Sunday, March 18, 2012

An Ensemble Hosted Cruise Experience

Last year, my husband Bruce and I embarked on a seventeen day Ensemble hosted cruise that went from Singapore to Dubai. The journey was remarkable and we had a fabulous experience. One of the highlights of our cruise was the private tours offered by Ensemble. When traveling on an Ensemble hosted cruise, you get to enjoy a number of additional amenities such as private tours, or cocktail parties.


On our cruise, our favourite Ensemble amenity was the private excursion was in Kerala, India. We had a wonderful guide from the local university that had an extensive knowledge of the history and culture of Kerala. The guide took us to an art gallery in the old Jewish settlement in Kerala and we had a beautiful lunch. After lunch we enjoyed a private Kathakali performance - a classical Indian theatre form involving dance and drama.


The themes of Kathakali tend to be based on one of the two Indian epics. The performance we saw was based on the epic Ramayana.


We arrived early enough that we were able to watch the performers prepare for the performance by applying elaborate makeup. Overall, it was a fascinating experience that we would not have enjoyed had we not been on an Ensemble hosted cruise. I would highly recommend a hosted cruise to anyone who loves cruising.

-Wendy

Cruise Tips: Dining and Dress Codes

When planning a cruise for the first time, travelers often have a lot of questions about dining and dress codes on board. What is the difference between “traditional” and “freestyle” dining? Is the dress code formal or casual? Here is some cruise information to give you an idea of what to expect.


Dining

Ships have two main places to eat: the main dining room and the buffet area (commonly know as or the Lido). People tend to take breakfast and lunch in the Lido and have dinner in the dining room. However, both rooms tend to be open for all meals, so travelers can choose which room to dine in.

Traditionally, passengers had to choose between early (around 6:00 PM) and late (around 8:00 PM) seatings for dinner in the dining room. Tables were assigned prior to arrival and passengers dined at the same table, with the same people and server for the entirety of the cruise. This “traditional dining” is still an option on most cruise ships. The benefit of this style of dining is that you get to know your table mates really well, however, if you choose a more freestyle type of dining, you will meet a lot more people. Most ships now offer "anytime" dining in the same dining room, or a separate dining room. The same food is served, but there assigned seatings. Reservations for anytime dining are not necessary, but it is a good idea when cruising on a large ship.

Today, most ships also offer "alternative dining" restaurants that offer higher quality cuisine or more specialty cuisine than that served in the dining room. Meals typically range from $15 to $35 per person. While this may seem expensive, it is often much cheaper than what you would pay for cuisine of the same quality on land.

Dress Code

While most cruise ships still have a dress code, it is much less strict today than in previous years. Cruising is now a much more casual experience on most cruise ships, however, most cruise ships have at least one formal night onboard. The best cuisine tends to be served on these nights, so its a good idea to get dressed up and participate! The most appropriate attire for men is a jacket and dress shirt, pants and shoes; and a cocktail dress for women. On occasion, a neck-tie will be required for men, but this will be specified in your cruise documents.

Although most ships have a casual dress code, you should never wear jeans, shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops or tennis shoes into the dining room, whether it is a formal night or not! Men should wear a shirt with a collar, slacks and nice shoes (not sandals). Women can wear a pantsuit, a nice dress or a skirt with a dressy top. Make sure to confirm your ship’s dress code prior to packing with your travel agent or the cruise line.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Traveling Along the Amazon


A visit to the legendary Amazon River is an item on many traveler's bucket lists. Thinking about the Amazon conjures up images of lush rainforests and fascinating wildlife.


One of the best ways to explore the Amazon is on a river cruise. On a cruise you will get to stop at beautiful little villages along the voyage where you can meet the locals.


Aboard many river cruise ships will be naturalists or biologists who will lead excursions. These specialists have an extensive knowledge of the diversity of plants and animals that surround the Amazon.


Excursions on land will allow you to experience the dense, tropical forests of the Amazon and possibly catch sight of some wildlife.

Have you visited the Amazon? What was the highlight?

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Venice at Nightfall


Venice is a truly majestic city. Even the throngs of tourists that constantly occupy Venice can't take away from the city's magical charm. The best time to enjoy the city is at nightfall - when the daytrippers head back to their hotels. As the sun sets, Venice calms down and you can enjoy the city in beautiful blue hue.

What is your favourite time of day in Venice?

Friday, March 2, 2012

Passport News for Canadian Travelers


New Passport Requirements

Please note that effective May 1, 2012, all Canadian citizens must have a valid passport to enter the Dominican Republic. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of return to Canada.

Damaged Passports

Keep in mind that passports that are water damaged or excessively worn will not be accepted when entering another country. If your passport is water damaged you should have it replaced well in advance of your next vacation.

When replacing a water damaged passport, you must have a statutory declaration signed by a lawyer stating how the passport was damaged. This is because people will sometimes try to wash out comments on their passport when they have been rejected entry into a country. If you do not have this document, your application for passport renewal will be rejected.