primary reason they stopped here was to pick up Irish emigrants heading to America. 2.5 million of the six million Irish who emigrated to America left via Cobh. There is a heritage center next to the cruise ship berth that tells their story.

While it is easy to spend the entire port call in Cobh itself, there are many attractions nearby. For example, everyone who has ever heard of Ireland has heard of the Blarney Stone. If you kiss, you will supposedly obtain the gift of the gab or great eloquence, as the more reserved tourist literature puts it.

The Blarney Stone is in Blarney Castle, a ruin several miles outside of Cork City. To kiss it is no easy task. First, it seems like a few hundred fellow visitors are always waiting on line to do so. Next, you have to climb up a hundred or so steps to the top of the Castle where the stone resides. Then hanging upside down you dangle over the battlements to do the actual kissing. Still, almost everyone seems to enjoy it.

The kissing ceremony is not the only reason to visit Blarney Castle. Surrounding the Castle are beautifully landscaped grounds and a variety of gardens. Sharing the grounds is Blarney House, a smaller version of Downton Abbey, which you can also tour. Our article on visiting Blarney Castle is at http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-blarney-castle.html

Also in the area near Cobh is the Old Midleton Distillery, home to the Jameson Experience. Here, you can tour a 19^th/20^th century distillery and see how Irish Whiskey was made. In addition, there is a bar area where you can become a certified Irish Whiskey taster. Our article about visiting the Jameson distillery is at http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-cobh-jameson.html

The countryside is also quite scenic. A drive down to the seaside village of Kinsale is another popular excursion.

Then there is Cork City itself. While it may not be Paris or Rome, there are things to see in Cork City. Our overview of Cork City is at http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-cork-city.html

Changing topics, I discovered in our archives a video of Jewel of the Seas sailing from Boston, Massachusetts. It is at http://www.beyondships2.com/jewel-of-the-seas-video.html

Brilliance of the Seas revitalized; Transatlantic on Brilliance of the Seas

 The introduction of the super cruise ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas created a problem for Royal Caribbean. Not just in size but in the array of entertainment and dining choices that the ships offered, they were beyond pretty much any ship in service. However, not only did they render almost every other ship then in service out-of-date, they also did the same to Royal's existing fleet.

The solution was to undertake a fleetwide revitalization program that would give the existing ships some of the features of Oasis and Allure. Obviously, because they are not as big as the two giants, the existing ships would not be able to offer everything that you can find on the Oasis class ships but they could add some of the more popular features in order to give guests more choice throughout the Royal Caribbean fleet. It is a business strategy that makes a lot of sense.

This strategy was not without risk, however. Quite a few of the existing Royal Caribbean ships are very popular and have their own loyal following. For those ships, didn't Royal risk violating the old adage if it ain't broke don't fix it.

This was particularly true for Royal's four Radiance class ships. These ships are big but not too big. They are elegantly designed but not stuffy. They have relatively few passengers for their size, giving the ships a passenger space ratio that is more like that of an upmarket ship. In addition, they have a loyal following, particularly among frequent cruisers.

It was with these conflicting thoughts in mind that I joined Brilliance of the Seas for a transatlantic crossing. I had sailed on this ship, the second ship built in the Radiance class, less than a year before. However, since then she had been through the revitalization refit, adding several new dining and entertainment venues.

I was relieved to find, in the words of Cruise Director Steve Davis, that the Brilliance is still the Brilliance. Her essential character has not been changed. She is still presents a sophisticated version of the Royal Caribbean experience.

The changes that were made blend in nicely with the ship's character. The additional dining venues give you more options, which is particularly nice on a long cruise. I particularly liked the transformation of the Solarium Cafe into the Park Cafe. The atmosphere is the same but the menu and the hours have been enlarged. I was also impressed with Giovanni's Table, which has taken over from Portofino's. (See review http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-giovanni-review.html )

I was disappointed that the Sea View Cafe, a venue found only on the Radiance class ships, was replaced with Izumi. I have nothing against Izumi but the Sea View was unique and I have enjoyed a number of meals there.

With regard to entertainment, the Centrum has been modified to make it more of an entertainment venue. Previously, the atrium had been used for theme parties and some other forms of entertainment but the glass stairs and the floor plan of the lobby made it difficult for the entertainers. That has all been changed and a new layout created that is more conducive to entertainment.

The giant sculpture that hung in the atrium has also been removed so as to allow aerialists to perform in this space. It is impressive but “flying” shows are no longer something new on cruise ships and so I am skeptical of whether it creates the “wow” that Royal was hoping to achieve.

There has also been the addition of a giant outdoor television/movie screen on the pool deck. Several of the bars have been changed as well. The most dramatic change has been the transformation of the Sports Bar into the King and Country Pub. The fact that it was full every night whereas the Sports Bar was never full testifies to the success of this change.

Beyondships' multi-page photo tour of Brilliance of the Seas has been updated to reflect the revitalization. It begins at http://beyondships.com/RCI-BOS-Tour-1.html

I spoke with Captain Stig Nilsen, Hotel Director Dean Bailey and Cruise Director Steve Davis to get their thoughts about Brilliance after the revitalization. That interview is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-revitalized.html

I also spoke with them about sailing transatlantic on the Brilliance. A transatlantic crossing is a unique cruise experience. It is one that a large number of frequent cruisers savor. The experience on Brilliance is much different than crossing on Queen Mary 2, which I have written about in the past. (see http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-shepard.html ). Moreover, the far northern route that Brilliance followed across the Atlantic also made the crossing different than the more southerly crossings made by other cruise ships. My article on crossing on Brilliance is at http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-transatlantic.html

The crossing on Brilliance began with what was in essence a European cruise. This enabled me to take some photos of the ship in various European ports. They are posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-in-europe.html

In addition, Brilliance's menus page has been updated with new menus from the main dining room and the specialty restaurants. http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-menus.html The daily programs page has been updated with new Cruise Compasses. http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-daily-programs.html The informationals page has been updated with a variety of different leaflets distributed onboard Brilliance. http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-informationals.html And, of course, a new deck plan has been added which reflects the changes made during the revitalization. http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-deck-plans.html

Photos of Carnival Glory; Videos of Carnival Glory and Norwegian Breakaway

After several years of being based in New York City for at least part of the year, Carnival Glory has moved on and has taken up year-round residence in Florida. During her time in New York, she provided many people enjoyable vacations to Eastern Canada and to the Bahamas.

In tribute to the Glory's New York years, we have a new photo essay and video showing Carnival Glory sailing from New York. In it, we see her passing such landmarks as the Statue of Liberty and passing under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Then we see her sailing on the open sea.

The photo feature is at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-glory-photos-2.html and the video is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-glory-video.html

Glory's departure will not leave New York devoid of cruise ships. New York's newest resident cruise ship is Norwegian Breakaway. In a new video, we present her leaving the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (aka the Passenger Ship Terminal) and heading out to sea. She was off o n her first cruise to the Bahamas and it was a beautiful fall day.

The Norwegian Breakaway video is at http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-nyc-video.html

Norwegian Breakaway at six months; Cruise destinations Fecamp and Etretat France

It has now been six months since Norwegian Breakaway entered service. She is one of the most innovative ships to debut in recent years so I decided to return and see how the ship was doing after half a year in service. After all, there is no guarantee that doing something different will make people like you.

Having sailed on Breakaway last June, we were not surprised to find that the ship is working out as well as Norwegian Cruise Line had hoped. People seem to like the ship. She offers a lot to do and the format of the cruise allows you a lot of choice in deciding what to do and when.

This is even more so than the other Norwegian ships, excepting Norwegian Epic, which was the forerunner of Breakaway. Under Norwegian's Freestyle system, you always had plenty of choice with regard to when and where to eat. However, the evening's entertainment centered around the shows in the theater as on other cruise ships. With Breakaway and Epic, you have several quality choices as to entertainment as well so the evening does not revolve around the show times in the main theater.

There are other innovations on Breakaway such as her outdoor promenade that has bars and restaurants on it. Another bold move was to station Breakaway year-round in New York rather than in Florida. Such ideas seem good but I was interested in finding out how they are being received by the cruising public. So we spoke with Breakaway's Hotel Director Hugo Vanosmael about Breakaway at six months. It is at http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-six-months.html

To go along with this article, we have added a new photo essay of Breakaway sailing out of New York on her first Bahamas cruise. Fall days can be particularly good for photographing ships sailing from New York because there is less humidity and haze. The photo essay is at http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-photos.html

Switching topics, we have added a new shore excursion experience to the Northern France section of Beyondships. http://www.beyondships3.com/northern-france-overview.html This one is about touring the Alabaster Coast region of Normandy. In particular, we stopped at Fecamp and Etretat.

In Fecamp, we went to the Benedictine Palace. This elaborate building was erected in the late 19^th century to house the factory that makes Benedictine liqueur. A visit takes you through the process of making the liqueur and there is an opportunity to taste some at the end. However, the Palace also houses a fine arts museum that focuses on Renaissance and Medieval art. Thus, a visit is more than the typical tasting experience that you have at most wineries and distilleries. The page on Fecamp is at http://www.beyondships3.com/france-alabaster-1.html

While the experience in Fecamp was enjoyable, the highlight was Etretat. Etretat is a popular resort town located by the sea. It lies in a depression in a coastline that is otherwise made up of vertical chalk cliffs that tower over the sea. You can climb up onto the cliffs or admire them from below on the stone-covered beach. Thus, if you like natural beauty and/or hiking, Etretat has much to offer.

For art lovers, this place is of special significance. The cliffs have been painted by many famous artists. However, they are best known from the numerous studies done by Claude Monet, the leader of the Impressionist movement. Signs indicate where Monet stood to make some of his paintings. Moreover, there has been little change to the area in the century or so since Monet did his paintings.

Our page on Etretat is at http://www.beyondships3.com/france-alabaster-2.html

If you are cruising to Northern France, you will probably call at Cherbourg or Le Harve. We have added a new cruise port page about these ports. http://www.beyondships3.com/northern-france-cruise-ports.html

Photos of sail powered cruise ships; the first cruise ship; and a cat at sea

There is something graceful and attractive about a sailing ship. In addition, the notion of plowing through the waves under sail at sunset on a tropical evening has a great romantic appeal. Not surprisingly, therefore, a number of smaller cruise lines offer voyages on cruise ships that are primarily sailing ships.

Within the sailing ship category, there are a variety of ship styles ranging from very traditional ships such as Sea Cloud, first built as a yacht in 1931, to more high tech ships such as Wind Surf, which has computer operated sails. There is also a difference in the number of passengers ranging from 68 on Sea Cloud to over 300 on Wind Surf. Along the same lines, there is a difference in the number of contemporary cruise ship features, which roughly corresponds to the size of the ship.

Of course, none of the sailing cruise ships are anywhere near the size of the cruise ships operated by the major cruise lines. Accordingly, they market themselves on such things as informality and luxury. They also point out that the uniqueness of the sail experience and their off-the-beaten track itineraries.

Our new sailing ship galleries present exterior photos of six sailing cruise ships: Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II http://www.beyondships2.com/sailing-ship-gallery-1.html; Royal Clipper and Star Clipper http://www.beyondships2.com/sailing-ship-gallery-2.html;Wind Surf and Club Med 2 http://www.beyondships2.com/sailing-ship-gallery-3.html.

We've also added two new FAQs. The first deals with the question of what is the biggest cruise ship. http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-what-is-the-largest-cruise-ship.html We answer the question and explain why it is so. We compare the size of these ships to some of the great ships of the past. There is also a chart of the top ten largest passenger ships now in service.

The second answers the question what was the first cruise ship? http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-what-was-the-first-cruise-ship.html Of course, ships have been transporting passengers since the dawn of history. But what was the first ship to be built for the purpose of taking passengers on recreational cruises? The answer is somewhat surprising.

Finally, we have added our first book review. All At Sea With Truffles was written by Sheila Collins, who is a frequent cruiser on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. She is also the author of a popular series of humorous books about a cat named Truffles. In this volume, Truffles goes to sea on a ship that is clearly drawn from Celebrity Eclipse and Independence of the Seas (Eclipse of the Seas?). It is a witty and perceptive look at cruising and human nature. Our review is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-book-review-truffles.html

Cruise destination Edinburgh Scotland

Why take a cruise to Edinburgh, Scotland? Several reasons.

First, there is the atmosphere of the City. Edinburgh was never an industrial factory town like so make town and so has not been saddled with a core populated with closed and disintegrating factories. Yes, they had to do some urban renewal in the last half of the 20^th century but that was more in the nature of refurbishment than starting over. As a result, Edinburgh's grand neo-classical buildings and Georgian residences set the stage for a lively environment. Add to this a long tradition of fostering intellectual and artistic achievement and the presence of a lot of young people studying there and you have an exciting and fun place to be.

Second, there is a lot of history there. Edinburgh has been around for a long time and it has not been an uneventful story. For example, it was the setting for the story of Mary Queen of Scots. A beautiful and intelligent woman, she became Queen of Scotland by birth and was Queen of France by marriage. She also came close to obtaining the throne of England. However, she lost the French throne when her first husband died. Then marrying twice more, each time for love, she lost the Scottish throne in the process. Fleeing to England, she sought the protection of her cousin Queen Elizabeth but was executed after being implicated in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth and take her throne. Along the way, her second husband had her secretary murdered because he was convinced that Mary was having an affair with him. Then her second husband was himself murdered, probably by the man who became her third husband. And to top it off, she had a baby who eventually became the first king of England and Scotland. Who said history was dull?

Third, Edinburgh is a tourist friendly city. Most of the major attractions including the castle that looms above the city on a volcanic mesa and the current Queen Elizabeth's Scottish palace, are within walking distance in the center of the city. In addition, there are pubs, shops, and numerous other things to do especially during August when the major festivals are staged.

We have added an Edinburgh section to Beyondships with photos and information about visiting the city. http://www.beyondships3.com/edinburgh-scotland.html This includes a page devoted to the three cruise ports that serve Edinburgh. http://www.beyondships3.com/edinburgh-scotland-cruise-ports.html

We also have separate feature articles on the amazing Edinburgh Military Tattoo http://www.beyondships3.com/edinburgh-scotland-military-tattoo.html ; on visiting Edinburgh Castle http://www.beyondships3.com/edinburgh-castle-scotland.html ; on visiting the Queen's palace Holyroodhouse http://www.beyondships3.com/cruise-destination-scotland-holyroodhouse.html ; and on visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia, which is berthed in Edinburgh. http://www.beyondships3.com/visiting-royal-yacht-britannia.html

Five Essential Things To Know About Ocean Princess

 This week I am writing about Ocean Princess. I recently did a cruise on her around the British Isles that was just outstanding. Service, food, shore excursions - - all were handled very well. In addition, the staff was genuinely friendly and interested in making sure the guests enjoyed themselves.

Of the 18 ships now in the Princess Cruises fleet, Ocean Princess may be the least well known. So I was thinking are the five essential things to know about this ship?

1. Ocean Princess is one of two small ships in the Princess fleet - - 30,277 gross tons carrying about 670 passengers. Together with her near identical sister, Pacific Princess, they are the line's Explorer class.

2. Although she is much smaller than the rest of the Princess fleet, she offers a decidedly Princess Cruises experience. She has a Sabatini's, she has a steakhouse specialty restaurant, there is a captain's reception with a champagne waterfall - - in short all of the hallmarks of a Princess cruise.

3. Of course, due to her size, she does not have as many attractions and venues as the larger ships. As a result, she tends to attract more mature, experienced cruisers who are interested in the sophisticated and elegant environment that she offers.

4. Ocean Princess is one of eight ships originally built for Renaissance Cruises. When Renaissance went bankrupt the eight ships became dispersed over several cruise lines. None of these cruise lines has changed them very much. Although Princess does not do so, some of the lines market these ships as luxury cruise ships.

5. As implied in the name Explorer class, Ocean Princess goes all over the world, visiting small ports that are not on the itineraries of bigger ships as well as the more popular ports. Her cruises tend to be long, often several weeks. Indeed, the officers and crew kept referred to the 8 day cruise that I was on as a “short cruise.”

We have lots more about Ocean Princess in the Ocean Princess section of Beyondships. http://beyondships.com/Princess-OP-Profile.html This includes:

An updated photo tour of the ship. http://beyondships.com/Princess-OP-Tour-1.html

An interview with Captain Carlo Servillo and Hotel General Manager Arturo Calise http://www.beyondships2.com/ocean-princess-captain.html

An insider dining guide to Ocean Princess with comments from Executive Chef Guido Jendryztko and Maitre D'Hotel Lugi Pascale http://www.beyondships2.com/ocean-princess-dining-guide.html

A new menus page with menus from the main dining room and the ship's two specialty restaurants. http://www.beyondships2.com/ocean-princess-menus.html

A new daily programs page with copies of the Princess Patter and other informational leaflets distributed aboard. http://www.beyondships2.com/ocean-princess-daily-programs.html

A new photo essay showing exterior shots of Ocean Princess in various European ports. http://www.beyondships2.com/ocean-princess-photos.html

Cruise ports Dover and Harwich; Visiting the City of London and the Tower of London

 On my last group of cruises, I managed to visit all three of the major cruise ports serving London. The largest of these, Southampton, I have written extensively about earlier. http://beyondships.com/Ports-Southampton-1.html It is a busy port and a great place to see cruise ships as well as to begin and/or end a cruise.

The other two ports are more quiet. Dover, located about 75 miles southeast of London, has berths for three cruise ships. However, the port is not always full. In addition, the ships tend to be smaller in size than the ships that frequent Southampton.

Still, Dover is a good port. It has two cruise terminal buildings. My ship left from the newer of these and I was processed through quickly both embarking and disembarking. Our profile of cruise port Dover is at http://www.beyondships3.com/dover-england-cruise-port.html

Harwich was a delightful surprise. I took a special boat train that left from London's Liverpool Street station. The train arrived at a station that is right next to the cruise terminal. I rolled my bags from one to the other and in perhaps five minutes, I was on the ship. What made this even more impressive was that this was a sizable ship. Our profile of cruise port Harwich is at http://www.beyondships3.com/harwich-england-cruise-port.html

Between these cruises, I spent some time in London. Usually I stay at one of the hotels in central London near Buckingham Palace. However, this time, I stayed at a hotel in London's traditional financial district, the City of London.

The City, as it is called, is where the Romans founded London and for centuries London was confined to the area within the Roman City Walls. It eventually outgrew these constraints but the area that lay within those walls evolved its own identity as well as its own laws and institutions.

Unlike the old quarters of many other European cities, the City of London is not a quaint district that time has passed by. Rather, over the centuries, it has adapted and changed to remain a vital part of greater London. Consequently,walking around the City, there are so many landmarks to see ranging from the Baroque splendor of St. Paul's Cathedral to the controversial London Gherkin skyscraper.

The people have also evolved. When I was at university in England, people who worked in the City still wore a bowler hat, a black jacket and gray and white striped trousers. Apparently, that uniform has been retired. I didn't see anyone wearing it. Instead, I saw lots of young people who I suppose work in the banks, trading houses, insurance companies and other businesses in the City, dressed like young office workers in New York or any other major financial center.

I enjoyed my walk around the City and so I have put together an article showing some of the sights that I saw during my stroll. http://www.beyondships3.com/city-of-london.html

Not far from my hotel was one of the most popular visitor attractions in London - - The Tower of London. Even though I had been there before, I had to return. There is so much to see in The Tower. It was a beautiful day that lent itself to photography. I have assembled my photos, the research that I have done about the Tower and my own observations made while visiting there to put together a feature article about visiting the Tower. It begins at http://www.beyondships3.com/tower-of-london.html

Cruise destination Dublin Ireland

 Dublin, Ireland has a lot going for it as a cruise destination. There are landmark buildings, lots of history, and museums housing great works of art. There are pubs, cafes and restaurants to support Dublin's reputation as one of Europe's leading party towns. Most of the major attractions are in the city center, which is very walkable. Moreover, the city center is not very far from where the cruise ships dock.

Admittedly, the facilities for cruise ships are not that great. The ships berth in what is essentially a cargo area. However, the port plans to build a cruise terminal and until it is completed the existing facilities are no worse than those in many other European ports.

I find Dublin to be a romantic city. Perhaps it is because despite centuries of struggle, conflict, and defeat, hope for a better future has continued throughout the course of its history. Indeed, even now with the disastrous end of the Celtic Tiger economic boom, people seem to carry on in a relaxed, good-natured way. Of course, the presence of a large number of young people in Dublin feeds this hope for the future and adds to the city's vibrancy.

Dublin, and Ireland in general, is not that easy for foreigners to understand. It is far more complicated than it is portrayed on television and in the movies. There are conflicts arising out of the centuries of British rule. There are religious conflicts. There are class conflicts. There are issues concerning the role of the church and there are issues related to Ireland's role in the European Union. While it has been said that there are 40 shades of green in the Irish countryside, there are just as many shades of gray around all of these issues.

All of this makes Dublin a fascinating place to visit. You can accept what you see on the surface and have a very nice time in the city looking at its architecture or enjoying a pub. Or you can peal back the layers and try to understand what you see on a deeper level. What makes Ireland especially interesting is that there is always another layer.

Beyondships' coverage of Dublin begins with an overview page that provides some essential information about the city and which presents a concise summary of Dublin's story. It is at: http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-dublin-overview.html

Next, we have a photo guide showing many of Dublin's attractions. http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-dublin-attractions.html

We also have a page on the Dublin cruise port. http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-dublin-cruise-port.html

There are also two photo-illustrated articles that go into more depth about two of Dublin's most popular places to visit. The first is about Dublin Castle, a palace built by the British that has been preserved and which is still used by the Irish government. http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-dublin-castle.html

The second is about visiting the splendid Powerscout Estate and Gardens not far outside of Dublin City. http://www.beyondships3.com/ireland-powerscourt.html

Queen Mary 2 transatlantic

I have recently returned from a trip to Europe by sea. I traveled over to the United Kingdom on the Queen Mary 2 and I returned on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas. In between the two crossings, I did a cruise around the British Isles on Ocean Princess.

If you have the time, transatlantic crossings are a great way to get to and from Europe. Air travel has become notorious for its hassles and delays. In contrast, traveling by sea is a relaxing and memorable experience.

A transatlantic crossing, however, is different than a cruise. There are more sea days and the sea sometimes can be more turbulent than on a cruise. But most people find that there is more to do on a crossing than there is available time. Also, modern ships are good at handling the weather.

Like cruises, the guest experience on a crossing differs from ship to . A crossing on Queen Mary 2 is much different than a crossing on Brilliance of the Seas. Both are good experiences but they are different.

This week, we take a look at what it is like to cross on Queen Mary 2. In an article that will be published later, we will look at a crossing on Brilliance of the Seas.

I spoke with David Shepard, Hotel Manager on Queen Mary 2, about what a crossing on QM2 is all about. David has some 17 years experience in the cruise industry, primarily with P&O Cruises, and thus is in a good position to talk about what makes a crossing on QM2 different than the type of experience one has on a cruise ship.

I wanted this article to be a concise overview of the QM2 crossing experience. Therefore, I have included links to our more in-depth articles about various aspects of QM2 when those topics are discussed in the article.

The article is posted at: http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-shepard.html

In addition, I have posted a review of the Coriander specialty restaurant on QM2. Coriander is one of three alternative dining experiences that Cunard has added to QM2. Unlike QM2's primary specialty restaurant, the Todd English Restaurant, these alternative dining experiences do not have their own permanent locations. Rather, they come to life on certain evenings in a section of the ship's buffet restaurant. It gives guests more choice but is it consistent with QM2's luxury image? http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-coriander.html

Finally, we are adding two new FAQs. The first explains what a bulbous bow is and what it does for a cruise ship. http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-bulbous-bow.html

The second is about cruise ship itineraries. Recently, I heard a guest ask a cruise ship captain why the ship did not stop at some of the nice looking islands that we had passed earlier in the day. I think most people know that a cruise ship captain cannot decide to stop the ship at whatever island takes his fancy. But I thought it might be of interest to provide some information about how it is decided where a ship will go. That FAQ is at http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-cruise-itineraries.html

Carnival Glory Profile, Photo Tour, Menus and Interview

This week the focus is on Carnival Glory. The Glory has recently been through what Carnival calls the Fun Ship 2.0 revitalization. Under this program, ships in the Carnival fleet are being augmented with new features and venues found on Carnival's latest ships such as Carnival Breeze.

The Glory has always been an enjoyable ship with a friendly crew. So why change it? Two reasons really. First, Carnival attracts quite a few repeat guests. While they want the same atmosphere that they enjoyed in the past, they also want something new. Second, Carnival competes with other cruise lines. Its two fiercest competitors, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line, have built innovative new ships that take cruising to a new level. Thus, Carnival had to respond if it wants to remain the world's most popular cruise line.

The most impressive changes to Glory have been with regard to entertainment. Entertainment has now become the new battleground for the cruise lines. Here, Carnival has done away with traditional stage scenery in favor of the use of technology. It allows them greater flexibility in changing shows and with what can be done with the main theater. To go along with the physical changes, the line has replaced the traditional system where the cast consists of a group of singer and a group of dancers and replaced it with a system where everyone sings and dances.

I spoke with Glory's hotel director Alain Lopez and her cruise director Jacques De Lange about the changes that have been made to Glory. That article is at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-glory-interview.html

We have also added a new menus page http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-glory-menus.html and a new page with copies of the Fun Times (daily programs) from Carnival Glory http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-glory-daily-programs.html.

There is also a new photo essay showing Carnival Glory in various ports. http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-glory-photos.html

And we have a new review of Carnival Glory's specialty restaurant the Emerald Steakhouse http://www.beyondships.com/CarnivalGlory-Tour-1.html

Finally, we have updated our profile page http://www.beyondships.com/CarnivalGlory-profile.html as well as our photo tour of Glory to reflect the changes that have been made to the ship. http://www.beyondships.com/CarnivalGlory-Tour-1.html

Abandon ship - - A memory of Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)

Last month was the 21^st anniversary of the grounding of Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) off of Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts. This accident required the evacuation of the passengers from the ship and severely damaged the ship.

I happened to be aboard during that cruise. It was a typically pleasant QE2 cruise to Canada and New England up until the accident. Then it became something of an adventure. Inasmuch as no one was hurt by the accident, the suspense lay in how we were going to get ashore and what would happen to what was then thought to be the last of the great ocean liners.

At the urging of some friends, I have marshaled together my photos from that cruise and put down my recollections about what occurred. The resulting article begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/qe2-marthas-vineyard.html

Cruising to the French Riviera

Ever since I was a child I can remember the French Riviera as being synonymous with luxury and glamor. It was the place where royalty and movie stars went to vacation. It was also the location for numerous films including Hitchcock's “To Catch A Thief” and several James Bond movies.

It wasn't until I first went there that I realized why this place attracts people who could go anywhere in the world. It is simply a beautiful combination of sea, mountains and charming looking towns. The light is soft, not too harsh. The weather is mild, not too hot and not too cold. A really nice combination.

Since it is on the sea, the French Riviera is a good cruise destination. There is no single large port. Rather, the ships now call at several different ports along the Cote d”Azur.

From any one of these ports, it is not difficult to explore the attractions of the area.

Nice is known as the capital of the French Riviera. It is the largest city. However, it is a pretty town with lots of Belle Epoch architecture from the days when it was the place where European royalty and aristocrats came to spend the winter. And there is its long seaside promenade, Promenade des Anglasis, where everyone goes for some relaxation by the sea. Our photo briefing about Nice is at

http://www.beyondships3.com/nice.html

Monaco may be the world's second smallest country but it is one of the richest per capita. Set by the sea at the base of sheer cliffs, not surprisingly, it looks like all urban centers would like to look. And since it is so compact, it is easy to get around and see the sights and visit the luxury hotels and shops. Our page about Monaco is at http://www.beyondships3.com/monaco.html

Not all th attractions of the French Riviera are in big cities. St Paul de Vence is a walled-village perched a top a hill. It looks much the way it has looked for centuries i.e. the way it looks in the paintings done by various masters over the years. The village does attract a lot of tourists but it is still possible to walk its narrow Medieval streets and be entirely charmed. Our photo briefing on St. Paul de Vence is at http://www.beyondships3.com/st-paul-de-vence.html

One of the most frequented ports on the Riviera is a small town that does not even have a dock where modern cruise ships can dock. Instead, passengers tender into town from the ships anchored in the bay. But it is a beautiful bay. And the town itself has a small town charm that makes it attractive to wander. Our photo page on cruise port Ville Franche is at http://www.beyondships3.com/cruise-port-villefranche.html

Talking with Norwegian Breakaway's Captain and Hotel Director and guitarist Slam Allen

This week we are featuring several articles in which Norwegian Breakaway speaks for herself.

First, we have an interview with Breakaway's captain, Evans Hoyt. Captain Hoyt brought Breakaway into service. The captain is the CEO of a cruise ship, not just a ship driver. Therefore, we asked Captain Hoyt to give us the big picture of what Breakaway is all about. In addition, since he is an experienced mariner, we asked him to speak about Breakaway from a nautical perspective. That interview is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-interview-captain.html

Second, the person in charge of all of the services that immediately impact guests - - dining, bars, accommodations, entertainment - - is the Hotel Director Sean Wurmhoeringer. Having sailed with Sean before, I know his focus is very much on hospitality. Breakaway has some fabulous hardware but how do you offer hospitality on such a large ship? http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-interview-hd.html

Third, Breakaway is very much about entertainment. One of the featured entertainers on Breakaway is blues guitarist Slam Allen. Already an established recording and performance artist before he went to sea, Allen developed a star following on Norwegian Epic. He is now doing the same on Norwegian Breakaway. I spoke to Mr. Allen about his music, his career and performing on Breakaway. http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-slam-allen.html

In addition, we have a review of the Ocean Blue specialty restaurant on Norwegian Breakaway. This is a new venue which Norwegian has developed in partnership with celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian. While Norwegian heretofore has had an excellent line-up of specialty restaurants, Ocean Blue takes it to a new level. The review is at http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-breakaway-ocean-blue.html

Norwegian Breakaway Profile and Photo Tour

The reason why Norwegian Breakaway is an important ship tends to be obscured by her size, all of the new features aboard the ship, the Peter Max painting on her hull and by Norwegian Cruise Line's decision to base its new ship, not in Florida but rather in New York City. She is an important ship because she is a further refinement on a new model of cruising.

Traditionally, an evening on a passenger ship involved going to dinner and then a show in the ship's theater or show lounge. When you did these things was pretty much dictated by the cruise line. Everyone was assigned to one of two seatings in the main dining room. There were two shows each evening geared to the dinner times, i.e., a show for the early seating and a show for the late seating. All of this generally worked fine but there was not much freedom of choice.

Several years ago Norwegian Cruise Line put a deep crack in this model by dispensing with the assigned seatings in the main dining room and giving guests the option of coming to the dining room when they wanted. They also built an array of specialty restaurants on their ships so that guests did not have to go to the main dining room at all if they choose. Nearly all of the major cruise lines followed with their own flexible dining systems and by adding specialty restaurants to their ships.

While guests now had freedom of choice with regard to dining, their options with regard to entertainment remained somewhat limited. Although there was always a piano player in one of the bars or a band in one of the lounges, the big entertainment event of the evening remained the two shows in the main theater.

The first ship to break from this was Oasis of the Seas in late 2009. She was followed a few months later by Norwegian Epic and then by Oasis' sister ship Allure of the Seas. What these ships did was give guests quality entertainment alternatives. The show in the main theater was not the only entertainment event going on each evening. In addition, the shows in the various entertainment venues were repeated, usually at different times, over the course of the cruise so that a guest does not have to worry that if I don't see the show tonight, I'll never get to see it. Under this new model, guests have freedom of choice not only with regard to dining but also with regard to entertainment.

Norwegian Breakaway builds upon Norwegian Epic. Among the entertainment offerings are full productions of Broadway shows, a Cirque Dreams dinner theater, a comedy club featuring Second City, and blues concerts by recording artist Slam Allen. There are also the usual entertainment additions such as live music in the bars, films, game shows, karaoke and deck parties. Lots of choices.

Breakaway is not just a re-make of Epic. Most notably, she has an open outdoor promenade with restaurants and bars. This feature opens the ship up and works not only in port but surprisingly well at sea in the warm weather. Not to forget dining, Norwegian has added a new specialty restaurant, Ocean Blue, developed with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. This is an upscale seafood restaurant that has the same New York sophistication as Chef Zakarian's venues in the City.

Thus, Norwegian Breakaway is not just another new cruise ship.

Our profile page for Breakaway, with menus, daily programs, deck plans and other information is at http://beyondships.com/NorwegianBreakaway.html

We also have a photo tour that takes you through the ship's public areas, open decks and accommodations. It is longer than most of our ship photo tours because there is so much to see on Breakaway. The photo tour begins at http://beyondships.com/NorwegianBreakaway-Tour-1.html

More next week on Breakaway.