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Wine Vineyard Cruises | Book a wine cruise

Wines_3Discover the lost wine bottle at sea with that note on how to taste a glass of wine with specifics on where you might want to take your next cruise.

Are you aware you can taste wine and visit a vineyard on your next cruising adventure? Go to some of the best vineyards around the world while you taste great wine and eat good food.  An Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar is here to uncover your needs to sooth your palette with great wine and unique adventures at sea to many vineyards around the world.

The fragrance and aroma of a wine vineyard theme cruise is enough to inspire you to research the following destinations and speak with an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar before booking your next vacation.

Wine celar- imagesTop world destinations on where book for your next wine theme cruise:

  • France – Bordeaux, Vineyards, & Chateaux France
  • Europe – The Rhine River
  • British Columbia – Okanagan Valley
  • San Francisco – Sonoma and Napa Valley California
  • Oregon – Willamette Valley
  • Chile – The Maipo Valley
  • Argentina -Mendoza
  • Uruguay – Pioneering Juanicó winery
  • Australia – Adelaide & Barossa Valley
  • South Africa – Cape Town
  • Spain – Barcelona
  • Australia – Yarra Valley
  • Italy – Tuscany

Despite a number of these locations being a good distance from the Ports of Call it is important to know many theme cruises offer transportation to and from the vineyards.  Speaking to a Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar can help you organize and uncover your needs specifically to a wine theme cruise as well as offer many suggestions on unique palates for food and wine.

Wine_cellarWine tourism has steadily increased over the last ten years where wineries worldwide now provide elegant tasting rooms with picturesque vineyard views, wine tasting dinners, and even open tours of the vineyards and cellars. A truly unique experience creating lasting memories.

Wine is a colorful element where the taste is as unique as the grape and the earth where it came from. It is a perfect complement to a meal, and a great way to unwind after a day of sightseeing and exploring while you are off the ship.  Imagine the conversations over a good glass of wine while while watching the sun dip below the rolling hills of vineyards in the corner gems of the world.

A few styles and flavors of wine to look forward to when you book your next wine & vineyard theme cruise and interesting images you will most likely see.

Red wine – Made from black grapes ranging from light to dark, dry to sweet

Popular red flavors:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon – Flavors: Bell pepper, green olive, herb, cassis and black cherry
  • Shiraz – Flavors: Blackberry, boysenberry, plum, pepper and clove
  • Merlot – Flavors:  Watermelon, strawberry and cherry
  • Zinfandel – Flavors: Raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, raisin and  prune

White Wine – A still wine produced from green and sometimes black even grapes

Popular white flavors:

  • Chardonnay – Flavors: Green apple, citrus, pineapple and papaya
  • Pinot Blanc – Flavors: Green apple and citrus
  • Pino Grigio – Flavors: Citrus, fresh pear and melon

Rosé Wine – Still wine from black grapes by removing the skins before they deeply color the wine.  Formed by blending red and white wine together. Both dry and sweet styles of rosé are common

Sparkling Wine – A style of wine making involving a secondary fermentation resulting in bubbles.  Sparkling wine can be red, white or rosé and can range from minerally to rich and sweet

Fortified Wine – A style of wine making involving fortifying wine with spirits. Typically a dessert wine, but many dry-style fortified wines exist such as dry Sherry

There are many other unique flavors of wine.  Here is a brief video including tips on mastering how to taste wine before you book your next wine & vineyard cruise.

To learn more about wine & vineyard theme cruises please contact Lona Lee Thull an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar with www.FriendlyCruises.com – Contact:  480-358-1496

Relax on a spa cruise |Book a spa cruise

Spa - Photo - unnamedLet your stresses go at sea on your next vacation.  Are you ready for a spa cruise? Cruise lines are offering new spa services and treatments as a result of many new cruising trends related to health, centered wellness and spa services creating the cruise ship into a “virtual spa experience”.

Hot Stone - unnamedAs you research your next vacation or plan your adventure, you can look forward to lying down on a massage table with a soft silky sheet while hot stones soak into the muscles of your arms, legs, back and neck.  If this isn’t enough, continue to relax and release your stresses on a warm tile lounger, sauna and steam room.

A spa cruise offers a wide variety of health related services catering to people who want to cruise in style and stay healthy. Other services can include health food, salon services, fitness and even personal trainers.

Cruise-Ship-Spa

It is time to unwind, sink into these words and let your imagination take you on your journey’s next Port of Call.

Relaxation is a key component to a happier and healthier lifestyle.

As Paulo Coelho wrote:  “It’s a good idea always to do something relaxing prior to making an important decision in your life.”

Learn more about each of these services and amenities by connecting with an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar before booking your next vacation.

The following spa services are some of the latest onboard amenities on many cruise lines:

Spa - Health - unnamedSpa Services & Treatments

  • Massage
  • Body treatments
  • Two-by-two massage
  • Optional massage enhancements
  • Treatment Journeys
  • Healthy Feet
  • Thermal therapies
  • Organic body wraps
  • Conditioning body scrubs
  • Medi Peel facials
  • Optional facial enhancements
  • Sauna
  • Steam room
  • Therapeutic pools

Cruises which offer spa services and treatments typically offer a number of other health, wellness and fitness services.  For example:

Spa - Pedicure - unnamedHealth & wellness related services

  • Exercise & Wellness
  • Treatments from the East
  • Acupuncture
  • Salon Services
  • Hair Services
  • Manicures
  • Pedicures
  • Beauty Essentials

There are a number of spa amenities and services to suit a number of different needs.  Below is a brief description of unique services from a number of different cruise lines.

Hydro pools - qehydrotherapypool-470x352Other spa amenities and services offered on a number of cruise lines include:

  • Hydrotherapy pools
  • Therapeutic air jets
  • Turkish-style steam bath
  • Therapeutic massages using clay, mud or salt
  • Herbal-infused treatments

There are a many cruise themes, cruise lines and Ports of Call which offer healthy services to spoil and pamper you and your family when you book a cruise.

Mud - Locations_Norwegian_Photo1Relax and let your stress fade away into the sunset on your next cruise by contacting an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar from www.FriendlyCruises.com

To learn more about a spa theme cruise please fill out the contact form below and make sure you include the types of spa services which interest you, when you are planning your next vacation and your preferred destination.  Contact Lona Lee Thull 480-358-1496

Golfing and Cruising

3rd-Cruise-Voyager-of-the-Seas-Golf-CourseCan a vacation cruise improve your golf game?  The answer is YES, if you ask a cruise expert.  The following information gives specific helpful details on what to expect on your next vacation when you incorporate golfing and cruising to help improve your game.

Some people are unaware how extensive and prepared many cruise lines are in offering their clients top shelf golfing services, not only at each Ports of Call but, onboard the ship.

As Gary Player wrote, “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”

The following six highlighted golf cruise services and options lists specific details on what you can expect when you book your next vacation golf theme cruise.

Professional Teachers (PGA Golf Pros)
A number of cruise lines offer a PGA Golf Pro which covers many full aspects of the game, For example:

  • Private & group lessons
  • Access to the “V1” Digital Coaching system (Selected by PGA.com as their preferred teaching system software)
  • Basic golf mechanics (tips and tricks)
  • Full swing analysis
  • Irons (hands-on teaching including tips and tricks)
  • Woods – How to use your woods more effectively
  • Putting techniques to lower your handicap and improve your short game
  • Chipping and Pitching (tips and tricks)
  • How to play a variety of different sand shots
  • Equipment recommendations

What cruise lines provide golfers on board

When you book your next golf theme cruise you can expect the following amenities when you head out to sea.

  • KindnessMiniature golf (For adults and children)
  • Golf simulators
  • Driving range & practice cage
  • Onboard putting greens
  • Putting contests
  • PGA Golf Pro Lessons
  • High end golf equipment rentals
  • Golf equipment rentals include sets of both right-handed and left-handed clubs for men and women
  • Some cruises have PGA Pros that offer complimentary class both morning/afternoon during days at sea

Where is your golf equipment stored
For active golfers who prefer to use their own equipment you can store your clubs and bag in the ship cabin and many cruises offer special storage where guests can ship equipment to and from the ship with the luggage concierge to the golf course where they set their tee time at each Ports of Call.  This service is also referred to as a club valet and golf storage.

Caliber of courses
Golf Photo - Paul Bradley SmithYou will have a full range of golf courses to choose from for all budgets and skill levels at each Ports of Call you visit on your cruise.

Other helpful and important information includes:

  • Priority tee times to the finest golf courses
  • Guided golf excursions with an experienced Golf professional who knows the course quality, layout and destination
  • Round trip transportation is typically provided

Tips from the Cruise Pros
Many cruise lines have a PGA Golf Pro onboard for questions and answers.  To get the best tips from the pros and learn more about a golf theme cruise, schedule a consultation with an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar and book a Cruise

“I learn something new about the game almost every time I step on the course.”
~ Ben Hogan

Questions and comments welcomed.  For more information please contact an Elite Cruise Counsellor with www.FriendlyCruises.com

Contact Lona Lee Thull:  480-358-1496

Friendly Cruises goes yachting in Costa Rica

Costa-Rican-sunset-Costa-Rica-Blog.jpg

Ports of Call:
Caldera, Puntarenas, Costa Rica · San Juan del Sur · Granada, Nicaragua ·Playa Del Coco Costa Rica · Playa Potrero · Quepos, Costa Rica, · Tortuga Island ·San Jose, Costa Rica · Poas Volcano, Costa Rica

Thanksgiving was enhanced when Lona Lee Thull, cruise expert, industry leader and   owner of FriendlyCruises.com a cruise leader and her husband, Edward Thull, took a week vacation aboard the SeadreamYachtClub.com off the shores of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Flying from Phoenix through Houston to San Jose Costa Rica seemed like a quick trip.

Staying one night at the plantation La Condessa hotel, thanks to the recommendation of Paul Bradley Smith, provided a good Costa Rica experience.

The pictures throughout these words tell the story of this trip aboard the 110 passenger Seadream I yacht where treatment was “top shelf” and was friendly like that of a Cheers episode “where everybody knows your name”.

San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua - Costa Rica Blog - #2The experience was elegant, no nickel and dimming in this all inclusive vacation and had exceptional service. For you “foodies” and people with a healthy appetite the food was excellent along with the flowing martinis.

The SeaDream brochure is accurate and well worded; to experience these suites is like resting in heaven.  , local inhabitant keeping an eye on us - Costa Rica Blog

SeaDream staterooms come with upscale amenities like pillow menus, fine plush cotton robes, slippers and even Belgian linens.

The bathroom is Marble lined with multi-jet shower massage and Bvlgari bath amenities.

The spaciousness gave you a feeling of your own vacation home with space enough to lounge and spread out and enjoy every minute of your vacation.

A few words on the Yachting experience:  The SeaDream mega yacht balances casual comfort and refined elegance.  SeaDream is quoted, “It’s yachting not cruising”.  

 From the moment my husband, Edward Thull and I (Lona Lee Thull) were welcomed on board, the smiling faces made us feel as if we were with close friends aboard a private yacht.  You could be as relaxed or as active as you like.   It is all about personal choice on this ship.

Costa-Rican-sunset-Costa-Rica-Blog.jpgAs day turned to night, pre-dinner cocktails called for mingling and enjoying the hors d’oeuvres.  Hearing the live sounds of a guitar, the multiple course leisurely dinners served under the stars on deck or in the elegantly appointed Dining Salon, were definitely a delight.

At night we could try our luck in the Casino or as we call it “Cheers”  “where everybody knows your name” located at the top of the Yacht Bar.  Other entertainment included  a starlit movie on deck and even a concert under the stars around the pool deck.

The 2013 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships awarded the top two ratings in the “Boutique Ships’ for (50-250 passengers)

Specifics on Suites:  Seadream has three types of suites on their yachts

1. Commodore Suites
Commodore Suites include two regular 192 (sq ft)Yacht Club staterooms put together making up a 390 sq ft room with a his/hers living areas and two full baths with two closets.  You have the option of two separate beds (or) one bed and a dining table that seats four.  There are eight Commodore Suites on board.

2. Admiral Suites
Admiral Suites are a spacious 375 (sq ft) and considered casually elegant and comfortable.  The Admiral Suite has a separate living and dining area, master bedroom and (1 ½) baths.  The private separated master bedroom features a queen size bed and master bath.  The Admiral Suite has ample lighting and features three panorama windows.  Individual entertainment centers are featured in the living area and bedroom suite. There is only one Admiral Suite on board.

3. Owner’s Suite
The Owner’s Suite is a dramatic 447 (sq ft) and includes a very spacious, lavishly appointed private bedroom/bathroom suite featuring an ocean view with both a multi-jet shower and a separate soaking tub.  A sophisticated furnished living room and dining area with its own private (½) bath is the perfect place to entertain, host private cocktail parties or intimate dinners.  Individual entertainment centers are featured in the living area and bedroom suite.  There is one Owner’s Suite on board.

Ed Thull in our spacious suite:

Ed Thull in our spacious suite - Costa Rica BlogA helpful hint from your cruise counsellor & cruise expert to book a cruise:

Suites go first.  When making your reservation with a cruise expert it is important to book a cruise as early as possible so you get the room of your choice.

 

Comments, suggestions and booking a cruise welcome.  Come enjoy the experience with Friendly Cruises.  For more information contact Lona Lee Thull

Lona Lee Thull, Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar ~ 480-358-1496  ~ www.FriendlyCruises.com Come follow on Twitter @FriendlyCruises

To learn more please fill out the contact form below.  Please include your preferred cruise destinations.