Celebrities at Sea

So if I had a few thousand dollars burning a hole in my pocket and a couple weeks of vacation this summer, there’s one particular cruise I’d book in a heartbeat.  It’s on a luxury cruise line with world-famous guests traveling a storybook European itinerary.  Let me fill in the blanks.

If you check out my cruise website, www.smartmoneycruises.com, you’ll see more than 50 theme categories listed with hundreds of cruises.  But out of all the cruises I’ve researched, this one is definitely at the top of my list.  It’s on Crystal Cruise Lines Serenity, traveling from Monte Carlo to Venice. The special guests on board are award-winning newswoman Barbara Walters and famed composer Marvin Hamlisch.  It also happens to be one of Crystal’s popular Wine and Food Festival themes.  So not only do you get to mingle with A list celebrities but you get the pleasure of enjoying some of the best food and wine, all while journeying from the French Riviera to one of the prettiest cities in the world, Venice, Italy.  Now that’s my kind of cruise!

                                                                                 

It’s departing Monte Carlo this July 31 and docks in Venice on August 12th.  At this date I’m not writing to encourage you to book the trip but I want you to be aware of some of the options available among the many cruise lines today.

We’ve gone far beyond Broadway style shows and casinos for our at-sea entertainment.  I remember my first cruise (a 10-day Royal Caribbean adventure in the early ’80’s).  You ate at designated times and you either gambled or watched the shows.  Honestly, they weren’t that good back then.  But it was something to do in the evening.  There were no workshops, themed-cruises or celebrities traveling.  It’s amazing how far the industry has come, even in the last few years.  (By the way, I loved that cruise and still think of it often.  There’s nothing quite like your first cruise!)

Although there are millions of folks who’ve yet to take their first cruise, there are also many passengers who are repeat cruisers.  They’ve seen a lot of the ports, particularly in the Caribbean.  Many are content to stay on the ship and just enjoy its amenities.  That’s become much easier as the increase of shipboard activities mean the ships themselves are now becoming the destination.  That’s fine with cruise line execs.  As long as you stay on board, so does your money.

By the way, if you want to see more on the Crystal Serenity cruise, you can reach the page at www.smartmoneycruises.com/television-movies.htm.

Happy travels!     

 

 Theme Cruise, Barbara Walters, Marvin Hamlisch, Crystal Cruise, Europe Cruise, Crystal Serenity, Smart Money Cruises

A Movie Stars at Sea!

 

 Princess’ Outdoor Movie Screen

What could feel more like a vacation than relaxing poolside, enjoying the warm, tropical breezes and salt air as you watch a brand new movie…one you know you haven’t seen before because it’s never played anywhere else.  Well, get ready for the latest… 

Three acclaimed actresses make their debut…of sorts…at sea.  Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange and Joan Allen star in the premiere of Bonneville.  What’s unusual about that you ask?  Well, how about the fact that this is the very first time a movie will be shown on a cruise ship before it premieres on land.  It’s debut on all 16 Princess cruise ships will come a full two weeks before the film is released in U.S. theaters on Friday, February 29th. 

Bonneville is the story of a woman (Academy-Award winner Jessica Lange) and her good friends driving from Idaho to California in her 1966 Pontiac Bonneville to deliver her husband’s ashes.  It becomes a life-changing road trip for the women as they share  love, loss and friendship.  

In addition to its indoor theaters, Princess will also debut the film aboard all ships that are equipped with its popular 300-square-foot outdoor, poolside screens.  It’s all part of Princess’ current “Movie Under the Stars” program which offers passengers the opportunity to enjoy drive-in style outdoor movies on the top deck of the ship from chaise lounges, the swimming pool or the hot tub.  Seating is first-come-first-serve.  Don’t forget the popcorn…or maybe something a little more exotic.  Afterall, this is a cruise!

One other important note.  Princess and SenArt Films Releasing are working together to give away a 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise for two as part of an online sweepstakes.  Yep, you read right.   If you’d like to enter the contest and see a trailer of the PG-rated movie, click on www.bonnevillethemovie.com.   If you’d like to learn more about other available cruises, check out www.smartmoneycruises.com.

                                                       

                         Jessica Lange                         Kathy Bates                        Joan Allen

                                                                                        

sl~cooper

cruises, movies, vacation, celebrities, caribbean