Entertainment on a cruise

Depending on your experience of cruise travel and what’s usually on offer in your home town, entertainment on cruise ships can either thrill you or appall you.



If you live in New York, for example, and have seen all the latest shows, nothing on board any cruise ship is going to satisfy you. If you live in the heart of the midwest and haven’t seen a decent show in a long time, almost anything offered by the major cruise lines will probably make your trip a very memorable one.



The entertainment you’re going to be offered depends entirely on the type of cruise line you will be sailing with, and whether you enjoy it or not depends entirely on your experience of entertainment and what is offered at home – and of course your personal taste in what makes “quality” entertainment.



The contemporary or budget cruise lines that are continuously recognized for their entertainment are Royal Caribbean International who is often cited as offering the best in entertainment, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival. They offer everything from Broadway shows to nightly presentations inspired by today's popular theatre hits that pay tribute to show biz greats and musical eras.


Premium cruise lines such as Princess, Celebrity and Holland America showcase less elaborate productions but feature celebrity performers and leading popular musicians on selected sailings.



The more luxury of the cruise lines, such as Silversea, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn offer an even higher standard of entertainment and very often present local and regional folkloric troupes on board for performances that are designed to enhance the destination experience.



These cruise lines tend to offer another step up the ladder with stars of classical music as well as the “easy listening” alternatives.



Other cruise lines like those on rivers or the Arctic offer very different entertainment as well.



If cruise ship entertainment is important to you, study the brochures and their web sites very thoroughly to make sure you won’t be disappointed in what is on offer.

Most cruise lines feature smaller lounges and showrooms where cruisers can enjoy cabaret singers, classical quartets and piano recitals. Again, the quality of the performers tends to match the tastes of the majority of passengers that each cruise line caters for.



Depending on the cruise line you sail with, cruise ship entertainment has become much more sophisticated and choices of the type of entertainment on offer is much wider than before.


Cruise Lines Offering the Best Food

Now that we’ve outlined some of the things to avoid while taking a cruise in terms of avoiding over-eating - here is a good look  at some of the main cruise lines and what to expect from them in terms of the awards they have earned.



Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine awarded 3 cruise lines (Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Windstar Cruises) with the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Luxury Cruise Lines 2012/2013 awards, and 3 other cruise lines (Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises) with the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Other Cruise Lines 2012/2013



Cruise Critic singled out Oceania Cruises with their Best Dining award saying that “Oceania Cruises does an exceptional job on it’s cuisine”.



Cruise International recognized 6 cruise lines as having the best food. These are Celebrity Cruses, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and  Oceania Cruises.


Condé Nast Traveller recognizes Seabourn with very high scores for Best Food, Carnival Cruise Line has been recognized by CruiseMates as providing more for your money than any other cruise line, Crystal Cruises has been recognized for their outstanding on board restaurants by Howard Hillman’s popular Cruise Guide, and Best Food Awards have also been granted to Silversea and Regent.



And finally, after studying the various popular chat rooms about cruising and the quality of food at various cruise lines, it is clear that the repeated winners and favorites as far as those offering the best food are Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises.



Overall - the three cruise lines consistently winning awards for the best food are Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, followed closely by Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises.



Follow our next blog as we investigate the chat rooms in more detail and find out what is being said about food on cruise lines, and whether we should be taking these comments and awards very seriously!

Silversea at the Olympics

Silversea Cruises has been in the heart of the excitement of the 2012 Olympics in London as the Silver Cloud made its way through London and passed under the  London's Tower Bridge to find its birth nearby.



As part of the excitement of the huge event, and in recognition of being a part of it all, guests on Silversea Cruises, Silver Cloud received an iconic Olympic experience not soon to be forgotten.

As Silversea Cruises point out - this is just another example of how Silversea provides guests with uniquely enriching cultural connections.

The amazing photo of the Silver Cloud at rest not far from Tower Bridge is an image to remember for many years to come.

Makeover for Silversea Silver Shadow

Silversea Cruises' Silver Shadow has a fresh new look thanks to a major renovation completed during the two weeks that the ultra-luxury ship spent in dry dock in Singapore, before returning to service on March 19.

As with the refurbishment of sister ship Silver Whisper last year, the enhancements made aboard Silver Shadow echo the sophisticated contemporary design themes and warm color palettes of Silversea's newest ship, Silver Spirit.

Some of the highlights of Silver Shadow's makeover include:
• New Look for Suites: All carpets, headboards, curtains and veranda furniture were completely replaced. The sofas and chairs feature new upholstery. Each suite has a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress features an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. There is also a new memory pillow top that covers the mattress when configured as a queen-sized bed.
• Refreshed Public Areas: La Terrazza, the Bar, Panorama Lounge, Reception area, Card Room and Conference Room received new upholstery, carpeting, curtains and wall treatments. New carpet was laid in the Observation Lounge. The Spa features new wood flooring with new tiling and wall décor in the treatment rooms. The Restaurant's hardwood floor was completely reconditioned and polished and the chairs dressed in new upholstery. An upgraded sound system was added to the Show Lounge, Panorama Lounge and La Terrazza. New carpet was installed in all corridors, landings and staircases.
• Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track features all-new synthetic turf, and the pool area has been outfitted with new deck furniture, plus a new sound and light system for evening entertainment and outdoor shows. The pool itself has been upgraded inside and out with new tiles. A large awning was installed over the outdoor dining section of La Terrazza, along with new outdoor furniture. And the Pool Grill, sporting a new awning as well, will become The Grill for evening dining featuring the popular new Black Rock cooking concept that debuted aboard Silver Spirit. At the new outdoor restaurant, guests will enjoy an interactive dining experience that lets them cook prime meats and fresh seafood on heated volcanic rocks at their table.

For an overview of this cruise line see the PROW'S EDGE CRUISE MAGAZINE SILVERSEA PROFILE or visit the official Silversea Cruises website at www.silversea.com

Silversea Opens 2012 Cruises for Sale

Announcing that cruises for 2012 are now open for sale, Silversea Cruises have revealed a line up of more than 200 cruises to almost 450 destinations in more than 100 countries on seven continents.

"The world is an amazing place, and it's our goal to create opportunities for travelers to explore its marvels in exceptional style and comfort," said Steve Tucker, Silversea's vice president of field sales for North America. "Our 2012 schedule has been carefully designed to offer a broad range of travel choices, including multiple-day calls and overnight stays showcasing traditional must-see destinations, as well as journeys to remote regions that are inaccessible to mega-ships."

Some of the exciting destinations include eight new Silversea destinations: Santander, Spain; Porto Novo, Cape Verde; Larnaca, Cyprus; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Sihanoukville (also known as Kampong Som), Cambodia; Christiansted, St. Croix; and Ireland's Foynes and Killybegs.

For more about the 2012 cruises take a look at the latest Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine news page at SILVERSEA CRUISES FOR 2012 or take a look at the official web site at www.silversea.com

An overview of the cruise line can found at PROW'S EDGE CRUISE LINE PROFILES - SILVERSEA

Mid-Voyage Land Adventures from Silversea

Exploring the further reaches of ports of call is usually only possible at the start or end of a cruise, when there is more time to do so. This is one of the reasons that pre- and post cruise packages are so popular.

Recognizing this, Silversea Cruises has introduced a whole new line up of single- and multiple-day inland adventures for their cruise passengers, offering them a more extensive experience of the ports of call and what lies beyond.

"We continue to develop new programs that will allow our guests to enjoy authentic onshore experiences," said Darius Mehta, Silversea's associate vice president of air and land programs. "These mid-voyage adventures are carefully designed to take guests further into a specific region, giving them plenty of time to actively engage in its scenery, activities and cultural heritage."

The exciting selection of these new land-adventures include discovering the heart of the Australian outback by rail aboard the glamorous Indian Pacific train, venturing into the eastern Pyrenees to find the tiny, landlocked Principality of Andorra, or taking a trip to Camp Jabulani, set within the Kapama Private Game Reserve of Kruger National Park.

For more details of this and other land adventures offered by Silversea Cruises, take a look at the latest Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine news item at SILVERSEA REVEALS NEW MID-VOYAGE LAND ADVENTURES.

For more information about Silversea Cruises visit the official web site at http://www.silversea.com

Best Cruise Line Food - Prow's Edge Results

The results are in!

Gathering information and feedback from our readers in various polls over the past year, as well as taking their unsolicited comments into consideration, and adding to the mix, the opinions of our regular professional travel writers and contributors, Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine is pleased to announce the cruise lines that top their lists for BEST CRUISE LINE FOOD for 2010.

The Best Cruise Food to be found on CONTEMPORARY CRUISE LINES in 2010






Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line vie for joint leader position in both food and food service on a contemporary cruise line for the year 2010.

---

The Best Cruise Food to be found on PREMIUM CRUISE LINES in 2010



Celebrity Cruises consistently comes to the top of the list of the premium cruise lines for 2010 in both the food and food service categories.

---

The Best Cruise Food to be found on LUXURY CRUISE LINES in 2010





Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are at the head of the list in 2010 of best cruise food on a luxury cruise line. Crystal Cruises score slightly higher in food service.

---

The Best Cruise Food to be found on ULTRA-LUXURY BOUTIQUE CRUISE LINES in 2010







SeaDream, The Yachts of Seabourn, and Silversea Cruises top the list of offering the best cruise food in the ultra-luxury cruise line sector in 2010 with SeaDream leading the way in food service.

For more information about crusie line food, with recipes from the cruise line chefs - take a look at the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine Cruise Food section.

Savings for Singles

Both Silversea Cruises and Pandaw River Cruises have announced dramatic savings for single cruisers.

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has reduced the single supplement on more than 20 sailings in 2011 to just 10% - 25% (above the per-person, double-occupancy fare) for Vista, Veranda and Midship Veranda suites.

Initially launched last summer on select 2010 voyages, the line's specially reduced Solo Traveler fares proved such a popular incentive with independent travelers that the company is extending the offer to select 2011 itineraries.

For a complete list of 2011 sailings offering single supplements from 10% to 25% visit Silversea.com and click on Special Offers.

Similarly, Pandaw River Cruises have announced "no single supplements" for the January 1, 2011 departure of the RV Orient Pandaw "Into the Heart of Borneo" cruise.

For more information on this and other savings take a look at the Pandaw River Cruises web site at www.pandaw.com

For an overview of these and other cruise lines, take a look at the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine cruise line profiles.

Awards for Luxury Cruises - Silversea Tops the Lists

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury cruises segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit.

And Silversea consistently earns recognition for its leadership in the luxury market.

In the USA, Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI).

International awards include:
• "Best Innovation in Products and Services" from the Italian Innovazione Marketing Oggi Awards (2009)
• "World's Leading Small Ships Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards (2009)
• "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2009)
• "Number One" small-ship line in the Readers' Choice survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007)
• "Best Luxury Cruise Line" Excellence Award by Spain's Cruise News Media Group (2009)
• "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009) and
• "Best Luxury Cruise Operator" according to Asia's Travel Weekly (2008).

For more information about Silversea Cruises visit the recently updated Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine profile for Silversea at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-silversea-cruises.html or visit the official Silversea Cruises website at www.silversea.com.

STAR STUDDED LINEUP FOR SILVERSEA

Just 6 days ago we reported that John Cleese will be highlighting an array of celebrity speakers aboard the Silver Spirit's inaugural cruise in 2010. Now, Silversea Cruises has announced an impressive lineup of guest speakers fleet wide including Christopher Cazenove, British stage, film and television actor; Terry Hughes, former head of BBC TV Variety; Alastair Bruce, the Royal and National Events Commentator for Britain's Sky News; Michael Buerk, BBC news correspondent and anchor; Ambassador Richard Gardner, former U.S. ambassador to Italy and Spain; Dr. John G. Stackhouse, Jr., award-winning historian, theologian, philosopher and journalist; Bill Toone, conservation biologist and executive director of the Ecolife Foundation; Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.; Richard Cowley, former director-general of the Anglo-Uruguayan Cultural Institute; and John Harrison, a British explorer and author.

For exact sailing dates and cruise ships visit http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-news-100609-silversea-cruises-star-lineup.html