Silversea Silver Spirit Cruise Documents Arrive!

Cruise document anticipation has become a bit like Christmas Eve in this house. We anxiously await the delivery of the package and then pour over the contents. We've had our Silversea cruise documents in hand for a few days now and I thought I'd share the contents with you.

I know a lot of people could care less about the packaging of their cruise documents, but I like to use some of the items later in our vacation scrapbook so I'm always especially happy to see docs that are packaged in a unique or beautiful way.

Silversea documents arrive in a lovely (and hefty) silver box with their logo embossed on the lid, along with the words "one aim, excellence." That certainly sets the right tone with me.

Silversea Cruise Document Elements
Zip-up leather cruise document carry case
Two leather luggage tags with the Silversea logo embroidered on them
Self-adhesive luggage tags pre-printed with our suite number
Cruise ticket
Air ticket
Bon voyage gifts order form
"Setting Sail" cruise information guide
Silver Shore Journal for the Eastern Mediterranean

We're still deciding which shore excursions we're going to book, but we hope to tie down all the details today. After all, we leave Friday for Venice! Visit this blog each day, starting Friday, June 4, for live coverage of our Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece voyage aboard Silver Spirit.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo

Rai Praveen Mahal, Orchha

Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) has an imposing fort, dating back to the 16th century. The Fort Complex contains magnificent palaces of the Bundela kings presenting a matchless spectacle of those times. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

One of such palace is Rai Praveen Mahal. This palace was built in honor of the ‘Nightingale of Orchha’, Rai Praveen. As per the legend when she had been to Emperor Akbar's court, she was lured by him to stay back in his court by denouncing her King of Orchha. But she returned back to Orchha without accepting the Emperor's offer.

Built in 1618 using circa by then Maharaja Indrajit Singh is a three-storeyed palace. The second floor is decorated with the poses and postures of Indian dance. A octagonal shaped lush garden, with shrubs and flowerbeds developed in many artistic shapes, surrounds the palace.

In the landscape beyond the palace various small temples and Betwa river can be seen.

Congratulations, Yachts of Seabourn! Seabourn Sojourn is Delivered

Congratulations to everyone at the Yachts of Seabourn! The cruise line has officially taken delivery of its newest yacht, the 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn. (See new photos of the ship at Seabourn's blog.) This is the second ship in a trio that also includes Odyssey (launched last summer and one of my favorite luxury cruise ships of all time) and Quest (launching next summer).

Sojourn was built at the Mariotti shipyard in Genoa and is now on her way to London where media events, her naming ceremony, and inauguration will take place. British supermodel Twiggy is the ship's godmother and will be at the festivities. On June 5, the ship will host a benefit for nonprofit Breast Cancer Haven before welcoming guests for her maiden voyage on June 6.

I'm a fan of Seabourn Odyssey and expect to cotton to Sojourn as well. Here are some of the things I especially like about the larger Seabourn ships:

• Ship Exterior—Seabourn Odyssey is a gorgeous ship and the spa atrium certainly gives the vessel a unique and sleek line.

• Pool on Deck 8—I could spend an entire cruise lazying by the pool on Odyssey. There is plenty of shade, two whirlpools kept at the perfect temperature, and a large (by cruise ship standards) pool. Service by the pool is also excellent; the watermelon smoothies and ice cream sandwiches are especially refreshing. (There is also a pool and two whirlpools on Deck 5 aft. This is a lovely, quiet spot but a bit too sunny for my liking.)

• Retractable Marina—I am not a strong swimmer so Odyssey's retractable Marina is a dream come true for me. Within the safety of what I like to call the "swimming basket," I can enjoy swimming in the sea without the panic! My husband prefers to spend his time at the Marina by taking out a kayak or going windsurfing.

• The Crew—I always enjoy speaking with Seabourn's affable crew members and the level of service they routinely provide always impresses me.

While plenty of Seabourn loyalist still prefer the smaller triplets—Seabourn Legend, Pride, and Spirit—Odyssey, Sojourn, and Quest will appeal to cruisers who enjoy a midsize ship and a slightly larger crowd.

A few travel agents and travel writers will be reporting live from the new Seabourn Sojourn at the end of this week. I look forward to hearing these "first look" reports as I cruise the Adriatic with Silversea's new Silver Spirit. I'll be departing Venice this Saturday!

Cheers once again to Seabourn! Sojourn looks to be a gorgeous new mega-yacht and I look forward to sailing with her soon!

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Andrea M. Rotondo

Travel Photo Challenge

BlogAdda has organized a ‘Travel Photos Contest’. After a long time I am seeing a contest in my area of interest - travel and photography. So I am glad to participate in this, where I have to post 5 of my best travel photographs as I see it. (Click on the images for bigger view)

The above image is of Jaisalmer Golden Fort taken during the Rajasthan tour. Built in 1156 on the Trikura Hill it is one of the oldest forts that has 99 bastions around its circumference and is protected by three walls. Why the fort is called so, is very much evident when Sun rays fall on the fort. I wanted to capture the fort shining like gold in the night when focused by light and went around the fort to get the best possible view. The shot which was taken with film SLR camera without the support of tripod when developed was truly satisfying.

The above image is of Tanjore Brhihadeeshwrar Temple taken during the Tamil Nadu tour. This Big Temple was built during the period 985 -1012 A.D. Because of its unique architectural excellence the UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Monument. It was a pleasure to capture the gigantic temple and the big Nandi Mantappa in one frame. The size of the people around the temple gives us an idea of how huge the temple really is.

The above image is of Jog Falls taken during the Karnataka tour. The sight of river Sharavathi taking a leap from a height of 900 feet is spectacular. It is the highest waterfall in India. When we had visited the place it was the beginning of the rainy season and on the day it rained heavily with low flying clouds. It was a challenge to capture the beautiful waterfall in image because of low flying clouds blocking the view.

The above image is of Qutub Minar taken during the Delhi tour. Measuring 72.5 meters is the world's tallest brick minaret. Construction of this started in 1193 and the topmost story of the minaret was completed in 1386. It is surrounded by various medieval and ancient structures. People will love to capture this monument in various angles along with other ruins surrounding it. This image is one such attempt.

Finally the above is image of Glass House at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in Bangalore. This beautiful garden of 40 acres is home for various rare plants. It is regarded as one of the best gardens in Eastern part of the World. The glass house when lighted in the night looks more beautiful than during the day time. The shot which was taken with film SLR camera without the support of tripod when developed was truly satisfying.

India is such a wonderful treasure of architecture, nature, and wildlife it is very difficult to choose only 5 images. Each image have their own story to tell. Truly a Picture is worth a thousand words.

Orchha Fort Complex

Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) has an imposing fort, dating back to the 16th century. The fort complex contains magnificent palaces of the Bundela kings presenting a matchless spectacle of those times. (Click on the images for bigger picture)


The complex has 3 palaces:

Raj Mahal - Bundela kings residential palace. a massive square building of which the exterior is almost absolutely plain.

Jehangir Mahal - a square building, but far more ornate, a singularly beautiful specimen of Hindu domestic architecture.

Rai Praveen Mahal - built in memory of the famous poetess and musician, Rai Parveen, the beautiful courtesan of Raja Indramani.

Desert Romance

This is one of the numerous paintings one can shop in the markets Rajasthan (click on the image to see the bigger image).

The above painting depicts romance in the sand dunes of the desert.

Deal Alert: Windstar in the Mediterranean for $1k pp at Jetsetter.com

Jetsetter.com—a travel auction site—is offering a seriously good deal on three Windstar Cruises itineraries in the Mediterranean this summer and fall.


Wind Surf
Venice, Italy (overnight); Rovinj, Opatija, Trogir, and Dubrovnik, Croatia; sea day; Venice

• Per night cruise fare for TWO people: $280 for Category B, $335 for Category A
  
  
• Per night cruise fare for ONE person: $220 for Category B, $250 for Category A
  
  
• Embarkation dates: September 12 and October 17
  
  

Wind Surf
Rome, Livorno (Florence), La Spezia, Portofino, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (overnight); St. Tropez, Nice, France

• Per night cruise fare for TWO people: $320 for Category B, $350 for Category A
  
  
• Per night cruise fare for ONE person: $220 for Category B, $250 for Category A
  
  
• Embarkation dates: July 4, August 8, and September 26
  

Wind Surf
Venice, Italy; Rovinj, Trogir, Dubrovnik, Croatia; at sea; Messina/Sicily, Sorrento, Rome, Italy

• Per night cruise fare for TWO people: $320 for Category B, $350 for Category A
  
  
• Per night cruise fare for ONE person: $220 for Category B, $250 for Category A
  
  
• Embarkation dates: August 1 and October 24
  

The best value is the Venice roundtrip itineraries embarking September 12 and October 17. The cruise fare for two people sharing a Category B stateroom is just $2,065 ($1,960 plus $105 taxes and fees).

No cancellations, refunds or modifications are allowed and payment is charged at the time of purchase. According to the terms of service on Jetsetter's website, these rates include a $100 onboard credit per cabin. A daily hotel service fee of $12 per passenger will be charged to your shipboard account.

You must book these voyages via Jetsetter.com no later than midnight on May 30, 2010.

We love Windstar Cruises and their fleet of motor-sail-yachts. Wind Surf is their largest ship and carries 312 passengers. While not quite a luxury line, Windstar is the perfect choice for couples of any age who are looking for a high-end cruise with a casual vibe. The cabins are very comfortable, service is excellent, and the food gets high marks in our book. This deal is definitely worth considering!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Linley Marquee Commissioned for Cunard's Forthcoming Queen Elizabeth

When you think of the grand ocean liners in Cunard's fleet, you no doubt conjure images of the gorgeous sweeping staircase that greets you upon arrival. The cruise line's forthcoming Queen Elizabeth will be no different and that sweeping staircase and central arched space challenged interior designers to find just the right piece of art to accent this important area of the ship.

"We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, a 'wow' factor in an area already full of 'wow', but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials," noted Cunard's president and managing director, Peter Shanks.

"After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a 5.6-metre (18 ft 6 in) high marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

"Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn't take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned."

To put this in perspective, the wood panel will span two-and-a-half decks and is being constructed of nine panels that include Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird's eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut, and Macassar ebony.

David Lindley, chairman of Lindley's, was proud to take on this project and said, "Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past, this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale - it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made - but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him—and others—equally proud."

Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage embarks on October 12,2010 from Southampton, England.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Cunard.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Artwork image courtesy of Cunard

Anchorage, Alaska Travel Tips at FamilyVacationCritic.com

Mt. McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park & Reserve

If you're traveling to Alaska this summer with your kids or grandchildren, don't miss my Anchorage, Alaska, destination profile at FamilyVacationCritic.com.

The extensive article gives an overview of one of my favorite cities in the West and offers tips on family-friendly lodging, activities, and restaurants. Check it out!

If you haven't yet booked your 2010 Alaska cruise, there's still time to do so.

My Favorite Cruise Lines Sailing Alaska in 2010

American Safari Cruises—The best small ship (yacht) experience in Alaska—hands down!

Silversea—Italian hospitality aboard Silver Shadow, a mid-size vessel accommodating 382 guests.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises—Excellent luxury service is the hallmark of the 490-passenger Navigator.

Celebrity Cruises—Summer 2010 finds three Celebrity ships in Alaska: Infinity, Mercury, and Millennium.

Holland America—HAL has been a leader in Alaska cruise/land tours for years. The line sails eight ships in Alaska this summer: Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam VI, Ryndam, Statendam, Volendam, Zaandam, and Zuiderdam.

Which cruise line are you sailing in Alaska this summer? Let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Orchha, the Hidden Place

From Jhansi we traveled to Orchha in Mahya Pradesh which is at a distance of 18 kms. I had read about this place a bit in various travel magazines. And whatever little I knew kept me interested in this place. Once in this place, I was more than happy on my decision of touring this place. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

Enclosed by woody forest, Orchha is a historical city that exhibits the rich heritage of medieval times. In the 16th and 17th century this was the capital of Bundela kings. On the banks of the Betwa River, Orchha reflects the glory of the mighty Bundelas. An artificial island with the meaning a ‘hidden place’ Orchha, lives up to its name.

The splendor of ancient times can be seen in the graceful monuments.They showcase unique and exclusive architectural legacy. The fort, exotic palaces, beautifully carved temples, spectacular mural paintings and frescoes on the walls of temples and the palaces keep the viewers spellbound.

Some of the places that we shall explore in some detail are:

• Orchha Fort Complex
• Jehangir Mahal (1, 2)
• Raj Mahal (1, 2)
• Rai Praveen Mahal
• Chaturbhuj Temple
• Ram Raja Temple
• Laxmi Narayan Temple (1, 2)
• Dinman Hardul's Palace
• Phool Bagh Palace
• Wind Towers
• Royal Cenotaphs (1, 2, 3)

Zegrahm Expeditions to Offer Circumnavigation of Sumatra

Have you ever heard of Zegrahm Expeditions? I hadn't either until today when I read about their 18-day circumnavigation of Sumatra aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey. This itinerary kicks off Zegrahm's 2011 season on January 3, 2011.

Sumatra, one of the largest islands in the world, is located in western Indonesia and is ideal for the small ship cruising experience aboard Clipper Odyssey. Sailing in a counter-clockwise direction around the island, the ship will visit national parks, remote villages, and other historic sites.

Minangkabau King Palace in Central Sumatra, Indonesia

Highlights of a trip to Sumatra include hiking through the rainforests and visiting Sumatran orangutans at Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Station. Birds are also a draw, including 580 different species. You may catch a glimpse of the blue-masked leafbird, Sumatran drongo, and spot-necked bulbul. And, of course, this trip will introduce you to the Batak people that are indigenous to the area.

Mike Messick, cofounder of Zegrahm, will guide this unusual expedition in the company of naturalists, historians, and scientists. This includes two top wildlife experts: Dr. Jonathan Rossouw and Kevin Clement.

The complete itinerary includes...

January 3–4: depart USA / Singapore
January 5: Singapore / embark Clipper Odyssey
January 6: Malacca, Malaysia
January 7: Belawan, Sumatra / Brastagi
January 8: Gunung Leuser National Park
January 9: Expedition Stop
January 10: Banda Aceh
January 11: Gunung Leuser National Park
January 12: Nias Island / Cross the Equator
January 13: siberut Island, Mentawai Islands
January 14: Padang / Solok
January 15: Bengkulu
January 16: Krui
January 17: Ujung Kulon National Park, Java / Krakatoa Island
January 18: Way Kambas
January 19: At Sea
January 20: Singapore / Disembark Clipper Odyssey

This expedition is sure to be one of those "trips of a lifetime" that we all hope to take one day. For more information, contact Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions at 800-628-874.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Paul Gauguin Cruises Webinar on Tuesday Night, May 18

m/s Paul Gauguin anchored at Vaiare, Moorea, French Polynesia

If you're contemplating a French Polynesian cruise, consider signing up for Tuesday night's Paul Gauguin Cruises webinar. This event will be hosted by presenter Carol Parsons and Richard Bailey, President and CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Dick will talk about the line's inaugural cruise, which took place on January 6, 2010, and the multi-million dollar refurbishment that the m/s Paul Gauguin underwent last year. Carol plans to discuss her favorite itineraries and the special touches that make Paul Gauguin Cruises something a bit out of the ordinary.

I attended a similar webinar earlier this year and learned a lot about the cruise line and French Polynesia. I also received a booking incentive via e-mail a few weeks after the event.

Sign up for the May 18, 2010 Paul Gauguin Cruises webinar now. Then, mark your calendar for Tuesday at 5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central, or 8pm Eastern time.

If you've never attended an event like this don't worry! It's like watching live TV. Once you sign up using the above link, you'll get a confirmation email and instructions for how to watch the webinar. Just follow those instructions on Tuesday at the appointed time, making sure that the volume is up on your computer, and you'll be good to go. See you there!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Jhansi Fort -2

The fort of Jhansi popularly known as Jhansi Fort is built on hilltop in 1613. The Fort is an architectural delight for his sheer size and the structure. The fort spread across 15 acres of land is about 312m in length and 225m in width. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

There are 10 gates providing access to this fort. Some of these are Khanderao Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orcha Gate, Sainyar Gate and Chand gate.

Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, inspired patriotism in heart of all her subjects. This particular cannon in the above image is operated by Moti Bai a dancer in the royal court. While defending the fort from the enemies not only men, even women of the state fought bravely.

For more visit My World Tuesday

Paul Gauguin Cruises Dining Experience

For many travelers like my husband and I, the quality of the food and wine aboard a cruise ship is an integral aspect of the vacation. We look for cruise lines that offer a variety of dining experiences from multi-course chef's table menus to a strong main dining room to casual snack options and room service. We especially appreciate cruise lines—Seabourn, SeaDream, Celebrity, and Azamara to name a few—that aren't afraid to use spices and the salt shaker!

As we prepared for our French Polynesian vacation, we wondered about the food that would be served by Paul Gauguin Cruises. I have to admit that we were a bit apprehensive. This ship used to be managed by Regent Seven Seas and we'd been disappointed in the past with the food aboard a Regent ship (too bland and too many repeat menus during a 14-day voyage).

We knew that an entirely new company, Paul Gauguin Cruises (part of Pacific Beachcomber), now owned and managed the m/s Paul Gauguin. But we still were a tad worried that the provisions purveyors would be the same and, perhaps, disappointing. We were more than pleasantly surprised by what we found aboard the PG and were impressed with the overall culinary experience.

Download a pdf of m/s Paul Gauguin dinner menus here.

Executive Chef Mark Bishop held court over the kitchens during our cruise. His menus were varied and included mainstay favorites like chateaubriand and lasagna, mouth-watering low-sodium and vegetarian menus, and dishes that took advantage of regional foods (like moonfish and local pineapple).

He was accessible to guests and presented several cooking demonstrations during the voyage. Visiting Chef James Dean Max of Fort Lauderdale's 3030 Ocean was also aboard and we enjoyed his demos as well.

There are three restaurants aboard Paul Gauguin:

• L'Etoile—a la carte dinner only, no reservations necessary
  
  
• La Veranda—buffet and a la carte breakfast and lunch, a la carte dinner, reservations necessary
  
  
• Le Grill (called Pacific Grill in the evening)—buffet breakfast and lunch, grilled specialties at dinner, reservations necessary

There was only one night for which we couldn't get reservations at the restaurant of our choice (La Veranda).

My husband enjoyed the complimentary wines served throughout the cruise. Here's a short list of a few bottles that were on offer during our itinerary:

Whites
Cantaluna Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile
Pinot Grigio, Bollo Italy
Cycles Gladiator, Chardonnay, Central Coast, California
Mount Riley, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Reds
Seven Deadly Zins, Zinfandel, California
Santa Alicia Reserva, Carmenere, Maipo Valley, Chile
Koonunga Hill Penfolds, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
Cycles Gladiator, Pinot Noir, California

All in all, we were very happy with the cuisine on board. Room service was quick and efficient (although the server did not set the table for us on two occasions). The breakfast buffet at Le Grill was extensive. Lunch was the weakest link with themed buffets featuring French, Pacific, German, Tex-Mex, and Italian specialties. Some lunches, like the German spread, were excellent and others lacked luster. Dinners were uniformly excellent in all dining venues. Portions were just right and the presentation was always impressive. I'm still yearning for more of L'Etoile's Tahitian Wok entree!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Jhansi Fort -1

The Jhansi fort (state: Uttar Pradesh) is built by Raja Vir Singh Judeo of Orcha in 1613 on a hilltop called Bangra. The fort covers a sprawling area of 15 acres and this massive fortification with 22 bastions measures about 312m in length and 225m in width. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

There are 10 gates to enter this fort. The important sights in the fort are the two temples - Shiva temple, Ganesh temple, the palace - Panch Mahal, and the Kadak Bijli cannon used in the freedom struggle of 1857.

The fort was a residence of Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, who fought British army and attained martyrdom. In the fort one of the most important location is the place from where queen jumped out of the fort on horseback. She tied her adopted son on her back and jumped from top of the fort on her horse Pavan. The height of the fort walls on the hillock clearly highlights the courage she had shown.

Once out of the fort she regrouped her army and attacked Gwalior Fort which was under the control of British. She successfully captured this much bigger fort from the British.

For more visit Skywatch
For more visit Shadow Shot Sunday

New Private Nile River Cruises from Abercrombie & Kent

I just got word about a new Nile River cruise that actually hearkens back to the days when dahabiehs -- lanteen-rigged sailboats -- were the main method of transportation on this waterway. These sail-powered vessels were used extensively up until the 19th century when steamships made their debut in the area. The popularity of dahabiehs waned as they were slower than steamships and so fell out of favor with many. Today, these sailing ships have been retrofitted for high-end travel up and down the Nile.

Farouk Suite

Abercrombie & Kent is now offering private travel aboard the new luxury dahabieh, Zein Nile Chateau. This ship is part of A&K's Tailor Made Private Travel program. These intimate boats are perfect for small groups. And, since dahabiehs are smaller and more agile than traditional Nile River boats, they can visit more areas than their competitors.

Napoleon Suite

Zein Nile Chateau was purpose-built for the luxury market with two expansive suites and four staterooms. Unlike other dahabiehs, the cabins on this sailboat are air-conditioned. Public areas include the dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, cigar lounge, library, sun deck, oasis pool, and outdoor lounge designed for stargazing.

Travelers may charter Zein Nile Chateau. Seven-night itineraries start at $29,600 for up to 12 people. An experienced Egyptologist travels with all Abercrombie & Kent Nile River tours and with just 12 travelers on this ship, you're sure to enjoy a personalized journey down the Nile.

Upper Deck

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Abercrombie & Kent at 1-(800) 554-7094.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of A&K Egypt - Sarah El Akkad

Beat the Heat

Lot of resorts have mushroomed in and around Bangalore. This mainly serve corporate customers. Some of the companies take the employees to these places for a days outing once in a while. Apart from food they provide lot of facilities like games, swimming pool and host of other amenities. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

These resorts have also started to cater to the family crowd.

With the temperature going as high as 36 degree centigrade in Bangalore, these places are ideal getaways for a fee. My family along with my friends family ventured to explore one such resort on a weekday.

Luckily on the day we were the only people in the resort. We had good fun with the kids spending more than 5 hours in the pool. The place had water slides, pools of various sizes, play area.

For more visit Mellow Yellow Monday
and Blue Monday

and Ruby Tuesday

10 Cruise Blogs I Can't Live Without

This May I'm participating in something called the WordCount Blogathon. It's basically a group of writers who have challenged each other to post each and every day of the month. Today every member of the Blogathon is writing about the same topic: 10 blogs we can't live without. This was an easy post to write! There are tons of excellent blogs devoted to cruise travel. Here are just a few of my favorites.

10 Cruise Blogs I Return to Again and Again

1. USA Today Cruise Log
   Gene Sloan runs the cruise coverage at USA Today newspaper and his blog touches upon everything and anything that's cruise related. He's got quite a following and passionate conversations start on the blog and message board.
   
   
2. Cruise Diva's Blog
   Linda Coffman, aka the Cruise Diva, is someone to listen to when it comes to cruise advice. She's the author of many Fodor's travel guidebooks, including The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, co-author of Fodor's The Complete Guide to European Cruises, and contributes to Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call, Alaska Ports of Call, European Ports of Call, Bermuda, Greece, and Greek Isles guidebooks.
   
   
3. Same Ship Different Day
   Written by Regent Seven Seas cruise director Jamie Logan, this blog shares news from around the globe via text and photos.
   
   
4. Avid Cruiser
   Ralph Grizzle is the Avid Cruiser and he spends more time on cruise ships than he does at home. He blogs, uploads articles, and has a terrific archive of photos, videos, and podcasts.
   
   
5. SeaDream's Blog
   This one is a corporate blog, but I really like the friendly tone. It's a great way to stay connected to the happenings at SeaDream Yacht Club. There's an entire section devoted to SeaDream's captains—Terje Willassen, Bjarne Smorawski, Valter Berg, and Johan Dyrnes.
   
   
6. Silversea Silver Spirit Blog
   Silversea launched Silver Spirit in January and this blog enlightens travelers about every aspect of the ship. I especially like how they upload photos from ports of call that Silver Spirit has visited. Last month she was in my neck of the woods: New York City.
   
   
7. Yacht's of Seabourn Blog
   Seabourn's blog often relies on photos to communicate the essence of a journey on one of its yachts. I like the photos from actual sailings because it helps let me know what to expect on a similar itinerary. For example, who knew you could enjoy afternoon tea in the desert at Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt?
   
   
8. Expert Cruiser
   Anita Dunham-Potter manages this blog/website that often breaks cruise news and reports on controversial topics. You'll also see Anita's byline at MSNBC.com as well as a variety of newspapers and magazines.
   
   
9. The Lazy Sea-Dreamer
   Written by a passenger, this blog will teach you just about everything you need to know about cruising with SeaDream Yacht Club. It's an excellent resource!
   
   
10. This Is My Yacht
    Here's a cruise blog from travel agent Eric Goldring's perspective. He caters to the luxury market and is incredibly knowledgeable about many of the cruise lines you're most interested in learning about. He also runs an informative message board.

There you have it: 10 of my favorite cruise blogs. I'd love to hear about your favorite sites too.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Live Cruise Update: Dolphin Watching in Moorea

Note: This week I'm blogging and tweeting live from the Society Islands in French Polynesia. We're sailing aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin from Paul Gauguin Cruises and will also enjoy overnight stays at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Le Meridien Bora Bora.

On our second day in Moorea (Friday), we spent the morning with marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole. He leads the popular dolphin watching excursion that can be booked while sailing with Paul Gauguin Cruises. It's a three and a half hour tour and we needed all that time since we searched about four different bays before we found a large pod of spinner dolphins. Dr. Poole has a 95% success rate of finding dolphins and he definitely did right by us.

We met up for this excursion at 8:15 am in the Grand Salon and then tendered over to the dock at Vaiare, Moorea. Dr. Poole's boat accommodates about 20 people. It's covered so sun isn't a problem but you will get wet when the boat speeds along the water. Wear a bathing suit and bring a towel!

According to Dr. Poole, the spinner dolphins stick to the lagoons in Moorea so we systematically searched each bay from Vaiare to beyond Papetuai on the northwest coast. We passed many landmarks, such as the Sofitel, Moorea Pearl Resort, Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort, InterContinental Beachcomber Resort, Legends, Le Petit Village, and the old Club Med location.

The scenery was gorgeous so we weren't worried that we hadn't yet seen dolphins. However when we hit the northwest section of the coast, we were surrounded by dozens of dolphins!

This isn't a terrific photo, but it's the only one in which we captured a dolphin actually "spinning".

We love animals of all kinds so this tour was ideal. However, it's important to note that this is not a dolphin petting excursion. Dr. Poole is a scientist and observes these animals in their own habitat. He does not insert himself or his boat into the dolphin's daily routine. He follows them and watches them but there is no interaction between the passengers on the boat and the mammals in the water.

We enjoyed Dr. Poole's presentation so much that we've already decided to go back to Moorea during humpback whale season (July–October) and will go out on one of his whale watching excursions.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor and Andrea M. Rotondo

Jhansi

From Datia we traveled to Jhansi which is at a distance of 34kms. This place is known for the fort of Rani Laxmi Bai situated in the hilly area. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

Jhansi (state: Uttar Pradesh) is part of Uttar Pradesh state. We covered this in our tour of Madhya Pradesh as it very close to the borders of the state. Another reason being passing through this place also reduces the travel time. Most important reason is I would not have missed the chance to see the fort after being so close to it.

Live Cruise Update: Trails of the Ancients in Moorea

Note: This week I'm blogging and tweeting live from the Society Islands in French Polynesia. We're sailing aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin from Paul Gauguin Cruises and will also enjoy overnight stays at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti and Le Meridien Bora Bora.

Yesterday was another magical day in French Polynesian. We embarked on a five-hour shore excursion with guest lecturer Mark Eddowes. It was a fantastic tour that took us across the island to Cook's Bay, Belvedere, and into the rain forest to see several sacred marae sites.

Here's just a bit of what we saw. More details to come when I have a chance to write up a full report.

Our transportation during this shore excursion.

A stop at the agricultural school, where visitors can buy

vanilla beans, coffee beans, jams, and ice cream.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor and Andrea M. Rotondo