NEW SHIPS by Tom Cassidy

Transcription

1 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 1 PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE WORLD OCEAN & CRUISE LINER SOCIETY Vol. 33, Issue 3 - January 15, 2014 Our 33rd Year of Continuous Publication Single issue price $2.50 NEW SHIPS 2014 by Tom Cassidy Over the past decade we have seen a steady stream of new ships enter the market and 2014 will be no different. Here is a brief rundown of the new ships of Norwegian Cruise Lines NCL will introduce a sister to the successful Norwegian Breakaway when they debut Norwegian Getaway this month (January 2014). Like her sister, the 146,600 ton, 4,028 passenger ship was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Entertainment on board Norwegian Getaway will include the "Illusionarium", an entertainment venue devoted to magic and illusion performances. There will also be a Grammy entertainment venue which will include items taken from the Grammy Museum at L.A. In line with this, Norwegian Cruise Line has become the "Official Cruise Line Partner of the Grammy Awards". Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will have signature food venues on board the ship including the very popular Ocean Blue concept that is already installed on Norwegian Breakaway. Ocean Blue will form part of the area on the ship called "The Waterfront" which allows for outdoor dining in most of the restaurants on board. And the end of each cruise will be marked by a fireworks display at sea. Norwegian Getaway's cabins will have a classy, modern South Beach design. The majority of the cabins are balcony cabins with a number of spa" cabins featuring easy access to the Spa and Fitness Center. Like on the Breakaway and the Epic the Getaway will also offer studio cabins designed for solo travelers and located in their own part of the ship, with an exclusive lounge that has its own bar and sitting area. Like all NCL ships Norweigan Getaway will boast decorative hull art designed by Miami artist David "LEBO" Le Batard. LEBO's vision for the Getaway will feature a mermaid, pelicans and colors inspired by the sun and ocean in Miami, where Norwegian Getaway will be based. After inaugural events in Europe, Norwegian Getaway will sail for Miami, where it will be stationed year-round starting in February There she will offer week-long Eastern Caribbean cruises visiting St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau. Princess Cruises Currently nearing completion at Fincantieri s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy the 141,000-ton, 3,600-passenger Regal Princess will debut in May 2014 sharing many amenities and characteristics with her sister the already very popular Royal Princess. These include an expanded atrium, known as the Piazza; the SeaWalk, a cantilevered, glass-enclosed walkway that will extend 28 feet beyond the ship's edge and 128 feet over the water; a series of private, for-fee poolside cabanas; an adults-only pool; largest top deck pool with a water & light show, an enhanced Movies Under the Stars screen ;a pastry shop; and the Princess Live! Television studio. All outside cabin, which accounts for approximately 80 percent of accommodations, will feature balconies. Though Regal Princess will essentially be a twin to Royal Princess, Princess Cruises has tweaked the newer Regal Princess based on comments from Royal Princess passengers. A full wrap around promenade and an aft pool will be added to Regal Princess and the Royal Princess will be retrofitted with an aft pool during its first dry dock. The Regal Princess will enter service in the (Continued on page 14)

2 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page PublisHED MonTHly by - The World ocean & Cruise liner society P.O. Box 329 Northport, NY Phone (866) Founder George C. Devol Editor Thomas E. Cassidy Contributing Writers Features Editor William H. Miller Art Director Dan J. Rico Peter Knego John Maxtone-Graham Kay showker Pat Richardson shawn J. Dake Art sbarsky Theodore W. scull ben lyons Andy Hernandez Subscription by membership $30 Per Year in U.S. - $36 Canada & Overseas Copyright 1980 by World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society. All rights reserved. No material may be reproduced without permission. Material is obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable, but the publisher is not responsible for errors or omission contained herein. Printed in the United States Society: wocls.org Publication: OceanCruiseNews.com EDITORIAL Our January issue of Ocean & Cruise News always begins the year highlighting the new builds entering service that year. In this issue there is one line that is not mentioned in our article that really should win the award as king of the new builds, Viking River Cruises. European river cruising has never been more popular. At the head of that growth is Viking River Cruises. With 10 new river ships christened last year alone, and 14 more river ships planned for launch in 2014 and 2015 Viking River Cruises has experienced the most explosive growth in the cruise industry based on number of ships introduced. Last May, Viking expanded further by announcing that it would also be expanding their reach by entering ocean cruising under the name Viking Ocean Cruises. They will begin with the launch of two 47,000-ton, 900-passenger newbuild vessels scheduled for the spring The first will be named Viking Star while her sister is as-of-yet-unnamed. Viking Ocean opened their books selling winter 2015 cruises on Viking Star as well as select 2016 cruises in the U.S. only, this past October. The maiden voyage -- a 50-day cruise from Istanbul to Stockholm has already sold out. Based on these impressive advance bookings Viking Ocean Cruises recently announced that they had signed a contract for the construction of two additional ocean-going cruise ships to be delivered in mid 2016 and early An amazing decision considering their first ship has yet to sail. I am sure Viking River s entry into the ocean cruise business has the attention of Oceania, Crystal and Azamara, as these lines represent the audience Viking Ocean Cruises has chosen to pursue. It has been rumored that Viking River Cruises has also explored the possibility of expansion into the American river market competing with the likes of American Queen Steamboat Company and American Cruise Lines on the Mississippi River. If true, we might see a new breed of revolutionary Viking Longboats in the US. In history the Viking s ships were one of the most powerful, advanced naval vessels in Viking Age Europe. Perhaps history is repeating itself as the Vikings invade the America cruise market. Sincerely, NOW ON FACEBOOK! For more interesting stories, photos and comments visit us on Facebook at: CONTACT US To contact us quickly and easily please us at: membership@wocls.org

3 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 3 3 LOOKING BACK A look at what was making news in Ocean & Cruise News, Five, Ten, Fifteen and Twenty years ago. Five Years Ago January 2009 NCL announces that it has selected the name for its new F3 ship: Norwegian Epic... A cruise scheduled upon Regal Empress from Ft Lauderdale to Baltimore to take people to the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies in Washington DC is cancelled due to lack of response... Norwegian Cruise Line announces that the Norwegian Jewel will join the Norwegian Gem, sailing from New York year round. Ten Years Ago January 2004 The Queen Mary 2 is christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in Southampton. The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh were welcomed by Cunard president Pamela Conover and Commodore Ronald Warwick, master of the Queen Mary NCL confirms that Pride of America will be delayed entering service due to the foundering of the vessel this week in Bremerhaven. Royal Caribbean announces that it will be moving this spring from Manhattan to a new cruise facility in Bayonne, New Jersey Royal Olympic Cruises is now operating as Royal Olympia Cruises MSC Cruises announces that it will begin operating from Fort Lauderdale in December Fifteen Years Ago January 1999 Peter Deilmann announces that its new flagship Deutschland will be available for booking by U.S passengers beginning in June Costa Cruise Lines opens its Millennium cruises program to the public and expects a total sellout Radisson Seven Seas offers special 2-for-1 fares on Caribbean cruises sailing from San Juan on the Radisson Diamond in March and April. Twenty Years Ago January 1994 Carnival Corporation orders a fourth new Statendam Class ship for Holland America Line Kloster Cruises signs an agreement to sell Royal Viking Line and Royal Cruise Line to a private investment firm AEA Investors but AEA never completes the deal. The American Queen Steamboat Company is proud to announce its 2014 brochure is available for download. The new brochure, also being mailed to travel partners and past guests, includes a compelling lineup of 2014 sailings and highlights inclusive and premium shore excursions for the newly added American Empress. Calling its homeport Portland, Oregon, the vessel will launch in April of 2014 and provide a number of ways to explore the Pacific Northwest along the veins of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. From wine-tasting to zip-lining, this variety of shore excursions will provide an unforgettable experience for guests. For information and reservations, contact the American Queen Steamboat Company at , or call your travel agent. Visit us online at to download your 2014 brochure. Oceania Cruises announced that Virginia Watters, wife of the line's Founding Chairman, Joseph A. Watters, and the original Godmother of the ship, will rechristen Insignia in Istanbul on June 11, The ceremony will herald the return of the ship to the Oceania Cruises fleet after a two-year hiatus. Immediately following the ceremony, Insignia will depart Istanbul on a 10-day celebration cruise that sails to Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Greece. The cruise will feature many special amenities and exclusive events hosted by the Watters - a gala Christening Brunch; a post-ceremony Sail Away Cocktail Party as the ship cruises the Dardanelles; special Chairman's Choice Shore Excursions; commemorative gifts and mementos, and exclusive Oceania Club parties and hosted dinners. 2 for 1 Cruise Fares for this 10-day voyage include Free Airfare from select North American cities. Guests will also receive a special rechristening package that includes a $750 per stateroom shipboard credit, free pre-paid gratuities and a free unlimited internet package. For more information on Oceania Cruises, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call or contact your travel agent.

4 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 4 4 At Blount Small Ship Adventures, we believe travel should be an immensely satisfying, mindopening endeavor, where you stop being a tourist and become an adventurer. This can be experienced on two of our springtime cruises; Atlantic Coastal Waterways & Southern Antebellum. These voyages follow the great Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a historic and strikingly beautiful waterway. The Atlantic Coastal Waterway embarks on a spectacular journey along the East Coast! Sail to idyllic Amelia Island, FL and admires the beautiful Golden Isles of Brunswick, GA. Discover romantic and mysterious Savannah, GA and learn the history of the antebellum dance in Beaufort, SC. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of Charleston, SC, then relax in the charming seaside town of Wrightsville Beach, NC. Explore charming coastal towns throughout North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, and spend a full day in bustling Manhattan, NY. Marvel at the opulent mansions in Newport, RI before concluding your adventure in Warren, RI. The Southern Antebellum embarks in Charleston, SC, set against cobblestone streets and trademark palmettos. Discover the heart of low country in beautiful Beaufort, SC. In Savannah, GA, beloved for its Victorian architecture and seaside eateries, you will learn about Savannah s history and wildlife population with a local lecturer. Set sail toward stunning Brunswick, GA, known as the Gateway to the Golden Isles. Discover the sweeping beauty and southern charm of Jekyll Island and Amelia Island. Visit sun-drenched St. Augustine, FL and balmy and bustling Jacksonville, FL before concluding your southern antebellum adventure. For a limited time only enjoy up to 40% off per person on these departure dates.* Atlantic Coastal Waterways - 16 Days Departing June 7 and 30, 2014 Savings Of Up To $2,760 Per Person* Southern Antebellum - 8 Days Departing May 1**, 11, 20** and 29, 2014 Savings Of Up To $1,440 Per Person* Call Space is Limited! Visit BlountSmallShipAdventures.com *Discount is per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy. Valid on new bookings only. Restrictions may apply. **Departure operates in reverse direction Some variations of ports and activities may occur. Between now and 28 February 2014, guests can receive Free Balcony and Suite Upgrades, Free Gratuities and $150 Deposit on more than voyages aboard flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth during Cunard Line s Royal Upgrade Celebration. Double Upgrades are offered across most 7-, 14- and 21-day Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages. Guests can reserve an obstructed Balcony Stateroom for the same fare as an Inside. Upgrades are also offered on other Europe voyages as well as Transatlantic Crossings, New England & Canada, Caribbean and Grand Voyages. Sail in a Balcony Stateroom for the same fare as an Oceanview; a Princess Grill Suite for the same fare as a Club Balcony; or a Queens Grill Suite for the same fare as a Princess Grill. In addition, for Europe, Crossings, and the Americas voyages, guests can enjoy a reduced and refundable deposit of $150 per person, plus free gratuities for two people. The Royal Upgrade Celebration offers apply to new bookings only and are capacity-controlled, subject to change, and may not be combined with any other public, group or past passenger discount. Reference promo code R2W. For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Agent, call Cunard Line at or visit In anticipation of the 2014 sailing season, Holland America Line is launching a new Above and Beyond promotional program that allows guests to take advantage of four special offers, including an onboard spending credit that can be put toward a variety of uses. The Above and Beyond offers are

5 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 5 5 available on select 2014 sailings from June through December and feature savings for multiple destinations so guests are encouraged to book early for best stateroom selection. Guests who book select 2014 cruises will receive Above and Beyond promotional fares; a free Signature Beverage Package when booking oceanview staterooms or above on select Europe cruises or an onboard spending credit of up to $400 per stateroom if booking other destinations; free or reduced third and fourth fares; up to 10 percent savings on select summer shore excursions when booked before Feb. 28, 2014; and reduced deposits of 50 percent off the normal deposit rate. For more information about Holland America s Above and Beyond promotion and Holland America Line, contact a travel professional, call SAIL- HAL ( ) or visit their website at Today Regent Seven Seas Cruises has introduced its Winter Collection featuring voyages to Asia, Africa, South America, South Pacific, Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. In total, the line s award-winning, all-suite vessels will sail 48 itineraries and 19 Extended Voyages to more than 200 destinations in 75 countries. The collection, which features voyages taking place from November 2014 through May 2015, includes 23 new destinations from Busan, South Korea to Zadar, Croatia. For those who wish to spend a bit more time discovering new cultures and exotic destinations, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers combination cruises consisting of one or more voyages, ranging from 26 to 85 nights. Additional amenities on select Extended Voyages include complimentary Business Class Air, door-to-door luggage delivery, a comprehensive visa package, phone time, unlimited Internet access, laundry including dry cleaning and pressing, and a special gift featuring a commemorative jacket, a designer tote bag and Regent Seven Seas Cruises logo gear. To receive information or a brochure on Regent Seven Seas Cruises visit call tollfree or contact your travel agent. Guests aboard Seabourn Sojourn's 116-day world cruise departing Los Angeles on January 4, 2014 will savor both the professional expertise and the sociable companionship of four Michelin-starred chefs during their voyage. Culinary Conversations is one element of the line's diverse Seabourn Conversations onboard enrichment series. As part of the this popular series these renowned chefs will not only conduct cooking demonstrations and supply signature touches for the ship's menus; they will also join in the relaxed, casually elegant social ambiance that adds to Seabourn's reputation as one of the world's most highly rated travel experiences. The chefs scheduled to appear during the voyage are: Bernd Siener - (Jan.21-31, 2014) Executive chef at Marburger Esszimmer in Marburg, Germany made his reputation at various venues in that town's luxurious Vila Vita Rosenparc spa-resort. Christian Lohse - (Jan , 2014) Executive chef at Fischers Fritz in Berlin, Germany, has garnered multiple Michelin stars and Gault-Millaut points throughout his career. Andrew Fairlie - (Mar , 2014) Executive chef at his eponymous restaurant in the Gleneagles Hotel, the only two-michelin star restaurant in Scotland. Heiko Antoniewicz - (Feb. 9-17, 2014) A "Magician of Molecular Cuisine", made his reputation with the gourmet catering company Art Manger, and a restaurant by the same name. Seabourn's award-winning fleet circles the globe throughout the year, sailing to the world's most desirable destinations at their peak seasons including marquee cities and lesser-known yachting harbors and hideaways that few travelers ever see. Remarkably all-inclusive fares offer tremendous value for one of the world's finest travel experiences. For reservations or details on Seabourn's 2014 cruises, contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at or visit

6 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 6 6 SHIP OF THE MONTH NIEUW AMSTERDAM by Tom Cassidy I was fortunate to have attended the christening of the Nieuw Amsterdam in Venice back on July 4th of At that time she was christened by Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, now Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Since then the Nieuw Amsterdam has been well received by the cruising public. In fact the Nieuw Amsterdam was voted Ship of the Year for 2011 by World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society members. So while I was pleased to host our recent WOCLS members cruise aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam to meet fellow members I was also interested to see how the Nieuw Amsterdam had matured in her 3-1/2 years since entering service. THE LINE Holland America Line dates back to 1871 then running a regular trans-ocean service across the North Atlantic, between Holland and the United States. Early ships were combination sail and steam vessels that often took two or three weeks to make the journey to New York. Amidst fierce competition, the Rotterdam-based firm became known for reliability, fine service and the very high maintenance of its ships. HAL was dubbed The Spotless Fleet. Another slogan also was appropriate It is good to be on well-run ships. By 1900, the line had added the 10,000-ton Noordam, then the 17,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam I in 1905 and a new flagship, the 24,000-ton Rotterdam in By the 1950s, Holland America had 7 passenger ships running between New York and Northern Europe carrying kings, queens and movie stars as well as summertime tourists and budget conscious students. It wasn t long however until the decisive competition of the airlines with their speedy jets of the 1960s and 70s caused Holland America to turn completely to the ever-expanding cruise business. There were lucrative vacation itineraries to the likes of Bermuda, Nassau, the ms Nieuw Amsterdam Photo Courtesy of Holland America Line

7 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 7 7 Caribbean and, in summer, to Alaska. In fact, Alaskan service proved so successful that Holland America Line headquarters were eventually relocated to Seattle. In 1989, Holland America was acquired by the highly successful Carnival Corporation and its greatest expansion followed. Holland America became more successful, more popular, and certainly more profitable with a larger fleet of liners than ever. Today, Holland America has no less than 15 liners in worldwide cruise service, offering global itineraries to some 280 ports. The present fleet consists of the Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, Prinsendam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Noordam and the 86,000- ton, 2,044-berth sisters Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Holland America also currently has a new 100,000-ton, 2,660-passenger Pinnacle Class ship on order and slated to launch in early This ship will be the largest HAL ship to date. THE SHIP The 87,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam is a nearly identical sister to the Eurodam and the second in HAL s Signature Class series. With dark blue hull and gleaming white superstructure she measures 935 feet in length and 106 feet in width and has eleven passenger decks. She has a cruising speed of 23 knots and can accommodate 2,111- guests in elegant luxury! The ship was built by the famous Italian Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiana S,p,A at the Marghera, Venice Italy yard. Nieuw Amsterdam is powered by six diesel generators and propelled by Azipod propulsion technology. While Holland America's older Vista Class ships have been updated to reflect Holland America's "Signature of Excellence" upgrades, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam were originally built to the "Signature of Excellence" standards. Holland America Line has adorned Nieuw Amsterdam with an array of art work valued at over $3 million. Ranging from antiques by traditional Dutch masters to creations by renowned contemporary artists, some pieces reflect the Dutch Golden Age while others, such as the spectacular centerpiece in the atrium are more contemporary. The significant collection, which includes works by celebrated artists Andy Warhol, Richard Estes and Roy Lichtenstein, continues with astounding displays throughout the ship. Nieuw Amsterdam has 11 passenger decks. Her top deck is Observation Deck which forward has the Crows Nest observation lounge overlooking the bow and featuring a collection of Nieuw Amsterdam memorabilia of the previous ships bearing that name. Explorations Café is also located here. This comfortable, seagoing coffee bistro features an extensive library, Internet terminals, and international newspapers. There are also 10 spa cabins and The Retreat on this deck forward. Mid-ships on Observation Deck is the Silk Den an exotic 52-seat lounge which is immediately adjacent to the Tamarind Restaurant, the ships Pan Asian restaurant, which also features sea views and, like Silk Den, is decorated with fine Asian handicrafts. Deck 10 (Panorama Deck) has cabins forward and mid-ship Club HAL the dedicated youth facilities and activities center offering supervised, age-appropriate programming for kids 3 to 12 and The Loft, a hip lounge where teen-age cruisers can meet, have fun and hang out. The Loft is decorated as a typical New York street design of large murals featuring creations by top New York City graffiti artists, crosswalk, street signs, a real New York yellow cab that you can sit in and old-fashioned hot dog stand. Deck 9 (Lido Deck) which forward contains the fully equipped Fitness Center offering the largest gymnasium ever on a Holland America Line ship, which features the Greenhouse Spa and Salon. Beyond is the ship s largest pool, the Lido Pool, which features three Jacuzzis and is flanked by Cabanas. The entire area is covered by a retractable magradome, offering the opportunity year-round for relaxing on deck. Nearby is the Lido Bar and Terrace Grill and continuing aft is the Lido Restaurant. The Sea View Pool aft offers a sunny retreat with views of the ocean and ship s wake. Decks 8 down to 4 (Navigation, Rotterdam, Upper Veranda and Veranda Decks) all contain cabins and suites. Deck 7 (Rotterdam Deck) contains the penthouse veranda suites as well as

8 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 8 8 the Neptune Lounge which it the concierge s lounge for the suite passengers. Deck 3 (Promenade Deck) forward begins with the balcony of the Showroom at Sea, a huge three-deck theater done in a bright Art Deco theme. Seating and sightlines are excellent here with plenty of legroom and good traffic flow. Nearby are the Half Moon, Hudson and Stuyvesant meeting rooms and the Screening Room, an ultra-plush 36-seat movie theater screening first-run films and special presentations. Promenade also features The Signature Shops, an upscale shopping area and the Ocean Bar, centrally located on Promenade in the ship s atrium, provides a stylish vantage point from which to enjoy pre- or after-dinner cocktails. The Ocean Bar overlooks the threedeck high Atrium with its stunning hanging glass sculpture created from shiny, translucent blocks of the New York City skyline. Beyond, through the Photo Gallery, at the stern is the upper level of the beautiful Manhattan Dining Room. The "Manhattan theme" is carried boldly in this restaurant, with a bit of an art-deco touch. A big plus on the Nieuw Amsterdam, as on most HAL ships, is an actual wrap around outdoor promenade deck lined with classic wooden deck chairs. Deck 2 (Lower Promenade Deck) forward has the main floor and stage of the Showroom at Sea. Going aft is the ships Casino as well as Casino Bar or Sports Bar featuring a display of large-format contemporary and classic photographs of New York City. Also in this area is the popular Piano Bar that contains works of famed photographer Ron Galella who worked in New York during the 1960s and '70s and captured a series of early day black and white paparazzi photos of the rich and famous that is now brilliantly displayed in this room. Adjacent is the Northern Lights Disco. Adjacent is The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen featuring gourmet cooking lessons from Holland America Line Master Chefs and celebrity guest chefs on many voyages. Beyond through the mid-ship stair and elevator tower is Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar and then the beautiful Explorer's Lounge with its huge, nearly 20-foot-long collage on aluminum depicting the modern skyline of New York with elements from past centuries. Deck 2 ends with the main level of Manhattan Dining Room. Deck 1 (Main Deck) contains cabins with the main floor and stage of the Showroom at Sea forward and main level of the ships 3- deck high atrium with adjacent Front and Shore Excursion Desks. THE CRUISE The cruise was the always popular 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary sailing round trip from Fort Lauderdale. It featured calls at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and HAL s beautiful private island of Half Moon Cay. An excellent mix of ports with 2 relaxing sea days. This was a WOCLS member s cruise hosted by maritime artist Stephen Card and myself, which added to the fun. The embarkation process was easy and swift. One nice touch HAL has is that they have cabins ready by 11:30. That way you are able to head to your cabin upon boarding and drop carry-ons off before exploring the ship or visiting the buffet in the Lido. Day one of our cruise was a day at sea to unwind and explore the beautiful new Nieuw Amsterdam. Our evening was a formal night at sea and our WOCLS group had a private cocktail party in the Crow s Nest which Captain van Zaane and Hotel Director Stan Kuppens attended. The second day of our cruise found us docked bright and early at Grand Turk. The Carnival Corp. cruise terminal here is a destination within itself complete with retail shops, a recreation area on the beach, a huge pool and a giant Margaretaville bar and restaurant. You do not have to leave the complex but for those that do, there are sightseeing tours of the island, snorkeling and a Catamaran sail-away offered through the tour desk. This evening our WOCLS group enjoyed a fabulous dinner together in our own private section of the Pinnacle Restaurant which made for a very special night. Just past noon on the third day we sailed past

9 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page 9 9 El Morro and into San Juan harbor to dock within easy walking distance of the old city and the fort. Here again a wide variety of excursions are offered. Whether you choose a simple walking tour of the old city, a tour of the El Yunque Rain Forest, or something in-between, there is a something for everyone s taste. We sailed at half past 10pm. Arriving in St, Thomas early on the morning of the 4th day. We docked at the newer Crown Bay Dock at Crown Bay. This is a little farther away from the main shopping area but cabs and shuttles are available and for the hardy it is not a bad walk. However the day of our visit it was humid and 90 plus degrees, sort of warm for that walk. The fifth day our our cruise was a relaxing day at sea to enjoy the pleasures of the Nieuw Amsterdam. During the morning noted maritime artist Stephen Card gave an informative and visually striking power point presentation on his individual background and his art. Afterwards Stephen hosted a Q&A session and signed prints for everyone. This was a nice finish to the special amenities of our members cruise. The following day we arrived at Half Moon Cay a little before 8am. Holland America Line's beautiful private island offers everything you need for a day of play in paradise: a two-mile crescent of perfect beach; an interior lagoon; private beachside cabanas with butler service, showers and misters; and all manner of water sports and activities, including a children's aqua park plus Captain Morgan on the Rocks Island Bar that is designed as a 101-foot-long, twin-decked, threemasted schooner washed up on Half Moon Cay s white sand beach. I personally find Half Moon Cay the best of the cruise line owned islands. We sailed from Half Moon Cay about 4pm which left plenty of time to enjoy the late afternoon sun around the pool before packing and saying goodbyes to new friends. As with our boarding our disembarkation back in Fort Lauderdale was painless not counting the long taxi wait which is no fault of Holland America. One nice touch that Holland America has to help you remember your cruise is that each cabin is given Cruise Log on the last night out. This small foldout booklet gives you details navigation wise of your cruise. It includes daily weather, docking and departing times in each port, the noon position when at sea and other interesting information. Public Rooms & Activities - Nieuw Amsterdam s Showroom at Sea is a grand three-deck show theater done in a bright Art Deco theme. Seating and sightlines are excellent here with plenty of legroom and good traffic flow. Nightly shows are typically 8pm and 10:15pm and HAL produces great shows with plenty of superior talent. The singers and dancers are excellent especially the four members of Cantare, a vocal group of 4 young men. The other production shows provided equally great voices, superb dancing, and innovative staging. In the past HAL had not been known for its entertainment but this trip has shown they have come a long way and now provide first class entertainment at sea. The beautiful Piano Bar with spectacular Ron Galella photographs is beautiful when empty but go there for Piano Man Greg Gallello and the great staff that has this room rocking into the wee hours. The classical music quartet Adagio Stings plays in the Explorers Lounge every evening from 5pm to 11pm, perfect listening music for pre- or post dinner drinks or coffee. Be sure to check out each day s activities in Today; On Location, the ships daily program which is delivered to your room each evening. The booklet has an easy user friendly layout and has a detachable section that you can tear off and easily carry around with you during the day. During the day and evening there are the usual trivia games, hilarious game shows like the Marriage Game, Match Game, Liars Club, etc. to keep you entertained. All are listed in the daily program. A nice feature aboard HAL is their Happy Hours in select bars. Here again check the daily program as to which bars and what times, but drinks will be two for one! Another fun activity for the cocktail enthusiast is the Pub Crawl. The cost is $20 but includes a drink in each bar you visit plus games along the way.

10 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, provides guests the opportunity to experience demonstrations and hands-on classes conducted by top chefs, wine experts, and leading cookbook authors all elements of HAL s extensive culinary enrichment program. Aboard Nieuw Amsterdam you can also learn how to display and share your vacation memories through the Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Another nice feature that few cruise ships seem to have anymore is the Screening Room movie theater showing first-run films throughout the cruise and special presentations. It's complete with cushy-chairs and complimentary fresh popcorn. During the day, dress is casual. In the evenings, dress is categorized either as smart casual or formal. Smart casual for men is slacks and a collared shirt and perhaps a jacket (not required). For women, it's a skirt or slacks and sweater or blouse. Formal is a tuxedo, dark suit or jacket and tie for men, and a pant suit, cocktail dress or gown for women. Our 7-day cruise had 2 formal nights. The ship adds $11.50 per person, per day, to shipboard accounts. Passengers may adjust the amount. A 15 percent charge is added to all bar bills. Food & Dining The Nieuw Amsterdam offers more dining options than the other smaller ships in Holland America's fleet. The two-deck Manhattan Dining Room located at the stern of the ship is an elegant room with expansive views of the sea beyond floor-to-ceiling windows and done in a red color scheme, is the main restaurant. Breakfast (usually 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) is openseating. The menu is large and varied. It includes not only the usual morning items, but also spa suggestions and a great collection of international selections Dutch, Scandinavian, full English and Japanese. At lunch, the Manhattan Dining Room, the Pinnacle Grill or Tamarind are all open, typically from 11:30 am to 1 pm with reservations recommended in the Pinnacle and Tamarind. For dinner, under Holland America's As You Wish seating plan, passengers may choose a set early or late serving with the same seatmates each night, typically starting at 5:45 and 8 p.m. at tables on the upper level on Deck 3. Or, they may choose to sit at any open table on the lower level on Deck 2 between 5:15 and 9 p.m. Evening menus in Holland America's main restaurants offer a variety of nightly choices. The Manhattan Dining Room typically offers 10 entrees from pasta to spa cuisine with daily recommendations from the line's Master Chef, Rudi Sodamin. Each night, there are typically four special appetizers, plus two salads and two soups, in addition to the items available every night (including onion soup and Caesar salad) as well as the steak, chicken and fish entrees and up to 8 desserts. Arosa Line circa 1950 The Pinnacle Grill with its adjoining bar is the signature restaurant on Holland America Line ships. Entrees include some of the finest cuts of meat at sea on a signature steak and seafood menu. Courses are served on Bulgari china and use

11 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page CRUISE FACTS NIEUW AMSTERDAM Passenger Capacity: 2,111 Builder: Fincantieri - Marghera Number of Crew: 888 Italy Tonnage: 87,000 Entered Service: 2010 Length: 936 feet Registry: Netherlands Beam: feet Maximum Speed: 23 knots Draft: 26 feet Propulsion: Diesel Electric Passenger Decks: 11 Ocean & Cruise News Classification: High Deluxe - 5-STAR+ Passenger Cabins: Crystal Penthouse w/verandah...2 Deluxe Verandah Deluxe Verandah Suites...62 Standard Outside Superior Verandah...50 Standard Inside Services and Amenities: Showroom at Sea, Queen s Lounge, Crow s Nest, Northern Light s Disco, Casino and Bar, Piano Bar, The Ocean Bar, Pinnacle Grill Bar. Silk Den, Culinary Arts Center, The Explorations Cafe, Club HAL, WiFi Internet access in public lounges and staterooms, Greenhouse Spa, 2 Separate Pools, Hot Tub, Gym, Spa, Art Gallery, Wrap-around promenade deck and gift shops. Restaurants: Manhattan Restaurant, Lido Restaurant, Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and Canalleto Restaurants Grading System: A basic score of 2 indicates the ship being graded is performing to the general standards of the classification. A score of 3 indicates it is performing above what is normally expected for the classification. A score of 1 indicates it is performing below what is normally expected for the classification. A + or is used to indicate minor differences, but not enough to warrant a higher or lower whole number. Level of Activity...2+ Quality of Ports...3 Air/Sea Program...2+ Passenger Conveniences...3 Alternate Dining...3 Quality of Food...3 Menu Selection...3 Food Preparation...3 Food Presentation...3 Stateroom Comfort...3 Overall...3 Suggested Tipping: $11.50 per person per day added to shipboard accounts. Passengers may adjust teh amount. A 15% charge is added to all bar bills. Strong Points: Ship s fine and understated decor comnined with a sense of intimacy and warmth. Fine level of service. Variety of dining venues and dining options (open seating or reservations) Weak Points: No passenger laundry rooms

12 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page specially made cutlery. To accompany meals, the wine list includes selections from distinguished Pacific Northwest vineyards. The fee to dine at the Pinnacle Grill in the evening is $25; $10 for lunch and the dinner hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Also served in Pinnacle Grill is the Le Cirque dining experience ($39) and the Master Chef's dinner ($89 with wine pairings). Reservations are required. Passengers booked in the Neptune suites aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam also have the special and exclusive option of enjoying breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. The An Evening at Le Cirque, is in partnership with the famed New York French restaurant. Enjoying the work of Le Cirque's skilled chefs is a great treat especially as most of us will never get to dine at Le Cirque in New York. It's also a bargain at $39 which is less than the cost of some appetizers at the actual restaurant in Manhattan. Master Chef's Table, held on select nights, is Holland America's way of showing off the culinary expertise of Master Chef Rudi Sodamin. On Nieuw Amsterdam, the Table gets its own room, off the Pinnacle Grill, and is able to seat about a dozen. Seven courses are served on Versace china and paired with four premium wines. Tamarind is the popular Asian specialty restaurant that debuted on Eurodam. The menu is fun and instructive, separated into four categories: fire (spicy), water (seafood), wood (beef and duck) and earth (vegetarian). The dinner fee is $20. There is no fee for Dim Sum when Tamarind is open at lunch. Adjacent to the Tamarind is the stylish Silk Den bar which is perfect for a pre or after dinner drink if you are eating in the Tamarind or not. Canaletto, which was also introduced on Eurodam, is a casual Italian restaurant, tucked into a corner of the Lido and transformed each evening with white tablecloths for a filling, three-course meal. You start with antipasti, served tableside. Entrees include pastas, veal, chicken and fish followed by dessert: The wine list from Italy is well-priced at $22 a bottle, $5 a glass. There is now a charge for eating at Canaletto which is $20, open 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., but reservations are essential. Consider booking a night at the specialty restaurants online before leaving for your cruise. Both Le Cirque night at the Pinnacle and the Master Chef's Table are sold out on each cruise, and other specialty restaurants tend to book up by the second day of each sailing. The Lido is Nieuw Amsterdam's buffet restaurant on Deck 9, Continental breakfast begins in the Lido at 6:30 a.m. The full buffet is open 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Separate stations include fruits, cereals, beverages, waffles, pancakes, creamy scrambled eggs and such side dishes as carved ham, made-to-order omelets, and cold meats and cheeses. Lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m., depending on the timing of the port of call. Stations are set up for soups and salads, hot dishes with a carving spot, desserts and a full sandwich bar that includes a panini-maker. Dinner in the Lido is a casual buffet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., featuring appetizers, soups, salads, six entrees, a pasta station with a selection of sauces and desserts that include a make-your-own sundae bar. Those who are hungry for a later meal will find the Lido open again at 11 p.m. On the same deck, toward the Lido pool, the Terrace Grill serves hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Slice, outside and aft of the Lido restaurant, serves several flavors of pizza from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Room service is one of the beat afloat and is no charge, 24 hours a day.. From noon to 10 p.m., you can order a full four-course meal, and during dinner hours in the Manhattan restaurant, passengers may order from the dining room menu. Room service in the morning offers a full breakfast which few other cruise lines do today. This breakfast is even offered on the morning of disembarkation. This is one of the nicest perks on HAL. STATEROOMS - Passenger staterooms include two Penthouse verandah suites of 1,000 sq. ft. and 318 sq. ft. verandahs. Deluxe suites vary from 380 to 570 sq. ft. A standard verandah suite is a very generous 300 sq. ft (at least one-third larger than the average cruise ship cabin). There are some larger than average inside staterooms of 255 sq. ft.

13 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page as well as the standard 175 sq. ft. All suite guests have access to the private Neptune Lounge on Deck 7, midship and breakfast in the Pinnacle Restaurant. Each cabin includes a small sofa and sitting area with an adjustable table big enough for two at breakfast or dinner; a desk; a stocked fridge and a safe. Closets have sufficient space, though without drawers. Each cabin has at least three storage units. One has shelves and a lower space for hanging shorter clothes. Two other units may be adjusted from hanging closets to large shelves for folded items. Cabins have two side tables; each has two small drawers and a shelf. Beyond the closets, there are two drawers under the beds. Cabins with balconies come equipped with two chairs and a footstool -- all of which look like brown wicker but, for fire safety reasons, are actually plastic and a tiny table. Each chair has a foam cushion. All cabins have flat-screen televisions that offer a typical range of channels, including news, movies and Holland America promotional programming. The ship offers more than 1,000 movies at no charge; they may be viewed on your cabin television, available one movie at a time. The daily movie shown in the cinema also is available the next day on your television. There is no interactive system for booking shore tours or spa treatments. While the 156 inside cabins on Nieuw Amsterdam have showers only, all of the other accommodations have at least a combination bathtub and shower. All staterooms offer Signature of Excellence amenities, such as Mariner s Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel televisions, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional-grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary baskets with guests personal fruit choices and Elemis bath amenities. To conserve power, all staterooms have keycard slots to turn on room lighting and power. Hanging throughout the ships passenger corridors are impressive framed black-and-white prints of HAL ships and of New York Harbor going back many decades. You can spend hours just walking the corridors of the ship and appreciating these classic prints. Unfortunately, there is no self-service laundry on this ship, although several laundry packages are available through your room steward. SERVICE & CREW Holland America has long been known for its gracious, ever-attentive staff. They are some of the best at sea in the premium class due to the line's well organized system of grooming crewmembers. To achieve this excellence Holland America has schools in Indonesia and the Philippines specifically to train the service crew for the fleet. The service staff is consistently friendly, and most often will remember your name by the second day of your cruise. I have always expected the best from HAL crew and staff, and I have rarely been disappointed. On this Nieuw Amsterdam voyage every single expectation of mine was met if not surpassed. Captain van Zaane and Hotel Director Stan Kuppens run a well run ship. I first traveled with Captain Van Zaane in Alaska back in the 1990 s when he was an officer on the classic Rotterdam V and it is always a pleasure to sail under his command. Hotel Director Stan Kuppens has an obvious love of travel and an appreciation of hospitality and that combination shows and is reflected in this well run ship. CONCLUSION Like any great lady the Nieuw Amsterdam is ageing gracefully. She has the perfect blend of modern design and traditional ocean liner elegance. With her innovative design and multitude of guest offerings, Nieuw Amsterdam continues the proud tradition of her name and the evolution of Holland America Line's sophisticated mid-sized ships. She offers travelers large ship amenities, while providing a personalized and intimate guest experience. If Holland America can continue this winning formula on their new ship due in 2016 they will have another proud ship to continue their long tradition of quality and service at sea.

14 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page (Continued from page 1) Mediterranean where she will offer a series of mostly 12 night Western Mediterranean cruises before coming trans-atlantic to Fort Lauderdale in October to offer 7-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean for the winter and early spring of Royal Caribbean - Quantum of the Seas, the first of three 167,800-ton, 4,180-passenger new generation Royal Caribbean cruise ships will enter service in November 2014 with 2,090 cabins including 373 virtual balconies -- inside cabins featuring real-time views of the ocean and destinations. Its sister ship in the Quantum class, Anthem of the Seas, will enter servive in the spring of 2015 followed by the third ship in mid As with all the recent Royal Caribbean ships Quantum of the Seas will offer a series of firsts at sea including; a skydiving simulator, North Star a glass capsule rising 300 feet above sea level and providing 360-degree views over the sides of the ship and Seaplex the largest sports and entertainment complex at sea featuring bumper cars, roller skating, and a circus school complete with a flying trapeze. The adults-only solarium and outdoor pool will return featuring a brand-new indoor pool with operable roof. Other firsts relate to new cabins: virtual balconies will dispel the traditional idea of an inside cabin, familyconnected staterooms will prove more accommodating and studio staterooms with balconies will spoil the single traveler. Cabins will be nine percent larger, on average, than those of the Oasis-class ships. Quantum of the Seas will sail from Southampton, England to New York City in November 2014 and will then sail year round out of New York Harbor from her homeport at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey on 7 to 12-night itineraries to destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Costa Cruises The 132,000-ton, 4947-passenger Costa Diadema is the largest ship ever built for Costa, and ever built in Italy. Same in design and size to Carnival s Dream class of ship, Costa Diadema will become Costa s flagship. * Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean International. All images of Quantum of the SeasSM are computer generated and reflect proposed design. Designs, features and itineraries are subject to change.

15 OCN-Jan2014.qxp_newsletter (OCN 10-13) 1/7/14 7:17 PM Page Among the many innovations on Costa Diadema will be the food and wine venues Vinoteca, Birreria (beer house), Japanese Teppanyaki, Piazza Pizza and Gelateria. New entertainment offerings include Country Rock Club, featuring classic rock music, and the Star Laser room, offering interactive laser games including Laser Maze. Portobello Market Piazza is an 11,840-square-foot area with designer stores and retail outlets. For the winter of the Costa Diadema will be based in the Mediterranean and be deployed on a seven-night itinerary departing Savona and calling at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome) and La Spezia (Florence), Italy. Pearl Seas A new cruise line and its first ship will enter the cruise market in Pearl Seas Cruises based in Guilford, CT will introduce the long awaited Pearl Mist in June of The 6,000-ton, 210 passenger Pearl Mist was designed with innovative, modern luxury in mind and offers state of the art technologies and amenities. The Pearl Mist will feature a spa, a spacious dining salon to seat all passengers at one time with surrounding windows for panoramic views, several lounges, a well-stocked library, three spacious observation decks and elevators serving all decks. The ship is fully stabilized, and meets the newest and most stringent safety and environmental standards. The generously sized suites ( square feet) all feature private balconies with large opening picture windows offering spectacular views. Each suite is appointed with a flat-screen satellite television, DVD player, individual climate control, Internet access and many other modern conveniences and amenities. The Pearl Mist was originally due for delivery in 2009, but was refused by Pearl Seas Cruises. Her 11-night inaugural sailing departs from Baltimore to Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 28th, The Pearl Mist will then operate various seven-, 10 & 11-night Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway, Canadian Maritimes & New England cruises. It is now up to you to cruise on these new ships and let us know what you think of the new crop of cruise ships for Happy Cruising! CUNARD s 175th ANNIVERSARY Cunard Line, has announced two special events in 2015 to be held in its spiritual home of Liverpool, England, in celebration of the company's 175th anniversary. Cunard established the first scheduled service across the Atlantic in 1840, and every year since then Cunard vessels have crossed and recrossed the Atlantic without fail. On 24 May 2015, Queen Mary 2 will arrive at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal for an overnight stay. The next morning, her fleet-mates Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will join her on the Mersey, creating an unprecedented Three Queens Royal Rendezvous Spectacle in Liverpool. The three ships will be close to the famous Cunard Building on the Pier Head, Cunard s headquarters from 1917 to 1967, for a oncein-a-lifetime event in maritime history. Then, on 4 July years to the day when Cunard s Britannia departed from Liverpool on her maiden transatlantic voyage - Queen Mary 2 will sail from Liverpool to the New World on a 10-day voyage calling at Halifax, Boston and New York. For the first time since the 1960 s, passengers will be able to board a Cunard ship in Liverpool and sail for the United States. Complete details will be announced shortly. A GREAT CAUSE As you may know Ocean & Cruise News writer and former cruise line executive, Art Sbarsky is heavily involved in raising money to put an end to cancer. Working with his local chapter of the American Cancer Society Art has worked tirelessly while raising tens of thousands of dollars for this very worthwhile cause. The World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society has decided to help Art and his cause by donating a portion of new membership fees to this cause. Please help Art out and sign up a friend or family member as a WOCLS member ($30 USA/$36 Foreign). For every new membership we will donate $10 to Relay for Life in the purchasers name. Mail your check payable to: World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society - POB 329 Northport NY Please include new member name and address and note Relay for Life.