Many Americans have been avoiding travelling in the past two years. Now, they want to hit the road (and the high seas) again.
If you've always wanted to take a cruise, this is the time to do it. Cruise fares are already on the rise and next year they'll be even higher.
Our freeper group fares are locked in and will not change. You know right now how much your vacation will cost. Anything you spend over that sum for extras on the cruise is at your own discretion.
With the cost of gas projected at 3 bucks a gallon by summer, a pre-paid cruise package deal looks best to the canny vacationer. Outrageous gas prices will mean higher prices for everything, no matter where you go to vacation.....but your freeper Caribbean low getaway package with lodging, food, entertainment, and most everything else provided will remain inviolate at today's group rate right up till the moment we sail.
Just as Sophie Tucker was the "last of the red-hot mamas", this cruise may be one of the last of the red-hot cruise bargains. The Wall Street Journal notes that cruise lines are today selling cabins for 15%-18% more than last year. Look for more increases next year because of pent-up customer demand, as well as travellers' preference today for vacations that are captivating, hassle-free, safe and secure.
We here at FRN got in under the wire in our FReeps Ahoy 3 rates. We fortunately registered for our group just before the prices started climbing.
Freeper friends, I'm quite serious. Holland America is one of the most popular and classy cruise lines in the business today. The breath-taking Zuiderdam will be filling up. My recommendation is to book NOW if you want this affordable, fun, intriguing cruise to experience a dream that may be much harder to fulfill next time.
Leni
This new feature on Holland America ships is a beautiful, intimate restaurant that wraps around the Zuiderdam atrium on one side and incorporates a bar where guests may enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail.
The Odyssey is very popular because the food is prepared to order and is delicious. It features exclusive Northwest cuisine, with a signature seafood and steak menu, high-quality ingredients, fine wines and elegant presentation.
The wine menu offers carefully selected wines at its granite-topped bar from renowned Pacific Northest vineyards such as Chateau Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Willamette Valley and Tualatin Estates. In addition, guests may sample specially created adult beverages such as a Northwest Apple Martini.
(Hey, Hoosier Mama, if they don't have chocolate martinis, here's an alternative!)
To commence the culinary experience, guests will immediately be served an hors d'oeuvre - possibly a pastry puff of Salmon Caviar and Creme Fraiche....or a spoonful of Sesame Tuna Tartare with Soy-Ginger presented in an Asian procelain spoon.
A typical evening's menu provides a wide selection of choices. For starters, diners can choose from dishes that may include an array of Cold Smoked Northwest Seafood with Cranberry Marmalade, Dungeness Crab Cakes in Brown Butter with Haystack-Fried Onions, Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon, or Venison Carpaccio.
Two signature soups will be offered, one a tomato-base Smoked Salmon Chowder and the other a Washington State Baked Potato Soup with Applewood Smoked Bacon.
The salad course features a Pinnacle Salad of mesclun greens, candied pecans and roasted Washington State Apples in an Oregon bleu cheese vinaigrette. The salad is tossed at your table.
The entrees may include Sesame Crusted Halibut with Ginger Miso, Roasted Salmon with three sauces, Peking Duct (!) Breast with Blackberry Sauce, or Northwest Rack of Lamb. In addition, you can select from the steak list which includes hand-selected cuts of bone-in Delmonico rib-eye (that's for me!), center-cut T-Bone, and two sizes of Filet Mignon.
(I can barely continue, I'm so hungry now......)
Side dishes will feature such choices as Washington State Spuds au Gratin, Grilled Asparagus, Sauteed Button Mushrooms or a Honey Maple Three-Bean Stew.
Delectable Desserts (oh man, I can't stand this) feature Washington State-grown Bing Cherry Fritters with Vanilla-Ginger ice cream, a Warm Rhubarb Flan, and a Not-So-Classic Baked Alaska, (mmmmmm).
In addition, an array of cheeses will be presented tableside, with choices that include Oregon Bleu Cheese, Chevres, and Washington State Aged Cheddar.
To conclude their memorable evening in the Odyssey, guests will be presented with an assortment of freshly baked mini-cookies.
Yep, there's a charge for this gourmet adventure, but it's only a modest $15 per person. The dinner is well worth it.
Since this is a popular feature on the ship, reservations must be made in advance. Information will be in your cabin.
I must go down to the sea again, and I must try this tantalizing restaurant some night. Let's talk about this at our first dinner in the Vista Dining Room and we'll see who wants to do the Odyssey some fine night later in the week.
Leni