November 2011 - Page 2 of 3 - Captain Greybeard

Putting the WOW! in Splendour

Touring the work-in-progress that is the Splendour of the Seas refit this week, most of the project was easy to see and understand. The balconies on Deck 6, for example, and the ducktail welded onto the stern are pretty obvious. We couldn't look round the new crew mess, but the restaurants and kitchen in the Viking Crown lounge and the miles of re-laid carpets were pretty apparent - even under protective plastic sheeting In the central atrium, however, it was difficult to work out what was being done. The entire space, five decks high, was filled with scaffolding. High up [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 18 November 2011|Cruise Entertainment|1 Comment

This could be an Epic Movember

This man is the face of the Movember campaign, which aims to get people to grow moustaches this month to raise awareness of - and money for - cancer charities, particularly the number one and two male-specific forms of the disease, prostate and testicular cancer. At last weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Jenson Button showed he was one of the many top sportsmen and celebs supporting the cause. But I thought the face reminded me of something else. A cruise ship, in fact. Anyone else agree that Norwegian Epic could be making waves for Movember?

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 17 November 2011|Cruise Entertainment|0 Comments

Cruise helps US presidential race

How does an American presidential candidate get to grips with the Greek financial crisis? Republican hopeful Newt Gingrich says he did it by taking a luxury cruise. A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gingrich took his wife Callista on a 10-day voyage on board Seabourn Odyssey from Athens to Istanbul, visiting Greek islands such as Mylos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Mykonos. Among the other 450 passengers on board was supermodel Twiggy, godmother to sister ship Seabourn Sojourn. At the time, US political commentators were mystified by his disappearance from the campaign trail, and he was criticised for leaving the [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 17 November 2011|Cruise Gossip|1 Comment

Splendour’s drydock in pictures

The $50 million operation to bring 15-year-old cruise ship Splendour of the Seas up to date is a triumph of organisation and logistics. Co-ordinating the efforts of about 1,200 workmen and contractors during the 32-day drydock would be a big enough headache on its own, but think of the planning and ordering and delivery of parts, equipment and furnishings that had to be completed first. Plans are already well under way for the next stage of the $300 million "Royal Advantage" programme which will see sister ship Rhapsody of the Seas enter drydock in Singapore early next year. Most of [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 17 November 2011|Cruise Ships|2 Comments

How cruise ship Splendour is dealing with a case of middle-age spread

After far too many extravagant meals on board cruise ships, I know all about unwanted weight gain and middle-aged spread. Today I discovered that ships themselves suffer exactly the same problems - they gain weight as they get older. Every extra piece of equipment added during a ship's life - from a mixing desk for the night club to a pizza oven in the galley, an outdoor cinema screen to a climbing wall for the kids - adds extra weight. Even the coats of paint which are constantly being applied help to pile on the pounds. Problem is, if a [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 16 November 2011|Cruise Ships|3 Comments

Rod hopes to be Sailing with Titanic

He has left it a bit late, but Rod Stewart is reported to be looking to sail on a memorial cruise to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic next year. The singer hopes to travel on Fred Olsen's Balmoral, which has been chartered for a 12-night voyage from Southampton to New York next April - but it has been booked solid for months, and there's a waitlist as long as a yardarm. There are places available on Azamara Journey, which travel agent Miles Morgan has also chartered for a cruise from New York to Halifax, [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 14 November 2011|Cruise Gossip|5 Comments

Cruise ships in dock for new look

Never mind the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, this autumn seems to be packed with cruise ships being refurbished and re-fitted - at huge expense - in dry docks everywhere so they can provide facilities to match those on newer vessels. When I arrived unexpectedly in the Italian Riviera port of La Spezia a few days ago, Adonia's captain David Box pointed out Europa in the Fincantieri yard across the other side of the harbour. The ship is now back in service after the 13-day makeover, and has a newly-designed Lido Cafe as well as updated bathrooms for some [...]

By John Honeywell| 2011-11-13T12:31:43+00:00 13 November 2011|Cruise Ships|0 Comments

How your luggage gets on board

Living just 45 minutes away from the port of Southampton, I have grown accustomed to the ease of beginning a cruise from the UK's busiest passenger port. After a drive down the M3, I take my suitcases from the boot and while a porter whisks them away on a trolley, another man parks my car, leaving me free to check in and go aboard. There's more to turning ships around than processing passengers, however, as I realise each time I return from a cruise and take a moment to stand on my cabin balcony and look down at the fork-lift [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 11 November 2011|Cruise News|0 Comments

Video kills the trattoria star

Sabatini's, the Italian speciality restaurant on board most Princess cruise ships, is one of my favourite dining venues at sea. It has just up-dated its menu, and it was a relief to see that the change has not been taken as an opportunity to increase the $20 cover charge. New on the antipasti list are soft-shelled crab, twice-baked artichoke soufflé and a wild mushroom tart with parmesan and saffron fondue. In come grilled langoustines, duck with fava beans and chicken skewers with soft sage polenta on the main course menu. I'm licking my lips already, and I can see that [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 11 November 2011|Cruise Food & Drink|1 Comment

Monte Carlo or bust for Riviera

Oceania Cruises are gambling on the weather in Monte Carlo next April being better than I experienced on board Adonia at the weekend. Storms prevented the P&O ship from berthing in the principality - scuppering plans for a reunion lunch on board for godmother Dame Shirley Bassey. But Oceania have chosen to hold the christening ceremony for their next vessel - Riviera - at a gala ceremony at Monaco's Port Hercules on April 19. No word yet on the godmother though; sister ship Marina was named in Miami in February by American TV personality Mary Hart. The pier will be [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 9 November 2011|Cruise News|0 Comments