MSC Divina to bring some firsts to Miami

BY JAY CLARKE
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD

When MSC Divina arrives in Miami in November, it will mark the beginning of a first for MSC Cruises — the first time the line has stationed a ship year-round at a North American port. And it will offer a number of options that were not available on MSC ships that sailed seasonally here.

First, in partnership with Eataly, an upscale Italian chain with restaurants also in Japan and the United States, Divina will have two restaurants and a boutique Eataly marketplace new to North America on board. Eataly debuted this year on Divina’s sister ship, MSC Preziosa. The new dining rooms are the upscale Ristorante Italia and Manzo, a steakhouse patterned after Eataly’s restaurant in Manhattan.

In an industry first, Divina will offer classes in Aqua Cycling, the latest fitness craze, which uses bikes in pools. Also new on the ship will be Top 18, an adults-only oasis with personal lounge beds, bar menu and spa services. And available for the first time on the line’s North America sailings will be the MSC Yacht Club, a luxurious section of the ship with personal butler, 24-hour concierge service, complimentary wines and spirits, and exclusive lounge, restaurant and pool.

The 3,274-passenger ship, which entered service in 2012, will start Caribbean cruises out of Miami Nov. 20.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/28/3650141/msc-divina-to-bring-some-firsts.html

More cruise lines reducing on-board smoking areas

A number of major cruise lines have made their onboard smoking policies more restrictive.

Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Seabourn all announced changes recently. Depending on the line and the ship, the new policies will affect guest balconies, staterooms and public spaces.

Douglas Ward, author of the guidebook Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships 2014, said the changes are "simply evolutionary — more no-smoking passengers are asking the cruise lines to reduce the smoking areas."

Traditionally, most ships had smoking and smoke-free areas, he said. "Ocean liners of yesteryear were famous for their large smoking rooms."

Many of the new policies prohibit smoking on balconies.

Full story at: http://www.tampabay.com/features/travel/more-cruise-lines-reducing-on-board-smoking-areas/2143443

'Dancing with the Stars' performers to headline cruises

(Photo: Anthony Heywood)

Fans of Dancing with the Stars might want to make a last-minute booking for one of two upcoming cruises on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam.

The line says show dancers Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus will be aboard the 2,106-passenger vessel's Jan. 5 "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" theme cruise and a Jan. 12 Champions Cruise, as will actress and former celebrity participant Sabrina Bryan.

All three of the show veterans will perform for passengers and take part in activities that include meet-and-greets with passengers and question-and-answer sessions.

The Jan. 12 cruise will feature winners of "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" competitions held over the past year on all 15 ships in the Holland America fleet. The sailings are just the latest in Holland America's growing series of Dancing with the Stars voyages.

Both trips are seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/09/13/dancing-with-the-stars-cruise/2808635/

Disney Cruises to Go All Out for Halloween and Christmas Parties

Aside from being a well-known kids' dreamland, Disney Cruise Line is renowned for constantly developing fun new on-board programs so returning guests don’t repeat the same experiences over and over again.

This fall, for example, cruisers will enjoy Disney’s "extra-spooky" celebration of "Halloween on the High Seas." This series of celebrations takes place on most voyages aboard Disney Dream from late September through October. Once the Halloween decorations have been stored away at the end of October, get ready for "Very Merrytime Cruises," beginning November 9 on Disney Fantasy and Wonder and November 10 on Disney Dream and Magic.

What can your family expect if you’re sailing Disney Dream during the Halloween festivities? Get ready for Halloween-theme parties, as well as holiday-themed entertainment and décor—and be on the lookout for the new Halloween Tree, which transforms throughout your voyage.

Read more at  http://www.fodors.com/news/disney-cruises-go-all-out-for-halloween-and-christmas-parties-7032.html

7 super-extravagant U.S. cruises

These are the top rated 7 U.S. cruises. In no particular order, the finalist are

• Linblad Expeditions, Alaska cruise
• Celebrity Cruises, Immersive Wine Cruise
• Azamara Club Cruises, Panama Canal Cruise
• Cunard, Queen Mary 2, transatlantic cruise
• American Queen Steamboat Company Mississippi River Cruise
• Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean, Quantum of the Seas

For summary of each of these amazing cruise read on
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/06/travel/american-luxury-cruises/?hpt=hp_mid