My Cruise and Travel Reviews

Detailed Cruise Reviews from 2013 to 2017:

Hurtigruten Midnight Sun Cruise

Farewell Legend of the Seas - Singapore to Barcelona

New England Cruise from Cape Liberty

Quantum of the Seas Maiden Voyage 2014

Quantum of the Seas Southern Caribbean 2015 Cruise

Anthem of the Seas Review 2015

Anthem of the Seas Canada and New England Cruise 2016

Celebrity Equinox Ultimate Caribbean Cruise 2016

Greek Island and Turkish Cruise from Venice 2015

Norwegian Fjords Cruise 2013

Gems of Southeast Asia Cruise 2015

Quantum Class Float out at Meyer Werft 2014

My travel to Galapagos Islands, November 2013

Planning your Galapagos Travel

Galapagos Xpedition Cruise Review

Pre- and Post Cruise stay in Quito

Other travel reviews

US Virgin Island Travel 2013

Travel to Venice 2015

Travel to Iceland 2014

Click on pictures for the individual reviews.

Planned Cruises in 2018:
11 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise, Serenade of the Seas.

My Creative Commons Licensed videos

My Creative Commons cruise ship videos:
A Creative Commons (CC) license is one of several public copyright licenses that enable the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted work. A CC license is used when an author wants to give people the right to share, use, and build upon a work that they have created. 

Celebrity Reflection

Serenade of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas

Grandeur of the Seas

Various ships

Vision of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas

Celebrity Summit

My Cruise Critic Reviews

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise - Serenade of the Seas  - from Fort Lauderdale 
Ports of Call: Key West; Coxen Hole, Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico
Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review
Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review

Nine days Anthem of the Seas, New England & Canada Cruise from Bayonne, visiting Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, Halifax and St. Johns. 
Nine Fantastic Days at our Canada and New England Cruise 

11 Nights Ultimate Caribbean Cruise Celebrity Equinox from Fort Lauderdale February 2016. Cruise Itinerary: Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; George Town, Grand Cayman; and back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida Celebrity 
Equinox: Review is for the ship. 

Anthem of the Seas Review from April 30 for the 3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges Cruise. Anthem of the Seas, 
3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges 

Quantum of the Seas 12 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise January 11 to 23, 2015 
Quantum of the Seas, new and exciting. 

Review of cruise with the Splendour of the Seas - 7 nights 'Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise' from Venice November 7 to 14, 2015. 
Greek Isles and Turkey Cruise.

Canada and New England Cruise September 2016

I have been at an 'Anthem of the Seas'  9 Night Canada and New England Cruise from Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey from September 22 to October 1st 2016
Day 1 - Cape Liberty, Bayonne
Day 2 - At sea
Day 3 - Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Day 4 - Portland, Maine, USA
Day 5 - Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
Day 6 - At Sea
Day 7 - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Day 8 - Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Day 9 - At Sea
and back to  Cape Liberty, New Jersey, USA


Read the full review from the Canada and New England Cruise


See the short video from our cruise:

Circumnavigation of Upper New York Bay

September 22, 2016 Captain Henrik Loft Sørensen got permission to circumnavigation of Upper New York Bay where we were passing the Statue of Liberty and New York Skyline with Anthem of the Seas before passing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on her way for a Canada and New England Cruise.

11 Nights Ultimate Caribbean Cruise

We have just been at the 11 Nights Ultimate Caribbean Cruise  with Celebrity Equinox from Fort Lauderdale February 22 to March 4, 2016.

Full reviw can be found at this link

Cruise Itinerary: Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; George Town, Grand Cayman; and back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The cruise ship will stay overnight in Cartagena.

I have posted a review form each day at this blog including pictures, video's and daily planner from the cruise.

Some videos from the cruise:

 
 

7 night Greek Isles and Turkey Cruise

We have been on a cruise with the Splendour of the Seas - 7 nights 'Greek Isles & Turkey Cruise' from Venice November 7 to 14, 2015.
Itinerary: Dubrovnik, Croatia; Rhodes, Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Split, Croatia; and back to Venice. See the short video from the cruise below.
We did 'Do it yourself' excursions in Dubrovnik (took a shuttle from dock to Old Town), Rhodes (Walking distance) and Split (walking distance). We took an organised excursion to Ephesus, but you could also just take a taxi from Kusadasi (30 minutes).
Despite the late time of the year, we had a fantastic weather on the trip.

Read review of my cruise at Cruise Critic and read my blog from the cruise.
At the blog you vill also find more videos from the cruise.

Video from the cruise and Splendor of the Seas:

Cruise Videos Anthem of the Seas

Here is a list of my latest Cruise Videos (Anthem of the Seas Cruise):
Video from the cruise:
Anthem of the Seas,  Tour of the Ship
Anthem of the Seas Departure from Southampton
Quantum of the Seas vs, Anthem of the Seas - The Differences
Anthem of the Seas, Tour of Cabin 8282
Artwork, Anthem of the Seas
Pulse Spiral Light Sculpture, Anthem of the Seas
Quantum Class Restaurants, Tour of

3 Night Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review

Here is link to blog with review and pictures from my Anthem of the Seas cruise -  3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges, April 30 to May 3, 2015.

A full review of the cruise.
as well as individul post on: 
- Differences Quantum of the Seas vs. Anthem of the Seas
- Shops on Anthem
- Cabin 8282 
- Wash your Hands 
- Cruise Compass and Daily Planner
- Spectra's Cabaret

Review at: anthemoftheseascruise.blogspot.com

Anthem of the Seas Review

I have previously been on two quantum cruises. Now I have booked 3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges April 30, 2015 to Le Havre and Zeebrugge.
I will post review on my blog. My primary focus is changes in Dynamic Dining, the shows and possible changes from Quantum.

Read my Quantum of the Seas review:
Maiden Transatlantic Voyage, November 2, 2014
12 Nt. Southern Caribbean Cruise, January 11, 2015

Link to the upcoming Anthem Review:
3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges, April 30, 2015

Picture from the float out of Anthem at the Seas at Meyer Werft (Ship yard), February 21, 2015

Venice, Italy

Venice consists of 118 islands, located in the middle of a lagoon in the northwest end of the Adriatic Sea. From the rivers flowing into the sea, released large amounts of silt in the shallow water along the coast, and tidal and ocean current has led to the formation of a series of sand banks around the 51 km long and 14 km wide, serene lagoon.
The houses in Venice is built on wooden poles, and in many places, the buildings are no more than one meter above normal sea. The tide in the Mediterranean is weak, but especially at full moon there is a risk of flooding. there can be several centimeters of water at St. Mark's Square, so you put walking boards out. 

The unusual about the city is that it is very quiet. Pedestrians in the narrow streets are separated from traffic channels with few exceptions where the sidewalks goes along canals or streets going over the arched stone bridges.
Since the roads are water, are both the only motorized means of transport in the city.
Al transport by vaporetto motorboats or by gondola.
Below a short video from my Gondola ride at Canal grande and through the narrow canals:

The city has many places unusually picturesque. St. Mark's Square with the big church, the bell tower and the beautiful view out over the water, where the sun sparkles on the green lagoon, inspires many artists.
The city has many magnificent palaces, museums and churches which houses paintings by many famous artists. You can stroll around the narrow streets and observe the unusual surroundings. St. Mark's Square and the famous Rialto Bridge, which crosses the Grand Canal - the city's main road - the many gondolas that still floats on water.
There are many shops in the city is known for - lace and embroidery from lagune¯en Burano and beautiful crystal and glassware from Murano.

Traghetto means "ferry" in Italian and are large gondolas without bow decoration, brocaded chairs.
They are rowed by two oarsmen: one who stands behind the passengers like a traditional gondolier, the other closer to the bow.

There are only three bridges along the the Grand Canal, therefore there are 7 locatons between the railroad station and St. Mark's Basin, where you can cross the canal in a Traghetto. They are used by locals as a fast route across canal. Locals pay 70 cents while tourists pay 2 EUR (2015)
The routes are marked on any good street map of Venice and you will see yellow signs pointing toward the traghetto landings when you are walking along the Canal Grande.
At the end of the video you will find a map with the 7 routes marked

JW Marriott Venice Resort and Spa

First weekend of April (Eastern) we did stay four nights at JW Marriott Venice Resort and Spa.
The hotel is located at the man-made Isola delle Rose (previously Sacca Sessola), one of the largest islands in the Venetian lagoon and covers an area of roughly 40 acres. After being established towards the end of the 19th century, 
it previously formed home to a series of hospitals. 

The island is 20 minutes by boat from the historic center of Venice, St Mark’s Square, and the city’s cultural gems.
The hotel is operating a complimentary shuttle service to St Mark’s Square.

Basically there is three ways to get to Isola delle Rose island from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). Fastes and most expensive is a Water Taxi from the airport. Most convenient and slowest (2 hours) is the Alilaguna Waters Bus from the airport to St Mark’s Square.
See video from the Alilaguna tour:

... and then catch the shuttle boat to the hotel:

It’s also possible to take the public bus from airport to Venezia Piazzale Roma (Line 5) and the Waters bus to St Mark’s Square.

Marriott are operating some early shuttle boats from the resort to to Venezia Piazzale Roma. First shuttle boat to St Mark’s Square is at 9 am (per April 2015).

The buildings at Isola delle Rose are transformed into a luxury 5 star hotel and resort with a beautiful park.
See my short review video:

Unfortunately due to construction delays – some parts of Isola delle Rose was not be fully accessible.
Including the Spa and the Dopolavoro Dining Room (announced to open both soon)

I can really recommend this beautiful hotel for those who want to stay away from the crowded city of Venice.

Quantum of the Seas, Southern caribbean Cruise

We have been at The 12 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise on Quantum of the Seas from January 11 to January 23.
The cruise did start in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, After 2 days at sea we did visit Labadee in Haiti; San Juan in Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Fort de France in Martinique;  Bridgetown in Barbados; Basseterre St. Kitts; and then 3 days at sea, back to Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

More information and a review can be found at: http://quantumcaribbean.blogspot.com 

Link to Review at Cruise Critic:  Quantum of the Seas, new and exciting.  


This is a 12 minutes video from the cruise:

... and her is a link to my Youtube Play List with all the video's from the cruise.

Quantum of the Seas Maiden Voyage

Quantum of the Seas Transatlantic Voyage from Southampton to New York November 2 to 10, 2014

See the review and the Video Postcards from the voyage on my blog at this link: Quantum of the Seas Maiden Voyage

Video from the departure from Southampton

Quantum of the Seas emergency stop at Azores

Quantum of the Seas Transatlantic Maiden Voyage - A Review

Quantum of the Seas Arrival New York

Float out of Quantum of the Seas at Meyer Werft

Float out of Quantum of the Seas.

A short video from the float out of Quantum of the Seas at Meyer Werft 

Also visit my blog with pictures and videos from the float out (available after August 12th)

River Ems Conveyance september 22st, 2014

The Rive Ems Conveyance is planned to September 22. 
Also be back to watch videos form the conveyance. 
I will add pictures and videos after the events on this blog.

Follow my Quantum of the Seas reviews:

I will be sailing Quantum of the Seas for the Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Cape Liberty NJ in November 2014 as well as a Southern Caribbean Cruise from Cape Liberty in January 2015.
Follow my Video Post Cards and read the review here from November

May 2014 Baltic cruise from Copenhagen

 

20 March 2014 Celebrity Reflection cruise

7 Nights Eastern Caribbean Getaway Cruise

        Celebrity Reflection

Cruise Ports

Departing from Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Miami, Florida

My Cruises and Cruise Videos

Over the past 20 years I have sailed 23 times with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and 3 times with Celebrity Cruises.
Below a list of all cruises with link to related videos at Youtube or to posts in this blog.

Click on map to view large image

Posts with embedded videos - click on link to view Review/videos: 
31. 2017 Serenade of the Seas 7 Nights Western caribbean Cruise
30. 2017 Hurtigruten Midnight Sun Cruise
29. 2017 Legend of the Seas Farewell - Suez Canal from Dubai to barcelona
28. 2017 Legend of the Seas Farewell - Spice route from Singaport to Dubai
27. 2016 Anthem of the Seas - new England Cruise
26. 2016 Celebrity Equinox - 11 Nights Southern Caribbean
25. 2015 Splendour of the Seas - Greek Isles and Turkey

24. 2015 Anthem of the Seas - 3 Nt. Royal Experience from Southampton
23. 2015 Quantum of the Seas -Southern Caribbean, from Cape Liberty
22. 2014 Quantum of the Seas - Transatlantic from Southampton

21. 2014 Legend of the Seas - Baltic cruise from Copenhagen
20. 2014 Celebrity Reflection - Eastern Caribbean Cruise

19. 2013 Celebrity Xpedition - Galapagos Cruise (Separate blog)
18. 2013 Vision of the Seas - 7 Night Norway Fjords Cruise
17. 2013 Liberty of the Seas - 5 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise

16. 2013 Celebrity Millennium, Singapore, Indonesia and Malyasia

15. 2012 Vision of The Seas St. Petersburg, Baltic Cruise - Map with links to videos

14. 2012 Serenade of the Seas  . Southern Caribbean Cruise - Map with links to videos

13. Vision of the Seas Berlin Cruise  (Youtube: Vision of the Seas and Cruising Oslo Fjord

12. 2011 Brilliance of the Seas  Suez Cruise - Map with Links to Videos - Gulf of Aden Transit

11. 2010 Oasis of the Seas (Youtube: Oasis Pictures , Charlotte Amalie)

Post without video:

10.- 2009 Legend of the Seas - Shanghai to Singapore

9.  - 2008 Voyager of the seas - Western Mediterranean from Barcelona

8.  - 2007 Brilliance of the Seas - Hawaii from Los Angeles

7.  - 2007 Jewel of the Seas - Eastern caribbean from Fort Lauderdale

6.  - 2006 Brilliance of the Seas - Panama Canal  (Youtube: Panama Canal)

5.  - 2005 Rhapsody of the Seas - Western Caribbean from Galveston

4.  - 2004 Adventure of the Seas - Southern Caribbean from San Juan

3.  - 2001 Splendour of the Seas - Carnival in Rio and Brazil

2.  - 1999 Enchantment of the Seas - Western caribbean from Miami

1. - 1996 Sovereign of the Seas - Eastern Caribbean from Miami  

See all my cruise videos at my Youtube Channel.

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19 Galapagos Cruise, November 2013

Celebrity Xpedition - Galapagos cruise

Our last cruise was 7 days to Galapagos Itinerary  B (Now Galapagos Inner Loop Itinerary)  and 7 days in Quito, Ecuador.  

For the planning of a Galapagos Cruise get tips and inspiration at galapagosexpedition.info

For a detailed review of the cruise visit my blog: traveltogalapagos.info

And for the pre- and post-cruise stay in Quito, Ecuador visit quito-2013.blogspot.com

Videos from the Xpedition cruise:

- Galapagos Cruise, November 2013
- Panga Ride, Wet and Dry Landings
- Celebrity Xpedition Ship Tour

See more at traveltogalapagos.info


This is links to You tube videos from each location - click on 'Link' to watch the video from that location:

#	Day	Date	Location	Landing	Link to Video
1	Sunday	10 Nov.	Baltra (Galapagos)	Dry landing	No Video
2	Sunday	10 Nov.	Daphne Island	Circumnavigation	Link
3	Monday	11 Nov.	Puerto Egas (Santiago)	Wet landing	Link
4	Monday	11 Nov.	Rabida Island	Wet landing	Link
5	Tuesday	12 Nov.	Elizabeth Bay (Isabela)	Wet landing	Link
6	Tuesday	12 Nov.	Caleta Tagus (Isabela)	Dry landing	Link
7	Wednesday	13 Nov.	Sullivan Bay (Santiago)	Dry landing	Link
8	Wednesday	13 Nov.	Bartolome Island	Dry landing	Link
9	Thursday	14 Nov.	Las Bachas, (Santa Cruz)	Wet landing	Link
10	Thursday	14 Nov.	North Seymour	Dry landing	Link
11	Friday	15 Nov.	P. Baquerizo (San Cristobal)	Dry landing	Link
12	Friday	15 Nov.	Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal)	Wet landing	Link
13	Friday	15 Nov.	Kicker Rock	Circumnavigation	Link
14	Saturday	16 Nov.	Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)	Dry landing	Link
14	Saturday	16 Nov.	Charles Darwin Research Station		Link
14	Saturday	16 Nov.	Santa Cruz Highlands		Link
15	Sunday	16 Nov.	Baltra (Galapagos)	Dry landing	No Video