The Rock Boat 13 – Sixthman

The Rock Boat is the longest running music festival at sea and it was just announced The Rock Boat XIII will be held February 24 – March 1, 2013 from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Be amongst 2,000 lucky guests on The Rock Boat and set sail in style – featuring non-stop music and two days on Norwegian’s private island destination.

This cruise is truly a musical marathon and will showcase both fan favorites and emerging talent across multiple stages around the ship. There will also be a variety of intimate activities with artists plus collaborations between musicians that won’t be seen anywhere else but onboard. The Rock Boat can be called an ocean based traveling circus.

Sister Hazel in partnership with Sixthman will host the 13th adventure of the The Rock Boat. Performers already announced include – Alternate Routes, Bronze Radio Return, Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers, Good Old War, Will Hoge, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ponderosa, Ben Rector, Red Wanting Blue, Rusted Root, Saints of Victory, DJ Soulman, and Yacht Rock Revue.

The luxury cruise ship Norwegian Pearl will be the home for The Rock Boat XIII, featuring 15 decks, 13 bars and lounges and 19 dining experiences. Looking for a little relaxation? Try the ship’s two pools, four hot tubs, and spa treatments.

Norwegian Pearl also offers an outdoor climbing wall, onboard bowling lanes, and gambling at The Pearl Club Casino.

If interested, don’t delay as past The Rock Boat voyages have sold out quickly. Book their stateroom today at www.therockboat.com

Scenic Cruises

Scenic Cruises is renowned for their world-class Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ design. The luxury cruise company set a new luxury standard in European river cruising with the April launch of the Scenic Crystal.

Scenic Cruises has done it again by setting a new benchmark with the launch of Scenic Tsar, their first boutique small ship in Russia.

The newest Scenic Cruises river vessel was launched last month and became the first new ship to be granted Russian registration in 25 years.

Scenic Cruises had to meet a stringent ‘new build’ Russian registration process overseen by the Russian Maritime Authority. The agency classifies ‘new build’ as one that is at least 80 per cent new.

Scenic Tsar was remodeled and only its original steel hull, floors and ceiling remain. The new river cruise ship features a new deck of cabins, two new bars, a new lounge, a new restaurant, a new wellness area, a new galley with all new equipment, all new cabins (walls, showers, toilets, and all fittings), new air conditioning, new main engines and drive units, new generators, all wiring and electrical fittings, new plates on the steel hull, and all new furniture, curtains and soft furnishings.

The 112-guest deluxe ship Scenic Tsar will offer Scenic Cruises signature of all-inclusive: all meals – both continental and Russian cuisine, premium wines, beers and soft drinks served at dinner, tours, entertainment, special excursions, airport transfers, and even gratuities and baggage handling are all included in the fare.

Scenic Cruises now offers both 15 and 19 day itineraries for sailing in July through October, between the cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow. The cruise spends four days each in St. Petersburg and Moscow plus memorable visits to Mandrogi, Kizhi Island, Goritsy and two of the ‘Golden Ring’ cities. (the 19-day version adds four days in Kiev).

For reservations, please contact us at:

It appears there finally is a plan for the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) cruise liner after all.

The Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship was originally launched way back in 1967. The luxury QE2 ship began service in 1969 and since has made over 26 round-the-world voyages.

The QE2 was purchased in 2007 by Istithmar, which is large investment company that’s owned by the government of Dubai. The estimated purchase price for the luxury ship was £64 million or about $100 million US.

It was announced that Dubai is moving toward turning Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner into a floating hotel.

Since the purchase, the future plans of the QE2 were up in the air. Initially, the goal was to completely overhaul the ship and turn it into a luxury hotel. Those plans were shelved due to the global recession which really hit hard Dubai’s economy.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Istithmar stated that the company became aware visitors to Dubai desired to see the QE2 remain in its originally look. Due to that, there are no major changes expected. He was quoted, “QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today.”

Since the Queen Elizabeth 2 arrived at Port Rashid, it quickly became the emirate’s hottest tourist attraction. It’s expected to take about 18 months for the conversion to be completed. When done, the QE2 will become a luxurious, 300-room floating hotel!

According to Bloomberg, Istithmar is currently in talks with three hoteliers, including Jumeirah Group, to manage the property.

Compagnie du Ponant is highly recognized as a leading luxury yacht cruise provider. In 2010, Compagnie du Ponant introduced the yacht Le Boréal and in 2011 L’Austral was launched.

Similar to the elegant contours as her two sister ships, Le Soléal follows in their luxury ship footsteps, utilizing state-of-the-art technology to enhance guest comfort, top service, highly-regarded food and a private yacht feel – the embodiment of Compagnie du Ponant’s ‘Yacht cruises’ concept.

Scheduled to launch in July, 2013 – Le Soléal yacht will feature five-star accommodations in each of the luxury boat’s 132 staterooms and suites. The cruise yacht’s sophisticated design will allow its passengers access to the most outstanding sites around the globe, where larger ships can’t even get close.

For her inaugural season Le Soléal will be taking guests to a new and exciting, but rarely visited destination: the Arctic.

From the legendary North West Passage (which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans) to the Bering Strait, from ice floe to tundra, these unusual itineraries will offer the chance to discover hidden gems way beyond the Arctic Circle. Le Soléal’s 264 guests will be able to follow the paths of the great explorers, take in Inuit villages and view extraordinary wildlife, including polar bears, brown bears, wolves, puffins, walrus and beluga whales. Excursions in zodiacs, hiking and helicopter tours will also be available for the most adventurous guests.

Le Soléal by Compagnie du Ponant offers a leisurely cruise that combines intimacy, authenticity and elegance, as only the French know how. The company offers luxury cruises to the six continents including Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Europe and Australia/Oceania.

Included in the new all-inclusive pricing of sailings are all meals,, open bar, stocked mini-bar, a welcome-aboard cocktail party, 24-hour room service, all entertainment as indicated within the itinerary, gratuities, and port charges and fees. Air, optional excursions and transfers are additional.

For cruise reservations and additional information about Compagnie du Ponant, please visit: http://en.ponant.com

Compagnie du Ponant

For golf and travel enthusiasts who are looking to combine their two passions, Compagnie du Ponant invites has just the package for you.

Compagnie du Ponant introduced its nine-day “Nice–Nice” voyage that sails to eight ports and visits five stunning courses in Italy and France aboard the three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant.

The 290-foot Le Ponant is a luxurious 64-passenger yacht that cruises the Mediterranean Sea. The yacht features intimacy and luxury with a full roster of high-end amenities that are sure to deliver a memorable sailing experience.

During port stops, golf lovers can play rounds at popular courses including La Pevero, considered one of the world’s “best kept secrets,” and Cannes-Mougins, nestled within the protected lands of the Valmasque Forest.

If golf is not your game, you are in luck. Enjoy stops in Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome; Viareggio, a placid Tuscan seaside resort town; and Calvi, home to the Genoese Citadel.

Compagnie du Ponant is offering three differenet “Nice-Nice” Golf Themed Cruises, departuring May 6, 17 and 25.

These luxury golf themed cruises are designed for the golfer looking for a little adventure and the traveler looking to exceed the bounds of traditional cruising — unspoiled destinations, less-visited ports and out-of-the-way locales.

Cruise fares are priced from $4,841 to $5,453 per person, double occupancy. Golfers pay an additional $760 per person for golf course fees.

· Acquabona Golf Club – set in hilly countryside bordered by oak pines and eucalyptus trees, this nine-hole course with double starting ground challenges guests with uphill and downhill shots complicated by crosswinds from the sea. Situated on the Island of Elba, halfway between Portoferraio and Porto Azzurro, the course offers stunning panoramic views of the gulf and inland landscape.

· Le Pavoniere – the former playground of Lorenzo de’Medici, this relatively flat course in the old Tavola Farmhouse Estate Park is surrounded by holm-oak woods, cluster pines and Tuscan cypresses. Designed in 1986 by Arnold Palmer, the course suits golfers of all skill levels.

· Pevero – a creation of Robert Trent Jones Sr. is renowned for the beauty of its tree-covered hills and rocky coastline and has been ranked in the top 50 courses in the world by Golf Magazine. The innovative layout incorporates the natural challenges in the landscape, from the Mistral – the northern wind that shaped the rocks in the area – to vegetation, lakes and 70 bunkers that dot the 6,688-yard course.

· Sperone Golf Club – comprised partly of rocky scrubland and partly linked, this 18-hole course is considered to be one of Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s masterpieces – and is ranked 6th in all of France. The course offers three signature holes: the 10th, where your drive must carry the water; the 15th, which has a cliff-top green; and the 16th, named one of the world’s most stunning Par 5 holes by Golf Magazine.

· Golf Country Club de Cannes-Mougins – nestled within the heart of the Valmasque Forest and traversed by the Boullide River, this 6,906 yard, 18-hole course offers a round that is as breathtaking as it is complex. Founded in 1923, the course was rebuilt in 1977 by golf architects Peter Allis and Dave Thomas and has since organized the Cannes Open, serving as a highlight on the European Tour.

All of Compagnie du Ponant’s ships and cruise itineraries are designed to protect marine wildlife, coastal environments and local flora and fauna. For additional information or to make reservations, please contact us at:

AmaWaterways is proud to announce a variety of luxury Rhone wine cruises onboard the AmaDagio, which is one of AmaWaterways owned and operated ships.

Beginning March 25, the new wine cruise will travel through captivating Provencal Wine Country on the Rhone River.

To celebrate the debut of the AmaDagio on its first cruise on the Rhone, AmaWaterways’ President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst will host a President’s Wine Cruise on the maiden wine cruise.

Schreiner was quoted, “The Rhone wine cruises feature the world’s most popular regions and wine makers in Europe. Guests have the opportunity to celebrate wine culture in a unique and enriching way.”

The cruise will also feature renowned wine hosts Carissa Chappellet, Owner and Managing Director of Chappellet Winery and Archie McLaren, Founder and Chairman of Central Coast Wine Classic.

Each wine cruise features:
· Excursions to historic vineyards and cellars to learn firsthand about the “Old World” wine traditions of each region
· Complimentary wine lectures with renowned host(s)
· Wine tastings and the opportunity to sample award-winning vintages both onboard and on shore
· Fine dining with special wine pairings

This 7-night “In Celebration of Wine” cruise is part of AmaWaterways’ 15-day Provence and Spain itinerary.  Begin with 3 nights in Paris, prior to embarking your cruise in Lyon.  The excursions include the Beaujolais wine region; tours of Roman ruins and stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Avignon and Arles, where many artists spent much of their life, including Vincent Van Gogh.  After the 7-night cruise, guests will visit the medieval town of Perpignan, France before ending their voyage in Barcelona.

Including the new Rhone destination, AmaWaterways offers eight customized “In Celebration of Wine” themed cruises that also showcase wine regions along the Rhine and the Danube Rivers. These special sailings feature exclusive wine-themed excursions, such as a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an unforgettable “Oktoberfest” in the village of Vilshofen created specifically for the guests.

The “In Celebration of Wine” program selected dates and itineraries are as follows:
· PROVENCE AND SPAIN – 3 nights in Paris, 7-night cruise & 3 nights in Barcelona (or reverse.) USA/CANADA departs: Mar. 25, Nov. 4 & 11, 2012
· THE ROMANTIC DANUBE – 7-night Danube cruise & 3 nights in Prague (or reverse) USA/CANADA departs: Nov. 3 & 13, 2012
· THE LEGENDARY DANUBE – 3 nights in Prague & 7-night Nuremberg – Budapest cruise. USA/CANADA departs: Oct. 31, 2012
· THE ENCHANTING RHINE – 7-night Rhine cruise, 2 nights Lucerne & 2 nights in Zurich (or reverse.) USA/CANADA departs: Nov. 7 & 10, 2012

To take advantage of one of these great wine themed voyages or receive additional information about AmaWaterways, please contact a local travel agent or visit www.amawaterways.com.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

When people think romance, Paris and Venice tend to be the first destinations that pop into most people’s heads.  But the splendor of Amsterdam can definitely give Paris and Venice and run for their money.  Rhine and Moselle River Cruise is offering a 15-day scenic cruise that takes passengers through the picturesque canals.  The liveliness of the vibrant city centers, small towns with rustic cobblestone streets and historic seaports are all part of the itinerary of the luxury ship known as the scenic “Space Ship”.

Ports visited include Venlo and its once-a-decade World Floriade Exposition; the fairytale town of Cochem; Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace wine region of France; and Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest and most prosperous countries.

Included optional excursions give guests the option of sightseeing according to their interests, whether it is a visit to a German home for Kaffeklatsch (“coffee and conversation”) or a wine tasting in the French countryside of Barr Fares for the April 2, April 4 and Aug. 20, Oct 8 and 15 departure dates – and the reverse itinerary departures on April 18, July 23 and Sept. 3, Oct 22 and 29.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

Guided tours include the Anne Frank House, bike tour or a sightseeing canal cruise.  For the engineer-minded, the Middleburg’s Delta Works offers insiders’ look into the complex structure of dams, locks and barriers, built to protect a large area from the sea and declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Engineers.  For offers on Scenic Tours’ other European, Russia, and Egypt destinations, please visit their website, http://www.scenictoursus.com.

l’Austral – Compagnie De Ponant

The only thing that can complete the enjoyment of music by Jules Massenet, Mozart, Rossini, Puccini, Delibes, and Verdi performed by accomplished musicians, is actually cruising the places that inspired the beautiful music.

Compagnie du Ponant’s newest mega yacht, L’Austral, fulfills any opera enthusiasts’ dream by taking them from Suez to Venice on a 12-day Et Vogue l’Opéra cruise, departing on May 10, 2012. The intimate surroundings of the new ship allows an unique opportunity for the guests to spend time with the artists outside of the theater setting.

The music program on the ship is extremely rich in culture and operatic arts. Guests can also choose to attend Operatic-themed lectures from renowned experts such as Dr. Elizabeth Fresnel, an author and phoniatrician who specializes in the voice as related to memory. Artistic and Stage Director of works such as Le Comte Try, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Sound of Music, Carmen, Jean-Francois Vinciguerra will direct a selection of compositions on board and in private concerts ashore.

Featured performers include dancer Eugenie Andrin, known for her choreography work in Parisian musicals and operatic ballets; Swiss soprano Brigitte Hool, awarded the Parisian Prize Trofemina; and Fabrice di Falco, whose creative range has earned him performances before Denmark’s Queen.

Departing from the city of Suez, L’Austral will sail through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and explores Lebanon’s lively capital of Beirut. Guests will also get a taste of the beauty of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Greek port Colossus Rhodes. Also can be seen on this excursion is Nafplion, a Peloponnese peninsula seaport that served as the first capital of Modern Greece. Itea, Delphi Valley, and the picturesque beaches of Parga are all among the destinations on the itinerary.

The ship will also spend a day in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, an architecturally rich city of palaces, monuments and white stone churches, and visits the largest of the Dalmatian Islands, Split, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. At the final port of Venice, guests also has the option of adding a post-cruise tour of the famed St. Mark’s Square.

A shorter version of the cruise with a 7-day (May 10-16) itinerary is also available on sailing from Suez to Itea. A 6-day excursion (Mary 16-21) is also available from Itea to Venice. 30 percent discount is currently being offered under Ponant’s Bonus program. Reduced prices range from $3,910 to $9,885 per person, double for the full-length 12-day option; $2,542 to $6,459 for seven days; and $2,093 to $5,314 for six days. Included in the price are all meals with wine, beer and soda; Captain’s welcome aboard cocktail party and gala dinner; 24-hour room service; and all entertainment, events and shows as indicated within the itinerary.

The 466-foot L’Austral mega-yacht houses two restaurants with gourmet haute and country French cuisine, spacious lounges, theater, games area, two open-air bars, a swimming pool, library, fitness area, expansive sun decks, and a comprehensive spa. It also boasts over 132 staterooms, 124 with private balconies, and all the latest technology, including flat screen satellite TVs and Wi-Fi.

The luxurious opera cruise will surely provide an experience that will please the artist and the traveler.

Since 1869, the Göta Canal is a place where the North Sea joins the Baltic is a waterway that takes one through a journey across Swedish history.

Take a leisurely cruise down the Gota Canal, which is one of the world’s most impressive waterways, stretching across Sweden, linking Göteborg (Gothenburg) in the west and Stockholm in the east.

The impressive Göta, nicknamed the “divorce ditch”, is a canal route that passes the archipelagos of thousands of islands and through 66 locks. The canal earned this nickname from the troubles that couples endured while trying to navigate the many locks by themselves.

This turned into an opportunity for the Göta Canal Steamship Company, who now offers old-fashioned extravagance aboard one of their three elegant steamers.

Your journey can vary in length. You can choose from a one-night ‘taster’ or spend a full week meandering down the Gota Canal.

There are many memorable sites along the way, which includes several stops en route. You will cruise past fortress ruins, medieval cloister, Royal Palaces, 12th century churches, picturesque hamlets and lush Swedish forests.

Göta Canal is member of the Romantik Hotels and Restaurants, and offers some of the finest cuisine in all of Sweden.

Food menus are based on fresh ingredients from local suppliers all along the canal route. Since food without wine is like a boat without an anchor, a sommelier will be onboard the ship to recommend the best wine to sip while enjoying your cruise and watching the sun set on deck.

Voringsfoss waterfall

The world is full of wondrous, unusual places, shaped by the elements of nature and left untouched by humankind. Instead of heading for somewhere popular and more famous, try looking for those amazing sites that lie waiting for discovery.

The west coast of Norway is such a destination: formed by ancient glaciers, the coastline is something of a tribute to the terrestrial phenomenon of fjords. Narrow inlets characterized by sheer cliffs and awe-inspiring watercliffs, Norwegian fjords are jaw-dropping in scale and power, and the best way to see them is by taking one of the available ocean cruises.

Cruises leave regularly from Southampton and last about nine days or so. The itinerary includes stopovers at historical towns such as Bergen, Flam and Eidfjord, where excursions out to see other sites of interest can be arranged. This means there’s the opportunity to see the world famous Flam railway, renowned for being one of the steepest railway lines in the world, and to experience Voringsfoss, which at 600 feet is Norway’s most visited waterfall.

The towns themselves are quaint and well worth the visit. Flam has stunning views of the Norwegian wild and an excellent museum dedicated to its railway. Eidfjord is home to a power plant built into the side of a mountain and to Voringsfoss. Olden is one of the tiniest villages you could ever hope to see, but it’s a very popular tourist destination due to the magnificent Briksdalsbreen glacier.

Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, a cultural and commercial hub that’s perfect for stretching those sea legs and picking up some interesting memorabilia. Passengers get close and personal with all aspects of Norway on this cruise and the opportunity to see some of the most gorgeous untouched nature in the world is one not to be missed.

Of course, the majority of time will be spent on board the cruise ship. Nine days can seem like a long time spent on a boat on paper, but in reality the days fly by. The ship has enough facilities to keep the fussiest of passengers occupied for the duration of the ocean cruise, with restaurants and bars offering a variety of food and drink in both formal and informal settings, a casino, swimming pools, spa services, a lido lounge and more.

The service on board harks back to the great British tradition of cruise ships, with a stylish interior, excellent customer service, and comfortable settings no matter what grade of cabin chosen. A tip for those on a budget: The cheapest times of year for travelling is May, but always make sure to book well ahead for the best price.

An ocean cruise like this is unique and unusual; definitely off the typical tourist radar and worth doing. The ship provides a safe and comfortable temporary home during travel, the Norwegian locals are friendly and helpful, and the sheer beauty of the scenery cannot be emphasised enough. Go on this trip, and you’ll have memories that will last you a lifetime.

There are holidays that are taken for a nice getaway, to refresh and recharge the batteries quickly and with minimal fuss. While they have a place in today’s modern work schedules, they sometimes don’t quite fit the bill.

That’s when really special holidays need to be arranged, holidays that prove to be memorable experiences that can’t be repeated anywhere else in the world. Taking river cruises along the length of the River Nile in glorious Egypt is such a holiday, and is truly an unmissable experience.

Cruises vary in length and price, of course, but the deciding factor is when and length of time. A week-long river cruise is ideal, and takes in an abundance of exciting historical sites. Packages on offer include transport from home to London Heathrow or Gatwick airports, as well as direct return flights from the UK to Luxor.

A typical 8-day package will start from the day of flying and boarding the ship at Luxor. Day two would offer a riverside view of Luxor, site of the Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamen’s tomb. Travellers have the opportunity to visit these famous archaeological sites before setting sail along the Nile. The afternoon will see the ship pass through Esna and pause at Edfu for the night.

Day three has a stopover at Kom Ombo, a historical agricultural town that is noted for its famous temple, then the journey continues to Aswan. Day four allows a trip into Aswan to peruse its bazaars and museums, or alternatively to take an excursion to Abu Simbel. The rest of the journey back upriver stops at different sites of interest along the downriver route.

Marvel at the huge High Dam near Edfu, and explore the second-largest temple in Egypt, the Temple of Horus, at leisure. Do remember to relax on the ship whilst sailing! Once the ship docks again at Luxor, travellers are treated to one last sumptuous dinner on board and can make the most of their final evening in Egypt. Finally, travellers travel home, with every step of the way taken care of.

Ship facilities and staff are second to none, promising satisfaction on every count. Egyptian service is regarded very highly, and with good reason: Egyptian standards are extremely high. While the highlights of the river cruise are the sites visited, the comfort and style of the journey will provide the best possible setting for sailing through Egypt.

There is no better way to experience the delights of the Nile and also see some of the cultural treasures of Egypt. A river cruise is a slightly different way of exploring another country, but perfect for the traveller needing to relax, to be pampered and to really drink in the sights.

As well as being looked after from leaving the front door at home to returning to it, travelling by river always brings social opportunities resorts don’t. Have a real holiday and see what the longest river in the world has to offer you.