* Holland America’s new 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam was christened in Venice yesterday by Queen Maxima of The Netherlands before setting sail on its inaugural Mediterranean voyage.    A sister ship of the popular Eurodam, the vessel boasts a new feature,  a chef’s table, available for 18 guests nightly. It’s priced at $89 and includes many courses of fancy food with accompanying wines.   The ship also boasts a $3 million art collection ranging from antiques by traditional Dutch masters to creations by renowned contemporary artists.  Adorning the ceiling of Nieuw Amsterdam is an abstract sculpture of the New York skyline made from clear translucent blocks that hang upside-down.   Following a season in the Med, the ship repositions to Fort Lauderdale and a series of seven- and 14-day Caribbean voyages.  On April 3, 2011, Nieuw Amsterdam sails from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona to resume Mediterranean cruising.   Check out Fran Golden’s on-the-scene report by clicking here.

* Passengers boarding Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Eclipse, in Southampton described the ship as “stylish and brilliant”.  The cruise line is targeting  upscale, sophisticated cruisers and, like sister ships Solstice and Equinox, has added  features like the Hot Glass Show, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 dining venues; Celebrity iLounge, a hip computer center stocked with Apple products, including 26 MacBook Pros; suites with concierge service; “AquaClass” staterooms with spa amenities and access to the healthy dining restaurant Blue and A freshly manicured lawn on the highest deck of Celebrity Eclipse. Following its European season, Celebrity Eclipse heads to Miami where, starting in November, it commences a series of alternating 7- night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages through April 2011.   See Anita Durham-Potter’s report by clicking here.

* Luisa Frey Gaynor is my pick as the best authority on cruising with kids and gives invaluable tips on Hawaii family vacation including recommending shore excursions, when to go, which age groups are best (leave infants and toddlers at home!),  sightseeing you can do independently, how to save money and family photo ops.   See her invaluable advice by clicking here.

I don’t know about you, but seeing cruise deals makes me want to pack my bag.  Here are a few I found today trolling the internet:

*  Celebrity Solstice Eastern Caribbean cruise sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale starts at $599 per person, double occupancy, balconies start at $799, on the Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and 31 departures.   Ports of call are San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.  For details visit Cruises Only.

* MSC Cruises is offering a 13-night fall foliage cruise, sailing round-trip from New York,  for less than $70 per day or $899 per person (plus government fees and taxes, GFTs) through August 31. Best of all, kids under 17 sail free.   See your travel agent.