This weekend members of The Cruise Web team were given an opportunity to give back, by participating in two fun events held to support The Ray Lewis Family Foundation. The events are part of Ray’s Summer Days, which is a weekend of activities where former Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis hosts and participates in a bowling tournament and paintball challenge.

The money raised during these events has gone to help different organizations in the city of Baltimore and the State of Maryland, including many elementary schools, the city’s Department of Social Services and the Girl Scouts. This year was the 9th year for the event and our Cruise Web team took home 3rd place at the bowling tournament.

“I haven’t won a trophy since I was a kid, so that was cool,” Cruise Consultant Adam W. said.

Adam said there were about 60 to 70 teams, but luckily enough The Cruise Web had professional bowler Danny Wiseman on their team.

“He bowled a 279, which was one pin away from a perfect game,” Adam said.

More members of the The Cruise Web gathered and geared up for the paintball challenge, which was held the next day in the front yard of Ray Lewis’ home in Maryland.  Along with the paintball there was a full barbecue with burgers, hot dogs and chicken.

“Actually going to get the paintball gun for the first time made me nervous, but once you got hit it would sting for a second and then it was just all about the fun,” Cruise Consultant Alex V. said. “It was cool to see Ray show up and mingle with the fans, and play a few rounds of paintball to prove he’s tough enough to get hit by a few pellets.”

The Cruise Web would like to thank Ray Lewis and his foundation for organizing these events, as well as the team at Carnival Cruise Lines who sponsored the events and graciously invited our staff to participate.

The Cruise Web, Inc.
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While you can count on having great drinks and special beverages on any sailing, there are some cruises that make drinking their focal point with activities and events focused on wine or beer. These sailings give cruisers who consider themselves wine enthusiasts or beer nuts a chance to learn more about their passion, try new varieties and meet like-minded travelers.

If you like to spend days in vineyards or delight in smelling the bouquet of a set of reds versus a bouquet of roses, then you’ll want to try out a wine focused sailing. Now if you dream of Oktoberfest then you’ll want to think about trying out a cruise that features information on beers.

Celebrity Immersive Wine Experience
When: September 6, 18, 30; October 12, 2013
Ship: Celebrity Infinity
These European sailings feature lectures and vineyard visits in the beautiful wine growing countries of France, Spain and Portugal. Celebrity’s cruises also have over 500 wine choices onboard. Many of their wines are featured in the two-story wine towers featured on Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships.

Avalon’s European Beer Cruise
When: October 13, 2014
Ship: Avalon Artistry II
This river cruise takes you through the heart of Bavaria, where you will not only get to see the small and intimate towns of Melk and Durnstein, which line the Danube, you’ll also be treated to special beer activities. Onboard you’ll learn of the interesting European techniques for crafting beer and you’ll also be invited to several onboard tastings, and at the ports you’ll get to explore historic breweries.

Silversea Wine Series Voyages
When: September 12, 29; October 16; December 3, 11, 20, 2013 January 27; February 7, 2014
Ship: Various
Silversea’s Wine Series sailings don’t just span different dates and Silversea ships, they also cover the globe. Each sailing is essentially in a different part of the world. This allows you to explore wine from an up and coming region or perhaps experience the vineyards of a classic wine-producing country like France. These sailings include exquisite wine pairings onboard and private tours of renowned vineyards.

Oceania Wine Connoisseur Cruise
When: September 3, 2013
Ship: Oceania Marina
Wine experts join you onboard for lectures and tastings as you sail through the Baltic capitals of St. Petersburg in Russia, Copenhagen in Denmark and Stockholm in Sweden. Oceania Marina also has a special venue called La Reserve. This is a well-appointed room where you can sample wines and at night enjoy an exclusive seven course meal with wine pairings designed by the experts at Wine Spectator.

Crystal Wine & Food Festival Sailings
When: January 20; April 19; September 5; November 5, 2014
Ship: Various
Crystal is in its 17th year of producing these delectable itineraries. Their intimate ships allow passengers to get an in-depth and close-up experience on wine with excursions and lectures onboard. These sailings take cruisers around the world and focus on both the wine and the food that goes with it. The cruise line invites top chefs, wine experts, mixologists and brewing experts on to the sailings.

Many cruise lines also have special wine packages for all of their sailings and feature special collections and vintages. To find a wine or beer focused sailing for you, contact an expert cruise consultant at The Cruise Web to discuss all the options available.

What wine growing region do you want to visit? Is it the traditional vineyards in Italy or France or perhaps you’d like to see the up and coming wineries in Chile or South Africa?

The Cruise Web, Inc.
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One of the side effects of a cruise to the beautiful and warm  Caribbean islands is the need to cool off. Luckily this  is something you can easily alleviate. You can choose to head to the beach where the breeze and crystal clear Caribbean water helps you cool off, or you can take a dip in the pool. And don’t worry if you don’t have your bathing suit, you can always count on a chilled, fruity tropical beverage to be on hand to lower your temperature.

But what do you order when there are so many enticing options? Here’s a list of the Caribbean’s most popular drinks and the island they’re associated with. Bottoms up!

Puerto Rico
Like the rest of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is known for rum. One estimate states that 80 percent of the rum consumed in the United States comes from Puerto Rico, which is home to the Bacardi rum factory.
When in Puerto Rico try: a Piña Colada
How to make it: Add 1.5 oz. light rum, 2 oz. coconut milk, 2 oz. pineapple juice, ice and blend till smooth, then add a cherry for garnish.

Bahamas
The Bahamas are a favorite cruise destination and passengers will find no shortage of sweet tropical drinks to please their palate here, but it’s also home to Kalik beer. Kalik is made in Nassau and its name is derived from the sound bells make during the Bahamas’ winter festival of Junkanoo.
When in the Bahamas try: a Bahama Mama
How to make it:  Combine 1 oz. orange juice, 1 oz. pineapple juice, 1 cup crushed ice, .5 oz. rum, .5 oz. coconut rum and .5 oz grenadine and blend until slushy.

Jamaica
Jamaica is known for its laid back party atmosphere and reggae music, and they have a lot of famed beverages to tout. The first is not alcoholic, but very stimulating: Blue Mountain Coffee. The coffee beans grown here in the shadow of the Blue Mountains create a beautiful and rich blend. The island is also known for Red Stripe Beer which has been brewed in Jamaica since 1938.
When in Jamaica try: an Old Jamaican
How to make it: Muddle 1 sprig of mint, 1 oz. lime juice. Add 1.5 oz. of rum, .75 oz pure can simple syrup, 1 dash of Angostura bitters then top with a splash of champagne.

Barbados
Barbados has the distinction of playing home to one of the oldest rum distilleries in the world: Mount Gay Rum, which has been in operation since 1703. A cruise with a stop in Barbados is sure to thrill rum fans because you can tour the distillery.
When in Barbados try: Rum Punch
How to make it: Mix 1 oz. lime juice, 1 oz. simple syrup, 2 oz. rum and  add a dash of Angostura bitters.

U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John make up the U.S. Virgin Islands. These islands are all located in the Eastern Caribbean and have an upscale feel.  Saint Croix is home to Cruzan Rum and you can tour their distillery.
When in the U.S. Virgin Islands try: a Painkiller
How to make it: Mix 1 oz. orange juice with 1 oz. coconut milk then add in 4 oz. pineapple juice, 2 oz. rum and pour over crushed ice and add nutmeg for garnish.

Aruba
Aruba also has its own beer, like the Bahamas. Balashi Beer uses water filtered by coral rock combined with  Scottish malt and German hops. The island also lays claim to coecoei, a liquor that comes from the sap of the agave plant. The sap is mixed with rum and sugar to create the liquor.
When in Aruba try: an Aruba Ariba
How to make it: Stir .5 oz. vodka, .5 oz. 151 rum, .125 oz. coecoei, .125 oz. crème de banana, .5 cup orange juice, .5 cup cranberry juice, .5 cup pineapple juice and add a splash of grenadine.

St. Kitts
This island has the perfect climate and soil for growing sugar cane, and that made it a coveted place for decades. In 1775 there was a sugar plantation for ever square mile of the island, that’s 68 plantations. In the 1980s Baron Edmund Rothschild built a distillery and created the coveted Cane Sugar Rum, which is no longer in production.
When in St. Kitts try: a Ting with a Sting
How to make it: Add 1 oz.  rum to 5 oz. of Ting, a local grapefruit flavored soda.

St. Martin
This island is split in two. Half is under French control and the other half, known as Sint Maarten, is under Dutch control. This is one of the smallest islands to be split by two nations. Here the local drink derives from guavaberries. These are small orange and black berries that grow on trees on the island, not to be confused with guavas. The locals combine them with rum to create a guavaberry liqueur.
When in St. Martin try: a Guavaberry Kir
How to make it: Pour in 1 oz. of guavaberry liqueur and then pour 5 oz. of champagne over it.

Antigua
Home to many notable celebrities like Eric Clapton and Richard Branson, Antigua has a rich history. Columbus landed on the island and gave it its name. This island’s most famous crop is the black pineapple, which isn’t actually black, but green when it’s at its most ripe stage.
When in Antigua try: an Antiguan Smile
How to make it: Add 2 oz. of rum, 1 oz. crème de banana and 4 oz. fresh pineapple juice and shake. Garnish with a slice or two of black pineapple.

Trinidad
Bitters are a liquor with a very sharp taste. These drinks are created with plant extracts. Trinidad has been home to Angostura, a company famous for making these alcohols. The drink was originally used as a medicine to cure stomach pains and the hiccups. Now the drink is used in a wide variety of drinks.
When in Trinidad try: Ponche de Crème (Trinidad’s Christmas drink)
How to make it: This makes enough to serve four to six people. Beat together six eggs with 2 oz. of lime juice. Add 4 cups of evaporated milk and 1.5 cups of sweetened condensed milk and beat for another 30 seconds. Add .75 cup dark spiced rum, 2 tsp. bitters and .25 tsp. grated nutmeg and beat for another minute. Chill before serving.

Dominican Republic
This country is one half of the island of Hispaniola and shares its border with Haiti. The island has beautiful natural resources and is known in the sports world as the home to several famous baseball players including Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Sammy Sosa. In the 1950s, a local man created a drink that has become an island favorite. This drink is called Mamajuana and is a concoction where rum, red wine and honey are mixed together with tree bark and herbs.
When in the Dominican Republic try: a Mamaguava
How to make it: Mix together 3 oz. Mamajuana with 4 oz. guava juice.

Do you have a signature cocktail? We want to know your favorite tropical drinks, so share them in the comments below.

The Cruise Web, Inc.
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Last May I took a spring break of my own to discover the island of Aruba. Aruba is one of the most popular ports in the  Southern Caribbean. The island itself is only 70 square miles, but it’s a favorite of many, tourism is its biggest industry, and I can see why. It’s a very relaxing place. Aruba is known for its mild temperatures and white sand beaches.

While I had a great trip, the weather was more on the humid side when I went. If you’re headed to the island, make sure to bring lightweight and breathable clothes and plan to drink lots of water while you’re out and about. During the day there are a lot of water activities to do, like parasailing and snorkeling. One day my friends and I went deep-sea fishing through a company, Driftwood Charters,  that also owned a restaurant, Driftwood Restaurant. That night we were able to eat the fish we caught for dinner. It was an amazing experience.

At night, Aruba lights up with bars and casinos. Nearly every hotel and resort has a casino, and many of them stay open until sunrise, if not 24 hours. Take a look at the pictures below to get an idea of my trip to Aruba.

I caught this fish!

Then we ate it!

These stunning green lizards were everywhere.

Aruba is a popular place for boaters.

Aruba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Have you been to Aruba? Do you have a favorite thing to do in this tropical port?

Heather Wasson
Director of Sales
The Cruise Web, Inc.
240.487.0155 ext. 284
heatherw@cruiseweb.com

To me, nothing says tropical island drink quite like a smooth mojito. The mojito was created in Cuba and gained popularity in America through visitors to places like the Tropicana Club. I had the best mojito ever at the Pink Parrot beach bar in St. Barths, which is a French island near St. Martin in the Caribbean.

The key to my mojito recipe is to be flexible. If you want to add in some more rum, go for it. If you want a sweeter drink then add more sugar. My one rule of thumb is to use Sugar in the Raw – this ingredient just makes the whole drink.

Follow this recipe for a refreshing, sweet and slightly sour drink. Remember, this drink tastes best if you are lounging on the beach or cruising through the Caribbean.

Ingredients:

• 10 mint leaves
• .5 lime cut into 4 wedges
• 2 tbsp.  Sugar in the Raw
• 1 cup ice
• 1.5 oz. rum
• .5 cup club soda

Instructions:

1. Muddle the mint and 1 lime wedge.
2. Add 2 more lime wedges and the Sugar in the Raw and muddle again.
3. Fill the glass with ice.
4. Pour in the rum and the club soda.
5. Stir, add more sugar to taste.
6. Garnish with the last lime wedge.

What drink makes you think of a cruise to the Caribbean?

Caroline Thomas
Senior Marketing Coordinator
The Cruise Web, Inc.
240.487.0155 ext. 366
carolinet@cruiseweb.com

June marked a major milestone for Julie Atkins, The Cruise Web’s Manager of Client Services and Group Administration. Julie has been with the company for 10 years. In that time Julie’s hard work and dedication has taken her to her current position.

Julie said she enjoys finding popular sailings with our cruise partners and working with them to  get our clients lower rates or special offers like onboard credit.

“I like being creative and working with our consultants,” she said. “Each day I get to work on something different which can be challenging, but it’s very rewarding.”

The company surprised Julie with 10 pies to honor her ten years. She said she hadn’t even realized it was her anniversary, but when all her staff suddenly disappeared she realized something was up.

Here’s to 10 more!

The Cruise Web, Inc.
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Since dads across the globe will be celebrating Father’s Day this weekend, their most special day of the year, we here at The Cruise Web thought we’d spotlight a super cool father feature on board Celebrity Cruises: the Lawn Club Grill.

Every dad is different, but there are countless dads across the world that enjoy grilling, especially with their family. What better way to have an onboard meal on your family cruise than by having the classic father grill session?

The Lawn Club is a unique area onboard the Celebrity Solstice-class ships which is filled with a half-acre of actual grass—meaning fathers and grandfathers alike can rejoice at the thought of a bocce ball or croquet game at sea. On the Silhouette and the Reflection, Celebrity decided to amp things up a bit with the Lawn Club Grill, a less than formal dining venue with see-through walls, meaning that the restaurant feels like a part of the Lawn Club area outside.

Assisted by the restaurant chef, dad or grandpa (or anyone really) can showcase their cooking chops by creating a flat bread pizza. In the middle of the restaurant, the passenger has the opportunity to prepare the dough and toss it up in the air, much to the delight of everyone watching. Then, the passenger picks the toppings from an array of fresh selections and passes it along to the oven.

As an alternative (or in addition), the make-your-own salad bar is an extremely cool way to spruce up Father’s Day and the family vacation. Dads, make your decisions: steak, veal, lamb, salmon, snapper and more can be examined in the glass-door refrigerator, chosen, and then grilled by the passenger (overseen by the restaurant chef). While grilling, the chef will share his tips and techniques and answer all of dad’s questions (if need be).

Of course, if dad would prefer to celebrate his holiday or vacation by kicking back and letting someone do the cooking for him, it will be prepared and cooked by the restaurant chef to perfection, leaving ample time to finish up that last game of bocce.

What do you think of our Father’s Day spotlight—The Lawn Club Grill? Do you think you would be the one doing the cooking? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

The Cruise Web, Inc.
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The Royal Princess, Princess Cruises’ first new ship since 2008, was christened this morning by Her Royal Highness Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge, otherwise known as Kate Middleton.

The event got started with the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1^st Battalion Irish Guards.

Then British singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield sang her hit “Unwritten,” wearing a very bright outfit on this typically overcast English day. Then Kerry Ellis, a British stage actress, sang and the harmonic sounds of Mass Ensemble’s percussive orchestra filled the air.

After the performances, President and CEO of Princess Cruises Alan Buckelew gave a quick speech introducing the Royal Princess as an exciting evolution to Princess’ fleet and introducing the roughly 8-months pregnant Kate Middleton as a godmother with style, grace and compassion for others.

Then Kate officially named the ship and blessed her before cutting a ribbon to release a magnum of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne that smashed on the side of the ship.

Ever the style icon, Kate’s  dalmatian print dress is actually a coat that runs about $250 and can be purchased online from John Lewis, a British department store.

This is said to be Kate’s last official engagement before the birth of her and Prince William’s child.

Get a look at all the Royal Princess has to offer  here:

What do you think, will Kate Middleton bring good luck and fortune to the Royal Princess?


The Cruise Web, Inc.
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Holland America Line invites  you to experience the local flavors, pastimes and cultures of your cruise destinations before you even venture ashore. Holland America has announced a new initiative called On Location that will give passengers a chance to connect with the world by bringing destination-based activities and performers onboard throughout the sailing. This new program will be available on all of Holland’s  ships and sailings by the end of 2013.

This program is manifested in many ways during the cruise.

1. You will see a lot more local delicacies served onboard throughout the sailing. For instance, if you were cruising to Alaska you would get great salmon and if you were on a Mexican cruise you might find tacos or tamales. This focus on local cuisine doesn’t stop at the dining room; it’s also at the lounges and bars where you can order sake while cruising in Japan or ouzo while sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean.
2. Hear some local languages as ship staff may greet you with a friendly “ciao” while on a sailing to Italy or “hola” while you’re in Spain, Mexico or Central America. Some sailings will also feature language lessons.
3. You’ll be able to participate in activities that are strongly tied to your destination.  For example, if you were on a Holland America cruise to the splendid islands that make up Hawaii you might get the chance to shake your hips as you learn to hula, or give your fingers a test with a ukulele lesson. In the Mediterranean you can put on a mask as you celebrate Carnival the Venetian way at a masquerade party.
4. Spice up your dinner routine by learning how to cook a regional favorite at the ship’s culinary arts center.  Local chefs may be onboard to demonstrate how to make sushi while in Japan or tapas while in Spain. You’ll also get to hear about wine pairings in the Mediterranean.

While onboard you can also learn how to operate the latest in technology as all Digital Workshops on Holland America ships have been upgraded with 20-inch touch screen computers with the new Windows 8 operating system. These new computers are used during classes that range from how to find the right computer for you, to photo editing.

What local activity would you like to participate in or learn how to do? How about the tango in Argentina or lei making in Hawaii?

The Cruise Web, Inc.

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