The Avid Cruiser

So what’s it like to cruise at Christmas? Cold, but also an enchanting time to be in Europe. Snow fell today for the first time on our cruise, and we left footprints in the snow as we toured Regensburg, Germay. Tune in for this and an up close look at Amadagio.

We talked with Amadeus Waterways’ President Rudi Schreiner and Vice President of Sales Kristin Karst about Christmas market cruises. Unfortunately, the Christmas markets were closed during our cruise, which took place the week following the holiday, and the weather was disappointingly delightful - no snow yet! We’ll continue to file reports on our cruise and the ship as we make our way up the river.

We board Amadeus Waterways’ Amadagio on Christmas Eve for a cruise from Budapest to Prague. Having never done a winter cruise in a cold-weather destination, we’re not quite sure what to expect, so tune in to this page for updates as we cruise along. Meantime, we’ve put together a short video preview.

Over the holidays, we travel to Budapest to board Amadeus Waterways’ Amadagio for a Christmas Markets cruise. Actually, the Christmas markets should be closed, as we arrive Christmas Eve and cruise through New Year’s Day. Tune in for our report of what it’s like to cruise “after” the Christmas Markets are over.

Also, beginning January 6, we are among the first to board Windstar Cruises’ newly refurbished Wind Surf. Come along as we sail roundtrip Barbados to explore the “new” Wind Surf.

With a hull that features brightly colored pearls, NCL’s newest ship is fun and festive. Pearl’s faux palm trees on the pool deck and cheerful interior colors (turquoise cabana style stateroom doors and carpet with design patterns featuring tropical fish - at least on deck 11 where I stayed), Pearl feels like a Caribbean ship. Those bright features may be a bit jolting in Alaska, but at least Pearl provides an option for cruisers who want Freestyle in their visits to The Great Land.

As the ninth big new ship in the NCL fleet since 2000, Pearl continues the trend of Freestyle Cruising ‘Nonconformist, free-spirited; we hope those are the words that will be associated with our brand,’ Andy Stuart told The Avid Cruiser on our inaugural visit in December. ‘We’re looking to appeal to a mindset … people who see themselves standing out of line ‘¦ swimming against the tide.’

Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Entered Service: November 28, 2006

Where I Saw Her: Miami, on a two-night ‘cruise to nowhere.’

Sister Act: Sister ship to Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel and Pride of Hawaii, the 2,400-passenger Norwegian Pearl was to be an identical twin to Jewel, but top brass decided on additional features, such as an industry-first bowling alley; and two NCL firsts — a rock-climbing wall and two Deluxe Owner’s Suites. Continue Reading »