Oceania Cruises has announced two additions to its Culinary Discovery Tours. Both will be available on the “Holiday in the Tropics” 12-day cruise aboard Riviera, sailing Dec. 23 from PortMiami.
The tours offer guests the opportunity to explore local food markets, vineyards, farms and restaurants with a knowledgeable chef from the cruise line’s Bon Appétit Culinary Center.
In St. Lucia, guests will visit a private estate on the grounds of a former sugar cane plantation, where they will explore an expansive herb garden before heading inside the home for hands-on cooking instruction. Using fresh, local ingredients, guests will prepare a menu of authentic St. Lucian cuisine. Before returning to the pier, the tour will stop at the open-air Castries Market, where farmers have brought locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices to market for nearly 100 years.
The tour in Antigua begins with a visit to the local market in downtown St. John’s. Then it’s on to the Villas at Sunset Lane boutique hotel and cooking school owned by the renowned Chef Jackie, who will invite the guests into her kitchen to help prepare lunch. Following a hands-on cooking demonstration, guests will enjoy local, seasonal favorites for lunch while overlooking the beachfront property.
Both tours also are available on two "Island Paradise" voyages in early 2015. Visit www.oceaniacruises.com for more details.
MORE ICE: Ken Muskat, MSC Cruises executive vice president of sales, public relations and guest services, joined Bonnie Levengood, senior vice president of marketing, onboard MSC Divina in PortMiami for a cold drenching.
It had nothing to do with the weather.
Buckets of ice water were poured on them — the chore deftly handled by Captain Pier Paolo Scala and crew — as part of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which is raising funds for and awareness of ALS.
Muskat announced that $500 would be donated to ALS on behalf of MSC Divina.
TAKE A TOUR: The American Queen Steamboat Co. has launched its new website, showcasing sailings aboard the American Queen and American Empress.
Videos take viewers aboard the two paddlewheelers and highlight public venues, staterooms, cuisine and amenities.
Find special deals — like two-for-one pricing on select 2014 sailings. Or discover the perfect theme cruise, from sailing with baseball legends to a celebration of all things Elvis.
Check it out at www.AQSC.com.
STAY ONLINE: Regent Seven Seas Cruises guests can let the folks back home know all about their cruise vacation without burning up minutes in a costly Internet package.
The cruise line will include unlimited Internet access on all voyages setting sail after Jan. 1 for passengers booked in Master, Grand, Seven Seas, Horizon, Mariner, Navigator and Voyager suites. Free access is available for the duration of the cruise and is accessible in all public spaces and suites.
Guests booked in Penthouse and Concierge suites will continue to receive complimentary Internet time based on cruise length. Guests sailing on a seven-night voyage receive 200 minutes free, and the amount increases up to 500 minutes for voyages over 16 nights.
Members of the line’s loyalty program, Seven Seas Society, who achieve gold status or higher will continue to receive unlimited complimentary Internet access onboard, regardless of suite selection.
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