United Vacations Offers Savings on Hawaii Companion Fares

United Vacations Offers Savings on Hawaii Companion Fares
Published on: March 28, 2007

United Vacations has released a new travel deal for customers looking to plan a complete Hawaii vacation this year. Customers who book by April 7, 2007 will save 25 percent on companion fares for travel through Dec. 15, 2007. In addition, customers may add a five-day Alamo economy car rental to their vacation package at no additional cost, courtesy of United Vacations. They can also upgrade to a convertible or Jeep Wrangler for a discounted cost - five days from $148. The companion airfare offer is available on vacations booked by April 7 for travel through Dec. 15. Vacations must include air and meet a minimum package price of $1,500.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Amy at A Room With A View!

Silversea Launches New Spa Concept

Silversea Launches New Spa Concept
Published on: March 28, 2007

Silversea Cruises is launching a new spa concept throughout its four-ship fleet, starting with the Silver Shadow. The new spa brand, known as The Spa at Silversea, will replace the line’s existing Mandara Spas and will feature new treatments and ceremonies designed to offer a more personalized and holistic spa experience that focuses on the guest’s individual needs and lifestyle. Recently unveiled during the Silver Shadow’s World Cruise, The Spa has a refurbished décor of new artwork and contemporary furnishings in a color palette of white and silver with subtle hints of color. The new spa will be implemented aboard Silver Wind in July, and will be expanded to the Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper in the following months.

“This is a further step in the evolution of our comprehensive Wellness Program, which we introduced across our fleet last year,” said Erling Frydenberg, Silversea’s chief operations officer. “Being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle away from home is becoming increasingly important to today’s affluent traveler.”

In conjunction with the new spa concept, the Silver Shadow now offers a cutting-edge body age assessment technology that tests body fat, cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility to see how the guest’s body age compares with his or her actual chronological age. Based on the results, The Spa’s personal trainers can design an accurate lifestyle program for the guest and recommend an onboard fitness regimen complemented by dining options developed specifically for the Wellness Program. Among the enhanced spa treatments and services is a new selection of “Wellness Ceremonies” designed to address specific concerns such as aging skin, cellulite, arthritis, poor circulation, sore muscles and more.

The Spa has also incorporated more grooming services for men, including facials and barbering services. The Spa at Silversea also offers a new ceremony that involves a half-day of pampering for the male face and body. Plus, joint treatments were added for couples, such as an in-suite massage and calming bathing ritual of choice. The new spa is operated by Steiner Leisure Ltd., which also operates the Mandara brand. The new Silversea spa will feature Steiner’s Elemis products and treatments, although they will be tailored to Silversea’s upscale standards. For example, the Silver Shadow is the first cruise ship to offer the Elemis Visible Brilliance Facial, touted to firm, rejuvenate and plump up the skin, while reducing dark circles from around the eye contour after just one treatment.

Holland America Celebrates Keel-Laying of Eurodam

Holland America Celebrates Keel-Laying of Eurodam
Published on: March 28, 2007

Holland America Line’s construction of its new Signature-class ship Eurodam reached a milestone with the recent keel-laying ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Italy. The 2,044-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery in June 2008. The ceremonial keel-laying involves lowering the first modular section of the ship onto the construction dock. Subsequently, other modules are put into place, much like fitting together a giant, multi-layered jigsaw puzzle. The $450-million Eurodam, with 11 passenger decks, features a new class of staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows on the top two decks, as well as many traditional Holland America amenities. A priest offered a blessing for the ship during the event, part of the traditional Italian keel-laying ceremony.

Princess to Introduce Chef’s Table on Emerald

Princess to Introduce Chef’s Table on Emerald
Published on: March 28, 2007

Princess Cruises’ new Emerald Princess will feature a new culinary treat when it sets sail for the first time this spring — a chef’s table that allows foodies to share pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the ship’s galley followed by a multi-course tasting dinner in the dining room. While many passengers are able to enjoy a tour of the ship’s galley during the quiet off-hours, the new Chef’s Table will give a select group of gourmands the opportunity to visit the galley at its most busy time — during dinner. After the maitre d’ escorts the passengers to the galley and introduces them to the executive chef, the group will enjoy French champagne with appetizers. The chef will preview the details of the menu he created for them that evening, and the group will be welcomed to their special table in the dining room.

The multi-course menu will be specially created at the chef’s choice, and will not be offered anywhere else on the ship. The fare might include anything from a focus on regional cuisine to a showcase of indigenous ingredients from a recent port. Each course will be accompanied by a detailed explanation of special features, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Red and white wine, selected by the maitre d’ to complement the meal, is included in the evening. During the dessert course, the chef will rejoin the group at their private table to discuss the evening’s meal, answer questions, and share culinary secrets. On average, Princess’ chefs have been honing their culinary skills both onboard and shoreside for at least 25 years, and all chefs are also members of the international Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society.

Additionally, each couple at the Chef’s Table will receive an autographed copy of Princess’ cookbook “Courses, A Culinary Journey,” which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and is now available on amazon.com. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary photo taken at the private table with the chef. The Chef’s Table experience can be reserved by up to 10 passengers on select nights, at a cost of $75 per person. After its debut on the Emerald Princess, Chef’s Table will be gradually introduced on all Princess ships fleetwide. The 113,000-ton Emerald Princess, a sister ship to the Crown Princess, will make its debut April 11 and offer an inaugural summer season of cruising in the Greek Isles and Mediterranean.