Delicious BBQ Dinner Under the Stars On Board Windstar Wind Surf

I've blogged about my admiration of Windstar Cruises many times. I love the line's three intimate motor-sail-yachts, the adventure-seeking contingent of guests, the calls on ports that the big ships can't get anywhere near, and the warm hospitality extended by every single member of the crew.

My second-ever cruise was a Caribbean itinerary aboard Windstar's Wind Surf. Since that time, it's always been one of my favorite ships. The romance of a ship sailing the seven seas is coupled with Windstar's attention to culinary adventures. All Windstar ships put on some of the best beach BBQs in the Caribbean, but now Wind Surf is also hosting a similar on-board experience with its Deck BBQ Dinner Under the Stars.

Watch this short video to get a peek at this special event presented by Wind Surf:

We were treated to this feast during our June cruise from Civitavecchi, Italy to Nice, France. The crew masterfully transformed the Pool Bar, Compass Rose, and Terrace Bar into a fairytale setting. There was plenty of seating arranged in tables for 2, 4, 6, and even several larger spaces for families and groups.

The event is weather permitting and we lucked out with a beautiful evening as we sailed out of Portofino. As guests were just taking their seats and Top Society and the Souljourn Duo were gearing up to play some fantastic music, a pod of dolphins appeared and decided that Wind Surf couldn't leave Portofino without a choreographed show that included lots of leaps out of the water and fins splashing! It couldn't have been planned any better!

We enjoyed a table for two by the pool and felt more relaxed than we had in months. Wind Surf chefs pulled out all the stops and I tried to carefully select from the buffet so I could try a little bit of almost everything. The focus was on guest favorites like lobster tails and ribs and nothing was fussy...just excellent food that you'd expect at a BBQ.

Sample Menu from Wind Surf 

Deck BBQ Under the Stars

roast suckling pig

pork ribs

beef and sausage skewers

grilled chicken

grilled filet of fish

lobster tails

crab legs

shrimp cocktail

corn on the cob

baked potatoes

fruit tempura

a variety of fruit salads

several salads

cheese tray

strawberry tarts

chocolate-covered strawberries

flan

chocolate cake

macaroons

ice cream

fresh fruit

and more

The experience was out-of-this world and just made me like Windstar even more. Everyone having a jolly old time and the waitstaff seemed truly happy to be racing all over the decks to pour drinks, clear plates, and joke with the guests.

That night the crew also put on its once-per-cruise Crew Show. It amazes me how much energy the Wind Surf team has! I can't thank the crew enough for making our Mediterranean cruise so special.

If you've ever thought about booking a Windstar cruise, I say "go for it!" This is not a luxury line but is high-end and it's definitely one of the best values in cruising today. (I've seen per person fares as low as $999 and the line often promotes cruises for an excellent price at Jetsetter.com.)

Windstar is also embarking on a massive $18 million refurbishment project, which will make these three motor-sail-yachts even more special. I'm looking forward to more shaded areas by the pool, improved onboard Internet services, refreshed public areas, and new decor in the cabins.

I'm already thinking about our next Windstar cruise... the Costa Rica itineraries look fun!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Windstar Cruises Beverage Packages

In another post, someone asked for information about beverage packages on Windstar Cruises. I thought I'd post it here to make it easy for anyone to find.


On this cruise, Windstar offered two beverage packages:


All-Inclusive Beverage Package
$434.70 US per person/per week
This includes unlimited consumption of premium cocktails except X.O. & Louis XIII; wines by the glass with a maximum price of $11.50; house champagnes; imported and domestic beers; soft drinks and bottled water (in restaurants and bars). Mini-bar items, in-room bottled water, and beverages through Room Service are NOT included.


Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package
$144.90 per person/per week
This includes unlimited consumption of non-alcoholic wines by the glass with a maximum price of $11.50; "virgin" cocktails; non-alcoholic beers; and soft drinks and bottled water (in restaurants and bars). Mini-bar items, in-room bottled water, and beverages through Room Service are NOT included.


If one person in your group takes a beverage package, everyone must. For example, Leonard selected the All-Inclusive Beverage Package (since he's a wine drinker) and I picked the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package since I don't drink.


Your key card will be marked with your package selection but you rarely have to show your card. The waitstaff learn your room number quickly and bill the drinks to your package automatically.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Andrea M. Rotondo

Livorno (Pisa), Italy: Day Five Aboard Windstar Wind Surf

Another gorgeous day dawned and we were up early to meet our Windstar shore excursion to Pisa. We'd never been to the Leaning Tower of Pisa complex so we felt this would be the best use of our time (instead of the super long coach ride to Florence).

The cathedral at Pisa is absolutely stunning! This tour was an excellent value and we look forward to returning and taking even more photos than we did today.

Here's a look at Pisa, Italy:

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor and Andrea Rotondo

Portoferraio, Italy: Day Two Aboard Windstar Wind Surf

From Civitavecchia, Windstar Wind Surf sailed to Portoferraio on the island of Elba, where Napoleon was exiled twice. We didn’t take a tour here but instead enjoyed walking around the town. Here are a few photos to give you a flavor of this port of call.

Stay tuned for more photos from Windstar Wind Surf's Rome to Nice voyage.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo and Leonard Hospidor

Has the Captain Ever Held the Ship for You?

Has the captain ever held the ship for you? That's a question I thought I might have to answer on Saturday morning when I made my first major travel blunder. Leonard and I have traveled all over the world from Siberia to South Africa to Indonesia to French Polynesia with nary an incident…no missed flights, no missing luggage, not even any major delays. 

Over the years we've been lucky (partly because things have just gone our way and partly because I'm obsessed with details and generally have checklists to guide us through each part of our journey).

With luck being on our side this long, I guess it was time for a travel hiccup and this one was major. After spending a few relaxing days in Rome, we headed for Civitavecchia to join the beautiful Wind Surf from Windstar Cruises. As we sped away from Rome I realized that I'd left our passports at the InterContinental. Oy! We had to backtrack all the way to the hotel and then race to Civitavecchia. (We arrived at 3:30pm for a 4pm all aboard and a sail-away after 5pm.) Phew!

We have to thank our driver from Rome Cabs and owner Stefano Costantini for making sure we got where we had to go…on time! If you ever need transfers in Rome, I highly recommend Rome Cabs. They also offer guided tours from StefanoRomeTours.com.

Things could have been much worse and I'm so glad we swerved around this potential disaster. The thing is, I almost knew that I was going to forget the passports. I never leave them in the room safe but for some unknown reason, I did this time. Never again.

The silver lining of the incident was that it reaffirmed to me why I married Leonard. He's such a calm person and goes with the flow. He could have been angry or at least aggravated when I told him we'd need to go back to the hotel, but he wasn't. He was calm and comforting and said, "Hey, we'll get the passports and hope we get to the ship in time. If not, we'll find a ferry and meet the ship tomorrow. No worries." Not many men would have been so  cool-headed about the whole thing!

I'll tell you though,we were both ready for a drink once we finally did board Wind Surf!

Last night was a bit windy as we sailed out of port so dining outdoors at Le Marche and Candles was cancelled. Instead, we had a lovely meal at Degrees. (I'll post some photos shortly.)

Today we're at docked Portoferraia and it's a lovely, crowd-free port. Leonard and I walked to Fort Stella and one of Napoleon's residences. While there are some steep inclines (streets and stairs), it's totally do-able on foot if you take your time. We worked up an appetite and enjoyed lunch at a local trattoria.

Now it's time to relax a bit and get reacquainted with Wind Surf. We haven't been on the ship in four years and we want to look around to see what's the same and what's different.

You can expect more photos as soon as we've had some time to download our chips.

Tonight we'll dine at Le Marche (weather permitting) and tomorrow we anchor off Porto Rotondo on Sardinia. Stay tuned for additional Wind Surf updates.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

InterContinental de la Ville Roma: A Few Photos

Our first day in Rome was absolutely perfect. It's sunny and in the high 70s with very little humidity so we were able to walk all over the city without exhausting ourselves. I'll write more about what we've seen in Rome later.

Right now, I wanted to share some photos of our deluxe-category room at the InterContinental de la Ville Roma. This is a very solid home base when visiting Rome. The Spanish Steps (pictured) are--literally--just a few steps away and it's an easy 10-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. We've been using some of Rick Steves' suggested walking tours and so many of them can be customized to start or end right here at the Spanish Steps.

The welcome amenity for InterContinental Ambassadors. We were also offered a free pay-per-view movie and late check-out, which we unfortunately can't take advantage of since we'll need to get to the port at Civitavecchia on Saturday.

A small sitting area across from the foyer.

A comfortable queen-size bed.

The work area. (Internet is lightning fast here, unlike a lot of hotels we've been to. You can actually get work done and not tear your hair out because of slow download or upload times.)

The bathroom. It's very pretty to look at but the bathtub is built-up on a pedestal...not the easiest entry for this five-foot Italian!

Before we left home I had a plan for our first evening in Rome...jump-start the vacation with drinks at the Emperor Terrace on the sixth floor of the InterContinental and that's exactly what we did. Here's the view from the terrace.

This was a fun way to work off the jetlag and take in the sights of Rome.

Complimentary appetizers that come with your drink order on the terrace.

So far, we're really enjoying our stay at the InterContinental de la Ville Roma. I'll post a full review upon our return home once I've had some time to write up my notes.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo

On the Way to Rome, The Eternal City

Tonight we head to Rome, where we'll stay at the InterContinental de la Ville Roma for a few days before joining Windstar Cruises' 312-passenger Wind Surf motor-sail-yacht in Civitavecchia on Saturday. This seven sail, five mast ship is one of our favorites and we are truly looking forward to traveling with her again!

We're flying a British Airways 777 in Club World to London and hope to sleep a few hours on the overnight flight. Once we land at Heathrow, we have a short layover before connecting on to Italy's capital city.

We flew Delta and Virgin for our last few trips to Europe, so it will be interesting to see how British Airways compares.

I only have two gripes with British Airways so far...

1. I'm not crazy about the fact that you must pay a per person fee to secure seat assignments in advance. If you don't wish to pay this fee, you must wait until online check-in 24 hours prior to your flight and hope that you're happy with the seat selection that's left. It's $90 per seat on the New York to London and London to New York legs and $30 per seat on the London to Rome segment.



2. I'm also a bit worried about the seat layout in Club World on the 777. The cabin layout is pictured below. As you can see, seats E/F in the middle of the aircraft look good for a couple traveling together, but you're actually facing backward. That doesn't seem to be much of an issue but on a night flight it looks like you would have to climb over the legs of travelers seated in the D or G seats. The other option is a pair of facing seats (A/B or J/K). We opted for a facing pair to get a little more space between us and our fellow passengers.

If all goes well, Leonard and I will check into the InterContinental in the early evening and head to hotel's Emperor Terrace for cocktails. (The bar has amazing views of the city, including Saint Peter's Square, Piazza Venezia, and the Pantheon.)

If you use Twitter, be sure to follow me this week (@luxcruisebible) since I'll be tweeting messages and photos as often as I can. And, of course, I'll blog from Rome and from Windstar Wind Surf as we sail the Italian Riviera and the Cote d'Azur.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Windstar Last-Minute Deals in Europe as Low as $1,499pp

I think I've joined the email list for every cruise line and cruise travel agent out there! While the messages and newsletters tend to stuff my mailbox on a weekly basis, I still enjoy getting them so I can keep tabs on new itineraries and last-minute deals.


I just got a message from Windstar Cruises promoting a series of last-minute specials for Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises this summer. Rates range from $1,499 to $2,699 per person.


The most compelling offers are in Northern Europe but there are still some very low priced Med sailings. If you've ever wanted to sample Windstar, this summer may be your chance.


Northern European Coasts


Lisbon to Le Havre (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 2 or August 13
Category B from $1,499pp


Le Havre to Oslo (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 9 or August 6
Category B from $1,499pp


Stockholm to Oslo – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 30
Category B from $2,999pp


Stockholm to Stockholm – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
July 23
Category B from $2,999pp




Mediterranean Itineraries


Athens to Rome – 7 nights on Wind Spirit
June 11
Category B from $1,699pp


Rome to Nice – 7 nights on Wind Surf (We're sailing this itinerary soon!)
June 18
Category B from $1,999pp


Venice to Venice – 7 nights on Wind Star
July 23
Category B from $2,299


Athens to Istanbul (or reverse) – 7 nights on Wind Star or Wind Surf
July 2, 9, 16, 23
Category B from $2,499pp


Athens to Venice – 7 nights on Wind Star
July 16
Category B from $2,699


Act fast if you want to book one of these last-minute offers since they expire on June 21st.


For more information, talk with your travel agent or Windstar Cruises at 1-(800) 258-7245.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Windstar Cruises

A Few Days in Rome: Links to Plan Your Trip

Mediterranean cruises couldn't be any more popular than they are this summer. Nearly all cruise lines are deployed in the Med and a variety of excellent itineraries are on offer.

This June we'll sail Rome to Nice aboard Windstar's Wind Surf and, like so many other travelers, we'll spend a few days sightseeing in Rome before embarking on our cruise out of Civitavecchia.

Here are a few excellent resources you should bookmark as you prepare for your own Roman holiday...

Car Services & Private Sightseeing Tours

• Rome Cabs—This is the transfer company we're using for our upcoming trip. The company gets consistent high marks from Cruise Critic travelers. I'll let you know how everything goes. Rome Cabs offers straight-up transfers (airport to your hotel, hotel to Civitavecchia port, etc.). The company also offers wine tours, walking day tours of the city, and excursions to the nearby countryside.
• Rome In Limo Company—Many Cruise Critic travelers also recommend Rome In Limo. Transfers and tours are available throughout Italy.
• Roma Shuttle—Here's another favored vendor among Cruise Critic members. The company offers transfers and private tours.

Luxury Hotels in Rome

• InterContinental de la Ville Roma—Via Sistina (This is where we've decided to stay as the location atop the Spanish Steps is convenient to many of the sites we wish to visit.)
• Hotel Hassler Roma—Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps
• Hotel De Russie Roma—Via del Babuino
• St. Regis Rome—Via Vittorio E. Orlando
• Portrait Suites—Via Bocca di Leone

Rome Restaurant Recommendations

• Chowhound Italy Message Board
• eGullet Italy: Dining Message Board
• Maureen B. Fant Blog—food writer specializing in Roman cuisine
• Parla Food—travel writer Katie Parla's blog

If you've got any recommendations for what's not to be missed in Rome, let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Countdown to Our Windstar Cruise

On Memorial Day we began the countdown to our June Italian and French Riviera cruise aboard Windstar Wind Surf. We've got our cruise docs in hand and I've already drawn up a list of what we've got to pack. I have a feeling the next few weeks will fly by!

Here's a map of our itinerary...

Some friends have asked why we're sailing with Windstar when it's so soon after the line was bought by Xanterra Parks & Resorts at a bankruptcy auction. Well, my husband and I have been stalwart Windstar fans for years and we want to show our support for the new owners. The crew remains the same as does the executive team based at Windstar's headquarters in Seattle.

Xanterra actually has an interesting history that goes back to the days of the Sante Fe Railroad (Xanterra currently operate several national park lodges and the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia) and I like their corporate message. This is what's posted on the company's homepage:

Life is short.

The world is large.

And your vacation time is too precious to waste on the commonplace.

I couldn't agree more!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Crystal Cruises Cancels November 2011 Call in Libya

Due to the recent turn of events in Libya, Crystal Cruises will cancel its call in Tripoli and revert to the original itinerary set for its November 16 “Italian Splendor” European cruise from Venice to Barcelona.

The 11-day itinerary through the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas aboard Crystal Serenity will feature a maiden call in Koper, Slovenia, in addition to visits to Dubrovnik, Catania, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno and overnight stays in Venice and Barcelona.

“When Libya relaxed its visa restrictions, we were very excited to offer this exotic call to our fall cruise collection,” said Gregg Michel, Crystal’s president. “Fortunately, we can very easily replace the revised program with our original itinerary, which is rich in European culture, history, and scenery.”

With Crystal’s fall sale, the “Italian Splendor” cruise starts at $4,970 per person, double occupancy. Crystal’s pricing offers free round-trip air transportation from more than two dozen North American gateways (or air credits), $2,000 per couple “All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard spending credits. A Bring-a-Friend and Crystal Family Memories programs provide bonus savings.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises at (888) 799-4625.

—LuxuryCruiseBible.com

---

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Windstar Offering Up to $1,000 Shipboard Credit for Mediterranean Voyages

Windstar Cruises has launched what it's calling its "Glitter & Glam" Western Mediterranean voyages and new bookings made now through March 31, 2011 will receive a shipboard credit of u to $1,000.

Windstar’s Selected Glitter & Glam Sailings

7-Day Lisbon to Barcelona voyage on Wind Surf departs April 17, 2011 and visits Tangier, Morocco; Malaga, Spain; Almeria, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; and Ibiza, Spain. Special fares from $2,299 per person, double occupancy.

7-Day Barcelona to Rome voyages on Wind Surf departing April 24 and May 8, 2011, and visits Palma de Mallorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; and Livorno, Italy. Special fares from $2,199 per person, double occupancy on the April 24, 2011, sailing and from $2,499 per person, double occupancy on the May 8, 2011.

7-Day Barcelona to Rome voyage on Wind Spirit departing April 30, 2011 and on Wind Star departing May 7, 2011, visiting Mahon, Menorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; and Livorno Italy. Special fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy.

7-Day Athens to Venice on Wind Star departing July 16, 2011, and visiting Monemvasia, Greece; Pylos, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Trogir, Croatia; and Pula, Croatia. Special fares from $2,999 per person double, double occupancy.

7-Day Venice to Athens on Wind Star departing July 30, 2011, and visiting Pula, Croatia; Trogir, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Pylos, Greece; and Monemvasia, Greece. Special fares from $2,999 per person, double occupancy.

Rates listed are per person, US dollars, cruise only, and include non-discountable amounts. Shipboard credit offer is $600 ($300 per person, maximum $600 per stateroom) for Category B and A staterooms and $1,000 ($500 per person, maximum $1,000 Wind Surf only) for suites. Taxes ($35-$300 per person) are additional. New bookings only.

Offer expires March 31, 2011. Offer may not be combinable with any other pricing or shipboard credit offers. Shipboard credit may not be used towards gratuities or casino, has no cash value, and unused portions will be forfeited at the end of the cruise. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at Windstar’s discretion at any time. Cancellation penalties may apply, please see brochure for details. Certain restrictions apply.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Wind Surf © Andrea M. Rotondo

---

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.

Enter ISLANDS Magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest

One of the reasons I love blogging about cruise travel is because so many readers email me about their getaways. These sidebar conversations are always a joy and many of you have also shared your vacation photos with me. That's why I know there are some very talented amateur photographers among us!

If you fall into the shutterbug camp, don't forget to enter ISLANDS magazine's 22nd annual photo contest by April 15, 2011.

The grand prize is a seven-night Paul Gauguin Cruises Tahitian voyage (including airfare from Los Angeles). Additional prizes are courtesy of the following companies:


Enter today and let me know if you win!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of ISLANDS magazine

---

We're bringing clean water to a village in 2011.
Learn more about our clean water project.
We're 73% of the way to our goal of $5,000!
We've raised $3,655 and need $1,345 more by March 31, 2011.

Consider making a small donation to improve the
lives of 250 men, women, and children in an undeveloped country.

Windstar Cruises to Spend More Time in the Greek Isles in 2011

What do you think of Windstar Cruises spending more time in the Greek Isles in 2011?

Windstar, which operates three motor-sail-yachts—Wind Spirit, Wind Star, and Wind Surf—announced recently that the 312-passenger Wind Surf will join the 148-passenger Wind Spirit and Wind Star in Greece this summer.

Wind Surf sails six Greek Isles voyages departing July 16; July 23; September 24; October 1; October 8; and October 15, 2011.

Wind Star offers 18 Greek Isles voyages departing May 21; May 28; June 4; June 11; June 18; June 25; July 2; July 9; August 6; August 13; August 20; August 27; September 3; September 10; September 17; September 24; October 1; and October 8, 2011.

Wind Spirit Greek Isles voyages depart May 14; May 21; May 28; June 4; September 10; and September 17, 2011.

Ports visited on these sailings include Athens, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Bodrum, Turkey; Kuşadasi, Turkey; and Istanbul, Turkey.

This is interesting. These are gorgeous ports but I would suggest sailing early or late in the season. The last time I visited Turkey and Greece in July, it was unbearably hot and it was exhausting to tour all day.

I'd love to see Windstar sail a Northern Europe itinerary with a stop in St. Malo, France. That's a port on my "must visit soon" list.

For more information about Windstar Cruises, contact your travel agent or Windstar at 1-(800) 258-7245.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Santorini, Greece

SeaDream I Late to San Juan Due to Engine Trouble

It's been a tough month for cruise travelers who've had to deal with ships with mechanical difficulties. First Regent Voyager had pod issues in Europe and had to cancel some itineraries, then Celebrity Century had rudder problems causing the cancellation of the October 13th Mediterranean sailing. Now this past weekend, passengers aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I had to deal with a bit of engine trouble aboard the mega-yacht.

The ship was supposed to dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the early morning hours, but didn't arrive until late afternoon. SeaDream assured passengers that the cruise line would pick up charges for airline changes and would cover overnight accommodations and meals for those needing to stay overnight.

Every ship, no matter how well maintained, may at one point or another deal with some type of mechanical failure that impacts an itinerary. Most often, the damage is minor—like arriving in port a few hours late—but sometimes entire itineraries are impacted. That's why the watch words here are "travel insurance."

I'm tackling the issue of travel insurance now for Cruise Critic. I'll let you know when my article, chock full of advice for protecting your cruise travel investment, goes online.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Trusted Adventures Consortium Presents Extraordinary Active Vacations

If active travel is your thing, it's time to get acquainted with Trusted Adventures. This alliance, headed up by executive director Brad Moss, is made up of like-minded travel providers that focus on cruise and yacht vacations, eco trips, biking and hiking getaways, rafting adventures, and more.

Read about the group and explore each member's website. I guarantee they'll be a few trips you bookmark for future reference.

American Safari Cruises—focus is on active and luxurious yacht cruises in Alaska, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Hawaii.

Austin-Lehman Adventures—specializes in adult and family vacations around the world, including Yellowstone, Bryce/Zion, Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, the Canadian Rockies, the Galapagos, South Africa, and several western European countries.

Ciclismo Classico—offers expertly designed biking expeditions in many locations, including Croatia, Norway, Italy, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

Great Alaska—this is the place to find sport fishing and wildlife adventure trips to Alas.ka, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

InnerSea Discoveries—this is the sister company to American Safari Cruises (mentioned above); InnerSea offers active cruise adventures at a more affordable price in Alaska.

Myths & Mountains—unusual excursions to Asia (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Tibet), Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, and Peru).

ROW Adventures—from Idaho rafting adventures to the Galapagos Islands and everything in between...ROW offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing, fly fishing, barge and yacht cruising, biking and hiking trips, and much more.

The Wayfarers—unique walking tours in the British Isles, South Africa, New Zealand, India, and Alaska.

Western River Expeditions—looking for a rafting adventure? Western River Expeditions offers trips in the Grand Canyon, Utah, and Idaho.

Wildland Adventures—Wildland has a varied list of itineraries that feature the best of wildlife viewing and active pursuits in the United States, Africa, Central and South America, the Antarctica, and the Far East.

For more information about these travel companies, visit their websites, call your travel agent, or do some research at Trusted Adventures.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Aman Resorts Opens Sveti Stefan in Montenegro

Aman junkies in the know have been waiting for this for years—the opening of the 47-suite Aman Sveti Stefan complex off the coast of Montenegro. It’s the counterpoint to Villa Milocer, located across the bay, which opened in 2009.

Back in the 15th century, this small island on the Adriatic coast went from a powerful fortress to sleepy fishing village. In the 1950s and ’60s, enterprising hospitality types turned the town into a Mecca for the rich and famous. The quaint red-roofed buildings and stone streets were preserved while upgrading hotel interiors to include everything the luxury traveler expects in modern accommodations.

By the seventies, the place was sprawling with celebrities. Princess Margaret vacationed at Sveti Stefan as did Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. But the world changed and when the Yugoslav federation failed in the 1990s, this enchanting enclave went into sleeper mode once again.

It wasn’t until 2007 that Aman Resorts placed a bid with the Montenegro government to redevelop the 40,700-square-foot Saint Stefan’s island. Aman first opened the stone mansion Villa Milocer, overlooking the isle, in 2009 and now, the entire complex is reading to welcome guests.

Visit and explore several fine dining venues, the spa, and three pink sand beaches—Sveti Stefan, Milocer Beach, and Queen’s Beach.

Sveti Stefan is the ideal home base from which to explore the towns of Budva, Cetinje, and Perast as well as Skadar Lake and the Bay of Kotor.

Rates start at $775, including roundtrip transfers from Tivat and Podgorica airports.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Aman Resorts

Cocktail of the Day Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

I'm a teetotaler and don't generally take advantage of the libations aboard all-inclusive cruise ships. However, Silversea Silver Spirit bartenders mix up some fine cocktails that tempt even me!

Silversea features a "cocktail of the day," which is usually described in the daily Chronicles newsletter that your butler leaves in your suite each evening.

Here are the drinks highlighted on our cruise from Venice to Athens last week:

Silver Spirit
St. Germaine, Gin Plymouth, Sauvignon Blanc, and Lime

Metropolitan
Kurrant Vodka, Triple Sec, Cranberry Juice, and Lime

Corsaro's
Campari and Martini Bianco

Silversea Caipirinha
Cachaca with Muddled Lime and Sugar

Bolero
Light Rum, Apple Pucker, and Sweet Vermouth

Bellini
Prosecco, Peach Liquer, Peach Nectar, and Champagne

If the cocktail of the day isn't up your alley, just talk with your bartender and he'll suggest something based on your personal preferences.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Fine Wines Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

Silversea is an all-inclusive luxury cruise line that prides itself on serving a wide range of complimentary wines as well as offering a special "Connoisseur's Wine List" for travelers who wish to purchase alternative wines in the lounges and restaurants.

The complimentary pours during last week's Silversea's Silver Spirit voyage from Venice to Athens were excellent. In fact, the selection was among the best we've sampled at sea. (Seabourn and SeaDream sommeliers also put together very appealing complimentary wine lists.)

Here's a snapshot of the wines onboard Silver Spirit last week:

Complimentary Reds

• Castle Rock, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Paso Robles, California)
• Chateau Cros Lagraviere, 2007 (Graves, Bordeaux, France)
• Chateau Lousteau, Medoc, 2007 (Bordeaux, France)
• Cote du Rhone, Domaine Bastide, Moillard, 2006 (Rhone Valley, France)
• Gavius, Castello di Gabiano, Monferrato Rosso, D.O.C., 2006 (Piedmont, Italy)
• Havens Merlot, 2006 (Napa Valley, California)
• Pinotage Man Vineyards, 2007 (Coastal, South Africa)

Complimentary Whites

• Chateau La Fleur de Bellevue Premieres, 2008 (Cote de Blaye, Bordeaux, France)
• Conundrum, 2008 (Napa Valley, California)
• Hugel Gentil, 2007 (Alsace, France)
• Manzoni Bianco Campodipietra, I.G.T., 2008 (Veneto, Italy)
• Pellegrini Sauvignon Blanc, Leveroni Vineyard, 2007 (Lake County, USA)
• Sauvignon Blanc Porcupine Ridge, 2008 (Cape of Good Hope, South Africa)
• Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Santa Alicia, 2006 (Maipo Valley, Chile)

Connoisseur's Wine List—Reds (extra fee)

• Arzuaga, Gran Reserva Arzuaga, 2002 (Valladolid, Spain) = $249
• Chateau Canon, Premier Grand Cru Classe, 2001 (Saint-Emilion, France) = $224
• Cos D'Estournel, Grand Cru Classe, 2005 (Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France) = $329
• Joseph Phelps, Insignia, 2005 (Napa Valley, California) = $235
• Robert Mondavi, Opus 1, 2003 (Napa Valley, California) = $201
• Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia D.O.C., 2005 (Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy) = $225

Connoisseur's Wine List—Whites (extra fee)

• Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 (Marlborough, New Zealand) = $40
• Domaine de Chevallier, Blanc de Chateau, 2006 (Bordeaux, France) = $160
• Domaine Laporte, Sancerre La Comtesse, 2006 (Loire, France) = $45
• Jermann, Vintage Tunina, 2007 (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy) = $50
• Louis Jadot, Chassagne, Montrachet Premier Cru, Morgeot Duc de Magenta, 2006 (Burgundy, France) = $70
• Louis Latour Corton, Charlemagne Grand Cru, 2006 (Burgundy, France) = $180

Travelers may enjoy these wines in all Silver Spirit restaurants and lounges. If you love fine wines and good food, Silversea is a good match for you.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Hvar, Croatia Highlights Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

The island of Hvar, Croatia was our favorite port on this Eastern Mediterranean cruise with Silversea's Silver Spirit. The little villages were so quaint and the landscape was resplendent with wildflowers, lavender fields, and olives groves. The bumble bee and butterfly population was also impressive!

We took Silversea's Hvar Off-Road Tour and loved it. Three vehicles holding four passengers and a driver each spent four hours exploring the island.

There were many photo stops and the guide gave us a solid primer of Croatian history. Here are some of the points of interest we visited...

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor