Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 17, 2016

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 17, 2016

* The American Queen Steamboat Company has announced a series of 9-day holiday sailings on the Lower Mississippi, which include such Southern highlights as strolling carolers and local choirs, riverside Christmas markets, and a ball at Nottoway Plantation, the “White Castle of Louisiana.”

* Theme cruisers will have a choice between the wild and woolly and the Walking Dead – with the zombie-themed Walker Stalker Cruise departing Miami to Great Stirrup Cay on Norwegian Pearl from February 3 to 6, 2017, followed by The Outlaw Country Cruise setting sail from Tampa to Cozumel on Norwegian Jade from February 26 to March 2, 2017. Undead entertainers aboard the second Walker Stalker Cruise include stars like Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, and Michael Cudlitz as well as director/special effects supervisor Greg Nicotero. The second Outlaw Country Cruise features appearances by Steve Earle, The Mavericks, Blackberry Smoke, The Old 97s, Drivin’ N Cryin’, Lucinda Williams, and many more.

* Windstar Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line are each celebrating major refurbishments as Star Pride re-enters the six-yacht fleet with a $4.5 million transformation, and Norwegian Dawn leaves a month-long renovation to sail from Boston to Bermuda. Star Pride’s improvements include rebuilt Owner’s Suites with a new private deck area, redecorated guests suites, and remodeled public spaces including a redesigned AmphorA and Veranda restaurants. Norwegian Dawn’s refurbishment includes two new restaurants, three new lounges, updated design in all public spaces and an overhaul of all staterooms, including the Garden Villas suites.

* Cunard Line has announced a partnership with luxury lifestyle brand Aspinal of London, with an exclusive collection of travel items including an iconic, Cunard-branded Aspinal travel journal, as well as men’s wallets, designer handbags, and the Pegasus Collection, from designer Emma J Shipley, available on board Queen Mary 2’s fashion-themed trans-Atlantic crossing.

* Social-impact brand Fathom has added a delicious touch to their Dominican Republic travel experience with Chef Emil Vega. The award-winning Dominican culinary expert has designed a menu for the specialty restaurant Ocean Grill with authentic flavors, like Grilled Seafood Salpicón, Mofongo and Aguají, Pescado con Coco (Fish Criollo and Coconut), and Vegetarian Pastelón – dish made with layers of plantains, spinach, and cheese. “I set out to create for travelers an extraordinary, authentic Caribbean culinary experience that allows them to savor a range of gastronomical possibilities featuring regionally inspired ingredients,” said Chef Emil. “Fathom understands that an important aspect of immersing in any unique culture is to explore its cuisine, which we are happy to make available to travelers from the moment they step aboard Fathom’s Adonia.”

^{Photos: American Queen Steamboat Company, Cunard Line/Christopher Ison}

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