Exciting the taste buds with a ‘Gastronomic Tour of Skye’

You wouldn’t necessarily think of Skye in the remote reaches of Scotland as a centre for gastronomy - but think again.

Setting the benchmark for luxury cruising, Hebridean Island Cruises has just launched a brand new itinerary for 2010 – A Gastronomic Tour of Skye.

Complementing the stunning scenery of this western region of Scotland Hebridean Princess will visit two of Scotland’s most renowned restaurants, The Three Chimneys and the Cuillin Hills Hotel, and experience a cookery demonstration in the Michelin star awarded Kinloch Lodge by best selling cookery writer Claire MacDonald..

Gastronomic delights continue onboard as the Hebridean Princess sources her food from local suppliers. All the fish is sourced from Scottish waters, the meat is supplied by H.D. Ferguson Butchers of Lochgilphead and unlike many cruise ships which source cheese from the continent, Hebridean Princess shops for hers locally, featuring Lanark Blue and Isle of Mull Cheddar among others.

A food lover’s paradise, this cruise will culminate in the Gala Dinner on the final night - a 6 course feast showcasing some of the best Scottish food, including at taste of Haggis, accompanied by Robbie Burns’ Address to the Haggis, delivered by the Captain. This cruise provides a unique Scottish gourmet experience not to be missed.

A Gastronomic Tour of Skye – departing 15th May for 5 nights, fares from £2,330pp

Carrying just 49 guests, the luxurious Hebridean Princess offers the highest standards of 5* accommodation and has an enviable reputation for exceptional service and a dedicated crew of 38. She has thirty spacious, elegant and well-appointed cabins, 11 designed especially for the single traveller.

For more about cruise line food and wine, visit the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine CAPTAIN’S TABLE pages featuring more than 20 cruise line chefs and their favorite recipes.

For more information about Hebridean Island Cruises visit the official web site at: www.hebridean.co.uk/

BABYMOON CRUISES

Have you ever heard of a “babymoon cruise”?

Well, many couples who enjoy cruising and who are expecting may well have heard of such a thing.

A “babymoon cruise” is a cruise designed for expectant couples - a last chance fling before the baby arrives.

Not many cruise lines actively package or market babymoon cruises but most travel agents and booking offices will know what you mean when you ask about them.

The bottom line about babymoon cruises, however, is that you need to do a lot of the research yourself, to make sure you make the right decisions.

Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine takes a look at some of the things to consider in planning a “babymoon cruise” including:

• Considering your destination
• Considering the cruise ship
• Considering the itinerary
• Finding out about the medical facilities on board
• Finding out about the medical facilities along the route
• Checking cruise line policies about pregnant passengers
• Talking to your doctor about your cruise
• Checking the airline restrictions for pregnant passengers
• Checking your travel insurance

For more detailed tips, visit the Prow’s Edge Babymoon Cruises page at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-advice-babymoon-cruises.html

High fashion on the High Seas

It's not enough just to know about what to wear on a cruise ship - we need to know where to buy that all important new wardrobe, and how to do it sensibly so that the money spent buys you a wardrobe that is useful all year long and not just for a few days on the Caribbean sea.

Did you know, for example, that there is such a thing as a "cruise collection" and that it is offered by most of the major fashion houses like Chanel, Dior and Ralph Lauren, and that cruise collections are also now being targeted at men by the likes of Yves Saint-Laurent, Dolce & Cabbana, Gucci and Armani.

Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine offers a few tips on where to buy "high fashion" at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-advice-high-fashion.html and if you want to share your own views on the subject, please visit our forum pages on the subject of high fashion on a cruise ship and join in the discussion.

Like it or not, Crime at Sea IS a Problem

Did you know that every month there is at least one sexual assault on cruise passengers somewhere in the world?

And did you know that in 2009 alone there were more than 25 cases of passengers mysteriously going over board (which is more than two every month) – and that many of those cases have never been solved?

Given the number of passengers travelling on cruise ships every day these figures are not a tidal wave of horror, but, like it or not, crime at sea IS a problem and cruise passengers have to learn to be aware of this issue.

Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine tackles the problem head on in the expanded SAFETY AT SEA section of the web site and helps readers find out how to avoid becoming a victim of crime at sea and a few tips as to what do should you be a victim of crime at sea.

Prow’s Edge also takes a look at the truth about drug-facilitated sexual assault and at how the International Cruise Victims Association has had such an impact on establishing legislation to protect passengers at sea, the result of which is The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009.

The International Cruise Victims Association, speaking for the victims of crimes at sea and their families, continues to fight for more safety at sea, troubleshooting and pinpointing things of concern - such as the practice on some ships of offering unlimited drinks for one price, which is clearly a step towards excessive alcohol and related crimes.

For more information about the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) visit: http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/

The information in the Prow’s Edge SAFETY AT SEA pages is not about spoiling your enjoyment of your cruise, or to sensationalize the issue, but to make you more aware of what is actually happening around you, how to make your vacation as safe as possible and how to cope with a stressful situation should it arise.

Still More Theme Cruises on Offer

A week ago Prow's Edge brought you news about some of the new theme cruises, specifically those offered by MSC Cruises and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Today we continue the news with the offerings from two more cruise lines.

Hurtigruten has an expanded roster of even more fascinating Theme Voyages possibilities for 2010. All of which take place aboard the company's fleet of modern vessels as they make their way along Norway’s spectacular fjord-filled, 1,250-mile west coast, on 6- to 12-day sailings between the cosmopolitan city of Bergen and the Arctic town of Kirkenes -- a route named the “world’s most beautiful voyage” by Lonely Planet’s “Bluelist.”

Theme Voyages combine music, history, the culinary arts, national celebrations and traditional arts and crafts spiked with informative talks and activities. For more information see the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine news page about this at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-news-280110-hurtigruten.html or visit the Hurtigruten web site at www.hurtigruten.us

MSC Cruises invites their passengers to celebrate the sun, sand, and surf with MSC for its 2010-11 Caribbean cruises onboard MSC Poesia to experience a line-up of popular Baseball Greats and Big Band themes departing from Fort Lauderdale.

The Baseball Greats theme cruises, on offer from November 2010 to February 201, include free interactive guest/player activities, question-and-answer sessions with the players, and a guest pitching contest as well as a free autograph session at the end of the cruise.

The 16-piece Les DeMerle Big Band, with vocalist Bonnie Eisele, will be featured on two MSC Poesia Big Band sailings. The band has also accompanied many performers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., The Manhattan Transfer, Mel Torme and Al Jarreau.

For more information about MSC Cruises and its selection of theme cruises, visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com

For general information about theme cruises see the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine information page about cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-type-theme.html

The Constantly Changing Face of the Cruise Industry

One of the exciting things about the cruise industry is that it is constantly evolving. New cruise ships enter service (see New Ships for 2010), new cruise lines are being established, and existing companies are rebranding.

Azamara Club Cruises, for example, is the the result of reshaping the original Azamara Cruises brand.

Azamara Cruises – the two-ship brand launched in 2007 with the 694-guest Azamara Journey and sister ship Azamara Quest – became “Azamara Club Cruises,” last month with a newly refined focus, and a series of new attributes designed for upmarket, experienced travelers.

Azamara Club Cruises President & CEO Larry Pimentel and his team
have reshaped the new Azamara Club Cruises, whose most distinguishing new attributes will be in effect by April 2010.

Said Pimental, “Azamara Club Cruises will distinguish itself by delivering the destination like no other line.”

Azamara Club Cruises will visit 140 ports in 50 countries in 2010, with itineraries featuring more overnight stays to allow guests to immerse themselves in communities and cultures.

“We’re going to slow down the tempo, and allow our guests to not just see the destination, but to live it,” said Pimentel. “Consider destinations like St. Tropez or St. Petersburg, Russia. If you’ve experienced them only by day, you haven’t really experienced them. With Azamara, through more overnight stays and late-night stays, you can.”

Among the overnight locations are Istanbul, Turkey; Sorrento, Italy, which offers a host of tour options along the Amalfi Coast and Capri; a full three days and two nights in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Azamara’s Scandinavia and Russia Itineraries; and multiple overnight stays in Azamara’s Southeast Asia region, including Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The destination focus of Azamara Club Cruises inspired the brand’s new tag line – “You’ll love where we take you”

For more information about Azamara Club Cruises call your travel agent, dial 1-877-999-9553, or visit the official web site at www.azamaraclubcruises.com

or visit the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine profile for Azamara Club Cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-azamara-cruises.html

New Cruise Shipping Event Slated for November

For those of you interested in the trade side of the cruise industry, UBM International Media, organizers of the annual Cruise Shipping Miami, the world's largest and most important international tradeshow and conference serving the cruise industry, announced today the launch of Cruise Shipping Asia. The inaugural event will take place Nov. 16-18, 2011, at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Organizers expect the new event to unlock the region’s potential as Asia emerges as the industry’s next major growth market. In 2010, Asian cruise passenger numbers are predicted to rise by 40 percent, to more than 1.5 million.

“Globalization of the cruise passenger is one of the key areas of growth for the cruise market,” said Michael Kazakoff, vice president, UBM International Media. “As the industry expands from a North American base to passengers worldwide, we see Asia’s growing number of passengers as a strong indication that this region will continue to expand.”

The event will include a tradeshow and conference program focusing on the Asian cruise market.

Track Your Cruise Ship at MarineTraffic.com

While we're on the subject of cruise ships tracking weather in the latest news item at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine, did you know that while the Princess cruise ships help to track global weather patterns for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), you can track all the the cruise ships and find out where they are, and where they're headed.

MarineTraffic.com offers and easy to use, interactive map that allows you to locate any ship anywhere in the world and find out it's exact position.

Simply choose the area your cruise ship is in from the options on the left hand navigation bar, make sure the option for passenger vessels is selected and let MarineTraffic.com do all the work. Click on the blue tags on the map to find out the deatils which will include the name of the ship, the plotted course if she is underway, the estimated time of arrival at the next port of call, the falg under which she sails - and more.