…gers get to the airport at least 3 hours in advance and that they are now closing the flight a full hour before the departure as that is at least how long it will take you to get to onto the plane! My pick up (which as I was travelling Upper Class their equivalent of business) was due at 8am, but we actually left my place at 07:45. I am only about 20 minutes from Heathrow. In addition to the pick-up, at Heathrow Virgin also have a drive through ch…
…a Beach, California which is not far from the cruise line’s head office in Los Angeles, their Iranian-born chef, Azmin Ghahreman, created the dishes for the ship inspired by many regions around the world. Each are served in small tapas-style portions. As I read through the menu of around 14 dishes I was pleased that I visited the restaurant early in my cruise, as I would need to come back a few times to work my way through every item that appealed…
…ining of new dancers takes place in Pasadena California, which is near the Los Angeles head office of Crystal before, they join the ship to then integrate with the existing team. New shows are learnt on the ship and the choreographer comes on board to teach and develop the new creation. Due to the cost of developing a new show they run for around five years with five in the repertoire on each Crystal ship. There is only one show common to both (Cu…
…nordic walking sticks. They also have a partnerships with Magic Castle in Los Angeles to host magic shows for intimate audiences during every cruise, Yamaha to give music classes and USC for film making workshops. Food Food is important in cruising and for Crystal it is a special focus. This is another area they have tried to focus innovation on. Initially they partnered with established culinary luminaries like Nobu Matsuhisa to create Silk Road…
…ember) Seattle, Washington (December) Harare and Victoria Falls (December) Los Angeles (January) Bangkok (February) Bahamas (March) If you have any thoughts, suggestions on any of the above please email me: click here FUTURE PODCAST TOPICS: My Travel Reviews of: Dubai Cape Town, South Africa Ulusaba Game Reserve Washington DC QE2 Trans-Atlantic Crossing P&O ARCADIA Mediterranean Cruise Queen Mary (Long Beach California) Edinburgh, Scotland (includ…
…Toyko – Manila (14 – 25 Feb 2025) 119: Regent Seven Seas 16-Night Miami to Los Angeles Panama Canal (Dec 2024) 118: Silversea Silver Endeavour 18-Night Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia (29 October – 16 November) 117: GROUP CRUISE: Celebrity Eclipse 11-Night Boston, Maine & Canada (Sept 2024) 116: Seabourn Pursuit 10-Day Kimberly Australia (July 2024) 115: Viking Orion 10-Night Alaska & Inside Passage Cruise (June 2024) 114: Queen Anne 14-Nigh…
…ft Valparaíso and stayed bumpy most of the way. The open decks were often closed due to the wind, including for Cape Horn scenic cruising. The bumpiness of the sea meant that the production shows were cancelled on two of the nights. Wind also impacted excursions. In Punta Arenas I had booked a boat excursion to Magdalena Island to see the renowned penguin colony. We arrived at the boat to find the harbour master had closed all smaller ship activit…
…with pools and bar. Then of course the go-karts and the game space, which closes off another big part of the ship if you don’t want to use that. So, I could see why for those not in The Haven, solo cabins, or using the kids clubs or adult only area it would feel being crammed into a smaller amount of space. Plenty Of Choice Though when it came to dining, like on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships few companied about the lack of choice. The included d…
…vernmental buildings like the Palace of the Captain’s General (Palacios de Los Capitanes) and City Hall with the Antique Books and Weapons Museum. San Jose Cathedral dating back to 1680. Colonial Art Museum. The temple and convent of Santo Domingo which hosts the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Archeology Museum, Silverware Museum, Modern Glass Museum, as well as Arts and Popular Crafts of Sacatepequez Museum. Capuchinas Convent. Santa Catalina’s Arch….
…Show with Jay Leno”. Very American and with references that probably were lost on the mostly British audience. Zach Winningham, US-based singer performed “60s and 70s Rock and Roll and Country”. Brett Sherwood, Master Magician. Performed many tricks seen before and by others on the ship but did with great wit and style. Lovena B Fox, recording artist and musical theatre actress originally from Vancouver Canada. Powerful voice and very entertainin…
