Crystal Serenity Fire; Minor Damage Fixed

On November 17 while docked in Bermuda, a small fire broke out in Crystal Serenity's engine room. The flames were contained within one piece of equipment and were put out quickly. The crew and guests were not at risk during this incident.

Unfortunately, the fire necessitated the shutdown of one of six engines aboard the Serenity. This reduced sailing speed and meant a four-hour delay in returning to Miami for disembarkation. Crystal's staff worked hard to assist all passengers—those that booked Crystal air and those who made their plans independently—with any necessary adjustments to flights and land transportation.

Spare parts and mechanics met the Serenity at Miami where the repairs were made before the ship's turnaround to welcome guests aboard voyage #7328 (Tropical Passage through the Panama Canal).

For more information about Crystal Cruises, visit their website.

Fuel Surcharge Roundup

With oil hitting $100 per barrel last week, it's no wonder the cruise lines are instituting fuel surcharges for future sailings. Here's the roundup...

Crystal Cruises: In 2007, the line instituted a $5.00 per person per day fuel surcharge. 2008 cruises will carry a $7.00 per person per day fee. This applies to all 2008 sailings that are not paid in full by January 1, 2008. If you previously paid a 2008 voyage in full, you'll be assessed last year's lower surcharge.

Cunard: Beginning on February 1, 2008, Cunard will charge a $5 per person per day fuel surcharge, not to exceed $70 per person per cruise. The surcharge only applies to the first two passengers in the cabin; third and fourth passengers per cabin are not charged the fee. The surcharge applies to all existing and future bookings.

Oceania Cruises: This line will levy $7.00 per person per day as a fuel surcharge for all currently published sailings between now and April 2009. Avoid this fee by making final payment prior to December 1, 2007.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: If you pay your cruise invoice by December 1, 2007, you can avoid Regent's newly instituted fuel surcharge of $7.50 per person per day. This charge applies to all 2008 sailings.

SeaDream Yacht Club: Fuel surcharges are included in SeaDream's Port charges and are not broken out separately.

Silversea Cruises: All cruises booked on or after November 14, 2007 will be assessed a $10 per person per day fuel surcharge. Passengers who booked future voyages prior to the November 14 cutoff date will not be charged this fee.

Windstar Cruises: If you're sailing on the Wind Surf, Wind Spirit, or Wind Star between now and March 2009, you'll be assessed an $8.50 per person per day fuel surcharge. You can avoid this charge by paying your invoice in full by December 15, 2007.

Yachts of Seabourn: This line will charge a $5.00 per person per day fuel surcharge, not to exceed $70 per person per voyage for all sailings departing on or after February 1, 2008.

Nov. 17 Cross on SeaDream I Cancelled

Last week while sailing near Tangiers, SeaDream I damaged one of its stabilizers. In order to make the necessary repairs before its scheduled cross from Lisbon to San Juan, the November 17 itinerary was cancelled. While SeaDream Yacht Club originally hoped to simply delay departure until November 21, poor weather conditions prevented SeaDream I from immediately entering dry dock.

Cruise line executives from Miami flew to Lisbon to assist passengers who, while disappointed, were pleased with SeaDream's assistance with hotel arrangements in Lisbon and transportation home or to San Juan where they would have docked on November 28. A charter scheduled for the 28th was also cancelled.

SeaDream representatives were confident that the December 9th sailing would embark from San Juan as scheduled. Here's to hoping that the repairs are made swiftly and SeaDream I makes its way safely from Europe to the Caribbean.

I hope all of the "crossers" were able to enjoy their holiday, even without a SeaDream cruise, and with any luck they'll be yachting on an alternative itinerary soon.

Crystal Calls Upon Cheese Sommeliers

Here's something of note: Crystal Cruises has announced that in addition to its certified Court of Master wine sommeliers, new "cheese sommeliers" will join the crew for all 2008 voyages.

The certification of these culinary professionals is actually pretty serious business. Master Sommelier Robert Bath, one of only 124 people in the world to hold this title, is overseeing the certification of Crystal's wine sommeliers. Bath was the creative force behind the acclaimed wine program at the lauded French Laundry.

Cheese Sommeliers will be certified by Professor Gerhard Ebner of the International Cheese Academy at the Hotel and Tourism School in Bad Gleichenberg, Austria.

Certification for Crystal's cheese and wine sommeliers takes more than 60 hours of schooling and five-and-a-half hours of testing.

From Le Riopelle de l'Isle, a rare triple cream cheese from Isle-aux-Grues (Goose Island) in Québec, to the mildly spicy Saint Albray from the French Pyrenees, the cheese sommeliers will be expanding Crystal's selection of regional and artisanal cheeses, and can offer insights on sampling suggestions; the harmony with wines and spirits; and information on the history, manufacturing, and fine distinctions of each cheese. And don't forget that Crystal ships maintain a 25,000-bottle wine cellar with more than 350 labels.

It will be interesting to see what new additions are made to Crystal's culinary offerings in 2008 and beyond. For more information, visit Crystal Cruises' website.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

New Ports of Call for SeaDream's 2009 Caribbean Season

SeaDream Yacht Club has announced its Caribbean itineraries for 2009 (January through April). They've done a great job spicing things up! I was just lamenting to someone the other day that all of my favorite luxury cruise lines are doing the same-old same old in the Caribbean. With SeaDream's new itineraries, there are quite a few that will lure even die-hard Caribbean cruisers who feel as if they've seen every bay and cove there is to discover.

In January 2009, SeaDream I alternates between 5- and 9-day voyages between San Juan and Puerto Rico. Some of the more interesting ports of call include:

Gustavia, St. Barthelemy
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Honeymoon Beach, Water Island
Anegada, BVI
Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Peter Island, BVI
Culebrita, Puerto Rico
Esperanza, Vieques
Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe

During the same time period, SeaDream II is plying the waters around San Juan with 7-day cruises.

In February 2009, SeaDream extends its reach to Dominica, St. Lucia (Rodney Bay and Castries), Montserrat, and Antigua. There's an especially intriguing 4-day Valentine's Day sailing that whisks travelers from San Juan to Culebrita, Puerto Rico; Esperanza, Vieques, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Honeymoon Beach, Water Island; Jost van Dyke, BVI; and back to San Juan.

SeaDream continues to explore St. Lucia in March, with calls on Soufrier Bay and Marigot Bay. The Grenadines are also added to the mix (Tobago Cays, Bequia, and Mayreau).

With temperatures rising in April, SeaDream's yachts focus on Samana, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas (Port Lucaya, Egg Island, and Nassau), Turks & Caicos (Cockburn Town), and Florida (Miami and Key West).

It's nice to see this change-up when it comes to Caribbean cruising. I'll be looking forward to a getaway in 2009! For more information, visit SeaDream's recently redesigned website.

Photo courtesy of SeaDream Yacht Club.

Seabourn Ups the Ante & Orders Third Luxe Vessel

The U.S. economy may be sagging but it hasn't hurt the luxury markets any. In fact, high-end travel companies are aggressively investing in the future. Just look toward The Yachts of Seabourn. We've all heard about the Seabourn Odyssey that will sail the seven seas starting in 2009. The company also has a second ship on orer with Italian shipbuilder T. Mariotti S.p.A.

Now, a year after announcing the two new ship builds, Seabourn surprises us all by ordering a third sister ship for delivery in the summer of 2011. The decision was made after such strong advance bookings for Seabourn Odyssey.

For those who can't wait until 2011, you can still book a voyage during Seabourn Odyssey's maiden season. The yet-to-be-named second ship in the series is scheduled to enter service in the summer of 2010.

All three 32,000-GRT ships will accommodate 450 guests in 225 suites, 90 percent of which will offer private verandas. The design specifications call for hulls 650 feet long, with a beam of 84 feet and a draft of 21 feet. The ships will be powered by diesel-generated electricity and operate with twin screw propellers, with a service speed of 19 knots. They will be equipped with two bow thrusters to enhance maneuverability and two stabilizers. In addition, these "green ships" will employ advanced wastewater treatment technology.

To learn more about Seabourn Odyssey, or any other Seabourn ship, visit the cruise line's website.

Illustration courtesy of The Yachts of Seabourn.

SeaDream Chefs Share Their Recipies in New Cookbook

Here's a fun holiday gift for SeaDream fans and those who like to tackle new recipes: the newly published Dream Cuisine: An Adventure for the Senses cookbook from the chefs aboard SeaDream I and SeaDream II.

Executive Chef d’ Cuisine, Robert van Rijsbergen, spearheaded the creation of the cookbook to include “a subtle combination of classic French culinary techniques, sophisticated international offerings, and a mingling of Asian influences.”

The book presents more than 90 recipes and covers hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, lunch and dinner entrees, desserts, and a unique spa menu. Vegetarian choices are also highlighted.

Some of the dishes you can now prepare at home in the SeaDream method include:

Gratinated Escargot—served with aubergine caviar and mushrooms
Thai-Style Chili Garlic Quail—served with Basmati rice and coriander
Sautéed “Gariguette” Strawberries—with candied black olives and olive oil ice cream
L’Oeuf Poule au Caviar “Surprise”—caviar served in an egg shell
Cream of Pumpkin Soup—garnished with pumpkin seeds, a bit of lobster and whipped cream
Champagne Sorbet—enhanced by a drop or two of Kirschwasser
Honey and Five Spice Roast Saddle of Veal—served with caramelized Belgian endive
Lemon Soufflé

If you're into fine wine, there's even a section devoted to the SeaDream wine cellar at sea, its bar menu featuring unusual beverages, and SeaDream’s noted and playful Champagne & Caviar Splash.

“We have received so many wonderful compliments from our guests about their dining experiences with us that it just made perfect sense to publish this Dream Cuisine cookbook," noted the company's President, CEO, and Co-Owner, Larry Pimentel. "It was a labor of love and I hope it not only reminds our guests of one of the great joys of sailing with us, but also sends them into their home kitchens to try some of these recipes.”

SeaDream Owner Atle Brynestad added, “As a family-owned and operated company, we strive to provide each guest with a memorable yachting holiday experience. We welcome all guests as if we were welcoming them into our own home, which in a way, we are.”

The Dream Cuisine cookbook is available for $30 per copy (plus shipping) through the Boutique section of SeaDream’s website and in the onboard Boutiques on SeaDream I and II.

Photo courtesy of SeaDream.