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CRUISE SHIP ENTERTAINMENT... beyond Bunny Bob.
     Yes, that was the name of the headline entertainer on my very first cruise. And if you think things have changed since 1991, you haven't seen anything yet.
     For starters, Norwegian Cruise Line is not just changing the face of entertainment on the new Norwegian Epic. It’s turning it blue. And then some. Expanding on NCL’s “Freestyle Cruising”, entertainment will no longer be focused on two nightly shows in a main theater.   Norwegian Epic will give guests the choice of a variety of entertainment and venues each evening of their cruise.
     One of those choices will be yet another industry first, as NCL welcomes the Blue Man Group to the Epic Theater. Blue Man Group shows, combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. That will be seen for the first time ever at sea beginning in the summer of 2010 and only on Norwegian Epic.
     Going beyond standard stand-up comedy, NCL Epic’s Headliners Comedy Club: will feature the improvisational comedy of the famed Second City comedy troupe.
     And get a load of this. Spiegel Tent: will be the first and only "big top" at sea. This intimate 265-seat theater-in-the-round will present Cirque Dreams® and Dinner. Yes, AND dinner.   It’s being described as an interactive theatrical dining experience, performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses with music and mayhem. The official release says “The entire experience will be unlike anything else at sea.”

DISNEY CHANNEL STARS SAILING ON DISNEY'S SUMMER CRUISE

Popular stars from Disney Channel shows like "Hannah Montana," "Sonny With a Chance," "JONAS," "The Suite Life on Deck," "Camp Rock," and "Hatching Pete" will join Guests on 3- and 4-night summer cruises.
Each cruise will feature special fan activities including deck parties, Q&A and autograph sessions, preview screenings of Disney Channel shows and even a special event on every sailing where you are invited to join the stars for a special musical performance by a Disney recording artist.

PRINCESS ADDS MORE FOR MOVIE LOVERS

It’s been five years since Princess Cruises revolutionized outdoor entertainment and brought back the best of drive-in theaters with the introduction of their Movies Under the Stars. Now they’re teaming with the celebrated film critic/historian for the exclusive Leonard Maltin Movie Club.

Each month, Princess will showcase a new film chosen and introduced via video by Mr. Maltin and screened either at the open-air Movies Under the Stars or in the Princess Theater and followed by a discussion guided by questions and trivia from Mr. Maltin. The one-hour club meeting is open to all passengers. Coming soon, Movie Club selections will be announced prior to the sailing with upcoming films include award winning titles “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Wrestler

For passengers who want more movies, on the ship’s television system will now inlclude the Leonard Maltin Movie Channel with contemporary, classic and animated movies specially selected by Mr. Maltin. And yes, the real Leonard Maltin will be a special guest on an upcoming Princess cruise that is certain to include onboard presentations and some truly great movies. If you’re a movie lover, stay tuned. Mr. Maltin’s sailing will be announced soon.

CARNIVAL ADDING SOMETHING DIFFERENT... OR NOT

     Not one to let Leonard Maltin or the Blue Man Group get all the attention, Carnival Cruise Lines is making noise about their new entertainment program for the soon-to-start-sailing-Carnival Dream.    And on the heels of Big Top Epic, it seems circus themes are all the rage. In addition to the expected production revues, solo singers, comedians and live bands, Carnival Dream will offer “Fun Force,” an acrobatic team that will perform throughout the ship.
     Carnival Dream passengers can also park out on Lido deck in front of Seaside Theatre’s massive LED screen showing display movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.
      Carnival Dream is set to sail Sept. 21 from Rome and eventually head to her new Winter home at Port Canaveral in December

WHERE'S CELEBRITY MILLENIUM? FRESH FROM HER $10 MILLION MAKEOVER.

      One of the most popular cruise ships sailing (she’s consistently ranked among the top 10 large ships in the world since her launch in 2000 and so loved that she's nicknamed "Millie"), the Celebrity Millennium is fresh from a little rest and relaxation (aka drydock) with all new carpeting and upholstery. A new alternative to traditional teak decking – called bolidt’ has been installed across the pool deck, outdoor stage, dance floor and jogging track.
      The staterooms have raised the bar on technology with flat panel TVs in every suite and Concierge Class cabin and soon to be in every stateroom on board. Adding warmth to your elegant accommodations, new drapes, bed skirts and bed throws in warm, natural hues enhance every suite and stateroom.
     The newly-refreshed Celebrity Millennium is now showing off her new look this season during a series of seven-night Southbound Alaska sailings to and from Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, through September.
     Travelers eager to experience the refreshed Celebrity Millennium have no better opportunity than now, with select staterooms on several Alaska sailings starting at $57 per person per day.

TAKE A FREE CRUISE... (from right where you're sitting)
Many a day we're stuck in front of the computer, wishing for an escape. Short of tossing a toothbrush in a bag and finding the nearest cruise ship to climb aboard, sometimes all it takes to quiet the wanderlust is a few minutes on our virtual cruise.
Try it yourself... just click through these visual souvenirs of time spent onboard on Princess Cruises, Celebrity, Cunard, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. And if you see something you like and want to see it first hand, just give us a call. In the meantime, Welcome aboard our virtual cruise. (and you don't even have to pack!)

JUST WANT TO GET AWAY- WITH THE GALS???
      Last year's Gotta Go Girl's Getaway was a big hit and we're getting ready to pack for the next one. Lead by the Gotta Go Girls themselves Flo, Lain and Cindy, our annual event gives moms a break from the kids, girl friends a chance to bond and women a chance to have someone else do the cooking and cleaning.
      Last year, we did karaoke and the "On Deck for a Cure" walk to benefit breast cancer research, took Disco Dancing lessons and celebrated being women away!!
     This year's getaway sets sail June 11 on the Carnival Triumph.  And we'll have new photos up by mid-June (just give us time to get home and unpack!
      Take a look at some of the highlights of last year's cruise...

Cruising's good for you! According to the Travel Industry Association, “Blood pressure, heart rate and levels of epinephrine – a stress hormone – decline on holidays of only one or two days.” - So go on... book a cruise to de-stress.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS EXTENDED

Once again, the deadline for passports required to cruise has been extended. Of course, passports always have been and still are required for travel from the U.S. to other countries.
Although we are recommending that all cruise passengers use a valid U.S. passport, valid for at least six months past your departure date, for now a valid driver's license and birth certificate will satisfy the requirements to board as long as you are sailing and returning to a US port. Get updates here: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE one click a day can help feed the hungry www.thehungersite.com
and if you want to help and have fun play www.freerice.com

FEAR OF FLYING GOT YOU GROUNDED? Check out these websites to help conquer your fears so you can cruise from any port!! www.fearofflying.com >www.fofc.com

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