Royal Caribbean International announced that the 6300-passenger Allure of the Seas, identical sister ship to Oasis of the Seas, will debut a week early in the home port of Fort Lauderdale. The cruise line is adding an additional revenue cruise, a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary, sailing December 5, 2010.

The addition of a second 230,000-ton ship should result in lower fares than Oasis of the Seas is presently getting in her first season. For example, Allure of the Seas’ per person, double occupancy fares start at $999 for a one-week voyage during Febuary, 2011, peak season. By contrast, Oasis of the Seas’ advance purchase fares for a departure in March, 2010 begin at $1259.

Allure of the Seas will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on alternating one week itineraries. Western Caribbean cruises will call in Labadee, Haiti (RCI’s private beach area); Jamaica and Cozumel. Eastern Caribbean ports are Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

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When Norwegian Cruise Line first announced it would commence year-round cruises from New York a decade ago I thought they were crazy.  Who in their right mind, I thought, would plunk down money to board a cruise ship during the dark days of winter to cruise to the Caribbean or the Bahamas and Florida when it involved sailing for two days in each direction on the North Atlantic at its most turbulent?

The answer is lots of people, including this New Yorker. In fact,  NCL’s cruises were so popular the company added a second ship.  When other cruise lines saw how well NCL did, they jumped on the “Homeland Cruising” bandwagon by positioning ships in the three ports of New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bayonne, NJ).

In 2010, two of NCL’s best ships sail from New York during the winter months:  Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel sail on seven-night voyages stopping in Nassau, Orlando (Port Canaveral) and NCL’s private Bahamian island.

What may seem equally odd is that folks from New York and surrounding states — generally a  well-traveled, sophisticated bunch of people who probably don’t think “see Nassau’s straw market and die” — would flock to this itinerary.   But as a New Yorker I can understand the popularity of NCL’s winter Freestyle cruises.

The Joys Of Homeland Cruising

According to the Department of Transportation, New York-area airports are the worst in the country in terms of delays and flight cancellation.  Add to that the hassle of getting to and from JFK, LaGuardia and Newark and the exorbitant cost of parking and airfare.  When a mode of transportation — flying — that was as natural as breathing becomes fraught with aggravation and very expensive  we’ll jump at the chance to board a ship going practically anywhere as long as long as it’s accessible by car, bus, taxi or Amtrak.

Running Off to Sea

While NCL’s one week Florida/Bahamas itinerary is pretty unexciting, it really doesn’t matter.   Several years ago, when I sailed aboard Norwegian Dawn on this itinerary, the ship’s hotel manager told me that half the passengers don’t even bother to get off. Those who want to make a fast, quick getaway from the everyday stresses of life see being pampered, well fed and entertained as the most important aspect of the vacation.

Freestylin’ New Yorkers

NCL’s Freestyle cruising seems tailor made for well-traveled cruisers from the Northeast, many who would balk at the thought of assigned dining in one restaurant — or any regimentation at all.  We’re accustomed to dressing down at night and don’t relish the idea of having to lug along formal clothes.  And of course we want the ability to dine at a different restaurant every night if we want to.

The Price is Right

We’ve earned our reputation of being cost- and bargain-conscious so the thought of getting a balcony cabin for under $1000 per person, per week is very enticing.  Especially since we can eat, eat, eat and party hard at night and opt to dine in a different restaurant every night.

But there are also those of us who want extra pampering and luxury, not normally synonymous with cruising.  Norwegian Gem and Jade both have Courtyard Villas, a truly sybaritic cruise experience.    Located in a private area of the ship, the Courtyard complex is only accessible to passengers booked in the exclusive villas, which have a separate living room and bedroom.  Outfitted with a private swimming pool and hot tub, the courtyard is beautifully adorned with Balinese-style lounge chairs, fitness area and steam room.   A concierge is on hand to assist in ordering from any restaurant aboard ship, fetching cocktails and making spa appointments so luxury cruisers can stay in this area for the entire cruise if they wish.

So it makes perfect sense that NCL needs to of its largest ships to accommodate everyone who wants to sail from New York — in February.    For me it’s a seven minute taxi ride to the Manhattan terminal and the ability to avoid the endless hassle of trying to fly to a warm-weather port.

For further information visit NCL’s web site or Cruising From New York.

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I’m not sure if Princess Cruises still calls February 14 “Love Boat National Holiday” but the cruise line really does try to fulfill your fantasies, especially during Valentine’s Week.

If the TV show Love Boat was before your time, click here to get in the mood. I don’t know what it is about the show’s opening theme song, but it sure gets me eager to jump aboard a ship with a significant other in tow.

This year Princess’ Department of Romance — I kid you not, this is for real — sails aboard Crown Princess during Valentine’s week, February 13-20, hosting a “Romance Summit” with seminars, panel discussions and and a host of special activities. All couples aboard Crown Princess will be invited to renew vows and party in a Valentine’s Gala donning their best red attire for an evening of romantic dining and entertainment.

The entire Department of Romance will be aboard the special sailing. In addition to current members “Love Boat” captain Gavin MacLeod, “The Bachelorette’s” Trista and Ryan Sutter, and destination wedding expert Lisa Light, three new members will join the department. The new love experts are Anna Post, the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post who will be discussing romance etiquette; “The Dating Diva” Dee Frazier of The University of Dating, an authority on finding love at any age; and Princess Cruises comedian Kevin Hughes, who keeps audiences laughing with his comedic and insightful take on relationships.

There may still be space aboard Crown Princess, which sails round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on a seven night cruise. Ports of call are Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays (the company’s private Bahamian island). Visit Princess Cruises website for further information.

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Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new Norwegian Epic, will chart a course for Europe in 2011 as she spends the May-October season on one-week Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona. Ports of call include: Florence/Pisa (Livorno); Rome (Civitavecchia); Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain, along with two full days at sea with per person, double occupancy fares beginning at $699.

The 4200-passenger ship has lots of innovation, including performances of by the Blue Man Group, an Ice Bar, interactive theatrical dining, 60 suites and villas with private courtyard plus staterooms for families and people traveling solo. Kids will have a blast with meet-and-greet Nickelodeon characters and special entertainment.

Aboard Norwegian Epic, NCL takes “Freestyle Cruising” to a new level by offering passengers a choice of 20 dining venues.

For additional information, visit the Norwegian Epic website.

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When I recently decided to take a short cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Gem from New York I pictured myself singing karoke or throwing money away in a slot machine.  Plus, having a lovely meal at Cagney’s, one of the best features of “Freestyle Cruising”, was certainly an enticement.

Instead, I became a convert of Botox and plan to get the procedure next time I take a cruise.   Previously I warned cruisers to avoid getting any procedures on a cruise ship that should be performed by a licensed professional such as teeth whitening, which is administered salon staff instead of a dentist.

(Read no further if you don’t have a vain bone in your body. This posting is for shallow people like me who watch shows like “Housewives of New York” and try to guess the combined amount the “stars” have spent on plastic surgery)

Then I met Dr. Victor Medina in Norwegian Gem’s spa/fitness center who told me Botox treatments were first offered on NCL’s ships but have spread to Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess ships.  The handsome doctor (who admits he administers his own Botox) works for Steiner’s Leisure Group, which operates spas on the majority of ships in the cruise industry. A Miami plastic surgeon trains doctors and administers the cruise ship program.

Dr. Medina, who is also a surgeon, told me the Botox and Restylane  (used on smile and laugh lines) are popular and with good reasons: treatments take 15 minutes and downtime is minimal;  patients are told not to lay face down for four hours.  Add to this,  the treatments aren’t permanent or non-surgical and very few people have adverse reactions.   And, while Botox lasts four months, Dr. Medina said he advises clients to only get two treatments per year.

While botox is used to treat wrinkles and lines in the upper half of the face (frown, forehead and laugh lines) another medication — Restylane (Dysport) — takes care of  lips, creases and smile lines.

I asked why anyone would get treatments on a cruise ship versus going to a doctor back home.  “Some don’t want their friends to know, others like the convenience of having a doctor close by and, in some cases, it’s less expensive than going to a shore-side physician”, he said.   Botox treatments begin at $300 (crows feet) and go up to $350 (area between the eyebrows) and $400 (forehead lines).  Restylane is more expensive and starts at $700 for smoothing lines from thenose to the corners of the mouth, softening lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin and lip enhancement.

You’ll see improvement from Botox injections within one or two days, with the maximum benefits appearing within a week.   Restylane improvements appear in 24-48 hours.

Regarding the potential hazards of Botox,  the medical website EMedTV advises “While most people have no problems when taking Botox, side effects are possible. In clinical studies, commonly reported side effects included droopy eyelids, muscle weakness, and difficulty swallowing. These side effects were generally mild and easily treated.”

Dr. Medina says certain people should avoid Botox and Restylane, including pregnant women, those allergic to aminoglycoside (an antibiotic), on blood thinners or with neuropathy. He’s treated patients as young as 18 but doesn’t recommend Botox for people 65+ because wrinkles have settled too deeply.

A good source of information on Botox is Web MD, which says in large doses, the drug can create botulism. Of course you should consult your physician if you’re considering on getting Botox or Restylane treatments.

Ok, I’m vain and therefore a good prospect for a sales pitch on something that really will make a difference in how I look. And I admit that the biggest sales tool was the before and after photos Dr. Medina whipped out.

Of course this is a personal decision and I certainly don’t recommend it for everyone.
Have you had Botox? Would you consider getting a treatment aboard a cruise ship?

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