DOGS AT SEA? Oscar leads the way!

Aqua Expeditions hosted Oscar the Top Dog on a 3-day expedition aboard the M/V Aqua last month during the first-ever "World Woof" global community service tour.

A non-profit global initiative, the World Woof Tour featured Oscar the Top Dog making stops in 35 countries in an effort to inspire dog adoption across the globe.

More information about Oscar (and some very handsome photos of him) can be found at his web site at http://www.worldwooftour.com

The 2009 World Woof Tour included Oscar and his crew visiting rural areas in Africa, Thailand, Russia, Nepal and China, and finishing aboard the M/V Aqua with stops in communities along the Amazon River.

For more information about Aqua Expeditions, exploring the more remote and pristine areas of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve in the upper Amazon River and its tributaries, visit www.aquaexpeditions.com.

New Ships for 2010 - Good news about the cruise industry for 2010

Celebrating 35 years, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members are forecasting a year of growth and continued success in 2010.

One of the big markers of the state of the industry is the number of new ships being introduction.

After introducing 14 new ships representing a total investment of $4.7 billion in 2009, the CLIA fleet is set to invest an additional $6.5 billion and welcome 12 new vessels this year.

Important too is the diversity of the new cruise ships. The new ships in 2009 and those coming in 2010 range in capacity from 101 passengers to 5,400 passengers and have been and are being built for everything from roaming the globe in sheer luxury to sailing the waters of Europe's most famous rivers and the coastlines of North America.

The newest members of the CLIA fleet are set to include:

• Royal Caribbean International: Allure of the Seas (5,400 passengers)
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Epic (4,200 passengers)
• Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Eclipse (2,850 passengers)
• MSC: MSC Magnifica (2,550 passengers)
• Costa Cruises: Deliziosa (2,260 passengers)
• Holland America Line: Nieuw Amsterdam (2,100 passengers)
• Cunard Line: Queen Elizabeth (2,092 passengers)
• Seabourn Cruise Line: Seabourn Sojourn (450 passengers)
• Avalon Waterways: Felicity and Luminary (138 passengers)
• Pearl Seas Cruises: Pearl Mist (110 passengers)
• American Cruise Line: Independence (101 passengers)

Looking even further ahead, CLIA member lines have 26 new ships on order between 2010 and 2012 - 23 ocean-going vessels and three built for river/coastal cruising. This represents a net increase in capacity of 18 percent, or 53,971 beds.

For more information abut the CLIA forecast for 2010 take a look at the Prow’s Edge news page at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-news-200110-Cruise-Lines-International-Association-CLIA.html

Dispelling the Myths about Keeping Fit and Healthy at Sea

As Kevin Retief says in his article Fitness at Sea - Keeping Ship Shape on a Cruise , "In the old days, the cruise gym was a pokey little room in the bowels of the ship, there was no such thing as an on-board spa, healthy eating meant skipping dinner, and getting through the day without several cocktails under your belt was practically unheard of. Today, things are different."

Indeed they are.

Keeping fit and healthy on a cruise is no longer the chore it was many years ago, and in fact, better health on a cruise is part of the focus, and a large part of the fun of cruising today.

And if you're still a cynic about that, a brand new feature at Prow's Edge KEEPING FIT AND HEALTHY ON A CRUISE - A Healthy Cruise - It’s not a Myth gives some pointers on how to change your attitudes and see the fun of the healthy and fit options on board your next cruise.

Healthy alternatives at the dinner table are not limited to a plate of greens and a glass of water, the spa is not as elitist as you might think, the gym is not there to punish you, and active shore excursions can provide lots of healthy fun without you even realizing it.

The Prow's Edge Forum too offers comments and opinions from fellow travelers on all sorts of topics including health at sea.

A new idea in cruise brochures - Cruise West thinks big and introduces a large format "magalog"!

Cruise West, a global leader in small-ship cruising, today unveiled it’s first issue of Explorer – a large format “magalog” that breaks away from the glossy, cookie-cutter brochures that have traditionally dominated the cruise industry.

Starting on January 18th, 400,000 copies of Explorer will land in the hands of customers, prospective cruisers, and travel agents across the United States. When the magalog is received, the outside panel is a teaser visual that provides no hint as to what the reader will discover inside. As the reader unfolds it not once, but twice – a nearly newspaper sized page is revealed, measuring roughly 21-1/2”x 21-1/2.”

“When we spread the competitive brochures out across our conference table, it was hard to tell them apart,” said Dave Remer, Creative Director of remerinc, Cruise West’s Agency of Record. “Not only were the covers and content identical, but the size, shape and slick finish did very little to differentiate their brands. We wanted to break that mold in order to ensure that marketing materials from Cruise West get noticed from the moment they arrive on doorsteps. As readers unfold this magalog, they will become engaged with it on a personal level – something that doesn’t happen with traditional brochures.”

Dietmar Wertanzl, Cruise West President & CEO shared “Our company delivers a clear alternative to mega-ship cruising… a more personal, informative, and interactive experience. This magalog reflects those same virtues.”

Cruise West takes great pride in the fact that their small ships tread lightly on the environment. In keeping with that commitment, Explorer has been designed to print on recyclable paper using soy based ink. And in the coming weeks, Explorer will also be made available online.

If you would like to subscribe to either the print or digital version of Explorer, please visit cruisewest.com to request a brochure.

For a look at Dietmar Wertanzl's "View from the Bridge" at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine in which he discusses Cruise West's belief that conservation and preservation of wildlife and the environment is not optional - it is obligatory - take a look at www.prowsedge.com/views-dietmar-r-wertanzl.html

Two New Theme Cruises

News now about two new theme cruises on offer from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has teamed up with the English Bridge Union to offer an EBU -sanctioned bridge tournament on board Balmoral, hosted by well-known player and Daily Express bridge correspondent, Paul Hackett.

There will be opportunities for both experienced and novice players to join in the tournaments, taking place on the 12-night cruise Canary Islands cruise from Dover 3rd May 2010, and Paul Hackett will be giving talks and commenting on each day’s play.

For more information on Balmoral and this particular cruise itinerary, visit www.fredolsencruises.co.uk

And for something completely different, MSC Cruises is inviting you to grab your cowboy hat and boots for some two-stepping to The Bellamy Brothers on MSC Cruises’ Country Music cruise while enjoying the sunny skies and balmy breezes of Caribbean ports on MSC Poesia’s 7-night, February 20, 2010 sailing.

Howard and David Bellamy, The Bellamy Brothers, have been a constant in country music for more than 30 years with 21 singles and more than 50 hits on both the pop and country charts. One of their most famous songs, “Let Your Love Flow,” received the distinguished BMI Five Million Performance Award and was No. 68 on BMI’s Top 100 Songs of the Century.

For more information about this and MSC Cruises’ other theme cruises, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com or a local travel professional.

Or visit the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine page on theme cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-type-theme.html

THE NEW COSTA DELIZIOSA IS ON ITS WAY

Costa Cruises, named ''one of the top ten cruise lines'' by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, is about to take delivery of her newest ship, the Costa Deliziosa.

If you want a preview of the Costa Deliziosa, take a look at www.costadeliziosa.com.



Photo courtesy Costa Cruises

The preview showcases the ship’s cutting-edge design, including the use of premium materials such as various types of marble and granite, stucco applied by spatula using the technique known as “spatolato veneziano,” decorative interior finishes including “parchment scroll lame,” refined Zebrano wood, Wenge timber, Murano glass and stylish polished and glazed steel.

In addition, you'll get to take a look at her innovative features including a 4D cinema, golf simulator and award-winning Samsara Spa. Also online is a preview of the famous works of art featured onboard from Arnaldo Pomodoro and Mario Donizetti, one of the most well-known contemporary artists in Italy.

The ship will be inaugurated in on February 23 in Dubai -- marking the first time a ship has been named in an Arabian city.

For more information about Costa Cruises visit the Costa Cruises profile at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-costa-cruise-lines.html or visit the official Costa Cruises web site at www.costacruise.com/B2C/USA/Default.htm

CRUISE BOOKINGS ON THE UP!

Despite the gloomy reports of struggling economies and stagnating unemployment figures - cancellations of new cruise ship projects - cruise lines are telling Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine that bookings for many cruise lines are actually on the up this year.

Crystal Cruises, for example, has now enjoyed its highest January sales in more than five years. While the record bookings were primarily for Baltic and Mediterranean cruises, Crystal enjoyed a surge of reservations for closer-in World Cruise segments, as well as strong sales for fourth quarter cruises in New England/Canada and its 2010 holiday cruises.

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

Oceania Cruises is similarly reporting success this year, reporting record breaking bookings when its new flagship Marina went on sale for the first time exclusively to the line’s past guests. Reservations for the day exceeded the line’s previous record by 26%. In its booking debut, nearly 50% of Marina’s released inventory covering 5 inaugural winter season sailings sold in less than 12 hours.

Reservations for Marina’s inaugural season are open to the general public on January 18.

For more information or to order a brochure, contact a travel agent, visit www.OceaniaCruises.com or call toll-free 800-531-5658.

Roger Allnutt Takes Readers "Down Under"

In two new features in the Reviews section of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine, Roger Allnutt, a freelance travel writer based in Canberra, Australia, and a long-time member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, takes readers "Down Under" and shares two experiences of cruises in Australia.

One explores the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef aboard the Coral Princess and another discovers the fun of a paddlesteamer journey on one of the two major rivers of Australia, the River Murray.

Also for those in the area, Roger contributes an article on Fiji with Captain Cook Cruises.

Roger Allnutt travels widely around the world researching material for publication in newspapers and magazines in Australia, New Zealand, US, Singapore and other parts of the world. When not traveling, his other interests include food and wine, classical music and theatre and playing tennis.

Roger is happy to accept commissions and can provide material on many parts of the world. He can be reached at Roger.Allnutt@bigpond.com.