From The Deck Chair

Live Report: Viking Cruises Announces their Viking Star

Aaron Saunders — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:16:48 +0000

Move over, premium lines – Viking Star is here

Viking Cruises’ Viking Ocean is due to launch in 2015. Interestingly, the first Royal Viking Line ship was called Royal Viking Star. A wonderful Nordic tribute? Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises.

Anyone in Hollywood will tell you a sequel to a successful movie is a tough gig. Rarely do films manage to duplicate the magic and chemistry that inherently made the initial movie popular in the first place. Sometimes, though, studios get it right, and the sequel is even better than the original.

Here in Beverly Hills, California tonight, Viking River Cruises announced a star-studded sequel of their own when they took the wraps off their Viking Oceans product, and the forthcoming Viking Star that will debut in 2015. And like any great sequel, this one has the potential to even eclipse the line’s astonishing achievements with their Viking Longship river cruise vessels.

For maritime buffs, the name alone has some historic lineage: Royal Viking Star was the first newbuild ship created for the renowned Royal Viking Line, which Viking River Cruises president and CEO Torstein Hagen helmed in the early 1980’s. Indeed, her exterior design speaks heavily to some of that now-defunct cruise line’s most popular vessels. Witness the funnel design that looks remarkably like that found aboard Holland America’s Prinsendam, formerly known as Royal Viking Sun.

But the similarities end there. This new Viking Star represents an enormous shift in the premium cruise landscape, and rather than merely trying to match their future competitors, Viking has some astonishing features lined up for their very first oceangoing cruise ship.

Viking Star will carry just 928 guests, all of which will travel in all-balcony staterooms measuring no smaller than 270 square feet. Each room will feature a true king-sized bed that can be separated into two large twins. There will be no inside staterooms, no Oceanview staterooms. All staterooms will be double-occupancy; no third or fourth berths will be included on this ship.

There’s also an entire list of perks to sailing with the line. Guests will be able to choose one complimentary excursion in each port of call. They will be treated to complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner; complimentary 24-hour room service; and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.

The Spa aboard Viking Star, located all the way forward on Deck 1, features a Nordic hot-and-cold experience. Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises

The line’s credo, which Hagen repeated numerous times, was that there would be “no nickel-and-diming.” To that end, Viking Star will lack a casino. She’ll also lack some of the other mainstay revenue generators found aboard competitor’s ships, like specialty restaurant surcharges.

At first, that may sound like unconventional thinking – and it is. But this is the magic formula that has allowed Viking to be so successful along the waterways of Europe: do one thing, and do it well.

The Winter Garden aboard Viking Star. Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises.

“You can’t meet everyone’s demand, and I don’t think we should meet everyone’s demands,” said Torstein Hagen, Viking River Cruises’ chairman and chief executive officer. “All staterooms are designed for two passengers only. We [won’t] cater to multi-generational families.”

Instead, Viking is actively pursuing active, well-educated couples eager to see the world from the comfort of a cruise. Viking Star will spend, on average, 12 hours in port, with overnights at both the start and end of each voyage.

The line polled its past guests about their cruising habits and found that an astonishing 84 percent of them would sail with Viking if the line were to offer ocean cruises. They also discovered that their guests tended to chiefly spend their cruising dollars among a handful of lines: Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, and Oceania.

The new Viking Star is aimed squarely at those guests.

But the ship is also poised to be a striking innovator in its own right. Rather than being hidden deep in the bowels of the ship, the Viking Star’s main Restaurant will be located all the way aft on Promenade Deck 2 – with floor-to-ceiling windows that can be slid open to let in the fresh sea air.

Viking Star’s Spa will be extensive, but located much lower down on the ship than aboard other cruise vessels. But she’ll feature special heated sauna rooms alongside a snow grotto for a true Norwegian spa experience.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about Viking Star’s aft pool deck. In addition to a seagoing version of the popular Aquavit Lounge, Viking Star will feature the industry’s first oceangoing infinity pool with a glass aft wall that cantilevers out over the stern of the ship.

Viking Star is also set to have a gorgeous Winter Garden that recalls the classic spaces aboard Cunard’s famous ocean liners, as well as a two-story glass-walled observation lounge situated high atop the navigation bridge. Known as the Explorer’s Lounge, this beautiful space located on Decks 7 and 8 may have been inspired by similar areas aboard Norwegian-based Hurtigruten’s Midnatsol and Trollfjord cruise-ferry vessels.

During her maiden 2015 season, Viking Star will sail three distinct itineraries:

Viking Homelands: 15 days Stockholm to Bergen
Mediterranean Odyssey: 13 days Barcelona to Venice
Empires of the Mediterranean: 10 days Venice to Istanbul

While all the itineraries are spectacular, it is the 15-day Viking Homelands itinerary that made me drool. Viking will become the only line to embark cruises in the beautiful city of Bergen, Norway outside of Hurtigruten, and they will visit some amazing ports of call along the way, including Flam, Stavanger, Aalborg, Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Gdansk, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm.

The call in St. Petersburg is particularly noteworthy, as Viking Star will sail past the other cruise ships docked at the main passenger terminal and continue up-river, docking within walking distance of the famous Hermitage.

Personally, I could barely contain my excitement tonight. It reminded me of the first time I ever saw a rendering of the first Viking Longships years ago and thought, “wow – this will change everything.”

The more I learned tonight about Viking Star, the more I realized how well thought-out this endeavour is. In fact, this project has been three years in the making now, involving two different shipyards and two totally different designs.

All we saw today were some renderings and a gorgeous builder’s model of the ship. Yet there was this electricity in the air. You could feel it. Everyone in the audience expected, I think, to be impressed here tonight; but the audible gasps of delight that emanated from the crowd when the Infinity Pool was revealed, followed by thunderous applause for the open-air dining concept erased any doubts in the project.

We’ve got an amazing amount of information to share with you about Viking Oceans and the new Viking Star, which is why we’re going to continue our coverage on Monday with a full overview of this exciting ship.

In the meantime, I want to leave you all with this: you should be excited about Viking Star. Really, really excited. For the first time, small ship cruising will be affordable to an entire segment of the population that has, until now, been largely regulated to mainstream cruising. Price points for this new product are very encouraging, running as low as $2,999 per person for the line’s 10-night Mediterranean voyages.

Viking’s new oceangoing product also takes a refreshing step back from surcharges and add-on fees that are becoming so commonplace in nearly every facet of the travel industry. They’re taking the very features that have made river cruising – not to mention their Viking Longships – so popular and applying them to ocean cruising.

Best of all, bookings for the new Viking Star opened today!

I came here expecting Viking to announce they were building an Azamara-lite. Instead, what they are poised to deliver in just two years could very well go down as Torstein Hagen’s greatest achievement in his long, storied, and always-eventful life.

Stay tuned – more information on the upcoming Viking Star will be coming on Monday here on From the Deck Chair as we recap this exciting day!

Viking Ocean Cruises Live Report Preview

Aaron Saunders — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:00:13 +0000

The invitation was deceptively simple: “Join us for an evening of cocktails and dinner celebrating the new era of Viking Cruises.”

Notice that the word “river” was conspicuously missing from the invitation, and it becomes easy to see that this will be anything but your average dinner, as Viking River Cruises takes the wraps off their new ocean cruises tomorrow night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

The iconic Beverly HIlton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California will host Viking’s exciting dinner announcement. Photo courtesy of the Beverly Hilton

The popular river cruise line is coming off of a record-breaking event that occurred less than two months ago, when they christened 10 brand-new river cruise ships in a single go in the Dutch city of Amsterdam. Not only did Viking earn a Guinness World Record, but it brought the total number of their new Viking Longships to 16 – in just over a year.

Today, all we know about Viking’s new oceangoing product (which was formerly called Viking Ocean, but which may now just be known as Viking Cruises) is that the line has placed an order for two 47,000 GRT ships to be constructed at Italy’s Fincantieri shipyards. Both vessels are slated for delivery in January 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Viking also has options for two additional vessels with Fincantieri that could be ready to enter service in 2017 and 2018.

As of yet, none of the ships have been named, nor have any details about their physical appearance, general arrangement plans, or itineraries been released.

Until tomorrow night.

What will Viking’s new oceangoing cruise ships look like? Tune in tomorrow as we report Live from Los Angeles! Photo © Aaron Saunders

So join us here on From the Deck Chair tomorrow as we bring you the first details about Viking River Cruises and their new exciting foray into the world of ocean cruising!

Stay tuned – our Live Report from the Viking Ocean announcement in Los Angeles will begin tomorrow!

Silversea Unveils New Galapagos Options

Aaron Saunders — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:00:22 +0000

If you haven’t heard yet, ultra-luxury line Silversea is expanding their Silversea Expeditions offerings this year by offering their first-ever voyages to the Galapagos aboard the newly-acquired Silver Galapagos which will enter service in September.

Silversea’s Silver Galapagos will enter service this September, becoming the second vessel to operate under their Silversea Expeditions banner. Photo courtesy of Silversea.

Now, the line is giving guests the opportunity to take advantage of special three and four day voyages that can be combined with pre-and-post cruise land adventures in South America to create packages of eight, 10, or 11 days in length.

Click here for sailings aboard Silver Galapagos!

“These new cruise and land packages are convenient options for the luxury traveler who wants to experience a Galápagos cruise adventure and also explore some of the most intriguing regions of South America — but who may not have time for a lengthy vacation,” said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea’s president of the Americas.

If you follow Silversea regularly, you’ll already know that the line has started offering shorter voyage segments on many of their Europe and North American voyages for the 2013 cruise season. By offering shorter voyages on their Galapagos Expeditions, they’re giving guests greater control over the sea and land aspects of their vacation and allowing them to better tailor a combination cruise and land package to suit their tastes and needs.

The Galapagos Islands are as diverse as they are ethereal. Photo courtesy of Silversea Cruises

The new four-day Baltra to San Cristobal voyages that sail to the islands of Santa Cruz, Genovesa and Seymour Norte are offered on the following departures for this year:

8301A: September 28 – October 2

8307A: November 9 – 13

8309A: November 23 – 27

8311A: December 7 – 11

Likewise, the new three-day San Cristobal to Baltra voyages are offered on a variety of departure dates and will weave their way through the islands of Espanola, Santa Cruz and Plazas Sur:

8303B: October 16 – 19

8307B: November 13 – 16

8309B: November 27 – 30

8311B: December 11 – 14

All of these voyages will take place aboard the line’s newly-acquired and refitted Silver Galapagos. Capable of carrying just 100 guests, Silver Galapagos is intended to complement the Silver Explorer, the line’s first globetrotting expedition vessel that places emphasis on providing the same onboard luxuries and amenities the line’s past guests have come to expect, coupled with adventurous land programs that seek to enrich and stimulate the senses.

It’s more than just lip service: Silversea has acquired a dedicated team of expedition team leaders and guest lecturers who accompany guests both onboard and ashore. Like Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos will be equipped with a fleet of motorized Zodiac rafts to access some of the most remote places in the Galapagos.

All of these excursions are offered complimentary on the line’s Expedition sailings, and in the Galapagos, the experienced expedition team will be certified by the Galapagos National Park Service. Because of this, they’ll have the knowledge to showcase the region’s diverse wildlife, from blue iguanas to Darwin’s famous finches.

Here’s a quick peek at the three new packages Silversea has created in the Galapagos:

8-Day Machu Picchu & Galápagos Package

Guests will enjoy 2 days surrounded by the history and culture of Ecuador’s vibrant capital on the “Quito Discovery” land extension before embarking on their 3-day Galápagos expedition cruise. After witnessing the natural treasures of the Galápagos Islands from their base of luxury aboard Silver Galapagos, guests will then journey to Peru to spend 3 days exploring the glorious Lost City of the Incas on an exciting “Machu Picchu Explorer” land adventure, highlighted by a scenic journey in Peru’s Vistadome train. This 8-day package is priced from $6,713.

10-Day Puno, Lake Titicaca & Galápagos Package

The magnificent Andes and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, are the setting for an exciting 4-day “Puno & Lake Titicaca” pre-cruise adventure. Highlights include a visit to the Sillustani tombs, a cruise to the floating reed islands of the Uros people with their centuries-old way of life, and a visit to Taquile Island to admire ancient weaving traditions. Guests then embark Silver Galapagos for an unforgettable 4-day expedition voyage through the Galápagos Islands, followed by 2 days absorbing the fascinating sights and attractions of Ecuador’s capital on the “Quito Discovery” post-cruise land extension.

11-Day Amazon Explorer & Galápagos Package

Guests enjoy 2 days taking in the artistic, cultural and historic attractions of Ecuador’s capital on the “Quito Discovery” land extension before embarking on their 3-day expedition voyage aboard the elegant Silver Galapagos. Following the Galápagos program is a unique 6-day journey to Peru’s Amazon basin where it’s possible to witness pygmy marmosets, howler monkeys, colorful toucans and other exotic wildlife that inhabit the region’s lowland forests. Participants will cruise the Amazon in all-suite luxury aboard m/v Aqua, dining on perhaps the finest Amazonian-Peruvian gourmet cuisine on the river. Expert naturalists will be on hand to share insights about this amazing and fragile ecosystem

Join us in the Galapagos in Novembe for a very special Live Voyage Report! Photo courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Curious about the Galapagos? So are we – which is why we’ll be sailing aboard Silver Galapagos this November with day-by-day coverage on a very special Live Voyage Report! Full details and itinerary will be coming soon here on From the Deck Chair!

More information on Silversea’s new Galapagos expedition itineraries can be found by visiting their website.

Norwegian Breakaway Live Voyage Recap

Aaron Saunders — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:39 +0000

After spending two days aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Breakaway, I was searching for a way to describe the transformation the line has undergone since Kevin Sheehan took charge of the company a few years ago.

Norwegian Breakaway on her sea trials earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Meyer-Werft.

I decided that, in many ways, Norwegian Cruise Line is a lot like Apple.

After years of horrifying management decisions and a lack of product focus, Apple nearly went bankrupt between 1996 and 1997. Their share price was a joke, and their turnaround expert – Gil Amelio – was struggling to make the old Apple limp along. So he brought Steve Jobs in as an advisor in 1997, and the late techno-genius quickly ousted Amelio and took charge of the company he had founded.

The rest, as they say, is history. Apple went from being mocked to having a product in the hands of the vast majority of people on this planet – the iPhone. In 1997, that idea was laughable.

The same could be said of Norwegian Cruise Line, or NCL as they used to be called. They had brilliant ideas, like internet cafes onboard ships and their revolutionary Freestyle Dining concept, that were often coupled with horrifying execution. Freestyle was immediately derided, and then implemented, on nearly all of their competitors. And no one implements bad ideas.

Once Kevin Sheehan took charge of NCL in 2008, change was swift. The name “NCL” was dropped in favor of Norwegian Cruise Line. Loads of little niceties started returning, like printed documentation and a streamlined website. Even the company’s logo changed ever so subtly, utilising a different font and opting for a single, wave-like accent adorning a modified version of the logo that has been in place on the ship’s navy-blue funnels for over a decade.

Norwegian Breakaway is the culmination of the efforts of Sheehan and his team – and it takes Norwegian Cruise Line in an entirely new direction.

Day 1 – Christening Ceremonies & Departure from New York City

Day 2 – At Sea aboard Norwegian Breakaway

She is the biggest ship ever constructed in Germany, at the Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg; the largest ship to homeport year-round in New York City; boasts the largest AquaPark at sea, the largest ropes course at sea, the largest number of Broadway shows at sea, and has the largest youth facilities in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

But that’s not why I loved this ship, which I truly think is the best ship the line has ever constructed. I loved Norwegian Breakaway for three things: it’s well-designed, surprisingly classy, and has features that redefine the way we think of mainstream cruising.

First and foremost, I loved The Waterfront. To be able to dine outside on the covered Promenade deck in nearly all weather conditions, in my opinion, is a gigantic home run.

Secondly, the line’s 678 Ocean Place, with its Norwegian Epic-inspired atriums and bars, lounges and restaurants all clustered together isn’t just a great idea, it also helps improve passenger flow, there aren’t as many guests tromping around from one end of the ship to the other, or having to go from Deck 6 to Deck 14 back to Deck 6 again.

Thirdly, the new look and feel aboard this ship takes Norwegian Cruise Line in a different direction. It’s rich and elegant, with plenty of vibrant colours that complement instead of contrast, and unique artwork and niceties at every turn. Even the elevator cars felt faster and more spacious than normal.

Another interesting aspect of Norwegian Breakaway is that I would recommend her to people who I might not normally recommend Norwegian Cruise Line to. Suites in The Haven rival those found on ultra-luxury lines but with the added benefit of having a 1,062-foot long ship to explore. This makes Norwegian Breakaway strikingly convenient for multi-generational family trips, because no one has to compromise regardless of budget constraints or personal taste.

Do you like good entertainment? If you cruise frequently, chances are you’ve seen “A Tribute to Motown!” or the like far too many times. But you can spend a week aboard Norwegian Breakaway and never take in all the professional-calibre entertainment options, from The Rockettes to Burn the Floor to Rock of Ages, which is fantastically edgy. Finally – a cruise ship show with some teeth!

What’s more, the entertainment options aboard Norwegian Epic are completely different, with the Blue Man Group taking centre stage. It’s still one of the best shows I’ve seen aboard a cruise ship.

The only real complaint I had about the ship was that accessing the far leaf of the closet in my stateroom was a bit of a challenge. But for the two or three times a day I went into the closet, I wasn’t bothered.

The forthcoming Norwegian Getaway will also offer a totally different entertainment experience onboard, with the Tony-nominated Broadway show Legally Blonde highlighting, along with a new comedy partnership and expanded offerings for Burn the Floor, which was just superb aboard Norwegian Breakaway.

Unlike other lines, where entertainment tends to be similar throughout the fleet, Norwegian is cultivating unique experiences aboard each of their ships, along with different themes. And that’s a refreshing change to the cookie-cutter approach many mainstream lines have opted to take as of late.

If you tried the old NCL and went away discouraged, the new Norwegian has a lot of good things going for it, and this new ship only enhances the brand the line has been working hard to cultivate over the past five years.

Now that she has officially entered service, Norwegian Breakaway will sail weeklong itineraries to Bermuda that feature three days docked in Kings Wharf. In October, she will begin operating weeklong voyages to the Bahamas and Florida before embarking on 12-day voyages to the Southern Caribbean in 2014.

Of course, I’m curious to see what changes have been made to the rest of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and how the product compares to the Norwegian Breakaway. So join us in two weeks’ time as we sail north, to Alaska aboard the fun Norwegian Pearl sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Washington!

Our Live Voyage Report aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl kicks off on June 2, 2013. More Norwegian Cruise Line voyages can be found here!

Norwegian Breakaway Christening Live Voyage Report – Day 2

Aaron Saunders — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:53:19 +0000

A Day at Sea aboard the Norwegian Breakaway

This morning, I wanted to badly to sleep in – but I can’t. It’s not because the bed in my stateroom isn’t comfortable; it is because there’s a whole lot of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway left for me to document in just a day!

I started off with breakfast in the Garden Café, at a table for two overlooking the ship’s wake.

Rather than having large tables, Norwegian Breakaway’s Garden Café seating is mainly tables of two or four that can be pulled together to create larger seating arrangement. As someone who travels solo a lot, I can’t tell you how fantastic that is; a table for two to have a quick breakfast can be as rare as dinosaur sightings.

After, I set out to explore a few of the other stateroom types available here. I have to admit I couldn’t make it to as many as I would have liked to.

Out of all the ones I saw, my favorite were the Category S6 Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse With Balcony. These gorgeous rooms have a bedroom with a marble and glass-clad bathroom, a full-size soaker tub, a full-size shower that features a window overlooking your balcony, a bedroom with beautiful cyan blue accent lighting, and a living room that combines all the comforts of home.

Outside, a beautiful balcony curves with the stern on the port and starboard sides of the ship, providing great views of the room below.

Busiest place on the ship: Shakers is blazingly popular, along with the Atrium Café on Deck 6. My favorite lounging and writing spot – as it has been on several Norwegian Cruise Line ships going as far back as the Norwegian Pearl – is Maltings Beer and Whiskey Bar. With its dark woods, richly upholstered chairs and innovative chandeliers made of inverted wine and whiskey glasses, it hits all the right notes for me.

Another great area: the new Uptown Bar and Grill on Deck 16 starboard is awesome! Here, you can indulge in a variety of specialties, most of which include meatballs. I tried it – and it was phenomenal.

One thing I do miss: the Moulin Rouge-esque Bliss Ultra Lounge has been substantially scaled back aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, and now more closely resembles a modern European discothèque But it makes sense: aboard Norwegian Epic, it often sat empty when not in use.

A reader wrote in to ask if there were any choke points on the ship, and so far, there’s just one: Carlo’s Bakery and Dolce Gelato, which both share the same space all the way aft on Deck 8. To say they’re busy is like saying traffic in New York is busy: it’s an understatement. However, I’d expect this to ease on a proper weeklong voyage as the novelty wears off and guests don’t feel quite so pressured to cram everything into two days. Note to self: book the transatlantic crossing next year for Norwegian Getaway!

Speaking of, the launch of Norwegian Breakaway also means it’s time to start getting excited about her sister-ship, Norwegian Getaway, which will set sail from Miami beginning in February of next year.

Currently under construction at Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg, Germany, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Kevin Sheehan briefed the media – including yours truly – on some new and exciting features that will be coming to Miami’s ship.

Like Blue Man Group aboard Norwegian Epic and The Rockettes aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway will have its own distinctive headlining act: the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical Legally Blonde.

In announcing this new entertainment, Sheehan noted that the success of the Blue Man Group aboard Norwegian Epic had been instrumental in securing legitimate Broadway performances, many of whom would have been unlikely to consider such a partnership with a cruise line prior for fear it might damage their brand. Now, he said, Broadway is coming to him and not the other way around.

Another noteworthy addition is the inclusion of Levity Entertainment Group, which will replace The Second City aboard Norwegian Getaway. With Levity, 12 comedy shows will be offered per week. While no details were given on exactly who would participate, the company’s client roster is loaded with notable performers like Daniel Tosh, Amy Schumer and puppeteer Jeff Dunham.

The line also revealed that Burn the Floor will have an expanded role aboard Norwegian Getaway, with a decidedly Latin American flair in a nod to the ship’s future homeport of Miami. We had the chance to see a bit of what Burn the Floor can do with their re-invented ballroom dancing, and it is quite spectacular. In fact, a couple in front of me remarked on how much it would have cost them to see something similar on Broadway in Manhattan.

What I like most about this announcement is that it is yet another example of how the line is looking to innovate. It would have been simple to just sign the same sort of entertainment on to each ship – which is how nearly every cruise line operates – but instead, Norwegian took the step (and the potential hassles) of negotiating for new shows and partnerships that further differentiate these two sister-ships.

Incidentally, that’s one of the key reasons I was so enthusiastic about my time aboard Norwegian Epic: for the first time in all of my cruises, I didn’t have to sit through another boring tribute to Motown or Abba or the like! Incidentally, Norwegian Epic may finally be receiving the accolades she’s rightly due: Travel Weekly readers have named her the “Best Overall Cruise Ship” two years in the running.

When she enters service in February 2014, Norwegian Getaway will offer voyages to the Eastern Caribbean sailing roundtrip from Miami. But if you want to be the first to get in on the action – like me – you may want to consider the 10-day Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to Miami that departs in January 2014!

The biggest surprise of the press conference: Kevin Sheehan wants to make Norwegian Cruise Line one of the world’s best Premium cruise lines. They can do it, too: the exclusive enclave known as The Haven is stunning; a luxury ship within a mainstream ship. And you know what: there’s a market for that. The well-off traveller who wants and loves the variety that big ships have to offer, but with the exclusivity and service of an upscale line.

Even more revealing: nobody else is doing it. The current players in the Premium category (which has some astounding elasticity as it is) all target older couples, or those looking for a non-family vacation. Only time will tell if Norwegian’s plan is successful, of course, but I can foresee a head-smacking-moment of realization coming up from Norwegian’s competitors.

Tonight, we ended the evening with an 80’s-themed party at Spice H₂0 all the way aft on Deck 15. I have to admit that I liked this space better aboard Norwegian Epic, with its crossover bridge and raised seating partitions. But it’s still plenty good here, and tonight, we got a peek at one of Norwegian Breakaway’s key attractions: Fireworks

Unlike the fireworks yesterday – which were launched from a barge – Norwegian Breakaway has the ability to put on her own fireworks spectacular, and she’ll do so once on every voyage to Bermuda. Now, fireworks at sea aren’t new – Disney Cruise Line has been doing them for years – but Norwegian is the first mainstream line to adopt them as part of a regular entertainment program.

It’s also worth noting that during the daytime, there’s an honest-to-God hot dog car here!

Afterwards, I had to stroll one last time around The Waterfront. I am convinced that this is Norwegian Breakaway’s greatest feature; it’s certainly the one I enjoy the most, and an amazing new lease on life for the classic promenade deck. It’s frankly amazing no one has ever thought about doing this before, and I will miss it on every ship that doesn’t have one.

Finally, as our time aboard Norwegian Breakaway comes to a close, I want to impart this on all of you: the old NCL is dead, gone and buried. But like a great fighter emerging from a knockdown, the new Norwegian Cruise Line is as bright and optimistic as I have ever seen it after 15 years of sailing with the line.

Two days aren’t enough to do and see it all. Heck, a week wouldn’t be enough. But the past 48 hours have been a tantalising glimpse into a ship that really hits all the right notes for me.

Norwegian Breakaway? Decidedly accurate!

Our Live Voyage Report from onboard Norwegian Breakaway has sadly come to a close, but stay tuned next week: we’ll have a complete recap and deck-by-deck photo tour of this exciting new ship!

Norwegian Breakaway Christening Live Voyage Report – Day 1

Aaron Saunders — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:46:58 +0000

Christening Norwegian Breakaway in New York City

Note: please bear with us as we try to file these reports. Onboard internet access is very spotty as everyone vies for a reliable connection!

My Air Canada flight touched down at New York’s LaGuardia airport just before 10am this morning, in an unusual lull in between the heavy rain that lashed the Big Apple for the better part of the day. But I wouldn’t be staying in the city that never sleeps for long; instead, I was headed for the christening and maiden United States voyage of the ship that never sleeps: Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand-new Norwegian Breakaway.

I had planned to write an entire paragraph about all of the different dining, lounge, and entertainment venues onboard. But after a few hours spent wandering around Norwegian’s latest and greatest, I realized it does no good for me to just rattle off facts that can easily be found in the brochure because while she may have over 20 different bars and 28 dining options, the real story here is all about the experience.

First and foremost, Norwegian Breakaway is clearly a winner. There’s hardly a trace of Norwegian Epic’s clumsiness or awkward features; instead, the very best and brightest ideas that Norwegian pioneered aboard the Epic have made it onboard. What’s more, they have taken those ideas and built upon them, creating what I feel is quite possibly the best ship Norwegian Cruise Line has ever built.

My favorite feature, hands-down, is The Waterfront. In an age where so many cruise lines are killing off the traditional promenade deck, Norwegian’s has not only returned it (there was no Promenade Deck, as such, aboard Norwegian Epic), but they have made it a sexy and desirable feature again.

Tonight, guests lined the rails of the Waterfront, eager to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and the fireworks spectacular put on at 8:45pm. It brought a tear to my eye to see all these people enjoying dinner, drinks, or friendly conversation on The Waterfront. I had nearly accepted that the Promenade Deck – always my favorite feature – was doomed to extinction in the never-ending quest to maximize revenues. With Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line has redefined this traditional space in a way that, I think, will make passengers on other ships very jealous indeed when they see her pull into port.

The second thing worth mentioning is just how well my stateroom – a Category MB Mini-Suite with Balcony – has been designed.

The first thing you might notice is that stateroom doors open outward from the hallway, and not inward as is typical aboard most cruise ships.

The second thing worth noting is the bathroom: it’s gargantuan for a stateroom of this size. The shower in my suite has a rainforest shower head, supplemented by six adjustable jet nozzles that can be activated by choosing one of the four water modes indicated on the shower.

There’s no cylindrical tube showers here; this has a full glass door that slides open and shut, and there’s plenty of room to move around. Ditto for the bathroom itself, which starts approaching a spaciousness that’s typically found aboard ultra-luxury lines. Did I mention the sink is dual-vanity?

The room itself has been cleverly designed, with multiple light source options and switches that are conveniently placed. The desk is big enough to comfortably hold my laptop, and the flat-panel television is recessed into its own section.

The closet is very adequately sized for a weeklong voyage to the Caribbean, but the positioning could be better, as it’s tough to squeeze in between the couch to access the door closest to the wall.

I had read comments on some message boards reflecting discontent over the size of Norwegian Breakaway’s balconies; for sitting and enjoying the view – which I did last night – they’re just fine. No, you can’t stretch out and no, you’d never fit a lounger on them, but for time spent reading a book and relaxing with a drink, they fit the bill.

Also worth noting is that my Mini Suite is very much a middle-of-the-road category; there’s several cabin grades that are lower, and many that are higher. Yet the line has chosen to add some of these luxurious touches to these rooms.

Yesterday, I had the chance to tour one of the Category O1 Family Oceanview staterooms on Deck 5. Their bathroom has been designed slightly differently, but these rooms still offer an unusual amount of space inside; a theme that also applies to the stateroom corridor, which is the most spacious I’ve ever seen on a ship.

All around the ship, I have been thoroughly impressed by the beautiful design of the Norwegian Breakaway’s public rooms. Nothing is enormous or gargantuan; instead, intimate spaces that seat 50 or 60 guests have been created in a way that spreads everyone out – though Shaker’s Martini Bar was smoking busy well into the wee hours last night.

What’s really great about these rooms is that they build on the distinctive style that Norwegian Epic pioneered. It’s given Norwegian a real voice aboard Norwegian Breakaway; there’s absolutely no chance the ship will ever be confused with Carnival or Royal Caribbean, and I think that’s a good thing, particularly these days when the lines between, well, lines, seem to be blurring at an alarming rate.

The other thing that made an enormous impression on me today was Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO Kevin Sheehan’s remarks during the christening ceremonies that were held around the vessel.

Sheehan himself is a former New York resident. He grew up here. He went to school here. He even drove a cab here. But he took the time on such a busy day to thank – by name – his team at Norwegian Cruise Line who were instrumental in bringing Norwegian Breakaway to life. He had them stand up in the Breakaway Theatre to be recognized. Suddenly, people all around me were standing up, their pride in this ship – and in their efforts being recognized – palpable.

Sheehan also paid tribute to the officers and crew, not just here but throughout the entire Norwegian fleet. And I’ve never seen that done before, ever. I have seen CEO’s put out a “shout-out” to “all the people who helped”, but to watch Kevin Sheehan personally take the time to recognize each of these groups of people was very moving.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a rich and storied history. They’ve flirted with brilliance and danced along the thin red line of disaster. Yet they have always been willing to try something new. They’ve always innovated in ways that other cruise lines couldn’t conceive of. Witness how Freestyle Cruising was mocked – then immediately implemented – by their competitors upon its introduction over a decade ago. Ditto for multiple dining venues. Let’s be honest; had anyone ever thought of having sushi aboard a ship until Norwegian made it cool? Or accessing the internet before the Norwegian Sky popularized the internet café concept back in 1999?

My first cruise was with Norwegian back in 1998 aboard the newly-stretched Norwegian Wind. I have sailed with Norwegian numerous times since then, each time with a different iteration of the line. But I’d still fondly look back and secretly wish for the “old” Norwegian. Until today.

With Norwegian Breakaway, I feel like Norwegian is finally on the right track. The old “NCL” that I sailed with in 1998 is long gone, and that’s okay.

The new Norwegian Cruise Line is better than I could have ever hoped for.

The fantastic Thermal Suite Spa aboard Norwegian Epic, located all the way forward on Deck 15

Our Live Voyage Report from onboard Norwegian Breakaway continues tomorrow, as we spend an entire day at sea trying to take in all this feature-laden vessel has to offer!

Miami Live Trip Report – Day 4

Aaron Saunders — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:41:40 +0000

Alligators, Monkeys and South Beach

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne is illuminated by the Florida sun. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Another fun-filled day of adventure awaited us on our continuing family-friendly explorations in Miami yesterday. But to truly prepare for a day spent exploring Miami’s outlying areas, you have to start your day off right.

We’ve been fortunate to have Club Level Access while staying at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Located on the 9^th Floor, this keycard-access-only lounge is available to guests booking the resort’s Club Level Suites.

The luxurious Club Level Lounge on the 9th Floor offers up a variety of goodies, 24-7. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Open 24 hours, you can get everything from soft drinks to candy to wine, beer, champagne and even light meals in this gorgeous room that is supplemented by a balcony overlooking the front of the property.

What I love about this concept is how much money you save for what is, in the long run, a minimal investment. If you eat breakfast and lunch in the Club, and enjoy a glass of wine or champagne there each evening, you’re saving yourself in the neighbourhood of $100 per person, per day.

Every day, breakfast, lunch and light snacks are served in the Club Lounge. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Add to that complimentary soft drinks and juices for the kids, and it’s easy to see the convenience of this Lounge for families. And yes, I did see more than one family utilising the lounge! Gone are the days when the top-of-the-line lounges at upscale hotel properties were the exclusive domain of chain-smoking men in suits swirling brandy and slapping each other on the back.

Instead, today’s lounge concept is designed to please all the guests who will make use of it, from parents looking to enjoy a fine glass of wine or maybe a cognac; to the kids who will be wowed by the jars of gumballs, sour cherries, chocolates, and more at their disposal.

Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

It’s almost enough to make you crawl out of the resort’s luxurious Frette linens every morning!

Properly fed, we set out to explore some of Miami’s outlying, family-friendly attractions.

Everglades Alligator Farm

Farm & Airboat Ride: Adults $23 / Children $15.50

If you’re going to go to the Everglades, you have to take an airboat tour! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

No trip to the Everglades would be complete without a ride in one of the region’s famous airboats, and that’s exactly how we started our day!

Did I mention there are also alligators? As the name suggests, this is the place to go to see these famous (or infamous) creatures in action, both in their natural habitat as part of the airboat ride, and as a veritable attraction in their own right.

Get your alligator fix at the Everglades Alligator Farm! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The farm has baby alligators on display of all ages, making it interesting to see how these creatures behave at different points in their development cycle. It’s particularly interesting to note how small these creatures are initially – and just how large they can get!

While you’re likely to see an alligator or two in the swampy marshlands as you’re cruising by in the airboat, these are likely to be doing what alligators do best: adopting a sort of submarine-style “run silent, run deep” attitude.

Embarking one of the airboats for a tour of the Everglades. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The airboat itself, though, is spectacular fun. After cruising along at a relaxing, safari-like pace, the airboat driver kicks things into high gear when out on the open glades. You’ll get wet (soaked, even, depending on where you sit), and the thrill of having the airboat suddenly whip ‘round and alter direction will have you clinging to your seatmates with exhilarated fear.

The only downside here: the airboat ride only lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Giant fan-style propellers push the Airboats at speeds of up to 40mph. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Still, for visitors coming from other parts of the world, the chance to see so many Alligators in a single place is too tempting to pass up. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it also showcases how much of the area used to look at one time. The park also acts as a refuge for wildlife that can’t be released back into the wild, typically exotic animals that have been seized from private residences as a result of drug raids and the like.

The Verdict: Tons of fun for all ages, and a great education, too. We just wish that airboat ride was twice as long!

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand

Prices vary depending on product.

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand, located… Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

…in a rather deceptive area. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

We zipped past the Robert Is Here fruit stand on our way to the Everglades Alligator Farm. In a flash it was gone, replaced by rolling farmland that could have been a stand-in for the famous crop duster scene in North by Northwest. Yet had the classic Hitchcock movie been filmed in Florida City, Florida, Carey Grant would have likely ran away to get to this South Florida icon all the sooner.

Founded by its eponymous namesake in 1960 when he was just six years old, Robert’s Fruit Stand has existed on this corner for decades, but has always remained a family business. The name “Robert is Here” comes from a sign his father made to attract passers-by to his son’s fruit stand. The name stuck, and Robert has been there ever since.

Robert is here – literally! A true gentleman. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Today, Robert Is Here is a part of Miami’s historic “Redland Tropical Trail” that includes fifteen distinct attractions; think of them as hidden gems away from the bustle of the city.

Here’s why you need to stop here: besides offering more fresh fruits than you could ever possibly imagine, the man makes a heck of a good milkshake. I don’t even typically like milkshakes, yet I devoured my freshly-prepared Blackberry milkshake in short order. So good were they that in no time, the small group I was with were sharing our respective flavours amongst ourselves, eager to find out who’d chosen best.

It’s worth the drive just for one of the delicious milkshakes made on-site. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Fresh fruit is just one thing that has kept this corner farm and store running since 1960. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Turns out we all did!

The Verdict: this is worth the drive from Miami just to have the experience! My advice: try the Key Lime milkshake; it was absolutely splendid.

Monkey Jungle

Admission: Adults: $29.95 / Children 3 – 9: $23.95

Monkeys at Monkey Jungle – a fascinating experience! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Personally, I’d say this rates as one of the most engaging experiences I’ve ever had. Now, to be fair, we got a bit of a backstage tour of the facility that most visitors don’t get to see, but the staff here are so knowledgeable and dedicated that I’d put it on my “must-visit” list along with Jungle Island if you’re an animal lover.

The Monkey Jungle theme states that it’s the only place where the humans are caged and the animals run wild – and this is quite true! Visitors walk through a series of enclosed “hallways” that are surrounded by mesh wire. This allows the monkeys to scamper along and follow you every step of the way.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Monkey Jungle is the opportunity to see how humans and animals interact. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

They’re not shy, either: you can place some food (provided by the Jungle – don’t feed them just anything!) into little silver dishes hanging from the mesh caging you walk through. Suddenly, one of the monkeys will run over and begin hoisting the dish up through the wire frame. He’ll pick at the food for a bit and when he decides he’s had enough, he lets go of the chain, and you might get a falling “dish” in the head unexpectedly!

Staff are amazingly knowledgeable; this is something of a career for them. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

But what made the biggest impression on me – aside from the stunning collection of wildlife here – is the dedication and knowledge about these creatures that they eagerly display to visitors. Sure, there’s a gorgeous silverback gorilla who hits all the right gorilla show notes to make things accessible for the little ones, (play the drums, King!), but you can ask them anything – anything – about these creatures. And you’ll get an insightful answer.

Other animals are also showcased at Monkey Jungle. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

One of the most interesting revelations about the monkeys was that in captivity, they tend to live approximately five or six years longer than in the wild. That, perhaps, isn’t unexpected, but one thing was: the elderly female monkeys continued to reproduce long after they typically would in the wild, resulting in significantly smaller – though fully developed – offspring.

Being able to get this close to the monkey’s isn’t normal, but I love this photo because it showcases the bond between the monkey and the human. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

That’s the kind of thing that excites me: research and facts, presented in a way that everyone – from a kid to an adult – can appreciate it.

The Verdict: put this one on your “must visit” list if you’ve got animal lovers in the family.

Coral Castle

Admission: $15 Adults / $7 Children 7-12 / Children under 7: free.

Welcome to the Coral Castle, quite possibly the world’s most expressive labour of love. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I’m not sure what I enjoyed more about the Coral Castle: the structure itself, or the enduring love story and semi-secrecy that surrounds its construction and history.

Originally called “Rock Gate Park”, the Coral Castle is the product of a single man named Edward Leedskalnin. Beginning in 1920 and remaining a work-in-progress for the next two decades, the Castle was built entirely out of coral farmed, if you will, from a nearby quarry. He erected the Castle as a testament to his love for a woman called Agnes Scuffs, who was referred to as his “Sweet Sixteen” because of her age.

Tne entire castle was constructed between 1920 and 1940 – but no one knows exactl how. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Unfortunately for Leedskalnin, his love wasn’t returned. Despite being engaged to Agnes, she reportedly called the wedding off because he was ten years older than her. Heartbroken, he left his native Latvia and settled in the Miami area, and it wasn’t long before the Castle began to take shape.

Now here’s the part that truly fascinates me: he hardly used any proper tools, preferring instead to cannibalise old Ford “Model-T” cars to create custom tools that he could utilise. Interesting Fact Number Two: there are no recorded reports of anyone who ever saw Leedskalnin at work on the Castle – or anyone else, for that matter.

This table, when viewed from the top, is a near-perfect map of Florida. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

After a few moments of walking around the Castle, it would seem that Ed Leedskalnin was perhaps the Latvian-Floridian Gaudi; he displays the same kind of creative and fanciful ingenuity in his designs for the castle, which include a revolving gate made of coral and even a startlingly-accurate sun dial.

Leedskalnin’s living quarters were sparse and simple. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Although a popular attraction both in its time and today, there is one person who never made the trek to see this momomentus achievement despite repeated invitations: Agnes Scuffs. It’s an unhappy ending to the life of a man who was clearly smarter than his fourth-grade education might otherwise suggest.

The Verdict: the Coral Castle is a Florida icon, and definitely worth a visit, even if only to admire the handiwork of a man dealing with his unrequited love by creating a stunning work of art that would outlast him and his beloved “Sweet Sixteen.”

We ended our day – and our stay – with a trip to iconic South Beach, with its bustling street scene and art deco buildings.

Take a stroll through the heart of South Beach by walking along Lincoln Road. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

No doubt about it: this is the place to see and be seen in Miami. It’s also an absolute must for any visit to Miami. People from all walks of life congregate here, curious to take in the shopping, dining, and beach culture that is present here.

In the end, that’s what has always impressed me about Miami – it holds something for everyone. What I discovered, though, was that Miami is a vibrant, kid-friendly destination in its own right; an excellent alternative to some of the more common places that might pop to mind, like Orlando or the Keys.

I do know one thing for sure: once you’ve been here, you’ll always long to return – no matter what your age.

South Beach and Ocean Drive. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our Live Trip Report from Miami, Florida has sadly come to a close. Stay tuned next week for a full recap of our family-friendly adventures here, including full hotel profiles for both the Turnberry Isle Miami and the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne!

Miami Live Trip Report – Day 3

Aaron Saunders — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:15:04 +0000

Cinco de Mayo at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

The stunning RUMBAR at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne featurs over 50 different kinds of rum from around the world. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

As our tour of Miami’s family-friendly activities continued today, we also experienced a change of scenery. Our new home for the next two days is the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, located – as you might expect – just south of Miami on the island of Key Biscayne.

Spanning 12 acres situated along the Atlantic coast just steps away from the beach, the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne might not be the first property that jumps to mind when you hear the worlds “family friendly.” Yet kids, parents and couples mingle seamlessly here at this 450-room resort.

My room at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

In many ways, a luxury property like this makes sense for a family vacation for those who want to bring the kids, but don’t want to compromise on amenities and features. Yet this resort is completely different from our previous digs in Aventura, despite the fact they both target families seeking a luxury getaway.

There is even a family with kids in the room next to mine!

Room With A View. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation is shown departing Miami. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

To start, the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne is situated alongside Crandon Beach, consistently ranked as one of the world’s very best oceanfront playgrounds. Adults will love the resort’s colonial styling and opulent surroundings, while kids will be entranced by the same experience, albeit on a different level.

Bathrooms feature the luxurious amenities Ritz-Carlton guests have come to expect. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Kids aged five to 12 can take part in the tailor-made Ritz Kids program, where they can learn to play tennis, basketball, go fishing, or participate in treasure hunts, pool and beach games, arts and crafts, and more. That, in turn, allows Mom and dad to relax and be “grown-ups” again. And that’s always a good thing.

My room is, as you might expect, fantastic.

Although the vanity and tub are visible in this photograph, a separate toilet room and glass-enclosed shower are obscured by the open door. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

For those who are interested, I am trying not to compare it to the Turnberry Isle Miami where I spent the past two nights. Why, you ask? Other than the fact that they both offer a luxury product, they both target two different kind of travellers seeking two different experiences. Even their geographic location makes them difficult to compare and contrast: one is a secluded resort located north of Miami, while the other is situated within steps of the Atlantic Ocean in prestigious Key Biscayne.

The entrance to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne’s Cioppino dining venue. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

But today wasn’t all about hotels – we also set out on some cool adventures that anyone with kids (or not) will want to know about.

Jungle Island

Admission: $34.95 Adults / $26.95 Child ages 3-10.

Welcome to Miami’s Jungle Island! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our first stop of the day was at Jungle Island, where we were treated to a VIP tour of this fantastic attraction that seeks to educated kids and adults alike about some of the most amazing creatures in the world.

We were allowed to hold, feed and interact with lemurs, which I have to admit made me a little leery. But the lemurs are friendly and the staff at Jungle Island are both knowledgeable and well-trained on the animals guests get to interact with.

Have you interacted with a Lemur? You can at Jungle island Miami. Beware: the like to climb on heads! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

As a rule, I dislike zoos – but Jungle Island is far more interactive than a standard zoo. In fact, it’s better thought of as a habitat for various birds and mammals. I also love the fact that kids not only get to interact with the animals, they also get to learn about them and the world they inhabit.

Trainers also don’t shy away from telling visitors that, unlike the kind-hearted kangaroos at Jungle Island, those found in Australia are not to be messed with.

Feeding the Kangaroos. Unlike the native Australian kind, these are very kind and well-mannered. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Also in the ‘do not touch’ category: the only living descendant of the feared Velociraptor, the Cassowary has five-inch, dagger-like claws that are perfect for what this bird enjoys most: killing for sport. Native to Northern Australia and New Guinea, these birds can run up to 30 miles per hour, and are considered the deadliest bird in the world. Jungle Island has the only trained Cassowary in the world as part of their stage show, and this unhappy fellow is likely the cause of the verbose legal waiver guests must sign upon entering the park.

Less friendly: the Cassowary, the only direct descendant of the Veliciraptor. Unlike most animals, this bird kills not for sustinace, but for fun. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I’ve done a safari through South Africa that had lions surrounding our jeep, but the sight of the Cassowary was absolutely chilling. I was pleased to see it exit stage right!

The verdict: highly recommended.

The Miami Children’s Museum

Admission: $16 / Florida Residents: $12. Children under 12 months: Complimentary.

The Miami Children’s Museum is about two minutes away from Jungle Island, making visits to both of these fantastic sites possible in the same day. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Despite its somewhat generic-sounding moniker, the Miami Children’s Museum is home to one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever seen for kids. It’s the kind of place that makes you wish you were a kid, too.

Here, kids can learn all about the world and take part in “grown-up stuff” in a way that is both engaging and entertaining. They can learn about how a bank operates by designing their own currency and even acting as tellers at the mock Bank of America; or do a little weekly shopping at a mock-up of a Publix supermarket designed just for kids.

In the Miami Children’s Museum, kids enter a fantastical world of grown-up make-believe and learning, rolled into one. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The latter was particularly enthralling; watching kids scurry around with carts filled with “food”, or weighing the catch of the day, was endless fun for kids and adults alike.

Kids can also learn about health issues, the power of music, the thrill of film and television (including something dear to my heart: a lesson on film editing); and they can even learn about the Port of Miami’s operations with mock-ups of a container ship and a Carnival Cruise ship.

Kids can do their “banking” at a mock Bank of America, where they learn abouot currency and savings. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The Miami Children’s Museum was named as one of the ten-best in the world, and for good reason: there’s a high repeat factor here thanks to a series of ever-changing exhibits. On our visit, kids and adults alike could learn about the different US states through an interactive exhibit. Tomorrow, this is replaced with a new feature that will run from June until January on dinousaurs!

Kids also learn about different industries, like the construction business. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Special exhibits change multiple times per year, ensuring that repeat guests are never disappointed. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The museum’s almost Gaudi-esque design is a visual treat for the senses. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Of course, I support kids learning about cruising Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Kids can also learn about the arts, like music, film and television ,and crafts. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The verdict: the Miami Children’s Museum made me wish I was a kid again.

The Miami Science Museum

Admission: Adults: $14.95 / Children 3-12: $10.95 / Children 2 and Under: complimentary

Everything is under the microscope at the Miami Science Museum! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Big things are in store for the Miami Science Museum: in 2015, they will move into their new digs just steps away from the cruise ship terminals that line the Government Cut in Miami. If you’re taking a cruise with the kids, you owe it to yourself to stop in.

Even at their current location, this museum offers and endless array of exhibits that educate kids while remaining fun at the same time. How much fun, you ask? We were enamoured with a video-capture program that purported to guess our moods and weight from a small webcam, with startling accuracy.

Video-recognitino software is able to calculate a subject’s age and mood based on their appearance. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Then, we tested the severity of hurricane-force winds through a series of electrical fans and scale models of houses.

Following, we tried our hand at capturing energy; used our weight and motion to power a discothèque; and even learned about motion-capture.

Wind Tunnel: what happens to houses during a hurricane. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Visitors to the Miami Science Museum also learn about alternate energy sources. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Use your own force and motion to operate the reverse yo-yo! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The verdict: so cool, we’re going to have a full feature on the Miami Science Museum here on From the Deck Chair later this month – and we`ll be back for their 2015 Grand Opening!

Miami Seaquarium Dolphin Encounter

Admission: Adults $139 / Children 5 to 9: $99. Observer: $45

I have swum with dolphins twice now, both in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I also witnessed my sister swim with them in Honolulu, Hawaii two years ago. Needless to say, I was looking forward to this experience.

Unlike a swim, an encounter doesn`t place you directly in the water with the dolphin; instead, you stand in waist-deep water in a wetsuit at the edge of a raised partition, and are thus able to touch the dolphin or have you pictures taken with him or her at various intervals.

I wanted so badly to like this experience, but I just couldn’t. Upon checking in, we were told no towels were ready for us to dry off with, and to come back later. Change rooms and lockers are placed in an awkward fashion, with the lockers situated outside of the change room in the common viewing area. Direction and instruction were haphazard at best and plagued with broken equipment, and most of the employees encountered seemed completely indifferent to their guests.

Now, having said that: if you have little kids and have never had an up-close experience with these majestic creatures, this will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our trainer was fantastic, and the dolphins seem happy and well-looked after, which is always the most important thing. It’s just a shame that, for the price, the experience misses the mark when compared to some of the other dolphin experiences out there.

If you’re wondering why there aren’t any images of the Miami Seaquarium: we had our cameras confiscated upon entry.

The Verdict: give this one a pass unless you really love dolphins.

The Atlantic Ocean at sunset, seen from the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

After a full day of fun, it was back to the hotel for some much-needed R&R.

This isn’t the first Ritz-Carlton I’ve stayed at, but just the process of checking in this afternoon reminded me why this brand remains a favorite of mine. The company refers to all staff as their ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’, and deservedly so: you’d be hard-pressed to find more helpful people. On a personal level, I like this because it shows the company has a deep respect for the front-line employees who interact with guests every day, many who return time and time again to the brand.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations on-site drew a huge crowd until well after 10pm. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Being Cinco de Mayo today, we celebrated by having dinner outdoors and within sight of the always-inspiring Atlantic Ocean by dining at the on-site Cantina Beach.

The only authentic Mexican-themed waterfront restaurant in Miami, Cantina Beach served us up a buffet of Mexican specialties, including the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted. The entire restaurant is open-air concept and just steps away from both the beach and the resort’s pool area.

The best Margarita to go with the best guacamole! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

What really impressed me, though, was that Cantina Beach is home to the only tequila master in the United States. Known as a tequilier, Hariberto’s knowledge spans each of the major tequila-producing areas of Mexico. With that kind of knowledge on-hand, it seemed a shame to not order some.

Hariberto was good to his word, bringing forth a bottle of tequila that he personally brought back from a recent visit to a remote village in the Jalisco region of Mexico. It goes for $20 per glas and it was worth every penny. This isn’t a tequila you can fire back; this is known as a sipping tequila and has a taste and finish similar to that of a fine scotch.

Elgantly casual outdoor dining at Cantina Beach. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

This evening, I figure I’m channeling Ernest Hemmingway by having a glass of rum in the Havana-inspired RUMBAR to finish off my post. I love this room – and apparently, most of the guests do, too. As I write this, it’s closing in on midnight, and yet the place is packed. There’s no live music on Sundays (Groupo Nostalgia plays Thursday through Saturday), but there are plenty of comfortable leather loungers and high-back chairs surrounded by crimson walls, palm-frond-style ceiling fans, and of course, 54 different rums and a humidor with an expansive collection of cigars.

Preparing a Mexican feast, poolside! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

As it turns out, I’m not Hemmingway. But I’m pretty sure he would have approved of the RUMBAR at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne; a hotel that is truly in a league of its own.

The gorgeous Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne at night. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Until tomorrow… Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our Live Trip Report from Miami, Florida continues tomorrow, as we tour Florida’s everglades ad pay visits to Monkey Jungle and South Beach! Due to time restrictions and early flights, posting may be delayed until mid-afternoon Tuesday.

Miami Live Trip Report – Day 2

Aaron Saunders — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:22:25 +0000

Fun in the Sun at the Turnberry Isle Miami

Good morning, Turnberry Isle! Hitting one of the two 18-hole courses for a golf clinic! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

This morning, I learned how to golf.

It’s just one of the many ways to while away the day here at the Turnberry Isle Miami resort, and a popular one at that. By the time we made our 9AM appointment with the resort’s resident golf pro, a number of players were already out on the greens, their electric carts zipping along the laneways.

The Turnberry Isle’s resident golf expert instructs us on how to properly grip the club and position ourselves. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I have been golfing before, but I learned I have never been playing it right. In fact, I’ve been doing it entirely wrong. But the brilliance of this class was that it taught us, within just two short hours, how to become much better at the sport.

First, there’s your grip. It’s all about how you hold the club, and position it. How you do this, in turn, affects how you hit the ball. And how you hit the ball, naturally, determines how far – or short – your ball will travel.

Bathed in the warmth of the early morning sun, I missed the ball completely on my first two swings. On the third, I snapped the tee in two. Clearly, golf may not be my game.

In the words of our expert instructor: “The ball gets hit because it’s in the way.” Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

But I remembered what I was taught: grip, position, stance. We were encouraged to forget the ball was even there; in our instructor’s words, “the ball gets hit simply because it is in the way. Nothing more.”

Suddenly, I shot the golf bar further down the green than I ever have in my life. Then I did it again. Then I did it again.

Then, I snapped another tee. Perhaps I’ll have to wait to take on Arnold Palmer…

Making your way around the Turnberry Isle can be accomplished with these attractive, open-air passageways. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The Lobby Bar: without a doubt, my favorite public area on the property. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

How much golf can you play here? Well, as much as you’d like – the resort boasts not one, but two 18-hole courses redesigned by Raymond Floyd. If golf isn’t your game, no worries: you can also enjoy a game of Tennis on-site as part of the resort’s exclusive partnership with Cañas Tennis.

Following this, we got a chance to take in a guided tour of the Turnberry Isle’s on-site Chef’s Garden.

The on-site Chef’s Garden has just about anything you (or your culinary team) could want. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The resort grows a staggering amount of produce on-site, from pomegranates to mint leaves to basil to bananas, plantains, tomatoes, and more. They do a complete cycle of the garden once a month, clearing out all that is ready to be harvested and replenishing seasonal crops with other produce.

Not everything is local, either: some of what is grown on-site is sourced from places like Jamaica, Barbados, and even parts of Asia with similar climates to South Florida.

Our Executive Chef cooks up a storm using ingredients from his on-site garden. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The resort’s culinary team then uses these ingredients to make their own spices, iced teas, and custom-made drinks.

This afternoon, we got our first hands-on look at some of the kid’s activities available on-site by taking part in a pottery-painting class on the lawn outside the sprawling Laguna Pool. Not that I’m at all crafty (I’m not), but this is the sort of thing I wished I would have had as a kid – or rather, the sort of thing that I wish my parents had.

Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I grabbed a few felt markers and set to it, pondering over which colours to use, and then how to use them. While I puttered and pondered, the five year olds next to me had already created a veritable masterpiece, using paint, adhesive stickers, fabric, lace – you name it. In that time, I succeeded in drawing a blue line around the lip of my flower pot.

I could learn something from them.

Two of the kids that came over from the pool were on a first-name basis with the fantastic children’s activities staff members. It turns out the kids have been coming here with their parents for years, and as a result know several of the staff like they were an extension of their own families.

My Kid’s Art Class creation. I don’t think I’ll quit my day job! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Earlier, I mentioned the Laguna Pool. What I should have mentioned, perhaps, was that it is ringed by comfortable turquoise loungers and includes a waterfall, a cleverly-disguised 35-foot high waterslide for the kids, and a lazy river that stretches on for nearly a thousand feet.

The soothing Laguna Pool is difficult to pull yourself away from. Nearby, a water slide and a lazy river are on offer. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Also nearby is the Laguna Pool Grill, meaning you can take a casual lunch or order something from the bar (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) without ever having the leave the confines of the pool area. Like the rest of the resort, external sounds – like traffic or airplanes – are nearly non-existant. More than a few times during the day, I had to remind myself that I was in Aventura, Florida and not St. Thomas or Philipsburg.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, the Laguna Pool Grill is close at hand! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Leaving the property this evening, we headed for the Bayside Marketplace in the heart of Miami. Directly opposite the Government Cut and the cruise ship terminals – not to mention the American Airlines Arena, home to the famous Miami Heat – we made our way through the market to the Thriller Miami Speedboat.

The Thriller Miami Speedboat at its Bayside berth. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I’d been to Bayside before, but I had never taken a speedboat tour of Miami and its surrounding environs – and you really should, because the boat isn’t just all about speed, waves and spray. In addition to those admittedly fun aspects, it’s also a stunning way to see the Port of Miami and its inner waterways, not to mention a spectacular view of South Beach and Key Biscayne from the Atlantic Ocean.

More than just a thrill ride, the tour also provided us with some fascinating history – not to mention sights – of Miami. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Keep your hands inside the Thriller, kids! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The Thriller offered up some great vistas of Miami and its environs. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

While everyone photographed the star’s homes… Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

…I did some sightseeing of my own Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Finally, we finished our evening with dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at Bayside. If you like seafood – more importantly, shrimp – this is the place to be. Not only is it fun and decidedly casual (witness the license-plate ordering system!), but it’s also reasonably priced; an important factor if you are on vacation as a family.

Tonight, we dined at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at the Bayside Marketplace. Insert your own “Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” analogy here! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Personally, I had the jambalaya. I am a sucker for the dish, and try it wherever I go. I was warned that it was “really, really spicy”, but I found it to be a very pleasant level of spice. Your mileage may vary, though!

Food photos never turn out as appetizing as they really are. I present, instead, this bubbly blue concoction! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Although I returned to the resort around 10:30pm, this evening I wandered on down to the Lobby Bar, lured by the sounds of smooth jazz emanating across the entry foyer. I was tired, sure – but there’s nothing quite so relaxing as enjoying a well-deserved martini in a beautiful room, surrounded by live music.

Enjoying the relaxing atmosphere – and the soothing live music – in the Lobby Bar at the Turnberry Isle Miami. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

In that respect, the Turnberry Isle contains that elusive quality that should be present in every single hotel, but is sadly lacking in many: personality. Like Miami, the Turnberry Isle itself is something of a melting pot, merging Caribbean culture with South Beach style to create a property that is anything but nondescript.

Tomorrow, we change hotels to what I am sure is another equally-individual property. But I could have used a few more days here; everything seems to melt away when you’re relaxing poolside at the Laguna Pool or golfing (hopefully with balls and not tees) on the resort’s two 18-hole courses.

There are 408 rooms on-site here. Tonight, I will crawl into bed in one of them and sleep the sleep of angels for one more night.

But not before a little more soothing jazz in the Lobby Bar, Turnberry-style!

The “Stone Sour Martini”: bourbon, sour, orange juice. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our Live Trip Report from Miami, Florida continues tomorrow, as we explore Jungle Island, tour the Miami Children’s Museum, swim with the dolphins and even celebrate Cinco de Mayo from the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne!

Miami Live Trip Report – Day 1

Aaron Saunders — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:21:21 +0000

Hello, Miami!

The sounds of gently-falling rain mingle with the water drifting off this fountain at the Turnberry Isle Miami resort in Aventura, Florida. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

When I first visited Miami last March, I never intended to like it. I had – embarrassingly – written it off as little more than the gateway to the Caribbean. But not only did I like Miami, I loved it. The food, the air, the culture – that wonderful international culture – it was all part and parcel of the experience. And when I left, I realized I had barely scratched the surface.

Which is why I’m back in Miami right now, preparing to embark on four days of whirlwind activities that showcase the region’s history and family-friendly culture as we start off our latest Live Trip Report!

It’s worth noting that this journey is kindly being sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. It’s also worth noting that I absolutely jumped at the chance to explore the different family-friendly activities that are available in the Miami area. More people write in asking about Florida than almost any other destination. They want to know where to go, what to do, and most importantly, where to take the kids. And until now, I have never been able to adequately answer their questions.

Over the next three full days, I’ll have a chance to explore some of the very diverse options available to cruisers and travellers alike. How diverse, you ask? Let’s see…you can go golfing; play tennis with a proper pro instructor; visit the Miami Zoo, the Seaquarium; the Everglades; South Beach; Key Biscayne…the list goes on.

My American Airlines Boeing 757-200 at the gate at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was my American Airlines flight to Miami via Dallas. It was the first time I’d ever flown with the carrier, and I have to be honest: I had my doubts. I had friends and family fly them with mixed experiences, and some of the media coverage of the airline over the last year has been anything but kind. But their times and routing were far more convenient than other alternatives.

Two things stood out for me: one, the Boeing 737-800 that whisked me from Vancouver to Dallas sported Boeing’s new ‘Sky Interior’ modeled after the 777 widebody aircraft. This means re-designed luggage bins, coloured LED accent lighting, and more spacious window openings. To my mind, that earns major points for those niceties.

The second thing I noticed, particularly on my Dallas to Miami flight where our Boeing 757 was anything but new: the crew were so darn nice. I mean really, really nice – to a level I stopped expecting from US-based airlines years ago. The girls coming through the economy class cabin where I was would stop and joke with the passengers, ask them if they needed anything, or generally just make themselves visible.

The last time I flew to Florida, my flights on United felt like a marathon that would never end. Today, I actually enjoyed my journey to the Sunshine State.

Are they perfect? Probably not; few airlines are. But the new American shows signs of change, and it’s nice to know that extends beyond their sexy new livery.

The Turnberry Isle Miami is a proper resort oasis nestled within the bustling city of Aventura, just north of Miami. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

By the time I reached the Turnberry Isle Miami, it was well after 8pm. Although I’ve only been here a few hours, I get the sense that time has a tendency to stand still for guests staying here. The few people I passed on my way to my room were strolling casually through the hallways and outdoor courtyards, while one gentleman was content to sit poolside, admiring the azure glow of the water in the night and the rain shower that had started up.

I also learned you have to watch your step: I nearly stepped on a baby frog making its way across the marble concrete. Barely bigger than the size of a quarter and colored red from head to toe, I thought it was perhaps a wet leaf affixed to the floor – until it moved.

No Light, No Light: my room is elegantly decorated with four table lamps instead of oppressive overhead pot-lighting. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Considering the resort is located within Aventura, Florida – itself a city of roughly 36,000 inhabitants – might cause you to assume that it will have an urban feel. Instead, it reminds me of a seaside resort in the Caribbean; a stroll through the courtyard reveals the sounds of frogs in the distance, mingled with the pitter-patter of raindrops as they descend down on the palm trees and vegetation.

The one thing you don’t hear: traffic and airplanes. It’s as if the city of Aventura simply went to sleep. You’d never guess that the sprawling Aventura Mall was located right across the street.

If I had to describe the accommodations here, “soothing” is the word that pops to mind. My room – located in the Magnolia Building (one of four on the property) – is devoid of bad taste. Décor is filled with pleasing earth tones for both fixtures and upholstery, and lighting eschews the stark, overhead lighting found in some properties for the warm ambiance created by the use of multiple table lamps.

It’s Not Wrong To Love Your Toiletries. Molton Brown toiletries are in each room at the Turnberry Isle Miami. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Even before I started writing about travel, I was a toiletries snob. It was the first thing I looked at when entering a hotel room then and it’s still the first thing I look at now. I nearly went into orbit with excitement when I stepped into my room’s bathroom and saw Molton Brown toiletries. If you’ve never used these before, they’re fantastic – even better than L’Occitane, in my personal opinion. I’d hate to see Molton Brown and Bvlgari duke it out – that might be too close to call – but if you ever see these in your hotel (or on your cruise ship), you’re in for a treat.

Each room at the Turnberry Isle Miami includes a separate glass shower and a full-size soaker tub. Something for everyone! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

One other thing I liked: a monthly program of activities is provided in every room. This month, you can take part in Cinco de Mayo celebrations on May 5; take part in the feeding of the resort’s on-site Koi fish and turtles; take a tour of the Chef’s garden; or dance the night away every Wednesday with Havana-themed music and drinks poolside, just to name a few.

But there will be plenty of time to explore Miami and the Turnberry Isle Resort tomorrow. Tonight, I’m just looking forward to crawling into the luxurious embrace of the king-size bed in my suite. It’s one of those ones you don’t dare sit on; doing so might invite immediate sleep!

We’ll retun tomorrow with far, far more photos! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our Live Trip Report from Miami, Florida and the Turnberry Isle Resort continues tomorrow with a round of golf, some time spent poolside, and a thrilling journey to Miami – by land and sea!