Carnival Liberty Photos; Luxury Cruising on NCL; and a New Look for Beyondships

This week there is a new look and some new features on Beyondships. While one is mindful of the adage that “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it,” I hope these changes will make for a better experience in using the site.



First, I am shifting the list of new articles and items from the home page to a separate page. This will make the home page less crowded while at the same time making it easier for viewers to find some of the permanent items. There are also various technical advantages in doing it this way.



Second, I am adding a Beyondships Cruise FAQ section. Often when I am cruising people ask questions about the ships and the way they operate. Since the questions are often similar, it follows that they must be topics that are on a lot of people’s minds. Despite a friend’s warning that I won’t have anything to talk about at dinner if I did so, I have posted some answers to some of the questions that often come up. My intent is to keep expanding this section over time. The section index is at http://www.beyondships2.com/beyondships-cruise-faqs.html



In addition to the aforementioned changes to the site, this week Beyondships is featuring two new items. The first is a photo essay about Carnival Liberty. This essay shows the Liberty returning to her homeport of Miami just as dawn is breaking. It is at http://www.beyondships.com/CarnivalLiberty-photoessay1.html



Finally, there is a new illustrated article about luxury cruising on NCL. Most people know NCL as a mass market cruise line. However, when I have been on NCL’s more recent ships, I have been struck by the fact that there is also quite a good luxury operation going on side by side with the mass market operation. The facilities are quite lavish and the service is excellent. Heretofore, NCL has seemed almost reluctant to talk about it. However, in connection with Project Breakaway - - the two new ships NCL has on order - - the line has turned the spotlight on its ship-within-a-ship luxury operation and even given it a name - - The Haven By Norwegian. Accordingly, I have put together an article discussing NCL’s luxury operation along with some photos of the existing ships and some artist renderings that NCL has provided of the new ships. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/ncl-luxury-cruising.html

Talking with the Capain of Zuiderdam; Afternoon Tea on Queen Mary 2

This week we have three new articles on Beyondships.




The first is an interview with Captain Christopher Turner and Hotel Director Edwin Blunik of Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam. When I booked my cruise on Zuiderdam, I wasn’t expecting anything special. My impression was that she was just another of the larger HAL ships. While I had enjoyed my cruises on HAL Vista and Signature class ships, I had no reason to think that this one would be special.



Yet when I had actually experienced Zuiderdam, I learned that she was special. Yes, she adheres to the basic HAL formula of a cultured environment with good food and service but she carries out that formula very nicely. Also, the atmosphere, perhaps reflecting the décor, seemed brighter than my previous HAL experiences.



Apparently, other cruisers have found the same thing. Based on guest comment cards, in 2010, Zuiderdam exceeded HAL’s target ratings in every area. in which a ship is rated. No other ship had similar results. Therefore, I asked Captain Turner and Mr. Blunick to explain why Zuiderdam receives such top ratings. The interview is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam-Captain.html



If you are interested in food, you’ll probably want to check out The Pinnacle Grill on Zuiderdam. It is the ship’s top specialty restaurant. Once a cruise, the Pinnacle Grill is transformed into a seagoing version of New York’s famed Le Cirque. (See review at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-LeCirque.html ). But most nights it is its own brand of relaxed elegance; combing a steakhouse menu with elements of fine dining. My review is at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam-Pinnacle.html



Changing ships, a unique experience at sea is afternoon tea on the Queen Mary 2. Several other lines have afternoon tea. These are usually done in one of the ship’s dining rooms or in one of the bars. In addition, the staff is often unfamiliar with how an afternoon tea works. On Queen Mary 2, one can have afternoon tea in the largest ballroom at sea. As one would expect from a very traditional British line, the staff understands afternoon tea. Consequently, afternoon tea on QM2 is more than just a culinary event. My review is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-review-tea.html

Holland America's Zuiderdam, Profile and Photo Tour

This week, the focus is on Holland America’s Zuiderdam. I will confess at the outset that I quite like Zuiderdam. In fact, I would say that she is now my favorite of the Holland America ships.




To start at the beginning, Holland America Line provides a premium cruise experience. All of the ships have a magnificent art collection and there is a feeling of cultured sophistication. The crews strive to provide excellent service.



The HAL fleet can be broadly divided into two parts. There are the smaller ships - - the S-class, R-class and the unique Prinsendam - - and the larger ships - - the Vista and Signature classes. The smaller ships are somewhat older but more intimate. The larger ships are newer, have more features but are still relative to the rest of the industry only medium size.



Zuiderdam was the first of the larger HAL ships. She marked a new direction for the line when she entered service in December 2002. Accordingly, she was given a décor that is somewhat brighter and bolder than the prior HAL ships. The line subsequently retreated from this direction and so Zuiderdam is also different from the ships that followed. There is nothing outrageous about it but it does give the ship a noticeably livelier atmosphere.

At the same time, it is noteworthy that Zuiderdam was the first Vista class ship built for HAL by the Fincantieri, the Italian ship builder. This design was used for three subsequent Vista ships for HAL and the Signature class is really an expanded version of the design. Indeed, the design is also the basis for ships in the Costa, Cunard and P&O fleets. Clearly it is a successful design and it all began with Zuiderdam.



Holland America likes to roll back the successful features that it develops for new ships into the line’s existing fleet. As a result, Zuiderdam has the Screening Room movie theater, the Canaletto Italian specialty restaurant, the Digital Workshop, and the Explorations Café that debuted on subsequent Vistas or Signature class ships.



What makes Zuiderdam stand out, however, is not the features but how they are used. My impression was that the officers and crew on Zuiderdam enjoyed being there and when people like their work it translates into a better experience for the customer.



Beyondships profile page for Zuiderdam with copies of daily programs, menus and restaurant reviews is at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam.html The multi-page photo tour and commentary begins at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam-Tour1.html



Also, we have added a new photo essay on Queen Mary 2’s Fourth of July cruise roundtrip from Manhattan. QM2 normally does not dock in Manhattan. However, because another ship was at her usual berth in Brooklyn, the largest ocean liner ever built had to dock at the piers that were the New York home of the great ocean liners of the past. Because of the currents and the size and layout of the piers, this is not so easily done. But, it is magnificent to sail up or down the Hudson past the Manhattan skyline on a summer’s day. The photo essay is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-Manhattan-2.html

Baltic Cruise Photo Guides - - Oslo and Copenhagen

This is the time of year for cruising the Baltic. The days are long and often filled with sunshine. The temperatures are pleasant with just a touch of cool crispness that is refreshing for people traveling from more southerly areas. In short, it is perfect for exploring the cultural abundance of this area and viewing its splendid scenery.




Two ports which are often included in the itinerary of a Baltic cruise are Oslo, Norway and Copenhagen, Denmark. Although they are both Scandinavian capitals, they are quite different experiences.



Ships calling at Oslo arrive at their destination after traveling through a 60-mile long fjord. This fjord does not have tower cliffs jutting up from the water like those further north in Norway. Rather, it is surrounded by tree-covered rolling hills punctuated by ancient rock outcroppings. The city of Oslo is not inconsistent with this scenery as it too is surrounded by hills and has much green space within its boundaries. Although large in geographic area, it has a small city feel with much of the city within walking distance from the cruise terminal.



Copenhagen is the largest city in Scandinavia. It has much more of a big city feel. However, at the same time, it feels more relaxed than cities in the United States or the UK. As in Oslo, most cruise ships dock in the center of the city and again many attractions are within walking distance. However, the cultural and historic sights have more of a cosmopolitan air and include several palaces, cathedrals and world class art collections.



In part, these differences reflect the large difference in the populations of the two cities. But it also reflects the countries’ histories. For significant periods, Norway was under the control of either Denmark or Sweden. Denmark has been a dominant force in the Baltic.



One thing that the two cities share is that they are delightful and interesting cruise ports. Oslo has an intimate feel with pretty broad boulevards and scenic panoramas from places such as the Ackershus Castle that overlooks the fjord. The center of Copenhagen is also charming with its Old World architecture interspersed with majestic buildings.



Beyondships cruise photo guide to Oslo is at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Oslo.html and the cruise photo guide to Copenhagen is at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Coph.html The object of these guides is to give a flavor of the port. They give a brief description of the city, its history, and its cruise port. There is also a photo tour of some of the places that cruise passengers visit in those ports. In addition to the photos and descriptions, there are links to other websites that have additional information including the webpages about the port posted on the websites of a number of the major cruise lines. There are also links to the Beyondships’ profiles of some of the ships that have called at the port recently.

Talking with the Captain of Liberty of the Seas; Review of Chops Grille

For Liberty of the Seas, 2011 is a transformational year. The ship has already undergone a multi-million dollar refit that saw the addition of a number of new features to the ship. Her entertainment offerings have also been transformed with the addition of the Dreamworks Experience, 3-D movies and a full-length musical stage production of Saturday Night Fever. Finally, Liberty of the Seas’ itinerary has been transformed so that she is no longer a Caribbean cruise ship but a ship that has entered the more cosmopolitan atmosphere of the European cruise market.




The man in charge of guiding Liberty through this transformation is Captain Charles Teige. Captain Charles has been with Royal Caribbean for nearly 20 years. However, his approach to command is not rooted in the past. Rather, he is one of a growing number of cruise ship captain who view themselves as team leaders rather than as all powerful sovereigns. Captain Charles is personable and one who enjoys interacting with people, both his crew and the guests on Liberty of the Seas.



I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Captain Charles and talk about how Royal Caribbean has changed over the years, his style of command and the transformation of Liberty of the Seas. That interview is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/RCI-LOS-Captain.html



When I was onboard Liberty, I also tried out its specialty restaurant the Chops Grille. This is a relaxed steakhouse offering high quality meals. My review of the Chops Grille is at http://www.beyondships.com/RCI-LOS-Review-Chops.html