This great nugget comes from one of our regular blog readers and comment makers, June, who runs the website http://www.travelscribbles.com
For those of you who watch what you eat and drink on the cruise, here's the final word on nutrition and health when you’re at sea. Apparently it all depends on your nationality! It's not such good news if you are American.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like - it's being American that is apparently what kills you.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Over-eating on a Cruise
Prow’s Edge used to have a very popular chat room. Sadly, because some computer web trouble makers thought it fun to contaminate our website through the chat rooms and actually make the website unattainable, we have had to erase the chat rooms.
But we still have the posts on file and are able to share some of the fun ones with you now.
One of the most popular topics of conversation on our blog was about food and people who thought it was justified to eat three portions of everything - and more.
Here’s a look at some of what was said.
Here’s a look at some of what was said.
From: High Seas
We have seen so much gluttony on cruise ships it is obscene. On a Carnival Cruises forum passengers talk about how many entrees they can order on a cruise and proudly claim to ordering 3 or more lobster entrees on the Captain's dinner night. Pure greed.
From : Jack&Alice (New York)
Don’t think that greed and gluttony is restricted to the budget cruise lines. I was sailing with Regent, and there was a guy on board who would appear for breakfast every day, head for the buffet, and nab the extra large, “display-only” croissant that was perched at the top of the buffet display. For 4 days, the astonished dining room staff replaced the display croissant - then finally gave up. The cream topping to the story is that the guy then made a huge fuss that they were not providing his large croissant each morning. It takes all sorts!
From: JollyRoger
The breakfast buffet attract the worst in passengers, doesn’t it?. You think the guy who nabbed the display croissant every morning was greedy? Forget it. He runs a poor second to the many passengers who march the length of the buffet table piling the plate with fruit salad, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns with two pancakes perched on top and then pouring syrup over the lot. On ONE plate. No kidding! The travel agent probably didn’t alert them to the fact that they could go back a second time (or a third)?
From: Able Seaman We’re just sick of watching people pile up their plates at the buffet and then leave a whole wack of food on the plate and get up for more, and do the whole thing all over again. This is not just greed : this is criminal waste.
From: Una (Florida)
You wonder why we’re a nation of obese people - go on a cruise and watch them there, and you won’t wonder anymore.
From: rickbend
And these are the very people, ordering 2 or three entrees and preparing a path to the cardiac unit who are screaming at me for smoking on the aft deck. These gluttons are going to be as much a drain on the National Health Service as I am, if not more. Greed AND hypocrisy.
From: BobT
Not sure how you work that one out, rickbend, but I get your point. Folks in glass houses etc.....
From: ejthompson
I am a member on two other cruise forums and I am astonished to read so many posts of people trying to justify their greed - even encouraging each other not to worry about what the dining room staff think when they order their banquet of gluttony.
We wonder why Americans have such a bad reputation as being loud and obnoxious when they're abroad. Can we be surprised. What else can the struggling serving staff on board the cruise lines think when they see overweight passengers ordering double portions of everything on sight - two entrees, sometimes even three - plates piled up with food at the buffets and only a portion of that being eaten, not one slice of cheesecake in the afternoon, but three, not to mention endless rounds of free ice cream, popcorn and chocolate. But the greed in of itself is not the worst part of it : it is the attempts to justify the greed that is truly obscene.
Watch out for our next blog in which we will continue to share with you these great and sometimes very funny blog posts. And if you wish to make any comments below, please do so - we would love to hear from you.
Or - if you'd like a gander at a whole mass of cruise ship recipes presented by some of the best chefs in the world, take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.htmlhttp://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.html
We have seen so much gluttony on cruise ships it is obscene. On a Carnival Cruises forum passengers talk about how many entrees they can order on a cruise and proudly claim to ordering 3 or more lobster entrees on the Captain's dinner night. Pure greed.
From : Jack&Alice (New York)
Don’t think that greed and gluttony is restricted to the budget cruise lines. I was sailing with Regent, and there was a guy on board who would appear for breakfast every day, head for the buffet, and nab the extra large, “display-only” croissant that was perched at the top of the buffet display. For 4 days, the astonished dining room staff replaced the display croissant - then finally gave up. The cream topping to the story is that the guy then made a huge fuss that they were not providing his large croissant each morning. It takes all sorts!
From: JollyRoger
The breakfast buffet attract the worst in passengers, doesn’t it?. You think the guy who nabbed the display croissant every morning was greedy? Forget it. He runs a poor second to the many passengers who march the length of the buffet table piling the plate with fruit salad, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns with two pancakes perched on top and then pouring syrup over the lot. On ONE plate. No kidding! The travel agent probably didn’t alert them to the fact that they could go back a second time (or a third)?
From: Able Seaman We’re just sick of watching people pile up their plates at the buffet and then leave a whole wack of food on the plate and get up for more, and do the whole thing all over again. This is not just greed : this is criminal waste.
From: Una (Florida)
You wonder why we’re a nation of obese people - go on a cruise and watch them there, and you won’t wonder anymore.
From: rickbend
And these are the very people, ordering 2 or three entrees and preparing a path to the cardiac unit who are screaming at me for smoking on the aft deck. These gluttons are going to be as much a drain on the National Health Service as I am, if not more. Greed AND hypocrisy.
From: BobT
Not sure how you work that one out, rickbend, but I get your point. Folks in glass houses etc.....
From: ejthompson
I am a member on two other cruise forums and I am astonished to read so many posts of people trying to justify their greed - even encouraging each other not to worry about what the dining room staff think when they order their banquet of gluttony.
We wonder why Americans have such a bad reputation as being loud and obnoxious when they're abroad. Can we be surprised. What else can the struggling serving staff on board the cruise lines think when they see overweight passengers ordering double portions of everything on sight - two entrees, sometimes even three - plates piled up with food at the buffets and only a portion of that being eaten, not one slice of cheesecake in the afternoon, but three, not to mention endless rounds of free ice cream, popcorn and chocolate. But the greed in of itself is not the worst part of it : it is the attempts to justify the greed that is truly obscene.
Watch out for our next blog in which we will continue to share with you these great and sometimes very funny blog posts. And if you wish to make any comments below, please do so - we would love to hear from you.
Or - if you'd like a gander at a whole mass of cruise ship recipes presented by some of the best chefs in the world, take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.htmlhttp://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chefs.html
Saturday, February 23, 2013
How to Pick the Best Family Cruise
This follows our blog about Why Cruise? To Vacation with the Whole Family! and offers advice on how to chose the right cruise for you.
The are plenty of reasons why cruises are the ideal vacation for so many people, and this includes families with children. But there is a lot to bear in mind and a lot of things to consider.
The first and most obvious thing when deciding on a cruise with your children is to spend some time on your research here on the internet and to see what the cruise lines offer, and which cruise lines specialize in catering to families traveling with children.
There are cruise lines that do not necessarily cater to children. Where this may sound heartless, it is in fact a natural way to offer a vacation for those who don’t particularly want to travel with children around them.
And then, of course, there are cruise lines that very often offer cruises for families but also feature “break-a-way” events and facilities on board so that Mom and Dad can get a break while the children are being well looked after. In fact, they all get so much fun, they probably don’t even miss each other.
The whole point in planning a cruise is to do the research before you make your mind up.
In doing your research and planning an ideal cruise for you and your children, there are many things to take into consideration.
WHICH CRUISE LINES ARE PERFECT FOR CHILDREN?
The first of your research chores of course is to look at which cruise lines blatantly advertise that they offer vacations that cater to families with children.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER SPECIAL RATES FOR CHILDREN?
The second thing then for many to consider is to find out if these cruise lines offer special rates for children. Their ages may make a difference.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER DIFFERENT FORMS OF ACCOMMODATION COMBINATIONS FOR FAMILIES?
It would be sensible to find out if the cruise lines now on your short list offer cabins that can accommodate one or two children a well as the two adults, or/and whether the cruise line under inspection offers adjoining cabins - the ideal solution if traveling with teenagers - so that they’re close enough to keep an eye on but they don’t have worry about Dad’s snoring.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF FOOD FOR DIFFERENT AGES?
Once of the equally important things to find out is the type and range of food available on the short list of cruises and cruise lines you now have in front of you. Many cruise lines offer special eating times for those with very young children, and for those older than that, a lot of cruise lines offer a wide range of alternatives that they might enjoy more than the older members of the family.
WHICH CRUISE LINE OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR FAMILIES?
Considered the next important thing to ask in your research is what exactly the cruise lines on your short list offer in the way of special activities for the children and for those age groups of your own children. This would include activities and entertainment on the ship itself as well as the type of shore excursions available. You also want to check wether the cruise you finally decide on has any special theme. You children might not really appreciate a ballroom dancing cruise, while you might not cherish the idea of cruise with a cartoon theme.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER THE BEST IN THE WAY OF DESTINATIONS?
The choice of where you take your cruise depends entirely on the tastes, hobbies and interests of every member of the family. We can’t offer any advice on this except that you need to make sure that the destination ( or the ship for that matter) does not cater to purely one or two members of the family.
The ship the part of the world she sails to should feature something to satisfy everyone.
Mush easier said than done, of course.
If planned well, however, a cruise can well be the perfect family vacation.
The are plenty of reasons why cruises are the ideal vacation for so many people, and this includes families with children. But there is a lot to bear in mind and a lot of things to consider.
The first and most obvious thing when deciding on a cruise with your children is to spend some time on your research here on the internet and to see what the cruise lines offer, and which cruise lines specialize in catering to families traveling with children.
There are cruise lines that do not necessarily cater to children. Where this may sound heartless, it is in fact a natural way to offer a vacation for those who don’t particularly want to travel with children around them.
And then, of course, there are cruise lines that very often offer cruises for families but also feature “break-a-way” events and facilities on board so that Mom and Dad can get a break while the children are being well looked after. In fact, they all get so much fun, they probably don’t even miss each other.
The whole point in planning a cruise is to do the research before you make your mind up.
In doing your research and planning an ideal cruise for you and your children, there are many things to take into consideration.
WHICH CRUISE LINES ARE PERFECT FOR CHILDREN?
The first of your research chores of course is to look at which cruise lines blatantly advertise that they offer vacations that cater to families with children.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER SPECIAL RATES FOR CHILDREN?
The second thing then for many to consider is to find out if these cruise lines offer special rates for children. Their ages may make a difference.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER DIFFERENT FORMS OF ACCOMMODATION COMBINATIONS FOR FAMILIES?
It would be sensible to find out if the cruise lines now on your short list offer cabins that can accommodate one or two children a well as the two adults, or/and whether the cruise line under inspection offers adjoining cabins - the ideal solution if traveling with teenagers - so that they’re close enough to keep an eye on but they don’t have worry about Dad’s snoring.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF FOOD FOR DIFFERENT AGES?
Once of the equally important things to find out is the type and range of food available on the short list of cruises and cruise lines you now have in front of you. Many cruise lines offer special eating times for those with very young children, and for those older than that, a lot of cruise lines offer a wide range of alternatives that they might enjoy more than the older members of the family.
WHICH CRUISE LINE OFFER WHAT IN THE WAY OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR FAMILIES?
Considered the next important thing to ask in your research is what exactly the cruise lines on your short list offer in the way of special activities for the children and for those age groups of your own children. This would include activities and entertainment on the ship itself as well as the type of shore excursions available. You also want to check wether the cruise you finally decide on has any special theme. You children might not really appreciate a ballroom dancing cruise, while you might not cherish the idea of cruise with a cartoon theme.
WHICH CRUISE LINES OFFER THE BEST IN THE WAY OF DESTINATIONS?
The choice of where you take your cruise depends entirely on the tastes, hobbies and interests of every member of the family. We can’t offer any advice on this except that you need to make sure that the destination ( or the ship for that matter) does not cater to purely one or two members of the family.
The ship the part of the world she sails to should feature something to satisfy everyone.
Mush easier said than done, of course.
If planned well, however, a cruise can well be the perfect family vacation.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Why Cruise? One Stop - Multiple destinations!
It may be an obvious advantage of a cruise as a holiday option but it is a reason for taking a cruise that is rarely pointed out.
In fact, there is no other vacation option that give you this advantage – the ability to be based in one place and yet enjoy many different destinations and locations.
One of our fans of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine, Hilda Oscar of Seattle, USA makes it clear.
“What other vacation offers me multiple destinations, different locations, sights and experiences with out having the hassle of finding out how best to get from one to the other and packing and unpacking every single day before carrying on,” she writes to us. “Obvious yes, but it only really dawned on me now why I like cruise so much. I stay in one “hotel” but move all over the location and get to see lots of different places. What could be more ideal!”
Obvious?
Yes! But how many regular cruisers ever put that at the top of their list of reasons to take a cruise as a holiday option.
In a study with reader participation at Prow’s Edge last year about “reasons to cruise” and anther one earlier about “why cruise”, not one singe reader put this at the top of their list.
Number one on the list, the number one reason to take a cruise, was about the food. People praised the luxury of all the amazing food and menus (and meals) aboard a cruise.
The next main reason our readers gave for cruising, in no real discernible order, were referring to the appeal of the entertainment offered on most cruise ships, from cabaret shows to pool side competitions.
The most obvious reason and advantage to a cruise barely made the list.
Hardly anyone pinpointed that one of the main advantages of a cruise as apposed to another kind of vacation is that you get to see many different places and you only have to unpack once.
When you wake up each day you are somewhere different, and you haven’t had any hassle getting there. You haven’t had to spend countless hours checking into yet another hotel, or jolting from one island to the next, or from yet another port or city to the next.
As Hilda says : You want to see somewhere new? Every day? What could be easier than a cruise!”
And she’s right! In fact - there really is no better way to see any area. Nothing easier or more comfortable.
In fact, there is no other vacation option that give you this advantage – the ability to be based in one place and yet enjoy many different destinations and locations.
One of our fans of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine, Hilda Oscar of Seattle, USA makes it clear.
“What other vacation offers me multiple destinations, different locations, sights and experiences with out having the hassle of finding out how best to get from one to the other and packing and unpacking every single day before carrying on,” she writes to us. “Obvious yes, but it only really dawned on me now why I like cruise so much. I stay in one “hotel” but move all over the location and get to see lots of different places. What could be more ideal!”
Obvious?
Yes! But how many regular cruisers ever put that at the top of their list of reasons to take a cruise as a holiday option.
In a study with reader participation at Prow’s Edge last year about “reasons to cruise” and anther one earlier about “why cruise”, not one singe reader put this at the top of their list.
Number one on the list, the number one reason to take a cruise, was about the food. People praised the luxury of all the amazing food and menus (and meals) aboard a cruise.
The next main reason our readers gave for cruising, in no real discernible order, were referring to the appeal of the entertainment offered on most cruise ships, from cabaret shows to pool side competitions.
The most obvious reason and advantage to a cruise barely made the list.
Hardly anyone pinpointed that one of the main advantages of a cruise as apposed to another kind of vacation is that you get to see many different places and you only have to unpack once.
When you wake up each day you are somewhere different, and you haven’t had any hassle getting there. You haven’t had to spend countless hours checking into yet another hotel, or jolting from one island to the next, or from yet another port or city to the next.
As Hilda says : You want to see somewhere new? Every day? What could be easier than a cruise!”
And she’s right! In fact - there really is no better way to see any area. Nothing easier or more comfortable.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Delicious New Food Recipe from Oceania Cruises
Sticking with the food theme, Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine is happy to showcase yet another amazing recipe from the cruise lines, this time from renowned and hugely respected Chef Franck Garanger who is currently aiding Oceania Cruises to increase and maintain their well earned reputation for amazing food.Now part of the esteemed team of culinary directors and executive chefs with Oceania Cruises including renowned Chef Jacque Pépin ( see his recipe at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-jacques-pepin.html), French born Fleet Corporate Chef Franck Garanger has worked at some of the world’s most famous hotels including the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, and the equally renowned Hotel de Cap Eden Roc on the French Riviera in Antibes.
His first position on a cruise ship was with esteemed Silversea Cruises in 1995 followed by Oceania Cruises in 2003.
“I liked the vision they had for the line,” Garanger says. “And I really liked the passion of all the people involved. They were so into food that, in everything we were creating, they were not only behind me but also tasting the food with me."
Many aspects of Garanger’s tenure with Oceania Cruises have been both challenging and rewarding.
“Regatta was a challenge because we had to start from scratch, and we were working with a ship we didn't build, so we had to make adjustments. We built Marina ourselves, but it was also challenging because we opened eight different restaurants – each a completely different concept – and had 160 cooks onboard to manage. In both cases, there were very high expectations, and we had to deliver in a short period of time. Both debuts were a huge success, and so of course, we’re very happy.”
The cruise passengers are also very happy!
For this latest recipe at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine see:
Seaweed-Flaked Fillet of Atlantic Turbot over Zucchini with Stuffed Clams and Champagne Foam
Watch out for another recipe from Chef Franck Garanger coming soon ....Monday, February 11, 2013
MORE Cruise Food Chef Recipes
Following the interest about the newly renovated CRUISE FOOD
section of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine here even more links at Prow's Edge to amazing recipes of famous, popular chefs.
Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine was one of the first cruise magazines on the internet to feature actual recipes by cruise ship chefs, many of which are world famous and very well respected
Some more of the most popular recipes to date are:
The very famous and respected Chef Jacque Pépin creates for Oceania Cruises a Tomato and Zucchini Salad at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-jacques-pepin.html
A seemingly simple recipe that many readers come back to time and time again is from Chef Nader for Windstar Cruises who shares his recipe for the Classic French Baguette at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-nader.html
Chef Sudesh Kishore of SeaDream Yacht Club tells us to make a really good Pumpkin Soup at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-Sudesh-Kishore.html
Chef Dirk Helsig, Executive Chef for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines shares his secret with "Gravlaks" at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-dirk-helsig.html
For many more amazing recipes from some of the world's most famous chefs - at no charge to you, the Prow's Edge reader, take a look at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-news-recipes-chefs.html
Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine was one of the first cruise magazines on the internet to feature actual recipes by cruise ship chefs, many of which are world famous and very well respected
Some more of the most popular recipes to date are:
The very famous and respected Chef Jacque Pépin creates for Oceania Cruises a Tomato and Zucchini Salad at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-jacques-pepin.html
A seemingly simple recipe that many readers come back to time and time again is from Chef Nader for Windstar Cruises who shares his recipe for the Classic French Baguette at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-nader.html
Chef Sudesh Kishore of SeaDream Yacht Club tells us to make a really good Pumpkin Soup at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-Sudesh-Kishore.html
Chef Dirk Helsig, Executive Chef for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines shares his secret with "Gravlaks" at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-dirk-helsig.html
For many more amazing recipes from some of the world's most famous chefs - at no charge to you, the Prow's Edge reader, take a look at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-news-recipes-chefs.html
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Why Cruise? To Vacation with the Whole Family!
In our first article about Why to Cruise! we talked about the idea of really escaping from the less obvious ties of life like the cell phone, newspapers and constantly being available for every one else to bug and disturb, no matter how well they mean by the interruptions.
In our second article about the point for some of a cruise is to be able to vacation with the entire family, no matter the age groups involved, and how many generations can get together for this once in a lifetime vacation without there being any problems.
Most cruise lines offer a wild variety of entertainment options to suite all different tastes and interests and certainly all sorts of ages.
While the youngest children can play in the playrooms under the supervision of qualified staff, the older children can make use of the spaces most large cruise lines have specifically for them and their “teenager” tastes in recreation, music, films and games.
And while the kids are all making new friends and doing lot of fun things they would never get to do all day when at home, their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles can devote their time to things more to their own tastes - from bridge tournaments to lectures about the next ports of call without worrying about the children being bored, or even worrying about where they are and whether they are getting up to any mischief or not.
Of course, every cruise line offers a different mix of recreation opportunities. Generally the larger cruise ships will have more on offer, and some cruise lines, such as the Disney Cruise Line offer so much for the children, the young ones will never want to get off the ship.
Most cruise lines offer a whole batch of things all members can do together like playing at the pool or enjoying the entertainment on offer in the early evening.
Other cruise lines concentrate more on the ports of call and offer a wide selection of excursions catering to all tastes, from museum excursions for the older passengers, to scuba diving adventures for the more athletic, to adventuresome trips like helicopter rides that the whole family can share and remember for many years to come.
The ideal point of the cruise as a vacation for the whole family is that everyone can spend their days doing exactly what they want to do, and then all gather together in the evening for a good, wholesome family meal after which no one has to tidy up or wash the dishes.
Family breakfasts are also a prefect way to start the day. All members can plan their days and let everyone know where they will be - and then when they all get together in the evening - they an share all their memories of the day. All members of the family will find the other members are much more interested in what they have to tell them when it’s not an activity they all have to deal with all day long.
There really is nothing as ideal as a cruise for a family vacation .
One word of warning - make sure you do your homework before you book your cruise. Not all cruise lines are the same or offer the wide variety of activities for different ages that many of them do.
Check out the various cruise line web sites and see what they have to offer!
In our second article about the point for some of a cruise is to be able to vacation with the entire family, no matter the age groups involved, and how many generations can get together for this once in a lifetime vacation without there being any problems.
Most cruise lines offer a wild variety of entertainment options to suite all different tastes and interests and certainly all sorts of ages.
While the youngest children can play in the playrooms under the supervision of qualified staff, the older children can make use of the spaces most large cruise lines have specifically for them and their “teenager” tastes in recreation, music, films and games.
And while the kids are all making new friends and doing lot of fun things they would never get to do all day when at home, their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles can devote their time to things more to their own tastes - from bridge tournaments to lectures about the next ports of call without worrying about the children being bored, or even worrying about where they are and whether they are getting up to any mischief or not.
Of course, every cruise line offers a different mix of recreation opportunities. Generally the larger cruise ships will have more on offer, and some cruise lines, such as the Disney Cruise Line offer so much for the children, the young ones will never want to get off the ship.
Most cruise lines offer a whole batch of things all members can do together like playing at the pool or enjoying the entertainment on offer in the early evening.
Other cruise lines concentrate more on the ports of call and offer a wide selection of excursions catering to all tastes, from museum excursions for the older passengers, to scuba diving adventures for the more athletic, to adventuresome trips like helicopter rides that the whole family can share and remember for many years to come.
The ideal point of the cruise as a vacation for the whole family is that everyone can spend their days doing exactly what they want to do, and then all gather together in the evening for a good, wholesome family meal after which no one has to tidy up or wash the dishes.
Family breakfasts are also a prefect way to start the day. All members can plan their days and let everyone know where they will be - and then when they all get together in the evening - they an share all their memories of the day. All members of the family will find the other members are much more interested in what they have to tell them when it’s not an activity they all have to deal with all day long.
There really is nothing as ideal as a cruise for a family vacation .
One word of warning - make sure you do your homework before you book your cruise. Not all cruise lines are the same or offer the wide variety of activities for different ages that many of them do.
Check out the various cruise line web sites and see what they have to offer!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Cruise Food Chef Recipes
The newly renovated CRUISE FOOD section of Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine begins a new lot of cruise food news items as well as featuring the popular recipes of famous chefs.
The most popular recipes to date are:
Pan Seared Maine Lobster by reputed Chef Georges Blanc for Carnival Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-georges-blanc.html
Grilled Swordfish with Naked Caponata by Cruise Line Chef David Shalleck for Windstar Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-david-shalleck.html
Sesame Seared Saku Tuna Loin with Marinated White Radishes with Soya and Wasabi Dressing by Chef Rosner, Executive Chef of Silversea Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-walter-rosner.html
Crab Brioche Thermidor by Chef Jean-Marie Zimmermann at Cunard Line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-jean-marie-zimmermann.html
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili by Chef Rudi Sodamin with Holland America Line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-rudi-sodamin.html
Salmon or Sea Bass in Crispy Potato Crust on Sauteed Spring Onions by Chef Karl Winkler for Cunard Line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-karl-winkler.html
Chocolate Truffles by Executive Chef Manfred Schaller for Crystal Cruises.
See www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-manfred-schaller.html
For many more wonderful recipes - at no charge to you, the Prow's Edge reader, take a look at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-news-recipes-chefs.html
The most popular recipes to date are:
Pan Seared Maine Lobster by reputed Chef Georges Blanc for Carnival Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-georges-blanc.html
Grilled Swordfish with Naked Caponata by Cruise Line Chef David Shalleck for Windstar Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-david-shalleck.html
Sesame Seared Saku Tuna Loin with Marinated White Radishes with Soya and Wasabi Dressing by Chef Rosner, Executive Chef of Silversea Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-walter-rosner.html
Crab Brioche Thermidor by Chef Jean-Marie Zimmermann at Cunard Line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-jean-marie-zimmermann.html
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili by Chef Rudi Sodamin with Holland America Line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-rudi-sodamin.html
Salmon or Sea Bass in Crispy Potato Crust on Sauteed Spring Onions by Chef Karl Winkler for Cunard Line at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-karl-winkler.html
Chocolate Truffles by Executive Chef Manfred Schaller for Crystal Cruises.
See www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-recipes-chef-manfred-schaller.html
For many more wonderful recipes - at no charge to you, the Prow's Edge reader, take a look at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-food-news-recipes-chefs.html
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Why Cruise? To Escape!
No matter how good life is, and how well ordered things may be at work and at home, a break away from it all can never be a bad thing, And one of the most popular ways to get “a break away from it all” is to take a cruise.
There is very little very surprise that the logo slogan for Princess Cruises is “escape completely”!
But the same thing happens on any cruise with any cruise line. Rather than dwelling on these obvious points, our blog about “escaping” is about how to do it efficiently.
HIDE THE PHONE
Turn your phone off and hide it at the bottom of your luggage at the back of the wardrobe. You cannot escape the worries and drudgery of work and home if you are in constant contact with work colleagues and family members. They may mean well when they share with you the facts that your boss has just fired 10 people and you might be next on the list, or that your neighbor called in the police because your dog dug up all her roses - again. There is nothing you can do about either event, or any like them, and the only effect of being kept in touch with the stuff at home is make sure you really don’t escape and have the break you deserve.
To get the most out of your holiday you’re far better off spending that time staring out to see with a blank mind or splashing in the warm waves of text tropical island as you look forward to the cocktails that evening.
DITCH THE EMAIL
The other method of contact to make sure you stay well away from is the computer and your trusty email account that is now even more important to your daily life than your right hand. As with having your telephone always at the ready, having constant access to your emails just makes sure that you do not really have the chance to escape and get the real benefit of being away.
IGNORE THE NEWSPAPERS
One of our dearest members of staff here at Prow’s Edge, has finally learnt not to read a newspaper when he’s away. We will never know what Robert’s wife threatened him with if he continued to hunker after the cruise ship’s news flyers and mini newspapers, but we do know that he comes home very much more relaxed for being away form the news for even a short while. The same ban, apparently, applied to his addiction for CNN on the cabin TV. It was banned. Though we have no doubt that Robert did find a source somehow, somewhere, without his wife knowing about it, we do acknowledge that his reduced exposure to news did help to make him more relaxed by the time he returned to the office a week later.
If you need to read something apart from the latest best-seller, or your favorite Dickens, spend the time studying the list of fun activities you can take part in on the cruise ship. You don’t need to know what your Prime Minister said this morning. Plenty of time to argue about that when you get home at the end of the cruise.
One of of the most interesting ideas on how to relax on a cruise, was one of a reader of Prow’s Edge who wrote to tell us how she made it a rule that no family or work problems were to be discussed for more than 2 minutes at a time, and then only once or twice a day. After the two minutes where up - the subject had to be closed. She said she was always amazed at how soon the 2 times a day was reduced to only once and finally to not at all. She said there was nothing more effective in relaxing you when you’re about to dwell on a problem once you know you only have two minutes and then you have to shut up about it.
With these few simple tips in your hand - a cruise does, as Princess Cruises vows, become a way to “escape completely”!
Let us know your ideas on these topics! We will be glad to hear from you!
There is very little very surprise that the logo slogan for Princess Cruises is “escape completely”!
But the same thing happens on any cruise with any cruise line. Rather than dwelling on these obvious points, our blog about “escaping” is about how to do it efficiently.
HIDE THE PHONE
Turn your phone off and hide it at the bottom of your luggage at the back of the wardrobe. You cannot escape the worries and drudgery of work and home if you are in constant contact with work colleagues and family members. They may mean well when they share with you the facts that your boss has just fired 10 people and you might be next on the list, or that your neighbor called in the police because your dog dug up all her roses - again. There is nothing you can do about either event, or any like them, and the only effect of being kept in touch with the stuff at home is make sure you really don’t escape and have the break you deserve.
To get the most out of your holiday you’re far better off spending that time staring out to see with a blank mind or splashing in the warm waves of text tropical island as you look forward to the cocktails that evening.
DITCH THE EMAIL
The other method of contact to make sure you stay well away from is the computer and your trusty email account that is now even more important to your daily life than your right hand. As with having your telephone always at the ready, having constant access to your emails just makes sure that you do not really have the chance to escape and get the real benefit of being away.
IGNORE THE NEWSPAPERS
One of our dearest members of staff here at Prow’s Edge, has finally learnt not to read a newspaper when he’s away. We will never know what Robert’s wife threatened him with if he continued to hunker after the cruise ship’s news flyers and mini newspapers, but we do know that he comes home very much more relaxed for being away form the news for even a short while. The same ban, apparently, applied to his addiction for CNN on the cabin TV. It was banned. Though we have no doubt that Robert did find a source somehow, somewhere, without his wife knowing about it, we do acknowledge that his reduced exposure to news did help to make him more relaxed by the time he returned to the office a week later.
If you need to read something apart from the latest best-seller, or your favorite Dickens, spend the time studying the list of fun activities you can take part in on the cruise ship. You don’t need to know what your Prime Minister said this morning. Plenty of time to argue about that when you get home at the end of the cruise.
One of of the most interesting ideas on how to relax on a cruise, was one of a reader of Prow’s Edge who wrote to tell us how she made it a rule that no family or work problems were to be discussed for more than 2 minutes at a time, and then only once or twice a day. After the two minutes where up - the subject had to be closed. She said she was always amazed at how soon the 2 times a day was reduced to only once and finally to not at all. She said there was nothing more effective in relaxing you when you’re about to dwell on a problem once you know you only have two minutes and then you have to shut up about it.
With these few simple tips in your hand - a cruise does, as Princess Cruises vows, become a way to “escape completely”!
Let us know your ideas on these topics! We will be glad to hear from you!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Packing for a Cruise - Part 7 (less is better)
There are literally hundreds of current opinions about what you should pack for your cruise. As we’ve said before - some people think “the more the better” while others would rather take as little as possible.
In fact all our blogs on this topic so far have been about taking as little as possible.
Which reminds us of another tale of a member of our staff called Miss Hoarder or Miss Sensible. You can see her previous comments and readers reactions at http://prows-edge-cruise-magazine.blogspot.ca/2013/01/packing-for-cruise-part-4-toiletries.html.
On a recent adventure to and in Alaska, June (her real name as apposed o being nicknamed Miss Hoarder) found herself on a 10 night cruise in Alaska with all her luggage missing. And it was a high class, luxury cruise.
After getting over the shock of it all, she then set about adapting some of the items in her husbands luggage and spent a very little at the ship’s shop for a single versatile top she could adapt in all sorts of ingenious ways, a single pair of elegant slacks, and some necessary underwear items. Enough to squeeze into a very small carry on bag at the end of the trip.
No one knew she had traveled the entire 10 days without her luggage.
So - it IS possible to make do with less - and certainly a lot easier with packing before you start your vacation and unpacking again when you get home.
June did admit that the one main disadvantage was the amount of laundry she had to do on the cruise - every night practically, but she did say that after a while she got used to the chore, and did wonder what on earth she would have done with the things she had packed in her now missing luggage.
Her original luggage was waiting for her when she got home!
In fact all our blogs on this topic so far have been about taking as little as possible.
Which reminds us of another tale of a member of our staff called Miss Hoarder or Miss Sensible. You can see her previous comments and readers reactions at http://prows-edge-cruise-magazine.blogspot.ca/2013/01/packing-for-cruise-part-4-toiletries.html.
On a recent adventure to and in Alaska, June (her real name as apposed o being nicknamed Miss Hoarder) found herself on a 10 night cruise in Alaska with all her luggage missing. And it was a high class, luxury cruise.
After getting over the shock of it all, she then set about adapting some of the items in her husbands luggage and spent a very little at the ship’s shop for a single versatile top she could adapt in all sorts of ingenious ways, a single pair of elegant slacks, and some necessary underwear items. Enough to squeeze into a very small carry on bag at the end of the trip.
No one knew she had traveled the entire 10 days without her luggage.
So - it IS possible to make do with less - and certainly a lot easier with packing before you start your vacation and unpacking again when you get home.
June did admit that the one main disadvantage was the amount of laundry she had to do on the cruise - every night practically, but she did say that after a while she got used to the chore, and did wonder what on earth she would have done with the things she had packed in her now missing luggage.
Her original luggage was waiting for her when she got home!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Packing for a Cruise - Part 6 (electronic extras)
While you might be one of the sensible travelers taking a cruise who recognize that such a vacation is about getting away from the usual equipments and gadgets that dominate our every-day lives, many of us fail to remember some of the essentials and spend much of our time at sea cursing the fact that we have forgotten to pack certain things.
Here at Prow’s Edge we have cut our list of essential extras that we should be packing. This is not to say that we want to use them all - but to make sure we have them, should we need them. – and then to ignore them.
One of the essentials that you may very well need however, and may wish to enjoy using, include your camera, camcorder, camera case and any extras like batteries and battery chargers that all go together. The trick is to remember to pack everything you need to make all your things operable and rechargeable.
Also – a tip from one member of our staff here at Prow’s edge – is to find gadgets to recharge batteries etc that do not have six feet of chords to go with it. It is possible to find many such items that plug directly into the power source.
Another hint about taking electronic extras with you on your cruise is to pack in your luggage all those items you know you will not need on the journey to and from the cruise such as rechargers, chords, extra batteries etc. You will have enough in your hand luggage without cluttering it up with all that.
Another electronic essential for many people, apart from their cameras etc, is their cell phone - not so that you can phone all your friends and boast about where you are or to pester the dog sitter to make sure Fido is getting his treats, but to make sure you have a way of contacting home should there be an emergency. It is also comforting to know that people at home have a way of contacting you should something occur you need to know about.
The idea, of course is to pack the phone far far away and try not to be tempted to use it. A cruise is all about getting away from work and worries at home. And learning about them is utterly pointless - there is nothing you can do while you’re in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
An important item on our list of electronic extras in previous years was an alarm clock. Most cruise ships these days, however, offer a very efficient service in wake up calls. Why cart your own clock about if someone else can take care of that for you. That is what being on vacation is all about.
If you have any ideas about electronic essentials for your cruise, and even better, if you have any ideas on how to avoid taking any of these things with you - please let us know here at social@prowsedge.com or leave a message at the end of this blog.
Here at Prow’s Edge we have cut our list of essential extras that we should be packing. This is not to say that we want to use them all - but to make sure we have them, should we need them. – and then to ignore them.
One of the essentials that you may very well need however, and may wish to enjoy using, include your camera, camcorder, camera case and any extras like batteries and battery chargers that all go together. The trick is to remember to pack everything you need to make all your things operable and rechargeable.
Also – a tip from one member of our staff here at Prow’s edge – is to find gadgets to recharge batteries etc that do not have six feet of chords to go with it. It is possible to find many such items that plug directly into the power source.
Another hint about taking electronic extras with you on your cruise is to pack in your luggage all those items you know you will not need on the journey to and from the cruise such as rechargers, chords, extra batteries etc. You will have enough in your hand luggage without cluttering it up with all that.
Another electronic essential for many people, apart from their cameras etc, is their cell phone - not so that you can phone all your friends and boast about where you are or to pester the dog sitter to make sure Fido is getting his treats, but to make sure you have a way of contacting home should there be an emergency. It is also comforting to know that people at home have a way of contacting you should something occur you need to know about.
The idea, of course is to pack the phone far far away and try not to be tempted to use it. A cruise is all about getting away from work and worries at home. And learning about them is utterly pointless - there is nothing you can do while you’re in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
An important item on our list of electronic extras in previous years was an alarm clock. Most cruise ships these days, however, offer a very efficient service in wake up calls. Why cart your own clock about if someone else can take care of that for you. That is what being on vacation is all about.
If you have any ideas about electronic essentials for your cruise, and even better, if you have any ideas on how to avoid taking any of these things with you - please let us know here at social@prowsedge.com or leave a message at the end of this blog.
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