Thrill 5D Theater Aboard Carnival Breeze

Rendering of Carnival Breeze's 5D Theater. Photo from Carnival Cruise Line

Coming soon to a 5D Theater on your newest funship!

The 5D movie experience explained:

3d is visual, 4d is visual and interactive, 5D is total immersion.

Thrill 5D Theater on Carnival Breeze will screen films that are already formated in 3D or 4D and then create a seat within a theater that is rigged for movement and special effects (expect elements such as squirting water, blowing air and vibrating seats) to create a 5 dimensional experience. Currently Carnival Cruise Line has licensed 3D or 4D versions of HAPPY FEET, SPEED RACER, and  THE POLAR EXPRESS. 

Carnival Breeze will spend the summer sailing the Mediterranean and then head to Miami, where she will sail the Caribbean year-round. To learn more about the ship visit www.carnivalbreeze.com or join the conversation online and join in the pre-cruise launch fun, check out the Carnival Breeze Facebook Fan Page. Look forward to some innovative contests and invitations to get involved.

Silversea Cruises teams up with Choozi Entertainment to offer new onboard entertainment concept

Silversea Cruises, always an innovator, is moving away from traditional production shows to a series of concert-style shows. Cruisers can look forward to something new and fresh from the Choozi Entertainment team who bring an experienced and creative eye onboard to dazzle audiences.

Get ready to stand, cheer and clap

New show signed and ready for cruise visitors on Silversea Cruises.

The concept is to feature classically trained vocalists and musicians who will perform for guests in new formats produced exclusively for Sivlersea Cruises.

Not only will Choozi Entertainment develop high-energy shows like  Signed, Sealed, Delivered - a musical journey through Motown’s songbook, cruise passengers will also enjoy  High C’s, which is a a take on the classics with a modern twist, in the same manner as Il Divo, Josh Groban, and Sarah Brightman.

Under the direction of  Christopher Childers and his sister, Suzanne Childers, cruise guests on Silversea will be able to enjoy the new production numbers throughout the ship.

“The decision to bring this level of entertainment aboard their ships will allow their guests the opportunity to experience Broadway-caliber musical theater while cruising around the world.” Suzanne Childers, president of Choozi.

The new entertainment offerings are currently debuting on the October 24 sailing of Silver Cloud, with additional shows opening this month on Silver Whisper, Silver Wind and Silver Shadow. The program will also be rolled out to Silver Spirit in March 2012.

Culinary Enrichment at Sea

The Relais & Châteaux cooking school at sea offered on my 12 day Silversea Cruises voyage in China has been quite informative. Yesterday our visiting L’Ecole des Chefs culinary expert gave a fantastic culinary demonstration featuring Asian Style Salmon with Stir Fried Cabbage. In addition we had a lesson in making Asian-styled veal dumplings.

Veal dumpling making.

The Relais & Châteaux cooking school is designed exclusively for Silversea by Relais & Châteaux and hosted by Silversea’s Culinary Trainer, Chef David Bilsland.

Executive Chef David Bilsland has worked at top top establishments in the UK, including the Waldorf Hotel, Langans Brasserie and Stringfellows

Chef David used bamboo, eggplant, and local dumpling wrappers that he purchased in Shanghai with some guests that choose to shop with the chef.

Slicing the salmon to insert fresh pickled ginger.

Chef David, who has worked with Silversea since March 2007, is fun to watch and a wonderful teacher. Chef David is knowledgeable yet he is able to convey complex cooking technique to guests in a manner that is easy to understand. I am hoping to replicate what I learned when I get home, which should be easy since I have a recipe card and detailed instructions, thanks to Chef.

Market to Plate: showing bamboo that was purchased in a local Shanghai food market.

Chef David was educated in classical French cooking at Thames Valley University, completing advanced Chef Diplomas in both Cuisine and Patisserie.

Happening Now

• Going ashore with Silversea Cruises: Jiangyin, China on the Yangtze River
• Going ashore with Silversea Cruises: The water town of Zhujiajiao
• Photo recap of Shanghai’s top sites
• Exploring ashore with Silversea Cruises in Qingdao, China
• Qingdao China cruise port overview
• Pre cruise photo recap: 24 hours in Seoul, South Korea
• Cruise Review Silversea Cruises Voyage 3126

Todd Smith, visionary founder of AdventureSmith Explorations, is leading the way in sustainable travel.

It is not an easy task to find companies, cruise lines, tour operators, and hospitality organizations willing to step into the spotlight to talk about their sustainability plans. While compiling my roundup of sustainability leaders, I ran across Todd Smith.

At the helm of AdventureSmith Expeditions, Todd Smith

Expedition Cruises & Wilderness Adventures

Todd Smith from AdventureSmith Explorations offers what he calls “a new style of adventure travel,” which combines small vessels, expert guides and sustainable practices to experience nature and wildlife up-close.

His cruises and tours consist of specially outfitted yachts, small ships and wilderness lodges that serve for naturalists to lead small group explorations into the wilderness.

Smith is a fan of small ship cruise experiences off-the-beaten path, away from crowds allowing his guests a chance to connect with nature and the local community.

When asked about sustainable practices in the cruise industry, Smith points out that that “small ships have always been inherently low impact.” Adding that , “as a closed system that does not visit port regularly, small ships need to be efficient with resources and minimize waste.”

Because of space limitations, Smith and I discussed the challenges that small ships have in terms of space, which naturally leads to creative ways to reduce and reuse products. Smith also noted that small ships are are more likely to employ local people and purchase local commodities than their big ship cousins.

Small ships, little impact

Smith points out that many small ships have taken this concept further to enhance guest experience and further reduce environmental impact.

Island Spirit in Alaska is outfitted with a bank of solar and generator charged batteries that allow them to shut off generators at night allowing guests to experience Alaskan solitude.

Several boats in the Galapagos have achieved certification from Smart Voyager which considers rigorous environmental and social standards to decrease impact and ensure benefits to local populations.

Award-winning

• 2005 Outside Magazine Best Trips of the Year
• 2006 National Geographic Traveler – 50 Tours of a Lifetime
• 2007 Conde Nast World Saver Award – Conservation
• 2008 National Geographic Adventure – Best Travel Companies on Earth
• 2011 Travel Age West Trendsetter Award

Get connected

To learn more about AdventureSmith Explorations, check out their website and make sure to “like” them on Facebook.

• www.facebook.com/AdventureSmithExplorations
• www.youtube.com/user/AdventureSmithTravel
• BLOG www.adventurecruisenews.com

Read more about sustainable travel from CruiseBuzz.net

• Sustainable Tourism: cruising and beyond. – Recap