Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA Wins Prestigious Award for the Third Year In a Row

For the third time in a row, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA is the only cruise line in the world to be awarded the prestigious six star diamond award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector. Each year the Academy bestows its coveted International Star Diamond Award exclusively to five star establishments that are deemed to be the pinnacle of quality by its esteemed Board of Trustees.

“The MS EUROPA is the only ship amongst our members deserving of the six star diamond recognition, it’s the most elite of its kind, said Academy president, Joseph D. Cinque. “We believe the MS EUROPA is one of the most beautiful yachts in the world and has earned its right as a six star diamond award recipient for three consecutive years.”

EUROPA is the first “all-suites” cruise ship, with staterooms that are never less than 290 square feet, 80% of them having their own veranda, assuring privacy and relaxation. The EUROPA is one of the few ships in the cruise industry that offers guests the largest space per passenger, as well as one of the highest staff passenger ratios, with 280 staff members for max. 408 guests.

The EUROPA offering international cruises (German/English) ensures English-speaking passengers feel comfortable from the moment they step on board.

See the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine profile of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, or for more information on the EUROPA’s ‘10-’11 bilingual itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com

Photo Courtesy Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

New Name for American Canadian Caribbean Line

Big changes have happened at American Canadian Caribbean Line these past couple of months, not the least of which is the change of name to Blount Small Ship Adventures.

According to President Nancy Blount, a second-generation owner of this family business founded in 1966, the re-branding of American Canadian Caribbean Line is a natural outgrowth of many positive changes taking place at the company.

“Over the past year, we placed an enhanced focus on developing new destinations and types of cruise experiences,” she states. “We made a concerted effort to stay true to our roots while delivering the kinds of cruise itineraries today’s travelers want. Our primary goal was, and still is, to create adventures to places few others can get to."

Operating three US-registry and US-crewed ships, Blount Small Ship Adventures specializes in unique coastal itineraries throughout the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America.

Each ship (66-98 passengers) features patented designs such as a retractable pilothouse and shallow-draft bow landing ramp that enable them to access remote destinations larger ships cannot.

For more information visit the official web site at www.blountsmallshipadventures.com

Oceania Cruises in Alaska to Feature Regional Dishes

In 2011, guests abord Oceania Cruises m/s Regatta will be treated to a selection of regional delicacies as regional seafood, game, poultry and berries highlight the menus - fresh ingredients, simply prepared, with influences from Asian and Native American traditions

The Pacific Northwest cuisine will be featured during lunch in the casual Terrace Café which offers both indoor and al fresco seating and in the ship’s gourmet Grand Dining Room as well. In the evenings, regional specialties will be showcased in all four of the ship’s gourmet, open-seating restaurants; all of which are available with no surcharge.

“Oceania Cruises is virtually synonymous not only with fine cuisine, but culinary diversity,” stated Bob Binder, the line’s president.

Fine cuisine is no stranger aboard Oceania Cruises. Jacques Pépin, the legendary celebrity chef and Executive Culinary Director for Oceania Cruises has already brought his legendary cuisine and unique artistry to the gourmet restaurants on board Regatta’s sister ships Marina, Insignia and Nautica. See his recipe for Tomato and Zucchini Salad in Cruise Food at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine.

Highlights of Oceania Cruises’ maiden Alaska season include two full days of glacier cruising and a mix of marquee and off-the-beaten-path Inland Passage ports, the latter a hallmark of the brand. With two-for-one rates and free airfare, 10-day voyages start at $3,499 per guest, based on double occupancy.

Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta is an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating gourmet dining (no surcharges), luxurious public rooms and accommodations, and warm, attentive service.

For reservations or to order a brochure, contact a travel agent, visit OceaniaCruises.com

Photo Courtesy Oceania Cruises

Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine relaunches

Days into the relaunch of the popular Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine - the reaction has been positive.

Travel writers and cruise fans all agree that the new design with larger fonts, easier navigation and hundreds of new pages of information hits the spot!

"Wow! The new-look website is much cleaner and tidier and really jumps out at the viewer, with much clearer and easier to read type, thanks not least to the plain white background. An all-round thoroughly professional job. Well done! " - Robin Short - Journalist

"The newly designed web site looks fantastic" - Hadley Schroll of The Brandman Agency

"Really looks great. I like the section on cruise safety and really give you credit for discussing the subject." - Kendall Carver of the International Cruise Victims Associationc(ICV)

Exploring the world of cruises and cruising, Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine explores different types of cruises with cruise articles and reviews, the latest cruise news, and information on cruising, cruise lines, cruise ports, cruise crime, with cruise tips and advice and cheap cruise deals.

TAKE A LOOK!

Safety at Sea - A view from Commander Mark Gaouette

Still on the subject of safety at sea, Prow's Edge presents a new View from the Bridge this time from Maritime security consultant to the Department of Homeland Security, and author of "Cruising for Trouble", Commander Mark Gaouette who offers his views about safety at sea.

An expert in this field, Commander Mark Gaouette (USNR -Ret.) was also Director of Security for Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruise Lines, where he oversaw the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Codes and the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations on Princess cruise ships and port of calls worldwide.

He pioneered the deployment of the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRADs) on cruise ships to repel pirates.

Cdr. Gaouette is a former Special Agent of the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS) and served as a Regional Security Officer (RSO) at five U.S. embassies including Moscow, Russia, Beirut, Lebanon and Sana'a, Yemen. As a reserve naval intelligence officer, he served with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) during Operation Enduring Freedom.

In the latest View From the Bridge article "Cruising for Trouble" Cdr Mark Gaouette offers readers of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine his views on the true state of safety at sea

Cdr. Gaouette is the author of the book Cruising for Trouble: Cruise Ships as Soft Targets for Pirates, Terrorists, and Common Criminals published in March, 2010 by Praeger Publishing."

New Safety Boss for Holland America Line

With awareness of safety at sea and environmental issues becoming more of an issue for the media and for cruise passengers around the world, the cruise lines are starting to take note.

Merging both the issues of safety and the environment, Holland America Line has created a new department that combines Environmental Management Systems with Safety/Training and Regulatory Compliance to be headed by Bill Morani, Vice President, Safety and Environmental Management Systems.

Morani came to Holland America Line after a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Coast during which he became recognized as one of the most experienced marine accident investigators. He retired after 28 years as a captain.

For more information about safety at sea visit the Safety at Sea section at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine with important news and tips about cruise ship crime, cruise victims, and safety on a cruise ship.

It's BIG but is it Beautiful?

Norwegian Cruise Line has now accepted delivery of its largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Epic, from STX FRANCE SA. Norwegian Epic at 153,000 gross tons is the largest ship ever constructed in St. Nazaire and therefore represents a major milestone for STX.



It is certainly big - but is it beautiful?

With the mania for size in the cruise industry, and ever trying to create the even bigger cruise ship than the last one to float out of the dockyards, Prow's Edge wonders if this quest for size is really what cruise passengers are after!

Norwegian Epic will be christened by legendary entertainer Reba McEntire on July 2 followed by a two-day inaugural cruise. Norwegian Epic will be the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4. The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Another BIG event!

Let us know here at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine how you feel about this.

Entertainment in a Class of its Own

"Seeing, learning and doing more" has always been the fundamental character of a cruise with Voyages of Discovery - and the ethos is central to the new entertainment program for the Voyages of Discovery’s Winter 10/11 program.

Expressly designed to deliver engaging, informative classes which empower guests to experience the destinations from new perspectives, the new entertainment program offers passengers the chance to spend more time with like-minded passengers who share their interests.

For the budding Turner, a range of artistic workshops includes a watercolor painting course, which takes place in the luxurious surroundings of the yacht club with exquisite panoramic views for inspiration. The class is designed to build skills, confidence and visual creativity so passengers can paint their very own pictures of the stunning landscapes, wildlife and flora and fauna of the exotic and dramatic locations.

A choir at sea is open to singers of all abilities, whether experienced musicians or first timers. Participants needn’t read music as skilled choir masters will quickly have passengers singing in tune and learning as they go along.

Craft workshops include jewelry-making, sewing work and embroidery so that guests can try their hand at replicating the skills and handicrafts of the cultures they experience or create some truly unique souvenirs. The Digital World course allows passengers to free their cameras from the auto setting and capture their experiences and memories as they truly intended before sharing the photographs with friends and family through the information super-highway.

While Discovery is perhaps most famous for the quality of the lectures delivered by its expert guest speakers, the quality of the friendly tuition from artists and crafts teachers is no less impressive. The classes and workshops are welcoming and far-removed from the over-bearing razzmatazz that is sometimes associated with cruising. The classes take full advantage of the benefits of small ship cruising, giving guests the peace and quiet they require and bringing them closer to the inspirational scenery.

For more information on cruises with Voyages of Discovery please visit : Voyages of Discovery