RCI's New Allure of the Seas All American Restaurant

The Home of the Original Hamburger announces the opening of its latest restaurant on board Royal Caribbean International's Allure of the Seas, now the world's largest – and most innovative – cruise ship.

With 26 dining venues on the Allure of the Seas, Johnny Rockets brings its feel-good atmosphere and timeless All-American fare to the ship's onboard restaurant options.

From authentic decor to the classic Americana ambiance and friendly service, guests will enjoy the same pleasures found at shore side Johnny Rockets locations.

The restaurant, featured in the Boardwalk neighborhood of the ship, will be open to seafaring passengers seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Allure of the Seas offers seven-night itineraries that depart from its home port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

About Johnny Rockets

Since 1986, Johnny Rockets has offered the food, fun and friendliness that remind guests of timeless, feel-good Americana.

Every Johnny Rockets restaurant serves simple, great-tasting food from a menu of all-American favorites, including juicy hamburgers, classic sandwiches and hand-dipped shakes and malts. It's the place to go for fast, friendly service, flavorful food, uplifting music and relaxed, casual fun.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Calif., Johnny Rockets has 295 corporate and franchise-owned restaurants in 32 states, including D.C. and Puerto Rico and 15 countries, including those found in Six Flags amusement parks and aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

To learn more about Johnny Rockets, visit www.johnnyrockets.com

Source: PRNewswire


Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship - Allure of the Seas

Crystal Cruises' Annual Wine & Food Series Classes

Cruisers can a full taste of Crystal Cruises' 15th annual Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery series in 2011, as star chefs like three-star Michelin chef Heinz Beck offer hands-on cooking classes, among other on board presentations. 

On seven cruises through South America, the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera, the line will feature celebrated chefs, wine experts and mixologists.

Among them will be celebrity chef Jon Ashton, wine director at L'École French Culinary Institute, Alexis Kahn, and H. Joseph Ehrmann, mixologist and saloonkeeper of San Francisco's Elixir.

During the sailing, guests will get a chance to learn first-hand as well as benefit from chefs' demos, wine tastings, pairing sessions and lessons in the art of the perfect cocktail.

The chefs will create a dinner menu with signature specialities, and passengers on select voyages can take sushi-making classes with Nobu-trained chefs behind the scenes in Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

Ashore, guests can choose from Crystal Adventures including private wine tastings, cooking lessons, and regional food sampling with local experts.

Onboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, Nobu Matsuhisa's cuisine will take the spotlight, with innovative wine and food pairings scheduled in the Vintage Room.

In addition, the line's cheese and wine sommeliers, certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers, will be on hand to discuss the line's cheese and wine cellars.

During the cruise, guests can take advantage of the line's expanded cuisine scene, with Crystal Cruises' Crystal Dining Room with Perfect Choice Dining and Open Dining by Reservation, with which guests can choose when and where they dine, in addition to Crystal's main and late seating choices.

Visit www.crystalcruises.com

Source: Travel Agent Central

Royal Caribbean's Epicurean Discovery

When you think of Royal Caribbean, fun may be the first thing that comes to mind—not food.

But the cruise line is set to change that with 12 specialty voyages onboard Freedom of the Seas that are part of the cruise line’s “Epicurean Discovery” series.

Designed for culinary enthusiasts, the package features a variety of special events throughout the week devoted to cuisine and fine dining.


Each each sailing is also hosted by a different renowned celebrity chef, such as “Iron Chef” contender Johnny Vinczencz; 2010 James Beard winner for “Best Chef in the South” Michael Schwartz; and “Top Chef” Chicago contender Spike Mandelsohn.

Available exclusively to guests booking suite accommodations or higher, the seven-night “Epicurean Discovery” includes private dinners, a wine tasting, experiential lecture and private tour, as well as a tapas sampling reception, signed photo and cookbook. Price begins at $1,874 per person, based on double occupancy.

The seven-night itinerary sails from Port Canaveral in Florida to the Eastern Caribbean, calling on Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, Bahamas; and to the Western Caribbean, calling on Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean’s private destination Labadee, Haiti. 

A complete list of chefs and respective sail dates is available at www.royalcaribbean.com/epicurean
Source: Travel Agent Central

How To Save Money On A Cruise Ship

One of the biggest appeals of a cruise ship vacation is its all-inclusive aspect.

Your meals, port stops, and on board activities are pre-planned and available for your enjoyment, pretty much whenever you feel like enjoying them. Unfortunately, a cruise ship's "all-inclusive" element doesn't mean it's an on board free-for-all.

All those port excursions, soda and alcoholic beverages, beauty services, and photos are made available for an extra charge.

Because your cabin key functions as an on board credit card, it's easy to go overboard with your spending. If you're not careful, you could end up with a hefty bill when your cruise ends.
Here are a few tips to save money while on board a cruise ship.

Read full article at - How to save money while on board a cruise ship

Bon voyage to bigger bellies?

Saw this article in the Seattle Times - and it's true that you don't have to go off your diet while cruising - some take advantage of the new lighter cuisine, while others opt for the traditional "over eating" at the midnight buffet's - Linda

Sailing away on a cruise ship with a midnight buffet no longer means waving goodbye to your diet.

Keeping with the times, cruise lines are promising spa-like cuisine alongside the buttery lobster and piles of crab legs. The hope is that lighter selections will lure health-conscious baby boomers and others who fear being trapped at sea with a 24-hour pizza bar.

Read full article by clicking here