Love Boat Relieves

A remarkable 9.5-foot-long replica of the original “Love Boat” – Pacific Princess – constructed entirely of LEGOs not only attracted the attention of fans at the Brickworld convention in Chicago, it even attracted the famous television show’s captain, actor Gavin MacLeod.

MacLeod, a Princess Cruises ambassador, paid a visit to the convention to surprise the LEGO "Love Boat" creator, Ryan McNaught. One of the few master LEGO builders in the world, McNaught had no idea he would come face to face with the real "Love Boat" captain. McNaught, who was even presented with his own captain’s hat, called the experience “mind blowing – especially after seeing him on TV for all those years.”

In return, MacLeod was astounded by the extraordinary ship constructed from more than 250,000 LEGO bricks. It’s the largest single project ever undertaken by McNaught, the son of a Melbourne, Australia travel agent, and a cruise fan himself.
The model features the exterior of the famous ship on one side, while the other side is an open cutaway revealing all the action inside - from chefs in the kitchen to passengers working out in the health club. Flashing LED lights for the disco and tiny motors powering the propellers and elevators complete the replica.

MacLeod was also especially interested to see the ship features the TV show cast, with LEGO models of his own Captain Stubing, as well as purser Gopher, cruise director Julie, and even some of the show’s most famous guests.

Brickworld, held annually in Chicago, is one of the largest LEGO conventions in the world.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

Photo: Gavin MacLeod and LEGO “Love Boat” builder Ryan McNaught at Brickworld in Chicago

Amazonia Featured on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

As part of Vistas, its wide-ranging cruise enhancement programme, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is proud to welcome on board the famed explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell. Lecturing aboard Braemar’s cruise of the Brazilian Amazon, M1203, appropriately he will be talking about ‘Amazonia’ and expeditions to this fascinating region.

There could hardly be a better guest speaker for such an exciting cruise; John Blashford-Snell has led some of the most ambitious expeditions ever undertaken. In 1968, when Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia invited the British Army to send a team to explore the Blue Nile, the then Royal Engineers’ Captain Blashford-Snell was invited to select and lead a team. The success of that venture led to many more, including the first vehicle crossing of the Darien Gap in 1971/2, and in 1974/5 the navigating of 2,700 miles of the Great Zaire River (also known as the Congo).

Colonel John Blashford-Snell has led over 100 expeditions, resulting in many important discoveries and supports numerous charities. His knowledge and experience will no doubt make him a fascinating and well-informed speaker.

The cruise departs on 2nd February 2012, with flights from London-Gatwick and Manchester, to join the ship in Bridgetown, Barbados. Braemar then sails for the mouth of the Amazon, and cruises deep into the heart of this mighty river, visiting Santarem, Parintins and Manaus. The vibrant rainforest, with its colourful flora and fauna, will be brought even more vividly to life by the expert talks courtesy of Col. Blashford-Snell.

On the return journey, Braemar visits Tobago, then returns to Barbados for the flights home.

Prices start from £1,939 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes return chartered flights and transfers, accommodation and all meals and entertainment on board, in addition to port and airport taxes. Flights are with a fully - escorted exclusive Fred. Olsen charter.

Find out more about this cruise by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com Book online, by calling reservations on 01473 742424, or through any ABTA travel agent. Find our more about the Vistas enhancement programme by visiting www.fredolsencruises-vistas.com

Have a look at the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine to find out more about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and other cruises all over the world

Mary Higgins Clark and Crystal Cruises

With 42 bestselling books to her name, novelist Mary Higgins Clark, a.k.a. the “Queen of Suspense,” knows a thing or two about keeping audiences on the edges of their seats. Now, lucky fans can hear her spin tales about her life, career, and suspense-writing secrets, live and in person on Crystal Cruises’ “Beyond the Bosporous” sailing from Venice to Istanbul on September 7.

Clark didn’t achieve success writing books until her late ‘40’s, when her second book, Where are the Children, became a paperback hit. Since then, her books have sold over 100 million copies in the U.S. alone, with her most recent, I’ll Walk Alone, being published just this past April. Clark has been honored with numerous awards as an author, and is an active advocate for, and participant in, literacy programs.

Her presentations on board Crystal Serenity will see her opening the book on what it takes to write her tomes, from conception to publication, with personal true tales behind the fiction, and even a Q&A session.

The Crystal Serenity sailing provides more time in romantic Venice and cosmopolitan Istanbul with overnights in both starting and ending ports. Additional calls during the twelve day Black Sea/Mediterranean voyage include Katakolon, Greece; Navplion, Greece; Constanta, Romania; Odessa and Yalta, Ukraine; and Trabzon, Turkey (maiden call). Per person, Two-for-One fares start at $7,485, with savings on verandah and penthouse staterooms as part of Crystal’s big fall fare sale. All bookings include free air transportation from 24 North American gateway cities, and $2,000 per couple “As You Wish” shipboard credit.

Crystal’s award-winning, luxurious offerings always include a diverse selection of thought-provoking, scholarly, and sophisticated enrichment activities that provide extensive onboard choices for cultured world travelers. The renowned Crystal Experience has been rated “World’s Best” in its category more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, or call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

For more information about Crystal Cruises and other cruises, visit the top cruise web site at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine

Royal Caribbean 3-D

In conjunction with the arrival of DreamWorks Animation’s 3-D feature film “Kung Fu Panda 2” in theaters, Royal Caribbean International is celebrating Pandamonium aboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas with a series of onboard red-carpet premieres.

Through August 2011, guests of the four ships can enjoy ample screenings of “Kung Fu Panda 2” in 3-D, in addition to the year-round DreamWorks Experience, which first launched aboard Allure of the Seas, and features entertainment, character meet and greets, unique events and parades, a dedicated DreamWorks Animation channel on RCTV, and kids programming rooted in the popular DreamWorks Animation movies.

In the above photo, Cruise Director Ken Rush and Po the Dragon Warrior welcome guests at the red-carpet premier of “Kung Fu Panda 2” aboard Allure of the Seas.

Visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

For an overview of Royal Caribbean take a look at the PROW'S EDGE CRUISE MAGAZINE CRUISE LINE PROFILE - ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Posidonia Sea Tourism

The potential for sea tourism and its significance as a key factor in the development of the economies of Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea region will be examined in depth during the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, scheduled to take place 21-22 June 2011 at the prestigious Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens.



The 1st Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will bring together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and representatives of the region’s sea tourism industries and create the opportunity to interact, discuss and explore ways which can help develop this important sector and maximize the sea tourism potential of the region.

The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is geared to present growth potential and investment opportunities for Greece, Eastern Med and Black Sea.

For more information about the event take a look at http://www.posidoniaseatourism.com/

Godmothers Name Orion II

Sarina Bratton, Founder and Managing Director of Orion Expedition Cruises, today joined with the ship’s crew and invited guests at a dockside ceremony in Seattle to officially name Orion II, the latest acquisition for Orion Expedition Cruises.

Resisting the current populist use of star profiles to name new ships, Sarina chose three Godmothers from Orion’s past guests to jointly name Orion II. Together they represent the most travelled females on Orion – Jill Bennette, Laurel Norris and Shirley Turtle; their status of Godmother in recognition of loyalty to Orion Expedition Cruises. Between them they have travelled on over 50 voyages on Orion and so are well placed to represent guests, past and future.

Many guests who travelled on Orion’s first voyage from Tahiti to Australia in 2005 have joined Sarina onboard Orion II for the inaugural 24 night voyage from Vancouver to Otaru, Japan departed already on 10 June 2011.

The attached image features (left to right) Laurel Norris, Jill Bennette and Shirley Turtle at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Seattle, 9 June.

For more information about Orion Expedition Cruises take a look at the Prow’s Edge Profile for Orion, or visit the official web site at www.orionexpeditions.com

SeaDream Sails from Hamburg

The stylish, 112-guest mega yacht SeaDream I has now departed from Hamburg, Germany for an 11-night voyage concluding in Bergen, Norway. This is the start of her northern-summer season in the Baltic, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

SeaDream I has just come out of a 20-day drydock, getting a little extra pampering and tender loving care.

The drydock work included laying new carpeting in all public areas, Suites and Staterooms. The Golf Simulator was upgraded. A new Jacuzzi was installed. New cushions for all the chairs at the outside dining area. New upholstery for all the Balinese Beds on Deck 6 and for the seating areas around the Top of the Yacht Bar. All staterooms have been freshly wallpapered and the woodwork has been sanded and re-varnished. The hull was pressure washed and repainted and the tenders have also been upgraded.

SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto said “maintenance at regular intervals of time is the key to providing these vessels a long and efficient life at sea”. Adding “much of the work being done is not necessarily visible, and that includes changing out air conditioning units, steel and pipe work, upgrades to galley equipment etc...”

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. 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 visit www.seadream.com, contact 800-707-4911 or take a look at the profile for SeaDream at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-seadream-yacht-club.html