Byron Clayton - Cruise Travel Writer

It's all about the personal perspective - and the actual real cruise experiences as told by established and talented cruise travel writers. At Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine we showcase the excellent articles of more than 26 cruise travel writers who have traveled on cruises all over the world, from Australia to Northeast Asia.

Our latest addition is from Byron Clayton as he shares his experience with Azamara Club Cruises in Northeast Asia. Take a look at Boutique Luxury Cruising with Azamara.

Byron Clayton is a freelance travel writer who has been living and traveling extensively in Asia for the last 10 years. Since 1984, Byron has been a passionate cruiser and started the website claytonshipping.com in 2007, with a focus on ship appreciation in Asia. He regularly publishes articles on shipping in Asia, UK and US.

Other popular cruise travel writers published at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine include:

• Roger Allnutt

• Alec Alpert

• Bob Barton

• Brooke Cunningham

• Byron Clayton

• Toni Dabbs

• Doug English

• Richard Gilbert

• Winnie Graham

• Pamela Irving

• Naomi Kabak

• Barbara Kingstone

• Stu Lloyd

• Jessica Mannering-Gold

• Susan R Norton

• Petra O'Neill

• Jim Peerless

• Julie Rekai Rickerd

• Kevin Retief

• Ursula and Eldrid Retief

• Peter Sommer

• Sharon Spence Lieb

• Robert Tilley

• Christina Tree

• Ruby Turner

• Richard Varr

• Doug Yochim

Book for Cruisers

New Book from popular cruise lecturer - Sabin Robbins

Sabin Robbins, a former National Geographic writer, zoo society director, and cruise ship lecturer has written a one-of-a-kind guidebook about such ocean wonders as whales, dolphins, sharks, seabirds, pirates, and even sea monsters and sea mysteries.

Each illustrated chapter recreates a popular cruise lecture that ranks highest in interest and enjoyment based on passenger surveys.

You’ll discover- without getting wet- what it feels like to pet a whale, how dolphins sleep, and that some seabirds can actually count how many fish they catch. You’ll find out if sharks are really the most dangerous of all predators; if real pirates were as glamorous as books and movies portray; and whether the Bermuda Triangle is a natural or supernatural force that swallows ships and sailors.

Robbins recounts remarkable wildlife stories. How an angry 80-foot sperm whale rammed and sank a 238-ton whaling ship. And in contrast, how four divers risked their lives to save a drowning 50-foot whale by cutting off a dozen entangling crab traps and yards of rope. When the whale was finally free, she swam to each diver and nuzzled him as if to thank them before swimming away. Or how a dolphin safely led ships thru a shallow, dangerous channel for 24 years.

Then there was Andrea Lyons who so loved her pet shark, Archie, that she married him. Explained Andrea, “As far as I’m concerned, he’s one helluva catch.”

As Robbins writes, “We live on a planet that is 70% covered with water- home to most of our wildlife that is increasingly threatened. So hopefully this book will increase cruisers’ appreciation of ocean wonders. Because in the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we learn and experience.”

Read the whole first chapter about The Secret Life of Whales at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine or purchase the book at Amazon.com

Royal Caribbean in Victoria Dry Dock

Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas enters the Victoria Shipyards in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada, to start her 22-day dry dock.

The ship will receive a variety of enhancements including a Samba Grill, Giovanni’s Table, Park Café, Boardwalk Dog House, Izumi, as well as 15 new staterooms.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 ships currently in service.

The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visitwww.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Travel professionals should go to www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

Or visit Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine and explore the wealth of information on everything from Safety at Sea to actual cruise experiences from world class travel writers.

Cunard Line Insights Program

Politicians, entertainers, best-selling authors, a CNN correspondent turned novelist, and a revered astronaut are among the eclectic variety of speakers in the award-winning Cunard guest enrichment program.



Guests are able to learn more about politics, entertainment, literature, science and history through renowned speakers from former vice president and editor-in-chief of Daily Variety Peter Bart, legendary British crime novelists P.D. James and Baroness Ruth Rendell CBE, to The Byrds musician Roger McGuinn and debut novelist Kitty Pilgrim, a former CNN correspondent turned novelist who features Cunard’s Queen Victoria in her debut thriller.

“This year’s speaker line-up certainly will appeal to a broad range of interests, giving guests a chance to update on favorite subjects as well as learn about something new,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “”

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. 

Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

For full details of the Cunard Line Insights Program visit the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine news item at 

http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-news-cunard-line-guest-speakers-0515.html

For more information about Cunard Line Insights Program, please visit http://www.cunard.com/

For a brief over view of Cunard Line take a look at the Prow’s Edge Cruise Line Magazine profile of Cunard Line


SeaDream Arrives in London

The afternoon of Saturday May 7, 2011 saw the stylish, 112-guest mega yacht SeaDream I arrive in London for the very first time, mooring alongside the HMS Belfast at Tower Bridge.

For two days – Sunday, May 8 and Monday, May 9 - SeaDream Yacht Club showcased SeaDream I to over 400 UK travel industry professionals and the media, with a series of exclusive invitational events. 



Says SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto: “Bringing SeaDream I to the UK was a long-held dream of both mine and the Owner/Chairman, Atle Brynestad… and to bring her to the pool of London over such a sunny weekend has been an absolute delight. Her arrival and departure were also greeted with much enthusiasm by crowds of well-wishers and tourists who crammed the towpaths and piazzas around the Tower of London and St Katherine’s Dock, making our visit all the more special.”

Together with sister vessel SeaDream II, SeaDream I is rated the ‘World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line’ (source: the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2003-2011). Each vessel has just 56 staterooms, a crew of 95 and the two yachts are the only locations at sea to be certified members of the Thai Spa Association; and to have outside open-seating a la carte restaurants able to accommodate every guest, not just a privileged few.

Voyage-only fares are inclusive of open bar, complimentary champagne, wines with lunch and dinner, use of recreational and water sports equipment (subject to local conditions) and gratuities. For more information, contact 800-707-4911 or info@SeaDream.com or click here for an overview of SeaDream Yacht Club Cruises from Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine.

Entertainment with Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announced an expanded line-up of renowned artists, lecturers, and entertainers for its 2011-2012 sailings. The impressive roster of onboard presenters as well as exclusive excursions and exhibits provides guests of The Gauguin educational experiences to enhance their appreciation for the natural and cultural history of French Polynesia.

As part of the authentic Polynesian experience aboard The Gauguin, guests are invited to sample the local cuisine and watch electrifying Polynesian performances, or choose to indulge in traditional Tahitian spa treatments and experience the beauty of French Polynesia through an array of optional shore excursions. To further enrich the onboard experience, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers lectures by special guests in art, history, ecology, and Polynesian culture. Lecture topics include the history of the South Pacific, the conservation of coral reefs and marine creatures, astronomy, island formation, black pearl farming, and much more, and, in addition, respected Polynesian artists offer regular exhibits of paintings and photography. Celebrated guests include:

· Bobbie Verdegaal: The Gauguin’s onboard naturalist, Verdegaal is a trained marine biologist and environmental educator with extensive experience in the waters of French Polynesia. With her wealth of knowledge and engaging manner, she is well equipped to teach and discuss a wide range of topics associated with the marine environment of the beautiful South Pacific.
· Mark Eddowes: Eddowes is an acknowledged authority and researcher in the field of Polynesian anthropology. Almost every voyage offers entertaining and enlightening lectures by this renowned archaeologist and scholar—and gifted raconteur.
· Cécile Gaspar: President of Te Mana O Te Moana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education, and research, Gaspar will enlighten guests on the organization’s efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and return them to the deep.
· Gotz Donaghy Philippe: Appearing on the July 9, 2011 sailing, painter and artist Gotz Donaghy Philippe uses his in-depth knowledge of Polynesian life to pen a humorous comic strip. Donaghy is also an expert on the Polynesian art of tattooing, having written several books on the subject. Guests will gain a unique perspective of French Polynesia through his artwork.
· Jean-Pierre Vigato: Parisian Celebrity Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato - owner and Chef Propriétaire of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris - will join guests aboard the July 30, 2011, culinary sailing, where he will personally prepare gourmet dishes and offer demonstrations of his culinary techniques.
· Devlin, The Matador of Magic: A professional magician for more than 30 years, Devlin brings a Latin flair to his style of magic, which has earned him the sobriquet "Matador of Magic!" The recipient of the Society of American Magicians’ highest honor, Magician of the Year, he has appeared (and disappeared!) on stages around the world—including select sailings aboard The Gauguin.

For more information about these and other special guests, please visit http://www.pgcruises.com/onboard/special-guests.aspx.

For a brief over view of Paul Gauguin Cruises take a look at the PROW'S EDGE CRUISE LINE PROFILE OF PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES