Unique Itinerary: Holland America's Pacific Coast Getaway

 The Zaandam arrives at Vancouver's Canada Place in the early morning.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Sometimes, we all just need a quick little getaway to recharge our batteries.  On the East coast, prospective cruisers have a variety of quick Caribbean getaways designed to suit every taste and budget.  The West coast, however, lacks the variety and sheer number of departures.  But relief is at hand in a few months, as ships reposition themselves to Seattle and Vancouver to begin their Alaska 2011 seasons.

In order to get ships to arrive at a specific port on a specific day, cruise lines routinely offer repositioning cruises.  Between three and seven days in length, these cruises can be a fantastic value for those looking for a quick, relatively inexpensive cruise to "tide them over."  One such voyage is our Unique Itinerary of the Week.

Departing Thursday May 12, 2011 roundtrip from Vancouver, Holland America's Zaandam sails a rare three-day cruise to some of the most popular Pacific Northwest ports, including calls in Seattle, Washington and Victoria, BC. 

Not only is this a great way to spend a weekend, it's also a great opportunity for those who have been thinking about trying Holland America for the first time, but haven't gotten around to it.  It also provides the chance for passengers to sail aboard the 777-foot long, 2000-built Zaandam without committing to a longer voyage.

The full itinerary:

May 12 - Depart Vancouver, BC - 5:00pm
May 13 - Seattle, WA - 8:00am to 5:00pm
May 14 - Victoria, BC - 8:00am to 11:00pm
May 15 - Vancouver, BC - arrive 7:00am

Prices for this sailing start at $493 per person in a Veranda suite.  Among Pacific Coastal itineraries, these roundtrip voyages tend to sell out fast, so its best to book as far in advance as possible.

For more details, be sure to visit the Holland America Line website for the complete list of all Pacific repositioning cruises on offer.

Photo of the Week - January 24

Sunrise aboard Silver Spirit in Key West, Florida

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

For this week's installment of Photo of the Week, I wanted to pick a shot that was capable of instantly transporting readers from their computers to the ship and make them feel as though they were actually there.  

I found this in a picture taken aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit in December during an early morning call in Key West, Florida.  

I love this picture for several reasons.  Have a look at the decking and the way the sun is spilling across it.  This is the observation area forward of the Observation Lounge on Deck 11, and my favorite spot aboard this great ship.  Look closer: you can make out furniture and settings inside the Observation Lounge on the left.  The white superstructure is turned an amber color thanks to the rising sun.  

For me, this picture takes me there.  I can feel the wind and hear the faint hum of the engines and the quiet whirring of the radar mast above the lounge.  Everything is fresh, and passengers are just starting to mill about, carrying their pre-breakfast coffee and maybe a pastry or two.  There's the sharp click of heeled shoes on the deck, and the shouts of the longshoremen who are in the process of tying the ship up to the pier at Mallory Square.  Silver Spirit's Captain Corsaro is barely audible from the bridge wing one deck below.  He doesn't have to raise his voice; he's in complete control of his vessel as it moves slowly alongisde.

In an instant, I'm standing there.

It's interesting how a simple photograph can  transport you back to a place you've been, or make you long for a place you haven't.  Or a ship.

So what's your favorite cruise photograph?

For more information on the Silver Spirit, visit the Silversea Cruises' website.  From the Deck Chair will return Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

Sailing into the Sunset

Photo © Aaron Saunders

 For many of us who enjoy cruising, the sea is like a second home - one we become so attached to that we want to continue to sail it, even in death.  But how do you go about burying a loved one's ashes at sea?

Longtime CruiseCritic poster Pam in CA faced this dilemma when her brother-in-law Jim became seriously ill and passed away last year.  He had asked that his ashes be spread out at sea, so his family booked a cruise on Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess and got in touch with the line to figure out how to properly arrange this.

Pam's story is reprinted here with her kind permission in order to better help other cruisers who may be facing the same considerations.  

It is important to note that it is illegal to do this on your own without the consent of the cruise line, and ashes can only be disposed of in International Waters.  

In her own words:

On April 16, 2010, I faxed my request to the Princess Marine Department, 661-753-0214, and included my full name, booking #, cruise # and date, cabin #, phone # and email address. I received an email response on April 19th from Janine Curry, Secretary to Alan Wilson, Vice President, Marine Operations, with the approval and a letter which I've copied below:

"Thank you for your request to spread ashes while at sea during your cruise onboard the Sapphire Princess, cruise #H102N, commencing January 5, 2011.

"We would like to inform you of the following:

* Ashes must be contained in a biodegradable urn
* Ashes/Flowers may only be spread in International waters
* In accordance with environmental laws, only ashes, biodegradeable urns and biodegradeable flowers are permitted to be spread overboard. Cards, paper, metals, plastics and other non-biodegradeable items are not permitted.
* Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

"The ship will be notified of your request and you shall be contacted while onboard. You will be informed of an appropriate time to carry out the spreading of the ashes. A member of the ship's company will escort you to a suitable private location and stay with you during this time."

Once onboard, I went down to the Passenger Services Desk with a copy of the above letter. Naturally, no one at Princess had notified the ship, but not to worry. I received a call from Trent, from Customer Service, the next morning and he told me he would check with the navigator to find out what days and times would be possible. He called me back the next morning to say that any time our third sea day on our way to Acapulco would be fine. After conferring with my sister, we set a time of 11am.

We all arrived at the Passenger Services Desk at about 10:45am and were met by Manuel, who was going to help us. He had arranged for a gorgeous flower arrangement (at no cost) for us to toss with the ashes and led us up to deck 7 aft. He had two crew members stationed on both sides of the ship who closed off the back of Promenade deck after we passed by. We went to the very back of the ship and had a few quiet moments while my nephew opened the box and then sent Jim's ashes out to sea. I followed with the wreath. We stayed there for about 10 minutes, each wrapped in our own thoughts and memories. It was very short and simple.

Princess couldn't have been more supportive or sympathetic. They were respectful, and it was just the way my brother-in-law would have wanted it, and my sister was comfortable with.

The above is not for everyone, obviously, but in case this is yours or your loved one's wishes, I wanted to share. 

Thank you, Pam, for letting us share your heartfelt story.  Those who may be interested in securing similar arrangements should get in touch with their cruise line of choice with as much advanced notice as possible. 

Inside the Disney Dream

Disney Dream at Sea.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

With the launch of Disney's new Disney Dream comes a plethora of enticing publicity images of this tremendous new ship that's certain to get the hearts of seafarers young and old racing.

Why do we like this ship so much?  It's simple, really: she embodies the perfect blend of old and new.  Take a step back from your computer and look at the above image.  Graceful lines.  A sleek black hull with sharp yellow accents.  The profile of an ocean liner if there ever was one, and proof that modern shipbuilding doesn't have to be brash and ugly.  There's plenty of attractive ships being built by upscale lines like Seabourn and Silversea, but the mega-ship category has been somewhat lacking in this department - until now.

So what is worth raving about aboard Disney Dream?  Here's a few interior images that got our pulse going.

The Grand Atrium

 The atrium aboard Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

The first sight seen by most passengers as they embark, the atrium lobby is an evolution of the atriums aboard Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, with a nod to the classic transatlantic liners of the 1900's. 

At the heart of this three-story masterpiece is a 13-foot tall, 22-foot wide chandelier made up of thousands of small, illuminated crystal beads and done in a style quickly becoming known as "contemporary Art Deco."

The atrium also plays host to another unique feature: a five-foot tall bronze statue of Admiral Donald Duck, situated at the foot of the sweeping grand staircase.  Expect this to be a popular photo op!

Standard Inside Staterooms - With a Twist

 A standard stateroom aboard the Disney Dream - or is it?

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line.

There's a reason many passengers don't like inside staterooms: there's no window.  And on a ship, many passengers just want to be able to see the ocean.  But for the budget-conscious, Disney has come up with a unique invention that gives these often overlooked staterooms their own special cachet: a virtual porthole.

To explain: the "porthole" is actually a digital video screen linked to a live video feed outside the ship.  But Disney takes things one step further by making the video feed location-relative, meaning if your stateroom is forward on the starboard side, you see the view from the forward, starboard-side camera - just like a real porthole. 

 

Expect the once-dreaded Inside Stateroom to get a new lease on life - at least aboard the Disney Dream.

The AquaDuck

What a View!  The AquaDuck swings out over Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Here at From the Deck Chair, we like to pride ourselves on having a taste for the finer things.  We like good food, good accomodation, and great ships that still look - and feel - like ships.  But we're not above being totally suckered in by Disney Dream's newest innovation.  

The AquaDuck is a mammoth waterslide that spans over 700 feet in length, but remains cleverly hidden thanks to some unique design and clear and white tubing.  Passengers board a specially-designed raft from the second funnel and are taken for a ride that swings completely outside the ship, offering a view down to the sea over 140 feet below.

And that sounds pretty cool to us!

The Chef's Table at Remy

Remy, Disney Dream's upscale, adults-only dining venue.
Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Designed just for adults, Remy is a sophisticated dining experience featuring French-inspired gourmet cuisine which comes complete with a wine pairing package like those found on upscale lines like Silversea.  

The room itself, however, is just as much of a star as the food and looks as though it came straight off of the deckplans for the famous Ile de France.

The Enchanted Garden

 The Enchanted Garden aboard Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Finally, we close with a dining experience the whole family can enjoy: the Enchanted Garden.  Modeled after the Parisian gardens and "winter gardens" of the classic liners of yesteryear, the Enchanted Garden is a casual dining venue that magically transforms from day to night.  Custom glass flower fixtures, a terraced fountain and ornamental light posts make this a room to remember.

Curious?  Be sure to visit the Disney Cruise Line website for the complete scoop on Disney Dream.

Disney Turns A Dream Into Reality

When You Wish Upon A Star - you christen a new ship.

Disney Dream is officially inagurated in Port Canaveral, Florida

on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

 

 The big news yesterday was without a doubt the christening and maiden voyage of Disney Cruise Line's brand-new Disney Dream.  At 1,115 feet in length and capable of carrying up to 4,000 guests, the ship is the first newbuild for Disney since the launch of the Disney Wonder in 1999.

The ship was officially inagurated by godmother Jennifer Hudson in a lavish ceremony at the line's purpose-built terminal in Port Canaveral, Florida with hundreds of journalists, media, and guests in attendance.

 

The ship then set sail on a short preview cruise to the line's private island in the Bahamas - Castaway Cay.  Disney Dream will then begin her regular schedule of three and four-night Bahamian cruises on Friday.

Can't be there in person?  Don't worry - neither can we.  But Disney just released a plethora of mouth-watering images yesterday, and we'll take a look at some of the ship's more fascinating and unique areas tomorrow - here, on From the Deck Chair.

Take My Breath Away: the stunning Grand Atrium aboard

Disney Dream.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

 

Silversea Debuts Major Enrichment Programs for 2011

Silversea plans to offer enrichment programs on over 160 voyages.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Silversea announced on Monday it plans to radically enhance its onboard enrichment programs this year, offering over 160 voyages that feature nearly 200 hand-picked lecturers, chefs and destination experts.

Naturally, with a program this expansive, a new name is in order: Silver Perspectives.

Silver Perspectives is designed primarily to enrich and enhance the experience of guests sailing with Silversea by offering them a tantalizing glimpse into the professional careers and lives of individuals who are as unique as the sailings they are aboard.  A small sampling includes:

Silver Spirit - 12 February -World Cruise Segment 5105 (Auckland to Sydney)
Terry Waite: As envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite successfully negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya during the 1980s.  In 1987, negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage and held in captivity for 1,763 days. 

Silver Shadow - 7 May - Voyage 3109 (Shanghai to Tokyo)
Li Cunxin: Born into utter poverty in Mao's communist China, his astounding drive and relentless hard work made him one of the best ballet dancers in the world. The inspirational story of Li's life is recounted in his bestselling memoir Mao's Last Dancer, which has been made into a feature film.

Silver Whisper - 7 September - Voyage 4128 (Southampton to New York)
Alastair Bruce: A descendant of Robert the Bruce, he is the author of numerous books on British royalty and a commentator for Britain's Sky News and the BBC. He is also a documentary filmmaker and was historical advisor to recent award-winning films such as The Young Victoria and The King's Speech, as well as the acclaimed ITV and PBS television series Downton Abbey.

And aboard Silver Spirit's World Cruise Segment 5110 from Athens to Southampton, departing May 3, guests will find a bevvy of fascinating lecturers, including Silversea's own Christian Sauleau, Vice President of Fleet Operations.

What is most impressive about this program is the sheer variety of speakers from all walks of life - from famous authors to journalists, historians, chefs, foreign policy experts, filmmakers, and yes, Maritime Historians.  The legendary Bill Miller - one of the foremost maritime historians and authors - is slated to sail aboard Silver Whisper May 17, 2011 voyage from New York to Southampton.

In fact, Silversea offers so many voyages with such a wide range of guest lecturers and speakers that it's impossible to list them all here - literally.  We tried. 

Instead, why not have a look at the full (and astounding) list of voyages on Silversea's website that feature destination speakers, or better yet, view the list of guest speakers themselves to find out when your favorite personality might be sailing. 

Curious about a Silversea voyage?  Why not read our "live" report aboard the beautiful Silver Spirit for the full rundown of this excellent line as we sailed in December from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale.

Keeping Up-to-Date with Disney Dream

Disney Dream shown during her float-out in Germany.

Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Although we couldn't be in Orlando to personally witness the launch and maiden voyage of the new Disney Dream (sniff!), we can do the next best thing: live vicariously through someone else.

Starting today, veteran industry reporter and Avid Cruiser Ralph Grizzle will be checking in from time-to-time on the Avid Cruiser Facebook page, uploading tantalizing snippets from Port Canaveral.  Tonight, a big industry event kicks off at 7pm EST, with Disney Dream's maiden sailing to the Bahamas leaving Port Canaveral tomorrow night.

Tomorrow at 10:30AM EST, Disney Cruise Line itself will host a streaming webcast of the christening ceremonies.  A ship christening is an exciting event to begin with, but this is Disney we're talking about.  Expect it to be something a little more exotic than the usual speech and champagne-against-the-hull affair.

This is one ship launch you don't want to miss...virtually or in-person!  Check out both sites to stay up-to-date on this exciting launch.